History of the Sheriff of Putnam County, Ohio

In 1787, the Greenville Treaty set aside much of the local area to the Indians. This area, now known as Putnam County, was set aside for the Ottawa Indians at Tawa Run. The area of Tawa Run is now known as Ottawa, the current county seat of Putnam County. Putnam County is named for an officer who served in the American Revolution, General Israel Putnam. The county was formed on April 1, 1820 but remained attached to Williams County for judicial purposes until 1825.

In 1834, the Ohio governor named three men as associate judges to organize Putnam County. These men, William Cochran, Henry Morris, and Silas McClish, met on May 5, 1834, at the Kalida area residence of Abraham Sarber to appoint a clerk of courts, prosecuting attorney, and county commissioners. They also ordered an election be held at the Sarber residence on May 31st of that year to elect a sheriff and a coroner. On August 18, 1834, these men met again and when it appeared that no election had taken place they appointed William Cochran as sheriff and William Turner as coroner.

On October 15, 1835, the first county election was held. At the time elected officials could only be elected to two, 2 year terms. The population of Putnam County at this time was 230 people. And of those 230 residents, 163 votes were cast.