The first board of equalization of taxes, of and for Richland county, met at the court house in the village of Richland Centre, Sept 20, 1850, and was composed of the assessors of the various towns, as follows: J S Chitwood, Akan; J P Dewey, Buena Vista; Adam Altough, Bloom; E Davis, Dayton; Oliver Wherry, Eagle; Ashail Savage, Sylvan; Demas Wherry, Henrietta; Asa McCollum, Ithaca; James Clark, Marshall; Isaac Welton, Richland; William Wulfing, Richmond; Samuel Fleck, Richwood; C H Smith, Rockbridge; John Miller, Willow; Solomon Clark, Westford. The town of Forest does not seem to have been represented at this board. In 1863 the real estate in the various towns of the county as equalized by the board of supervisors, was assessed as follows: Akan averaged $1.50 per acre; Bloom, $1.75; Buena Vista, $3; Dayton, $2; Eagle, $3; Forest, $1.75; Henrietta, $1.75; Ithaca, $3; Marshall, $2; Orion, $2; Richwood, $2; Richland, $3; Rockbridge, $2; Sylvan, $1.75; Willow, $2 and Westford, $1.75.
The taxes of 1863 were apportioned among the various towns as follows:
______________________________________________________________________
| | | |
| | | | County
TOWNS | State | County | Supt's | School
| Tax | Tax | Salary | Tax
______________________________|_________|________ |_________|________
| | | |
Akan |$ 90 40|$ 259 87| $12 00| $32 48
Bloom | 162 64| 425 04| 19 60| 53 14
Buena Vista | 392 95| 1027 44| 47 41| 128 43
Dayton | 152 98| 399 99| 18 43| 49 99
Eagle | 236 90| 619 45| 28 59| 77 44
Forest | 136 90| 357 93| 16 49| 44 74
Henrietta | 129 14| 337 67| 15 56| 42 20
Ithaca | 351 71| 919 64| 42 42| 114 95
Marshall | 174 37| 455 93| 21 02| 56 00
Orion | 172 69| 451 53| 20 82| 56 44
Richland | 417 18| 1090 80| 50 34| 136 25
Richwood | 307 75| 804 65| 37 11| 100 59
Rockbridge | 158 43| 414 24| 19 10| 51 78
Sylvan | 145 85| 381 35| 17 58| 47 66
Westford | 134 58| 351 88| 16 21| 43 98
Willow | 143 74| 375 84| 17 32| 46 98
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
By the report of the county treasurer, dated November 18, 1863, there had been $25,803.60 disbursed from the county treasury during the year just closed. The total receipts for the year were $25,961.64, leaving a balance in the hands of the county treasurer of $158.04.
Compare the above statement for the year 1863, with the following facts which relate to 1873, after one decade had passed: The total valuation of property in the town of Akan was $111,529, land was assessed at $3.75 per acre; Bloom, valuation $145,701, land assessed at $4.60 per acre; Buena Vista, valuation $225,767, land assessed at $5.90 per acre; Dayton, valuation, $144, 712, land assessed $4.75 per acre; Eagle, valuation, $192,947, land assessed $6.75 per acre; Forest, valuation, $130,462, land assessed $4.15 per acre; Henrietta, valuation $122,735, land assessed $4.25 per acre; Ithaca, valuation $214,564, land assessed $5.50 per acre; Marshall, valuation $150,735, land assessed $4.75 per acre; Orion, valuation $94,964, land assessed $3.60 per acre; Richland, valuation $320,163, land assessed $6.25 per acre; Richwood, valuation $209,236, land assessed $5.85 per acre; Rockbridge, valuation $140,452, land assessed at $4.50 per acre; Sylvan, valuation $118,755, land assessed at $4.25 per acre; Westford, valuation $145,205, land assessed at $4.65 per acre; Willow, valuation $116,711, land assessed at $4.25 per acre.
In the report of the county treasurer, under the date of Nov 15, 1873, appears the statement that the total receipts for the year just closed were $34,483.28; total disbursements, $32,348.59; total cash on hand, $2136.69.
The following statement will show the taxes in the various towns of the county, as apportioned by the board of supervisors in November, 1873:
-------------------|--------|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|----------|
| | County | | | | Road | |
| | Tax | | | | Damages| |
| | | County | County | | Appor- | Total |
TOWNS | State |Including| School | Supt's | Illegal| tioned | Amount |
| Tax | County | Tax | Salary | Certif-| by | Of All |
| | Road | | | icates | Board | Taxes |
| | Tax | | | | in 1872| |
___________________|________|________ |_________|________|________|________|__________|
| | | | | | | |
Akan | $302 48| $366 78| $150 00| $34 58| $184 52| | $1088 31|
Bloom | 395 17| 479 16| 250 00| 45 11| | $64 00| 1233 44|
Buena Vista | 612 32| 412 47| 250 00| 69 88| | | 1674 67|
Dayton | 392 48| 475 91| 170 00| 44 80| 3 90| | 1087 09|
Eagle | 523 30| 634 54| 225 00| 50 73| | | 1442 57|
Forest | 538 85| 429 04| 200 00| 40 30| | 64 00| 1087 28|
Henrietta | 332 88| 403 63| 180 00| 37 89| | | 954 45|
Ithaca | 581 94| 705 63| 250 00| 66 42| | | 1603 99|
Marshall | 408 82| 496 72| 200 00| 46 65| | 64 00| 1216 19|
Orion | 257 45| 311 30| 150 00| 29 39| | | 742 14|
Richland | 868 34| 952 92| 350 00| 99 11| | | 2370 37|
Richwood | 567 59| 688 11| 400 00| 64 76| | | 1720 46|
Rockbridge | 380 93| 461 90| 185 00| 43 48| | 64 00| 1135 31|
Sylvan | 322 09| 390 54| 175 00| 36 77| | 17 00| 941 40|
Westford | 393 82| 477 53| 250 00| 44 95| | | 1166 30|
Willow | 316 54| 383 82| 150 00| 36 14| 5 87| | 892 37|
| | | | | | | |
-------------------|--------|---------|---------|--------|--------|--------|----------|
Totals |$7010 00| $8500 00| $3535 00| $800 00| $194 29| $273 00| $20312 29|
| | | | | | | |
In this connection is presented a statement of the crops grown and acreage thereof in Richland county, for the years 1873, 1882 and 1883. The statement is given at length, showing the results in each town, for the purpose of making the table valuable as a means of reference.
