Hiram Kerlin is the present Sheriff of Carroll County, having been elected to that official position in 1880, as the candidate of the Democratic party, and after one of the most spirited political contest ever occurring in "Old Carroll."

He is a native of the great "Keystone" State and was born in Juniata County on the 25^th day of November, 1843, whence, at the age of five years, in 1848, his father’s family emigrated to Carroll County, Ind., making the trip in a three horse wagon.

His father, Mahlon Kerlin is a successful representative of the "tillers of the soil," and one of the foremost citizens of Carroll County, having creditably served one term as County Commissioner.

The earlier years of the subject of this review do not essentially differ from those experienced by a majority of the sturdy farmers’ sons of this "banner" agricultural State, having been passed, for the most part, in the summer, in the ordinary routine work of the farm, and in the winter in attendance at the district schools, until arriving at the age of twenty two years, he quit the farm of his father, and independently assuming control of another began of engage in a line of business toward which, while yet a boy he was ambitiously inclined. viz.: The purchase and sale of all kinds of domestic cattle. For six years, he continued in the double business of farming and dealing in stock, when, in 1868, he left the farm and gave his entire attention to the purchase and shipment, under his own personal supervision, of stock to Eastern markets. In this exclusive branch of the great cattle traffic he engaged for the succeeding ten years from 1868 to 1878.

In 1878, he was elected to the office of Treasurer of the city of Delphi a position which he occupied two years. In 1880, he was the Democratic candidate of Sheriff of Carroll County, to which office, as we have said earlier in this review, he was successfully elected.

In 1865 on the 29^th day of November, Mr. Kerlin was married to Miss Sarah Martin, the of the marriage being three children Lillie E., Cloyd and Florence. Mrs. Kerlin is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and a lady who, socially speaking has many kind and warm-hearted friends.

Mr. Kerlin, though somewhat reserved in manner, is a pleasant and accommodating gentleman. In matters of business, he is straightforward and energetic, and being now in the very vigor of manhood, may reasonably expect a fair share of the honors and emoluments of this world.

County Coordinator: Suzy Sprague suzyq.wa@worldnet.att.net