USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Centennial history of Coshocton County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 17
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Under the present mode of criminal practice, giving the prosecu- tion the closing argument, much is detracted from the commercial value of counsel's emotions, whether real or artificial, and in conse- quence the safeguards of society have been strengthened.
Only once in recent years did a member of the Coshocton bar indulge in emotional pleading to the extent of calling on God to strike him down then and there if he were not telling the truth, and as the speech frothed from his lips he sank to the floor, and soon after went to his grave.
That most trying feature in litigation-the law's delays, against which the centuries have protested as far back even as in Shakes- peare's day-may discourage the citizen seeking justice, but even a more grave condition confronts the people in the affirmation by a Justice of the Ohio Supreme Court at the banquet this year of the Coshocton Bar Association, that the rule in the State Supreme Court at times may set aside a just verdict or sustain an unjust decision because of technical considerations! In other words, the bench gives us, not justice, but technicalities. Such things do not deepen venera- tion for our modern judicial system.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
The bar of this county has a creditable record in its representa- tion on the bench, among the most creditable in Ohio. High ideals maintained in the profession have conferred the ermine on very able members. Judge J. C. Pomerene and Judge R. M. Voorhees of the Circuit Court rank among the most distinguished in the service. Judge Voorhees, now on the Circuit bench, by temperament and vig- orous mental organism is described as among the best qualified judges in the State. Neither abrupt nor impetuous in manner, but uni- formly gracious, moderate and equitable, he is esteemed by the bar for his personal qualities and admired for his abilities. . As lawyer, facing the strain of an uphill fight in court, he has always had in re- serve an indomitable quality of endurance and firmness, the staunch character that endured in the defense of his country through her darkest years. Judge Voorhees served from 1899 to 1905, and is now entering his second term.
Judge Pomerene, who served from 1893 until his death in 1898, is remembered for his devotion to his profession, his careful address. his pleasant demeanor. The law was his life-work.
Striking individuality is noted in members of the Coshocton bar who have attained the Common Pleas bench. Puritanical sedate- ness characterized the first, William Sample, who served from 1857 to 1867, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1874. Emphatic personality distinguished John D. Nicholas who went on the bench in 1887, serving ten years. A tribute to his character is the statement that he had not an iota of sycophancy. He was eloquent and forceful as a speaker.
As pronounced a personality is that of Judge S. H. Nicholas, who won his spurs as lawyer in association with Attorney W. S. Merrell. He began his present term on the Common Pleas bench in 1907. Thoroughly sensible of the popular attitude toward defects in the present-day judicial system, Judge Nicholas is not given to regard- ing judges as any more than human: nor does he aver that infalli- bility comes to judges elevated higher in courts that repeatedly re- verse themselves, and then again reverse their reversals.
The fact that such discussion may strike some with a sort of horror, as though it sounded of sacrilege, only indicates that there are too many who have fallen into a habit of thought more becoming to subjects than to citizens. They have come to look upon their
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
courts as far apart and above them-which is a state of mind that some one has well said is not to be encouraged in a government whose safety depends upon the intelligence and character of its citizens. The intelligence that is prone to slavishness and the character that bends its knees too reverently in the presence of power are the re- verse of democratic. Respect for the courts is praiseworthy-pro- vided the courts deserve it. But when the courts cease to be just tribunals and sacrifice truth on the altar of technicalities, the day has arrived that, in the words of Charles Sumner, the blood of martyrs crying from the ground summons them to judgment.
Elsewhere within these pages is noted the distinction won by Coshocton lawyers in political and other fields.
The Common Pleas Court of this county is in the Sixth District, Third Subdivision, with Holmes and Wayne.
The Circuit is the Fifth, embracing the fifteen counties of Ash- land, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Holmes, Knox, Licking, Mor- gan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Richland, Stark, Tuscarawas and Wayne.
THE PALISADES OF THE WALHONDING
NEAR BLUFF.
CHAPTER XIV.
COUNTY OFFICIALS - REPRESENTATIVES IN CON- GRESS AND STATE LEGISLATURE-COSHOCTON MEN IN VARIOUS PUBLIC OFFICES-POSTMASTERS AND MAYORS OF COSHOCTON.
