USA > Ohio > Fayette County > History of Fayette County, Ohio : her people, industries and institutions > Part 11
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
The average cost of keeping the inmates of the Children's Home was one hundred sixty-six dollars and one cent each, and the average number in the home was thirty-six.
During the year ending, September 1, 1914, five hundred and twenty- nine dollars was paid to old soldiers, sailors and marines, and three thousand three hundred and sixty-seven dollars to wives and widows, making a total of three thousand eight hundred and ninety-six dollars.
COUNTY ROADS-THE PIKE SYSTEM.
In the matter of highways, Fayette county has for many years been in the forefront in its improvements of the public roads. Its citizens long years ago decided that good road-making was the wisest policy to pursue. These highways have cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, but the money was well expended. These roads have been the means of increasing the general value of farming lands throughout the county, and have been a pleasure to the tax-payer, as he has traveled from one township to another. In August, 1900, the records of the county disclose the fact that there were then two hundred and seventy-eight miles of pike roads in Fayette county, divided in the various townships as follows: Union township, forty-nine miles : Jefferson township, forty-seven miles ; Perry township, eighteen miles ; Madison township, twenty-eight miles: Marion township, eighteen miles; Jasper township, thirty miles ; Paint township, thirty-seven miles ; Green town-
115
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
ship, fifteen miles ; Concord township, nineteen miles, and Wayne township. seventeen miles. At present it is believed that there are upwards of four hundred miles of pike (or its equivalent ) in Fayette county, and more is being annually contracted for.
COUNTY FINANCES.
An up-to-date county history should make some mention of the financial condition of the county in question, and we know of no better method than to give some account of early-day finances and values and then, in contrast, give the present showing as found in the county records and reports of 1914, which will here follow :
In 1837, or seventy-seven years ago, the record shows that the number of acres of land in the county was 236.265 ; value of same, including houses, $356,212 : value of town lots, including buildings, $33,258; number of horses, 3.565, valued at $142,600 ; number of cattle, 5,753, valued at $46,024 ; mer- chants' capital and money at interest. $35.737 ; number of pleasure carriages, 27, valued at $1.779 (price of a modern automobile). The tax on physicians and lawyers was $24; total amount of taxables, $615,580 ; amount of tax paid into the state treasury, $7.397.
In 1838 George Mantle, Samuel Sollars and James Kirkpatrick, surplus revenue fund commissioners, published a statement in the local newspapers, relative to the funds as used by the county. The total amount received thereof from the state was $14,485, and it was loaned to individuals at the rate of seven per cent. on personal security.
It is an historic fact that in 1835 the United States was out of debt, a thing that has only occurred once in her history as a republic. The funds in the national treasury then increased and rapidly accumulated in excess of the expenditures.
The subjoined is a brief summary of the present standing of finances in and for Fayette county as per auditor's report for the fiscal year 1913 :
The county has but a small outstanding warrant debt, and had on hand August 31. 1913, cash to the amount of $74,748.79.
The total receipts of the county for the year was $222.123.37.
Among the expenditures and disbursements were the following items : State expenses, $16,481.14: local school districts, $112.395.91 : Children's Home school, $55.39; townships, $43,041.91 ; cities and villages (schools), $49,719.54 ; examination of municipalities, $133.87; examination of district
II6
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
schools, $66.30; examination of townships, $44.60; total expenditures, $222,063.26.
Among the detailed items of county expenses are found these: For charitable purposes and support of the poor, a total of $22,680.37. Of this total amount there were items as follows: For Children's Home, $5,264.95; relief for indigent blind persons within the county, $3,049.50; for care, treat- ment and burial of tuberculosis cases, $300.94. For court of common pleas expenses, $4,443.16. Total cost of criminals to county, $1,715.05. Total expended in the locating and construction of ditches, $13,697.27.
It will be seen that much of the tax money goes, as it should, for educa- tion. Next comes the expenses connected with the great drainage ditches of the county, by which lands once of but slight value for agriculture have become the most fertile and valuable of any in the county, now so well known as one of Ohio's banner agricultural counties.
CHAPTER VI.
COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION.
