MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The first election of representatives to the territorial legislature was in 1798. Paul Fearing and Return Jonathan Meigs, Senior, were elected from Washington county. Colonel Robert Oliver was appointed by the President one of the five members of the Council, or upper house, and subsequently became its president. The legislature met for its first session September 16th, 1799; and for its second, November 3d, 1800. Ephraim Cutler and William R. Putnam were elected representatives to the second legislature, which met November 24th, 1801. These gentlemen were also re-elected in October, 1802, to the third territorial legislature; which, however, was never convened, as Ohio was admitted into the Union February 19th, 1803. Nor did the second legislature hold a second sesssion.. The first State legislature met March 1st, 1803, the second on the first Monday of December, 1803. The senators were elected for two years, the representatives for one. This county has been associated with others in the election of senators, and at times also in the election of representatives. In 1803 and 1804 she elected alone. From 1805 to 1807, inclusive, the district embraced Washington, Gallia, Muskingum, and Athens. From 1808 to 1819, it embraced Washington and Athens; and from 1820 to 1823, Washington and Morgan. Since that time Washington county has constituted the district. The following list contains the names of those only who belonged in this county, as it is now bounded. Under the first constitution the sessions of the legislature began on the first Monday of December. 47th 48th 49th 1847. Seth Woodford.......... 66 George W. Barker. 1848. Seth Woodford....... Ebenezer Battelle, Jr........................ .1850. Under the constitution of 1851 both senators and representatives are elected for two years. The regular sessions commence on the first Monday of January. ..1849. 1. Mr. Green was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Haskin. MEMBERS OF CONGRESS. The Territory was represented in Congress by a delegate for four years from 1799 to 1803. Wm. H. Harrison was the first delegate. Having been appointed Governor of the Territory of Indiana, he was succeeded by Wm. McMillan. From 1801 to 1803, Paul Fearing, of this county, was the delegate. From 1803 to 1813 Ohio had but one representative in Congress. From 1813 to 1823 she had six; from 1823 to 1833, fourteen; 1833 to 1843, nineteen; 1843 to 1863, twenty-one; 1863 to 1873, nineteen; since 1873, twenty. Washington county from 1803 has been in the following Congressional districts: first, third, seventh, sixth, thirteenth, sixteenth, fifteenth. Territory. 66 66 Whole State, 3d District, 3d 3d 3d :6 William Henry Harrison, Hamilton Co......1799..1800. .1800..1801. 1801..1803. 1803..1813. 7th (10 yrs) Samuel F. Vinton, Gallia Co............................ .1823..1837. 66 Nelson H. Van Vorhes, Athens Co...1875.1879. COUNTY COMMISSIONERS. Provision was made for three such officers by a law adopted from the Pennsylvania code by the Governor and Judges in 1795, and confirmed by the Territorial legislature in 1799. They were to be appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions. The State law of 1804 provided for their election by the people, one each year, the term of office being three years. The following were appointed under the law of the Territory: Wm. R. Putnam, Paul Fearing, Oliver Rice, Gilbert Devol, Jonathan Haskell, Simeon Deming, Isaac Pierce. Of these, Isaac Pierce served till 1804, W. R. Putnam till 1805, and Simeon Deming till 1806. in successive years is as follows: Appendix. 1819......Titan Kemble (resigned) 1820......John B. Regnier (died) 1821... Samuel Beach (2 years) 1821......Amzi Stanley (1 year) 1821.. ......Daniel Goodno 1822......Joseph Barker 1823...... William R. Putnam 1824. .Daniel H. Buell (resigned) 1825. Joseph Barker 1825......Thomas White (1 year) 1826...... William Pitt Putnam 1826......Silas Cook (1 year) 1827.. .Anselm T. Nye 1828......Seth Baker (1 year) 1829......Joel Tuttle .J. J. Hollister 1829......Jabish F. Palmer (2 years) 1862.... Wm. Thomas 1830.. .Anselm T. Nye 1831 ..Jabish F. Palmer 1832. ...Ebenezer Battelle 1833. ...... William Pitt Putnam ...John D. Chamberlain 1835. Robert K. Ewart Daniel H. Buell John D. Chamberlain 1838...... William Dana 1839......Daniel H. Buell 1840... John D. Chamberlain 1863......Anthony Sheets (resigned) 1864. J. J. Hollister 1856......George Benedict 1865.. ..James Little (1 year) 1866......James Little 1867......Seymour Clough 1868......George Benedict 1869.. ....Thomas Caywood 1870......Mark Green (resigned) 1871......Joseph Penrose 1834. 1836. 1837. 7 1841 1842. Douglas Putnam James Dutton 79 1871......Cyrenius Buchanan (2 years) 1872......John Hall 1873- .Pemberton Palmer 1874. John Pool John Potter 1876......Moses A. Maltster 1877...John Hoppel COUNTY AUDITOR. The office was created in 1820. The General Assembly appointed the first Auditor. In 1821 the Auditor was required to be elected by the people each year. In 1824 the law made the term two years. Under the Territory the Recorder-styled Register till 1795-was appointed by the Governor. By the law of 1803 the associate judges appointed, for seven years. By the law of 1829 the people elect, for three years. Enoch Parsons..... Dudley Woodbridge. Giles Hempstead.......... George Dunlevy ......................... 1788..........................1790 .April, 1790..June, 1807 June, 1807..June, 1814 ..June, 1814..June, 1817 The Governor appointed till the formation of the State. By the law of 1803, the associate judges appointed. By the law of 1804, the commissioners appointed annually. Since 1827 the people have elected, for two years. By the constitution of 1851 the Treasurer is eligible only four years in six. For some years prior to 1804 there were township collectors, and they performed some service in 1805. The office of County Collector was abolished in 1827. Under the Territory the Governor appointed. Under the State the people elect, for two years. Sheriffs are eligible only four years in six.. |