In the seventies Warsaw presented arguments in favor of making it the seat of county government. There was talk of building a new courthouse in Coshocton. Opposition to this came from Warsaw, and the county voted against a new building. Representative Black- burn, from this county, fathered a bill in the Legislature, providing for the collection of taxes to pay for the $90,000 courthouse which was finally erected in Coshocton in 1875, but it cost Mr. Blackburn his re-election.
Within the last year there have been alterations in the courthouse which, with fire-proof file cases, cost about $19,000.
About the time the courthouse was erected the jail and sheriff's home were built for approximately $25,000.
The County Infirmary, two miles east of Coshocton, was provided in the forties. Four hundred acres were bought for $5,500, and the buildings erected thereon cost several thousand dollars. There are fifty inmates at present.
The list of county officials, together with the present yearly sal- aries, follows:
COMMISSIONERS. $1,035, With Two-Year Term.
Charles Williams, 1811-13.
John G. Pigman, 1824-26.
Mordecai Chalfant, 1811-18.
Benjamin Ricketts, 1825-28.
James Miskimen, 1811-21.
Gabriel Evans, 1826-33.
James Calder, 1813-17.
Richard Moore, 1828-31. John Mitchell, 1829-32.
Squire Humphrey, 1817-19.
Samuel Clark, 1818-29.
Samuel Clark, 1831-33.
Robert Darling, 1819-25.
John Quigley, 1832-34.
Robert Boyd, 1821-24.
Andrew Ferguson, 1833-38.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
Joseph Neff, 1833-36. Daniel Farquhar, 1834-43. Eli Fox, 1836-39. Arnold Medberry, 1838-44. Samuel Winklepleck, 1839-42. J. D. Workman, 1842-45. Isaac Darling, 1843-49.
James Ravenscraft, 1844-47.
Samuel Lamberson, 1845-48. Alexander Matthews, 1847-50. George Wolf, 1848-51.
Francis Buxton, 1849-52.
Henry Schmueser, 1850-56.
Thomas Darling, 1851-54. Lewis Swigert, 1852-55.
Owen Evans, 1854-57.
Abraham Shaffer, 1855-58. James E. Robinson, 1856-59. William Doak, 1857-63.
William Hanlon, 1858-64.
James M. Smith, 1859-65.
Thomas Darling, 1863-69. Joseph Keim, 1864-70.
Thomas McKee, 1865-71.
Joseph S. McVey, 1869-75.
John Taylor, 1870-76.
Samuel Moore, 1871-77.
William Forney, 1875-78.
John C. McBane, 1876-86. William Berry, 1877-87. S. M. Daugherty, 1878-81. Casimir Lorenz, 1880-88. Vincent Ferguson, 1883-89. Samuel Neldon, 1884-89. Abner McCoy, 1888-94. A. M. Dinsmore, 1889-95. Daniel Fair, 1890-94. John A. Hanlon, 1894-95.
( Appointed to fill vacancy caused by death of Mr. Fair.)
Thomas McConnell, 1894-1900.
E. G. Abbott, 1895-98.
A. M. Marshall, 1896-99. Calvin G. Simmons.
(Appointed for two months, 1895.) Daniel Barrick.
(Appointed for eight months, 1896.) Lewis Fisher, 1898-1904.
John T. Funk, 1899-1902.
Jacob Balo, 1900-06.
Benton Davis, 1902-09.
McNulty Dixon, 1906-1I. Fred Rinehart, 1907-II. John Smith, 1909-II.
In the beginning the commissioners appointed as their clerk, Thomas L. Rue, and soon afterward Adam Johnston, who served as auditor at $40 a year until 1821. The list continues :
AUDITORS.
$2,410, With Two-Year Term and Deputy Allowance of $2,000.
Alexander McGowan, 1821-25. Wilson McGowan.
Joseph Burns, 1825-38.
(Served temporarily, 1843.) H. Cantwell, 1848-50.