In the year 1873, there were 21,346 acres sown to wheat in the county; 7320 sown to oats; 18,240 to corn; 159 to barley; 1019 to rye and 395 to hops. These amounts were distributed among the various towns as follows:
-------------------|-------|------|------|--------|--------|--------|
| | | | | | |
TOWNS. | Wheat | Oats | Corn | Barley | Rye | Hops |
| | | | | | |
___________________|_______|______|______|________|________|________|
| | | | | | |
Akan | 889| 208| 927| | 7| 2.75|
Bloom | 1831| 447| 1319| 31| 8| 18 |
Buena Vista | 1003| 703| 1758| 16| 327| 73 |
Dayton | 1229| 390| 944| 4| 4| 3 |
Eagle | 2432| 369| 1830| | 23| 10.50|
Forest | 1317| 401| 947| | 6| 3 |
Henrietta | 837| 396| 802| 5| 9| 8.25|
Ithaca | 2011| 1022| 1377| 72| 194| 84.25|
Marshall | 1691| 529| 1186| 2| 4| 16.25|
Orion | 838| 307| 733| 2| 15| 12 |
Richland | 1089| 403| 1295| 5| 17| 22 |
Richwood | 1460| 283| 1739| | 159| 22 |
Rockbridge | 1056| 378| 1034| | 10| 15 |
Sylvan | 1730| 445| 1193| 7| | 2 |
Westford | 1243| 567| 527| 43| 9| 55.50|
Willow | 690| 374| 629| | 27| 47.50|
| | | | | | |
-------------------|-------|------|------|--------|--------|--------|
Totals | 21346| 7323| 18240| 159| 1019| 395|
-------------------|-------|------|------|--------|--------|--------|
The following table shows the aggregate number of acres of land assessed in the several towns of Richland county, with the price per acre as fixed by the county board of supervisors at their annual session, 1883; also their aggregate valuation, the valuation of village and personal property, and the aggregate valuation of all property in said county, as equalized; together with the State, county, county school and county superintendent's salary tax as apportioned to the several towns; also the amount of delinquent personal property and illegal tax sale certificates charged back to towns, and the amounts due the State on loans to school districts:
| TOWNS. | Number of acres of Land | Value per acre as equalized | Value of aforesaid acres of land | Value of Village Property | Value of all Personal Property | Total value of all property | State Tax | County Tax | County School Tax | County Superin tendent Salary Tax | Personal Property Tax charged back | Illegal tax sale certif. charged back. | Loans to School Districts | Total. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Akan | 23,000 | $4 00 | $92,000 | $1,310 | $116,223 | 167.40 | 522.45 | 250.00 | 31.42 | 23.14 | 994.41 | |||
| Bloom | 23,964 | 5 50 | 131,802 | $8,775 | 31,829 | 213,559 | 307.56 | 959.98 | 300.00 | 57.75 | 3.93 | 284.97 | 1914.19 | |
| Buena Vista | 22,623 | 5 65 | 127,820 | 26,816 | 13,145 | 208,037 | 299.60 | 935.16 | 275.00 | 56.26 | 3.96 | 26.94 | 1596.92 | |
| Dayton | 22,861 | 4 75 | 108,590 | 4,050 | 8,095 | 154,253 | 222.15 | 693.40 | 250.00 | 41.72 | 13.24 | 1220.51 | ||
| Eagle | 22,200 | 7 50 | 166,500 | 14,031 | 223,556 | 321.95 | 1004.90 | 300.00 | 60.46 | 12.00 | 2.27 | 114 | 1815.58 | |
| Forest | 22,718 | 5 00 | 113,590 | 6,650 | 12,705 | 172,590 | 248.56 | 775.82 | 225.00 | 46.67 | 4.05 | 16.87 | 1316.97 | |
| Henrietta | 21,106 | 4 25 | 93,500 | 4,920 | 2,970 | 140,055 | 201.70 | 629.56 | 275.00 | 37.88 | 4.83 | 1148.97 | ||
| Ithaca | 29,450 | 5 60 | 164,920 | 5,825 | 10,882 | 229,903 | 331.10 | 1033.43 | 300.00 | 62.18 | 0.59 | 3.28 | 365.43 | 2096.01 |
| Marshall | 23,078 | 5 75 | 132,699 | 13,573 | 185,361 | 266.95 | 833.22 | 275.00 | 50.23 | 11.67 | 1437.07 | |||
| Orion | 18,619 | 3 25 | 60,512 | 4,502 | 7,193 | 92,288 | 132.92 | 414.85 | 200.00 | 24.88 | 17.24 | 63.91 | 853.80 | |
| Richland | 22,439 | 7 00 | 157,073 | 169,960 | 41,553 | 433,481 | 624.25 | 1948.52 | 600.00 | 117.20 | 35.23 | 42.08 | 3367.28 | |
| Richwood | 26,643 | 5 50 | 146,537 | 20,766 | 12,701 | 216,314 | 311.52 | 972.37 | 450.00 | 58.50 | 29.57 | 221 | 2042.96 | |
| Rockbridge | 22,620 | 5 00 | 113,100 | 2,026 | 6,280 | 156,424 | 225.28 | 703.15 | 350.00 | 42.30 | 17.65 | 59.6 | 1397.98 | |
| Sylvan | 23,035 | 5 00 | 115,175 | 10,563 | 157,463 | 226.77 | 707.70 | 250.00 | 42.48 | 14.17 | 1241.12 | |||
| Westford | 20,575 | 5 00 | 112,875 | 6,424 | 2,529 | 144,268 | 207.77 | 648.50 | 250.00 | 39.01 | 10.66 | 1155.94 | ||
| Willow | 22,112 | 4 00 | 88,448 | 1,910 | 1,636 | 115,270 | 166.02 | 518.17 | 200.00 | 31.06 | 9.11 | 174.5 | 1098.86 | |
| Total | 367,043 | $1,925,141 | $262,624 | $190,995 | $2,959,045 | $4,261.50 | $13,301.18 | $4,750.00 | $800.00 | $211.04 | $5.55 | $1,369.30 | $24,698.57 | |
-------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------||---------------|
| Number of Acres || Milch Cows. |
|------|------|------|---|-----|-----|---|-------------|--|---|---|-------|-------||-----|---------|
| | | | | | P | R | | | | T | | || | |
| W | | | B | | o | o | Apple Orch's| | | o | | || N | |
| h | C | O | a | R | t | o |_____________| F| H | b | | || u | V |
TOWNS | e | o | a | r | y | a | t |Acres|Number | l| o | a |Grasses|Growing|| m | a |
| a | r | t | l | e | t | C | | of | a| p | c | | Timber|| b | l |
