ABSTRACT
If we attempted to list the positions taken by participants and the outcomes of decision for the years between 1833 and 1927, we would need to write another volume. In order to suggest the kinds of changes in leadership which have taken place in Oberlin during its first decades, therefore, we have followed Dahl and adopted the expedient of compiling biographical information on the men who served as Mayor from the granting of the City Char-
ter in 1846 until the form of government was changed from strong· mayor to council-manager in 1927. These men were formally the ranking officials in town. They had wide executive powers and we know from a fairly extensive body of historical writing and bio· graphical references1 that they made active use of these powers.
