Upon its organization, Richland county became a part of the Second congressional district. Orsamus Cole was elected to represent this district in November, 1849, and served in the Thirty-first Congress. Mr. Cole is the present chief justice of the supreme court of Wisconsin.

    Benjamin C Eastman succeeded Mr. Cole as congressman from the Second district and served in the Thirty-second and Thirty-third Congresses, or from 1851 to 1855.

    Cadwallader C Washburn next represented the Second district, and served in the Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth and Thirty-sixth Congresses, from 1855 to 1861. he afterwards became governor of Wisconsin.

    In November, 1860, Luther Hanchett was elected to succeed Gov. Washburn. He died Nov 24, 1862, and Walter McIndoe was elected to fill out the balance of the term. At this time Wisconsin had three representatives in Congress.

    By the census of 1860, it was found that Wisconsin was entitled to six representatives in the National House, and upon the State being re-districted, Richland county became a part of the Third congressional district. Amasa Cobb, of Mineral Point, first represented the new Third district. He was elected in 1864, and re-elected in 1866 and 1868, serving in the Thirty-eight, Thirty-ninth and Fortieth and Forty-first Congresses.

    J Allen Barber succeeded Amasa Cobb, as congressman from the Third district, being elected in November, 1870, and re-elected two years later.

    In November, 1864, (1874) H S Magoon was elected congressman from this district, and served in the Forty-fourth Congress.

    In November, 1876, George C Hazelton, of Boscobel, Grant county, was elected to represent the Third congressional district, and being twice re-elected, served six years or in the Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth and Forty-seventh Congresses.

    In November, 1882, Gilbert M Woodward, of La Crosse, was elected congressman from this district, and is the present incumbent of the office.

    Richland county first appears as being represented in the Legislature at the third session of that body, which convened Jan 9, 1850, and adjourned Feb 11, 1850. At this time this county was associated with Crawford and other counties, as the third senatorial district, and was represented by James Fisher, of Prairie Du Chien. In the Assembly, Richland associated with Iowa county and was represented by Moses M Strong, of Mineral Point. Mr. Strong was elected speaker of the House. He was considered at that time one of the finest lawyers in the west.

    The fourth session of the Legislature convened January 8, and adjourned March 18, 1851. At this time, Richland, with other counties, was represented in the Senate by Levi Sterling, of Mineral Point. Charles G Rodolf, of Highland, served Richland county in the Assembly. Mr. Rodolf was for many years identified with the development of Richland county, and is often noticed in this volume. He now lives in Muscoda.

    The fifth session convened January 14, and adjourned April 9, 1852. Levi Sterling, of Mineral Point, was still in the Senate. Luman M Strong, of Highland, represented the county in the Assembly.

    The Legislature convened for its sixth session on the 12th of January, 1853, and adjourned April 4, 1853, until the 6th of June following, for the purpose that the Senate might sit as a court of impeachment and the Assembly be present to prosecute the trial of Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit, against whom articles of impeachment had been exhibited, charging him with acts of corrupt conduct and malfeasance in office. For this purpose the Legislature again convened on the 6th of June, and adjourned finally on July 13, 1853. Levi Sterling, of Mineral Point, in this Legislature, represented the district of which Richland county formed a part. In the Assembly the county was served by Henry Conner, then, as now, of Port Andrew.

    The Legislature convened for its seventh session Jan 11, 1854, and adjourned April 3, 1854. Levi Sterling was still in the Senate from this district; Nathaniel Wheeler was the assemblyman. Mr. Wheeler was a Methodist preacher, who at that time lived in the town of Buena Vista, where he was a very early settler. He remained there until just before the breaking out of the war, when he left the county. He is spoken of as having been a popular and influential man in those days.

    The eighth session of the Legislature began on Jan 10, 1855, and adjourned April 2, 1855. The district to which Richland county was attached, was represented in the Senate by Hon Amasa Cobb, of Mineral Point, one of the most able lawyers in the State, and afterward a member of Congress. Hon D L Downs, now of Richland Centre, represented this county in the Assembly.

    The Legislature convened for its ninth session Jan 9, 1856; took a recess from March 31, 1856, to September 3, and adjourned finally Oct 14, 1856. Amasa Cobb still represented this district in the Senate. In the Assembly, Robert Akan served Richland county. Mr. Akan came from the eastern States and at a very early day settled with his family upon a farm a short distance northwest of Richland Centre. There he remained until 1875, when he sold his place for $5000, and removed to Webster City, Iowa. He was a genial, pleasant fellow, and was well liked by his neighbors.

    The tenth session of the Legislature convened January 14, and adjourned March 9, 1856. L W Joiner, of Wyoming, represented the district, of which Richland county formed a part, in the Senate. Robert C Field served Richland county in the Assembly. Mr. Field came to Richland City as early as 1850, and located upon a farm about a mile north of that village. He remained there for about ten years, when he removed to Trempealeau county in the northern part of the State, and represented that district in the Senate. He died there in 1876. He was a very active business man, and spent most of his time in trading and bartering. He would buy anything he saw, and sell anything he owned.

