Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County
CHAPTER X. POLITICAL-1875-1887.
Pioneer days and ways were passing away. Cigar box ballot boxes with jack knife locks were out of date. In the middle seventies voting precincts were to be found in nearly all parts of the county. Salaries were now attached to the different offices, and no longer was it necessary for the offices to go begging.
A temperance wave spread over Minnesota in 1875. A reform party- was organized and made an excellent showing at the polls. Prof. R. F. Humis-ton, one of the founders of Worthing-ton, became the nominee of that party for governor and received a large vote in the state at large, as well as in his home county. The temperance sentiment had always been strong in Nobles county and enthusiasm was unbounded among its adherents here. It was decided to enter the local field of politics and endeavor to capture the county offices. With this in view a reform or temperance party came into existence, which complicated the political situation in the campaign of 1875. The party was known officially as the "independent reform party." It held a convention on Oct. 9 and placed a ticket in the field. Nearly all the nominees refused to make the race, but a committee appointed for the purpose placed another ticket in the field, made up of one republican, several democrats and a few of the reform party. The republicans had a complete ticket in the field, the democrats a partial one, and the entrance of the new party added interest to the contest.
The republicans were successful in electing all their nominees with the exception of one commissioner, who had the support of both the other parties. Four hundred thirty-five votes were cast. Following is the result of the election:
Governor-John S. Pillsbury (rep), 242; D. L. Buell (dem), 77; R. F. Humiston (reform), 109.
Senator [1] -I. P. Durfee (rep), 236; Geo. S. Thompson (reform), 162.
Representative-W. H. Mellen (rep), 286; E. L. Brownell (reform), 137.
Auditor-Wm. M. Bear (rep), 267; O. A. Fauskee (reform), 157.
Treasurer-H. D. Humiston (rep and reform), 372; B. W. Lyon (dem), 52.
Sheriff-J. A. Town (rep), 244; W. S. Stockdale (dem and reform), 177.
Register of Deeds-T. C. Bell [2] (rep), 251; G. M. Plumb (reform), 172.
Surveyor [3]-B. W. Woolstencroft (rep, 222; Otto Berreau (dem and reform), 195. Probate Judge-R. D. Barber (rep), 269; L. B. Bennett (reform), 152.
Coroner-J. V. Bartow [4] (rep), 253; Lewis Gotthelf (dem), 71.
Commissioner First District - J. Westinghouse (rep), 63; A. O. Conde (dem and reform), 75.
Commissioner Second District-A. C. Robinson (rep), 97; Peter Thompson (reform), 78.
Commissioner Third District-E. S. Mills (rep), 73; A. A. Abbott (dem), 28.
The presidential election of Nov. 7, 1876, brought out the largest vote that had yet been polled in the county, 545 votes being cast. The county was again found to be overwhelmingly republican on national issues. The opposition to the republican ticket on county offices was slight, and the republicans had a walk away for the few officers chosen. The vote:
President-Republican electors (Hayes), 479; democratic (Tilden), 63; prohibition (Smith), 1.
Congressman - Mark H. Dunnell (rep), 488; E. C. Stacy (dem), 57.
County Attorney-M. B. Soule (rep), 508; Scattering, 10.
Surveyor-Allen Chaney (rep), 417; Otto Berreau (dem), 121.
Court Commissioner - Henry D. Humiston (rep), 399; L. B. Bennett (dem), 140.
Coroner-Asher Allen [5] (rep), 532.
Commissioner Second District-A. C. Robinson (rep), 218.
Representative-Christopher H. Smith (rep), 464; B. N. Carrier (ind), 78.
A split in the republican party of Nobles county gave the democrats a few offices in 1877. The two factions of the majority party were very bitter in their denunciations of each other. Each declared the other to be a ring, which ought to be downed. To accomplish the downfall of the controlling faction alliance was sought with the democrats, with the result that party organizations were badly demoralized. [6] The campaign was the most exciting one that had been witnessed in the county up to that time. The fight was most bitter over the offices of auditor, sheriff and judge of probate. Personalities were indulged in, and the cry of "ring" was heard on all sides. Five hundred thirty-nine votes were cast on election day. The official vote:
Governor--John S. Pillsbury (rep), 467; W. L. Banning (dem), 52; Austin Wiley (pro), 4.
Senator-C. H. Smith (rep), 299; Wm. R. Bennett (dem), 222.
Representative-Alex Fiddes (rep), 466; A. A. Clifford (dem), 55.
