Book Title: An Illustrated History Of Nobles County
CHAPTER XI.
POLITICAL-1888-1908.
An index of the progress of retrogression of a community is the increase or
decrease in the vote cast. That there was an advancement during the middle
eighties in Nobles county is plainly shown. In 1882 the total vote was 774, in
1883 it was 904, the next year 937, in 1886 it had advanced to 1,386, and in
1888 the handsome total of 1,754 was reached. The last named year, marks the
passing of the strong independent movement which had been a power in the
politics of Nobles county for so many years. Its place was taken by the
democratic party, which for the first time in the county's history developed
enough strength to insure its permanency. That it had become a factor to be
reckoned with in county politics is shown by the vote for president. Harrison
electors received 896 votes; Cleveland electors, 683.
The republicans, democrats and prohibitionists had tickets in the field for
county offices in 1888, and an interesting campaign and close election resulted.
Besides the regular parties there was an attempt made by the old independent
forces to get a ticket before the people. A mass convention was held at
Worthington for this purpose, and several nominations were made. With the
exception of A. M. Thorn for sheriff, all who had not received prior nomination
in one of the other conventions declined to make the race. The independents
endorsed several of the republican and prohibition nominees. The contest was
very close for several of the offices, especially for sheriff and auditor. The
democrats captured both those offices, while the republicans elected the rest of
the ticket. The result in detail:
President-Republican electors (Benjamin Harrison), 896; democratic electors
(Grover Cleveland), 682; prohibition electors (Clinton B. Fisk), 142; union
labor electors (A. J. Streeter), 34.
Governor-William R. Merriam (rep), 859; Eugene M. Wilson (dem), 710; Hugh
Harrison (pro), 159; J. H. Paul (union labor), 22.
Congressman-John Lind (rep), 896;. Morton S. Wilkinson (dem), 672; D. W.
Edwards {pro), 179.
Representative-B. M. Low (rep), 833; Thomas Johnson (dem), 674; C. S. Bond
(pro), 226.
Auditor-O. S. Melick (rep), 580; J. J. Kendlen (dem), 694; H. W. North (pro),
193; E. S. Mills (ind), 274.
Treasurer-R. W. Moberly (rep), 1,015; H. C. Shepard (dem), 612; Albert Hector
(pro), 125.
Register of Deeds-E. R. Humiston (rep), 893; J. A. Kennedy (dem), 644; A.
Hamilton (pro), 195.
Sheriff-C. C. Peterson (rep), 713; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 777; P. A.
Christianson (pro), 117; Alex M. Thorn (ind), 118.
Probate Judge-C. W. W. Bow (rep), 764; J. W. Crigler (dem), 610; C. W.
Hildreth (pro), 279; Daniel Rohrer (ind), 78.
County Attorney-L. M. Lange [1] (rep), 866; H. E. Jeffers (dem), 654; E. B.
Hall (pro), 227.
Surveyor-W. D. Smith [2] (rep), 936; J. W. Abbott (dem), 661; Lewis Foote
(pro), 153.
Coroner-R. D. Barber (rep), 957; A. E. Tuttle (pro), 210; R. O'Hearn (dem), 42.
Court Commissioner-C. W. Hildreth (rep), 1,075; J. W. Crigler (dem), 607.
Superintendent of Schools-A. Campbell (rep), 1,039; Edward Mott (dem), 423; J.
W. Lewis (pro), 243.
Commissioner First District-J. H. Denton (rep), 126; C. S. Bond (pro), 110.
Commissioner Third District-A. G. Lindgren (rep), 236; John Blesius (dem), 205.
Commissioner Fifth District-J. A. Town (rep), 190; R. H. Matson (dem), 129; C.
B. Loveless (pro), 44.
State, congressional, legislative and county politics were complicated in 1890
by the entrance of a new party which was made up of members of the farmers'
alliance and knights of labor. The former had maintained an organization in
Nobles county for. a number of years and had a large membership. When it was
decided to enter politics it was realized that the alliance was to be a factor
of no small importance. A ticket was put in nomination, and it received added
strength by the action of the prohibitionists, who endorsed most of the
nominees. Both the democrats and republicans put up strong tickets, and the
election was an exciting one. The state ticket was carried by the republicans,
but the alliance forces carried the county for congressman and state senator.
