USA > Ohio > Knox County > Past and present of Knox County, Ohio, Vol. I > Part 8
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On May 12, 1874, the infirmary directors petitioned the county commis- sioners, then D. F. Helsey, John C. Levering and John Lyal, to proceed im- mediately to erect new buildings. May 15th the commissioners employed a
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Columbus firm of architects to furnish plans and specifications for a new building to cost not exceeding fifty thousand dollars. Later, the firm of J. Hennegan & Company, contractors, were awarded the contract to erect the buildings from such plans, for the sum of $38,936.74. Under the charge of Superintendent Clifford Buxton things went slowly. It was soon found that the building could not be made for the sum named in the contract. After enclosing the building the contracting company failed and obliged the com- missioners to take the work off their hands, paying them twenty-eight thousand dollars for work and material already performed. Under the charge of Samuel Isaacs, Esq., the county went ahead and completed the struc- ture, with William Bound as master mechanic. In September, -1877, the building was completed, after many a hard struggle. It had cost the county eighty-three thousand dollars. Yet the county is proud of the institution even to this day.
This institution is located on section 2, Liberty township, on a beautiful elevation of ground on the south side of Dry creek, near Bangs Station along the line of the Cleveland, Mt. Vernon & Columbus railway. The original main building is seventy-five by one hundred and twenty-seven feet, with an open court in the rear thirty-four by fifty-five feet. It is four stories high with a tower rising sixty-five feet above the roof. Over one million brick were consumed in its construction. It had three water tanks on the upper floor holding forty barrels of water each. The building was heated by steam throughout. There were one hundred good rooms, accom- modating easily one hundred and twenty-five inmates. Indeed this stands as a lasting monument to the good sense and benovelent spirit of its builders, the tax-payers of Knox county, who have ever cared for her soldiers and other unfortunate citizens.
In 1880 there were twenty-eight males and thirty-three females re- ported as inmates at this place. The following is concerning the infirmary at later dates, with some changes made about the premises :
The farm now comprises three hundred and twenty-seven acres in Liberty, Clinton, Miller and Milford townships, mostly in Liberty, however. For the past few years, under the able management of Superintendent C. E. McMannis. the farm has produced all of the grain, flour, potatoes, meats used by the inmates. Nine hundred rods of fencing has been added recently. The official report made September, 1911, shows that there were for the year just ending an average of sixty-nine inmates. The daily average was fifty- seven ; present inmates, thirty-six men and twenty women and only five foreigners in the lot.
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
The fine apple orchard produced two thousand bushels of excellent apples during 1911. Other items brought out in the reports show there were fourteen milk cows, one hundred and thirty-five sheep and many head of cattle, of which fifteen head were slaughtered for beef.
Among the recent improvements on the place is the erection of a hos- pital for consumptive patients. This cost the county three thousand, six hundred dollars. The inmates there number seven at this date. The number of paupers in the county, as shown by reports on file with the secretary of state, was ninety-eight.
FINANCES OF KNOX COUNTY.
Before going into the details of the present financial standing, property valuations, etc., of this county, the reader will doubtless peruse with some degree of interest the following concerning the condition of things along this line in 1880, a third of a century ago:
The 324,323 acres of land within the county was valued in 1880 at $10,183,286. The value of real estate in villages and cities was fixed at $6,330,300. This made an aggregate of valuation in the county of over six- teen and one half million dollars.
Under the new Ohio law of appraisements in taxation, which just comes into effect now, the auditor's report shows that the real estate in Knox county is worth (outside of villages and cities) more than twenty million dollars, and in the cities and villages amounts to nine and a fourth million dollars, making a grand total in Knox county, in real estate alone, of $29.301,876.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT IN I9II.
From the county auditor's report for October 1, 1911, the following is concerning the finances of the county: Funds-Undivided general tax, $31,653 ; cigarette tax, $1,500; liquor tax, none, as Knox county was a "dry" district ; county fund, $21,619; infirmary fund, $6,231 ; soldiers' relief, $3,885; bridge fund, $14,381; township fund, $287; road fund, $7,592; dog tax, $1,694; bond fund, $4,570; auditor's fees, $181; treasurer's fees, $2,174; recorder's fees, $90; clerk's fees, $349; probate judge's fees, $138; total amount, $72,242.30. The only indebtedness on the part of Knox county in the fall of 191I was that of $64,000 in bridge bonds still out.
