The political history of Malison County may be told in a few brief sentences. During the first ten years after its erection, politics were in a crude state, and party organization was not fully developed; therefore, the political ties then binding men to any particular party were easily severed. In 1812, its vote was cast for James Madison, and in 1816 and 1820, it went for James Monroe. The first election at which partisan spirit was in any degree aroused, was in 1824. when Andrew Jackson carried the county on the Democratic ticket. He again carried it in 1828 and 1832; but by this time the Whigs had devoloped such strength that the Democrats never again carried the county in a State or Presidential election during the existence of the Whig party.
The Know-Nothing craze swept over both parties in Madison County for the time being, but this fanaticism soon passed away, leaving the newborn Republican party in the ascendency. It has ever since had a small majority in State and Presidential contests, with the exception of the Gubernatorial election between Allen G. Thurman and R. B. Hayes, in which the former carried the county by seventeen majority; and one or two other State elections when the Republicans were defeated. The Democrats usually elect a portion of the county ticket, while the county has been represented in the General Assembly several times by a Democratic member; yet in a close contest, where party spirit ran high, Madison County has always given a majority for the candidates of the Republican party.