Auditor [7]-James Walker (ind), 280; E. S. Mills (rep and dem), 241.
Treasurer-Peter Thompson (dem and rep), 422; A. O. Conde (ind), 52.
Sheriff-J. A. Town (rep), 323; B. F. Johnson (dem), 191.
Register of Deeds-Joseph Chadwick [8] (rep and dem), 505.
Superintendent of Schools [9] -J. C. Ogle (rep), 304; N. Jordan (dem), 132.
Clerk of Court-B. N. Carrier (dem), 332; C. T. Pope (rep), 182.
Probate Judge-R. D. Barber (rep), 285; J.. Craft (dem), 233.
Coroner-L. B. Bennett (dem and rep), 485.
Commissioner Third District-Robert Shore [10] (rep), 99.
A. O. Conde was elected chairman of the board of county commissioners Jan. 1, 1878. On the last day of February he resigned the office of commissioner and Jonathan Gordon was selected to complete the unexpired term by the probate judge, register of deeds and auditor. A. C. Robinson was elected chairman on March 1.
There was not much interest taken in the election of 1878, and only 473 votes were cast. The democrates did not place a county ticket in the field. The vote:
Congressman-Mark H. Dunnell (rep), 338; William Meighen (dem), 128.
Senator-A. D. Perkins (rep), 348; W. V. King (greenback), 125.
Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep), 282; J. H. Brooks (greenback), 171.
County Attorney-M. B. Soule (rep), 193; Daniel Rohrer (ind), 277.
Surveyor-A. M. Chaney (rep), 467.
Court Commissioner-H. D. Humiston (rep), 465.
Commissioner First District-Fred Bloom [11] (rep), 59; Jonathan Gordon, 34; S. P. Bon, 28.
The split in the republican party of Nobles county was in working order when the campaign of 1879 began, and as a result the election of Nov. 4, 1879, was the most hotly contested and closest election ever held in the county. Seven hundred eighty-seven votes were cast, a gain of 248 over the vote of two years before.
The democrats were the first to enter the field with a ticket, which was nominated at a convention held at Worthington September 20. The republicans met in convention at Worthington October 9, and nominated a ticket. The convention was controlled by the faction which was in office, and very little consideration was given to the wishes of the other faction. A bolt resulted, and there soon appeared another ticket, labeled "independent peoples ticket." An understanding had been reached with the democrats which made possible the success of the bolters. Many of the democratic nominees withdrew from the contest. Those that remained were given assurances of support, and in turn, the democrats generally supported the independent nominees. A merry campaign resulted. The offices of sheriff, auditor and treasurer became the center of strife, and the result was so close that it took the courts to decide who had been elected for two of the offices. The democrats and bolting republicans were generally successful; in only two cases did the straight republican nominees win where there were oppposing candidates. The official vote was as follows:
Governor-John S. Pillsbury (rep), 581; Edmund Rice (dem), 201.
Auditor-Jas. Walker (rep), 389; E. S. Mills (ind peo), 391.
Treasurer-Wm. M. Bear (rep), 360; H. C. Shepard (dem and ind peo), 419.
Sheriff-J. A. Town (rep), 393; R. R. Miller (ind peo), 393.
Probate Judge-R. D. Barber (rep), 407; B. N. Carrier (dem and ind peo), 366.
Coroner-Geo. O. Moore (rep), 381; L. B. Bennett (dem and ind peo), 397.
Commissioner Second District-A. M. Crosby (rep), 199; W. A. Turner (dem and ind peo), 176.
Superintendent of Schools-J. C. Ogle (rep and ind peo), 765.
Register of Deeds-Jos. Chadwick (dem, rep and ind peo), 786.
The most spectacular contest was that between J. A. Town and R. R. Miller for the office of sheriff. From the day of election until Saturday, when the final result was known, the interest was intense. Wednesday the suspense hung upon the result in Graham Lakes township, which was the last to report the result. It was in favor of Mr. Town, and cut Mr. Miller's lead down to one vote, according to the unofficial figures. The official count was then made, which left the vote a tie, each having received 393 votes. Saturday at four o'clock the matter was decided by lot by the board of county commissioners, Mr. Miller winning. [12]
Appeals from the decisions of the canvassing board were taken by J. A. Town, contesting the election of R. R. Miller for the office of sheriff; James Walker, contesting the election of E. S. Mills, who had been declared elected auditor by a plurality of three votes; and W. A. Turner, who doubted the election of A. M. Crosby, who had been declared elected county commissioner from the second district by a plurality of twenty-three votes. The last named withdrew his contest before it came to trial, but the other contests resulted in more excitement than had the election. The cases came to trial in district court at Worthington in February, 1880, before Judge E. St. Julian Cox, of the St. Peter district. Daniel Rohrer appeared for the contestants, while Emery Clark, of Worthington, and James N. Castle, of Stillwater, represented the respondents. In the latter part of March Judge Cox handed down his decision in the contest for the office of sheriff. He held that R. R. Miller had been elected by twenty-six majority. A few days later he sustained the action of the canvassing board in seating Mr. Mills, holding that that officer had received a majority of thirty-eight.
