Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties
History of Audubon County, Iowa
CHAPTER IV.
ELECTION RETURNS -- COUNTY, STATE, AND NATIONAL.
The first election in Audubon County was held at the house of John S. Jinkins, April 2, 1855 and resulted in electing the following officers: Thomas S. Lewis, County Judge; John W. Beers, Clerk of the District Court; Miles Beers, Treasurer and Recorder; David L. Adkins, Prosecuting Attorney; Benjamin M. Hiatt, Sheriff; Robert Stansberry, Coroner; John W. Beers, County Surveyor; Urbane Herrick and Carlos E. Frost, Justices of Peace; W. W. Bowen, Road Supervisor and Assessor. The whole county ws, at this time, in one civil township, hence the elction of the above officers.
At an election held in August, 1855, Daniel M. Harris was elected County Judge; Nathaniel Hamlin, Treasurer and Recorder; Benjamin M. Hiatt, Sheriff; P. I. Whitted, Surveyor; he also received the appointment from the county judge as swamp land commissioner.
The following has been taken from the county records and will serve to show who have held various offices in Audubon County since 1856, as well as how the county vote stood in the election of President of the United States and Governor of Iowa.
FOR PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
| 1856 | James Buchanan (Democrat) | 56 |
| | John C. Fremont (Republican) | 29 |
| 1860 | Stephen A. Douglas (Democrat) | 84 |
| | Abraham Lincoln (Republican) | 13 |
| 1864 | George McClelland (Democrat) | 61 |
| | Abraham Lincoln (Republican) | 23 |
| 1868 | U. S. Grant (Republican) | 114 |
| | Horatio Seymour (Democrat) | 118 |
| 1872 | U. S. Grant (Republican) | 184 |
| | Horace Greeley (Liberal Dem.) | 146 |
| 1876 | Rutherford B. Hayes (Republican) | 426 |
| | Samuel J. Tilden (Democrat) | 352 |
| 1880 | James A. Garfield (Republican) | 963 |
| | W. S. Hancock (Democrat) | 637 |
| 1884 | James G. Blaine (Republican) | 1,224 |
| | Grover B. Cleveland (Democrat) | 1,216 |
| 1888 | Benjamin Harrison (Republican) | 1,366 |
| | Grover B. Cleveland (Democrat) | 1,210 |
FOR GOVERNOR OF IOWA.
| 1857 | R. P. Lowe (Republican | 37 |
| | George Gellespy (Democrat) | 42 |
| 1859 | A. C. Dodge (Democrat) | |
| | S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) | |
| 1861 | W. M. Stone (Republican) | 19 |
| | -------- (Democrat) | 69 |
| 1863 | Samuel J. Kirkwood (Republican) | 23 |
| | J. M. Tuttle (Democrat) | 74 |
| 1865 | Sanuel J. Kirkwood (Republican) | 70 |
| | T. H. Burton (Democrat) | 85 |
| 1867 | Samuel Merrill (Republican | 80 |
| | Charles Mason (Democrat | 92 |
| 1869 | Samuel Merrill (Republican) | 114 |
| | George Gellespy (Democrat) | 118 |
| 1871 | J. C. Knapp (Democrat) | 177 |
| | C. C. Carpenter (Republican) | 155 |
| 1873 | C. C. Carpenter (Republican) | 209 |
| | Jacob G. Vail (Democrat) | 289 |
| 1875 | S. J. Kirkwood (Republican) | 313 |
| | Sheppard Leffler (Democrat) | 275 |
| 1877 | J. H. Gear (Republican) | 410 |
| | J. P. Irish (Democrat) | 352 |
| | D. B. Stubbs (Greenback) | 26 |
| 1879 | J. H. Gear (Republican) | 812 |
| | H. H. Trumble (Democrat) | 652 |
| | Daniel Campbell(Greenback) | 11 |
| 1881 | Bureau R. Sherman (Republican) | 855 |
| | L. G. Kinnie (Democrat) | 562 |
| | D. M. Clark (Greenback) | 61 |
| 1884 | B. R. Sherman (Republican) | 1,137 |
| | L. G. Kinnie(Democrat) | 898 |
| | John B. Weaver (Greenback) | 117 |
| 1885 | William Larrabee (Republican) | 1,069 |
| | T. J. Anderson (Democrat) | 935 |
| 1887 | William Larrabee (Republican) | 1,096 |
| | T. J. Anderson (Democrat) | 935 |
| | M. J. Cain (Fusion) | 178 |
COUNTY JUDGE.
