From 1802 until 1852, each Court appointed its own Clerk.  By the constitution of 1850, the office was made elective by the voters of the county, the term being made three years.

     JOHN REILY. [See Postmasters of Hamilton]

     TAYLOR WEBSTER [See "Old Third" District Congressman]

     JAMES McBRIDE. [ See Sheriffs of Butler County.]
     MICHAEL C. RYAN was born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 1820; his parents removed to Ohio, in 1832; locating in Hamilton he was educated in the rudiments of an education in private schools; entered Miami University in 1835, from which institution he graduated in 1839, with the highest honors of his class.  While attending college he was one of the founders of the Beta Theta Pi, a Greek letter society.  He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1841, and became a partner of his brother-in-law, John B. Weller; he was Prosecuting Attorney from 1848 to 1852, was clerk of the courts from 1852 to 1858; was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, which convened in Cincinnati in 1856, that nominated James Buchanan for president.  In 1847, he, in conjunction with Oliver S. Witherby, purchased the Hamilton Telegraph.  He became its editor in 1849; at the outbreak of the Civil War he espoused the Union cause; he was appointed by Governor Dennison colonel of the Fiftieth O. V. I. regiment, but his death, which

[Pg. 279] -
followed shortly after his appointment, prevented him from taking command of this regiment.  He died Oct. 23, 1861.  Col. Ryan accumulated a large and valuable library.  He was a great lover of books.  He was a gentleman of the highest personal integrity, and was universally esteemed by all who knew him.

     JOHN McELWEE was born at Miamisburg, Ohio, in 1824; received a classical education at Dayton; studied medicine and graduated from the Ohio Medical college of Cincinnati; located in Hamilton and practiced his profession for a short time; served two terms in the Ohio Legislature; was clerk of the courts from 1858 to 1864; was engaged in the distilling business in Hamilton and Cincinnati.  When the tax of a dollar per gallon was placed upon whisky he had a large amount on hand, which was exempt from taxation it having been made before the law went into effect.  He stored this whisky in the Sortman cellar, on the West Side, and in a very short time netted $20,000 from its sale.  In the spring of 1861, he, in conjunction with Dr. John P. P. Peck purchased the Telegraph then the organ of the Democratic party of Butler county.  Dr. McElwee was installed as editor.  The Civil War was upon us and had many opponents in the county, including Dr. McElwee.  Dr. Peck was a War Democrat.  On Aug. 3, 1861, the Democracy of Butler county held a rousing mass convention in the court house and adopted M. N. Maginnis' famous secession resolutions.  Dr. Peck objected to the publication of these resolutions in the Telegraph, which caused strained relations between the proprietors; subsequently Dr. Peck became sole owner of the Telegraph.  Early in September, 1862, Dr. McElwee purchased the Oxford Union, which had been suppressed for treasonable utterance, and removed the plant to Hamilton.  On September 22, of the same year, appeared the first issue of the True-Telegraph, published by McElwee and Marts.  This paper denounced the war, its leader and the abolitionists and demanded the impeachment of President Lincoln for high crimes and misdemeanors.  In 1866, Dr. McElwee superintended the construction of the Opera house.  He afterward

[Pg. 280]
opened a drug store in the same building; the store is now owned by Dr. A. Myers & Co.  In 1875, he took a course of lectures at the Miami Medical college and immediately there after began practicing at Bath, Indiana.  He died in 1887.

     EDWARD DALTON was born in the town of Tipperary, Ireland, in 1830; his parents emigrated to the United States in 1839, locating in New York City; subesquently subsequently Edward Dalton came West and located in Hamilton; he was educated in the public schools; studied law, but never made application for admission to the bar; he married Miss Sadie Ryan, a sister of Michael C. Ryan; in 1858 he was appointed Deputy Clerk by his brother-in-law; in 1859 he was nominated, as a Democrat, for Mayor of this city, but was defeated by Ransford Smith, Republican. Sectarianism brought about this result; the Protestants claiming the Catholics were opposed to reading King James version of the Bible in the public schools.  Mr. Dalton was elected Clerk of Court in 1863, serving from February, 1864, to July 6, 1866, the date of his death.  He was recognized as a local political leader in his day, and stumped the county on several occasions in the interest of his party.  He was conspicuous in county and municipal affairs and enjoyed the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens in the highest degree.

     PATRICK GORDON was born in the county of Roscommon, Ireland, Oct. 6, 1833; while young his parents emigrated to America, locating in Hamilton.  He was educated in the schools of this city, entered the Clerk's office in 1855, as Deputy, under M. C. Ryan; subsequently served four years in the same capacity with Dr. John McElwee, from 1858 to 1864, and eighteen months under Edward Dalton, who died July 6, 1866.  Mr. Gordon was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was after ward elected to two full terms, serving from July, 1866, to February, 1873.  On July 1, 1861, he united in marriage with Miss Mary Lavin; seven bright and intelligent children graced their home circle - four of whom are living.  He was charitable and liberal to a fault; was a fine penman and his records

[Pg. 281] -
today are a model of neatness - not being excelled by any in our public offices.  Mr. Gordon was a prompt and reliable Clerk, and in every respect a courteous and pleasant gentle man.  His fine sense of honor is known to all who were familiar with his official or social life.