    The eleventh session of the Legislature convened January 13, and adjourned May 17, 1858. Lemuel W Joiner, of Wyoming, still represented this district in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was for the second time served by Charles G Rodolf, of Orion.

    The twelfth session convened January 12, and adjourned March 21, 1859. At this time, Charles G Rodolf, of Orion, was in the Senate, and William Dixon, of Lone Rock, in the Assembly.

    The thirteenth session of the Legislature convened Jan 10, 1860, and adjourned April 2, 1860. C G Rodolf was still in the Senate. Jeremiah L Jackson, of Viola, had succeeded William Dixon as assemblyman. Mr. Jackson still lives in the town of Forest.

    The fourteenth session of the Legislature began January 9, and closed May 27, 1861. Lemuel W Joiner was senator from this district, and Elihu Bailey, of the town of Marshall, represented Richland county in the Assembly.

    The legislature convened for the fifteenth session, Jan 8, 1862 and adjourned April 7, 1862. Re-convened June 3, and adjourned June 17, 1862. Met in extra session September 10, and adjourned Sept 26, 1862. At this time Norman L Cate, of Viroqua, represented the district in the Senate and Dr. LeRoy D Gage, of Richland Centre, served the county in the Assembly.

    The sixteenth session of the Legislature convened Jan 14, 1863, and adjourned April 2, 1863. In this session William S Purdy, of Viroqua, represented the district in the Senate, and John Walworth, of Richland Centre, represented the county in the Assembly.

    The seventeen session of the Legislature began January 13, and closed April 4, 1864. In this session Hon William Ketchum, of Richland City, represented the district in the Senate. Hon John Walworth was again in the Assembly, having been re-elected.

    Hon William Ketchum was born at Jericho, Long Island, May 24, 1819. In 1851 he came west and located at Richland City, where for many years he was engaged in the lumber business. He served his two terms in the State Senate with honor to himself and to the entire satisfaction of his constituents. He was always relied upon for his integrity and uprightness in all his official acts. His home remained at Richland city until the time of his death which occurred Sept 14, 1879.

    The eighteenth session of the Legislature convened Jan 11, 1865, and adjourned April 10, 1865. William Ketchum was still in the Senate. Henry L Eaton, of Lone Rock, represented Richland county in the Assembly. Mr. Eaton still lives in the town of Buena Vista.

    The Legislature convened for its nineteenth session Jan 10, 1866, and adjourned April 12, 1866. At this time Richland county was associated with Crawford as a senatorial district and was represented in the upper house by Benjamin Bull, of Prairie du Chien. H L Eaton was still in the Assembly.

    The twentieth session of the Legislature began Jan 9, 1867, and closed April 11, 1867. The Senatorial district remained the same as in the preceding year, and Mr. Bull was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Ira S Haseltine served Richland county.

    The twenty-first session convened January 8, and adjourned March 6, 1868. William Ketchum, of Richland City, had been again elected to the Senate from this district. Capt. Warren C S Barron, then from Westford, but now of Richland Centre, had been elected to succeed Haseltine in the Assembly.

    The twenty-second session of the Legislature convened January 13, and adjourned March 11, 1869. William Ketchum was still in the Senate. Joseph M Thomas, of Lone Rock, served the county in the Assembly. Mr. Thomas is still a resident of the town of Buena Vista.

    The twenty-third session of the Legislature convened January 12, and adjourned March 17, 1870. At this time George Krouskop, of Richland Centre, was representing the district in the Senate; and James H Miner, of Richland Centre, served the county in the Assembly.

    The twenty-fourth session began January 11, and adjourned March 25, 1871. George Krouskop was still in the Senate. Elihu Bailey, of the town of Marshall, had again been elected to represent the county in the Assembly.

    The twenty-fifth session of the Legislature began January 10, and closed March 27, 1872. Henry L Eaton, of Lone Rock, was Senator from this district. Richland county, according to the census taken in 1870, was entitled to two representatives in the Assembly. They were William Dixon, of Ithaca, and George W Putnam, of Ash Ridge. J H Waggoner, a former resident of Richland county, was chief clerk of the Assembly during this and the following sessions.

    The twenty-sixth session convened January 8, and adjourned March 20, 1873. Henry L Eaton , of the town of Buena Vista, was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by Norman L James, of Richland Centre, and George W Putnam, of Ash Ridge.

    The Legislature convened for its twenty-seventh session January 14, and adjourned March 12, 1874. George Krouskop, of Richland Centre, had again been elected Senator. In the Assembly, Richland county's representatives were Joseph B McGrew, of the town of Richland, and Phillip M Smith, of Marshall.