For representative the race in Nobles county was close; two republicans carried
the county; the third member, who had the support of both democrats and
alliance, carried the county by a large plurality. The alliance party fared not
so well on the county ticket, and did not elect a single nominee. Six democrats
and five republicans were elected to county offices. There was a falling off
from the vote of two years previous, the total vote being 1,596. As officially
canvassed:
Governor-William R. Merriam (rep), 611; Thomas Wilson (dem), 498; Sidney M.
Owen (all), 423; J. P. Pinkham (pro), 57.
Congressman-John Lind (rep), 688; James H. Baker (all), 852; Ira B. Reynolds
(pro), 56.
Senator-H. J. Miller (rep), 664; A. M. Becker (dem), 141; Jay LaDue [3] (all),
762.
Representatives - Geo. W. Wilson (rep), 635; Lamed Coburn [4] (rep), 630;
William Lockwood [4] (rep), 638; E. L. Rork (dem), 464; C. P. Shepard (dem),
526; John Pemberton (all), 442; Patrick Gildea [4] (dem and all), 877; C.
Gustafson (all), 457.
Auditor-John J. Kendlen (on all tickets), 1,548.
Treasurer-E. W. Moberly (rep), 757; EL C. Shepard (dem), 511; C. S. Bond (all
and pro), 318.
Register of Deeds-E. L. Wemple (rep), 582; J. A. Kennedy (dem), 665; O. G.
Grundsten (all), 318.
Sheriff-James F. Boardman (rep), 541; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 735; Frank
Ellsworth (all and pro), 304.
Probate Judge-C. W. W. Dow (rep and all), 1,532.
Clerk of Court-F. A. Stevens (rep), 661; L. B. Bennett (dem), 545; A. E.
Tuttle (all and pro), 380.
Superintendent of Schools-John W. Shaw (rep), 423; Thos. B. Maguire [5] (dem),
699; Mrs. M. J. Barron (all and pro), 679.
Coroner-W. S. Webb (rep), 653; C. C. May, 341; M. Sullivan (dem), 517; D. L.
Kenyon (pro), 62.
County Attorney-O. W. Freeman (rep), 586; C. 0. Dailey [6] (dem), 640; Daniel
Rohrer (all and pro), 350.
Commissioner Second District-S. B. Bedford (rep), 104; John Mock (dem), 141.
Commissioner Fourth District-F. T. Graves (rep), 149; E. O'Hearn (dem), 142;
J. T. Green (all and pro), 80.
An outgrowth of the alliance party was the peoples party, otherwise known as
the populist party, which made its first appearance in Nobles county politics in
1892. Now only a memory, the peoples party was an important factor in the
politics of the county during the nineties. While it never became the dominant
party here, its strength was such during several campaigns that by forming
alliances with, and endorsing nominees of, other parties it was able to control
the situation.
In 1892 the new party was the first in the field with a county ticket,
selecting as its nominees several of the democratic office holders. These the
democrats promptly endorsed. The republicans put up a strong ticket and the
prohibitionists selected a partial ticket. The republicans were generally
successful in the county field, although some of the most important offices were
captured by the opposition. The Australian ballot system was employed for the
first time in this election. The handsome total of 2,159 ballots were cast,
which was a big increase, but the system being so poorly understood, not more
than 1,991 were able to be counted for any one office, many voting for one
presidential elector only. The vote:
President-Republican electors (Harrison), 886; democratic electors
(Cleveland), 633; peoples party electors (Weaver), 305; prohibition electors
(Bidwell), 137.
Governor-Knute Nelson (rep), 810; Daniel W. Lawler (dem), 614; Ignatius
Donnelly (pp), 373; Dean (pro), 126.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 793; W. S. Hammond (dem), 584; L. C.
Long (pp), 446; E. H. Bronson (pro), 135.
Judge Thirteenth District-P. E. Brown (non partisan), 899.
Representatives [7]-Daniel Shell (rep), 1,003; Ole O. Holman (rep), 726; Wm.
Lockwood (rep), 753; J. H. Maxwell (dem and pp), 928; Patrick Gildea (dem and
pp), 798; Geo. McGillivray (dem and pp), 839.
Auditor-J. J. Kendlen (dem, rep and pp), 1,616.
Treasurer-R. W. Moberly (rep), 959; E. W. Goff (dem and pp), 968.
