Washington County, Minnesota - Chapter 50, 1881

Formation Of North-Western Territory Litical Meeting - Letter From Catlin

Washington county lias been subjected to various changes in its boundaries and political re¬ lations since the region of country of which it forms a part, first came under the government of the United States. As now existing with its present boundaries, it dates back only to 1851, when Washington county, as established after the formation of the territory of Minnesota, was re¬ duced to its present limits. Previously it formed a part of the extensive St. Croix county of Wis¬ consin, which continued its organization only a few months after the formation of the territory of Minnesota. Still earlier than this it formed part of Crawford county, territory of Michigan, which At that time the United States extended west¬ ward only to the Mississippi. The country l>eyond to the Pacific ocean was an unknown, un¬ explored wild, claimed by the Spanish govern¬ ment.

continued a short time until the organization of the territory of Wisconsin. This carries us back with a county organization to the year 1819. Now that the interest in pedigrees and ante¬ cedents is engrossing so much attention, it would be a gross omission to exclude the antecedents of our county. We beg pardon of our read era if in this genealogy we seem to go back too far for general interest, though we shall not be subject to extreme criticism for following the example of

The North-western territory, as ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1784, comprised the present states of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michi¬ gan, Wisconsin and that portion of Minnesota lying east of the Mississippi river.

In 1803 the domain of the United States was extended westward to the Rocky mountains and the Northern Pacific ocean by the purchase of Louisiana territory from Spain and its annexa¬ tion to the United States. This territory re¬ ceived the name of the "New North-west" in contradistinction from the old "North-western Territory."

In 1800 congress deemed it advisable, because of its vast extent and the difficulty of executing the laws, to divide the North-western territory, and Ohio was created. Two years later Ohio was admitted into the union as a sovereign state*. The same congress extinguished the North-west terri¬ tory, and denominated all the remainder the In¬ dian territory. In 1805, Michigan territory was created. In 1809, the territory of Illinois was de¬ tached from the Indian territory, Indiana was admitted as a state in 1816, and Illinois in 1818.

In 1805 the government purchased a tract of land for military purposes at the mouth of the St. Croix, and another at the mouth of the St. Peter's, now Minnesota, including the Palls of St. An¬ thony. lly this grant the Sioux transferred to the United States nine miles square at the mouth of the St. Croix, which, however, was never occu¬ pied as a military post, and the extensive tract afterward well known as the Fort Snelling reser¬ vation.

Organization

able barrier, the rapids at Rock Island, were found to be navigable by steamboats. On the 2d of May, 1823. the Virginia, a steamer one hun¬ dred and eighteen feet in length and twenty-two in width, drawing six feet of water, left her moorings at the St. Louis levee, destined for Fort St. Anthony, now Fort Snelling. Soon after this advance into the Indian territory, measures were taken by the government to obtain a title from the Indians to the land east of the Mississippi.

In 1819 Colonel Henry Leavenworth went to Prairie du Chien to organize Crawford county, which had been created by the territorial legisla¬ ture of Michigan, October 16th, 1818. Its bound¬ aries were as follows: "On the east by a line running north and south from the portage of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending to Lake Superior, thence westward to the Mississippi river." This indefinite boundary was supposed to include all the territory east of the Mississippi and north of the Wisconsin rivers within these prescribed limits.

Prairie du Chien was chosen as the county seat. It is said that Col. Leavenworth found great diffi¬ culty in securing a sufficient number of men to fill the county offices. Wilfred Owens was ap¬ pointed judge of probate; John S. Finley, clerk of court ; and Thomas McNair, sheriff. Col. Leav¬ enworth having attended to the organization of Crawford county, at Prairie du Chien, proceeded up the Mississippi with his soldiers in keel boats to "St. Peters," now Mendota, where he spent the winter.

They built log cabins plastering them with clay, and found them a comfortable protection from the cold winds of this latitude. The winter proved to be extremely severe, but the gar¬ rison remained cheerful in these rudely con¬ structed quarters, and the officers maintained pleasant, social intercourse.

