From 1803 until 1829, the Court of Common Pleas appointed Recorders. John Reily served from 1803 to 1811,

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when he resigned.  The first deed was recorded Aug. 25, 1803.  Under appointment James Heaton was recorder from 1811 to 1820; Isaac Hawley, 1820 to 1821; Charles K. Smith, 1821.  The Legislature of Ohio, by an act passed Feb. 11, 1829, provided for the election of County Recorders.  The following persons have been elected to that office:

     CHARLES K. SMITH [See County Treasurers]

     ISAAC T. SAUNDERS was born in Hamilton in 1808; was a prominent business man in this city for years. He was a member of the Board of Education in 1851-52, and was elected president of the Board.  He took great interest in the educational affairs of the city.

     JAMES GEORGE was born in Rossville in 1827; received a liberal education; studied law and was admitted to the bar.  He resided on the Heights in the old brick house that occupied the site of the now J. P. Davis property.  He was a captain in the Mexican War.  At the battle of Monterey he was wounded, after which he resigned and returned home.  In the early fifties he moved to the territory of Minnesota.  At the breaking out of the Civil War he recruited and organized the Second Minnesota at Fort Snelling for the Western army, and was commissioned colonel.  The Second Minnesota was one of the best regiments in the army of the Cumberland.  It never failed in its duty.  It bore an important part in the battle of Chickamauga.  On the first day it held the extreme left of the Union forces, performed lively work to prevent being out flanked, and was compelled to change front quite frequently.  On the second day it held an important place on the front line in the fight near the Kelly house, and when the Thirty-fifth and Ninth Ohio were ordered to charge the Confederates over

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the first line, that line followed to a man and assisted in withdrawing the lines from a critical position.

     JOHN H. GORDON was born in Fairfield township and received a good business education.  Early in life he lost his left arm.  He was elected Recorder in 1847, and re-elected in 1850.  After an interim of six years he was again elected Recorder, serving from 1859 to 1863.

     HENRY H. WALLACE [See Auditors of Butler County.]

     WILLIAM RUSSELL.  [See Treasurers of Butler County.]

     SAMUEL DAVIS was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 24, 1815.  He came West in 1836, locating in Butler county.  He learned the blacksmith's trade and followed it up to the time of his election as Recorder in 1869.  After retiring from office he moved to Mixerville, Indiana, where he still resides, following his trade.

     PETER BENDER was born in Prussia, in 1845.  He is the son of F. W. and Catherine (Diehl) Bender, who came to America in 1853.  Peter Bender was educated in the public schools of Hamilton. He entered Peter Jacob's drug store in 1861, where he remained until 1867, at which time he purchased Dr. John McElwee's interest in the Opera house drug  store.  The business was carried on under the firm name of Bruck & Bender.  In 1884. Mr. Bender was nominated by the Republican party for Recorder and was triumphantly elected.  His record as an official was a creditable one.  In 1878, he resumed his professional duties in the drug store of Dr. A. Myers & Co., where he remained for a year.  Afterward he entered the well and favorably known.  The J. F. Bender & Bros. Co., general contractors and builders.  Mr. Bender is secretary and treasurer of this flourishing establishment.  As a pharmacist and public servant he ranked high; as a business man he is safe and conservative.

     ALEXANDER GETZ. [See Mayors of Hamilton]

HENRY C. GRAY

     HENRY C. GRAY was born in Reily, Butler county, Ohio, in 1843.  He attended school in his native village until he was fifteen years old.  Afterward he entered White Water College