CHAPTER VIII.
COUNTY, STATE AND NATIONAL REPRESENTATION.
The following is supposed to be a correct list of all county, state and national officers who have been elected or appointed from Knox county from the date of the county's organization to the present date (19II) so far as can be discovered from public records. Should there be omissions it will be the fault of the records :
GOVERNORS.
Arthur St. Clair, Fed 1787-1803
Salmon P. Chase, Rep. 1856-60 Edwin Tiffin, Dem 1804-07
William Dennison, Jr., Rep. 1860-62
Thomas Kirker, Dem. 1807-08
David Tod, Rep. 1862-64
Samuel Huntington, Dem. . 1809-10
John Brough, Rep 1864-65
Return J. Meigs, Jr., Dem. . 18II-14
Charles Anderson, Rep I866
Othniel Looker, Dem. .
1814
Jacob D. Cox, Rep. I866-68
Ethan Allen Brown, Dem ..
1819-22
Edward F. Noyes, Rep. 1872-74 William Allen, Dem. 1874-76
Jeremiah Morrow, Dem.
1823-26
Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep. . 1876-77
Allen Trimble, Fed. 1827-30
Thomas L. Young, Rep. 1877-78
Duncan McArthur, Fed. 1831-32
Richard M. Bishop, Dem. 1878-80
Robert Lucas, Dem. 1833-36
Charles Foster, Rep. 1880-84
Joseph Vance, Whig. 1837-38
George Hoadley, Dem 1884-86
Wilson Shannon, Dem. 1839-40
J. B. Foraker, Rep 1886-90
Thomas Corwin, Whig 1841-42
James E. Campbell, Dem. 1890-92
Wilson Shannon, Dem 1843-44
Thomas W. Bartley, Dem. :
1844
William McKinley, Rep. 1892-96 Asa S. Bushnell, Rep. 1896-1900 George K. Nash, Rep 1900-04
Mordecai Bartley, Whig 1845-46
William Bebb, Whig 1847-48
Myron T. Herrick, Rep 1904-05
Seabury Ford, Whig 1849-50
Judson Harmon, Dem 1908
William Medill, Dem 1854-56
John M. Pattison, Dem. 1906 Reuben Wood, Dem. 1851-53
Judson Harmon, Dem 1910-12
Thomas Worthington, Dem. 1815-18
Rutherford B. Hayes, Rep .. 1868-72
Allen Trimble, Fed .. 1822
84
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
CONGRESSMEN.
John K. Miller
1847-50 George W. Morgan 1867-72
William R. Sapp
1853-56 William S. Cooper 1885-90
Columbus Delano
1865-66
STATE SENATORS.
Asa C. Dimmock. 1848-49
Allen Levering 1884-85
Lawrence Van Buskirk
1850-52
J. J. Sullivan. 1 886-87
John T. Creigh. 1854-56
John S. Braddock 1888-89
Robert Kirk. 1856-57
John Zimmerman and H. A.
David Miles 1858-59
Hart
1890-91
Thomas C. Jones 1860-63
William G. Bebee
1892-93
John P. Devin
1864-65
Newton Stilwell 1894
F. H. Hurd
1866-67
William M. Harper
1896
George Rex. I 868-69
Lake F. Jones. 1898
Hinchman S. Prophet 1870-71
William M. Williams 1900
John B. Jones. 1872-73
Newton Stilwell. 1902
William P. Reid 1874
Lewis B. Houck
1904
James W. Owens 1878-79
F. M. Vanover.
1906
F. M. Marriott 1880-81
John Thompson
1908
Benj. Eason
1882-83
STATE REPRESENTATIVES.
Alex. Holden 1808
William Robeson 1826
William Gass
1809
J. R. Muncen
1810
Charles Colerick.
1828-31
William Gass 18II
Byram Leonard 1828-29
Samuel Kratzer 1812-14
John Greene 1830
William Gass 1813
John Schooler 1832-33
Alexander Enos 1815
Pares Sprague. 1835
Jonathan Miller 1816
S. W. Hildreth 1836
Waitsel Hastings 1817
Marvin Tracy 1837
William Farquhar 1818
John Elliott . 1838
Hosmer Curtis
1822
Nich Spindler 1840
Royal D. Simons
1823
C. J. McNulty
1841-42
Thomas Rigdon
1824
William H. Smith 1843
John Shaw 1825
James McFarland.
