USA > Wisconsin > Rock County > The History of Rock County, Wisconsin: Its Early Settlement, Growth, Development, Resources, Etc. > Part 55
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The bench and bar of Rock County will compare favorably with that of any county in the State. and it may be said that the dignity and decorum maintained in the court-room, and the orderly and correct manner in which business is conducted, is not surpassed by any court in or out of the State.
366
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
ROCK COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
The act organizing Rock County, provided also for its government by what was known at that time as the " County Principle ; " that is, three Commissioners were to be elected by the county, who were to have a general supervision of its affairs. The first ones chosen were Enos J. Haz- zard, William S. Murray and William Spaulding. Their first meeting was held on the 1st day of April, 1839, with W. H. H. Bailey as Clerk. Election precincts were ordered; Election Judges assigned for future service, and sundry bills disposed of, which constituted the most important business transacted. These Commissioners held their offices from 1839 to 1841. The second Board of Commissioners was composed of L. Warren, N. G. Storrs and D. J. Bun- dy, who only held their offices during the first part of 1842, when, because of the "County Principle " being changed to the "Town Principle," they were succeeded in April of that year by a Board of Supervisors.
The following Supervisors have regulated the affairs of Rock County : In 1842-William Holmes, N. G. Storrs, D. J. Bundy, W. H. H. Bailey, G. W. Brittain, Ira Jones and William Stewart ; 1843-H. Murray, L. Belden, William Holmes, G. B. Hall, J. W. Bicknell, I. Inman, Jr., J. H. Knowlton, G. E. Cowan and Ira Jones; 1844-J. Chamberlin, P. Cravath G. E. Cowan, Ira Jones, George Ayres, J. L. Kimball, I. Inman, L. Belden and Z. S. Doty 1845-J. W. Inman, P. Cravath, D. C. Babcock, H. Murray, S. G. Colley, J. L. Kimball, CC. Stoughton, J. Waterman, C. Inman and D. R. Bent ; 1846-O. B. Lapham, G. W. Ogden, GEG. B. Hall, J. Spaulding, Jr., S. S. Blackman, William Stewart, J. Chamberlin, J. G. Winslow, P . P. P. Chase, J. P. Sears, A. Cotter, Ira Jones and D. R. Bent; 1847-J. Marcy, Joseph Colby_ Oy, N. Strong, W. F. Thompsom, A. Sprague, A. Cotter, Ira Jones, E. A. Foot, I. Andrews, R. FFEL R. Cowan, O. W. Norton, P. Crandall, Daniel Babcock, O. Densmore, S. O. Slosson and R. Dole Le; 1848-J. Marcy, A. Rowley, A. Allen, W. Spaulding, H. P. Culver, J. Kirkpatrick, E. A. A. Foot, I. Andrews, R. R. Cowan, C. Inman, P. Crandall, H. Tuttle, O. Densmore, F. A. Humphrey, A. G. Felt and J. Kinney, Jr.
From 1849 to 1862, the Chairmen of the Town Supervisors, elected in April of each year, constituted the County Board of Supervisors. They were as follows :
For 1849, town of Clinton, William Stewart ; Bradford, O. Densmore; Johnstown, D. I . L. Farnham ; Lima, R. Armstrong ; Milton, G. W. Ogden ; Harmony, William Spaulding; DE La Prairie, J. P. Wheeler ; Turtle, P. J. Erkenbrack ; Beloit, S. Hinman ; Rock, R. Washburn- mn; Janesville, J. Miles ; Fulton, E. Cawker ; Porter, D. R. Bent ; Center, E. A. Foot ; Plymout Enth, P. McLashun ; Newark, J. L. V. Thomas ; Avon, J. Huntley ; Spring Valley, R. R. Ham armil- ton ; Magnolia, A. Cotter ; Union, A. B. Vaughn.
