Meeker County, Minnesota - Chapter 3: Official Matters, 1888

Chapter 3: Official Matters

ZT IS intended, that grouped together under this general head, will be given all that pertains to the otticial life of the county, those who have represented it and its citizens in office, property valuations, educational statistics and all other kindred matter that is drawn from official records, and worthy of preservation in a volume of this character. The first point taken up, therefore, will be

Organization

The Seventh Territorial Legislature which met in the spring of 1856, ordered the creation and organization of a county to be called Meeker, in honor of Hon. B. B. Meeker, of St. Anthony, and to contain within its boundaries all that is now defined by them, except what is now the townships of Cosmos and Cedar Mills. This act of creation is dated February 23, 1856. Previous to that time, this territory had been considered a part of Kandiyohi county, but was almost without any definite boundaries. Under this act, the Governor appointed Thomas H. Skinner, Dr. Frederick N. Eipley and J. W. Iluy, as commissioners to complete the organization.

Accordingly, on the 5tli of May, the first board met at the house of Mr. Skinner, in Forest City, where the seat of justice had been located, and appointed Milton G. Moore, register of deeds, Thos. H. Skinner, clerk of the board, and Abijah Beniis, sheriff. At the same time they made into one election precinct the whole county, to be named Forest City precinct. Thus was born the county of Meeker. No assessments or levy of taxes were made in the county that year, nor were there any bills presented or paid by the board. The latter simply started the machineiy and held their seats until the due qualification of their elected successors. The following is the record of the succeeding ships in range 29, and the east half of the townsiiips in i-ange 30, were designated as district No. 1 ; the west lialf of the townships in range 30, and all the townships in range 31 were to be district No. 2; and the townships in ranges 32 and 33 were to constitute district No. 3. The assessors elected in October, 1856, having failed to present themselves, or to qualify, the commissionei's appointed A. P. Whitney to assess No. 1 ; John E. Kimball to assess No. 2, and Lyman Baker to assess No. 3.

At a meeting on the Cth of April, 1857, the county was divided into four election precincts, which were designated as Kingston, Forest City, Round Lake and Union Grove precincts. At this meeting nine petitions for roads were presented to the board, the first business of the kind to come before it.

At the meeting on the 20th of July, 1857, the office of sheriff having become vacant by the removal of Abijah Bemis from the county, T. C. Jewett was appointed to fill the vacancy.

In October, 1857, a meeting of the board was held, at which the county was divided into four school districts, with boundaries the same as the election precints.

On the 5th of October, 1857, the first bill audited and ordered paid by the board was presented by John W. Goodspeed, for services in assessing district No. 3.

The following is a complete list of the gentlemen who have comjiosed the board of county commissioners for each year since the county was organized, as complete and correct as it is possible, at this late day, to make it :

Members Of The Legislature

Upon the formation of the State Constitution, July 13th, and its subsequent ratification, October 13, 1857, the State was divided into twenty-six senatorial districts. These districts were subdivided into representative districts and many were entitled to two Senators, and from one to six Representatives in the Lower House.

Under this apportionment, when the First State Legislature convened, on the 2d of December, 1857, the body was composed of thirty-seven Senators and eighty Representatives. According to the provisions of the Constitution the newly created county of

Meeker became a part of the Twentieth Senatorial District, being associated with the counties of Benton, Sherburne and Stearns. The district was entitled to one Senator and three Representatives. The first Senator to represent this district was Hon. Reuben M. Richardson, of Stearns county. The first Representatives were Hon. J. B. Atkinson, of Meeker county; John L. Young, of Benton county, and Joseph B. Carpenter, of Sherburne county.

When the Second State Legislature convened, December 7, 1859, Meeker county was still a part of the Twentieth Senatorial District which at that time was represented in the Senate by C. C. Andrews, of Stearns county, and in the House by U. S. Willie, of Meeker county; G. W. Sweet, of Benton county, and M. C. Tolman, of Anoka county. The "apportionment of 1860" was made by this Legislature, and by the re-arrangement of districts Meeker county was associated with the counties of Carver, Wright, LcLeod, Kandiyohi and Monongalia in constituting the Sixth Senatorial District, the district beinf entitled to elect one Senator and thi-ee Representati ves.

The Third Legislature assembled on the 8th of January, 1861, and adjourned on the 8th of March. In this session the newly-formed Sixth District was represented in the Senate by Hon. Samuel Bennett, of Wright county, and in the Lower House by Hon. V. P. Kennedy, of Meeker county; Hon. T. D. Kennedy, of Kandiyohi county, and Hon. William R. Baxter, of Carver county.

On the 7th of January, 1862, the Foui-th Legislature convened, and in this body the Sixth District was represented by the same delegation that had served it in the pi'eceding Legislature except that Hon. John H. Stevens, of McLeod county, had succeeded W. R. Baxter in the House.

Carver county, represented the Sixth District in the Senate, while in the House it was served by C. F. Davis, of IVIeeker county; W. G. Butler, of Wright county, and B. G. Lee, of McLeod county.

