Buchanan County, Missouri - County Offices and the Incumbents Thereof, from the Earliest Days to the Present Time. - Prosecutors, Clerks of Circuit, 1900

Physicians, Surveyors And Public Administrators

COUNTY OFFICES AND THE INCUMBENTS THEREOF, FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS TO THE PRESENT TIME. - PROSECUTORS, CLERKS OF CIRCUIT COURT, SHERIFFS AND CONTESTS FOR THE OFFICE, COUNTY CLERKS AND CONTESTS, CORONERS, RECORDERS OF DEEDS, TREASURERS, ASSESSORS, PHYSICIANS, SURVEYORS AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS.

Prior to 1872 the public prosecutor was styled circuit attorney and was elected, as the judge, by the votes of the judicial circuit. When the Twelfth circuit was created by the legislature, in 1841, Governor Reynolds appointed Peter H. Burnett of Platte County as circuit attorney. In 1843 Mr. Burnett resigned and was succeeded by Willard P. Hall, Sr., of Buchanan, who in turn was succeeded by J. M. Jones of Andrew. The office was also held by James Craig of Buchanan, James N. Burnes of Platte, Joseph P. Grubb of Buchanan, Thomas Thoroughman of Buchanan and Isaac C. Parker of Buchanan. The last incumbent was B. K. Davis of Maryville.

Of those named, Mr. Burnett was afterwards governor of California, Willard P. Hall was governor of Missouri and Isaac C. Parker, James Craig and James N. Burnes went to Congress. Judge Parker ended his days as LTnited States judge at Fort Smith, Ark.

In 1872, S. Alexander Young, brother of the late Waller Young, and of the then existing law firm of Woodson, Vineyard & Young,, was elected the first prosecuting attorney of Buchanan County. He resigned before the expiration of his term and James P. Thomas, now probate judge, was appointed to serve out the unexpired period.

CIRCUIT CLERKS. - The first entry on the record of the circuit court for Buchanan County recites the appointment, by Judge Austin A. King, of Edwin Toole as ''clerk of the circuit court," with power and authority to discharge the duties of said office until the general election in the year 1840. This order was made on February 13, 1839, and Mr. Toole at once began the work of preparing for the first term of court, to be held in the following July. In 1840, Mr. Toole was succeeded by William Fowler, who held the position until 1852, being at the same time county clerk.

William Ridenbaugh was clerk of the circuit court from 1852 to 1862, when he was succeeded by William C. Toole, who served two years. Prank G. Hopkins served from 1864 to 1870 and was succeeded by \\ illiam Ridenbaugh, who held the place for three years, dying in office. C. C. Colt served out Mr. Ridenbaugh's term and was succeeded bv J. H. R. Cundiff, who held the office from 1874 to 1878, and was in turn succeeded by Samuel D. Cowan, who held the office until 1894. John T. Chesnut, the present incumbent, was elected for a second term of four years in November, 1898.

Edwin Toole moved to Savannah, and afterwards located in Montana, where lie prospered, rose to prominence and is still living at an advanced age. 1 1 is son, Joseph Toole, was a delegate to Congress when Montana was a territory and has been governor since Montana was admitted as a state. William Fowler, William Ridenbaugh and Colonel Cundiff are dead, the latter dying at St. Louis while editor of the Missouri Republican. Messrs. Hopkins and Cowan both reside in St. Joseph and Mr. Colt at Kansas Citv.

