USA > Missouri > Pettis County > Sedalia > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, History of Sedalia > Part 29
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The revised constitution of Missouri, which went into operation July 4, 1865, prohibited all disloyal citizens from the elective franchise. The "Test Oath," or "Iron-Clad Oath," as it was more properly called, was required of every one who had anything to do with public affairs.
Under the operations of this oath, ministers, lawyers, teachers, and all office-holders and electors were required to take the test oath prior to exercising the functions of their offices. To enforce this oath, as applied to voters, a registration law was enacted, creating the office of registrar, by which every person who intended to vote at an election was required to write his name and subscribe to the oath. It can be easily seen how this unlimited power could be abused by the army of registering officers, and in many instances men of unquestionable honesty and integrity, pos- sessing all the rights of citizenship, were precluded from exercising the right to vote, in order to gratify the whim or caprice of some narrow- minded partisan.
After the liberal Republicans carried the State and county, in the fall of 1870, all restrictions were removed. Many of the disfranchised rebels joined the Democrats, and in 1872 this party took possession of the State and county again, after a lapse of about twelve years.
At all the early elections, prior to the war, voting was done vive voce, on the first Monday of August. Mr. Mentor Thomson, an esteemed pioneer of the county, states that in the early years of the county's history men went to the polls to stay all day, eat ginger bread, drink hard cider, etc., and have a jolly time. In some places the polls were kept open two or three days, in order to allow every voter a chance to exercise the elec-
25S
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
tive franchise. Among the old-line Whigs we find the names of Geo. R. Smith, Dr. Joe Fox, John M. Sneed, Reuben E. Gentry, Richard Gentry, Andrew Forbes, Marcus Calmes, Maj. J. S. Hopkins, Dr. James R. Hughes, Col. T. H. Houston, V. Chilton, Geo. Anderson, Col. Crawford, W. H. Powell, and Capt. Samuel Montgomery.
Among the Democrats were: Judge James Ramey, Geo. Heard, Judge Thos. Watson, Reece Hughes, Dr. Geo. W. Rothwell, Ebenezer MaGoffin, Hon. John R. Born, Dr. Thos. E. Staples.
In 1860, the Bell and Everett party carried the county by a handsome majority. Col. Jno. F. Phillips was one of the presidential electors of this party. Hon. F. E. Cravens was elected county representative for this year.
Capt. Sam'l Montgomery raised the first company of Union soldiers of the county, and Dr. Joe Fox the first secession company, in 1861.
Col. Jno. F. Phillips, the county's most valorous soldier and statesman, organized his regiment, 7th Missouri cavalry, in 1861. Col. Phillips was always found at his post of duty during the civil strife; returning to his county, his own congressional district, through the Democratic party, gave him the highest honors the sovereignty of the people could bestow upon him.
Dr. E. MaGoffin is said to have shot the first Union soldier of the county. This was in 1861.
Col. Jeff. Thompson, of the Confederate army, marched into Sedalia in 1864, planted his guns near the cemetery, and fired over the city. At the alarm, Col. John D. Crawford, who, with a squad of militia, was sta- tioned in Sedalia, fled to Flat Creek, where it is said that they took refuge. Gen. Jeff. Thompson entered the town and after pillaging and supplying his soldiers with goods and provisions, he captured what horses he could and left the city. His most dastardly act was taking from a lady's possession a handsome sword, a souvenir presented to Col. John F. Phillips by his own regiment, and not returning the same as was due mil- itary courtesy.
Many are the thrilling scenes and trials borne by those who tried to stay at home during the rebellion. The bad acts do not belong to one side only. In both armies were bad, designing men. Often lives were taken for mere trifles, and others tortured or imprisoned. Thos. Hughes is mentioned as being taken away from home for his southern proclivities and imprisoned at Alton till his health failed, after which they set him free, but being too feeble he never reached home.
In some localities houses were burnt and whole families of women and children thrown out in the cold, unwelcome world, penniless, without friends or a morsel of bread. Miss Puss Whitley, a brave and noble minded girl, is said to have been often equal to the emergency when the
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
desperadoes were in her neighborhood. She could use fire arms as well as her tongue. She replied to them, when they attempted to burn her home and drive her from the county: "Burn it, if you dare, I'll stretch a tent over the ashes," then giving them a volley of hot lead.
OFFICIAL RETURNS-PETTIS COUNTY ELECTION.