| 1855 | Thomas E. Lewis | |
| 1855 | Daniel M. Harris | |
| 1859 | A. B. Houston | |
| 1861 | A. B. Houston | |
| 1863 | I. P. Hallock | |
| 1865 | J. S. Jenkins | |
| 1867 | Amherst Heath | |
| 1868 | B. F. Andrews | |
| 1869 | A. J. Brainard | |
COUNTY AUDITOR.
| 1869 | John W. Scott | 107 |
| | A. J. Brainard | 119 |
| | W. F. Stotts | 172 |
| 1871 | Herbert S. Wattels | 157 |
| 1873 | H. S. Wattels | 297 |
| | S. A. Graham | 193 |
| 1875 | Thomas Walker | 334 |
| | H. S. Wattels | 186 |
| 1877 | Thomas Walker | 403 |
| | J. F. McAninch | 382 |
| 1879 | Thomas Walker | 855 |
| | J. M. Bryan | 626 |
| 1881 | W. F. Stotts | 1,046 |
| | W. J. Lancelot | 621 |
| 1883 | W. F. Stotts | 1,046 |
| | E. B. Cousins | 1,038 |
| | J. C. F. Wicker | 72 |
| 1885 | John H. Rendleman | 1,230 |
| | Thomas Walker | 908 |
| | J. C. F. Wicker (Union Labor) | 84 |
| 1887 | John H. Rendleman | 1,181 |
| | W. A. Stowell | 866 |
COUNTY TREASURER.
| 1855 | Nathaniel Hamlin | |
| 1857 | Nathaniel Hamlin | 48 |
| | E. W. Pearl | 42 |
| 1859 | Nathaniel Hamlin | |
| 1861 | Nathaniel Hamlin | |
| 1863 | C. E. Frost | |
| 1865 | A. B. Houston | |
| 1867 | A. B. Houston | 99 |
| | Charles Van Gorder | 73 |
| 1869 | Charles Van Gorder | 119 |
| | A. B. Houston | 108 |
| 1871 | Charles Van Gorder | 176 |
| | A. I. Brainard | 156 |
| 1873 | W. F. Stotts | 287 |
| | H. Ransford | 202 |
| 1875 | W. F. Stotts | 424 |
| | B. F. Miller | 167 |
| 1877 | D. W. Harris | 763 |
| | E. J. Freeman | 368 |
| 1879 | D. W. Harris | 763 |
| | J. L. Stotts | 708 |
| 1881 | E. J. Freeman | 736 |
| | J. M. Bryan | 681 |
| | J. Bonwell | 41 |
| 1883 | E.J. Freeman | 1,101 |
| | John R. Rudge | 1,004 |
| | J. H. Giler | 50 |
| 1885 | W. F. Stotts | 1,152 |
| | Ed. B. Cousins | 975 |
| | H. S. Wetherell | 92 |
| 1887 | John B. Doak | 1,133 |
| | G. L. Jones | 901 |
COUNTY RECORDER.