| t | n | s | e | | o | r | |bearing| x| s | c | | || e | u |
| | | | y | | e | o | | trees | | | o | | || r | e |
| | | | | | s | p | | | | | | | || | |
| | | | | | | s | | | | | | | || | |
_____________|______|______|______|___|_____|_____|___|_____|_______|__|___|___|_______|_______||_____|_________|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | || | |
Akan | 775| 1455| 631| 2| 54| 44.5| --| 19| 909|--| --| --| 1144| --|| 234| $ 4432|
Bloom | 1894| 2048| 1065| 26| 61| 62| --| 70| 3281|--| --| --| 1350| --|| 437| 7340|
Buena Vista| 217| 1469| 933| 4| 314| 53| --| 13| 919|--|1.5| --| 4367| 3590|| 770| 18500|
Dayton | 914| 2506| 537| 15| 46| 47| --| 62| 2430|--| --| --| 7352| --|| 320| 3707|
Eagle | 1215| 2781| 891| 6| 40| 65| --| 71| 3669|--| --| --| 2018| 4919|| 428| 12840|
Forest | 1600| 1401| 1046|4.5| 31.5|59.75|5/8| --| 2805|--| --| --| 1468| 8390|| 360| 6500|
Henrietta | 813| 877| 746| 8| 9| 53.5| --| 19| 1198|--| --| --| 1052| 4365|| 302| 3634|
Ithaca | 327| 851| 841| 11| 143| 520| --| 72.5| 7034| 2| 20| --| 2488| 3690|| 975| 19500|
Marshall | 1521| 1575| 1165| 8| 34| 62| --| 73.5| 3425|--| 1| --| 1483| --|| 462| 6041|
Orion | 505| 1150| 634| 3| 82| 52| --| 45.5| 1522|--| --| --| 886| 2727|| 258| 3547|
Richland | 575| 1411| 700| 8| 36| 79| --|41.75| --|--| --| --| 1269| --|| 557| 14085|
Richwood | 987| 2531| 1152| 4| 230| 114| 8| 33| 1651|--| --|2.8| 1384| 9026|| 425| 10389|
Rockbridge | 860| 1228| 978| --| 44| 73| --| 34| 1200|--| 1| --| 1857| --|| 374| 6166|
Sylvan | 1704| 1730| 813| 2|144.5|55.75| --| 92.5| 3191|--| --| --| 2157| 9916|| 416| 6511|
Westford | 650| 450| 750|125| 65| 150| --| 10| 80|--| --| --| 600| 20200|| 368| 5520|
Willow | 578| 1132| 800| 9| 38| --| --| 48| 2091|--| .5| --| 1543| --|| 412| 8240|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | || | |
-------------|------|------|------|---|-----|-----|---|-----|-------|--|---|---|-------|-------||-----|---------|
Totals |13,526|22,784|12,636|231| 1340| 1430|8.6|709.8| 32,600| 2| 24|2.8| 30,941| 58,833|| 6738| $130,452|
_____________|______|______|______|___|_____|_____|___|_____|_______|__|___|___|_______|_______||_____|_________|
-------------|---------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-------------|-----|
| Wheat | Corn | Oats | Barley | Rye | Potatoes | Root |B o b|
| | | | | | | Crops |u f e|
TOWNS |-----|---------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-------------|-------------|-------------|s r|
|Ac's |Bushels |Acres|Bushels|Acres|Bushels|Acres|Bushels|Acres|Bushels|Acres|Bushels|Acres|Bushels|h C r|
|Sown |Harvested| | | | | | | | | | | | |e r i|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l a e|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |s n s|
_____________|_____|_________|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Akan | 846| 8641| 1172| 35550| 461| 15900| --| 32| 12| 298| 47| 3863| --| 325| --|
Bloom | 1931| 22180| 2285| 46225| 1002| 23565| 15| 305| 19| 233| 72| 4012| --| 802| --|
Buena Vista| 150| 1846| 1369| 49410| 782| 25189| --| 188| 187| 1739| 56| 3408| --| --| --|
Dayton | 986| 15289| 1684| 30597| 878| 20903| --| 262| 20| 225| 90| 5737| --| 308| 2|
Eagle | 1111| 17556| 3449| 113740| 909| 21395| --| 100| 49| 200| 68| 4934| --| --| --|
Forest | 1467| 17795| 1606| 52940| 1085| 31265| --| 24| 2| 70| 45| 3915| --| 550| --|
Henrietta | 428| 9776| 794| 18140| 495| 18381| 18| 170| 19| 350| 60| 352| --| 2997| --|
Ithaca | 467| 7151| 1620| 45660| 1168| 28332| 32| 120| 95| 1665| 79| 6008| --| 380| --|
Marshall | 1327| 20024| 1609| 37316| 783| 17475| --| --| 5| --| 64| 4753| --| --| --|
Orion | 445| 5425| 1288| 31813| 572| 14162| --| 46| 60| 709| 44| 3752| --| --| --|
Richland | 580| 7568| 1455| 42155| 601| 17043| 12| --| 28| 46| 73| 5574| --| --| --|
Richwood | 977| 10025| 2800| 90341| 874| 24871| 7| 25| 260| 1783| 75| 6653| --| 67| --|
Rockbridge | 970| 9387| 1848| 37040| 845| 19943| 5| --| 24| 100| 107| 4921| .5| 297| --|
Sylvan | 1695| 16259| 1825| 44390| 1472| 27084| 13| 84| 104| 397| 95| 3359| 4.0| 75| --|
Westford | 718| 6195| 808| 19885| 832| 24205| 102| 85| 128| 707| 115| 5615| --| --| --|
Willow | 593| 4892| 756| 27205| 802| 21438| --| 75| 27| 306| 101| 5308| --| --| --|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
-------------|-----|---------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|-------|-----|
Totals |14691| 162214|26368| 669467|13511| 319886| 204| 2492| 1039| 8758| 1191| 68249| 4.5| 5251| 2|
_____________|_____|_________|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|_______|_____|
-------------|-------------------------|------------|------------|-------------|------------|------|------|------|--------------|---------------|---------------|
| Apple Orchards | Flax | Hops | Tobacco | Grasses |Grow- |Bush. |Bush. | Ac's h'v'd | Milch Cows | Dairy Prod's. |
| | | | | |ing |of |Timber| for Seed | | |
TOWNS |-------|---------|-------|-----|------|-----|------|-----|-------|-----|------|Timber|Clover|Seed |------|-------|------|--------|-------|-------|