For 1850, Clinton, W. Stewart; Bradford, L. Muzzy ; Johnstown, L. Belden; Lima, J. CobT-bb; Milton, G. W. Ogden; Harmony, H. Holmes; La Prairie, J. P. Wheeler; Turtle. B. M. HE JE in- man; Beloit, J. R. Briggs; Rock, R. Washburn; Janesville, M. C. Smith; Fulton, J. A. Cowa. wan; Porter, J. D. Seaver; Center, E. A. Foot; Plymouth, J. Bemis ; Newark, P. Mead; Avon, ,W. F. Thompson ; Spring Valley, R. R. Hamilton; Magnolia, E. Miller; Union, A. B. Vaughn ..
For 1851, Clinton, W. Stewart; Bradford, L. S. Blackman ; Johnstown, H. Chene mey; Lima, P. Crandall ; Milton, W. S. McNitt ; Harmony, H. Holmes; La Prairie, J. P. Wheele fler; Turtle, L. P. Harvey; Beloit, W. S. Rockwell; Rock, Z. P. Burdick ; Janesville, M. C. Smith ; Fulton, W. A. Goodrich ; Porter, Thomas Earle; Center, W. A. Webster; Plymou- ruth, A. Coddington ; Newark. J. L. V. Thomas ; Avon, O. Baker; Spring Valley, A. Remingto on; Magnolia, A. Cotter; Union, A. B. Vaughn.
For 1852, Clinton, W. Stewart ; Bradford, O. Densmore; Johnstown, C. A. Hall ; Linna, A. Warren ; Milton, W. S. McNitt; Harmony, H. Holmes ; La Prairie, A. Hoskins ; Tur ucle, L. P. Harvey ; Beloit, N. B. Gaston ; Rock, D. W. Inman ; Janesville ; M. C. Smith ; Fult-On, J. S. Fassett ; Porter, John Winston ; Center, E. A. Foot; Plymouth, K. W. Bemis; Ne w. ark, E. Pease; Avon, J. N. Nelson : Spring Valley, A. Remington; Magnolia, N. B. Howard; Union, G. E. Newman.
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367
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
For 1853, Clinton, H. Tuttle; Bradford, L. S. Blackman ; Johnstown, H. Cramer ; Lima, A. Kinney ; Milton, G. W. Ogden ; Harmony, W. Spaulding; La Prairie, A. Hoskins ; Turtle, L. P. Harvey ; Beloit, G. B. Sanderson ; Rock, D. W. Inman; Janesville, John Stacy ; Fulton, E. Downing; Porter, J. Winston ; Center, E. A. Foot ; Plymouth, J. Fisher ; Newark, J. L. V. Thomas; Avon, J. Kinney, Jr .: Spring Valley : J. Kirkpatrick ; Magnolia, N. B. Howard; Union, G. E. Newman ; Janesville, First Ward, B. F. Pixley ; Second Ward, . J. R. Pease; Third Ward, E. A. Howland ; Fourth Ward, G. H. Williston.
For 1854, Clinton, H. Tuttle ; Bradford, O. Densmore ; Johnstown, J. Clark; Lima, A. Nin mey ; Milton, D. C. Babcock ; Harmony, C. R. Gibbs ; La Prairie, A. Hoskins ; Turtle, S. F. Murry ; Beloit, B. Durham ; Rock, J. Griffin, Jr. ; Janesville, Z. P. Burdick ; Fulton, E. Downing; Porter, John Winston ; Center, W. A. Norton ; Plymouth, K. W. Bemis; New- ark - E. L. Carpenter ; Avon, J. Kinney, Jr .; Spring Valley, J. Kirkpatrick ; Magnolia, J. Doo Tittle; Union, Ira Jones ; Janesville, First Ward, B. F. Pixley ; Second Ward, T. Jack- mar ; Third Ward, E. A. Howland ; Fourth Ward, Ira Miltimore.