Register of Deeds-Wm. Parry (rep), 707; J. A. Kennedy (dem and pp), 1,191.
Sheriff-Jas. C. Thom (rep), 841; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 819; J B. Green (pp),
325.
Probate Judge- C. M. Cory (rep), 766; C. W. Hildreth (pp), 578; C. W. W. Dow
(ind), 401.
County Attorney-O. W. Freeman (rep and pp), 967; C. 0. Dailey (dem), 958.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 1,192.
Coroner-C. C. May, 37; W. S. Webb, 20; R. B. Plotts, 53; M. Sullivan, 31.
School Superintendent-Geo. W. Cale (rep), 782; T. B. Maguire [8] (pro, dem and
pp), 1,193.
Court Commissioner-C. M. Cory (rep), 53; L. B. Bennett (dem), 83.
Commissioner First District-C. L. Peterson [9] (rep), 141; J. M. Paine (pp), 110.
Commissioner Third District-A. G. Lindgren [10] (rep), 303; Geo. Knips (pp),198.
Commissioner Fifth District-Peter Thompson11 (rep), 290; O. G. Grundsten (pp),
126.
Fusion was accomplished between the democrats and peoples party on part of the
county ticket in 1894, but the republicans captured the majority of the offices.
There was another increase in the total vote, 2,283 ballots being cast for the
office of governor. Following is the vote:
Governor-Knute Nelson (rep), 1,112; Geo. L. Becker (dem), 632; S. M. Owen
(pp), 427; Hilleboe (pro), 112.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 1,094; Geo. H. Baker (dem), 605; L. C.
Long (pp), 453; Kellam (pro), 91.
Senator-H. J. Miller (rep), 1,207; J. C. Marshall (dem and pp), 972.
Representative-Daniel Shell (rep), 1,179; Ole O. Holman. (rep), 947; Wm.
Lockwood (rep), 988; John E. King (dem), 693; J. J. Ryder (dem), 675; J. T.
McKnight (pp), 613; Norwood (pp),366; Jaycox (pp), 285.
Auditor-R. W. Moberly (rep), 1,093; J. J. Kendlen (dem), 1,140.
Treasurer-J. P. Peterson (rep), 1,181; E. W. Goff (dem), 1,015.
Sheriff-J. C. Thom, (rep), 1,014; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 1,000; B. G.
Lagrange (pp), 258.
Register of Deeds-Wm. Wigham (rep), 938; J. A. Kennedy (dem), 1,286.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,469; M. E. Foley (dem), 707.
County Attorney-O. W. Freeman (rep), 1,325; Z. R. Cheney (dem), 848.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 1,660.
Coroner-R. B. Plotts, 1,458.
Clerk of Court-F. A. Stevens (rep), 1,368; Chas. Fritz (dem), 704.
School Superintendent-Maud Graves (rep), 1,459; Julia Hyland (dem), 1,361.
Commissioner First District-E. A. Tripp (rep), 205; Otto Berreau (dem), 128.
Commissioner Second District-B. W. Pope (rep), 197; John Mock (dem), 82; Fred
Pank (pp), 112.
Commissioner Fourth District-Chas. Hallas (rep), 184; Richard O'Hearn (dem),
192; Henry Nolte (pp), 56.
Commissioner Fifth District-H. M. Palm (rep), 338; Walter Aagaard (dem), 138.
The democratic and peoples party forces combined again in 1896.and elected
three officers on the county ticket. One independent candidate was elected; The
other offices were captured by the republicans. The free silver agitation was at
its height, and Nobles county fusionists brought out a large vote for William
Jennings Bryan for president, coming nearer carrying the county for a democratic
nominee for president than had ever been the case before or has been since. The
state, congressional and legislative tickets of the fusionists were also given
big votes. The total vote of the county had now reached 2,937, which was the
number cast for sheriff. The vote:
President-Republican electors (McKinley), 1,568; democratic electors (Bryan),
1,204; prohibition electors (Levering), 48; gold democratic electors (Palmer),
32; socialist labor electors (Matchett), 7.
Governor-D. M. Clough (rep), 1,430; John Lind (dem and pp), 1,315; W. J. Dean
(pro), 54; A. A. Ames (ind), 9; Wm. B. Hammond (soc-lab), 7.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 1,558; F. A. Day (dem and pp), 1,193; R.