| Number|Number of|Yield |Acres|Pounds|Acres|Pounds|Acres|Pounds |Acres|Yields|No. of|Seed |Raised|Clover|Timothy|Number| Value | Pounds| Pounds|
| of |Bearing | in | | | | | |Yielded| | Tons |Acres |Raised| | | | | | of | of |
| Acres | Trees |Bushels| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Butter| Cheese|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
_____________|_______|_________|_______|_____|______|_____|______|_____|_______|_____|______|______|______|______|______|_______|______|________|_______|_______|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Akan | 35 | 783| 577| --| 11200| --| --| --| --| 737| 1252| 12760| --| --| --| --| 463|$ 5556| 12440| --|
Bloom | 80 | 3170| 1700| --| --| --| --| --| 1735| 1380| 1986| 10720| 95 | --| 65| --| 432| 6048| 28550| --|
Buena Vista| 11.25| 843| 215| --| --| --| --| --| --| 4072| 3184| 2772| 75 | 117| 50| 20| 730| 18250| 43595| 238397|
Dayton | 74 | 2691| 2094| 1.5| --| --| --| --| 2798| 823| 1162| 10225| 25 | 2| 4| 1| 404| 8555| 28190| --|
Eagle | 48 | 2419| 1301| --| --| --| --| --| 500| 2297| 1221| 9910| --| --| --| 23| 475| 7140| 40000| 1500|
Forest | 25 | 1482| 1910| --| --| --| --| --| --| 1341| 1045| 8496| 40.5| --| 49| --| 357| 7270| 24480| --|
Henrietta | 7 | 170| 245| --| --| --| --| --| --| 670| --| 8650| 15 | 6| --| --| 129| 1670| 10413| --|
Ithaca | 40 | 1308| 933| --| --| --| 2100| --| --| 5909| 2627| 4532| 43 | 8| 11| 1| 976| 23940| 64900| 120000|
Marshall | 77 | 3797| 1850| --| --| --| 300| --| 370| 1301| 1638| 8252| 22 | 9| 15| --| 445| 8605| 35905| --|
Orion | 68 | 2131| 820| .25| --| --| --| --| 1000| 808| 939| 2985| 10 | --| 15| --| 227| 3921| 14630| --|
Richland | 55 | 2023| 1038| --| --| --| --| 9.5| --| 1692| 1534| 4849| --| --| --| --| 435| 7718| 57330| --|
Richwood | 90 | 3055| 3278| --| --| --| --| --| 1550| 1369| 1485| 6036| --| 135| 1| 27| 330| 4732| 37560| --|
Rockbridge | 65 | 1493| 235| --| --| --| --| --| --| 1309| 1441| 7450| --| --| --| --| 441| 7825| 32145| --|
Sylvan | 178 | 7119| 2547| --| --| --| --| --| --| 3480| 1309| 7650| 67 | --| 80| --| 362| 4245| 25615| 1200|
Westford | 128 | 1175| 100| --| --| 6.5| --| --| --| 1243| 1127| 12848| --| --| --| --| 277| 6330| 14145| --|
Willow | 29 | 1357| --| --| --| 3 | 77| 6| 1000| 1016| 1742| 2892| --| --| --| --| 277| 6123| 37683| --|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
-------------|-------|---------|-------|-----|------|-----|------|-----|----- -|-----|------|------|------|------|------|-------|------|--------|-------|-------|
Totals |1010.25| 35075| 16933| 1.75| 11200| 9.5| 2477| 15.5| 8953|29446| 23692|121027| 352.5| 277| 241| 72| 6760|$ 127928| 483101| 361097|
_____________|_______|_________|_______|_____|______|_____|______|_____|______ |_____|______|______|______|______|______|_______|______|________|_______|_______|
-------------|------|------|--------|---------|-------------|-------------|----------|------------|
| | | | | | | Mules and| Sheep and |
| | | | | Horses | Neat Cattle | Asses | Lambs |
| | | | |_____________|_____________|__________|____________|
TOWNS |No. of|Value | Value |Value of | N | | N | | N | | N | |
| acres|per | of |Village | u | V | u | V | u | V | u | V |
| of |acre | said |and City | m | a | m | a | m | a | m | a |
|Land. |as | Lands.|Lots as | b | l | b | l | b | l | b | l |
| |equal-| |Equalized| e | u | e | u | e | u | e | u |
| |ized | | | r | e | r | e | r | e | r | e |
_____________|______|______|________|_________|_____|_______|_____|_______|____|_____|_____|______|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Akan | 23000| $4.00|$ 92000| $ --| 311|$ 9330| 942|$ 9420| 8|$ 360| 1485|$ 1850|
Bloom | 23964| 5.50| 131802| 7175| 536| 16080| 1212| 12120| 8| 360| 3475| 4340|
Buena Vista| 22623| 5.65| 127820| 22916| 368| 11040| 1684| 16840| 9| 405| 1287| 1609|
Dayton | 22861| 4.75| 108590| 4300| 421| 12630| 1037| 10370| 27| 1215| 1870| 2330|
Eagle | 22200| 7.50| 166500| --| 572| 17460| 1600| 16000| 22| 990| 1805| 2250|
Forest | 22718| 5.00| 113590| 5330| 417| 12510| 1216| 12160| 4| 180| 3258| 4073|
Henrietta | 21406| 4.25| 93500| 4570| 367| 10060| 1040| 10400| 7| 315| 3596| 4495|
Ithaca | 29450| 5.60| 164920| 5520| 462| 13860| 1862| 18020| 23| 1035| 1945| 2431|
Marshall | 23078| 5.75| 132699| --| 464| 13920| 1149| 11490| 8| 360| 6043| 7554|
Orion | 18619| 3.25| 60512| 3850| 264| 7920| 642| 6420| 10| 450| 901| 1126|
Richland | 22439| 7.00| 157073| 136060| 522| 15660| 1314| 13440| 11| 495| 2178| 2723|
Richwood | 26643| 5.50| 146537| 9130| 561| 16830| 1471| 14710| 11| 495| 2272| 2310|
Rockbridge | 22620| 5.00| 113100| 1920| 457| 13710| 1165| 11650| 22| 990| 3532| 4415|
Sylvan | 23035| 5.00| 115175| --| 407| 12210| 974| 9740| 7| 315| 3052| 3815|
Westford | 20575| 5.00| 110875| 6861| 309| 9270| 809| 8090| 9| 405| 673| 811|
Willow | 22112| 4.00| 88488| 2115| 287| 8610| 810| 8100| 11| 495| 2060| 2575|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
-------------|------|------|--------|---------|-----|-------|-----|-------|----|-----|-----|------|
Total |367043| |$1925141| $ 229690| 1340|$201750|18897|$188970| 197|$8865|39432|$49291|