1880.
CANDIDATES.
Sedalia.
Dresden
Green Ridge
Lake Creek.
Flat Creek.
Washington.
Elk Fork.
Prairie.
Smithton.
Beaman.
Hughesville.
Cedar.
Lamonte.
Blackwater.
Houstonia.
Longwood
Heath's Creek.
Total.
Majority.
( Hancock, Dem ..
1049|124|112:51|116|104 111|76;120|
81|107|106/228|125| 93|127|165|2895 438
President.
Garfield, Rep ...
1169
94
82 65 111
65 78 63 112 94
32 138 106
80
69
73 26 2457 ...
Weaver, G.
93
17
21 1
12
11
5
3
38 40
3
11
2
8
5
3
33
306
Governor
Dyer, Rep ... Brown, G ...
93
18 22 1
12
11
4 41 42
1
11
3
4 5
4 33 310
Lieut-Governor.
Blair, Rep.
1169 95
17 21 1
12
11
39
41
81 120 107 229 125
93
32 138 105
80
8
5
3
33
303
...
State Treasurer.
Dallmeyer, Rep .. Lowrey, G.
17
21 1
12
11
5 31 39
41 1
11
3
8
5
3
33 311
State Auditor
Thompson, Kep. Marquis, G.
94 17
1
11
11
5 3 36 1 11
8
5
2 33| 302 129 166 2917 465
Att'y General.
McIntyre. Dem. Harding., Rep .... McGindley, G ...
94
17
21
1 12
11
5 3 39 40
10 3
5
33 305
465
Register of Lands.
Herenden, Rep .. Matney. G. Ray, Dem.
1171 94
17
21
1
11
11
3 39 41
11 3
5 3
33 306
..
Judge Sup. Court. - Karnes. Rep
93
32 138 105
3
5
34 302
R. R. Commiss'r ..
Barnes, Rep
1159 96
17
21
1
12
11
4 42 48 1 12 3
8 10 4
33 321
Congress
Phillips, Dem. Rice, Rep.
1232 109,102
65 120
76
82 68 151 134
110 104 111 73 116; 81 112 106 229
121 95
Representative ...
Shirk, Rep .. Crandall, G.
106
19 21 82 107 50
86 64
20 1 82 30 111
8
7
40
11 8 86 107 216.117 11
85
96 116 2512
Collector.
Moses, Rep.
1337 61
89 119 74 117 10 11 1 10
89 10
80164 5 3
19 38
1 10 3 4 84 112 108 231 123
5
1
23 215
114 129 167 2953 301
Prosecuting Att'y.
Bridges, Rep
1273 197 83 66 105
74
78 59
123
129
41 147 106 90
38
57 2653
Probate Judge.
Sloane, Rep ..
1255
105|101 68 121
76 80 671
145/131
33 148 108 88 73
74
68 25 2324 . .
Franklin, G.
68
18 21
1
11
11
5 4
96
1 11 3
8
11
1
32 371
Treasurer
Phipps, Rep.
1125
89
76 63 108 64 76 64
2
12 11
2 -39 3
2
5
3
29 282 .. ..
Assessor
Lower, Rep.
1171
91
83 64 109 65
76 64 6 3
94
40 10
3
8
6
1
31
362
.
Coroner
Bronson, Rep.
1301 110 105 65 121
81 64
150|131
34|148 106
88 7.2
741 59 2781 ...
Surveyor
Hewett, Rep ..
Clopton, Dem .. Fowler, Rep ..
1045 1155
94
87 64,111
65
111
92
32 133
|104 80
68
8
5
2
165 1369
Co. Judge, E. Dist.
Baker, Rep
113|102|51 108
6S
106 73
79 194 124
84 127
1348|138
Co. Judge, W. Dist-
Hall, Rep.
112
83 64
111
63 78|64
32
137 137
80
6
73
1110 . .
Elliott, G
7
26
1
19
42
8
3
2
10
2
8
3
ยท
Yes
808
134 22 119
89 47 47 101
37
60
69|175 113
54
34| 38 1946 228
Stock Law.
No
448
1 39 74 100}
64 116 47
89|121
45 1331 74 67
34
301137|1718 . . .
92
82 65/111
111 92
32
120 105
93 32 139/105 2 11 3
8
73 3
33 310| . .
Sec'y of State ....
Broadwell, Rep .. Jones G.