For 1855, Clinton, S. Lake; Bradford, T. W. Williams ; Johnstown, D. P. Farnham ; Lims as, J. Child; Milton, A. Holmes ; Harmony, E. Green ; La Prairie, A. Sherman ; Turtle, A. J Bruce; Beloit, S. G. Colley ; Rock, D. W. Inman ; Janesville, Z. P. Burdick ; Fulton, A. Roc t; Porter, H. Stebbins ; Center, W. A. Norton ; Plymouth, K. W. Bemis; Newark, N. War ren; Avon, A. N. Randall ; Spring Valley, J. Kirkpatrick ; Magnolia, J. Doolittle ; Union, Ira -Jones ; Janesville, First Ward, David Noggle; Second Ward, J. R. Crosby ; Third Ward, E. . Howland ; Fourth Ward, John Vermilyea.
Hul I For 1856, Clinton, L. Lake; Bradford, D. P. Wemple; Johnstown, R. Barlass, Jr .; Lima, I. ; Milton, J. Pierce; Harmony, E. Green ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark ; Turtle, A. I. Ben- net= = Beloit, W. Yost ; Rock, N. W. Tripp; Janesville, Z. P. Burdick ; Fulton, L. Page; Porter, H. Stebbins ; Center, J. Correy ; Plymouth, K. W. Bemis ; Newark, E. L. Carpenter; Avon, A. J. Randall ; Spring Valley, J. Kirkpatrick ; Magnolia, N. B. Howard ; Union, D. John- son Janesville, First Ward, J. H. Vermilyea ; Second Ward, J. A. Sleeper ; Third Ward, A. C. Bates ; Fourth Ward, B. B. Eldridge; Beloit, First Ward, J. Hackett ; Second Ward, W. S. Rockwell ; Third Ward, De L. Brooks; Fourth Ward, L. G. Fisher.
For 1857, Clinton, A. B. Collyer; Bradford, S. Scott, Jr .; Johnstown, J. B. Pember ; Lima, A. J EKinney ; Milton, W. Goodrich ; Harmony, E. Green ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark ; Turtle, A. I. E ennett ; Beloit, Charles Peck ; Rock, W. H. Tripp ; Janesville, Z. P. Burdick ; Fulton, S. 8. Williams ; Porter, H. Stebbins ; Center, W. A. Norton ; Plymouth, H. Inman ; Newark, E. L. Carpenter; Avon, George Golding ; Spring Valley, I. Wright ; Magnolia, N. B. Howard ; Uni On, D. Johnson ; Janesville, First Ward, S. Belton ; Second Ward, A. C. Bates ; Third Ward, L. Smith ; Fourth Ward, J. Vermilyea ; Fifth Ward, Thomas Thornton ; Sixth Ward, S. Martin ; Beloit, First Ward, S. E. Downer ; Second Ward, L. G. Fisher ; Third Ward, W. S. Roc Lowell ; Fourth Ward, W. A. Wheeler.
For 1858, Clinton, S. S. Northrop ; Bradford, P. D. Wemple ; Johnstown, B. F. Cary ; Lima, A. Kinney ; Milton, W. S. McNitt ; Harmony, E. Green ; La Prairie, W. Schenck ; Turtle, F. A. Humphrey ; Beloit, Charles Peck ; Rock, W. H. Tripp ; Janesville, A. W. Pope ; Fulton, E. A. Downing; Porter, J. K. P. Porter; Center, W. A. Norton ; Plymouth, William Ran ney ; Newark, E. L. Carpenter ; Avon, George Golding ; Spring Valley, G. W. Stetson ; Magnolia, S. Holdredge, Jr .; Union, Daniel Johnson ; Janesville, First Ward, M. S. Pritchard; jecond Ward, A. C. Bates; Third Ward, I. C. Sloan ; Fourth Ward, H. S. Shelton ; Beloit, irst Ward, N. D. Parker; Second Ward, J. Farr, Jr .; Third Ward, Charles H. Parker ; Fourth 'ard, M. A. Northrop.
