Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages, Part 51

Author: Lewis Publishing Company
Publication date: 1887
Publisher: Chicago : Lewis publishing company
Number of Pages: 728


USA > Ohio > Greene County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 51
USA > Ohio > Carroll County > Biographical and historical record of Greene and Carroll counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Cleveland, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state and a concise history of the two counties and their cities and villages > Part 51


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


Previous to their organization Calhoun and Sae counties were attached to Greene for administrative purposes. July 3. 1853, a petition was presented to Judge Phillips, of Greene County, praying for the organization of Calhoun County, and the Judge accord- ingly issued notices of an election to be held at the house of Christopher Smith, on Monday, the 6th day of August. 1855, for the selec- tion of a county judge, county clerk, sheriff, recorder and treasurer, proseenting attorney, surveyor and coroner. At the election but uine votes were cast. A " slate " had been


·


469


EARLY HISTORY.


made up; almost every voter received an office, and the vote was unanimous for cach.


The general election in Greene County occurred the same date, and the following officers were chosen: William Phillips, County Judge; S. G. Crumley, County Clerk; James IJ. Phillips, Treasurer and Recorder; Isaac


Lawrence P. Rhodes and James Ward were appointed deputy sheriff's, and Robert M. Rippey, deputy surveyor.


July 5, 1855, Lewis Morley and Lydia Ayers were licensed to marry. One week later a license was issued to James P. Tucker and Sarah J. Tucker.


Allen J. Currence was allowed $21 for assessing Jackson Township in 1855, and Valentine S. Babb $26 for assessing Wash- ington Township. The tax levy for 1855 was fixed as follows: State tax, one and one- fourth mills; county tax. four mills; school tax, one-half' mill; road tax, one mill; road , cember 31, 1855, to Judge Daniels: poll tax, $2; county poll tax, 50 cents.


The marriage licenses issned during the remainder of 1855 were: James C. Beeman and Mary A. Chance, August 18; Jesse Per- kins and Nancy C. Tueker, August 25; Rich- ard Morlan and Sarah Lewis, September 11; Elijah Thurman and Rebecca Morgan. Sep- tember 18; John Piles and Mary F. Miller, September 26; 1. H. Roberts and Margaret McKean, October 3; Wales B. Sanford and Elizabeth J. May, December 3.


October 1, 1855, John F. Lewis was ap- pointed an agent to procure and sell spiritu- ous liquors in accordance with and pursuant to an aet passed by the General Assembly, styled "An act for the suppression of intem-


perance," Chapter 45 in the Acts of 1854 and 1855.


During this first year or more of the county's organic existence the county offices were located in a building belonging to Thomas Phillips. The rent was $3 a month. In November, 1855, he was paid $45 for the fifteen months' rent then due. D. Crumley, Sheriff; Norman S. Daniels, ' In this same month William Lee, of lowa Prosecuting Attorney; Allen J. Currence, Surveyor; John Barr, Coroner. The bonds of the treasurer and sheriff were fixed at $5,000 in each case.


City, was allowed $150 for record books fur- nished the county. These are the books on which the first records of the different offices are written.


Judge Phillips resigned November 29, 1855, and Norman S. Daniels, prosecuting attorney, acted as county judge until the next spring. Judge Daniels was allowed 825 for his service of a year and a quarter as prose- enting attorney, or at the rate of $20 per an- mun. Isaiah Deemer was allowed $20.25 for one writing table, desk and book-case furnished the county. James A. Lock was paid $8, or $1 a cord, for eight cords of wood hauled and delivered at the county offices.