Price (pro), 71.
Representatives [12]-Daniel Shell (rep), 1,509; Ole O. Holman (rep), 1,343; A.
S. Dyer (rep), 1,273; M. Sullivan (dem and pp), 1,295; Thos. Lowe (dem and pp),
1,136; F. M. Payne (dem and pp), 1,117.
Auditor-E. A. Tripp (rep), 1,609; J. T. McKnight (dem and pp), 1,254.
Treasurer-J. P. Peterson, (rep), 1,862; B. F. Young (dem and pp), 1,002.
Sheriff-L. L. McCartney (rep), 929; Gilbert Anderson (dem and pp), 1479; J. G.
Murphy (ind), 529.
Register of Deeds-A. J. Lindgren (rep), 1,460; J. S. Blair (dem and pp),
1,029; W. J. Parry (ind), 415.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,778; W. R. Kyle (dem and pp), 1,080.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall (rep), 1,659; O. W. Freeman (dem and pp), 1,217.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 2,047.
School Superintendent-John Ireland (rep), 1,045; Wm. Finley (dem and pp),
1,017; Maud Graves (ind), 1,350.
Court Commissioner-L. B. Bennett, 34; C. M. Cory, 16; Scattering, 12.
Coroner-R. B. Plotts (dem), 1,699; Scattering, 28.
Commissioner First District-F. D. Lindquist (rep), 343.
Commissioner Third District-M. S. Boyle (rep), 338; A. J. Rice (dem and PP), 375.
Commissioner Fifth District-H. M. Palm (rep), 370; H. C. Shepard (dem), 169.
There was a decrease in the vote for the off year 1898, the total number
polled being 2,038, and the highest number cast for any one office being
1,966-for sheriff. In the election of 1896 the fusion ticket had been labeled
democratic on the ballots. Under the election laws, therefore, there was
officially no peoples party in Nobles county, and the nominees of that party
could not have their names placed on the official ballot except by petition. The
third party held a county convention, nominated nearly a complete ticket, but
only one of the nominees, that for school superintendent, was able to obtain the
necessary signatures, and that was the only one to, appear on the ballot.
For the first time in the county's history the democratic nominee for governor
carried the county. The republicans carried the county for congressman, senator
and representative by small majorities and elected the whole county ticket
except the nominees for sheriff and coroner. The vote:
Governor-W. H. Eustis (rep), 812; John Lind (dem and pp), 993; Higgins, (pro),
63; Wm. B. Hammond (soc-lab), 7; L. C. Long (middle of the road populist), 77.
Congressman-Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 954; D. H. Evans (dem), 874; T. P. Grout
(pro), 103.
Judge Thirteenth District-P. E. Brown (non partisan), 1,442.
Senator-Daniel Shell (rep), 1,038; John Butler (dem), 857.
Representative-H. C. Grass (rep), 1,067; Edward Mott (dem), 833.
Anditor-E. A. Tripp (rep), 1,033; J. A. Kennedy (dem), 930.
Treasurer-J. P. Peterson (rep), 1,622.
Sheriff-M. J. Bryan (rep), 890; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 1,076.
Register of Deeds-A. G. Lindgren (rep), 1,051; C. W. Schultz (dem), 887.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,240; John F. Flynn (dem), 712.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall (rep), 1,283; J. J. Parsons (dem), 644.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 1,526.
Superintendent of Schools-Maud Graves (rep), 945; V. S. L. Owen (dem), 718;
Clara Knips (pp), 396.
Clerk of Court-F. L. Humiston (rep), 871; Jas. Cox (dem), 785; F. A. Stevens
(ind), 308.
Coroner-J. N. Mallory {rep), 904; R. B. Plotts (dem), 970.
Commissioner Second District-Fred Tiemens (rep), 230.
Commissioner Fourth District;-John W. Shaw [13] (rep), 208; O. D. Bryan (dem),
180.