In 1836, the establishing of a separate and dis¬ tinct territory west of Lake Michigan, was the re¬ sult of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union as a state ; hence on the 20th of April, 1836, by an act of congress to take effect from and after the 3d of July following, the territory of Wisconsin came into existence with the follow¬ ing boundary lines: The territory contained all that is now embraced in the state of Wisconsin, Io>va, Minnesota, and a part of the territory of

Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries, commencing at the northeast corner of the state of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a point opposite the main channel of Green Bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the mouth of the Me¬ nomonee river; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the Lake of the Desert; thence to the middle of that lake; thence down the Mon¬ treal river to its mouth; thence with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches the lake north¬ west; thence on the north with the territorial line to the White Earth river; on the west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river, and down the middle of the main channel of the last men¬ tioned stream to the northwest comer of the state of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the states of Missouri and Illinois, as already fixed by act of congress, to the place of beginning. Its counties were Brown, Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michilimackinac left unorgan¬ ized.

The territorial legislature of Wisconsin in ses¬ sion at Madison, passed an act January 9tli, 1840, to take effect August of the same year, creating the county of St. Croix, with the following boun¬ dary line. Commencing at the mouth of the Porcu¬ pine river, on Lake Pepin; thence up said river to its first forks; thence on a direct line to the Meadow fork of Red Cedar river; thence up said river to Long Lake; thence along the canoe route to Lac Com te Orielle; thence to the nearest point on the Montreal river; thence down said river to Lake Superior; thence north to the United States boundary line. The county seat was fixed by vote of the people at Brown's Ware- % house; Hazen Mooers, Samuel Burkleo and Cal¬ vin A. Tuttle were elected commissioners. St. Croix county was reduced in size in 1845, by set¬ ting off the county of La Pointe. After this the boundary of St. Croix was described as follows by a line: Commencing at the mouth of Porcu¬ pine river, passing up that river to its first forks; thence to Meadow fork of Red Cedar river; thence up that river to Lac Courte Orielle; thence to Yellow Lake; thence to the mouth of Muddy river; thence down the Mississippi to the place of

An enabling act was passed by congress in 1846, looking to the admssion of Wisconsin, as a state subject to certain conditions. After two efforts on the part of its citizens to secure a constitution, one was ratified March 13th, 1848, and Wisconsin became a regularly organized state by act of con¬ gress, May 29th, following.

Three years elapsed between the date when the territory of Minnesota was proposed in congress, and the imssage of the act of organization. In the consideration of the bill in congress, a sur¬ prising degree of ignorance was manifested by some members. Hon. Joseph Itoot, of Ohio, made a vehement speech against the measure, denouncing as "Farcical and absurd the forma¬ tion of a temporary government in a hyperborean region, where agricultural pursuits were impracti¬ cable, and where no white-man would go except to cut pine logs." This illustrates the vague notion entertained of the . north-west, even among intelligent people.

After Wisconsin became a state, with bounda¬ ries narrowed from those of the territory, a ques¬ tion arose as to the government of that portion of the territory not embraced within the new state boundaries, and the opinion prevailed among those best qualified to judge that the old territorial government survived in full force within such portion, although the opposite view was strongly maintained by others. The region in dispute ex¬ tended from the St. Croix to the Mississippi, em¬ bracing the present county of Washington. The agitation of this question led to prompt efforts to to gain recognition as a territory with a govern¬ ment and representation at Washington.

The first public political meeting in what is now Minnesota, was held August 4th, 1848, to consider and take action on this subject. At this meeting Jonathan E. McKusick presided, William Hol¬ combe acted as secretary, M. S. Wilkinson, I)r. Christopher Carli, David Lambert, Jacob Fisher and others were present.

This meeting accomplished but little, except to issue a call for a general convention to take steps to secure an early territorial organization, to as¬ semble on the 26th of the month, at the same place.

The second convention convened at the court house in the town of Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, and territory of Wisconsin, on the 26th day of August, 1848, in accordance with a call duly made. M. S. Wilkinson of Stillwater, was chosen president, David S. Laml>ert of St Paul, secretary. Joseph It. Drown offered the follow¬ ing resolution:

"Resolved, That a committee of five be ap¬ pointed to select a president, two vice-presidents, and two secretaries, as the permanent officers of this convention."

The officers were as follows: Samuel Durkleo, president; Robert Kennedy, Joshua L. Taylor, vice-presidents; William Holcombe and David Lambert, secretaries.

"Resolved, That a committee of seven members be appointed to draft a memorial to congress, for the early organization of the territory of Minne¬ sota, and to report such further proceedings as they may think proper for the action of this con¬ vention."

