Wanted -- former Vernon County sheriffs

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Vernon County Sheriff Ron Peckman is on the trail of a group of men, and one woman. They aren't desperadoes or malefactors, they are the former sheriffs of Vernon County. Peckman is hoping to find photos of his predecessors so that they can be placed in the lobby of the new jail.

"I'd like to have them on that wall right there," Peckman said, pointing to a blank wall in the entrance. "I think it would be nice to display them."

Peckman enlisted the aid of the Vernon County Historical Society which has a list of the former sheriffs, and even some pictures but there are many gaps in the record. Peckman is hoping that there are pictures out there, on someone's mantle or in the attic that the owners would be willing to have copied.

Any one with a picture of a former sheriff is encouraged to contact the Vernon County Sheriff's Office, (417) 667-6042.

Here is a list of former sheriffs and the approximate date of their service.

The list includes Sophronia Dawes, who was appointed to the office on the death of her husband in 1919 and was the county's only female sheriff.

1851 -- Samuel Scott (unofficial, unsuccessful attempt to create the county); 1855 -- W.J. Wassum (appointed; resigned); Thomas H. Austin; C.L. Harris (elected); 1856 -- James Fergus (elected); 1859 -- Harvey Hicklin; 1860 -- William Henry Taylor; 1865 -- John Brown; R.H. Williams; 1866 -- Gen. Joseph Bailey; 1866 -- Oscar M. Nelson; 1868 -- Leander J. Shaw; 1872 -- William Henry Taylor; 1876 -- William B. McGinnis; 1880 -- William I. Fisher; 1884 -- William W. Hill; 1888 -- Archibald G. White; 1890 -- William F. Gordon; 1892 -- Elkanah M. Scroghem; 1896 -- Ernest Aubry. Ewing; 1900 -- John T. Harkreader; 1904 -- R. Bruce Moore; 1908 -- Benjamin Baugh; 1916 -- Fred O. Dawes; 1919 -- Sophronia Dawes (appointed); 1920 -- W.W. Marshall; 1924 -- William H. Thornton; 1928 -- W. Estil Butner; 1932 -- C.H. (Curt) Dutton; 1936 -- Woody Stonum; 1941-- Floyd Foland; 1945 -- Leslie K. Hunt; 1960 -- Wayne Pursley; 1977 -- Leon Dowdy; 1981 -- R.W. Gast; 1985 -- Carl McAlister; 1989 -- Brian Atkinson; 1992 -- Ted Thomas; 1996 -- Mickey Mason

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