1844
Thomas Rigdon 1827
4
Royal D. Simons 1820-2I
Byram Leonard. 1839
85
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
William H. Smith 1845
H. B. Banning . 1 866-67
James McFarland . 1846
Robert Hoffett 1868-69
Emmett W. Cotton 1847
John D. Thompson 1870-71
Jacob Vorhes. 1848
William C. Cooper 1872-73
Ezekiel Boggs 1849
Allen J. Beach . 1874
Eli Glasgow 1850
Abel Hart 1876-79
James Withrow 1852
William M. Coons
1880-83
Lawrence Van Buskirk 1848
John D. Thompson 1884-85
William Given 1849
John S. Braddock. 1886-87
S. F. Gilcrest 1850
Frank V. Owen. 1888-89
Jacob Merrin. 1854
Charles E. Critchfield 1 890-91
William Welsh 1892-94
Andrew J. Workman 1896
Benj. F. Smith (extra ses-
John K. Haiden 1898
sion ) 1856-57
Patrick A. Berry 1900-02
W. B. Cox.
1858-59
S. G. Dowds. 1904
Walt Whitney
1862-63
Calvin V. Trott.
1906-08
Columbus Delano 1864-65
Samuel R. Gotshall 1910
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTORS.
The following gentlemen have served as presidential ielectors from the county of Knox with the passing of the century :
Alexander Elliott, Democrat, 1832, for Andrew Jackson.
Samuel Elliott, Whig, 1836, for William Henry Harrison.
Daniel S. Norton, Whig, 1844, for Henry Clay (third race). Rollin C. Hurd, Whig, 1848, for Zachariah Taylor, defeated.
A. Banning Norton, Whig, 1852, on Scott ticket, defeated.
Samuel Israel, Democrat, 1856, Buchanan and Breckenridge.
A Banning Norton, 1856, "Know Nothing" ticket.
Eli Miller, 1860, Breckenridge and Lane Dem. ticket, defeated.
Park D. Worley, Republican, 1904, for Theodore Roosevelt.
COUNTY RECORDERS.
The office of county recorder from April 16, 1803, until May, 1829, was one of appointment by the associate judges of the court of common pleas and the term was at first fixed at seven years, under "good behavior." This act remained in force until 1857, when the Ohio legislature changed
George W. True
1856-57
William McCreary 1858-59
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
the commencing and ending of a term, making it to commence January Ist, which was changed in 1895 to September Ist.
Below is given the list of recorders who have served in Knox county :
Gilman Bryant. 1808-15
John Myers. 1872-78
Alexander Elliott. 1815-22
Samuel Kunkel. 1878-84
Henry B. Curtis 1822-29
George W. Sanford 1884-88
John A. Colerick. 1829
Hill Runyan 1829-38
Charles C. Jackson 1895-98
David Montgomery 1838-47
Elijah Herrod
1847-56
Calton C. Baugh 1856-59
Thomas K. Hess 1866-71
CLERKS OF THE COURT.
This was an appointive office through the judges of the court of com- mon pleas, until the constitution of 1851 made it an elective office. The following have filled the office in Knox county to date :
Charles Lofland 1808
James Smith 1809-30
William A. Silcott (Dem.) 1881-84
Alexander Elliott
1830
Elliott C. Vore 1837
Isaac Hadley 1839
Samuel W. Farquhar 1846-52
1899-1902
Samuel Farquhar (Whig) . . 1851 Charles S. Bermont (Dem.) 1905-08
Alexander C. Elliott (Rep.) 1854-56
Charles S. Bermont (Dem.) 1910
Samuel J. Brent (Dem.) .. 1869-72
William S. Hyde (Rep.) .. 1875
COUNTY AUDITORS.
The office of county auditor in the state of Ohio was created by an act of the Legislature in 1820. It was first for a two-year term, but by the law of 1877 was changed to three years. The subjoined is a complete list of all persons holding the office of county auditor in Knox county :
1808-Charles Lofland, clerk to board of commissioners.