High water mark was reached in the total vote cast in the presidential
election of Nov. 6, 1900. Then 3,109 ballots were deposited in the ballot boxes,
but the highest number of votes cast for any one office was 2,963. This is the
largest vote recorded in the county, before or since. The republican national
ticket polled a larger vote than it did four years before and the democratic
ticket a smaller vote, with the same candidates. John Lind, the
democratic-peoples party nominee for governor, who had carried the county two
years before, now lost it by 58 votes, and the fusion nominees for congressman
and -representative were from 300 to 450 votes behind. The peoples party was
eliminated from county politics, and the two old parties lined up for the
campaign. The republicans elected all offices except treasurer, sheriff and one
commissioner. The vote:
President-Republican electors (McKinley), 1,709; democrat-peoples party
electors (Bryan), 1,101; prohibition electors (Wooley), 137; socialist democrat
electors (Debs), 14; socialist labor electors (Malloney), 2.
Governor-Samuel R. VanSant (rep), 1,369; John Lind (dem and pp), 1,311; Bernt
B. Haugen (pro), 109; S. M. Fairchild (middle of the road populist), 5; Thos. H.
Lucas (soc-dem), 26; Edward Kriz (soc-lab), 2.
Congressman-Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 1,618; M. E. Mathews (dem and pp), 1,158;
S. D. Works (pro), 137.
Representative-H. C. Grass (rep), 1,592; L. C. Long (dem and pp), 1,292.
Auditor-E. A. Tripp (rep), 1,614; I. T. Branigan (dem), 1,344.
Treasurer-J. H. Denton (rep), 1,355; E. W. [sic] (dem), 1,575.
Register of Deeds-B. I. Tripp (rep), 1505; C. W. Schultz (dem), 1,446.
Sheriff-C. W. Slade (rep), 1,389; Mike Reiter (dem), 1,495.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,836; Gilbert Anderson (dem), 1,109.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall (rep), 1,831; O. W. Freeman (dem), 1,107.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 2,133.
Court Commissioner-F. A. Stevens, 24; J. R. Jones, 3.
Superintendent of Schools-L. W. Abbott (rep), 1,887; V. S. L. Owen (dem), 1,339.
Coroner-G. R. Curran (rep), 1,551; R. B. Plotts (dem), 1,244.
Commissioner First District-Henry Haggard (rep), 405.
Commissioner Third District-Wm. Thom (rep), 302; J. G. Murphy [14] (dem), 392.
Commissioner Fifth District-Gust Swanberg [15] (rep), 445.
The primary election law went into effect in 1902, and thereafter party
nominations have been made by direct vote of the people, in place of the old
style county convention. This has resulted in revolutionizing county politics.
Nobles county being normally strongly republican, the principal campaign is now
for the republican nomination. Under the law anyone can become a candidate by
filing his name and paying a small fee, and there have been as high as eight
candidates for one office. Generally there are only a few contests at the
general election for county offices, but at the primaries there are more
contestants.
At the first primary, held Sept. 16, 1902, the following were nominated on the
republican ticket without opposition: Congressman, Jas. T. McCleary; treasurer,
J. W. Shaw; register of deeds, B. I. Tripp; judge of probate, C. M. Cory;
surveyor, M. S. Smith; clerk of court, F. L. Humiston, school superintendent, L.
W. Abbott; commissioner second district, Fred H. Tiemens. The result of the
election for officers where there was more than one candidate was as follows:
Senator-H. C. Grass, 284; Daniel Shell, 767.
Representative-S. O. Morse, 501; Geo. W. Wilson, 547.
Auditor-Jas. Cowin, 260; H. M. Palm, 379; E. C. Pannell, 444.
Sheriff-Newton Fauskee, 449; Chas. King, 133; L. L. McCartney, 263; Levi Rue,
219.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall, 504; E. J. Jones, 561.
Commissioner Fourth District--P. C. Pratt, 142; Jas. H. McRobert, 37.
The following were chosen for the democratic ticket without opposition:
Congressman, Chas. K. Andrews; auditor, E. L. Schwartz; treasurer, E. W. Goff;
sheriff, Mike Reiter; probate judge, C. W. Mead; clerk of court, H. J. Blume;
superintendent of schools, A. J. Schaeffer; commissioner fourth district, Jos.
Roll. For three nominations there were contests, as follows:
Senator-I. T. Branigan, 146; John F. Flynn, 193.
Register of Deeds-H. B. Kamp, 120; J. A. Kennedy, 204.
County Attorney-John B. Gergen, 173; J. J. Parsons, 164.