For 1859, Clinton, S. S. Northrop; Bradford, George Playter ; Johnstown, B. F. Cary ; ma, H. J. Wilkinson ; Milton, H. G. Greenman ; Harmony, H. Griswold ; La Prairie, W. henck ; Turtle, A. Bruce ; Beloit, Charles Peck ; Rock, G. W. Bemis ; Janesville, A. W. ope; Fulton, E. A. Downing ; Porter, Thomas Earle ; Center, W. A. Norton ; Plymouth, K. {. Bemis; Newark, G. Cadman ; Avon, George Golding; Spring Valley, G. W. Stetson :
368
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
Magnolia, S. S. Holdredge, Jr .; Union, P. Allen ; Janesville, First Ward, S. J. Belton ; Second J. J. R. Pease ; Third Ward, J. P. Dickson ; Fourth Ward, J. H. Vermilyea; Beloit, Se ond Ward, S. G. Colley ; Third Ward, A. W. Root; Fourth Ward, M. A. Northrop.
For 1860, Clinton, S. S. Northrop ; Bradford, G. Playter ; Johnstown, B. F. Ca_ ry; Lima, T. H. Goodhue ; Milton, H. G. Greenman ; Harmony, S. P. Hoskins ; La Prairie, Sherman ; Turtle, A. I. Bennett : Beloit, D. Merrill ; Rock, G. W. Bemis ; Janesville, A. W. Bemis; Newark, J. L. V. Thomas; Avon, R. W. Golding; Spring Valley, I. Wright; Magno> lia,
Pope ; Fulton, H. West, Jr. ; Porter, Thomas Earle ; Center, E. A. Foot; Plymouth, K. W. N. B. Howard; Union, P. Allen; Janesville, First Ward, W. M. Tallman ; Second Ward, A_ C. Bates ; Third Ward, L. Smith ; Fourth Ward, R. A. Pierce ; Beloit, First Ward, E. D. Murray; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill; Third Ward, C. H. Parker ; Fourth Ward, M. A. Northrop.
For 1861, Clinton, II. Tuttle ; Bradford, G. Playter ; Johnstown, D. R. Spooner; Lir, T. H. Goodhue; Milton, H. G. Greenman ; Harmony, C. Bliss; La Prairie, F. Nash ; Ture, H. J. Murray ; Beloit, Charles Peck ; Rock, T. L. Hollister ; Janesville, A. W. Pope ; Fult on, S. Schoonover ; Porter, O. W. Gilman ; Center, J. Correy ; Plymouth, A. C. Douglas ; Ne J. ark, E. L. Carpenter ; Avon, J. Kinney, Jr .; Spring Valley, J. Kirkpatrick ; Magnolia, . Doolittle; Union, P. Allen ; Janesville, First Ward, N. Parker ; Second Ward, George Bane, Third Ward, H. W. Collins ; Fourth Ward, H. S. Shelton ; Beloit, First Ward, P. Johnson Second Ward, L. G. Fisher ; Third Ward, A. W. Root ; Fourth Ward, A. H. Northrop.
A State law, approved in March, 1861, made the Board of Supervisors to consist of threee Electors, one to be elected in each of the Supervisor Districts, except those counties whic. ich contained three or more Assembly Districts ; and in such counties there should be electe =ted one Supervisor in each Assembly District, and one additional Supervisor for the county at largge where there was or might be an even number of Assembly Districts-to be elected, bienniallly: on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday in November in each alternate year, and shoul. hold their offices for the term of two years. Under this law, the following persons were chosenen: For 1862 and 1863, District No. 1, Thomas Earle; District No. 2, C. Bliss ; District NO To. 3, B. F. Cary ; District No. 4, Charles H. Parker ; District No. 5, S. A. Hudson ; Distrio -ict No. 6, E. L. Carpenter ; at Large, R. T. Pember for 1862, and W. A. Norton for 1863.
For 1864 and 1865, District No. 1, Daniel Johnson ; District No. 2, C. Bliss; Distrio F -Tict No. 3, S. S. Northrop ; District No. 4, J. H. Cooper ; District No. 5, W. M. Tallman ; Di Ois- trict No. 6, W. H. Tripp; at Large, R. T. Powell.
