History of the Clayton County Sheriffs

   

    The office of Sheriff is one requiring cool and undaunted detective abilities. The office is one known in all civilized communities, and in Iowa came in with organization of the Territory.

    John W. Griffith was the first sheriff of Clayton County, and was appointed on the organization of the county and continued in office by the vote of the people at its first election. Mr. Griffith was one of the first settlers of the county, and as Sheriff took its first census. He served until 1841.

    Henry Holtzbecker succeeded Mr. Griffith, and served one year. Mr. Holtzbecker came to the county in 1836. he was of German decent, but of exceedingly high temper, which eventually proved his ruin. While holding the office of Sheriff,  he got into a quarrel with James A. McClellan, and while intent on taking McClellan's life was shot and killed by the latter.

    Ambrose Kennedy succeeded Mr. Holtzbecker, and served four years.

    Charles E. Bansell came next, in 1846, and served eight years.

    Thomas G. Drips succeeded Mr. Bensell in 1853 and served two years. He was a native of Pennsylvania, and was the son of William an Martha A. (Clark) Drips, natives of the same state. His parents came to Clayton County in 1850, where his mother died in 1850, where his mother died in 1850 and father 1881. Thomas G. was born October 20, 1820, and in early life learned the trade of carpenter. In the spring of 1849 he came to Clayton County, and in May, 1850, he married Ann, daughter of Francis and Elizabeth (Lambert) Bull, natives of England. Six children were born unto them, L. Irene, now the wife of Fred King, living in Sac County Iowa; Francis William, deceased; Eva, deceased; Madge, now the wife of H.H. Barnard; Lilly, Anna F. After serving out his term of Sheriff Mr. Drips engaged in farming. He was a thoroughly patriotic man. When the war with Mexico broke out he enlisted in a Pennsylvania regimen, served during the war and was in most of the battles. He was at Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo Jalapa, Perote and Pueblo, in the latter of which the Mexicans occupied the one side of the plaza and the American army the other and behind the building, through which they had a cut their way to save life, as Mexican cannons were planted on all the streets. Here Mr. Drips displayed much bravery, and was one of the first who came through the houses and attacked the enemy. He was also at the storming of Cherubusco and Contreras, and entered into the City Of Mexico with the victorious army. When rebel hands were arrayed against the General Government Mr. Drips enlisted in a company of the Twenty-seventh Iowa Infantry and was elected Captain. He served two and a half years, and on account of continued ill health was compelled to resign. His record in this was honorable indeed, and his bravery unquestioned. After coming home from the war, he engaged in hotel keeping, and also as a dealer in agricultural implements in Clayton. He died December 27, 1868, beloved by all.

    James Davis was for ten years Sheriff of Clayton County. He dates his birth on the 6th of October, 1819, his parents being Nathaniel and Martha (Doty) Davis. His maternal grandfather, Peter Doty, was in the battle of Monmouth and other revolutionary contests, serving four years. Nathaniel Davis was at the battle of Fort Megis and with General Hull when he surrendered. James received only a common school education. After reaching the age of twenty-two, he spent three years as assistant keeper in Ohio penitentiary, Columbus; went to Jefferson City, Missouri, and ran a lumber yard for St. Louis parties about two years; spent the autumn and winter of 1846 in Dubuque and in Clayton County, Iowa; in the spring of 1847 went to Moline Illinois, and ran a sawmill one season, and in 1848 returned to Clayton County. Here he took up land and improved it, his home being at Garnavillo. He also dealt in cattle in 1855, when he was elected Sheriff, holding the office by reelection four years. After an interim of eight years, during which he engaged in various speculations, he again found himself in the Sheriff's Office, holding it three more terms consecutively. He made an excellent officer, and as a detective he had marked success. On retiring from the office Mr. Davis moved to Audubon County, where he now resides. Mr. Davis was a Whig in his younger days, and was a member of the first Anti-Nebraska, or Republican, Convention held in Clayton County. He is a sincere, conscientious man, believing he serves his country best while proving true to his political instincts.

    Jonathan Kauffman was the successor of Mr. Davis, in 1859. He served two years. Mr. Kauffman was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to the county during the second decade of the county's existence, and settled on a farm. After expiration of his term of office, he went to California, where he lived some years and subsequently returned, and died here.

    John Garber succeeded Mr. Kauffman, and served four years.