| This office was with that of the Treasurer and styled "County Treasurer and Recorder," until 1864, when a separate office was created. Those having served are as follows: |
| 1861 | John Crane | |
| 1866 | D. Andrews | 78 |
| | Isaac Jinkins | 69 |
| | Frank Stotts | 102 |
| 1870 | J. P. Davis | 105 |
| 1872 | E. H. Kimball | 181 |
| | A. L. Campbell | 171 |
| 1874 | John S. Toft | 361 |
| | W. H. Fowler | 13 |
| 1876 | J. M. Crocker | 406 |
| | J. S. Toft | 368 |
| 1878 | J. M. Crocker | 476 |
| | L. J. Hilton | 266 |
| | J. S. Toft | 131 |
| 1880 | S. P. Rhodes | 899 |
| | John H. Bell | 26 |
| 1882 | S. P. Rhodes | 1,117 |
| | E. A. Armstrong | 278 |
| 1884 | Otto Witthoner | 1,179 |
| | W. R. Neff | 1,140 |
| 1886 | A. L. Wever | 1,079 |
| | Otto Witthoner | 1,048 |
| 1888 | A. L. Wever | 1,578 |
| | Elias Fiscus | 1,015 |
CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
| 1855 | John W. Beers | |
| 1856 | Franklin Burnham | |
| 1858 | Franklin Burnham | |
| 1860 | Richard Gault | |
| 1862 | J. A. Hallock | |
| 1864 | George W. Cannon | |
| 1866 | A. I. Brainard | |
| 1868 | J. W. Scott | 102 |
| 1870 | H. Ransford | 126 |
| | A. B. Houston | 97 |
| 1872 | Thomas Walker | 242 |
| | Samuel Majors | 113 |
| 1874 | A. L. Campbell | 237 |
| | B. F. Thacker | 153 |
| 1876 | A. L. Campbell | 428 |
| | D. W. Harris | 348 |
| 1878 | B. F. Thacker | 436 |
| | F. P. Bradley | 837 |
| 1880 | Frank H. Bradley | 837 |
| | H. H. Green | 831 |
| 1882 | F. P. Bradley | 931 |
| | H. H.Green | 843 |
| | H. S. Witherell | 99 |
| 1884 | R. J. Hunter | 1,281 |
| | H. P. Moore | 1,079 |
| | J. C. F. Wicker | 77 |
| 1886 | Charles Vail | 1,076 |
| | R. J. Hunter | 1,048 |
| 1888 | Charles Vail | 1,565 |
| | C. A. Marlin | 1,037 |
SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT.
| 1858 | L. B. Montgomery | |
| 1860 | Robert N. Day | |
| 1862 | Robert N. Day | |
| 1864 | Robert N. Day | |
| 1865 | B. G. Dodge | |
| 1867 | B. G. Dodge | 84 |
| | David Beers | 117 |
| 1869 | B. G. Dodge | 112 |
| 1871 | John Hunter | 183 |
| | Mrs. Jennie McCowen | 136 |
| 1873 | H. G. Smith | 243 |
| | J. A. Hallock | 190 |
| 1875 | B. F. Thacker | 340 |
| | E. E. Majors | 243 |
| 1877 | A. K. Brainard | 405 |
| | B. F. Thacker | 373 |
| 1879 | R. M. Carpenter | 797 |
| | R. W. Hanna | 682 |
| 1881 | R. M. Carpenter | 884 |
| | M. A. Mills | 579 |
| 1883 | C. F. Willcutt | 1,227 |
| | R. M. Carpenter | 873 |
| 1885 | C. F. Willcutt | 1,076 |
| | Mrs. Ada Funk | 463 |
| | Jno. M. Cotton | 663 |
| 1887 | C. F. Willcutt | 1,139 |
| | W. H. Brinkerhoff | 910 |
COUNTY SURVEYOR.
| 1855 | John W. Beers | |
| 1855-6 | P. I. Whitted | |
| 1857 | P. I. Whitted | 49 |
| | J. W. Beers | 38 |
| 1859 | P. I. Whitted | |
| 1861 | P. I. Whitted | |
| 1863 | P. I. Whitted | |
| 1865 | P. I. Whitted | |
| 1867 | P. I. Whitted | 91 |
| | J. L. Frost | 74 |
| 1869 | P. I. Whitted | 122 |
| | Charles Andrews | 103 |
| 1871 | P. I. Whitted | 177 |
| | James D. Gage | 157 |
| 1873 | P. I. Whitted | 256 |
| | D. P. McGill | 221 |
| 1875 | R. T. Smart | 275 |
| | P. I. Whitted | 124 |
| | E. J. Freeman | 118 |
| 1877 | L. C. Frost | 402 |
| | William Milliman | 385 |
| 1879 | H. S. Wattles | 778 |
| | William Milliman | 687 |
| 1881 | H. S. Wattles | 752 |
| | Elias Fiscus | 684 |
| 1883 | L. C. Frost | 1,094 |
| | P. Bruce Moore | 967 |
| | J. A. Botts | 93 |
| 1885 | H. S. Wattles | 1,067 |
| | R. T. Smart | 151 |
| 1887 | J. M. Hill | 1,080 |
| | P. I. Whitted | 981 |
SHERIFF.
