The office of county auditor was not created until 1820, when an act was passed, February 8, of that year, by which said officials were appointed by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, to hold office one year, but, in case of a vacancy occurring, the court of common pleas was authorized to fill the same. The duties of the office were defined by the same act, and, on February 2, 1821, a law was enacted, providing for the election of auditors in the following October, to hold office for one year from March 1, 1822. The power to fill vacancies had previously, by the act of 1821, been transferred to the county commissioners. Another law was passed, February 23, 1824, making the official term two years; it remained thus until in 1878, when an act was passed by the General Assembly fixing the tenure of office at three years. Prior to the creation of this office, the duties which have since been taken over by the auditor were performed by the county commissioners and their clerk. The following is a list of those who have served in this office up to the present time: 1830-44, Patrick McLene; 1845-50, John Melvin; 1851-54, John Rouse, who resigned in the fall of the latter year; November, 1854, to March, 1857, P. R. Chrisman; March, 1857, to March, 1863, Oliver P. Crabb; March, 1863, to March, 1865, J. Peetery; March, 1865, to March, 1875, Noah Thomas; March, 1875, to November, 1880, M. M. Thomas; November, 1880, to November, 1883, Samuel M. Prugh, 1883, until November, 1886, and on November 8, 1886, was appointed to fill an interim of ten months due to the change in length of term of this office, and served until 1889; W. C. Ward, 1887-93; W. D. Wilson, 1893-99; B. A. Taylor, 1899-1905; J. J. Shaffer, 1905-11; H. M. Chaney, 1911-1915; A. M. Blacker, since October 18, 1915.