At the general election 2,602 votes were polled, although the highest cast for
any one office was 2,555. The republican party was found to have regained some
of the loss sustained during the previous campaigns, and carried the county by
big majorities. E. W. Goff, for treasurer, was the only democrat elected. The vote:
Governor-Samuel R. VanSant (rep), 1,515; Leonard A. Rosing (dem), 871;
Meighen, 20; Scanlon, 83; Nash, 4; Vanlear, 8.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 1,596; Chas. N. Andrews (dem), 846.
Senator-Daniel Shell (rep), 1,483; John F. Flynn (dem), 1,020.
Representative - Geo. W. Wilson (rep), 1,499; Walter Sweetman (ind), 816.
Auditor-E. C. Pannell (rep), 1,628; E. L. Schwartz (dem), 927.
Treasurer-John Shaw (rep), 1,112; E. W. Goff (dem), 1,404.
Sheriff-Newton Fauskee (rep), 1,319; Mike Reiter (dem), 1,215.
Register of Deeds-B. I. Tripp (rep), 1,483; J. A. Kennedy (dem), 1,037.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 1,701; C. W. Mead (dem), 804.
County Attorney-E. J. Jones (rep), 1,526; John B. Gergen (dem), 996.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith (rep), 1,929.
Coroner-F. M. Manson, 40.
Clerk of Court-F. L. Humiston (rep), 1,585; H. J. Blume (dem), 900.
Superintendent of Schools-L. W. Abbott (rep), 1,771; A. J. Schaeffer (dem),
1,211.
Commissioner Second District-Fred Tiemens (rep), 366.
Commissioner Fourth District-P. C. Pratt [16] (rep), 259; Jos. Roll (dem), 204.
The 1904 primary resulted in many contests for the republican nominations,
some of which were very close and hard fought battles. The following were chosen
without opposition: Judge thirteenth district, P. E. Brown; auditor, E. C.
Pannell; superintendent of schools, L. W. Abbott; commissioner fifth district,
Gust Swanberg. The result where there was more than one candidate was as follows:
Congressman-Jas. T. McCleary, 993; H. J. Miller, 615.
Representative-S. O. Morse, 831; H. C. Grass, 638.
Treasurer-E. K. Smith, 760; F. C. Stitser, 709.
Sheriff-Newton Fauskee, 1,120; M. J. Bryan, 351; W. H. Heitritter, 145.
Register of Deeds-H. Hawley, 338; B. I. Tripp, 288; J. M. Messer, 210; W. Z.
Newell, 210; Loren Clark, 168; J. C. Thom, 166; C. H. Halverson, 125; D. R.
Chaney, 99.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory, 1,042; H. C. Carter, 515.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall, 834; E. J. Jones, 769.
Coroner-F. M. Manson, 879; Henry Wiedow, 556.
Commissioner First District-J. L. McConkey, 158; Albert Hector, 115.
Commissioner Third District-O. W. Freeman, 160; G. Gullick, 94.
There were no contests for the democratic nominations and candidates for a few
only of the more important offices. The following were nominated: Congressman,
Geo. P. Jones; representative, Wm. O'Neill; treasurer, E. W. Goff; register of
deeds, Jas. F. Cox; sheriff, J. N. Holbrook; commissioner third district, J. G.
Murphy; commissioner fourth district, O. D. Bryan.
Two thousand five hundred fifteen votes was the highest cast for any one
office in the general election of 1904. President Roosevelt received a record
breaking majority, but the republican nominee for governor carried the county by
a bare plurality of 14 votes. The republicans carried the county for congressman
and representative by big majorities and elected every county officer with the
exception of two commissioners. The official vote:
President - Republican electors (Roosevelt), 1,733; democratic electors
(Parker), 621; peoples party electors (Watson), 21; prohibition electors
(Swallow), 68; public ownership electors (Debs), 12.
Governor-R. C. Dunn (rep), 1,167; John A. Johnson (dem), 1,153; Chas. A.
Dorsett (pro), 79; J. E. Nash (pub own), 6; A. W. M. Anderson (soc-lab), 8.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 1,593; Geo. P. Jones (dem), 879.
Judge Thirteenth District-P. E. Brown (rep), 2,090.
Representative-S. O. Morse (rep), 1,647; Wm. O'Neil (dem), 796.
Auditor-E. C. Pannell (rep), 2,073.
