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1 1/.', ^ 
 
 THE 
 
 HISTORY OF GRUHDY COUHTY, 
 
 MISSOURI. 
 
 AN ENCYCLOPEDIA OF USEFUL INFORMATION, AND A 
 COMPENDIUM OF ACTUAL FACTS. 
 
 IT CONTAINS 
 
 A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOITEI AND ITS CHIEF OITIES- 
 ST. LOUIS, KANSAS CITY AND ST. JOSEPH ; ITS PIONEER RECORD, WAR 
 HISTORY, RESOURCES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, GENERAL 
 AND LOCAL STATISTICS OF GREAT VALUE, POR- 
 TRAITS OF PROMINENT CITIZENS, AND A 
 LARGE AMOUNT OF MISCELLA- 
 NEOUS MATTER, IN- 
 CIDENTS, ETC. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 KANSAS CITY, MO.: 
 
 BIKDSALL & DEAN. 
 
 1881. 
 

 .r~j.~ 
 
 :^ 
 
 C>6"2> D ^ 
 
 ^3 O H^ 
 
^"tf 
 
 Dedication and Preface. 
 
 To THE Memory of those who so kindly assisted the author in his work, and to the city of 
 Trenton, its institutions and enterprises, this volume is dedicated. 
 
 While it has been an interesting labor to gather from the oldest citizens their reminis- 
 cences of events occuning in the first settlement of Grundy county, and to carefully search 
 the old volumes of newspapers, whose editors had given a weekly resume of the current events 
 of the times, who had urged forward and joined in many of the enterprises and were con- 
 nected with the earlier institutions of the county, and like " sea shells found where the ocean 
 had been, to tell that the great tide of life was once there." The task has been long, tedi- 
 ous and wearisome, with difficulties environing the way at every step, and it has only been 
 accomplished by the exercise of patient research and perseverance. 
 
 It has been the earnest aim of the writer to record only such facts as are based on the most 
 reliable and trustworthy authority, and to this end every available source of creditable infor- 
 mation has been exhausted. No eiFort has been made at mere rhetorical embellishment. 
 
 There may be a few eiTors in the book — none are perfect. Typographical errors are found 
 in all works and this will doubtless not prove an exception, but the intelligent reader will find 
 them no obstacle to a clear and easy understanding of the subjects before him. 
 
 There will be found biographies of a number of the best and most useful citizens of the 
 county. Future generations will want to know of what composed the manhood and 
 womanhood of an era that tried the stamina of the bravest, the truest and the best. 
 
 Much has been given to local matters, and the county's history in all its phases has been 
 brought from the realms of obscurity into the broad light of day. Much more could have been 
 written about very many of the oldest and best citizens of Grundy countj' who have aided us 
 in securing valuable matter for this history, and to one and all the publishers and author re- 
 turn their sincere thanks for the courtesy extended. They would, however, more especially 
 mention the following, who have been unremitting in their kindness, and earnest in their en- 
 deavor to secure us all available information in their power: Mayor Collier, County Clerk 
 D. C. Pugh, Deputy Clerk E. B. Cooper, the press of Trenton, JudgeA. H. Burkeholder, Prof. 
 T. B. Pratt, Preston W. Bain, Jesse Bain, Thomas Torpey, G. P. Hammer, William C. 
 Swayze, Major John C. Griffin, and many of the old pioneers, Dr. and William N. Peery, I. 
 M. White, and the county officials of Livingston county. To the above named gentlemen, 
 who have rendered us invaluable assistance, the publishers and author return their sincere 
 thanks, and to their land and persevering effort much of the value of this history is due. 
 
 Having objection to extended pi-efatory remarks, the writer, in making his parting salaam, 
 would adopt the advice of an old author, " Forbear the prelude, and give the contents of thy 
 tale." The Author. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 II IS TOBY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Louisiana Purchase.— Brief Historical Sketch. ..9-12 
 
 CHA.PTEKII. 
 
 Deschiptive ani> Geographical.- Name— Ex- 
 tt*nt — Surface — Rivers — Timber— Climate— 
 
 Prairies— Soil— Population by Counties 13-18 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 -Geology of Mis-^ouri. — Classificatiou of Rocks 
 — Quaternary Formations— Tertiary^Cretace- 
 ons — Carboniferous — Devonian — Silurian — 
 Azoic — Economic Geoloj^y— Coal— Iron — Lead 
 --Copper — Zinc — Building Stone— Marble- 
 Gypsum — Lime -- Clay — Paints — Springs — 
 
 Water Power.. 18-23 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 Title and Early Settlements.— Title to Mis- 
 souri Lands— Rights of Discovery— Title of 
 France and Spain — Cession to the United 
 States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with In- 
 dianS'-First Settlement — Ste. Genevieve and 
 New Bourbon — St. Louis — Wheu Incorpora- 
 ted— Potosi— St. Charles— Portage des Sioux- 
 New Madrid — St. Francois County — Perry — 
 Mississippi— Loutre Island — '* Boon^s Lick" 
 — Cote Sans Dessien — Howard County— Some 
 First Things— Counties— When Organized.. .23-28 
 CHAPTER V. 
 Tbbbitobial Organization. --Organization, 1812 
 — Council- House of Representatives- Wil- 
 liam Clark, first Territorial Governor— Edward 
 Hempstead, First Delegate—Spanish Grants- 
 First General Assembly — Proceedings— Second 
 Assembly — Proceedings — Population of Ter- 
 ritory—Vote of Territory--Rufu3 Easton— 
 Absent Members— Third Assembly — Proceed- 
 ings — Application for Admidsion 23-31 
 
 CHAPTER YI. 
 Aduitxed to the Union.— Application of Mis- 
 souri to be Admitted into the Union— Agita^ 
 tion of the Slavery Question — ''Missouri Com- 
 promise"- Constitutional C 'uvention of 1820 
 — Constitution Presented to Congress — Fur- 
 ther Resistance to Admission — ilr. Clay and 
 his Committee Make Report — Second Compro- 
 mise — Missouri Admitted .31-34 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 Missouri as a State.— First Election of Governor 
 and Other State Officers —Senators and Repre- 
 sentatives to General Assembly — Sher.iff8 and 
 Coroners — U. S. Senators-- Kepresentalives in 
 Congress — Supreme Court Judges — Counties 
 Organized— Capital Moved to St. Charles — 
 Official Record of Territorinl and State Offi- 
 cers .35-38 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 <jITIl War in Missouri.— Fort Sumter Fired 
 Upon— Gail for 75,U00 Wen— Governor Jackson 
 Refuses to Furnish a Man- U. S. Arsenal at 
 Liberty, Missouri, Saized— Proc am:ition of 
 Governor Jacksoj — General Order No. 7 — 
 Legi-lature Convenes- Carap Jiicison Organ- 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 ized— Sterlint; Price Appointed Major-general 
 — Frost's Letter to Lyon— Lyon's Letter to 
 Frost — Surrender of Camp Jackson— Procla- 
 mation of General Harney — Conference Be- 
 tween Price and Harney- Harney Superseded 
 by Lyon — Second Conference- Governor Jack- 
 son Burns the Bridges Behind him — Procla- 
 mation of Governor Jackson — General Blair 
 Takes Possession of Jefferson lity — Procla- 
 mation of J.you — L\ou ac Springfield — State 
 Offices Declared Vacant — General Fremont 
 Assumes Ctimmaud — Proclamation of Lieu- 
 tenant-governor Reynolds — Proclamation of 
 Jefferson Thompson and Governor Jackson — 
 Death of General Lyon— Succeeded by Stur- 
 gis — Proclamation of McCuIlough and Gamble 
 —Martial Law Declared— Seeoud Proclamation 
 of Jeff. Thompson — The President Modifies 
 Fremont's Order— Fremont Relieved by Hun- 
 ter-Proclamation of Price — Huntfr'a Order 
 of Assessment— Hunter Declares Martial Law — 
 Ord*»r Relating to Newspapers — Halleck Suc- 
 ceeds Hunter — Halleck's Order No. 81 — Simi- 
 lar Order hyUoWei^.'^—Boone County Stand- 
 ard Confiscated — Execution of Prisoners at 
 Macon and Palmyra — General Ewing's Order 
 No. 11 — General Rosecrans takes Command — 
 Massacre at Ceutralia— Death of BiU Anderson 
 — General Dodge Succeeds General Rosecrans 
 
 —List of Battles 39-4S 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Early Military Record.— Black Hawk War- 
 Mormon Difficulties— Florida War —Mexican 
 
 War - 47-50 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 Agricultural and Material Wealth.— Mis- 
 souri as an Agricultural State— The Different 
 Crops-- Live Stock -- Horses— Mules — Milch 
 Cows- Oxen and Other Cattle— Sheep— Hogs- 
 Comparisons— Missouri Adapted to Live Stock 
 — Cotton — Broom-corn and other Products — 
 Fruits —Berries —Grapes -- Riiilroads —First 
 Neigh of the "Iron Horse" in Missouri- 
 Names of Railroads — Manufactures — Great 
 
 Bridge at St. Louis 50-54 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 Education.*— PubUc School System of Missouri — 
 Lincoln Institute— Officers of I'ublio School 
 System — Certificates of Teachers — University 
 of Missouri— Schools— Colleges— Instil utiona 
 of Learning — LocatJon--Libraries- -Newspa- 
 pers and Periodicals— Number of School Chil- 
 di-en — Amount Expen 'ed— Value of Grounds 
 
 and Buildings-* Tne Press " 55-61 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Religious Denominations.— Baptist Church — Its 
 History— Congregational — When Founded — 
 Its History— uhrjstJan Church— Its History — 
 Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Its History 
 —Methodist Episcopal Church— Its History- 
 Presbyterian Church — Its History - Protestant 
 Episcopal Church— Its Histo'-y- United Pres- 
 byterian Church— Its History —Unitarian 
 Church— Its History- Roman Catholic Church 
 Its History 62-65 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS. 
 
 St. Louis.— Fii'st Settlement— Arrival of the First 
 Steamboat— Removal of the Capital to Jeffcr- 
 Bon (.lity— Wheu Incorporated— PopulaLion by 
 Decades— First Lighted by Gas — Death of one 
 
 PAOBk 
 
 of Her Founders, Pierre Chouteau— Ceme- 
 teries— Financial Crash — Bondholders and 
 Coupou-clippers— Value of Keal and Personal 
 Property— Manufacturers— Criticism .66-76 
 
 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY 
 
 Kansas City. Missouri.— A Sketch— The New 
 Life— Its First Settlement— Steamboat Events 
 from 1840 to 1846— Mexican War—Santa Fe 
 Trade — Railroads— Commercial Advancement 
 — Stock Market — Pork-packing— Elevators and 
 
 Grain Receipts— Coal Receipts— Buildings — 
 Railroaa cnauges — Bunks — Newspapers — 
 Churches — Secret Societies -I'ublic Schools — 
 Manufacturing Center — Her Position and 
 Trade- Assessed Valuation— Close 77-91 
 
 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 St. Joseph, Missouri. --Early Settlements— The 
 First Settlement at Blackstone Hills— Robi- 
 doux— Biographical Sketch— At the Bluffs— 
 Then at Roy's Branch and Blacksnake Hills— 
 
 1834-1836— Robidoux'a Home— Employes-Ser- 
 vant—Ferry— From 1837 to 1840— Rival Towns 
 —Wolves. . 07-llT 
 
 LAWS OF MISSOURI. 
 
 HoMEi^TEAD Exemption Law.— Husband not Lia- 
 ble— Ri ghts of Married Women — Hed ges 
 Trimmed — Changing School house Sites- 
 Marriage License— Purchasing Books by Sub- 
 
 .ecription- Forms of Deeds, Leases and Mort- 
 gaojes- Notes — Orders- Receipts — Valuable 
 liules- Weights and Measures 118-121) 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 Population of the United States. —By Races — 
 Increase — Miles of Railroad in United States 
 — Telegraph Lines and Wires— Cotton Crop- 
 
 Coal Fields- Cereal Production— Presidential 
 Votp from 1789 to 1880-Dates of Presidenre' 
 Births 130-134^ 
 
 HISTORY OF GBUNDT COVNTY, 
 
 CHAPTER I. PACK. 
 
 Intkoductory.— Geological Formation— Surface- 
 Boundaries— Name— Early Inhabitants— The 
 Home of the Indian — Irresistible March of 
 Civilization — Wliea Grundy County was Set- 
 tled—The Van-guard of Progress-'* The Good 
 Old Times ■" — Reverence for the Pioneer. ..135-137 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 Pioneers.— Early Settlers— 1833— 1834— First Store 
 — Heatherly Gang— 18:38-lS39-New Settlement 
 — Mormon Family— CampaigD, 1840— Women 
 Pioneers— Wedding Tours— Marriage Record 
 —First Coffin— Cheaper Market— Hard Cider 
 Campaign—Names of Old Settlers— Tetherow 
 and Lomax— The Commg County Seat Strug- 
 gle— Poem— 1841 , 137-170 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Geundt County Organized.- Metes and Bounds 
 —First Electious^-Firat Koad— School Lands 
 — First School Organization — Township 
 Boundaries— CountyOrganization— Hon. Felix 
 Grundy— First Sherift' — County Justices — 
 First Circuit Court — Cotinty Seat Imbroglio — 
 Writ of Error— Election of County Officers- 
 New Court-house— First Deed— Stray Notices 
 —Original Townships -Mexican War— Free- 
 man of Color— Naturahzation— In Court. .170-208 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 The Gold Fever.— New El Dorado— A Deficiency 
 — Contest of 1861— Union and Confederate 
 Meetings— The Twenty-tbird Missouri— Pitts- 
 burg Landing— Field of Shiloh— Death of Tin- 
 dall — Tribute to his Memory — Eulogy of 
 
 Woolfolk— Roll of Company B— Confederates 
 —Grundy County Battalion— The Forty-fourth 
 —Peace— The Blue and the Gray— The Dark 
 
 Days of the Civil War, 1862-65 209-233 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Coming Dawn. — Miscellaneous — Railroads — 
 "Look Out for the Cars"— First Officers- 
 Description— County and Town Subscription — 
 Economy— Tho Jail — The Most Accomplished 
 Unfortunate — Iron Bridge — New Townships 
 — Meies and Bounds — Township Retiistration 
 — Election — Low Assessment of Kailroad I^op- 
 erty — Poor-farm — The Centennial Year — 
 Hail, Rain and Wind Storm— New Judicial 
 Districts — Wool-Growers' A lociaticn— First- 
 Marriage License— The County Debt 234-251 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Resources. -Central Location— Surface — Coal- 
 Building Stone-Timber and Pi-airie— Chmate— 
 Soil— Cereals— Tobacc j— Average Crop— Fruits 
 and Vegetables— Vintage— Grasses — Stock — 
 
 Number of Head of Live-stock 252-264 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Agricultural and Mechanical Association. — 
 Organization — Incorporators— First Officers — 
 New Organization — Board of Directors— Con- 
 stitution and By-laws— Grounds 267-274 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 Patrons of Husbandev. — When Organized- 
 First Oihcers — List of Grauges — Declaration 
 of Purposes— 200 Wagons and 10,000 Bushels 
 Of Wheat 274-280 
 
CHAPTER IX. 
 SOHOOLS OF Gbundy CnUNTT.— Educational— Ex- 
 ploring the Records— School Organization— 
 Enumera'ion in 1847— Number of Children, 
 1853 and 1854— School moneys— Progress from 
 1865— School Commissioners— New Era— Su- 
 periutendei t'8 Report— School Fund, 1874- 
 Steady Growth -Letter from State Superm- 
 tendeiit-SchuoI Fund by Townships, 1875— 
 1876— bounty Superintendent's Report, 1879 — 
 1880 -Value of School Property and Report 
 for 1881— "The Men Who Have Guided". .281-291 
 CHAPTER S. 
 MiscELtANT.-Counly Map--Cyclone, 1880— Po- 
 litical-Population und its Increase— Census 
 of 1880- Comparison— Official Vot« of Grundy 
 County, 1880— Tenth District for 1880— Valua- 
 tion of Property— Assessment by Townships, 
 1874— Assessment, 1879— Valuation, 1881— Im- 
 migratiou— Grundy County's Advantage.. .292-304 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 County Officials.— Election in 1842— Sheriffs— 
 Defalcation— Circuit and County Clerks-Mis- 
 sing Funds- Cost of Suit— Circuit Clerks- 
 County Treasnrers- Probate Judges— Salaries 
 —Members of the Legislature— State Senators 
 —Circuit Judges- Circuit and County Attor- 
 neys—Judicial, Senatorial and Congressional 
 DistrictB- Congressmen— County Judges- 
 County Officers, 1881 304-314 
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 Trenton Township.— Description— Boundary- 
 First Election— Steady Progress-The Com- 
 ing Storm --Railroad Fever— Quincy, Missouri 
 & Pacific Railroad— $40,000 Raised— Rejoicing 
 
 —Schools, etc.— Biographies, 314-340 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 City of Thenton— Commanding Situation --New 
 Life— BusinesB— Second Railroad— Manufac- 
 turing— Deed of the Town Site— The City 
 Charter— Plat of Trenton— Incidents — Con- 
 tinued Progress— Milk 'Wagon—" Iron Horse 
 and Joy "Oiispeakable " — Crossing the Line 
 
 —Machine-shops— Close of 1871 341-360 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 Something of a Boom.— Onward March, 1872— 
 First Fire-company— Building Association— 
 Brewery--Financial— Crash — Railroad Basi- 
 nees- Public Library— Gas Works— Hotels— 
 Banks— Trenton Silver Cornet Band--Passing 
 Events — Prehii^toric — Gala Day — Depot 
 Burned -- Telegraph -- Trenton's Business 
 
 Houses 360-377 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 The Eaely Bar, Etc.— Early History— Bar of 
 1841— Juries- Important Case— The Present 
 Bar-TrentonHigh School History— Its Rise 
 and Progress- Its Present Condition- Coal- 
 Trial Shaft—The First Company- The New 
 Organization— Depth of Shaft— The Coal Vein 
 — Woolen and Flouring-mill — - Cost— Weather 
 and Crops— Below and Above Zero— Crops In- 
 jured—A Review of its Effects— Trenton's 
 Officials, 1857-1881— Places and Distances. .373-387 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 The Press of Trenton.— Trenton Pioneer— 
 Herald— Vhrisiian Pioneer— Trenton Be- 
 2)uhlican—ltB Changes of Name and Proprie- 
 tors— Its Political Course— Incidents in its 
 Ca.veex—Grundi/ County Times— Ot^b.u of 
 the Democracy— More V^ood—Oaily Bazar- 
 Trenton Weekly Star—'FiTBi Appearance — 
 Monthly Star— Daily Star— Its Principles— 
 " What "Becomes of KditorB'i''—Daity£Jve/i- 
 ing liepublican—A Forward Movement.. .388-397 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 Churches, Lodges, Etc.- Presbyterian— Meth- 
 odist— Calhohc— Christian— Baptist — Colored 
 Baptist — Colored Methodist— When they were 
 
 Organized— When Built— Names of Pastors- 
 Membership— General History — Trenton Post- 
 office — The First Postmaster — Names of all 
 the Postmasters— Quarterly Returns— Money 
 Order Department— Its Receipts — Secret Or- 
 ders and Societies— Odd Fellows — Knights of 
 Pythias^Order of LTnited Workmen — Knights 
 
 of Honor— Golden Spray Tabernacle 397-413 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Medical Society, Crimes, Etc.— Trenton Col- 
 lege — When Incorporated- jMedical Society— 
 When Organized — Qualification of Members- 
 Railroad and Machine-shop= — Number of Em- 
 ployes — Expenditures — Coal Consumed — 
 Waste and Oil Used— Managers— Crimes— The 
 War Period— Robbery and iVlurder- Burglar 
 Shot and Captured — Biographies— Alphabet- 
 ical List of Sketches- -Prominent Citizens of 
 
 Trenton 413-491 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Franklin Township. — Its Location— One of the 
 Group of Seven--Its Soil, Creeks, Woodlands 
 and Prairies— Its First Settlers— The First 
 '* Corn-cracker " — Tne First Cabin — Early 
 Events — Elections -- Churches — Schools — 
 Spickardsville — Its Incorporation- Mayor and 
 Trustees — Additions — A Shipping Point— Its 
 Schools and ChurcheB--Its Business in 1881 — 
 Names of its Business Men-- Biographical 
 
 Sketches 492-519 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Marion Township.— Its Boundary Lines--1838 
 to 1842— The Heatherlv War~Ttie Redskins- 
 ?70,OUO Cost — Thomas's Grove— C hurches— 
 Schools — The First SchooJ-house— An Elope- 
 ment — Preparing for Battle, an Incident — The 
 Indian Outbreak of 1842 The Gulliver War- 
 Assassination — Description — First Elections — 
 Township Officers — Lindley— Its First Settlers 
 — Incorporation — Business Houses — Its Fa- 
 mous Mineral Sjiring- Biographies 520-555 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 
 Madison Tcwttship. — Metes and Bounds— Acres 
 of Land— When Settled— The First Birth in 
 the County -Old Settlers-The Fright— Saved 
 Their Sr^calps- The First School— Tbe First 
 Weddiuf?— Mi'ls— Ediuburg- Grand River Col- 
 lege — When First Started— A Complete His- 
 tory — Business — Petition for Incorporation — 
 
 Incorporated— 1881 — Biographies 556-601 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Lincoln Township.— Its Municipal Boundary- 
 Woodland, Prairies and Running Waters — Its 
 First Settlers- The Bain Settlement— Death 
 of Riason Bain — Union Church — Trading with 
 the Indians— The First School and School- 
 house — The First Church- New Settlers- War 
 Period — When Organized— Public Servants-* 
 Incidents — A Memorable Tramp — A Solid Note 
 
 —Assessed Valuation— Biographies 601-639 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 
 Wilson Township.- Early Settlement — Silken 
 Bonds— luto tbe World, and Out— Schools and 
 Churches -First UDiversalist Church — Organ- 
 ization — Population, etc. ^Tragic Events — 
 Town of Alpha — Petition to Incorporate — 
 Present Officers- -Business Directoi"y — Biogra- 
 phies 640-656 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 
 Taylor Township.- When Organized — Old Zack 
 — The Early Pioneers—The First Cabinet- 
 shop in Grundy County — The Silent Dead — 
 Schools and Churches— Old Mrs. Duncan — Its 
 First Oflicers— The Mormon Troubles— Dark 
 
 Deeds and Darker Crimes— Biographies 656-669 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 
 Washington Township.— An Original Township 
 — Organized by Livingston County Court in 
 1839— Its Present Boundary— First Settlement 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 —The Old Pioneers— Prairips and Timber— Its 
 LiviDg Waters— ItB FtsI Obnrch and Minitt- 
 ter— Tbo Old Log School-house- Its Present 
 Officers— An Accident- Noble Ktiort-A Mem- 
 ber of the Legisliiture— ItioyraphieB. 669-676 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 
 Jackson Township.— Its Early Settlement— Froni 
 Indiana, Illiufjis and Virginia — Trading-point 
 — Forest and Streams — Prairie — Hirthe and 
 Deaths- First Physiciiin— Wedding Bells- 
 Christianity and Education— Ex teit of Do- 
 main-First Township Olficerft— Where they 
 Met— Population — Present Township Board — 
 
 Biographies 677-689 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 
 Myers Township.— Its Location— Organized in 
 ia72— Running Strearap— Uudnlating Prairies 
 —Forests of Timber— When Settled— Indians, 
 and Wild Game — 1840-41 — In«titutioue of 
 Learnine- Methodist and Ohrisiian Churi hes 
 —The First Baby—Cartmill Kickets Nuptials 
 —Spinning-wheel and Loom- Its First and 
 Present Township Officers— iJiographies... 689-704 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. pagst. 
 
 Liberty Township. — Settled in 1838 — Named la 
 1845_The Old Pioneers— Marriages— Births 
 an'i Deaths— Ministers and Doctors— Schools 
 -The First Divorce in Grnndy County— Val- 
 ualion— Railroad — Towq of Gault— Biogra- 
 phies 705-709 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 
 Harrison Township. — When it was Organized — 
 Acres of Land — Boundaries— Population— Its 
 Schools and (^'hurches— History ot the Church- 
 es—The Old Pioneers— How They Lived, What 
 They Saw and How They Conquered— Early 
 Marriages and Di'aths— Its Political Status- 
 Township Olficers— Biographies 709 72& 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 
 Jefferson Township— How Situated— Area in 
 Acres — When Organized — Its Metes and 
 htamds— Early Settlers— Fancy Sketch— First 
 Electioii, 1837— Pioneer Incidents— Schools 
 and School-bouses- The Coat of the First 
 School-house — Pioneer I raiisportatinn — Cli- 
 " a^e, Roil and Prosperity — Township Officers, 
 1881— Biographies 727-739 
 
 PORTRAITS. 
 
 Col. Jolin H. ShanHin 14' 
 
 Col. Jacob T. Tlndall 163 
 
 Col. W. B. Rogers 197 
 
 Hon. George H. Hubbell 231 
 
 Hon. A. H. Burkebolder 265 
 
 Hon. R. A.. DeBolt 299 
 
 Judge Stephen Peery 333 
 
 Hon. E. F. Horton 367 
 
 Judge George Hall 401 
 
 Gilbert D. aiuLtU 435 
 
 M. G. Kennedy 469- 
 
 r.uther Collier 503 
 
 Judge George A. Spickard 537 
 
MAP OF CRUNDV COUNTV, MO. 
 
 R.XXV R.XXIV R. XXIII 
 
History of Missouri. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 LOUISIANA PURCHASa 
 
 BRIEF HISTORICAL SKETCH. 
 
 The purchase of the vast territory, west of the Mississippi River, by the 
 United States, extending through Oregon to the Pacific coast and south to the 
 Dominions of Mexico, constitutes the most important event that ever occurred in 
 the history of the nation. 
 
 It gave to our Republic, additional room for that expansion and stupendous 
 growth, to which it has since attained, in all that makes it strong and enduring, 
 and forms the seat of an empire, from which will radiate an influence for good 
 unequaled in the annals of time. In 1763, one hundred and eighteen years ago, 
 the immense region of country, known at that time as Louisiana, was ceded to 
 Spain by France. By a secret article, in the treaty of St. Ildefonso, concluded in 
 1800, Spain ceded it back to France. Napoleon, at that time, coveted the island 
 of St. Domingo, not only because of the value of its products, but more especially 
 because its location in the Gulf of Mexico would, in a military point of view, 
 afford him a fine field, whence he could the more effectively guard his newly acquired 
 possessions. Hence he desired this cession by Spain should be kept a profound 
 secret until he succeeded in reducing St. Domingo to submission. In this under- 
 taking, however, his hopes were blasted, and so great was his disappointment, that 
 he apparently became indifferent to the advantages to be derived to France from 
 his purchase of Louisiana. 
 
 In 1803 he sent out Laussat as prefect of the colony, who gave the people of 
 Louisiana the first intimation that they had had, that they had once more become 
 the subjects of France. This was the occasion of great rejoicing among the inhabi- 
 tants, who were Frenchmen in their origin, habits, manners and customs. 
 
 Mr. Jefferson, then President of the United States, on being informed of the 
 retrocession, immediately dispatched instructions to Robert Livingston, the 
 American Minister at Paris, to make known to Napoleon that the occupancy of 
 New Orleans, by his government, would not only endanger the friendly relations 
 existing between the two nations, but, perhaps, oblige the United States to make 
 common cause with England, his bitterest and most dreaded enemy ; as the 
 possession of the city by France, would give her command of the Mississippi, 
 which was the only outlet for the produce of the Western States, and give her also 
 
10 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 control of the Gulf of Mexico, so necessary to the protection of American 
 commerce. Mr. Jefferson was so fully impressed with the idea that the occupancy 
 of New Orleans, by France, would bring about a conflict of interests between the 
 two nations, which would finally culminate in an open rupture, that he urged Mr. 
 Livingston, to not only insist upon the free navigation of the Mississippi, but to 
 negotiate for the purchase of the city and the surrounding country. 
 
 The question of this negotiation was of so grave a character to the United 
 States that the President appointed Mr. Monroe, with full power, to act in con- 
 junction with Mr. Livingston. Ever equal to all emergencies, and prompt in the 
 Cabinet, as well as in the field, Napoleon came to the conclusion that, as he 
 could not well defend his occupancy of New Orleans, he would dispose of it, on 
 the best terms possible. Before, however, taking final action in the matter, he 
 summoned two of his Ministers, and addressed them as follows : 
 
 " I am fully sensible of the value of Louisiana, and it was my wish to repair 
 the error of the French diplomatists who abandoned it in 1763. I have scarcely 
 recovered it before I run the risk of losing it ; but if I am obliged to give it up, it 
 shall hereafter cost more to those who force me to part with it, than to those to 
 whom I shall yield it. The English have despoiled France of all her northern 
 possessions in America, and now they covet those of the South. I am determined 
 that they shall not have the Mississippi. Although Louisiana is but a trifle com- 
 pared to their vast possessions in other parts of the globe, yet, judging from the 
 vexation they have manifested on seeing it return to the power of France, I am 
 certain that their first object wi be to gain possession of it. They will probably 
 commence the war in that quarter. They have twenty vessels in the Gulf of 
 Mexico, and our affairs in St. Domingo are daily getting worse since the death of 
 LeClerc. The conquest of Louisiana might be easily made, and I have not a 
 moment to lose in getting it out of their reach. I am not sure but that they 
 have already begun an attack upon it. Such a measure would be in accordance 
 with their habits; and in their place I should not wait. I am inclined, in order 
 to deprive _them of all prospect of ever possessing it, to cede it to the United States. 
 Indeed, I can hardly say that I cede it, for I do not yet possess it ; and if I wait 
 but a short time my enemies may leave me nothing but an empty title to grant to 
 the Republic I wish to conciliate. I consider the whole colony as lost, and I 
 believe that in the hands of this rising power it will be more useful to the political 
 and even commercial interests of France than if I should attempt to retain it. 
 Let me have both your opinions on the subject." 
 
 One of his Ministers approved of the contemplated cession, but the other 
 opposed it. The matter was long and earnestly discussed by them, before the 
 conference was ended. The next day. Napoleon sent for the Minister, who had 
 agreed with him, and said to him: "The season for deliberation is over. I 
 have determined to renounce Louisiana. I shall give up not only New Orleans, 
 but the whole colony, without reservation. That I do not undervalue Louisiana, 
 I have sufficiently proved, as the object of my first treaty with Spain was to 
 recover it. But though I regret parting with it, I am convinced it would be folly 
 to persist in trying to keep it I commission you, therefore, to negotiate this affair 
 with the envoys of the United States. Do not wait the arrival of Mr. Monroe, but 
 go this very day and confer with Mr. Livingston. Remember, however, that I 
 need ample funds for carrying on the war, and I do not wish to commence it by 
 levying new taxes. For the last century France and Spain have incurred great 
 expense in the improvement of Louisiana, for which her trade has never indemnified 
 them. Large sums have been advanced to different companies, which have never 
 been returned to the treasury. It is fair that I should require repayment for these. 
 Were I to regulate my demands by the importance of this territory to the United 
 States, they would be unbounded; but, being obliged to part with it, I shall be 
 moderate in my terms. Still, remember, I must have fifty millions of francs, and 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 11 
 
 1 will not consent to take less. I would rather make some desperate effort to 
 preserve this fine country." 
 
 That day the negotiations commenced. Mr. Monroe reached Paris on the 
 1 2th of April, and the two representatives of the United States, after holding a 
 private interview, announced that they were ready to treat for the entire territory. 
 On the30th of April, 1803, eighteendaysafterward, the treaty was signed, and on the 
 
 2 ist of October, of the same year, congress ratified the treaty. The United States 
 were to pay $11,250,000, and her citizens to be compensated for some illegal cap- 
 tures, to the amount of $3,750,000, making in the aggregate the sum of $15,000,- 
 000, while it was agreed that the vessels and merchandise of France and Spain 
 should be admitted into all the ports of Louisiana free of duty for twelve yca's. 
 Bonaparte stipulated in favor of Louisiana, that it should be, as soon as poss ble, 
 incorporated into the Union, and that its inhabitants should enjoy the same rights, 
 privileges and immunities as other citizens of the United States, and the clause 
 giving to them these benefits, was drawn up by Bonaparte, who presented it to the 
 plenipotentiaries with these words: "Make it known to the people of Louisiana, 
 that we regret to part with them; that we have stipulated for all the advantages 
 they could desire ; and that France, in giving them up, has insured to them the 
 greatest of all. They could never have prospered under any European govern- 
 ment as they will when they become independent. But while they enjoy the priv- 
 ileges of hberty let them remember that they are French, and preserve for their 
 mother country that affection which a common origin inspires." 
 
 Complete satisfaction was given to both parties in the terms of the treaty. 
 Mr. Livingston said : " I consider that from this day the United States takes rank 
 with the first powers of Europe, and now she has entirely escaped from the power 
 of England," and Bonaparte expressed a similar sentiment when he said: " By 
 this cession of territory I have secured the power of the United States, and given 
 to England a maritime rival, who, at some future time, will humble her pride." 
 These were prophetic words, for within a few years' afterward the British met with 
 a signal defeat, on the plains of the very territory of which the great Corsican 
 had been speaking. 
 
 P"rom 1800, the date of the cession made by Spain, to 1803, when it was pur- 
 chased by the United States, no change had been made by the French authorities 
 in the jurisprudence of the Upper and Lower Louisiana, and during this period 
 the Spanish laws remained in full force, as the laws of the entire province; a fact 
 which is of interest to those who would understand the legal history and some of 
 the present laws of Missouri. 
 
 On December 20th, 1803, Gens. Wilkinson and Claiborne, who were jointly 
 commissioned to take possession of the territory for the United States, arrived in 
 the city of New Orleans at the head of the American forces. Laussat, who had 
 taken possession but twenty days previously as the prefect of the colony, gave up 
 his command, and the star-spangled banner supplanted the tri-colored tiag of 
 France. The agent of France, to take possession of Upper Louisiana from the 
 Spanish authorities, was Amos Stoddard, captain of artillery in the United States 
 service. He was placed in possession of St. Louis on the 9th of March, 1804, by 
 Charles Ekehault Delassus, the Spanish commandant, and on the following day he 
 transferred it to the United States. The authority of the United States in Mis- 
 souri dates from this day. 
 
 From that moment the interests of the people of the Mississippi Valley be- 
 came identified. They were troubled no more with the uncertainties of free navi- 
 gation. The great river, along whose banks they had planted their towns and vil- 
 lages, now afforded them a safe and easy outlet to the markets of the world. Ur- 
 der the protecting segis of a government. Republican m form, and having fr^e 
 access to an almost boundless domain, embracing in its b-oad area the diversified 
 climates of the globe, and possessing a soil unsurpassed for fertility, beauty cl 
 
12 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 scenery and wealth of minerals, they had every incentive to push on their enter- 
 prises and build up the land wherein their lot had been cast. 
 
 In the purchase of Louisiana, it was known that a great em lire had been se- 
 cured as a heritage to the people of our country, for all time to come, but of its 
 grandeur, its possibilities, its inexhaustible resources and the important relations it 
 would sustain to the nation and the world were never dreamed of by even Mr. 
 Jefferson and his adroit and accomplished diplomatists. 
 
 The most ardent imagination never conceived of the progress, which 
 would mark the history of the "Great West." The adventurous pioneer, who 
 fifty years ago pitched his tent upon its broad prairies, or threaded the dark laby- 
 rinths of its lonely forests, little thought, that a mighty tide of physical and in- 
 tellectual strength, would so rapidly flow on in his footsteps, to populate, build 
 up and enrich the domain which he had conquered. 
 
 Year after year, civilization has advanced further and further, until at length 
 the mountains, the plains, the hills and the valleys, and even the rocks and the 
 caverns, resound with the noise and din of busy millions. 
 
 " I beheld the westward marches 
 Of the unknown crowded Nations. 
 All the land was full of people,' 
 Restless, struggling, toiling, striving. 
 Speaking many tongues, yet feeling 
 But one heart-beat in their bosoms. 
 In the woodlands rang their axes, 
 Smoked their towns in all the valleys | 
 Over all the lakes and rivers 
 Rushed their great canoes of thunder." 
 
 In 1S04, Congress, by an act, passed in April of the same year, divided 
 Louisiana into two parts, the "Territory of Orleans," and the "District ol 
 l^ouisiana," known as "Upper Louisiana," This district, included all that por- 
 tion of the old province, north of " Hope Encampment," on the Lower Missis- 
 sippi, and embraced the present State of Missouri, and all the western region of 
 country to the Pacific Ocean, and all below tbe forty-ninth degree of north lati- 
 tude not claimed by Spain. 
 
 As a matter of convenience, on March 26th, 1804, Missouri was pkced 
 within the jurisdiction of the government of the Territory of Indiana, and its 
 government put in motion, by Gen. William H. Harrison, then governor of 
 Indiana. In this, he was assisted by Judges Griffin, Vanderberg and Davis, 
 who established in St. Louis, what were called, Courts of Common Pleas. The 
 District of Louisiana, was regularly organized into the Territory of Louisiana by 
 Congress, March 3d, 1805, and President Jefferson, appointed Gen. James 
 Wilkinson, Governor, and Frederick Bates, Secretary. The Legislature of the 
 Territory, was formed by Governor Wilkinson and Judges R. J. Meigs, and John 
 B. C. Lucas. In 1807, Governor Wilkinson was succeeded by Captain Meri- 
 wether Lewis, who had become famous by reason of his having made the expe- 
 dition with Clark. Governor Lewis committed suicide in 1809 and President 
 Madison, appointed Gen. Benjamin Howard, of Lexington, Kentucky, to fill his 
 place. Gen. Howard resigned October 25, 1810, to enter the war of 1812, 
 and died in St. Louis, in 1814. Captain William Clark, of Lewis and Clark's 
 expedition, was appointed Governor in 1810, to succeed Gen. Howard, and 
 remained in office, until the admission of the State into the Union. 
 
 The portions of Missouri, which were settled, for the purposes of local 
 government were divided into four districts. Cape Girardeau was the first, and 
 embraced the territory, between Tywappity Bottom and Apple Creek. Ste. 
 Genevieve, the second, embraced the territory from Apple Creek to the Meramec 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 13 
 
 River. St. Louis, the third, embraced the territory between the Meramec and 
 Missouri Rivers. St. Charles, the fourth, included the settled territory, between 
 the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers. The total population of these districts at 
 that time, was 8,670, including slaves. The population of the district of Louis- 
 iana, when ceded to the United States was 10,120. 
 
 CHAPTER IL 
 DESCRIPTIVE AND GEOGRAPHICAL. 
 
 Name — Extent — Surface — Rivers— Timber — Climate — Prairies — Soils — Population by Counties. 
 
 NAME. 
 
 The name Missouri, is derived from the Indian tongue and signifies muddy. 
 
 EXTENT. 
 
 Missouri is bounded on the north by Iowa (from which it is separated for 
 about thirty miles on the northeast, by the Des Moines River), and on the east 
 by the Mississippi River, which divides it from Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee, 
 and on the west by the Indian Territory, and by the states of Kansas and Nebraska. 
 The state lies (with the exception of a small projection between the St. Francis 
 and the Mississippi Rivers, which extends to 36°), between 36° 30' and 40° 36' 
 north latitude, and between 12° 2' and 18° 51' west longitude from Washington. 
 
 The extreme width of the state east and west, is about 348 miles ; its width 
 on its northern boundary, measured from its northeast corner, along the low.i 
 line, to its intersection with the Des Moines River, is about 210 miles ; its width 
 on its southern boundary is about 288 miles. Its average width is about 235 miles. 
 
 The length of the state north and south, not including the narrow strip 
 between the St. Francis and Mississippi Rivers, is about 282 miles. It is about 
 450 miles from its extreme northwest corner to its southeast corner, and from the 
 northeast corner to the southwest corner, it is about 230 miles. These limits 
 embrace an area of 65,350 square miles, or 41,824,000 acres, being nearly as 
 large as England, and the states of Vermont and New Hampshire. 
 
 SURFACE. 
 
 North of the Missouri, the state is level or undulating, while the portion 
 south of that river (the larger portion of the state) exhibits a greater variety of 
 surface. In the southeastern part is an extensive marsh, reaching beyond the 
 state into Arkansas. The remainder of this portion between the Mississippi and 
 Osage Rivers is rolling, and gradually rising into a hilly and mountainous district, 
 forming the outskirts of the Ozark Mountains. 
 
 Beyond the Osage River, at some distance, commences a vast expanse of 
 prairie land which stretches away toward the Rocky Mountains. The ridges 
 forming the Ozark chain extend in a northeast and southwest direction, separat- 
 ing the waters that flow northeast into the Missouri from those that flow southeast 
 into the Mississippi River. 
 
 RIVERS. 
 
 No state in the Union enjoys better facilities, for navigation than Missouri. 
 By means of the Mississippi River, which stretches along her entire eastern 
 boundary, she can hold commercial intercourse with the most northern territory 
 
14 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 and state in the Union ; with the whole valley of the Ohio ; with many of the 
 Atlantic States, and with the Gulf of Mexico. 
 
 "Ay, gather Europe's royal rivers all — 
 
 The snow-swelled Neva, with an Empire's weight 
 
 On her broad breast, she yet may overwhelm ; 
 
 Dark Danube, hurrying, as by foe pursued. 
 
 Through shaggy forests and by palace walls, 
 
 To hide its terrors in a sea of gloom ; 
 
 The castled Rhine, whose vine-crowned waters flow. 
 
 The fount of fable and the source of song ; 
 
 The rushing Rhone, in whose cerulean depths 
 
 The loving sky seems wedded with the wave ; 
 
 The yellow Tiber, chok'd with Roman spoils, 
 
 A dying miser shrinking 'neath his gold ; 
 
 The Seme, where fashion glasses the fairest forms j 
 
 And Thames that bears the riches of the world ; 
 
 Gather their waters in one ocean mass, 
 
 Our Mississippi rolling proudly on. 
 
 Would sweep them from its path, or swallow up, 
 
 Like Aaron's rod, these streams of fame and song." 
 
 By the Missouri River she can extend her commerce to the Rocky Mountains, 
 and receive in return the products which will come in the course of time, by its 
 multitude of tributaries. 
 
 The Missouri River coasts the northwest line of the State for about 250 miles, 
 following its windings, and then flows through the State, a litde south of east, to 
 its junction with the Mississippi. The Missouri River receives a number of trib- 
 utaries within the limits of the State, the principal of which are the Nodaway, 
 I'latte, Loutre and Chariton from the north, and the Blue, Sniabar, Grand, Osage 
 and Gasconade from the south. The principal tributaries of the Mississippi within 
 the State, are the Salt River, north, and the Maramec River south, of the Missouri. 
 
 The St. Francis and White Rivers, with their branches, drain the southeastern 
 part of the State, and pass into Arkansas. The Osage is navigable for steamboats 
 tor more than 275 miles. There are a vast number of smaller streams, such as 
 creeks, branches and rivers, which water the State in all directions. 
 
 Timber. — Not more towering in their sublimity were the cedars of ancient 
 Lebanon, nor more precious in their utihty were the almung-trees of Ophir, than 
 the native forests of Missouri. The river bottoms are covered with a luxuriant 
 growth of oak, ash, elm, hickory, cottonwood, linn, white and black walnut, and 
 in fact, all the varieties found in the Atlantic and Eastern States. In the more 
 barren districts may be seen the white and pin oak, and in many places a dense 
 growth of pine. The crab apple, papaw and persimmon are abundant, as also 
 tlie hazel and pecan. 
 
 Climate. — The climate of Missouri is, in general, pleasant and salubrious. 
 Like that of North America, it is changeable, and subject to sudden and sometimes 
 extreme changes of heat and cold ; but it is decidedly milder, taking the whole 
 year through, than that of the same latitudes east of the mountains. While the 
 summers are not more oppressive than they are in the corresponding latitudes on 
 and near the Atlantic coast, the winters are shorter, and very much milder, except 
 during the month of February, which has many days of pleasant sunshine. 
 
 Prairies. — Missouri is a prairie State, especially that portion of it north and 
 northwest of the Missouri River. These prairies, along the water courses, abound 
 with the thickest and most luxurious belts of timber, while the "rolling" prairies 
 occupy the higher portions of the country, the descent generally to the forests or 
 bottom lands being over only declivities. Many of these prairies, however, ex- 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 15 
 
 hibit a gracefully waving surface, swelling and sinking with an easy slope, and a 
 full, rounded outline, equally avoiding the unmeaning horizontal surface and the 
 interruption of abrupt or angular elevations. 
 
 These prairies often embrace extensive tracts of land, and in one or two in- 
 stances they cover an area of fifty thousand acres. During the spring and summer 
 they are carpeted with a velvet of green, and gaily bedecked with flowers of 
 various forms and hues, making a most fascinating panorama of ever changing 
 color and loveliness. To fully appreciate their great beauty and magnitude, they 
 must be seen. 
 
 Soil. — The soil of Missouri is good, and of great agricultural capabilities, but 
 die most fertile portions of the State are the river bottoms, which are a rich allu- 
 vium, mixed in many cases with sand, the producing qualities of which are not 
 excelled by the prolific valley of the famous Nile. 
 
 South of the Missouri River there is a greater variety of soil, but much of it 
 is fertile, and even in the mountains and mineral districts there are rich valleys, 
 and about the sources of the White, Eleven Points, Current and Big Black Rivers, 
 the soil, though unproductive, furnishes a valuable growth of yellow pine. 
 
 The marshy lands in the southeastern part of the State will, by a system of 
 drainage, be one of the most fertile districts in the State. 
 
 POPULATION BY COUNTIES IN 1870, 1876, 1880. 
 
 1870. 1876. 1880. 
 
 Adair ii,449 13-774 i5>i90 
 
 Andrew 15,137 14,992 16,318 
 
 Atchison 8,440 10,925 14,565 
 
 Audrain 12,307 I5,i57 I9j739 
 
 Barry 10,373 11,146 14,424 
 
 Barton 5,087 6,900 10,332 
 
 Bates 15,960 17,484 25,382 
 
 Benton 11,322 11,027 12,398 
 
 Bollinger 8,162 8,884 11,132 
 
 Boone 20,765 3', 923 25,424 
 
 Buchanan 35,109 38,165 49,824 
 
 Butler 4,298 4,363 6,011 
 
 Caldwell 11,390 12,200 13 654 
 
 Callaway 19,202 25,257 23,670 
 
 Camden (1,108 7,027 7,269 
 
 Cape Girardeau 17,558 17,891 20,998 
 
 Carroll , 17,440 21,498 23,300 
 
 Carter 1,440 1,549 2,168 
 
 Cass 19,299 18,069 22,431 
 
 Cedar 9,471 9,897 10,747 
 
 Chariton ' 19,136 23,294 25,224 
 
 Christian 6,707 7,936 9,632 
 
 Clark 13,667 14,549 15,631 
 
 Clay 15,564 15-320 15,579 
 
 Clinton 14,063 13,698 16,073 
 
 Cole 
 
 10,292 14,122 15,519 
 
 Cooper 20,692 21,356 21,622 
 
 Crawford .... . , . . , 7,982 9,39i 10,763 
 
 Dade 8,683 11,089 12,557 
 
 ?5tt'las 8,383 8,073 9,272 
 
 Daviess. 14,410 16,557 19,174 
 
 DeKalb 9,858 11,159 13,343 
 
 Dent 6,357 7j4oi 10)647 
 
16 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Douglas 
 
 Dunklin ,... 
 
 Franklin 30 
 
 Gasconade 
 
 Gentry 
 
 Greene 
 
 Grundy 
 
 Harrison ; 
 
 Heary 
 
 Hickory 6 
 
 Holf. 11^ 
 
 Howard 17 
 
 Howell 4 
 
 Iron 6 
 
 Jackson • 55 
 
 Jasper 14 
 
 Jefferson 15 
 
 Johnson 24 
 
 Knox 10 
 
 Laclede 9 
 
 Lafayette 22 
 
 Lawrence 13 
 
 Lewis 15 
 
 Lincoln 15 
 
 Linn it; 
 
 Phelps . . 
 Pike . . . 
 Platte. , . 
 Polk „ . . 
 Pulaski . . 
 Putnam . 
 Ralls . . . 
 Randolph 
 
 Livingston ...... ........... 16 
 
 McDonald 5 
 
 Macon . 23 
 
 Madison ................. 5 
 
 Maries ................. 5 
 
 Marion 23 
 
 Mercer .................. 11 
 
 Miller 6 
 
 Mississippi 4 
 
 Moniteau 13 
 
 Monroe. 17 
 
 Montgomery. 10 
 
 Morgan ................. 8 
 
 New Madrid ............... 6 
 
 Newton ................. 12 
 
 Nodaway 
 
 Oregon ........ 
 
 Osage 
 
 Ozark 
 
 Pemiscot ....... 
 
 Perry . .... 
 
 Pettis 
 
 915 
 
 982 
 098 
 
 093 
 607 
 
 549 
 567 
 635 
 401 
 
 452 
 652 
 
 233 
 218 
 278 
 041 
 928 
 380 
 648 
 
 974 
 380 
 6h 
 067 
 114 
 960 
 906 
 
 730 
 226 
 230 
 849 
 9 1 6 
 780 
 
 SS7 
 616 
 982 
 
 375 
 149 
 
 4°5 
 434 
 357 
 821 
 
 751 
 287 
 
 793 
 3('3 
 059 
 877 
 706 
 506 
 076 
 352 
 445 
 714 
 217 
 
 6,461 
 
 6,255 
 26,924 
 II, 160 
 
 12,673 
 
 •24,693 
 
 13,07 1 
 
 18,5.3° 
 
 18,465 
 
 5,870 
 
 13,245 
 
 17,815 
 
 6,756 
 
 6,623 
 
 54,045 
 29,384 
 i6,.i86 
 23,646 
 12,678 
 
 9,84s 
 22,204 
 
 13,054 
 
 16,360 
 
 16,858 
 
 18, 1 10 
 
 18 074 
 
 6,072 
 
 25 028 
 
 8,750 
 
 6,481 
 
 22,794 
 
 13393 
 
 8,529 
 
 7,498 
 
 13,084 
 
 17,751 
 14,418 
 
 9,529 
 
 6,673 
 
 16,87 s 
 
 23,196 
 
 4,469 
 11,200 
 
 4 579 
 
 2,573 
 II, 189 
 23, 167 
 
 9,919 
 22,828 
 15,948 
 13,467 
 
 6,157 
 12,641 
 
 9,997 
 19,173 
 
 7,753 
 
 9,604 
 
 26,536 
 
 11,153 
 
 17,188 
 
 28,817 
 
 15,201 
 
 20,318 
 
 23,914 
 
 7,38^ 
 
 15,51" 
 
 i8,42« 
 
 8,8r4 
 
 8.1S3 
 
 82,3 = 8 
 
 32,021 
 
 18,736 
 
 28,177 
 
 13,047 
 
 11,524 
 
 25,761 
 
 17,585 
 
 15,925 
 
 17,443 
 
 20,016 
 
 20,205 
 
 7,816 
 
 26,223 
 
 8 866 
 
 7,304 
 
 24,837 
 
 14,674 
 
 9,807 
 
 9,27b 
 
 14,349 
 
 19,075 
 
 16,250 
 
 10,134 
 
 7,694 
 18,948 
 29,560 
 
 5,791 
 
 11,824 
 
 5,618 
 
 4,299 
 
 11,895 
 
 27,285 
 
 12,565 
 26,716 
 17 372 
 15,745 
 7,250 
 13,556 
 11,838 
 
 22,751 
 
liiiieiiib 
 
 If' 
 
 O I '% I MA 
 
 iiiiiaiiiii 
 
18 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Ray 18,700 18,394 20,196 
 
 Reynolds 3)7S6 4.716 5,722 
 
 Ripley 3>i7S 3-913 5.377 
 
 St. Charles 21,304 21,821 23,060 
 
 St. Clair 6,742 11,242 14,126 
 
 St. Francois 9,742 11,621 13.822 
 
 Ste. Genevieve 8.384 9,409 10.309 
 
 St. Louis* 351.189 . . . 31,888 
 
 Saline 21,672 27,087 29,912 
 
 Schuyler 8,820 9,881 10,470 
 
 Scotland 10,670 12,030 12,507 
 
 Scott 7,317 7,312 8,587 
 
 Shannon 2,339 3.236 3,44i 
 
 Shelby 10,119 i3'243 14,024 
 
 Stoddard 8,535 10,888 13.432 
 
 Stoiie 3,253 3,544 4,405 
 
 Sullivan 11 907 14,039 16,569 
 
 Taney 4.407 6,124 5,605 
 
 Texas 9,618 10,287 12,207 
 
 Vernon 11.247 14,413 19,370 
 
 Warren 9,673 10,321 10,806 
 
 Washington • 11,719 13,100 12,895 
 
 Wayne 6,068 7,006 9,097 
 
 Webster 10,434 10,684 12,175 
 
 Worth 5,004 7,164 8,2c8 
 
 Wright 5,684 6,124 9,733 
 
 City of St. Louis ... 350,522 
 
 1,721,295 1,547,030 2,168,804 
 
 Males 1,127,424 
 
 Females 1,041,380 
 
 Native 1,957.564 
 
 Foreign 211,240 
 
 White 2,023,568 
 
 Coloredf 145,236 
 
 CHAPTER IIL 
 GEOLOGY OF MISSOURL 
 
 Classiftcation of RoeJis — Quatenary Formation — Tertiary — Cretaceous — CarJionifcrous — Devonian 
 — Silurian — Azoic — Economic Geology — Coal — Iron — Lead — Copper — Zinc — Building Stone 
 — Marble — Gypsum — Lime — Clays — Paints — Springs — Water Power. 
 
 The stratified rocks of Missouri, as classified and treated of by Prof. G. C. 
 Swallow, belong to the following divisions: \. Quatenary; II. Tertiary; III. 
 Cretaceous ; IV. Carboniferous ; V. Devonian ; VI. Silurian , VII. Azoic. 
 
 "The Quatenary formations, are the most recent, and the most valuable to 
 man : valuable, because they can be more readily utilized. 
 
 » St. Louis city and county separated in 1877. Population for 1876 not given. 
 t Including 92 Chinese, 2 half Chinese, and 96 Indians and half-breeds. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 19 
 
 The Quatenary formation in Missouri, embraces the Alluvium, 30 feet 
 thick; Bottom Prairie, 30 feet thick; Bluff, 200 feet thick; and Drift, 155 feet 
 thick. The latest deposits are those which constitute the Alluvium, and includes 
 the soils, pebbles and sand, clays, vegetable mold, bog, iron ore, marls, etc. 
 
 The Alluvium deposits, cover an area, within the limits of Missouri, of more 
 than four millions acres of land, which are not surpassed for fertility by any 
 region of country on the globe. 
 
 The Bluff Prairie formation is confined to the low lands, which are washed 
 by the two great rivers which crmrse our eastern and western boundaries, and 
 while it is only about half as extensive as the Alluvial, it is equally as rich and 
 productive." 
 
 " The Bluff formation," says Prof. Swallow, "rests upon the ridges and river 
 bluffs, and descends along their slopes to the lowest valleys, the formation cap- 
 ping all the Bluffs of the Missouri from Fort Union to its mouth, and those of the 
 Mississippi from Dubuque to the mouth of the Ohio. It forms the upper stratum 
 beneath the soil of all the high lands, both timber and prairies, of all the counties 
 north of the Osage and Missouri, and also St. Louis, and the Mississippi counties 
 on the south. 
 
 Its greatest development is in the counties on the Missouri River from the 
 Iowa line to Boonville. In some localities it is 200 feet thick. At St. Joseph it 
 is 140 ; at Boonville 100 ; and at St. Louis, in St. George's quarry, and the Big 
 Moui d, it is about 50 feet ; while its greatest observed thickness in Marion 
 county was only 30 feet." 
 
 The Drift formation is that which lies beneath the Bluff formation, having, as 
 Prof. Swallow informs us, three distinct deposits, to-wit : "Altered Drift, which 
 are strata of sand and pebbles, seen in the banks of the Missouri, in the north- 
 western portion of the state. 
 
 The Boulder formation is a heterogeneous stratum of sand, gravel and 
 boulder, and water-worn fragments of the older rocks. 
 
 Boulder Clay is a bed of bluish or brown sandy clay, through which pebbles 
 are scattered in greater or less abundance. In some localities in northern 
 Missouri, this formation assumes a pure white, pipe-clay color." 
 
 The Tertiary formation is made up of clays, shales, iron ores, sandstone, and 
 sands, scattered along the bluffs, and edges of the bottoms, reaching from Com- 
 merce, Scott county, to Stoddard, and south to the Chalk Bluffs in Arkansas. 
 
 The Cretaceous formation lies beneath the Tertiary, ^nd is composed of 
 variegated sandstone, bluish-brown sandy slate, whitish-brown impure sandstone, 
 fine white clay mingled with spotted flint, purple, red and blue clays, all being 
 in the aggregate, 158 feet in thickness. There are no fossils in these rocks, and 
 nothing by which their age may be told. 
 
 The Carboniferous system includes the Upper Carboniferous or coal- 
 measures, and the Lower Carboniferous or Mountain limestone. The coal- 
 measures are made up of numerous strata of sandstones, limestones, shales, clays, 
 marls, spathic iron ores, and coals. 
 
 The Carboniferous formation, including coal-measures and the beds of iron, 
 embrace an area in Missouri of 27,000 square miles. The varieties of coal found 
 in the State are the common bituminous and cannal coals, and they exist in 
 quantities inexhaustible. The fact that these coal measures are full of fossils, 
 which are always confined to the coal measures, enables the geologist to point 
 them out, and the coal beds contained in them. 
 
 The rocks of the Lower Carboniferous formation are varied in color, and are 
 quarried in many different parts of the State, being extensively utilized for build- 
 ing and other purposes. 
 
 Among the Lower Carboniferous rocks is found the Upper Archimedes 
 Limestone, 200 feet ; Ferruginous Sandstone, 195 feet; Middle Archimedes, 50 
 
20 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 feet; St. Louis Limts'iOiie, 250 feet; Oolitic Limestone, 25 feet; Lower Archi- 
 medes Limestone, 350 feet ; and Encrinital Limestone, 500 feet. These lime- 
 stones generally contain fossils. 
 
 The Ferruginous limestone is soft when quarried, but becomes hard and du- 
 rable after exposure. It contains large quantities of iron, and is found skirting the 
 eastern coal measures from the mouth of the Des Moines to McDonald county. 
 
 The St. Louis limestone is of various hues and tints, and very hard. It is 
 found in Clark, Lewis and St. Louis counties. 
 
 The Lower Archimedes limestone includes partly the lead bearing rocks of 
 Southwestern Missouri. 
 
 The Encrinital hmestone is the most extensive of the divisions of Carbonifer- 
 ous limestone, and is made up of brown, buff, gray and white. In these strata are 
 found the remains of corals and mollusks. This formation extends from Marion 
 county to Greene county. The Devonian system contains : Chemung Group, 
 Hamilton Group, Onondaga limestone and Oriskany sandstone. The rocks of the 
 Devonian system are found in Marion, Ralls, Pike, Callaway, Saline and St. Gene- 
 vieve counties. 
 
 The Chemung Group has three formations, Chouteau limestone, 85 feet; Ver- 
 micular sandstone and shales, 75 feet; Lithographic limestone, 125 feet. 
 
 The Chouteau limestone is in two divisions, when fully developed, and when 
 first quarried is soft. It is not only good for building purposes but makes an ex- 
 cellent cement. 
 
 The Vermicular sandstone and shales are usually buff or yellowish brown, and 
 perforated with pores. 
 
 The Lithographic limestone is a pure, fine, compact, evenly-textured lime- 
 stone. Its color varies from light drab to buff and blue. It is called "pot met- 
 al," because under the hammer it gives a sharp, ringing sound. It has but few 
 fossils. 
 
 The Hamilton Group is made up of some 40 feet of blue shales, and 170 feet 
 of crystalhne limestone. 
 
 Onondaga limestone is usually a coarse, gray or buff crystalline, thick -bedded 
 and cherty limestone. No formation in Missouri presients such variable and wide- 
 ly different lithological characters as the Onondaga. 
 
 The Oriskany sandstone is a light, gray limestone. 
 
 Of the Upper Silurian series there are the following formations : Lower Hel- 
 derburg, 350 feet ; Niagara Group, 200 feet; Cape Girardeau limestone, 60 feet. 
 
 The Lower Helderberg is made up of buff, gray and reddish cherty and ar- 
 gillaceous limestone. 
 
 Niagara Group. The upper part of this group consists of red, yellow and ash- 
 colored shales, with compact limestones, variegated with bands and nodules of 
 chert. 
 
 The Cape Girardeau limestone, on the Mississippi River near Cape Girardeau, 
 is a compact, bluish-gray, brittle limestone, with smooth fractures in layers from 
 two to six inches in thickness, with argillaceous partings. These strata contain a 
 great many fossils. 
 
 The Lower Silurian has the following ten formations, to-wit : Hudson River 
 Group, 220 feet; Trenton limestone, 360 feet; Black River and Bird's Eye lime- 
 stone, 175 feet; first Magnesian limestone, 200 feet; Saccharoidal sandstone, 125 
 feet; second Magnesian limestone, 250 feet; second sandstone, 115 feet; third 
 Magnesian limestone, 350 feet ; third sandstone, 60 feet ; fourth Magnesian lime- 
 stone, 350 feet. 
 
 Hudson River Group: — There are three formations which Prof. Swallow re- 
 fers to in this group. These formations are found in the bluff above and below 
 Louisiana ; on the Grassy a few miles northwest of Louisiana, and in Ralls, Pike, 
 Cape Girardeau and Ste. Genevieve Counties. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 21 
 
 Trenton limestone : — The upper part of this formation is made up of thick 
 beds of hard, compact, bluish gray and drab limestone, variegated with irregular 
 cavities, filled with greenish materials. 
 
 The beds are exposed between Hannibal and New London, north of Salt 
 River, and near Glencoe, St. Louis county, and are 75 feet thick. 
 
 Black River and Bird's Eye limestone the same color as the Trenton lime- 
 stone. 
 
 The first Magnesian limestone cap the picturesque bluffs of the Osage in Ben- 
 ton and neighboring counties. 
 
 The Saccharoidal sandstone has a wide range in the state. In a bluff about 
 two miles from Warsaw, is a very striking change of thickness of this formation. 
 
 Second Magnesian limestone, in lithological character, is like the first. 
 
 The second sandstone, usually of yellowish-brown, sometimes becomes a pure 
 white, fine-grained, soft, sandstone as on Cedar Creek, in Washington and Frank- 
 hn counties. 
 
 The third Magnesian limestone is exposed in the high and picturesque bluffs 
 of the Niangua, in the neighborhood of Bryces' Spring. 
 
 The third sandstone is white and has a formation in moving water. 
 
 The fourth Magnesian limestone is seen on the Niangua and Osage Rivers. 
 
 The Azoic rocks lie below the Silurian and form a series of silicious and other 
 slates which contain no remains of organic life. 
 
 ECONOMIC GEOLOGY. 
 
 Coal. — Missouri is particularly rich in minerals. Indeed, no State in the 
 Union, surpasses her in this respect. In some unknown age of the past — long 
 before the existence of man, nature, by a wise process, made a bountiful provis- 
 ion, for the time, when in the order of things, it should be necessary for civilized 
 man — to take possession of these broad, rich prairies. As an equivalent for lack 
 of forests, she quietly stored away beneath the soil, those wonderful carboniferous 
 treasures for the use of man. 
 
 Geological surveys, have developed the fact, that the coal deposits in the 
 State, are almost unnumbered, embracing all varieties of the best bituminous coal. 
 The southeast boundary of the State, has been ascertained, to be one continuous 
 coal field, stretching from the mouth of the Des Moines River, through Clark, 
 Lewis, Scotland, Adair, Macon, Shelby, Monroe, Audrain, Callaway, Boone, 
 Cooper, Pettis, Benton, Henry, St. Clair, Bates, Vernon, Cedar, Dade, Barton, 
 and Jasper, into the Indian Territory, and the counties on the northwest of this 
 line contain more or less coal. Coal rocks exist in Ralls, Montgomery, Warren, 
 St. Charles, Moniteau, Cole, Morgan, Crawford, and Lincoln, and during the 
 past few years, all along the lines of all the railroads in north Missouri, and along 
 the western end of the Missouri Pacific, and oij the Missouri River, between 
 Kansas City and Sioux City, has systematic mining, opened up hundreds oi 
 mines in different localities. The area of our coal beds, on the line of the south- 
 western boundary of the State alone, embrace more than 26,000 square miles, ol 
 regular coal measures. This will give of workable coal, if the average be one 
 foot, 26,800,000,000 tons. The estimates from the developments already made, 
 in the different portions of the State, will give 134,000,000,000 tons. 
 
 The economical value of this coal, to the State ; its influence in domestic 
 life ; in navigation, commerce and manufactures, is beyond the imagination Oi 
 man to conceive. Suffice it to say, that in the possession of her developed, and 
 undeveloped coal mines, Missouri has a motive power, which in its influence= 
 for good, in the civilization of man, is more potent than the gold of California. 
 
 hvn.- — Prominent among the minerals, which increase the power and pros- 
 perity of a Nation, is iron. Of this ore, Missouri has an inexhaustible quantity, 
 and like her coal fields, it has been developed in many portions of the State, 
 
22 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 and of the best and purest quality. It is found in great abundance in the coun- 
 ties of Cooper, St. Clair, Green, Henry, Franklin, Benton, Dallas, Camden, 
 Stone, Madison, Iron, Washington, Perry, St. Francois, Reynolds, Stoddard, 
 Scott, Dent and others. The greatest deposit of iron, is found in the Iron 
 Mountain, which is two hundred feet high, and covers an area of five hundred 
 acres, and produces a metal, which is shown by analysis, to contain from 65 to 
 69 per cent of metallic iron. 
 
 The ore of Shepherd Mountain contains from 64 to 67 per cent of metallic 
 iron. The ore of Pilot Knob, contains from 53 to 60 per cent. 
 
 Rich beds of iron, are also found at the Big BDgy Mountain, and at Russell 
 Mountain. This ore has in its nude state, a variety of colors, from the red, 
 dark red, black, brown, to a light bluish gray. The red ores are found in 21 or 
 more counties of the State, and are of great commercial value. The brown 
 hematite iron ores, extend over a greater range of country, ihan all the others 
 combined; embracing about 100 counties, and have been ascertained to exist in 
 these in large quantities. 
 