There is, perhaps, no better way to indicate the political complexion of Fayette county than to show who was elected here for the various offices, county, state and national, from the early days in the county to the present date, as nearly as can be found by a careful search of the records. In this will be found a list of the governors, Presidents (with vote where it has been preserved), the county officers, etc., including the judges and justices of the peace of today.
PRESIDENTIAL VOTE IN FAYETTE COUNTY.
In recent years the presidential vote in Fayette county has been as follows :
1880-James A. Garfield had a majority over General Hancock of 719.
1884-James G. Blaine had 3,171 votes; Cleveland had 2,III.
1888-Benjamin Harrison had 2,313 votes and Cleveland had 2,191.
1892-Benjamin Harrison had 2,838 and Cleveland had 1,989.
1896-William McKinley had 3,559 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,739. 1900-William McKinley had 3.380 votes and W. J. Bryan had 2,438. 1904-Theodore Roosevelt had 3,331 and Judge Alton G. Parker, 1,880. 1908-William H. Taft, 3.343; W. J. Bryan, 2,451.
1912-William H. Taft, 2,193; Theodore Roosevelt, 837; Woodrow Wilson, 2,287.
POLITICS OF THE COUNTY.
In 1824 the Whigs and Democrats appointed meetings at Washington C. H. the same day and evening. One was to be held at Hamilton's corner and the other at the court house corner, and both political parties had secured all the anvils in the villages with which to fire salutes. A party with an ox- cart loaded up all these anvils and hauled them to the bank of Paint creek and dumped them over into the stream, near the present iron bridge. This general disarmament prevented them from having the occasion enlivened by "cannon," as these anvils when fired much reminded the old soldier and
118
FAYETTE COUNTY, OIIIO.
militiamen of real cannon. But instead came the curses long and loud of both parties. Later the blacksmiths had to fish up their anvils, while others looked on and smiled. Then Fayette county was about half Democratic, and continued so till 1840, after which the Whig and Republicans held, and I:ave ever since held, the balance of power.
STATE SENATORS.
The following served as state senators, representing Fayette and other counties which have been in the same senatorial district, since 1810:
18II-James Dunlap. -Duncan McArthur. 1838-Aaron Harlan.
1812-G. W. Barrere.
1839-Aaron Harlan.
1813-G. W. Barrere.
1840-No record.
1814-G. W. Barrere.
1841-W. Robbins.
1815-Sam Evans.
1842-W. Robbins.
1816-Sam Evans. 1843-J. M. Barrere.
1817-Allen Trimble.
1844-J. M. Barrere.
1818-Allen Trimble.
1819-Allen Trimble.
1845 -- B. Martin. 1846-B. Martin.
1820-Allen Trimble.
1847 -- Franklin Corwin.
1848-Franklin Corwin.
1849-Ruel Beeson.
1850-Ruel Beeson.
1852-John Fudge.
1854-Isaac S. Wright.
1826-John Jones. 1827-John Jones.
1856-Nelson Rush. 1858-J. J. Winans.
1828-John Jones.
1860-John Q. Smith.
1862-Mills Gardner.
1864-John F. Patton. 1866-A. W. Doan.
1820-M. Crothers. 1830-M. Crothers. 1831-M. Crothers. 1832-MI. Crothers. 1833-J. J. McDowell.
1834-J. J. McDowell. 1835-J. J. McDowell. 1836-Tacob Kirby. -- J. AArbuckle.
1868-S. N. Yoeman. 1870-M. D. Gatch. 1860-John Q. Smith.
1874-S. N. Yoeman. 1876 -- A. Spangler. 1878 -- Thomas S. Jackson.
1821-Allen Trimble. 1822-Allen Trimble. 1823-Allen Trimble.
1824-Allen Trimble. 1825 -- Allen Trimble.
1837-J. Arbuckle.
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
1880-A. R. Creamer. 1882-Coats Kinney.
1898-Byron Lutz.
1900-Arthur W. Madden.
1884-Jesse N. Oren.
1902 -- Thomas M. Watts.
1886-Madison Pavey.
1904-James G. Carson.
1888-Isaac S. Barrett.
1906-F. C. Arbenz.