The trustees of Jackson Township, Thomas W. Greenup and Mason Linn, reported De-


"We. the trustees of Jackson Township, Greene County, have this day been called on by Dulanah Johnson, as applicant for Thomas W. Neblock, who has fallen into the care of said Johnson, on account of being so badly frozen that he could not travel farther, and we therefore find by examination on the 28th day of December, 1855, that the said Nel- lock, who had then been in the care of the said Johnson from the 22d day of December, to be destitute of money, but having one ear- pet satchel, four pair of Indian moccasins. one pair of gloves, one coat, one cape line. one cap and three handkerchief's, which are appraised at $8.35. And we also find that the former residence of the said Neblock is


..


-


-


470


-


HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.


in Polk County, Iowa, and we, the under- signed trustees. agree that the said Dulanalı Johnson be allowed five dollars per day for keeping the said Neblock. as we believe him to be at the charge of Greene County for the time being and until further arrangements can be made, and also that the residence of the said Neblock is at or near Bennett's, on Walnut Creek."


Samuel Rhoads was appointed justice of the peace in Washington Township, in place of Elijah Norman, who resigned December 3. 1855. February 14, following, Judge Daniels declared the sheriff's office vacant, in consequence of the absence of the sheriff elect and the resignation and disability of the deputies, and appointed Elisha McCoy sheriff to fill the vacancy. County Clerk Crumley resigned March 3. 1856. On the same date a warrant was issued. based on the usual petition, for the organization of Sac County on the 7th of April following. This was duly carried into effect by the election of a full list of county officers, and from this on Greene County's officials had but one county to look after.


On this same date Greene County, having received a gratifying influx of settlers, was deemed populous enough to form three elec- toral precinets instead of two, and it was ae- cordingly ordered that all that portion of Greene County contained in range 29, and the cast tier of sections in range 30, "is hereby known and designated as Washington Township or Precinct." The remainder of range 30 and the four east tiers of sections in range 31 was made JJefferson Township, while the remainder of range 31 and all of range 32 was named Kendrick Township. War- rants for elections were issued to L. C. Abrell, of Washington, Elisha McCoy. of Jefferson. and D. S. Hamilton. of Kendrick. The elections were held on the 7th of April


following, and in each township there were chosen three trustees, one clerk, two justices, two constables, one township assessor and one supervisor.


In Jefferson Township S. G. Crumley and Evan Morlan were elected justices, Sandford Amy and D. M. C. Peek, constables, and Elisha McCoy, clerk. In Washington Town- ship Samuel Rhodes and A. L. Melain were chosen justices, S. R. MeLain and Thomas Young, constables, and Joel Thornburg, clerk. In Kendrick Township, Allen D. Broek and David S. Hamilton were elected jus- tiees, and Hiram Brock and Moses Blancett, constables.


The Thomas W. Neblock above referred to as frozen severely, and cared for by Dulanah Johnson, died after twelve days, and Mr. Johnson was paid $24 by the county.


Robert M. Rippey was elected county judge at the spring election, 1856, and one of his first aets was an important one looking to the erection of a court-house, as follows:


" This court has this 4th of May, 1856, appropriated $2,000 for the crection of a county house, and to purchase site or lot for building said house, and notices have been posted that bids would be received for the building and completion of said build- ing until the second day of June, 1856, at which time this court will determine who shall erect said building; and if no bids shall be handed in by that time, or if in the opin- ion of the court it is thought expedient to ex- tend the time of receiving said bids by again posting notices of the same. Bids to be awarded within one week after the time of receiving the same closes."


The contraet was awarded June 2, 1856, to James Stanford. for $1.825, and he built the same season the frame court-house on the west side of the square. It was afterward


.


.


471


EARLY HISTORY.


moved into the square. and used until the erection of the present building.


The early officials were not as well edu- cated as those of later years, and some of the records show an amusing disregard of for- mality and acenracy. especially in the minor partienlars of spelling, punctuation, ete. As an example, the following minnte of County Judge Rippey is reproduced:


" COURT SISSION JULY A D 1856


" The Township assessors of Washington & Jefferson Townships appeared The as- sessor of Jefferson appeare and filed his assessment papers with the Sinens role and the assesor of Washington Township ap- eared and having missed some The Court or- dered him to Compleat the Same and return them at the Shortest posable time The assessor of Kindriet Township Sent his asses- inent role to the Court which was Incont- pleat."