A letter from Hon. John Catlin, who had been secretary of the territory of Wisconsin, was read, as follows: Madison, August 22, 1848. - Hon. Wm. Holcombe, dear sir: - I take the liberty to write you briefly for the purpose of ascertaining what the citizens of the present territory of Wis¬ consin, desire in relation to the organization of a territorial government. Congress adjourned on the 14th inst. .without taking any steps to organize the territory of Minnesota or of amending the act of 1836, organizing Wisconsin, so that the present govenment could be successfully continued. It is my opinion that if your people were to elect a delegate to congress this fall, he would be allowed to take his seat in December, and then a govern¬ ment might be fully organized : and unles a dele¬ gate is elected and sent on, I do not believe a government will be organized for several years. You are aware of the difficulty which has pre¬ vented the organization of Oregon for two years past; and the same difficulty will prevent the or¬ ganization of Minnesota. If Mr. Tweedy were to resign, (and he would if requested,) I do not see anything to prevent my issuing a proclamation for an election to fill the vacancy, as the act¬ ing governor; but I should not like to do so unless the people would act under it and hold the election. If a delegate was elected by color of law, congress would never inquire into the legali¬ ty of the election. It is the opinion of almost all this way that the government of the territory of Wisconsin still continues, although it is nearly inoperative for want of a court and legislature.

"I write in haste, and have not time to state further the reasons which lead me to the con¬ clusion that the territorial government is still in being; but you can confer with Mr. Bowron, who, I believe, is in possession of the views and opin¬ ions entertained here on this subject. I shall be pleased to hear from you at your earliest con¬ venience. Yours very respectfully,

The chief act was to address a memorial to the senate and house of representatives in con¬ gress assembled, and also to Ilis Excellency, the president of the United States, respectfully re¬ questing that he will invite the attention of that honorable body, in his annual message, to action in the premises.

The convention then proceeded to elect a dele¬ gate to represent the interests of the territory at the next congress. lion. Henry II. Sibley was unanimously elected by the convention.

" Resolved , That the president of this conven¬ tion be required to issue a certificate to II. II. Sibley, signed by himself, the vice-presidents and secretaries, certifying that he is a duly elected delegate under resolution and action of this con¬ vention.

'' Resolved , That our delegate be requested to cause the orthography of Minnesota (when the organization of the territory shall be effected) to he according to that used in this resolution.

" Resolved , That the secretaries prepare copies of the memorials to the president of the United Slates and to congress, adopted by this conven¬ tion, with tho signatures of the members at¬

Hon. John II. Tweedy resigned his office of delegate to congress on September 18th, 1848. Hon. John Catlin, claiming to be acting governor of Wisconsin territory, issued a proclmation dated at Stillwater, October 9th, 1848, having made Stillwater a temporary residence, ordering a special election at that place to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Hon. John H. Tweedy. The election was held on the 30th day of October, when Hon. Henry II. Sibley was elected a delegate for the remaining portion of Wisconsin territory. Mr. Sibley proceeded to Washington, accompanied by Henry M. Rice and other gentlemen who used all their energies to secure the organization of a new territory.

On the 3d of March, 1849, a bill was passed organizing the territory of Minnesota, with boundary on the west extended to the Missouri and White Earth rivers. On the 19th of March, 1849, President Taylor appointed the following named persons judges of the supreme court for this new territory: Aaron Goodrich, of Tennessee, chief justice: David Cooper, of Pennsylvania, and Bradley B. Meeker, of Kentucky, associate justices.

On the 27th of May, 1849, Governor Alexander Ramsey landed at St. Paul, and on the 1st day of June proclaimed the organization of the territory, recognized its officers and required obedience to its laws. The territory was divided into three judicial districts. The county of St. Croix con¬ stituted the first district, with the seat of justice at Stillwater.

In pursuance of a requirement in the organic act, the sheriff of St. Croix was ordered to take a census of all the inhabitants of the county. The result shows Stillwater to have had at that time 455 male and 164 female inhabitants; total, 609. Chief Justice Goodrich, in accordance with the governor's proclamation, held the first term of court, beginning on the 13th of August, 1849, at Stillwater, Judge Cooper, by courtesy, sitting on the bench. This was the first court held iu the territory, after the organization, called a territo- rial court. It remained in stssion six days. Sixty cases were on the docket. Tiie clerk of the dis¬ trict court was Ilarvey Wilson; S. M. Mitchell, was United States attorney; II. L. Moss, district attorney; and John Morgan, sheriff.

