USA > Ohio > Hancock County > History of Hancock County, Ohio : containing a history of the county, its townships, towns portraits of early settlers and prominent men, biographies, history of the Northwest Territory, history of Ohio, statistical and miscellaneous matter, etc > Part 29
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102
260
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
The second floor may be reached by climbing a grand double iron staircase at the rear of the main hall. It is designed to have mahogany railings and a midway landing, and a large window will look out in the rear. In the south- west part of this floor, away from the din and noise of the street, will be the common pleas court room, in dimensions 35x40 feet. It will be fur- nished with amphitheater tiers of seats, and the general public may gain en- trance through large double doors. Back of the bar railings will be several private entrances for officials and those having business with the court, so that they need not push their way through the crowds in the court room. The judge's bench will be in an archway in the partition dividing the court room from the judge's room and a room for the law library and for attorneys' consultation with clients. On this floor also will be conveniently located apartments for grand and petit juries and waiting witnesses. These will be handsomely furnished, and will have cloak and water closets attached. The clerk's desk in the court room is to be connected directly with the clerk's suite of three offices in the front part of the second floor. In the northeast corner the prosecuting attorney is' to have a good-sized office and convenient consultation room. To the west of this and at the north end of the trans- verse hall there will be an office for the county school examiners. In the northwest corner a room of ample size has been set apart as a circuit court room, and immediately joining this on the south is a large room for the cir- cuit judges. The county teachers' examinations will be held in the circuit
court room. It is the design, we believe, to have an elevator for use from the basement to the first and second floors.
The basement will have a spacious assembly hall for conventions and pub- lic gatherings, with an ante-room and committee room. Besides this, there will be the surveyor's office, a public library room, reading, janitor's, boiler and work rooms, most conveniently arranged. Judging from the foregoing description it may be safely concluded that the new Court House, when com- pleted, will not only be one of the most convenient, but also one of the finest public buildings in Northwestern Ohio. The progressive people of Hancock County can then feel a pardonable pride in their elegant Court House, Jail and Infirmary, as few counties of the State will be able to boast of their equals in design, solidity, finish and the many conveniences neces- sary in such institutions.
Political Statistics. - The political complexion of Hancock County, since its organization in 1828, can, it is conceded, be fairly illustrated by a com- parison of the vote cast for the several gubernatorial candidates at each elec- tion during the past fifty-seven years. In the compilation of the following table the vote given at a few of the presidential contests has been added thereto, which will, perhaps, assist the reader in tracing the growth and changes of the different political parties in this county.
1828-Vote cast for governor: Allen Trimble (National Republican), 44; John W. Campbell (Democrat), 30. Total, 74.
1830-Vote cast for governor: Duncan McArthur (National Republican), 43; Robert Lucas (Democrat), 94. Total, 137.
1832-Vote cast for governor: Robert Lucas (Democrat), 260; Darius Lyman (Whig and Anti-Mason), 34. Total, 294.
1832-Vote cast for president: Andrew Jackson (Democrat), 181; Henry Clay (Whig), 85; William Wirt (Anti-Mason), 0. Total, 266.
1834-Vote cast for governor: Robert Lucas (Democrat), 371; James Findlay (Whig), 102. Total, 473.
261
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
1836-Vote cast for governor: Eli Baldwin (Democrat), 525; Joseph Vance (Whig), 376. Total, 901.
1836-Vote cast for president: Martin Van Buren (Democrat), 701; William Henry Harrison (Whig), 464. 'Total, 1,165.
1838-Vote cast for governor: Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 829; Joseph Vance (Whig), 505. Total, 1,334.
1840-Vote cast for governor: Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 1,024; Thomas Corwin (Whig), 642. Total, 1,666.
1842-Vote for governor: Wilson Shannon (Democrat), 986; Thomas Corwin (Whig), 616; Leicester King (Abolition or Free Soil), 4. Total, 1,606.
1844-Vote cast for governor: David Tod (Democrat), 1,214; Mordecai Bartley (Whig), 870; Leicester King (Abolition or Free Soil), 3. Total, 2,087.
1846-Vote cast for governor: David Tod (Democrat), 1,149; William Bebb (Whig), 751; Samuel Lewis (Abolition or Free Soil), 6. Total, 1,906.