There was a large increase in the vote in 1880, and 945 ballots were cast in the county for presidential electors. The two leading parties had tickets in the field for the few county offices to be filled, and again did the "peoples" party (opposed to the dominant faction of the republican party) enter the contest. That party nominated Moses A. Strong for representative and endorsed the democratic nominees for county offices, but the combination did not succeed in electing any of the officers. The vote:
President-Republican electors (Garfield), 693; democratic (Hancock), 227; greenback (Weaver), 25.
Congressman-M. H. Dunnell (rep), 543; Henry R. Wells (dem), 186; W. G. Ward (ind rep), 118; C. H. Roberts (greenback), 23.
Representative-P. J. Kniss (rep), 474; Moses A. Strong (peo), 455.
County Attorney-Geo. W. Wilson (rep), 616; L. S. Nelson (dem and peo), 320.
Surveyor-Allen Chaney [13] (rep), 584; Otto Berreau (dem and peo), 359.
Court Comimssioner-H. D. Humiston (rep), 617; Thos. H. Parsons (dem and peo), 320.
Commissioner Third District-Miles Birkett (rep), 137; J. T. Green (peo), 95.
Although Nobles county has been strongly republican ever since its organization, the dominant party has on several occasions met disastrous defeat. One of the most remarkable instances was in 1881, when the democrats, in combination with one faction of the republican party, carried the county by big majorities, the republicans saving only two commissioners, one of whom was without opposition.
No sooner had the republican convention adjourned than there was a demand for a "peoples" ticket, as formerly, it being alleged that the "ring" had again controlled the republican convention. A call was issued and the opposing forces met at Worthington Saturday, Oct. 15. The deliberations of the convention were participated in by the democrats and the "anti-ring" republicans, so called, and a complete county ticket was put in the field. The campaign was a spirited one, enlivened by charges of mismanagement on the part of some of the officers who were seeking reelection. The Worthington Advance, as usual, took the part of the peoples ticket, while the republican ticket was supported by the new Worthington Journal. A perusal of the files of these publications lead one to the belief that the future welfare of the nation depended upon the outcome in Nobles county. When the ballots had been counted and it was found that the fusionists had been successful by decided majorities there was great joy among those who had been instrumental in bringing about the victory. Nine hundred thirty-eight votes were cast. The battle in detail:
Governor-L. F. Hubbard (rep), 632; R. W. Johnson (dem), 281; I. C. Stearns, 12; Scattering, 3.
Judge Sixth Judicial District1 [14] -M. J. Severance, 917.
Auditor-E. S. Mills (peo), 603; Fred Bloom (rep), 334.
Treasurer-H. C. Shepard (peo), 538; Robt. Shore (rep), 397.
Sheriff-R. R. Miller (peo), 548; J. C. Thorn (rep), 345; Chas. Chase (ind), 13.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (peo), 542; Jos. Chadwick (rep), 392.
Surveyor-Otto Berreau [15] (peo), 921.
Clerk of Court-L. B. Bennett (peo), 566; H. D. Humiston (rep), 360.
Probate Judge-L. S. Nelson [16] (peo), 540; I. P. Durfee (rep), 380; Jonathan Gordon, 10.
Court Commissioner-L. S. Nelson [17] (peo), 539; I. P. Durfee (rep), 375.
Coroner-J. S. McManus (peo), 531; B. Coleman (rep), 398.
Superintendent of Schools-M. A. Doane [18] (peo), 526; Ira K. Cole (rep), 412.
Commissioner First District [19] -P. Blaine (peo), 73; John Upstrom (rep), 30; Jonathan Gordon, 13.
Commissioner Second. District-T. L. Taylor (rep), 51; Emil Graf (ind), 44; J. W. Read (ind), 32; Thos. Wilson (peo), 27.
Commissioner Third District-James Cowin (peo), 166; L. C. Long (rep), 91.