    The twenty-eighth session of the Legislature began January 13, and closed March 6, 1875. George Krouskop was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by Norman L James, of Richland Centre, and Benjamin F Washburn, of the town of Richwood.

    The Legislature convened Jan 12, 1876, for the twenty-ninth session, and adjourned March 14, 1876. Daniel L Downs, of Richland Centre, had been elected to succeed George Krouskop as State Senator. The assemblymen from this county were J L R McCollum, of Sextonville, and Henry H Hoyt, of West Branch.

    The thirtieth session began Jan 10, 1877, and adjourned March 8, 1877. D L Downs was still in the Senate. In the Assembly, Richland county was served by J L R McCollom, of Sextonville, and Elihu Bailey, of Mill Creek.

    The thirty-first session of the Legislature began January 9, and closed March 21, 1878. This Legislature met in extra session June 4, 1878, for the purpose of completing the revision of the statutes, and adjourned June 7, 1878. Archibald Campbell, of Middleburg, was Senator, from Richland county. The assemblymen from Richland were Phillip M Smith, of Richland Centre, and Joseph M Thomas, of Lone Rock.

    The Legislature convened for its thirty-second session January 8, and adjourned March 5, 1879. The representatives from Richland county were the same in this as in the preceding session, except that J M Thomas, of Ithaca, had succeeded P M Smith, in the Assembly.

    The thirty-third session of the Legislature began in January, 1880, and closed in April, 1880. J B McGrew had been elected State Senator, and took his seat at the opening of the session. The assemblymen were William H Joslin, of the town of Rockbridge, and J H Case, of the town of Eagle. Mr. Case now lives near Winthrop, Iowa.

    The Legislature convened in January, 1881, for its thirty-fourth session, and adjourned April, 1881. Mr. McGrew was still in the Senate. B M Jarvis, of the town of Westford, and John H Case, of the town of Eagle, served the county in the Assembly.

    The thirty-fifth session of the Legislature began in January, and closed in March, 1882. This county at that time was associated with Iowa county as a senatorial district, and was represented by W C Meffert, a harness-maker, who lived at Arena, in Iowa county. The assemblymen form Richland county in this session were James Washburn, of the town of Rockbridge, and George H Tate, of the town of Forest.

    During the winter of 1852-3 (1882-3) an act was passed by the Legislature changing the terms of office of senators from two to four years, and assemblymen from one to two years. The number of assemblymen was lessened, and Richland county was only entitled to one representative in the lower house. It was also provided that thereafter sessions of the Legislature should be held biennially. Senator Meffert held over from the former election. C Thomas was elected assemblyman.

    John Rutan was the first county clerk for the county of Richland. He was elected at the organization of the county, in April, 1850, and was re-elected in November of that year. Mr. Rutan was among the first settlers at Richland City, where he was clerking in a store when elected to the clerkship. Soon after the expiration of his term of office he left the county. He was a married man; had a fair education, and in those days was considered a prominent man.

    In November, 1852, Hascal Haseltine was elected county clerk and served one term. Mr. Haseltine was a native of Vermont, a member of the Haseltine family who settled at Richland Centre and founded that village. Hascal settled with his family upon what has since been platted as the Schoolcraft addition to Richland Centre. He remained in the county for a number of years and finally removed to Missouri, where he still lives.

    David Strickland, of Richland Centre, succeeded Mr. Haseltine, being elected in November, 1854. His deputy was Israel Janney, who at that time was register of deeds.

    In November, 1856, Charles D Stewart was elected county clerk and served two years.

    By the election in November, 1858, D Glazier Pease, became county clerk, and made an excellent officer. Mr. Pease is still a resident of the town of Richland.

    C H Smith succeeded Mr. Pease as county clerk, being elected in the fall of 1860. He served two years.

    In November, 1862, G L Laws was elected clerk of court, and being re-elected in 1864 and 1866, served six years. Mr. Laws was a native of Illinois. At an early day, as early at least as 1850, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, and settled in Richland county, upon the Wisconsin river, at a point which took the name of "Law's Ferry." About 1860, Mr. Laws moved to Richland Centre and taught school here; when the war broke out he went into the service. At the battle of Williamsburg he lost a leg, and after partially recovering, in the hospital, he returned to his Richland county home, and was soon afterward elected county clerk. For some time he was associated with W M Fogo in the publication of a paper at Richland Centre, and was also a partner of C H Smith in the real estate and abstract business. He remained here until 1879, when he removed to Nebraska. He is now register of the United States land office at McCook, in that State. Laws was a man of more than ordinary education and business ability, and while like all men he was unfortunate in some respects, yet he is spoken of by all as having been a prominent man, and one who made many friends.

    W H Pier was the successor of G L Laws, being elected in November, 1868. In 1870 and 1872 he was re-elected, serving the same length of time as Mr. Laws. Mr. Pier is now engaged in the banking business at Richland Centre.