1848-Vote cast for governor: John B. Weller (Democrat), 1,320; Sea- bury Ford (Whig), 868. Total, 2,188.
1850-Vote cast for governor: Reuben Wood (Democrat), 1,299; Will- iam Johnston (Whig), 707; Edward Smith (Abolition or Free Soil) 0. Total, 2,006.
1851-Vote cast for governor: Reuben Wood (Democrat), 1,417; Sam- uel F. Vinton (Whig), 742; Samuel Lewis (Abolition or Free Soil), 7. Total, 2,166.
1853-Vote cast for governor: William Medill (Democrat), 1,664; Nel- son Barrere (Whig), 576; Samuel Lewis (Abolition or Free Soil), 55. To- tal, 2,295.
1855-Vote cast for governor: William Medill (Democrat), 1,329; Sal- mon P. Chase (Republican), 1,238; Allen Trimble (American or Know- nothing), 30. Total, 2,597.
1857-Vote cast for governor: Henry B. Payne (Democrat), 1,868; Salmon P. Chase (Republican), 1,611; Philip Van Trump (American or Know-nothing), 8. Total, 3,487.
1859-Vote cast for governor: Rufus P. Ranney (Democrat), 1, 796; William Dennison (Republican), 1,674; total, 3,470.
1860-Vote cast for president: Stephen A. Douglas (Regular Democrat), 2,301; Abraham Lincoln (Republican), 2,135; John C. Breckinridge (Bolt- ing Democrat), 24; John Bell (American or Union), 16; total, 4,476.
1861-Vote cast for governor: Hugh J. Jewett (Democrat), 1,817; David Tod (Republican), 1,772. Total, 3,589.
1863-Vote cast for governor: Clement L. Vallandigham (Democrat), 2,277; John Brough (Republican), 2,296. Total, 4,573.
1865-Vote cast for governor: George W. Morgan (Democrat), 2,228; Jacob D. Cox (Republican), 2,120. Total, 4,348.
1867-Vote cast for governor: Allen G. Thurman (Democrat), 2,509; Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), 2,172. Total, 4,681.
1868-Vote cast for president: Horatio Seymour (Democrat), 2,528; Ulysses S. Grant (Republican), 2,279. Total, 4,807.
1869-Vote cast for governor: George H. Pendleton (Democrat), 2,483; Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), 1,946. Total, 4,429.
1871-Vote cast for governor: George W. McCook (Democrat), 2,401;
262
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
Edward F. Noyes (Republican), 2,218; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibition), 0. Total, 4,619.
1872-Vote cast for president: Horace Greeley (Liberal Republican and Democrat), 2,449; Ulysses S. Grant (Republican), 2,311; James Black (Greenback), 3; Charles O'Connor (Independent Democrat), 0. Total, 4, 763.
1873-Vote cast for governor: William Allen (Democrat), 2,259; Edward F. Noyes (Republican), 1,794; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibition), 39; Isaac Collins (Liberal Republican), 53. Total, 4, 145.
1875-Vote cast for governor: William Allen (Democrat), 2,833; Ruth- erford B. Hayes (Republican), 2,559; Jay Odell (Prohibition), not given in State report. Total vote, 5,457.
1876-Vote cast for president: Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat), 3,215; Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican), 2,811; G. Clay Smith (Prohibition), 8; Peter Cooper (Greenback), 4. Total, 6,038.
1877-Vote cast for governor: Richard M. Bishop (Democrat), 2,854; William H. West (Republican), 2,366; Henry A. Thompson (Prohibition), 39; Stephen Johnson (Greenback), 14. Total, 5,273.
1879-Vote cast for governor: Thomas Ewing (Democrat), 3,308; Charles Foster (Republican), 2,911; Gideon T. Stewart (Prohibition), 13; A. Sanders Piatt (Greenback), 47. Total, 6,279.
1880-Vote cast for president: Winfield S. Hancock (Democrat), 3,350; James A. Garfield (Republican), 3,124; James B. Weaver (Greenback), 33; Neal Dow (Prohibition), 9. Total, 6,516.
