Nauvoo City Officers, August–December 1843

The following chart lists , Illinois, city offices and identifies office holders during the period covered by this volume. The city charter for Nauvoo, which was enacted in December 1840 and took effect in February 1841, called for a city council consisting of a mayor, four aldermen, and nine councilors, each of whom would be elected and serve for two years. The charter made provision for the city council to add to the number of aldermen and councilors if necessary. Other city officers were appointed or elected by the city council. The first city election was held in February 1841. In January 1842, city officials created the office of vice mayor, and JS served in that office. When council seats became vacant because of death, resignation, or appointment to another office, the vacancies were filled by election or by an appointment made by the city council. In May 1842, resigned as mayor of Nauvoo. Later that month, the city council elected JS to replace him. In that same meeting, was elected as vice mayor to replace JS. In accordance with the provisions in the Nauvoo charter, the city held a general election for mayor, aldermen, and city council members in February 1843, during which JS was elected as mayor.

The charter also stipulated that “the Mayor and Aldermen shall be conservators of the peace within the limits of said city, and shall have all the powers of Justices of the Peace therein.” As a justice of the peace, the mayor could hear alleged violations of state statutes and minor civil disputes, and appeals in such cases would be heard by the circuit court of , Illinois. The charter also granted the mayor and aldermen “jurisdiction in all cases arising under the ordinances of the corporation.” Appeals from the courts of the mayor and aldermen for alleged violations of city ordinances were heard by the municipal court. The charter dictated that “the parties litigant shall have a right to a trial by a Jury of twelve men, in all cases before the Municipal Court.” The mayor served as the chief justice of the municipal court, the aldermen served as associate justices, and the city recorder served as clerk. From the municipal court, appeal could be made to the Circuit Court.

City councilors , , and were absent from some council meetings during fall 1843, and and served as councilors pro tempore during this same period. The positions of Inspector of flour and wharfmaster were added on 14 October and 16 December, respectively. On 12 December 1843, the Nauvoo City Council authorized the creation of a full-time police force to protect JS and other residents from internal and external threats. On 29 December, forty individuals took an oath of office as policemen before the city council. Due to inconsistencies in reminiscent historical records, it is unclear which individuals took their oaths on this date. The policemen named below were taken from a list compiled by , the force’s first captain.

August–December 1843

Mayor and chief justice of the municipal court

Joseph Smith

Vice mayor

Aldermen and associate justices of the municipal court

(pro tempore)

City Councilors

(absent; removed 16 December 1843)

(pro tempore)

(pro tempore; elected to replace Sylvester Emmons on 16 December 1843)

City marshal

(resigned 21 December 1843)

(elected 21 December 1843)

Treasurer

City recorder and clerk of the municipal court

(resigned 12 August 1843)

(elected 12 August 1843)

Sexton

Supervisor of streets

Constables

(First Ward)

(Second Ward)

Lewis Robison (Third Ward)

(Fourth Ward)

City surveyor

Weigher and sealer

City assessors and collectors

1 August–11 November 1843

11 November–21 December 1843

21–31 December 1843

(First Ward)

(Second Ward)

(Third Ward)

(Fourth Ward)

City attorney

(vacated on 16 December 1843)

Registrar of deeds

Joseph Smith

Coroner

City auctioneer

Charles Warner (removed 12 Decamber 1843)

(elected 12 December; resigned 21 December 1843)

Charles Warner (reelected 21 December 1843)

(filed bond 21 December 1843)

Notary public

Market master

Market inspector

Inspector of flour

(appointed 14 October 1843)

Mayor’s clerk

Fire warden

(First Ward)

(Second Ward)

(Third Ward)

(Fourth Ward)

Wharfmaster

(elected 16 December 1843)

Policemen

, captain

, first lieutenant

, second lieutenant

, third lieutenant

, ensign

, first sergeant

, second sergeant

, third Sergeant

, fourth sergeant

, pioneer

, first corporal

, second corporal

, third corporal

, fourth corporal

, fifer

Daniel Repsher, fifer

, drummer

, private

Davis McOlney, private

, private