    In the fall of 1874, Jesse G Bunell, then of Westford, but now of Richland Centre, was elected county clerk. In 1876 and in 1878 he was re-elected, serving three terms.

    George W Putnam, was elected county clerk in November, 1880, and served the regular term of two years. Mr. Putnam is still a resident of the town of Marshall, Richland county.

    By the election in November, 1882, Homer J Clark became county clerk, and is the present incumbent, making one of the most thorough and efficient officers the county has ever had.

    The first clerk of court for Richland county was A B Slaughter, who was elected in April, 1850, and re-elected in November, 1850, and 1852. In 1853 he was elected county judge and held that office for three successive terms. Judge Slaughter was a Kentuckian by birth. He came to Richland county in 1848-9 and settled in the town of Richwood. A few years afterwards he moved to what is now the village of Orion, where he remained, coming to Richland Centre to attend to the duties of county judge, until after the close of the war, when he removed to Kansas, where he still lives. Judge Slaughter was a man of a good deal of natural ability, which was supplemented by a good business education. He was kind hearted, benevolent, genial and pleasant, and a man of the strictest sense of honor. Politically he was a democrat, but was not aggressive or dogmatic in his political belief, nor much of a politician, according to the generally accepted meaning of the word.

    C D Bellville succeeded Judge Slaughter as clerk of court, but did not serve but a short time. Mr. Bellville came to Richland county from Indiana and settled with his family upon a farm in the town of Richwood. When elected clerk of court he came to Richland Center to attend court. Later he removed to the town of Sylvan and remained there for a number of years. When the war broke out he went into the service and his family returned to Indiana. He settled in that State when the war closed and it is presumed still makes it his home.

    A B Slaughter succeeded Mr. Bellville as clerk of court. He is noticed elsewhere at length.

    In November, 1856, John S Wilson was elected clerk of court and served one term. He afterward became a member of the bar and engaged in practice at Richland Centre.

    Lawrence Van Dusen was elected clerk of court in November, 1858, and served two years. He also became a member of the bar and engaged in practice.

    J L McKee succeeded Mr. Van Dusen by the election in November, 1860. He is still a resident of Richland Centre.

    In November, 1862, Milton Satterlee was elected clerk of the court and served one term. Mr. Satterlee is still a resident of Richland county, now making Woodstock his home.

    D S Hamilton succeeded Milton Satterlee. He was elected in November, 1864, and re-elected in 1866. D S Hamilton was originally from the State of New York, but he came to Richland county directly from the southern part of Wisconsin in 1854. He located in Richland Centre, and among other lines of business which at times he followed, he engaged in the practice of law before justice courts. He was married while here and remained until about 1873, when he removed to Readsburg, Wis., where he still lives.

    James Lewis was the next clerk of court, being elected in November, 1868, and re-elected in November, 1870. He afterward read law; was admitted to the bar, engaged in practice, and served one term as district attorney.

    Michael Murphy, of Richland Centre, succeeded Mr. Lewis. He was elected in November, 1872, and re-elected in 1874 and 1876, serving six years. He is the present district attorney for Richland county.

    In November, 1878, Homer J Clark the present county clerk, was elected clerk of court and served one term.

    George E Bennett, the present affable and efficient clerk of court, was elected to succeed Mr. Clark in November, 1880, and was re-elected in 1882.

    Marvin White had the honor of first filling the office of register of deeds for Richland county. He was elected at the organization of the county in April, 1850, and served until the qualification of his successor, who was elected in the fall of the same year. Marvin White was a mechanic who had settled in the village of Richmond in 1849. He was a single man and boarded "round among the folks." He remained until 1852 when he went north.

    In November, 1850, Levi Houts, of the present town of Orion, was elected register of deeds and served two years.

    C M McCorkle succeeded Mr. Houts, as register of deeds, being elected in November, 1852. Mr. McCorkle has settled with other members of that family, at Sextonville. He was a man of delicate health and before his term of office as register of deeds had expired, he died of consumption. In accordance with his wish, expressed before his death, the body was buried on the tall bluff near his former home. Mr. McCorkle is remembered as a man of excellent character, and one who was well thought of among the pioneers.

    Upon the death of Mr. McCorkle, Israel Janney was appointed to fill the vacancy and in November, 1854, was elected for the full term, and was re-elected in 1856. Mr. Janney is now a resident of the town of Rockbridge, Richland county.

    In November, 1858, Andrew J Page was elected register of deeds. In 1860 and 1862 he was re-elected, serving six years. "Jack" Page, as he was usually called, came to the county at an early day, and settled with friends on Willow creek. He was a cripple, having through some misfortune lost the use of his limbs, so he had to be carried about. When elected to office, or possibly a short time previous, he moved to town. He died a short time after being elected for his last term as register of deeds. Mr. Page was a man of a great deal of ability. His appearance was odd, even painful; his head being very large in proportion to the size of the body, and his legs dangling lifeless, almost sent a chill of pity to all who saw him. Politically Mr. Page was originally a democrat, but in later years he became a republican.