     JERVIS HARGITT was born near Lawrenceburg, Dearborn county, Indiana, Apr. 24, 1833; at the age of seventeen he came to Hamilton and entered mercantile life as a salesman and book-keeper in a dry goods store.  In 1856, he became a partner of George W. McAdams in the same business.  This occupation engrossed his time until 1861, when he engaged in farming near Middletown; was elected Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in 1872; was re-elected in 1875, filling that position for six years; was a member of the Board of Education from the Second ward, and was President of that body.  In politics Mr. Hargitt was a Democrat; was chairman of the Butler County Democratic Central committee from 1874 to 1879; was an excellent organizer and a far seeing politician.  His wide experience gave him peculiar advantages for his callings in life.  He enjoyed a reputation of the highest character.

BARTON S. JAMES.

     BARTON S. JAMES was born in Hanover township, Sept. 3, 1831; was educated in the country schools; was married Nov. 30, 1854 in Hamilton, to Miss Mary J. Longfellow, daughter of John Longfellow, a pioneer resident of this county.  Mr. James followed farming for a number of years.  Subsequently he engaged in the drug business in the old P. G. Smith building on Main street; later the drug store was removed to the south-west corner of Main and B streets.  He was elected Clerk of the Common Pleas Court in 1878, serving from February, 1879, until the time of his death.   He died Dec. 2, 1880.  Born and brought up in this county, Mr. James enjoyed a wide popularity; held the esteem and confidence of a large circle of friends and acquaintances.

     S. W. CALDWELL. - The subject of this sketch was born in Monroe, Butler county, Sept. 10, 1841; was educated in the Hamilton public schools; was appointed Deputy Clerk

[Pg. 282]
of the Court of Common Pleas, by Patrick Gordon, in July, 1855; he was appointed to the same position by Jervis Hargitt, and Barton S. James; on the death of Mr. James, which occur red Dec. 2, 1880, he was appointed to fill the vacancy, serving eighteen months.  He won a host of friends in this county, by whom he was known as an honorable official and a useful and worthy citizen.

     R. B. MILLIKIN was born in Hamilton, Mar. 21, 1844; he attended the public schools of this city, and the Park Latin School, of Boston, for two years; subsequently he entered Miami University, where he remained two years.  He enlisted in the Ninety-third regiment, O. V. I., July 16, 1861; was promoted to second lieutenant May 6, 1864, and first lieutenant May 31, of the same year.  He resigned on account of disability Nov. 22, 1864.  He began business as a manufacturer of plows, machinery, etc., in this city in 1865, in the firm of Millikin & Co., afterward Millikin & Cisle; was Clerk of the city of Hamilton from April, 1875 to 1881; was Clerk of the Common Pleas Court from 1881 to 1887.  A few years ago, the plant of Millikin & Cisle was removed to Peoria, Illinois.  Mr. Millikin is an upright, honorable gentleman, active, enterprising and progressive.

A. J. WELLIVER.

     A. J. WELLIVER.-The subject of this sketch was born in Reily township, this county, Jan. 22, 1849; was partly educated in the country schools; received private instruction from D. P. Nelson in Millville; subsequently he took a course at Holbrock's Normal school at Lebanon; farmed until 1879; wholesaled spices on the road with a wagon for two years; was engaged in the sale of agricultural implements on the West Side for four years; was traveling salesman for the D. M. Osborn Co., selling binders and mowers, and for Rude Bros., of Liberty, Indiana, for a long time; was Clerk of the Courts from 1887 to 1893.  On Sept. 15, 1893, before his term of office expired - he accepted a position with the H. P. Deuscher Co., as manager of the sales department.  Mr. Welliver is well known as an active and enterprising gentleman.

[Pg. 283] -

CHRIST. PABST.

     CHRIST. PABST, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas, was born in the province of Rheinish-Bavaria, Germany, Dec. 6, 1853.  His parents emigrated to the United States in 1865, and located in Hamilton in 1866; he began learning the art of printing in L. B. De La Court's office; subsequently he was employed a job printing with Jaocb H. Long.  He became an expert in this branch of the business.  After abandoning printing, he engaged in business with his father, under the firm name of J. Pabst & Sons, as bottlers and manufacturers of mineral water.  The trade of this establishment extended throughout all sections of Butler county and its vicinity.  Christ. Pabst is one of the trustees of Lane Free Library, haveing having been appointed in 1882.  He is widely known not only in this city, but in all parts of the country; is highly regarded, alike in political circles and in private life.
     Mr. Pabst is not a politician in the common acceptation of the word.  He is a faithful public officer; obliging and accomodating accommodating.  In discharging the duties of clerk of the courts his conduct is above criticism.  He gives universal satisfaction.  He has held the office since Feb. 9, 1893, being the nominee of the Democratic party.  He was nominated at the August primaries of 1895 receiving a total vote in the county of 8059, and a majority of 3,611.  This is the biggest vote ever received by any candidate in Butler county.
     On Apr. 15, 1896 Mr. Pabst was united in marriage at Cleveland, Ohio, to Miss Catherine Gerlach, daughter of Peter Gerlach, a prominent German citizen of the Forest City, and this union is a happy one.
     In politics, Mr. Pabst has always been a Democrat and is loyal to the principles of that party.  He has served as president of the Miami club of this city, and is an ardent and enthusiastic member of his party.