J. W. Rue, 1838-48.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
B. F. Sells, 1850-52.
William Himebaugh, 1854-58.
Samuel Farquhar, 1858-62.
C. H. Johnson, 1862-66.
C. A. Lamberson, 1899-1905.
W. R. Farquhar, 1866-71.
C. R. Randles, 1905-1909.
Walter J. Winters, 1909-19II.
At first the treasurer received five per cent. of the taxes collected, then three per cent., amounting to about $60 a year before 1818. It was customary then for county funds to be loaned to responsible citi- zens.
TREASURERS.
$2,410, With Two-Year Term and Deputy Allowance of $1,610.
William Whitten, 1811-17.
Dr. Samuel Lee, 1818-24.
James Renfrew, 1825-26. John B. Turner, 1827-28.
Alexander McGowan, 1829-30. Samuel Rea, 1831.
Robert Hay, 1832-34.
William G. Williams, 1835-46.
Benjamin Bonnett, 1847-49 (re- signed. )
J. W. Rue (appointed to fill un- expired term, 1850.)
William P. Wheeler, 1851-52.
Lewis Demoss, 1853-56.
Samuel Ketchum, 1857-59.
Samuel Lamberson, 1859-64.
Samuel Burrell, 1864-68.
Thomas Jones, 1868-72. Richard W. McClain, 1872-76. John Waggoner, 1876-80. John Beaver, 1880-84.
William Walker, 1884-88.
George C. Rinner, 1888-92. S. F. Dawson, 1892-96.
J. D. Severns, 1896-1900. WV. H. Williams, 1900-04. Richard Clark, 1904-09. G. W. Stillinger, 1909-II.
PROBATE JUDGES
$2,410, With Four-Year Term and Deputy Allowance of $1, 100. Thomas Campbell, 1852-55. Alexander Hanlon, 1876-82. C. S. Barnes, 1855-58. John T. Simmons, 1858-64.
M. C. McFarland, 1864-70. Joseph Burns, 1870-75. (Died in office. )
H. Blackman, 1882-88. W. R. Gault, 1888-94. C. B. Hunt, 1894-1900.
T. C. Roche, 1900-03. R. L. Donley, 1903-09.
W. F. Thornhill, 1875-76. Filled Frank Ashman, 1909-13. unexpired term.)
William Walker, 1871-75. William Wolf, 1875-80.
John W. Cassingham, 1880-87. Joseph Burrell, 1887-93.
Newton Speckman, 1893-99.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
SHERIFFS.
$1,745, With Fees, Two-Year Term, and Deputy Allowance of $720.
C. Vankirk, 1811-15.
Charles Williams, 1815-19.
Charles Miller, 1819-21.
John Smeltzer, 1821-23. John Crowley, 1823-27.
T. Butler Lewis, 1827-29. John Crowley, 1829-33.
J. H. Hutchinson, 1833-37. Samuel Morrison, 1837-41.
Joseph C. Maginity, 1841-45. Samuel Morrison, 1845-49.
Samuel B. Crowley, 1849-53.
John Hesket, 1861-65.
James Sells, 1865-68.
Thomas Platt, 1868-69.
Joshua H. Carr, 1869-73. John Lennon, 1873-77. Jacob Severns, 1877-82. Andrew Miller, 1882-86. J. B. Manner, 1886-1890. Charles Craig, 1890-94. Daniel Hogan, 1894, died in office. Henry Clark, 1894-1900.
Richard Lanning, 1853-55. W. H. H. Price, 1855-57. David Rodehaver, 1857-61.
A. C. Hedge, 1900-04.
Hamilton Browning, 1904-09.
A. C. McDonald, 1909-II.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
$1,600 With Two-Year Term.
Wright Warner, 1811-17.
Alexander Harper, 1817-23.
Charles B. Goddard, 1823-27. Served during terms of court until 1830. W. Silliman. David Spangler.
Richard Stilwell.
Noah H. Swayne, 1830-33.
Josephus Ricketts, 1833-34. G. W. Silliman, 1834-41. T. S. Humrickhouse, 1841-43. Thomas Campbell, 1843-49. William Sample, 1849-51. John T. Simmons, 1851-55.