For 1866 and 1867, District No. 1, Daniel Johnson ; District No. 2, James Pierce; Diff Dis- trict No. 3, A. M. Carter and Peter Schmidt ; District No. 4, Charles Peck ; District No. . _. 5. A. A. Jackson and W. M. Tallman ; District No. 6, D. Morse; at Large, S. S. Northrop.
By a change in the law, Supervisors elected in 1867 from the odd-numbered districts he meld office for one year, while those from the even-numbered districts held office for two years.
The Supervisors for 1868 were: First District, Daniel Johnson ; Second District, I H. Stebbins ; Third District, Peter Schmidt ; Fourth District, T. Holmes ; Fifth District, W. IT M. Tallman.
The Supervisors for two years, 1868 and 1869, were : First District, Daniel Mowe a- and J. Whitney ; Second District, R. T. Powell and H. Stebbins ; Third District, W. H. Trir -ipp and B. F. Cary ; Fourth District, E. Carpenter and T. Holmes, and C. Whitford, appointeed; Fifth District, C. H. Conrad and H. Richardson.
And those for 1870, for two years were : First District, Daniel Mowe; Second Distri ict, R. T. Powell ; Third District, D. G. Cheever ; Fourth District, C. F. Collins; Fifth District, F. S. Eldredge.
In obedience to a law passed in 1870, the county returned, after the April election of that year, to the system of government wherein each town and city is represented. The followi= 1g are the Supervisors elected for 1870:
Bradford, N. Densmore ; Clinton, H. Pierce ; Johnstown, Rush Beardsley ; Lima, T. Mor gan ; Milton, S. C. Carr; Harmony, A. Barlass; La Prairie, A. Sherman ; Turtle, Thomas
369
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
olmes ; Beloit, A. Henderson ; Rock, E. V. Drake ; Janesville, Z. P. Burdick ; Fulton, E. Imer; Porter, J. B. Miller; Center, Seth Fisher ; Plymouth, E. Inman; Newark, E. K. ilt ; Avon, W. Burcalow ; Spring Valley, H. H. Peterson ; Magnolia, N. B. Howard; aion, P. Allen ; Janesville, First Ward, J. D. Rexford ; Second Ward, J. J. R. Pease ; wird Ward, H. Richardson ; Fourth Ward, J. W. St. John ; Beloit, First Ward, C. F. G. llins; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill; Third Ward, P. M. Pierce; Fourth Ward, J. R. ›oth.
The Supervisors for 1871 were :
Clinton, George Chandler ; Bradford, A. G. Ransom ; Johnstown, Rush Beardsley ; ma, S. Morgan ; Milton, S. C. Carr; Harmony, A. Barlass ; La Prairie, A. Sherman ; Tur- , Thomas Holmes ; Beloit, A. Henderson ; Rock, Charles Noyes; Janesville, 'Z. P. Bur- sk ; Fulton, S. Schoonover; Porter, H. Wheeler; Center, Seth Fisher; Plymouth, E. man ; Newark, E. K. Felt ; Avon, H. H. Shirley ; Spring Valley, Daniel Mowe; Magno- , W. H. Doolittle; Union, L. W. Wright; Janesville, First Ward, S. A. Hudson ; Second ard, A. Hoskins ; Third Ward, H. Richardson ; Fourth Ward; A. Palmer ; Fifth Ward, B. Carle; Beloit, First Ward, C. F. G. Collins; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill; Third ard, F. F. Cox ; Fourth Ward, J. R. Booth ; Evansville, W. T. Hall.
From 1871 to 1878, the President of the village of Evansville was ex officio a member of e Board. In 1879, the office of member of the Board was made elective.