 Lead. — Long before any permanent settlements were made in Missouri, by 
 the whites, lead was mined within the limits of the state, at two or three points on 
 the Mississippi. At this time more than five hundred mines are opened, , and 
 many of them are being successfully worked. These deposits of lead cover an 
 area, so far as developed, of more than 7,000 square miles. Mines have been 
 opened in Jefferson, Washington, St. Francis, Madison, Wayne, Carter, Reynolds, 
 Crawford, Ste. Genevieve, Perry, Cole, Cape Girardeau, Camden, Morgan and 
 many other counties. 
 
 Copper and Zinc. — Several varieties of copper ore are found in Missouri. The 
 copper mines of Shannon, Madison, and Franklin counties have been known for 
 years, and some of these have been successfully worked, and are now yielding 
 good results. 
 
 Deposits of copper have been discovered in Dent, Crawford, Benton, Maries, 
 Green, Lawrence, Dade, Taney, Dallas, Phelps, Reynolds, and Wright counties. 
 
 Zinc is abundant in nearly all the lead mines in the southwestern part of the 
 state, and since the completion of the A. & P. R. R. a market has been furnished 
 for this ore, which will be converted into valuable merchandise. 
 
 Building Stone and Marble. — There is no scarcity of good building stone in 
 Missouri. Limestone, sandstone, and granite exist in all shades of buff, blue, red, 
 and brown, and are of great beauty as building material. 
 
 There are many marble beds in the state, some of which furnish very beauti- 
 ful and excellent marble. It is found in Marion, Cooper, St. Louis, and other 
 counties. 
 
 One of the most desirable of the Missouri marbles is in the 3d Magnesian 
 limestone, on the Niangua. It- is fine-grained, crystalline, silico-magnesian lime- 
 stone, light-drab, slightly tinged with peach blossom, and clouded by deep flesh- 
 colored shades. In ornamental architecture it is rarely surpassed. 
 
 Gypsum and Lime. — Though no extensive beds of gypsum have been discovered 
 in Missouri, there are vast beds of the pure white crystalline variety on the line of 
 the Kansas Pacific Railroad, on Kansas River, and on Gypsum Creek. It exists 
 Iso in several other localities accessible by both rail and boat. 
 
 All of the limestone formations in the State, from the coal measures to the 
 fourth Magnesian, have more or less strata of very nearly pure carbonate of pure 
 time. 
 
 Clays and Paints. — Clays are found in nearly all parts of the State suitable for 
 making bricks. Potters' clay, and fire-clay are worked in many localities. 
 
 There are several beds of purple shades in the coal measures which possess the 
 properties requisite for paints used in outside work. Yellow and red ochres are 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 23 
 
 found in considerable quantities on the Missouri River. Some of these paints have 
 been thoroughly tested and found fire-proof and durable. 
 
 SPRINGS AND VS'ATER POWER. 
 
 No State is, perhaps, better supplied with cold springs of pure water than 
 Missouri. Out of the bottoms there is scarcely a section of land but has one or 
 more peiennial springs of good water. Even where there are no springs good 
 water can be obtained by digging from twenty to forty feet. Salt springs are 
 abundant in the central part of the State, and discharge their brine in Cooper, 
 Saline, Howard, and adjoining counties. Considerable salt was made in Cooper 
 and Howard counties at an early day. 
 
 Sulphur springs are also numerous throughout the State. The Chouteau 
 springs in Cooper, the Monagaw springs in St. Clair, the Elk springs in Pike, and 
 the Cheltenham springs in St. Louis county have acquired considerable reputation 
 as salubrious waters, and have become popular places of resort. Many other 
 counties have good sulphur springs. 
 
 Among the Chalybeate springs the Sweet springs on the Blackwater, and the 
 Chalybeate spring in the University campus are, perhaps, the most popular of the 
 kind in the State. There are, however, other springs impregnated with some of 
 the salts of iron. 
 
 Petroleum springs are found in Carroll, Ray, Randolph, Cass, Lafayette, 
 Bates, Vernon, and other counties. The variety called lubricating oil is the more 
 common. 
 
 The wa'er power of the State is excellent. Large springs are particularly 
 abundant on the waters of the Maramec, Gasconade, Bourbeuse, Osage, Niangua, 
 Spring, White, Sugar, and other streams. Besides these, there are hundreds of 
 springs sufficiently large to drive mills and factories, and the day is not far distant 
 when these crystal fountains will be utilized, and a thousand saws will buzz to 
 their dashing music. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 TITLE AND EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 Title to Missouri Lands — Right of Discovery — Title of France and Spain — Cession to the United 
 States — Territorial Changes — Treaties with Indians — First Settlement — Ste. Genevieve and 
 New Bou bon — St. Louts — When Incorporated — Potosi — St. Charles — Portage des Sioux — 
 New Mad id — St. Francois County — Perry — Mississippi — Lotttre Island — " Boon's L.ick" — 
 Cote Sans Dessein — Howard County — Some First Things — Counties — When Organized. 
 
 The title to the soil of Missouri, was, of course, primarily vested in the 
 original occupants who inhabited the country prior to its discovery by the whites. 
 But the Indians, being savages, possessed but it\Y rights that civilized nations 
 considered themselves bound to respect, so when they found this country in 
 the possession of such a people, they claimed it in the name of the King of 
 France, by the right of discovery. It remained under the jurisdiction of France 
 until 1763. 
 
 Prior to the year 1763, the entire continent of North America, was divided 
 between France, England, Spain, and Russia. France held all that portion th; t 
 now constitutes our national domain west of the Mississippi River, except Te.xar, 
 and the territory which we have obtained from Mexico and Russia. The vast 
 
24 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 region, while under the jurisdiction of France, was known as ■n.e ■" Province of 
 Louisiana," and embraced the present State of Missouri. At the close of the 
 "Old French War," in 1763, France gave up her share of the continent, and 
 Spain came into the possession of the territory west of the Mississippi River, 
 while Great Britain retained Canada and the regions northward, having obtained 
 '.hat territory by conquest, in the war with France. For thirty-seven years the 
 territory now embraced within the limits of Missouri, remained as a part of the 
 possession of Spain, and then went back to France by the treaty of St. Ildefonso, 
 October ist, 1800. On the 30th of April, 1803, France ceded it to the United 
 States, in consideration of receiving $11,250,000, and the liquidation of certain 
 claims, held by citizens of the United States against France, which amounted to 
 the further sum of $3,750,000, making a total of $15,000,000. It will thus be 
 seen that France has twice, and Spain once, held sovereignty over the territory 
 embracing Missouri, but the financial needs of Napoleon afforded our government 
 an opportunity to add another empire to its domain. 
 
 On the 31st of October, 1803, an act of Congress was approved, authorizing 
 the President to take possession of the newly acquired territory, and provided 
 for it, a temporary government, and another act approved March 26th, 1804, 
 authorized the division of the "Louisiana Purchase," as it was then called, into 
 two separate territories. All that portion south of the 33d parallel of north 
 latitude, was called the "Territory of Orleans,'' and that north of the said 
 parallel was known as the " District of Louisiana," and was placed under the 
 jurisdiction of what was then known as " Indiana Territory." 
 
 By virtue of an act of Congress, approved March 3, 1805, the " District of 
 Louisiana," was organized as the "Territory of Louisiana," with a territorial 
 government of its own, which went into operation July 4tli, of the same year, 
 and it so remained till 18 12. In this year the "Territory of Orleans," became 
 the State of Louisiana, and the " Territory of Loui-iana," was organized as the 
 " Territory of Missouri." 
 
 This change took place under an act of Congress, approved June 4th, 181 2. 
 In 18 rg, a portion of this territory was organized as " Arkansaw Territory," and 
 in 182 1, the State of Missouri was admitted, being a part of the former " Terri- 
 tory of Missouri." 
 
 In 1836, the " Platte Purchase," then being a part of the Indian Territory, 
 and now composing the coimties of Atchison, Andrew, Buchanan, Holt, Noda- 
 way, and Platte, was made by treaty with the Indians, and added to the State. 
 It v.'ill be seen then, that the soil of Missouri belonged : 
 
 I St. — To France with other territory. 
 
 2d. — In 1768, with other territory it was ceded to Spain. 
 
 3d. — October ist, iSoo, it was ceded with other territory from Spain, back 
 to France. 
 
 4th. — April jOth, 1803, it was ceded with other territory by France, to the 
 United States. 
 
 5th. — October 31, 1803, a temporary government was autliorized by Con 
 ■gress, for the newly acquired territory! 
 
 6th. — October i, 1804, it was included in the " District of LouisiaTia," and 
 placed under the territorial government of Indiana. 
 
 7th. — July 4, 1805, it was included as a part of the "Territory of Louisiana," 
 then organized with a separate territorial government. 
 
 8th. — June 4, 181 2, it was embraced in what was then made the " Territory 
 of Missouri." 
 
 9th. — August 10, 182 1, it was admitted into the Union as a State. 
 
 loth. — In 1836, the " Platte Purchase" was made, adding more territory to 
 the State. 
 
 The cession by France April 30, 1803, vested the title in the United States, 
 
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26 HISTORY OF MISSOURI, 
 
 subject to the claims of the Indians, which it was very justly the policy of the 
 government to recognize. Before the government of the United States could vest 
 clear title to the soil in the grantee it was necessary to extinguish the Indian title 
 by purchase. This was done accordingly by treaties made with the Indians, at 
 different times. 
 
 . EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 The name of the first white man who set foot on the territory now embracec* 
 in the State of Missouri, is not known, nor is it known at what precise period the 
 first settlements were made. It is, however, generally agreed that they were made 
 at Ste. Genevieve and New Bourbon, tradition fixing the date of these settle- 
 ments in the autumn of 17,55. These towns were settled by the French from 
 Kaskaskia and St. Philip in Illinois. 
 
 St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Lignest, on the 15th of February, 
 1764. He was a native of France, and was one of the members of the company 
 of Laclede Lignest, Antoino Maxant & Co., to whom a royal charter had been 
 granted, confirm ng the privilege of an exclusive trade with the Indians of the 
 Mi-souri as far north as St. Peter's River. 
 
 While in search of a trading post he ascended the Mississippi as far as the 
 moiith of the Missouri, and finally returned to the present town site of St. Louis. 
 After the village had been laid off he named it St. Louis, in honor of Louis XV, 
 of France. 
 
 The colony thrived rapidly by accessions from Kaskaskia and other towns on 
 the east side of the Mississippi, and its trade was largely increased by many of the 
 Indian tribes, who removed a portion of their peltry trade from the same towns to 
 St. Louis. It was incorporated as a town on the 9th day of November, 1809, by 
 the court of Common Pieas of the district of St. Louis; the town trustees being 
 Au^uste Chouteau, Edward Hempstead, Jean F. Cabanne, Wm. C. CarrandWm. 
 Christy, and incorporated as a city December 9, 1822. The selection of the 
 town site on which St. Louis stands was highly judicious, the spot not only being 
 healthful and having the advantages of water transportation unsurpassed, but sur- 
 rounded by a beautiful region of country, rich in soil and mineral resources. St. 
 Louis has grown to be the fifth city in population in the Union, and is to-day, the 
 great center of internal commerce of the Missouri, the Mississippi and their trib- 
 utaries, and, with its railroad facilities, it is destined to be the greatest inland city 
 of the American continent. 
 
 The next settlement was made at Potosi, in Washington County, in 1765, by 
 Francis Breton, who, while chafing a bear, discovered the mine near the present 
 to.vn of Potosi, where he afterward located. 
 
 One of the most prominent pioneers who settled at Potosi was Moses Austin, 
 of Virginia, who, in 1873, received by grant from the Spanish government a league 
 of land, now known as the "Austin Survey." The grant was made on condition 
 tbat Mr. Austin would establish a lead mine at Potosi and work it. He built a 
 pa atial residence, for that day, on the brow of the hill in the little village, which 
 was, for many years, known as " Durham Hall." At this point the first shot- 
 tower and sheet-lead manufactory were erected. 
 
 Five years after the founding of St. Louis the first settlement made in Norih- 
 ern Missouri was made at or near St. Charles, in St. Charles county, in 1769. 
 The name given to it, and which it retained till 1784, was Les Petites Cotes, signi- 
 fying, Little Hills. The town site was located by Blanchette, a Frenchman, sur- 
 named LeChasseur, who built the first fort in the town and established there a 
 military post. 
 
 Soon after the establishment of the military post at St. Charles, the old 
 French \ illage of Portage dcs Sioux, was located on the Mississippi, just below 
 the mouth of the Illinois river, and at about the same time a Kickapoo village 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 27 
 
 was commenced at Clear Weather Lake. The present town site of New Madrid, 
 in New Madrid county, was settled in 1781, by French Canadians, it then being 
 occupied by Delaware Indians. The place now known as Big River Mills, St. 
 Francois county, was settled in 1796, Andrew Baker, John Alley, Francis 
 Starnater, and John Andrews, each locating claims. The following year, a 
 settlement was made in the same county, just below the present town of Farm- 
 ington, by the Rev. Wm. Murphy, a Baptist minister from East Tennessee. In 
 1796, settlements were made in Perry county by emigrants from Kentucky and 
 Pennsylvania; the latter locating in the rich bottom lands of Bois Brule, the 
 former generally settling in the " Barrens," and along the waters of Saline Creek. 
 
 Bird's Point, in Mississippi county, opposite Cairo, 111., was settled August 
 6th, 1800. by John Johnson, by virtue of a land-grant from the commandant 
 under the Spanish Government. Norfolk and Charleston, in the same county, 
 were settled respectively in 1800 and 1801. Warren county was settled in 1801. 
 Loutre Island, below the present town of Herman, in the M ssouri River was 
 settled by a few American families in 1807. This little company of pioneers 
 suffered greatly from the floods, as well as from the incursions of thieving and 
 blood-thirsty Indians, and many incidents of a thrlling character could be 
 related of trials and struggles, hid we the time and space. 
 
 In 1807, Nathan and Daniel Boone, sons of the great hunter and pioneer, in 
 company with three others went from St. Louis to " Boone's Lick," in Howard 
 county, where they manufactured salt, and formed the nucleus of a small 
 settlement. 
 
 Cote Sans Desseiu, now called Bakersvilie, on the Missouri River, in 
 Callaway county, was settled by the French in i8or. This little town was 
 considered at that time, as the " Far West " of the new world. Daring the war 
 of 181 2, at this place many hard fought battles occurred between the whites and 
 Indians, wherein woman's fortitude and courage greatly assisted in the defense 
 of the settlement. 
 
 In 1810, a colony of Kentuckians numbering one hundred and fifty families 
 immigrated to Howard county, and settled in the Missouri River bortom, near the 
 present town of Franklin. 
 
 Such, in brief, is the history of some of the early setdements of Missouri, 
 covering a period of more than half a century. 
 
 These settlements were made on the water courses ; usually along the banks 
 of the two great streams, whose navigation afforded them transportation for their 
 marketable commodities, and communication with the civilized portion of the 
 country. 
 
 They not only encountered the gloomy forests, settling as they did by the 
 river's brink, but the hostile incursion of savage Indians, by whom they were for 
 many years surrounded. 
 
 The expedients of these brave men wljo first broke ground in the Territory, 
 have been succeeded by the permanent and tasteful improvements of their 
 descendants. Upon the spots where they toiled dared, and died, are seen the 
 comfortable farm, the beautiful village, and thrifty city. Churches and school 
 houses greet the eye on every hand ; railroads diverge in every direction, and, 
 indeed, all the appliances of a higher civilization, are profusely strewn over the 
 smihng surface of the State. 
 
 Culture's hand 
 Has scattered verdure o'er the land ; 
 And smiles and fragrance rule serene 
 Where barren wild usurped the scene. . 
 
28 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 SOME FIRST THINGS. 
 
 The first marriage that took place in Missouri was April 20, 1766, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first baptism was performed in May, 1766, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first house of worship, (Catholic), was erected in 1775, at St. Louis. 
 
 The first ferry established in 1805, on the Mississippi River, at St. Louis. 
 
 The first newspaper established in St. Louis, [Missouri Gazette), in 1808. 
 
 The first postoffice was established in 1804, in St. Louis — Rufus Easton, post- 
 master. 
 
 The first Protestant church erected at St. Genevieve, in 1806 — Baptist. 
 
 The first bank established, (Bank of St. Louis), in 1814. 
 
 The first market house opened in 181 r, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first steamboat on the Upper Mississippi was the General Pike, Capt. 
 Jacob Ried; landed at St. Louis 18 17. 
 
 The first board of trustees for public schools appointed in 1817, St. Louis. 
 
 The first college built, (St. Louis College), in 1817. 
 
 The first steamboat that came up the Missouri River as high as Franklin was 
 the Independence, in 1819; Capt. Nelson, master. 
 
 The first court house erected in 1823, in St. Louis. 
 
 The first cholera appeared in St. Louis in 1832. 
 
 The first railroad convention held in St. Louis, April 20, 1836. 
 
 The first telegraph lines reached East St. Louis, December 20, 1S47. 
 
 Tlie first great fire occurred in St. Louis, 1849. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 TERRITORIAL ORGANIZATION. 
 
 • 
 
 Organization 18 12 — Council — House of Representatives — Wm. Clark first Terriforial Governor — 
 Edward Hempstead first Delegate — Spanish Grants — First General Assembly — Proceedings — 
 • Second Assembly — Proceedngs — Population of Territory' — Vote of Territory — Rufus Easton — 
 Absent Members — Third Assembly — Proceedings — Application for Admission. 
 
 Congress organized Missouri as a Territory, July 4, 1812, with a Governor 
 and General Assembly. The Governor, Legislative Council, and House of Rep- 
 resentatives exercised the Legislative power of the Territory, the Governor's 
 vetoing power being absolute 
 
 The Legislative Council was composed of nine members, whose tenure of 
 office lasted five years. Eighteen citizens were nominated by the House of Rep- 
 resentatives to the President of the United States, from whom he selected, with 
 the approval of the Senate, nine Councillors, to compose the Legislative Council. 
 
 The Ho'ise of Representatives consisted of members chosen every two years 
 by the people, the basis of representation being one member for every five 
 hundred white males. The first House of Representatives consisted of thirteen 
 members, and, by Act of Congress, the whole number of Representatives could 
 not exceed twenty-five. 
 
 The judicial power of the Territory, was vested in the Superior and Inferior 
 Courts, and in the Justices of the Peace ; the Superior Court having three Judges, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 29 
 
 whose term of office continued four years, having original and appellate jurisdiction 
 in civil and criminal cases. 
 
 The Territory could send one delegate to Congress. Governor Clark issued 
 a proclamation, October ist, 1812, required by Congress, reorganizing the districts 
 of St. Charles, St. Louis, Ste, Genevieve, Cape Girardeau, and New Madrid, into 
 five counties, and fixed the second Monday in November following, for the 
 election of a delegate to Congress, and the members of the Territorial House of 
 Representatives. 
 
 William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was the first Territorial 
 Governor, appointed by the President, who began his duties 1813. 
 
 Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond, and Mathew Lyon 
 were candidates in November for delegates to Congress. 
 
 Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first Territorial Delegate to Con- 
 gress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second, and was instrumental 
 in having Congress to pass the act of June 13, 1812, which he introduced, con- 
 firming the title to lands which were claimed by the people by virtue of Spanish 
 grants. The same act confirmed to the people "for the support of schools," the 
 tide to village lots, out-lots or common field lots, which were held and enjoyed by 
 them, at the time of the cession in 1803. 
 
 Under the act of June 4, 1812, the first General Assembly held its Session 
 in the house of Joseph Robidoux, on the 7th of December, 1812. The names of 
 the members of the House were : 
 
 St. Charles. — John Pitman and Robert Spencer. 
 
 St. Louis. — David Music, Bernard G. Farrar, William C. Carr, and Richard 
 Clark. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve — George Bullet, Richard S. Thomas, and Isaac McGready. 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — George F. Bollinger, and Spencer Byrd. 
 
 New Madrid.— John Shrader and Samuel Phillips. 
 
 John B. C. Lucas, one of the Territorial Judges, administered the oath of 
 office. William C. Carr was elected Speaker, and Andrew Scott, Clerk. 
 
 The House of Representatives proceeded to nominate eighteen persons from 
 whom the President of the United S.ates, with the Senate, was to select nine for 
 the Council. From this number the President chose the following: 
 
 St. Charles. — James Flaugherty and Benjamin Emmons. 
 
 St. Louis. — Auguste Chouteau, Sr. , and Samuel Hammond. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve. — John Scott and James Maxwell. 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — William Neeley and Joseph Cavenor. 
 
 New Madrid. — Joseph Hunter. 
 
 The Legislative Council, thus chosen by the President and Senate, was 
 announced by Fredrick Bates, Secretary, and Acting-Governor of the Territory, 
 by proclamation, June 3, 1813, and fixing the first Monday in July following, as 
 the time for the meeting of the Legislature. 
 
 In the meantime the duties of tlie executive office were assumed by William 
 Clark. The Legislature accordingly met, as required by the Acting-Governor's 
 proclamation, in July, but its proceedings were never officially published. Con- 
 sequently but little is known in reference to the workings of the first Territorial 
 Legislature of Missouri. 
 
 From the imperfect account, published in the Missouri Gazette, of that day ; 
 a paper which had been in existence since 1808, it is found that laws were passed 
 regulating and establishing weights and measures ; creating the office of Sheriff; 
 providing the manner for taking the census ; permanently fixing the seats of 
 Justices, and an act to compensate its own members. At this Session, laws were 
 also passed defining crimes and penalties; laws in reference to forcible entry and 
 detainer; establishing Courts of Common P'-eas; incorporating the Bank of St. 
 
30 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Louis; and organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve county into the county oi 
 Washington. 
 
 The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, December 6, 1813. 
 George Bullet, of Ste. Genevieve county, was speaker elect, and Andrew Scott, 
 clerk, and William Sullivan, doorkeeper. Since the adjournment of the former 
 Legislature several vacancies had occurred, and new members had been elected to 
 fill their places. Among these was Israel McGready, from the county of Wash- 
 ington. 
 
 The president of the legislative council was Samuel Hammond. No journal 
 of the council was officially published, but the proceedings of the house are found 
 in the Gazet/e. 
 
 At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were passed, hav- 
 ing reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spiritual welfare of the peo- 
 ple. Laws were enacted for the suppression of vice and immorality on the Sab- 
 bath day ; for the improvement of public roads and highways ; creating the offices 
 of auditor, treasurer and county surveyor ; regulating the fiscal affairs of the 
 Territory and fixing the boundary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Wash- 
 ington and St. Charles counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of Jan- 
 uary, 1814, sifie die. 
 
 The population of the Territory as shown by the United States census in 1810, 
 was 20,845. The census taken by the Legislature in 1814 gave the Territory a 
 population of 25,000. This enumeration shows the county of St. Louis contained 
 the greatest number of inhabitants, and the new county of Arkansas the least — 
 the latter having 827, and the former 3,149. 
 
 The candidates for delegate to Congress were Rufus Easton, Samuel Ham- 
 mond, Alexander McNair and Thomas F. Riddick. Rufus Easton and Samuel 
 Hammond had been candidates at the preceding election. In all the counties, 
 excepting Arkansas, the votes aggregated 2,599, of which number Mr. Easton re- 
 ceived 965, Mr. Hammond 746, Mr. McNair 853, and Mr. Riddick (who had 
 withdrawn previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton was elected. 
 
 The census of 18 14 showing a large increase in the population of the Terri- 
 tory, an apportionment was made increasing the number of Representatives in the 
 Territorial Legislature to twenty-two. The General Assembly began its session in 
 St. Louis, December 5, 1814. There were present on the first day twenty Repre- 
 sentatives. James Caldwell of Ste. Genevieve county was elected speaker, and 
 Andrew Scott, who had been clerk of the preceding assembly, was chosen clerk. 
 The President of the Council was William Neely, of Cape Girardeau county. 
 
 It appeared that James Maxwell, the absent member of the Council, and Seth 
 Emmons, member elect of the House of Representatives, were dead. The county 
 of Lawrence was organized at this session, from the western part of New Madrid 
 county, and the corporate powers of St. Louis were enlarged. In 1815 the Ter- 
 ritorial Legislature again began its session. Only a partial report of its proceed- 
 ings are given in the Gazette. The county of Howard was then organized from 
 St. Louis and St. Charles counties, and included all that part of the State lying 
 north of the Osage and south of the dividing ridge between the Mississippi and 
 Missouri Rivers. 
 
 The next session of the Territorial Legislature commenced its session in De- 
 cember, 1816. During the sitting of this Legislature many important acts were 
 passed. It was then that the "Bank of Missouri" was charted and went into 
 operation. In the fall of 1817 the " Bank of St. Louis " and the " Bank of Mis- 
 souri were issuing b lis. An act was passed chartering lottery companies, char- 
 tering the academy at Potosi, and incorporating a board of trustees for superin- 
 tending the schools in the town of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encour- 
 age the " killing of wolves, panthers and wild-cats." 
 
 The Territorial Legislature met again in December, 18 18, and, among other 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 31 
 
 thing!5, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson, Franklin, Wayne, Lin- 
 coln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in the Southern part of Arkan 
 sas. In 1 819 the Territory of Arkansas was formed into a separate government 
 of its own. 
 
 The people of the Territory of Missouri had been, for some time, anxious 
 that their Territory should assume the duties and responsibilities of a sovereign 
 State. Since 1812, the date of the organization of the Territory, the population 
 had rapidly increased, many counties had been established, its commerce had 
 grown into importance, its agricultural and mineral resources were being devel- 
 oped, and believing that its admission into the Union as a State would give fresh 
 impetus tq all these interests, and hasten its settlement, the Territorial Legislature 
 of 1818-19 accordingly made application to Congress for the passage of an act 
 authorizing the people of Missouri to organize a state government. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 Application of Missouri to be Admitted into the Union — Agitation of the Slavery Question — " Mis- 
 souri Compromise" — Constitutional Convention of 1820 — Constitution presented to Congress — 
 Further Kesista7ice to Admission — Mr. Clay and his Committee make Report — Second Compro- 
 mise — Missouri Admitted. 
 
 With the application of the Territorial Legislature of Missouri for her admis- 
 sion into the Union, commenced the real agitation of the slavery question in the 
 United States. 
 
 Not only was our National Legislature the theater of angry discussions, but 
 everywhere throughout the length and breadth of the Republic the "Missouri 
 Question " was the all-absorbing theme. The political skies threaiened. 
 
 "In forked flashes, a commanding tempest," 
 
 Which was liable to burst upon the nation at any moment. Through such a cri- 
 sis our country seemed destined to pass. The question as to the admission of 
 Missouri was to be the beginning of this crisis, which distracted the public coun- 
 sels of the nation for more than forty years afterward. 
 
 Missouri asked to be admitted into the great family of States. " Lower Louis- 
 iana," her twin sister Territory, had knocked at the door of the Union eight years 
 previously, and was admitted as stipulated by Napoleon, to all the rights, privileges 
 and immunities of a State, and in accordance with the stipulations of the same 
 treaty, Missouri now sought to be clothed with the same rights, privileges and 
 immunities. 
 
 As what is known in the history of the United States as the " Missouri Com- 
 promise," of 1820, takes rank among the most prominent measures that had up to 
 that day engaged the attention of our National Legislature, we shall enter some- 
 what into its details, being connected as they are with the annals of the State. 
 
 February i^th 18 ig. — After the House had resolved itself into a Committee 
 of the Whole on the bill to authorize the admission of Missouri into the Union, 
 and after the question of her admission had been discussed for some time, Mr. 
 Tallmadge, of New York, moved to amend the bill, by adding to it the following 
 proviso : 
 
 " And Provided, That the further introduction of slavery or involuntary serv- 
 itude be prohibited, except for the puishment of crime, whereof the party shall 
 
32 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 have been duly convicted, and that„aU children born within the said State, after 
 the admission thereof into the Union, shall be free at the age of twenty-five years." 
 
 As might have been expected, this proviso precipitated the angry discussions 
 which lasted for nearly three years, finally culminating in the Mi-souri Compro- 
 mise. All phases of the slavery question were presented, not only in its moral 
 and social aspects, but as a great constitutional question, affecting Missouri and 
 the admission of future States. The proviso, when submitted to a vote, wais 
 adopted — 79 to 67, and so reported to the House. 
 
 Hon. John Scott, who was at that time a delegate from the Territory of Mis- 
 souri, was not permitted to vote, but as such delegate he had the privilege of 
 participating in the debates which followed. On the i6th day of February the 
 proviso was taken up and discussed. After several speeches had been made, among 
 them one by Mr. Scott and one by the author of the proviso, Mr. Tallmadge, the 
 amendment, or proviso, was divided into two parts, and voted upon. The first 
 part of it, which included all to the word "convicted," was adopted— 87 to 76. 
 The remaining part was then voted upon, and also adopted, by 82 to 78. By a 
 vote of 97 to 56 the bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. 
 
 The Senate Committee, to whom ihe bill was referred, rejjorted the same to 
 the Senate on the 19th of February, when that body voted first upon a motion to 
 strike out of the proviso all after the word " convicted," which was carried by a 
 vote of 32 to 7. It then voted to strike out the first entire clause, which prevailed 
 — 22 to 16, thereby defeating the proviso. 
 
 The House declined to concur in the action of the Senate, and the bill was 
 again returned to that body, which in turn refused to recede from its position. 
 The bill was lost, and Congress adjourned. This was most unfortunate for the 
 country. The people having already been wrought up to fever heat over the agi- 
 tation of the question in the National Councils, now became intensely excited. 
 The press added fuel to the flame, and the progress of events seemed rapidly 
 tending to the downfall of our nationality. 
 
 A long interval of nine months was to ensue before the meeting of Congress. 
 That body indicated by its vote upon the " Missouri Question," that the two great 
 sections of the country were politically divided upon the subject of slavery. The 
 restrictive clause, which it was sought to impose upon Missouri as a condition of 
 her admission, would in all probability be one of the conditions of the admission 
 of the Territory of Arkansas. The pubhc mind was in a state of great doubt and 
 uncertainty up to the meeting of Congress, which took place on the 6th of Decem- 
 ber, 1819. The memorial of the Legislative Council and House of Representa- 
 tives of the Missouri Territory, praying for admission into the Union, was presented 
 to the Senate by Mr. Smith, of South Carohna. It was referred to the Judiciary 
 Committee. 
 
 So'iie three weeks having passed without any action thereon by the Senate, 
 the bill was taken up and discussed by the House until the 19th of February, when 
 the bill from the Senate for the admission of Maine was considered. The bill for 
 the' admission of Maine included the "Missouri Question," by an amendment 
 which read as follows : 
 
 " And be it further enacted. That in all that territory ceded by France to the 
 United i-tates, under the name of Louisiana, which lies north of thirty six degrees 
 and thirty minutes, north latitude (excepting such part thereof as is) included 
 within the limits of the State, contemplated by this act, slavery and involuntary 
 servitude, otherwise than in the punishment of crimes, whereof the party shall have 
 been convicted, shall be and is hereby forever prohibited ; Frovtd<d, always, That 
 any person escaping into the same from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed, 
 in any State or Territory of the United States, such fugitive may be lawfully re- 
 claimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or services as afore- 
 said." 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 33 
 
 The Senate adopted this amendment, which formed the basis of the " Missouri 
 Compromise," modified afterward by striking out the words, '■'■ excepting only such 
 >jart thereof." 
 
 The bill passed the Senate by a vote of 24 to 20. On the 2d day of March 
 the House took up the bill and amendments for consideration, and by a vote of 
 1 34 to 42 concurred in the Senate amendment, and the bill being passed by the two 
 Houses, constituted section 8, of " An Act to authorize the people of the Missouri 
 Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of 
 such State into the Union on an equal footing with the original States, and to 
 prohibit slavery in certain territory." 
 
 This act was approved March 6, 1820. Missouri then contained fifteen organ- 
 ized counties. By act of Congress the people of said State were authorized to 
 hold an election on the first Monday, and two succeeding days thereafter in May, 
 1820, to select representatives to a State convention. This convention met in St. 
 Louis on the 12th of June, following the election in May, and concluded its labors 
 on the 19th of July, 1820. David Barton was its President, and Wm. G. Pettis, 
 Secretary. There were forty-one members of this convention, men of ability and 
 statesmanship, as the admirable constitution which they framed amply testifies. 
 Their names and the counties represented by them are as follows : 
 
 Cape Girardeau. — Stephen Byrd, James Evans, Richard S. Thomas, Alexan- 
 der Buckner and Joseph McFerron. 
 
 Cooper. — Robert P. Clark, Robert Wallace, Wm. Lillard. 
 
 Franklin. — John G. Heath. 
 
 Howard. — Nicholas S. Burkhart, Duff Green, John Ray, Jonathan S. Find- 
 ley, Benj. H. Reeves. 
 
 /rffeison. — Daniel Hammond. 
 
 Lincoln. — Malcolm Henry. 
 
 Montgomery. — Jonathan Ramsey, James Talbott 
 
 Madison. — Nathaniel Cook. 
 
 New Madrid. — Robert S. Dawson, Christopher G. Houts. 
 
 Fike. — Stephen Cleaver. 
 
 Si. Charles. — Benjamin Emmons, Nathan Bnone, Hiram H. Baber. 
 
 Ste. Genevieve. — John D. Cook, Henry Dodge, John Scott, R. T. Brown. 
 
 St. Louis. — David Barton, Edward Bates, Alexander McNair, Wm. Rector, 
 John C. Sullivan, Pierre Chouteau, Jr., Bernard Pratte, Thomas F. Riddick. 
 
 Washington. — John Rice Jones, Samuel Perry, John Hutchings. 
 
 Wayne. — Elijah Bettis. 
 
 On the 13th of November, 1820, Congress met again, and on the 6th of the 
 same month Mr. Scott, the delegate from Missouri, presented to the House the 
 Constitution as framed by the convention. The same was referred to a select com- 
 mittee, who made thereon a favorable report. 
 
 The admission of the State, however, was resisted, because it was claimed 
 that its constitution sanctioned slavery, and authorized the Legislature to pass laws 
 preventing free negroes and mulattoes from settling in the State. The report of 
 the committee to whom was referred the Constitution of Missouri was accompanied 
 by a preamble and resolutions, offered by Mr. Lowndes, of South Carolina. The 
 preamble and resolutions were stricken out. 
 
 The application of the State for admission shared the same fate in the Senate. 
 The question was referred to a select committee, who, on the 29th of November, 
 reported in favor of admitting the State. The debate, which followed, continued 
 for two weeks, and finally Mr. Eaton, of Tennessee, offered an amendment to the 
 resolution as follows : 
 
 " Provided, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to give 
 the assent of Congress to any provision in the Constitution of Missouri, if any such 
 there be, which contravenes that clause in the Constitution of the United States, 
 3 
 
34 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 which declares that the citizens of each State shall be entitled to all the privileges 
 and immunities of citizens in the several States." 
 
 The resolution, as amended, was adopted. The resolution and proviso 
 were again taken up and discussed at great length, when the committee agreed to 
 report the resolution to the House. 
 
 The question on agreeing to the amendment, as reported from the committee 
 of the whole, was lost in the House. A similar resolution afterward passed the 
 Senate, but was again rejected in the House. Then it was that that great states- 
 man and pure patriot, Henry Clay, of Kentucky, feeling that the hour had come 
 when angry discussions should cease 
 
 " With grave 
 Aspect he rose, and in his rising seem'd 
 A pillar of state ; deep on his front engraven 
 Deliberation sat and public care ; 
 And princely counsel in his face yet shone 
 Majestic" ***** 
 
 proposed that the question of Missouri's admission be referred to a committee 
 consisting of twenty-three persons, (a number equal to the number of States then 
 composing the Union,) be appointed to act in conjunction with a committee of 
 the Senate to consider and report whether Missouri should be admitted, etc. 
 
 The motion prevailed ; the committee was appointed and Mr. Clay made its 
 chairman. The Senate selected seven of its members to act with the committee 
 of twenty three, and on the 26th of February the following report was made by 
 that committee: 
 
 "Resolved, by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United 
 States of America in Congress assembled : That Missouri shall be admitted into 
 the Union, on an equal footing with the original States, in all respects whatever, 
 upon the fundamental condition that the fourth clause, of the twenty-sixth section 
 of the third article of the Constitution submitted on the part of said State to Con- 
 gress, shall never be construed to authorize the passage of any law, and that no 
 law shall be passed in conformity thereto, by which any citizen of either of the 
 States in this Union shall be excluded from the enjoyment of any of the privileges 
 and immunities to which such citizen is entitled, under the Constitution of the 
 United States;- provided. That the Legislature of said State, by a Solemn Public 
 Act, shall declare the assent of the said State, to the said fundamental condition, 
 and shall transmit to the President of the United States, on or before the fourth 
 Monday in November next, an authentic copy of the said act; upon the receipt 
 whereof, the President, by proclamation, shall announce the fact ; whereupon, 
 and without any further proceeding on the part of Congress, the admission of the 
 said State into the Union shall be considered complete." 
 
 TTiis resolution, after a brief debate, was adopted in the House, and passed 
 the Senate on the 28th of February, 1821. 
 
 At a special session of the Legislature held in St. Charles, in June following, 
 a Solemn Public Act was adopted, giving its assent to the conditions of admission, 
 as expressed in the resolution of Mr. Clay. August loth, 182 1, President 
 Monroe announced by proclamation the admission of Missouri into the Union to 
 be complete. 
 
HISTORY OF WISSOURL 36 
 
 CHAPTER Vir. 
 MISSOURI AS A STATE. 
 
 First Election for Gcmemor and Other State Officers — Senators atid Representatives to General As- 
 sembly — Sheriff's and Coroners — (J. S. Senators — Representatives in Congress — Supreme Coiot 
 Judges — Counties Organized — Capital Aloved to St. Charles — Official Record of Territorial and 
 State Officers. 
 
 By the Constitution adopted by the Convention on the 19th of July, 1820, 
 the General Assembly was required to meet in St. Louis on the third Monday in 
 September of that year, and an election was ordered to be held on the 28th of 
 August for the Election of a Governor and other State officers, Senators and Rep- 
 resentatives to the General Assembly, Sheriffs and Coroners, United States Sena- 
 tors and Representatives in Congress. 
 
 It will be seen that Missouri had not as yet been admitted as a State, but in 
 anticipation of that event, and according to the provisions of the constitution the 
 election was held, and the General Assembly convened. 
 
 William Clark (who had been Governor of the Territory) and Alexander 
 McNair were the candidates for Governor. McNair received 6,576 votes, Clark 
 2,556, total vote of the State 9,132. There were three candidates for Lieutenant 
 Governor, to-wit: William H. Ashley, Nathaniel Cook and Henry Elliot. Ash ey 
 received 3,907 votes, Cook 3,212, Elliot 931. A Representative was to be elected 
 for the residue of the Sixteenth Congress and one for the Seventeenth. John 
 Scott, who was at the time Territorial delegate, was elected to both Congresses 
 without opposition. 
 
 The General Assembly elected in Augustmeton the 19th of September, 1820, 
 and organized by electing James Caldwell, of Ste. Genevieve speaker, and John 
 McArthur clerk, William H. Ashley, Lieutenant-Governor, President of the 
 Senate; Silas Bent, President, /;'(? /«/«. 
 
 Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones were appointed Supreme 
 Judges, each to hold office until sixty-five years of age. 
 
 Joshua Barton was appointed Secretary of State; Peter Didier, State Treas- 
 urer; Edward Bates, Attorney-General and William Christie, Auditor of Public 
 Accounts. 
 
 Djvid Barton and Thomas H. Benton were elected by the General Assembly 
 to the United States Senate. 
 
 At this session of the Legislature the counties of Boone, Callaway, Chariton, 
 Cole, Gasconade, Lillard, Percy, Ralls, Ray and Saline were organized. 
 
 We should like to give in details the meetings and proceedings of the differ- 
 ent Legislatures which followed; the elections for Governors and other State of- 
 ficers ; the elections for Congressmen and United States Senators, but for want 
 of space we can only present in a condensed form the official record of the Ter- 
 ritorial and State officers. 
 
 OFFICIAI, RECORD TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. 
 
 Governors. — Frederick Bates, Secretary and Acting-Governor, 1812-13. 
 William Clark, 1813- 1820. 
 
 OFFICERS OF STATE GOVERNMENT. 
 
 Governors. — Alexander McNair, 1820-24. Frederick Bates, 1824-25. Abra- 
 ham J. Williams vice Bates, 1825. John Miller vice Bates, 1826 28. John 
 Miller, 1828-32. Daniel Dunkhn, 1832-36, resigned; appointed Surveyor 
 
36 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 General U. S. Libiirn W. Boggs vice Dunklin, 1836. Lilburn W. Boggs, 1836- 
 40. Thomas Reynolds, 1840, died 1844. M. M. Marmaduke vice Reynolds — 
 John C. Edwards, 1844-48. Austin A. King, 1848-52. Sterling Price, 1852-56. 
 Trusten Polk, 185657, resigned. Hancock Jackson vice Polk, 1857. Robert 
 M. Stewart vice Polk, 1857-60. C. F. Jackson, i860, office vacated by ordinance. 
 Hamilton R. Gamble vice Jackson ; Gov. Gamble died 1864. William P. Hall, 
 1864, vice Gamble. Thomas C. Fletcher, 1864-68. Joseph W. McClurg, i868- 
 70. B. Gratz Brown, 1870-72. Charles H. Hardin, 1874-76. Juhn S. Phelps, 
 1876-80. Thomas T. Crittenden, 1880, and is now Governor. • 
 
 Lieutenant-Governors. — William H. Ashley, 1820-24. Benjamin A. Reeves, 
 1824-28. Daniel Dunklin, 1828-32. Lilburn W. Boggs, 1832-36. P'ranklin 
 Cannon, 1836-40. M. M. Marmaduke, 184044. James Young, 1844-48. 
 Thomas L. Rice, 1848-52. Wilson Brown, 1852-55. Hancock Jackson, 1856- 
 60. Thomas C. Reynolds, 1860-61. Williard P. Hall, 1861-64. George Smith, 
 1864-68. Edward O. Stanard, 1868-70. Joseph J. Gravely, 1870-72. Chirles 
 P. Johnson, 1872-74. Norman J. Colman, 1874-76. Henry C. Brockmeyer, 
 1876-80. Robert Campbell, 1880, and is the present incumbent. 
 
 Secretaries of State. — Joshua Barton, 1820-21. William G. Pettis, 1821-24. 
 Hamilton R. Gamble, 1824-26. Spencer Pettis, 1826 28. P. H. McBride, 1829- 
 30. John C. Edwards, 1830, term expired 1835, re-appointed 1837, resigned 
 1837. Peter G. Glover, 183739. James L. Minor, 1839-45. F. H. Martin, 
 1845-49. Ephraim B. Ewing, 1849-52. John M. Richardson, 1852-56. Benja- 
 min F. Massey. 185660, re elected i860, for four years. Mordecai Oliver, 1861- 
 64. Francis Rodman, 1864-68, re-elected 1868, for two years. Eugene F. 
 Weigel, 1870-72, re-elected 1872, for two years. Michael K. McGrath, 1874, 
 and is the present incumbent. 
 
 State Treasurers. — Peter Didier, 1820 21. Nathaniel Simonds, 1821-28. 
 James Earickson, 1829-33. John Walker, 1833-38. Abraham McClellan, 1838- 
 43. Peter G. Glover, 1843-51. A. W. Morrison, 1851-60. George C. Bingham, 
 1^62-64. William Bishop, 1864-68. William Q. Dallmeyer, 1868-70. Samuel 
 Hays, 1872. Harvey W. Salmon, 1872 74. Joseph W. Mercer, 1874-76. Elijah 
 Gates, 1876-80. Phillip E. Chappel, 1S80, and present incumbent. 
 
 Atlorney-Generals. — Edward Bates, 1820-21. Rufus Easton, 1821-26. Robt. 
 W. Wells, 1826-36. William B. Napton, 1836-39. S. M. Bay, 1839-45. B. F. 
 Stringfellow, 1845-49. WiUiam A. Roberts, 1849-51. James B. Gardenhire, 
 1851-56. Ephraim W. Ewing, 1856 59. James P. Knott, 1859-61. Aikman 
 Welsh, 1861-64. Thomas T. Crittenden, 1864. Robert F. Wmgate, 1864-68. 
 Horace P. Johnson, 1868-70. A. J. Baker, 1870-72. Henry Clay Ewing, 
 1872-74. John A. Hockaday, 1874-76. Jackson L. Smith, 1876-80. Mclntire, 
 1880, and present incumbent. 
 
 Auditors of Public Accounts. — William Christie, 182021. William V. Rector, 
 1821-23. Elias Barcroft, 1823-33. Henry Shurlds, 1833-35. Peter G. Glover, 
 1835-37. Hiram H. Baber, 1837-45. William Monroe, 1845. J- R- McDer- 
 mon, 184-48. George W. Miller, 184849. Wilson Brown, 1849-52. William 
 H. Buffington, i8t2 60. William S. Moseley, i860 64. Alonzo Thompson, 
 186468. "Daniel M. Draper, 1868-72. George B. Clark, 1872-74. Thomas 
 Holladay, 1874-80. John Walker, 1880, and present incumbent. 
 
 Judges of Supreme Court. — Matthias McKirk, 1822 -'41; John D. Cooke, 
 1822-23; Jno. R. Jone's, 1822-24; Rufus Pettibone, 1823-25; Geo. Tomp- 
 kins, i824-'45; Robt. Wash, 1825-37; Jno. C. Edwards, 1837-39; Wm. Scott, 
 appointed 1841 till meeting of General Assembly in place of McKirk resigned, ; 
 re appointed 1843; P. H. McBride, 1845 '> Wm. B. Napton, 1849-52 ; Jno. F. Ry- 
 land, 1849-51 ; Jno. H. Birch, 1849-51 ; Wm. Scott, Jno. F. Ryland and Ham- 
 ilton R. Gamble elected by the people 1851 for six years; Gamble resigned 1854; 
 Abiel Leonard elected to fill vacancy of Gamble ; William B. Napton (vacated 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 37 
 
 by failure to file oath), William Scott and John C. Richardson (resigned), elected 
 August, 1857, for six years ; E. B. Ewing, 1859, to fill Richardson's resignation; 
 Barton Bates appointed 1862; W. V. N. Bay appointed 1862; John D. S. Dry- 
 den appointed £862; Barton Bates, 1863-65; W. V. N. Biy, elected 1863; John 
 
 D. S. Dryden, elected 1863; David Wagner appointed 1865 ; Wallace L. Love- 
 lace, appointed 1865; Nathaniel Holmes, appointed 1865; Thomas J. C. Fagg, 
 i|)pointed 1866; James Biker, appointed 1868; David Wagner, elected 1868- 
 •'70; Philemon Bliss, 1868-70; Warren Currier, 1868-71; Washington Adams, 
 appointed 1871 to fill Currier's place who resigned; Ephriam B. Ewing, 
 elected 1S72; Thomas A. Sherwood, elected 1872; W. B. Napton, appointed 
 1873 in place of Ewing, deceased; Edward A. Seins, appointed 1874, in place of 
 Adams, resigned; Warwick Hough, elected 1874; William B. Napton, elected 
 1874-80; John E. Henry, 1876-86; Robert Ray succeeded William B. Napton, 
 ill 1880: Elijah H. Norton, appointed in 1S76 — elected in 1878. 
 
 United Statis Senators. — T. H. Benton, 182050; D. Barton, 1820-30; Alex. 
 Buckner, 1830-33; L. F. Linn, 1833-43; D. R. Atchison, 1843-55; H. S. Geyer, 
 '851-57; Jas. M. Green, 1857-61; T. Polk, 185763; Waldo P. Johnson, 1861 ; 
 Robt. Wilson, iS6i; B. Gratz Brown, 1863, for unexpired term of Johnson; J. 
 B. Henderson, 186369; Chas. D. Drake, 1867-70; Carl Schurz, 1869-75; D. F. 
 Jevvett, 1870, in place of Drake, resigned; F. P. Blair, 1871-77; L. V. Bogy, 
 1873; F- M. Cockrell, 1875-81, re-elected 1881; Geo. G. Vest, 1879. 
 
 Representaiives to Congress. — Jno Scott, 1820-26; Ed. Bates, 1826-28; Spen- 
 cer Pett s, 182S-31; Wm, H. Ashley, 1831-36; John Bull, 1832-34; Albert G. 
 Harrison, 1834-39; Jno. Miller, 1836-42 ; John Jameson, 1839-44', re-elected 1846 
 for two years; Jno. C. Edwards, 1840-42; Jas. M. Hughes, 1842-44; Jas. H. 
 Relfe, 1842-46; Jas. B. Bowlin, 1842-50; Gustavus M. Boner, 1842-44; Sterling 
 Price, 1844-46; Wm. McDaniel, 1846; Leonard H. Sims, 1844-46; John S. 
 Phelps, 1844-60; Jas. S. Green, 1846-50, re-elected 1856, resigned; Williard P. 
 Hall, 1846-53; Wm. V. N. Bay, 1848-61; John F. Darby, 1850-53; Gilchrist 
 Porter, 1850-57; John G. Miller, 1850-56; Alfred W. Lamb, 1852-54; Thos. 
 H. Benton, 1852-54; Mordecia Oliver, 1852-57; Jas J. Lindley, 1852-56; Samuel 
 Caruthers, 1852-58; Thomas P. Akers, 1855, to fill unexpired term of J. G. Mil- 
 ler; Francis P Blair, jr., 1856, re-elected i860, resigned ; Thomas L. Anderson, 
 1856-60, James Craig, 1856-60; Samuel H. Woodson, 1856-60; John B. Clark, 
 sr., 1857-61; J. Richard Barrett, i860; John W. Noel, 1858-63; James S. Rol- 
 lins, 1860-64; Elijah H. Norton, 1860-63; John W. Reid, 1860-61; William A. 
 Hall, 1862-64; Thomas L. Price, 1862, in place of Reid, expelled; Henry T. 
 Blow, 1862-66; Sempronius T. Boyd, elected in 1862, and again in 1868, for two 
 years; Joseph W. McClurg, 1862-66; Austin A. Ki' g, 1862-64; Benjamin F. 
 Loan, 1862-69; John G. Scott, 1863, in place of Noel, deceased; John Hogan, 
 1864-66; Thomas F. Noel, 1864-67; John R. Kelsoe, 1864-66; Robt. T. Van 
 Horn, 1864-71; John F. Benjamin, 1864-71; George W. Anderson, 1864-69; 
 William A. Pile, 1S66-68 ; C. A. Newcomb 1866-68 ; Joseph E. Gravely, 1866- 
 68 ; James R. McCormack, 1866-73 ; John H. Stover, 1867, in place of McClurg, 
 resigned; Erastus Wells, 1868-82; G. A. Finklinburg, 1868-71; Samuel S. 
 Burdett, 1S68-71 ; Joel F. Asper, 1868-70; David P. Dyer, 1868-70; Harrison 
 
 E. Havens, 1870-75; Isaac G. Parker, 1870-75; James G. Blair, 1870-72; An- 
 drew King, 1870-72; Edwin O. Stanard, 1872-74; William H. Stone, 1872-78 
 Robert A. Hatcher, elected 1872; Richard P. Bland, 1872; Thomas Crittenden 
 1872-74; Ira B. Hyde, 1872-74; John B. Clark, 1872-78; John M. Glover, 1872 
 Aylett H. Buckner, 1872; Edward C. Kerr, 1874-78; Charles H. Morgan, 1874 
 Jolm F. Phelps, 1874; B. J. Franklin, 1874; David Rea, 1874; Rezin A. De 
 Boet, 1874; Anthony Ittner, 1876; Nathaniel Cole, 1876; Robert A. Hatcher 
 1876-78: R. P. Bland, 1876-78; A. H. Buckner, 1876-78; J. B. Clark, jr., 1876 
 78 ; T. t. Crittenden, 1876-78; B. J. Franklin, 1876-78 ; Jno. M. Glover, 1876-78 
 
38 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOtJRI. 
 
 Robt. A. Hatcher, 1876-78; Chas. H. Morgan, 1876-78; L. S. Metcalfe, 1876-78; 
 H. M. Pollard, 1876-78; David Rea, 1876-78; S. L. Sawyer, 1878-80; N. Ford, 
 1878-82; G. F. Rothwell, 1S78-82 ; John B. Clark, jr., 1878 82; W. H. Hatch, 
 1878-82; A. H. Buckner, 187882 ; M. L. Clardy, 1878-82; R. G. Frost, 1878-82; 
 L. H. Davis, 1878-82; R. P. Bland, 1878-82;;. R. Waddill, 1878 80 ;T. Allen, 
 1880-82 ; R. Hazeltine, 1880-82 ; T. M. Rice, 1880-82 ; R. T. Van Horn, 1880-82. 
 
 COUNTIES WHEN ORGANIZED. 
 
 Linn , . January 7, 
 
 Adair January 29, 
 
 Andrew January 29, 
 
 Atchison January 14, 
 
 Audrain December 17, 
 
 Barry January 5, 
 
 Barton December 12, 
 
 Bates . . . . ^ January 29, 
 
 Benton January 3, 
 
 Bollinger March I, 
 
 Boone November 16, 
 
 Buchanan ......'. February 10, 
 
 Butler February 27, 
 
 Caldwell December 26, 
 
 Callaway November 25, 
 
 Camden January 29, 
 
 Cape Girardeau October I, 
 
 Carroll January 3, 
 
 Carter March 10, 
 
 Cass '. . .September 14, 
 
 Cedar February 14, 
 
 I hariton November 16, 
 
 Christian March 8, 
 
 Clark December 15, 
 
 Clay January 2, 
 
 Clinton January 15, 
 
 Cole November 16, 
 
 Cooper December 17, 
 
 Crawford January 23, 
 
 Dade • ■ . January 29, 
 
 Dallas December 10, 
 
 Daviess . December 29, 
 
 DeKalb February 25, 
 
 Dent February 10, 
 
 Douglas October 19, 
 
 Dunklin February 14, 
 
 Franklin December II, 
 
 Gasconade .•••.. November 25, 
 
 Gentry February 12, 
 
 Greene January 2, 
 
 Grundy January 2, 
 
 Harrisoa February 14, 
 
 Henry December 13, 
 
 Hickory February 14, 
 
 Holt February 15, 
 
 Howard January 23, 
 
 Howell March 2, 
 
 Iron February 17, 
 
 Jackson December 15, 
 
 Jasper January 29, 
 
 Jefferson. ..... . . December 8, 
 
 Johnson ... .... December 13, 
 
 Knox February 14, 
 
 Laclede . •. . February 24, 
 
 Lafayette November 16, 
 
 Lawrence ....... February 25, 
 
 Lewis January 2, 
 
 Lincoln December 14, 
 
 845 
 836 
 835 
 835 
 841 
 
 835 
 851 
 820 
 
 820 
 841 
 812 
 833 
 859 
 835 
 
 818 
 822 
 
 833 
 820 
 818 
 829 
 
 836 
 
 857 
 845 
 818 
 820 
 841 
 833 
 843 
 845 
 834 
 845 
 S41 
 816 
 857 
 857 
 826 
 
 834 
 845 
 
 S45 
 833 
 818 
 
 Livingston January 6 
 
 McDonald March 3 
 
 Macon January 6, 
 
 Madison December 14, 
 
 Maries March 2, 
 
 Marion December 23 
 
 Mercer February 14 
 
 Miller February 
 
 Mississippi February 14. 
 
 Moniteau ....... February 14, 
 
 Monroe January 6 
 
 Montgomery December 14 
 
 Morgan January 5 
 
 New Madrid . . ..... . October I 
 
 Newton December 31 
 
 Nodaway February 14, 
 
 Oregon February 14 
 
 O-age Jauuary 29 
 
 Ozark January 29 
 
 Pemiscot February 19 
 
 Perry November 
 
 Pettis January 26, 
 
 Phelps November 13, 
 
 Pike . December 14, 
 
 Flatte December 3 
 
 Polk March S3 
 
 Pulaski Decen.ber 15 
 
 Putnam , . February 28 
 
 Ralls ........ November 16. 
 
 Randolph January 22 
 
 Ray November 16, 
 
 Reynolds February 25 
 
 Ripley . . ....... January 5 
 
 St. Charles ...... October I, 
 
 St. Clair J inuary 29, 
 
 St. Francois December 19, 
 
 Ste. Genevieve. ...... Octo er i 
 
 St. Louis October I 
 
 SaUne November 25 
 
 Schuyler February 14, 
 
 Scotland January 29 
 
 Scott December 28 
 
 Shannon January 29, 
 
 Shelby January 2 
 
 Stoddard January 2, 
 
 Stone February 10 
 
 Sullivan ........ February 16 
 
 Taney January 16 
 
 Texas February 14, 
 
 Vernon February 17 
 
 Warren January 5 
 
 Washington August 21 
 
 W.-iyne . December II 
 
 Webster March 3 
 
 Worth February 8, 
 
 Wright January 29, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 39 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 CIVIL WAR IN MISSOURI. 
 
 Fori Sumter fired upon — Call for y ^,000 men — Gcrv, Jackson refuses to furnish a man — U.S. 
 Arsenal at Liberty, Mo., seized — Proclamatioii of Governor Jackson — General Order No. 
 7 — Legislature convenes — Camp Jackson organized — Sterling Price appointed Major-Gen- 
 eral — Frost^s letter to Lyon — Lyon^s letter to Prost — Surrender of Camp Jackson — Procla- 
 mation of Gen. Harney — Conference between Price and Harney — Harney superseded by 
 Lyon — Secofid Conference — Gov. Jackson burns the bridges behind him — Proclamation 
 of Gov. Jackson — Gen. Blair takes possession of J/fferson City — Proclamation of 
 Lyon — Lyon at Springfield — State ofiices declared vacant — Gen. Fremont assumes com- 
 mand — Proclamation of Lieut, Gov. Aeynolds — Proclamatio7i of Jefi. Tliompson and Gov. 
 Jackson — Death of Gen. Lyon — Succeeded by Sturgis — Proclamation of McCulloch and 
 Gamble — Martial Law declared — 3d Proclamation of Jeff. 7 hotnfson — President modifies 
 Fremont'' s Order — Fre?nont relieved by Hunter — Proclamation of Price — Hunter's Order 
 of Assessment — Hunter declares Martial Law — Order relating to Newspapers — Halleck 
 succeeds Hunter — Halleck's Order Si — Similar order by Halleck — Boone County Standard 
 confiscated — Execution of prisoners at Macon and Palmyra — Gen. Swing's Order No. it — 
 Gen. Rosencrans takes com??iand — Massacre at Cent) alia — Death of Bill Anderson — Ceit, 
 Dod^e succeeds Gen. Rosencrans — List of Battles, 
 
 " Lastly stood war — 
 
 With visage grim, stern looks, and blackly hued, 
 
 Ah ! why will kings forget that they are men? 
 And men that they are brethren ? Why delight 
 In human sacrifice? Why burst the ties 
 Of nature, that should knit their souls together 
 In one soft bond of amity and love?" 
 
 Fort Sumter was fired upon April 12, 1861. On April isth, President 
 Lincoln issued a proclamation, calling for 75,000 men, from the militia of the 
 several States to suppress combinations in the Southern States therein named. 
 Simultaneously therewith, the Secretary of War, sent a telegram to all the gov- 
 ernors of the States, excepting those mentioned in the proclamation, requesting 
 them to detail a certain number of militia to serve for three months, Missouri's 
 quota being four regiments. 
 
 In response to this telegram, Gov. Jackson sent the following answer : 
 
 Executive Department of Missouri, 
 Jefferson City, April 17, 1861. 
 To the Hon. Simon Cameron, 
 
 Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. : 
 Sir: Your dispatch of the 15th inst., making a call on Missouri for four 
 regiments of men for immediate service, has been received. There can be, I 
 apprehend, no doubt but these men are intended to form a part of the President's 
 army to make war upon the people of the seceded States. Your requisition, in 
 my judgment, is illegal, unconstitutional, and cannot be complied with. Not one 
 man will the State of Missouri furnish to carry on such an unholy war. 
 
 C. F. Jackson, 
 
 Governor of Missouri. 
 
 April 21, 1861. U. S. Arsenal at Liberty was seized by order of Governor 
 Jackson. 
 
40 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 April 22, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation convening tlie Legis- 
 lature of Missouri, on May following, in extra session, to take into consideiation 
 the momentous issues, which were presented, and the attitude to be assumed by 
 the State in the impending struggle. 
 
 On the 2 2ud of April, 1S61, the Adjutant-General of Missouri issued the 
 following military order : 
 
 Headquarters Adjutant-General's Office, Mo., 
 Jefferson City, April 22, 1S61. 
 {General Orders No. y.) 
 i. 'I'o attain a greater degree of efficiency and perfection in organization and 
 discipline, the Commanding Officers of the several Military districts in this State, 
 having four or more legally organized companies therein, whose armories are 
 within fifteen miles of each other, will assemble their respective commands at 
 some place to be by them severally designated, on the 3r.i day of May, and to go 
 into an encampment for a period of six days, as provided by law. Captains of 
 companies not organized into battalions, will report the strength of their companies 
 immediately to these headquarters, and await further orders. 
 
 II. The Quartermaster-General will procure and issue to Quartermasters of 
 Districts, for these commands not now provided for, all necessary tents and camp 
 equipage, to enable the commanding officers thereof to carry the foregoing orders 
 into effect. 
 
 III. The Light Battery now attached to the Southwest Battalion, and one 
 company of mounted riflemen, including all officers and soldiers belonging to the 
 First District, will proceed forthwith to St. Louis, and report to Gen. D. M. Frost 
 for duty. The remaining companies of said battalion will be disbanded for the 
 purpose of assisting in the organization of companies upon that frontier. The 
 details in the execution of the foregoing are intrusted to Lieutenant-Colonel John 
 S.'Bowen, commanding the Battalion. 
 
 IV. The strength, organization, and equipment of the several companies in 
 the Districts will be reported at once to these Headquarters, and District Inspec- 
 tors will furnish all information which may be serviceable in ascertaining the 
 condition of the State forces. 
 
 By order of the Governor. 
 
 WARWICK HOUGH, 
 
 Adjutant-General of Missouri, 
 
 May 2, 1861. The Legislature convened in extra Session. Many acts were 
 passed, among which was one to authorize the Governor to purchase or lease 
 David Ballentine's foundry at Boonville, for the manufacture of arms and 
 munitions of war ; to authorize the Governor to appoint one Major-General ; to 
 authorize the Governor, when, in his opinion, the security and welfare of the 
 State required it, to take possession of the railroad and telegraph lines of the State; 
 to provide for the organization, government, and support of the military forces ; 
 to borrow one million of dollars to arm and equip the militia of the State to repel 
 invasion, and protect the lives and property of the people. An act was also 
 passed creating a "Military Fund," to consist of all the money then in the 
 treasury or that might thereafter be received from the one-tenth of one per cent. 
 on the hundred dollars, levied by act of November, 1857, to complete certain 
 railroads; also the proceeds of a tax of fifteen cents on the hundred dollars of the 
 assessed value of the taxable property of the several counties in the State, and the 
 proceeds of the two mill tax, which had been theretofore appropriated for educa- 
 tional purposes. 
 
 May 3, 1861. " Camp Jackson," was organized. 
 
 May 10, 1861. Sterling Price appointed Major-General of State Guard. 
 
A PIONJiEE "WINTEE. 
 
42 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 May 10, 1861. General Frost commanding "Camp Jackson" addressed 
 General N. Lyon, as follows : 
 
 Headquarters Camp JacKson, Missouri Militia, may 10, i»6i. 
 Capt. N. Lyon, Commanding U. S. Troops in and about St. Louis Arsenal: 
 
 Sir : — I am constantly in receipt of information that you contemplate an at- 
 tack upon my camp, whilst I understand that you are impressed with the idea that 
 an attack upon the Arsenal and United States troops is intended on the part of 
 the Militia of Missouri. I am greatly at a loss to know what could justify you in 
 attacking citizens of the United States, who are in lawful performance of their 
 duties, devolving upon them under the Constitution in organizing and instructing 
 the militia of the State in obedience to her laws, and, therefore, have been dis- 
 posed to doubt the correctness of the information I have received. 
 
 I would be glad to know from you personally whether there is any truth in 
 the statements that are constantly pouring into my ears. So far as regards any 
 hostihty being intended toward the United States, or its property or representa- 
 tives by any portion of my command, or, as far as I can learn, (and I think I am 
 fully informed,) of any other part of the state forces, I can positively say that 
 the idea has never been entertained. On the contrary prior to your taking com- 
 mand of the Arsenal, I proffered to Mayor Bell, then in command of the very 
 few troops constituting its guard, the services of myself and all my command, 
 and, if necessary, the whole power of the State, to protect the United States in the 
 full possession of all her property. Upon General Harney taking command of 
 this department, I made the same proffer of services to him, and authorized his 
 Adjutant-General, Capt. Williams, to communicate the fact that such had been 
 done to the War Department. I have had no occasion since to change any of the 
 views I entertained at the time, neither of my own volition nor through orders of 
 my Constitutional commander. 
 
 I trust that after this explicit statement that we may be able, by fully under- 
 standing each other, to keep far from our borders the misfortunes which so unhap- 
 pily affect our common country. 
 
 This communication will be handed you by Colonel Bowen, my Chief of 
 Staff, who will be able to explain anything not fully set forth in the foregoing. 
 
 I am, sir, very respectfully your obedient servant, 
 
 , BRIGADIER-GENERAL D. M. FROST, 
 
 Comtnanding Camp Jackson, M. V. M. 
 
 May loth, 1861. Gen. Lyon sent the following to Gen. Frost: 
 
 Headquarters United States Troops, 
 St. Louis, Mo., May 10, 1861. 
 Gen. D. M. Frost, Commanding Camp Jackson : 
 
 Sir : — Your command is regarded as evidently hostile toward the Govern- 
 ment of the United States. 
 
 It is, for the most part, made up of those Secessionists who have openly 
 avowed their hostility to the General Government, and have been plotting at the 
 seizure of its property and the overthrow of its authority. You are openly in 
 communication with the so-called Southern Confederacy, which is now at war with 
 the United States, and you are receiving at your camp, from the said Confederacy 
 and under its flag, large supplies of the material of war, most of which is known 
 to be the property of the United States. These extraordinary preparations plain- 
 ly indicate none other than the well-known purpose of the Governor of this State, 
 under whose orders you are acting, and whose communication to the Legislature 
 has just been responded to by that body in the most unparalleled legislation, hav- 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 43 
 
 ing in direct view hostilities to the General Government and co-operation with its 
 enemies. 
 
