In light of our current national election difficulties, I thought I
would share this small bit of the 1882 History of Noble Co (Goodspeed
and Blanchard)for Sparta twp. Unfortunately, the history doesn't mention
who was running for which position and who was the ultimate victor.
"At the election of 1840, considerable political antagonism had been
incited, and when it was discovered that a young man named Smalley,
being under age, had polled his vote, it was thought best by some to
contest the election of the day, and for the purpose the Judges of
Election were taken in limbo, and the books were examined. While it was
clearly proved that Smalley was under age, and that he had cast his
vote; yet, no other evidences being disclosed, the matter was dropped.
Forty votes were polled at the election of 1840."
Annette DeHoff
netandmike(a)nni.com