The Supervisors for 1872 were :
Clinton, S. S. Northrop ; Bradford, A. G. Ransom ; Johnstown, Rush Beardsley ; Lima, Morgan ; Milton, E. B. Rogers ; Harmony, John Stockman ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark; irtle, Thomas Holmes ; Beloit, A. Henderson ; Rock, Charles Noyes; Janesville, 'Z. P. Bur- ;k ; Fulton, S. Schoonover ; Porter, Thomas Earle; Center, Seth Fisher ; Plymouth, E. man ; Newark, E. K. Felt ; Avon, H. H. Shirley ; Spring Valley, A. S. Clark ; Magnolia, Burton ; Union, Daniel Johnson ; Janesville, First Ward, H. N. Comstock ; Second Ward, Richardson ; Third Ward, C. Bliss ; Fourth Ward, D. Jeffries ; Fifth Ward ; J. B. Carle; loit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill; Third Ward, F. F. Cox ; urth Ward, John Hackett ; Evansville, W. T. Hall.
For Supervisors of 1873, were: Janesville, First Ward, H. Bump; Second Ward, Jesse iles ; Third Ward, Cyrus Bliss; Fourth Ward, Randall Williams; Fifth Ward, Thomas nch ; town of Avon, John Adams; Beloit, E. F. Gates ; Bradford, A. G. Ransom ; Center, th Fisher ; Clinton, S. S. Northrop : Fulton, S. Schoonover ; Harmony, A. Barlass ; Janes- le, Z. P. Burdick ; Johnstown, E. Cary ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark; Lima, S. Morgan ; agnolia, S. S. Bagley ; Milton, E. B. Rogers ; Newark, R. J. Burdge; Plymouth, E. Inman ; rter, T. Earle; Rock, Charles Noyes : Spring Valley, R. B. Harper; Turtle, J. H. Cooper ; Lion, D. Johnson ; Evansville, O. W. Gilman ; Beloit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler ; Second ard, S. T. Merrill; Third Ward, F. F. Cox ; Fourth Ward, John Hackett.
For Supervisors elected to serve in 1874, were: Town of Avon, H. H. Shirley ; Beloit, F. Gates ; Bradford, A. G. Ransom ; Center, D. A. Mason ; Clinton, S. S. Northrop; Iton, W. H. Pease ; Harmony, James Menzies; Janesville, Silas Ward; Johnstown, John urvey ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark ; Lima, S. Morgan ; Magnolia, S. S. Bagley ; Milton, E. Rogers; Newark, R. J. Burdge; Plymouth, Edward Inman ; Porter, J. B. Miller ; Rock, arles Noyes ; Spring Valley, A. S. Clark ; Turtle, Thomas Holmes; Union, D. Johnson ; loit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler ; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill; Third Ward, Jere Miller ; urth Ward, John Hackett ; Janesville, First Ward, E. Leavitt; Second Ward, S. Hutch- son ; Third Ward, Orrin Guernsey ; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward, Thomas M. 'nch ; Evansville, O. W. Gilman.
The Supervisors of 1875 were: Janesville, First Ward, E. Leavitt; Second Ward, Jesse iles; Third Ward, O. Guernsey ; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward, Thomas M. Lynch ; own of Beloit, J. W. Crist ; Clinton, D. G. Cheever ; Magnolia, S. S. Bagley ; Bradford, W. irdiner ; Johnstown, John Harvey ; Fulton, W. Taylor ; Newark, H. L. Skavlem ; Plymouth,
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370
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
E. Inman ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark ; Union, D. Johnson ; Avon, H. H. Shirley ; Lima. S. Morgan ; Spring Valley, R. B. Harper ; Harmony, James Menzies ; Turtle, Chauncey Roes; Center, W. J. Owens; Porter, Alexander White; Rock, Charles Noyes ; Janesville, Silas Ward; Milton, E. B. Rogers ; Beloit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler; Second Ward, S. J. Good- win ; Third Ward, C. H. Parker; Fourth Ward, John Hackett ; Evansville, D. L. Mills.