On July 7th, 1849, Governor Ramsey, by proc¬ lamation, llxed the following council districts for the territory, which hud not yet been divided into counties: First, the St. Croix precinct, of St. Croix county, and the settlements on the west bank of the Mississippi, south of the Crow village, to the Iowa line. Second, the Stillwater precinct of the county of St. Croix. Third, the St. Paul precinct, except Little Canada settlement. Fourth, Marine Mills, Falls of St. Croix, Rush Lake, Rice River and Snake River precincts of St. Croix county, and La Pointe county. Fifth, the Falls of St. Anthony precinct and the Little Canada settlement. Sixth, the Sauk Rapids and Crow Wing precincts of St. Croix county, and all settlements west of the Mississippi and north of the Osakis river, and a line thence west to the Rritish line. Seventh, the country and settle¬ ments west of the Mississippi not included in dis¬ tricts number one and six.

The election of the 1st of August, 1849, passed off with little excitement. lion. II. II. Sibley was elected delegate to congress; James S. Nor¬ ris, Samuel Burkleo, William II. Forbes, James Mclloal, David R. Loomis, Captain John Rol¬ lins, David Olmsted, president, William Sturgis and Martin McLeod, councilmen; Joseph W. Furber, speaker, James Wells, M. S. Wilkinson, Sylvanus Trask, Mahlon Black, Benjamin W. Brunson, Henry Jackson, John J. Dewey. Par¬ sons K. Johnson, Henry F. Setzer, William R. Marshall, William Dugas, Jerremiah Russell, Al¬ lan Morrison, Lorenzo A. Babcock, Thomas A. Holmes, Alexis Bailey and Gideon II. Pond, members of the house.

The first territorial legislature assembled on the 3d of September, 1849, with James Norris, of Cottage Grove, for the first district, and Samuel Burkleo, of Stillwater, for the second district, councilmen; Joseph W. Furber, of Cottage Grove, and James Wells for the first district; M. S. Wil¬ kinson, Sylvanus Trask and Mahlon Black, of Stillwater, for the second district, representatives.

them the county of Washington with Stillwater as its county seat. The same legislature made Washington county the second judicial district, and the first term of district court in this new district was In Id in the town of Stillwater the same fall; Judge David Coo|>er, presiding; Henry S. Tilden, deputy United States marshal; Henry L. Moss, United States district attorney; Jesse Taylor, sheriff; Ilarvey Wilson, clerk. A young man known as Isaiah McMillan was tried under charge of murder, found guilty, and sentenced to one year's imprisonment at Fort Snelling.

The census of Washington county was taken that fall showing the following results: Males, 821; females, 291; total, 1,112; of this number, males, 455; females, 154; total, 009, were resid¬ ing in the town of Stillwater; and hence we have the small number of males, 366; females, 137; to¬ tal, 503; showing the population outside of Still¬ water, in the county. The original boundaries of the county were as follows: Beginning at a point on the Mississippi river where the town¬ ship line between towns 27 and 28 north, range 22, west of the fourth principal meridian inter¬ sects said river; thence east on said line to its in¬ tersection with the range line between ranges 21 and 22, west of the fourth principal meridian; thence due north on said line to its intersection with the third correction line; thence due west on said correction line to the intersection of the range line lietwecn ranges 21 and 22, west of the fourth principal meridian; ihenco due north on said range line to its intersection with the north boundary line of town 36 north; thence due north to its intersection with the southern lxmndary line of Itasca county; thence in a southeasterly direction along said county line to its intersection with the eastern boundary line of the territory of Minnesota; thence down said boundary line to the Mississsppi river, and thence up that river to the place of beginning. By reference to the map, it will be seen that the place of beginning on the Mississippi, was two miles further south than the present boundary, also that the north boundary extended north, including most of Chisago and Pine, and a portion of Carlton counties.

In 1851, the boundary lines were changed by the legislature to their present location, biking from Ramsey county about one thousand seven hundred acres of land in the extreme south-west

The county of Washington is bounded as fol¬ lows: Beginning in the middle of the main chan¬ nel of the Mississippi river, on a line between sections 23 and 20, of town 28 north, in range 22 west; thence east on said section line, to the line between ranges 21 and 22; thence north on said range line, to the line between townships 32 and 33; thence east on said township line, to the center of the main channel of the St. Croix river; thence down the middle of said channel and St. Croix lake to the Mississippi river; thence up the middle of said Mississippi river to the place of beginning.

