In 1787

In 1787, the Greenville treaty set aside much of the area for the Indians. The area, now known as Putnam County, was especially for the Ottawa Indians at Tawa Run, now known as Ottawa. Putnam County was named for general Israel Putnam, an officer of the American Revolution. It was formed on April 1, 1820, but remained attached to Williams County for judicial purposes until 1825.

In 1834, the Governor named 3 men, William Cochran, Henry Morris, and Silas McClish, associate judges, to organize the county. They met on May 5, 1834 at the residence of Abraham Sarber, in the Kalida area, to appoint a clerk of courts, a prosecuting attorney, and county commissioners. They also ordered an election to be held at the Sarber Residence on the 31^st day of May to elect a Sheriff and a Coroner. On August 18, 1834, these men met again and when it appeared that no election took place, they appointed William Cochran as Sheriff and William Turner as Coroner.

On October 15, 1835, the first election was held. Population of Putnam County, at that time, was 230 people. Out of that 230 people, 163 votes were cast. Elected officials could only hold office for two, 2-year terms.

1835-1838 William Cochran Jr.	1^st man elected to the office of Sheriff
1838-1842 David S. Gibbs	Politics unknown
1842-1846 Thomas McClure	He moved to Putnam County in 1840.He held many public offices, one being Sheriff and later, County Treasurer. His son, Nathaniel, served as a deputy under a later Sheriff. Politics unknown
1846-1848 James H. Vail	Born in Coshocton County and settled in Putnam County in 1841. He was married and a father of 2 children. He was the first to serve as Sheriff for more than one term . He served 3 terms as Sheriff and also served as Post Master of Kalida for 2 years. He also engaged in farming. Politics unknown
1848-1852 R. Douglas	Politics unknown
1852-1856 John B. Fruchey	Politics unknown
1856-1860 James H. Vail	Served his 2^nd term
1860-1862 William Craybill	Politics unknown
1862-1866 John Cunningham	Politics unknown
1866-1870 William W. Cartwright	Many Residents wanted the county seat, which was Kalida at that time, moved to the center of the county. State Legislature authorized an election on the matter and the county seat was moved to Ottawa. The first courthouse was built in 1867 and the first jail and Sheriff’s residence was located behind the courthouse
1870-1874 Louis W. Albright	Politics unknown
1874-1878 Henry C. Sherrard	The most famous jail delivery the courts has ever known occurred during his administration. John Goodman, charged with murder, and several other prisoners tried to escape. Sheriff Sherrard was struck with a brick-bat in a stocking by one of the prisoners and the desperate criminals seized his keys and made a dash for freedom. Fortunately, nearly all were captured within a short time. Goodman was eventually hung on December 30, 1884 at the site of the old jail. 5,000 were in attendance for the execution, but only a few were able to witness. Sheriff Sherrad reported the cost of the execution was $95.35.
1878-1882 Josiah Markley	Born in Putnam County and a father of 9 children. Politics unknown
1882-1886 Frank Rothman	Politics unknown
1886-1890 Peter Wannemacher	Politics unknown
1890-1892 David C. Williamson	The jail was built in 1890, In which it still stands to this date. Unknown if before or after Williamson
1892-1894 Frank Treece	1^st term, politics unknown.
1894-1898 B.F. Burgess	Born 1846 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. He was reared a farmer in Pleasant Township Putnam County, Ohio. In 1846, he enlisted in company D, 21^st regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry After service, he returned to family farm until his marriage in 1866. Sheriff Burgess created a record on service in that office. During the hard times of 1894-1989, it precipitated the foreclosures of several mortgages in Putnam County, entailing upon the Sheriff a most disagreeable duty. It was during this period the Sheriff was compelled to act in more foreclosure actions than had been brought the whole term of the sixteen preceding Sheriffs. It also fell to his lot to take three of Putnam County’s convicted officials to the state prison at Columbus He was also a member of the Ottawa City council for 6 years, in which his Latten duties had much to do with public improvements of Ottawa. His daughter’s husband served as Deputy Sheriff during incumbency.