_____________|______|______|________|_________|_____|_______|_____|_______|____|_____|_____|______|
-------------|--------------|---------------|--------------|-------------|--------------------|----------|------------|
| Swine |Wagons, Carria-|Gold and |Pianos, Melo-|Bal. Merchandise and| | |
| |ges and Sleighs|Silver Watches|deons, Organs|Manufact'rers Stock | Value of | Total Value|
TOWNS |------|-------|------|--------|------|-------|------|------|--------|-----------| all Other| of |
| | | | | | | | | | | Personal | Personal |
|Number| Value |Number| Value |Number| Value |Number| Value|Assessed| Equalized | Property | Property |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
_____________|______|_______|______|________|______|_______|______|______|________|___________|__________|____________|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Akan | 917| $ 917| 94| $ 940| 3| $ 30| 2|$ 60| $ --| $ --| $ 1310| $ 116223|
Bloom | 1799| 1799| 319| 3190| 32| 320| 18| 540| 1835| 4000| 31829| 213559|
Buena Vista| 827| 827| 213| 2130| 45| 450| 53| 1855| 8785| 9000| 13145| 208037|
Dayton | 1545| 1545| 226| 2260| 13| 130| 6| 180| 871| 2600| 8095| 154253|
Eagle | 2189| 2189| 255| 2550| 26| 260| 14| 420| 1200| 1200| 14031| 223553|
Forest | 1212| 1212| 187| 1870| 13| 130| 11| 330| 10400| 8500| 12705| 172500|
Henrietta | 1065| 1065| 185| 1850| 8| 80| 10| 300| 845| 9500| 2970| 140055|
Ithaca | 1480| 1480| 299| 2990| 45| 450| 49| 1715| 6600| 6600| 10882| 229903| -|
Marshall | 1475| 1475| 170| 1700| 22| 220| 4| 120| 1545| 2250| 13573| 185361|
Orion | 1187| 1187| 215| 2150| 35| 350| 21| 630| 513| 500| 7193| 92288|
Richland | 1347| 1347| 269| 2690| 122| 1220| 82| 3280| 20320| 58000| 41553| 433481|
Richwood | 1471| 1471| 268| 2680| 39| 390| 34| 1330| 16825| 7200| 12700| 216314|
Rockbridge | 1519| 1519| 162| 1620| 15| 150| 9| 270| 700| 800| 6280| 156424|
Sylvan | 1575| 1575| 128| 1280| 11| 110| 6| 180| 3120| 2500| 10563| 157463|
Westford | 594| 594| 52| 520| --| --| 1| 30| 2000| 2250| 2529| 144268|
Willow | 1241| 1241| 105| 1050| 2| 20| 6| 180| 800| 800| 1636| 115270|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
-------------|------|-------|------|--------|------|-------|------|------|--------|-----------|----------|------------|
Totals | 21443| 21443| 3147| $ 31470| 431| $ 4130| 330|$11420| $ 92724| $ 115700| $ 190995| $ 2959045|
_____________|______|_______|______|________|______|_______|______|______|________|___________|__________|____________|
According to the first number of the Richland county Observer, published Nov. 20, 1855, there were thirteen postoffices in the county, which are given here for the satisfaction of the curious, together with the respective postmasters: Richland Centre, Leroy D Gage, postmaster; Orion, B Ferris, postmaster; Richland City, C B Pearson, postmaster; Sand Prairie, H M Miller, postmaster; Sextonville, E M Sexton, postmaster; Loyd, B Hilencock, postmaster; Cazenovia, A Perkins, postmaster; Neptune, J Sippy, postmaster; Siresville, M Satterlee, postmaster; West Branch, D Barrett, postmaster; Fancy Creek, Josiah McCaskey, postmaster; Forest, R J Darnell, postmaster; Sylvan, A Savage, postmaster.
It is not to be wondered at, that the hardy pioneer of these grand old forest lands, in his desperate struggle for very existence with the forces of adverse nature, should be ever ready to extend a willing hand to the poor and needy brother man, whose needs and necessities exceeded his own, when we consider that his own condition was but one remove from that of penury and want. The many deeds of kindness, the thousand acts of brotherly charity, done in those early days by the hardy band of immigrants, who first essayed to hew themselves out homes in the vast primeval forest of our county, are borne upon the page of no earthly annals. But the memory of their charity exhales around them like the sweet incense upon the altar. "The poor ye have with ye always" fell from the lips of the Incarnate Son of God coupled with the injunction of "help one another," and the promise that "whosoever gave unto these poor, were it but a cup of cold water" should be particularly blessed. And when we look around us and mark the fortunes of our forefathers, we know that they, many of them at least, have "gathered of life's fair sheaves," through the blessing of giving to their failing, fainting fellow creatures. Never once did the primal settler hesitate to share his last crust with the poor and necessitious; never once did the cry of the widow and orphan fall upon deaf ears, but heartily and readily was the provision made for their comfort, and they were not suffered to linger in abject poverty and want. Many a deed, done in the dark by those rugged sons of toil, should be engraved in letters of gold, were they but known; but the dark mantle of time has covered them up to our finite sight, and earthly annals will never bear their impress, but let us hope that in the hereafter their good deeds may be returned to them.