1809-16-James Smith, clerk to board of commissioners.
1817-27-W. Y. Farquhar.
1827-29-Alexander Elliott, one term.
1829-35-Marvin Tracy, three terms. 1835-41-Simon B. Kenton, six years. 1841-47-Killian Winne, six years.
Charles S. Snow . 1904-09
Benjamin R. Parker 1909-
Dwight E. Sap. 1888-95
William H. Smith 1898-1904
Samuel J. Brent (Dem.) .. 1878
Hugh Neal (Dem.) ... . 1887-90 Lewis A. Culbertson ( Rep.) 1893-96 George H. Mockwart ( Rep.)
Charles W. Hayes 19II-13
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
Thomas Winne (by appointment).
1847-51-Merrett M. Beam, four years.
1851-55-Benjamin F. Smith, four years. 1855-59-John Lamb, four years. 1859-63-Samuel W. Farquhar, four years. 1863-65-John D. Thompson, two years. 1865-69-Alexander Cassil, four years.
1869-71-Samuel W. Farquhar, two and two-thirds years.
1871-75-John M. Ewalt, four years. 1875-80-Alexander Cassil, five years. 1880-83-John H. Stevens, three years. 1883-90-Curtis W. McKee, six years, ten months.
1890-96-John M. Blocher, six years one month.
1896-1902-William A. Wander, six years. 1902-04-Archie C. Collins. 1904-07-A. C. Collins. 1906-09-Charles A. Mitchell. 1909-II-Irvin Young.
COUNTY TREASURERS.
1808-Henry Hains (by appointment 1809-15-Henry Hains (by appoint. ) 1815-George Downs (by appt.). 1816-James McGibney (by appt.). 1817-18-Gilman Bryant (by appt. ). 1819-27-James McGibney (by appt. ) 1827-William Y. Farquhar ( elected ) 1828-38- William Y. Farquhar. 1838-42-Samuel W. Farquhar. 1842-48-James Blake. 1848-52-Jacob W. Lybrand. 1852-54-James H. McFarland. 1856-60-John Beatty. 1860-62-Alexander Greer.
1862-64-Harrison Greer. 1864-68-Samuel S. Tuttle. 1868-72-Robert Miller, 1872-76-W. E. Dunham, 1876-78- Lewis Britton 1878-80-Thomas Odbert, 1880-84-John N. Myers, 1884-88-William Dunbar, 1888-92-William H. Ralston, 1892-96-Sheridan G. Dowds, 1896-1900-Judson Vincent, 1900-04-French W. Stevens, 1904-09-John A. Schnebly, 1909-John E. Stonebrook.
SHERIFF.
1808-Silas Brown. 1809-13-Ichabod Nye.
1813-17- John Hawn. 1817-19-John Shaw.
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1819-20-Alexander Elliott.
1820-24-William Bevans.
1824-28-Charles Colerick.
1881-82-John A. Schnebly.
1883-86-Allen J. Beach.
1887-90-John G. Stevenson.
1829-Johnston Elliott. 1830-34-Hugh Neal.
1834-36-Isaac Hadley.
1836-40-William Beam.
1895-96-Charles S. Sapp.
1843-46-Absalom Thrift.
1897-1900-Justus D. Smoots.
1847-50-David C. Montgomery.
1851-54-Thomas Wade.
1855-56-Lewis Strong.
1857-60-Israel Underwood.
1861-62-James Shaw.
1863-64-Allen Beach.
1865-68-George W. Steele.
1869-72-Allen J. Beach.
1859-63-William C. Cooper.
1863-64-Frank H. Hurd.
1812-13-Samuel Mott. 1865-69-Walter L. Simons.
1814-15-Charles R. Sherman.
1869-70-Lewis H. Mitchell.
1816-24-Hosmer Curtis.
1869-70-Lewis Hart, Jr.
1825-32-John W. Warden.
1875-76-Clark Irvine, Jr.
1879-82-Frank R. Moore.
1883-88-Sam'1 R. Gotshall.
1889-91-William L. McElroy.
1892-95-Samuel R. Gotshall.
1841-42-Mark A. Sayre. 1847-48-Lafayette Emmett. 1843-46-John K. Miller. 1849-50-Clark Irvine, Sr.
