County Judges 1826 - 1922

County Representation
Jackson County was divided into halves for representation purposes with no regard to population. The County Judge for the Western District represented Jackson County interests in the western part of the County, including Kansas City. The County Judge for the Eastern District represented Jackson County citizens in the eastern half of the County.

The third elected position - “Presiding Judge” - led the legislative body and helped make difficult decisions, especially when the other 2 judges were divided and split their votes. This position is similar to the County Executive elected today.

When more than 3 names are listed in an administration, it means there were vacancies and successors were appointed. The date of succession is provided when known.

Post Civil War Strife
Prior to the Civil War, the members of the Jackson County Court were elected to serve 4-year terms. As you can see from the dates that followed the war, there was more inconsistency regarding the terms of service on the court.
1827
  • Presiding Judge Richard Fristoe
  • Abraham McClelland
  • Henry Burris (August 1829)
1831
  • Presiding Judge Richard Fristoe
  • Lewis Nones
  • Samuel D. Lucas (August 7, 1832)
  • Richard B. Chiles (February 13, 1833)
  • John Smith
1834
  • Presiding Judge Moses G. Wilson
  • Lawrence Flournoy
  • Daniel P. Lewis
1838
  • Presiding Judge John Davis
  • Lawrence Flournoy
  • John Smith
1842
  • Presiding Judge James B. Yager
  • Alvin Brooking
  • Richard Stanley (1844)
  • Richard Fristoe (1846)
  • James Smart
1846
  • Presiding Judge Alvin Brooking
  • Richard D. Stanley
  • James Gray (1848)
  • Walter Bales
1850
  • Presiding Judge Richard D. Stanley
  • Walter Bales
  • Richard Smith
1854
  • Presiding Judge Richard D. Stanley
  • James Porter
  • James B. Yager
1858
  • Presiding Judge Richard D. Stanley
  • James McClellan
  • Thomas A. Smart
1862
  • Presiding Judge Jacob Leader
  • Nathaniel H. Scruggs
  • Oscar H. Cogswell (1864)
  • Lucius Carey
1865
  • Presiding Judge M. T. Graham
  • James D. Allen
  • Andrew G. Newgent

1866

  • Presiding Judge Andrew G. Newgent
  • M. T. Graham
  • Jacob Leader
1867
  • Presiding Judge G. W Gates
  • Lucius Carey
  • Joshua Petty
1869
  • Presiding Judge James B. Yager
  • Lucius Carey
  • Joshua Petty
1871
  • Presiding Judge James B. Yager
  • Lucius Carey
  • Joshua Petty

1873
  • Presiding Judge James B. Yager
  • Lucius Carey
  • Luther Mason (May 6, 1873)
  • A. L. Harris
  • W. R. Bernard
1875
  • Presiding Judge Albert Gallatin Williams
  • James B. Yager
  • A. M. Allen
  • T. H. Groughan
  • Thomas McNamara
1877
  • Presiding Judge Josiah Collins
  • J. B. Yager
  • A. M. Allen
  • T. H. Broughan
  • Thomas McNamara (August 1, 1877)
  • W.E. Hall
1879
  • Presiding Judge J. B. Yager
  • D. A. Frink
  • Charles E Strode
1881
  • Presiding Judge James B. Yager
  • W. O. Shouse
  • Charles E Strode
1883
  • Presiding Judge Robert L. Adkins
  • John P. Jones
  • Frank R. Allen

1885

  • Presiding Judge Robert L. Adkins
  • Hugh Lynch
  • William G. Chiles
1887
  • Presiding Judge John A. McDonald
  • Hugh Lynch
  • William G. Chiles
1889
  • Presiding Judge John A. McDonald
  • John N Smith
  • Samuel W Hudson
1891
  • Presiding Judge Daniel Murphy
  • Philip J. Honn
  • Samuel W Hudson
1893
  • Presiding Judge Daniel Murphy
  • Philip J. Honn
  • James Latimer
1895
  • Presiding Judge John B. Stone
  • John N Smith
  • James Latimer
1897
  • Presiding Judge John B. Stone
  • G. L. Chrisman
  • J. R. Marsh
1899
  • Presiding Judge G. L. Chrisman
  • S. L. Luttrell
  • E. R. Hunte

1901
  • Presiding Judge G. L. Chrisman
  • S. L. Luttrell
  • John M. Surface
1903
  • Presiding Judge G. L. Chrisman
  • Joseph W Mercer
  • E. C. O’Rear
1905
  • Presiding Judge G. L. Chrisman
  • Joseph W Mercer
  • J. M. Patterson
1907
  • Presiding Judge J. M. Patterson
  • Charles E Moss
  • George J. Todd
1909
  • Presiding Judge J. M. Patterson
  • E. E Axline
  • George Holmes
1911
  • Presiding Judge H. C. Gilbert
  • E. E Axline
  • E. L. Martin
1913
  • Presiding Judge H. C. Gilbert
  • R. D. Mize
  • Theodore Remley
1915
  • Presiding Judge Miles Bulger
  • R. D. Mize (died December 19, 1915)
  • James V. Compton (appointed to fill the vacancy)
  • Stephen C. Woodson
1917
  • Presiding Judge Miles Bulger
  • S. T. Pendleton
  • Stephen C. Woodson
1919
  • Presiding Judge Miles Bulger
  • James E Gilday
  • George G. Gaugh
1921
  • Presiding Judge Miles Bulger
  • James E Gilday
  • George E Kimball