SHERIFFS. - When Governor Boggs appointed the first judges of the Buchanan county court he also appointed a sheriff, Samuel M. Gilmore. Mr. Gilmore held the office until 1843, when he was succeeded by George W. Taylor, who served until 1846. The next four years saw \\ illiam B. Reynolds in the office, who was succeeded in 1850 by Leander T. Ellis. Joseph B. Smith served from 1852 to 1856, when Solomon N. Sheridan took the office. Mr. Sheridan did not serve out his term, and was succeeded by James A. Matney. Michael D. Morgan served from 1858 to 1861, when he resigned to go to war. Samuel Ensworth was appointed to serve out the term. Enos Craig was elected and served 1862-64. In 1864-66, Ransom Ridge was sheriff. Irvin Fish served in 1866-68. Dr. R. P. Richardson filled the office for the next two years and was succeeded by

Col. Elijah Gates, who served in 1870-74. James L. Spencer, better known as "Fav" Spencer, succeeded Colonel Gates with four years, and Robert H. Thomas followed Mr. Spencer, serving four years also.

In 1884, John H. Carey took the office. In November of 1886 he was defeated for a second term by Joseph Andriano, the vote being 295 in favor of the latter. Mr. Carey refused to give up the office on the ground that Mr. Andriano was inelligible, and, on November 13, notified Mr. Andriano that he intended to contest the election, for the reason that he (Carey) had been creditably informed that Andriano was an alien and not a citizen of the United States. This was a surprise to Mr. Andriano, who had lived in St. Joseph thirty-six years, held city offices and served three years in the Union army. However, he engaged counsel and prepared for the contest. The case came up before Judge Oliver M. Spencer in the Buchanan County circuit court, who, on January 23, 1887, decided in favor of Mr. Carey. The first paragraph of Judge Spencer's decision reads as follows :

"The decision of this case depends alone upon the citizenship of the defendant. From the testimony of the defendant himself, who was the only witness examined, it appears that he was born at Heidelberg, Germany, on the 15th day of October, 1841. When he reached the age of seven he, together with his parents, immigrated to the United States. In 1854, while the defendant was still a minor, his parents were naturalized. The defendant never at any time declared his intention to become a citizen of the United States ; never renounced his allegiance to the government of Germany, or took the oath of allegiance to this country. He depends alone upon the naturalization of his parents to make him a citizen."

Judge Spencer decided at length, and with numerous citations, that Andriano was not a citizen of the United States under the evidence and the circumstances. The case was at once appealed to the supreme court and the decision reversed.

Sheriff Andriano took the office early in May of 1887 and held it until January, 1889, when he was succeeded by Eugene H. Spratt, who subsequently served four years. Charles W. Carson then served two years and was succeeded in January, 1893, by Joseph Andriano, who, in turn, was succeeded, January, 1895, by James Hull, the present incumbent. Mr. Hull has been re-elected.

Of the men whose names are given above, Gilmore, Taylor, Reynolds, Ellis, Smith, Sheridan, Matney, Morgan, Ensworth, Ridge, Fish and Richardson are dead. The others reside in St. Joseph and Buchanan County.

COUNTY CLERKS. - William Fowler was appointed county clerk at the first meeting of the Buchanan county court, held at the house of Richard Hill, on the first Monday in April, 1839, and served under this appointment until the election in 1840, when he was elected and thereafter was re-elected repeatedly until 1852, being succeeded by Milton H. Wash, who served until 1858. From 1858 to 1864 the office was held by Isaac Van Riley. Willis M. Sherwood succeeded Mr. Riley, serving till 1870, when John B. Harder took the office. Mr. Harder served three years and some months and died while in office. His unexpired term was filled by John T. Ransom. I. Van Riley was again elected in November, 1874, and took charge January, 1875. In the following April he died and his son, Edward Van Riley, was appointed. E. Van Riley served out the remaining portion of his father's term and was then elected, holding the office until 1884. Phillip Rogers was the next clerk, serving in 1884-92. He was succeeded by T. Ed Campbell, who died May 3, 1893. Waller Young was appointed bv Governor Stone to serve until the next election, November, 1894.