1851-52-George WV. Morgan.
1853-54-William Windom. 1855-59-WV. Fletcher Sapp.
1873-76-John Armstrong. 1877-80-John Ferguson Gay.
1891-92-John Fowler. 1893-94-Noah W. Allen.
1901-03-Isaac C. Lynde.
1903-04-James Shellenbarger (va- cancy). 1904-06-James Shellenbarger (elec- tion).
1905-08-Rollin S. Clements. 1908-11-Peter J. Parker.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
1808-Samuel Kratzer.
1809-II -- Edward Herrick.
1833-36-Benjamin S. Brown.
1836-40-Columbus Delano.
1840 -- Matthew Mitchell, resigned.
1895-97-David E. Ewing. 1898-1903-Columbus Ewalt. 1904-06-Lot Stillwell. 1907-08-James A. Shaeffer. 1908-10-James A. Shaeffer. 1911-12-Lyman T. Cromely.
1828-29-John Shaw.
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
KNOX COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
The following is supposed to be about a correct list of all who have served as commissioners of Knox county since its earliest history down to and including 1911. The year noted is the year in which they were elected, unless otherwise noted :
1808-John Herrod, John Lewis, Joseph Walker, William Douglass,
1837-Silas Brown, Joseph Adams, Thomas Wade.
Mathew Merrett, Henry Markley. 1809-William Douglas.
1838-Christopher Wolfe.
1839-Thomas Axtell.
1810-Robert McMillen.
1840-Thomas Wade.
1811-John Harrod.
1841-Christopher Wolfe.
1812-Daniel Cooper.
1842-Thomas Axtell.
1813-Robert McMillen.
1843-Henry Prather.
1814-William Mitchell.
1844-James Withrow.
1815-Jonathan Miller.
1816-Moses Merritt.
1845-Robert Graham, 1846-William Babcock,
1847-James Withrow, 1848-Robert Graham.
1849-William Babcock.
1850-Wait Whitney.
1851-George W. McWilliams.
1852-Abraham Darling.
1853-George W. Jackson.
1854-Sewell Gray. 1855-John McElroy.
1856-William McClelland.
1857-Jacob Bell.
1858-John McElroy,
1828-Peres Sprague, Jabez Beers.
1829-Gilman Bryant, William Mc- Creary, Franklin Wilkins.
1830-Francis Wilkins, 1831-David Shaw.
1832-William McCreary. 1833-David Shaw. 1834-Silas Brown. 1835-William McCreary. 1836-David Shaw.
1864-J. W. Bradfield, 1865-Simon L. Bonnett.
1866-William McClelland.
1867-Lyman W. Gates.
1868-Simon L. Bonnett.
1817-John Warden, William Mitch- ell. 1818-Allen Scott. 1819-Gilman Bryant.
1820-Abner Ayers.
1821-John Wheeler.
1822-John Kerr. 1823-Abner Ayers. 1824-John Stilly.
1825-Daniel Sapp.
1826-Byram Leonard.
1827-Levi Harrod.
1859-Jacob Bell. 1860-William McClelland.
1861-James W. Bradfield. 1862-John S. McCamment.
1863-William McClelland.
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KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1869-David S. Halsey. 1870-John Lyal.
1871-John C. Levering.
1872-David S. Halsey. 1873-John Lyal.
1874-John C. Levering.
1875-Samuel Beeman.
1876-John Ponting.
1877-Moses Dudgeon.
1899-Leander Hayes.
1878-Samuel Beeman.
1900-George E. McCulley.
1879-John Ponting.
1901-Joseph Myers.
1902-John Taylor Smith.
1903-George E. McCully.
1904-Meshac Simpson.
1905-John T. Smith.
1906-John Motz.
1907-W. D. McMillen.
1908-Harrison Ferris.
1909-John M. Motz and William Lewis. 1910-William Lewis, Legrand Brit- ton and T. M. Dill.
COUNTY INFIRMARY DIRECTORS.
1842-John Hobbs, J. F. McLain. 1842-3-W. Bordon.
1844-Abraham Darling. 1845-C. A. Drake. 1859-Thomas Lairmore.
1846-Abraham Darling and Absa- lom Buckingham. 1847-G. W. Jackson.
