Visit the National Genealogy Trails Site

McLean County Home

Visit the Illinois Genealogy Trails Site

WWI
Sheriffs
McLean County, Illinois
(Transcribed by: Teri Moncelle Colglazier)

McLean county's war time sheriffs were George E. Flesher and Ralph Spafford. The former served from December, 1914, until 1918, while the latter succeeded Flesher on December 1, 1918, for a four year term, having been chief deputy under Sheriff Flesher throughout the latter 's term. The two therefore, bore the brunt of the heavy responsibilities and vastly increased duties, incidental to the war. The sheriff had charge of the first draft registration and later, the department of justice turned over to that officer the enforcement of the war regulations. The various exemption boards called upon the sheriff and his deputies to look up draft evaders and those who had neglected to register. In such a great county as McLean, this duty in itself was an onerous one. Sheriff Flesher and his deputies co-operated at all times with the department of justice and there were hundreds of cases of various kinds growing out of the war which fell to the lot of the sheriff and his assistants to handle. The Legal Division of the War Risk Insurance Bureau required many investigations and which were turned over to the sheriff. In a multitude of other ways, Sheriff Flesher and Chief Deputy and later Sheriff Spafford, loyally and faithfully co-operated with the government and state forces and their office ranked as 100 per cent perfect, making a record for efficiency that had no superior and few equals in all Illinois. Thanks to the efforts of Sheriff Flesher and his assistants during the trying days of the great war, the responsibilities that were forced upon these efforts, were always handled to the entire satisfaction of the various agencies that appealed to them and the people of McLean county owe a debt of gratitude to these officers for their tireless service, all performed without additional compensation. The demand upon them was great, but there was no hesitation and no failure. The record is one for which Sheriff Flesher, Chief Deputy Spafford, Deputies William Kennedy and Ralph Flesher, and all others connected with the office, have reason to be proud. [McLean County, Illinois, in the World War, 1917-1918; by Edward E. Pierson & Jacob Louis Hasbrouck c 1921]

HOME