1908-Doctor Holdren.
1890-John N. Oren. 1892-F. G. Carpenter. 1894-John M. Hughesy.
1910-C. L. Doster.
19II-M. A. Broadstone.
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
1812-Joseph Hopkins.
1839-Batteal Harrison.
1813-Samuel Myers.
1840-Reese, Carothers and Smith.
1814-James Crothers.
1841-Reese, Carothers and Smith.
1815 -- Thomas McDonald.
1842-Robert Robinson.
1816-James Crothers.
1843-Means and Martin.
1817-James Crothers.
1844-Robert Dobbins.
1819-James Crothers.
1820-Benjamin Hinton.
1847-James Carothers.
1821-James Crothers.
1848-Hugh Smart.
1822-Robert Robinson.
1849-Jacob T. Pugsley.
1823-Robert Robinson.
1850-Otto Williams.
1824-Batteal Harrison.
1852-Nelson Rush.
1825-Thomas McGarraugh.
1854-J. J. Worthington.
1826-Thomas McGarraugh.
1856-W. H. Latham.
1827-Thomas McGarraugh.
1858-R. M. Briggs.
1828-Batteal Harrison.
1860-Sam F. Kerr.
1829-Thomas McGarraugh.
1862-James Purcell.
1830-William Palmer.
1831-T. McGarraugh.
1864-James Purcell. 1866 -- Mills Gardner.
1832-J. J. McDowell.
1868-S. F. Kerr.
1833-S. F. Yoeman. 1834-Jacob Kirby.
1870 -- M. J. Williams. 1872-M. J. Williams.
1835-David Reese.
1874-J. L. Myers.
1836-B. Harrison.
1876-William Millikan.
1837-B. Harrison.
1838-W. H. Creighton.
1878-MI. S. Creamer. 1880-William Millikan.
1846-F. Corwin.
1818-Samuel Myers.
1845-Stephen Evans.
1896-Charles F. Howard.
I20
FAYETTE' COUNTY, OHIO.
1882-86- H. L. Hadley. 1902-06-J. Madison Willis.
1886-90-David I. Worthington.
1906-08-Dr. L. M. McFadden.
1890-94-H. M. Daugherty. 1908-10-Dr. L. M. McFadden.
1894-98-Charles W. Gray. 1910-12-C. A. Reid.
1898-02-Reuben Rankin.
1912-14-C. A. Reid.
PRESIDING JUDGES.
Before the constitution of 1851 the Ohio judicial system provided for a presiding judge and associate judges, who later, after the adoption of the new constitution, were called common pleas judges. The following served as presiding judges :
1810-John Thompson. 1829-33-Frederick Grinke. 1818-Orris Parish. 1834-42-J. W. Price.
1816-23-John Thompson. 1843-47-O. T. Fishback.
1824-28-Gustavus Swan. 1848-50-S. F. Norris.
ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
1810-16-Henry Snyder, William Blackmore and James Mooney. 1817-18-Thomas McGarraugh, Batteal Harrison and James Mooney. 1819-23-Batteal Harrison, James Mooney and Thomas McGarraugh. 1824-27-Thomas McGarraugh, Wade Loofborrow and Joseph L. Gil- lespie.
1828-30-Joseph L. Gillespie, James Carothers and James B. Webster. 1831-33-James Carothers, James B. Webster and Jacob Jamison. 1834-42-Jacob Jamison, James Carothers and James Sharp. 1843-Joel S. Bereman, Jacob Jamison and James Carothers. 1844-46-James Carothers, Jacob Jamison and Daniel McLean. 1847-James Carothers, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 1848-50-Samuel F. Yoeman, Daniel McLean and James Manery. 1851-James Manery, Daniel McLean and James Beatty.
COMMON PLEAS JUDGES.
1852-54-James S. Bates, Shepard F. Norris and John L. Green. 1855-56-James L. Bates. 1857-James Sloane. 1858-A. S. Dickey and Shepard F. Norris.
I2I
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
1859-60-Robert M. Briggs and James L. Bates. 1861-A. S. Dickey, James L. Bates and T. Q. Ashburn. 1862-64-Robert M. Briggs and Alfred S. Dickey. 1865-68-Alfred S. Dickey.