In thus traversing the changes in boundaries and government of the region of which Washing¬ ton county forms an important part, many minutirc of interest have been omitted. Review¬ ing these we insert some matters worthy of a place here, beginning with the treaties, and fol¬ lowing with ]>olitical roster.

The visit of Lieutenant Zebulon Montgomery Pike, to the Upper Mississippi in 1805-G, resulted in the government gaining from Dakota bands the first tract of land ceded by any Indian tribe within the present state of Minnesota. Lieuten¬ ant Pike, under the direction of President Jeffer¬ son, arrested hostile movements between the Dakota and Chippewa tribes, tore down the British flag, and elicited the respect and admira¬ tion of many Indians, who had been influenced by the British. In 1826, and again in 1830, treaties of pacification were made by the com¬ missioners of the United States, with the northwestemrtribes at Praire du Chien. The year of 1837, forms a new era in the history of Minnesota. From this date settlers were assured of protec¬ tion and began to make permanent improvements. In the same year, July 20th, 1837, Governor Dodge, of Wisconsin, concluded a treaty at St. Peters, now Mendota, with the Chippewas, which opened to the enterprise of the white-man, the pine forests of the St. Croix and. its tributaries. The same year a deputation of Dakotas pro¬ ceeded to Washington, and in the month of Sep¬ tember, concluded a treaty by which they ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi, including all of Washington county, as it now exists, to the United States.

In anticipation of the ratification of the treaty with the Ojibwas, a party of lumberman opened a camp at the mouth of Snake river and began cutting logs. The Indians considered their rights invaded by this premature possession on the part of the whites, and having further cause of griev¬ ance on account of the non-fulfillment of the terms of the previous treaty, payment not being made as stipulated, caused them great annoyance. They answered the demands of the Ojibwas for compensation as best they could, averting the violence threatened, for a time by contributions from their store. When such pacification would no longer avail and active hostilities were begun, the lumbermen took to their canoe with their stuff and fled down the St. Croix, pursued by the Indians on the bank, who supposed the party must land above the falls and fall into their hands, stuff and all. To their surprise, however, they saw their anticipated captives hold on their way and float over the falls. The boat was lost and some of their effects, but the men all reached the shore in safety. A short distance below the falls, they were met by a steamboat, the first that ever ascended the St. Croix, bringing the welcome news of the ratification of the treaty. The lum¬ bermen returned and took legal possession of their logs.

The second treaty of that same year was con¬ cluded at Washington, D. C., with the Dakotas, September 29th, 1837. By the terms of this treaty, all their lands lying east of the Mississippi river, including the islands in the river, were ceded to the United States. The ratification of these treaties was a very important event m the history of Minnesota, soundiug/1he key-note for permanent settlements. From this time earnest men began to seek the flattering advantages of so promising a state.

For some years, the county was represented in the territorial legislature of Wisconsin by the fol¬ lowing named gentlemen: In 1830, convened at Belmont, Iowa county, October 25th; in council, no representation; in representative hall, James II. Lockwood and James I*. Dallam; in 1837-8, convened at Burlington, Des Moines county, No¬ vember 6th; in council, no representation; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Jean Brunet; in special session of 1838; in council, no representa¬ tion; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Jean Brunet; in 1838, convened at Madison, November 26th; in council, George Wilson; in house, Alexander McGregor; in 1839, beginning January 21st; in council, George Wilson; in house, Alexander Mc¬ Gregor and Ini B. Brunson; in 1839, beginning December 2d; in council, Joseph BrisUns; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Alexander McGregor; in 1840, beginning August 3d; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Ira B. Brunson and Alex¬ ander McGregor; in 1840, beginning December 7th; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Alfred Brunson and Joseph R. Brown; in 1841, beginning December 6th; in council, Charles J. Learned; in house, Joseph It. Brown and Alfred Brunson; in 1842, beginning December 5th; in council, Theopolis La Chappelle; in house, John II. Mannhan; in 1843, beginning December 4th; in council, Theopolis La Chapi>elle; in house, John II. Manahan; in 1845, beginning January 6th; in council, Wiram Knowlton; in house, James Fisher; in 1846, beginning January 6th; in council, Wiram Knowlton; in house, James Fisher; in 1847, lteginning January 4th; in coun¬ cil, Benjamin F. Manahan; in house, Joseph W. Furber; in 1847, October 18tli; in council, Benja¬ min F. Manahan; in house, Ilenry Jackson; in 1848, beginning February 7th; in council, Benja¬ min F. Manahan; in house, Henry Jackson.