    Elisha Boardman, Jr. was the next incumbent of the office. Captain Elisha Boardman was born in Grand Isle, Vermont, January 22, 1827, the son of Harry and Amy Boardman, both natives of Vermont. Elisha passed early in his life in school, and after completing the course in public schools, he went to college. He was married May 1, 1848, to Julia Grannis, a native to Vermont, and daughter of Charles W. and Nancy (Bean) Grannis. About two years after his marriage he came to Clayton County to take care of Elisha Boardman, Sr., the pioneer of Boardman Township. Shortly afterward he went back to Vermont and brought his wife out. He followed various occupations, and among them worked a farm and ran a hotel. In 1863 he was commissioned Captain of Company D, Twenty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry. After a brave service in Rebellion he was compelled, by consumption, to return home to Elkader. Soon after his return he was elected Sheriff, with little or no opposition. While serving his fellow citizens in this capacity, he died in Elkader, after a lingering illness. This event occurred December 16, 1866, and he was accordingly nearly forty years old at the time of his death. Captain Boardman was one of the many thousands of victims of slaveholders; Rebellion; for it was the swamps of Vicksburg where he contracted the seeds of the disease which cut him down in prime of life. He beloved and respected by all who knew him, and there was a large concourse of friends in attendance at the funeral to pay the last sad respects due to a patriot, a heroic solider and an honest man. Many who listened to the eloquent funeral sermon had seen the gallant Captain perform deeds of valor on the field of battle-heedless of himself, only caring for those under him-yet, never rash, always cool an collected. He was the subject of more than one commendations from his superior officers. Where the Twenty-first Iowa was known, there Captain Boardman's fame extended. In the civil life he had many friends and but few enemies, and those only political ones. The fact of his election to the responsible office of Sheriff without opposition proves in a measure his extreme popularity as a man and as a citizen.

    W.A. Benton succeeded James Davis in 1873, and served three terms. Captain W. A. Benton, of McGregor, was born in the town of Afton, Chenango County New York, December 3, 1829; his parents were Orange and Margaret (Johnson) Benton. His father was a farmer, a native of Connecticut; his mother of New York. They had a family of ten children, six sons and four daughters; seven were living. Captain Benton the sixth child and fourth son. He attended school until twelve, when he learned the tanner and currier's trade; he minded in the gold mines of California one year, then went to Australia, landed at Sidney; from there went to the other side of island to Melbourne, and then went to the capital of Ecuador, then via Panama to San Francisco, California, where he remained for one year; started home on the steamship, "Yankee Blade," and was shipwrecked twenty-three hours out of San Francisco, on a reef off Point Aguilla-there were 1,200 passengers aboard, and nearly 200 lives were lost; he was taken off by the steamship "Goliah," who accidentally ran near enough to them to find and save most of the passengers, went on her way to San Diego, when he returned to San Francisco, and remained another year; then returned to Afton, New York, and opened a butcher shop with his brother. He came to Dubuque in 1856, went to Howard County, Iowa, and took up a farm and 500 acres; in eighteen months sold out and came to McGregor and ran a market garden for two years, when he was appointed postmaster of McGregor, and held that office from 1860-1869. During this time, in August, 1863, he raised Company G., Twenty-first Iowa Infantry Volunteers, and was elected its Captain. He remained in the service until June, 1864,  when he resigned on account of sickness caused by bad water, and from which he has never recovered. He returned to McGregor and took a contract for furnishing ties for the narrow gauge railroad. In 1873, he was elected Sheriff of the County, and held the position six years, and never failed to take his man; never let one get away. He took the celebrated Patree Fury, who he had to shoot in the hips. In 1879 he came to McGregor where he remained ever since, farming and dealing in wood. Mr. Benton married Miss Anna M. Buck, August 26, 1857, at Afton, New York. She was born at Afton, New York, and was a daughter of Noble Buck and Sarah (Kelsey) Buck. Mr. and Mrs. Captain Benton have one son, viz: Elmer E. Benton, born June 2, 1861. He is residing in McGregor. Mrs. Benton is a member of the universalistic church Captain is a Mason and member of Bizer Lodge, No. 135; Clayton, Chapter 28; Honoias, Chapter No. 8; A.O.U.W., Elkader Lodge. The Captain is one of the old settlers and enterprising representative men of Clayton County, where he has been identified since the spring of 1856. In politics rather independent. He is of Holland, Irish and English descent.