1869-71-W. H. Stafford and A. S. Dickey. 1872-S. F. Steele and W. H. Stafford.
1873-Joseph Olds and S. F. Steele. 1874-T. M. Gray and S. F. Steele. 1875-T. M. Gray and S. W. Courtright.
1876-77-John Vanmeter and Thadeus R. Minshall.
1878-79-S. F. Steele and T. R. Minshall.
1880-81-S. F. Steele and Asa Gregg. 1884-T. A. Minchall, H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg.
1886-W. E. Evans, H. H. Huggins and Ace Gregg.
1887-H. H. Huggins, W. E. Evans.
1890-William E. Evans, H. H. Huggins.
1891 --- H. H. Huggins, C. Newby and William E. Evans. 1893-C. Newby. 1895-H. B. Maynard. 1896-H. B. Maynard. 1900-F. Walters. 1903 -- S. W. Durflinger, W. H. Wiggins. 1904-Charles Dershbach.
1906 -- Cyrus Newby, O. H. Sams.
1908 --- J. W. Goldsberry, F. G. Carpenter.
1910-C. Curtin, Charles Dresbach. 1912 -- H. F. Morrow, Cyrus Newby.
COUNTY AUDITORS.
1824-Norman F. Jones. 1828-33-Norman F. Jones. 1873-77-James P. Robinson. 1833-41-James Hinton. 1877-80-Thomas J. Lindsey. 1880-86-James P. Robinson.
1841-42-Jared Plumb. 1842-50-James Pursell. 1886-1900-T. J. Lindsey.
1850-58-Henry Robinson. 1900-04-John Craig.
1858-61-John Sanders. 1904-08-H. D. Chafin. 1908-12-A. E. Henkle.
1861-70-James P. Robinson.
1870-73-Abel McCandles.
122
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
1810-31-Jesse Milliken.
1831-33-Robert Robinson.
1864-66-Joseph C. Plumb.
1833-35-Samuel Millikan. 1866-81-Z. W. Heagler.
1835-37-Samuel Loofborrow. 1882-92-J. R. Sutherland.
1837-38-Samuel F. Kerr. 1892-96-H. V. Rodgers.
1838-39-S. F. Loofborrow. 1896-02-J. A. Dick.
1839-43-Samuel Millikan.
1843-53-Nelson Rush.
1853-61-John Douglass.
1902-10-J. M. Sturgeon. 1910-14-T. E. B. Brown.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
1828-36-Benjamin Hinton. -
1872-76-Eli Craig. 1876-78-C. Garis.
1836-39-James Webster.
1839-50 -- Z. W. Heagler. 1878-82-Eli Craig.
1850-54-WV. McElwain. 1882-86-L. W. Rowe.
1854-57-Jesse Burnett. 1886-90-James F. Cook.
1857-59-Robert Stewart. 1890-94-E. W. Welsheimer.
1859-60-William McElwain. 1894-98-G. W. Patton.
1860-61-Richard Tarokes.
1898-02-Samuel Cockerill.
1861-62-J. S. Bereman.
1902-06-John Anders.
1906-11-P. E. Rothrock.
1862-66-A. T. Silcott. 1866-70-A. C. Johnson. 1870-72-J. W. Sayre.
1911-14-R. S. Quinn.
CLERKS OF THE COURT.
1810-35-Jesse Millikan.
1875-76-Joseph C. Plumb.
1835-42-Joseph Bell. 1876-87-Elmer W. Welsheimer.
1842-44-Elam Hinton. 1887-96-Frank M. Allen.
1844-50-Samuel Millikan. 1896-02-O. D. Smith.
1850-54-J. S. Bereman.
1902-08-E. J. Light.
1854-67-Richard Millikan. 1908-12-G. H. Hitchcock.
1867-75-Mason Blanchard.
1912-14-E. W. Durflinger.
1861-64-N. B. Coons.
123
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
SHERIFFS.
1810-12-Mr. Clark.
1812-22-Robert Robinson, N. F. Jones. 1822-28-Aaron Johnson.