 In view of these considerations, and of your failure to disperse in obedience 
 to the proclamation of the President, and of the imminent necessities of Slate 
 policy and warfire, and the obligations imposed upon me by instructions from 
 Washington, it is my duty to demand, and I do hereby demand of you an imme- 
 diate surrender of your command, with no other conditions than that all persons 
 surrendering under this command shall be humanely and kindly treated. Believ- 
 ing myself prepared to enforce this demand, one-half hour's time before doing so 
 will be allowed for your compliance therewith. 
 
 Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 N. LVON, 
 Capt. 2d Infantry, Commanding Troops. 
 
 May TO, 1 86 1. Camp Jackson surrendered and prisoners all released except- 
 ing Capt. Emmet McDonald, who refused to subscribe the parole. 
 
 May 12, i86i. Brigadier-General Wm. S. Harney issued a proclamation to 
 the people of Missouii, saying " he would carefully abstain from the exercise of 
 any unnecessary powers," and only use "the military force stationed in this dis- 
 trict in the last resort to preserve peace." 
 
 May 14, i86r. General Harney issued a second proclamation. 
 
 May 21, 1 86 1. General Harney held a conference with General Sterling 
 Price of the Missouri State Guards. 
 
 May 31, 1861. General Harney sflperseded by General Lyon. 
 
 June II, 1861. A second conference -was held between the National and 
 State authorities in St. Louis, which resulted in nothing. 
 
 June II, i'6r. Gov. Jackson left St. Louis for Jefferson City, burning the 
 railroad bridges behind him, and cutting telegraph wires. 
 
 June 12, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation calling into active 
 service 50,000 militia, "to repel invasion, protect life, property, etc." 
 
 June 15, 1861. Col. F. P. Blair took possession of the State Capital, Gov. 
 Jackson, Gen. Price and other officers having left on the 13th of June for Boon- 
 ville. 
 
 June 17, 1861. Battle of Boonville took place between the forces of Gen. 
 Lyon and Col. John S. Marmaduke. 
 
 June 18, 1 86 1. General L7on issued a proclamation to the people of Mis- 
 souri. 
 
 July 5, 1861. Battle at Carthage between the forces of Gen. Sigeland Gov. 
 Jackson. 
 
 July 6, 1861. Gen. Lyon reached Springfield. 
 
 July 22, 1861. State convention met and declared the offices of Governor, 
 Lieutenant-Governor and Secretary of State vacated. 
 
 July 26, 1861. Gen. John C. Fremont assumed command of the Western 
 Department, with headquarters in St. Louis. 
 
 July 31, 1 86 1. Lieutenant-Governor Thomas C. Reynolds, issued a procla- 
 mation at New Madrid. 
 
 August I, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation at Bloom- 
 field. 
 
 August 2, 1861. Batde of Dug Springs, between Captain Steele's forces and 
 General Rains. 
 
 August 5, 1861. Governor Jackson issued a proclamation at New Madrid. 
 August 5, 186 1. Battle of Athens. 
 
 August 10, 1861. Bnttle of Wilson's Creek, between the forces under Gen- 
 eral Lyon and General McCuUoch. In this engagement General Lyon was killed. 
 General Sturgis succeeded General Lyon. 
 
44 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 August 12, 1864. McCulloch issued a proclamation, and soon left Missouri. 
 
 August 20, 1S64. General Price issued a proclamation. 
 
 August 24, 1S61. Governor Gamble issued a proclamation calling for 32,000 
 men for six months to protect the property and lives of the citizens of the State. 
 
 August 30, 1861. General Fremont declared martial law, and declared that 
 the slaves of all persons who should thereafter take an active part with the enemies 
 of the Government should be free. 
 
 September 2, 1861. General Jeff. Thompson issued a proclamation in re- 
 sponse to Fremont's proclamation. 
 
 September 7, 1861. Battle at Drywood creek. 
 
 September 11, 1861. President Lincoln modified the clause in Gen. Fre- 
 mont's declaration of martial law, in reference to the confiscation of property and 
 liberation of slaves. 
 
 September 12, 1861. General Price begins the attack at Springfield on Colo- 
 nel Mulligan's forces. 
 
 September 20, 1861. Colonel Mulligan with 2,640 men surrendered. 
 
 October 25, 1861. Second battle at Springfield. 
 
 November 2, 1S61. General Fremont succeeded by General David Plunter. 
 
 November 7, i86i. General Grant attacked Belmont. 
 
 November 9, 1861. General Hunter succeeded by General Halleck, who took 
 command on the 19th of same month, with headquarters in St. Louis. 
 
 November 27, 1861. General Price issued proclamation calling for 50,000 
 men, at Neosho, Missouri. ^ 
 
 December 12, 1861. General Hunter issued his order of assessment upon cer- 
 tain wealthy citizens in St. Louis, for feeding and clothing Union refugees. 
 
 December 23-25. Declared martial law in St. Louis and the country adja- 
 cent, and covering all the railroad lines. 
 
 March 6, 1862. Battle at Pea Ridge between the forces under Generals Curtis 
 and Van Dorn. 
 
 January 8, 1862. Provost Marshal Farrar, of St. Louis, issued the following 
 order in reference to newspapers : 
 
 Office of the Provost Marshal, 
 General Department of Missouri. 
 St. Louis, January 8, 1862. 
 (General Order No. 10.) 
 
 It is hereby ordered that from and after this date the publishers of newspapers 
 in the State of Missouri, (St. Louis City papers excepted), furnish to this office, 
 immediately upon publication, one copy of each issue, for inspection. A failure 
 to comply with this order will render the newspaper liable to suppression. 
 
 Local Provost Marshals will furnish the proprietors with copies of this order, 
 and attend to its immediate enforcement. 
 
 Bernard G. Farrar, 
 Provost Marshal General. 
 
 January 26, 1862. General Halleck issued order (No. 18) which forbade, among 
 other things, the display of Secession flags in the hands of women or on carriages, 
 in the vicinity of the military prison in McDowell's College, the carriages to be 
 confiscated and the offending women to be arrested. 
 
 February 4, 1862. General Halleck issued another order similar to Order No. 
 18, to railroad companies and to the professors and directors of the State Univer- 
 sity at Columbia, forbidding the funds of the institution to be used "to teach 
 treason or to instruct traitors." 
 
 February 20, 1862. Special Order No. 120 convened 3 military commission, 
 which sat in Columbia, March following, and tried Edmund J. Ellis, of Columbia, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 45 
 
 editor and proprietor of " The Boone County Standard" for the publication of 
 information for the benefit of the enemy, and encouraging resistance to the United 
 States Government. Ellis was found guilty, was banished during the war from 
 Missouri, and his printing materials confiscated and sold. 
 
 April, 1S62. General Halleck left for Corinth, Mississippi, leaving General 
 Schofie!d in command. 
 
 June, 1S62. Battle at Cherry Grove between the forces under Colonel Jos. 
 C. Porter and Colonel H. S. Lipscomb. 
 
 June, 1862. Battle at Pierce's Mill between the forces under Major John 
 Y. Clopper and Colonel Porter. 
 
 July 22, 1862. Battle at Florida. 
 
 July 28, 1862. Battle at Moore's Mill. 
 
 August 6, 1862. Battle near Kirksville. 
 
 August II, 1862. Battle at Independence. 
 
 August 16, 1862. Battle at Lone Jack. 
 
 September- 13, 1862. Battle at Newtonia. 
 
 September 25, 1862. Ten Confederate prisoners were executed at Macon by 
 order of General Merrill. 
 
 October i8, 1S62. Ten Confederate prisoners executed at Palmyra by order 
 of General McNeill. 
 
 January 8, 1863. Battle at Springfield between the forces of General Mar- 
 maduke and General E. B. Brown. 
 
 April 26, 1863. Battle at Cape Girardeau. 
 
 August — , 1863. General Jeff. Thompson captured at Pocahontas, Arkan- 
 sas, with his staff. 
 
 August 25. 1863. General Thomas Ewing issued his celebrated Order No. 
 II, at Kansas City, Missouri, which is as follows : 
 
 Headquarters District of the Border, \ 
 Kansas City Mo., August 25, 1863. ) 
 (General Order No. 11.) 
 
 First. — All persons living in Cass, Jackson and Bates counties, Missouri, and 
 in that part of Vernon included in this district, except those living within one 
 mile of the limits of Independence, Hickman's Mills, Pleasant Hill and Harrison- 
 ville, and except those in that part of Kaw township, Jackson county, north of 
 Brush Creek and west of the Big Blue, embracing Kansas City and Westport, are 
 hereby ordered to remove from their present places of residence within fifteen days 
 from the date hereof. 
 
 Those who, within that time, establish their loyalty to the satisfaction of the 
 commanding officer of the military station nearest their present places of residence, 
 will receive from him certificates stating the fact of their loyalty, and the names 
 of the witnesses by whom it can be shown. All who receive such certificate will 
 be permitted to remove to any military station in this district, or to any part of the 
 State of Kansas, except the counties on the eastern borders of the State. All others 
 shall remove out of this district. Officers commanding companies and detach- 
 ments serving in the counties named, will see that this paragraph is promptly 
 obeyed. 
 
 Second. — All grain and hay in the field, or under shelter, in the district from 
 which the inhabitants are required to remove within reach of military stations, 
 after the 9th day of September next, will be taken to such stations and turned 
 over to the proper officer there, and report of the amount so turned over made to 
 district headquarters, specifying the names of all loyal owners and the amount of 
 such produce taken from them. All grain and hay found in such district after 
 the 9th day of September next, not cunveoient to such stations, will be destroyed. 
 
 Third. — The provisions of General Order No. 10, from these headquarters, 
 
46 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 will at once be vigorously executed by officers commanding in the parts of the 
 district, and at the stations not subject to the operations of paragraph First of this 
 Order — and especially in the towns of Independence, Westport and Kansas City. 
 
 Fourth — iParagraph 3, General Order No. 10, is revoked as to all who have 
 borne arms against the government in the district since August io, 1863. 
 By order of Brigadier-General Ewing. 
 
 H. HANNAHS, Adjutant. 
 
 October 12-13, Battle of Arrow Creek. 
 
 January, 1864, General Rosecrans takes command of the Department. 
 
 September, 1864, Battle at Pilot Knob, Harrison and Little Morceau River. 
 
 October 5, 1864, Battle at Prince's Ford and James Gordon's farm. 
 
 October 8, 1864, Battle at Glasgow. 
 
 October 20, 1864, Battle at Little Blue Creek. 
 
 September 27, 1864, Massacre at Centralia, by Captain Bill Anderson. 
 
 October 27, 1864, Capt. Anderson killed. 
 
 December — , 1864, General Rosecrans relieved, and General Dodge ap- 
 pointed to succeed him. 
 
 Nothing occurred specially, of a military character, in the State after Decem- 
 ber, 1864. We have, in the main, given the facts as they occurred without com- 
 ment or entering into details. Many of the minor incidents and skirmishes of 
 the war have been omitted because of our limited space. 
 
 It is utterly impossible, at this date, to give the names and dates of all the 
 batdes fought in Missouri during the civil war. It will be found, however, that 
 the list given below, which has been arranged for convenience, contains the 
 prominent battles and skirmishes which took place within the State : 
 
 Potosi, May 14, 1861. 
 Boonville, June 17, 1861. 
 Carthage, July 5, 1861. 
 Monroe Station, July 10, 1861. 
 Overton's Run, July 17, 1861. 
 Dug Spring, August 2, 1861. 
 Wilson's Creek, August 9, 1861. 
 Athens, August 5, 1861. 
 Moreton, August 20, 1861. 
 Bennett's Mills, September — , 1861. 
 Drywood Creek, September 7, iS6i. 
 Norfolk, September 10, 1861. 
 Lexington, September 12-20, 1861. 
 Blue Mills Landing, September 17, 
 
 1861. 
 Glasgow Mistake, September 20, 1861. 
 Osceola, September 25, 1861. 
 Shanghai, Oct. 13, 1861. 
 Lebanon, Oct. 13, 1861. 
 Linn Creek, Oct. 15, 1861. 
 Big River Bridge, Oct, 15, 1861. 
 Fredericktown, Oct. 21, i85i. 
 Springfield, Oct. 25, 1861. 
 Belmont, Nov. 7, 1861. 
 Piketon, Nov. 8, 1861. 
 Little Blue, Nov. 10, 1861. 
 Clark's Station, Nov. 11, 1861. 
 Zion Church, Dec. 28, 1871. 
 
 Silver Creek, Jan. 15, 1862. 
 New Madrid, Feb. 28, 1862. 
 Pea Ridge, March 6, 1862. 
 Neosho, April 22, 1862. 
 Rose Hill, July 10, 1862. 
 Chariton River, July 30, 1862. 
 Cherry Grove, June — , 1862. 
 Pierces Mill, June — , 1862. 
 Florida, July 22, 1862. 
 Moore's Mill, July 28, 1862. 
 Kirksville, Aug. 6, 1862. 
 Compton's Ferry, Aug 8, 1862. 
 Yellow Creek, Aug. 13, 1862. 
 Independence, Aug. 11, 1862. 
 Lone Jack, Aug. 16, 1862. 
 Newtonia, Sept. 13, 1862. 
 Springfield, Jan. 8, 1863. 
 Cape Girardeau, April 29, 1863. 
 Arrow Rock, Oct 12 and 13, 1863. 
 Pilot Knob, Sept. — , 1864. 
 Harrison, Sept. — , 1864. 
 Moreau River, Oct. 7, 1864. 
 Prince's Ford, Oct. 5, 1864. 
 Glasgow, Oct. 8, 1864. 
 Little Blue Creek, Oct. 20, 1864. 
 Albany, Oct. 27, 1864. 
 Near Rocheport, Sept. 23, 1864. 
 Centralia, Sept. 27, 1864. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 47 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 EARLY MILITARY RECORD. 
 
 Black Hawk War — Mormon Difficulties — Florida War — Mexican War. 
 
 On the 14th day of May, 1832, a bloody engagement took place between the 
 regular forces of the United States, and a part of the Sacs, Foxes, and Winneba- 
 goe Indians, commanded by Black Hawk and Keokux, near Dixon's Ferry in 
 Illinois. 
 
 The Governor (John Miller) of Missouri, fearing these savages would invade 
 the soil of his State, ordered Major-General Richard Gentry to raise one thou- 
 sand volunteers for the defense of the frontier. Five companies were at once 
 raised in Boone county, and in Callaway, Montgomery, St. Charles, Lincoln, 
 Pike, Marion, Ralls, Clay and Monroe other companies were raised. 
 
 Two of these companies, commanded respectively by Captain John Jaimison, 
 of Callaway, and Captain David M. Hickman, of Boone county, were mustered 
 into service in July for thirty days, and put under command of Major Thomas W. 
 Conyers. 
 
 This detachment, accompanied by General Gentry, arrived at Fort Pike on the 
 15th of July, 1832. Finding that the Indians had not crossed the Mississippi into 
 Missouri, General Gentry returned to Columbia, leaving the fort in charge of 
 Major Conyers. Thirty days having expired, the command under Major Con- 
 yers was relieved by two other companies under Captains Sinclair Kirtley, of Boone, 
 and Patrick Ewing, of Callaway. This detachment was marched to Fort Pike by Col. 
 Austin A. King, who conducted the two companies under Major Conyers home. 
 Major Conyers was left in charge of the fort, where he remained till September 
 following, at which time the Indian troubles, so far as IMissouri was concerned, 
 having all subsided, the frontier forces were mustered out of service. 
 
 Black Hawk continued the war in Iowa and Illinois, and was finally defeated 
 and captured in 1833. 
 
 MORMON DIFFICULTIES. 
 
 In 1832, Joseph Smith, the leader of the Mormons, and the chosen prophet 
 and apostle, as he claimed, of the Most High, came with many followers to Jack- 
 son county, Missouri, where they located and entered several thousand acres of 
 land. 
 
 The object of his coming so far West — upon the very outskirts of civilization 
 at that time — was to more securely establish his church, and the more effectively 
 to instruct his followers in its pecuhar tenets and practices. 
 
 Upon the present town site of Independence the Mormons located their 
 "Zion," and gave it the name of "The New Jerusalem." They published here 
 77^1? Evening Star, and made themselves generally obnoxious to the Gentiles, who 
 were then in a minority, by their denunciatory articles through their paper, their 
 clannishness and their polygamous practices. 
 
 Dreading the demoralizing influence of a paper which seemed to be inspired 
 only with hatred and malice toward them, the Gentiles threw the press and type 
 into the Missouri river, tarred and feathered one of their bishops, and otherwise 
 gave the Mormons and their leaders to understand that they must conduct them- 
 selves in an entirely different manner if they wished to be let alone. 
 
 After the destruction of their paper and press, they became furiously incensed, 
 and sought many opportunities for retaliation. Matters continued in an uncertain 
 
48 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 condition until the 31st of October, 1833, when a deadly conflict occurred neai 
 Westport, in which two Gentiles and one Mormon were killed. 
 
 On the 2d of November following the Mormons were overpowered, and com- 
 pelled to lay down their arms and agree to leave the county with their families by 
 January ist on the condition that the owner would be paid for his printing press. 
 
 Leaving Jackson county, they crossed the Missouri and located in Clay, Car- 
 roll, Caldwell and other counties, and selected in Caldwell county a town site, 
 which they called " Far West," and where they entered more land for their future 
 homes. 
 
 Through the influence of their missionaries, who were exerting themselves in 
 the East and in difft rent portions of Europe, conve ts had constantly flocked to 
 their standard, and "Far West," and other Mormon settlements, rapidly 
 prospered. 
 
 In 1837 they commenced the erection of a magnificent temple but never 
 finished it. As their settlements increased in numbers, they became bolder in 
 their practices and deeds of lawlessness. 
 
 During the summer of 1838 two of their leaders settled in the town of De- 
 Witt, on the Missouri river, having purchased the land from an Illinois merchant. 
 DeWitt was in Carroll county, and a good point from which to forward goods and 
 immigrants to their town — Far West. 
 
 Upon its being ascertained that these parties were Mormon leaders, the Gen- 
 tiles called a public meeting, which was addressed by some of the prominent 
 citizens of the county. Nothing, however, was done at this meeting, but at a 
 subsequent meeting, which was held a few days afterward, a committee of citi- 
 zens was appointed to notify Col. Hinkle (one of the Mormon leaders at DeWitt), 
 what they intended to do. 
 
 Col. Hinkle upon being notified by this committee became indignant, and 
 threatened extermination to all who should attempt to molest him or the Saints. 
 
 In anticipation of trouble, and believing that the Gentiles would attempt to 
 force them from DeWitt, Mormon recruits flocked to the town from every direc- 
 tion, and pitched their tents in and around the town in great numbers. 
 
 The Gentiles, nothing daunted, planned an attack upon this encampment, 
 to take place on the 21st day of September, 1838, and, accordingly, one hundred 
 and fifty men bivouacked near the town on that day. A conflict ensued, but 
 nothing serious occurred. 
 
 The Mormons evacuated their works and fled to some log houses, where they 
 could the more successfully resist the Gentiles, who had in the mean.ime returned 
 to their camp to await reinforcements. Troops from Howard, Ray and other 
 counties came to their assistance, and increased their number to five hundred 
 men. 
 
 Congreve Jackson was chosen Brigadier-General ; Ebenezer Price, Colonel ; 
 Singleton Vaughan, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Sarchel Woods, Major. After some 
 days of discipline, this brigade prepared for an assault but before the attack was 
 commenced Judge James Earickson and William F. Dunnica, influential citizens 
 of Howard county, asked permission of General Jackson to let them try and ad- 
 just the difficulties without any bloodshed. 
 
 It was iinally agreed that Judge Earickson should propose to the Mormons 
 that, if they would pay for all the cattle they had killed belonging to the citizens, 
 and load their wagons during the night and be ready to move by ten o'clock next 
 morning, and make no further atempt t^ settle in Howard county, the citizens 
 would purchase at first cost their lots in DeWitt and one or two adjoining tracts 
 of land. 
 
 Col. Hinkle, the leader of the Mormons, at first refused all attempts to settle 
 the difficulties in this way, but finally agreed to the proposition. 
 
 In accordance therewith, the Mormons without further delay, loaded up their 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 49 
 
 wagons for the town of Far West, in Caldwell county. Whether the terms of the 
 agreement were ever carried out, en the part of the citizens, is not known. 
 
 The Mormons had doubtless suffered much and in many ways — the result of 
 their own acts — but their trials and sufferings were not at an end. 
 
 In 1838 the discord between the citizens and Mormons became so great that 
 Governor Boggs issued a proclamation ordering M.jor-General David R. Atchi- 
 son to call the militia of his division to enforce the laws. He called out a part of 
 the ist brigade of the Missouri State Militia, under command of General A. W. 
 Doniphan, who proceeded to the seat of war. General John B. Clark, of Howard 
 county was placed in command of the militia. 
 
 The Mormon forces numbered about 1,000 men, and were led by G. W. 
 Hinkle. The first engagement occurred at Crooked river, where one Mormon 
 was killed. The principal fight took place at Haughn's Mills, where eighteen 
 Mormons were killed and the balance captured, some of them being killed after 
 they had surrendered. Only one militiaman was wounded. 
 
 In the month of October, 1838, Joe Smith surrendered the town of Far West 
 to General Doniphan, agreeing to his conditions, viz. : That they should deliver 
 up their arms, surrender their prominent leaders for trial, and the remainder of the 
 Mormons should, with their families, leave the State. Indictments were found 
 against a number of these leaders including Joe Smith, who, while being taken to 
 Boone county for trial, made his escape, and was afterward, in 1844, killed at 
 Carthage, Illinois, with his brother Hyrum. 
 
 FLORIDA WAR. 
 
 In September, 1837, the Secretary of War issued a requisition on Governor 
 Boggs, of Missouri, for six hundred volunteers for service in Florida against the 
 Seminole Indians, with whom the Creek nation had made common cause under 
 Osceola. 
 
 The first regiment was chiefly raised in Boone county by Colonel Richard 
 Gentry, of which he was elected Colonel; John W. Price, of Howard county, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel; Harrison H. Hughes, also of Howard, Major. Four com- 
 panies of the second regiment were raised and attached to the first. Two of these 
 companies were composed of Delaware and Osage Indians. 
 
 October 6, 1837, Col. Gentry's regiment left Columbia for the seat of war, 
 stopping on the way at Jefferson barracks, where they were mustered into service. 
 
 Arriving at Jackson barracks. New Orleans, they were from thence trans- 
 ported in brigs across the Gulf to Tampa Bay, Florida. General Zachary Taylor, 
 who then commanded in Florida, ordered Col. Gentry to march to Okee-cho-bee 
 Lake, one hundred and thirty-five miles inland by the route traveled. Having 
 reached the Kissemmee river, seventy miles distant, a bloody battle ensued, in 
 which Col. Gentry was killed. The Missourians, though losing their gallant 
 leader, continued the fight until the Indians were totally routed, leaving many of 
 their dead and wounded on the field. There being no further service required 
 of the Missourians, they returned to their homes in 1838. 
 
 MEXICAN WAR. 
 
 Soon after Mexico declared war, against the United States, on the 8th and 
 gth of May, 1846, the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought. 
 Great excitement prevailed throughout the country. In none of her sister States 
 however, did the fires of patriotism burn more intensely than in Missouri. Not 
 waiting for the call for volunteers, the " St. Louis Legion" hastened to the field 
 of conflict. The "Legion" was commanded by Colonel A. R. Easton. During 
 the month of May, 1846, Governor Edwards, of Missouri, called for volunteers 
 to join the " Army of the West," an expedition to Santa Fe — under command of 
 General Stephen W. Kearney. 
 
50 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 Fort Leavenworth was the appointed rendezvous for the volunteers. By 
 the i8th of June, the full complement of companies to compose the first regi- 
 ment had arrived from Jackson, Lafayette, Clay, Saline, Franklin, Cole, Howard 
 and Callaway counties. Of this regiment A. W. Doniphan was made Colonel ; 
 C. F. Ruff, Lieutenant-Colonel, and William Gilpin, Major. The battalion of 
 light artillery from St. Louis was commanded by Captains R. A. Weightman and 
 A. W. Fischer, with Major M. L. Clark as field officer; battalions of infantry 
 from Platte and Cole counties commanded by Captains Murphy and W. Z. 
 Augney respectively, and the " Laclede Rangers," from St. Louis, by Captain 
 Thomas B. Hudson, aggregating all told, from Missouri, 1,658 men. In the 
 summer of 1846 Hon. Sterling Price resigned his seat in Congress and raised one 
 mounted regiment, one mounted extra battalion, and one extra battalion of Mor- 
 mon infantry to reinforce the " Army of the West. " Mr. Price was made colonel, 
 and D. D. Mitchell lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 In August, 1847, Governor Edwards made another requisition for one thou- 
 sand men, to consist of infantry. The regiment was raised at once. John 
 Dougherty, of Clay county, was chosen colonel, but before the regiment marched 
 the President countermanded the order. 
 
 A company of mounted volunteers was raised in Ralls county, commanded 
 by Captain Wm. T. Lalfland. Conspicuous among the engagements in which 
 the Missouri volunteers participated in Mexico were the battles of Brazito, Sacra- 
 mento, Canada, El Embudo, Taos and Santa Cruz de Rosales. The forces from 
 Mi'5=ouri were mustered out in 1848, and will ever be remembered in the history 
 of the Mexican war, for 
 
 "A thousand glorious actions that might claim 
 Triumphant laurels, and immortal fame." 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 AGRICULTURE AND MATERIAL WEALTH. 
 
 Missouri as an Agricultural State — The Different Crops — Live Stock — Horses — Mules — Milch Cows 
 — Oxen and oilier Cattle — Sheep— Hogs— Comparisons — Missouri Adapted to Live Stock — 
 Cotton — Broom-Corn and other Products — Fruits — Berries — -Crapes — Railroads — First Neigh 
 of tlie ^^ Iron Horse" in Missouri— Names of Railroads — Mamfaciuies — Great Bridge at St. 
 Lotiis. 
 
 Agriculture is the greatest among. all the arts of man, as it is the first in supply- 
 mg his necessities. It favors and strengthens population ; it creates and maintains 
 manufactures ; gives employment to navigation and furnishes materials to com- 
 merce. It animates every species of industry, and opens to nations the safest 
 channels of wealth. It is the strongest bond of well regulated society, the surest 
 basis of internal peace, and the natural associate of correct morals. Among all 
 the occupations and professions of life, there is none more honorable, none more 
 independent, and none more conducive to health and happiness. 
 
 " In ancient times the sacred plow employ'd 
 The kings, and awful fathers of mankind ; 
 And some, with whom compared, your insect tribes 
 Are but the beings of a summer's day, 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 51 
 
 Have held the scale of empire, ruled the storm 
 Of mighty war with unwearied hand, 
 Disdaining little delicacies, seized 
 The plow and greatly independent lived." 
 
 As an agricultural region, Missouri is not surpassed by any State in the Union. 
 It is indeed the farmer's kingdom, where he always reaps an abundant harvest. 
 The soil, in many portions of the State, has an open, flexible structure, quickly 
 aljjorbs the most excessive rains, and retains moisture with great tenacity. This 
 being the case, it is not so easily affected by drouth. The prairies are covered 
 with sweet, luxuriant grass, equally good for grazing and hay; grass not surpassed 
 by the Kentucky blue grass — the best of clover and timothy in growing and fat- 
 tening cattle. This grass is now as full of life-giving nutriment as it was when 
 cropped by the buffalo, the elk, the antelope and the deer, and costs the herds- 
 man nothing. 
 
 No State or Territory has a more complete and rapid system of natural 
 drainage, or a more abundant supply of pure, fresh water than Missouri. Both 
 man and beast may slake their thirst from a thousand perennial fountains, which 
 gush in limpid streams from the hill-sides, and wend their way through verdant 
 valleys and along smiling prairies, varying m size, as they onward flow, from the 
 diminutive brooklet to the giant river. 
 
 Here, nature has generously bestowed her attractions of climate, soil and 
 scenery to please and gratify man while earning his bread in the sweat of his brow. 
 Being thus munificently endowed, Missouri offers superior inducements to the 
 farmer, and bids him enter her broad domain and avail himself of her varied re- 
 sources. 
 
 We present here a table showing the product of each principal crop in 
 Missouri for 1878. 
 
 • Indian Corn 93,062 000 bushels 
 
 Wheat 20,196,000 " 
 
 Rye 732,000 " 
 
 Oats 19,584,000 " 
 
 Buckwheat 46,400 " 
 
 Potaoes 5,415,000 " 
 
 Tobacco 23,023,000 pounds 
 
 Hay 1,620,000 tons 
 
 There were 3,552,000 acres in corn; wheat, 1,836,000; rye, 48,800: oats, 
 640,000; buckwheat, 2,900; potatoes, 72,200; tobacco, 29,900; hay, 850,000. 
 Value of each crop: corn, $24,196,224; wheat, $13,531,320; rye, $300,120; 
 oats, $3,325,120; buckwheat, $24,128; potatoes, $2,057,700; tobacco, $1,151,- 
 150; hay, $10,416,600. 
 
 Average cash value of crops per acre, $7.69; average yield of corn per acre, 
 26 bushels; wheat, 11 bushels. 
 
 Next in importance to the corn crop in value is live stock. The following 
 table shows the number of horses, mules and milch cows in the different States 
 for 1879: 
 
 STATES. HORSES. MULES. MILCH COWS. 
 
 Maine 81,700 ...... 169,100 
 
 New Hampshire . , 57,100 98,100 
 
 Vermont 77,400 217,800 
 
 Massachusetts . . . 131,000 160,700 
 
 Rhode Island . . . 16,200 .,,.., 22,000 
 
 Connecticut. ... 53, 500 ...... 116,500 
 
52 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. ^ 
 
 STATES. HORSES. MULES. MILCH COWS. 
 
 New York 898,900 11,800 1,446,200 
 
 New Jersey . , . . 114,500 14,400 152,200 
 
 Pennsylvania .... 614,500 24,900 828,400 - 
 
 Delaware 19,900 4,000 23,200 
 
 Maryland 108,600 11,300 100,500 
 
 Virginia 208,700 30,600 236,200 
 
 North Carolina . . . 144,200 74,000 232,300 
 
 South Carolina . . . 59,600 51,500 131,300 
 
 Georgia 119,200 97,200 273,100 
 
 Florida. . . . . , 22,400 11,900 70,000 
 
 Alabama 112,800 111,700 215,200 
 
 Mississippi .... 97,200 100,000 188,000 
 
 Louisiana ..... 79,300 80,700 110,900 
 
 Texas 618,000 180,200 544,500 
 
 Arkansas . . . . • 180,500 89,300 187,700 
 
 Tennessee .... 323,700 99,700 245,700 
 
 West Virginia . . . 122,200 2,400 130,500 
 
 Kentucky 386,900 117,800 257,200 
 
 Ohio ....... 772,700 26,700 714,100 
 
 Michigan 333,800 41300 416,900 
 
 Indiana 688,800 ...... 61,200 439,200 
 
 Illinois 1,100,000 138,000 702,400 
 
 Wisconsin 384,400 8,700 477,300 
 
 Minnesota 247,300 7,000 278,900 
 
 Iowa 770,700 43,400 ...... 676,200 
 
 Missouri 637,300 191,900 516,200 
 
 Kansas 275,000 50,000 321,900 
 
 Nebraska 157,200 ...... 13,600 127,600 
 
 California 273,000 25,700 459,600 
 
 Oregon 109,700 3,5°° .... . . 112,400 
 
 Nev., Col. and Ter's . 250,000 25,700 423,600 
 
 It will be seen from the above table, that Missouri is the fifth State in the 
 number of horses ; fifth in number of milch-cows, and the leading State in num- 
 ber of mules, having 11,700 more than Texas, which produces the next largest 
 number. Of oxen and other cattle, Missouri produced in 1879, 1,632,000, which 
 was more than any other State produced excepting Texas, which had 4,800,000. 
 In 1879 Missouri raised 2,817,600 hogs, which was more than any other State 
 produced, excepting Iowa. The number of sheep, was 1,296,400. The num- 
 ber of hogs packed in 1879, by the different States, is as follows : 
 
 STATES. NO. STATES. NO. 
 
 Ohio 932,878 Missouri 965,839 
 
 Indiana 622,321 Wisconsin 472,108 
 
 Illinois 3,214,896 Kentucky 212,412 
 
 Iowa 569,763 
 
 Average weight per head for each State : 
 
 STATES. pounds. STATES. POUNDS. 
 
 Ohio 210.47 Missouri 213-32 
 
 Indiana i93-8o Wisconsin 220.81 
 
 Illinois 225.71 Kentucky 210.11 
 
 Iowa 211.08 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 53 
 
 From the above, it will be seen that Missouri annually packs more hogs 
 than any other State excepting Illinois, and that she ranks third in the average 
 weight. 
 
 We see no reason why Missouri should not be the foremost stock-raising 
 State of the Union. In addition to the enormous yield of corn and oats upon 
 which the stock is largely dependent, the climate is well adapted to their growth 
 and health. Water is not only inexhaustible, but everywhere convenient. The 
 ranges for stock are boundless, affording for nine months of the year, excellent 
 pasturage of nutritious wild grasses, which grow in great luxuriance upon the 
 thousand prairies. 
 
 Cotton is grown successfully in many counties of the southeastern portions 
 of the State, especially in Stoddard, Scott, Pemiscot, Butler, New Madrid, Law- 
 rence and Mississippi. 
 
 Sweet potatoes are produced in abundance and are not only sure but profi- 
 table. 
 
 Broom corn, sorghum, castor beans, white beans, peas, hops, thrive well, and 
 all kinds of garden vegetables, are produced in great abundance and are found 
 in the markets during all seasons of the year. Fruits of every variety, including 
 the apple, pear, peach, cherries, apricots and nectarines, are cultivated with 
 great success, as are also, the strawberry, gooseberry, currant, raspberry and black- 
 berry. 
 
 The grape has not been produced, with that success that was at first antici- 
 pated, yet the yield of wine for the year 1879, was nearly half a million of gallons. 
 Grapes do well in Kansas, and we see no reason why they should not be as sure- 
 ly and profitably grown in a similar climate and soil in Missouri, and particularly 
 in many of the counties north and east of the Missouri River. 
 
 RAILROADS. 
 
 Twenty-nine years ago, the neigh of the "iron horse" was heard for the first 
 lime, within the broad domain of Missouri. His coming presaged the dawn of a 
 brighter and grander era in the history of the State. Her fertile prairies, and more 
 prolific valleys would soon be of easy access to the oncoming tide of immigration, 
 and the ores and minerals of her hills and mountains would be developed, and 
 utilized in her manufacturing and industrials enterprises. 
 
 Additional facilities would be opened to the marts of trade and commerce ; 
 transportation from the interior of the State would be secured; a fresh impetus 
 would be given to the growth of her towns and cities, and new hopes and inspi- 
 rations would be imparted to all her people. 
 
 Since 1852, the initial period of railroad building in Missouri, between four 
 and five thousand miles of track have been laid; additional roads are now being 
 constructed, and many others in contemplation. The State is already well sup- 
 plied with railroads which thread her surface in all directions, bringing her 
 remotest districts into close connection with St. Louis, that great center of west- 
 ern railroads and inland commerce. These roads have a capital stock, aggregat- 
 ing more than one hundred millions of dollars, and a funded debt of about the 
 same amount. 
 
 The lines of railroads which are operated in the State are the following : 
 
 Missouri Pacific — chartered May loth, 1850; The St. Louis, Iron Mountain 
 & Southern Railroad, which is a consolidation of the Arkansas Branch ; 
 The Cairo, Arkansas & Texas Railroad. The Cairo & Fulton Railroad : The 
 St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway; St. Louis & San Francisco Railway; 
 The Cnicago, Alton & St. Louis Railroad; The Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- 
 road ; The Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railroad ; The Illinois, Missouri & Texas 
 Railroad; The Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad; The Keokuk 
 & Kansas City Railway Company ; The St. Louis, Salem & Little Rock Rail- 
 
54 
 
 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 road Company; The Missouri & Western ; The St. Louis, Keokuk & North- 
 western Railroad ; The St. Louis, Hannibal & Keokuk Railroad ; The Missouri, 
 Iowa & Nebraska Railway; The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad; The 
 Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway ; The Burlington & Southwestern Rail- 
 road. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 The natural resources of Missouri especially fit her for a great manufacturing 
 State. She is rich in soil ; rich in all the elements which supply the furnace, the 
 machine shop and the planing mill; rich in the multitude and variety of her gi- 
 gantic forests ; rich in her marble, stone and granite quarries ; rich in her mines 
 of iron, coal, lead and zinc; rich in strong arms and willing hands to apply the 
 force; rich in water power and river navigation; and rich in her numerous and 
 well-built railroads, whose numberless engines thunder along their multiplied track- 
 ways. 
 
 Missouri contains over fourteen thousand manufacturing establishments, 
 1,965 of which are using steam and give employment to 80,000 hands. The cap- 
 ital employed is about $100,000,000, the material annually used and worked up, 
 amounts to over $150 000,000 and the value of the products put upon the markets 
 $250,000,000, while the wages paid, are more than $40,000,000. 
 
 The leading manufacturing counties of theStite, are St. Louis, Jackson, Buc- 
 hanan, St. Charles, Marion, Franklin, Green, Lafayette, Platte, Cape Giardeau, 
 and Boone. Three-fourths, however, of the manufacturing is done in St. Louis, 
 which is now about the second manufacturing city of the Union. Flouring mills 
 produce annually about $38,194,000; carpentering $18,763,000; meat-packing 
 $16,769,000; tobacco $12,496,000; iron and castings $12,000,000; liquors $11, - 
 245,000; clothing gio,o22, 000; lumber $8, 652,000; bagging and bags $6,914,- 
 000, and many other smaller industries in proportion. 
 
 GREAT BRIDGE AT ST. LOUIS. 
 
 Of the many public improvements which do honor to the State and reflect 
 great credit upon the genius of their projectors, we have space only, to mention 
 the great bridge at St. Louis. 
 
 This truly wonderful construction is built of tubular steel, total length of 
 which, with its approaches, is 6,277 fs^'i ^' ^ cost of nearly $8,000,000. The 
 bridge spans the Mississippi from the Illinois to the Missouri shore, and has sep- 
 arate railroad tracts, roadways, and foot paths. In durability, architectural beau- 
 ty and practical utility, there is, perhaps, no similar piece of workmanship that 
 approximates it. 
 
 The structure of Darius upon the Bosphorus ; of Xerxes upon the Hellespont; 
 of Caesar upon the Rhine ; and Trajan upon the Danube, famous in ancient histo- 
 ry, were built for military purposes, that over them might pass invading armies 
 with their munitions of war, to destroy commerce, to lay in waste the provinces, 
 and to slaughter the people. 
 
 But the erection of this was for a higher and nobler purpose. Over it are 
 coming the trade and merchandise of the opulent East, and thence are passing 
 the untold riches of the West. Over it are crowding legions of men, armed not 
 with the weapons of war, but the implements of peace and industry ; men who 
 are skilled in all the arts of agriculture, of manufacture and of mining ; men who 
 will hasten the day when St. Louis shall rank in population and importance, sec- 
 ond to no city on the continent, and when Missouri shall proudly fill the measure 
 of greatness, to which she is naturally so justly entitled. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 55 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 EDUCATION. 
 
 Puhlic School System — Ptttlte School System of Missouri — Lincoln Institute — Officers of Publit 
 School System — Certificates of Teachers — University of Missouri — Schools — Colleges — Instilu- 
 tions of Learning —Location — Libraries — Newspapers and Periodicals — No. of School C/iii- 
 dren — Amount Expended — Value of Grounds and Buildings — "The Press." 
 
 The first constitution of Missouri provided, that "one school or more, shall 
 be established in each township, as soon as practicable and necessary, where the 
 poor shall be taught gratis." 
 
 It will be seen that even at that early day, (1820), the framers of the con 
 stitution made provision for at least a primary education, for the poorest and the 
 humblest, taking it for granted that those who were able would avail themselves 
 of educational advantages which were not gratuitous. 
 
 The establishment of the public school system in its essential features, was 
 not perfected until 1839, during the administration of Governor Boggs, and since 
 that period, the system has slowly grown into favor, not only in Missouri, but 
 throughout the United States. The idea of a free or public school for all classes 
 was not at first a popular one, especially among those who had the means to pat- 
 ronize private institutions of learning. In upholding and maintaining* public 
 schools, the opponents of the system felt that they were not only compromising 
 their own standing among their more wealthy neighbors, but that they were to 
 some extent, bringing opprobrium upon their children. Entertaining such prejti- 
 dices they naturally thought that the training received in public schools, could not 
 be otherwise than defective, hence many years of probation passed, before the 
 popular mind was prepared to appreciate the benefits and blessings which spring 
 from these institutions. 
 
 Every year only adds to their popularity, and commends them the more 
 earnestly to the fostering care of our Slate and National Legislatures, and to the 
 esteem and favor of all classes of our people 
 
 We can hardly conceive of two grander and more potent promoters of civili- 
 zation, than the free school and the free press. They would indeed seem to con 
 stitute all that was necessary to the attainment of the happiness and intellectual 
 growth of the Republic and all that was necessary to broaden, to liberalize and 
 instruct. 
 
 "Tis education forms the common mind; 
 
 " For noble youth there is nothing so meet 
 As learning is, to know the good from ill; 
 To know the tongues, and perfectly indite, 
 And of the laws to have a perfect skill. 
 Things to reform as right and justice will, 
 For honor is ordained for no cause 
 But to see right maintained by the laws." 
 
 All the States of the Union, have in practical operation the public school 
 system, governed in the main by similar laws, and not differing materially in the 
 manner and methods by which they are taught, but none have a wiser, a more 
 liberal and comprehensive machinery of inbtruction than Missouri. Her school 
 laws since 1839, have undergone many changes, and always for the better, keep. 
 
56 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 ing pace with the most enlightened and advanced theories of the most experienc- 
 ed ed icators in the land. But not until 1875, when the new constitution was 
 adopted, did her present admirable system of public instruction go into effect. 
 
 Provisions were made not only for white, but for children of African descent, 
 and are a part of the organic law, not subject to the caprices of unfriendly legisla- 
 tures, or the whims of political parties. The Lincoln Institute, located at Jeffer- 
 son Ci'.y, for the education of colored teachers, receives an annual appropriation 
 from the General Assembly. 
 
 Far the support of the public schools, in addition to the annual income de- 
 rived from the public school fund, which is set apart by law, not less than twenty- 
 five pir cent, of the State revenue, exclusive of the interest and sinking fund, is 
 annually applied to this purpose. 
 
 The officers having in charge the public school interests, are the State 
 "Board of Education;" the State Superintendent; County Superintendent; 
 County Clerk and Treasurer ; Board of Directors ; City and Town School Board ; 
 and Teacher. The State Board of Education is composed of the State Superin- 
 tendent, the Governor, Secretary of State and the Attorney General, the execu- 
 tive officer of this Board, being the State Superintendent, who is chosen by the 
 people every four years. His duties are numerous. He renders decisions con- 
 cerning the local application of school law ; keeps a record of all the school funds 
 and annuilly distributes the same to the counties ; supervises the work of county 
 school officers ; delivers lectures; visits schools; distributes educational informa- 
 tion ; grants certificates of higher qualifications ; and makes an annual report 
 to the peneral Assembly of the condition of the schools. 
 
 The County Superintendents are also elected by the people for two years. 
 Their work is to examine teachers, to distribute blanks and make reports. Coun- 
 ty clerks receive estimates from the local directors and extend them upon the 
 tax-books. In addition to this, they keep the general records of the county and 
 township school funds, and return an annual report of the financial condition of 
 the schools of their county to the State Superintendent. School taxes are gather- 
 ed with other taxes by the county collector. The custodian of the school funds 
 belonging to the schools of the counties, is the county treasurer, except in coun- 
 ties adopting the township organization, in which case, the township trustee 
 discharges these duties. 
 
 Districts organized under the special law for cities and towns are governed 
 by a board of six directors, two of whom are selected annually, on the second Sat- 
 urday in September, and hold their office for three years. 
 
 One director is elected to serve for three years in each school district, at the 
 annual meeting. These directors may levy a tax not exceeding forty per cent, on 
 the one hundred dollars valuation, provided such annual rates for school purposes 
 may be increased in districts formed of cities and towns, to an amount not to ex- 
 ceed one dollar on the hundred dollars valuation ; and in other districts to an amount 
 not to exceed sixty five cents on the one hundred dollars valuation, on the condi- 
 tion that a majority of the voters who are tax-payers, voting at an election held to 
 decide the question, vote for said increase. For the purpose of erecting public 
 buildings in school districts, the rates of taxation thus limited, may be increased 
 when the rate of such increase and the purpose for which it is intended shall have 
 been submitted to a vote of the people, and two-thirds of the qualified voters of 
 buch school district voting at such election shall vote therefor. 
 
 Local directors may direct the management of the school in respect to the 
 choice of teachers and other details, but in the discharge of all important business, 
 such as the erection of a school house or the extension of a term of school beyond 
 the constitutional period, they simply execute the will of the people. The clerk 
 of this board may be a director. He keeps a record of the names of all the chil- 
 dren and youth in the district between the ages of five and twenty-one; records 
 
68 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 all business proceedings of the district, and reports to the annual meeting, to the 
 County Clerk and County Superintendents. 
 
 Teachers must hold a certificate from the State Superintendent or County 
 Commissioner of the county where they teach. State certificates are granted upon 
 personal written examinations in the common branches, together with the natural 
 sciences and higher mathematics. The holder of such certificate may teach in any 
 public school of the State without further examination. Certificates granted by 
 County Commissioners are of two classes, with two grades in each class. Those 
 issued for a longer term than one year, belong to the first class and are suscepti- 
 ble of two grades, differing both as to length of time and attainments. • Those 
 issued for one year may represent two grades, marked by qualification alone. 
 The township school fund arises from a grant oflandby the General Government, 
 consisting of section sixteen in each congressional township. The annual income 
 of the township fund is appropriated to the various townships, according to their 
 respective proprietary claims. The support from the permanent funds is supple- 
 mented by direct taxation laid upon the taxable property of each district. The 
 greatest limit of taxation for the current expenses is one per cent. ; the tax per- 
 mitted for school-house building cannot exceed the same amount. 
 
 Among the institutions of learning and ranking, perhaps, the first in impor- 
 tance, is the State University located at Columbia, Boone county. When the 
 State was admitted into the Union, Congress granted to it one entire township of 
 land (46,080 acres) for the support of " A Seminary of Learning." The lands 
 secured for this purpose are among the best and most valuable in the State. 
 These lands were put upon the market in 1832 and brought $75,000, which 
 amount was invested in the stock of the old bank of the State of Missouri, where 
 it remained and increased by accumulation to the sum of $ioo,oo<3. In 1839 by 
 an act of the General Assembly, five commissioners were appointed to select a site 
 for the State University, the site to contain at least fifty acres of land in a com- 
 pact form, within two miles of the county seat of Cole, Cooper, Howard, Boone, 
 Callaway or Saline. Bids were let among the counties named and the county ol 
 Boone having subscribed the sum of$ii7,92i, some$i8,ooo more than any other 
 county, the State University was located in that county, and on the 4th of July, 
 1840, the corner-stone was laid with imposing ceremonies. 
 
 The present annual income of the University is nearly $65,000. There are 
 still unsold about 200,000 acres of land from the grant of 1862. The donations 
 to the institutions connected therewith amount to nearly $400,000. This Uni- 
 versity with its different departments, is opened to both male and female and 
 both sexes enjoy alike its rights and privileges. Among the professional schools, 
 which form a part of the University, are the Normal, or College of Instruction in 
 Teaching ; the Agricultural and Mechanical College ; the School of Mines and 
 Metallurgy; the College of Law ; the Medical College; and the Department ol 
 Analytical and Applied Chemistry. Other departments are contemplated and 
 will be added as necessity requires. 
 
 The following will show the names and locations of the schools and institu- 
 tion of the State as reported by the Commissioner of Education in 1875 • 
 
 UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES. 
 
 Christian University Canton. 
 
 St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau. 
 
 University of Missouri . Columbia. 
 
 Central College Fayette. 
 
 Westminster College , Fulton. 
 
 Lewis College ' Glasgow. 
 
 Pritchett School Institute Glasgow. 
 
 Lincoln College Greenwood. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 59 
 
 Hannibal College Hannibal. 
 
 Woodland College Independence. 
 
 Thayer College Kidder. 
 
 La Grange College .....••.. La Grange. 
 
 William Jewell College • Liberty. 
 
 B iptist College Louisiana. 
 
 St. Joseph College St. Joseph. 
 
 College of Christian Brothers St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis University St. Louis. 
 
 Washington University • • St. Louis. 
 
 Drury College . Springfield. 
 
 Central Wesleyan College Warrenton. 
 
 FOR SUPERIOR INSTRUCTION OF WOMEN. 
 
 St. Joseph Female Seminary St. Joseph. 
 
 Christian College Columbia. 
 
 Stephens' College '. . Columbia. 
 
 Howard College Fayette. 
 
 Independence Female College Independence. 
 
 Central Female College Lexington. 
 
 Clay Seminary Liberty. 
 
 Ingleside Female College • Palmyra. 
 
 Linden Wood College for Young Ladies St Charles. 
 
 Mary Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis Seminary St. Louis. 
 
 Ursuline Academy St. Louis. 
 
 FOR SECONDARY INSTRUCTION. 
 
 Arcadia College Arcadia. 
 
 St. Vincent's Academy Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Chillicothe Academy Chillicothe. 
 
 Grand River College Edinburgh. 
 
 Marionville Collegiate Institute Marionville. 
 
 Palmyra Seminary ; . Palmyra. 
 
 St. Paul's College Palmyra. 
 
 Van Rensselaer Academy Rensselaer. 
 
 Shelby High School Shelbyville. 
 
 Stewartville Male and Female Seminary Stewartsville. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF SCIENCE. 
 
 Missouri Agricultural and Mechanical College (University of Missouri) . Columbia. 
 
 Schools of Mines and Metallurgy (University of Missouri) Columbia. 
 
 Polytechnic Institute (Washington University) St. Louis. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF THEOLOGY. 
 
 St. Vincent's College (Theological Department) Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Westminster College (Theological School) . Fulton 
 
 Vardeman School of Theology (William Jewell College) Liberty. 
 
 Concordia College St. Louis. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF LAW. 
 
 Law School of the University of Missouri Columbia. 
 
 Law School of the Washington University . • • . . . St. Louis. 
 
60 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF MEDICINE. 
 
 Medical College, University of Missouri Columbia. 
 
 College of Physicians and Surgeons St. Joseph. 
 
 Kansas City College of Physicians and Surgeons Kansas City. 
 
 Hospital Medical College St. Joseph. 
 
 Missouri Medical College St. Louis. 
 
 Northwestern Medical College St. Joseph. 
 
 St. Louis Medical College St. Louis. 
 
 Homeopathic Medical College of Missouri St. Louis. 
 
 Missouri School of Midwifery and Diseases of Women and Children . St. Louis. 
 
 Missouri Central College St. Louis. 
 
 St. Louis College of Pharmacy St. Louis. 
 
 LARGEST PUBLIC LIBRARIES. 
 NAME. LOCATION VOLUMES 
 
 St. Vincent's College Cape Girardeau 5)5°° 
 
 Southeast Missouri State Normal School . . . Cape Girardeau 1,225 
 
 University of Missouri Columbia 10,000 
 
 Athenian Society Columbia 1,200 
 
 Union Literary Society -Columbia 1,200 
 
 Law College Columbia 1,000 
 
 Westminster College Fulton S,oco 
 
 Lewis College Glasgow 3,000 
 
 Mercantile Library Hannibal 2,219 
 
 Library Association Independence . . . . . . 1,100 
 
 Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson 1,000 
 
 State Library Jefferson City 13,000 
 
 Fetterman's Circulating Library Kansas City i,3<:o 
 
 Law Library Kansas City 3,000 
 
 Whittemore's Circulating Library Kansas City 1,000 
 
 North Missouri State Normal School .... Kirksville 1,050 
 
 William Jewell College Liberty 4,000 
 
 St. Paul's College Palmyra. . 2,000 
 
 Missouri School of Mines and Metallurgy . . Rolla 1,478 
 
 St. Charles Catholic Library St. Charles 1,716 
 
 Carl Frielling's Library St. Joseph 6,000 
 
 Law Library St. Joseph 2,000 
 
 Public School Library St. Joseph 2,500 
 
 Walworth & Colt's Circulating Library . . .St. Joseph ... ..... 1,500 
 
 Academy of Science St Louis 2,744 
 
 Academy of Visitation St. Louis 4,000 
 
 College of the Christian Brothers St. Louis 22,000 
 
 Deutsche Institute St. Louis 1,000 
 
 German Evang. Lutheran, Concordia College. St. Louis 4,8co 
 
 I^aw Library Association St. Louis 8,000 
 
 Missouri Medical College St. Louis 1,000 
 
 Mrs. Cuthberts Seminary (Young Ladies) . . St. Louis i,Soo 
 
 Odd Fellows Library St. Louis 4,000 
 
 Public School Library St. Louis 40,097 
 
 St. Louis Medical College St. Louis 1,100 
 
 St. Louis Mercantile Library St. Louis 45,000 
 
 St. Louis Seminary St. Louis 2,000 
 
 St. Louis Turn Verein St. Louis 2,000 
 
 St. Louis University St. Louis 17,000 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 61 
 NAME. LOCATION, VOLO^^ES. 
 
 St. Louis University Society Libraries . . . .St Louis 8,000 
 
 Ursuline Academy St. Louis 2,000 
 
 Washington University St. Louis 4, 500 
 
 St. Louis Law School St. Louis 3,000 
 
 Young Men's Sodality . St. Louis i 327 
 
 Library Association Sedalia 1,500 
 
 Public School Library Sedalia 1,015 
 
 Drury College Springfield 2,000 
 
 Newspapers and Periodicals 481 
 
 CHARITIES. 
 
 State Asylum for Deaf and Dumb Fulton. 
 
 St. Bridget's Institution for Deaf and Dumb St. Louis. 
 
 Institution for the Education of the Blind St. Louis. 
 
 State Asylum for Insane Fulton. 
 
 State Asylum for the Insane St. Louis. 
 
 NORMAL SCHOOLS. 
 
 Normal Institute Bolivar. 
 
 Southeast Missouri State Normal School Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Normal School (University of Missouri) Columbia. 
 
 Fruitland Normal Institute Jackson. 
 
 Lincoln Institute (for colored) Jefferson City. 
 
 City Normal School ' St. Louis. 
 
 Missouri State Normal School Warrensburg. 
 
 Number of School Children 
 
 Estimated value of School Property $8,321,399 
 
 Total Receipts for Public Schools 4,207,617 
 
 Total Expenditures 2,406,139 
 
 NUMBER OF TEACHERS. 
 
 Male Teachers 6,239; average monthly pay $36.86. 
 
 Female Teachers . 5,060; average monthly pay. .... 28.09. 
 
 The fact that Missouri supports and maintains four hundred and seventy-one 
 newspapers and periodicals, shows that her inhabitants are not only a reading and 
 reflecting people, but that they appreciate " The Press," and its wonderful influ- 
 ence as an educator. The poet has well said : 
 
 But mightiest of the mighty means, 
 On which the arm of progress leans, 
 Man's noblest mission to advance, 
 His woes assuage, his weal enhance, 
 His rights enforce, his wrongs redress- 
 Mightiest of mighty is the Press. 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 CHAPTER XTI. 
 RELIGIOUS DENOMINATIONS. 
 
 Baptist Church — Its History — Congres;ational — When Founded — Its History — Christian Church 
 — Its History — Cumberland Presbyterian Church — Its History — Methcdist Ep'scopal Chu-cn 
 — Its History — Presbyterian Church — Its History — Protestant Episcofial Church — Its History 
 — United Presbyterian Church — Its History — Unitarian Chtircli — Its History — Roman Cath 
 otic C/iurch — Its History. 
 
 The first representatives of religious thought and training, who penetrated 
 the Missouri and Mississippi Valleys, were Pere Marquette, La Salle and others 
 of Catholic persuasion, who performed missionary labor among the Indians. A 
 century afterward came the Protestants. At that early period 
 
 "A church in every grove that spread 
 Its living roof above their heads." 
 
 constituted for a time, their only house of worship, and yet to them 
 
 ' ' No Temple built with hands could vie 
 In glory with its majesty." 
 
 In the course of time, the seeds of Protestantism were scattered along the 
 shores of the two great rivers which form the eastern and western boundaries of 
 the State, and still a little later they were sown upon her hill-sides and broad 
 prairies, where they have since bloomed and blossomed as the rose. 
 
 BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest Anti-Catholic religious denomination, of which there is any 
 record, was organized in Cape Girardeau county in 1806, through the efforts of 
 Rev. David Green, a Baptist, and a native of Virginia. In 1816, the first associa- 
 tion of Missouri Baptists was formed, which was composed of seven churches, all 
 of which were located in the southeastern part of the State. In 1817 a second 
 association of churches *vas formed, called the Missouri Association, the name 
 being afterwards changed to St. Louis Association. In 1834, a general conven- 
 tion of all the churches of this denomination, was held in Howard County, ior 
 the purpose of effecting a central organization, at which time., was commenced 
 what is now known, as the "General Association of Missouri Baptists." 
 
 To this body, is committed the State mission work, denominational educa 
 tion, foreign missions and the circulation of religious literature. The Baptist 
 Church has under its control, a number of schools and colleges, the most import 
 ant of which is WjUiam Jewell College, located at Liberty, Clay County. As 
 shown by the annual report for 1875, there were in Missiouri, at that date, .sixty- 
 one associations, one thousand four hundred churches, eight hundred and twenty- 
 four ministers and eighty-nine thousand six hundred and fifty church members. 
 
 CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH. 
 
 The Congregationalists inaugurated their missionary labors in the State in 
 1814. Rev. Samuel J. Mills, of Torringford, Connecticut, and Rev. Daniel 
 Smith, of Bennington, Vermont, were sent west by the Massachusetts Congrega- 
 tion Home Missionary Society during that year, and in November, 1814, they 
 preached the first regular Protestant sermons in St. Louis. Rev. Salmon Gid- 
 dings, sent out under the auspices of the Connecticut Congregational Missionary 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 63 
 
 Society, organized the first Protestant church in the city, consisting often members, 
 constituted Presbyterian. The churches organized 'by Mr. Giddings were all 
 Presbyterian in their order. 
 
 No exclusively Congregational Church was founded until 1852, when the 
 "First Trinitarian Congregational Church of St. Louis" was organized. The 
 next church of this denommation was organized at Hannibal in 1859. Then 
 followed a Welsh church in New Cambria in 1864, and after the close of the war, 
 fifteen churches of the same order were formed in different parts of the State. 
 In 1866, Pilgrim Church, St. Louis, was organized. The General Conference of 
 Churches of Missouri was formed in 1865, which was changed in 1868, to Gener- 
 al Association. In i856, Hannibal, Kidder, and St. Louis District Associations 
 were formed, and following these, were the Kansas City and Springfield District 
 Associations. This denomination in 1875, had 70 churches, 41 ministers, 3,363 
 church members, and had also several schools and colleges and one monthly 
 newspaper. 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest churches of this denomination were organized in Callaway, 
 Boone and Howard Counties, some time previously to 1S29. The first church 
 was formed in St. Louis in 1836 by Elder R. B. Fife. The first State Sunday 
 School Convendon of the Christian Church, was held in Mexico in 1876. Be- 
 sides a number of private institutions, this denomination has three State Institu- 
 tions, all of which have an able corps of professors and have a good attendance 
 of pupils. It has one religious paper published in St. Louis, '■'■The Christian," 
 which is a weekly publication and well patronized. The membership of this 
 church now numbers nearly one hundred thousand in the State and is increasing 
 rapidly. It has more than five hundred organized churches, the greater portion 
 of which are north of the Missouri River. 
 
 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 In the spring of 1820, the first Presbytery of this denomination west of the Mis- 
 sissippi, was organized in Pike County. This Presbytery included all the territory 
 of Missouri, western Illinois and Arkansas and numbered only four ministers, two 
 of whom resided at the time in Missouri. There are now in the State, twelve 
 Presbyteries, three Synods, nearly three hundred ministers and over twenty thou- 
 sand members. The Board of Missions is located at St. Louis. They have a 
 number of High Schools and two monthly papers published at St. Louis. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 In 1806, Rev. John Travis, a young Methodist minister, was sent out to the 
 "Western Conference" which then embraced the Mississippi. Valley, from Green 
 County, Tennessee. During that year Mr. Travis organized a number of small 
 churches. At the close of his conference year, he reported the result of his 
 labors to the Western Conference, which was held at Chillicothe, Ohio, in 1870, and 
 showed an aggregate of one hundred and six members and two circuits, one 
 called Missouri and the other Meramec. In 1808, two circuits had been formed, 
 and at each succeeding year the number of circuits and members constantly in- 
 creased, until 181 2, when what was called the Western Conference was divided 
 into the Ohio and Tennessee Conferences, Missouri falling into the Tennessee 
 Conference. In 1 816, there was another division when the Missouri Annual Con- 
 ference was formed. In 1810, there were four travehng preachers and in 1820, 
 fifteen traveling preachers, with over 2,000 members. In 1836, the territory of 
 the Missouri Conference was again divided when the Missouri Conference includ- 
 ed only the State. In 1840 there were 72 traveling preachers, 177 local ministers 
 and 13,992 church members. Between 1840 and 1850, the church was divided 
 
64 HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 
 
 by the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. In 1850, the mem- 
 bership of the M. E. Church was over 25,000, and during tlie succeeding ten 
 years the church prospered rapidly. In 1875, the M. E. Church reported 274 
 church edifices and 34,156 members; the M. E. Church, South, reported 443 
 church edifices and 49,588 members. This denomination has under its control 
 several schools and colleges and two weekly newspapers. 
 
 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Presbyterian Church dates the beginning of their missionary efforts in 
 the State as far back as 1814 but the first Presbyterian Church was not organized 
 until 1816 at Bellevue settlement eight miles from St. Louis. The next churches 
 were formed in 1816 and in 1817 at Bonhomme, Pike County. The First Pres- 
 byterian Church was organized in St. Louis in 1817, by Rev. Salmon Giddng. 
 The first Presbytery was organized in 181 7 by the Synod of Tennessee with four 
 ministers and four churches. The first Presbyterian house of worship (which 
 was the first Protestant) was commenced in 17 19 and completed in 1826. In 
 1820 a mission was formed among the Osage Indians. In 1831, the Presbytery 
 was divided into three : Missouri, St. Louis and St. Charles. These were erected 
 with a Synod comprising eighteen ministers and twenty-three churches. 
 
 The church was divided in 1838, throughout the United States. In i860 the 
 rolls of the Old and New School Synods together showed 109 ministers and 146 
 churches. In 1866 the Old School Synod was divided on political questions 
 springing out of the war — a part forming the Old School, or Independent Synod 
 of Missouri, who are connected with the General Assembly South. In 1870, the 
 Old and New School Presbyterians united, since which time this Synod has stead- 
 ily increased until it now numbers more than 12,000 members with more than 220 
 churches and 150 ministers. 
 
 This Synod is composed of six Presbyteries and has under its control one or 
 two institutions of learning and one or two newspipers. That part of the origi- 
 nal Synod which withdrew from the General Assembly remained an independent 
 body until 1874 when it united with the Southern Presb)terian Church. The 
 Synod in 1875 numbered 80 ministers, 140 churches and 9,000 members. It has 
 under its control several male and female institutions of a high order. The St, 
 Louis Presbyterian, a weekly paper, is the recognized organ of the Synod. 
 
 PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 The missionary enterprises of this church began in the State in 1819, when 
 a parish was organized in the City of St. Louis. In 1828, an agent of the Do- 
 mestic and Foreign Missionary Society, visited the city, who reported the condi- 
 tion of things so favorably that Rev. Thomas Horrell was sent out as a missionary 
 and in 1825, he began his labors in St. Louis. A church edifice was completed 
 in 1830. In 1836, there were five clergyman of this denomination in Missouri, 
 who had organized congregations in Boouville, Fayette, St. Charles, Hannibal 
 and other places. In 1840, the clergy and laity met in convention, a diocese 
 was formed, a constitution and canons adopted, and in 1844 a Bishop was chosen, 
 he being the Rev. Cicero S. Hawks. 
 
 Through the efforts of Bishop Kemper, Kemper College was founded near 
 St. Louis, but was afterward given up on account of pecuniary troubles. In 
 1847, the Clark Mission began and in 1849 the Orphans Home, a charitable in- 
 stitution was founded. In 1865, St. Luke's Hospital was established. In 1875, 
 there were in the city of St. Louis, twelve parishes and missions and twelve cler- 
 gymen. This denomination has several schools and colleges, and one newspaper. 
 
 UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This denomination is made up of the member of the Associate and Associate 
 Reformed churches of the Northern States, which two bodies united in 1858, taking 
 
HISTORY OF MISSOURI. 65 
 
 the name of United Presbyterian Church of North America. Its members were 
 generally bitterly opposed to the institution of slavery. The first congregation 
 was organized at Warrensburg, Johnson county in 1867. It rapidly increased in 
 numbers, and had, in 1875, ten ministers and five hundred members. 
 
 UNITARIAN CHURCH. 
 
 This church was formed in 1834, by Rev. W. G. Eliot, m St. Louis. The 
 churches are few in number throughout the State, the membership being probably 
 less than 300, all told. It has a mission house and free school, for poor children, 
 supported by donations. 
 
 ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH. 
 
 The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri shows that 
 Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Genevieve, in 1760, and in 
 St. Louis in 1766. Fn 1770, Father Meurin erected a small log church in St. 
 Louis. In 1818, there were in the State, four chapels, and for Upper Louisiana, 
 seven priests. A college and seminary were opened in Perry county about this 
 period, for the education of the young, being the first college west of the Missis- 
 sippi River. In 1824, a college was opened in St. Louis, which is now known as 
 the St. Louis University. In 1826, Father Rosatti was appointed Bishop of St. 
 Louis, and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters of Charity, Sisters of St. 
 Joseph and of the Visitation were founded, besides other benevolent and charita- 
 ble institutions. In 1834 he completed the present Cathedral Church. Churches 
 were built in different portions of the State. In 1847 St. Louis was created an 
 arch-diocese, with Bishop Kenrick, Arch-Bishop. 
 
