Early County Sheriffs Served Many Roles

Since Transylvania County was created in 1861 there have been 27 different sheriffs.  Last week’s Picturing the Past briefly mentioned some of the activities of two of Transylvania County’s earliest sheriffs, Robert Hamilton and George Neill.  Hamilton was the county’s first sheriff and later served an additional 15 months as sheriff.  Neill was the second sheriff. 

George W. Wilson was elected following Neill in August 1866.  He served for just under 3 years until resigning in May 1869 when Hamilton again took over the office. 

Sheriff duties included collecting taxes, summoning juries, summoning registers and judges for elections.  Prior to 1942 the sheriff was elected for a two-year term. 

Following the Civil War, in 1868, the North Carolina county government system was changed by the new state constitution.  A county commissioner form of government replaced the justices of peace in the old Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions method.

During this time anyone who served in office was required to take the loyalty oath to “sustain the constitution of North Carolina not inconsistent with the constitution of the United States.”  It was a time of great change and prominent county leaders often held a variety of positions at different times during the years of the Civil War and Reconstruction.  For example, Hamilton was not only sheriff and deputy sheriff, but also Card Agent, Road Commissioner, Chairman of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, magistrate and in both branches of the state legislature.  Neill served on the school commission, was Clerk of Superior Court and a U.S. Commissioner in the judicial system.

In August 1870 J.H. Lanning was elected Transylvania County sheriff.  Lanning would hold the office for the next 12 years, making him the second longest serving sheriff for the county to date. 

This photograph of Nathan and Lizzie McMinn was
recently donated by their great-grand-daughter.
McMinn served as Transylvania County sheriff for
six years, 1882-1888.

Nathan Van Buren McMinn, H.L. Hart and V.B. McGaha each served terms as Transylvania County Sheriff for the remainder of the 19^th century.   McGaha was only 27 years old when he was elected sheriff in 1894.

Photographs exist for most of the former Transylvania County sheriffs.  However, photographs are still need for George C. Neill and Jeremiah H. Lanning.  If you have a photograph of either man please contact the Library.

Photographs and information for this column are provided by the Rowell Bosse North Carolina Room, Transylvania County Library.  Visit the NC Room during regular library hours (Monday-Friday) to learn more about our history and see additional photographs.  For more information, comments or suggestions contact Marcy at marcy.thompson
@transylvaniacounty.org or 828-884-3151 X242.