1828-32-Joseph Bloomer.
1832-34-W. S. Williams.
1884-88-A. B. Rankin.
1834-43-Joseph Bloomer.
1888-94-George W. Patton.
1843-44-Robert Cissna. 1844-48-Joel S. Bereman.
1894-96-Solomon Loofborrow. 1896-1900-S. O. Wilson.
1848-51-James Vance.
1900-04-S. C. Phillips.
1851-55-John C. Jones.
1904-08-John A. McLain, Jr.
1855-56-William H. Blakemore.
1908-12-Samuel Nelson.
1856-61-William Burnett.
1912-14-O. S. Nelson.
PROBATE JUDGES
1852-56-S. F. Kerr.
1888-96-T. D. McElwain.
1856-65-L. D. Williard.
1896-02-H. M. Blessing.
1865-68-Manfred Williard. 1902-08-J. L. Zimmerman.
1868-71-S. B. Yoeman.
1908-12-A. C. Patton.
1871-82-J. B. Priddy.
1912-14-Rell G. Allen.
1882-88-Thomas N. Craig.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
1810-18-Wade Loofborrow.
1818-19-Samuel Buck.
1819-22-Wade Loofborrow. 1852-54-David M. Jones.
1822-23-Benjamin G. Leonard. 1823-24-Wade Loofborrow.
1824-27-Benjamin G. Leonard. 1827-31-Wade Loofborrow. 1831-33-H. Phelps.
1833-34-Wade Loofborrow. 1834-35-Robert Robinson. 1835-42-Col. S. F. Kerr.
1843-47-Bereman Martin.
1847-52-Nelson Rush.
1854-56-Robert M. Briggs. 1856-60-Mills Gardner.
1860-62-M. Williams. 1862-64-M. Pavey. 1866-68-M. Williams.
1868-70-J. B. Priddy. 1870-72-H. B. Maynard. 1872-74-M. Pavey.
1861-65-William Smith.
1865-69-James Starley. 1869-73-Conrad Garis. 1873-77-John Millikan.
1877-81-Oswell Smith.
1881-84-James Cook.
124
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
1874-80-A. R. Creamer.
1880-82-Ace Gregg.
1882-84-Frank Carpenter.
1884-92-Robert C. Miller.
1892-96-Nye Gregg.
1896-02-Charles A. Reed.
1902-08-E. L. Bush.
1908-10-P. Gregg.
1910-12-Thomas S. Maddox.
CORONERS.
Since 1880 the county coroners have successively been Samuel Hooker, T. H. Knott, S. C. Roberts, L. F. House, J. M. Edwards, E. M. Burgess, T. J. Grove, S. E. Boggs and L. P. Howell.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
Since 188c-T. M. Perdue, F. M. Kennedy, D. R. Jacobs and Thomas J. Groves.
COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
This office was created by the Ohio Legislature in 1913 and Frank M. Allen was the first to hold such office in Fayette county, having been elected in 1914.
DISTRICT ASSESSOR.
This is another new office created in Ohio in 1913, and J. C. Dunn was the first to hold the office. His headquarters are in the basement of the court house. He has charge of the fourteen deputy assessors in the county. The office is one of much importance to taxpayers. Already this officer has dis- covered much more property that has not been taxed for a third of a century, the taxes on which is enough to pay his salary a long time. In the state there will be millions of dollars of taxes brought to light and paid through this new system.
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
This office was created by act of the General Assembly of Ohio, Febru- ary 14. 1804, and stands substantially as it was first made.
1810-Jacob Jamison, James Brooks and John Harrold. (Owing to loss of records those down to 1828 cannot be given. ) 1828-Thomas Burnett, Jacob Jamison and Mathew Jones.
1829-Jacob Jamison, Mathew Jones and James Woods. 1830-Jacob Jamison, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott.