After the organization of the county, the various towns took measures for a more regular and sustained effort for the relief of the poor and needy; and as the number of those seeking relief necessarily grew greater as the population increased, the members of the county board thought that by concentrating these charities it could be performed more satisfactorily and at a less expense. In pursuance of this idea a resolution was adopted by the board of supervisors, Nov. 20, 1865, which after stating that, "being desirous of ascertaining whether a majority of the people of the county wish to abolish the distinction between town and county poor, and purchase a poor farm," it was determined to submit the same to a vote of the qualified voters of the county at the next general election. The estimates made at this time showed that the probable cost of the purchase would be about $5000. This was accordingly done, but the people of the county seemed to think that the old way was preferable and declined to sanction the measure, and the matter was allowed to rest, for the time being.
In 1870 the matter again came to the front, and after much discussion the following resolutions were adopted on July 20, of that year.
"Resolved, That economy and duty demand the adoption of a county poor system, and the abolition of the present town system.
"Resolved, That a committee of three be appointed to make inquiry, of other counties, relating to the county poor system, procure estimates of cost of farm and buildings, and report to this board at its next meeting.
Under this resolution, the chair appointed T C Clark, J S Elsworth and Vincent Harter, as the committee.
For some reason this committee failed to make any report, as far as the records show, and on Nov 14, 1871, another committee was appointed for the same purpose, consisting of five members: J S Ellsworth, Jacob Brimer, William J Bowen, O H Mallette and P H McCarthy. The gentlemen, after due consideration, returned two reports, the majority one being in these words:
"We, the undersigned, a committee appointed for the purpose of taking into consideration and reporting upon the subject of abolishing the distinction between the town and county poor system, beg leave to report as follows:
"We would recommend that the distinction now existing between the town and county poor system, be abolished, and that all poor persons in the county be supported at the expense of the said county.
Signed, J S Ellsworth.
W J Bowen.
J Brimer.
O H Mallette."
And the following resolution was placed before them for action:
"Resolved, That the distinction between the town and county poor, in this county, be, and the same is hereby abolished."
This was, on motion, referred to a committee, consisting of William Dixon, James Washburn and J W Jones, who, after due deliberation reported that they labored under too great a difficulty in procuring any reliable data, upon which to base an opinion in regard to the different systems, and recommended that the matter be taken into consideration by the committee of the whole. On the reception of this report, the board, by vote, laid the subject on the table, from whence it was not taken during the balance of the session.
The subject seems to break out chronically, all along through the records about this time, for we find, that at the November session of the board, 1875, another resolution was presented, abolishing the town system of taking care of the poor.
The minority report was signed by P H McCarthy, and dissented from the opinion of his colleagues.
Nothing further was done in the matter, however, and the questions was left in abeyance, until in November, 1873, when a resolution was introduced, at a session of the board of supervisors, to adopt the county system of taking care of the destitute and penniless of the county; but the vote, when taken, was against its adoption, being ten against the measure and seven in favor. This was for many years the vexing question, and opinions were so divided upon the utility and economy of it, that it seemed impossible for it to be accomplished, but its friends never once gave up but upon every and all occasions brought it up for consideration.
The next year, November, 1874, it was once more presented to the board.
"Resolved, That the board should purchase a poor farm for the support of the poor and needy of this county;" but action on the matter was again indefinitely postponed.
There is an old proverb, that "constant dropping of water will wear a stone," and it is recorded, that, at the session of the board, held November, 1877, a resolution was finally adopted abolishing the town poor system and substituting the county relief plan; the clerk of the board being also instructed, at the same time, to file the resolution with the register of deeds. The towns were, however, instructed to take care of their own poor, at the expense of the county, until the board had provided suitable buildings for the reception of such indigent persons.
The first superintendents of the poor were also appointed by this board, Nov 19, 1877, and were: A M Grumbecker, T C Clark and L M Thorp. The salaries of these officers were affixed, as being, $2 for every day of actual service, and mileage at the rate of six cents for every mile of actual travel. At the same time the following was adopted:
"Resolved, That the sum of $2000 be, and the same is hereby appropriated by the board of supervisors of Richland county, to make part payment on a county poor farm, and to provide suitable buildings for said farm." It was also
"Resolved, By the board of supervisors of Richland county, that the superintendents elected by the said board to purchase a poor farm, and erect suitable buildings thereon, for the use of the county poor, be, and they are hereby instructed not to purchase or locate said poor farm within two and a half miles of any village in said county." A tax was also ordered to be levied of $2500, for the support of the paupers for the ensuing year.
At a special session of the board of supervisors, held Feb 6, 1878, the superintendents of the poor made the following report:
"We, the superintendents of the poor for the county, most respectfully report to your honorable body, that under the directions and resolutions of the board passed in November last, we have spent several days in viewing places and situations, and are unable to procure a suitable and advantageous location for a county poor farm outside the limits prescribed for the location of the same; and we most respectfully submit for your consideration the recommendation that the restriction be removed.
"Second, that the $2000 appropriated for purchasing a poor farm, we deem inadequate for the purpose, as it necessitates the following expenditures:
"First, to make first payment on farm; second, erecting necessary buildings; third, for furnishing the house; fourth, to stock the farm; fifth, to purchasing implements and seeds; sixth, to paying overseer and labor on the farm. We, therefore, most respectfully recommend that the $2500 appropriated at the last session for the support of the poor, be placed at the disposal of the superintendents to meet the above expenditures. All of which is most respectfully submitted.
A M Grumbecker,
L M Thorp,
T C Clark,
Superintendents of the poor."