John D. Nicholas, 1855-57. Charles Hoy, 1857-60.
Richard Lanning, 1860-61. Thomas Campbell, 1861-62. Asa G. Dimmock, 1862-68. R. M. Voorhees, 1868-72. William S. Crowell, 1872-76. A. H. Stilwell, 1876-78. T. H. Ricketts, 1878-80. Albinus H. Stilwell, 1880-86. S. H. Nicholas, 1886-92. W. R. Pomerene, 1892-98. T. H. Wheeler, 1898-1904. James Glenn, 1904-07. Joseph L. McDowell, 1907-II.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
CLERKS OF COURT.
$2,115, With Two-Year Term and Deputy Allowance of $1,000.
Adam Johnston, 1811-29.
John Frew, 1829-38.
Alexander McGowan, 1838-43. Joseph Burns, 1843-51.
B. R. Shaw, 1851-54.
A. M. Williams, 1854-57.
Lemuel Kinsey, 1857-63.
Charles K. Remick, 1863-69.
G. H. Bargar, 1869-75. Israel Dillon, 1875-81. Samuel Gamble, 1881-88.
A. J. Hill, 1888-94.
R. B. McDermott, 1894-1900.
WV. A. Mizer, 1900-06. Jesse McBane, 1906-1I.
RECORDERS.
$1,600, With Two-Year Term and Deputy Allowance of $725.
Adam Johnston, 1811-29.
Joseph Burns, 1829-36.
George W. Price, 1836-40. Russell C. Bryan, 1840-46.
G. F. Cassingham, 1846-55. John F. Williams, 1855-57 (Re- signed. ) R. M. Hackenson, 1857-58. A. McNeal, 1858-61. C. W. Stanford, 1861-64. L. L. Root, 1864-70.
M. W. Wimmer, 1870-76. John M. Crawford, 1876-82. W. H. Coe, 1882-89.
Gilbert Copeland, 1889-95.
T. H. Glover, 1895-98. E. M. Mortley, 1898-1904. (Died in office.) Carl A. Manner, 1904. (Filled unexpired term. ) C. M. Bible, 1904-09. Charles H. Stipes, 1909-II.
SURVEYORS.
Two-Year Term; $5 a day and Expenses for County work; $4 a day and Horse Hire on Good-Roads Work.
William Lockard, 1812-17. James Ravenscraft, 1817-19. William Coulter, 1819-24. William G. Williams, 1824-30. James Ravenscraft, 1830-36. John M. Sweeney, 1836-42. John M. Fulks, 1842-48. Henry Seevers, 1848-52.
Lemuel Kinsey, 1852-55. C. W. McMorris, 1855-58.
R. L. Baker, 1858-61.
T. P. Latham, 1861-64. Levi Gamble, 1864-71. John A. Hanlon, 1871-74. George Moore, 1874-80. Samuel M. Moore, 1880-89.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
James Long, 1889-92.
A. M. Fisher, 1892-95.
C. L. Reamer, 1895-98.
(Served for Howard E. Culbert- son. )
Samuel Moore, 1898-1904. George J. Bock, Jr., 1904-09. Ross E. Hamilton, 1909-II.
CORONERS. Two-Year Term; Paid in Fees.
David Bookless.
Nicholas Schott.
George Leighninger.
John Richeson.
James Ravenscraft.
Joseph Burns, 1879-83.
Abraham Sells
Isaac Vance, 1883-87.
Benjamin Coc.
Nathan Bucklew, 1887-91.
Thomas McNally.
S. H. Miller, 1891-95.
Addison Syphert.
Dr. J. G. Carr, 1895-1897.
James T. McCleary.
Dr. M. H. Hennel, 1897-99.
Joseph Hitchens.
Dr. F. M. Marshall, 1899-1905.
William Jeffries.
Thomas Platt.
Dr. T. W. Lear, 1905-09. Dr. J. D. Lower, 1909-II.
INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
Two-Year Term; $2.50 a Day and Expenses While Officially En- gaged.