County officers beginning in St. Croix county in 1840, under the Wisconsin territorial legisla¬ tion, and continuing through the consecutive years up to 1880. The records being imperfect, and for some portion of the time lost, this roster must of necessity be wanting in some parts.

1840. Joseph It. Brown, clerk of the board of county commissioners, register of deeds and treasurer; Phineas Lawrence, collector; James S. Norris, coroner; Philander Prescott, road supervisor; John Bush, Orange Walker and Joseph W. Furber, assessors; Joseph It. Brown, Ilazen Mooers and Samuel Burkleo, county com¬ missioners.

1841 . Joseph It. Brown, clerk of board, register of deeds and treasurer; John Bush, constable ; Phineas Lawrence, Jr., collector; Joshua L. Tay¬ lor, James It. Clewet and James S. Norris, road supervisors ; Joseph W. Furber, John Bush and Samuel F. Brown, assessors ; Ilazen Mooers,

1842. Joseph It. Brown, clerk of board, and register of deeds; D. Hopkins, treasurer; John Bush, constable; Samuel F. Brown, collector; Joseph Haskell, surveyor; David Hone, coroner; T. F. Randolph and N. II. Crosby, road supervisors; S. F. Brown, W. It. Brown and T. S. Davis, assessors; Philander Prescott, Joseph Haskell and Philip Aldrich, county commis¬ sioners.

1843. William HolconQbe, clerk of board, and register of deeds; James S. Norris, treasurer; constables were elected, one for each precinct; Philip Aldrich, collector; Christopher Carli, sur¬ veyor; Elijah A. Bissell, coroner; James S. Davis, and Henry Jackson, road supervisors ; David Ilone, Elijah A. Bissell, N. II. Crosby and John E. Mower, assessors; Philip Aldrich, James W. Furber and William R. Brown, county commis¬ sioners.

1844. William Holcombe, clerk of the board, and register of deeds; James S. Norris, treasurer; James S. Davis, constable; Philip Aldrich, col¬ lector; David Hone and Elijah A. Bissel, assess¬ ors; Joseph W. Furber, chairman William R. Brown and Philip Aldrich, county commis¬ sioners.

1846. William Holcombe, clerk of board and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; James Fisher, sheriff; David Hone, collector; Joseph W. Furber, surveyor; Robert Kenedy, coroner; Benjamin F. Otis, David Hone and Wm- II. Nobles, assessors; Orange Walker, Socrates Nelson and II. E. White, county commissioners.

1847. William E. Watson, clerk of board and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; John Morgan, sheriff; David Hone, collector; Harvey Wilson, surveyor; Philip Aldrich, coro^ ner; James Hale, fence viewer; William O. Ma¬ honey, Anson Northrop and William B. Dibble, road supervisors; Socrates Nelson, Harman Cran¬ dall and J. R. Irvin, county commissioners.

At a special meeting of the board of commis¬ sioners the office of prosecuting attorney was created, and Mortimer S, Wilkinson was elected to the office.

Official Roster

Officers of Washington county, territory of Minnesota, for 1849: John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; Socrates Nelson, treasurer; Jesse Taylor, sheriff; Uarvey Wilson, surveyor, clerk of district court and judge of probate; William Willim, coroner; Mortimer S. Wilkinson, prose¬ cuting attorney; William II. Johnson, Malilon Black and Beujamin F. Otis, road supervisors; Asa Parker, Calvin Leach and Harvey D. White, assessors; John McKusick, Hiram Berkey, and Joseph Haskell, county commissioners.

1860. John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; Augustus S. Parker, treasurer; Jesse Tay¬ lor, sheriff; Harvey Wilson, surveyor, clerk of district court and judge of probate; William Willim, coroner; John Truax, Mathew Taisey and Asa S. Parker, road supervisors; James Moorl, John Atkinson and Mahlon Black, assessors; Jo¬ seph W. Furber, John McKusick and Hiram Berkey, county commissioners.