Commissioner Fourth District-Maurice O'Hearn [20] (peo), 120; Miles Birkett (rep), 75.
Commissioner Fifth District-Daniel Shell [21] (rep), 204.
The only thing that kept the 1882 election from being a very uninteresting affair was the legislative campaign. Because of the nomination of W. H. Johnson, of Murray county, for the house there was a split in the republican ranks. An independent convention placed T. D. M. Orcutt in nomination, and he was indorsed by the prohibitionists. Other independent candidates entered the race, but all withdrew before election day except Dr. J. Craft. Dr. Craft carried Nobles county but Mr. Johnson was elected. There was also dissatisfaction over the republican nomination for senator, and C. C. Goodnow, of Pipestone county, became an independent candidate. The regular nominee was elected. The official vote:
Commissioner First District-A. E. Tuttle (ind), [16]; P. Blaine (rep), 53; Jonathan Gordon, 33.
Congressman - Jas. B. Wakefield. (rep), 538; Felix A. Borer (pro), 97; J. A. Latimer (dem), 139.
Senator-A. M. Crosby (rep), 465; C. C. Goodnow (ind), 211; Charles Saxon (pro), 73.
Representative-W. H. Johnson (rep), 314; T. D. M. Orcutt (ind and pro), 73; Dr. J. Craft (ind), 387.
County Attorney-Geo. W. Wilson (rep), 750.
Surveyor [22]-J. W. Miller, 774.
Again in 1883 did the republican ticket have opposition, although that party was practically the only one in the county with anything like an organization. But, as formerly, the independents decided to put an opposition ticket in the field. The call was issued to "all the independent voters of Nobles county, irrespective of party." The convention, which was held at Worthington September 29, was attended by the democrats and those republicans who were dissatisfied, with the actions of the republican organization. A ticket, which included some of the republican nominees, was put up/ and a lively campaign followed. Personalities were indulged in, and for a few offices the fight was bitter, this being especially true as to offices of auditor and superintendent of schools. Every nominee of the independent convention was elected, and again the republican organization met defeat. On the state ticket the democrats made a better showing than they had done at any previous election. Nine hundred four votes were cast. The result:
Governor-Lucian F. Hubbard (rep), 547; Adolph Biermanm (dem), 311; Chas. E. Holt (pro), 41.
Auditor-Fred Bloom (rep), 304; E. S. Mills (peo), [23] 589.
Treasurer-Wm. Wigham (rep and peo), 556; A. Forbes (ind), 348.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (rep and peo), 890.
Sheriff-R. R. Miller (rep and peo), 865.
Superintendent of Schools - Maud Graves (rep), 357; J. Craft [24] (peo), 521.
Probate Judge-J. A. Town (rep), 380; Emery Clark [25] (peo), 509.
Court Commissioner- J. A. Town (rep), 389; Emery Clerk, [26] (peo), 469.
Surveyor-W. A. Peterson [27] (rep and peo), 880.
Coroner-L. W. Warren (rep and peo), 883.
Commissioner Second District - S. Wass (rep), 54; Emil Graf (peo), 62.
Commissioner Third District-Geo. Slade (rep), 54; Jas. Cowin (peo), 136; L. C. Long (ind), 62.
Commissioner Fourth District-Robert Shore (rep), 72; W. R. Faragher (ind), 103.
Nine hundred thirty-seven votes were cast in the presidential election of 1884, which was within one as high as had ever before been voted in the county. For the few county offices which were to be chosen the democrats made no nominations, but the prohibition party developed some strength in county politics, as it also did in the state at large. A county convention was held, at which candidates were nominated "for court commissioner and county commissioner from the fifth district. The nominees of that party for president, congressman and representative, as well as the county nominees, received much support. The vote:
President - Republican electors (Blaine), 491; democratic (Cleveland), 246; prohibition (St. John), 131; greenback (Butler), 38.
Congressman-J. B. Wakefield (rep), 553; J. J. Thornton (dem), 238; William Copp (pro), 146.
Representative [28] - Peter Peterson (rep), 344; H. C. Shepard (dem), 427; W. J. McAllister (pro), 137.
County Attorney-L. M. Lange (rep), 769.
Court Commissioner-I. P. Durfee (rep), 753; C. C. Christianson (pro), 138.
Commissioner Fifth District-Daniel Shell (rep), 175; Peter Thompson (pro), 77.
Commissioner Fourth District-Wm. Parry (rep), 99; H. B. Tripp (ind), 54; Butcher, 27; A. W. Ferrin (pro), 9.