94 16 21
1
11
5
2
|116
75 120 81
[106|106
229 125 93.123 166 72 26|2444
. ..
Walker. Dem.
1167
82 65|111|
65
78 161 111 32|138 105 93
41
3 82 120 106 229 125
93 68
26 2452 ..
McCulloch, Dem.
1053|125
93
83|65
111
65
111 93
81 120 106 229 32 138 105 67
73
26 2455 . .
1053 125 1129 93 17 93
21
1
12
116
118 81 119
29 138 105
80 64 26 2354| ..
Alexander, G ..
1073|125 112:51 |119 104 113
74 116 78
110|108 231 124 93 128 162 2921 192 40 146 105 88 72 76 63 2729
Houston, Dem ..
1159
92
87
64 |110
65
91
31 138 104
80
74
...
11
5
4
41
40 9 11
3
9
112 73
65 11
74 63
92
32 138 81 98 65
72
26|2484
Hopkins, Dem ..
888 125
73 106 75 123
77
53 137 109
90
74
99 50 2815 303
Potter, G
Heard, Dem
1014 126 126 50 130 106 115.78 140
92 83 63|108
62 57
106 39
39 144 104 80
65
Gentry, Dem.
1100 133 119 51 119 105 113 74 122
82
117|115 231 134
111 88 33 127 103 80 67
McClure. G.
Walker, Dem
1052 126 112 51 114 101
112 175
114
60 92 38,137 104
80 69
95 30 2428 ...
Page, G ..
95
16
21 1
16
11
112
173 118
113
153
|137
34 149 108 87
75 119
80|121 1 6
229|125 92 127 164 2870 431
Administrator.
Evans, G ..
99
45
20
1
11
11
3
38
41
11
3
133
81
110|133 118
990 1306
59 1608 239
Purdue, Dem
92
12
19
38
10 3 81 |116 116 230
125 91 108 165 2886 458
King, Dem.
996 121 111 51 100 104
81|116 106 227,125 95 129:166 2831 44
72|119 106 [229 126 94 129 166 2804 ..
73 71 58/2820 16
97 107 51|117 104
111
64
. .
Blocher, Dem
90
81
112
51
.116
104 112
75|120
|106 229 |125 93 129 166 2917 503 8 120
83 65
111
65
78.64 111
80 8
68 73 26 2414
Bland, G ..
Pratt, Dem.
1056 126 112 93
80 64 108
64
78 64
93
32 138 105
80 68
26 2457
Fellows. G
McGrath, Dem ..
1050 126 112 51
120 104 112 74
120
5 93 129 166 2919 466 68 73 26 2453
Chappell, Dem ..
1048 125
112 51
82 65
111
65 78 64 111
26|2451 73 81|120 106/229 126 80 93 130|167 2922 471 68
1052|125
1167 93
83
65 |111 65
78 64|111 93 32 138|105
80 8
73 3 130|166 2920
104 112 75 120 112 51 117
78 64 5
5
11 104
3 39 39 11 106 229 125 92 166 2787 433
123 163 2869 437 27 2432
Ingram, Dem.
9901
114
|104
119
81 121 106 228 124 92 130
166 2809 316
Circuit Clerk.
Fletcher, Rep .. Hoss, G ..
8
3 62 379
77 93 131 165 2967 189 58/2831 ..
Conner. Dem
1090 125 111 52 118 107
114 74 125 76 112 98 231|125 90 134 167 2950 626
Sheriff.
Ford. Rep.
1111
1045 122 107 51
77 64|112
58 12
2 35 347
1283
72
113
10
37 1
Lacy, Dem ..
1075 125 110 46 116 104 113 75 124 81 |118 107,229 125
116 104 112 75 120
39 41 2 10
3
95
128 166 2911 454
Crittenden, Dem.
1047 124 112 51 116 104 112 74 118
81 119 105 230 129 139 104
80 67
73 26 2456
Campbell, Dem.
1046 124 112 51 |116 94
82 65|111 65 78 64 112 5 3
65 78/64 5
104 112 75 119 81
229 80 125 93 129 166 2907 451 68
1170 93 83 65 109 65 78,64|111
104 112
2898 454
1052 125 112 51|116 104 112 75 123 93
125 94
80 8
112
103 99
1
18
113
123 96
39
95 128 171|3013 644 70 25 2369 ...
Monroe, Dem ..