On motion, the report was received and the recommendations contained therein adopted by a unanimous vote of the board, leaving to the judgment of the superintendents the location of the poor farm, and placing at their disposal the money asked for.
T C Clark having tendered his resignation as superintendent of the poor, S P Kanable was elected in his place.
The land for the farm was then purchased by the superintendents, and consists of the northwest quarter of section 36, and the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, in the town of Bloom, and contains 200 acres. The price paid was $5000, of which amount $1000 was paid down, and the balance was to be made in two equal payments, in one and two years. The date of the purchase was March 9, 1878. The contract for digging the cellar, for the house, for the use of the indigent wards of the county was let to William Akan, Ira Monroe and W H Waters; who agreed to do it for the sum of $250. The contract for the frame erection was let to William Shepherd, whose bid for the same was $1700. The following may be of some interest as showing the manner of outlay of so much money, by the so-called servants of the people.
RECEIPTS.
From the county treasurer....................... .$4500 00
" Pasturage........................................38 40
To balance...........................................42 16
-------
Total...........................................$4580 56
DISBURSEMENTS.
To first payment on land........................ .$1000 00
" building house..................................2080 00
" " outhouse.................................15 00
" stock purchased..................................318 00
" paid for labor...................................428 74
" implements and harness purchased.................160 00
" furnishing house.................................427 54
" threshing.........................................28 45
" insurance.........................................32 50
" clover seed purchased..............................8 50
" hay, corn, oats and potatoes......................57 00
" miscellaneous items...............................24 83
-------
Total...........................................$4580 56
Robert N McKay was appointed the first overseer, at a salary of $500 per year.
The superintendents of the poor, also, in making their report, as above, asked for the following appropriation for the expenditures of the ensuing year:
To meet payment on farm and interest........... .$2280 00
" overseer's salary...............................500 00
Erection of building for the insane................500 00
Additional stock for the farm......................300 00
For support of the inmates of home................1420 00
-------
Total...........................................$5000 00
At the same session the board passed a resolution deeming it, in their judgment, better to have one than three superintendents, and proceeded to an election. John A Meeker was chosen as such, to act for the term of one year.
In 1879, as is learned by a report made to the board, there were nineteen inmates in the county poor house, and the average cost per head was $46.17 per annum, or about eighty-eight cents per week. The total cost of running the farm and poor house was $1879.60, and the products were valued at $1557.27, leaving but a small deficit.
At the annual meeting of the board, the method of attending to the poor farm and the inmates thereof by one superintendent, not proving satisfactory, a change was again made, and three superintendents were appointed, who now hold that office: John A Meeker, A S Ripley and Thomas Sippy.
The present overseer of the poor at the farm is Phillip Warren, who has held that position for the past two years.
From the report of the examining committee made to the board of supervisors, dated Nov 17, 1883, it is learned that at that time there were seventeen inmates on the poor farm; the whole number of weeks attendance by paupers at the poor house during the year just closed, was 780; the cost of maintaining each individual upon the farm per week was $1.86; amount paid overseer per year, $500.
The first marriage recorded in the Richland county books bears the date of May 14, 1850. The parties united in matrimony were James W Joslin and Emeline Thompson. The ceremony was performed by Thomas E Hessier, a justice of the peace, at the house of Samuel Swinehart, in the town of Richland.
The second marriage upon record is that of Daniel Byrd, to Miria Alexander. The ceremony was performed Nov 3, 1850, by Thomas H Dougherty. The witnesses were Levi Sterling and Dr. Henry McNelly.
The following are the marriages which appear upon record as having taken place during the years 1850, 1851, 1852 and 1853, showing the parties, the date and the officiating officers:
Evart H Erwin and Elizabeth McCloud, Nov 11, 1850, by J W Coffinberry, county judge. The ceremony was performed at the house of Robert McCloud, in the town of Buena Vista. The witnesses were W H Janney and William C Hurst.
Benjamin N Smith and Hannah Cusher [or Kershner], by Henry McNelly, justice of the peace, on Nov 11, 1850.
M R Whelpy and Amanda Cline, by Nathaniel Wheeler, in the town of Buena Vista, on Nov 3, 1850.
Martin Munson to Mary Johnson, by justice of the peace, Johnson Young, on Nov 13, 1850.
William Pierson to Susanah Kimbrough, by J W Coffinberry, county judge, in December, 1850, at the house of Elizabeth Smith. The ceremony was witnessed by J J Moreland and Nathaniel Guin.
Andrew J Kincannon to Elizabeth Kincannon, by Johnson Young, justice of the peace, Jan 23, 1851.
John J Moreland to Mary A McNelly, by Thomas E Hessler, April 25, 1851.
Abram Beard to Sally Hays, by Thomas E Hessler, justice of the peace, July 3, 1851, in the present town of Eagle.
John Henricks to Jane Brunt, by A B Slaughter, justice of the peace, Sept 10, 1851.
Alonzo Carson to Elizabeth Armstrong, Sept 25, 1851, by A B Slaughter, justice of the peace.
David Soles to Fanny Thompson, by David Bovee, justice of the peace, Nov 15, 1851.
Cyrus Cline to Emily Sweet, Jan 28, 1852, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace.
Jeremiah Kast to Elender Webb, by Thomas Palmer, justice of the peace, March 23, 1852.
Cary Kizer to Catharine Miller, by Thomas E Hessler, justice of the peace, April 13, 1852.
Robert B Griswold to Elenor Hooper, April 20, 1852, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace.
Alonzo E Decker to Jennette Haseltine; April 19, 1852, by Robert Hawkins, justice of the peace.
William Dooly to Sarah Laws, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace, June 10, 1850.
Robert Sale to Elizabeth Miller, Oct 20, 1851, by Dr Henry McNelly, justice of the peace.
Herman Holcomb to Nancy L Loop, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace, July 2, 1853.
Herman Hook to Rozanna King, Dec 30, 1852, by O L Britton, justice of the peace.
Eber Finch to Charlotte Bacon, by Asa McCollum, justice of the peace June 22, 1853.
Byron F Carpenter to Jane R Haseltine; July 1853, by C M McCorkle.
William W Williams to Sarah Hopkins, Jan 12, 1851, by Charles G Hoyt.