    Upon the death of Mr. Page, John S Wilson was appointed register of deeds by the Governor, and in November, 1863, he was elected to the office for the balance of the term.

    In November, 1864, Milton Satterlee was elected register of deeds. Mr. Satterlee came from Indiana and settled at Woodstock at an early day. When elected to office he removed to Richland Centre, and lived there until after the expiration of his term, after which he returned to his former home, where he still lives.

    A. Loveless succeeded Mr. Satterlee, being elected in November, 1866, and re-elected in 1868. Mr. Loveless came from the State of New York and settled in the town of Forest, Richland county, as early as 1858. He was an elderly man at the time of his removal here, and had quite a large family. J A Loveless, a son of his, still lives, and is a prominent man in the town of Forest; and a daughter is the wife of Van S Bennett, the State senator from Vernon and Crawford counties. When elected register of deeds the old gentleman took up his residence at Richland Centre, and remained there until a short time before his death in 1871. A. Loveless is said to have been one of the most upright and honorable men who have lived in the county, and probably no better idea can be given of the esteem in which he was held than to repeat the words of an early settler in speaking of him: "He was kind, benevolent, honorable, of urbane manners, a man in every sense. You could not exaggerate his worth to a community, nor the esteem in which he was held." Mr. Loveless was a republican, but dabbled but very little in politics. He was badly crippled with rheumatism.

    John D Funston succeeded Mr. Loveless as register of deeds. He was elected in November, 1870, and served one term. Mr. Funston is still a resident of Richland Centre.

    In November, 1872, David Sommers was elected register of deeds, and being re-elected in 1874, served four years. Mr. Sommers came to Richland county at an early day, and settled upon a farm in the present town of Sylvan. When the war broke out he enlisted, and lost one arm in the service, after which he returned to his former home. When elected to office he removed to Richland Centre. Shortly after the expiration of his term of office he sold his place and removed to Dakota; returning again to Wisconsin, he settled in Vernon county, near the Richland county line, where he still lives.

    Reuben Sutton was the next register of deeds. He was elected in November, 1876, and re-elected in 1878.

    In November, 1880, W H Rennick, of the town of Henrietta, was elected to succeed Mr. Sutton, and served one term.

    Reuben Sutton was again elected register of deeds in November, 1882, and is the present incumbent.

    The first treasurer of Richland county was D H Byrd, who was elected in the spring, and re-elected in November, 1850. Mr. Byrd came to Richland county with his parents, in 1847 and settled at the head of what has since been known as Byrd's creek, in the town of Richwood. D H Byrd afterwards married a daughter of Matthew Alexander, whose family was the second to locate within the limits of the county. When elected treasurer, Mr. Byrd moved to Richmond City, then the county seat, and remained until about June, 1852, when he removed to Oregon, where, it is thought, he still lives.

    In November, 1852, Dr. Jacob Brimer was elected county treasurer, and being re-elected in 1854, served two terms. Dr. Brimer is still a resident of Richland Centre.

    A H Bush was the next county treasurer, being elected in November, 1856. Mr. Bush was a native of the State of New York. He came to Richland county at an early day, and settled upon a farm within the present limits of the town of Ithaca, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits, and also taught school. When elected to office he removed to Richland Centre, and later became closely identified with the temperance movement, at one time being the highest officer of the Good Templars' Lodge in the State. A few years later he returned to his farm and became a local preacher for the Baptist Church. He remained in the county until about 1874 when he removed to Nebraska, where he still lives, having since served one term in the Legislature of that State.

    In November, 1858, Dr. D L Downs was elected treasurer and served one term. He is the present county judge.

    E M Sexton succeeded Judge Downs, being elected in November, 1860. He is noticed elsewhere at length.

    In November, 1862, James L McKee was elected treasurer and served one term. Mr. McKee is still a resident of Richland Centre.

    C H Smith was elected county treasurer in November, 1864, and being re-elected in 1866, served four years. Mr. Smith was a prominent man in the county in the decade between 1860 and 1870, and was identified with many public interests and enterprises. At one time he was quite wealthy, but like thousands of others throughout Wisconsin, a large proportion of his worldly goods vanished in the great hop panic in 1868. He moved from here to Windom, in Cottonwood Co., Minn., where he was elected to represent his district in the State Senate. In 1880 he removed to Worthington, Minn., and upon the resignation of Hon. J P Moulton as receiver of the United States land office at that place, Mr. Smith was appointed his successor to that responsible position. At about the same time, Mr. Smith was also appointed field agent of the Chicago, Minneapolis, St. Paul & Omaha Railroad Company, succeeding Ex-Gov. Stephen Miller. He has been honored with many other positions of trust by his Minnesota fellow-men, and has in every way proved himself worthy of their suffrage.