| 1855 | Benjamin M. Hiatt | |
| 1856 | Charles L. Chapin | 39 |
| | J. W. Beers | 34 |
| 1857 | Charles L. Chapin | 69 |
| | R. M. Lewis | 20 |
| 1859 | U. Herrick | |
| 1861 | U. Herrick | |
| 1863 | E. W. Pearl | |
| 1866 | Isaac Thomas | 77 |
| | Andrew Leffingwell (Leffingwell served) | 77 |
| 1867 | John Huntley | 88 |
| | B. L. Anderson | 80 |
| 1869 | S. R. Thomas | 98 |
| | C. Strahl | 80 |
| 1871 | J. B. Conrardy | |
| 1873 | J. B. Conrardy | 219 |
| | S. P. Zike | 203 |
| 1875 | J. L. Stotts | 380 |
| | F. J. Shrauger | 136 |
| 1877 | J. L. Stotts | 416 |
| | John Huntley | 365 |
| 1879 | H. B. Herbert | 538 |
| | William Mallory | 483 |
| | G. W. Bailey | 451 |
| 1881 | H. B. Herbert | 757 |
| | J. R. Rudge | 721 |
| 1883 | H. B. Herbert | 1,187 |
| | W. J. Walker | 909 |
| | John Huntley | 43 |
| 1885 | William Mallory | 1,102 |
| | H. B. Herbert | 1,057 |
| | H. B. Owen | 69 |
| 1887 | A. B. Stanfield | 902 |
| | William Mallony | 1,149 |
OTHER COUNTY OFFICES.
From the organization of the county until about 1870 there was what was known as the "drainage commissioners," whose business, principally, was to look after the swamp lands of the county. At one time it was an office of some considerable importance. The first to act in such capacity in Audubon County was P. I. Whitted, who received his appointment from the county judge, D. M. Harris, who in those early days was in fact chief ruler over all! Among others who held the office of drainage commissioner may be mentioned W. H. Green, in 1861.
For the first few years in Audubon County's history, it being embraced within one civil township and the settlers few in number, one man, known as county assessor, did all the assessing. W. W. Bowen was elected first county assessor, as well as road supervisor, holding both offices at the same time. In 1861, it is found by the records, I. V. D. Lewis was county assessor, and received for his services that year $47. W. P. Hamlin was the last county assessor, and served in 1862.
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LIQUOR PROHIBITORY AMENDMENT.
| At an election called especially for determining whether or not the constitution of State of Iowa should be amended so as to prohibit the sale and manufacture of intoxicating liquors within the State, the following is a true copy of the vote in Audubon County, given by townships, as shown by the official returns. Such election was held June 27, 1882, and uniformly throughout the State. |
| TOWNSHIPS. | FOR. | AGAINST. |
|---|
| Audubon | 50 | 89 |
| Cameron | 70 | 45 |
| Douglas | 41 | 47 |
| Exira | 151 | 132 |
| Greeley | 54 | 59 |
| Hamlin | 31 | 44 |
| Leroy | 217 | 124 |
| Lincoln | 50 | 71 |
| Melville | 32 | 56 |
| Oakfield | 49 | 28 |
| Sharon | 9 | 42 |
| Viola | 53 | 52 |
| | ==== | ==== |
| Total | 807 | 779 |
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Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass August, 2014 from "Biographical History of Shelby and Audubon Counties", Chicago: W. S. Dunbar & Co., 1889, pg. 650-654.
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