Treasurer-E. K. Smith (rep), 1,278; E. W. Goff (dem), 1,230.
Sheriff - Newton Fauskee (rep), 1,829; J. N. Holbrook (dem), 675.
Register of Deeds-H. Hawley (rep), 1,390; Jas. F. Cox (dem), 1,125.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory (rep), 2,138.
County Attorney-C. M. Crandall (rep), 2,076.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith, 85.
Coroner-F. M. Manson (rep), 1,888.
Court Commissioner-F. A. Stevens, 55.
Superintendent of Schools-L. W. Abbott (rep), 2,068.
Commissioner First District-J. L. McConkey (rep), 363.
Commissioner Third District-O. W. Freeman (rep), 279; J. G. Murphy (dem), 283.
Commissioner Fourth District-O. D. Bryan (dem), 281.
Commissioner Fifth District-Gust Swanberg (rep), 387.
At the primary election of Sept. 18, 1906, there were many contests for the
republican nominations. The result was as follows:
Congressman - Gilbert Guttersen, 1,034; Jas. T. McCleary, 858.
Senator-Daniel Shell, 717; S. B. Bedford, 1,201.
Representative-S. O. Morse, 1,418.
Auditor-E. C. Pannell, 1,681.
Treasurer-E. K. Smith, 1,668.
Register of Deeds-Harry R. Tripp, 958; H. Hawley, 903.
Sheriff - Newton Fauskee, 1,327; Western M. Cline, 414; J. M. Scriven, 156.
County Attorney-E. J. Jones, 780; C. M. Crandall, 751; S. S. Smith, 362.
Probate Judge-C. M. Cory, 1,643.
Clerk of Court-F. L. Humiston, 1,206; E. F. Clower, 634.
School Superintendent-L. W. Abbott, 1,413; Maud Graves, 977.
Coroner-A. B. Williams, 1,543.
Commissioner Second District-W. F. Moss, 147; Fred H. Tiemens, 124; James
Montgomery, 81; H. J. Westrip, 70.
There were no contests for the democratic nominations and only two candidates
on the county ticket. The democratic vote: Congressman, W. S. Hammond, 59 ;17
senator, John F. Flynn, 58; register of deeds, J. H. Kew, 58; commissioner
fourth district, O. D. Bryan, 10.
At the general election of 1906 2,133 votes were cast. For the second time in
history Nobles county returned a majority for a democratic nominee for governor,
and for the first time gave a majority for a democrat for congress. The
republican county ticket was endorsed. One democrat, for commissioner, who was
without opposition, was elected. The vote:
Governor-A. L. Cole (rep), 769; John A. Johnson (dem), 1,255.
Congressman - Jas. T. McCleary (rep), 911; W. S. Hammond (dem), 1,123; Tucker
(pro), 67.
Senator-S. B. Bedford (rep), 1,100; John F. Flynn (dem), 1,033.
Representative-S. O. Morse (rep), 1,542.
Auditor-E. C. Pannell (rep), 1,717.
Treasurer-E. K. Smith (rep), 1,692.
Register of Deeds-Harry R. Tripp (rep), 1,110; J. H. Rew (dem), 987.
Sheriff-Newton Fauskee (rep), 1,833.
County Attorney-E. J. Jones (rep), 1,731.
Surveyor-M. S. Smith, 16.
Probate Judge- C. M. Cory (rep), 1,748.
Clerk of Court-F. L. Humiston (rep), 1,722.
Superintendent of Schools-L. W. Abbott (rep), 1,717.
Coroner-A. B. Williams (rep), 1,625.
Commissioner Second District-W. F. Moss (rep), 352.
Commissioner Fourth District-O. D. Bryan (dem), 287.
The republican primary election of September 15, 1908, resulted as follows:
Congressman, Paul A. Ewert, 348; Gilbert Guttersen, 474; James T. McCleary,
479; representative, S. O. Morse, 524; Herman Nelson, 731; auditor, E. C.
Pannell, 1,122; treasurer, E. K. Smith, 1,115; sheriff, Newton Fauskee, 1,138;
register of deeds, Harry Tripp, 1,125; judge of probate, C. M. Cory, 1,090;
county attorney, C. M. Crandall, 598; E. J. Jones, 762; coroner, A. B. Williams,
999; school superintendent, L. W. Abbott, 1,093; commissioner, first district,
T. B. Maguire, 110; J. L. McConkey, 142; fifth district, Gust Swanberg, 269.
The democratic primary election resulted as follows: Congressman, W. S.
