In 200 years' time, Fairfield County has had relatively few County Surveyors or later, County Engineers. The following is a list of former Surveyors and Engineers:
|
County Surveyor |
|
|
William Hamilton |
1800 to 1823 |
|
Samuel Carpenter |
1823 to 1828 |
|
Jonathan Flattery |
1828 to 1836 |
|
Salmon Shaw |
1836 to 1842 |
|
William J. Card |
1842 to 1849 |
|
Gabriel Strunk |
1849 to 1854 |
|
William Hamilton |
1854 to 1863 |
|
E. S. Hannum |
1863 to 1867 |
|
Levi Hartzler |
1867 to 1869 |
|
C. S. Williams |
1869 to 1874 |
|
E. S. Hannum |
1874 to 1876 |
|
Charles W. Borland |
1876 to 1887 |
|
E. A. Bretz |
1887 to 1901 |
|
T. M. Spangler |
1901 to 1914 |
|
|
|
|
Resident Engineer for the State Highway Department |
|
|
James R. Schopp * |
1914 to 1929 |
|
R. D. Matheny** |
1929 to 1937 |
|
|
|
|
County Engineer |
|
|
Leon Wolford |
1937 to 1981 |
|
Robert C. Reef |
1981 to 1995 |
|
Frank W. Anderson |
1995 to Present |
* Title changed to Resident Engineer in
1915 during Mr. Schopp's term of Office
** Title changed to County Engineer in 1935 during Mr. Matheny's term of
Office
#####
History of the County Engineer in Ohio
The office of County Engineer evolved from the important role played by the County Surveyor in the first decades of Ohio�s statehood.
As early as 1785, Ohio served as a "laboratory" for the development of the Public Lands survey system. Well into the 1800�s, the County Surveyor was charged with the tremendous task of clarifying land titles and boundaries. After 1820, a movement for "internal improvements" swept through the state and County Surveyors became increasingly involved in transportation related projects, specifically, in the development of canals and roads. By the late 19th century, the major duty of the County Surveyor was the building and maintenance of roads, bridges and drainage ditches.
The office of County Surveyor was established by the first General Assembly following the admission of Ohio to the Union in 1803. Whenever a new county was created, the County Surveyor, Recorder, Prosecuting Attorney and Clerk were appointed by a common court of appeals, which itself was appointed by the legislature. County Surveyors were paid only a per diem wage ($5 in the late 1800�s) for those days when they were actually employed.
In 1831, the legislature voted to make the office elective because of the increased responsibilities it entailed. The law stated the County Surveyor would serve a term of three years, "if he so long behave well and until his successor be elected and qualified." Legislation passed in 1915 established a salary and conferred on the County Surveyor the title of "Resident Engineer for the State Highway Department." In 1928, the term of office was lengthened from three years to four. Then on August 30, 1935, the title was changed to "County Engineer."
Today, only persons who hold registration certification of the State of Ohio as both "Registered Professional Engineer" and "Registered Surveyor" may qualify for the office of County Engineer. The elected County Engineer is sworn to "perform for the county all duties authorized or declared by law to be done by a Civil Engineer or Surveyor." Although specifically exempt from engineering duties affecting public buildings, he is the engineer for all public improvements under the authority of the board of commissioners within and for the county.
(Republished with permission of the County Engineer�s Association of Ohio)