1881-Vote cast for governor: John W. Bookwalter (Democrat), 2,985; Charles Foster (Republican), 2,716; Abraham R. Ludlow (Prohibition), 197; John Seitz (Greenback), 29. Total, 5,927.
1883-Vote cast for governor: George Hoadly (Democrat), 3,524; Joseph B. Foraker (Republican), 3,098; Ferdinand Schumacher (Prohibi- tion), 42; Charles Jenkins (Greenback), 28. Total, 6,692.
1884-Vote cast for president: Grover Cleveland (Democrat), 3,497; James G. Blaine (Republican), 3,245; Benjamin F. Butler (Greenback Labor Reform), 32; John P. St. John (Prohibition), 84. Total, 6,858.
1885-Vote cast for governor: George Hoadly (Democrat), 3,283; Joseph B. Foraker (Republican), 2,800; Adna B. Leonard (Prohibition), 388; John W. Northrop (Greenback Labor Reform), 24. Total, 6,495.
The county has been carried by the Democratic party at every presiden- tial and gubernatorial election since its organization, except those for gov- ernor in 1828 and 1863. It will thus be seen that Hancock County has always been a stronghold of Democracy, though the majorities given for the candidates of that party have often been quite small.
265
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
CHAPTER V I.
THE JUDICIARY-ORGANIZATION OF THE COURT OF COMMON PLEAS IN OHIO AND ITS SUBSEQUENT CHANGES-PIONEER COURTS OF HANCOCK COUNTY- SESSIONS HELD AT FINDLAY IN 1828, 1829 AND 1830-THE JURIES IMPANELED AND PRINCIPAL BUSINESS TRANSACTED DURING THOSE YEARS-ITEMS OF INTEREST GATHERED FROM THE COURT JOURNALS-THE BENCH AND BAR- COMMON PLEAS JUDGES-ASSOCIATE JUDGES-PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS -PIONEER VISITING LAWYERS-REMINISCENCES OF PIONEER PRACTICE IN NORTHWESTERN OHIO-INCIDENTS OF THE CIRCUIT RIDING PERIOD-FIRST LAWYERS WHO LOCATED IN FINDLAY -- BRIEF SKETCHES OF RESIDENT ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICED IN HANCOCK COUNTY PRIOR TO 1860-PRES- ENT BAR OF THE COUNTY.
A S people often fail to agree respecting their rights and duties, and as they sometimes violate their agreements, and even disobey those rules and regulations prescribed for their conduct, it is necessary that tribunals should be provided to administer justice, to determine and declare the rights of disagreeing parties, to investigate and decide whether the laws are observed or violated, and to pronounce judgment according to law and the just deserts of the citizen. These determinations are called judicial. Upon the organization of the Northwest Territory, courts were established and laws promulgated for its proper government. The court of common pleas was one of the first to take shape, being established by the governor and the three district judges of the Territory, August 23, 1788. This court was first composed of not less than three nor more than five justices, appointed by the governor in each county, and known as the "County Court of Common Pleas;" but in 1790, the number of justices was increased to not less than three, and not more than seven in each county. The regular sessions of this court were, by the same act, increased from two to four terms annually. When Ohio was admitted into the Union, its judiciary was reorganized. The State was divided into circuits, for each of which a judge, who had to be a lawyer in good standing, was elected by the General Assembly for the term of seven years. Three associate judges were chosen in each county by the same body, and for the same length of service, who were intelligent citi- zens, usually farmers or business men, many of whom, however, knew very little about law. The president judge, with the associates, composed the court of common pleas of each county, and thus this court remained until the re-organ- ization of the judiciary under the constitution of 1851. That instrument provided for the division of the State into judicial districts, and each dis-
trict into subdivisions. It abolished the office of associate judge, and di- rected that in each subdivision one judge of the court of common pleas, who had to be a resident thereof. should be elected every five years by the qualified electors in said subdivision, but the General Assembly reserved the power to increase the number of judges, and change the territory composing each subdivision whenever such a course became necessary.