1898-1902 Nicholas Miller	Democrat. 1^st term
1902-1906 Frank E. Treece	2nd term
1906-1911 Joseph Zink	Born in 1859, on a farm in palmer township. His father, William Zink, was murdered and robbed at a point between Ottawa and Glandorf, while on his way to Lima to make a payment on his farm. The murderer was captured but later escaped from jail in Kalida and was never seen again. His mother died the next year leaving 7 children to neighbors to raise. Joseph was raised by William Kohl near Fort Jennings. Zink was nominated Sheriff in 1905 on a democrat ticket. He was so popular that his election was assured from the beginning of the race. At the end of his second term, by reason of an amendment to the law relating tenure, an extra year was added. He proved to be one of the most popular Sheriffs the County had to date. Zink remained in the Sheriff office for 2 more years serving as Deputy under Sheriff Miller, who had been his Deputy during tenure.
1911-1915 Nicholas Miller	2^nd term, present courthouse was built 1912. Bell in the Belfry of old courthouse was taken to the fairgrounds and remains there today.
1915-1919 A.L. Tate	Sheriff Tate and his deputy were new to the job and the experienced criminals they held in jail attempted a jail break, and for the first time in years an escape was attempted. The prisoners having access to the corridors outside the cages. One of them, engineered the job of digging a hole through the back wall, but by accident knocked out a brick that led to the discovery. The Sheriff promptly confined the prisoners to their cages. Democrat.
1919-1923 Wesley J. Lammers	A well know bootlegger of Putnam County. While he was Sheriff his son, Charles, was arrested and sent to the pen for one year, for bootlegging. Democrat.
1923-1927 Roy N. McCullough	1^st republican to hold the office of Sheriff. It was found to be that all previous Sheriff's were elected by the Democrat party.
1927-1931 Clinton Felkey	Democrat. After being Sheriff, moved to Lima, Ohio
1931-1937 Wilson Crawfis	Democrat. In 1936, Legislature passed a law that all county officials could run for 4 year terms, unlimited number of terms.
1937-1961 Arnold Potts	Democrat. 1st Sheriff to hold office after the new law. Held office longer than any other Sheriff to date with 24 years.
1961-1973 James Ruhe	Democrat. Served as a deputy under the Potts administration for 14 years. He became Sheriff and held office for 12 years.
1973-1984 Robert Beutler	Democrat. Served as a Special Deputy under the Potts Administration for 1 year under Ruhe for 2 years. He became a full time Deputy in December 1962 and served 10 years. Many new community oriented policing programs were started as the office made significant changes and increases in staff. In 1977, Beutler and his family moved out of Jail to allow for office expansion. Crime Prevention Unit, Detective Division, and a juvenile office was added. One of the first underwater search and rescue teams in N.W. Ohio was developed. A Multi-Co. Investigative unit was started. Later to be reformed as the M.A.N. Unit under Diemer Administration.
1984-2000 Ronald E. Diemer	The 2nd Republican in history to be elected. Sheriff Diemer was Chief of Police of the Village of Leipsic prior to being elected Sheriff. He was born and raised in Putnam County. He is also engaged in farming. In August 1992, a union was formed with the Fraternal Order of Police. The Sheriff’s Office was 1st computerized in 1998 and 911 implemented. In 1996, Diemer ran unopposed for his 4th term in office
2001-Present James R. Beutler	Democrat. Worked as a Deputy for 23 Yrs. under the Beutler and Diemer Administrations and was elected as the 32nd Sheriff of Putnam County and the1st second generation Sheriff. The construction of a new 76 bed jail and Sheriff's office commenced during 2001 and in operation in the year 2002, located in the new Industrial Park, Ottawa, Ohio. Many new community oriented policing programs has been initiated in addition to all the programs available from the previous two administrations. Bike Patrol, brought back Dive Team, Court Security, expanded Crime Prevention and Community Policing Programs, toll free phone listing, website, large change in technology. Including computers, radios, and telephone systems. Current staff of 53 full time employees 18 Part Time, and 23 Auxiliary.