Mehmet Rıza Efendi

Mehmet Rıza Efendi was born in Şebinkarahisar (Karahisar-ı Şarki); the father's occupation was "Karahisar-ı Şarki Tahrirat Müdürü". Work began in Şebinkarahisar in 1887/88 (AH 1305), on a first salary of 40 kuruş. The first annual entry, for 1887/88, places Mehmet Rıza in Şebinkarahisar, the birthplace, as Tahrirat Kalemi mübeyyizi, where the entries run to 1901/02. At the same time, from 1901 to 1908, the lists also place Mehmet Rıza in Ioannina (Yanya) as Evkaf Muhasebecisi. Alongside, the lists for 1907 to 1911 give a second post, in a post with no place named as Evkaf Muhasebecisi. Alongside, the lists for 1910/11 give a second post, in Erzurum as Evkaf Müdürü. Mehmet Rıza then moved to Medina (Medine) in 1911. Alongside, the lists for 1912/13 give a second post, in Kastamonu as Evkaf Müdürü. Five provinces on two continents in all, a number reached by fewer than 6 per cent of the 6,605 officials with a place of service. Medina, about 1,750 km from Şebinkarahisar, was the post farthest from the birthplace; fewer than 5 per cent of the 5,339 officials with a known birthplace and place of service served as far from home.

Pay rose from 65 kuruş a month in 1887/88 to a peak of 2,500 in 1910/11, in Erzurum, when 93 per cent of paid officials earned less. The last annual entry is for 1912/13.