Gibson County, Indiana - Chapter 6: Political History, 1914

Chapter 6: Political History

From the county records it is learned that the following have served Gibson county in official capacities since the organization to the present time, 1914:

Presidential Election Results

Beginning with the election of 1848, the following table exhibits the result of the different presidential electicns in Gibson county, until the election of Woodrow Wilson in 1912:

In i860 - Abraham Lincoln, Republican, 1,295; Stephen A. Douglas, Democrat, 1,565; John C. Breckinridge, Democrat, 29; John Bell, Constitutional Union Convention, 112.

The first state senator from the district in which Gibson county formed a part was ^^'illiam Prince. The legislative session was held at the old state capital, Corydon, commencing November 4, 181 6. The second session was held at the same place, commencing December 2, 1818, when Isaac Montgomery represented this district. In 1821, the next session, also at Corydon, this county was represented by Senator Richard Daniel. The capital was then changed to Indianapolis, and the first Legislature convened in that city on December 5, 1825, and Mr. Montgomery was still representing this district, from 1825 to 1829. Then came the following state senators: David Robb, 1829-33; Elisha Embree, 1833-35; Thomas E. Stewart, 1835-38; John Hargrove, 1838-41; Smith Miller, 1841-44; Benjamin R. Edmundson, 1844- 47; Smith Miller, 1S47-50; Benjamin T. Goodman, 1850-55; William Hawthorne, 1855-57; John Hargrove, 1857-61; Thomas Shoulders, 1862-65; James Barker, 1865-67; Thomas C. Jaques, 1867-71; Magnes T. Cochrane, 1871-75; Jasper Davidson, 1875-79; Gustavius Y. Menzies, 1879-83; James E. McCuUough. 1883-87; V. P. Bozeman, 1887-91 ; Albert G. Holcomb, 1891-

Constitutional Convention Delegates

In the constitutional con\'ention of 181 6 Gibson county was represented by Alexander Devin, James Smith, Frederick Rapp and David Robb. In the constitutional convention of 1852 the delegate from this county was Smith ^liller.

County Collectors

Between 1820 and 1841 there was a county collector of taxes and the following served in Gibson county: Charles Harrington. Robert Milburn, John R. Montgomery, James De\in, Nicholas J. Hargrove, James Devin, John Ayers, James Skelton, John Sullivan, Joseph J. Kirkman, Roland B. Richards. William Sharp. \\'illiam Phillips. Samuel A. Stewart, Thomas I. jMontgomery.

County Auditors

This county office was not created until 1841. John Ames, the first to hold such office, resigned September 2, 1843, and Alfred Poland was appointed to serve out the unexpired term. Then followed William Kurtz, John E. Phillips, Willis S. Hargrove, John C. Holcomb, William J. Casey (died in office), Alexander J. Montgomery (appointed to vacancy), John W. Johnson, L. W. McDonald, Samuel R. Adams, H. R. Embree, William T. Roberts.

County Surveyors Asse.Ssors And Appraisers

This combined office was in existence until after the Civil war and was held by the following persons: James Russell, by appointment in 1813, followed by Henry Hopkins, James Ramsey, Charles Harrington, James Evans, Walter Wilson, Thomas B. Embree, Walter Wilson, William Jerauld, Alexander L. Evans, William De Priest, John Hargrove, Joseph Neely, Alexander L. Evans, John Ayers, James F. Wasson, Jonathan Latham, D. Jerauld, Jonathan Latham, Hugh Parkinson, James Boswell, \^'ilIiam Jerauld, William De Priest, Jesse Weatherby, Silas M. Holcomb, Bluford H. Criswell, George Beloat and Thomas Emerson.

County Commissioners

The board of county commissioners ha\-e had in charge the affairs relating to the general and specific government of the county. As a rule they have been men of good judgment and business sagacit}% and the affairs have usually been conducted in a businesslike manner. Following are the names of the men who have served on these boards since 1845. Prior to that the records are lost: A. D. Foster, James Hudleson and Jolin Simpson, 1845; James Hudleson, John Simpson and M. G. C. Hargrove, 1847; John Simpson, M. G. C. Hargrove and John Ennes, 1848; John Simpson. John Ennes and David Barker, 1850; John Simpson, David Barker and Stewart Cunningham, 1852; John Simpson, Stewart Cunningham and A. D. Foster, 1854; Stewart Cunningham, A. D. Foster and John M. Boren, 1855 ; December term, 1855, A. D. Foster, David Robb and James Hudleson; A. D. Foster, James Hudleson and W. M. Land, 1856: David Robl), James Hudleson and Joseph Yeager, 1857: Joseph "S'eager, Jan-'es Hudlesim and Joseph De\in. 1850;

James Hudleson, Henry Gambrel and Joseph Devin, 1861 ; Henry Gambrel, James Hudleson and G. Vickers, 1862; G. Vickers, Henry Gambrel and Stewart Cunningham, 1864; G. Vickers, Stewart Cunningham and H. G. Mauck, 1865; Stewart Cunningham, William McReynolds and W. R. Mc- Clary, 1866; A. J. Cunningham, William R. McClary and Logan McClary, 1867; W. R. McClary, A. J. Cunningham and John N. Mangrum, 1871 ; A. J. Cunningham, John N. Mangrum and George W. Finch, 1872; John N. Mangrum, George W. Finch and Moses K. Robb, 1873 ; John N. Mangrum, Moses K. Robb and Calvin Drysdale, 1874; Moses K. Robb, Calvin Drysdale and Sylvester Benson, 1876; Moses K. Robb, Sylvester Benson and William Cooper, 1877; Sylvester Benson, William Cooper and A. J. Shoultz, 1879; Sylvester Benson, A. J. Shoultz and John S. Mead, 1881 ; Sylvester Benson, John S. Mead and Josiah Kightly, 1882; Josiah Kightly, S. Benson, 1884; Z. M. Weed, John Mangrum, 1886; William McRoberts, John Mangrum, 1888; W. L. McRoberts, Z. M. Weed, 1890; Z. M. Weed, T. H. Emmerson, 1892; J. W. Phillips, T. H. Emmerson, 1894; Joseph Moore, S. R. Davis, 1896; E. C. Farmer, Philip Martin, 1898; J. W. Phillips, P. Martin, 1900; J. W. Phillips, George W. Newman, 1902 ; G. W. Newman; John P. Moore, 1904; J. P. Youcham, John P. ]\Ioore, 1906: Joseph Yochum, G. Frohbiter, 1908; G. C. Frohbiter, George A. Knowles. 1910; R. D. Thompson, G. A. Knowles, 19 12.

County Superintendent Of Schools

The office of county superintendent of schools v.'as created by the Legislature in 1872, and the holder of this position takes the places formerly held by the school examiners. He is elected every four years by the various township trustees. The following have served in Gibson county in such capacity : \A'illiam T. Stilwell, Henry A. Yeager, W. D. Robinson, T. W. Cullen, Henry Neikamp, John T. Ballard, John F. Fulling, and the present superintendent, Wilbur Fisher.