For the year 1876, the following persons composed the County Board; Beloit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler; Second Ward, S. J. Goodwin ; Third Ward, C. H. Parker; Fourth Ward, J. Hackett ; Janesville, First Ward, J. C. Metcalf ; Second Ward, J. J. R. Pease; Third Ward, F. Kimball; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward, E. Rotheram ; Town of Avon, H. H. Shirley ; Beloit, J. W. Crist; Center, W. J. Owen ; Clinton, Henry Pierce; Magnolia, M. Osborne; Bradford, W. Gardiner; Johnstown, John Harvey ; Fulton, W. Taylor; Newark, H. S. Skavlen ; Plymouth, K. B. Thor ; La Prairie, H. P. Fales; Union, Peter Aller ; Lima, W. J. McIntyre; Spring Valley, R. B. Harper; Harmony, James Menzies ; Turtle, Thomas Holmes; Porter, J. B. Miller; Rock, Charles Noyes ; Janesville, C. S. Decker ; Milton, E. B. Rogers ; Evansville, C. M. Smith.
The Supervisors of the county who were elected for the year 1877 were : Janesville, First Ward, J. C. Metcalf; Second Ward, O. F. Nowlan ; Third Ward, F. Kimball ; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward, E. Rotheram ; Beloit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler; Second Ward, J. M. Cobb; Third Ward, C. H. Parker; Fourth Ward, Washington James; Town of Avon, W. J. Barnes ; Beloit, J. W. Crist; Bradford, W. Gardiner; Clinton, John Conley ; Center, E. A. Foote ; Fulton, J. I. Lusk ; Harmony, James Menzies ; Johnstown, John Harvey ; Janesville. C. S. Decker ; La Prairie, W. H. Stark ; Lima, W. J. McIntyre; Milton, E. B. Rogers; Magnolia, M. Osborne; Newark, E. K. Felt; Porter, J. B. Miller ; Plymouth, K. B. Thon; Rock, Charles Noyes ; Spring Valley, R. B. Harper ; Turtle, S. H. Slaymaker ; Union, Peter Aller ; Evansville, A. S. Baker.
The County Supervisors for 1878 were: Janesville, First Ward, J. C. Metcalf; Second Ward, O. F. Nowlan ; Third Ward, B. B. Eldredge ; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward. E. Rotheram ; Beloit, First Ward, C. C. Keeler; Second Ward, J. M. Cobb ; Third Ward, Frank E. Race; Fourth Ward, L. W. Kendall ; Town of Avon, W. J. Barnes ; Beloit, J. W. Crist ; Bradford, W. Gardiner; Clinton, John Conley ; Center, E. A. Foot ; Fulton, J. P. Towne; Harmony, James Menzies ; Johnstown, G. D. Hall ; Janesville, Silas Ward; La Prairie, J. P. Thomas ; Lima, W. J. McIntyre; Milton, E. B. Rogers; Magnolia, George Howard ; Newark, E. K. Felt ; Porter, D. Van Wart; Plymouth, K. B. Thon ; Spring Val- ley, R. B. Harper ; Rock, William Gunn ; Turtle, S. H. Slaymaker ; Union, Peter Aller; Evansville, M. V. Pratt.
At the election in April, 1879, the following Supervisors were elected : Janesville, First Ward, J. C. Metcalf ; Second Ward, O. F. Nowlan ; Third Ward, B. B. Eldredge; Fourth Ward, L. B. Carle; Fifth Ward, E. Ratheram ; Beloit, First Ward, Z. Martin ; Second Ward, S. T. Merrill ; Third Ward, Frank E. Race; Fourth Ward, L. W. Kendall ; Town of Avon, W. J. Barnes ; Beloit, J. W. Crist; Bradford, W. Gardiner; Center, E. A. Foote; Clinton, John Conley ; Fulton. William Taylor ; Harmony, James Menzies; Janesville, Silas Ward; Johnstown, John Haight; La Prairie, J. P. Thomas; Lima, W. J. McIntyre ; Magnolia, George Howard ; Milton, E. B. Rogers; Newark, H. Cleophas : Plymouth, K. B. Thon; Porter, John Daws ; Rock, William Gunn ; Spring Valley, R. B. Harper ; Turtle, S. H. Slaymaker; Union, P. Aller ; Evansville, M. V. Pratt.