In accordance with the provisions of a new state law, no county elections were held in 1885. After that date elections were held every two years only, in even numbered years. An entire new set of officers was elected in 1886, and the campaign of that year was an exciting one. A new element entered into the political life of the county, a feeling of antagonism between the east and west ends.
The republicans were the first in the field with a ticket. Residents of the west end claimed that the convention was controlled by the Worthington "ring," and that the Adrian country was not given just recognition. This led to the calling of another convention, which was held at Adrian, participated in by democrats and many west end republicans. A few of the republican nominees who were not from Worthington were endorsed, and the rest of the ticket was made up largely of democrats. [29] This ticket was supported by democrats from all parts of the county and almost solidly by republicans from the west end of the county. The prohibitionists entered the field with almost a complete ticket, and there were a number of independent candidates, making the campaign one of much interest and uncertainty. The republicans elected the majority of their ticket, although the independents captured some of the important offices. On state and congressional tickets the democrats made the best showing in the party's history in Nobles county up to that time, their nominee for governor being only about 250 votes behind. Thirteen hundred eighty-six votes were cast, by far the largest ever recorded, being 449 more than the vote of two years before. The vote as officially. canvassed:
Governor-A. E. McGill (rep), 758; A. A. Ames (dem), 503; J. E. Childs (pro), 122.
Congressman-John Lind (rep), 769; A. H. Bullis (dem), 334; [30] Geo. J. Day (pro), 132.
Judge Thirteenth Judicial District-A. D. Perkins [31] (rep, dem and pro), 1,385.
Senator-W. B. Brown (rep and pro), 1,188; Fred Bloom (ind), 188.
Representative-B. M. Low (rep), 1,236; A. E. Tattle (pro), 144.
Auditor-E. E. Miller (rep), 306; D. Ryan (dem), 431; T. L. Taylor (pro), 48; E. S. Mills (ind), 588; John O. Larson (ind), 3.
Treasurer-R. W. Moberly (rep and dem), 1,284; J. C. Boddy (pro), 102.
Sheriff-M. J. Bryan (rep), 326; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 658; W. H. Ingraham (ind), 392.
Register of Deeds-B. F. Johnson (rep), 570; A. E. Harris (dem), 522; A. O. Lofstedt (pro), 191; I. B. Newkirk (ind), 95.
County Attorney-L. M. Lange (rep), 754; C. O. Bailey (dem), 546; C. B. Loveless (pro), 76.
Surveyor-W. D. Smith (dem), 861; L. Foote (pro), 134.
Clerk of Court-W. W. Herron (rep), 260; F. A. Stevens (dem), 452; A. Hamilton (pro), 344; L. B. Bennett (ind), 313.
Probate Judge-E. L. Wemple (rep and dem), 1,103; J. W. Lewis (pro), 280.
Coroner-B. W. Lyon (dem), 575; L. W. Warren (rep), 680.
Superintendent of Schools-A. Campbell (rep, pro and dem), 1,360; B. B. Plotts (ind), 59.
Commissioner First District - O. Thompson (pro and dem), 64; J. H. Denton (rep), 91; William Firth (ind), 16.
Commissioner Second District-S. B. Bedford (rep), 89; C. Fritz (dem), 25; Emil Graf (ind), 20; W. H. North (pro), 48.
Commissioner Third District-O. S. Melick (rep), 166; J. Blesius (dem), 126; E. Copper (ind), 86.
Commissioner Fourth District-J. De-Boos (rep), 112; B. O'Hearn (dem), 161; Wm. Wigham (ind), 74.
Commissioner Fifth District-J. A. Town32 (rep), 145; O. G. Grundsten (dem), 84; S. S. Morton (pro), 66.
ENDMOTES
[1] Mr. Durfee received a majority of the votes in the district, but owing to the failure of some of the county auditors to make return to the state authorities Mr. Thompson was seated. Mr. Durfee began a contest before the senate, and in January, 1876, was given the seat by a unanimous vote.
[2] Mr. Bell also served as superintendent of schools, receiving the appointment January 4, 1876.
[3] Mr. Woolstencroft did not qualify, and Jan. 13, 1876, Mr. Berreau was appointed to fill the vacancy.
[4] Mr. Bartow did not qualify, and the office of coroner was declared vacant by the commissioners Jan. 13, 1876. L. B. Bennett was appointed on that date.
[5] Did not qualify. Leroy Cole appointed Jan. 3, 1877.