The opposing candidates at the election of 1894 were Enos Craig. Republican, and Robert M. Nash, Democrat. The returning board showed that Mr. Craig had a majority of one vote. Mr. Nash was satisfied, but the leaders of his party urged him to contest the election. He declined to do this until various defeated candidates of the Republican ticket had instituted proceedings for a recount of votes. As a result of this recount Nash had a majority of eighty votes over Craig. On January 7, 1895, Craig took charge of the office under his certificate from the governor, based upon the first count. On February 19, 1895, Judge A. M. Woodson of the circuit court decided that Nash was entitled to the office. Craig filed notice of appeal and gave an appeal bond. Nash applied for a writ of ouster, but Craig's attorneys set up the claim that the appeal bond constituted a supersedeas to the writ of ouster and appealed to the supreme court for a writ of prohibition upon the writ of ouster. Judge McFarlane of the supreme court decided that the appeal bond was not a supersedeas to the writ of ouster and that the writ of ouster must prevail. Thereupon Judge Woodson ordered the sheriff to place Nash in office. This was done, but Nash's troubles were not over yet, for the two Republican members of the county court. Judges Keene and Sleppy, refused to approve his bond or to recognize him as clerk. However, it was soon legally decided that the county court could not sit without a clerk and so the judges bowed to the inevitable. The case

Of the above named the following are dead: William Fowler, Milton H. Wash, I. Van Riley, John B. Harder, T. Ed Campbell and Waller Young. The others reside in St. Joseph.

COLLECTORS. - The sheriff was ex-officio county collector and tax gatherer until 1864. Thomas Harbine was the first incumbent of the office, serving 1864-68. The office was then filled as follows : John Pinger, 1868-70; Robert F. Maxwell, 1870-72; Talbott Fairleigh, 1872-74; Thos. J. Burgess, 1874-76; Milton M. Claggett, 1876-78; Randolph T. Davis, 1878-82; Tandy H. Trice, 1882-88; James Hull, 1888-92. George H. Hall, Jr., served 1892 to April 23. 1895, when he resigned, having defaulted. Govg*nor Stone appointed Edward J. Breen to serve out the term. Eugene H. Spratt was elected November, 1896, and re-elected for two years November, 1898.

Of the above, John Pinger, M. M. Claggett and R. T. Davis are dead. The others reside in St. Joseph, except Thomas Harbine, who lives at Fairbury, Nebraska, and George H. Hall.

Of the above the following are dead : Hartwell, Thompson, Heaton, Penick, Crane, Dolman, Young, Berghoff, Goslee and Trevor. The others reside in St. Joseph.

Thomas Kelly served 1874-75 ; Michael Crawford, 1875-78; James Millan, 1878-80; Thomas N. Finch, 1880-92. The present incumbent, Joel Cates, was first elected in 1892. He will be succeeded by Joseph N. Karnes, just elected. Of the above, Pearcy, Crawford and Finch are dead. The others reside in St. Joseph.

TREASURERS. - The following have filled the office of countv treasurer in the past : James A. Anthony, 1840-50; John Curd, 1850- 62; George Lvon, 1862-70; Gustavus H. Koch, 1870-74; John Williams, 1874-78; James Hull, 1878-80; John T. Ransom, 1880-82; James Hull, 1882-86; T. Ed Campbell, 1886-90; Joseph Andriano, 1890-92; John B. Corbett, 1892-94. Harry Cox was elected for 1894-96, but the office was filled by Richard Horigan, who furnished the bond for Cox. Ishmacl Davis, the present incumbent, was reelected. Of the above the following are dead : Anthony, Curd, Koch, Williams and Campbell. The others reside in St. Joseph.