The Chairmen of the County Commissioners and County Board of Supervisors since the organization of the county, have been as follows :
For 1839, William S. Murray : 1840, William S. Murray : 1841, William S. Murray ; 1842, S. Warren ; 1842, Nathan G. Storrs ; 1843, Ira Jones ; 1844, John L. Kimball ; 1845, Prosper Cravath ; 1846, Ira Jones ; 1847, Joseph Colley ; 1848, Joseph Colley ; 1849, J. P. Wheeler ; 1850, J. P. Wheeler ; 1851, Paul Crandall ; 1852, L. P. Harvey ; 1853, L. P. Har- vey ; 1854, Z. P. Burdick ; 1855, Z. P. Burdick ; 1856, Z. P. Burdick ; 1857, Z. P. Burdick;
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371
HISTORY OF ROCK COUNTY.
1858, William A. Norton ; 1859, S. G. Colley ; 1860, H. G. Greenman ; 1861, A. W. Pope ; 1862, B. F. Carey ; 1863, B. F. Carey ; 1864, Cyrus Bliss ; 1865, Cyrus Bliss; 1866, Daniel Johnson ; 1867, Daniel Johnson ; 1868, Daniel Johnson ; 1869, Daniel Mowe; 1870, C. F. G. Collins; 1871, C. F. G. Collins ; 1872, Daniel Johnson ; 1873, Daniel Johnson ; 1874, Daniel Johnson ; 1875, Daniel Johnson ; 1876, Thomas Holmes ; 1877, C. C. Keeler ; 1878, C. C. Keeler ; 1879, James Menzies.
COUNTY COURT OF ROCK COUNTY.
Record of notices posted up at public places, at Beloit and Janesville, in the County of Rock and Territory of Wisconsin :
Probate Courts in and for the County of Rock, in the Territory of Wisconsin, will be holden as follows : At Beloit on the first Monday of December, and at Janesville on the first Monday of June. November 1, 1839. HORACE WHITE, Judge of Probate.
TERRITORY OF WISCONSIN, ROCK COUNTY,
88 .- October 15, 1889.
John P. Chapin, of Chicago, in Cook County, and State of Illinois, has this day deposited in my office for record and administration. the last will and testament of Charles Johnston, requesting the appointment of adminis- trator to the estate of said Johnston, late deceased in said Rock County, the same represented by said Chapin as an insolvent estate, and executor of his last will and testament.
Attest :
HORACE WHITE, Judge of Probate.
Johnston's will is dated August, 1839, and is witnessed by Horace Hobart, John R. Bur- roughs. Charles M. Messer. It was recorded October 15, 1859. John P. Chapin was on the same day appointed to administer the estate, he having been named in the will as executor thereof.
The next case before the Court was that of the estate of Edward Brandon, deceased, which came before the Court for action for the first time, February 27, 1840. Richard Inman was appointed administrator. The estate of Caleb Blodget. which came into Court in August, 1840, was the third case before the Judge of Probate. John Hackett was appointed adminis- trator of the estate.
COURT HOUSE AND JAIL.
Rock County's first Court House was a two-story frame, erected in Janesville in 1841. It stood almost upon the exact spot now occupied by the present Court House, but was much more difficult to reach, being on the apex of a formidable hill, which has since been dug away. It was destroyed by fire in 1859, but happily no records of value went with it, previous precaution- ary measures having been taken by the Recorder and others who had the handling of important documents to keep them in places of safety.
The new Court House is situated, as was the old one, on ths east side of Rock River, in the Third Ward of the city of Janesville. It has an extensive park, containing four blocks, sloping to the west, the park extending easterly from Main street, and bounded on the north by Court street, east by East street, south by South First street and west by Main street. Three blocks of the park are under the immediate care of the city, while one block (being the second block east from Main street, on which the Court House stands) is cared for by the county.
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