 In Kansas City there are five parish churc es, a hospital, a convent and sev- 
 eral parish schools. In 1868 the northwestern portion of the State was erecte i 
 into a separate diocese, with its seat at St. Joseph, and Right-Reverend John J. 
 Hogan appointed Bishop. There were, in 1875, in the City of St, Louis, 34 
 churches, 27 schools, 5 hospitals, 3 colleges, 7 orphan asylums and 3 female pro- 
 tectorates. There were also 105 priests, 7 male, and 13 female orders, and 20 
 conferences of St. Vincent de Paul, numbering 1,100 members. In the diocese, 
 outside of St. Louis, there is a college, a male protectorate, 9 convents, about 120 
 priests, 150 churches and 30 stations. In the diocese of St. Joseph there werr-, 
 in 1875, 21 priests, 29 churches, 24 stations, i college, i monastery, 5 convents 
 and 14 parish schools. 
 
 Number of Sunday Schools in 1878 2,067 
 
 Number of Teachers in 1878 18,010 
 
 Number of Pupils in 1878 139, SyS 
 
 THEOLOGICAL SCHOOLS. 
 
 Instruction preparatory to ministerial work is given in connection with col- 
 legiate study, or in special theological courses, at : 
 
 Central College, (M. E. South) Fayette. 
 
 Central Wesleyan College (M. E. Church) Warrenton. 
 
 Christian Univesity (Christian) . , Canton. 
 
 Concordia College Seminary (Envangelical Lutheran) St. Louis. 
 
 Lewis College (M. E. Church) Glasgow. 
 
 St. Vincent's College (Roman Catholic) Cape Girardeau. 
 
 Vardeman School of Theology (Baptist) Liberty. 
 
 The last is connected with William Jewell College. 
 
 5 
 
History of St. Louis. 
 
 ST. LOUIS. 
 
 Her First Settlement — Arrival of the First Steamboat — Removal of the Capital to Jefferson 
 City — When Incorporated — Population by Decades — First Lighted by Gas — Death of one 
 of her Founders, Pierre Chouteau — Cemeteries — Financial Crash — Bondholders and 
 Coupon-clippers — Value of Real and Personal Property — Manufacturers — Criticism. 
 
 It was nearly a century and a quarter ago that St. Louis's first arrival 
 proclaimed the site of the future metropolis of the Mississippi "Valley. In- 
 1762 M. Pierre Laclede Liqueste and his two companions, Auguste and 
 Pierre Chouteau, landed iipon the site which was destined to become a 
 great city. They were the avant-couriers and principal members of a com- 
 pany which had certain privileges secured to them by the governor of the 
 Territory of Louisiana, which then included the whole of Missouri, that of 
 trading with the Indians, and which was known as the Louisiana Fur Com- 
 jDany, with the privilege further granted of establishing §uch posts as their 
 business might demand west of the Mississippi and on the Missouri rivers. 
 They had been on a prospecting tour and knew something of the country, 
 and on February 15, 1774, Laclede, with the above named companions, took 
 possession of the ground which is now the city of St. Louis. They estab- 
 lished a trading-post, took formal possession of the country and called their 
 post St. Louis. In 1768 Captain Rios took possession of the post as a part of 
 Spanish territory, ceded to it by France by the treaty of Paris, and it re- 
 mained under the control of successive Spanish governors until March 10, 
 1804:. The Spanish government, by the treaty of San Ildefonso in 1800, 
 retroceded the territory to France, and, by purchase, France ceded the whole 
 countrj- to the United States, April 30, 1803. In October of the same year 
 Congress passed an act ajjproving the purchase, and authorizing the presi- 
 dent to take possession of the country or Territory of Louisiana. This was 
 done February 15, 1804, when Captain Amos Stoddard, of the United States 
 army, and the agent of the United States, received from Don Carlos De- 
 hault Delapus, a surrender of the post of St. Louis and the Territory of 
 Upper Louisiana. On the 10th of March the keys to the government house 
 and the archives and public property were turned over or delivered to the 
 representative of the United States, the Sjianish flag was lowered, the stars 
 
HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS. ■ 67 
 
 and stripes thrown to the breeze, accompanied with the roar of artillery and 
 music, and the transfer was complete. In 1805 St. Louis had its first post- 
 ofSce established, and the place was incorporated as a town in 1809. It did not 
 grow very fast, but was the recognized headquarters for the territory of the 
 west and northwest. The French from Indiana and other points had settled 
 there, and the town was decidedly French in its character and population. 
 The Missouri Fur Company which had its headquarters there was organized 
 in 1808, of which Pierre Chouteau was the head. His associates were 
 Manuel Lisa, Wm. Clark, Sylvester Labadie, and others, and such familiar 
 names as the Astors, Bent, Sublette, Cabanne, General Ashly and Robert 
 Campbell were prominently identified with the town and its jjrogress. The 
 first paper was issued July 2, 1808. 
 
 In 1812 the Territory of Louisiana, or that part north, was changed and 
 named the Territory of Missouri, and was given Territorial rights, with a 
 representation on the floor of Congress. St. Louis was the seat of the Ter- 
 ritorial government until 1820, and the first legislature met in that town, 
 and part of its proceedings was the removal of the seat of the government 
 to St. Charles, where it remained until located at Jefferson City in 1826. 
 In 1822 St. Louis began to take on more style, and was incorporated as a 
 city December 9th of that 3'eai'. There had been a bank established in 
 
 1817, and quite a large number of business houses were built and occupied, 
 and a number of loan oflices cJiartered. "When St. Louis became an Ameri- 
 can city her population was 925; this was in ISOi. When the Territory 
 was named Missouri, and she was the seat of government in 1812, her pop- 
 ulation had reached 2,000. William Deckers laid the first pavement in 
 
 1818. A ferry had been started in 1804. The first steamboat arrived in 
 1817. It was a low-pressure steamboat, built at Pittsburgh, and named the 
 Oeneral Pike. It arrived August 2d, and was greeted by the entire popula- 
 tion, who gazed upon her with wonder and astonishment. The Indians 
 were a badly scared crowd, and could not be induced to come near it. The 
 first steamboat stemmed the tide of the Missouri in 1819, and the same 
 year the first steamboat from New Orleans put in its appearance at St. 
 Louis. It was twenty-seven days en route. 
 
 BOUNDARIES AND INCORPOE 6.TI0N. 
 
 In 1820 the population had reached 4,928, and when incorporated in 
 1822 was believed to number about 5,000, not much immigration having 
 come in. The boundary lines of the city when she received her charter 
 were defined as follows: The line commencing at the middle of Mill Creek, 
 just below tlio gas works, thence west to Seventh Street and up Seventh 
 Street to a point due west of " Roy's Tower," thence to the river. The city 
 plat embraced 385 acres of ground. 
 
 The first church was built in 1824, and was of the Presbyterian denomi- 
 nation. The second was an Episcopal Church, erected in 1825. A new 
 
68 IlISTOET OF ST. LOUIS. 
 
 court-bouse was built in 1827, and also a market-bouse. Tbese old-time 
 landmarks bave long since disappeared, and no mark is left to tell tbe tale 
 of tbeir being. The spot or location is recorded, but what that availetb is 
 not of comprehension to the generation of to-day. 
 
 , ADVANCEMENT. 
 
 The first bi-ick bouse was said to have been erected in 1814. Tbe first 
 mayor of tbe cit}' was Wm. C. Lane. The St. Louis University was founded 
 in 1829; tbe Catholic Cathedral was completed in 1832 and consecrated by 
 Bishop Rosetti. 
 
 In 1833 the population of St. Louis was about six thousand, and tbe tax- 
 able property, real and personal, aggregated $2,745,000. St. Louis, like 
 all other cities, felt tbe blighting efiects of the financial crash of 1837, 
 still her progress was not wholly checked. Her vitality was great and her 
 resources spread over the territory, in many cases, out of the reach of tbe 
 troubles of tbe times. Her fur trade was immense and tbe crash had little 
 to do with that, so that while she felt the depression in her financial circles, 
 her commercial prosperity was in no wise checked. There is very little more 
 in the history of St. Louis to record than tbe noting of her general prosper- 
 ity and steady onward progress for tbe next decade. 
 
 Her population in 1S40 bad risen to 16,469, and in 1844, 34,140. Tbe 
 population had more than doubled in four years. Fine buildings had arisen 
 in place of the old fur warehouses of the early French settlers. Stately res- 
 idences appeared in tbe suburbs; and in all that gave promise of a great and 
 influential city, she bad advanced and was advancing rapidly. The Mercantile 
 Libcary was founded in 1848, and gas bad been introduced the year pre- 
 vious, the city being first lighted on the night of November 4, 1847. In the 
 great cholera year, 1849, the disease assumed an epidemic form, and of that 
 dread scourge the people liad a fearful experience. Tbe progress of St. Louis 
 had been handsomely commemorated on the eigbty-tliird anniversary of its 
 founding, the date being February 15, 1847. Among the living, and the 
 only survivor of tlie memorable trio who first landed and located tbe city, 
 was the venerable Pierre Chouteau, who, with bis brother, bad accompanied 
 Laclede Liqueste, to locate a trading-post for the fur comjDany of which they 
 were members. He was a prominent figure in the celebration, and though 
 at an advanced age, be was in the enjoyment of his fall faculties, and was 
 keenly alive to the wonderful progress of the city in the eighty-three years 
 of its life. In 1849, the epidemic yeai-, all that was mortal of Pierre Chou- 
 teau was consigned to its last resting-place, and with him all living memory 
 ceased of the first settlement and of the rise and progress of the city. From 
 that date history could record but written facts, the oral record bad ceased 
 to exist. His elder brother, Auguste Chouteau, had preceded him to tbe 
 mystic beyond, having departed this life in February, 1829. 
 
HISTOEr OF ST. LOUIS. 69 
 
 EXTENSION OF CITY LIMITS. 
 
 The city limits had been greatly extended in 1841, embracing an area of 
 two thousand six hundred and thirty acres, instead of the three hundred 
 and eighty-five acres in December, 1822. This showed the wonderful growth 
 of the city, which, even then, was contracted, and its suburbs were fast fill- 
 ing up. 
 
 The Institution for the Blind was incorporated in 1851, and the popula- 
 tion had increased to 94,000 in 1852. 
 
 CEMETERIES. 
 
 St. Louis took pride in her " cities of the dead," for she has several ceme- 
 teries, with wooded dales and sylvan i-etreats, well suited as the last resting- 
 place of those whose remains are deposited in the " Silent City." We will 
 speak here of only two, because of the care taken of them, their size, and 
 their rich and diversified surroundings, which give them a lonely, yet pleas- 
 ant look, to all who visit them. The Bellefontaine was purchased by an as- 
 sociation of gentlemen who secured an act of incorporation in 1849, and at 
 once commenced the improvement of the ground. In 1850 the first sale of 
 lots took j^lace. The cemetery comprises two hundred and twenty acres of 
 land. The Calvary Cemetery has 320 acres, of which 100 are laid out and 
 improved. This resting-place of the dead was purchased in 1852, by the 
 Archbishop of the Diocese of St. Louis, and like the first above mentioned, 
 is a lovely and secluded spot, well suited for the purpose intended. 
 
 BRIDGE DISASTER. 
 
 In 1854 the terrible accident, known as the Gasconade Bridge disaster, 
 occurred, when many prominent citizens of St. Louis lost their lives. 
 
 FINANCIAL CRASH. 
 
 In 1857 the financial crash had a greater effect upon St. Louis than the 
 one of 1837. Her merchants had been prosperous and extended their line 
 of credits and the rapidly growing city had brought many new and venture- 
 some people, who, believing in its future, had embarked in business enter- 
 prises which required a few more years of steady rise and progress to place 
 them on a stable foundation. These, of course, went down in the general 
 crash, but the stream was only temporally dammed, and the debris was soon 
 cleared away. The flood-tide had set toward the west, and the greater the 
 crash the greater swelled the tide of immigration toward the setting sun. 
 
 The era of a healthy, and it would seem, permanent prosperity, again 
 dawned upon the metropolis of the Mississippi Valley in 1861, and this time 
 not even the civil war, which then began to cast its baleful shadow over the 
 Union, checked its onward career, and at the opening of this terrible drama 
 St. Louis claimed a population of 187,000 souls. The war added to its 
 
70 IlISTOEY OF ST. LODIS. 
 
 financial and commercial prosperity, for it became the entrepot of sup])lies 
 for tlie army of the southwest, and the headquarters of army operations. 
 The valuation of real estate and personal property which had only been a 
 little rising two and a half millions of dollars in 1833, was now, in 1860, 
 $73,765,670. 
 
 What the war added was more in the line of its financial and commercial 
 development than in the spreading of its area or the building upof its waste 
 places, but when war's fierce alarm had ceased the tide began to fiow west- 
 ward, and with it came the building mania, for homes and houses had to be 
 provided for the rush of new-comers. 
 
 Chicago, which had nearly monopolized the railroads as an objective point, 
 seemed now to have secured all that would pay, and St. Louis became the 
 focus of all eyes. Kansas, Colorado and the Southwest began to loom up in 
 its agricultural and mineral resources; the vast quantities of land which had 
 been voted by venal congressmen to great railroad corporations were now 
 thrown upon the market, and Kansas became a leading State for the attrac- 
 tion of the emigrant. In this more railroads were necessary, and the great 
 crossing of the Mississippi was at St. Louis. Then the bridging of that great 
 river commenced, Capt. Eads having made known his plans for this important 
 work soon after the close of the war. The jubilee was not enjoyed, however, un- 
 til 1874, when, on July 4th, the bridge was completed and opened to the rail- 
 way companies. Tliis was another era which marked a rapid progress in 
 the future city of the valley. Sixteen separate and distinct lines of railway 
 centered at St. Louis with completion of the bridge, and from those lines 
 and the river tralBc, St. Louis was evidently sure of her future. 
 
 BONDHOLDEKS AND COUPON-CLIPPEES. 
 
 It was only wlien a concentration of wealth took a new departure that the 
 glorious future which appeared so near became so far. The energy and en- 
 terprise of the people had, in a large measure, previous to the war, been used 
 toward building up the city, and embarking in manufactures, etc., but soon 
 after the war that wealth was turned into government bonds and the energy 
 and enterprise were concentrated by these rich holders in cutting coupons 
 oif of these same bonds every three months, and with few exceptions they 
 are still at the exhaustive work. Whatever of advanced progress has been 
 given to St. Louis the past ten years, outside of her Aliens, Stannards, and 
 perhaps a score of others, has been by the new arrivals. It was, in '69 or 
 '70, that her local papers were prospecting on the enervating influence that 
 a hundrpd first-class funerals would have on the material prosperity of the 
 " Future Great." The liglit and airy business of coupon-clipping had be- 
 come epidemic, and millions of dollars which ought to have been invested in 
 manufacturing and other enterprises, were sunk in the maelstrom of govern- 
 ment bonds, and, so far as tlie material advancement of the city was con- 
 cerned, might as well have been buried in the ocean. Still St. Louis ini- 
 
HISTORY OF ST. LOUIS. 71 
 
 proved, for new arrivals of the progressive order seeing an opening would 
 drop in, and those who could not clip coupons for a business worked on as 
 their limited capital would permit. And so it was found that in 1870 real 
 estate had reached $119,080,800, while personal property was $14:7,969,660. 
 In 1875 the value of real estate had advanced $12,000,000, reaching the 
 gross sum of $131,141,000, and personal property $166,999,660, a gain of 
 nearly $20,000,000 in five years. The valuation January 1, 1879, was, of real 
 estate, $110,976,540, and personal property, $172,829,980, or a total valua- 
 tion of real and personal property of $313,806,520, with a population of 
 about 340,000. Great advancement had taken place in blocks of magnifi- 
 cent buildings, in the increase of her wholesale trade, in the area of her city 
 limits, in the enlargement of her working population, so that the coupon- 
 clippers who had stood at the front in 1870 now held a rear position, and 
 were rather looked down upon as drones of society', wrapped in self and the 
 vanity of self importance, and of little use to the progress or to the det- 
 riment of the great city. Railroads run to every point of the compass. Her 
 tunnel and the union depot had become a fixed fact, macadamized roads led 
 to all parts of the country, miles upon miles of streets were paved and side- 
 walks laid with substantial brick or stone, street cars to every part of the 
 city, and the river-front flashing with traffic, which, in point of develop- 
 ment, has exceeded the most sanguine expectation of those who had believed 
 in its future, while the expressions of those who had built their faith on the 
 railroads depriving a free water-course of the wealth of her offering has 
 been simply one of astonishment. 
 
 ST. LOUIS PAEKS. 
 
 In one respect St. Louis has exhibited commendable sense in having se- 
 cured a number of parks, breathing places for her industrial population and 
 pleasant drives for her wealthy citizens. There are no less than seventeen 
 of these beautiful places, many of them small, but so scattered about the 
 city as to be convenient to all her citizens. Her great park, which is called 
 " Foi-est Park," has 1,372 acres, and the city has expended in purchases, 
 laying out and beautifying the grounds, nearly one million of dollars. Cor- 
 ondelet Park has an area of 183.17 acres, O'Fallan Park has an area of 158.32 
 acres, and Tower Grove Park 270 acres. These are the largest, the oth- 
 ers represent but a small number of acres each. Of the smaller ones, Lafayette 
 Park leads with twenty-six acres, while the smallest, Jackson Place, has less 
 than two acres. 
 
 BUILDINGS AND BANKS. 
 
 There were 1,318 brick and 369 frame buildings put up in 1878, at a cost 
 of $3,000,000. A very fine custom-house is approaching completion. They 
 had, January 1, 1879, twenty-nine banks in St. Louis, five of which were 
 national banks. The combined capital of all was $12,406,019. This shows 
 
72 HISTOET OV ST. LOUIS. 
 
 a healthy progress, but one of not more than ordinary in the line of build- 
 ing improvements. It should have reached ten millions to show that ad- ■ 
 vanced progress becoming a city which claims it is destined to become the 
 central sun of the great Mississipjn Yalley. 
 
 In 1878 there was 2,291 arrivals of steamboats, and 2,348 departures. The 
 commerce of the river was some half a million of dollars. The new barge 
 lines and the wheat movement down the Mississippi for the year 1881, in- 
 cluding her other river traffic, will undoubtedly double the business of 1878. 
 The figures are not in, but the first half year has made a wonderful inci-ease. 
 Her commerce is steadily improving. There is not an article of domestic 
 produce but has rapidly advanced in the amount received the past few years. 
 Tlie cereals and stock, cattle, sheep and hogs, also the roots and vegetables, 
 have rapidly grown in quantity. St. Loiiis is the greatest mule market in 
 the world. 
 
 In its public buildings the United States custom-house stands first. A 
 massive building of white granite occupying a whole square, and wlien fin- 
 ished will have cost $6,000,000. The business in the custom department 
 will exceed two millions dollars the first year of its opening. The Cham- 
 ber of Commerce is anotlier magnificent structure just completed at a cost' 
 of f 1,800,000. Tlie county court-house, which also takes a square of ground, 
 and is built in the shaj^e of a Greek cross, with a fine dome, cost $2,000,000. 
 The county building, known as the "Four Courts," and the city prison is a 
 beautiful three story, and half basement structure, which cost $1,2.50,000. 
 The Polytechnic Institute costing $800,000, and the magnificent Southern 
 Hotel finished, and occupied May, 1881, at a cost of $1,250,000 for building 
 and furniture. 
 
 There are public buildings of lesser note, many private structures of 
 magnificent proportions, with a wealth of beautiful surroundings, theaters, 
 hotels, etc., all tliat go to make up a great city, school-houses of ample pro- 
 portions, churches beautiful in architectural design of Grecian, Doric and 
 Gothic, many of them being very costl}' in their build. One liundred and 
 seventy-one churches are found within her limits, and the denominations 
 cover all that claim the Protestant or Catholic faith. The Cathedral on 
 Walnut Street is the oldest church edifice, but not tlie most costly in the 
 city. 
 
 The public school library was founded in 1872, and niimbers 36,000 vol- 
 umes. The Mercantile Library has 42,000 volumes, and contains not only 
 many valuable literarj' works, but many choice works of art. 
 
 MANUFACTURES. 
 
 In this line St. Louis is fast reaching a commanding situation. So long 
 as railroads commanded the freighting facilities of the city and the great 
 highway to the sea which Providence had placed at her' door was ignored 
 for man's more expensive route by rail, St. Louis remained but an infant 
 
HISTOEY OF ST. LOUIS. 73 
 
 in manufacturing enterprises — and these had succumbed in many in- 
 stances to tlie power of monopolies, or to the tariff of freight wliich took 
 off all the profits, and her more eastern competitors were the gainers. 
 But in the last two years Nature's great highway to the sea has begun to be 
 utilized and St. Louis has all at once opened her eyes to the fact that she 
 has a free railway of water to the sea, the equal of twenty railroads by land, 
 and it only needs the cars (the barges) to revolutionize the carrying trade 
 of the Mississippi and Missouri valleys. The track is free to all. Ho 
 who can build the cars can liave the track ready a,t all times for use. The 
 Father of Waters lies at her door; a mountain of ii-on is but a few miles 
 away; coal, also, lies nearly at her gates, and while she has slept the slee^j 
 of years, these vast op)portunities might have made her, ere this, the equal 
 of any manufacturing city on the globe. She will become such, for no 
 other city can show such vast resources or sucli rapid and cheap facilities 
 for distribution. Even the coupon-clippers are waking up and believe 
 there are higiier and nobler aims for man than the lavish expenditure of 
 wealth in indolence and selfish pleasure. The surplus wealth of St. Louis, 
 if invested in manufacturing enterprises, would make her the wonder of the 
 continent. She may realize this some day — when she does, will wonder at 
 the stupidity and folly that has controlled her for so many years. Foun- 
 dries, inacliine-shops, rolling-mills, cotton and woolen factories, car-shops, 
 these and a thousand other industries are but waiting for the magic touch 
 of an enterprising people to give them life. 
 
 The year 1881 opens auspiciously for a new life. St. Louis now begins 
 to consider the question of progress from a more enlightened standpoint, 
 and with a look of intelligent action. It may take a little time yet to drive 
 sleep from her eyelids and sloth from her limbs, but it looks now more than 
 ever as though she would accomplish this and wake up to the full fruition 
 of her great opportunities — in fact, to her manifest destiny. Missouri ought 
 to be proud of St. Louis, but that cannot be while sloth lies at the portals 
 of her gates and the dry-rot of old fogyisni guides lier present course. 
 
 The brewery business of St. Louis is one of her leading departments of 
 trade. She has the largest establishment in the woi'ld for bottling beer, 
 a building two hundred feet long and thirty feet broad. The manufacture 
 of wine is another important business which has assumed immense pro- 
 portions. Distilling, rectifying and wholesale dealing in liquors is another 
 branch that adds a large revenue to the taxable wealth of the city. There 
 is nothing in the manufacturers' line but what could sustain a healthy 
 growth in St. Louis, if even plain business sense is at command. Her 
 futui-e may be said to be all before her, for her manufacturing interests 
 are yet in their infancy. She can become the manufacturing center of the 
 continent. The center or receiving point for the greatest amount of cereals 
 any city can handle, and the stock center also of the country, St. Louis may, 
 with the opportunities within her grasp, well be called the "Future Great." 
 
74 HISTOEY OF ST. LOUIS. 
 
 CHAPTEK OF CEITICISM 
 
 But the name " Future Great" is used at this time by her rivals in tones 
 of derision. That she should have ignored so many years the great and 
 bountiful resources nature has so lavishly bestowed upon her, aye! it would 
 seem, even spurned them through an ignorance as dense as it is won- 
 derful, is very strange, and has brought a stigma of disgrace upon the 
 character of her people. This action on her part lias not escaped the 
 notice of men of wealth, of towering ambition, of nerve force and of un- 
 limited energy, and to-day one of the railway kings of the country. Jay 
 Gould, of New York, has grasped the scepter of her commercial life and 
 rules with ft grasp of steel, and through his iron roadways run the com- 
 mercial life-blood which flows through the arteries of her business life. 
 That this neglect of her great opportunities should have placed it in the 
 power of one man to become the arbiter of her fate is as humiliating as it 
 has proved costly. Millions have poured into the coffers of Jay Gould, who, 
 seeing this vast wealth of resources lying idle or uncared for, had the nerve 
 to seize and the far-seeing judgment and enterprise to add them to his ow^n 
 personal gains The world can admire the bold energy of the man, and 
 the genius that cau grasp and guide the commercial destinies of an 
 Empire, but it is none the less a blot upon the fair name, ca23ital and enter- 
 prise of a great city, and should mantle the cheek of every St. Louisian 
 with shame. The writer feels all that he has here written, but his pride as 
 a Missourian cannot blind him to the faults of her people. 
 
 St. Louis is an old city and there has been much written of her extraor- 
 dinary progress, and yet whatever that progress is, has been caused far 
 far "more by her people being compelled to take advantage of the opj)ortu- 
 nities within their reach than making such by their own energy and enter- 
 prise. If she has grown in population and in wealth, it is because she 
 could not help herself After forty years of life, as late as 1812, the cur- 
 rency of St. Louis was still confined to peltries, trinkets, maple sugar, 
 honey, bees-wax, venison, hams, etc., in fact, all barter and trade, and yet 
 those who have compiled her local history talk wildly of her destiny and 
 prophesy wonders for her in the near future. It is best to look at St. Louis 
 as she is to-day. It is to be hoped that her future growth may not take 
 pattern after her past, and that the new men who have taken her com- 
 mercial future into their keeping will still exhibit that towering genius for 
 the development of St. Louis that has characterized them iu their eastern 
 home. 
 
 The future of St. Louis would seem to be one of a rapidly growing cit}', 
 not only in population, but in commercial and financial strength as though 
 founded upon a rock. This is the present outlook. While the genius of 
 Gould and his associates has secured millions of dollars by their business 
 
HISTORY OF ST LOUIS. 75 
 
 ventures, tliere are other iiiillions still left to build up and add to her pros, 
 perity and greatness if rigiitly managed. 
 
 The tremendous energy of Gould has astonished tlie sleepy St. Louisians 
 as much as if they had been treading upon live coals, and in waking up 
 they have discovered that their sleep and indolence have cost them several 
 millions. Gould, Keene, Dillon, Sage and their associates do not woi-k for 
 nothing, and the people who claim the "Future Great" as their abiding 
 place should lose no time in taking a firm hold of the present and guiding 
 her toward the great destiny which awaits her, witli the winning cards in 
 their own hands. The New Yorkers have shown them a will and a way, 
 and now let them practice the lesson it has cost them so much to learn. 
 
 It has been over a century since St. Louis took a start into life, and it is 
 quite that since the ring of the pioneer's ax and the sharp crack of his rifle 
 reverberated through her streets. The slow progress • of pioneer life lias 
 departed and modern civilization, with the light of genius for its guide, is 
 rapidly progressing and recording history for future generations. When in 
 1817 the first steamboat landed at St. Louis, the possibilities of what the 
 future might be began to dawn upon the minds of her peoj^le, and that 
 year may be well proclaimed as the dividing line between the old and the 
 new era of St. Louis's destiny. From that day she looked forward, not 
 backward, and while up to that time she seemed to have lived in the past, 
 it was the future before her that then riveted her attention. She kept up a 
 lively step to the music of progress for several years, and the Father of 
 Waters and the mighty Missouri with their fleets of water-craft attested 
 her enterprise, and she grew apace. But in a few years she again fell 
 asleep, and slept until the snort of the iron horse awoke her rudely 
 from slumber. She had grown even while she slept, because the great 
 water-way which passed her door had become the pathway of a mighty 
 business. But this grand highway to the sea which had nourished her 
 while she slept was at once forgotten or relegated to the rear, and her 
 awakened energies were given to tlie prancing steed whose breath was fire, 
 that made the earth tremble at his strength, and whose speed was like the 
 wings of the wind. The railroad fever had taken possession of the Queen 
 City of the Valley. She grew apace and for years she has reveled in the 
 .new love, and the grand old Father of Waters which had nurtured her into 
 life was forgotten. But she has again awakened from her quiet dreams, 
 and the iron horse which had lulled her to repose was found while bringing 
 millions to her door to have taken millions more away. And in this year 
 of 1881 she opens her eyes to her true destiny, and the grand Old Father 
 of Waters, which she had striven to drive from her, was once more recog- 
 nized as the very foundation or bed-rock of her commercial life, the power 
 that was to keep in check the absorption of her wealth, from the monopo- 
 lizing influence and insatiable maw of the railway kings. She now proudly 
 points to the grand old river, and the fleets of barges borne upon its bosom 
 
76 IIISTOEY OF ST. LOUIS. 
 
 filled with the wealth of an empire, and calls on her sister, Chicago, to 
 look at this glorious sight. The " Garden City " has already snuifed the 
 battle from afar, and is ready to struggle for a commercial supremacy 
 in which there are literally millions, for nature has done the work, and 
 St. Louis will win. The " City by the Lake " is deserving, and had she the 
 opportunities which have lain so long dormant in possession of her rival, 
 would have been to-day the wonder of the world. But it is the rugged 
 path that brings out man's energy and endurance, not the smooth road. So 
 it is with cities. And so the majestic Mississippi flows on, bearing upon 
 its waters the riches of the valley, and pouring into the lap of the Queen 
 City upon its banks millions upon millions of wealth. If the spirit of 
 1881 shall continue, then St. Louis will soon become the pride of the State. 
 In reality she will be the "Future Great" of the American Continent. 
 She that stands on the bank of this great inland sea, the commerce of an 
 empire flowing at her feet, her sails in every clime and countrj^, she is 
 indeed to become a great city, the arbiter of the commercial world and the 
 Queen City whose wealth, commanding influence, culture and refinement 
 will attest the greatness of her people and command the homage of the 
 world. Such is to be the " Future Great " city, St. Louis. 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 Debt of St. Louis, January 1, 1881, $22,507,000; rate of taxation on the 
 $100, $1.75. 
 
 The receipts of all kinds of grain, 51,958,177 bushels. 
 
 Twenty-four flouring-niills manufactured 2,077,625 barrels of flour in 
 1880. 
 
 The receipts of cotton for 1880 were 496,570 bales. 
 
 There were 12,846,169 pounds of tobacco manufactured into plug, fine-cut 
 and smoking tobacco. 
 
 There were 330,935,973 feet of lumber received in 1880. 
 
 St. Louis received for the year 1880, 41,892,356 bushels of coal. 
 
 Seven elevators have a total capacity of 5,650,000 bushels, and three more 
 are being erected and one other enlarged. 
 
 The aggregate of bank clearing for 1S80 amounted to $1,422,918,978. 
 
 The post-office distributed in 1880,43,731,844 pieces, weighing 4,250,000 
 pounds. 
 
 Post-oflice orders issued numbered 53,337, and represented $879,943.90. 
 
 The value of school property is $2,851,133. 
 
 The steel bridge cost $13,000,000 and tunnel $1,500,000. 
 
History of Kansas City. 
 
 KANSAS CITY, MISSODEI. 
 
 A Sketch — The New L'ife — Its First Settlement — Steamboat Events from 18i0 to 1846 — Mex- 
 ican War — Santa Fe Trade — Railroads — Commercial Advancement — Stock Market — ■ 
 Fork-packing — Elevators and Grain Receipts — Coal Receipts — Buildinc/s — Railroad 
 Changes — Banks — Nemspapers — Churches — Secret Societies — Public Schools — Manufac- 
 turing Center — Her Position and Trade — Assessed Valuation — Close. 
 
 A short descrijjtion of the rise and progress of Kansas City, the great 
 metropolis of tlie Missouri Valley, may be of interest to the people of 
 this section. It is the wonder of the people of the East, as of the West, 
 tliat in the last fifteen years 75,000 people should have made it their 
 home, and that upon the rugged hills and deep ravines which are found 
 npon the banks of the Missouri River at the mouth of the Kaw, should 
 become the site of a might}' commercial emporium, and that the second city 
 of the State should be found rising in stately magnificence where, but a few 
 years since, fur-traders and trappers made their home. Within the cor- 
 porate limits of Kansas City, in the year 1881, fully 70,000 people are 
 found, while in the suburbs fully 5,000 more are located. When the city of 
 Wyandotte is added, and that of Independence and Westport, and other 
 small towns, we have, within a very short distance, 100,000 people to advance 
 the glory, the growing power and the material prosperity of one of the most 
 thriving cities on this Western Continent — a city that every Missourian can 
 be proud of, and can point to witli honest exultation at her rapidly growing 
 power, and the expansion of her environs. It is that city, within one hun- 
 dred miles, which Western Missouri can look to as a market, and where she 
 will in the near future look for her commercial emporium. Already the 
 wliolesale trade rivals in many branches that of St. Louis, and five years 
 hence she will be the second cattle and hog market of the country. With a 
 barge line in operation to St. Louis, it will be found the best market for 
 cereals, and already cattle and hogs can be sold there at St. Louis prices, 
 with less than half the freight charges. Wliile St. Louis will ever be the 
 metropolis of the State and the Mississippi Valley, Kansas City equally as- 
 sumes the proud position of the metropolis of the Missouri Valley, and the 
 largest city that will ever be found this side of the mountains, west of the 
 Father of Waters. 
 
78 ■ HISTOKT OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 THE NEW LIFE. 
 
 It was not until after the late war that a new life opened upon Kansas 
 Citj^, but from the day that peace spread her wings over this favored laud 
 Kansas City's future has been assured. For years she was simply known as 
 a river landing, and the name Westport, but wlien the tide of immigration 
 struck Kansas those settlers of a new State became tributary to tlie com- 
 mercial prosperity of the city. There was another point in her progress 
 which marked the sagacity of her people, and that was their determination 
 to secure railroads. Not only has she given hundreds of thousands of dol- 
 lars to her bridge and the railways centering there froui within tlie State, 
 but she has contributed other hundreds of thousands to the struggling rail- 
 roads of Kansas, and has her reward, for she is the metropolis of Kansas 
 as well as a city of Missouri. And, while the population of Kansas City 
 increased 25,000 the last decade, Leavenworth actually lost population 
 during the same time. One was peopled by an energetic, open-hearted, pro- 
 gressive people, ready to push forward the wheels of enterprise, build 
 up and help neighbors and friends; the other was known as a " Smart 
 Aleck," who took care of number one. One has the ti-ade and the love of a 
 State, although outside of its border; the other is groping in the pathway 
 of a spirit so selfish, that it was blinded to every spirit of progress, and 
 a monument has been raised so high within its limits that it is seen by the 
 people of two States, and on its top is carved in massive letters, one word, 
 " decay." Such is Leavenworth, and such is the proud city of a hundred 
 hills, Kansas City. 
 
 THE LONG AGO— FIEST SETTLEMENT AT KANSAS CITT. 
 
 In the spring of 1821 M. Chouteau was sent to this country to establish 
 a general agency for a fur company, from which supplies could be sent to 
 the trading-posts, and at which the proceeds of the trade could be collected. 
 The knowledge of the country he had already acquired enabled him to judge 
 of the merits of different points for such. agency, having in view always the 
 advantages ofiered by each for extended operations by the methods of trans- 
 portation then employed. At the Kaw's mouth he had access by water to the 
 entire valleys of the Kaw, Missouri, Platte and smaller tributaries, while it 
 afforded the shortest land transit to the Indians of the plains and to the val- 
 leys of the Osage, Neosho and Arkansas. Hence, with that unerring judg- 
 ment for which his class were peculiar, he selected this point and established 
 himself in the bottom opposite Randolph Bluffs, about three miles below 
 what is now Kansas City. This was the first recognition of the natural ad- 
 vantages of this angle of the river for a large distributive trade, and the 
 actual founding of the interest which has since expanded into the varied and 
 wide extended activities of this city. He brought with him at this time 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 79 
 
 about tliirty men, all of whom were employed in the service of the com- 
 pany as couriers des hois or voyageurs, and through them he concentrated 
 at his general agency here the trade of the trans-Missouri country. His 
 post at this point was in a sense a trading-jjost for the Indians near by, but 
 its distinctive feature was a depot of supply and as a point of concentration 
 for traders, trappers, hunters, and the interior posts. In the iall of the 
 same year he brought his family to this post in a keel-boat, which was 
 towed all the way from St. Louis. The men who came with M. Chouteau, 
 in 1821, were, with few exceptions, dispatched into the interior, where they 
 establislied trading-posts or traveled and traded among the Indians. 
 
 In 1826 there was a flood in the rivers which washed away M. Chouteau's 
 houses opposite Randolph Bluffs and caused great loss. A part of the stock 
 was taken to Kandolph Bluifs; he sent his family to the Four Houses, and 
 soon afterward rebuilt his house, but this time higher up and on higher 
 ground, which is now embraced in what is known as Guinott's Addition to 
 Kansas City. This place became well known as "Chouteau's Warehouse," 
 and was the landing-place for large amounts of freight for Indian trade, and 
 for the trade with northern Mexico, which subsequently sprung up here. 
 
 THE FIEST WHITE MAN. 
 
 The first white man other than these and the Fi'ench traders to locate on 
 ground now embraced within the corporate limits of Kansas City was James 
 H. McGee, who settled hei-e in 1828 and whose family was so prominently 
 identified with the early development of Kansas City. Several of his sons 
 still reside in this city and vicinity. But there was not enough infusion of 
 Americans into this French settlement to materially aifect its character for 
 a number of years afterward, but it continued as it had begun, the center 
 of an extensive far and Indian trade. The first ferry across the Missouri 
 Eiver in the vicinity of Kansas City was established at Randolph Bluffs by 
 a Mr. Younger, grandfather of the "Younger boys" who in connection with 
 the " James boys " have been so notorious in the West. At what time this 
 ferry was established is not known, but it was in operation in 1828. The 
 only means of crossing the river at Kansas City at that time consisted of 
 canoes. Two of these lashed together were used from the time of the first 
 settlement of Americans in this vicinity, to cross over with tlieir grists to a 
 horse mill on the other side of the river, and it continued of about this 
 character until 1836. 
 
 The advantages of this point of departure for the west, southwest and 
 northwest, were afterward recognized by Captain Bonneville, who took his 
 departure from Fort Osage in 1832, and of whose expeditions such an ex- 
 cellent account has been given by Washington Irving. Lieutenant Lupton 
 and Fremont and Beale subsequently took their departure for their cele- 
 brated expeditions from the French settlement where Kansas City now is. 
 In 1832 Colonel Ellsworth, commissioner of Indian affairs, visited the 
 
OU HISTOEY OF KANSAS CITY, 
 
 Indians west of Missouri and Arkansas, and likewise took their departure 
 from tills point. Colonel Ellsworth's party consisted of a number of per- 
 sons of great distinction, among whom were J. II. B. Latrobe, architect of 
 the capitol at Washington, Count Pourtales, of Switzerland, Paul Liqueste 
 Chouteau, of St. Louis, and Washington Irving. It was this expedition 
 that furnished Irving the material for his " Tour on the Prairies," in which 
 he gives an excellent account of it. However, there was one incident of 
 this tour which he does not mention, and which occurred in this county, so 
 strongly illustrative of the disregard the hardy frontiersman of that time 
 had for rank and position in society, that it is given here. The party had 
 engaged as a camp assistant Mr. Harry Younger, of this county, the father 
 of the "Younger boys." The first morning after leaving Chouteau's house, 
 Mr. Irving requested him, at the breaking of camp, to bring up the horses, 
 so that they might start on the journey. The horses were grazing at a little 
 distance. "All right," replied Mr. Younger, " let's go after them." " But," 
 said Mr. Irving, " we expect you to do that." " Well," said Mr. Younger, 
 " why can't some of you help me. Tiiere's that d — d count, why can't he 
 go? He does nothing but shoot snow-birds." Mr. Younger, with the social 
 equality idejis peculiar to the hard}^ frontiersman, could not readily appreciate 
 the dignity of a commissioner of Indian affairs, a Swiss count or a cele- 
 brated author, nor see why they should not help bring in the horses. 
 
 STEAMBOATS. 
 
 The first boat on the Missouri River was the Independence which 
 ascended the stream in 1819, probably as far as Council Bluft's. She passed 
 Franklin May 28, where a dinner was given to the ofScers, but we have no 
 record of her dates at poinis higher uj). In August and September of 
 the same year the steamers Western, Engineer^ Exj)edition and R. M. 
 Johnson, ascended the stream with Major Long's scientific i^art.y, bound 
 for the Yellowstone. 
 
 A DESCRIPTION. OF EARLY KANSAS CITY. 
 
 A clearing, or old field, of a few acres, lying on the high ridge between 
 Main and Wyandotte and Second and Fifth streets, made and abandoned by 
 a mountain trapper, a few old girdled dead trees standing in the field, sur- 
 rounded by a dilapidated rail fence; all around on all sides a dense forest, 
 the ground covered with impenetrable underbrush and fallen timber, and 
 deep, impassable gorges; a narrow, crooked roadway winding from Twelfth 
 and Walnut streets along down on the west side of the deep ravine toward 
 the river, across the public square, to the river at the foot of Grand Avenue; 
 ■ a narrow, difficult path, barely wide enough for a single horseman, running 
 up and down the river under the blufis, winding its crooked way around 
 fallen timber and deep ravines; an old log house on the river bank, oc- 
 cupied by a lank, cadaverous specimen of humanity named Ellis, with one 
 
HISTOKT OF KANSAS CITY. 81 
 
 blind eye and the otliei- on a sliarp lookout for stray horses, straggling 
 Indians and squatters with whom to swap a tin cup of whisky for a coon 
 skin; another old dilapidated log cabin on the point below the PaciHc depot; 
 two or three small dwellings and cabins in the Kaw bottom, now called West 
 Kansas, which were houses of French mountain trappers, engaged principally 
 in raising young half-breeds. The rest of the surroundings were the still sol- 
 itude of the native forest, broken only by the snort of the startled deer, 
 the bark of the squin-el, the howl of the wolf, the settler's cow-bell, and may- 
 hap the distant baying of the hunter's dog or the sharp report of his rifle. 
 The Indian trade continued to flourish at both Westport and Kansas 
 City, and the Santa Fe trade at Independence until 18i3, when it was tem- 
 porarily suppressed by order of General Santa Anna. 
 
 EVENTS OF 1843 TO 1846. 
 
 In 1844 H. M. Northrup, now a banker at Wyandotte, Kansas, came to 
 Kansas City with the largest stock of merchandise that had yet been offered 
 here, if not, in fact, the largest stock that had yet been offered at any 
 place near this angle. 
 
 In 1845 James H. McGee made some brick on his farm south of the 
 town, and built the first brick house ever built in Kansas City. From 
 tills lot of brick J. C. McCoy, who then conducted the ferry at this place, 
 built the L part of a brick house, which still stands on the bluft", between 
 Grand Avenue and Walniit Street. These were the first brick made in 
 Kansas City, and the first laid here. 
 
 The efl'ect of the Mexican War gave a great impulse to the trade and pros- 
 perity of the border towns; for now, more than ever, were the advantages of 
 this angle of the river as a point of departure for the southwest appreciated. 
 Kansas City felt the impulse of the preparations that were being made 
 during the winter, and from the anticipation of the large amount of ware- 
 housing, and receiving and forwarding of military and sutler's goods, out 
 fits and supplies, soon to occur, it acquired new and improved prospects. 
 These facts, united with the tendency the Mexican trade had shown the 
 previous year to come to this place, led the town company' to lay anew the 
 foundation of the future city^ 
 
 At the time of the first sale of town lots, April 30, 1846, it was estimated 
 that there were about three hundred people in the new town, nearly all 
 settled along the river front. However, under the impulse of the Mexican 
 War and Sante Fe trade, added to the Indian trade already existing, the 
 place grew rapidly, and before the close of that year the population was 
 estimated at seven hundred. 
 
82 HISTORY OF KANSAS CITT. 
 
 MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT. 
 
 There was no municipal government in Kansas City prior to 1853, but 
 a circumstance occurred in December, 1852, which led to its establishment. 
 This circumstance was the arrest of a man for some light offense by the 
 constable, upon whose trial it was discovered that the commission issued 
 to the authorities was for the next congressional township east, wliich located 
 their jurisdiction at least six miles from where they had been exercising 
 their authority. This led to a movement looking to municipal organiza- 
 tion. That winter, February 22, 1853, a charter .was obtained from the 
 State, and in the spring of 1853 a local government was oi'ganized. The 
 land embraced in Kansas Citj', according to this charter, was bounded by 
 the river on the north, by Summit Street on the west, by Ninth Street on 
 the south, and on the east by the alley between Holmes and Charlotte 
 streets, and therefore embraced much that was not yet, nor for two years 
 to come, laid off into town lots. All that was platted was tlie old Frud- 
 homme estate. At the election, W. S. Gregory was elected mayor, but 
 served only a short time when Dr. Johnson Lykins was elected to suc- 
 ceed him. Dr. Lykins was re-elected next spring, and in the spring of 
 1855 Joliu Johnson was elected, but resigned a month afterward. M. J. 
 Payne succeeded him, and held the office till 1860. 
 
 TRADE OF 1856-57 THE STEAMBOAT BUSINESS. 
 
 The Journal of Commerce at a later period estimated that the trade of 
 Kansas City during these two years did not exceed two millions of dollars, 
 but with the close of the straggle, in 1857, the country filled up speedily, 
 the trade was enlarged and the city grew rapidly. Tlie Santa Fe trade 
 prospered, and the plains' trade resumed more than its former proportions, 
 while the trade developed by the settlement of sonthern Kansas all came to 
 Kansas City, and with that and the outfitting of immigrants, her business 
 became very great, so much so that a correspondent of the St. Louis Intel- 
 ligencer noticed that she had the largest trade of any city of her size in the 
 world, and was tlie point at which all freight and immigrants for Kansas 
 disembarked. The Journal of Commerce^ at one time during these years, 
 described the appearance of the levee as that of a great fair, it was so piled 
 up with all kinds of merchandise. 
 
 This was the great steamboat era on the Missouri River, and everything 
 that entered the upper country then came by boat. In the year 1857 there 
 were one hundred and twenty-five boats at the Kansas City levee, and they 
 discharged over 75,00(>,000 pounds of merchandise. There were then a 
 fleet of sixty through boats from St. Louis, and a daily railroad packet 
 leaving the terminus of the Missouri Pacific at Jefferson City. Kansas 
 City was then said by boatmen to be receiving more freight than any other 
 five points on the river. 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITT. 83 
 
 The first paper (weekly) in Kansas City was the Public Ledger in 1852. 
 
 Tlie first daily, the Journal, June 15, 1858. 
 
 The trade of Kansas City for 1860 was $10,705,947. 
 
 The first banking house, Coates & Hood, 1856. 
 
 The first jobbing dry goods house, J. Wise & Co., 1857. 
 
 The first telegraph line, December 20, 1858. 
 
 The first German paper, January, 1859, the Post. 
 
 The trade across the plains in 1860 from Kansas Citj^, as a starting point, 
 exceeded all other cities on the Missouri Kiver combined, by nearly fifty 
 per cent. 
 
 The number of men who left Kansas City for the plains and beyond was 
 7,084. They took of oxen, 27,920.; of mules, 6,149; of horses, 464, and 
 the amount of freight, in pounds, 16,439,134. 
 
 EAILEOADS. 
 
 The railroad fever struck Kansas City as early as 1855, that is it began to 
 take shape that year. The leading spirits of Kansas City were for years 
 energetic railroad men read}' to put both time and money into the work of 
 making Kansas City a railroad center, the seat of a growing and pros- 
 perous city, and they succeeded. Still, previous to 1860, the Missouri 
 Pacific was the only railroad which had reached Kansas City, and that had 
 no sooner reached there than it became its enemy and boldly avowed its 
 determination to make Kansas City a' way station. The fever took a fiercer 
 hold after the war and from 1865 to 1872 Kansas City voted hundreds of 
 thousands of dollars for the securing of important railway lines. The press 
 was a powerful lever in those days. The Journal, under Col. E. T. Yan 
 Horn, the Times under the editorship of John C. Moore, and the Bulletin 
 under Col. J. D. Williams made their columns bristle with strong points 
 and still stronger statistics of the value of railroads and what they would 
 bring of wealth and prosperity to the city. In this work the press, the en- 
 terprise and the capital of the city were mutual. Reid, Coates, Kearney, 
 McGee, Harris, Fosters, Abeel, Dively, Bullene, and a score or more of 
 others, all put forth ever}' exertion to make Kansas City a central point for 
 the great iron horse, whose mouth was fire, its breath steam and its strength 
 that of many giants. It was a success, and to-day she is the proud metrop- 
 olis of the Missouri Yalley. But with such difficulties as she had to over- 
 come she never wovdd have been if brains, energy and invincible nerve and 
 determination had not characterized her people. Then this railroad fever 
 started other enterprises. It was soon understood that the roads would 
 come and then the city took a start even before they reached her. In 1865 
 and 1866, between six and seven hundred buildings were put up. The eyes 
 of a continent began to look with wonder upon the little giant of the 
 West. A mighty city will ai'ise from these bluffs said Benton, and as the 
 
S4: HISTOEY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 work of progress went on that which had been termed the wild vagaries of 
 an old man was seen through other glasses ; the vagaries assumed titles of 
 prophesies, and they were, for from the rugged liills upon which Kansas 
 City now stands none but a prophet could have seen a giant and a mag- 
 nificent city arise and none but a prophet's ken foretold it. 
 
 THE COMMEECIAL ADVANCE. 
 
 In 1860 the trade of the city was $10,705,947; in 1867 the trade of the 
 city was $33,006,827. Over two millions of dollars were invested in build- 
 ing in the latter year, and a population of 4,000 had increased to 15,000 
 within four years. This is what you might call progress. But the grand 
 year of prosperity which will clearly mark an era in her wonderful devel- 
 opment was that of 1869. Houses went up as if by magic. Great enter- 
 prises were started and the wondeJ* came when the little town of 4,000 and 
 a few over in 1865 had swelled to 32,269 when the census was taken only 
 five years later. Forty-two additions had been added, nineteen of them in 
 1868-'69. A board of trade was organized with T. K. Hanna, wholesale 
 merchant, as president, and sixty-seven members. And from that day 
 until the great crash of 1873 Kansas City moved onward and upward with 
 accelerated speed. Street improvements had taken a firm hold of the 
 people, while other enterprises to make the city a home for all were put 
 forth. School property had been purchased and the advance in real estate 
 began to be so rapid that grounds had been secured up to 1870 for five fine 
 school-buildings, and the advantages of Kansas City in her schools has 
 been one of enlightened progress and great liberality. To-day she has no 
 siiperior in this line. Churches kept pace with the schools, and the once 
 border town and outpost has become the seat of refinement and culture. 
 Sti-eet railroads began to appear, and other evidences of a metropolitan city 
 were to be found on every hand. Water-works were broached and manu- 
 factories of all kinds began to spring up. The water-works started in 1873. 
 and were completed in 1875. The C-reat Exposition started in 1871 and a 
 law library was purchased the same year. In the great fire of 1871, at 
 Chicago, Kansas City promptly subscribed $10,000 for the benefit of the 
 sufferei's. Elevators and the largest pork-packing house in the country 
 are located here. Of the latter, two, the Armours' and the Fowler Bros', 
 are immense establishments, and besides these there are several smaller 
 ones. The crash of 1873 caused matters to move slowly and with caution. 
 The years 1875 and 1876 were not noted for any great forward movement 
 but a steady onward march was kept up. The rolling-mill, a much needed 
 enterprise, was started, and other manufacturing interests. People began to 
 arrive; vacant houses, which the panic had made empty, were scarce; matters 
 began to assume a more healthy appearance — one of them was the filling 
 up of the vacant places — and a new era of building was started. Some ten 
 new additions had been added and a few platted. Her railroad facilities 
 
HISTOEY OF KANSAS CITY. 8,5 
 
 and her immense packing-houses began to tell. The Texas cattle business 
 had assumed large proportions and it was clear enough that Kansas City 
 could command a large part of that trade. Western towns, like Abilene, 
 had put up yards and were handling a large number of cattle, but it was 
 evident that if Kansas City would put forth exertion it would come. Stock- 
 yards were built, offices arranged and a systematic course taken to secure 
 this heavy addition to the business of the city. To show how successful 
 the move became the following statistics will tell: 
 
 CATTLE, HOGS AND SHEEP. 
 
 In 1870 Kansas City received, cattle 21,000 
 
 " " " " " hogs 36,000 
 
 "1875 " " " cattle 181,114 
 
 " " " " " hogs 59,413 
 
 " « " " " sheep 24,987 
 
 " " the hog crop was a failure. 
 
 " 1880, cattle 244,709 
 
 « " hogs 676,477 
 
 « " sheep 50,611 
 
 PACKING. 
 
 This city became a packing point by 1870, before it was yet a stock market. 
 
 The next year, 1871, the creation here of a cattle and hog market greatly 
 facilitated packing, and by 1872 Kansas City had attained great importance 
 as a packing point. In 1874 she was the principal source of supply for 
 packed beef, and since that time has attained nearly a monopoly of the 
 trade. 
 
 Hog packing did not prosper equally for the sole reason that hogs could 
 not be had, the packing capacity of the city being in excess of the supply. 
 
 The following table shows the packing done here since 1874-5: 
 
 HOGS. 
 
 1874-5 70,800 
 
 1875-6 72,500 
 
 1876-7 114,869 
 
 1877 180,357 
 
 1878 349,097 
 
 1879 366,830 
 
 1880 539,097 
 
 CATTLE. 
 
 1874 42,226 
 
 1875 25,774 
 
 1876 26,765 
 
 1877 27,863 
 
 1878 18,756 
 
 1879 29,141 
 
 1880 30,922 
 
HISTOKY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 TIIK GEAIN MARKET. 
 
 From the eai'liest dates to 1870 Kansas City imported flour from eastern 
 Missouri and Illinois. This country had become self-sustaining, so far as 
 this part of Missouri was concerned, before the war, but the great demand 
 by immigrants to Kansas, and the trade with New Mexico and Colorado, 
 made a demand that local production could not supply. By the time Kan- 
 sas became a State she was producing large amounts of grain, but the immi- 
 gration took all surplusage. Between the close of the war and 1870 the same 
 conditions existed, though the production of the country had immensely in- 
 creased. By 1870, however, production began to exceed the local demand, 
 and that year the railroads took small amounts of grain to the eastern mar- 
 kets. Perceiving this fact the people, in the latter part of 1870 and the 
 early part of 1871, began to agitate the establishment of a grain market. 
 The spi-ing of the year 1871 gave promises of a good yield of all kinds of 
 grain, and the pi-ess opened upon the subject again. Its agitation caused 
 the Board of Trade to take it up and discuss it. 
 
 THE FIRST ELEVATOR — THE INFANT MARKET. 
 
 The result was, that in July, 1871, Messrs. Latshaw & Quade began the 
 erection of an elevator of about one liundred thousand bushels storage ca- 
 pacity. This was situated on nearly the same ground as is now the Union 
 Elevator. It was finished and open for business in December. But there 
 were no grain-dealers to use it, and Messrs. Latshaw & Quade went into the 
 business themselves, and were the first men to conduct a grain business in 
 the city as a strictly commercial pursuit. Messrs. Branham & Sons owned 
 and operated a corn-mill on Fourth Street, near Broadway, and Messrs. De- 
 war & Smith owned and operated the Diamond Mills. In 1871 Messrs. 
 Price & Doane took a large house on Santa Fe Street and Union Avenue, 
 and opened a grain business, but for a long time their business was largely 
 of a retail character. 
 
 The following statistics of the grain trade will be found interesting: 
 
 STORAGE AND TRANSFER CiAPACITY OF ELEVATORS AT KANSAS CITY. 
 
 NAMB. 
 
 STORAGE. 
 
 DAILY 
 TRANSFER 
 CAPACITY. 
 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 Bushels. 
 
 TT •_ 
 
 400,000 
 425,000 
 175,000 
 60,000 
 175,000 
 100,000 
 225,000 
 
 100,000 
 
 
 125,000 
 30,000 
 
 
 
 15,000 
 
 
 250,000 
 
 
 30.000 
 
 Novelty 
 
 40,000 
 
 Total 
 
 1,560,000 
 
 590,000 
 
HISTORV OF KANSIS CITY. 87 
 
 In 18S0 Kansas City received the following number of bushels of grain: 
 
 Wheat '.. 4,093,528 
 
 Oats 366,486 
 
 Barley 82,894 
 
 Corn 4,421,760 
 
 Eye 55,267 
 
 In the years 1876, 1877, 1878 and 1879 the receipts in the above grain 
 had been much larger in corn. In wheat 1878 was double, and 1879 about 
 50 per cent larger than in 1880. 
 
 COAL. 
 
 This is another very important trade and is assuming immense propor- 
 tions, while it is, also, growing rapidly. In 1870 very little coal was used, 
 and but 18,000 bushels were reported to have been consumed. Undoubt- 
 edly this is a mistake, and it probably exceeded 200,000 bushels. The rest 
 of the table given may be considered approximately correct. It is as fol- 
 lows: 
 
 1871 1,408,760 
 
 1872 2,722,750 
 
 1873 2,755,500 
 
 1874 2,799,000 
 
 1875 3,226,500 
 
 1876 3,388,000 
 
 1877 3,107,050 
 
 1878 4,621,725 
 
 1879 5,307,000 
 
 1880 5,772,405 
 
 ENTERPRISES OF 1878. 
 
 On the 19th of January a number of leading citizens organized a raining 
 stock board for the purpose of locating here a market for mining stock. 
 Col. C. E. Kearney was president, T. F. Oakes and H. M. Holden, vice- 
 presidents. Col. John C. Moore, secretary, and Mead Woodson, treasurer. 
 It tried to arrange for the opening of the board May 10th, but did not suc- 
 ceed, and before the close of the year passed into entire quiescence. 
 
 BLOODED-STOCK SALES. 
 
 On the 15th of May there was opened here the first great sale of blooded 
 cattle, the stock coming mainly from the blue-grass regions of Kentucky. 
 It was tried as a venture by parties owning the stock, and was so successful 
 that it has been since maintained as a semi-annual sale. At this first sale 
 two hundred animals were sold at an aggregate price of twenty-four thou- 
 sand dollars. This and subsequent sales have brought into the country ad- 
 jacent to Kansas City large numbers of blooded animals, the efiect of which 
 in the improvement of cattle is already perceived. 
 
88 HISTOKT OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 THE COUET-HOUSE AND POST-OFFICE. 
 
 On the 8th of March a bill authorizing the construction of a public build- 
 ing in Kansas City, for post-ofSce and custom-house purposes, passed Con- 
 gress. It was introduced by Hon. B. J. Franklin, of this city, who at that 
 time represented this district in Congress, and provided for a building to 
 cost two hundred thousand dollars, one hundred of which were appropriated 
 at that session. Besides the bill for the benefit of Kansas City, Mr. Frank- 
 lin secured the passage of a bill authorizing the holding of United States 
 courts in this city, and introduced a bill providing for the organization 
 of the Indian Territory and its opening to settlement, for the passage of 
 which he made great, but, unfortunately, unsuccessful effort. In this latter 
 he received the support of the people in unanimous resolutions adopted at 
 public meetings and forwarded to him. 
 
 SEVEN HUNDRED AND SIX. 
 
 The building for 1878 had proved greater than was expected reaching to 
 seven hundred and six buildings erected during the year, at a cost of 
 $1,040,000, many of them elegant business houses and residences. 
 
 THE EVENTS OF 1879. 
 
 Early in the year 1879 a proposition was made by some of the mem- 
 bers of the old Chamber of Commerce to revive that organization, but 
 after several meetings and a conference with the Board of Trade the 
 scheme was abandoned and the Committee of Commerce of the Board of 
 Trade was appointed in its stead. This committee has never been an 
 active one, j'et several important enterprises have been inaugurated and 
 secured by it, among which were the smelting-works and barge line of 1880. 
 
 One of its first acts was to memorialize Congress on the improvement of 
 the Missouri Eiver. On the 7th of January Messrs. Camp, McDowell and 
 Poe, government commissioners to locate the court-house and post-office, 
 arrived in Kansas City, and after acquainting themselves with the views of 
 the people and examining the different sites offered, accepted the corner of 
 Ninth and Walnut streets, January 25th, and it was purchased for $8,500 
 and the work of constructing the building soon afterward begun. 
 
 In May a party of United States engineers, under J. W. Nier, Esq., ar- 
 rived in Kansas Cit}' and commenced work on the improvement of the 
 river a few miles north of the city, an appropriation of $30,000 for that pur- 
 pose having been secured by Mr. Franklin. About the same time the first 
 term of the United States District Court was begun in Kansas City, Judge 
 Krekel presiding. 
 
 In the latter part of the month, Robert Gillham, a young engineer who 
 had i-ecently located in the city, proposed to improve the means of transit 
 between the western and eastern parts of the city by building a tramway 
 
HISTOET OF KANSAS CITY. ■.89 
 
 down the bluff on Ninth Street. He secured tlie interest of many of the 
 best men in the citj, but the project met with such unfavorable treat- 
 ment at the hands of the city council that it is still one of Kansas City's 
 uncompleted enterprises. 
 
 In August the first effort was made to organize a provident association 
 in Kansas City. Mr. J. T. Howenstein was the projector of this movement 
 and about forty prominent business men joined it; but for lack of attention 
 it was allowed to expire. 
 
 In September much interest was taken in a proposition to convert the 
 roads of Rosedale and Independence into boulevards, but after a number of 
 public meetings the interest was allowed to die out; yet it will doubtless be 
 done at some future time. 
 
 This year was one of great activity in business and individual enterprises 
 of all kinds. Trade was rapidly extended in all directions; the population 
 increased. Eeal estate became very active, and transfers increased $1,943,- 
 350; besides which there were thirteen additions platted and largely sold, 
 some of which were outside the city limits. And there were about thirteen 
 hundred new houses built, at an estimated cost of about $1,500,000. 
 
 KAILEOAD CHANGES. 
 
 " Great changes have taken place during the year in the ownership of the 
 railroads at Kansas City. Mr. Jay Gould and associates, who previously 
 held control of the Union & Kansas Pacific and St. Joe & Denver Rail- 
 roads west of the Missouri River and the Wabash Road east of the Missis- 
 sippi, early in the year bought a controlling interest in the St. Louis, 
 Kansas City & Northern and consolidated it with the Wabash under the 
 name of Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific. This connected the roads except 
 the Union Pacific, and to make connections with it the Pattonsburgh 
 Branch of the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern was extended through 
 to Omaha. Soon afterward the same parties bought the Missoui-i Pacific 
 and the Central Branch Union Pacific and have since consolidated them, 
 making two divisions, connecting with each other at Kansas City. The 
 same parties also bought an interest in the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad 
 during the year, and latterly have bought the Missouri, Kansas & Texas." 
 
 In addition to the sales of roads here mentioned, the Fort Scott Company 
 bought the Springfield & Western Missouri Road in June, and has since 
 completed it to a connection with the main line at Fort Scott; and Mr. 
 Gould bought the Kansas City & Eastern Narrow-gauge in November, and 
 in December it was leased to the Missouri Pacific, which he had previously 
 bought, and became a division of that road. Another important addition 
 to Kansas City's railway facilities was the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, 
 which in December made a contract with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Rail- 
 road for trackage rights over that road from Cameron, Missouri, and it 
 began to run its trains to Kansas City on the first of January, 1880. 
 
90 HISTOKY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 The year 1879 was characterized by another great raih-oad war, which 
 seemed to be the result of the completion of the Chicago & Alton Railroad 
 to Kansas City. In view of its early completion the pool was dissolved 
 again on the 12th of April, and a promiscuous cutting of rates opened on 
 the 14th. The Alton, however, was not opened for business until the 18th, 
 and did not begin running passenger trains until May 13. The war arose 
 over the allotment of its share of business to St. Louis, and was inaugu- 
 rated by the St. Louis roads. On the 7th of J une the war was extended to 
 passenger business also, and for the remainder of the summer passenger 
 rates between Kansas City and St. Louis, and Kansas City and Chicago 
 were but fifty cents; and freight rates went so low that for a considerable 
 time grain was carried fi'om Kansas City to St. Louis for five cents, and to 
 Chicago for seven cents per bushel, and at one time reached the almost in- 
 credible limit of three cents to St. Louis and five to Chicago. The trouble, 
 however, came to a close in September, and on the 12th of that month a new 
 pool was formed which took in the Alton. 
 
 BANK CHANGES, 
 
 First National Bank failed January 29, 1877. Mastin's Bank failed 
 August 3, 1877. Watkin's Bank was consolidated with the Bank of Kansas 
 City December 8, 1877. 
 
 NEWSPAPERS. 
 DAILY JOUKNAL. 
 
 The Journal was established by a stock company composed of William 
 Gillis, W. S. Gregory, H. M. ISTorthrup, J. S. Chick, M. J. Payne, Dr. B. 
 Troost, E. M. McGee, Thompson McDaniels and Robert Campbell, and 
 made its first appearance in October, 1854, under the name of Tli& Kan- 
 sas City Enterprise, with D. K. Abeel, Esq., as printer and business man- 
 ager, and William A. Strong, Esq., as editor. One previous attempt had 
 been made by a Mr. Kennedy to establish a paper called the PuMic Ledger 
 but it failed, and its failure led to the organization above. On the 15th of 
 February, 1872, the Journal Companj'^ was organized and incorporated 
 under the State laws — Col. Robt. T. Yan Horn, editor, Mr. Abeel con- 
 tinuing as business manager until August 9th, 1872, when he disposed of 
 his stock in the company and was succeeded by Isaac P. Moore, Esq. Mr. 
 Abeel, Chas. N. Brooks, M. II. Stevens and W. A. Bunker purchased a 
 controlling interest in the paper and took charge of it August 8th, 1877, 
 Col. Van Horn retaining his interest and continuing as editor-in-chief. 
 On the 10th of January, 1881, Messrs. Abeel, Brooks and Bunker retired, 
 and A. J. Blethen became business manager. 
 
 Its stock is now ^40,000, and during the past year has sold at a high 
 premiuin. It owns its own building, an elegant -structure on the corner 
 
HISTORY OF KANSAS CITY. 91 
 
 of Sixth and Delaware streets, worth probably $50,000. It is issued daily, 
 tri-weekly, and weekly, and has a very large circulation. 
 