1314 81 68 1001 124 111 34 104 102 100 74 110|102 68 132 75
75
76 5
72 26 2439 31 334 . .
6
259
1176
1161 93
21 112 51
51
260
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
In all the following elections from 1872, the Democrats have been suc- cessful, with a few exceptions, when the Greenbackers and Republicans coalesced. The ex-rebels have generally gone with the Democrats. The Democratic majority is now about 400. A good feeling exists between the political parties.
The following is the record of the first marriage of the county:
STATE OF MISSOURI, i
COUNTY OF COOPER.
I hereby certify that on the 26th day of March, 1833, I solemnized the right of matrimony between William P. Burney, of Cooper county, and Sallie Ann Barnes, of Pettis county. Given under my hand this 5th day of May, 1833. JAMES L. WEAR, P. G.
The second marriage contract record is as follows:
This is to certify that on the twenty-eight day of March, in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirty-three, Nathaniel Newbill and Sarah Swope, of the County of Pettis, and State of Missouri, were lawfull joined in the bonds of matrimony by me. ELIJAH TAYLOR, J. P.
In 1866 P. G. Stafford was elected State Representative.
In 1870 Allen O'Bannon was elected State Representative.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
In giving the official directory of Pettis county we find no little trouble in arranging the names and dates, from the fact that no record of the elec- tions have been preserved. It has been extremely difficult to determine when some of the county officers commenced the functions of their offices. The records have been carefully consulted, and with the aid of those remembering, a few of whom held the offices to which their names have been attached, the roster can be relied upon as substanially correct. Every clerk of the county court should be required, by law, to keep an election book and official directory, which would greatly aid in the trans- action of business, and which would grow more and more valuable in years to come. It should be remembered in consulting this directory that the dates indicate the beginning and close of the term of office. It also shows the election of some who did not serve.
SHERIFFS.
Aaron Jenkins, appointed 1833-1834
Wm. R. Kemp, elected. 1834-1836
Wm. R. Kemp, re-elected 1836-1838 Willis P. Ellis, elected 1838-1838
M. G. Pemberton, elected 1838-1840
M. G. Pemberton, re-elected. .1840-1840
Willis P. Ellis, appointed . 1840-1842
Wm. R. Kemp, elected . 1842-1843
261
.
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
Wm. R. Kemp, appointed 1843-1844
Wm. H. Killebrew, elected . 1844-1846
Wm. H. Killebrew, re-elected 1846-1848
James Kemp, elected. .1848-1850
James Kemp, re-elected . 1850-1852
Wm. H. Killebrew, elected 1852 .. 1854
Wm. H. Killebrew, re-elected 1854-1855
Finis E. Cravens, appointed 1855 -- 1856
Finis E. Cravens, elected 1856-1858
Wesley McClure, elected. 1858-1860
Wesley McClure, re-elected 1860-1862
H. J. McCormack, elected 1862-1863
John Hubbard, appointed. 1863-1864
Wm. H. Porter, elected 1864-1866
Wm. H. Porter, re-elected 1866-1868
Wm. P. Paff, elected.
1868-1870 Wm. P. Paff, re-elected 1870-1872
H. J. McCormack, elected .1872-1874
L. S. Murray, elected .
1874-1876
L. S. Murray, re-elected 1876-1878 /
L. S. Murray, elected 1878 -- 1880
Moses S. Conner, elected. 1880-1882
COLLECTORS.
This office was connected with the Sheriff till in 1877. J. A. C. Brown, elected. 187S-1880
R. H. Moses, elected . 1880-1882
1872-Vote for Congressmen : 1,735 votes for Hon. S. S. Burdett; 2,060 for Col. T. T. Crittenden. The same year John P. Strather was elected State Senator and John T. Heard Representative.
1874 .- Votes for Governor stood: C. H. Hardin, 1,736; Wm. Gentry, 1,998. Votes for Congressmen stood: John F. Philips, 2,060; James H. Lay, 1,632.
1876 .- Votes for President: Samuel J. Tilden, 2,832; R. B. Hayes, 2,100; Peter Cooper, 3. For Governor: John S. Phelps, 2,778; G. A. Finkelnburg, 2,129. State Senator elected, J. S. Parsons; Representative, Dr. J. P. Thatcher. Criminal Circuit Judge elected, W. H. H. Hill.
CLERKS OF COUNTY COURT.