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in Indiana, which institution which institution he attended for one year.  Later he entered his father's general merchandise store in Reily, where he remained until May 10, 1862, when he enlisted in Captain Rind. Lawder's company for three months, and was assigned to the Eighty-third regiment O. V. I.  He was honorably discharged at the expiration of his service.  In 1864, he recruited a company for Colonel Thomas Moore's regiment, the One Hundred and Sixty-seventh O. V. I., and was elected lieutenant of the same.  This regiment was stationed at Charleston, Loup Creek, Gauley Bridge, and Fayetteville, West Virginia.  After his service in war, Mr. Gray re-engaged in the mercantile business in Reily where he remained until the fall of 1869 when he removed to Hamilton. In May, 1868, Mr. Gray was united in marriage to Miss Jennie E. Dick.  Mr. Gray is one of the most widely acquainted men in Butler county, knowing personally almost every man in the county.  In October 1890, he was etected elected County Recorder for a term of three years.  He was re-elected in 1893 and served until Sept. 7, 1896, when William J. Becker succeeded him.  Mr. Gray was an energetic, efficient and talented official.  He is ambitious to excel in all his undertakings.  In sickness and distress he is liberal to a fault.  This trait of character has made him deservedly popular with the people.  Socially Mr. Gray is a member of the Knights of Honor and the Ancient Order of United Workmen.

ROBERT M. ELLIOTT

     ROBERT M. ELLIOTT was born in Hamilton, May 14, 1856.  He is the son of William A. and Elizabeth (Millikin) Elliott.  He attended school here and at the age of sixteen went to the home farm north of Hamilton where he remained until he was twenty-six years of age.  Returning to this city he took a position in the office of James E. Campbell which he filled for a year and a half.  Following this he received the Republican nomination for County Recorder and was triumphantly elected in spite of the immense Democratic majority he had to over come.  His election attests his popularity and the general esteem in which he is held.  He served three years as Recorder and left the office with a splendid record.  His conduct of the

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important affairs of this office was entirely above criticism.  After retiring from the Recorder's office he was appointed Assistant Postmaster to Daniel H. Hensley, filling this place for a year and a half, when he resigned, in order to enter the hardware business.  With Robert Kennedy, he purchased the hardware establishment of George E. Seidel, the new firm being known as Elliott & Kennedy.  Two years ago Mr. Elliott purchased Mr. Kennedy's interest and ever since that time has been in business for himself.  He was an efficient member of the Board of Education for two years, serving during 1894-95, and was treasurer of this body.  In politics, Mr. Elliott is an enthusiastic Republican and a faithful party worker.  Socially, Mr. Elliott is a member of all the Hamilton Masonic bodies including Hamilton Commandery No. 41, Knights Templars, in which body he has held important offices.  He is a member of Trinity Episcopal church, and has been honored with a place on the church vestry.  In December, 1884, he was married to Miss Ella Brant.  Of this union one child, a son, Brant Elliott resulted.  Mr. Elliott may justly be considered as thoroughly identified with the best interests of Hamilton.  As a business man and citizen he is highly esteemed by all who know him.

WILLIAM J. BECKER

     WILLIAM J. BECKER was born in Cincinnati, Jan. 26, 1867.  He is the son of Peter C. and Anna Becker.  He was educated in the parochical parochial schools of this city, and was confirmed at St. Stephen's Catholic church.  He was a cash boy in T. V. Howell & Son's store; clerked for Henry Frechtling & Son, Charles Grebner and A. Winter. In all these positions he held the confidence and esteem of his employers.  In 1890, he was appointed Deputy Recorder to Henry C. Gray, serving six years and two months.  In August, 1895, he was nominated for Recorder, and elected in November of that year.  He assumed the duties of office Sept. 7, 1896.  His long experience as deputy fully qualifies him to discharge the duties of this important office.  From the start he became a prime favorite with those having business to transact at the recorders office.  His accommodating spirit and pleasant and

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genial manners have always distinguished him.  Politically Mr. Becker is an ardent Democrat.  During the campaign of 1876, he organized the Hancock Club, composed of young Democrats of the First ward, and in 1887, organized the Campbell Club.  Mr. Becker is a young man of business experience, capacity and ability, with whom it is always a pleasure to deal.  He is greatly respected for his industry and integrity.