1848-Abraham Darling.
1849-Christian Musser, 1850-G. W. Jackson. 1851-Timothy Colopy. 1852-John McCamment. 1853-G. W. Jackson. 1854-J. B. McGrew. 1855-Thomas Rogers.
1856-Lewis Lairmore. 1857-E. I. Whitney. 1858-Thomas Rogers.
1860-E. I. Whitney. 1861-Asahel Allen. 1862-James Scott. 1863-R. H. Bebout. 1864-Asahel Allen.
1865-P. G. Beardslee. 1869-R. C. Campbell.
1870-Samuel Snyder.
1871-William Cummins. 1872-R. C. Campbell. 1873-Samuel Snyder.
1892-Channing F. Rice. 1893-Charles A. Young. 1894-George T. Murphy. 1895-Channing F. Rice. 1896-Charles A. Young.
1897-George T. Murphy and Harri- son Ferris. 1898-Joseph Myers.
1880-Stephen Craig.
1881-Thomas J. Wolfe.
1882-James H. McFarland.
1883-Jacob Ross.
1884-T. J. Wolfe.
1885-J. H. McFarland.
1886-Jacob Ross. 1887-Stephen Craig. 1888-S. T. Vanatta.
1889-William D. Foot.
1890-Charles A. Young. 1891-S. T. Vanatta.
91
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1874-Andrew Caton.
1875-Adam Hornwell.
1876-R. H. Bebout. 1877-Andrew Caton. 1878-Michael Hess.
1892-W. V. Wright.
1893-James Coe.
1894-Jacob Baker.
1879-R. H. Bebout. 1880-William Rinehart.
1896-Jacob Lybarger. 1897-William C. Hammond.
1881, 1882, 1883-Andrew Elliott.
1898-John F. Ward.
1884-William Rinehart.
1899-James W. Coe.
1884-William Welsh.
1900-George W. Shultz.
1885, 1886-B. K. Jackson.
1902-Jacob Lybarger.
1903-George W. Shultz.
1904-E. M. Ramsey.
1905-Jacob Lybarger.
1905-Oscar Shaw.
1907-E. M. Ramsey.
1908-J. W. Coe.
1909-F. E. Cotton, R. Levering.
With the year 1913 this office will be abolished and the county commis- sioners will handle the business, with the county auditor's assistance.
COUNTY SURVEYORS.
From the best obtainable records the following have served as land sur- veyors in and for Knox county :
The first surveyor here was John Matthews, a government surveyor, in 1797, who sectionized and "quartered" the several townships in the county. The first name mentioned after this became an elective office was Edison Harkness, in about 1825-8. Then came Merrit M. Beam, in 1841; Thomas C. Hickman, two or three years; David Gorsuch, to 1852; Thomas C. Hick- man again, till 1854; then David C. Lewis until 1866, followed by Mr. Hick- man again, he serving until 1868; he was succeeded by Alfred R. McIntyre, 1869; Emmett W. Cotton till 1876; J. Nelson Heddington served to 1881-2; George Helen up to 1884; John McCroy, ten years; John Bruner, 1894-5; Oscar Lee Ashcraft succeeded him and served till the present surveyor, A. C. Wolfe, was elected.
1889-W. H. Wright, Wm. M. Mc- Kinley, Charles Cooper.
1890-J. K. Lauderbaugh.
1891-James C. Hammond, William C. Wright.
1887-William Rinehart and James O. McArtor ; also William Welsh.
1888-B. K. Jackson and M. C. Bone.
92
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
DISTRICT JUDGES.
Under the code of 1851, the office of district judge has been represented in the district in which Knox county is situated by the following gentlemen : 1852-Rollin C. Hurd, of Knox county, five years.
1857-Sherman Finch, Delaware county, five years.
1862-Thomas C. Jones, Delaware county, ten years.
1867-Jefferson Brumbaugh, Newark, resigned October, 1869.
1869-Jerome Buckingham, Newark, one year.
1870-Charles Follett, Newark, two years.
1872-Charles Follett, Licking county, five years.
1872-John Adams, Knox county, ten years.
1882-Charles H. McElroy, Delaware county, ten years.
1877-Samuel M. Hunter, Newark, ten years.
1887-Clark Irvine, Knox county, five years.