    In November, 1868, William H Joslin was elected county treasurer, and in 1870, he was re-elected. The following biography of Mr. Joslin was published in the Wisconsin Blue Book. "William H Joslin, (Rep.) Richland Centre, was born Sept 25, 1829, in Ypsilanti, Mich; had a common school education; is a farmer; came to Wisconsin in 1841 and settled at Madison; settled in Richland county in 1848; has held various local offices and was sheriff of Richland county in 1859 and 1860; county treasurer in 1869-70-71 and 1872. Recruited a company, commissioned captain Aug 16, 1862, assigned to company B, 25th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry. Sent to Minnesota to guard the frontier against Indian depredations. Went south February, 1863; stationed at Columbus, Ky, till June; ordered to join Grant at Vicksburg; returned to Helena, Ark, remained till February, 1864; accompanied Sherman on his expedition, returned and joined the grand army at Chattanooga, May 5, 1864. Participated in the battles of Resaca, Dallas, Kennesaw, Nick, Jack, Decatur, Atlanta, Jonesboro, with Sherman in his march to the sea, also his march through the Carolinas and through to Washington; participated in the battles of Salkehatchie and Bentonville. Commissioned major, Aug 25, 1863. Breveted lieutenant-colonel, March 13, 1865. Was elected assemblyman for 1880, receiving 957 votes against seventy-eight for Lunenschloss, and 464 for H W Fries. Is at present assistant superintendent of public property, a State appointment.

    J F Walker succeeded Mr. Joslin as county treasurer, being elected in Nov. 1872. Mr. Walker is still a resident of the town of Richland.

    In November, 1874, Charles Wesley Peckham of the town of Bloom, was elected county treasurer and served two years.

    H L Burnham, of the town of Ithaca succeeded Mr. Peckham. He was elected in November, 1876, and re-elected in November, 1878. Serving four years.

    Irvin Gribble, the present county treasurer, was elected in November, 1880, and re-elected in November, 1882. Richland county never had a more capable, obliging and satisfactory officer than Mr. Gribble makes.

    John J Matthews has the honor of having been the first sheriff of Richland county. He was elected at the organization of the county in April 1850, and re-elected in November of that year for the full term. Mr. Matthews was among the very earliest settlers in the county, and as his name frequently occurs in this volume it is unnecessary, in this connection, to speak of him at length.

    R C Hawkins was elected sheriff in November, 1852. Mr. Hawkins came to Richland county at an early day and settled with his family at Richland Centre, which remained his home until after the close of the war. In the spring of 1861 he raised a company of volunteers which was mustered into the service as company H, of the 5th regiment, Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry, and Mr. Hawkins was elected captain. The company left Richland Centre, May 26, 1861. Shortly after the close of the war Mr. Hawkins removed to Woodstock where he lived until taking up his residence in Dakota, in 1876. He now lives in Sioux Falls, D. T., and is county judge of Minnehaha county. Mr. Hawkins, was a large man, slow of movement, but jolly and whole-souled in disposition.

    In November, 1854, George C White was elected sheriff and served two years. Mr. White was among the first settlers in the town of Richmond having settled upon a farm a short distance from the present village of Orion, at a very early day. There he remained until the war broke out when he enlisted and was killed in the service. He, with several others, getting into close quarters, surrendered to the enemy and were shot while in irons. Marvin White was a man of a good deal of intelligence and ability and was well liked by all the early settlers. He was an active man in politics being what was then termed a democrat "dyed in the wool."

    In November, 1856, L M Thorp, of the town of Richwood was elected sheriff and served one term.

    William H Joslin succeeded Mr. Thorp, by the election in November, 1858, and served one term.

    E L Moody was the next sheriff, being elected in November, 1860. Mr. Moody was a native of the State of New York. he came west at an early day and settled with his family upon a farm in the town of Westford, Richland county. When elected to office he removed to Richland Centre and remained until the time of his death, which occurred in 1862. Two of his daughters now live in the town of Forest. He was a man of upright character and held the respect of all.

    Upon the death of Mr. Moody, A S Neff was appointed to serve the residue of the term. Mr. Neff is still a resident of Richland county.

    In November, 1862, Joseph McMurtrie was elected sheriff and served one term. Joseph McMurtrie was born in St. Clair Co, Ill, in 1832. When he was nine years old the family removed to La Fayette Co, Wis. In 1843 he family scattered, and until 1856 Joseph spent most of his time in Iowa county. During the year last mentioned Joseph settled in Richland Centre, and engaged at blacksmithing. He remained there until 1871, when he removed to Cottonwood Co, Minn, where he still lives.

    In November, 1864, L M Thorp was again elected sheriff, but did not serve out the full term.

    Hiram Welton was appointed sheriff upon the resignation of Mr. Thorp, and served out the balance of the term. Mr. Welton came originally from Ohio but direct from Indiana, in 1852, and settled upon a farm about two miles south of Richland Centre. He lived there until the time of his death in 1873. His widow and several daughters are living in Kansas; and one son W W Welton, lives at Sextonville. Hiram Welton, was held in high esteem by all who knew him; being a man of the most strict integrity.