 THE KANSAS CITY TIMES. 
 
 On Tuesday morning, September 8, 1868, the first number of the Kansas 
 City Times was issued. In starting the Times there was experienced that 
 risk which every journalist who attempts to establish a new paper en- 
 oounters. The first paper was an eight-column folio, the size of the sheet 
 being 26^x44 inches. At its head it bore the national Democratic ticket 
 for president and vice-president, and also for State officers. B. K. Drury 
 & Co. were proprietors. On December 22, 1868, the paper changed hands, 
 and a company was organized under the name of the Kansas City Times 
 Publishing Company. Messrs. Wm. E. Dunscombe, Chas. Durfee, J. D. 
 Williams and K. B. Drury were elected directors. Mr. Williams served 
 as business manager, and Messrs. John C. Moore and John N. Edwai-ds, 
 editors. 
 
 The present company was formed in 1878 part of the old company selling 
 their interests. The directors of the company after this were James E. 
 Munford, Morrison Munford and Chas. E. Has brook; and the officers 
 were James E. Munford, president; M. Munford, secretary and general 
 manager; and Chas. E. Hasbrook, vice-president and business manager. 
 
 It occupies its own building on Fifth Street between Main and Delaware, 
 where it has one of the finest counting-rooms in the city — and a thoroughly 
 equipped outfit of machinery, presses, etc., required to publish its immense 
 circulation. It is a newspaper establishment that any city of 100,000 in- 
 habitants might well feel proud of. 
 
 THE KANSAS CITY MAIL. 
 
 The Evening Mail Publishing Company was incorporated as a stock 
 company May 4th, 1875, by a few prominent business men of Kansas City, 
 with E. L. Martin as president and John C. Gage as treasurer, having for 
 its object the piiblication of a journal opposed to the movements of the 
 water-works clique as it then existed. Col. John C. Moore was acting ed- 
 itor-in-chief. 
 
 The growth of the Mail has been remarkable. In the winter of 1878-9 
 the Mail suffered severely from the effects of fire. The present manage- 
 ment found the material of the paper in ashes and cinders. The expense of 
 fitting up a respectable place of business on Missoiiri Avenue was considera- 
 ble, but the increase of business in the spring and summer of 1879 cleared 
 the office of indebtedness and left a margin for future operations. So flatter- 
 ing was the outlook in the beginning of the present year that a new three- 
 I'evolution Hoe press was ordered and a removal to a more commodious 
 building determined upon. 
 
 The Mail is now issued from its new office in the Mail building, 115 
 West Sixth Street. 
 
92 HISTORY )F KANSAS CITY. 
 
 THE EVENING STAR. 
 
 Messrs. M. H. Nelson and S. E. Morss, formerly of Fort Wayne, Indiana, 
 came to this city in the fall of 1880 and established The Evening Star, a 
 low priced afternoon journal, similar in size and style to those in all the 
 other large cities of the country. The first number of The Evening Star 
 appeared on the 18th of September. It is still published. 
 
 OTHER PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 Price Current, Gomraercial Indicator, Kansas City Review of Science 
 and Industry, Mirror of Progress, ''Mid Continent. There are, also, 
 published two German papers, and a society paper. The Herald. There 
 are two auxiliary publishing companies, one by the Times company, and the 
 other by Bunker & Brother. 
 
 CHUECHES. 
 
 All the denominations are represented, and they number thirty-six 
 churches in all. The Baptists, Presbyterians and Methodists, the latter 
 North and South, are the largest in number. The Catholics have a fine 
 cathedral and other edifices and are a large and influential body in the city. 
 
 There are ten Masonic lodges; eight, of Odd Fellows; five. Knights of 
 Pythias; Grand Army of the Republic, one; two lodges of the order of 
 Mutual Protection; The Ancient Order of David, one; The Ancient Order 
 of Foresters, one; and Good Templars, one; The order of Chosen Friends, 
 has three lodges, and there is the Irish Benevolent Society, and the Ancient 
 Order of Hibernians. 
 
 The Academy of Science was organized December 2, 1875. It is repre- 
 sented by some of the ablest minds in the city, and has resulted in much 
 good. 
 
 At the annual meeting. May 31, 1881, the following officers were elected 
 for the current year: 
 
 E. T. Van Horn, president; "VY. H. Miller, vice-president; T. J. Eaton, 
 treasurer; Theo. S. Case, corresponding secretary; J. D. Parker, recording 
 secretary; Harry Child, curator; Sidney Hare and Dr. E. Wood Brown, 
 assistant-curators; Kobert Gillham, librarian. Dr. T. J. Eaton, Dr. George 
 Halley, Maj. B. L. Woodson and John D. Parker are members of the exec- 
 utive committee. 
 
 The Academy has two functions {V) to increase a knowledge of science 
 by original observation and investigation, and (2) to difiuse a knowledge of 
 science. The Academy has made some valuable collections and has a 
 growing library. The influence of the Academy in difl'using a scientific 
 spirit is beginning to be felt throughout the city and its immediate vicinity. 
 
 There are quite a number of miscellaneous societies. The Woman's 
 Christian Association, which was organized in 1876, is worthy of special 
 mention for its great charities and earnest and faithful work. The present 
 
niSTOET OF KANSAS CITY. 93 
 
 officers of the society are: Mrs. F. M. Black, president; Mrs. J. K. 
 Cravens and Mrs. F. J. Baird, vice-presidents; Mrs. H. M. Holden, treas- 
 urer; Mrs. Wm. Williamson, secretary. 
 
 The Craig Eifles were organized in the year 1877. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The public schools of Kansas City are its glory, and there is no city in 
 the Union of its size whose educational advantages are superior, while it is 
 not too much to say that it has few equals. A condensed report of last 
 year will give the reader of this hook some idea of its great work. 
 
 1880-81. 
 
 The schools closed June 9, 1881, after having completed the most pros- 
 perous year's work since their organization. For seven years the utmost 
 harmony has prevailed in ever}' department — the hoard of education, the 
 superintendent, and teachers — all having worked un'ceasingly to bring the 
 schools to the highest degree of perfection. From sixteen teachers in 1867, 
 the corps has increased till at present it numbers one hundred and three 
 earnest and faithful workers. Complete pre2:)arations have been made to 
 furnish and equip sixteen additional rooms during the present summer so 
 that they will be ready for occujjancy when the schools open in September. 
 
 Under the skillful tiuancial management of the board, all claims of what- 
 ever character have been promptly paid on demand, and the entire busi- 
 ness for the last six years has been conducted on a cash basis. 
 
 In 1873 the first class, consisting of four members, graduated from the 
 Central school, and a class has graduated every year since. The total num- 
 ber of graduates is one hundred and thirty-six, of whom forty-three are 
 males. 
 
 Since the foundation of the library in 1876, it has continued to increase 
 in usefulness and importance, and to attend to it properly required so much 
 of the superintendent's time from his other duties, that the board last 
 March emploj'ed Mrs. Carrie W. Judson as librarian and to perform such 
 clerical duties at the office of the board of education as the superintendent 
 might direct. The library is now kept open every day and its duties 
 promptly, attended to. 
 
 Already there are 3,000 volumes iu the library, and large additions will 
 be made during the year. 
 
 There are 16,981 children between six and twenty years of age in this 
 scliool-district, and 8,026 enrolled in the schools. 
 
 The board remains unchanged in its organization and membership. 
 
 The public schools of this city have achieved a reputation for substantial 
 work which places them among the foremost in the counJ:ry. 
 
94 IIISTOEY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 AS A MANUFACTURING CENTER. 
 
 As a inamifacturing center Kansas City has unequaled advantages in her 
 cheap and abundant coal, and in the cheapness and abundance of materials 
 afforded by the contiguous country, a brief summary of which will be 
 found further on in this chapter. 
 
 POSITION AND TRADE. 
 
 True, this city does not yet supply all the merchandise, nor market all 
 the products of the vast region tributary to her. The country and the city, 
 commercially speaking, are but a quarter of a century old. The people com- 
 ing in from all quarters, as emigrants always do, at first look back to the 
 point from whence they came for supplies and for markets. It takes time 
 to establish new associations. This city, as a depot of supply, is not over 
 fifteen years old, and as a market only about ten, but her development 
 in these respects is, /or rapidity, without a parallel in the history of 
 cities. She has trade relations established throughout the domain, and now 
 reaches a point where all competitors must give way forever. She sends 
 merchandise to Kansas, Colorado, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, New Mexico 
 and Texas, and though this trade has not been in existence to exceed ten 
 years, she has now nearly excluded all competitors from the markets for the 
 cattle of Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Kansas, the Indian Territory, New 
 Mexico, and western Missouri ; the hogs of western Missouri, Kansas, south- 
 western Iowa, southern Nebraska and Northern Texas; the sheep and wool 
 of Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico, and the wheat of western Missouri, 
 Kansas, and southern Nebraska, and partly of southwestern Iowa. 
 
 That she will in a few years market all the products of this vast area and 
 supply it with all its merchandise, is certain. Her railway lines penetrate 
 it, radiating in all directions. The railway system of this entire area 
 centers at Kansas City, the roads that do not terminate here making 
 their connection with those that do. The non-use of navigable waters makes 
 the railways the sole arteries of commerce, and that they will bear the pro- 
 ducts of the country to Kansas City, and bear the merchandise from Kansas 
 City, is as certain as that they radiate from Kansas City to all parts of the 
 country. 
 
 It is a remarkable fact that the markets of Kansas City came into exist- 
 ence and grew to nearly equal importance with those of St. Louis and Chi- 
 cago — in some respects to a controlling position — within five years, while 
 there was little visible growth in the city and little immigration into the 
 country. It is a remarkable fact also that during the same period, and un- 
 der the same conditions, the mercantile business of the city was quadrupled, 
 and has continued to grow with unprecedented rapidity since. Tlie signifi- 
 cance of these facts is unmistakable. It simply means the rapid, intense 
 concentration of the trade of the country at Kansas City. 
 
HISTOET OF KAKSAS CITY. 95 
 
 As a maniifactnring center Kansas City lias nneqnalled advantages in lier 
 clieajj and abundant coal, and the cheapness and vastness of her material 
 supplies aflbrded by the contiguous country. She has become a vast depot 
 of supplies for the entire western and southern domain, an area covered by 
 no other city on the continent. 
 
 ASSESSED VALUATION. 
 
 The assessed valuation of property, real and personal, in Kansas City, 
 shows the following rapid increase. The valuation is given by decades up 
 to 1870, and then by years, to show the fluctuation of values and the effect 
 of the great financial crash of 1874, which ciilminated in 1876, and its rapid 
 recovery since that date. 
 
 The following is the valuation of all property for the years given. 
 
 1846 $ 600,000 
 
 1861 1,814,320 
 
 1870 9,629,455 
 
 1875 11,728.7.50 
 
 1876 8,923,190 
 
 1877 9,370,287 
 
 1878 9,092,320 
 
 1879 10,706,660 
 
 1880 13,378,950 
 
 The clearing-house report from 1876 to 1880, inclusive, gives the follow- 
 ing handsome showing: 
 
 1876 , $ 62,840.608.76 
 
 1877 69,213,01151 
 
 1878 41,000,317.56 
 
 1879 68,280,251.55 
 
 1880 101,330,000.00 
 
 THE NEW WEST AND ITS EESOUECES. 
 
 The area in which Kansas City trades may be defined as between the 17th 
 and 29th meridian west from Washington, and the 23d and 41st parallels 
 of latitude, embracing a greater variety of climate and mineral and soil pro- 
 ducts than can be found in any similar area in the world. The great agri- 
 cultural belt of the United States crosses it. It contains the greatest pasto- 
 ral region in the world, and embraces the famous lead, zinc and coal mines 
 of Missouri and Kansas, and the lead, coal, iron, silver and gold mines of 
 Colorado and New Mexico. There are no adequate statistics of its popula- 
 tion or prodsctions. It is so new and has been settling and developing so 
 rapidly since the general census, in 1870, that the facts of the census would 
 grossly misrepresent its present condition, and the census of 1880 is not yet 
 available. 
 
 The general conditions of a country have much to do in determining its 
 
96 HISTOEY OF KANSAS CITY. 
 
 fitness for the habitation of man. These may be said to consist of climate, 
 rain-fall and soil, and we propose to take a brief view of these. 
 
 As above stated, this country embraces a wide range of climate, due 
 partly to the number of latitudes it embraces, and partly to the difference 
 in altitude, the country rising from about seven hundred feet at the Mis- 
 souri River, to about five thousand at the base of the mountains. However, 
 the most desirable latitudes cross it, the country between the 38th and 42d 
 parallels, both in this country and Europe, having been found to be the best 
 adapted to vigorous manhood, longevity and physical and mental effort. 
 These parallels embrace, on both hemispheres, the largest per cent of 
 the population north of the equator, and the seat of man's liighest achieve- 
 ments. 
 
 The soil of Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri and Iowa are composed of what 
 geologists call the drift, loess and alluvial deposits. The first is of compar- 
 atively limited extent, and is mostly found combined with the loess in what 
 is known as modified drift. In this form it is very fertile, and yields sixty 
 bushels of corn to the acre. The second embraces all the upland soil, and 
 the third the bottom-lands. 
 
 THE CLOSE. 
 
 Thus has been sketched Kansas City and lier surroundings. No city in 
 the Union has exceeded her wonderful growth, or developed greater com- 
 mercial resources, and that growth and strengtli will continue with increas- 
 ing years. She is the marvel of the nineteenth century, and as such every 
 Missourian should know her and feel a pride in her extraordinary success. 
 
History of St. Joseph, 
 
 ST. JOSEPH, MISSOUEI. 
 EARLY SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 The First Settlement at Blackstone Hills— Rohidoiix— Biographical Sketch— At the Bluffs- 
 Then at Roy's Branch and Blacksnake Hills — 1S34-1836 — Rohidoux's Home — Employes — 
 Servant— Ferri/— From 1837 to 1840— Rival Towns — Woloes. 
 
 The French element of the class of pioneers settled Canada and the north- 
 western part of the United States, as well as the country about the month 
 of the Mississippi Eivei\ They came into the upper Mississippi and Mis- 
 souri Yalleys in 1764, under the lead of Pierre Laclede Liqueste (always 
 called Laclede), who had a charter from the French government giving him 
 the exclusive right to trade with the Indians in all the country as far north 
 as St. Peter's River. Laclede brought part of his colony from France, and 
 received large accessions to it in New Orleans, mainly of hunters and -trap- 
 pers, who had had experience with the Indians. In the year 1764: this col- 
 ony founded the present city of St. Louis. From this point they immedi- 
 ately began their trading and trapping incursions into the then unbroken 
 wilderness in their front. Their method of proceeding seems to have been 
 to penetrate into the interior and establish small local posts for trading 
 with the Indians, whence the trappers and hunters were outfitted and sent 
 out into the adjacent woods. 
 
 In this way the country west and northwest of St. Louis was traversed 
 and explored by these people, at a very early day, as far west as the Rocky 
 Mountains. But of the extent of their operations but little has been re- 
 corded; hence but little is known of the posts established by thera. It is 
 known, however, that such posts were established at a very early day on the 
 Chariton and Grand Rivers, in Missouri, and at Cote Sans Dessein, in Cal- 
 loway county. 
 
 EIOGEAPHT. 
 
 Joseph Robidoux, the son of Joseph and Catharine Robidoux, was corn 
 in St. Louis, August 10, 1783. . He was the eldest of a family consisting of 
 six sons and one daughter; to-wit., Josepli, Antoine, Isadore, Francis, Mi- 
 chael and Pabigie. Louis, the second son, lived and died in California, after 
 
yo HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 liis removal from St. Louis. Joseph, Antoine, Isadore and Francis were 
 all buried in St. Joseph. Joseph, the father of this family, was a Canadian 
 Frenchman, and came from Montreal, Canada, to St. Louis, where he lo- 
 cated shortly after the settlement of the city by tlie French. 
 
 Being a shrewd business man and possessing great energy he accumu- 
 lated a fortune. His wealth, his business qualifications, and his 
 genial disposition, made him many friends among the leading mer- 
 chants and influential men of that city. He occupied a large mansion, lo- 
 cated between Walnut and Elm streets, surrounded with every comfort and 
 convenience. Here he entertained his friends in a royal style, and so noted 
 was his hospitality that the first general assembly of Missouri did him 
 the honor of holding its first session at his house, on the 7tli of December, 
 1812. 
 
 Four years after his marriage his wife died. After her death young Kob- 
 idoux, then in the twenty-third year of his age, became an extensive trav- 
 eler. He made a voyage up the Missouri Eiver in company with one of tlie 
 partners of the American Fur Company. 
 
 Blacksnake Hills had been seen by some of the men connected with the 
 fur companies while enroute on one of the expeditions, their attention being 
 attracted thither, not only by the topography of the country, but by the 
 presence of the congregated tribes of the Sac, Fox and Iowa Indians, who 
 assembled here en masse at stated seasons of the year, preparatory to cross- 
 ing the river, either on a visit to other tribes farther west, or for the pur- 
 pose of hunting. 
 
 Seeing the Indians here in large numbers while on their journey at this 
 time, the partners debarked, and after looking at its points and its advant- 
 ages as a probable future trading-post, they proceeded on their way to 
 Council Bluffs, Iowa, the original place of their destination. 
 
 Being favorably impressed with the " Bluffs " as a trading-post, Mr. 
 Eobidoux returned to St. Louis and purchased a stock of goods, which he 
 transported up the Missouri by a keel-boat, arriving at the " Bluffs " in the 
 fall of 1809. 
 
 Here he remained for thirteen years, and while residing at the " Bluffs," 
 in 1813, he married Angelique Vandory, another lady of St. Lonis, who 
 died in the city of St. Joseph on the 17th of January, 1857. By this union 
 they had six sons and one daughter. 
 
 Readily adapting himself to the habits, manners and customs of the 
 Indians, and speaking with considerable fluency the dialects of the tribes 
 by whom he was surrounded, Mr. Eobidoux became an expert Indian 
 trader. 
 
 The American Fur Company were also in business at the " Bluffs," and 
 had a monopoly of the entire Indian trade for some time previous to the 
 locating there of Mr. Eobidoux. But a short time, however, passed after his 
 
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. ' »» 
 
 arrival before he began to divide the trade, and finally became so popular 
 with the Indians that he controlled a large portion of this trade, to the great 
 detriment of the fur company. 
 
 The company, wishing no further opposition from Mr. Kobidoux, finally 
 purchased his stock of goods, giving him fifty per cent on the origi- 
 nal cost, and in addition thereto the sum of one thousand dollars annually 
 for a period of three years, conditioned that he would leave the '' Blufts." 
 
 He then returned to St. Louis, where lie remained with his family, car- 
 rying on the business of a baker and confectioner, until the expiration of 
 the three years, the time agreed upon between himself and the fur com- 
 pany. Having spent already many years of his life among the Indians as a 
 fur trader, a business which, if not entirely congenial to his taste, had at least 
 been a profitable one, he concluded to embark once more in the same pur- 
 suit. Not that he reall}' wished — 
 
 — " for a lodge in some vast wilderness — 
 Some boundless contiguity of space," 
 
 but that he might reap therefrom a golden harvest. Making known his in- 
 tention to the fur company, it at once ofiered him the post at the mouth 
 of " Roy's Branch," just above the " Blacksnake Hills," at a salary of 
 eighteen hundred dollars per year, provided he would in nowise interfere 
 with the business at the " Blufls." 
 
 This proposition he accepted, and having been furnished with a stock of 
 goods he landed at the mouth of '' Eoy's Branch," in the fall of 1826. 
 Shortly afterward he removed to the mouth of " Blacksnake Greek," where 
 he continued to work for the fur company until 1830, at which time he 
 purchased their entire interest in the goods then in his possession, and be- 
 came the sole proprietor of the post at " Blacksnake Hills." 
 
 For many years the solitary log cabin of Joseph Eobidoux was the only 
 evidence of the presence of civilized man within a radius of fifty miles. 
 With every puffing steamer which ascended the turbid waters of the Mis- 
 souri came the emigrant and the adventurer, seeking homes in the western 
 wilds. A few embryo settlements had been made along the banks of the 
 great river in Jackson, Clay and other counties. The famous " Platte 
 Purchase " became the new Eldorado, and the beauty of its rich, fertile 
 valleys and prairies, fine timber, perennial springs and its numerous water 
 courses, had been spread far and wide. 
 
 A few families from Franklin count}', Missouri, consisting of Thomas 
 and Henry Sollers, Elisha Gladden, Jane Purget, and a few others, settled 
 near the spot in 1834, '35 and '36. 
 
 ROBIDOUX'S HOME. 
 
 The only building that stood upon the town site of St. Joseph at that 
 time was the log house of Joseph Kobidoux. It occupied the spot where 
 
100 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 the Occidental Hotel now stands — on the northwest corner of Jule and 
 Second streets— and was a building of considerable magnitude. It stood 
 east and west, was a story and a half and contained nine rooms — three 
 above and six below. On the north side was a shed divided into three 
 rooms. A covered porch was bnilt on the south side extending the entire 
 length of the building. The west room of the north shed was used by Mr. 
 Robidonx as his sleeping-room. His store was the. middle apartment of 
 the main building, the entrance to which was through a door at the east 
 end, first passing through an outer room to reach it. 
 
 So confident were some of the business men living in Clay and Clinton 
 counties that some one of the last mentioned towns would be the future 
 emporium of the "Platte Purchase," that they not only purchased land, 
 but in one or two instances laid off towns and opened business houses. 
 John W. Samuels and Kobert Elliott began business at "White Cloud, or 
 what was known as "Hackberry Ridge." G. W. Samuels, now of St. 
 Joseph, built a warehouse at Elizabethtown, where he bought and sold 
 hemp. Amazonia was expected to be the county-seat of Andrew county. 
 Charles Caples, concluding that the quarter section east and adjoining 
 Amazonia, would be a more eligible spot for the building of a great city, 
 laid it oft' into lots and gave it tlie name of Boston. These places, ex- 
 cepting Savannah, are numbered with the things of the past, and live only 
 in the memories of the men whose pluck and energy gave them a name 
 and brief existence. 
 
 In 1839, shortly after the arrival of Judge Toole in the county, he came 
 to the " Blacksnake Hills " one afternoon, horseback, and while passing 
 along, near the present site of the Pacific House, he saw a large gray wolf, 
 which he chased into the bottom, about where the first round-house now 
 stands. In fact, the wolves were so numerous at that time in and about 
 the " Blacksnake Hills " and their liowls were so loud and incessant that to 
 sleej) at times was utterly' impossible. 
 
 EEMINISCENCES. 
 
 The first M'hite male child born at "Blacksnake Hill" was Thomas B. 
 Sellers, born in 1837. The first white female child was the daughter of 
 Polly and Henry Sollers, born in 1838, in a small hut east o*f the present 
 site of the Occidental Hotel. The first physician who came was Dr. Daniel 
 G. Keedy, in 1838. Dr. Silas McDonald arrived about the same time in 
 the county. 
 
 He owned an old colored servant, who not only possessed a French name 
 (Poulite), but who could speak the French tongue, having been raised 
 among that nationality in St. Louis. This old man attended to the culinary 
 aftairs at the post. 
 
HISTOEY OF ST. JOSEPH. 101 
 
 Mr. Eobidoux operated a private ferry just below Francis street for 
 crossing the Indians and those who were in his employ. The crossing gen- 
 erally was done in canoes, and occasionally in Mackinaw boats. The road 
 leading from the ferry on the other side of the river led to Highland, Kan- 
 sas, or to the Indian Mission, which was established after the removal of 
 the Indians. The road from the ferry on this side passed below the Patee 
 House, and crossed at Agency Ford, where it divided, one branch of which 
 led to Liberty, Clay county, and the other in the direction of Gi-and 
 Eiver. 
 
 The next house (log) erected at Blacksnake Hills was built in March, 
 1836, and occupied by Thomas Sellers, east of Finger's packing-house, for 
 Mr. Eobidoux, who wished to take up another additional quarter section of 
 land, and about this period began to think that Blacksnake Hills would 
 develop into something greater than a mere trading-point for the conven- 
 ience of the non-progressive and half-civilized Indian. No other improve- 
 ments of a special character were made until the following year. 
 
 FEOM 1837 TO 1840. 
 
 The treaty for the " Platte Purchase " had been negotiated, the Indians 
 removed, the coiiutry opened to settlement, and hundreds of emigrants were 
 flocking hither, locating in the interior and at different points along the 
 Missouri. 
 
 The small colony at Blacksnake Hills was increased in number by the 
 arrival of F. W. Smith, Joseph Gladden, Polly Dehard, Samuel Hull, John 
 Freeman, Charles Zangenett, Father John Patchen, Captain James B. 
 O'Toole, Judge Wm. C. Toole, William Fowler, Edwin Toole, and others. 
 
 EIVAL TOWNS. 
 
 Between the years above named the country settled rapidly, and one of 
 several localities in or near the Missouri River, it was thought, woulS take 
 precedence of all the other settlements, and become the chief town in this 
 portion of the State. The respective aspirants for future greatness were 
 Blacksnake Hills, White Cloud, Savannah, Amazonia, Boston and Eliza- 
 bethtown, all north of St. Joseph, some eight or ten miles, and within a ra- 
 dius of five miles. 
 
 IMPROVEMENTS. 
 
 In 18il Dr. Daniel C Keedy erected a saw-mill in the bottom, north of 
 the present fair grounds. 
 
 At the same time Joseph liobidoux built a flouring-mill on the west side 
 of Blacksnake Creek. 
 
 A little later another iiouring-mill was built by Ci'eal & Wildbahn. John 
 Girard was the miller. 
 
 Still, a little later, the first tavern in the place was erected by Josiah 
 
102 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH 
 
 Beattie, located between Main and Second streets. In this tavern the Eev. 
 T. S. Keeve preached the first sermon that was delivered at Blacksnake 
 Hills. 
 
 In 1842 came Louis Picard, the first regular carpenter, and Wm. Lang- 
 ston, the first plasterer. 
 
 About the same time came the Belcher brothers, who were the first brick- 
 makers. 
 
 During this year Jonathan (^opeland built a warehouse near the corner of 
 Jule and Water streets. • 
 
 Then came Jacob Mitchell, a worthy son of Yulcan, the ringing of whose 
 anvil was heard by the villagers from " early morn until dewy eve." 
 
 A FOUR THOUSAND DOLLAR BURGLARY. 
 
 Having regard to facts and dates as they occur chronologically, we have 
 now reached a period (1842) in this history when there happened an inci- 
 dent which not only attracted the attention of the settlers at Blacksnake 
 Hills and surrounding country, but furnished a theme for conversation 
 around their firesides for months afterward, and as the circumstances con- 
 nected therewith are of an interesting character, we shall narrate them: In 
 the summer of 1842 Mr. Robidoux received from the Sac and Fox Indians 
 the sum of four thousand dollars in silver, in four diflferent boxes, each box 
 containing one thousand dollars. Mr. Eobidoux had sold goods to these 
 tribes to this amount, and when they were paid their annuity by the gov- 
 ernment its agent turned over to him the sum above mentioned. 
 
 Having no safe, Mr. Robidoux placed the boxes containing the money on 
 one of the lowest shelves of his store, behind the counter, near a window. 
 This window was secured at night by wooden shutters and fastened on the 
 inside by a bolt. 
 
 On the east side of One Hundred and Two River lived at that time three 
 families, bearing respectively the names of Spence, Scott and Davis. They 
 were supposed to be counterfeiters, yet no one knew positively that they 
 had ever passed any spurious money. The Spence boys, whose given names 
 were John, Oeorge Monroe, Andy and James, were in the habit, in com- 
 pany with Scott and Davis, of visiting Blacksnake Hills almost daily, 
 and while there would spend their time lounging about the solitary saloon, 
 which stood upon the bottom, west of Blacksnake Creek, and at Mr. 
 Robidoux's store. 
 
 For some days previous to the occurrence which followed, it was noticed 
 that one of the Sj)ence boj^s would often place himself in a recumbent po- 
 sition on the counter, with his face turned toward the shelf containing the 
 boxes of money. 
 
 Two or three nights afterward an entrance was eflfected through the 
 window above spoken of, and the boxes with their contents were re- 
 
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 103 
 
 moved. As soon us it was ascertained bj Mr. Eobidoux that his store had 
 been burglarized and bis luone}' taken, immediate search was instituted by 
 Iiis clerk, Mr. Poulin, and others who volunteered their assistance. Suspect- 
 ing that the Spence boys knew all about the burglary, as well as the where- 
 abouts of the missing treasure, they went in the direction of their house. 
 
 While en route, and on crossing Blacksnake Creek, the party discovered 
 a man's shoe which had evidently been worn but once, as it was entirely 
 new. The day before tliree of the Spence boys had purchased shoes of Mr. 
 Poulin at Pobidoux's store. He remembered that the shoes were of different 
 numbers, the smallest pair being sixes, and of cutting an unusual long buck- 
 skin shoe-string. The shoe found was a numbe* six, and the buckskin 
 string was "confirmation strong as holy writ " that the Spence boys were 
 of the party of thieves, or were in some manner connected with the bur- 
 glary. That they had worn the new shoes on the previous night, and that 
 in their flight through the soft clay had lost one, was clear enough. 
 
 Being thus encouraged, the party pursued their way to the cabin wli^re 
 the Spences lived, surrounded it, and captured the Spence boys as well as 
 Davis and Scott. Davis and Scott, however, were released. The others 
 were brought before Justice Mills, and upon a preliminary examination 
 were discharged, there not being sufficient proof to hold them for trial. 
 
 Sixteen or eighteen citizens, some of whom are still living, confident that 
 the Spence boys and Davis and Scott had committed the crime, met the 
 next day and proceeded in a body on horseback to Davis's and Scott's resi- 
 dence, determined, if they could, to bi-ing the offenders to justice and restore 
 the stolen money. In tlie meantime, Mr. Eobidoux had offered a reward 
 of five hundred dollars for the capture and conviction of the thief or thieves 
 and the recovery of the funds. Scott and Davis were taken prisoners and 
 compelled to accompany the party of citizens, who, when about half way 
 back to town, separated, the larger portion taking Davis on a hill and leav- 
 ing Scott in the valley of the One Hundred and Two in charge of Elisha 
 Gladden. They took Davis out of sight of Scott and just far enough away 
 that Scott could hear the firing of a pistol. They then halted and told Davis 
 that he must tell them where Eobidoux's money was, or, if he refused, they 
 would hang him. He strenuously denied all knowledge of the aftair and 
 told them to '' hang and be d— d." They put a rope around -his neck and 
 swung him up, only intending to frighten and make him confess to the 
 whereabouts of the money. After he had remained suspended for some 
 minutes they let him down, and asked him to confess the crime. Davis 
 being as bold and defiant as ever, they hung him again, this time almost 
 taking his life. They again asked him to tell where the money was, wlien 
 he again refused in a fiendish, insolent manner, branding them with a pro- 
 fusion of the lowest epithets. Seeing that Davis would tell nothing, some 
 one of the party shot off a pistol (as previously arranged, if Davis did not 
 
104 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH- 
 
 confess), so that Scott could hear it, and at the same time two or three of 
 them rushed down the ]iill where Scott was guarded, shouting that they 
 had " killed Davis " and were now " going to kill Scott." 
 
 One of these men held up his hand which he had accidently bruised 
 coming down the hill, and which had some spots of blood on it, telling 
 Scott, when Davis was shot, some of his blood had spurted on his hand. 
 Gladden, who was guarding Scott, said, when the concussion of the pistol 
 was heard, "that Scott's face became as pallid as death," he supposing that 
 his accomplice had been killed. 
 
 They gave him to understand that they had disposed of Davis, and that 
 if he did not tell them all about tlie money and the parties implicated in 
 taking it, they would also dispose of him in a very summary manner, but 
 promised that if he would give them this information, they would not only 
 spare his life, but would supply him with money enough to take him out of 
 the country. 
 
 Relieving what he had heard and seen to be true, and that the condition 
 of things was such as had been represented, Scott asked some one present 
 to give him a pencil and piece of paper. This being done, lie wrote the 
 names of all the parties concerned in the burglary (the Spence brothers, 
 Davis and himself), and led the way to where one of the boxes had been 
 buried, near the banks of the One Ilundred and Two. So ingenious had 
 been their plan, and so careful had they been to conceal all the traces of 
 their villainy, that while digging a hole, in which to deposit the money, 
 they placed every particle of dirt in a box and emptied it into the stream, 
 excepting enough to refill the hole after the money was put in. Having 
 four thousand dollars, they dug four holes. They then divided a blanket 
 into four pieces, took the money out of the boxes, wrapped each thousand 
 dollars separately, buried it by itself, and then refilled the hole, covering 
 it over with the same sod that they had taken up, and then burned the 
 boxes. 
 
 Scott could only show them where the first thousand dollars was. He 
 did not see them when they buried the other three thousand. They, how- 
 ever, found the first thousand. How or where to obtain the balance of the 
 money they did not know. Scott could not tell, and Davis, they supposed, 
 would not. They had tried threats and hanging with him, but without 
 avail. 
 
 In the meantime Davis was still in custody. They went to him, told him 
 that Scott had confessed, and it would be better for him to confess, also. That 
 Scott had not only given them the names of the persons who stole the 
 money, but had shown them where the first thousand dollars was buried. 
 He still refused to believe or say anything. To convince him of the truth 
 of what they said, they took him to the spot from which they had taken the 
 money, and showed him the piece of blanket in which it was wrapped. No 
 
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. . 105 
 
 longer doubting what he had seen and heard, he called for a drink of 
 whisky, which was given him, and after drinking it told them he would 
 show them where the balance of tlie money was buried. 
 
 To further show that Davis and his pals were accomplished villains, and 
 possessed a cunning ingenuity which would have been creditable to the pi- 
 rates'and freebooters of a past century, and which in some respects is not 
 unlike the narrative of "Arthur Gordon Pym," by the gifted l^oe, it is only 
 necessary to mention how he proceeded to show when and how to find the 
 balance of the money stolen. 
 
 He stood at the edge of the hole from which the iirst thousand dollars 
 had been taken, and stepping fifteen paces to the south, pointed to his feet 
 and said: " Here you will find a thousand dollars." He then led the way 
 to a small log, with a single knot on it, aud said, " Under that knot, in the 
 ground, you will find another thousand dollars." Going to the bank of the 
 One Hundred and Two, in the sand, 'neath a willow tree, under a broken 
 branch that bent downward, said, " You will find the last thousand dollars 
 here." 
 
 It was as he said, and the money was all recovered, excepting twenty- 
 seven dollars, and returned to Mr. Eobidoux. 
 
 Scott and Davis were held in custody, but during the night Davis es- 
 caped, and Scott was finally discharged on the ground of his having made 
 confession, and giving the names of the persons who had committed the 
 burglary. The Spence boys left the country. 
 
 ST. JOSEPH LAID OUT. 
 
 In June, 1843, Mr. Hobidoux laid out the original town, the site of which 
 was covered with a luxuriant growth of hemp. Simeon Kemper acted 
 as surveyor in this important undertaking, and Elisha Gladden as chain- 
 bearer. Two maps of the town were made — one by F. W. Smith, and the 
 other by Simeon Kemper, bearing respectively the names of " Eobidoux " 
 and " St. Joseph," in honor of its founder. The map drawn by Mr. Smith 
 was selected by Mr. Eobidoux, and the more civilized and felicitious appel- 
 lative of St. Joseph was substituted for that of Blacksnake Hills. 
 
 This map was taken to St. Louis, where Mr. Eobidoux acknowledged it 
 in the ofiice of the clerk of the Court of Common Pleas (Nathaniel Paschall, 
 who has since been one of the editors of the St. Louis BejpuhUcan, being 
 the clerk at the time), and after having it lithographed, returned to St. Jo- 
 seph. 
 
 His declaration and acknowledgment are as follows: 
 
 " DECLAEATION OF PEOPEIETOE. 
 
 " I, Joseph Eobidoux, of tlie county of Buchanan, and the. State of Mis- 
 souri, do hereby declare that I am the proprietor and owner of a certain 
 
106 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 town named St. Joseph, located upon the southwest fractional quarter of sec- 
 tion eight, township fifty-seven north, range thirty-five west of the fifth 
 principal meridian, and that I have laid ofl' the same into lots and blocks, 
 bounded by streets and alleys, and a levee, or landing on the front, which 
 streets and alleys are of the width set forth upon this plat, and the lots and 
 blocks are of the dimensions and numbers as are indicated upon said-plat; 
 and the course of said streets and the extent of said lots, blocks and town are 
 correctly set forth upon this plat of the same, which was made by my au- 
 thority and under my direction. And 1 do hereby give, grant, allot and con- 
 vey, for public uses, all the sti-eets and alleys, by the names and of the ex- 
 tent that are set forth upon said plat. And I do hereby declare this 
 dedication to be made by me, this, the 26th day of July, eighteen hundred 
 and forty-three, to be binding upon me, my heirs and assigns forever. 
 
 " Jh. Kobidotjx [seal]. " 
 
 "certificate of proprietor's acknowledgment. 
 
 " State of Missouri, ( 
 
 " County of St. Louis, j 
 
 " Be it remembered, that on this 26th day of Jul}-, eighteen hundred and 
 forty-three, before me, the undersigned, clerk of the St. Louis Court of Com- 
 mon Pleas, within and for said county, came Joseph Eobidoux, who is per- 
 sonally Itnown to me to be the same person whose name is subscribed to the 
 above plat, as having executed the said plat, and who acknowledged to me 
 that he executed said plat for the purposes therein named. 
 
 " In testimony whereof, I have set my hand and affixed the seal of said 
 court at ofiice in the city of St. Louis, and State aforesaid, 26th day of July, 
 eighteen hundred and forty-three. 
 
 " Nathaniel Paschall, 
 
 " Cleric. 
 
 " By Stephen D. Barlow, 
 
 " Deputy." 
 
 BLOCES AND LOTS DONATED. 
 
 The west half of block thirty-one was reserved on the map as a market 
 square ; the west half of block fifty was donated for a public church ; the 
 northwest quarter of block thirty-eight for a public school, and the south 
 quarter of the same block for a Catholic church. 
 
 These lots were immediately put upon the market, even before the title to 
 them was complete. This was perfected in 1844, at which time a United 
 States land-ofiice was located at Plattsburg, Missouri. 
 
 The uniform price of corner lots was one hundred and fifty dollars, and 
 inside lots one hundred dollars. As rapidly as sale could be made the money 
 was applied in payment of a mortgage, held by Pierre Chouteau, Jr., of St. 
 
IlISTOEY OF ST. JOSEPH. 107 
 
 Louis, upon the land embracing the town site, amounting to six thousand 
 tliree Imudred and seventj'-two dollars and fifty-seven cents. 
 
 The town, as then laid off, included all the territoiy lying between Eobi- 
 doux Street on the north and Messanie Street on the south, and between 
 Sixth Street on the east and the Missouri Eiver on the west, and contained 
 sixty-four blocks, twelve of which are fractional. Each whole block is 240 
 by 300 feet, bisected by an alley and containing twelve lots. 
 
 The streets are governed by the cardinal points of the compass; those 
 running back from the river in the " Original Town," extending north and 
 south, are Water, Levee, Main (or First), Second, Third,' Fourth, Fifth and 
 Sixth; and those running at right angles, commencing on the parallel of 
 the north line, are Isadore, Kobidoux, Faraon, Jules, Francis, Felix, Ed- 
 mond, Charles, Sylvanie, Angelique, Messanie. These names are derived 
 from members of Mr. Kobidoux's family. 
 
 Since the laj'ing out of the original town, covering a period of thirty- 
 eight years, there have been added about seventy-two additions. 
 
 In 1844^5 the first church edifice in the town, a log building, 20x30 feet, 
 was erected, under the direction of Kev. T. S. Eeeve, a Presbyterian clergy- 
 man. It was located on the lot where the business house of John S. Brit- 
 tain & Co. now stands. 
 
 Soon after this chui'ch building was completed and occupied an incident 
 occurred in it which is worth relating: 
 
 In the fall of 1845, on a sabbath-day evening, while religious services 
 were being lield, a loud, rough knock was beard upon the door. Without 
 waiting for a response, the door was thrust wide open, when in stalked a 
 large, burly-looking individual from Grand Eiver. 
 
 With hat on and hand raised, he advanced toward the pulpit and mo- 
 tioned to the minister to stop. The man of God (Eev. T. S. Eeeve) being 
 thus rudely and inopportunely accosted, left off preaching, when the stranger 
 said: 
 
 " Is Bob Donnell in this house? I've got a bar'l of honey for him." 
 
 Mr. Donnell being present, and taking in the situation at a glance, im- 
 mediately left his seat and went out of the house with the enterprising and 
 redoubtable honey vender. Whether he purchased the " bar'] " we cannot 
 say. The man, however, who, nothing daunted, had so persistently hunted 
 him up, braving the parson and the astonished gaze of the congregation, 
 certainly deserved some consideration at the hands of Mr. Donnell. We 
 hope, therefore, a bargain was made, and that his Grand River friend re- 
 turned home a happier, if not a wiser man. 
 
 The log church was first permanently occupied in the winter of 1844^5. 
 In the fall of the year 1844 the first Union sabbath-school was organized, 
 
-108 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 and a committee of ladies sent ont for the purpose of making collections for 
 the schcol. Joseph Eobidoux, the founder of the city, made tlie first dona- 
 tion of ten dollars in money for the school. This was the first time a sub- 
 scription paper had ever been carried around, and it elicited some practical 
 jokes from its novelty among those who subscribed, and who are now among 
 the oldest citizens. 
 
 The log church was also occupied once a month by the Methodist denom- 
 ination for some time, and twice a month, until their own church was built, 
 in 1846. In August, of that year, trustees were appointed by the First 
 Presbyterian Church, under the care of the Lexington Presbytery, in con- 
 nection with the " Constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian 
 Church." During the same year a building committee was appointed to 
 make the necessary arrangements for the erection of a new house of wor- 
 ship. Money M^as raised by subscription, and in 1847 was erected the brick 
 building on the northeast corner of Fourth and Francis streets, in dimen- 
 sions fifty feet front by sixty feet. The first services were held in the church 
 in the winter of 1849-50. 
 
 This building was used without interruption till the closing of the church 
 and dispersion of the congregation in 1861, at the breaking out of the civil 
 war. It then passed through various hands, tUl it finally became, by pur- 
 chase, the jDroperty of the German congregation now occupying it. 
 
 PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 
 
 The citizens of St. Joseph are justly' proud of their excellent system of 
 public schools, which not only afford a practical and liberal education for 
 their children at home, but have given the city character and reputation 
 abroad. They have been one of the most important factors in attracting 
 immigration, and have done more tliafi any other institution to add to the 
 population, wealth and general prosperity of the city. They are the schools 
 in which the great masses of the children are educated — the children of the 
 wealthy, of the men of moderate means and of the poor alike — all classes, 
 and frequently many nationalities, being represented in the same school. 
 
 Until the year 1860, no attempt at any system of public schools had been 
 made in St. Joseph. Occasionally a free school would be taught for a 
 month or two, or for a sufficient length of time to absorb what was not 
 wasted or lost of the city's share of the public school-fund. But there was 
 no public school-system, and St. Joseph had merely the organization of a 
 country school-district. In that year a few of the most enterprising of her 
 citizens determined to make an eflbrt to establish a system of public schools. 
 They sought and obtained from the legislature of the State a good and lib- 
 eral charter. 
 
 This charter has been twice amended by the legislature, at the request of 
 the board of public schools; once in 1866 and once in 1872. Edward 
 
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 109 
 
 Everett said: "To read the English language well, to write a neat, legible 
 hand, and to be master of the four rules of arithmetic, I call this a good 
 education." Any pupil completing a course in the St. Joseph schools 
 should have an education far above that standard, and be well prepared 
 to enter upon any of the ordinary business avocations of life. But that 
 the system of public instruction may be as complete and thorough in 
 St. Joseph as in any Eastern city, a high school, with a liberal course of 
 study, was organized in 1806, which has graduated 208 young ladies and 
 gentlemen who are'filling useful and honorable positions in societ3\ Of the 
 above number, foi-tj'-four are either teaching now or have been teachers in 
 the public schools of St. Joseph. 
 
 THE GAZETTE. 
 
 The first newspaper, the Gazette, a weekly, was established in St. Joseph 
 in 1845, its first issue appearing on Friday, the 25th day of April, of that 
 year. The proprietor was William Kidenbaugh. When commencing the 
 publication of his paper he had extensivel}' circulated throughout Buchanan 
 and the adjoining counties, the following: 
 
 "Again, the spirit of internal improvement is abroad, our people are 
 determined not only to improve the transporting facilities now had, but to 
 add others, which will place i\s on terms more nearly equal with other parts 
 of the world. Then all the advantages we have in soil and climate will 
 become available; then a new impetus will have been given to the indus- 
 trious farmer; then the call upon the merchant for the necessaries and com- 
 forts of life will have been vastly increased; then health and prosperity will 
 evei-y where greet the eye of the beholder; then ours shall be a town and 
 county in which the wealthy, industrious and educated of the other and 
 older States will love to settle, and the situation of our town and sur- 
 rounding scenery, which are now surpassingly lovely, will be enhanced by 
 the touch of art, and the citizen or visitor of cultivated or refined taste will 
 love to contemplate their beauty." 
 
 The above article was written in the spring of 1847, and is doubtless a 
 faithful and correct repi-esentatiou of St. Joseph and her business prospects 
 at that time. Four years had elapsed from the laying out of the town, and 
 the inferences drawn from the editorial are that notwithstanding many 
 difliculties had heretofore intervened, such as the jealousies of rival towns, 
 imperfect navigation facilities, and other hindrances, tlie town had continued 
 to prospei". 
 
 EAILEOADS. 
 
 The people of St. Joseph early awoke to a sense of the importance and 
 necessity of railroad communication with the East. About the first refer- 
 ence to this matter we find in the Gazette, of Friday, November 6, 1846: 
 
 "Our country is destined to suffer much and is now suflTering from the 
 
]1U . HISTOEY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 difficulty of navigation and the extremely high rates the boats now charge. 
 Our farmers may calculate that they will get much less for produce and will 
 be compelled to pay much more for their goods than heretofore, and this will 
 certainly always be the case when the Missouri River shall be as low as it now 
 is. The chances are feai-fully against having any considerable work be- 
 stowed in improving the river, and until it is improved by artificial means tlie 
 navigation of it to this point must always be dangerous and very uncertain. 
 
 " The prospects for this fall and winter are well calculated to make the 
 people look about to see if there is no way to remedy this inconvenience, if 
 there can be any plan suggested whereby our people can be placed more 
 nearly upon terms of equality with the good citizens of other parts of our 
 land. 
 
 " We suggest the propriety of a railroad from St. Josepli to some point 
 on the Mississippi, either St. Louis, Hannibal or Quincy. For ourselves we 
 like the idea of a railroad to one of the latter places suggested, for this 
 course would place us nearer the Eastern cities, and make our road thither 
 a direct one; we like this road, too, because it would so much relieve the 
 intermediate country which is now suffering and must always suffer so much 
 for transporting facilities in the absence of such an enterprise. 
 
 " If this be the favorite route we must expect opposition from the southern 
 portion of the State, as well as all the river counties below this. For the 
 present we mean merely to throw out the suggestion, with the view of 
 awakening public opinion, and eliciting a discussion of the subject. In some 
 future number we propose presenting more advantages of such a road, and 
 will likewise proj^ose and enforce by argument the ways and means of ac- 
 complishing the object." 
 
 The charter for the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was secured mainly 
 by the exertions of Robert M. Stewart, afterward governor of the State, and, 
 at the time of its issuance, a member of the State senate, and of General 
 James Craig, and Judge J. B. Gardenhire. 
 
 About the spring of 1857 work was begun on the west end, and by March 
 of that year the track extended out from St. Joseph a distance of seven 
 miles. The first fire under the first engine that started out of St. Joseph on 
 the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was kindled by M. Jeff. Thompson. 
 This was several years before the arrival of the first through train in Febru- 
 ary, 1859. (Sometime in the early part of 1857.) 
 
 The Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was completed February 13, 1859. 
 On Monday, February 14, 1859, the first through passenger train ran out 
 of St. Joseph. Of this train E. Sleppy, now (1881) master mechanic of the 
 St. Joseph and Western Machine Shops, in Elwood, was engineer, and Ben- 
 jamin H. Colt, conductor. 
 
 The first to run a train into St. Joseph was George Thompson, who ran 
 first a construction train and then a freiojlit train. 
 
HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. Ill 
 
 The first master mechanic of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad 
 shops in St. Joseph was C. F. Sliivel. These shops were estab]ish.ed in 
 1857. In the following year Mr. Shivel put up the first car ever built in 
 the city. 
 
 On the 22d of February, 18.59, occurred in St. Joseph the celebration of 
 the completion of the Hannibal and St. Joseph I'oad. This was, beyond 
 doubt, the grandest display ever witnessed in the city, up to that period. 
 
 Mr. Jeff. Thompson, at that time mayor of the city, presided over 
 the ceremonies and festivities of this brilliant occasion. The city was 
 wild with enthusiasm, and the most profuse and unbounded hospitality 
 prevailed. 
 
 A grand banquet was held in the spacious apartments of the Odd Fel- 
 lows' Hall, which then stood on the corner of Fifth and Felix streets. Not 
 less than six hundi'ed invited guests were feasted here; and it was estimated 
 that several thousand ate duiing the day at this hospitable board. 
 
 Broaddus Thompson, Esq., a brother of General M. Jefi'. Thompson, 
 made the grand speech of the occasion, and performed the ceremony of 
 mingling the waters of the two mighty streams thus linked by a double 
 band of iron. 
 
 The completion of the road constitutes an ei'a in the history of St. Joseph, 
 and from that period dawned the light of a new prosperity. In the five suc- 
 ceeding years the population of the city was quadrupled, and her name her- 
 alded to the remotest East as the rising emporium of the West. 
 
 In the summer of 1872 this road commenced the building of a branch 
 southward from St. Joseph, twenty-one miles, to the city of Atchison. This 
 was completed in October of the same year. 
 
 The St. Joseph and Western is one of the most valuable roads that leads 
 into St. Joseph, and has been the source of a large trade from tlie neighbor- 
 ing State of Kansas. 
 
 The Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs road is not so important, 
 having parallel roads in opposition, and until it came under the control of 
 the C, B. & Q. it lacked comprehensive business views and enlightened 
 management. It is, however, a good, local road, all the way from Sioux 
 City to Kansas City, but as a nortliern and southern road, with competino- 
 lines, will not be of very great value as an investment. 
 
 The Missouri Pacific is another road that has run to the city, but found 
 it far from profitable, and are now building from Atchison north, into Ne- 
 braska. This road, like the K. C. & C. B , is of great local convenience to 
 the people and St. Joseph. 
 
 The Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, as its southeastern route to St. Louis, 
 the St. Joseph and Western, and the Hannibal and St. Joseph, will always 
 be the leading roads. The first mentioned running a branch to St. Joseph, 
 giving them a route to St. Louis over what was called the Kansas City, St. 
 Louis and Northern, now all known as the Wabash system. 
 
112 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 The St. Josepli and Des Moines is another new road of local importance, 
 although giving another Cliicago route to the city of " pools and corners." 
 There are now (18S1) three lines of street railway in St. Joseph. 
 The Board of Trade was organized October 19, 1878. 
 
 WHOLESALE TRADE. 
 
 The rapid increase of tlie wholesale trade of St. Joseph is simply re- 
 markable. The merchants, in January, looked forward to a greatly increased 
 trade, but they did not think for a moment that it would go so far beyond 
 the expectations of the most sanguine. Such, however, has been the case, 
 and there is no telling what proportions the trade will assume in 1881. To 
 accommodate this increase of business, many of our merchants are com- 
 pelled to erect more commodious buildings. The many magnificent whole- 
 sale structures that have gone up in the past few months bear ample 
 evidence to the truth of this assertion. 
 
 Total sales in 1880 of merchandise |i9,385,000 
 
 Add sales of manufactures 12,902,115 
 
 Grand total of the trade of St. Joseph, 1880 $62,287,115 
 
 GAS WORKS. 
 
 In the year 1856 J. B. Banney and associates proposed to the city authori- 
 ties that privileges should be granted to a companj^ to be organized of which 
 the city should take one-half the capital stock and liimself and associates 
 the remaining half. The proposal was agreed to and the city became a 
 stockholder. The works were erected and met with a steady loss even at 
 the I'ate of five and six dollars charged per thousand feet of gas to con- 
 sumers. The city sold out for twenty cents on the dollar. They continued 
 changing hands and losing money until the purchase of the works in 1871, 
 by James Clemens and his associates, of Detroit, Michigan, under the name 
 of the Citizens' Gas Light Company, for the sum of $50,000. This 
 company greatly enlarged and otherwise improved the works, and secured 
 a contract for lighting the street lamps, wliich had remained unlighted 
 several years. The trouble was that the people had not progressed far 
 enough to fully appreciate gas in their business houses or private residences, 
 and the cost of introducing was an item of serious contemplation while 
 their residences to a large extent were not built with gas arrangements. 
 The company, however, began to prosper for the first time in the history of 
 gas in St. Joseph when a new company was granted equal facilities with 
 them and proposed to cut down the price of gas and teach the citizens of 
 St. Joseph the beauties of its use. 
 
 In 1878 this new company came to the front under the name of the Mu- 
 tual Gas Light Company, the present owners of the woi'ks, and made pro- 
 posals to the authorities, through their president, C. H. Nash, to supply 
 
HISTOET OF ST. JOSEPH. 113 
 
 present consumers with gas at $2.50 per tbonsand feet, and tlie street lamps 
 at §25 per annum. The old company had charged $4 per thousand feet and 
 $30 for lighting the street lamps per year. They were granted the franchise 
 and awarded the city contract, and this resulted in the sale of the entire 
 works and francliise of the old company to the Mutual (xas Light Association. 
 
 The latter company has erected elegant new works on tlie cornei- of 
 Lafayette and Sixth streets, capable of supplying a city of 75,000 inhab- 
 itants. 
 
 The companj' have now placed in position over twenty miles of main 
 pipe, supplying over eight hundred consumers and nearly five hundred 
 street lamps. 
 
 WATEE-WOEKS. 
 
 One of the chief needs of St. Joseph for more than ten 3'ears jjast has been 
 a complete and perfect sj'stem of water- works, to be employed both as a 
 safeguard against fire and as a means of averting the possibilities of a de- 
 ficient supply in seasons of drought. 
 
 But it was not until the 10th day of December, 1879, that anything was 
 actually accomplished in that direction, at which date the mayor approved 
 an ordinance passed by the city council authorizing the construction of 
 water- works upon tlie " gravity system," the supply to be obtained from the 
 Missoui'i River above the city limits. 
 
 On December 23, 1879, the contract was let to the St. Joseph Water 
 Company, under bond to complete the works and furnish a full sujjply of 
 pure, wholesome water within twelve months from tliat date. Tliis com- 
 pany commenced work on the Ith day of January, 1880, and upon the 12th 
 da}' of January, 1881, the works were accepted by the city authorities as per- 
 fectly satisfactory. 
 
 The great basins are suj^j^lied with water by the engines below, the water first 
 being forced into a well west of the elevation, and after that it runs through 
 pipes into the reservoirs, of which thei-e are three. The settling basin is 
 380 feet long by 85 feet wide, and its capacity is three million gallons. Its 
 depth is twenty feet, and its water level is two feet higher than the reser- 
 voir on the south. 
 
 The north basin, -wliich is intended for the filtered water, is 150 feet wide 
 and 300 feet long, and has a capacity of six million of gallons. 
 
 If at any time it should be required to empty these basins there is cer- 
 tain machinei-y on hand that can be placed at work immediately and the old 
 water can be replaced by that which is fresh and pure. 
 
 Reservoir Hill is 330 feet above high water mark, and it is 122 feet 
 higher than any point in St. Joseph. In the business portion of the city the 
 pressure has been, since the works were in operation, 120 pounds to tlie 
 square incli. 
 
 In testing the capacity of the street liydrants it has been demonstrated 
 8 
 
114 HISTORY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 that in the business portion of the city a stream can be thrown tlirough hose, 
 with a proper nozzle attached, to the height of about 110 feet, while at the 
 corner of Nineteenth and Francis streets, one of the highest points within 
 the eastern corporate limits, a distance of sixty-five feet has been shown to 
 be the extreme limit of the elevation. 
 
 At the present writing something over twenty miles of main pipe have 
 been laid in place and one hundred and eighty-two hydrants placed at proper 
 locations and in working order. 
 
 The works were to cost at first $300,000, but the company kept adding to 
 the original estimate until the works complete liave cost $700,000 instead 
 of the amount first estimated. 
 
 THE UNION DEPOT. 
 
 To John B. Carson, general manager of the Hannibal and St. Joseph 
 liailroad, belongs tlie credit of originating a plan for the construction of a 
 union depot at St. Joseph. 
 
 After various conferences of the union depot projectors, the erection of the 
 building was finally determined upon in April, 18S0, when the St. Joseph 
 Union Depot Company was organized, with the following companies as in- 
 corporators and stockholders: Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company, 
 Missouri Pacific Railway Company, St. Joseph and Western Railroad Com- 
 pany, which is a ^^art of the Union Pacific; Kansas City, St. Joseph and 
 Council Bluffs Railroad Company, which is a part of the Chicago, Burling- 
 ton and Quinc}' Railroad; Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railroad Com- 
 pany; St. Joseph and Des Moines Railroad Company. 
 
 The ground which was selected and legally condemned for this enterprise 
 is situated on the east side of Sixth Street, near the corner of Mitchell Ave- 
 nue, that having been found to be the most suitable location for a common 
 point of meeting for the different railroads operating their lines through this 
 city. It embraces a tract of six acres, all of which will be required for its 
 buildings, sheds, platforms, tracks, etc. 
 
 The style of the building is Eastlake domestic gothic, and contemplates 
 a building 400 feet in length and fifty feet in width, set back from Sixth 
 Street thirty-six feet, so as to give room for carriage-way between present 
 street line and front of building. 
 
 STOCK. 
 
 The transactions of the stock-yards for the past three years are as follows: 
 
 KIND OF STOCK. 
 
 1878. 
 
 1879. 
 
 1880. 
 
 
 69,710 
 5,992 
 1,842 
 
 99,518 
 15,005 
 3,179 
 2,293 
 
 102,150 
 
 
 20,592 
 
 
 3,505 
 
 Head of sheep 
 
 3,564 
 
 5,990 
 
HISTOEY OF ST. JOSEPH. 115 
 
 The capacity of the yards is limited at present to fifty pens, which will 
 accommodate 2,500 head of cattle iind 3,000 head of hogs. 
 
 LIVE STOCK. 
 
 During the year 1880 nearly 10,000 head of cattle were marketed in St. 
 Joseph, which amounted to the aggregate value of about $300,000. 
 
 There were about 4,000 horses and mules sold in this market in 1880, of 
 a total value of §350,000. A great portion of this number were shipped out 
 to Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, New 
 Mexico, Louisiana and South Carolina. 
 
 There were 140,000 head of hogs sold in this city in 1880, of a value of 
 $2,000,000, making the total sales of live stock $2,650,000. 
 
 PACKING-HOUSES. 
 
 There are at present (1881) three packing-houses in the city. The oldest 
 of these was established by the present proprietor, David Pinger, in 1853. 
 It is near the Francis Street depot. About five hands are generally em- 
 ployed. Slaughtering here is principally done for the butchers. 
 
 Hax & Brother were established in 1868. Their packing-house and office 
 are on the corner of Fourth and Mary streets. They employ in the winter 
 season between sixty and eighty hands, and also pack to a limited extent in 
 summer. 
 
 The packing-house of H. Krug & Co. was established in the winter of 
 1877-8, H. Krug, president; James McCord, vice-president and treas- 
 urer; George C. Hax, secretary. The capital stock of the company is 
 $72,000. In the winter of 1879-80 this house packed between 60,000 
 and 65,000 hogs. In the summer about 24,000 head were packed. In 
 August, 1881, they slaughtered 1,800 hogs per week. 
 
 Connett Brothers, who packed in 1880 about 6,000 hogs, on their farm 
 in the county, are now (1881) erecting a spacious brick structure south 
 of the city limits, which will cost, when completed, about $25,000 or 
 $30,000. Its packing capacity will be from 1,000. to 1,500 per day. 
 
 ICE. 
 
 The past winter has afforded the best ice harvest ever before known in 
 this city. The following statement shows the number of tons taken from 
 the Missouri Eiver and Lake Contrary and stored for use: 
 
 Breweries 40,000 tons. 
 
 Packing companies 25,000 tons. 
 
 Ice dealers 25,000 tons. 
 
 Private use 10,000 tons. 
 
 Total 100,000 tons. 
 
 The average cost of storing ice last season was less than $1.00 per ton, 
 while the average cost of imported ice the year previous was $4.50 per ton. 
 
116 HISTOEY OF ST. JOSEPH. 
 
 OPEKA HOUSE. 
 
 No other city in the entire West can boast of so fine a temple devoted 
 to the dramatic art, nor comparing in size and elegance of appointment, 
 with the Opera House in tliis city. 
 
 The building was erected by Mr. Milton Tootle, in 18Y3, at a cost of 
 $150,000. It is regarded by all as the finest theater west of Chicago. 
 
 The City Hall cost $50,000, an imposing building. 
 
 INTEEESTING ITEMS. 
 
 In accordance with a resolution of the Board of Trade recently adopted, a 
 committee appointed for that purpose has prepared articles of association 
 for the incorporation of a stock company, to be called the Chamber of Com- 
 merce, the object of which is to perfect a plan for the erection of a Board of 
 Trade or Chamber of Commerce building in this city. The organization has 
 been completed, and it is thought that the necessary stock can be placed 
 at once. The location has not yet been determined upon, but it is de- 
 signed to secure a corner lot, if possible, near to the business center of 
 the city. 
 
 The St. Joseph glucose company was formed in June, 1880. The name 
 of the company is The St. Joseph Refining Company. It has all of the latest 
 improved machinery, and a capacity for making up 3,000 bushels of corn 
 daily. The building is situated in South St. Joseph, and covers over an 
 acre of ground. 
 
 Situated on South Fourth Street, in the premises formerly occupied by the 
 Evans, Day & Co. Canning Factory, ai'e the Star Preserving Works, owned 
 and operated by Albert Fischer & Co. They have recently enlarged 
 the premises with additional buildings until they cover nearly an entire 
 square. 
 
 The capacity of the works are 40,000 cans, or 1,800 bushels of tomatoes 
 per day, or from 1,000 to 1,200 bushels of peas. During the preserving sea- 
 son these works have about 250 employes upon their pay-roll. 
 
 PRODUCE PACKING. * 
 
 The packing of butter, eggs, apples, potatoes, and other produce is as- 
 suming immense proportions, and as St. Joseph is situated in the heart of 
 the finest agricultural district in the world, this industry must increase with 
 each succeeding year. 
 
 The following statistics of this branch of trade were supplied by the prin- 
 cipal commission houses here for the year 1880. 
 
 No. of bushels potatoes shipped from the city 100,000 
 
 No. of bushels apples packed and shipped from the city. . 210,250 
 
 JNo. dozen eggs packed and shipped from the city 400,000 
 
 No. pounds butter packed and shipped from the city 880,0)0 
 
 Total value of the shipments above noted $450,000 
 
HISTOKY OF ST. JOSEPH. 117 
 
 The military force of the city consists of two battalions, composed of five 
 companies of infantry, all superbly equipped and exceedingly well drilled. 
 
 THE FIRST TELEGRAPH LINE 
 
 built to St. Joseph was completed to that point on the day of the inaugura- 
 tion of President Franklin Pierce. Tlie first dispatch to come over the line 
 to St. Joseph was his inaugural address. The name of the- telegraph oper- 
 ator who received the message was Peter Lovell. His ofiice was on the 
 southwest corner of Second and Jule streets. 
 
 POST-OFFICE AJSTD FINANCES. 
 
 Letters received by mail 1,043,209 • 
 
 Local letters received and delivered 95,061 
 
 Postal cards by mail 294,4-48 
 
 " " local 72,988 
 
 Newpaper delivery 802,190 
 
 Total number of pieces sent, 1880 4,024,170 
 
 Increase over 1879, 12^ per cent. 
 
 Total business money order department, 1880 . $ 1,596,237.26 
 
 Sales of stamps, envelopes and postal cards 54,395.36 
 
 Internal revenue for 1880 66,161.43 
 
 Total debt of the city 1,750,000.00 
 
 " assessed valuation, 1880 10,000,000.00 
 
 Interest on city indebtedness, 4 per cent. 
 
 Value of property owned by the city 250.000.00 
 
 St. Joseph is the third city in size in the State, and its population, by the 
 census of 1880, is 32,484. It is gaining moderately, but the spirit of en- 
 terprise has never been very highly developed by lier people. Her whole- 
 sale merchants are opposed to further opposition in their line, and, as a rule, 
 they do little to advertise their business; some of the heaviest never put- 
 ting a line of advertisements in the papers year in and year out, while 
 many do it grudgingly, as a sort of tax which they are compelled to pay. 
 It is like St. Louis, slow to move, and like the latter city, it has some live, 
 energetic men, but not enough to leaven the mass. 
 
 In scope of country tributary to her growth and prosperity St. Joseph 
 has little to complain of, and if an energetic spirit possessed her people she 
 would have a surprising growth the next ten years. As it is, she is likely 
 to retain her present position as the third city in the State. She has a re- 
 fined and cultivated people, hospitable and generous, but her business inter- 
 ests are carried on to the extreme upon the basis of self. With an increase of 
 population and more extended and broader views St. Joseph's future is one of 
 promise. 
 
Laws of Missouri. 
 
 HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION LAW. 
 