Prior to the organization of Hancock County, all of its judicial business, excepting that transacted by its justices of the peace, was done at the county
15
266
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
seat of Wood County, to which Hancock was attached until March 1, 1828. Hon. Ebenezer Lane was then the president judge of this circuit, and the same Legislature that passed the act organizing this county also elected Abraham Huff, Robert McKinnis and Ebenezer Wilson, associate judges of said county. The first meeting of the court of common pleas of Hancock County was held, March 14, 1828, in the old log schoolhouse erected the previous year, near the site of the Indianapolis, Bloomington & Western Railroad depot. The three associates were present and composed the court, its only business being the appointment of Wilson Vance as clerk pro tem. of said court.
The first regular term of court was opened in the same building, which was used until the erection of the first Court House, June 3, 1828, Hons. Abraham Huff, Robert McKinnis and Ebenezer Wilson on the bench; Don Alonzo Hamlin, sheriff; Wilson Vance, clerk; and Anthony Casad, of Belle- fontaine, prosecuting attorney. The session lasted only a part of one day. Elijah T. Davis was appointed administrator of the estate of Thomas Wilson, deceased, with Joshua Hedges and Squire Carlin as securities in the sum of $400. Joshua Hedges, Jacob Poe and Charles McKinnis were appointed appraisers of said estate. Mr. Wilson was a pioneer of Liberty Township, and a brother of Judge Wilson, then upon the bench. The citizens of the newly erected townships of Amanda and Welfare (now Delaware), were ordered to elect a justice of the peace for their respective townships. The court then appointed Wilson Vance recorder of Hancock County for the term of seven years, after which it adjourned.
The second term began November 19, 1828, the same judges and officers forming the personnel of the court as in the previous sessions. The follow- ing grand jury was impaneled: Joseph DeWitt, John P. Hamilton, Jacob Poe, Asa Lake, Charles McKinnis, Reuben Hale, Mordecai Hammond, Will- iam Wade, John Boyd, Henry George, William Moreland, James McKinnis, William Taylor, Edwin S. Jones and John C. Wickham. The court appointed William Taylor foreman of the panel. A venire for a petit jury was also returned by the sheriff at this session, but only eight of the panel answered to their names, viz .: John Board, Joseph Johnson, John Huff, William Moreland, Jr., John Tullis, John J. Hendricks, Thomas Thomp- son and James Peltier; and it appearing that there was no business for a petit jury at this term the jurors present were discharged from further attendance. Rachel Wilson, widow of Thomas Wilson, was appointed guardian of her two children, Rebecca and Jane, with Charles McKinnis and Jacob Poe as sureties in the sum of $800. The grand jury finding no business to transact was dismissed by the court. A license to " vend mer- chandise" at his residence in Findlay until April 1, 1829, was granted to William Taylor upon the payment of $2.25. The same gentleman was appointed surveyor of Hancock County, and William Hackney, William Taylor and Mordecai Hammond examiners of common schools. As an illus- tration of the remuneration county officers then received for their services, the following items from the minutes of this term of court will suffice: "Ordered by the court that there be allowed to the sheriff of this county for extra services the sum of $15, to be paid one-half at each term of this court. Ordered by the court that there be allowed to Don Alonzo Hamlin the sum of $10 for his extra services as sheriff of this county for the pres- ent year. Ordered by the court that there be allowed to the clerk of this
267
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
court the sum of $10 each year, to be paid one-half at each term of this court." This closed the business of the second regular session.
A special term of court was commenced March 19, 1829, for the purpose of granting letters of administration on the estate of John Patterson (deceased), a brother of Mrs. William Taylor; all of the associates were on the bench, and William Taylor was appointed administrator of said estate, with Job Chamberlin and John Boyd as sureties in the sum of $1,400; Squire Carlin, William Hackney and Joshua Hedges were appointed by the court to appraise the property.