Lewis Row.
James Jones.
Henry Wheeler.
Isaac W. Miller. John M. Johnson.
Stephen D. Sayer. Thomas Dwyer. D. E. Laughlin.
George McCune. J. C. Frederick. William Simons. James McBriar. John Chambers. Nathan Buckalew. John Hawley.
William McCoy.
C. F. Sangster.
Samuel Gardiner. Thomas Wiggins. R. C. Warren. Daniel Fry. Jacob Bretzius, 1881-87.
Calvin S. Skinner, 1882-89.
Daniel Valentine, 1883-90. Joseph A. Cochran, 1888-94. William Hunt, 1889-95. Philip Thomas, 1890-95. Gabriel Lorenz, 1894-1900. Daniel J. Dickey, 1895-98. William Graham, 1895-98.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
John F. Norman, 1898-1904. I. J. Baker, 1899-1902.
G. W. Meek, 1905-09. John Q. Dawson, 1909-II. Martin Carroll, 1909-II.
A. S. Hoagland, 1900-06. Thomas Adams, 1902-09. Howard Parrish, 1909-II.
Henry Ehrich, 1904-09.
CONGRESSMEN.
Coshocton County has been in various Congressional districts, and at present is in the Seventeenth with Tuscarawas, Wayne, Holmes and Licking. Five Coshocton representatives have been sent to Washington: David Spangler, 1833-37: James Matthews, 1841-45; John Johnson, 1851-53: Joseph Burns, 1857-59; and John W. Cass- ingham, 1901-04.
STATE SENATORS.
The county is in the joint 18th-19th Senatorial district, with Tus- carawas, Guernsey, Monroe, except part of Benton and Bethel town- ships, and Rinard's Mills precinct, and Noble County, except part of Beaver, Buffalo, Enoch, Marion, Seneca, Stock, Wayne, Center, Elk and Jefferson townships, East Union and part of Dexter precinct.
These have served from Coshocton County in the State Senate: Wilson McGowan, 1821-22. William Stanton, 1864-65. James M. Burt, 1866-67, and 1870-71. Dr. Samuel Lee, 1826-27. Charles Miller, 1828-29.
James Ravenscraft, 1834-36.
James Matthews, 1838-39. John Johnson, 1842-43.
W. F. Thornhill, 1845-46.
Andrew Ferguson, 1850-51.
Heslip Williams, 1854-55. A. L. Cass, 1858-59.
John C. Fisher, 1873-74 and 1878-79. W. S. Crowell, 1884-85. D. H. Mortley, 1888-89. J. P. Forbes, 1892-93. Joseph L. Myers, 1900-0I.
The salary of members in the State Legislature is $1,000 a year, with allowance of twelve cents a mile, limited to two trips a month. The term is two years.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
Robert Giffen, 1812. Charles Williams, 1814-15. Joseph W. Pigman, 1816.
Squire Humphrey, 1817.
Joseph W. Pigman, 1818-20. James Robinson, 1820-24.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
Charles Williams, 1825. John Smeltzer, 1827-28.
N. H. Swayne, 1829. James Robinson, 1830. Charles W. Simmons, 1831.
James Matthews, 1832.
John Crowley, 1833-35.
Samuel Whittemore, 1836.
James Matthews and F. W. Thornhill, 1837.
Joseph Burns, 1838-40.
Jesse Meredith, 1841-42.
George A. McCleary, 1843.
Jesse Meredith, 1844.
Heslip Williams, 1845.
Joseph Williams, 1846-47.
James M. Burt, 1848-50.
Timothy C. Condit, 1851.
George McKee, 1852-54.
John Pierson, 1854-56.
Patrick Thompson, 1856-58.
C. F. Sangster, 1858-60. Andrew J. Wilkin, 1862-64.
James Gamble and J. N. Fellows, 1860-62. WV. F. Thornhill, 1864-70. (Speaker of the House, session of 1868-69.)
James M. Burt, 1866-67.
John Baker, 1870-72.
B. C. Blackburn, 1872-74. John Baker, 1874-76.
E. L. Lybarger, 1876-78.
John Hardy, 1878-82.