1861. John S. Proctor, county clerk and reg¬ ister of deeds; John Morgan, treasurer; William C. Penney, sheriff; AquillaD. Greeley, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; Jonathan E. McKusick, Judge of probate; Theodore Par¬ ker, prosecuting attorney, Harley Curtis, coroner; Horace K. McKinstry, M. Welshous and James S. Davis, road supervisors; John E. Mower, Jo¬ seph W. Furber, county commissioners.

1852. John S. Proctor, clerk and register of deeds; William Willim, treasurer; William C. Penney, sheriff; Aquilla D. Greeley, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court and judge of probate; Theodore Parker, prosecuting atr tomey; Harley Curtis, coroner; James Jackson, road supervisor; Henry A*. Jackson, Jacob Mosher and Harvey Walker, assessors; Socrates Nelson, James S. Norris and John E. Mower, county commissioners.

1853. Harley Curtis, clerk, register of deeds and coroner; William Willim, treasurer; Asa B. Green, sheriff; Mahlon Black, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court and judge of pro¬ bate; Gold F. Curtis, prosecuting attorney; Ben¬ jamin F. Otis, Samuel Middleton and George Renn, road supervisors; A. D. Greeley, W. D. Johnson and Jacob Mosher, assessors; James Shearer, county commissioner.

B. F. Otis and Samuel Middleton road super¬ visors; Mahlon Black, James B. Green and William II. Johnson, assessors; John E. Mower, county commissioner.

1856. John J. Robertson, clerk and register ; Mahlon Black, treasurer ; W. J. Johnson, sheriff ; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; Gold F. Curtis, judge of probate: J. A. Van Vorhes, prosecuting attorney; Harley Curtis, coroner; W. H. Johnson, M. Y. Jackson, J. C. Mason, asses¬ sors; Socrates Nelson, John E. Mower, county commissioners.

J860. John J. Robertson, clerk and register of deeds; II. Kattenburg, treasurer; W. J. John¬ son, sheriff ; Mahlon Black, surveyor ; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court: A. B. Green, judge of probate ; J. A. Van Vorhes, prosecuting at¬ torney; Harley Curtis, coroner ; J. S. Davis, F.

C. and Joseph Tyler, supervisors; M. Y. Jackson, M. Leavitt and J. J. Robertson, assessors; Francis Oldham, Socrates Nelson, and John E. Mower, county commissioners.

1858. Hollis R. Murdock, judge of probate ; Jacob Marty and I). T. Watson, road supervisors; William Allibone, M. Y. Jackson, and P. E. Walker, assessors; Louis Ilospes and Francis Oldham, county commissioners.

1859. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; F. A. Has¬ kell, treasurer; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds ; L. R. Cornman, county attorney; M. T. Thomas, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of dis¬ trict court; Hollis P. Murdock, judge of probate; William Cove, coroner; J. W. Furber, M. Y. Jackson, Asa S. Parker, Louis Ilospes and John McKusick, county commissioners.

1860. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; F. A. Has¬ kell, treasurer; G. M. Stickney, sheriff; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds; L. It. Cornman, at¬ torney; Mahlon Black, surveyor ; Harvy Wilson, clerk of the district court; Hollis R. Murdock, judge of probate ; W. II. Burt, court commis¬ sioner; Edward Fields, coroner; Orange Walker,

1861. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; A. II. Lull, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds; L. R. Comman, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Ilarvey Wil¬ son, clerk of district court ; II. It. Murdock, judge of probate; Robert Watson, court commissioner; Edward Field, cox-oner; Orange Walker, I). W. Armstrong, Robert Watson, John II. Mitchell and Henry A. Jackman, county commissioners.

1862. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; A. C. Lull, treasurer ; George Davis, sheriff ; Thomas J. Yorks, register of deeds; L. R. Common, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wil¬ son, clerk of district court ; Hollis It. Murdock, judge of probate; Robert Watson, comt commis¬ sioner; R. R. Henry, coroner; Orange Walker, Henry A. Jackman, D. W. Armstrong, Joseph Haskell and J. II. Mitchell, county commis¬ sioners.

attorney; A. Van Vorhes, sm-veyor; Ilarvey Wil¬ son, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Comman, court commissioner; Ariel Eldiidge, coroner; Orange Walker, Arthur Stephens, Beckman Winart, William Willim and John Parker, county commissionera.