Amos Fristoe, appointed 1833-1835
Amos Fristoe, elected. 1835-1841
Amos Fristoe, re-elected 1841-1847
Albion Robertson, elected 1847-1853
Rob't R. Spedden, elected 1853-1857
262
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
Sam'l A. Lowe, appointed 1857-1859
Sam'l A. Lowe, elected . 1859-1865
Thomas E. Bassett, appointed. 1865-1867
S. A. Yankee, elected 1867 -- 1870
R. H. Moses, elected. 1870-1874
R. H. Moses, re-elected . 1874-1878
Henry Y. Field, elected
1878-1882
SURVEYORS.
Jesse Joplin, appointed. 1835-1836
Mentor Thomson, elected. 1836-1838
Mentor Thomson, re-elected. 1838-1840
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
.1840-1842
Mentor Thomson, re-elected .
1842-1846
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
.1846-1848
Mentor Thomson, re-elected. 1848-1850
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
1850-1852
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
1852-1854
Mentor Thomson, re-elected.
1854-1856
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
1856-1858
Mentor Thomson, re-elected.
1858-1860
Mentor Thomson, re-elected
1860-1862
Mentor Thomson, re-elected.
.1862-1864
Mentor Thomson, re-elected.
1864-1866
Wm. J. Pace, appointed
1866-1867
Wm. J. Pace, elected
1867-1868
W. H. Hewitt, elected.
1868-1870
W. H. Hewitt, re-elected
1870-1872
Thomas Monroe, elected 1872-1874
Thomas Monroe, re-elected. 1874-1876
Thomas Monroe, re-elected. 1876-1880
Thomas Monroe, re-elected. 1880-1882
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.
Solomon J. Lowe, appointed .. 1847-1850
John M. Glasscock, appointed 1850-1851
George Heard, appointed 1851-1855
George Heard, appointed 1855-1856
George Heard, appointed 1855-1858
Wm. C. Ford, elected 1858-1861
Thos. J. Montgomery, appointed but refused to qualify 1861-1861
Chan. P. Townsley, appointed 1862-1863
O. P. Hatton, appointed 1853-1865
O. P. Hatton, appointed 1865-1866
263
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
John G. Riley, elected but refused to qualify 1866 -- 1867 S. S. Vinton, appointed 1867-1868
Jas. S. Porter, elected 1868-1869 D. H. Petefish, appointed 1869-1871
J. F. Tobias, appointed 1871 -- 1872
John Elliott, elected 1872-1874
John Elliott, re-elected .1874-1876
John R. Clapton, elected. 1876 -- 1880
John R. Clapton, re-elected .1880-1882
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
Aldea A. Glasscock, appointed 1853-1855
Aldea A. Glasscock, appointed 1855-1857
Aldea A. Glasscock, appointed 1857-1860 Wm. C. Westlake, elected. 1860-1861
The office abolished and county clerk acted
1861-1865
H. P. Thomson, appointed
1865-1868
A. J. Sampson, elected 1868-1870
A. A. Neal, elected . 1870-1872
W. C. Westlake, elected. 1872-1875
Wm. F. Hansberger, elected com 1875-1877
Joseph Kingsley, elected. 1877 -- 1879
Gen. J. B. Van Petten, elected 1879-1881
R. M. Scotten, elected 1881-1883
COUNTY COURT JUDGES.