G. H. Bargar, 1882-85.
James M. Williams, 1886-87. J. P. Forbes, 1888-91.
B. C. Blackburn, 1892-93.
John L. McKee, 1894-95.
James Glenn, 1896-97.
J. C. Adams, 1898-1901.
J. Ab. Finly, 1902-03.
M. A. McConnell, 1904-05.
E. L. Lybarger, 1906-08
L. D. Schott, 1909-10.
Coshocton County citizens filling State offices include R. A. Craw- ford, Building and Loan Inspector; C. H. Geidel, Canal Superin- tendent; C. L. Cassingham, of State Mining Commission; Miss Mary McClure, Workshop Inspector; E. L. Lybarger, of Commission in- vestigating election of U. S. Senators by vote of the people-was for- merly member of the State Board of Public Works, State House Building Commission, Sheridan Monument Commission. J. E. Aron- holt is U. S. gauger and storekeeper.
Attorney F. E. Pomerene is President of the Board of Trustees, Ohio State University.
George A. Hay was a member of the State Board of Penitentiary Managers during Governor McKinley's administration, a member of the commission investigating convict labor conditions, and at present on the Board of Review adjusting tax valuations in this county. W. M. Smith and George Ayres are members of this Board. J. M. Comp-
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
ton served for years as United States Commissioner. G. H. Bargar was U. S. Pension Agent at Columbus.
Captain E. Z. Hays was a member of the Vicksburg Monument Commission: J. P. Forbes of the Ohio Centennial Commission ; L. K. Anderson of Governor Bushnell's staff: James Gamble of the Board of Public Works, 1863, James Moore, 1864-69, Leander Ransom, 1836-45 ; John C. Fisher of the Fish Commission, 1875; J. W. Dwyer, Superintendent of Internal Revenue for the Northern District of Ohio, and afterward Pension Agent at Columbus; W. A. Johnston, Deputy U. S. Internal Revenue Assessor; John Frew, James Dryden, Dr. J. H. Lee and C. A. Lamberson, Deputy Collectors of Internal Rev- enue; William E. Mead and George Hill, Canal Superintendents; Joseph L. Morris, State Inspector of Mines, 1886-80; C. A. Marden, Electrician of Penitentiary.
For anyone with the inclination or leisure to go into the details of modern Coshocton County politics there is much to interest, to amuse, to edify, and to mystify. It would fill a separate volume to tell the story of Democratic and Republican politicians, the county conven- tions and the caucus methods now abandoned for the later system of nominating candidates and party committeemen by whole vote of the people, a nominating system which like others may develop unforeseen defects, but which is hailed as an advance over the caucus-stuffing, convention-packing and vote-buying of corrupt politicians.
From the time that Senator Foraker knew the usefulness of a subservient press and included Coshocton among the newspaper rivets in his State machine, he has filled the Coshocton postoffice with his creatures. To their pie-counter vision the Standard Oil Senator ap- peared always white as the driven snow. The climax came when the oil and railroad statesman could not resist having his name come be- fore the Chicago convention for President in 1908. No one apparently wanted the job of naming him, and the Coshocton delegate who made the attempt may yet live it down. The vote for Foraker was too small to remember.
Afterward the Standard Oil statesman's hopes for reelection to the Senate were blasted. His expected leader in the fight for him on the floor of the Legislature did not go back to Columbus. The Co- shocton County Republican convention decided that he had better stay at home.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
The business of the Coshocton postoffice is an index to the increas- ing importance of this city in the commercial world. From annual receipts of $11,000 in round numbers a dozen years ago the office now receives $25,000 in a year, while the money-order business amounts annually to $80,000. Nearly four million pieces of mail pass through the office yearly. The present force besides the postmaster includes assistant postmaster, two dispatchers, two general delivery and stamp- window clerks, one money-order and register clerk, five city carriers, seven rural carriers, one substitute clerk, two substitute carriers, and one special delivery messenger.
COSHOCTON POSTMASTERS
Adam Johnston, 1811-29.