    In November, 1866, Joseph McMurtrie was again elected sheriff.

    J B McGrew, then of the town of Richland, succeeded Mr. McMurtrie as sheriff, having elected in the fall of 1868. Mr. McGrew now lives in the town of Marshall, and has been a prominent man in political and all public moves.

    In November, 1870, Capt. W C S Barron of Richland Centre, was elected sheriff and served two years.

    R D Robinson was elected sheriff in November, 1872, and served a like term. Mr. Robinson now lives in Chicago.

    In November, 1874, Capt. W C S Barron, of Richland Centre, was again elected sheriff.

    G N Matteson was elected sheriff in November, 1876 and served one term. Matteson came from northern Ohio, and settled at Richland Centre, in 1856. For a number of years he was engaged in running a general merchandise store. He was a dentist by profession, and practiced from 1868 until elected sheriff. He is still a resident of Richland Centre.

    D S Noble, of the town of Marshall, succeeded Mr. Matteson as sheriff, and served two years.

    In November, 1880, Harry Busby was elected sheriff, and served until the time of his death, in January, 1882. Mr. Busby came originally from the State of New York. He located at Richland Centre, in 1871, and followed the trade, painting, also running a livery stable, until elected sheriff. His death occurred while attending an entertainment in the hall. His family still resided in Richland Centre.

    W C S Barron was appointed to succeed Mr. Busby and filled out the residue of the term.

    A D Lane, the present sheriff, was elected in November, 1882.

    The first county judge of Richland county was J W Coffinberry, who was elected upon the organization of the county, in April, 1850, and re-elected in November of the same year. In 1851 he resigned. Judge Coffinberry was known as C. Bre, after 1856 He is treated more at length in the bar chapter.

    Upon the resignation of Judge Coffinberry, David Strickland was appointed his successor, and served the remainder of the term. Judge Strickland also receives more extended notice in the chapter upon the bar.

    In November, 1853, A B Slaughter was elected county judge. He was re-elected in April, 1857, and April, 1861, serving twelve years. Judge Slaughter was a native of Kentucky; but at an early day he settled in Lafayette, Ind., where he became judge of the municipal court. In 1848 he came to Richland Co, Wis, and settled in Richwood. In 1850 he removed to near Orion, where he remained until 1868, coming up to Richland Centre to attend to the duties of his office. In 1868 he removed to Missouri, then to Kansas, where he still lives. Judge Slaughter was the kind of a man who made every one his friend; he was a genial, pleasant, whole-souled man, highly esteemed by all, and had but very few if any enemies. Politically, he was a democrat.

    James H Miner, succeeded A B Slaughter as county judge, being elected in April, 1865. He is noted at length in the bar chapter.

    In April, 1869, Henry W Fries was elected county judge. He was re-elected in 1873 and 1877, serving until the time of his death in February, 1880.

    Judge Henry W Fries was of German descent, his father, Rev Henry Fries having come from Germany and settled in Union Co, Penn., where Judge Fries was born in 1813. He remained there until 1858, when he came west and settled in Richland Co, Wis. Here he remained until the time of his death, which occurred on Feb 14, 1880. He left a wife, a family of ten children and an only brother. He had gathered about him many strong friends. He had by his social and affable ways, as well as by his strict integrity won the confidence and esteem of all the citizens. He was well liked as a public officer, noted for those sterling virtues which go to make up an independent and fearless man, and yet had but few, if any, enemies. In his official acts he was impartial, conscientious and particularly careful of the rights of the widow and the fatherless, and it is conceded that the probate business of the county was never better or more impartially discharged.

    Upon the death of Judge Fries, D L Downs was appointed county judge, and filled out the residue of the term. In April, 1881, he was elected for the full term and is the present incumbent, giving excellent satisfaction to both the bar and the county at large.

    As all of the gentlemen who have held this office from the organization of the county until the present time, have been lawyers, and therefore treated at length in the chapter devoted to the bar, it is only necessary in this connection to give their names and the years in which they were elected. They are as follows: John J Moreland, 1850; John Stone, April, 1851; David Strickland, 1852; H A Eastland, 1854; James H Miner, 1856-58; A P Thompson, 1860; H A Eastland, 1862-64; John S Wilson, 1866; Oscar F Black, 1868-70; James Lewis, 1872-74; Eugene C Wulfing, 1876-78; Kirk W Eastland, 1880; Michael Murphy, 1882.

    The change of the educational system, from town to county superintendence, has been treated in another connection.

    The first county superintendent of schools of Richland county was Rev. J H Mathers, who was elected in November, 1861, and served two years.

    In November, 1863, W C Wright was elected superintendent of schools, and served one term. Mr. Wright was a lawyer, who, at that time was located at Richland Centre.