The Sixtli Legislature assembled on the 5th of January, IStU. Charles A. AVarner was still in the Senate. In the House were Henry Hill, of Meeker county; W. G. Butler, of Wright county, and John S. Letford, of Carver county.

The Seventh Legislature convened January 3, 1865. The Sixth District at that time was represented by the following gentlemen - G. D. George, of Wright county, Senator ; and Henry Hill, Frank A. Renz and C. F. Davis, Representatives.

In the Eighth Legislature, which assembled January 2, 1866, G. D. George was still in the Senate. The Representatives were - Danna £. King, of Meeker county ; L. Harrington, of McLeod county, and Chauncy W. Griggs, of Carver county. The " apportionment of 1866 " was made by this Legislature, according to which there were then to be twentytwo Senators and fort}' -seven Representatives. Meeker county still remained in the Sixth district, which was then formed of Meeker, Wright, McLeod, Kandiyohi and Monongalia counties.

When the Ninth Legislature convened, January 8, 1867, H. L. Gordon, of Wright county, took his seat as Senator from the Sixth District. The district was only entitled to two Representatives in the House - Dana E. King, of Meeker county, and P. W. Savage, of McLeod county, being the members.

In the Tenth Legislature, which assembled on the 7th of January, 1868, II. L. Gordon was still in the Senate, and in the House the district was served by J. B. Salisbury, of this county, and Lewis Harrington, of McLeod county.

The Eleventh Legislature convened January 5, 1869. The Sixth District was represented in the Senate by Dana E. King, of Meeker county, and in the House by D. Pile and W. W. Patteison.

On the 4rth of January, 1S70, the Twelfth Legislature assembled, with Mr. King still in the Senate. In the House the Sixth District was represented by E. Abbott, of Kandiyohi county, and A. II. Reed, of McLeod county.

The Thirteenth Legislature convened January 8, 1871. The re])resentatives of the Sixth District at that time were as follows - W. T. Bonniwell, of McLeod county, Senator, and W. II. Greenleaf, of Meeker county, antl Andrew Railson, of Kandiyohi county. Representatives. The apportionment of 1871 was made by this Legislature, the State being divided into forty-one senatorial districts, and tlie House to be composed of 106 members. Under the division of territory then made, Meeker county constituted District No. 3.5, and was entitled to elect one Senator and one Representative.

In the Fourteenth Legislature, which convened January2,1872,Meeker county Avas represented in the Senate by diaries E. Cutts, and in the House by AVilliam II. Greenleaf.

The Sixteenth Legislature convened January 6, 1871. Charles E. Cutts was still the Senator from Meeker county, and Andrew Nelson took his seat as Representative.

In the Seventeenth Legislature, whicli convened January 5, 1875, Meeker county was represented in the Senate by Andrew Nelson, and in the House by N. C. Ilines.

The Eighteenth Legislature assembled January 4, 1876. Andrew Nelson was still in the Senate from Meeker county, and C. E. Cutts took his seat as Representative.

TheTwentietli Legislature assembled January 8, 1S78. Meeker count}' was represented in this Legislature by J. M. Waldron in the Senate, and W. M. Campbell in the House.

The Twentv-first Legislature began its woi'k on the 7th of January, 1879. The Representatives from Meeker county at that time were, C. E. Cutts, Senator, ami W. M. Campbell, Representative.

The Twenty-second Legislature convened January 4, ISSL Meeker county's delegation at that time was composed of William Campbell, Senator, and O. M. Linnell, Representative. The apportionment of 1881 was made by this Legislature. According to the provisions of the act. Meeker connty was made District No. Si, and was entitled to the same representation as under the preceding apportionment. By this act the Legislature consisted of forty-seven Senators and 103 Representatives. It was also provided that sessions of the Legislature should be held biennially instead of annually.

The Twenty-third Legislature convened January 2, 1883. At that time Meeker county was represented in the Senate by W. H. Greenleaf, and in the House by O. M. Linnell.

The Twenty fourth Legislature assembled on the 6th of Januar}', 1885. Meeker county's representatives were W. H. Greenleaf in the Senate, and Michael J. Flynn in the House.

The Twenty-fifth Legislature assembled January 7th, and adjourned March 4th, 1887. Meeker county was ably represented in this session by J. S. Shields in the Senate, and Even Evenson in the Lower House.