The next session began April 24, 1829, and lasted two days. The same judges and officers of the preceding terms were present except the sheriff; John C. Wickham having been chosen to succeed Don Alonzo Hamlin, at the previous October election. The following grand jurors were impaneled at this term: Robert Long, Amos Beard, Thomas Cole, John Shoemaker, Reuben W. Hamlin, Samuel Sager, William J. Greer, Robert Elder, John Hunter, Isaac Johnson, Nathan Frakes, Reuben Hale, Jacob Foster, William Moreland, Jr., and Nathan Williams. William J. Greer was appointed foreman. The only indictment found at this term was against Thomas Slight, charging him with petit larceny. - William Taylor was granted a license for one year to keep a tavern at his house in Findlay, for which he was charged $5. The court appointed Anthony Casad, prosecutor for one year, and agreed to pay him the sum of $40 for his services. What would our present prosecuting attorneys think of such a salary ? On the second day of the session, the follow- ing petit jury was impaneled: Van R. Hancock, Joshua Hedges, John Elder, Selden Blodget, Sampson Dildine, James McKinnis, William De Witt, Josiah Elder, Thomas F. Johnston, Asa M. Lake, Asa Lake and Matthew Reighly. Thomas Slight was tried by this jury, and found guilty of petit larceny as charged in the indictment. His counsel made a motion for a new trial, which was granted by the court. Bleuford Hamilton and Eli Powell were the principal prosecuting witnesses. In April, 1830, the case against. Mr. Slight was dismissed by the court at the request of the prosecuting attorney, who claimed there was not sufficient evidence to sustain the charge .. This closed the business of the term, and "the court adjourned without day."
On the 7th of November, 1829, the fourth regular term of the common pleas was held at Findlay, with the same judges and officers as the previous term. The grand jurors of this session were William Moreland, Jr., George Flenner, Squire Carlin, Asa Lake, Jacob Foster, John Bashore, John Hun- ter, Edwin S. Jones, John Boyd, Don Alonzo Hamlin, Asher Wickham, Joshua Powell, Isaac Johnson, Joseph A. Sargent and Bass Rawson. This jury returned bills of indictment against Charles, Philip and James McKin- nis for assault and battery, after which it was discharged. Letters of administration were granted to Sarah Beard and John J. Hancock on the estate of John Beard, deceased, of Amanda Township, John P. Hamilton and Thomas F. Johnston being sureties in the sum of $300. Andrew Robb, David Egbert and Thomas Cole were appointed appraisers of said property. The assault and battery cases of Charles and Philip McKinnis were contin- ued till the next term of court; but that against their brother James was at once tried before the following jury: Andrew Robb, Warren Hancock, Peter George, Minor T. Wickham, Simeon Ransbottom, John Long, John J. Hen- dricks, Mordecai Hammond, Van R. Hancock, William De Witt, Job Cham-
268
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
berlin and Thomas Slight. The jury failed to agree, and the case was then continued. The case in debt of Henry Mcwhorter vs. Samuel Sargent and Abraham Huff; the larceny suit of the State of Ohio vs. Thomas Slight; and the petition to sell land of William Taylor, administrator of the estate of John Patterson, deceased, vs. Eliza Patterson and heirs, were all con- tinued until the succeeding term of court.
The next term was opened April 30, 1830, with Hon. Ebenezer Lane, president judge, and Robert McKinnis and Ebenezer Wilson, associate judges, on the bench. This was the first session of court held in Hancock County at which the president judge was present. The following grand jury was impaneled: Adam Woodruff, Joseph Johnson, Alfred Hampton, George Shaw, Joseph A. Sargent, Mordecai Hammond, Charles McKinnis, Simeon Ransbottom, Sampson Dildine, John George Flenner, Edwin S. Jones, Peter George, William J. Greer, Jacob Baker and John J. Hendricks. Mor- decai Hammond was appointed foreman of the jury, and Amos Beard, Na- than Williams, James Gibson, Reuben W. Hamlin and Peter Shaw, who had been summoned with the other jurors, were designated as talesmen. The pending petition to sell land of William Taylor, administrator of John Patterson, was granted at this term. The will of John Wolford, deceased, of Delaware Township, was admitted to probate, and Absalom W. Wolford, who was named in said will as executor thereof, recognized as such by the court. Letters of administration were granted to Elizabeth Miller and William McCloud, on the estate of Isaac Miller, deceased, whose cabin stood near the site of Van Buren. John P. Hamilton and Nathan Frakes were sureties for the administrators in the sum of $600; and William Tay- lor, Squire Carlin and Jacob Foster appraisers of said estate.