    In November, 1865, Van S Bennett, now of Rocton, Vernon Co, Wis, was elected superintendent of schools. He was born in Medina, Ohio, March 15, 1836. He received an academic education. His parents removed from Ohio to Wisconsin in 1846, settling in Medina, Dane county; thence to Jefferson county in 1852, and to Richland county in 1855. In September, 1861, Van S enlisted in company I, 12th Wisconsin Infantry, as lieutenant; was promoted to the captaincy in May 1862, and was honorably discharged in November, 1864. In 1866 he removed to Rockton Vernon county, where he still lives. He was three times chairman of the county board of Vernon county; was a member of the Assembly in 1869-70 and is the present senator from Vernon and Crawford counties.

    G W Putnam, of the town of Marshall, succeeded Mr. Bennett, as school superintendent of Richland county. He was elected in November, 1867, and re-elected in 1869, serving four years.

    William J Waggoner, of the town of Forest, was elected superintendent of schools in November, 1871, and was re-elected in 1873.

    David D Parsons was the next superintendent of schools. He was elected in November, 1875, and re-elected in 1877 and 1879, serving six years. Mr. Parsons, was an Englishman by birth, but grew up from boyhood in Richland county. He received a good education and became a school teacher, which profession he was following at the time of his first election. He remained here for some time after the expiration of his term of office, and then removed to Missouri, where he still lives, engaged in farming. He made an excellent officer; although he labored under the great disadvantage of poor health.

    In November, 1881, W Scott was elected superintendent and is the present incumbent. Through a change of the law, requiring all county officers to be elected in "even years," Mr. Sweet's term of office is three years, or until Jan 1, 1885.

    James Appleby was the first county surveyor, and had held the office most of the time since the organization of the county. He was first elected in April, 1850, and was re-elected in 1852. Mr. Appleby walked to the southern part of La Fayette, Co, Wis, to obtain a compass and other necessary apparatus, paying $80 therefor, and carried the same back with him. The first survey made by him was on May 17, 1850. It was laying out a road for the town of Richmond, which is now in the town of Eagle. The road began in the village of Mononghahela (now defunct) and ran nearly due north, terminating at the quarter post between sections 25 and 26, town 9 range 1 west. Mr. Appleby's second work was surveying and platting the village of Port Andrew, for Thomas Andrew, on May 30, 1850.

    In November, 1854, Loreman B Palmer was elected surveyor and served one term. Mr. Palmer was raised in Fauquier Co, Va. In 1845 he came west and located in LaFayette Co, Wis, remaining there until 1848, when he came to Richland county and settled on a farm in the town of Eagle. There he remained until the time of his death in 1880, and his family still occupy the old homestead. Mr. Palmer was not a practical surveyor when he came to the county, but was taught the business by his brother-in-law, James Appleby.

    Joseph E Irish was elected surveyor in November, 1856 and served two years. Mr. Irish came from Ithaca, New York, in 1852, and settled with his parents at Sextonville, Richland county. At that time Joseph was hardly twenty years of age. He worked at odd jobs for some time, then learned surveying and followed that quite extensively. He remained at Sextonville for many years, marrying Lucy Britton. During the war he began preaching, and for several years thereafter was an itinerant; finally settled in Eau Claire. He was appointed register of the United States land office, at that place, and later was elected to the State Senate. After serving his term in the Senate he was appointed presiding elder of this, Methodist Episcopal Church district, and for four years acted as such; then being elected president of the Appleton College, which position he still holds. Mr. Irish is a man of much natural as well as acquired ability, and holds the respect and esteem of all who know him.

    In November, 1858, James Appleby was again elected surveyor and served two years.

    D Hardenburg succeeded Mr. Appleby by the election in November, 1860.

    In November, 1862, C D Bellville was elected surveyor and served two years.

    D Hardenburg, of Lone Rock, was again elected in November, 1864, and was re-elected in 1866 and 1868.

    At the November election, in 1870, the candidates for surveyor, James Appleby and T Borland, each received an equal number of votes. Upon casting lots James Appleby was the fortunate man. He refused to qualify and Mr. Hardenburg, therefore, held over until the November election, 1871, when he was elected for the balance of the term. Mr. Hardenburg is still a resident of Lone Rock, in the town of Buena Vista.

    James Appleby was again elected surveyor in November, 1872. He is the present incumbent, having been re-elected in 1874, 1876, 1878, 1880 and 1882.

    This is an unimportant office, and but few who have been elected to it have qualified. The following is a list of the gentlemen who have been chosen to the office, showing the years in which they were elected:

    William Kincannon, 1850; Orin Haseltine, 1852; Ira S Haseltine, 1854-56-60-62; A S Neff, 1864; A Haskins, 1866; H Collins, 1868-70; George Jarvis, 1872-74; W M Fogo, 1876; John H Carswell, 1878; D O Chandler, 1880; Norman L James, 1882.

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