Former Sheriffs
Appointed: 1860 – 1868, 1871 – 1874, 1874 – 1878
James Scott Ashman was born on May 30, 1828 in Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. Ashman served in the Mexican–American War and served with Company I, Fourth Regiment, Indiana Infantry until being mustered out on July 16, 1848. The December 9, 1850 Census noted Ashman aged 24 years, as a resident of Mariposa County, California. Ashman was no different from so many young men who tried their luck in the gold fields with little success.
Appointed: 1858 - 1860
William Y. "Monte" Scott and two companions, William "Yank" Hazelton and John A. Patterson moved from Mariposa in 1853, and settled on the Kings River. These three young men shared many things in common, especially a love of the card game called Monte. William was Scott's given name but his skill at the card game earned him the nickname of "Monte." While Hazelton and Patterson worked at establishing their cattle ranches, Scott settled at the stagecoach road crossing located in the Kings River bottom. Scott established a saloon and "eating house." As pioneers settled about the area, the community became known as Scottsburg.
Appointed: August 10, 1857 – March 1858
George Shadford Harden was born in Barnwell District, South Carolina in 1821. Harden came to California in 1849 to participate in the Great California Gold Rush.
The Federal Census of 1850 notes the presence of George Harden in both Los Angeles and Santa Barbara counties. The current Sheriff-Tax Collector William Bradly and then Deputy Collector of Foreign Miners Licenses George Harden appeared before the Board of Supervisors on May 6, 1857.
Appointed: June 9, 1856 – August 8, 1857
William C. Bradly was elected the first Sheriff-Tax Collector of Fresno County on June 9, 1856. Sheriff Bradly was responsible for maintaining peace in a sprawling eight-thousand square mile county. The rivers were filled with miners seeking their fortune in gold, and farmers taming land never before placed under cultivation. Stockraisers had their livestock beset by wild animals, harsh climate, and thieves ready to steal the fruits of their diligence. The people, who inhabited Fresno County in 1856, were generally inclined to take care of whatever situation they found themselves in, and notify the authorities after the fact.