 The homestead exemption law of the State of Missouri has been one of 
 the mo^t enlightened laws passed for the benefit of the people. In the 
 last session of the general assembly of the State, the spring of 1880-81, 
 there was a material change in the law, and it is given here in full. Thus 
 every head of a family can be secure in a home of moderate value, if he 
 will not waive his riglit to it. There are printed notes now drawn up in 
 which there is a clause printed waiving the right of holding such property 
 under that law. When a man signs such a note, his home stands in the 
 same light as his other property. These notes should never be signed un- 
 less by or with the consent of the wife as well as the husband. The law 
 reads, as amended, as follows and is in full force at this time: 
 
 Section 1. Section twenty-six hundred and eighty-nine (2689) of the Ee- 
 vised Statutes of Missouri, is hereby amended by striking out, " or incor- 
 porated towns and villages having a less population," and inserting in lieu 
 thereof, " having a population of ten thousand or less," in twelfth line, and 
 by inserting immediately after "dollars," fifteenth line, the words "and 
 in cities and incorporated towns and villages having a population less than 
 ten thousand, such homesteads shall not include more than five acres of 
 ground or exceed the total value of $1,500," so that said section as amended 
 shall read as follows: 
 
 Sec. 2689. The homestead of every housekeeper or head of a family, con- 
 sisting of a dwelling-house and appurtenances, and the land in connection 
 therewith, not exceeding the amount and value herein limited, which is or shall 
 be used by such housekeeper, or head of a family as such homestead, shall, to- 
 gether with the rents, issues and products thereof, be exempt from attach- 
 ment and execution, except as herein provided; such homestead in the 
 country shall not include more than one hundred and sixty acres of land, or 
 exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; and in cities having a pop- 
 ulation of forty thousand or more, such homestead shall not include more 
 than eighteen square rods of ground, or exceed the total value of three 
 thousand dollars; and in cities having a population of ten thousand and less 
 than forty thousand, such homestead shall not include more than thirty 
 square rods of ground, or exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; 
 
LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 119 
 
 and in cities and incorporated towns and villages having a population less 
 than ten thousand, such homestead shall not include more than five acres of 
 ground, or exceed the total value of fifteen hundred dollars; and any mar- 
 ried woman may file her claim to the tract or lot of land occupied by her 
 and her husband, or by her, if abandoned by her husband, as a homestead; 
 said claim shall set forth the tract or lot claimed, that she is the wife of the 
 person in whose name the said tract or lot appears of record, and said claim 
 shall be acknowledged by her before some officer authorized to take proof or 
 acknowledgments of instruments of writing, affecting real estate, and be 
 filed in the recorder's ofiice, and it shall be the duty of the recorder to re- 
 ceive and record the same. After the filing of such claims, duly acknowl- 
 edged, the husband shall bo debarred from, and incapable of selling, mort- 
 gaging or alienating the homestead in any manner whatever, and every 
 such sale, mortgage or alienation is hereby declared null and void; and the 
 filing of any such claims, as aforesaid, with the recorder, shall impart notice 
 to all persons of the contents thereof, and all subsequent purchasers and 
 mortgagers shall be deemed, in law and equity, to purchase with notice: 
 Provided, however, that nothing herein contained shall be so construed as 
 to prevent the husband and wife from jointly conveying, mortgaging, alien- 
 ating or in any other manner disposing of such homestead or any part 
 thereof. 
 Apprpved, March 26, 1881. 
 
 HUSBAND NOT LIABLE. 
 
 An Act to exempt the husband from the payment of the debts of the wife contracted before 
 marriage. 
 
 Section 1. The property owned by a man before his marriage, and that 
 which he may acquire after his marriage by purchase, descent, gift, grant, 
 devise, or in any other manner whatsoever, and the profits thereof, except 
 such as may be acquired from the wife, shall be exempt from all debts and 
 liabilities contracted or incurred by his wife before their marriage. 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts inconsistent with this act are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Approved, March 25, 1881. 
 
 EIGHTS OF MAEKIED WOMEN. 
 
 The law passed by the general assembly on the rights and privileges of 
 married women is full and complete, is composed of fourteen sections and 
 too long to be embodied in this work. The law can be found in the " Re- 
 vised Statutes of Missouri, volume 1, 1879." It is chapter 51, and found 
 on pages 557 to 561. 
 
 HEDGES TEIMMED. 
 
 It may not be known to all that a law was passed by the last general 
 assembly (1880-1881), that " every person owning a hedge fence, over five 
 
120 LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 
 
 years old, upon the line of any public road or highway in this State, is 
 hereby required to cut down the same, to the height of not more than five 
 feet nor less than four feet, every two years: Provided, that hedge fences 
 inclosing orchards, house-yards and stock-yards, shall be exempt from the 
 provisions of this act." 
 
 The overseer of roads is to serve the notice and the owner has thirty days 
 to commence, and if he fail to do it the overseer shall have it done and the 
 owner must pay all expenses of the same. It can be collected of him by 
 law, same as revenue for road purposes. 
 
 The law passed and took eifect March 16, 1881. 
 
 CHANGING SCHOOL-HOUSE SITES. 
 
 Section 1. The voters of any school-district in this State may change 
 the location of a school-house site when the same, for any cause, may be 
 deemed necessary and notice of such comtemplated change shall have been 
 given by the directors at least twenty days prior thereto by posting at least 
 three written notices in three of the most public places in the district where 
 'such school-house site shall be located: Provided, that in every case a 
 majority of the voters of said district shall only be necessary to remove a 
 site nearer the center of a school district, but in all cases to remove a site 
 further from the center of a school-district it shall require two-thirds of the 
 legal voters of such school-district. 
 
 Sec. 2. All acts and parts of acts in conflict with this act are hereby 
 repealed. 
 
 Approved, March 24, 1881. 
 
 MARRIAGE LICENSE. 
 
 Ttie legislature of 1880-81, passed a marriage license act which makes 
 it necessary for persons before marriage to secure a license. No person au- 
 thorized to perform the marriage ceremony, can legally do so without first 
 seeing the license, and a marriage performed without a license is not legal 
 and a penalty is attached. The intent of the law is to have an ofiicial rec- 
 ord which will stand in the courts and settle any dispute either of mar- 
 riage or property which may hereafter arise. The law reads: 
 
 Section 1. Previous to any marriage in this State a license for that pur- 
 pose shall be obtained. 
 
 Section 2. The recorder of the county issues the license and the parties 
 must be, the male 21 years and the female 18 years of age. If younger the 
 parents or guardian must give consent. 
 
 purchasing books by subscription. 
 
 The business of publishing iooks by subscription, having so often been 
 brought into disrepute by agents making representations and declarations 
 
LAWS OF MISSOURI. 121 
 
 not authorized ly the pullisher, in order to prevent that as much as possi- 
 ble, and that tliere may be more general knowledge of the relation such 
 agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the follow- 
 ing statement is made: 
 
 A stLbscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by 
 which the subscriber agrees to jpay a certain sum for the work described; 
 the consideration is that the publisher shall puUish the book named, 
 and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to pay the price named. 
 The natm'e and character of the worJc are described hy the prospectus 
 and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before sub- 
 scribing, as they are the basis and consideration of the promise to pay, 
 and not the too ofte7i exaggerated statements of the agent, who is merely 
 employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a commis- 
 sion for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the con- 
 ditions upon which the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the 
 publisher. Should the agent assunw to agree to make the subscription 
 conditional, or 'modify or change the agreement of the publisher, as set out 
 by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the pnncipal, the sub- 
 scriber should see that such condition or changes are stated over or in con- 
 nection loith his signature, so that the publisher may have notice of the same. 
 
 All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any 
 other business, should remember that the law as loritten is, that they can 
 not be altered, varied, or rescinded verbally, but if done at all, must be 
 done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons contemplating 
 subscribing should disthictly understand that all talk before or cfter the 
 subscription is made is not admissible as evidence, and, is no part of the 
 contract. 
 
 Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as 
 canvassers. They are agents appointed to do a particular business in, a 
 pi'escribed mode and have no authority to do it any other way to the prej- 
 udice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any other 
 manner. They can not collect money, or agree that payment may be made 
 in anything else but money. They can not extend the time of payment 
 beyond the time of delivery nor bind their principal for the payment of 
 expenses incun-ed in their business. 
 
 It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, 
 before signing their names to any subscription book, or any written instru- 
 ment, would examine carefully what it is,' and if they cannot read them- 
 selves call on some one disinterested who can. 
 
122 LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 
 
 FORMS OF DEEDS, LEASES, MORTGAGES, Etc. 
 
 GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOE EEAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY. 
 
 I, J ames Johnson, of the town of Muncie, county of Delaware, and State 
 of Indiana, being aware of the uncertaint}' of life, and in failing health, but 
 of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be my last will 
 and testament, in manner as follows; to-wit., 
 
 First — I give, devise and bequeath to my son James Horace Johnson, 
 $1,000 in bank stock, of the First National Bank of Boston, and the farm 
 owned by myself, in the township of Washington, Shelby county, Mis- 
 souri, and consisting of eighty acres of land with all the houses, tene- 
 ments and improvements thereunto belonging, to have and to hold unto my 
 said son, his heirs and assigns forever. 
 
 Second — I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two daughters, Ida 
 Louisa Johnson and Annie May Johnson, each $1,000 in cash, and each 
 one a quarter section of land owned .by myself in the township of Jasper, 
 Henry county, Illinois, and recorded in my name in the record of said 
 county, where said land is located; the north 160 acres to go to Ida Louisa, 
 my eldest daughter. 
 
 Third — I give, devise and bequeath to my son Thomas Alfred Johnson, 
 ten shares of railroad stock in the Mississippi & Ohio Railroad, and my lot, 
 with the residence thereon, in Dayton, Ohio, with all the improvements 
 and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which said real estate is recorded 
 in my name in the county where situated. 
 
 Fourth — I give to my wife Samuella Richardson Johnson, all my house- 
 hold furniture, goods, chattels and personal property about my home not 
 hitherto disposed of, including $5,000 of bank stock, in the Merchants' 
 National Bank of Toledo, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Mississippi & Ohio 
 Raih'oad, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the 
 home farm so long as she may live, in lieu of dower to which she is en- 
 titled by law, said farm being my present place of residence. 
 
 Fifth — It is also my will and desire that at the death of my wife, Sam- 
 uella Richardson Johnson, or at any time when she may arrange to relin- 
 quish her life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same may 
 revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each. 
 
 And lastly — I nominate and appoint as executors of this, my last will 
 and testament, my wife, Samuella Richardson Johnson, and my eldest son, 
 James Horace Johnson. 
 
 I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shall be 
 paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Dayton, Ohio, 
 the residue of such money to revert to my wife, Samuella Richardson 
 Johnson, for her use forever. 
 
LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 
 
 123 
 
 In witness whereof, I, James Johnson, to this, my hist will and testament, 
 have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of December, 1876. 
 
 James Johnson. 
 
 Signed and declared by James Johnson as and for his last will and testa- 
 ment, in the pi-esence of us, M'ho, at his request and in his presence and in 
 the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto as witnesses 
 
 thereof. 
 
 Thomas Dugan, Dayton, Ohio. 
 EocHESTEK McQuADE, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 Wheeeas, I, James Johnson, did, on the fourth day of December, 1876, 
 make my last will and testament, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil 
 to my said will, to be taken as a part thereof. 
 
 Whereas, By the dispensation of Providence, my daughter Ida Louisa 
 has deceased, October 10th, 1877; and 
 
 Wheeeas, A son has been born to me, which son is now christened John 
 Wesley Johnson, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all 
 right, interest and title in lands, bank stock and chattels bequeathed to 
 my deceased daughter, Ida Louisa, in the body of this will. 
 
 In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this lOtli day 
 of January, 1878. 
 
 James Johnson. 
 
 Signed, sealed, published and declared to us by the testator, James 
 Johnson, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament, 
 and we, at his request and in his presence, and in the presence of each 
 other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof. 
 
 Thos. Dugan, Dayton, Ohio. 
 
 Chaeles Jackson, Cincinnati, Ohio. 
 
 FOEM OF lease. 
 
 This aeticle of ageeement, made and entered into on this day 
 
 of A. D. 188-, by and between , of the county of , 
 
 and State of Missouri, of the first part, and , of the county of 
 
 , and State of Missouri, of the second part, witnesseth that the 
 
 said party of the first part has this day leased unto the party of the second 
 part the following described premises; to-wit., 
 
 \_IIere insert description?^ 
 
 for the term of from and after the day of A. D. 188-, 
 
 at the rent of dollars, to be paid as follows; to-wit., 
 
 {Here insert terms.] 
 
12i LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 
 
 And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due or unpaid, or if de- 
 fault be made in ■a.ny of the covenants herein contained, it shall then be law- 
 ful for the said party of the first part to re-enter the said premises, or to 
 distrain for such rent; or he may recover possession thereof, by action of 
 forcible entry and detainer, or he may use all or any of the I'emedies to effect 
 such possession. 
 
 And the party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the first 
 part the rent as above stated, except when said premises are untenantable 
 by reason of fire, or from any other cause than the carelessness of the party 
 of the second part, or persons family, or in employ, or by su- 
 perior force or inevitable necessity. And the said party of the second part 
 
 covenants and agrees that will use the said premises as a , and 
 
 for no other purpose whatsoever; and that especially will not use said 
 
 premises, or permit the same to be used, for any unlawful business or pur- 
 poses whatsoever; that will not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish said 
 
 premises without the written consent of the lessor, under a penalty' of a for- 
 feiture of all rights under this lease, at the election of the party of the 
 
 first part; and that use all due care and diligence in guarding said 
 
 property, with the buildings, gates, fences, trees, vines, shrubbery, etc., from 
 damages by fire and the depredation by animals; that will keep build- 
 ings, gates, fences, etc., in as good repair as they now are, or may at any 
 time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, inevitable necessity, 
 or fire from any other cause than from the carelessness of the lessor, or per- 
 sons of- family, or in employ, excepted; and that npon the expira- 
 tion of this lease, or upon a breach by said lessee of any of the said cove- 
 nants herein contained will, without further notice of any kind, quit 
 
 and surrender the occupancy and possession of said premises in as good 
 condition as reasonable use, natural wear and decay thereof will permit, 
 damages by fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable necessity, alone 
 excepted. 
 
 In witness whereof, the said parties have subscribed their names on the 
 date first above written 
 
 Signed in peesenoe of 
 
 EEAL ESTATE MOETGAGK. 
 
 Know all men by these presents: That , of county, and 
 
 State of , in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by ■, 
 
 of — county, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the 
 
 said , the following described premises, situated in the county of 
 
 , and State of ; to-wit., 
 
 [Here inseH description.'] 
 
 and do hereby covenant with the said that lawfullj' seized of 
 
LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 125 
 
 Baid premises, that t?liey are free from incumbrance, that have good 
 
 right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same; and do hereby 
 
 covenant to warrant and defend the same against the lawful claims of all 
 
 persons whomsoever. To be void upon the condition that the said 
 
 shall pay the full amount of principal and interest at the time therein spec- 
 ified, of certain promissory notes, for the sum of dollars, 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at jjer cent. 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 
 
 And the said mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied upon 
 the above described premises. It is also agreed by the mortgagor that if it 
 becomes necessary to foreclose this mortgage, a reasonable amount shall be 
 allowed as an attorney's fee for foreclosing. And the hereby relin- 
 quishes all her rigiit of dower and homestead in and to the above described 
 premises. 
 
 Signed the day of , A. D. 18—. 
 
 CHATTEL MORTGAGE. 
 
 Know all men by these peesents: That , of county, and 
 
 State of , in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by , 
 
 of county, and State of , do hereby sell and convey imto the said 
 
 , the following described personal property, now in the possession of 
 
 , in the county of ■, State of ; to-wit., 
 
 \JIer6 insert description.'] 
 
 and do hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it is free from 
 any incumbrance or lien. The only right or interest retained by grantor in 
 the said property being the right of redemption herein provided. This con- 
 veyance to be void upon condition that the said grantor shall pay to said 
 grantee, or his assigns, the full amount of i^rincipal and interest at the time 
 
 therein specified, of certain promissory notes of even date herewith, 
 
 ibr the sum of dollars, 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 
 
 One note for $ — , due , 18 — , with interest annually at per cent. 
 
 The grantor to pay all taxes on said property, and if at anytime any part or 
 portion of said notes should be due and unpaid, said grantor may proceed 
 by sale or foreclosure to collect and pay himself the unpaid balance of said 
 notes, whether due or not, the grantor to pay all necessary expenses of such 
 foreclosure, including $ attorney's fees, and whatever remains after pay- 
 ing off said notes and expenses, to be paid over to said grantor. 
 
 Signed the day of , 18 — . 
 
126 LAWS OF MISSOUEI. 
 
 QUITCLAIM DEED. 
 
 Know all men by these peesbnts: That , of county, 
 
 State of , in consideration of dollars, to in hand paid by 
 
 , of county, and State of , the receipt whereof do 
 
 hereby acknowledge, have bargained, sold and quitclaimed, and by these 
 
 jjresents do bargain, sell and quitclaim unto the said , and to 
 
 heirs and assigns forever, all — - right, title and interest, estate, claim and 
 demand, both in law and in equity, and as well in possession as in expect- 
 ancy, ot, in and to the following described premises; to-wit., 
 
 [Here insert description.'] 
 
 With all and singular the hereditaments and appurtenances thereto be- 
 longing. 
 
 Signed this • day of , A. D. IB- 
 Signed IN PRESENCE OF 
 
 WAEEANTT DEED. 
 
 Know all men by these peesents: That , of county, and 
 
 State of , in consideration of the sum of dollars, in hand paid 
 
 by , of county, and State of , do hereby sell and convey 
 
 unto the said , and to heirs and assigns, the following described 
 
 premises, situated in the county of , State of Missouri; to-wit., 
 
 \_IIere insert description.'] 
 
 And do hereby covenant with the said that a — law- 
 fully seized in fee simple of said premises, that they are free from incum- 
 brance; that — — ha — good right and lawful authority to sell the same, 
 and do hereby covenant to warrant and defend said premises, and ap- 
 purtenances thereto belonging, against the lawful claims of all persons 
 
 whomsoever; and the said hereby relinquishes all her j'ight of 
 
 dower and of homestead in and to the above described premises. 
 
 Signed the day of ■ , A. D. 18 — . 
 
 Signed in peesence of 
 
 ACKNOWLEDGMENT. 
 
 All forms of deeds, mortgages, or bond for deed, shall have the following 
 form of acknowledgment : 
 
LAWS OF MISSOTJEI. 127 
 
 State of Missouei, 
 County of 
 
 Be it remembered, that on this day of , A. D. 18 — , before 
 
 me the undersigned, a in and for said county, personally appeared 
 
 , to me personally known to be the identical person who executed the 
 
 above (deed, mortgage, etc.,) as and acknowledged signature 
 
 thereto to be voluntary act and deed. 
 
 Witness my hand and seal, the day and year last above written. 
 
 Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the amount 
 and time of payment are mentioned: 
 
 $100. New YoEK, Sept. 1, 1881. 
 
 Sixty days after date I promise to pay to John Doe, or order, one hun- 
 dred dollars, for value received, with interest. 
 
 Richard Roe. 
 
 A note to be payable hi anything else but money, needs only the article 
 substituted' in the above form. " With interest," means at the legal rate, and 
 any other rate must be mentioned, or if no interest is to be paid until after 
 the maturity of the note it should be so stated. 
 
 ORDERS. 
 
 Orders should be simply worded: 
 
 Mr. D. n. Waters, St. Louis, Mo., January 2, 1881. 
 
 Please pay J. Walker twenty-five dollars and charge to account of 
 
 J. Turner. 
 
 If it is to be paid in trade it should be so expressed after the word dol- 
 lars. 
 
 RECEIPTS. 
 
 Receipts should state when received and for what; thus: 
 
 SI 00. St. Louis, Mo., January 1, 1878. 
 
 Received of J. W. Hardin one hundred dollars, for services in the harvest 
 field to date, in full. 
 
 Or, 
 
 Received of J. W. Hardin fifty dollars, for one week's work of self and 
 team, in hauling stone, in fall. 
 
 R. W. Fields. 
 
 If only part is paid it should read, " on account," instead of " in full." 
 
128 LAWS OF MISSOURI. 
 
 BILL OF PURCHASE. 
 
 It should state each article and price, as follows : 
 
 J. W. Shattuck, St. Louis, Mo., January 1, 1878. 
 
 Bought of J. D. Adams. 
 
 To 5 Yards Jeans @-50 $2.50 
 
 " 20 " Brown Doinestic .08 1.60 
 
 Keceived payment, $4.10 
 
 J. D. Adams. 
 
 VALUABLE RULES. 
 
 How to find the gross and net weight of a hog, is by the rule that a hog's 
 net weight is one fifth less than his gross weight. For instance, a hog 
 weighing 400 pounds gross, would when dressed weigh 320. 
 
 A good rule to find the capacity of a granary or a wagon-bed is multiply 
 by (short method) the number of cubic feet by 6308, and point ofi" one dec- 
 imal place — the result will be the correct answer in bushels and tenths of 
 bushels. 
 
 To find the contents of a corn-crib multiply the number of cubic feet by 
 54 (short method) or by 4|- ordinary method, and point ofi' one decimal — 
 the result will be the answer in bushels. Tliis rule applies when it is first 
 cribbed and before the corn shrinks. 
 
 For the contents of a cistern or tank, multiply the square of the mean 
 diameter by the deptli (all in feet) and this product by 5681 (short method) 
 and point ofi" one decimal place — the result will be the contents in barrels 
 of 31^ gallons each. 
 
 To measure boards multiply the length (in feet) by the width (in inches), 
 divide the product by 12 — the result will be the contents in square feet. 
 
 Note. — This is the correct measurement for every inch of thickness. 
 
 The same in substance is the rule for scantling, joists, plank, sills, etc. 
 Multiply the width, thickness and length together (the width and thickness 
 in inches and the length in feet) and divide the product by 12 — the result 
 will be square feet. 
 
 To find the number of brick required in a building, multiply the nuuiber 
 of cubic feet by 22^. The number of cubic feet is found by multiplying 
 the le'ngth, height and thickness (in feet) together. 
 
 A congressional township is thirty-six sections, each a square mile. 
 
 A section of land is 640 acres. 
 
 A quarter section, 160 acres, is a half a mile square. 
 
 Eighty acres is a half mile long and one quarter of a mile wide. 
 
 Forty acres is a quarter of a mile square. 
 
 The sections of a congressional township are all numbered from one to 
 thirty-six, commencing at the northeast corner of the township. 
 
LAWS OF MISSOURI. 
 
 129 
 
 One hundred and ninety-six pounds is one barrel of flour. 
 
 Two hundred pounds is one bai'rel of pork. 
 
 Fifty- six pounds is called a firkin of butter. 
 
 A cord of wood is four feet wide, four feet high, and eight feet long. 
 
 WEIGHTS AND MEASURES. 
 
 Rye... 
 Salt. . . 
 Sand. . 
 Lime . . 
 Beans. 
 
 The lawful weight of the following articles is the following number of 
 pounds per bushel, and so understood when no special contract is made. 
 
 Apples, peaches and quinces 
 
 Cherries, grapes, currants or gooseberries 
 Strawberries, raspberries or blackberries. 
 
 Osage-orangfe seed 
 
 Millett seed 
 
 Clover seed 
 
 Flax seed 
 
 Sorghum seed 
 
 Timothy seed 
 
 Hemp seed 
 
 Broom-coiTL seed 
 
 Blue-grass seed 
 
 Hungarian grass seed 
 
 Sweet potatoes 
 
 Castor bean 
 
 Dried apples 
 
 Dried peaches 
 
 56 
 
 50 
 
 130 
 
 80 
 
 60 
 
 20 
 
 Oats 33 
 
 Wheat ! 60 
 
 Barley 48 
 
 Buckwheat 52 
 
 Corn-meal 48 
 
 Stone coal 80 
 
 Corn, in the ear 70 
 
 Potatoes 60 
 
 Onions 57 
 
 Shelled corn 56 
 
 There is a fine and penalty attached for giving false weights. 
 
130 
 
 STATISTICS. 
 
 POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES, BY RACES— 1880. 
 
 STATES AND TEnlllTOBIES. 
 
 1,262,794 
 
 40,441 
 
 802,564 
 
 864,686 
 
 194,649 
 
 622,683 
 
 135,180 
 
 146,654 
 
 177,638 
 
 267,851 
 
 1,589,048 
 
 82,611 
 
 3,078,769 
 
 1,978,362 
 
 1,624,620 
 
 995,966 
 
 1,648,708 
 
 940,103 
 
 648,945 
 
 934,632 
 
 1,783,012 
 
 1,686,831 
 
 780,806 
 
 1,131,692 
 
 2,168,804 
 
 39,157 
 
 452,483 
 
 62,265 
 
 346,984 
 
 1,130,983 
 
 118,430 
 
 5,083,810 
 
 1,400,047 
 
 3,198,289 
 
 174,764 
 
 4,282,786 
 
 276,528 
 
 995,622 
 
 1,542,463 
 
 1,592,574 
 
 148,906 
 
 322,286 
 
 1,512,806 
 
 75,120 
 
 618,443 
 
 1,315,480 
 
 20,788 
 
 o 
 
 Alabama 
 
 Arizona 
 
 Arkansas 
 
 California 
 
 Colorado 
 
 Connecticut 
 
 Dakota 
 
 Delaware 
 
 District of Columbia. 
 
 Florida 
 
 Georgia 
 
 Idaho 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Indiana 
 
 Iowa 
 
 16lKansas. 
 
 17 
 
 18 
 
 19 
 
 20 
 
 21 
 
 22 
 
 23 
 
 24 
 
 25 
 
 26 
 
 27 
 
 28 
 
 29 
 
 30 
 
 31 
 
 32 
 
 33 
 
 34 
 
 35 
 
 36 
 
 37 
 
 38 
 
 39 
 
 40 
 
 41 
 
 42 
 
 43 
 
 44 
 
 45 
 
 46 
 
 47 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Louisiana 
 
 Maine 
 
 Maryland 
 
 Massachusetts. . . 
 
 Michigan 
 
 Minnesota 
 
 Mississippi 
 
 Missouri 
 
 Montana 
 
 Nebraska 
 
 Nevada 
 
 New Hampshire. 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 New Mexico 
 
 New York 
 
 North Carolina. . 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Oregon 
 
 Pennsylvania. . . . 
 Rhode Island. . . . 
 South Carohna. . 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 Texas 
 
 Utah 
 
 Vermont 
 
 Virginia 
 
 Washington 
 
 West Virginia. . . 
 
 Wisconsin 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 Total United States. 
 
 661,986 
 85,178 
 591,611 
 767,266 
 191,452 
 610,884 
 183,177 
 120,198 
 118,286 
 141,249 
 814,218 
 29,011 
 
 3,082,174 
 
 1,939,094 
 
 1,614.510 
 952,056 
 
 1,877,077 
 455,063 
 646,903 
 724,718 
 
 1,764,082 
 
 1,614,078 
 776,940 
 479,871 
 
 2,023,568 
 
 35,468 
 
 449,805 
 
 53,574 
 
 .846,264 
 
 1,091,8-56 
 107,188 
 
 5,017,142 
 867,467 
 
 3,118,344 
 163,087 
 
 4,197,106 
 269,933 
 891,258 
 
 1,1.39,120 
 
 1,197,498 
 142,.381 
 331,243 
 880,739 
 67,849 
 592,433 
 
 1,309,622 
 19,436 
 
 600,141 
 
 1.38 
 
 210,622 
 
 6,168 
 
 2,459 
 
 11,422 
 
 .381 
 
 26,456 
 
 59,-378 
 
 125,262 
 
 724,6-54 
 
 58 
 
 46,248 
 
 38,988 
 
 9,442 
 
 43,096 
 
 271,462 
 
 483,898 
 
 1,427 
 
 209,897 
 
 18,644 
 
 14, " ' 
 
 1,558 
 
 6.50,3-37 
 
 145,046 
 
 202 
 
 2,376 
 
 465 
 
 646 
 
 38,796 
 
 907 
 
 64,943 
 
 .531,316 
 
 79,6-55 
 
 493 
 
 85,342 
 
 6,503 
 
 604,825 
 
 402,992 
 
 394,007 
 
 204 
 
 1,082 
 
 631,996 
 
 357 
 
 25,729 
 
 2,724 
 
 299 
 
 50,1-52,866 43,402.408 6,577,497 105,679 65,880 
 
 Per cent of increase from 1870 to 1880: 
 
 Total population 30.06 per cent.lChinese population 67.07 per cent. 
 
 White population 28.82 " " Indian population (civilized or 
 
 Colored population 34.78 " " I or taxed) 156.02 " " 
 
STATISTICS. 131 
 
 The inhabitants of Alaska and tlie Indian Territory (both unorganized 
 as yet) are not included in the above total. The census of Alaska 
 in ISSO showed: White, 392; Creoles (issue of intermarriage bet\Yeen the 
 whites and natives), 1,6S3; Aleuts, 1,960; Innuits, 17,188; Indians, 8,655; 
 total, 30,178. 
 
 Tlie Indian Territory is estimated to contain 60,000 to 75,000 inhabit- 
 ants. 
 
 The Indians included in the census in each State and Territory are those 
 reckoned as civilized, or outside of tribal organizations. Indians not taxed 
 are by law excluded from the census. Estimates of their numbers vary 
 widely — from 200,000 to 350,000 (the latter as estimated in the census of 
 1870). 
 
 In the Chinese column (for want of space elsewhere) have been reckoned 
 a very few Japanese, East Indians and Sandwich Islanders, not exceeding 
 250 in all. 
 
 MILES OF EAILEOAD IN THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 1850 9,021 
 
 1855 18,374 
 
 1860 30,635 
 
 1865 35,085 
 
 1870 52,914 
 
 1875 74,374 
 
 1880 84,715 
 
 There were in the whole world, January 1, 1881, 192,952 miles of railway. 
 TELEGEAPH LINES AND WIEES. 
 
 In 1866 there were 37,380 miles of telegraph line in the United States and 
 75,685 miles of wire; in 1870, 54,109 miles of line and 112,191 miles of 
 \rire; in 1875, 72,833 miles of line and 179,496 miles of wire; in 1880, 
 85,645 miles of line and 233,534 miles of wire. 
 
 There were 29,216,509 telegraph messages sent in the year 1880. 
 
 COTTON CEOP OF THE UNITED STATES, TEAES ENDING SEPT. 1. 
 
 1841 1,634,945 
 
 1842 1,683,574 
 
 1843 2,.378,875 
 
 1844 2,030,409 
 
 1845 2,394,503 
 
 1846 2,100,537 
 
 1847 1,778,651 
 
 1848 |2,.347.634 
 
 1849 2,728,596 
 
 1S50 2,0^6,706 
 
 1851 2,355,257 
 
 1852 3,015,029 
 
 1853 3,262,822 
 
 1854. 
 1855. 
 1856. 
 1857. 
 1858. 
 1859. 
 
 1861. 
 1862. 
 1863. 
 1864. 
 1865. 
 1866. 
 
 2,930,027 
 2,847,339 
 3,527,845 
 2,939,519 
 3,113,962 
 3,851,481 
 4,669,770 
 3,656,006 
 No rec'd 
 
 12,193,987 
 
 1867. 
 
 1870. 
 1871. 
 
 1872. 
 1873. 
 1874. 
 1875. 
 1876. 
 1877. 
 1878. 
 1879. 
 
 2,019, 
 2,593, 
 2.4.39, 
 3,154, 
 4,352, 
 2,974, 
 3,9.30, 
 4,170, 
 3,832, 
 4,669, 
 4,485, 
 4,811. 
 5,073, 
 
 774 
 993 
 039 
 946 
 317 
 351 
 508 
 388 
 991 
 288 
 423 
 265 
 .531 
 
132 
 
 The crop for 1880 is given by States, as follows: 
 
 Mississippi . 
 Georgia. . . . 
 
 Alabama 
 
 Arkansas 
 
 South Carolina. 
 Louisiana 
 
 95.5,808 
 813,965 
 801,090 
 699,5761 
 606,980 
 522,548 
 506,764 
 
 North Carolina. . 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 Florida 
 
 Missouri 
 
 Indian Territory. 
 
 Virginia 
 
 iKentucky 
 
 389,516 
 380,624 
 54,997 
 19,783 
 17,000 
 11,000 
 1,367 
 
 Note.— Total, 5,781,018. The average net weight per bale ia 440 pounds, 
 
 AEEA OF THE COAL FIELDS OF THE UNITED STATES, AND ANNUAL PRODUCTION. 
 
 STATES AND TERKITOKIES . 
 
 SSr 
 
 2 S' 
 
 T, 1 ■ ( Anthracite.. 
 
 Pennsylvania \ Bituminous , 
 
 Ohio 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Maryland, Bituminous. 
 
 West Virginia 
 
 Iowa 
 
 Indiana 
 
 Missouri 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 California. 
 
 Colorado 
 
 Kansas 
 
 Oregon 
 
 Alabama 
 
 Washington 
 
 Wyoming 
 
 Virginia 
 
 Michigan 
 
 Nebraska 
 
 Utah 
 
 Rhode Island 
 
 Arkansas 
 
 Texas 
 
 Georgia 
 
 472 
 12,.302 
 10,000 
 36,800 
 650 
 16,000 
 18,000 
 
 6,450 
 26,887 
 12,871 
 
 5,100 
 
 15,664,275 
 
 7,798,518 
 
 2,-527,285 
 
 2,624,163 
 
 1,819,824 
 
 608,878 
 
 263,487 
 
 437,870 
 
 621,930 
 
 150,.582 
 
 133,418 
 
 22,256 
 '5,336 
 
 4,.500 
 32,938 
 
 185 
 6,700 
 3,000 
 
 500 
 12,000 
 20,000 
 
 Total. 
 
 11,000 
 17,844 
 50,000 
 61,803 
 28,1.50 
 1,425 
 5,800 
 14,000 
 
 26,142,689 
 
 14,500,000 
 
 5,000,000 
 
 3,500,000 
 
 1,730,709 
 
 1,250.000 
 
 1,600,000 
 
 1,000,000 
 
 900,000 
 
 1,000,000 
 
 450,000 
 
 600,000 
 
 . 400,000 
 
 400,000 
 
 200,000 
 
 250,000 
 
 170,000 
 
 175,000 
 
 90,000 
 
 35,000 
 
 75,000 
 
 225,000 
 
 15,900 
 
 100,000 
 
 32.863,690 59,808,398 
 
STATISTICS. 
 
 350 ■ :C O Oi O *5< O O >-i Ol tRn" OS WCO^ WOa »■ 
 
 'S ^ "S 
 
 133 
 
 sSSIgSgSSg'' 
 
 
 
 i-iiS 
 
 g g a o 2 S| s "■omci-g | ■ a a'S 6S M.2f| S g 3 35W.?g>Hj:, 
 
 S.g|S|g||-£go-g.eggag||g'||agsg|||||||.„ ~~^--^-^~^ 
 
 a>:g.3 -3 
 
134 
 
 PEESIDENTIAL VOTE FEOM 1789 TO 1880. 
 
 
 
 PARTY. 
 
 POPULAJR 
 VOTE. 
 
 elect'l 
 VOTE. 
 
 .X.CX<>B^VOTK1880.+ 
 
 N 
 
 
 . S..T.S. ■ 
 
 NO. 
 
 178£ 
 
 
 
 il 
 
 1 El'lvote 
 in opp'n. 
 105,321 
 155,872 
 44,88* 
 46,687 
 646,231 
 609,092 
 687,502 
 630,189 
 
 All. 
 
 71 
 60 
 73 
 73 
 65 
 
 148 
 28 
 
 122 
 47 
 
 128 
 89 
 
 180 
 34 
 
 Alabama 
 
 
 1796 
 
 j John Adams 
 
 j Thomas Jefferson 
 
 ( *Thomas Jefferson 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat. 
 
 Federal. 
 
 Democrat, 
 
 Federal. 
 Democrat. 
 Democrat. 
 Whig. 
 Democrat. 
 Federal. 
 Democrat./ 
 Whig. 
 Whig. 
 Whig. 
 Democrat. 
 Whig. 
 Whig. 
 Democrat. 
 Democrat. 
 Whig. 
 Whig. 
 Democrat, 
 Democrat- 
 Democrat. 
 Whig. 
 Democrat. 
 Republican. 
 Republican 
 Democrat, 
 Republican. 
 Democrat, 
 Kepublican. 
 Democrat, 
 Republican, 
 Democrat. 
 Republican. 
 Democrat. 
 Green back. 
 Republican. 
 Democrat. 
 Greenback. 
 
 6 
 
 California 
 
 6 
 
 
 
 3: 
 
 
 Connecticnt 
 
 Delaware 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 j Thos. Jefferson 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1808 
 
 { James Madison , 
 
 Illinois 
 
 Indiana 
 
 21 
 
 
 
 11 
 
 
 '\ DeWitt Clinton 
 
 
 
 
 
 Kentucky 
 
 Louisiana 
 
 Maine 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 
 
 84 
 99 
 41 
 37 
 178 
 83 
 239 
 49 
 11 
 7 
 179 
 131 
 234 
 60 
 170 
 105 
 163 
 127 
 
 254 
 
 42 
 174 
 122 
 130 
 123 
 213 
 
 21 
 214 
 
 80 
 300 
 
 66 
 185 
 184 
 
 8 
 
 
 Massacliusetts 
 
 
 1824 
 
 Andrew Jackson 
 
 j W. H. Crawford 
 
 11 
 
 
 5. 
 
 
 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 16 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 Nevada 
 
 
 
 Henry Clay 
 
 1 John Floyd , ... 
 
 { William Wirt 
 
 5. 
 
 
 New Jersey 
 
 
 
 "'7i3r,649 
 736,656 
 1,275,011 
 1,135,761 
 l,33r,243 
 1,301,382 
 1,360.099 
 1,220,554 
 291,263 
 1,601,474 
 1,642,403 
 1,838,160 
 1,215,768 
 1,866,352 
 2,810,501 
 2,216,067 
 1,808,725 
 3,016,071 
 2,709,613 
 3,597,070 
 2,834,079 
 4,033,950 
 4,284,856 
 93,898 
 4,442,950 
 4,442,035 
 306,867 
 
 35 
 
 
 
 North CaroUna 
 
 
 ibati 
 
 
 22 
 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 
 9,9' 
 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 
 7 
 
 lfi4ft 
 
 ( Zachary Taylor 
 
 ■{ Lewis Cass 
 
 Tennessee 
 
 12 
 
 8 
 
 
 
 
 5 
 
 1852 
 1856 
 
 I Franklin Pierce 
 
 } Winfield Scott et al 
 
 i Jamea Buchanan 
 
 ■j John C.Fremont 
 
 Virginia 
 
 11 
 
 West Virginia 
 
 5. 
 10 
 
 
 
 
 
 ^m 
 
 
 
 
 
 1864 
 
 1 Abraham Lincoln 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1872 
 
 TTlysses S. Grant 
 
 
 
 
 
 1876 
 
 " SamuelJ. Tilden ,. 
 
 
 
 James A. Garfield . . 
 
 214 
 166 
 
 
 18Hn 
 
 
 
 
 ( James B. Weaver 
 
 
 ♦Elected by House of Representatives. 
 
 tElection November 2, 1880. 
 
 PRESIDENTS BOEN. 
 
 Washington, February 32, 1732. 
 J. Adams, October 30, 1735. 
 Jefferson, April 2, 1743. 
 Madison, March 16, 1761. 
 Monroe, April 28, 1758 
 J. Q. Adams, June 11, 1767. 
 Jackson, March 15, 1767. 
 
 Van Buren, December 5, 1782, 
 Harrison, February 9, 1773. 
 Tyler, March 29, 1790. 
 Polk, November 2, 1795. 
 Taylor, November 24, 1784. 
 Fillmore, January 7, 1800. 
 Pierce, November 23, 1804. 
 
 Buchanan, April 23, 1791. 
 Lincoln, February 12, 1809. 
 Johnson, December 29, 1808. 
 Grant, April 29, 1822. 
 Hayes, October 4, 1822. 
 Garfield, November 19, 1831. 
 Chester A. Arthur, October 5, 1830i> 
 
History of Grundy County. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 INTRODUCTORY. 
 
 Geological Formation — Surface — Boundaries — Name — Early frihabiiants — The Home of the 
 Indian — Irresistible March of Civilization — When Grundy County Was Settled — The Van- 
 guard of Progress — "The Good Old Times" — Reverence for the Pioneer. 
 
 There is, perhaps, no • portion of the temperate zone showing a more de- 
 sirable climate than that which we have in the State of Missouri, or one 
 wherein the demands of an advanced and progressive civilization are so well 
 met. While all portions of the State have their separate or local advant- 
 ages, we are inclined to think that in such comparison Grundy county and 
 central north Missouri hold their full share. The geology of the State shows 
 that the carboniferous period gave to Missouri much of that magic element 
 of which the soil is composed, and at the age of man, or cpiartenary age, 
 developed her most valuable resources. The coal of the former period, and 
 the soil, sand, marl, peat, clay and gravel of the latter, formed the ground- 
 work of the State of Missouri for the habitation of man. Much might be 
 given from tJie geological history of the State that would interest the reader, 
 but in this work it would be of little practical value. 
 
 When this continent rose from its waste of waters, it left its rugged sur- 
 face to be worn by the elements for ages before it became habitable for man ; 
 but with that we have little to do. 
 
 Missouri in her magnificent proportions and unlimited productive wealth, 
 her mild and salubrious climate, and that part of her municipal corporation 
 bounded by the line forming Grundy county, is what we have at present to 
 record. The present boundary of Grundy county was first made the home 
 of the pale-face in 1833. 
 
 That year the first white man gave to civilization a habitation and a name 
 within its border. At that time it was a jDart of Livingston county, but 
 still the home of the red men — a home which they were loth to part with, 
 and which for years after they continued to visit and occupy as a hunting- 
 ground. God had given tliem this beautiful valley of the Grand River as 
 their home. It was a migratory field for the restless buflfalo; the elk and 
 the bear roamed its wooded hills; the deer and wild turkey made it their 
 
136 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 home; the valleys and the uplands were filled with smaller game; fish sported 
 in the cool, placid waters of her rivers and creeks ; and in shady nooks and 
 near bubbling springs, the aborigines built their wigwams. It was a para- 
 dise for the hunter, and the red man was the lord of all. 
 
 Nature had indeed been lavish of her gifts. The tribes of Sacs, Foxes, 
 Pottawattamies and Musquakies who inhabited this magnificent country 
 were indeed loth to leave it, and it is no wonder tliat many, very many, of 
 these warriors were more willing to join their departed braves, in the happy 
 hunting-grounds of the " Great Spirit," than give to the pale-faces the lands 
 of their fathers. But manifest destiny knew no obstacle. The Saxon and 
 Gallic races had decreed that this should be their home and that of their 
 posterity. They came as the leaves of the forest in number, they pressed 
 forward and the gallant, heroic and vengeful struggle of the Indian for his 
 home is written in letters of blood, in burning C9,bins and wide-spread deso- 
 lation, but all gave way before the irresistible march of civilization. The 
 cabin of the hardy pioneer took the place of the wigwams of the savages. 
 The war-whoop and the war-dance gave way to the woodman's ax, the 
 stealthy tread of the Indian liunter, to the sturdy walk of the old pioneer, 
 and civilization and Christianity walked arm in arm to the glorious future of 
 to-day. Let us drop a silent tear to the memory of the red man. lie had 
 a beautiful home and he was despoiled of it; he Lad the hunting-ground of 
 his father, it became his burial-place. We can rejoice in the glory of our 
 country, but ' the fate of the original possessors of the soil is a dark and 
 bloody chapter in the record which gives the history of the onward march 
 of civilization. However, when Grundy county was first settled the strug- 
 gle for supremacy had ceased, and the Indians had given way to the pale- 
 faces, who had full possession of the country. The remnants of the different 
 tribes found here became the friends of the M^hites, and they roamed the 
 country at will. There is no record of aught but friendly greeting between 
 the whites and the Indians when this county assumed a place upon the 
 page of history. 
 
 The advance-guard of civilization, tlie heroic and self-sacrificing band of 
 pioneers now took possession of the country. They — whose place is ever to 
 the front of progress — began blazing the way (in the light of biirning cabins, 
 and ofttimes tlie victim of the scalping-knife) which was to guide the grand 
 army of occupation, an army imbued with the spirit of true religion, and a 
 faith which builds and populates a country, and makes it great and prosper- 
 ous. We hear much of the good old times in the earlier historj^ of our 
 country, but the people of to-day have little knowledge and less realization 
 of the troubles, trials and privations of the early settlers. The men and 
 women of the present generation may feel thankful that they know, by bit- 
 ter experience, nothing of the lives of those who gave a score or more of 
 years in their struggles to make a home for their children, and their 
 
HISTORY OF GEITNDT COUNTY. 137 
 
 children's children, free from the cares, the trials and vexations of a pioneer's 
 life. The peojjle of to-daj' should reverence these people of a past half cen- 
 tury, and those who are spared to us at this late day should have all the 
 care that loving hearts can give. Years of devotion is but a small recom- 
 pense for the heroic sacrifices made by the pioneer in the early settlement 
 of the county. 
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 PIONEEES. 
 
 Early Settlers— 1833— 183i— First Store— Heatherh/ Gang— 1838— 1839— Neiv Settlement- 
 Mormon Family — Campaign 1840 — Women Pioneers — Wedding Tours — Marriage 
 Record — First Coffin — Cheaper Market — Hard Cider Campaign — Names of Old 
 Settlers — Tetherow and Lomax — The Coming County Seat Struggle — Poem— 1841. 
 
 THE PIONEERS. 
 
 The early settlers are entitled to a high and honored place in the pages 
 of history. Many, man}' days of toil have been devoted to gathering the 
 facts which shall embalm the memory of this band of civil heroes who 
 gave to Grundy county its first step in the progress of civilization, and 
 who, in all the phases of life, have proven themselves not only true sons of 
 toil but noble men and respected citizens. If the time spent in trying 
 to secure facts and reliable information necessary to make this histoiy com- 
 plete has been one of incessant toil to the author, it has, also, been no less a 
 work of love on his part, for in the records of the past, and when the light 
 of civilization and progress first dawned upon this section of our common 
 country, and in the early reminiscences which have been secured, he has 
 found much which brought to mind many bright and glowing incidents of 
 early days, and of those who taught him what life was and is, and what 
 might be in the vista of the far off future, but who have now gone to the 
 home beyond. 
 
 Memory is ofttimes treacherous, and a confusion of dates has not been the 
 least of the ti-oubles which has fallen in the pathway of the compiler. Re- 
 liable dates of the early settlement of the county are all important to those 
 who take an interest in the progress of events, and who desire of its earlj- 
 days a correct and succinct history. 
 
 Many of these old settlers have removed to other States and climes; very 
 many have crossed the "dark river" to the impenetrable and mysterious 
 beyond; while those who are left are weak in body, with memory sadly at 
 fault on many facts of deep interest. Nevertheless, they have been willing, • 
 so far as health and memoiy would permit, to impart all the incidents and 
 trials of early years, and with a spirit of cheerfulness that makes it a pleas- 
 
138 IIISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 m-e to record them. They are to-day, as in olden times, the same self-sac- 
 riiicing people. It is well that in the sordid, grasping avaricionsness which 
 characterizes so many of the present generation, that they shonld have yet 
 within them, by consangninity, the leaven which made the grand old pio- 
 neer stand out so prominently in unselfish and heroic sacrifices as " God's 
 noblest Avork." 
 
 WHAT MAY HAVE BEEN. 
 
 Tliere may have been a few settlers somewhere on the southern line of 
 Grundy county, but when or where they settled, if at all, is not of record 
 earlier than 1835. It has been reported that a few families had made a home 
 there so close to the border of Livingston county that when the Grundy 
 county line was run they found themselves just over the border, for there are 
 no foot-prints of man found on this side of the line, not even an initial spot 
 where the historic cabin might have been erected. 
 
 Forty-eight years have passed since the first settler placed his foot upon 
 the soil of Grundy county, and the date was October, 1833. All previous 
 to that date is a blank, unsolved mystery. 
 
 1833. 
 
 The first white man who came to Grundy county to make it his home 
 was Gen. W. P. Thompson, of Eay coiinty, who came here the last of Octo- 
 ber, 1833, and was followed in a few days by Jno. Scott and Harvey Meek, 
 who settled on the west side, northeast of Edinburg, on the Thompson 
 Kiver, at that time known as the "West Fork of the East Fork of Grand 
 Kiver. Dr. Thompson's was the first cabin in the woods, quickly followed 
 by others, and the Thompson settlement became the pioneer one of the 
 county. They proved an energetic class of citizens, and Gen. Thompson, 
 perhaps better known as Doctor Thompson, for years was the most prom- 
 inent man in this whole section of country. 
 
 1834. 
 "We can find nothing to dispute the point that Moore's settlement con- 
 tained the first white invaders of the soil of Grundy county, east of Grand 
 River. They occupied the land which is now the floui-ishing city of Tren- 
 ton, the metropolis of Grand River Valley, and built cabins thereon in the 
 spring of 1834. The family of Levi Moore was a large one, consisting of a 
 wife and a number of children, besides his four sons-in-law. Their names- 
 were Wm. Cochran, John Thrailkill, George Tetherow and Yancy Stokes. 
 The first had a family, and Mr. John Thrailkill had just married. "Wm. 
 Thrailkill came at the same time. They came from Randolph and Howard 
 counties, and their cabins were located near the bluff's. Of course this set- 
 tlement soon began to grow, and not only this part of the county, but • 
 other sections began to receive their quota of the hardy and venturesome 
 pioneers. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUIfDT COUNTY. 139 
 
 1835. 
 
 ^ext is found in the early spring of 1835 that the Heatherleys, whose 
 reputations were not of the most savory kind, with the Watsons and Hawk- 
 inses, settling in the southeast corner of the county. Tlien the Dobbinses and 
 others on the east side, near where Lindley now is. Settlers, however, while 
 dropping in, were not numerous. There were miles of wooded hills and bot- 
 tom-lands and open prairie between the cabins of the pioneers. It was 
 weeks, and sometimes months, before the lonely occupant of the wilds would 
 see a sign of a human being outside of his own family'. These settlers of 
 '34 and '35 became, ma.nj of them, of much note in the county. Cochran 
 and Thrailkill held some offices in the ea.v\j organization of the county, the 
 latter, Mr. Thrailkill, being the first sheriff. But the man of grandest note 
 at that day was Dr. Thompson. He came from Ray county, in the full 
 prime of his manhood, a man of noble mould and a character so self-sacri- 
 ticing as to win the love of all his neighbors and retain it until the earth 
 covered all that was mortal of his giant frame. Pie practiced as a physician 
 for many years, and that practice was immense, literally covering hundreds 
 of miles in extent. The west fork of the Grand liiver was named after him. 
 He died in 1848. Both Harvey Meek and John Scott, who came with Dr. 
 Thompson from Ray county, were hardy, progressive men, who fully met 
 the demands of a pioneer's life. Humphrey Best was another of the early 
 immigrants, and settled here in 1835. It is reported of him that he was the 
 fii'st man to break prairie in the county. Cochran owned most of the site 
 of Trenton. He bought it at government price and sold it to Jas. E. Merrill, 
 for $400. It is worth something over a half million dollars to-da^'. That 
 old pioneer, Uncle Levi Moore, outlived nearly all of those who came to the 
 county past middle age. He was of a lively, jovial character, was loved and 
 reverenced by thej'oung folks, and never more happy than when telling the 
 wonderful stories of pioneer life, or joining in the fun and frolic going on 
 around him. He lived to be one hundred years of age and died in 1875. 
 His farm became known as the Lomax and Jacob land, and among his 
 many descendants are his two sons, Capt. John Moore and James Moore. 
 Among the few other settlers scattered through this section are found 
 the names of George Peery, and his sons William, Archibald and a daughter 
 Louisa, Jewett Harris, Philip Wild, George Bunch, Humphrey Best 
 and others. There were three other Peerys, Evan and his son William 
 X., and a Thomas. The latter was a Methodist minister who preached in 
 the Bain settlement oif and on all the winter of '37-38. Mr. George Peery, 
 who settled on the west side of the river in 1835, was held in the highest re- 
 spect by his neighbors and was for years a leading spirit in advancing the 
 social and material interests of Grundy county. He lived to the good old 
 age of ninety years and died, in the year 1874, leaving a large family, and 
 his death seriously mourned. Jewett Norris finding himself rather cramped 
 
140 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 for room, several settlers gathering within a mile or two of him, after living 
 here several years left for a pioneer's life in Minnesota. Before leaving he 
 had become quite a pnblic man. His neighbors believed in him, and he was 
 made a member of the first county court and thrice elected State Senator. 
 He was both merchant and farmer, and is rejsorted as doing welj in his new 
 home. 
 
 Daniel Devaul came in March, 1835, bringing a wife and eight children. 
 He first settled near the river on the east side, known since as the Old Ben- 
 son tract, Devaul having sold his claim to Samuel Benson, in 1838. Daniel 
 Devaul was a man of great energy of character, and was of much value as' 
 an early settler, for he could turn his hand to almost anything. He believed 
 in pushing things and built, with the assistance of his son, James R. De- 
 vaul, the first store-house erected in Grundy county. It was a fine build- 
 ing for those days. Generally the cabins were built of round logs, but in 
 this new store building the logs were all hewn square and fitted nicely, and 
 the plastering was done with real lime mortar. This last was, also, a de- 
 ■cided innovation, for uj) to that time, according to the language of the na- 
 tive poet, 
 
 "Our cabins were made ot' logs of wood, 
 Put up in squares and corked with mud; 
 If the cost was light, the roof was good, 
 For a new countiy." 
 
 It was located on the ground now known as the Eidgeway property, and 
 ■on that pai't where the vineyard and nursery now stand, in the southeast 
 corner of the present town-site. On a visit to Kichmond, Ray county, in 
 the fall of 1838, Mr. Devaul persuaded James I. Lomax and his brother-in- 
 law, Thomas Jacobs, to bring a stock of goods to the settlement and open a 
 store, agreeing to rent the log palace aforesaid to them for a place of busi- 
 ness. They accepted the oft'er, and Lomax and Jacobs opened the first store 
 in Grundy county. The settlement up to that time had been called Moore's . 
 and sometimes the Blufts, but on the opening of the store was afterwards 
 generally known as Lomax's store. Still, the old familiar name would ci'op 
 out quite often, when a settler would call out to his neighbor, " I am going 
 down to the ' Blufi:s,' can I do any thing for 3'oul" Mr. Devaul continued 
 actively engaged during his stay in the settlement. He had the great misfor- 
 tune to lose his wife early in February, 1837, but resided here until the gold 
 fever broke out in 1849, then left for California. He remained a while in 
 Nevada prospecting, but eventually went to California, settling near San 
 Jose, where he died in 1871. He left a large family here, among whom 
 James R. Devaul, a resident of Grundy county since 1835, is the oldest; 
 Mrs. Capt. Woods, a daughter, now sixty-one years of age, is a woman 
 of fine presence and remarkable jDreservation — looks not over fifty — with 
 all the openness and frankness of the " old time " settler. James E. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 141 
 
 Devaul is still living, now an honored resident of Trenton, but lived for a 
 number of years in M'hat is now Lincoln township. He was the first 
 justice of the peace in that township, and was elected a second time, but de- 
 clined to serve. In what was called the Heatherly War, in 1836, James R. De- ' 
 ^•aul, then a young man of twenty-two yeai's, carried Brigadier-gehei'al 
 Thompson's requisition for two companies of militia to Kay county. Gen- 
 eral Thompson was the Dr. Thompson previously spoken of. Mr. Devaul 
 acted also under orders of the general, in taking charge of the wagons filled 
 with stores and ammunition and their escort, and bringing them to this 
 county, from Livingston, to General Thompson's home. Lomax and Jacobs 
 did business for several years. Mr. Jacobs is dead and Mr. Lomax is now 
 a resident of California. They, however, did not long have a monopoly of 
 the mercantile business of those early days. "William Thrailkill & Brother 
 started a store the following year and they Were followed by James L. Hen- 
 shaw. This latter store was located not far from the Lomax store, and on , 
 the Eidgeway property. It is said that some of the logs hewn for the Lo- 
 max store by Daniel Devaul, are yet doing duty as a part of a residence on 
 Trenton Avenue. Lomax hauled his goods from Kichmond witli ox wagons. 
 Previous to the opening of the Lomax store, most of the trading was done 
 at Glasgow, on the Missouri Kiver. Some few went to Richmond, and 
 later to Brunswick, but the main trading-point was Glasgow. The farmers 
 loaded their wagons with skins of all kinds, such as deer, coon, mink, musk- 
 rat, and with venison and venisoii hams, honey, etc., and brought back 
 their winter supply of groceries, a little flour and some whisky. The his- 
 torian will mention right here that the latter article was not used in those 
 days for intoxicating purposes. The Old Pioneer was the advance-guard of 
 civilization, but he left it to a later, and by some called a more cultured, era 
 to introduce whisky as a beverage, and to furnish to this higher type of 
 civilization the "common drunkard." Goods were hauled in those days 
 from Glasgow at sixty cents per one hundred pounds, and the merchant 
 would fill a wagon with skins and produce and bring back goods, thus load- 
 ing both ways. 
 
 THE ITEATHEELY GANG. 
 
 In 1836 the Heatherlys, who were known to be hard cases, had organ- 
 ized into a regular band of horse-thieves, and, becoming bolder, were 
 making raids wherever they would likely meet with success. In the fall of 
 1836 a man by the name of Di;nbar and a companion were robbed of their 
 horses, and in the defense of their property were both killed and their 
 bodies thrown into the Medicine River. For fear of the consequence of the 
 discovery of this terrible crime which was traced to them, they gave out 
 that the Indians, the lowas and Sacs, were on the war-path killing and 
 scalping, and their way lighted by the burning cabins of the settlers whom 
 they had murdered. This report caused the wildest excitement, for the 
 
142 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 people, Laving no defenses, were powerless against the supposed army of 
 savages then so near. The settlers at Moore's and Thompson's settlements 
 assembled and those at Moore's hastily cut logs and raised a sort of a block- 
 house for protection. Gen. Thompson ordered out the militia, two companies 
 having been ordered from Eay county and tM'o from Clay, while a number 
 joined from this and Livingston. A reconnoisance in force soon dispelled 
 the fears of the people, but the settlers were determined to investigate the 
 cause of this false alarm, which -was traced to the TIeatherly gang, who had 
 stated men had been murdered. The bodies of the two men were found in 
 Medicine River and the Heatherlys, a man by the name of Hawkins and a 
 negro were arrested. The}' had murdered these men, stolen their horses 
 ■ and outfit, stripped them of their valuables and consigned their bodies to 
 the river, and to cover up their crime charged it to a party of Indians, on a 
 hunting expedition, composed of the above named tribes. These facts 
 were gathered from one of the gang, Hawkins, who turned on his com- 
 panions in crime, as State's evidence. The gang were sent to the peniten- 
 tiary. The four militia captains who commanded the companies under 
 (reneral Thompson all became men of note in the jDolitical history of the 
 State, Captain David E. Atchison, one of the four, becoming a United 
 .States Senator in 1844. 
 
 Thus ended what was called the Heatherly War, and by which name it is 
 known to this day. The gang was eft'ectually broken up, and they were the 
 only desperadoes that ever had a footiiold in Grundy county. 
 
 CONTINUING TO AEEIVE. 
 
 Immigrants continued to arrive, and the years 1836, '37 and '38 were 
 memorable ones, for they brought to Grund}' county some of her best and 
 foremost citizens. They came from all parts of the country, but chie% 
 from Kentucky, Virginia and Ohio. They most always came in squads of 
 from five to fifteen families each, generally settled in the same neighbor- 
 hood, forming a company of old time acquaintances, which their new home 
 and widely diifused population cemented more firmly together in bonds of 
 friendship and brotherly love. James Bunch, who has been mentioned as 
 belonging to the Thompson settlement, put up the first horse-mill in the 
 county. It was patronized extensively by the Bain settlement on the east 
 side, and the west side settlers. Mr. Bunch, however, while furnishing the 
 mill did not furnish the motive power — each customer hitched on his own 
 .animal and ground away until he was through. The next took his turn and 
 owned the mill for the time being. The toll for the use of the mill was one- 
 eigPith. Samuel Benson, and his nephew William Benson, came in the fall 
 of 1837. So, also, did Evans and William N. Peery, who came from Vir- 
 ginia; William McCammon, William Metcalf, Elisha Inman, the Oxfords, 
 Grubbs, Applegates and Winns, who made their homes on the west side of 
 .the river, while on the east side came those sturdy pioneers of Lincoln 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 143 
 
 township, who settled some six miles north of Lomax's store, Jesse and 
 Eiasou Bain, Samuel Kelso, Henrj' Foster and William DilJe. This was 
 called for a long time the Bain settlement. These all came, as we have said, 
 in the fall of 1837; they represented as noble a band of pioneers as ever 
 walked in the van of the onward march of civilization, and their descendants 
 have proven themselves worthy sons of noble sires. At that time the Bain 
 settlement was the most northerly one in the count3^ Mr. Samuel Benson, 
 who bought the Devaul propertj^ the present site of the cit}"- of Trenton, 
 owned the ferry across Grand Kiver, put up a horse-mill, the second in the 
 county, which was the stand-b3^ of tlie people for miles around, and by his 
 great hosjDitality and kindness of heart placed himself among the leaders of 
 men of other days. "William Metcalf became county judge and sheriff, 
 Kelso was a leading spirit, and Elder IVIcCammon stands out in the broad 
 expanse of to-day as a beacon-light which has guided many and many of 
 the old settlers to a haven of rest. 
 
 1838-1839. 
 
 Then came tlie Merrills, Landys, Houstons, Townsends and George 
 McCready, all of whom were originally from Maryland, adding to the pop- 
 ulation and wealth of 1838. There came, also, the same year, James Wel- 
 don, who settled up the river, and from whom the east fork of the Grand 
 Eiver takes its name, who proved a worthy addition, because of his being a ' 
 persevering and progressive man. Thomas N. Carnes, the Kirkendalls, Stokes, 
 Moores, Cochrans and Woods moved here in tlie spring of '38, and also may 
 be added the names of A. C. and Larkin Fields, John and Jetliro Sires, 
 Robert Hobbs, Judge John McHargue, John Priest, the Ashbrooks, School- 
 ers, Collins, Eenfroes, Rooks, Holloway, Lydas, Drinkards, Spears, Win- 
 ters, Andersons, Perkins and Chrismans, who all called Grundj^ county 
 their home from and including the 3'ear 1839, and here add the names 
 of the Warrens, Kilburns and Merrimans, of Wilson township. 
 
 A sad and terrible accident happened to Jethro Sire, one of the last 
 named settlers, December 9, 1873, he having been killed by the falling of a 
 tree on him while engaged in felling it. He made a mistake as to the way 
 the ti'ee would fall, and before he could turn, on discovering it, the tree 
 crushed him, breaking his neck and one arm and killing him instantly. He 
 had proven, in a residence of thirty-four years in the county, a kindly 
 neighbor and an upright man. 
 
 From the south part of Trenton township, now Jackson, there were few 
 sturdier men than James May, John Henry, John Roberts and Peter Con- 
 ner, who made their appearance in 1839. They belong to the true pioneer 
 stock. The latter named, Peter Conner, left some years after for California, 
 and never returned, living and dying in that great El Dorado of the West 
 and of the Pacific slope. All of the above named are now dead, but they 
 left the footprints of their energy and progressive spirit in the broken prai- 
 
144 
 
 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 
 
 ries and the clearing of the woodlands. There were many others of that 
 early day of whom we have been unable to gather satisfactory record, but who, 
 like their neighbors, came to make a home in the valley of the Grand Eiver. 
 
 The Evanses came in 1842 or '43, William and Thomas, long known as 
 substantial farmers and upright citizens. The principal settlement was be- 
 tween Grand River and Honey Creek. Some good farms were located near 
 Honey Creek. 
 
 The settlers were sometimes disturbed by the prowling wolves which oc- 
 casionally made the nights hideous, and warned owners to take care of their 
 stock — more especially at th'at time hogs or pigs. Mr. John Priest, who came 
 in the year 1839, relates one of his scrapes with the wolves. He had a fine 
 sow and a lot of pigs, eleven in all, taken in one night. John said a pig or 
 two wouldn't have made him mad, but this going the entire hog, pigs 
 thrown in, was too luuch for his temper. He took a few pones of corn-bread, 
 blanket and rifle, and tracked the wolves through the snow to their den, 
 some twelve miles distant. There he laid in wait, and within two days 
 and a half he was back home, with the scalps of the two old wolves and 
 eight cubs. Those scalps paid his taxes that year. It wasn't equal to the 
 expected pork crop, but John said he felt satisfied, for besides paying his 
 taxes there was the sweet revenge. 
 
 Wm. T. Cornwell settled here in October, 1839, some two miles north of 
 the Bain and Kelso settlements; his son, B. B. Cornwell, is now living on 
 the old homestead. Wm. Cornwell came from Tennessee to Grundy county, 
 but was reared in Virginia. He was born in the year 1800; married in Ten- 
 nessee, November 21,1824, to Miss Jane Payne, and died in Grundy county, 
 Lincoln township, March 18, 1874. B. B. Cornwell, of Lincoln township, 
 was twelve years of age when he came here with his father, in 1839. He 
 was born in Smith county, Tennessee. Mrs. Jane Cornwell, the wife of 
 Wm. T., and mother of B. B. Cornwell, died at the latter's residence, on the 
 old place, February 25, 1880, leaving one daughter, two sons, thirty-twO' 
 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Mr. Cornwell was a prom- 
 inent citizen in his township. 
 
 In 1839 the Rev. Thomas Thompson settled on the Weldon River, near 
 where Spickardsville now stands. He was one of the first settlers in Frank- 
 lin township, the father-in-law of Geo. A. Spickards, an early settler of the 
 same township. 
 
 A MOEMON FAMILY. 
 
 There are pretty strong evidences that a few Mormon families lived for a 
 short time in Franklin township some years previous to its reported first 
 white settler, James Weldon. The arrival of these families dates from the 
 time of the settlement of the Mormon colony which located in Daviess 
 county in the spring of 1836. These were, undoubtedly, an oflPshoot of that 
 colony, and settled near the river. The families found it too lonesome, and 
 

 ^St-**^^*^-^^*^ 
 
IIISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 147 
 
 seemed to have left iu tlie fall. The Indian hunters of that day i-eported 
 that these families lived on the east side of the river for several moons, and 
 then left for the Grand River. It is believed they joined the main body at 
 their settlement in Daviess connty. These families antedate the arrival 
 of Mr. Weldon some two years. The story is given not as the record of 
 actual settlers, but to show that a white family had trod the soil of Frank- 
 lin township as early as 1836. The object of this work is to give the facts 
 and a faithful record, so far as they can be gleaned from young and old, 
 and from the written records of the past. There is no doubt that the fami- 
 lies lived there, for Mr. Weldon found evidences enough to convince him 
 of the fact. What was learned all tended to confirm the belief that they 
 joined their friends in Daviess county. 
 
