26.] [Footnote 26: _The African Repository_, passim.] [Footnote 27: Although constituting a majority of the population even before the Civil War the Negroes of this township did not get recognition in the local government until 1875 when John Allen, a Negro, was elected township treasurer.

From that time until about 1890 the Negroes always shared the honors of office with their white citizens and since that time they have usually had entire control of the local government in that township, holding such offices as supervisor, clerk, treasurer, road commissioner, and school director.

Their record has been that of efficiency.

Boss rule among them is not known.

The best man for an office is generally sought; for this is a community of independent farmers.