The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1897-12-04
CHANGE IN COUNTY OFFICES.
DR.. Billingslea Became Clerk of the Circuit
Court on December 1, Sheriff Haines
Succeeded Mr.. Murray-Other
Officials to Take Their Places
Next Monday.

DIR, James Howell Billingslea who received
the highest majority on the Democratic ticket
last month, took the oath of Office on We'd
nesday and became the 10th clerk of the circuit
court for Carroll county. DIR. William Wills.
after whom Willis street, this city, was named,
was the first clerk, and like the present clerk
was we'll known practiclng physician. Dr..
Willis served from 1887 to 1841. The others
to fill the Office we're Dr. Jacob Shower, OF
Manchester. from l841 to 1849; j. B. Boyle,
of Taneytown, from 1S49 to 1857, and again
from 1867 to 1879 George f. Wampler, of
Westminster, from 1857 to 1868; William A.
Mckellip, of Westminster, from 1863 to 1867;
| Frank L. Shaw, of Uniontown, from 1873 to
1885: George A. Miller, of Westminster, from
March !, 1885, to December i, 1885; William
n. Martin, of Unioatown, from 1885 to May,
1890; b. +. Grouse. Of Westminster, from
May, 1890, to 1897.
Prior 1886 clerks and registers of wills were
appointed by the governor and council, and
held office for life or during good behaviour.
The reform movement had become so power
full in 1886 the legislature made some changes
in the constitution. The executive power was
vested in the governor alone, and he appoint
ed the clerks of courts and registers of wills, the
term being made seven years for each. Still
the people were not satisfied, and a constitu-
tlonal convention was called and formed the
the constitution of 1851. This constitution
made all the local offices elective. Col.
Boyle was the first clerk of the circuit court
elected under that constitution.
The constitution of 1867 legisated Col.
McKellip out of Office, and he was defeated
/ for reelection in that year. DR.. Shaw
signed the Office on March l, 1885, to take a
seat in the House of Representatives, and
A Mill, %
pointed by the court to fill ont DR.. Shaw un-
expired term. DR.. Martin died after serving
four and half years, and B. F. Grouse, chef
deputy, was appointed to fill out Dir. Martin s
term, and was then elected for full term of
SIX years.
DIR. Willis, the first clerk, was Wing, and
died after serving four years.
Dr. Billingslea, for the present, will retain
all the present deputies, except John +.
Masenhimer, who has been elected county
treasurer. Ex-Clerk Grouse will also remain
in the Office for a time. Mr.. Grouse has made
very efficient and courteous officer and had
the endorsement of large number of persons
for reelection. He recognized IA strong
sentiment among the people against long con-
tiuuance in office, and declined to take IL
nomination that he could have had.
SHERIFF HAINEs.
After service of two years. j. Oliver Muir
ray retired from the Sheriffaty on Wednesday.
and was succeeded by Ephrain Haines, who
has appointed William Wilson his deputy.
Mr.. Murray has made one of the most prompt
and efficient shertfs the county has ever
had, and has made host of friends during
his term of office.
REGISTER OF WILLS.
George NJ. Parke will retire from the office
of Register of Wills next Monday, and will he
succeeded by Joseph D. Brooks, of Westmn
ster, the only Republican candidate for II
county office elected at the late election. For
the present Mr.. Parke will remain in the of
flee with Mr.. Brooks. Mr.. Parke has been
in the office for eighteen years as deputy. serv
ing under his father, the venerable Joseph
NJ. Parke, now nearly SO years of age. from
1867 to 1875, under DIR. Henry E. Betz, his
uncle, from 1873 to 1879, andJ. Oliver Wad-
low from 1879 to 1885, and for the past twelve
years has been Register. Like Mr.. Grouse,
Mr.. Parke had many warm friends who would
liked to have seen him succeed himself He
has been a most efficient officer, and his
knowledge of testamentary law and advice to
administrators and executors has saved them
from many blunders and mistakes. His long
service made him so familiar with the duties
of the Office that he was regarded one of the
most competent Registers in the state.
he uISt ltSlSicI vi w Ills vi SdIIoll was
John Baumgartner, grandfather of the recent
deputy, n. II. Baumgartner, who served from
1871 to 1853, being defeated for election under
the Constitution of 1851 by Joseph NJ. Parke,
who served two terms, until 1865. Mr..
Parke was succeeded by Henry H. I1arbaugh,
Of UniOntown, who served until 1867. Mr.
Joseph NJ. Parke then served another term,
from 1867 to 1873, and was succeeded by DR..
Henry f. Beltz, of Manchester. his brother
ia-law, who served from 1873 to 1879. j.
Oliver Wadlow, of Freedom, was Register
from 1879 TO 1885, and was succeeded by Mr..
George NJ. Parke, who is about closing Il ser
vice of two terms, twelve years.
COUNTY COMMISSIONER.
David Stoner, of Uniontown, President of
the Board of County Commissioners, will re-
tire next Monday, after Il service of fourteen
years, "a term longer than any man IN Mary
land has ever held. And he made one of the
best commissioners the county has ever had,
and his prudence and careful business habits
have been of vast Importance to tax payers.
He will be succeeded by Daniel 5. Delhi, also
of Uniontown district, who will no doubt
make fitting successor to Mr.. Stoner.
COUNTY TREASURER
4. r. Buckingham will vacate the office of
County Treasurer next Monday, and will be
succeeded by John Z. Masenhimer, of Manches-
ter. Mr.. Buckingham has been competent
and courteous officer and made many friends
during his two years service.
Sheriff Murray has removed to Hampstead
and will devote his time to looking after his
huckster business. Mr.. Bnckingh ham will pay
attention to his store at Bird Hill.
THEIR BONDS.
The Clerk gives bond in the sum of Sl4,
600; the Register Of Wills one for $1,000; the
Sheriff one for S25, 900 aud the County Treas
urer one for $4,000.