James Ramey, appointed 1833-1838
Elijah Taylor, appointed . 1833-1838
Wm. A. Miller, appointed 1833-1838
Wm. A. Miller, elected
1838-1842
Thomas Wasson, elected
1838-1842
James Brown, elected. 1838-1842
Thomas Wasson, re-elected. 1842-1847
William Scott, elected 1842 -- 1847
Henry M. Rubey, elected 1842-1847
William Scott, re-elected. 1847-1850 Thomas Wasson, re-elected. 1847-1850 John S. Brown, elected, 1847-1850 Henry Rains, appointed 1850-1851 James T. Walker, elected 1850-1851
A. M. Forbes, elected 1850-1853
John S. Brown, elected. 1851-1853
Samuel Dudley, appointed 1851-1854
Mentor Thompson, appointed 1851 -- 1854
264
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
Hampton P. Gray, appointed 1853-1854
Wm. Scott, appointed 1854-1854
A. M. Forbes, elected . 1854-1856
A. M. Coffee, elected 1854-1856
Wm. Gentry, appointed 1855-1856
H. P. Gray, elected. 1856-1858
Wm. Gentry, elected. 1856-1865
Thomas Ferguson, elected 1856-1864
Jacob Yankee, elected . 1860-1866
Wm. D. Erwin, appointed 1864-1866
J. W. Beeman, appointed 1864-1866
A. M. Wright, appointed
1866-1870
J. W. Beeman, appointed. 1866-1770
E. W. Washburn, appointed. .1866-1870
Allen O'Bannon, appointed 1868-1870
Thos. W. Phillips, elected. 1868-1872
A. M. Wright, elected. 1870-1872
Charles Richardson, elected 1872-1873
John M. Sneed, elected 1873-1875
A. B. Codding, elected 1873-1875
O. M. Harris, elected 1873-1875
D. H. O'Rear, elected. 1873-1875 William Boeker, elected .1873-1875
V. T. Chilton (vice Sneed, resigned), appointed. 1873-1875
John G. Sloan (vice Codding, deceased), appointed 1873-1875
E. Canady (vice Harris, resigned), appointed 1873-1875
J. Q. Tannehill, elected 1873-1875
W. C. Gibson, elected. 1873-1875
W. C. Gibson, re-elected . 1875-1878
W. C. Gibson, re-elected 1878-1880
John Baker, elected 1878-1880
J. Q. Tannehill, elected 1878-1880
CORONERS.
Ambrose K. Boggs, elected 1838-1842
Samuel C. Potts, elected 1842-1844
Oswald Kidd, elected. 1844-1848
Oswald Kidd, re-elected 1848-1850
Jas. G. Bridges, elected 1850-1854
Robert Dickson, elected 1856-1858
Jas. G. Bridges, elected 1858-1860
Wm. T. Roberts, elected. 1860-1862
Jas. A. Blakemore, elected, (resigned). 1862-1862
265
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
M. P. Edwards, appointed 1862-1865
Wm. P. Jackson, appointed. 1865-1867
Thomas Lacy, appointed. .1867-1867
John Shanafelt, appointed 1867-1868
W. A. Mayfield, elected .1868-1870
John H. Kehn, elected. 1870-1872 Cyrus Goodrich, elected 1872-1874
W. H. Evans, elected. 1874-1876
W. H. Evans, re-elected 1876-1878
J. B. Jones, elected . 1878-1880
Willis P. King, elected 1880-1882.
CLERKS OF CIRCUIT COURT.
Amos Fristoe, appointed 1833-1835
Amos Fristoe, elected. 1835-1841
Amos Fristoe, re-elected 1841-1853
Robert Stedden, elected 1853-1858
Samuel A. Lowe, appointed . 1858-1859
Samuel A. Lowe, elected 1859-1865
John W. Christian, elected. 1865-1866
Florence Crandall, appointed. 1866-1868
Bacon Montgomery, appointed.
1868-1870
E. P. Kent, elected. . : 1870-1873
Henry Lamm (vice Kent, resigned), appointed 1873-1874
J. C. Wood, elected. 1874-1880
Benton Ingram. 1880-1882
JUDGES OF COMMON PLEAS COURT. With probate jurisdiction : established, 1867; abolished, 1873.
R. G. Dunham, appointed 1867-1870
John S. Cochran, elected 1870-1874
W. H. H. Hill, elected 1874-1874
COUNTY ATTORNEYS.
George Heard, appointed 1863-1865
Manetho Hilton, appointed 1865-1865
O. C. Sabin, appointed. 1865-1866
Chan. P. Townsley, appointed. 1866-1867
Jno. S. Cochran, appointed 1867-1868
B. G. Wilkerson, appointed 1868-1869
B. G. Wilkerson, appointed 1869-1870
B. G. Wilkerson, appointed 1870-1871
B. G. Wilkerson, appointed 1871-1872
Frank Houston, elected. 1872-1874
266
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
Frank Houston, re-elected . 1874-1876
Geo. P. B. Jackson, elected 1876-1878
Geo. P. B. Jackson, re-elected 1878-1880
G. C. Heard, re-elected 1880-1882
JUDGES PROBATE COURT. (Established 1873.) The probate judge is ex-officio clerk of his court.
W. H. H. Hill, elected. 1873-1874
W. H. H. Hill, re-elected-resigned. 1874-1875
H. P. Townsley, elected 1875-1876
John A. Lacy, elected 1876-1882
CLERKS OF COMMON PLEAS COURT.