[6] We have this campaign a peculiar state of affairs so far as county politics are concerned. Both the republican and democratic conventions ignored party lines in their nominations.
The republican convention put on a democrat for the leading county office and also nominated a democrat for coroner. The democratic county convention nominated three republicans, viz: for auditor, sheriff and register of deeds. The result, therefore, cannot fail to be a mixed set of county officers, for the next term."-Worthington Advance, Oct. 11, 1877.
[7] There was a bolt in republican ranks over the nomination of Mr. Mills, and Mr. Walker was put forward as an independent candidate. winning out over his opponent, who had the endorsement of both parties.
[8] Took office Nov. 12, 1877, a few days after his election. T. C. Bell, former register of deeds, left the state and the office was declared vacant. Mr. Chadwick was then appointed to fill the short unexpired term.
[9] Prior to this date the county superintendents of schools had been appointed by the commissioners. Mr. Ogle took office Nov. 12, to fill the unexpired term of T. C. Bell, who had left the state.
[10] Was chairman in 1880.
[11] Served as chairman in 1881.
[12] ". . . The interest now became so intense as to be almost painful. The law provides that in case of a tie on any county office the board shall cast lots to decide who shall take the certificate. Mr. Durfee retired into the treasurer's office and Mr. Humiston turned his back, while Auditor Walker prepared two ballots whereon were written the names of the two candidates. The ballots were given to Mr. Humiston, who placed them in a hat and 'raffled' them up. Then Mr. Durfee was called in to draw one of the ballots. We suppose every man in the room held his breath as Mr. Durfee's hand went down into that hat. But down it went, and up came a ballot. At this point the anxiety was absolutely painful. Mr. Durfee unrolled the paper with nervous fingers, hesitated a moment, and then read the name in a distinct voice: 'R. R. Miller?' "-Worthington Advance, Nov. 13, 1879.
[13] Resigned Jan. 1, 1882, and the office was vacant until after the election of 1882.
[14] In 1885 the district was divided and Nobles county became a part of the 13th district A. D. Perkins was then appointed to fill the unexpired portion of Judge Severance's six year term in the new district.
[15] Did not qualify, and owing to the refusal of Mr. Chaney to continue in the office, there was no surveyor until after the election of 1882.
[16] Resigned Nov. 13, 1882, to accept office of superintendent of schools. Wm. Wigham was appointed and filled the unexpired term.
[17] Resigned Nov. 13, 1882, to accept office of superintendent of schools. Frederick Bloom filled the unexpired term.
[18] Died during his term, and L. S. Nelson appointed by the commissioners Nov. 13, 1882, to complete unexpired term.
[19] In conformity with a new law, the county commissioners had on July 19, 1881, divided the county into five commissioners' districts, as follows: No. 1, Graham Lakes, Hersey, Lorain, Indian Lake; No. 2, Seward, Elk, Bloom, Summit Lake, Dewald, Willmont; No. 3, Olney, Westside, Lismore, Leota, Town 103, range 42 (Larkin); No. 4, Bigelow, Ransom, Little Rock, Grand Prairie; No. 5, Worthington township and village.
[20] Died July 14, 1883, during term of office No successor appointed.
[21] Served as chairman of the hoard from 1882 to 1886, inclusive.
[22] Surveyors were elected in odd numbered years, but the county had been so unfortunate in selecting a surveyor who would hold the office that in 1882, by mutual agreement, Captain J. W. Miller, of Hersey, was put on both tickets and elected without opposition.
[23] Candidates so labeled were nominees of the independent, or people's, convention.
[24] Resigned Dec. 8, 1884. Albert Campbell was appointed Jan. 7, 1885, to complete the term.
[25] Resigned Jan. 20, 1885. Gov. Hubbard appointed I. P. Durfee in March to complete the term.
[26] Resigned September, 1884, and J. A. Town was appointed to complete the term.
[27] Resigned July 26, 1886.
[28] Mr. Shepard carried Nobles county, but Mr. Peterson was elected.
[29] In giving the result of this election I have marked the nominees of this convention democrats, although one or two of the nominees never affiliated with that party.
[30] Not included in this, were 150 votes cast for H. C. Bullis.
[31] Served until early in 1891, when he resigned. P. E. Brown was appointed to fill the office for the unexpired term.
[32] Was chairman of the board from 1887 to 1892, inclusive.
Additional Comments: Extracted from:
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY MINNESOTA BY ARTHUR P. ROSE
NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA PUBLISHERS 1908