Kaufman County Government Officials to 1934

The following is taken from a copy of the Terrell Daily Tribune, December 21, 1934.
Submitted by Linda Harwell and Abby Balderama

Terrell Daily Tribune
Friday, Dec. 21, 1934

Interesting Compilation
Kaufman County Officials
Serving Past and Present

Delving into the archives of the past and following them through to the immediate present, The Tribune has garnered the following facts and statistics relative to county and precinct officers who have served, in most cases, since the county was organized up to the present day.  The aproaching centennial celebration has given rise to the slogan, "Know Texas."  The Tribune compilation below also gives pertinence to another slogan, "Know Kaufman County." The names and dates are official as nearly as they can be arrived at, and provide data that is worthy of preservation and a prominent place in your scrap book:

Sheriffs from 1848

Next Sheriff Born in Jail
   John G. Keller, who will qualify for sheriff on January 1, 1935, will have the distinction of being the only man to serve this county as sheriff who was born in a jail.  Mr. Keller was born in the jail at Kaufman, which he will occupy as sheriff on January 1, on Noveember 8, 1894.  In other words, in 40 years and 54 days after he was born, he will be sheriff and occupy the jail in which he was born.
   It may also be interesting to note that Mr. Keller's father, the late Jim P. Keller, qualified for sheriff the first time on November 13, 1890 and served until his death.  The son succeeds father in office after a period of 44 years and 48 days.

County Attorneys Since 1876

County Treasurers Since 1848

  In this office, Tom Choate succeded his father as will be noticed above.  J. M. Gaston was elected in the office twice, qualifying first in 1896, and was also elected twenty-two years later, in 1918.

County Judges Since 1876

Constables Precinct 3 Since 1876

Tax Collectors Since 1880

   From 1848 to about 1868 the tax assessor colected taxes and from about 1868 to 1880 the sheriff collected taxes.

Tax Assessors Since 1848

  From 1848 to about 1868 the asseshod was also ax collector and from about 1868 to 1876 the justices of the peace assessed taxes in their precincts.

County Clerks Since 1848

   Only one county clerk resigned, L. W. Sweet, on April 1, 1853, and George Barrett was appointed to serve until an election was held on April 5, 1853.  At this election S. E. Noble was elected and he qualified on May 3, 1853.

Justices of the Peace, Pre. No. 3, Since 1876

   All of the above mentioned, with the exception of the last four, are dead.

County Farm Superintendents Since 1883

• Kaufman County Government