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Michigan Select Michigan Counties
Charles D. Smith being clerk, and Harris C. Goodrich, Sheriff. It would seem that the sheriff had not reached the skill attending his subsequent efforts in running down jurymen, inasmuch as for that or for some other reason not explained, a quorum of grand jurors did not attend, and the few that attended were discharged. No case, civil or criminal, was tried at that term. At the next term, held in May, 1834, the first jury cause in this court was tried; the parties being Randall Hobart, plaintiff, and George Ketchum, defendant; both of these early pioneers, with the same spirit of enterprise which brought them here, long since crossed the plains to the Pacific slope, in pursuit of a better land, which it is hoped they have found at last beyond the confines of this contentious sphere.
Judge Fletcher continued to preside in this court, holding two terms in a year till November, 1836, when he was succeeded by Hon. Epaphroditus Ransom, who had been appointed under the state government, which took its practical date from that of the conditional act of admission into the Union, June 15th, 1836, although the state was not actually and formally admitted until January, 26, 1837, so that the court and judge might be regarded as coming somewhat by anticipation. A rebellion, however, against the actual government, and especially against the judge, would have proved indiscreet if not unprosperous, so far as he was concerned, for he was a man of powerful frame and formidable aspect, yet he was a kindly and social man, a respectable but not a learned lawyer, and an impartial judge; his weight of character and sterling qualities were subsequently acknowledged by the people, by electing him (I will not say promoting) to the governorship of the state. Judge Ransom presided here for about seven years, that is, until after May term, 1843; his successor was Alpheus Felch, now of Ann Arbor, who needs not the humble tribute of my obscure applause.
Michigan Counties
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