1867. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol¬ som, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; M. Y. Jackson, register of deeds; AVilliam M. McClure, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts; judge of probate; L. R. Comman, court commissioner; Patrick Keefe, coroner; AVilliam AVillm, Orange AValker, Ambrose Secrest, George AVoodward and E. A. Rutherford, county commi&sioners; James D. McComb, surveyor general of logs and lumber.

1868. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol¬ som, treasurer; George Davis, sheriff; M. Y. Jackson, register of deeds; AVilliam McClure, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Har¬ vey AVilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Comman, court commis¬ sioner; Patrick Keefe, coroner, AVilliam AVillim, Ambrose Secrest, E. A. Rutherford, George AVoodward and Asa S. Parker, county commis¬ sioners; June 1st, 1860, Elias McKean, commis¬ sioner, vice Rutherford i-esigned; September 4th, John Anderson, vice McKean declined.

1869. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol¬ som, treasurer; Joseph R. Carli, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, l-egister of deeds; Isaac Aran AHeck, coun¬ ty attorney; A. Van Arorhes, surveyor; Ilarvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. It. Cornman, court commissioner; Harlow Melntire, coroner; AVilliam McKusick, Geoige AVoodward, Asa S. Parker, Stephen L. Cowen, Isaac L. Carpenter, county commission¬ ers; James I). McComb, surveyor general of logs and lumber.

1870. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; E. A. Fol¬ som, treasurer; Joseph R. Carli, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Isaac Arau Vleck, county attorney; A. Van Arorhes, surveyor; Ilarvey Wilson, clerk of court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro¬ bate; L. R. Comman, court commissioner; Rob¬ ert Langley, coroner; AVilliam McKusick, James S. Norris, James Middleton, Stephen Cowen and Asa S. Parker, county commissioneis.

Shepard, treasurer; J. It. Carli, sheriff, A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; A. Van Vorhes, surveyor; Harvey Wil¬ son,' clerk of court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro¬ bate; L. It. Com man, court commissioner; Robert Langley, coroner; AVilliam McKusick, Jesse II. Soule, Stephen L. Cowen, James Middleton and J. S. Norris, county commissioners; February 29th, 1872, Isaac Van Vleck, appointed coroner; Ivory E. McKusick, surveyor general of logs and lumber of the 1st lumber district of Minnesota.

1873. Rudolph Lehmicke, auditor; Myron Shep¬ ard, treasurer, J. A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Percy B. Smith, county attorney; Alexander Oldham, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; L. R. Cornman, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; Jesse II. Soule, S. L. Cowen, J. C. Rhodes, James Middleton and F. S. Meilicke, county commissioners.

1874. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; Harvey Wilson, clerk of court; J. A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Percy B. Smith, county attorney; Alexander Old¬ ham, surveyor; E. G. Butts, judge of probate; A. II. Comfort, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; S. L. Cowen, James Middleton, F. S. Meilicke, J. C. Rhodes and J. II. Soule, county commissioners.

1875. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; John A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attor¬ ney; James Stewart, surveyor; Harvey Wilson, clerk of district court; E. G. Butts, judge of pro¬ bate; Charles E. Norgord, court commissioner; J. C. Rhodes, coroner; J. II. Soule, F. S. Meilicke, James Middleton, Samuel Mathews and David Cover, county commissioners; January 4th, 1870, L. A. Iluntoon, commissioner, vice James Mid¬

' 1876. George Davis, auditor; Myron Shepard, treasurer; John A. Johnson, sheriff; A. M. Dodd, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; James Stewart, surveyor; J. J. Shotwell, clerk of court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of probate; Charles E. Norgord, court commissioner; W. II. Pratt, coroner; David Cover, Samuel Mathews, J. II. Soule, Andrew Peterson, F. S. Meilicke, county commissioners.

1880. James G. Foley, auditor; A. K. Doe, treasurer; C. P. Holcombe, sheriff: W. It. Lehm¬ icke, register of deeds; Fayette Marsh, county attorney; C. A. Bennett, clerk of the district court; Rudolph Lehmicke, judge of probate; Thomas Leckey, court commissioner; A. K. D03, superintendent of schools; W. II. Pratt, coroner; Hugh Campbell, Samuel Matthews, E. A. Fol-