In September, 1863, the county conveyed its right to all swamp and overflow lands in the county, aggregating between 60,000 and 70,000 aeres, to the American Emigrant Company, for $9,500. This sale has given rise to much trouble and litigation, which has continued to this year. It is said that much of the land disposed of should never have been rated as swamp land. Conflicting elaims have arisen, many of them involving the railroads, but the story cannot be told in a manner to be of general interest, as the profoundest legal questions are involved.


PIONEERS.


lIntchison, Charles W. King, Elom Robbins, 1. D. Robertson, Jacob Bish, JJames Crabb, Joshua Kinbey, Alexander Morgan, Isaac Rhoads, E. Rinehart. Isaiah W. Deemer. Adam Shroyer, Rensselaer Van Horn. Will- iam Franklin, Hiram Toliver, Wesley Holler, Isom Toliver, Thomas King, Joel N. Thorn- burg, Truman Davis, Charles L. Davis, Isaac Brand, John Brand, William W. Robertson, George Wood, Clayton S. Abrell, Inskip Theker, George Tucker, Samnel lloover. William Theker, David S. Vancleave, Will- iam Lee, William L. Evans, William A. J. McNaught, William F. Crumley, Alexander T. Trinn, Washington K. Allen, Gustavns Peek, Thomas Elwell, John Tyler, Joshua Layton, James Willson, John Mc Williams, John Roberts, Robert Thekens, Soerates Moore, Abner Moore, Nathan Worley, John Worley, Jr., Harris G. Golden, Mark York, Jarvis Decker, Archibald Allen, Robert Allen, Jesse Perkins, Sr., and Isaac Spencer. Jefferson Township .- James II. Phillips, Irvin Wright, John W. Wright, Benjamin Morman, James King, Michael Reece, Joseph Coomes, Bennett Dorherty, Thomas Phillips, Isaac Welker. William Phillips, Samuel Peek, John S. Morlan, James Theker, George Ranbarger, Isaae Theker, D. M. C. Peek, Christopher Peek. E. Atkins, Benjamin Ford. Jackson Morlan, Silas A. Meeker, Joshua Biekford, Evan Morlan, Benjamin F. Stokes. Jonathan Jones, A. J. Hoisington, Pleasant Reed. Sammel O'Neal, Benedict O'Neal, George Bell, 1 .. P. Rhodes, Sanford Amey. W. S. McBride, Alexander Evans, Joseph Jones, Alfred Peek, Augustus Yergen. Will- iam Wilson, V. Amey, Benjamin Churchill, Thomas Hamlet, John M. Cully, George S. min F. Robinson and George May.


Besides the first settlers already named. following is a list of the citizens of the county : in 1856, when the county was divided into . Walton, Lewis Wright, Silas Wright, Benja- three townships, as before mentioned:


Kendrick Township .- Archelas Gibson,


Washington Township. - Moses Bowers, Elijah Norman, Renben Stevens, Jonathan : John Morlan. William L. Calley. Sheldon B.


F


472


HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.


Davis, Joseph Taylor, Joseph Kesler, Chris- topher Borders, Absalom Morlan, Josiah Blancett, Moses Blancett, Thomas Morgan, ' William Whitsort, H. W. Chambers, E. F. Davenport, George II. Beek, John C. Beck, Delanah Johnson, John D. Rivers, Jones Rivers, Eli 11. Rivers, William Yates, Hiram Broek, E. B. Rogers, Horatio Ilastey, Willis Wright, Nathaniel Dehart, A. II. Thompson, Samnel P. Borders, Joseph A. Stickney, Peter Fox, A. D. Broek, Allen J. Currence, Isaac Waldron, John Waldron, Edmond Carney, Isaac Seaman, Mason Linn and Thomas A. Greennp.