The two damage suits of John P. Hamilton against Charles and Philip McKinnis, for assault and battery (which trouble resulted from the erection of Old Town Township, and is fully spoken of in the chapter on Liberty Township) were tried at this session. That of Charles came before the fol- lowing jury: Jacob Elder, Don Alonzo Hamlin, Robert L. Strother, Joseph Egbert, Joshua Powell, Nathan Williams, William J. Greer, John J. Hen- dricks, Mordecai Hammond, Peter George, Thomas Thompson and William Moreland, who found the defendant guilty, and assessed the damages at $75 and plaintiff's costs of suit. The trial of his brother Philip came next, the following citizens composing the jury: Jacob Baker, Alfred Hampton, Thomas Slight, Absalom W. Wolford, Willis Ward, James Gibson, John Shoemaker, Matthew Reighly, H. B. Strother, Aquilla Gilbert, Joseph Johnson and Reuben W. Hamlin. He, too, was found guilty as charged, and the damages fixed at $30 and costs. When these suits were decided the in- dictment of the State still remained against the McKinnis brothers. Both pleaded guilty of assault and battery, asked for "the mercy of the court," and were each fined $1 and cost of prosecution. Thus ended one of the most prominent pioneer events in the annals of the courts of Hancock County, the circumstances connected therewith being yet vividly remembered by many surviving early settlers.
Squire Carlin was then carrying on a general store on the corner where he still resides, and was granted a grocery license at this term for one year, upon paying into the county treasury the sum of $10. An election was ordered to be held at the house of Aquilla Gilbert, in Jackson Township, on the last Saturday in June, 1830, for the purpose of electing two justices of
269
HISTORY OF HANCOCK COUNTY.
the peace. The will of Eli Sargent, deceased, was admitted to probate, and Nancy Sargent recognized as executrix thereof. The case of Henry Mc- Whorter vs. Samuel Sargent and Abraham Huff, was decided in favor of the plaintiff, who recovered $237.83, the amount of the debt, and damages assessed at one cent. The suit of Joshua Hedges and others vs. the Commis- sioners of Hancock County, brought to set aside the proceedings of that board in the erection of Old Town Township, was continued, and the court ordered an election for one justice of the peace for said township, to be held at the house of Ebenezer Wilson, on the last Saturday of June, 1830.
The three associate judges held a special term of court, October 2, 1830. when the will of Andrew Robb, a pioneer of Amanda Township, was ad- mitted to probate, and letters of administration granted to his widow, Margaret Robb, and Aquilla Gilbert, the latter of whom is yet a resident of that township.
The last term of the pioneer courts of which any special cognizance will be taken in this chapter, was held November 1, 1830, with Judge Lane and the three associates-Huff, McKinnis and Wilson being on the "wool- sack." The grand jurors of this session were as follows: William Hack- ney, John Dukes, John Fishel, Philip McKinnis, William Wolford, John Rose, Richard Dukes, Minor T. Wickham, Godfrey Wolford, Jacob Foster, William L. Henderson, Alfred Purcell, James McKinnis, Selden Blodget and Joseph Johnson. This jury indicted Nathan Frakes, one of the early- time " bruisers," for assault and battery on Henry Shaw, a pioneer of Findlay, but the prosecuting witness not appearing in court when the case was called the indictment was quashed. The suit against the commission- ers by Joshua Hedges and others was decided at this sitting, the proceed- ings of the board in the erection and organization of Old Town Township being reversed and annulled. A grocery license for one year was granted to John Bashore, upon the payment of $10. These licenses were granted annually, and always included the sale of whisky-one of the principal commodities of pioneer groceries and taverns, and without the sale of which few of their proprietors could have accumulated the handsome competen- cies left at their decease. William Taylor, William L. Henderson, Bass Rawson, Thomas F. Johnston and Robert L. Strother were appointed ex- aminers of common schools for the term of two years. The court then ordered that the sheriff and clerk be allowed the sum of $10 each per an- num, for extra services, to be paid half yearly, after which the session was "adjourned without day." The first three years of the journal of the court of common pleas of Hancock County have now been run through, giving the court items and lists of grand and petit jurors at each term. The only im- portance attached thereto is because these events belong to pioneer days- that period about which so much genuine interest centers. The principal reason for giving the names of the jurors is that they were pioneers-a part of the brave vanguard who laid the foundation of the county's present pros- perity-and to perpetuate a record of the men who figured in the first judi- cial affairs of the county.
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.