Wilson McGowan, 1829-30.
William K. Johnson, 1830-45. C. H. Johnson, 1845-49.
T. W. Collier, 1869-81. John G. Magaw, 1881-85.
R. F. Baker, 1849-53.
Samuel Rich, 1853-54
H. D. Beach, 1885-89. Joseph K. Johnson, 1890-94. W. H. McCabe, 1894-98.
H. N. Shaw, 1854-61. Asa L. Harris, 1861-64.
A. H. Fritchey, 1864.
C. B. McCoy, 1898-1907. , S. M. Snyder, 1907-
Among Coshocton's mayors George A. Hay, Republican leader who for many years actively devoted his energies to the party's in- terest, holds the record for longest service. Nominated each time by acclamation he was elected four times. The village incorporation dates back to 1833, but the loss of early records deprives us of the names of the early mayors.
COSHOCTON MAYORS
Thomas Campbell, 1847-51. John C. Tidball, 1851-52.
G. F. Wilcoxon, 1863-64.
J. C. Pomerene, 1864-65.
James Irvine, 1852-54. John C. Tidball, 1854-56.
Welcome Wells, 1856-58. A. J. Wilkin, 1858-59. John C. Winn, 1859-60. C. H. Johnston, 1860-63.
W. R. Farquhar, 1865-66. William Ward, 1866-67.
J. S. Elliott, 1867-68.
L. L. Cantwell, 1868-69. J. S. Elliott, 1869-70. Hiram Beall, 1870-72.
W. A. Johnston, 1864-65. R. M. Voorhees, 1865-69.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
J. M. Compton, 1872-76. L. L. Cantwell, 1876-78. T. H. Ricketts, 1878-80. George A. Hay, 1880-84. John T. Simmons, 1884-86. George A. Hay, 1886-90. R. M. Elliott, 1890-92.
A. N. Compton, 1892-94. James B. Manner, 1894-96. T. B. Hack, 1896-98.
G. W. Cassingham, 1898-1902. E. C. Rinner, 1902-06. W. A. Smith, 1906-08. Gail Hamilton, 1908-10.
CHAPTER XV
A LOOK AT LOCAL TAXES-HEAVY TOLL TAKEN FROM THE LAND OWNERS WHILE OTHERS PAY LESS BY GRACE OF LEGISLATION-CONDITIONS THAT INVITE A PUBLIC UPHEAVAL.
While much progress has been made along many lines in Co- shocton County there is one thing which, under the laws of Ohio, hangs as a millstone to the necks of the people, and that is our anti- quated tax system. Courthouse officials have declared that if the people knew the truth there would be an upheaval. Certain it is that the conditions are not any too well known.
In a general way the average taxpayer feels that he is unjustly burdened. Beyond that few have looked into the trouble deep enough to detect the elements that manage to shift most of the heavy burden to the shoulders of the land owner.
A man's all may be his home in town or it may be a farm, and the law empowers the county to tax him for everything in sight, at a rate of two to three per cent and more. But an express company or telegraph company, gas, electric light or other corporation, earning vastly more from the business done in the county, pays one per cent of its earnings to the State, and one-tenth of one per cent of its capital stock, while the county must stop at a tax on the property of the cor- poration without being allowed to touch the business earnings. The farmer is taxed on his crop earnings, however, and altogether the heavy toll is taken from the land owner while others are called on for less by grace of the voters and the kind of men they send to the Legis- lature of Ohio.
The man that has money to earn interest for him by investing it in bonds is not taxed under the law. Were this injustice corrected and moneyed interests compelled to assume their fair share of the county expense, the load on land owners would be lightened, and the community at last would have a fair deal in the matter of taxes.
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HISTORY OF COSHOCTON COUNTY
Under the present system where is the justice in taxing every- thing the farmer has and his crop earnings, while the county levies only on a gas corporation's pipe line and leaves untouched the enor- mous earnings from the product passing through that pipe? And the same is true of the electric light and various other corporations. They arranged it very profitably by having the State collect one per cent of their earnings instead of letting the county levy on their business for three per cent.
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