END OF THE MONARCHIC SYSTEM.


Under the old regime the county judge was possessed of very large powers-more so, proportionately, than a king has over his subjects. At the elose of 1860 an important change was made, by which the county judge retained only charge of probate matters, and the general government of the county vested in the Board of Supervisors, which first met in January, 1861. The board consisted at first of three, but in 1873 was inereased by a vote of the people to five members. the pres- ent number.


TOWNSHIPS.


The number of civil townships has in- ereased to sixteen, most of them being just a congressional township in size. Washing- ton, which at first included the east half of the connty, has been gradnally ent down till it now contains township 82 and the sonth third of township 83, range 29, or forty-eight square miles. Jefferson Township has been reduced to the size of the incorporated town of Jefferson, or a square two and a half miles on a side, occupying the northwest corner of township 83, range 30. Kendrick comprises township 84, range 32.


Cedar Township was organized in 1867. and comprises township 85, range 32.


Hardin was organized in 1869, and com- prises township 84, range 30.


Franklin was organized in 1870, and com- prises township 82, range 30.


Junction was organized in 1870, and eom- prises township 84 and the north two-thirds of township 83, range 29, thus being sixty sections in size, and the largest eivil town- ship in the county.


Seranton was organized in 1870, and com- prises township 83, range 32.


Bristol was organized in 1871, and com- prises township 84, range 31.


Jackson was organized in 1871, and eoni- prises township 83, range 31.


Dawson was organized in 1872, and com- prises township 85, range 30.


Highland was organized in 1872, and eom- prises township 85, range 31.


Willow was organized in 1874, and com- prises township 82, range 32.


Paton was organized in 1875, and com- prises township 85, range 29.


Grant was organized in 1877, and com- prises all of township 83, range 30, except the six and one-fourth square miles in the northwest corner (which make up Jefferson Township), and ineludes twenty-nine and three-fourths square miles.


Greenbrier is one of the youngest townships, and comprises township 82, range 31.


GOLD EXCITEMENT.


In 1858 a report came to New Jefferson that gold had been discovered in a run on Unele Johnny Barr's farmn, twelve miles west of town. The merchant threw down his yard-stiek and locked his store, the phy- sician his pill bags, the lawyer his Blackstone, the farmer left his plow, and all seized picks, shovels and tin pans, rushed to the new Eldo-


- -


-


--


EARLY HISTORY.


473


rado, expecting soon to dig out fortunes and return millionaires. After digging and wash- ing a few days-some say they got the color. others say they found small particles of gold


-they all concluded to return to their former ocenpations, thinking that they were more profitable than digging for nuggets in Greene County.


f


-


474


HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.


OFFICIAL REGISTER.


ELOW are given the names DRAINAGE COMMISSIONERS. and years of service of Robert M. Rippey. 1554-56; Allen J. the inenmbents of the Currenee, 1856-'59; Mason Linn, 1859-60; several county offices R. Van Horn, 1860-63; William C. Oungst, from the organization of 1864; J. C. Lovejoy, 1865. Office abolished. Greene County in 1854 to the close of 1886. PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS. Before the adoption of Norman S. Daniels, 1855-'56; Joseph A. Stickney, 1856-'57; O. R. Jones, 1857. Office abolished. the present ('onstitution of lowa, the county officers were chosen either CLERKS OF COURTS. in April or August, and took their positions im- mediately after election. Since January 1, 1858, the terms of office begin on January 1 following each election.


COUNTY JUDGES.


William Phillips, 1854-'55; Robert M. Rippey. 1856-'57; Norman S. Daniels, 1857-60; George S. Walton, 1860-61: Isaac D. Crumley, 1861 '62; Robert M. Rip- pey. 1862; Dan Mills, 1862-63: Albert Stone, 1864; Dan Mills, 1864-65; Abijah Anderson, 1866-67: Harvey Potter, 1868 '69. Office abolished and duties divided between circuit court and auditor.