 NEW SETTLEMENTS. 
 
 In 1839 new arrivals, consisting of several families, settled in Lincoln 
 township, about three miles east of the Bains and Kelsos, and quite a num- 
 ber of other families joined them in the winter of '39 and '40. The county 
 now, 1839, began to be generally settled, with, perhaps the exception of tlie 
 northwest section. The west part of Washington and the north part of Tay- 
 lor townships, or what are now known by these names, had very few settlers 
 up to the organization of the county, in 1841, but all other sections im- 
 proved rapidly and very evenly, excepting the Lomax store, which seemed 
 to be recognized as the central headquarters, and from it radiated the 
 political power which controlled the county. It improved faster than 
 any other colony of settlers in its general welfare, and its population in- 
 creased more rapidly. The fact is, an embryo Trenton was under way. It 
 was the location. The Grand Kiver, a mile and a half below the junction 
 of the Thompson and Weldon rivers, assumed proportions that made its 
 water-power valuable. The high bluff, with its circular mound in the bend 
 of the river, gave a bold, picturesque site for a town and a healthy residing 
 place for its inhabitants. A strong desire to have the county seat located 
 on the Big Muddy, between tliree and four miles northeast of its present 
 location, was entertained by the settlers in that neighborhood, claiming it 
 to be nearer the center of the county, which had been decided as being in 
 the northwest corner of section two, township sixty-one, range twenty-four, 
 and the commissioners first located it near where said settlers wanted it, but 
 there was so much dissatisfaction that a new commission by the county 
 changed the decision of the State commissioners and located it on the present 
 site. . It is now about three and a half miles southwest of the actual center 
 of the county, and the Grand River is to blame for that. 
 
 Harrison and Franklin townships began to gain in population in 1840. 
 Those who came in the year previous were doing well; some splendid land 
 was to be had at government price and a good share of it was preempted iu 
 10 
 
148 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTT. 
 
 the first named year. Jake Faulkner, Franklin Woods and Tliomas Tucker 
 settled in the first named township, and the following well known persons 
 claimed Washington township as their home: Henry Woods, Kobert 
 Hobbs, the Templers, Jennings, John Barr, James Si:)erry and Andrew 
 Weldon. Thomas Pemberton took possession of Myres township in 1840. 
 He remained monarch of all he surveyed but a short time before he was 
 surrounded by neighbors who began to settle in all parts of the township, 
 not, however, in very large groups. 
 
 THEIE RELATIVE POSITION". 
 
 The loading townships, up to the organization of the county in 1841, 
 proved to be in the following order, by the names afterward given them: 
 Trenton, Lincoln, Marion, Wilson and Madison. The latter claimed to 
 lead Wilson, but it was, on examination, proven to be a mistake. Then we 
 record the remainder of the townships in this Order: Liberty, Jackson, 
 Jefferson, Myres, Franklin, Harrison, Washington and Taylor. The town- 
 ships are given in this shape to show more particularly how the county was 
 settled, and where the bulk of the population and wealth was to be found in 
 the old townships. Thus we find Trenton, the largest of the old townships, 
 decidedly the greatest in wealth and population, as it included two-thirds of 
 Lincoln and all of Jackson. Marion came next, and it claimed half of 
 Liberty and all of Wilson. Then came Liberty, Madison, Jefferson, 
 Franklin, and Washington. There were several settlements made on the 
 east side of the county. What are now known as Myres, Libert}', Marion 
 and Wilson townships were improving more rapidly than any part of the 
 county excepting Trenton and the part now known as Lincoln. There were 
 no. roads laid out in the several townships, but the settlers had made their 
 •way through the M'oods in the direction they wished to go and these had 
 become beaten tracks. The southeastern part of the county was settling 
 quite fast, and along the Medicine River, and following it up to the north- 
 east part, seemed to be a favorite portion of the county. The trading- 
 point for those in Wilson and Marion townships, or what was then Ma- 
 rion, was principally at Brunswick. The northeast settlers came to the 
 Lomax store. This latter place began to be recognized as a trading-point 
 in 1839 and 1840. The cabins in the county were generally miles apart, 
 and, in fact, up to 1850 there were no villages in the county, always ex- 
 cepting the county seat. The Whitifields, Perkinses and Books, Lyda, 
 Beckner, William Anderson, John and Jacob Halloway, Michael Chrisman 
 and others were to be found in Marion township and in Liberty, They 
 soon gathered to a jjoint for a village settlement and Lindley proved to be 
 the point. We have spoken heretofore of the Indian hunting parties in 
 the settlement of the Bains and Ivelsos. The principal huntiug-grouaid off 
 of the Grand River, where the white settlers first encroached upon them. 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 14:9 
 
 was tlie couutiy lying between Big Muddy Creek and Medicine Rivei-, 
 and along the bottoms of No Creek. This country up to 1840 continued 
 to be a wilderness, with the exception of a few settlers, and was a splendid 
 country for game of all kinds. 
 
 Coonrod Woltz and Jacob Thrailkill settled in what is now Myres town- 
 ship, in 1840, and helped along the other settlers in improving that section 
 of the country. Myres, which was then a part of Liberty, was a good 
 body of land with a sufficiency of water for stock purposes, but like 
 the northwest township, "Washington, it has been slow of settlement. It was a 
 sjilendid hunting-ground for years after the more southerly portion of the 
 count}' was settled. The Brassfields, however, went in the southern part 
 and commenced to make an opening in the wilderness. They were a large 
 family and hard workers, clannish to some extent, keeping and being with- 
 in themselves. They were the leading settlers in that section for several 
 years. D. L. "Winters settled in the same township in 1840, and for years 
 took a leading part in the affairs of that section of the country. "William 
 Warren of Wilson township, "Uncle Billy" as they calle'd him, was among 
 the first in the settlement of that township and came there in 1839. Wil- 
 son township had an energetic population and she still retains it, ranking 
 third up to 1880 in wealth in the county, and probably holds her own yet- 
 After the Heatherly War, peace reigned within her borders, and she has 
 proved conclusively that she had no use for that class of citizens, and that 
 horse-thieves and' mui-derers have not proved indigenous to her soil. 
 
 The lower part of Trenton township seemed slow of settlement, yet there 
 is very little land found in Grundy county superior to that found east of 
 the Grand River, in the bottoms and on the ridges that lie along that river 
 and Honey and l^o creeks. It is really a fanner's and stock-raiser's para- 
 dise. Reuben Merriman is one of the early pioneers in that section, and a 
 few others gathered around him, but there were so many strong attractions 
 further north, that the section of the countj' now known as Trenton and 
 Lincoln townships was more rapidly settled than the lower portion, but it 
 would take a very close observer, so far as the land is concerned, to say why 
 this was so, or where those superior attractions were found.. Undoubtedly 
 the conntj' seat location was one of the reasons of its rapid increase 
 and the fighting qualities of the Trentonites and the Lincolnites called 
 forth the greatest activity and a desire for settlers. It is pretty clear that 
 the old pioneers who made the fight in Lincoln, or what is now Lincoln 
 township, had no cause to weep over their failure, nor of their descend- 
 ants in the fighting qualities of their ancestors. Trenton won as much by 
 what nature had done for her, as by her determined effort to have the 
 county seat. Tetherow made a gallant tight, but Lomax held tlie fort, 
 planted by nature and man. Those were good old times, and the early 
 settlers had their battles in public life and enjoyed them as much as the 
 snen of to-day. 
 
150 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 The presidential election of 1840 has had no parallel in the history of the 
 country. The log cabin and hard cider campaign of that memorable year, 
 a year of song and story, was an entirely new element in the political his- 
 tory of the country. It was claimed that the crash of 1837 was due to the 
 administration of Martin Van Buren, and was brought on by his extrav- 
 agance, and "Old Tippecanoe," Wni. Henry Harrison, was not only a 
 soldier boy but a farmer. One verse of a song which was intended to show 
 the extravagance of Yan Buren's administration of office, and which song 
 was sung with a wild enthusiasm in the campaign was as follows, speaking 
 as coming from the president: 
 
 "Bring forth, he cries, the ghttering plate, 
 We'll dine to-day in royal state; 
 He speaks, and on the table soon 
 They placed the golden fork and spoon. 
 Around him bends a servile host. 
 And loud they shout the welcome toast, 
 
 Down with Old Tippecanoe ! 
 
 Down with Old Tippecanoe!! " 
 
 Henry Clay, of Kentucky, was the leader of the Whig party of those 
 days and he was made the target for Democratic thunder. The songs were 
 not all on one side; but the charge of royalty was the winning card of the 
 "Whigs. However, the Democrats got off a good many songs against Clay 
 and his part}', and a verse is given to show the tactics of tlie opposition. 
 Here it is: 
 
 " There's Hany Clay, a man of doubt. 
 Who wires in and wires out; 
 And you cannot tell when he's on the track 
 If he's going on or coming back." 
 
 This was the kind of work that the Old Pioneers of Grundy took part in, 
 and you will not find a man among them but what claims that campaign to 
 be the "boss." Those were good old times; they had big meetings, bar- 
 becues were held and the political days of Jackson, Yan Buren and Har- 
 rison were the ne plus ultra of all presidential campaigns, and there has 
 been nothing like them of late years. 
 
 So the old pioneer revels in the times of long ago, and he is not far out 
 of the way. Those days were as full of wrangling and bitterness as those 
 of the present, but it was a square fight for principle oidy, and the spoils 
 were not considered. Money was not the mighty power which has con- 
 trolled the elections of the last decade. It did not rule Congress, buy leg- 
 islatures or elect presidents. It had the will to do it, but its repi'esentative 
 power, the old United States Bank, was crushed and tariff and protection 
 was the principal question which divided parties, and, it might also be 
 added, extravagant expenditures. The people' of those days believed in 
 economy. In talking with one of the oldest residents of the county he said 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 151 
 
 that it was generally believed that Van Buren's administration had been 
 extravagant, and so mnch of the country' was new and the old settlers had 
 to struggle so hard to get even corn bread and bacon that the " golden fork 
 and spoon " charges did the bnsiness that year for the Democracy. 
 
 There were two old settlers located north of Madison who made their 
 homes in what is now called Harrison township. Their names were Charles 
 "W. Scott and Alvin Johnson. The former came in the fall of 1834, and 
 probably was nearly the first settler west of the East Fork or Weldon 
 Branch of Grand River. He has proven himself a good farmer and neigh- 
 bor. Mr. Johnson came a year or two later, lives on section ten about a 
 mile fi-om Mr. Scott. He is hale and hearty, has a good memory, and can 
 relate much of the ear]j histoiy of Grundy county, and also of the State. 
 In Tajdor township we find the Grnbbs, Woods and others and their de- 
 scendants who have some of the finest farms in the township. 
 
 There was a general settlement all over the county in 1841 at the time of 
 the organization of the county in that year, but Taylor, Washington, 
 My res, Harrison, Jefferson and Jackson, or the country composing the 
 townships now known by these names, was but thinly settled. Trenton, - 
 Lincoln, Madison, Marion and Wilson secured the largest population up to 
 that time, and in fact to this day thej' seem to hold their own as the leading 
 townships in wealth and population. Such has been in a measure the his- 
 tory of the early pioneers of this beautiful country, and those who are liv- 
 ing can look back witii interest to the days which tried the nerve, the mus- 
 cle and the indomitable will of the fathers and mothers who had the infancy 
 of Grundy county in their keeping. 
 
 In closing this part of our history, covering but a short period, less than a 
 decade, there has been much given founded more iipon traditions than facts. 
 The early pioneei-s made history, but took no care to preserve it. This 
 is a sad loss to the country. Those years, and the lives and the actions of 
 the heroes and patriots then living, were of the greatest importance. Then 
 it was that the foundation was laid and a noble and enduring superstructure 
 was to be reared, upon which the moral, physical and political future of the 
 county was to rest. There were no stirring events, or remarkable happen- 
 ings, but it was a time of self-reliance, of persevering toil, of privation, of 
 suffering, that was endured with heroic fortitude, believing in a future re- 
 ward of successful labor, of the good time coming when the woods and the 
 open prairie would resolve themselves into well-cultivated farms, and their 
 humble cabins into residences befitting their improved financial condition. 
 They had come into the boundless wilderness poor in purse, but rich in faith, 
 and powerful in endurance, and their future was before them. All coming 
 poor, their social lives were lives of brotherly love and neighboi'ly feeling, 
 and they worked harmoniously together. If trials and troubles came to some 
 they had the heartfelt sympathy of their neighbors, and that syn)pathy was 
 
152 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 expressed in acts and deeds, as well as in words. If a settler lost his rude 
 cabin by fire his neighbors would at once come together and assist him to 
 erect another, and that, too, with such willing ness and hearty rendering of 
 their services as would cheer the hearts of those who had suffered. This was 
 the way they lived and moved in early times, and not in this county alone, but 
 wherever the track of the pioneer was found, or the ring of the ax 
 heard, there you would find a neighbor and a friend. This spirit prevailing, 
 with unity of action and concentration of purpose, has made Grundy 
 county rich and prosperous. There were laws to protect thena, but the civil 
 authorities were too weak to be of much force, and so the spirit of self-pres- 
 ervation to shield them from grievances was the spirit of brotherly love and 
 neighborly affection. 
 
 WOMEN PIONEEES. 
 
 The pioneer cabins were, perhaps, as worthy of mention as many other 
 matters that have been, or may be given in this work. Rude and primitive 
 were they in style, with, in many cases, the earth for their floor and the 
 roof thatched and held down with weight-poles. Yet, as simple and una- 
 dorned as they were, they proved to be the best that could be built with the 
 tools at hand. It is to be doubted much if there can be found in the palaces 
 of to-day more happiness, more refinement — that which is bred in the heart, 
 not its outward show — than was found in the cabins of the earl}' pioneers 
 of this western counti'y. That the people of early times were happy in all 
 that constitutes the real wealth of affection is plain enough. The heroes and 
 heroines of those days joined hands to make the wilderness blossom like the 
 rose. There was no waiting until the cage was built to secure the bird, but 
 the latter joined its mate and helped to finish the rugged house, furnished 
 with the smiles of a loving heart,'greeting her partner in life witli the work of 
 willing hands, and while the one went into the forest to clear the way for 
 bread and a future competency, the other in the homely cabin was keeping 
 her true womanly talents at full play, not only in doing culinary work, but 
 weaving and spinning, making her own garments and those of her husband 
 and children. Many have read in our day of the " Old Pioneer," and his 
 struggle in the eai'ly years of his life, heavy trials, misfortune, and ulti- 
 mately liis success, but little has been recorded of his noble companion, the 
 light of his cabin, the one to cheer him in his misfortune, nursing him in 
 sickness, and in health giving her whole strength to labor for their future 
 welfare and happiness. There was little luxury or ease for the pioneer's wife 
 of those early days, but whatever her destiny might be, it was met with a 
 firm faith and a willingness to do her whole duty, living in the love of her 
 husband and children, and trusting in Providence to receive her final reward 
 for the unceasing labor of years, well and nobly performed. 
 
 Yes, there was something decidedly primitive in the building and fnrni- 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 153 
 
 tare of those cabins of old. Houses were built oiie-and-a-lialf stories liigli, 
 ill mauy cases, that they might have a " loft " to store away things and 
 sometimes to sleep in. A house-raising in those days meant something. It 
 meant the very hardest kind of work in getting the heavy logs in their 
 places, and the settlers for miles around would come, to the number of 
 twenty or thirty, and the cabin would go up with a rush and with cheers. 
 And right in that brush, "just over there," was a jug of good old whisky. 
 It was there to be drank, and it was, but they went home sober. The new- 
 comer had his house, and he and his wife took possession with the hearty 
 congratulations of the neighbors and an earnest wish for their welfare. The 
 cabin had no floor yet, windows had yet to be cut out, if the logs had been 
 all of a length; but they went to housekeeping and were as hopeful and 
 happy as could be over their new home. The windows were covered by a 
 light qnilt to keep the wind and rain out, the puncheon floor was to be laid, 
 the stick and mud chimney set up, a table and chair or two, or stools made 
 of a split log, Mnth auger-holes bored to put in the legs. Some shelves made 
 of the same material, holes bored and pins put in, to hang up their clothes 
 or other things, and that pioneer heroine was ready to meet her friends and 
 neighbors, and the world at large, in a roomy and comfortable home. A 
 housekeeping outflt of that style in these days would send a young woman 
 into hysterics, make her declare she would go right home to her pa — and proba- 
 bly for herself and that young man it would be the best place for her. Corn- 
 bread and bacon was the principal food the first year. They generally 
 had a cow, and with this they were content. Often living miles from the 
 mill, they took a bag of corn and went on a horse to have it ground, and if 
 they didn't have a horse of their own would go to a neighbor's and borrow 
 one for the occasion. And the wife often went, because the husband had no 
 time to go, sometimes swimming the horse across the river, as was often the 
 case when Bunch's mill was the only one for miles around, and the cabin 
 was on the wrong side of the stream. 
 
 A WEDDING TOUE. 
 
 From Mrs. Capt. Jarvis Woods, one of the female pioneers, who came to 
 Grundy county with her father, Daniel Devaul, in 1835, is given a short 
 account of what the wives of the early settlers performed as their part of 
 the work for the regeneration of the wilderness. The old lady is hale and 
 hearty, claims that her early days were as full of happiness as hard work, 
 and she holds in slight contempt the effeminate beauties of the present day, 
 who lack the courage and the will to do — that was the glorious trait the 
 young women of olden times possessed, and what made them the equals of, 
 and fit wives and associates for the men of those days. The wedding tour 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Woods was a horseback ride of about six miles, 
 ending in the woods at a temporary log shanty. There the young bride 
 
154 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 jumped from her horse and took possession of her home. It was built 
 6f slabs or puncheons, placed against a large white oak tree, and they 
 were kept in their places by heavy logs placed against them. And in 
 telling the author of this bridal tour and her new home, Mrs. Woods said 
 she was just as happy as she could be. The floor of her home was of 
 mother earth. Her chief cooking utensil was an iron bake-pau, used in 
 old times to make pones of corn bread and to bake an occasional biscuit. 
 The writer was shown this relic of olden time. It is doing duty now as a 
 lye pot. This young bride also had a skillet, and with a gourd, or a tin 
 cup or two, she had her culinary outfit. It would give a farmer's bride of 
 to-day a chill of absolute despair if she were inti-oduced to such an estab- 
 lishment. Well, that was the bride's home for six short (not long) weeks 
 before their new palace residence was completed. This happened in Feb- 
 ruary, 1838 — the couple being married on the 26th of February by Squire 
 Thrailkill, and the road to their home was simply a not over-beaten path- 
 way in the woods. She milked the cow, and cooked, and sewed, wove and 
 spun, and went to mill, thus doing her part and keeping her end of the line 
 taut. They made their bread literally by the sweat of their brows and led 
 happy and contented lives. They were the first couple married in Grundy 
 county. A calico or a gingham dress in those days was a piece of finery 
 good enough to visit in or go to church, but you would oftener see a new 
 homespun dress do duty on tlie same occasions; then these fine dresses would 
 last a year or two, and it onl}^ took eight yards for a dress. Hoop-skirts had 
 not yet put in an appearance and pin-backs were of another day and gen- 
 eration. So with a multiplicity of duties tlie young wife kept on her way. 
 By and by, wlien a family had gi'own up around them, cares began to in- 
 crease and the wife and mother was often compelled to sit up night after 
 night tliat the husband's and the children's clothes might be mended, their 
 stockings darned, and the preparations for the coming morning's work made 
 ready. Then it was discovered that a woman's work is never done. The 
 household was asleep. The tired husband and father was resting his weaiy 
 limbs in dreamland, the children were tossing here and there on their beds 
 as restless children always do. Nature itself had gone to rest and the outer 
 world was wrapped in darkness and gloom, but the nearly exhausted mother 
 still sewed on and on, and the midnight candle was still shedding its pale 
 light over the work or the vigils of the loved and loving mother. And 
 this is the record of the thousands of noble women, the female pioneei-B, 
 wliose daily presence, loving hearts, earnest work and keen judgment, made 
 the work of civilization and progress one of success. And the question 
 has oftentimes been asked, ''what Avould the men of the olden times have 
 done if the women of the olden times had not been with them?" and the 
 i-epl}' comes back, "Ah! yes, what would the}' have done?" 
 
HISTOEY OF GKITNDY COUNTY. 155 
 
 A FEW MOEE. 
 
 Then there was Mrs. Linney, one of the first who ti'od the soil of Grundy 
 county. She, too, can tell you of the times when the loving strength of a 
 woman's heart, and the willing hands of the wife and mother, were put to 
 sore tests to meet the trials, vexations and privations of a pioneer's life. 
 She is the mother of Mrs. P. W. Bain, of Lincoln township, and she can 
 give you many a story of the olden time. Then we have Mrs. Mary Jones, 
 who came from Kentucky in 1839, Mrs. Davis, and Mrs. Devaul, the wife 
 of James K. Devaul. The latter was married March 2d, 1837, but in 
 Daviess eountj', at the home of the bride's parents— had the ceremony been 
 performed this side of the line it would have been the first wedding in 
 Grundy county. However, James Devaul was the first resident of the 
 county united in the silken bonds of matrimony. Then there was another 
 wedding tour attached to this mari'iage. Young Devaul had a horse and 
 rode it over to Daviess county; he was accompanied by Robt. Benson, 
 Henry Henderson and Boone Best as his " best men," but he didn't have 
 another to bring back his new made bride. But the next morning a horse 
 was borrowed, the bride's clothes were tied up in two bundles and equally 
 divided between the young couple, and with the blessing of the old folks 
 and the good wishes of kind neighbors tiiey started on a wedding tour of 
 twenty -five miles, and on their return trip the brother of tlie bride. Marshal 
 Howel, was added to the trio who formed the escort coming over. The 
 old man, Daniel Devaul, promptly met them on the west bank of the 
 Grand Biver with a canoe, and escorted the young couple over and to their 
 home. They got into the canoe with their bundles, and leading the horses 
 into the river compelled them to swim over, and that was the end of the 
 wedding tour. Mrs. Devaul, Jr.,- went right to housekeeping. There 
 wasn't any fooling around. The young bride didn't come to be set up into 
 a corner to be looked at, or to simper return congratulations to callers. 
 She came, in the language of even earlier days, " to boss that ranch." 
 Bossing in those days was sliglitly difterent from what is known at this 
 time. It meant hard work and constant watchfulness, and it took a pow- 
 erful sight of the heart's affection and a strong will to make a person 
 willing to become a boss, and that is why the women of those early years 
 should be known in history, as well as men, as "Pioneers." 
 
 Daniel Devaul had, some little time before, lost his wife, and the family 
 needed a woman's love and care, and so Miss Sarah Howell, of Daviess 
 county, became Mrs. James E. Devaul of Grundy, and did a mother's i^art 
 to the half orphaned brothers and sisters of her young husband, and did it 
 well. This history speaks of only a few of the women pioneers of Grundy 
 county. They are those the author has met, and from whom he has gath- 
 ered the reminiscences of their early life, its trials and its happiness. There 
 
156 HISTOET OF GE0NDY COUNTY. 
 
 were many otliers who are now sleeping quietly beneath the sod, who per- 
 formed their earth's allotted work nobly and well, who carried, the crosses 
 of this earthly pilgrimage uncomplainingly to the end, and they have gone 
 to their reward. But the memory of their loving kindness will never be 
 forgotten by those who were with them, and who hope to meet them in the 
 happy beyond. May God bless the women pioneers now living,! They one 
 and all, living or dead, deserve a place in the history of oui» country, and the 
 author of Grundy county's history has contributed these few words to the 
 noble band who made civilization a possibility in this country. It is not 
 niTich, but it is a pure token of esteem and veneration for the few whom he 
 has met, and a cherished memory for those who have gone before. 
 
 MAEEIAGE EECOED. 
 
 The first marriage of record in Grundy county, reads as follows: 
 " This is to certify that on the third day of January last, I did join John 
 B. Howard and Bebecca Williams in the marriage covenant. Given under 
 my hand this 27th day of March, in the year of our Lord, 1841." 
 
 " Thomas Thompson, P. G." 
 The second one recorded reads: 
 
 " Geundy County, Jan. 14, 1841. 
 " I do hereby certify that on the 14th day of January, 1841, I did sol- 
 emnize the bonds of matrimony between Ansel Brassfield and Susannah 
 Brassfield, both of this county. Witness the undersigned being an ordained 
 minister of the gospel. 
 
 "Xathan Wintees." 
 
 We find that Joseph Thrailkill and Elizabeth W. Ilarsha were united in 
 marriage, February 25th, 1841, by Henry Blaisdell; and John S. P. 
 Marshall and Nancy Young, both of Grundy county, on the same day, Feb- 
 ruary 25, 1841, b}' Mahlon H. Harlan, justice of the peace. 
 
 Joseph Sullivan, justice of the peace, united Joliu Belew and Cincinnati 
 Dunkerson in marriage, February 26, 1841. 
 
 These were the first nuirriages recorded, the next of record being in April 
 following. One certificate' reads as follows, P. G. meaning preacher of the 
 gospel : 
 " State of Missouki, [ 
 
 Grundy County. j 
 
 '■ This is to certify that I did join William and Sarah Jones in the mar- 
 riage covenant, on the 5th of February, 1846. 
 
 " Wm. Eeid, p. G." 
 
 The shortest certificates recorded are four, by Jas. G. Benson, J. P. All 
 are alike except the dates and names of the parties. One specimen is here 
 given. 
 
 " July 20, 1862, married Selbourne Reed to Sarah Belden. 
 
 "Jas. G. Benson, J. P." 
 
HISTOBT OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 157 
 
 THE COFFINS. 
 
 We liave spoken of the death of Mrs. Daniel Devaiil in a previous chap- 
 ter. She died early in February, 1837, some two years after the arrival of 
 the family in Grundy county. There were no coffin storerooms in those 
 days, neither were there any cabinet-makers, but such work needed was 
 done with an ax, a broad-ax and a whip-saw. Mrs. Devanl's coffin was 
 made out of a wagon box belonging to Mr. Samuel Benson and furnished by 
 him. It was the only resource for boards to be found in the settlement. 
 Another death occurred soon after in the Thompson settlement, near tlie 
 river, in Madison township. It was of an old lady by the name of Downey, 
 and her coffin was made of plank cut out by a whip-saw. She died at the 
 residence of Dr. William P. Thompson. These are the earliest deaths of 
 record, but while many more followed in later j-ears, these tell of the 
 sorrows of those days and the best arrangements that could be made for the 
 loved ones in death. 
 
 A CHEAPEK MARKET. 
 
 In one respect the early settler had a few advantages not possessed by the 
 poor mortals of to-day or of those even of a generation back. While they 
 endured the privations with which thej were encompassed with heroic for- 
 titude and a patience which exalted them, these old time heroes and heroines 
 could get the necessaries of life at a good deal less cost than their favored 
 children and grandchildren of this day. They did not purchase any silks 
 or satins, in fact a calico or gingham was considered fine enough for church 
 wear, or visiting, and even these would give waj' to the enduring, durable 
 homespun, when an extra quality of yarn and coloring had been secured for 
 weaving. But it was not of this alone we would speak. There was any 
 quantity of good land lying around loose at government price, $1.25 per 
 acre, anxious to be tickled with a hoe that it might laugh with a harvest. 
 The financial crash of 1837 liad completely demoralized values. Property 
 shrank to such amazing smallness as to put many people in doubt as to 
 whether they possessed anything except their lives and their families. The 
 necessaries of life were cheap, and they who suffered most in those days 
 were of the class called wealthy. The farmer and the mechanic had little to 
 complain of. Their wants were few and the supplies cheap; if corn was at 
 a low figure, tea, coffee, sugar and whisky were also cheap. And right here 
 M'e will quote, from an article contributed to the Grundy County Times by 
 the Hon. George H. Ilubbell, the prices which he gave for manj' purchases, 
 and the market prices of the many necessaries of life as late as 1842. The 
 article was contributed and read at the celebration of the fourth of July in 
 the centennial year, 1876, and published in the issue of the Times of July 
 13. It was a history of Grundy coiinty, in a condensed form, from its 
 
158 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTr. 
 
 settlement to that date and a production well worthy of record and preserva- 
 tion. The author would here acknowledge manj^ otlier extracts taken from 
 the same source. 
 
 The article says: "The situation as regards general business had up to 
 1842 been depressed for several years. The monetary crisis of 1837 still 
 hovered over the land. For nearly five years prices of goods and products 
 of every description had ruled very low and the prospect for a raise still 
 seemed far from encouraging, and the time somewhat distant. In 1842 I 
 paid five dollars for the first cow I ever owned, and $7.50 for a good cow and 
 calf in trade. Horses were also cheap; while the best could be had for $40, 
 others could be purchased at from $25 to $35. "Working cattle were down to 
 what they called in those days almost nothing, $22 buying a good yoke. 
 Hogs, dressed, without much regard to weight, were held at the enormous 
 price of $1.25 to $1.50 each— neither were they full of trichina. Garnered 
 wheat only brought from 35 to 40 cents a bushel; corn 50 cents per bar- 
 rel, delivered, and a good veal calf, 75 cents. You could go out into the woods 
 and cut down a bee-tree, gather the honey and bring it to market, and you 
 got 25 cents a gallon for it; it was thought the bees got well paid for their 
 honey. And such honey, so clear and transparent that even the bee-keeper 
 of to-day with his patent hive and his Italian swarms would have had a look 
 of envy covering his face from ear to ear on beholding it. The wild deer came 
 forward and gave us their hams at 25 cents each, and the settlers generally 
 clinched the bargain by ta,king the skin also, which, when not cut up into 
 strings or used for patches, brought another quartei-, cash or trade, as de- 
 manded. It was also a habit -in those days for farmers to helj) each other, and 
 their sons to work in the harvest field or help to do the logging to prepare 
 for a new seeding. This was a source of wealth to the early settler and to 
 his rising family. They raked in 25 to 50 cents a day and board. That was 
 wealth. It was the foundation of their future prosperity. It was the first 
 egg laid to hatch them a farm', and it was guarded with scrupulous care. 
 Economy was often whittled down to a very fine point before they could be 
 induced to take or touch that nest-egg, the incipient acre of the first farm. 
 And then again, a day's work meant something besides getting on the shadj' 
 side of a tree and three hours for nooning. It meant labor in all its length, 
 and breadth, and thickness, from holding the breaking-plow behind two 
 yoke of oxen, to mauling rails. Kight here we will mention that rails were 
 made at 25 cents a hundred. Just think of splitting rails at 25 cents a hun- 
 dred! It is enough to take the breath away from every effeminate counter- 
 jumper in the State. This covers a good deal of what the old pioneer had 
 or received for labor and farm products." 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 159 
 
 STORE GOODS. 
 
 In some resjjects the merchants held a better hand in the game of life, 
 and in others they didn't. They wanted from fifteen to twenty-five cents a 
 yard for calico, and from twenty-five to seventy-five cents for gingham, but, 
 as said before, those early settlers were a self-sacrificing people, and they 
 let the merchants not only ask these prices, but allowed them to keep these 
 goods upon their shelves to give their stores the appearance of carrying a 
 large stock. The fact is, the merchants of those days didn't coin money 
 from their calico and gingham departments. Trade and barter were their 
 " best holt." Here is where they got in their best work, growing up and 
 thriving, like a veritable Yankee, by what they called " dicker." Ten pounds 
 of good Eio coffee for a dollar, and from sixteen to twenty pounds of coffee 
 for the same sum of mone}', were standard j)rices. When tliey sold a calico 
 or a gingham dress pattern they threw in their profit by giving a spool of 
 thread (200 yards), hooks and eyes and lining. In the thread business, 
 however, it was only a few years after before thirty and fifty yard spools 
 took the place of the former of 200 yards. Tea could be bought for from 
 twenty to fifty cents a pound; soap was "powerful " cheap, either b}' the gallon 
 or by the bar; saleratus took the place of baking-powder and was as low as 
 five to eight cents; and whisk}', good old whisky, one drink of which 
 would make a man love his neighbor as himself, was eighteen cents a gal- 
 lon by the barrel, and from twenty to twenty-five cents per gallon retail. 
 It is questionable, to the writer, whether the extravagances and the high 
 prices of the present age, with all its boasted improvements, taken in con- 
 nection with its varied and high taxes, the increased cost of living, are a 
 fair equivalent for the good old days of hog and hominy, of venison and 
 honey, of jeans and linseys, of low prices, and of peace, plenty and hap- 
 piness. In those days of log houses and log churches and schools, when 
 puncheon floors, and puncheon stools their softest seat, when a skillet and a 
 kettle with a big fire-place, did dutj' for a modern $75 stove, with its new- 
 fangled hot water arrangement and extra ovens, and wagons without 
 springs served as carriages, the people were as happj' as to-day and far 
 more contented. That these improvements are desirable all will grant. It 
 must be borne in mind that the increased wants and extravagances of the 
 .present era, and the accumulated wealth of the country, is what has made 
 these things not only a pleasure but a necessity. 
 
 NAMES OF OLD SETTLERS, JANUARY 1, 1S41. 
 
 In closing the record- of the old pioneers the names of those who figured 
 in tJie history of the county at that early period will be of interest. It 
 was impossible to get all, and if familiar names to some are missing it is 
 because the author failed to find them or hear of them, while many names 
 will be found in other parts of the work that are not recorded in this list: 
 
160 
 
 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 OLD PIONEERS. 
 
 Edmund Fnrgeson. 
 Hiley Burgess. 
 William Gentry. 
 Eussell Oxford. 
 John Burrj. 
 Thomas Cole. 
 James Lncas. 
 Charles Human. 
 James J. Hobbs. 
 Ezra B'. Evens. 
 Samuel Howard. 
 Benjamin F. Wood. 
 Henry Wood. 
 John Bennett. 
 James E. Darnaby. 
 Cornelius Darnaby. 
 John S. Darnaby. 
 Tliomas Clark. 
 Gideon Gouek. 
 Wesley Eeynolds. 
 JVIahlon H. Harlan. 
 David E. Benson. 
 Nathaniel M. Landy. 
 Henr}' I. Landj'. 
 Henry M. Henderson. 
 Hugh Ogden. 
 James Brown. 
 William Wyatt. 
 Daniel Brock. 
 Wm. C. McAfee. 
 Henry Eoger. 
 James D. Eoberts. 
 Martin D. Lona:. 
 James Work. 
 K. T. Nance. 
 Wm. Fruer. 
 Sampson Beathand. 
 Duncan E. Standbey. 
 John S tucker. 
 Jethro Sires. 
 William Cox. 
 
 Zela Conkling. 
 John S. Miller. 
 William Cole. 
 Daniel Mickey. 
 John Henry. 
 Moses Bennett. 
 John S. Miller. 
 William Long. 
 Noah Benson. 
 Daniel McAtee. 
 B. A. FerreU. 
 Harvey Low. 
 James Phillips. 
 Felix Wild. 
 Henry Hampton. 
 Samuel Chesnut. 
 Calvin Eenfro. 
 Andrew Weldon. 
 David Cole. 
 Eichard Bennett. 
 Aaron Wilson. 
 Charles Chappie. 
 James Slinger. 
 Wm. McCammon. 
 Wm. P. Thompson. 
 James Bunch. 
 L. P. Shirley. 
 Isaac Shirley. 
 James E. Devaul. 
 Madison B. Moss. 
 Thos. W. Jacobs. 
 Stephen Forbes. 
 E. B. Harris. 
 John Scott. 
 Thos. Hamilton. 
 George W. Ilamilton. 
 John McCammon, Jr. 
 John McCammon, Sr. 
 Norris McCammon. 
 James JSTordyke. 
 Joseph Applegate. 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 161 
 
 John Johnson, Jr. 
 Bazel Tinsley. 
 Josiah Audei'son. 
 Edward Cox. 
 James Bennett. 
 Moses Gee. 
 Josej:)]! Sherring. 
 Moses Sherring. 
 Michael liornbaek. 
 Archibald Chitwood. 
 John Harsher. 
 Eiason Bain. 
 Jesse Bain. 
 "Wm. T. Corn well. 
 B. B. Cornwell. 
 Daniel Devaul. 
 Samuel Kelso. 
 James Weldon. 
 John Priest. 
 Wm. Cochran. 
 George Tetherow. 
 Jacob Bain. 
 John Kockhold. 
 Benj. Saxton. 
 Eoyal "Williams. 
 Chas. W. Scott. 
 Hev. Thomas Thompson. 
 Jacob Thrailkill. 
 Coonrod Woltz. 
 
 Chas. W. Prescott. 
 
 Wm. Eeed. 
 
 Allen England. 
 
 Wm. C. Benson. 
 
 Bichard Williams. 
 
 Jewett Norris. 
 
 Eobert Peery. 
 
 Benj. F. Woods. 
 
 Wilson G. Perkins. 
 
 Bichard Minchel. 
 
 Wm. P. Fitzpatrick. 
 
 David Ashbrook. 
 
 Abiel Miles. 
 
 Geo. Wood. 
 
 John Moore. 
 Hamilton Bennett. 
 James Harve}'. 
 James D. ISTordyke. 
 Dayid Phillips. 
 Jacob Applegate. 
 James Applegate. 
 J. C. Eenfro. 
 William Willis. 
 John Charlton. 
 Arthur Charlton. 
 Jetson Ray. 
 China Best. 
 Sarali Tandy. 
 Charlotte Merrill. 
 John Sires. 
 Robert Hobbs, Jr. 
 Hiram Marshel. 
 Evans Peery. 
 John J. Gibson. 
 Marcellus Eenfro. 
 Albert G. Pugh. 
 John G. Woods. 
 Bryan F. Woods, Jr. 
 B. A. Fewell. 
 J. Livingston. 
 Jesse Harris. 
 Thos. E. Tootle. 
 Jas. S. Estes. 
 Stanley Arbuckle. 
 James Johnson. 
 Talton Masters. 
 Lorenzo D. Thompson. 
 James R. Blackburn. 
 John Blackbui'n. 
 Edward Smith. 
 Joseph Davis. 
 Andrew Davis. 
 George Tront. 
 John Varney. 
 Wm. W. Bond. 
 Hiram Smith. 
 John W. Bond. 
 
162 
 
 HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Harrison Weldon. 
 Allen Scott. 
 "Wni. Donnellin. 
 James Morgan. 
 John Lambert. 
 Yancy Stokes. 
 "Wm. Hawkins. 
 P. H. Thompson. 
 James Chappie. 
 John Chappie. 
 Thos. C. Jones. 
 Wm. Thornbi'ugh. 
 Jesse Miller. 
 Evans F. Grubbe. 
 W. B. Grubbe. 
 Jas. Claypole. 
 Wm. Bennett. 
 Thos. Kilburn. 
 Henderson Work. 
 Philip Wild. 
 James Wilson. 
 Belintha Gentry. 
 W. P. McAfee. 
 John Gentry. 
 Jas. F. Hamilton. 
 Jas. H. Meek. 
 Jno. C. Hamilton. 
 Caleb Brooks. 
 Thos. Hutton. 
 Eobt. B. Moss. 
 Wm. Metcalf. 
 John Chaney. 
 Willis D. K. Elkins. 
 Samuel Johnson. 
 John Casteel. 
 G. W. Dickson. 
 John A. Hurst. 
 Levi Merrill. 
 Wm. Evans. 
 Jno. M. Nichols. 
 Alex. AVork. 
 K D. Manzey. 
 Larkin Fields. 
 
 Hiram Warinner. 
 Kichard Chenoweth. 
 Wm. Estes. 
 Wm. Collins. 
 Walter Bennett. 
 G. H. Forkner. 
 A. B. Forkner. 
 Samuel Forkner. 
 Geo. Drinkard. 
 Abrani Fields. 
 Lee Spenser. 
 Alfred Mordley. 
 Benj. Mourning. 
 Erris Casteel. 
 Matthew Childers. 
 Elisha Inman. 
 Levi Moore. 
 Samuel Benner. 
 Lemuel Casteel. 
 Howard B. Best. 
 Elijah Meddle. 
 Benj. S. Lomax. 
 Moses T. Ellis. 
 Benj. Townsend. 
 Henry Warmouth 
 J. C. Boies. 
 Richard S. Lomax 
 Harvey Odell. 
 Jas. E. Merrill. 
 Wm. Eenfro. 
 Waddy L. Curran. 
 Carter L. Eeynolds. 
 Wm. Thrailkill. 
 John L. Turner. 
 Peter Conner. 
 Pobert H. Benson. 
 Jas. B. Tilghman. 
 Samuel Knight. 
 A. J. Walker. 
 Wm. Clark. 
 John Dille. 
 Jarvis Woods. 
 Samuel Benson. 
 
A>%> 
 
 ■^o o 
 
 ^^#^ (€^ ^:^k^^^^.^^ 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 165 
 
 Thos. Ettinger. 
 Jas. Blizzard. 
 Jas. Houston. 
 Richard Turner. 
 Wm. Woldridge. 
 Geo. Dockry. 
 Jas. S. Lomax. 
 James Cash. 
 Daniel Schooler. 
 Martin Winn. 
 G. W. Warmoth. 
 A. More. 
 Thos. Dobbins. 
 Humphrey Best. 
 Archibald Peery. 
 Thos. Peery. 
 Jas. L. Henshaw. 
 Henry Foster. 
 Geo. McCready. 
 Thos. ]Sr. Carnes. 
 Moses Kirkendall. 
 Carter B. Whitfield. 
 John Sires. 
 Henry W. Lyda. 
 Jacob Spears. 
 Michael Chrisman. 
 Samuel Rooks. 
 James Rooks. 
 John HoUoway. 
 
 James May. 
 Terry Wilson. 
 Jab Holloway. 
 John McHargue. 
 James May. 
 Peter Conner. 
 Joseph Faulkner. 
 Franklin Woods. 
 Thomas Tucker. 
 Wythe Temple. 
 James Hennings. 
 John Carro. 
 James Sperry. 
 Thomas Peraberton. 
 Mrs. Linney. 
 Mrs. Davis. 
 Mrs. Mary Jones. 
 Mrs. Jarvis Wood. 
 Mrs. Jas. R. Devaiil. 
 George Nocks. 
 Benj. V. Casteline. 
 Jarvis C. Boies. 
 Francis F. Petty. 
 Benj. A. Fewell. 
 Norris Metcalf. 
 Alvin Johnson. 
 E. L. Winters. 
 Chas. W. Scott. 
 
 OLD SETTLERS' POEM. 
 
 'Tis almost half a hundred years, 
 Since you and L old pioneer, 
 
 With aspirations free 
 A home within this region sought; 
 But who of us then dreamed or thought 
 To see the many changes wrought, 
 
 That we have lived to see? 
 
 Prom di£ferent counties then we came; 
 Our object and our aim the same — 
 
 A home in this far West. 
 A cabin here and there was found. 
 Perhaps a little spot of ground 
 Inclosed and cleared, while all around 
 
 In nature's garb was dressed. 
 
166 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Here then we saw the groves of green 
 Where woodman's ax had never been — 
 
 The spreading prairies, too. 
 Within these groves so dense and dark 
 Was heard the squirrel's saucy bark; 
 The bounding stag was but the mark 
 
 To prove the rifle true. 
 
 But all is changed and cabin's gone; 
 The clap-board roof with weight-poles on, 
 
 The rough-hewn puncheon floor; 
 The chimneys made of stick and clay 
 Are seen no more — gone to decay — 
 The men who built them, where are they? 
 
 I need not ask you more. 
 
 They're gone, but they're remembered yet, 
 Those cabin homes we can't forget 
 
 Although we 're growing old : 
 Fond memory still the spot reveres, 
 The cabin homes of youthful years 
 Where with compatriot pioneers 
 
 We pleasure had untold. 
 
 The dense and tangled woodland, too. 
 The groves we often wandered through 
 
 No longer now are there; 
 , The prairie with its sward of green 
 
 With flowerets wild no more are seen, 
 But farms with dusty lanes between 
 
 Are seen where once they were. 
 
 Large towns and villages arise 
 And steeples point toward the skies. 
 
 Where all was desert then; 
 And nature's scenes have given place 
 To those of art; the hunter's chase 
 Has yielded to the exciting race 
 
 Of speculative men. 
 
 Ah! what a change the pioneer 
 In forty years has witnessed here; 
 
 The country changing still; 
 How many changes it's passed through — 
 And we, old friends, are changing, too — 
 ^ There's been a change in me and you 
 
 And still that change goes on. 
 
 And when we think upon the past, 
 Those friends whose lots with us were cast 
 
 On this once wild frontier, 
 And pass them all in our review. 
 As oftentimes in thought we do — 
 Alas! how very few 
 
 Are there remaining here. 
 
HISTORY OF CtEUNDT COTJNTT. 167 
 
 A few more years will come and go, ^ 
 
 As other years have clone, you know; 
 
 And then — ah! yes, what then? 
 The world will still be moving on ; 
 But we, whose cheeks are growing wan. 
 Will not be here! We'll all be gone 
 
 From out the ranks of men. 
 
 Our places will be vacant here, 
 And of the last old pioneer 
 
 The land will be bereft. 
 The places which we here have filled, 
 The fields which we have cleared and tilled, 
 Our bam, though empty or though filled. 
 
 To others will be left. 
 
 Let us go back — in memory, go 
 Back to the scenes of long ago. 
 
 When we were blithe and young. 
 When hope and expectation bright 
 Were buoyant, and our hearts were light; 
 And fancy, that delusive sprite, 
 
 Her siren sonnets sung. 
 
 'Tis natural that we should think, 
 While standing on the river brink. 
 
 How wide the stream had grown. 
 We saw it when 'twas but a rill, 
 Just bursting from the sunny hill, 
 And now its surging waters fill 
 
 A channel broad, unknown. 
 
 'Tis natural and proper, too. 
 
 That we compare the old and new — 
 
 The present and the past — 
 And speak of those old-fogy ways 
 In which we passed our younger days, 
 Then of the many new displays 
 
 That crowd upon us fast. 
 
 We little knew of railroads then. 
 Nor dreamed of that near period when 
 
 We'd drive the iron horse; 
 And 'twould have made the gravest laugh 
 Had he been told only one-half 
 The wonders of the telegraph — 
 
 Then in the brain of Morse. 
 
 We did not have machinery then. 
 
 To sow and reap and thresh the grain. 
 
 But all was done by hand; 
 And those old-fashioned implements 
 Have long ago been banished hence. 
 Or rusting, lie inside the fence — 
 
 No longer in demand. 
 
168 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Yes, there are grown up men, I know, 
 Who never saw a bull-tongue plow, 
 
 A flail or reaping-hook; 
 And who could not describe, you know, 
 A swingling-board or knife, although 
 Their grandmas used them long ago, 
 
 And lessons on them took. 
 
 The young man now would be amused 
 To see some things his grandsire used, 
 
 Some things he ne'er had seen. 
 ' The way in which we cleaned our wheat. 
 
 When two strong jnen with blanket-sheet 
 Would winnow out the chaflf and cheat, 
 And twice. or thrice the thing repeat. 
 
 Until the grain was clean. 
 
 The single-shovel plow and hoe, 
 
 To clean out weeds was all the show — 
 
 We knew no better ways; 
 And now our sons would laugh to scorn 
 Such poky ways of making corn. 
 And bless their stars that they were born 
 
 In more enlightened days. 
 
 They say the world has wiser grown. 
 They've got the speaking telephone — 
 
 Talk hundred miles or more. 
 And preachers now may preach and pray 
 To congregations miles away; 
 And thousand other things they say 
 
 We never had before. 
 
 And yet I do not know but what 
 The pioneer enjoyed his lot. 
 
 And lived as much at ease. 
 As men in these enlightened days 
 With all the strange new-fangled ways 
 The world of fashion now displays 
 
 The mind of man to please. 
 
 'Tis true we did not live so fast, 
 But socially our time was passed. 
 
 Although our homes were mean. 
 Our neighbors then were neighbors true, 
 And every man his neighbor knew, 
 Although those neighbors might be few 
 
 And sometimes far between. 
 
 Ah! yes! old pioneers, I trow 
 
 The world was brighter then than now 
 
 To us gray-headed ones. 
 Hope pointed us beyond the vale. 
 And whispered us a fairy tale 
 Of coming pleasures ne'er to fail 
 
 Through all the shining suns. 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 169 
 
 Ambition, too, with smile so soft. 
 Was pointinpf us to seats aloft, 
 
 Where fame and honor last. 
 We had not learned what now we know — 
 The higher up the mount we go 
 The storms of life still fiercer blow, 
 
 And colder is the blast. 
 
 That though we reach the mountain top; 
 Fruition find of evei-y hope, 
 
 Or wear the victor's crown; 
 Though far above the clouds we tread. 
 Other clouds there are still o'erhead, 
 And on the mind there is the dread. 
 
 The dread of coming down. 
 
 Ah! yes! Old Settlers, one and all. 
 Whatever may us yet befall, 
 
 We will not, can't forget. 
 The simple, old-fashioned plan, 
 The routes in which our fathers ran 
 Before the age of steam began 
 
 To run the world in debt. 
 
 And while we talk upon the past, 
 
 Of friends who are dropping off so fast, 
 
 And those already gone, 
 It may not be, my friends, amiss 
 For each of us to think of this — 
 The curtain of forgetfulness 
 
 Will soon be o'er us drawn. 
 
 The mind goes back through all the years — 
 We call to mind the pioneers. 
 
 Those bold and hardy men; 
 We pass them in the mind's review, 
 The many dead, the living few. 
 Those unpretending settlers who 
 
 Were our compatriots then . 
 
 Men who of toil were not afraid. 
 Men who the early history made 
 
 Of this now famous land ; 
 The men who ere the Mormons came. 
 This heritage so fair to claim. 
 Were here, prepared through flood and flame 
 
 Those claimants to withstand. 
 
 But time would fail to speak of all 
 Those changes that our minds recall ; 
 
 The world is shifting strange. 
 And soon its shifting scenes will bear 
 The last old pioneer to where 
 His lost an loved companions are, 
 
 Low in the silent grave. 
 
170 HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 But ere, my friends, we hence embark. 
 We fain would place some lasting mark. 
 
 Upon this mountain shore, 
 A mark the traveler may see 
 In coming years and know that we 
 Have lived and passed the road that he 
 
 May then be passing o'er. 
 
 When death's dark curtain shall be drawn 
 And we old pioneers are gone. 
 
 Let truthful history tell 
 To far posterity the tale, 
 As down the stream of time they sail. 
 How we with motto "never fail" 
 
 Came here and what befell. 
 
 Let history then impartial state 
 The incidents of every date. 
 
 And that it so may do. 
 Let pioneers of every age 
 In this important work engage. 
 And each of them produce his page. 
 
 His page of histoiy true. 
 
 The incidents of early years, 
 Known only to the pioneers. 
 
 With them will soon be lost. 
 Unless, before they hither go, 
 Those incidents are stated so 
 Posterity the facts may know. 
 
 When they the stream have crossed. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 GRUNDY COUNTY ORGANIZED, 1841 to 1849. 
 
 Metes and Bounds — First Elections — First Road — School Lands — First Scliool Organization 
 — Township Boundaries — County Organization — Hon. Felix Q-nindy — First Sheriff — 
 County Justices — First Circuit Court — County Seat Imhroglio — Writ of Error- -Elec- 
 tion County Officers — New. Court-house — First Deed — Stray Notices — Original Town- 
 ships — Mexican War — Freeman of Color — Naturalization^ In Court. 
 
 " Lift we the twilight curtains of the past 
 
 And, turning from familiar sight and sound, 
 
 Sad and full of reverence let us cast 
 A glance upon Tradition's shadowy ground 
 Led by the few pale lights which, ghmmering round 
 
 That dim, strange land of Eld, seem dying fast." 
 
 FIEST METES AND BOUNDS. 
 
 As it is well known that Grundy county was formerly a part of Livings- 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 171 
 
 ton county, and that this latter county included not only the present ter- 
 ritory of Grundy, but of Mercer also, running to the Iowa State line, it is 
 necessary to go back to 1837 to find what Grundy county was supposed to 
 represent at the time Livingston county itself was organized and her boun- 
 daries defined, which was in 1837, and the territory now Grundy and 
 Mercer counties was included in her civil jurisdiction until 1841, when the 
 legislature passed a bill organizing Grundy county and placing the terri- 
 tory now known as Mercer county under the civil ji;risdiction of Grundy. 
 
 On the organization of Livingston county in 1837, the county court of 
 that county divided all the territory north of her north line between two 
 townships. The order of the county court which was held April 7, 1887, 
 reads as follows: 
 
 " By the order of court all the territory north of Livingston county is 
 to be divided into two townships. All east of the East Fork be known by 
 the name of Muddy Creek township, all west of the East Fork be known as 
 Sugar Creek township." 
 
 These townships took in all the territory of Grundy and Mercer counties 
 as now defined north of the forks of the Grand River. 
 
 riEST ELECTIONS. 
 
 The county court of Livingston at the same session, April term, 1887, 
 ordered elections to be held in both towusliips on May 27, 1837, for justices 
 of the peace. The election in Muddy Creek township was to be held at the 
 house of Daniel Devaul, and the election in Sugar Creek township was 
 held at the house of Wm. Peery. The judges appointed to hold the election 
 in Muddy Creek township were John Thrailkill, Daniel Devaul and "Wm. 
 Cochran, and in Sugar Creek township "W. P. Thompson, George Bunch 
 and Philip Wild. The liouse of Daniel Devaul was designated as the 
 election precinct for Muddy Creek township, and the dwelling-house of 
 Philip "Wild as the voting precinct for Sugar Creek township. Another 
 election was held in August, 1837, of which John Thrailkill, Samuel Benson 
 and "Wm. Cochran were the judges. This was about all that transpired in that 
 year, but in 1838 there is recorded that James S. Lomax secured a license 
 as retailer of merchandise and liquors at the June term of the Livingston 
 county court, which license was dated June 25, 1838. 
 
 FIRST EOAD. 
 
 The first road known by any man in this whole section of country at that 
 day was called the Iowa trace, and many of the petitions afterward presented 
 to the county court of Li'S'ingston county from this section was worded to 
 start from, run to, or intersect the Iowa trace, sometimes called Iowa trail. 
 The first petition for a road in Grundy county, or territory of Livingston, 
 was made by George Tetherow and others at the August term, 1838, for a 
 road leading from Chillicothe by the nearest and best route to section thirty- 
 
172 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 five, township sixty-two, range twenty -four, which was granted hy the court, 
 and James Conner, William Evans and Francis Preston were appointed re- 
 viewers. The next road located was from Chillicothe to the house of Wm. 
 P. Thompson in Sugar Creek township which was ordered at the February 
 term of the county court, 1839. 
 
 Up to this time Wm. Martin had been the presiding justice of the Liv- 
 ingston county court, but at this, the February term, February 4, 1839, 
 Wm. P. Thompson of Sugar Creek township was one of the three justices 
 elected, composing the county court of Livingston county, and on meeting 
 of the court was, by motion of David H. Dunkerson, one of his associate 
 justices, made presiding justice, which position he held up to and including 
 the February term, 18il, of the Livingston county court. Grundy county 
 then having been organized and his residence being in this county he_ 
 vacated his seat. 
 
 SCHOOL-LANDS. • 
 
 An examination of the county court records of Livingston county, show 
 the following sections of Grundy county school-lands were ordered sold by 
 tliat court. The first sixteenth section sold was in township sixty- 
 one, range twenty-four, and this was at the Augflst term, 1838. The next 
 was the sixteenth section of townshij) sixty-three, range twenty-four, which 
 was ordered sold at the May term, 1839. At the February term, 1840, 
 the sixteenth section of township sixtj'-one, range twenty-five, was ordered 
 to be sold, while the last sold by order of the Livingston county court prior 
 to the organization of Grundy count}', was at the November term, 1840, 
 and was the sixteenth section of township sixty, range twenty-five. 
 
 THE FIEST SCHOOL ORGANIZATION 
 
 within the limits of Grundy county, and also within the township of Tren- 
 ton, was by order of the Livingston county court, and was congressional 
 section sixty-one, range twenty-four. It was organized by appointing Jas. 
 P. Merrill commissioner, and Martin Winn and Samuel Benson school- 
 inspectors. The first meeting was at the house of Jas. S. Lomax. 
 
 TOWNSHIP BOUNDARIES. 
 
 The original order making two townships out of the territory composing 
 the present counties of Grundy and Mercer was afterward changed and 
 these townships cut up into several others and the names Sugar Creek and 
 Muddy Creek townships were known no more. There are no records to be 
 found of Scott, Clark and Monticello townships, in the minutes of the Liv- 
 ingston county court, and as Grundy county records of the first five years 
 are lost and destroyed, the only supposition is that these townships were 
 formed by the first county coui-t held in Grundy county, after it was organ- 
 ized, as the records of the election of the justices of the peace for these town- 
 
IIISTOET OF UEtrNDT COUNTY. 173 
 
 ships gives the fact tliat elections were ordered by the county judges in reg- 
 ular sesssion. There is no mention of Liberty township either in the Livings- 
 ton or Grundy county records, until 1846, and in what year the seven town- 
 ships which composed the civil districts of Grundy county up to 1872 were 
 organized, cannot be determined prior to 1846. It is easily to be be- 
 lieved that the townships named, formed the civil districts of the territory 
 yet under the jurisdiction of Grund}' county, until it was organized as 
 Mercer county. By the action of the Livingston count}' court, the follow- 
 ing orders are of record defining the metes and bounds of the townships 
 hereinafter named, and which are, more or less of them, within the pre- 
 scribed limits of the present boundary of Grundy county. 
 
 February Term, 1839. 
 Ordered, That a township be made in the territory of Livingston, called Washington town- 
 ship, to commence at the mouth of the Weldon River, running with same to the State line; 
 thence west with the stated boundary line to where the same crosses Grand River, thence 
 down said river to the beginning. 
 
 February Term, 1839. 
 Ordered, That atownship be made in the county of Livingston, commencing where town- 
 ships sixty and sixty-one cross Grand River; thence west to the intersection of said line 
 with Daviess county; thence south with said line to the road leading from Jei-ry Bannon's to 
 Robert McGaw's; thence with said road to Black Mills. Said township to be called Jeffer- 
 son township, i-unning from McGaw's so as to include James Black in Jefferson township; 
 thence to N. R. Hobbs, so as to include Hobbs in Jefferson township; thence running with 
 Bear Creek to the mouth; thence with the river to beginning. 
 
 February Term, 1839. 
 Ordered, That the name of Sugar Creek township, be changed to Madison township in 
 honor of James Madison, former President of the United States. 
 
 May Term, May 6, 1839. 
 Ordered, That a township be laid off as follows; to-wit, Beginning at the southeast corner 
 of township fifty-nine, range twenty-four; thence north with the said line dividing sections 
 twelve and thirteen in township sixty-three; thence west with said line, to where said line 
 crosses the east fork of Grand River to the township line, dividing of townships fifty-nine and 
 sixty; thence east with the said line to the beginning. And the name of the said township 
 to be called Franklin. Changed from Muddy, in honor of Benjamin Franklin. 
 
 May Term, 1839. 
 Ordered, That a township be laid off as follows; to-wit. Commencing on range line be- 
 tween twenty-four and twenty-three, said line to where (lead) at the section line between 
 twelve and eighteen, township sixty-three; thence west to the east fork of Grand River; 
 thence up said east fork to the township line between townships sixty-three and sixty-four; 
 thence west with said line to the main river, and all that portion of territory between said 
 range line twenty-three and twenty-four and the main river, and north to township sixty- 
 three, and the said township be the bounds thereof. Be called Morgan township. 
 
 May Term, 1839. 
 Ordered, That a township be made as follows; to-wit. Beginning at the east corner of 
 township fifty-nine, range twenty-four; thence north with the said range line to the State 
 boundary; thence east with said boundary to where the Linn county line intersects the same; 
 thence south with the said Linn county line to township fifty -nine; thence with the said 
 township line to the beginning. Said township to be called Marion township. 
 
17-i HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTT" 
 
 June Term, June 15, 1840. 
 Ordered, That Morgan township be so divided, that the west side of WeldonFork of Grand 
 River be known and designated as Lafayette township. 
 
 In 1836-37, the United States government surveyed this portion of the 
 State, and Grundy county was a part of that survey. In 1839 the govern- 
 ment opened a land-office at Lexington, Lafayette county, on the Missouri 
 River, and the lands of the survey were thrown open to entry. At this 
 time the country began to attract considerable attention for its splendid 
 agricultural resources, and settled rapidly. Upon the opening of the land- 
 office for entry of lands, the settlers lost no time in entering the claims 
 which they had located, but it went hard with many, for they were unable 
 to pay for their lands. There was also a heavy rush by speculators who 
 took up large tracts of land. Speculation was rife, and the lands in the 
 beautiful valley of the Grand Eiver, were sought for with avidity. This, 
 however, did not last long, and those who had purchased on speculation met 
 with a serious drawback in the opening to entry of the celebrated " Piatt 
 Purchase," a body of land east of the Missouri River, which went by that 
 name, which was a part of the old Indian Territory and which had, in 1836, 
 been annexed by Congress to the State of Missouri. In 1837 the Indians 
 were removed farther west, and the famous " Piatt Purchase" became the 
 agricultural El Dorado of a vast throng of settlers and speculators. This at 
 once checked immigration, and settlement of this valley that had just begun 
 to hold out an early promise of rich fruit. It proved a serious drawback for 
 several years, the country settling slowlj^ The principal trading done by 
 the early settlers was at Glasgow on the Missouri River, nearly one hundred 
 miles distant, and also at Richmond, in Ray county. The farmers would 
 load up their wagons with the currency of tlie country, such as skins, furs, 
 venison, bees-wax, honey, etc., with an occasional small mixture of silver 
 and bank bills. The silver was generally hoarded to enter lands. Those 
 who had and could spare it, who did not wish to enter more land, could 
 loan it at a big rate of interest to those who wanted to preempt a claim. 
 
 ITS OEGANIZATION. 
 
 In the year 1839 the legislature passed a bill defining the limits of 
 Grundy county'. The name given it was in honor of the distinguished 
 statesman and U. S. Senator from Tennessee, the Hon. Felix Grund}'. The 
 bill passed November 12, 1839, but for all civil and judicial purposes it was 
 to remain attached to Livingston county until its organization into a county 
 proper. 
 
 HON. FELIX GEUNDY. 
 
 The county of Grundy was named after the Hon. Felix Grundy, of Ten- 
 nessee, and it is meet and proper that a short biographical sketch of the 
 man should be given. Felix Grundy was born in Virginia in 1777. In 
 growing to manhood he had evinced studious habits and social qualities 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTT. ■ 175 
 
 which made him popular both for his learning and that charm of manner 
 so betitting the young as well as the old-school gentleman of the earlier 
 times. He was originally educated for a physician, but his mind running 
 to law he gave up medicine and entered into a thorough course of law 
 reading and study, and was soon admitted to practice. He was a member 
 of the constitutional convention, a member of the legislature, and judge 
 of the Court of Errors and Appeals of Virginia. In the year 1807, when in 
 his thirty-first year, he was made chief justice of Kentucky, but resigned 
 soon after and made his home in Nashville, Tennessee. His law practice 
 soon became extensive. His popularity gained on acquaintance, and he 
 was twice elected to Congress from the ^Nashville district. In 1829 he be- 
 came United States Senator from Tennessee, took high rank among the 
 statesmen of that daj^, and was an active as well as an able supporter of 
 President Andrew Jackson. In 1838 he was appointed attorney-general 
 of the United States, succeeding Benj. F. Butler, July 5th. He held the 
 position until his death early in January, 1840, in the sixtj^-third year of 
 his age. He was a peer among the intellectual giants of that day, and his 
 loss was sincerely mourned by the whole country. In naming G-rund}'- 
 county after such a man, while doing justice and perpetuating the name 
 and fame of a statesman, she glorified herself while honoring his memory. 
 
 MOVING rOEWAED. 
 
 But years were being added to the settlements, and as the time passed the 
 population had increased, and Grundy county began to assume the import- 
 ance and independence of a distinct and distinctive inunicipal corporation. 
 The government had finished the survey of the land, and the legislature 
 had defined tlie boundaries. The population, though not great, was steadily 
 gaining, and Chillicothe seemed too far distant to transact its civil business. 
 It thus became apparent that a county organization was becoming a neces- 
 sity and steps were accordingly taken to accomplish it. The legislature of 
 the winter of 1840-41 was applied to carry into effect a county organiza- 
 tion. A bill was brought in tliat session to organize counties, and among 
 the number was that of Grundy county. The act referring to Grundy 
 county reads as follows: 
 
 ORGANIZATION OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 "An Act to organize counties therein named, and to define the boundaries thereof. Approved 
 January 29, 1841. 
 
 " Section 13. AH that portion of territory north of Livingston, and in- 
 cluded within the following described limits; viz.. Beginning at the north- 
 east corner of Livingston county; thence north, with the section line, twen- 
 ty-one miles, or to the corner of sections nine, ten, fifteen and six- 
 teen, township sixty-three north, of range twenty-two west of the fifth 
 principal meridian; thence west; thence along the section line dividing 
 
176 HISTOEY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 sections nine and sixteen, continuing said section line west to range line di- 
 viding ranges twenty -five and twenty-six; thence south with said line to the 
 northwest corner of Livingston coiinty; thence east with said county line to 
 the place of beginning, is hereby created a separate distinct county, to be 
 •called and known by the name of the county of Grundy. 
 
 " Sec. 14. The circuit and county court of said county shall be held at the 
 dwelling-house of Jas. S. Lomax, in said county, until the permanent s ea 
 of justice for said county is established, or the county court shall otherwise 
 direct. 
 
 " Sec. 15. John Minnis, of Linn county; Jeremiah S. Stockart and John 
 Wolfscale, of Livingston county, are hereby appointed commissioners to se- 
 lect the permanent seat of justice for said county." 
 