1888-Jerome Buckingham, Newark, five years.
1892-John S. Gill, Delaware county, five years.
1892-John B. Wright, Knox county, five years.
1897-John David Jones, Newark, five years.
1897-Emmett M. Wickham, Delaware county, five years.
1902-Charles W. Seward, Newark, five years.
1902-George S. Coyner, Delaware county, five years.
1907-Charles W. Seward, Newark, six years.
1907-Edward M. Wickham, Delaware county, six years.
PROBATE JUDGES.
The present constitution of the state was ratified in June, 1851, and took effect in September. It provided for the probate court as a county office, to take from the common pleas court the settlement of estates and kindred matters. The term of office was fixed at three years and was to commence on February 9, 1852. The following named have held such office in Knox county :
Years of Election. Served
1851-Samuel F. Gilchrist (Dem.) 1852-3-4
1854-Joseph S. Davis (Rep.) 1855-6-7
1857-Joseph S. Davis (Rep.) . 1858-9-60
1860-Thomas V. Parke (Rep.) 1861-2-3
1863-Thomas V. Parke (Rep.) 1864-5-6
1866-Edmund V. Brent (Rep.) . 1867-8-9
93
KNOX COUNTY, OHIO.
1869-Charles E. Critchfield (Dem.) 1870-1-2
1872-Charles E. Critchfield (Dem.) I873-4-5
1875-Benj. A. F. Greer (Rep.) I876-7-8
1878-Charles E. Critchfield (Dem.) 1879-80-81
1881-Elias A. Pealer (Rep.) 1882-3-4
1884-Elias A. Pealer (Rep.)
1885-6-7
1887-John M. Critchfield (Rep.) 1 888-9-90
1890-John M. Critchfield (Rep.)
1891-2-3
1893-B. M. Critchfield (Rep.)
1894-5-6
1896-Frank O. Levering (Dem.) 1897-8-9
1899-Park P. Blair (Rep.) 1900-01-02
1902-Park B. Blair (Rep.) .
1903-4-5
1905-Patrick A. Berry (Dem.)
1906-7-8
1908-Patrick A. Berry (Dem.)
1909-10-II
THE ASSOCIATE JUDGES.
From the organization of Knox county to the time of the adoption of the state constitution of 1851 there were officers known as associate judges, who sat on the bench with the chief judge and rendered all the assistance they could. The names of those who thus served are :
John Mills, William Farquhar and William Gass, 1808; James Colville, vice Gass, resigned, 1810; Jacob Young, 1813; Samuel Kratzer, 1814; John Trimble and Abraham Darling, 1815; John H. Mefford, 1818; Stephen Chap- man, 1819; Joseph Brown and James McGibney, 1820; Anthony Banning, 1827; Eli Miller, Abner Ayers and James Elliott, 1834; William Bevans, 1838; Richard C. Davis, 1839; William Bevans, and Isaac N. Richardson, 1841; William McCreary, 1846; Jacob B. Brown and B. H. Taylor, 1848, to the abolishment of the office in 1851.
CHAPTER IX.
AGRICULTURE, HORTICULTURE AND COUNTY FAIRS.
In all ages of the world, and in almost every section of the populated globe, farming has been the base of all supplies, so far as concerns the foods which keep alive and the clothing with which the human kind have been kept from exposure to the elements. Hence agriculture has been the vocation of the majority of mankind from the early dawn of the race to the present time. Here in the United States, reports compiled by authority of the government show us that seven out of every twelve (more than one half of the people) are directly or indirectly engaged in the work of tilling the soil. , And es- pecially is the farmer king in this section of the Middle West, where such immense annual crops of corn and grain and grasses are produced. In Ohio there are but few better agricultural districts than Knox county, all things considered.
The first thing the new comer here had to do, after erecting his rude, but ofttimes cozy cabin home, was to clear away a patch of land, freeing it from the underbrush and heavier timber, and there test his new found soil by planting therein beneath the untamed sod the corn and wheat and potatoes upon which he "banked" and was seldom disappointed when the time of autumn harvest arrived. On these products, with what game the pioneer could kill and what fish the family might take from the silvery streams, with now and then a small supply of "store goods," was what the family had to subsist until the raising of another year's crop.
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