Abraham Dillon to Sarah Sampson, Dec 26, 1852, by George C White, justice of the peace.
P G Dent to Ruth Cline, by O L Britton, justice of the peace, March 25, 1852.
Oliver Moon to Isabel Bugher, by A B Slaughter, justice of the peace, in September, 1852.
Edward Baxter to Margaretta McKungey, by Orrin Haseltine, Feb 1, 1852.
Thomas H Spencer to Mary J Kast, by George C Hoyt, justice of the peace, Aug 2, 1852.
Nicholas Pool to Sarah Todder, July 27, 1852, by Orrin Hasletine, justice of the peace.
Johnson Curtiss to Jane Waddell, Feb 22, 1852, by Orrin Haseltine.
Daniel Guin to Melissa Warden, Aug 8, 1852, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace.
James Robinson to Margaretta E Ewing, by Esquire A B Slaughter, Sept 20, 1852.
Resin J Dernall to Elizabeth ______, Oct 20, 1852, by A B Slaughter, justice of the peace.
Philomen P Fox to Jane Graham, Nov 4, 1852, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace.
Albert Ghastin to Eliza Coleman, Nov 4, 1852, by Nathaniel Wheeler.
Chauncy Kast to Mary Ellis Moody, Nov 27, 1852, by J M McKiney, justice of the peace.
John Ewing, to Patsey Sullivan, Dec 28, 1852, by Thomas Palmer, justice of the peace.
William Howard to Martha J Sharp, Jan 10, 1853, by A B Slaughter.
John R Perrin to Nancy T Monger, April 14, 1853, by Nathaniel Wheeler, Esq.
James W Jones to Melinda Tabler, Aug 31, 1853, by Thomas Palmer, justice of the peace.
Andrew McCorkle to Rebecca Sexton, Oct 4, 1853, by Asa McCollum, justice of the peace.
Edward Baxter to Margaret McKenzie, Feb 6, 1854, by Orrin Haseltine, justice of the peace.
Thomas J Graham, to Mary E Sharp, by Levi Houts, justice of the peace, Feb 1, 1853.
Cornelius Stetler to Louisa Durnall, March 31, 1853, by Levi Houts, justice of peace.
John Weldy to Minerva J McPheters, June 30, 1853, by Levi Houts, justice of the peace.
Isaac J Powell to Jane Bell, July 31, 1853, by George C White, justice of the peace.
Neal McPedigrove to Nancy Mickle, Oct 3, 1853, by Levi Houts, justice of the peace.
Chester Foote to Jane Tracy, Oct 13, 1853, by Nathaniel Wheeler justice of the peace.
Freeman Case to Ann E Taylor, Nov 10, 1853, by Nathaniel Wheeler justice of the peace.
William Sharp to Margaret Ann Ingram, Sept 7, 1853, by Rev W I Smith.
Isaac Lucas to Sarah Jane Rose, Dec 4, 1853, by George C White, justice of the peace.
William Edwards to Janette Hutman, Dec 22, 1853, by Levi Houts, justice of the peace.
John G McCollester to Ann Price, Dec 25, 1853, by Nathaniel Wheeler, justice of the peace.
John Ghastin to Elizabeth Stroud, Dec 28, 1853, by C M McCorkle, justice of the peace.
The following table will show the number of marriages that have been recorded in Richland county, in every year from 1865 to 1883, inclusive:
1865..............49| 1875.............180 1866..............42| 1876.............176 1867..............70| 1877.............183 1868.............132| 1878.............162 1869.............116| 1879.............173 1870.............132| 1880.............206 1871.............132| 1881.............154 1872.............150| 1882.............177 1873.............111| 1883.............198 1874.............169| ----- | Total..........2712
During the year 1882, there were 177 marriage certificates recorded by the register of deeds of Richland county. Of this number as the nativity of the husbands, seventy-nine were born in Wisconsin; twenty-two in Ohio; eight in Pennsylvania; one in Holland; five in Norway; eighteen in Indiana; ten in New York; one in Conneticut; five in Germany; two in Bohemia; four in Illinois; two in Iowa; three in Maryland; two in Ireland; two in Michigan; one in Maine; one in Virginia; two in Sweden; one in Rhode Island; one in England; two in the United States, and five not stated. Their occupations are given as follows, in which it will be seen that farming takes the lead by a handsome majority; Farming, 133; teaching, one; merchant, six; dentist, one; engineer, one; blacksmiths, three; carpenters , two; tonsorial artist, one; laborers, five; mining, one; sailor, one; railroading, one; telegraphy, one; lawyers, two; clerks, three; granger, one; doctor, one; professional, one; shoemaker, one; wheelwright, one; stone cutter, one; peddler, one, minister, one; stone mason, one; miller, one; mechanics, three; tinner, one, and jeweler, one.
The first deed recorded in the Richland county books, bears the date of May 23, 1850. The instrument was executed by John J Ash and wife, of Tippecanoe Co, Ind, conveying to Jacob Cosmer and Solomon S Devorce, the northwest quarter of section 20, in the present town of Richwood. The consideration was $200.
The first real estate mortgage upon record, was executed by Robert McCloud to William Elting, to secure a debt of $600. The mortgage covers the east half of the northeast quart of section 35, town 9, range 2 east.
Richland county has had a steady increase in population, numbering in 1850, 963 inhabitants; in 1855, 5584; in 1860, 9732; in 1865, 12,186; in 1870, 15,736; in 1875, 17,353; and in 1880, 17,184. The nativity of the inhabitants in 1880 was given as 1882 foreign , and 16,292 native.
The population of the various towns in the county in 1880, was as follows:
Akan..................................................841 Bloom................................................1358 Buena Vista..........................................1075 Dayton...............................................1109 Eagle................................................1303 Forest................................................905 Henrietta............................................1005 Ithaca...............................................1110 Marshall..............................................989 Orion.................................................733 Richland (outside of village).........................821 Richland Centre......................................1227 Richland (including village).........................2048 Richwood.............................................1515 Rockbridge...........................................1200 Sylvan...............................................1035 Westford.............................................1002 Willow................................................901 ----- Total..............................................18174
If you have resources for Richland County and would like to volunteer to help with look-ups, please e-mail me at Tim Stowell