125
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
1831 -- Samuel Sellers, David Creamer and Joseph Parrott. 1832-33-Samuel Sellers, Merit Jamison and John Stilt. 1834 -- John Stilt, Samuel Sellers and James Kirkpatrick. 1835-36-Samuel Sellers, James Kirkpatrick and George Mantle. 1837-Samuel Sellers, George Mantle and Isaac Jenkins. 1838-Isaac Jenkins, Merit Johnson and Samuel Sellers. 1839-Merit Johnson, Isaac Jenkins and James Shivers. 1840-Isaac Jenkins, James Shivers and John Hays. 1841 -- James Jenkins, William Limes and William Limes. 1842 -- Isaac Jenkins, William Limes and Isaac Cook. 1843 -- William Limes, Isaac Cook and Joseph B. Creamer. 1844-46-Isaac Cook, J. B. Creamer and James Shivers. 1847-48-Isaac L. Cook, J. B. Creamer and Joseph Mark. 1849 -- Joseph Marks, Isaac L. Cook and Jacob A. Rankin. 1850 --- Isaac L. Cook. Jacob A. Rankin and Robert Eyre. 1851-52-Jacob A. Rankin, Robert Eyre and Micajah Draper. 1853 -- Jacob A. Rankin, Alfred Bruce and William Knox. 1855- Alfred Bruce, William Knox and M. Draper. 1856-Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and John H. Parrott. 1857-Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Benjamin Burnett. 1858-59-No record.
1860-Jacob A. Rankin, M. Draper and Thomas B. Thornton. 1861-Jacob A. Rankin, Thomas B. Thornton and Ira Yoeman. 1862-63-Ira Yoeman, B. H. Burnett and Jacob A. Rankin. 1864-No record.
1865-Jacob A. Rankin, B. H. Burnett and B. F. Thomas. 1866-B. H. Burnett, B. F. Thomas and William H. Jones. 1867-William H. Jones, Allen Haegler and William Clark. 1868-Allen Haegler, William Clark and Enos Reeder. 1869-William Clark, Enos Reeder and Curan Millikan. 1870-William Clark, Enos Reeder and George S. Fullerton. 1871-George S. Fullerton, A. C. Johnson and Abram Bush. 1872-George S. Fullerton, Abram Bush and E. L. Ford. 1873-Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and R. S. Sutherland. 1874-Abram Bush, E. L. Ford and H. Ellis. 1875-Same as above.
1876-R. S. Sutherland, Abram Bush and H. Ellis. 1877-HI. Ellis, R. S. Sutherland and W. J. Horney. 1878-80-W. J. Horney, R. S. Sutherland and J. Mahan.
126
FAYETTE COUNTY, OIIIO.
1880-86-R. J. Sutherland. R. S. Eyre and W. J. Horney. 1886-Same as above.
1887-R. S. Eyre, Henry Mark and Thomas Parrott. 1888-Henry Mark, T. P. Parrott and L. C. Mallow. 1889-93 -- T. F. Parrott, L. C. Mallow and Henry Fulton. 1803-L. C. Mallow, Henry Fulton and E. L. James. 1804-Henry Fulton, E. L. James and E. T. Cockerill. 1895-99-E. L. James, E. E. Cockerill and N. B. Hall. 1899-01-E. E. Cockerill, N. B. Hall and E. L. James. 1901-02-E. L. James. R. W. Vincent and Charles Sollars. 1902-07-Robert Vincent, Charles Sollars and Clark Rowe. 1907-Charles Sollars, Clark Rowe and James Ford. 1908-Clark Rowe, James Ford and John M. Jones. 1909-James Ford, John M. Jones and Clark Rowe. 1910-J. M. Jones, S. C. Phillips and Add Hays. 1911-James Ford, H. F. Brown and Edwin Weaver.
1912-James Ford, H. F. Brown and Edwin Weaver.
1913-H. F. Brown, Louis Perrill and Edwin Weaver.
1814-H. F. Brown, Louis Perrill and Edwin Weaver.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
In 1914 the following were the justices of the peace serving in Fayette county, by townships :
Concord-None qualified.
Green-S. M. Roush, Washington C. H.
Jasper-John D. McMahon, Milledgeville.
Jefferson-U. G. Creamer, Jeffersonville.
Madison-Fred Halvey, Madison Mills; J. W. Lewis, Pancoastburg. Marion-Joseph Andrews, New Holland.