ASSESSORS. - W. W. Reynolds was the first assessor of Buchanan County, having been appointed by the county court in 1839. He served until 1843, since which time the office has been held as follows: Hiram Roberts, 1843-45; Zachariah Garten, 1845-46; Mathew C. Ferrell, 1846-47; Leander T. Ellis, 1847-51; H. M. Beauchamp, 1851-52; Henry Smith, 1852-53; Hiram Roberts, 1853-55; James A. Matney, 1855-63; William Fitton, 1863-65; John B. Harder, 1865-67; J. A. Matthews, 1867-69; Joseph Mathers, 1869-71 ; Cyrus J. Missemer, 1871-73; John S. Tutt, 1873-75; George Garrett, 1875- 77; John S. Tutt, 1877-85. Tutt died in office. John P. Boyle was appointed to fill out the unexpired term. He did this and was elected to succeed himself, but died shortly after qualifying. John C. Landis was appointed by Governor Marmaduke to serve Boyle's term. Harry D. Bassett served 1888-94. William H. Crov followed Bassett and served until his death, in February of 1898. His brother, James Croy, was appointed bv Governor Stephens to serve out the unexpired term, and then elected to serve until 1902.

COUNTY PHYSICIANS. - Dr. Samuel Goslee was the first county physician of whom there is record. He attended the county's poor when they were located on the farm near Sparta. Dr. William Bertram was county physician from 1868 to 1870, .when he was sue-

The Present Court House

COUNTY SURVEYORS. - Simeon Kemper was the first county surveyor. He and Elijah McCrary held the office until 1857, when M. Jeff Thompson was elected. W. B. Johnson was elected in 1861, S. P. Hyde in 1868, Lemuel Peters in 1872, Theodore Steinacker in 1880, Harry Fardwell in 1888, W. B. Hazen in 1892, and Theodore Steinacker, the present incumbent, in 1896.

PUBLIC ADMINISTRATORS. - Prior to 1874 this office was - held by William Ridenbaugh, William M. Albin, James H. Ashbaugh, Henry Smith and Eugene Ayres. From 1874 to 1896 it was held by Thomas R. Smith, who was succeeded by James A. Gibson, the present incumbent.

CONSTABLE. - Each township elects one constable every even numbered year. The constable is a peace officer and is also empowered to serve writs issued by justices of the peace. The records afford so little satisfaction that no effort will be made to present a list of those who have held this office in the various townships during the past. In 1882, Charles W. Carson was elected constable of Washington Township, but resigned shortly after taking the office. In 1884, Louis Eggert was elected. He resigned in 1885 and Stephen Sale served out the term. In 1886, James Mansfield was elected and served two terms. He was succeeded in 1890 by W. R. Womach, who also served two terms, and was succeeded by George Nixon, who has been succeeded by David Hatfield.

OIL INSPECTOR. - This is a state office, the proper title of which is "inspector of petroleum oils." The appointment is made by the governor for a term of two years and has been filled as follows : Henry Borngesser, appointed March 10, 1871 ; Vernon Ridenbaugh, June 26, 1872; R. A. Macloon, August 2, 1874; Granville G. Ad- enue is elected for two years and receives commission on all moneys collected, out of which he provides for his deputies. The clerk of the county court is elected for four years, receives a salary of $2,000 per annum and is entitled to fees not to exceed $3,500 per annum, out of which he must provide for his deputies. The sheriff is elected for two years, receives fees and provides for his deputies. The recorder of deeds is elected every four years, receives fees and provides for his deputies. The treasurer is elected for two years, receives a salary of for four years, receives a salary of $2,000 per annum and is entitled to $1,600 per annum and $600 for clerk hire. The assessor is elected for four years and receives fees. The clerk of the circuit court is elected fees to the amount of $3,500 per annum, out of which he provides for his deputies. The county surveyor is elected for four years and receives three dollars per day and expenses when out of the city. The public administrator is elected for four years and receives fees. The prosecuting attorney is elected for two years, receives fees and $1,000 per annum for an assistant. The county physician is appointed bv the county court and receives $1,000 per annum and mileage outside of the city. The jail physician is appointed by the county court and receives $300 per annum. The county court also appoints the superintendent of the poor farm, who receives $75 per month and maintenance; the assistant superintendent, who receives $50 per month and maintenance, and the matron, who receives $25 per month and maintenance.