Hiram Broek, 1854; Benjamin F. Robin- son. 1854-'55; Benjamin F. Stokes, 1856: V. S. Babb. 1856 -57: George W. Cochran, 1857-60; Willis Wright, 1861: John M. Culley, 1861-62; S. G. Crumley. 1863-64; 1. D. Howard, 1865-'72: James F. Anderson, 1873-78; Daniel W. Henderson, 1579-'84; James A. Henderson, 1885.


TREASURERS AND RECORDERS.


James Il. Phillips, 1855-'56; S. G. Crum- ley, 1856 '59; J. M. Cline, 1860-63: James Stanford, 1864. Offices then separated.


TREASURERS.


James Stanford, 1865-67; G. S. Toliver, 1868-'71; Samnel Jay. 1872-77: A. S. Gilliland, 1878-83; JJ. W. Fitz, 1884.


-


-----


-


475


OFFICIAL REGISTER.


RECORDERS.


T. G. Stiles, 1865-68; John II. Clark, 1869-'72; J. W. Fitz, 1873- 76: J. C. Toliver, 1877-'80; A. M. Head, 1881-'S2; Z. A. Church. 1882; Thomas C. Bigger, 1883-'86.


AUDITORS.


Marshal B. McDuffie, 1870-'73; George G. Lawrence, 1874-'77; Andrew Watts, 1878-'83; Henry W. Kellogg, 1884.


SHERIFFS.


Isaac D. Crumley, 1854-'56; Elisha MeCoy, 1856; George S. Walton, 1856-'57; Isaac D. Crumley, 1858-61; James Stanford, 1862- '63; John Betebenner, 1864-'67; Clinton De Witt, 1868-'71; Andrew Watts, 1872-'75; John Ayers, 1876-'77; Thomas Fowler, 1878- '81; George E. Eagleson, 1852.


SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER.


Albert J. Hoisington, 1856-'57. Office abolished.


COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.


Jackson Orr, 1858-'59; George S. Walton, 1860-61; David Mallory, 1862-63; W. S. McBride, 1864-'65; J. C. Lovejoy, 1866; 1. W. Russell, 1867; H. C. Rippey, 1867; Mar- shall B. MeDuffie, 1868-'69; I. L. Kephart, 1870-'71; A. R. Mills, 1872-'73; J. W. Huntington, 1874-'75; David Heagle, 1876- '77; H. A. Turrill, 1878-'85; Mary E. Turrill, 1886.


SURVEYORS.


CORONERS.


John Barr. 1855-61; J. J. Anderson, 1862-'63; O. J. White, 1864; Silas Wright, 1864-'65; James Thornton, 1866-'69; D. J. Bowman, 1870: O. S. Underhill, 1870-'71; S. B. Cooper, 1872-'73; I. J. McDuffie, 1874-'75; William Allinson, 1876-'77; S. B. Cooper, 1878-'79; J. C. Lovejoy, 1880-81; H. O. Beatty, 1882; John Inbody, 1582-'83; D. J. Bowman, 1884.


SUPERVISORS.


A. R. Mills (chairman), A. W. Hawk and William H. Adams, 1861; A. R. Mills (chair- man), E. Rinehart and Willis Wright, 1862; Willis Wright (chairman), E. Rinehart and Isaac Tucker, 1863; Isaac Tucker (chairman), E. A. Orman and H. W. Chambers, 1864; George S. Walton (chairman), E. A. Orman and H. W. Chambers, 1865; George S. Wal- ton (chairman), HI. W. Chambers and Joshua Lock, 1866; George S. Walton (chairman), J. C. Lovejoy and H. W. Chambers, 1867; George S. Walton (chairman), II. W. Cham- bers, Joseph Deemner and Alfred Allison, 1868; I. H. Adams (chairman), II. W. Cham- bers, Joseph Deemer and M. S. J. Newcomb, 1869; M. S. J. Newcomb (chairman), J. C. Hasker, George M. Elliott and George Dilla- vou, 1870; William Allinson (chairman), J. C. Lovejoy, C. J. Quinn and C. M. Gilbert, 1871; S. P. Chamberlain (chairman), William Allinson, C. B. Park and C. M. Gilbert, 1872; C. B. Park (chairman), William Allinson and