Bacon Montgomery, appointed 1867-1870
E. P. Kent, elected . 1870-1872
RECORDERS.
(Prior to the election of 1866, circuit court clerks performed the duties of recorders.
Florence Crandall, elected. 1866-1870
J. D. Crawford, elected 1870-1874
J. D. Crawford, re-elected. 1874-1878
Samuel W. Richey, elected. 1878-1882
John W. Conner, (vice-Richey, deceased, 1 year). 1882-1882
TREASURERS. (Office established 1846.)
Solomon J. Lowe, appointed. 1847-1848
Reece Hughes, elected. 1848-1856
Reece Hughes, re-elected. .1856-1858
Reece Hughes, re-elected 1858-1860
Reece Hughes, re-elected 1860-1862
Hiram Thornton, elected 1862-1864 Hiram Thornton, re-elected 1864-1866 J. G. Beck, elected 1866-1868
J. G. Beck, re-elected . 1868-1870
Henry Suess, elected . 1870-1872
Adam Ittel, elected . 1872-1874
Adam Ittel, re-elected 1874-1876
J. C. Thompson, elected 1876-1878
R. T. Gentry, elected. 1878-1880
R. T. Gentry, re-elected 1880-1882
ASSESSORS.
Alexander M. Christian, elected 1844-1848
Albert G. Branham, elected . 1848-1852
267
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
Albert G. Branham, re-elected 1852-1854
E. C. Bouldin, elected 1854-1856
O. P. Hatton, elected. 1856-1858
John Dejarnatt, appointed 1858-1858
James McCormack, appointed 1858-1858 James Whitfield, appointed. 1858-1859
T. W. Gresham, appointed 1858-1858 Richard Gentry, appointed (refused to serve) 1859-1858
Clifton Wood, appointed, (refused to serve) .. 1859-1859
E. MaGoffin, appointed, (refused to serve). 1859-1859
S. B. Hoss, appointed, (refused to serve). 1859-1859
Joseph B. May, appointed 1859-1860
T. W. Gresham, appointed. 1859-1860
John S. Brown, appointed 1859-1860
T. W. Gresham, elected. 1860-1862
John W. May. 1859-1860
E. C. Bouldin, appointed 1863-1864
John W. Simpson, appointed. 1863-1865
Wm. D. Ewin, appointed. 1864-1865
William Dixon, appointed, (failed to qualify). 1865 -- 1865
John Hubbard, appointed. 1865-1866
C. C. Crawford, appointed. 1865-1866
C. C. Crawford, elected 1866-1868
C. C. Crawford, re-elected 1868-1870
A. P. Morey, elected. 1870-1872
W. E. Middleton, elected. 1872-1873
(Office abolished 1873. Re-established 1877.)
W. E. Middleton, elected. .1878-1880
- Walker, elected .1880-1882
CHAPTER VI .- FINANCES.
Introduction-First Records-Habits of First County Officers-The Missing Records-The Assessors from 1838-1844 and their Salaries-An Exhibit of County Revenue of 1837- Licenses of 1850-Treasurer's Report of 1850-State School Fund-Rate of Taxation of 1854-Railroad Bonds-Assessment of 1881 and 1882.
The financial history of any county bears a direct relation to its wealth and resources, and gives a correct view of its prosperity. In the earlier days of the history of Pettis county there was but little trouble with county finances. The county had no bonds or debts and the citizens' annual taxes were comparatively a small sum to what are now imposed upon the inhabitants. Then but few books were required to keep the
268
HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY.
financial records of the county. The financial work of the county for the first few years after its organization in 1833 covered so little ground that it took but little effort to keep the books in proper shape.
In the first years of the county's existence, assessors were appointed by the county court and paid per diem for their services. One man could easily take hold of this work and perform it well in about one mouth. The greatest difficulty was riding horseback over the wide prairies from one residence to the other. In the same way the county collector was appointed and required to call upon all tax-payers of the county at their residence in order to collect the assessments.
In those days but few sought office for the mere salary, since the remuneration was by no means adequate to the toils required. Then honest men alone were put in office, to work more for the interests of the people than for themselves. It was reserved for a later and another gen- eration to seek office for its spoils, and Pettis county has shared the com- mon fate of many of her sister counties in this respect. However, there is, perhaps, no county in the state of Missouri, which has preserved its records in better chirography.
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