Hammond, 55; commissioner third district, J. G. Murphy, 14.
The prohibition primary election resulted as follows: Representative, H. L.
Blake, 8.
And now the political history of Nobles county is brought to a close. It
covers a period from the time in 1870, when the first county official took the
oath of office-when there were 32 men in the county who availed themselves of
the privilege of voting-up to and including the last general election before the
date of publication of this volume, during which time the total vote reached
over 3,000. A brief summary of the conditions during this time may not be out of
place.
The county has always been normally republican. During the first year of its
political history there was only one voter who registered against that party.
There has been an increase in the democratic vote since. But, although the party
of Jefferson polled over 1,200 votes at one presidential election, it has never
carried the county for the national ticket. For many years the county was
overwhelmingly republican, and it was not until the eighties that the.
democratic party maintained an organization. But during this time there was a
strong independent movement, kept alive by one faction of the republican party
and the democrats, which opposed the republican organization and on several
occasions gained control of the county offices.
With the settlement of the west end of the county came a change. The democrats
increased in numbers, and during the eighties the democratic party took its
place as a factor in county politics, which it has ever since retained. During
the free silver days of the nineties the peoples party came into existence and
for several years was a power in politics. When its power began to wane fusion
was accomplished with the democrats, and for several years more, there was
strong opposition to the dominant party.
Since 1884 there has been quite a prohibition following. For many years a
county organization was maintained, and county tickets were regularly placed in
nomination. The socialists have never had much of a following here, and no
organization has ever been effected.
While the county is strongly, republican the voters are independent and not
party bound, as the vote for governor and congressman at the 1906 election
shows, and as is made evident by the fact that in many instances the opposition
candidates have been elected.
Nobles county has been fortunate in its selection of county officers. During
its political history of nearly 40 years there has not been a defaulting county
officer. Nor has there been a removal because of criminal action or incompetence.
ENDNOTES
[1] Resigned Oct. 16, 1889, to accept the position of register of the
Marshall land office. C. O. Dailey appointed to complete the term.
[2] Milton S. Smith was appointed surveyor July 31, 1891.
[3] Elected.
[4] Elected.
[5] Mrs. Barron started contest proceedings against Mr. Maguire for the
office, but they were dropped before the matter came up for trial.
[6] Resigned Nov. 22, 1892, and O. W. Freeman, attorney-elect, was appointed
to complete the short unexpired term.
[7] Although two of the fusion candidates received pluralities in Nobles
county the lead was overcome in other counties of the district, and the three
republican nominees were elected.
[8] Died during term. John Ireland appointed Oct. 19, 1894, to complete the
term.
[9] Served only part of term. The office was declared vacant because of
removal from the district, and Jan. 2, 1894, E. A. Tripp was chosen to complete
the term.
[10] Was chairman of the board from July 10, 1893, to Jan. 1, 1894.
[11] Resigned July 10, 1893. Had served as chairman up to that time. H. M.
Palm chosen to complete the term. Mr. Palm served as chairman of the board from
1894 to 1900, inclusive.
[12] The three republicans were elected.
[13] Was chairman during 1901 and 1902.
[14] Served as chairman of the board during 1906.
[15] Was chairman during 1903, 1904, 1905 and 1907.
[16] Resigned July 13, 1903, and O. D. Bryan was named to complete the term,
meeting with the board for the first time July 22.
[17] The smallness of the democratic primary-vote is easily accounted for.
There being no contests in their own party, the democrats assisted the
republicans in the selection of nominees, and under the primary law they are
legally entitled to do so. For instance: The law provides that a primary voter
shall vote the ticket of that party, the majority of whose nominees he supported
at the preceding general election. A democrat might have voted for every nominee
of his party in the general election of 1904 (also voting for the republicans
who had no opposition) and yet vote the republican ballot at the primary
election of 1906.
Additional Comments:
Extracted from:
AN ILLUSTRATED HISTORY OF NOBLES COUNTY
MINNESOTA
BY
ARTHUR P. ROSE
NORTHERN HISTORY PUBLISHING COMPANY
WORTHINGTON, MINNESOTA
PUBLISHERS
1908