Allen J. Currence, 1855-'56; John Cooney, | R. E. Witt, 1873; C. B. Park (chairman), 1856-'57; Robert M. Rippey, 1858-'62; C. | R. E. Witt, R. Allen, James Dillavon and W. Barr, 1862-'63; John Cooney, 1864; G. D. G. Cromwell, 1874; C. B. Park (chairman), R. E. Witt, R. Allen, James Dillayou and D. G. Cromwell, 1875; C. B. Park (chairman), R. Allen, D. G. Cromwell, W. B. Livingston and 11. B. Kees, 1876; C. B. Park (chairman), W. B. Livingston, IL. B. Kees, D. B. McCully and Harmon Anderson, 1877; C. B. Park S. Toliver, 1864-'67; James L. Perry, 1868- '69; Jacob M. Toliver, 1870; M. E. Hall, 1870-73; N. P. Stilson, 1874-'77; L. D. Toliver, 1878: Joseph D. Nichols, 1878-'80; Joseph W. Whipple. 1880-'S5; H. W. Bean, 1886.


35


.


-


476


HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.


(chairman), W. B. Livingston, II. B. Kees, D. B. McCully and Harmon Anderson, 1878; C. B. Park (chairman), Harmon Anderson, D. B. MeCully, W. B. Livingston and I. H. Adams, 1879; C. B. Park (chairman), W. B. Livingston, I. II. Adams, C. P. Hanger and J. H. Peabody, 1880; W. B. Livingston (chairman), I. HI. Adams, C. P. Hanger, J. H. Peabody and James Zeller, 1881; W. B. Livingston (chairman), C. P. llanger, James Zeller, J. Il. Peabody and Mahlon Head, 1882; W. B. Livingston (chairman), James Zeller, Mahlon Head, L. Stockwell and B. F. Osborne, 1883; W. B. Livingston (chairman), Mahlon Head, L. Stockwell. B. F. Osborne and II. W. Rawson, 1884; Mahlon Head (chairman), L. Stockwell, B. F. Osborne, H. W. Rawson and John B. Garland, 1885; Mahlon Ilead (chairman), II. W. Rawson, John B. Garland, L. Stoekwell and B. F. Osborne, 1886.


REPRESENTATIVES.


Cornelius Beal, 1858-'59; J. W. Denison, 1860-'61; George S. Walton, 1862-'63; Samuel B. McCall, 1864-'65; Azor R. Mills, 1866-'67; Henry C. Rippey, 1868-'69; G. S. Toliver, 1870-'71; William Maxwell, 1872- '73; James N. Miller, 1874-'75; Orlando H. Manning, 1876-'79; S. T. Hutchinson, 1880- '81; L. F. Danforth, 1882-'83; Albert Head, 1884.


SENATORS.


Aaron Brown, 1858-'59; John F. Dun-


--


combe, 1860-'61; Edwin B. Potter, 1862-63; Henry C. Henderson, 1864-65; Addison Oliver, 1866-'67; Isaac J. Mitchell, 1868- '69; Theodore Hawley, 1870-'71; John J. Russell, 1872-'75; Samuel D. Nichols, 1876- '77; John J. Russell, 1878-'85; John K. Deal, 1886.


CONGRESSMEN.


Timothy Davis, 1857-'59; William Van- dever, 1859-'63; Azahel W. Hubbard, 1863- '69; Charles Pomeroy, 1869-'71; Jackson Orr, 1871-'75; Addison Oliver, 1875-'79; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1879-'83; A. J. Holmes, 1883.