County Auditors

D. P. Delamater, 1860 to Kovember, 1863 ; James M. Harvey, 1864, resigned in 1864; M. W. Piper, appointed by the board and served until 1865, when he, too, resigned , Charles

Clerks Of The District Court County Treasurers

J. A. Stanton was elected to this office in 1858, but, failing to qualify, the board in January, 1859, appointed Charles E. Cutts, who served that year ; W. H. Greenleaf was the next, 1860 to' 1862 ; George C. Whitcomb 1862 to January 6, 1863, when he resigned and board appointed A. C. Smith ; Jesse V. Branham, Sr., served from 1864 to 1870 ;

Abijah Bemis, appointed May 5, 1856, who served until fall of the same year, when Henry Averill was elected to this office ; the latter, having wounded Kennison in a fight, fled the country, and T. C. Jewett was appointed to the office July 20, 1857, and was elected to the same office ; he served in this capacity until 1860, and was succeeded that year by E. S. Fitch, who served 1860 and 1861 ; John Wigle, short time in 1862 ; James B. Atkinson, 1862-3-4 ; George S. Sholes, Jr., 1865 to 1868 ; A. A. Sanford, 1868 and 1869; W. M. Campbell, 1870 to 1874; N. J. March, 1874 to 1878; P. Ekstrora, to 1878 to 1884; Daniel Flynn, ISSlto 1887 ; and H. M. Holm, the present incumbent of the office, elected November 2, 1886, and qualified in 1887.

Judges Of Pkobate Counit Attorneys

The following lifet of those occupying this position is believed correct, haviiag been submitted to those well posted in the county, although in several instances no record authorizes the insertion of the names : William Eichards, the first, qualified July 4, 1858, and served until 1861 ; Mark AVarren, 1861-2; A. C. Smith. 1863 to 1867 ; Thomas Brown, 1867 until he resigned and was succeeded by Henry Wilson ; Henry Hill, 1869 and part of 1870 ; Charles B. Howell, the balance of that year; Francis Belfoy, 1871-2; C. H. Strobeck, 1873-4 ; E. A. Campbell, 1875-6 ; C. II. Strobeck, 1877-8; S. A. Plumley, 1879-80 ; W. S. Van Enian, 1881 ; E. A. Campbell, 1882-3 ; E. P. Peterson, 188'l^5-6 ; and J. M. Ilussell, the present attorney, who was elected in 1886, and qualified in 1887.

The first officer of this denomination, after it became elective, was J. W. Gordon, who was elected November 5, 1877, and served during the years 1878 and 1879 ; J. W. Wright, who served from 1880 to 1884; S. W. Gordon from 1884 to 1887, and was succeeded by T. J. Soule, who was elected to that office in 1886, and is the present occupant of the position.

County Surveyors

-Note. - It Is impossible to give complete lists of those who have served in the offices of superintendent, surveyor, coroner and court commissioner, aa the records do not show their namea. - Editor.

Court Cosimissioneks

During tlie same time, from the date of the organization of the county until the beginning of tlie current year, there have only been granted some fifty -seven divorces, which, in a population which now numbers nearly 17,000, is a remarkable showing, as against the 3,700 people who have been joined in wedlock.

Census

A research among the volumes of the Census Bureau of the United States Government shows that the territory known as Meeker county had a total population in 1860 of 928, of which 572 were of American and 356 of foreign birth. In 1870 the inhabitants had increased to 6,090, and in 1880 to 12,069, and it is safe to say that it has nearly 17,000 to-day (1888). About two-fifths of the entire population is made up of hardy Scandinavians, who bring to the new New World the thrift and economy of their native land, and are very important factors in the develo])- ment of this county and State.

Court-House And Jail

The Meeker county courthouse is one of the most substantial and serviceable structures of its kind in this jmrt of the State. It was built in 1885-6 at a cost of nearly $20,- 000, bonds for that amount having been issued by vote of the people. The buildingis of brick, made in the county, covers a ground space of 74x80 feet over all, and is two stories and basement in height, the two upper stories being fifteen feet in height, each. It is surmounted with a Mansard slate roof and a tower which reaches the height of seventy feet above the ground. It contains rooms for all the county officers, with capacious vaults and ample conveniences for each. The vaults are all situated so as to form part of the outside walls, and are provided with outside windows, thus aflfordinogood light and insuring great safety in case of fire. On the upper floor is a commodious court room, 45x65 feet, with which is connected two jury rooms, an attorney's room, judge's room and the circuit clerk's office. Although the appearance of the building will compare favorably with others of its class, gaudy ornamentation and style is generally ignored, and every foot of available space is utilized for business purposes, thus afiording larger and more commodious offices and apartments than are usually found in buildings of its size.

The jail building, which is a substantial, comfortable and capacious structure, was built some three years previous to the erection of the court-house. It is provided with four large steel cage cells of the latest improved pattern, and the foundation of floor is of concrete, three feet in thickness. G. 1>. Phelps, county auditor, was the architect of both buildings.

Altliougli Meeker county liad a population but little exceeding 900 at the last census preceding the great conflict between the seceding States and the Federal Government, it furnished a number of men for the army exceeding her 2:)roper quota. With about 300 voters, not one county of the State .sent a greater percentage of her citizens. The following list of the " brave boys in blue," whose homes were in Meeker count}'^, has been compiled from the reports of the Adjutant General of tiie State, with great care, and supplemented by consultation with some of the comrades, who have added some of the names not credited to this county in the official"record.