    Lucius H. Place was born in Franklin County, Illinois, February 11, 1841. He was the son of Edward G. and Rowena Steinhower, natives of Vermont. His father still lives in Vermont, a farmer by occupation. Our subject passed his early life on his father's farm, attending the common schools until nineteen years of age. He pursued various occupations until 1864, when he came to Clayton County, and located in Elkader. Here he followed the stock business until 1873, when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff by Captain Benton, then Sheriff of the county. He served in this capacity six years, and in the fall of 1879 he was elected Sheriff. In 1881 he was re-elected to this position. Mr. Place is unmarried. Politically he is a Democrat.

    In the election of October, 1883, August Borman, Democrat, was elected Sheriff.

    August Borman was again elected Sheriff in November of 1885.

    J.J. Kann, Democrat, succeeded him in November, 1887, and again in 1889, and 1891.

    In the election of November 1893, Fred Cook, Republican, was elected Sheriff.

    In 1895 E.E. Benton, a Democrat, was elected Sheriff. He won the election again in 1897,1899, and 1901.

    Martin Dittmer was elected Sheriff in November of 1903. He was elected again in 1906, and 1908.

    In 1910 E. Bergemeyer was elected, again in 1912, and 1914.

    In 1916 John G. Reidel was the primary elector in June.

    A. W. W. Davidson won the election in 1918.

    IN 1919, a W.B. Wickersheim was nominated Sheriff and his wage consisted of $2000 a year. He was in office until 1924.

    In 1925 Chirs P. Larson was elected into office and earned $1900 a year. He remained Sheriff until 1933.

    In 1933 E. H. McGhee was appointed Sheriff.

   L.J. Palas was elected into office in 1934, and was still Sheriff until 1940.

    In 1940 E. W. Carlsen was nominated as Sheriff, and remained that way until 1945.

    Arnold W. Mueller of Guttenberg took office and was given a salary of $2850 per year. He remained in office until 1960.

    In 1960 Milton H. Klink was Sheriff and was given a salary of $4450. He served as Sheriff until 1968.

    In 1968 Gerald J. Block was appointed Sheriff and earned a yearly salary of $7000. Mr. Block served as Sheriff until 1972.

    Paul Ertz came into office in 1972 and was given a salary of $9000. He served as Sheriff until 1976.

    In 1976 Earl Sterling was nominated Sheriff and earned a salary of $13,700 per year. He remained in office until 1980. After leaving office he maintained a farm in the rural Elkader area.

    In 1980 Ronald Rumph was nominated Sheriff and remained in office until 1985. At that time the Sheriff received a yearly salary of $21,000. It was a requirement for this sheriff and many before him, that they reside at the jail to maintain control of all inmates, and the upkeep or maintenance of the premise.

    In late 1985 Verdean L. Dietrich was appointed Sheriff and remained in office until 2001 when he left office. He did not have to reside in the jail but appointed a jail administrator and he and his family resided above the jail until the early 1990's. The number of deputies under Verdean numbered nine, plus Sheriff Dietrich. Their jobs ranged from serving civil papers to covering accidents and domestic fights, assaults, etc.

    In January 2001 Robert A. Hamann, of McGregor, was elected to the office of Sheriff.

    In January 2009 Mike J. Tschirgi, of Monona, was elected to the office of Sheriff. Mike was born and raised in the Elkader area. Mike graduated from Hawkeye College in May 1988 with an Associate of Applied Art Degree in Police Science. He graduated from the Iowa Law Enforcement Academy in October 1991. He was formerly employed by the Guttenberg Police Department 1990 and was employed as a Deputy in 1991 until present. Before his election as sheriff Mike was the Sr. Investigator for the Clayton County Sheriff's Department. He is an active member of the Law Enforcement Intelligence Network, International Association for Identification, Iowa State Sheriff's & Deputies Association, Iowa Narcotics Officers Association, Midwest Tactical Officers Association, National Rifle Association, and a hunter safety education instructor. Mike received special congressional recognition from Jim Nussle in 2002. He is certified in Clandestine Laboratory Clean-up, he attended basic drug investigation workshops, methamphetamine investigation management courses, is certified as a site safety officer for Clandestine Laboratories and is a master instructor for narcotics identification courses.