DISTRICTS.


Previous to 1863 the whole State of Iowa formed but two congressional districts, of which Greene County was in the second. Then the increase of population entitled Iowa to six Representatives, and in the re- arrangement Greene County was placed for the next ten years in the Sixth District. Then for another decade there were nine districts, and Greene was one of those placed in the Ninth District. Since 1883 there have been eleven distriets, and this county is in the Tentlı.


For representation in the two branches of the General Assembly, Greene County has been associated with one or more adjoining counties, no arrangement being permitted to stand more than four years, and usually but two. Sinee 1883 the county has been entitled to a Representative by itself.


AN


477


- --------


POLITICAL HISTORY.


-* POLITICAL HISTORY.K-


ARTY government is the present, and possibly the future, though not the ideal, feature of onr so-called republic; and men have in America been divided into po- litical parties for 120 years. Upon the passage of the Stamp Act, in 1765, parties for the first time began to take definite shape and manifest open antagonisms, and the words Whig and Tory then had a plainer meaning in Ameriea than in England. The Stamp Act was denouneed by the Whigs as direct taxation, and so general were the protests that for a time it seemed that only those who owed their livings to the Crown, or expected aid and comfort from it, remained with the Tories. The Whigs were the patriots.


After independence was achieved, of course all Americans were Whigs. In the first years of the United States as a federal union, under President Washington, there came about a division into "Partienlarist " and " Strong Government " Whigs, these soon adopting the more euphonious designations of Anti-


Federals and Federals. The former, under Jefferson's lead, afterward became known as Republicans, which name was in the early part of 1806 dropped for that of Democrats. Hence Jefferson is often referred to as the founder of the Democratic party. If, how- ever, this distinction can be claimed for any one man, the friends of Andrew Jackson have perhaps a stronger case.


The Democrats were in power in this eoun- try from 1801 to 1825, when John Quiney Adams, " the last of the Federalists." was chosen by Congress to till the office of Presi- dent, the people having failed to eleet. Gen- eral Jackson, however, had received a plural- ity of the popular vote, and the remembrance of this fact was one of the chief causes of Jackson's subsequent election in 1828. The elevation of General Jackson to the presi- dency was a triumph over the high protective poliey, the federal international improvement policy, and the latitudinous construction of the Constitution, as well as of the Democracy over the Federals, then known as National Republicans. This election was also the per- manent re-establishment of parties on prin- ciple, according to the landmarks of the early years of the Government. For although Mr. Adams had received confidence and office


478


HISTORY OF GREENE COUNTY.


from Mr. Madison and Mr. Monroe, and had classed with the Democratie party during the " era of good feeling." yet he had previously been a Federal; and on the re-establishment of old party lines which began to take place after the election of Mr. Adams in the House of Representatives, his affinities and policy became those of his former party; and as a party, with many individual exceptions, they became his supporters and his strength.


The Democrats re-nominated Jackson in 1832, while in Deeember preceding the Na- tional Republicans nominated Henry Clay. The hero of New Orleans was elected a sec- ond term by a goodly majority.


The Democracy being in power, the fol- lowers of Clay gradually adopted the name of Whigs, which was suggested by the fact that in England the opposition to the Gov- ermment was known by that appellation. Henee, more than any one man, Henry Clay is looked upon as the founder of the Whig party, which played an important part in American polities for some twenty years. In 1836 they nominated General William Henry Harrison, who was defeated by Martin Van Buren, the choice of the Democratic party. In the elosing year of Jackson's administra- tion, however, a step had been taken which ultimately brought about the temporary down- fall of his party. This step was the distribu- tion of revenne among the States in 1837, which was designed to enhance the value of the State stocks held by the United States Bank. The result was far different, however, and thousands are still living who ean tell of the financial crisis of 1837 and the general stringency following.




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.