Paint-E. W. Rumer, Jeffersonville ; H. A. Pinkerton, Bloomingburg.
Perry-J. N. Fetherlin.
Union-J. B. Koontz, Washington C. H .; T. N. Craig, Washington C. H.
Wayne-R. J. Nelson, Good Hope.
CHAPTER VII.
TRANSPORTATION BEFORE AND AFTER RAILROADS CAME.
In the settlement of early Ohio counties there were no railroads. Trans- portation was by freight wagons and by boats of various types. The pio- neer was working at a great disadvantage in comparison to what the "first settlers" in the far West are. Now the steam horse goes through and scat- ters circulars broadcast. advertising the quality of land, the chance in town sites, corner lots, etc. Immigration is thus set in operation. The train bears the family and the household belongings, together with teams and farm im- plements, all ready to go to tilling the virgin soil with. Not so fifty and a hundred years ago in Ohio and Fayette county !
With all that may be said concerning the "soulless corporations" (rail- ways), the fact still remains that the railroads have been the great and all- powerful agencies in developing what was once a wilderness into a garden spot that has come to blossom like the rose.
THE FIRST RAILROAD.
During the session of the Ohio Legislature of 1849-50 the member from this senatorial district, Mr. Linton, introduced a bill which authorized the granting of a charter for a railroad, to be constructed from Zanesville to Cincinnati, via Wilmington. The member of the House from Fayette re- quested that the name of Washington C. H. be included in the charter, but this the gentleman from Wilmington refused to do. The Washington people became indignant and employed Judge Daniel McLain to go to Columbus and work up their interest, and he eventually succeeded in securing the desired change. The company was organized and Judge McLain elected one of the directors. The county commissioners were importuned to issue bonds to the extent of one hundred thousand dollars, and took action on the matter as follows :
"Washington, Saturday, July 12, 1851.
"On this day the commissioners met. Present, Isaac L. Cook, Jacob A. Rankin and Robert Eyre.
"And upon examining the act of the General Assembly of the State of
I28
FAYETTE COUNTY, OHIO.
Ohio, passed March 5, 1851, entitled 'An Act to authorize the commissioners of Fayette county to subscribe to the capital stock of the Cincinnati, Wil- mington & Zanesville Railroad Company,' and being fully satisfied that the preliminaries required by said law, in order to the taking of said stock by said commissioners, had all been fully complied with, they thereupon did proceed, for and in behalf of said county, to subscribe to said capital stock of said railroad company the sum of one hundred thousand dollars, in all respects as by said act they are authorized and required to do, as by their subscription upon the books of said company, this day made, will fully and at large appear."
A question arose as to whether bonds could be issued on a railroad before it was constructed and the commissioners of Clinton county refused to sign the bonds. Meanwhile the contractor, Mr. DeGraff, demanded some assurance that the money would be forthcoming at the proper time, before he would begin operations. He was fully assured on that point and in the fall of 1852 the road was completed from Zanesville to Morrowtown. Judge McLain took a number of trips to the East and purchased iron, which had been manufactured at Sweden. The terminus of the road being Morrow, instead of Cincinnati, the earnings of the road were insufficient to meet the expense. The road went through various hands until the present time, being now known as a part of the Pennsylvania line.
An historic work published in 1881, touching on the subject of Fayette railway systems, said: "Several roads have been projected through this county, and at this writing there are three in active operation. A number of years ago the construction of a road from Dayton running to Belpre was agitated, and the line surveyed through Fayette county. Bonds for money to assist in the work were issued by the commissioners and a number of people subscribed liberally to the general fund. The grading was nearing completion, when, for reasons known best to those interested, the project was abandoned.
"In 1874 Dayton capitalists conceived the idea of building a road from that enterprising city to the coal fields of southern Ohio. Great interest was taken in the matter, work was begun and hurried to completion, and, in spite of financial troubles, the desired end was reached in 1879. This road was constructed as a narrow gauge and did an immense business after its completion to the coal fields. In the spring of 1881 it was purchased by the Toledo, Delphos & Burlington Railroad Company, who connected it with their extensive narrow gauge system through Ohio and Indiana, and will extend on to the Ohio river shortly.
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.