 The bill was brought before the legislature early in January, but it was 
 not approved until January 29, 1841. Thus, while the sections thirteen, 
 fourteen and fifteen, making Grundy a county, were passed by the legisla- 
 ture January 2, 1841, the bill was not completed for several days after and 
 did not become a law until approved January 29, 1841. From that day, 
 and not the 2d of January, was Grundy an organized county, nor was there 
 any county business transacted prior to its approval. From the latter date, 
 however, Grundy bgcame a county in fact as well as in name, and assumed 
 all the rights and prerogatives of a free and independent municipal corpor- 
 ation. Governor Reynolds on the same day he approved the act, commis- 
 sioned Wm. Thrailkill, the first sheriff of Grundy county. His commission 
 read as follows: 
 
 ■" COMMISSION OF WM. TIIEAILKILL, SHERIFF OF GRUNDY COUNTY, STATE OF 
 
 MISSOURI. 
 
 "To all who shall see these presents, greeting: Whereas, that reposing 
 ■especial trust and confidence in the integrity and ability of William Thrail- 
 kill, I, Thomas Reynolds, Governor of the State of Missouri, in behalf and in 
 the name thereof, do hereby commission him sheriff within and for the 
 ■county of Grundy, of the State of Missouri and do authorize him to dis- 
 charge according to law the duties of said ofiice, and to hold and enjoy the 
 same, together with all the powers, privileges and emoluments thereunto 
 appertaining until the legal termination thereof. 
 
 " In testimony 1 have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the 
 great seal of the State of Missouri. Done at the city of Jefferson, this 29th 
 day of January in the year of our Lord 1841, of the independence of the 
 United States the sixty-fifth, and of this State the twenty -first. 
 
 "(Signed) Thos. Reynolds, 
 
 [seal.] " By the governor: 
 
 " Jas. L. Minor, Secretary of State. 
 " Filed for record the 22d day of February, 1841. 
 
 Thos. W. Jacobs, Cleric. 
 
history of geundt county. 17z 
 
 " State of Missouri, ) 
 
 County of Geundy. ) 
 
 Be it remembered that on this 22d day of February, 1841, before me, the- 
 undersigned, as clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the count}'- of 
 Grundy, personally came William Thrailkill, who took an oath to support 
 the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Mis- 
 souri and to demean ihimself faithfully in office as sheriif of said county. 
 
 In testimony' whereof, I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of said Circuit Court,, 
 hath hereunto affixed my private seal, there being no public seal yet pro- 
 vided, this day and year aforesaid. 
 
 [seal.] " Thos. "W". Jacobs, ClerliP 
 
 Tlie boundary proper of Grundy county, as defined by the act of the leg- 
 islature gives nearly a perfect square. The exact distances being, north and 
 south twenty and a half (20^) miles, and east and west twenty-one (21) 
 miles. There was no map of the county giving the original townships, as 
 some of them, as will be seen by the orders of the Livingston county court, 
 reached to the Iowa State line, which included thepresent county of Mercer^ 
 Grundy county, with the above dimensions contains 427-^ square miles, and 
 in acres 273,357.39. 
 
 LOST OR DESTROYED. 
 
 The most important record of the county, that of the county court, the 
 author is compelled to state, in Grundy was lost or destroyed, up to August,. 
 1846. It seems from the best information to be obtained that the economy 
 and the want of information as to the value of these records by the citizens, 
 was, in a great measure, the cause of that loss. Tlie fecoi-ds of the sessions 
 (if the county court were kept upon cap paper and at the end of each session 
 rulled up and tied with a string. When iinally done with they were tossed' 
 into a box or into some corner, and their value supposed to be what old 
 paper was worth a pound. This loss would not have been severely felt if 
 this history liad been written some iifteen or twenty years ago, but as it is, the 
 loss is to be deeply regretted by all who have, or take an interest in the 
 early affairs of the county. It is im.possible to give but a fragmentary 
 compendium of the history of Grundy county for the first five years. The 
 search for the records has been close and careful, and days have been given 
 to the work of gathering from the old settlers, from all parts of the county,, 
 their reminiscences of early days, and all this and more is given. By close- 
 comparison, and with persistent effort, we have been able to gather much: 
 histoiy of the county in those blank years not of record, and if it were not 
 here mentioned, perhaps few would have found or recognized the missing 
 link. What the county court did those years, is only found in the progress 
 the county made in its material advancement and the political history as- 
 gathered from a few of the sages, who are yet a living reality on the world's. 
 
178 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTT. 
 
 stage. History, it is said, rejseats itself, but the record of. pioneer life, and 
 of the dead past, is not likely to again loom up in the history of Grundy 
 county, and whenever it may repeat itself, to this people it will be a bar- 
 ren result. 
 
 COUNTY JUSTICES. 
 
 The first justices were Jewett ISTorris, Robert Peery, Isaac J. Harvey, 
 and Benj. F. Woods. Jewett l^orris was president of the justice court and 
 so signed himself. The first elections for justices of the peace were held 
 on the 20th day of March, 184:1. They were held in several townships on 
 that day. On June 19th other townshij^s held elections for two or three, 
 each, as the law required, and the curiosity of these elections was that 
 while eleven municipal townships were defiired by the election of these jus- 
 tices, their metes and bounds are not of record in any book or writing yet 
 discovered. A list is given of the justices elected during the year 1841, 
 and from their respective townships also is published a verbatim copy from 
 the records of the election of one and his oath of ofiice: 
 
 "State of Missouri, 
 " County of Geundy. 
 
 " The State of Missuri, to all whom it may concern: Know ye that at an 
 election held at the house of Nathaniel Winters in Marion Township 
 county and state aforesaid on Saturday the twentyeth day of March 1841 
 for the purpose of Electing two Justices of the peace for said Township 
 that we the Justices of the County Court of said County of Grundy do 
 certify that we did find upon A full Examination and Comparison of the 
 Poll Book of said Election that Alexander Work was duly Elected for the 
 office of Justice of the peace for said Township for the period of four years 
 In witness hereof we have hereunto caused the Clerk's private seal to be 
 affixed there to being no official Seal provided this 17th day may 1841. 
 [seal.] " Jewett Noeeis, 
 
 President Justice Court, 
 
 " Attest: T. W. Jacobs, Cleric. 
 
 " State of Missouri, \ 
 " County of Geundy. | 
 
 " This day personally appeared before the undersigned a justice of the 
 peace within and for said county aforesaid Alexander Work and made oath 
 that he would support the constitution of the united States and of tlie State 
 of Missouri and faithfully demean himself in office as Justice of the 
 Peace of marion Township and County aforesaid sworn to and subscribed 
 to before me this 17th day of May 1841. 
 
 " Benj'n F. Wood, 
 
 " Justice of the Peace. 
 " T. W. Jacobs, Glerh. 
 "filed for Ptecord the 17th may 1841." 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 179 
 
 Wilson G. Perkins was the other justice elected from this township. 
 In Washington township, March 20tli, 1841, an election for justices ot 
 the peace was held at the house of Benj. F. Wood, and Wni. Reed and 
 Wesley Heynolds were elected. 
 
 In Jeiierson township, same date, an election was held at the house ot 
 Jos. Sherring. Jas. Nordyke and Zela Conkling tied, each neceiving 
 twenty-two votes and the justices appointed Jas. Nordyke. Mr. James 
 Johnson was elected at the same time. 
 
 Monticello township elected two justices of the peace June 19, 181:1, the 
 election being lield at the house of George Tetherow. 
 
 Jewett Norris and Richard Minchel were elected. Those elections were 
 certified to June 21, and they took the oath of office June 30, 1841. On 
 the 2d day of August, James R. Merrill was also elected a justice of the 
 peace in this, Monticello, township. 
 
 Wm. Schooler and Wm. P. Fitzpatrick were elected justices of the peace 
 for Franklin township, the election being held June 19, 1841, at the house 
 of David Ashbrook. 
 
 Lafayette township elected Abel Miles and Wm. Miller June 19, 1841. 
 The election was at the house of Jno. Hartz. 
 
 Clark township election was held August 2, 1841, at the house of Wm. 
 Clark, and Mr. John Rockhold was elected a justice of the peace. 
 
 Scott township elected Geo. Wood and Harrison Weldou as justices of 
 the peace. Election August 2, 1841, and at the house of Allen Scott. The 
 latter removed in February, 1842, and the county court appointed John 
 Dunkerson in his place. 
 
 Madison township elected Wm. Renfro March 20, 1841. He resigned, 
 but was appointed August 10, 1841, and seems to have served. The election 
 was held at the house of Isaac J. Harvej'. Evans Peery was elected at the 
 same time. 
 
 Dr. Wm. P. Thompson was one of the original justices of the peace. Ko 
 record can be found of the election of the following justices, but all were 
 serving at that time, April, 1841: Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, Jewett ISTorris, 
 Robert Peeiy and Isaac J. Harvej^ William Donnellin was also elected 
 from Monticello, June 19, 1841. 
 
 The election for justice of the peace in Morgan township was held at the 
 grocery store of James Morgan, August 2, 1841, and John Lambert was 
 elected. 
 
 A large number of justices were also elected in 1842, some to fill vacancies 
 by deatli or resignation and others for new terms. James Nordyke, of 
 Jefl^erson township, died and his successor, Michael Hornback, was appointed 
 June 21, 1842. Andrew J. Walker, of Trentoii township, resigned and the 
 county court. May 4, 1842, appointed John C. Griffin to fill the vacancy. 
 Walker had been appointed to fill the vacancy of Richard Minchel, resigned. 
 
180 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 COUNTY AND CIRCUIT CLEEK. 
 
 An impression prevails among the few old settlers now living that Dr. 
 W. P. Thompson, the untiring physician and true-hearted man, was the 
 first clerk and acted as such at the first and second sessions of the county 
 court, but of this it is impossible at this day to find a record, or an old 
 settler wlio can distinctly call the matter to mind. There had been a session 
 of the county court, on or about the first of March, ordering an election of 
 justices of the peace in several townships on the 20th of March, 1841. On 
 that day Thomas W. Jacobs signs himself as clerk, and is so recognized by 
 the first circuit court held in Grundy county, April 4, 1841. Mr. Jacobs 
 was a brother-in-law of James S. Lomax and came with Mr. Lomax from 
 Ray county. He held the position of circuit and county clerk about five 
 years. He proved an efiicient clerk and stood high among his fellow citi- 
 zens. The records of 1845 of the book in which commissions were recorded 
 are, also, among the missing, and the next clerk mentioned is the Hon. Geo. 
 H. Hubbell, to this day a leading and honored citizen of the county. 
 
 It will be seen from the records that at the oi-ganization of Grundy 
 county eleven townships completed her municipal division, that justices of 
 the peace were elected from each and that this division continued as late as 
 January, 1845, if not until 1846. The townships were named as follows: 
 Monticello, Trenton, Scott, Franklin, Lafayette, Morgan, Marion, Clark, 
 Jefierson, Madison and Washington. 
 
 The first book of record of the county court is Book A, and its first entry 
 for records is August 6, and it is in that year (1846) that the seven town- 
 ships are first mentioned, and it was upon the ordering of an election to 
 vote for congressman to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of the 
 Hon. Sterling Price, of Chariton county. His successor was Wm. McDaniel, 
 of Marion county. The next imjjortant feature was the first session of the 
 Circuit Court. 
 
 GRUNDY COUNTY CIRCUIT COURT. 
 
 It was a little over three months after the organization of the comity 
 before the first session of a circuit court was held in Grundj'- county. It is 
 found of record, as follows: 
 
 CIRCUIT COURT. 
 
 Be it remembered that at a Circuit Court begun and held at the store- 
 house of James S. Lomax (the temporary seat of justice for Grundy county, 
 in the State of Missouri), on the 8th day of April, A. D. 1841: Present — 
 The Hon. James A. Clark, judge; Wm. Thrailkill, sherift'; Thomas W. 
 Jacobs, clerk. 
 
 This being the first court held, the business of the same, as well as of the 
 county court, was all transacted in a log building built by the settlers and 
 
HISTOEY OF ftEUNDY COUNTY. 181 
 
 called the Baptist Chnreb. It was near the old grave-yard and did duty 
 as a court-house for a number of years. The town of Trenton at that time 
 was known as "Lomax Store," and went by that name, as will be seen by 
 the record above, and was also known as " BIu:^ Grove." The Hon. James 
 A. Clark produced here the following commission as judge of this, the 
 eleventh judicial circuit and of this court, which was ordered to be recorded; 
 to-wit., 
 
 Note— Here a space was left blank for the recording of the commission but it was never 
 recorded. 
 
 Following this came the circuit attorney's record; to-wit, 
 
 Benjamin F. Stringfellow, Esq., produced in court here the following 
 commission as circuit attorney for this, the eleventh judicial circuit, which 
 is ordered to be recorded; to-wit. 
 
 Note — This blank was left like that of the judg'e but the commission was not of record. 
 
 The records then show the following: 
 
 The following named gentlemen having procured their licenses, were 
 ordered to be enrolled as attorneys of record of the court; to-wit, Amos 
 Eees, Win. G. Slack, Robert Ewing, B. F. Farr, James II. Savage, Philip 
 L. Edwards and James Conner. Many of these gentlemen were long mem- 
 bers of the bar in this judicial district. 
 
 The sheriff returned into court here the State venire facias^ as executed, 
 and the following gentlemen were chosen as grand jurors; to-wit. 
 
 Note. — The names were not entered but the space left blank as in that of the judge's and 
 circuit attorney's commissions. 
 
 Who being sworn, and having received a charge, retired to consider of 
 their presentment. They returned seventeen indictments, recorded as 
 follows : 
 
 State V. Richard Lomax, card-playing; State v. Wdddy L. Curran, bet- 
 ting; State V. Ahrahxim Cavault, betting; State v. same, card-playing on 
 Sunday; State v. Andrew I. Walker, betting; State v. same, playing at 
 cards; State v. Jacob Applegate, card-plaj'ing on Sunday; State v. Waddy 
 L. Cxirran, card-playing on Sunday; State v. John Tatman, card-playing 
 on Sunday; State v. Benj. Tojfl^wewfZ, card-playing; State v. Joseph Apjyle- 
 gate, betting; State v. same, card-playing on Sunday; State v. Sa?ii'l 
 
 Knight, card-playing; State v. John Tatman, ; State v. Waddy L. 
 
 Ciijrran, betting; State v. John Harris, perjury. 
 
 Andrew I. Walker pleaded guilty on both counts and threw himself on 
 the mercy of the court, and was fined eight dollars, four dollars on each 
 charge. 
 
 Eichard Lomax pleaded guilty also, and got off with a five dollar fine. 
 
 Abraham Cavault didn't scare worth a cent, and stood his trial on a plea 
 of " not guilty." The judge and attorney both acknowledged that the evi- 
 dence was against them, and the attorney announced to the court that he 
 12 
 
182 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 wonldn't any longer prosecute the said indictment, and Mr. Cavanlt waltzed 
 oi;t a free man. 
 
 Mr. Jno. Harris's case for perjury Avas carried over to the next term of 
 the court by agreement. His bail was fixed at $1,000, and he was recom- 
 mitted to the common jail of the county. 
 
 The court in tliose days seemed to have but little general legal business, 
 not enough to pay expenses of the court, so the grand jury was called on to 
 fill up the gap by criminal indictments, and they went to work with a will. 
 It is proven by the Circuit Court records that card-playing was one of the 
 leading amusements of that (\-a.j, as was also betting at cards and on the 
 elections. The same record will show that the grand jury made it their 
 business to indict ever}- man wlio played cards. They indicted about all 
 the county officers, the merchants, lawyers, doctors, etc., in one grand swoop. 
 The indicted ones would go np to tlie court, plead guilty, ask mercy of the 
 conrt and walk off after paying from five to ten dollars fine, each. Then 
 the players would get together and lay for that grand jury. 
 
 The fact is, " tliej- all did it,'' aud when court adjourned, the '* boys " 
 went to work to play with the late members of that august body, and by 
 the time the next session of court came round, some three months later, 
 they had the entire grand jury. When the new grand jury was installed, 
 the " boys " then stepped forward like little men, and had the previous grand 
 jury indicted to a man, for playing cards or allowing card-jilaying in houses 
 in their possession. It didn't take a great many years to convince the 
 grand juries that card-playing wasn't so much of a criminal affair as was at 
 first supposed. But by that time civil and criminal suits had become 
 numerous enougli to make expenses without calling on innocent and fun- 
 loving gentlemen to contribute their mite to support tlie law and its 
 worthy officers. There was a good deal of this kind of fun going on in 
 those good old days, and many a diamond cut diamond afi'air is hidden away 
 in the forgotten record of the past. 
 
 Tlie first suit entered upon the record as the first after firund}' county 
 was oi'ganized, is that of Leroy Templsman vs. Joseph Apiplegate The 
 plaintift' asked leave to amend his declaration by filing two additional counts, 
 and the suit was then postponed and the defendant had leave to plead to 
 the said plaintift^'s declaration at the next term of the conrt. 
 
 The suit was in assumpsit. 
 
 The next was 
 
 Petee Haet \ 
 
 vs. V Petition in deM. 
 
 Wm. M. Haet. ) 
 
 A motion to quash the writ of summons was overruled by the court, and 
 the defendant was mulct in the full sum claimed by plaintiff', $168.76, dam- 
 ages $27.40 and the conrt also kindly consented to said defendant paying 
 the costs. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 183 
 
 These are the iirst cases of record. Harris for perjury was subsequently 
 discliarged, being declared not guilty. As the record shows no grand 
 juror's names for the first juiy, the following names liave been gathered as 
 a part of that jury: Jas. E. Devaul, Wra. Metcalf, Jas. H. Cash, Jasper 
 Boyce, Archibald Peery, Joseph Collier and Jesse Miller; Judge Devaiil 
 and Dr. Feery being the only survivors. 
 
 The second grand jury was called August 5th, 1842, at the second term of 
 the Circuit^Coiirt, and the following named compose the full jury for that 
 term: Evans Peery, foreman; Wm. Collier, Robt. B. Moss, Thos. Hamil- 
 ton, James IS'ordyke, Jethro Sires, Abram Fields, Benj. F. Woods, George 
 Henson, Moses Kirkendall, James Winn, Martin Winn, Wm. Donnellin, 
 Rich. Minchel, Jas. Simpson, Alfred Caldwell, Jno. L. P. Marshall and 
 Thos. Ogle. This session proved of but little importance, except in one 
 instance. It was made up of but few indictments by the grand jury, and 
 the docket cases were principally civil suits, with the exception of John 
 Harris who was on trial for perjury, on which charge he was declared not 
 guilty, as heretofore mentioned. 
 
 COUNTY SEAT IMBROGLIO. 
 
 The importance of this, the second session of the Circuit Court, was the 
 opening of the county seat fight in dead earnest. Trenton, or rather the 
 citizens of Bluif Grove, or Lomax Store, looked upon the county seat as be- 
 longing to them by the right of possession, by the right of old age, and the 
 known fact tliat it was nearer the center of the county than any other vil- 
 lage or settlement the count}' could boast of. The river was here, the 
 water-power was of value, mills, both flour and saw-mills could be put up, 
 and in fact nature had designated this Bluff as the seat of a thriving town 
 which would loom up into metropolitan proportions. All this was more than 
 satisfaetoi-y to the citizens of Lomax Store, or Bluff Grove, and, as it seemed 
 afterward, on a test of the question, satisfactory to the people of the county. 
 But Lincoln township could not see anything in these statements worth 
 a rush. The people of that township had already made history and pro- 
 posed to make more. They wanted that county seat as near the geographi- 
 cal center of the county as the nature of the country would admit, and 
 they went to work to get it; to make history and to kick up a row, declaring 
 tliat that part of sections thirty-four and three of congressional townships 
 sixty-one and sixty-two, range twenty-four should become the proud metrop- 
 olis of Grundy county with the waters of the Big Muddy to baptize the infant 
 " future great." This location was within a mile of the geographical center 
 of the county. At the time of the organization the metes and bounds 
 of the county had been defined by the legislature, the latter, also, appointed 
 three commissioners to locate the county seat. It seems that they decided 
 the question early in May, and it proved an ominous blow at the prosperitj' 
 
184 BISTOET OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 of Bluff Grove, which then had really some pretension to being a village 
 while the site located was yet in its primeval state, or in other words, it 
 was in the woods and a few stakes driven here and there marked its boun- 
 daries. Lincoln was happy; that is, the Bain-Kelso settlement and alt 
 around them felt in a good humor, for they had won. But as there is many 
 a slip between the cup and the lip, this proved no exception, and Bluff 
 Grove, headed by James S. Lomax and eighty acres of land at his back free 
 to the county, led the troops located on the banks of Grand River, while 
 George Tetherow led the forces marshaled in the bottoms of the Big- 
 Muddy. From this time on we will let the records show the progress of 
 events and the final defeat of George Tetherow and his forces, who kept 
 the field just as long as the law would let him. It must be understood that 
 the commissioners while deciding this question in May, were to report to 
 the Circuit Court at the August term, and that since the county had been 
 organized in the previous January, the county business had been transacted 
 at Bluff Grove or Lomax Store. Now for the record. The first one is the 
 report of the commissioners appointed by the State, who handed it to Thos. 
 "W". Jacobs, circuit clerk, to file and present to the court at its coming ses- 
 sion in August. These gentlemen were from adjoining counties and were, 
 as they claimed to be, unbiased as to their decision, and their action was un- 
 doubtedly under the belief that a central location would please all. 
 
 THE COMMISSIONEKS' REPORT. 
 
 " At a cii'cuit court for Grundy county, in the State of Missouri, begun and 
 held at Lomax Store, the temporary seat of justice for said county, on 
 Thursday, the 5th day of August, ISil, amongst others were the following 
 proceedings; to-wit, 
 
 " Be it remembered that on this day came John W. Minnis, John Wolf- 
 scale and Jeremiah J. Lockhart, commissioners appointed bv the legislature 
 of the State of Missouri to locate the permanent seat of justice for Grundy 
 count}', and filed in court their report, as follows: 
 
 ^ To the IIonorahle,the Judge of the Circuit Court of the county of 
 Orundy, State of Missouri: — We, the commissioners, appointed at the 
 last session of the legislature of the State of Missouri, for the purpose of 
 locating a permanent seat of justice for the county of Grundy, beg leave 
 to ofter the following as the result of their proceedings: Having met in 
 pursuance of law, we proceeded to examine the face of the country, and 
 have selected a part of sections 34 and 3 in townships 61 and 62, range 
 24, as exhibited in the inclosed deeds and papers. 
 
 ' John W. Minnis, 
 ' Jno. Wolfscale, 
 ' Jeeemiah J. Lockhart, 
 
 'Athens, May 24, 1841. Commissioner s^ 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 185 
 
 " Which report having been read and heard by the court here, and the title 
 of the land in said report mentioned having been examined by the court, 
 and the court being satisfied that the same is per/ect and sufficient, it is 
 ordered by tlie court that the county court of Grundy county aforesaid be 
 certified of the same. 
 
 " I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of said Circuit Court, do hereby certify that the 
 foregoing is a true copy of the record and order made in the above cause, 
 this 9th day of August, A. 1). 184-1. 
 
 "Thos. W. Jacobs, Clerh:'' 
 
 The knowledge of the true purport of the above document put Blufl" Grove 
 on her mettle, and the location in the woods was not to be thought of. Peti- 
 tions were at once drawn up and sent out to every section of the county, and 
 the bearers of these petitions bore the strange device, " Excelsior." Blufl' 
 Grove was going forward and higher. Tliese petitions, some ten in number, 
 read as follows: 
 
 "To the Honorahle, the County Court of Grundy county, Missouri: — 
 Tour petitioners woi^ld respectfully represent to your honors that the seat of 
 justice of Grundy county, Missouri, has been located, and not agreeable to 
 our wishes, therefore we, your petitioners, would, and do prefer the seat of 
 justice at the s'tore of James S. Lomax, in said county, and would, there- 
 fore, pray your honorable body to appoint five commissioners to locate the 
 seat of justice according to law. and your petitioners will ever pray." 
 
 The names followed. Indorsed on the back of each one of these peti- 
 tions, in a bold, manly hand, and a regular John Hancock signature, of rev- 
 olutionary memor}', was the following: 
 
 " For which I, James S. Lomax, bind myself to donate to the county 
 eighty acres of land, at Blufl^' Grove, for the location of said seat of justice. 
 " May 18, 1841. James S. Lomax." 
 
 Lively work brought in two hundred and sixty names, which was in ex- 
 cess of the number needed, three-fifths of the last vote polled in the county 
 being all that was necessary. They counted a less number than here given, 
 but the jjetitions show 260 names, and they came from every quarter of the 
 county. While the minutes of the county are not to be found, the report 
 of the five commissioners to the circuit. In- the order of the Grundy county 
 court, shows that on the return of the petitions with the names thereon, that 
 a session of the county court was convened and five commissioners, as prayed 
 for by the petitioners, were appointed. Tliese commissioners, like those ap- 
 pointed by the State, were from adjoining counties, but not like the State 
 appointees, their work was all cut out and their principal business was to 
 stake, out Mr. James S. Lomax's eighty acres of laud, get the deed and make 
 their report. They did so in the words following: 
 
186 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 " To the Honorable Judge of the Grundy Circuit Court: — In compli- 
 ance with tlie order of the Grundy county court to us directed as commis- 
 sioners appointed by said court for tlie purpose of locating tlie permanent 
 county seat of said county, respectfully report that we met on the ground 
 selected by the petitioners of said county on the 5tli day of August, 1841, 
 and after being duly qualified, proceeded to the discharge of our duties, and 
 after examining the ground within the boundary prescribed by law, have se- 
 lected the following described premises for the permanent county seat of 
 said county; to-wit, 
 
 " Beginning at the half-mile corner stake, being the northwest corner of 
 the northeast quarter of section number twenty, of township number sixty- 
 one, range twenty-four, nmning south 125 poles to a stake; thence east 
 ninety poles to a stake; thence north twenty-eight poles to a stake; thence 
 east seventeen poles and four links to a stake; thence north ninety-seven 
 poles to a stake; thence west 115 poles to the place of beginning, contain- 
 ing eighty acres, donated by James S. Lomax for the use of said county 
 for the county seat, to which premises we, the commissioners, have received 
 a deed for the use and behalf of said county, and which deed is herewith 
 attached. 
 
 "All of which is respectfully reported to the honorable judge of the 
 Grundy Circuit Court this 6th day of August, 1841. 
 
 " Th. li. Bbyan. 
 
 " Thomas Jennings. . 
 
 "John Austin*. 
 
 " Samuel Feenandis. 
 To Hon. James A. Claek, Judge. " James H. Wilson. 
 
 The foregoing document was indorsed on the back as having been "' tiled 
 for record this 6th day of August, 1841. (Signed) Thos. W. Jacobs, 
 CleTkP 
 
 The legal proceeding instituted by George Tetherow now comes in, and 
 from his legal papers on file, the reader gets something of tlie proceedings 
 of the County Court to which he refers; also of their action in this county 
 seat contest. As the August term of the court had overruled his motion not 
 to vacate tlie county site from the banks of the Big Muddy, and did relocate 
 it at " Lomax Store," Tetherow commenced his legal fight through Win. Y. 
 Slack, his attorney, on the County Court. His first legal doctiment' reads: 
 
 " State of Missouri, ] (j^^^,. ^-,^^^^^ ^ .^^ rj, g ^^ ^^ ^^^^^ 
 " Geundy County, j -^ ' -^ ^ j. ^ t 
 
 " George Tetherow, a resident householder of Grundy county, Missouri, by 
 his attornej^ Wm. Y. Slack, moves the court here: First, to rescind the 
 order made by the court on the 30th day of June, A. D. 1841, at a special 
 term thereof, receiving the petition of James Livingston and others for the 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 187 
 
 removal of the coiinty seat of Grundy county, Missouri, and ordering the 
 same to be filed, and also appointing Thos. R. Bryan, Tlios. Jennings, Sam- 
 nel Fei-nandis and otliers commissioners to locate the county seat of the 
 said Grundy county, Missouri. And, second, to rescind all further orders 
 and proceedings made and had in this said court relative to or concerning 
 the removal of said county seat of Grundy county. 
 
 "Filed of record this 1.3th day of September, 1841. 
 
 " Wii. Y. Slack, 
 
 " Thos. W. Jacobs, " Attorney for Plaintiff. 
 
 ''■ClerkP 
 
 The County Court took the foregoing paper and os'erruled it in the fol- 
 lowing order of tlie court: 
 
 " State OF MlSSOTJEI, ^ n j. n ^ a • 1 rr o s io -toi-i 
 
 " Co ' - O ■ \ ^"^^'"'^y ^ou7't, bpeciai lerm, bept. lo, Iblf.!. 
 
 " Be it remembered, that on the 13th day of September, A. D. 181:1, at a 
 special term of County Court of Grundy county, Missouri, George Tetlierow, 
 by his attorney, moved the said court to rescind an order made at a special 
 term of said court, held in Jirne, A. D. 1841. receiving a petition of James 
 Livingston and others, for the removal of the county seat of said county, 
 and appointing commissioners to relocate the same, etc., and also to rescind 
 all further orders made in reference to said removal of said county seat. 
 Which said motion said court overruled and to which said opinion of tlie 
 court the said George Tetherow excepts, and prays that this, his bill of ex- 
 ceptions, may be signed and sealed by the court here, and made a part of 
 the record in said proceedings, which is accordingly done. 
 
 " Filed for record this 13th day of September, 1841. 
 
 " Jewett Noeeis, 
 
 " Tn. "W". Jacobs, ^^ Presiding Justice of Grundy County ^ 
 
 " Clerh." 
 
 The attorney for George Tetherow now demanded a fall -and complete 
 copy of all the papers in the case up to date, which was October 28, 1841, 
 of the County Court, and the clerk proceeded to do so, in wliich we gather 
 some farther actions of the County Court in the case. The papers start out 
 with the proceedings of the June terra. These papers were indorsed: 
 
 " Geoege Tetherow ) 
 
 vs. > Error. Writ of Error to Cotonty Court." 
 
 " County Gouet. ) 
 
 " State OF MissouEi, "( Writ of Error. County Court, June Term 
 
 " County of Livingston. \ {Special), ISJj.!. 
 
 " Be it remembered, that at a county court began and held at the store 
 
188 HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 house of James S. Lomax, the temporary place of holding court for Grundy 
 county, State of Missouri, on the 30tli day of June, A. D. 1841. 
 
 " Jewett Norris and Isaac J. Harvey, justices, and Wm. Thrailkill, sheriff, 
 and Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk. Among others, were the following proceed- 
 ings: 
 
 " James Livingston and others presented their petition ; the body of said 
 petition is in words and figures as follows; to-wit. 
 
 Note. — Here follows a copy of the petition, which is given on a previous page, with Mr. 
 Lomax's indorsement, promising to give eighty acres of land. 
 
 " Upon said conditions being filed, the court made tlie following order as 
 follows; to-wit, 
 
 "Ordered, That the petition of Jas. Livingston and others, for to remove the county 
 seat of Grundy county, Missouri, is ordered to be filed, which is done accordingly, and after 
 an examination of the tax-book of the taxable inhabitants of the county of Grundy, it is found 
 that there appears on said tax-books to be 312 taxable inhabitants found to be on said tax- 
 books, and it is found after an examination of said petition to be 288 petitioners of the said 
 taxable inhabitants, which is over three-fifths (3-5) of the taxable inhabitants of said county 
 as ascertained by the last tax- list made and returned. And it is further ordered that Thomas 
 R. Bryan, Thomas Jennings, Samuel Fernandis and John Austin, of Livingston county, 
 and Jas. H. Willson, of Daviess county, be and they are hereby appointed commis- 
 sioners to locate said county seat of Grundy county, Missouri, according to said petition, to 
 meet at the dwelling-house of Thos. W. Jacobs, in said county, on the .5th day of Aagust 
 next, to locate said county seat agreeable to said petition and law. 
 
 " Jewett Noeris, PresidentP 
 
 " Be it remembered that a county court began and held at the store house 
 of Jas. S. Lomax, in said county of Grundy, on Monday, the 9th day of 
 August, A. D. 1841, present, justices of the county court Jewett Norris, 
 Isaac J. Harvey and Robert Peery, and James Boies, dept. sheriff of said 
 county, and Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk. Amongst otliers was the following pro- 
 ceedings; to-wit, At this day came Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the Circuit 
 Court of Grundy county, and presented to the court here a copy of the 
 orders and proceedings of said Circuit Court approving the title to the lands 
 selected by John Wolfscale and other commissioners aj^pointed l)y the legis- 
 lature of the State of Missouri, to locate the permanent seat of justice for 
 Grundy county, together with the report of said commissioners as made to 
 said Circuit Court, which orders and report were as follows; viz.. 
 
 Note. — Here follows the report of the commissioners, Minnis, Wolfscale and Lockhart, 
 already given. 
 
 " Which said orders and report are ordered by the court here to be filed 
 in the office of the clerk of this court. 
 
 "At this day came Thos. "W. Jacobs, clerk of tlie Circuit Court of 
 Grundy county, and presented to tlie court here a copy of the order and pro- 
 
HISTOEY or GEUNDY COUNTY. 189 
 
 ceedings of said Circuit Court approving tlie titles to the lands selected by 
 Tiios. R. Bryan, John Austin, Sani'l Fernandis, Thos. Jennings and James 
 H. Willson, commissioners appointed b}' the county court of Grnndy county 
 and State of Missouri, to locate the permanent seat of justice for Grundy 
 county, together with the report of said commissioners as made to said 
 Circuit Court, which orders and report are as follows; to- wit, 
 
 " At a Circuit Court began and held for (irnndy county, in the State of 
 Missouri, at Lomax Store, the tenqjorarj' seat of justice for said connty, 
 on Thursdaj', the 5th day of August. Amongst others were the following 
 proceedings: On Saturday, August 7th, 1841, court met pursuant to ad- 
 journment. Present, same as yesterday. Be it remembered that on this 
 day came Thos. li. Bryan, Thos. Jennings, John Austin, Samuel Fernandis, 
 and Jas. H. Willson, commissioners as appointed by the county court of the 
 county of Grundy, in State of Missouri, to locate the permanent seat of 
 justice for said county, and filed in court here their report as follows; viz., 
 
 Note. — Here followed their report, which has previously been given. 
 
 " Which report being heard and read here, and the title to the land 
 therein mentioned having been examined by the court here and adjudged to 
 be perfect and sufficient, it is ordered by the court here that the county 
 court of Grundy county, aforesaid, be certified of the same. 
 
 " I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the said Circuit Court, do hereby certify 
 that the foregoing is a true copy of the record and proceedings of said 
 orders in said cause. 
 
 "Given under my hand this 9th day of August, A. D. 1841. 
 
 " Thos. W. Jacobs, Clerk. 
 
 " Whicli said orders and report are directed by the County Court liere to 
 bfe filed in the office of the clerk of this court, which is done accordingly. 
 
 "Jkwett Morris, I-'resident." 
 
 •' Be it remembered that at a county court began and lield at the store of 
 Jas. S. Lomax, in said countj' of Grundy, on the 13th day of September, 
 1841, present, justices of the County Court, Jewett Norris and Robert 
 Peery, Wm. Thrailkill, sheriff, and Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk. Among others 
 were the following proceedings: 
 
 " Now at this day came George Tetherow, a resident householder of said 
 county of Grund}', by his attorney, and filed his motion, to rescind an order 
 made at a special term of this court held in June, 184], which motion is in 
 the words and figures; to-wit. 
 
 Note.— Here followed Att'y Slack's motion to vacate order as above, which will be found 
 a few pages back. 
 
 "Which said motion being heard, is overruled by the court here, where- 
 upon the said George Tetherow, by his attorney, excepts and files here in 
 
190 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 court his bill of exceptions, and prays that it may be made a part of the 
 record in this proceeding, which is accordingly done, which said bill of 
 exceptions is in the words and figures as follows; -to- wit, 
 
 NoTK. — Here follows the order of Justice Norris overraling the motion which has been here 
 tofore given. 
 
 " State of Missouri, ) 
 " County of Geundy. i 
 
 " I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the County Court of Grundy county, Mis- 
 souri, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and perfect 
 transcript of all the entries, records and proceedings, had and made by the 
 County Court of Grundy county, Missouri, relative to the removal of the 
 county seat of Grundy county, Missouri. 
 
 "In witness whereof, I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the Gountj^ Court of 
 said county, have hereunto set my hand and private seal affixed (there being 
 no official seal provided by said court), at my office, this 28th day of Octo- 
 ber, A. D. 1841. 
 
 [seal.] " Thos. "W. Jacobs, ClerhP 
 
 The following order of the Circuit Court to produce the foregoing record 
 from the County Court, is below: 
 
 "State of Missouri, I /,- -. n i t\ i m -,01-1 
 
 ,i /-, ^ ' } Vircud Court, JJeceimer leriii, lbJi.1. 
 
 Grundy County, i , ' '^ 
 
 " To the County C ourt of Grundy county ^ greeting : Whereas, It has 
 been suggested to us that in the orders and j^roceedings, had once made by 
 you, in and about the removal of the county seat of said Grundy county, 
 there is manifest error, and these are therefore to command you, that you 
 transmit to our Grundy Circuit Court, and at least thirty days before the 
 first day of the next December term thereof, a true and perfect ti'auscript 
 of all the record and proceedings had and made relative to the removal of 
 the county seat of said Grundy county, in 3'our said court, so that the same 
 may be in our said Circuit Court now fully adjusted. 
 
 " Witness, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of said Circuit Coai't, with his hand and, 
 private seal affixed (there being as yet no official seal provided), at office 
 •this 27th day of October, A. D. ISli. 
 
 [seal.] " Thos. W. Jacobs, Cler'k." 
 
 On the Ijack of the above was indorsed tlie following as county clerk: 
 " I executed the within by making out a true and perfect transcript of all 
 the records and ]n-oceedings had and made by the County Court of said 
 Grundy county, Missouri, relative to the removal of said county seat of 
 Grundy county, this 28th day of October, A. D. 1841. 
 
 "Attest. " Thos. W. Jacobs, , 
 
 '■Clerk of the County Court, Grundy County, Missoim. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 191 
 
 ,,U A ' !• Circuit Court. December Term, ISLl. 
 
 " County of (.teundy. ! ' i -r 
 
 " Geoege Tetheeow 
 
 Writ of error to the County Court of Grundy county. 
 County Couet. 
 
 "Wm. Y. Slack, attorney for the plaintiff, will in the aro-unient in this 
 case rely upon the following points; to-wit., 
 
 ^^ First — That at the time James Livingston and others filed their petition 
 praying the removal of the conuty seat of Grnndy county, and said county 
 seat was not established, and that there was no county seat established in 
 said county of Grundy at that time. 
 
 " Second — That the acts and proceedings of said County Court, had and 
 made relation to the removal of the county seat of said Grnndy county that 
 were premature, and are null and void. 
 
 "Authorities relied upon: statutes of Missouri, of 1837, page 39, statutes of 
 1835, pages 144 and 145. 
 
 " Wm. Y. Slack, 
 " Attorney for plaintiff." 
 
 " State OF MissouEi, ) ^. ■, ^ , 7-> , ^ yo,y 
 ,.n^ n \ Virciut Court, December lerm, IbJfl. 
 
 '• County of Geundy. j ' > -^ 
 
 " Geoege Tetheeow, ) 
 
 vs. \ Error to Co%inty Court. 
 
 '' County Couet. ) 
 
 " And the said plaintiff by his attorney. Slack, with the leave of the court 
 here, had asked and obtained asssigns as error committed by the County 
 Court of said Grundy county, relative to the removal of the county seat of 
 the said county of Grundy. 
 
 " First — That said County Court erred in overruling said plaintiff's motion 
 filed in said court, moving said court to set aside and rescind an order made 
 by said court, receiving the petition of James Livingston and others, and 
 appointing commissioners to relocate said county seat of said Grundy 
 county. And that said Count}' Court erred in every act, order and proceed- 
 ing had and made relative to the removal of said county seat of said Grundy 
 county. 
 
 "For which said errors the said plaintiff asks the court here to reverse the 
 judgment of said county court therein made, etc. 
 
 " Wm. y. Slack, 
 " Attorney for plaintiff'. 
 
 " And the said defendant in error comes and joins in the assignment of er- 
 rors in this case and sa3's there is no error in the record or proceeding of. 
 the County Court of Grundy county in the ease of George Tetheroio vs. The 
 County of Grundy as iu the within assignment alleged. 
 
 " Ross, Attorney for defendants." 
 
192 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 " ^Jf "^ ^^ Missouri, ) fj.^,^^^.^ (j Becember Term, mi. 
 
 UOUNTY OF CtEUNDY. ) ' . •> f 
 
 " George Tetherow 
 
 Error. 
 "County Court of said county. 
 
 " The said Tetherow, bj' his attorney, moves the court here to set aside the 
 judgment rendered in this cause, atiirming the judgment of the county 
 court in this cause. 
 
 " First — Because said court here affirmed tlie proceedings of the said 
 county court contrary to law. 
 
 " Second — Because said court here ought to have retained the proceedings 
 of said county court and 
 
 " Third — Because said court here erred in affirming said proceedings of 
 said county courts. 
 
 "Wm.Y. Slack, 
 
 '■'■ For TetlierowP 
 
 '™ NTY OF Grundy. } ^'"'"''''^ <^^''^'^' ^^'^^''^^^^ ^erm, 181,1. 
 
 " George Tetherow 1 
 
 vs. \ Error. 
 
 " County Court of said coltnty. ) 
 
 " Be it remembered that on the first day of said term, tlie said Tetherow, 
 by his attornej', appeared and filed the following: 
 
 {Here insert the assignment in error.) 
 
 " And the said County Court appeared on same day by attorney and filed 
 the following: 
 
 (Here insert the joinder in error.) 
 
 " And on said day said Tetherow filed the following : 
 
 {Here insert flaintiff' s brief.) 
 
 " And the said County Court by attorney filed the following on same day: 
 
 {Here insert defendant's brief.) 
 
 " And be it remembered that on the third day of said term, the said cause 
 was called up. for hearing: Whereupon the court _affirmed the proceedings 
 of the County Court of said county, to which opinion of the court in affirm- 
 ing the same, the said Tetherow, b}^ his attorney, excepts, and prays the 
 court here to allow the same and to sign and seal this, his bill of exceptions 
 and make it a part of the record in this cause, which is accordingly done. 
 [seal.] " James A. Clark." 
 
HISTOET OF OEUNDY COUNTY. 19S 
 
 " ^^^™ °^ MissoTJEi, j ^.^,^^^.^ ^ Beceviher Term, 181,1 . 
 
 " (JOUNTY OF (jEUNDY. \ ; t 
 
 " George Tethebow 1 
 
 vs. y Error. 
 
 " County Court of said County. ) 
 
 " Be it remembered tliat on the third day of said term of said court, the 
 said Tetherow iiled the following motion : 
 
 {Here insert the motion.) 
 
 " Which said motion the court here overrules, to which opinion of the court 
 here, the said Tetherow excepts and praj's that the same maj' be allowed by 
 the court here, and that this his bill of exceptions may be signed and sealed 
 by the court here and made a part of the record in this cause, which is ac- 
 cordingly done. 
 
 [seal.] James A. Clark." 
 
 As the Circuit Court ovei'ruled every motion made by the plain tifl', through 
 his attorney, it seemed at last to Tetherow that he was making a hopeless 
 fight and that Lomax Store was destined to be the "Future Great" of 
 Grundy county. Mr. Tetherow failed to appear, and Wm. Y. Slack, his 
 attorney, slacked up in his legal efforts to squelch the rising importance of 
 Lomax Store aforesaid. That is, it is thus given to appear by the following 
 short but pithy order of the court, which reads: 
 
 " George Tetherow, petition. Not being present, it is ordered that the 
 same be stricken from the docket." 
 
 That was all, and there is no further record of the great county seat fight 
 in the proceedings of the court. The non-appearance of George Tetherow 
 in the latter part of the December term of the Circuit Court of 1841, and 
 the summary removal of the county seat case from the docket ended the 
 struggle, and the next move was to have the eighty acres, donated by Jas. 
 S. Lomax, surveyed and mapped. This was done. F. W. Poage, of Gal- 
 latin, and Mr. Jonas Boyce, the first county surveyor, and Mahlon H. 
 Harlan, commissioner of county seat, laid out the town and subdivided 
 it into blocks and lots, and the town moved slowly along from that time. 
 In fact, the progress of Grundy county in population and wealth was very 
 much after the rest of the State, slow. Immigration though steady was 
 not great, yet Grundy received her share of those who settled north of the 
 Missouri Kiver. 
 
 ELECTION FOR COUNTY OFFICERS. 
 
 The first election for county officers took place on the first and second day 
 of August, 1842, but, as previously mentioned, no record of these elections 
 can be found, with the exception of that of William Thrailkill for sheriff"^ 
 and the justices of the peace for the several townships, whose commissions, 
 we find on record. 
 
194 IIISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 The following is a true copy of the oath of office and the original bond 
 given by Sheriff Thrailkill on taking possession of the office of sheriff and 
 ■collector. He succeeded himself, having, as recorded, been appointed by the 
 governor. The record : 
 
 ■'' State of Missouri, | 
 " County of Grundy, j 
 
 " I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the County Court, do hereby certify that 
 Wm. Thrailkill was duly elected sheriff of the count}'- of Grundy, on the 
 first and second days of August, 1842. 
 
 " In witness whereof, I, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of the County Court of 
 ■said county, have hereunto set mj hand, and private seal affixed (there 
 being as yet no official seal provided for said court), at my office this 8th 
 day of August, A. D. 1842. 
 
 [seal.] " Tiios. W. Jacobs, Clerk. 
 
 ■'■ State of Missouri, 
 " County of Grundy. 
 
 " Personally appeared before me, Thos. W. Jacobs, clerk of tlie County 
 Court, within and for said county, William Thrailkill, and took au oath to 
 support the Constitution of the United States, and that of Missouri, and to 
 faithfully demean himself in office as sheriff of said county, for the term of 
 two years. 
 
 " In witness whereof, I, Thos. "W. Jacobs, clerk of the County Court of 
 said county, have hereunto set my hand, and private seal affixed (there being 
 •as yet no official seal provided for said court), at my office, this 2Uth day of 
 August, 1842. 
 
 [seal.] "Thos. W. Jacobs, Clerk. 
 
 " The foregoing certificate of election was filed in my office for record 
 •on the 20th day of August, 1842. 
 
 " Thos. W. Jacobs, Clerk. 
 
 sheriff's bond. 
 
 ^'- Know all men hy these presents : That we, William Thrailkill, John 
 Shinn, Willis G. Atkinson, Sam'l Knight, George Brawner, William Este, 
 Moses Sheani and Asa Boyce, are held and firmly bound to the State of 
 Missouri in the sum of twenty-two hundred dollars, to the payment of 
 which well and truly to be paid, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and 
 administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. The condi- 
 tion of above obligation is such that whereas the said Wm. Thrailkill was, 
 at the August. election, in the year A. D. 1842, duly elected sheriff of the 
 county of Grnndy, by virtue of said office is collector, ex officio, for the said 
 ■county of Grundy, for the year 1842. Now if the said William Thrailkill 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 195 
 
 will faitlifully perform all of the duties of sucb office, tlien the above obli- 
 gation will be mill aud void, otherwise to remain in full force and effect. 
 " Given under our bands and seals this 23d day of August, 1842. 
 
 '• WiLLI.VM TheAILKILL. 
 
 "JoHiir Shinn. 
 
 " Willis G. Atkinson. 
 
 " Samuel Knight. 
 
 " Geokge Beawnee. 
 
 " William Este. 
 
 " Moses Sheam. 
 
 " Asa Boyce. 
 
 Attest: "Thos. W. Jacobs, Clerk. 
 "Approved Nov. Sth, 1S42. 
 
 " Jewett JSToreis, F resident. 
 
 "The above bond was filed in my office for record on the 25th day of 
 JSTov., 1842. 
 
 " Tiros. W. Jacobs, Clerl:'' 
 
 new couet-iiouse. 
 
 The same year, 1842, a contract was made to build a new court-house. 
 The old log Baptist church had been doing duty for a year or more, and 
 Jas. S. Lomax's office, and the woods to which the jury generally went to 
 cany on their deliberations and bring in a large batch of indictments for 
 selling .liquor without a license and for card-playing, some of the indicted 
 ones declaring that quite a number of the aforesaid grand jurors being en- 
 gaged in a quiet game while the others brought in the indictments. This 
 would be good history if the stories thus reported could have some authen- 
 tic backing by way of corroboration outside of the spirit of retaliation in 
 which they seemed to be made. That the grand jury took to the timber 
 for delibei'ations, aud that they brought in generall}' a large number of indict- 
 ments, is true, but what else they did is not of record, though the charges 
 are not altogether improbable. The contract was taken by Wm. Collier. 
 Larkin Richardson and Joseph Thompson, all of Howard count}', in March, 
 1842, and the building stands to-day a monument to the work of honest 
 contractors and their faithfulness to their contract. They did their work 
 honestly and well. The cost was to be, by the original contract, six thou- 
 sand dollars. The superintendent of public buildings for Grundy county 
 was Andrew J. Walker, and following we give verbatim copy of the contract 
 as entered into by the high contracting parties, merely mentioning that 
 Wm. Collier became an honored citizen of Trenton, and Gi'imd}' county: 
 
196 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 THE CONTKACT. 
 
 '' Article of agreement made and fully agreed upon the eighth day of March, 
 in the year of our lord one thousand, eight hundred and forty-two, between 
 Andrew J. Walker, superintendent of publick building in the county of 
 Grundy and State of Missouri, on the one part; and William Collier, Larldn 
 Eichardson and Joseph Thompson as principal, and John B. Clark, Samuel 
 C. Major, David Kenible, JSTatlianiel Ford, A. Patterson and Eobert Lynch, 
 their security, of the county of Howard and State of Missouri, of the other 
 part, witnesseth : The said William Collier, Larkin Eichardson and Joseph 
 Thompson shall and will on or before the first day of July, eighteen hun- 
 dred and forty-four, in good and workman-like manner well and substan- 
 tially erect, set up and finish one brick house, for a court-house, in the Town 
 of Trenton, in the county of Grundy and State aforesaid, on block number 
 two, thirty feet from Water street and thirty feet from Trenton Avanew, 
 after the plot of said town of the following dimensions: Forty-five feet long 
 and forty feet wide. The length of said house fronting Water street. The 
 foundation dug below the surface of tlie ground at the lowest part two 
 feet deep and two feet and one-half wide, brought to a level with the surface 
 of the ground at the lowest part of the ground with small stQnes pounded in. 
 A wall thereon of stone dressed, eighteen inches high from the highest part 
 of the ground from the surface. Coast work best hamered, with a wash cut 
 three inches wide and one-half incli bevel, and two feet wide, all the stone 
 wall to be grouted. The balance of the wall to be brick laid in flemish 
 bond. Eighteen inches thick the first story, and thirteen inches thick the 
 second story. The higth of the brick wall twenty-six feet, the first story 
 fourteen feet high and the second story twelve feet high. Two doors, one 
 fronting Water street and the other fronting Trenton Avanew, each outside 
 door venition transum overhead. Jam pannell each, one pannell plain, pilas- 
 ters out and inside door, shutters each four pannels, painted outside a rock 
 colour, twenty-one windows arranged after the plan of said plot hereto at- 
 taclied, twenty-four lites, each ten by twelve glass, sash of wallnut timber. 
 Frames to be made of three inch stufi", window sells and caps of stone, the 
 (^aps five feet, two inches long, cut with blocks and fillet sells, suitable 
 length and thickness. The frames of the windows to be worked with a 
 round Gothick joist, all to be twelve inches wide, three inches thick. Four 
 girders, twelve inches squar each to be the full length of the house, solid 
 timber. Cornish to be project twenty inches over the wall, to be a box 
 cornish. Gothick cupelo, to be twenty-one feet high to the top of the 
 dome, the base thirteen feet squar, four feet high, the base to be plain sealed 
 up, the boards to run up and down with a heavy top of ten inches. From 
 the top of the base to the eve of the dome eleven feet, the base to be Eight 
 Squar, finished with venition blines ; rod to be eleven feet high. The top of 
 

 
 ^^/^-^Z^^S-c.-^j^.^ 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 199 
 
 the dome covered with thick tin suitable for sncli work. Bar, or lower floor, 
 to be nineteen feet by forty, to be raised seven inches above the brick or 
 loby floor. Judge's seat to be raised three feet above the floor, front to be 
 pannelled two feet six inches above the ' floor of the seat. Steps or staTs 
 from the seat banistered and hand railed. Juran's seat to be raised two 
 feet abcive the floor, the backs to be panelled, front to be banistered and 
 hand railed all round, to be six feet squar. Attoney's tables to be seven feet 
 long and two feet'wide. Wash boards to be twelve inches wide, plain, only 
 worked with a rabit worked on two inches wide, one-half inch deep. Cheer 
 boards in the lower story rabited the same as the wasli boards. The pilas- 
 ters to be seven inches wide. 
 
 "Window and door casing to be finished with plain pilasters, plain 
 blocks in the corners. The lower story to have one fire jalace, with plain 
 heavy mantle piece with a top two inches thick, nine inches wide, colnins, 
 plaits and blocks in jjroportion. Upper story, wash boards nine inches 
 wide; cheer boards five inches wide. Four fire places, chimney pieces same 
 as below, with a flew seperate from the flew of the upper chimneys from the 
 lower story to receive the pipe of two stove pipes, one on each side of the 
 bar. Entry, nine feet wide in the upper story, to be divided into four rooms; 
 a door to enter each from the entry, six pannels each. Sash and venition 
 blines all to be one and one-half inches thick. Four colums in the lower 
 story turned twelve by fourteen inches in diameter, for the support of the 
 girders. One lightning rod, three-fourtiis of an inch bar iron to extend 
 two feet above the rod of ball and dart ; to be pointed with steel (magnet- 
 ted); to have three prongs; the rod of ball and dart to have one ball two 
 and one-half feet in diameter, and a dart, both to be gold leafed. The loby 
 to be floored with brick, to be filled up level with the door sills with 
 pounded in. The brick to be laid in sand; the floor of the upper story and 
 bar of good oak plank, five inches wide and one and one-quarter of an inch 
 thick. The wall to be plastered with three coats, the ceiling above, one; 
 below and petition walls to be lathed, and plastered with three coats each. 
 Inside of the house to be painted a led colour; door and window frames to 
 be painted, outside, white; cupelo, white; all three coats; the top of the 
 dome two coats painted. The top of the house covered with wallnut 
 shingls to ayi-age four inches wide and three-quarters of an inch thick at 
 the but; (gaged); nailed on with four penny nails; nailed to oak sheeting 
 plank; nailed on with eight penny nails. The sheeting plank to be squar 
 edged, laid clost togather. The i-afters all to be sawed timbers; the roof to 
 be four squar and painted a Spanish bi'own. The cornish painted white. 
 The rod of ball and dart, aip to the first ball, to be not less than two inches 
 in diameter, the balance of the rod one and one-half inches in diameter. In 
 consideration whereof the„said Andrew J. Walker doth, for himself or his 
 successor in oflice, covenant and promise, to and with the said William Collier, 
 13 
 
200 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Larkiii Richardson and Joseph Thoinpson, their executors and assignees, 
 well and truly draw a warrant on the treasurer of the county of Grundy, 
 for the sum of six thousand Dollars, to be paid in two installments; (to-wit.), 
 the sum of two thousand Dollars on the first day of November, eighteen 
 hundred and forty-two, and the sum of four thousand dollars when the 
 aforesaid house is finished: Conditioned, if the house is compleeted ])efore 
 the first day of JSTovember, 1843, the payment is not due until that time. 
 And if not compleeted before the first day of July, 1844, the last payment 
 is not due untile the eomijleetion of the work. 
 
 " It is further agreed that aforesaid Wm. Collier, Lai-kin Richardson and 
 Joseph Thompson, their heirs, executors, administrators or assignees, shall 
 and will at their own expence find and provide all the stone, brick, timber 
 and other materials necessary for making and building the said house. It is 
 further agreed and understood that all things not stated in the above de- 
 scribed house, that is left out, to make it complete after the plot of said 
 house, hereto attached, after the manner of such buildings, shall be fur- 
 nislied and finished in a workman-like manner by the undertakers, and shall 
 be as binding as if specified above, and for the true performance of all and 
 singular the covenants and agreement aforesaid, bind themselves, their heirs, 
 executors and administrators unto the county of Grundy, in the penal sum 
 of twelve thousand dollars, firmly by these presents. In witness whereof 
 we hereunto set our hands and seals, this the eighth day of March, one 
 thousand eight hundi-ed and forty-two. Signed, sealed and acknowledged, 
 
 " Andrew J. Walker [seal]. 
 
 "William Collier [seal]. 
 
 " L. Richardson [seal]. 
 
 " Joseph Thompson [seal]. 
 
 " John B. Clark [seal]. 
 
 " Samuel C. Major [seal]. 
 
 " David Kemble [seal]. 
 
 " A. Patterson [seal]. 
 
 " RoBT. Lynch [sealJ. 
 " In the presents of 
 
 " [Signatures blank. — ■Atithor'].''^ 
 
 The above agreement was written in an e&sy, fiowi ng hand, still plainly 
 legible, though the paper is yellow and worn with age. With the exception 
 of the punctuation, the document is given verbatim, and is quite a curios- 
 ity, compared with similar papers of to-day. Below is given the first deed 
 recorded in Grundy count3^ It is, also, remarkable for its quaint wording 
 and peculiar style of spelling. It is printed verhatim: 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY C'OTJNTT. 201 
 
 FIRST DEED OF RECORD. 
 
 '"Geo. Peeey & Wife, 
 
 TO ]■ Dec I. 
 
 "Milton L. Moore. 
 
 " This indeutm-e made the ISth day uf March iu the year of our Lord, 
 oue thousand, eight hundred and forty-one, between George Peeiy and Jane 
 his wife, of tlie one part, and Miltou L. Moore of the other part, of the 
 County of Gruudy and State of Mo. Witnesseth that the said George 
 Peery and Jane his wife, for and in conciduation of the sum of one hun- 
 dred dollars to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby fully 
 acknowledged, hath Granted, bargained, sold, confirm and conveyed, by 
 these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, confirm and convey unto the said 
 Milton L. Moore and his heirs and assigns forever, all of the two following 
 iliscribed tracts of land, being and being in the county of Grundy and State 
 of Missouri, in all containing eighty acres of land, be the same more or 
 less, to be particularly known by tlie following numbers, (viz:) one piece 
 containing forty acres, being the north half of north west half of the north 
 west quarter of section no. thirteen in Township no. Sixty-one of range no. 
 twentj'-five north of the base line and west of the fifth principal Meredian: 
 one other piece containing forty acres, being the north half of the north 
 east half of the north west quarter of section no. thirteen in Township no. 
 sixty-one of range no. twenty -five north of the base line and west of the 
 fifth principal Meredian: To have and to hold all of the above discribed 
 tracts of land together with all and singular the hereditaments and apperte- 
 nances ther belonging or in any wise appertaining, and also all the estates, 
 right, title, interest, claim or demand whatsoever of him, the said George 
 Peery and Jane his wife, either in law or equity, of, in and to the above dis- 
 scribed tracts of land and all and every part and parcel thereof, unto the 
 said Milton L. Moore, liis heirs and assigns forever against the lawfuU let, 
 ■claim or demand of them, the said George Peery and Jane his wife, or their 
 heirs or assigns and all and evevy jjerson or persons whatsoever, shall, will 
 and by these presents do warrant and forever defend. In testimony thereof 
 we liave hereunto set our hands and seals, the day and year above written 
 in the presents of Wm. Renfro. 
 
 " George Peery [seal]. 
 
 " Jane Peery [seal]. 
 
 *' State of Missouri, ) 
 " County of Grundy-. \ 
 
 " Be it remembered that on this 18tli day of March A. D. ISil, before 
 me a justice of the peace witliin and for the county aforesaid personally 
 came George Peery and Jane his wife, both personally known to me to be 
 .the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing instrument of 
 
202 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 writing as having executed the same and severally acknowledged the same 
 to be' their act and deed for the purpose therein mentioned, and she the said 
 Jane Peeiy Being by me first made acquainted with the Contents thereof 
 aad examined separate and apart from her husband wliether she executed 
 the said deed and relinquishes her dower to the said lands and tenements 
 therein mentioned, voluntarily, freely and without compulsion or under in- 
 fluence of her said husband, acknowledged and declared that she executed 
 the said deed and relinquishes her dower to said lands and tenements therein 
 mentioned, voluntarily, freely and without compulsion or under influence of 
 her said husband. Taken and certifyed the day and year first above written 
 
 " William Kenfko, 
 
 " Justice of the jyeace?'' 
 
 Following will be found several documents taken from the county records, 
 which are published in full, and each is the first one of the several kinds on 
 file in the county. They are especially interesting as specimens of how such 
 things were done in "ye olden time." Some of the old pioneers may recog- 
 nize the descriptions, and claim the stock: 
 
 STEAT NOTICES. 
 
 " We the undersigned, persons appointed and duly sworn to appraise with- 
 out partiality, favor or affection a certain mare taken up by Kobert Peery, 
 as a stray, and taken before Evans Peery, a justice of the peace for Madison 
 township, in Grundy county, do certify that we have viewed the said stray, 
 and find her to be a bright bay mare, with black legs, mane and tail, with a 
 white mark on her forehead about two inches long and a quarter of an inch 
 wide, which we judge to be four years old fourteen and one-half hands high, 
 no brand, and do appraise said stray to the value of thirty dollars. Certified 
 under our hands, this 23d day of July, 1841. 
 
 " John Scott, 
 " Akchibald Peeey. 
 " This is to certify that the above is a true copy, and filed for record this 
 27th July, 1841. 
 
 " Thos. W. Jacobs, ClerTiP 
 
 Stock, it seems, sometimes strayed away in those old times, their out-doors 
 in early days, covering a good deal of country, and their cattle and hogs 
 ranged over a wide field, its extent being only bounded by the amount they 
 wished to travel. The stock was generally branded or marked, so that it 
 could be told by its owner. 
 
 HOG MAEK. 
 
 Wliile cattle were generally branded, hogs had their ears marked in some 
 peculiar style which each farmer selected for himself, and placed it upon 
 the records of the county, giving him a preemption to that mark, which he 
 
HISTORY OF CIEUNDY COUNTY. 203 
 
 put on to all his hogs which ran loose, aud in those days about all did, for 
 most every fall the woods were full of mast. The following are a couple of 
 marks placed on record bj' the parties named. 
 
 STOCK MAEK. 
 
 " Thos. Kilburn records his stock mark with a sraootli crop off of each ear, 
 and an underbit out of the right ear. Filed for record Dec. 1, 1841. 
 
 " December 31, 1841, Aboils Miles records his stock mark thus, a swaller 
 fork in the left ear, and an underbit out of the right." 
 
 The settlement on the east side continued to grow in 1842 and '43. The 
 arrivals of the Winters, Brassfields, and others spoken of, seemed to put new 
 life in that part of the county. Still the settlers were few and the distances 
 between cabins uncomfortable for friendly and neighborly courtesies. The 
 hunting, however, continued good as the game was still abundant. 
 
 In 1844 was the year of the great flood of the western waters. The Mis- 
 sissippi laid claim that year, and spread that claim over an immense num- 
 ber of acres of low land, that it was the " Father of Waters." Yet those 
 who lived upon the banks of the mighty Missouri, if they allowed the claim 
 and the name gave to the " Big Muddy," the title of the " Mother of 
 Waters," and a " right smart chance " of people believed that the old woman 
 was considerably the larger of the two. What happened to these great water- 
 courses also fell to the sliare of lesser streams, and Grand River took the 
 lead in Grundy county, to show what she could do in the way of spreading 
 herself in a rainy season. Mucli damage to stock and farm improvement 
 resulted from the high waters. Small steamboats plied up the Grand River 
 quite a number of miles daring the high water, and flat-boats were in suc- 
 cessful operation for about nine months. That year two flat-boats were built 
 at Trenton and William Peery loaded them with wheat and corn and took 
 them to St. Louis. The principal mailing facilities were carried on on horse- 
 back, and the high water was a slight drawback to even the semi-occasional 
 mail which was received at that time. During the time of the highest 
 water no mail was received for a period of six weeks. The onward march 
 of civilization in the shape of railroads and telegraph had not yet reached 
 the State of Missouri, and postage was twenty five cents on a letter, and 
 other news traveled slowly. Newspapers were not numerous, and in lieu 
 thereof Madame Gossip did the heavy woi-k while people gathered together 
 to hear what " Mrs. Grundy " had to say. In tlie meantime a stranger who 
 came within the gates was interviewed, if not after tlie most approved 
 modern style, sufficiently persevering to find out about all he knew or 
 €ver expected to know. It was not until late in the fall that mail facilities 
 became at all regular. The winter of 1844-45 proved to be not a very 
 severe one, and many new settlers came during the fall and winter months. 
 In February, 1845, the county of Mercer was organized into a separate 
 
204 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 county and the civil jurisdiction of Grundy ceased over the territory of 
 Mercer. The county began to assume something of civilization. Roads 
 were being laid out and worked. The Indians liad ceased to make it a por- 
 tion of their hunting-ground, and the condition of civil affaii's bj' the 
 cutting off of Mercer county caused a reorganization of boundary lineS) 
 and the townships of Mouticello, Clarke, Morgan, Lafayette and Scott 
 wholly disappear, and the seven townships which formed the municipal 
 division of Grundy for so many years, came into sight. The ordering of 
 an election by the County Court in August, 1846, to be held October 31, 
 1846, for the election of a successor to Sterling Price, resigned, was the first 
 record found of these seven townships. The patriotism of the people in 
 those days is prominently shown in the names of the seven townships; i*^ 
 shows that the revolutionary patriots and the statesmen in the early history 
 of our great republic were held in high esteem and veneration by the old 
 pioneer. Such patriots as Washington, Franklin and Marion, etc., were 
 remembered, and their names revered. In marking the boundary lines of 
 these municipal corporations, the Grand River, and TJiompson and Weldon 
 Forks were utilized as township lines as far as jjossible, which gave distinct 
 divisions to the western and middle townships. 
 
 First in the list in the northwest is Washington township, which included 
 all the land between Thompson's Fork and Weldon, or East Fork, to the 
 Mercer county line. The inhabitants in the forks of the two rivers had to 
 swim out generally, when they wanted to come to the county seat, as there' 
 were no bridges in those days. 
 
 Franklin township occupied all of its present territory, with its southern 
 boundary line extending two miles south, being, in fact, a congressional 
 township six miles square and taking that much off of the north part of 
 what is now known as Lincoln township. Franklin was bounded on the 
 west by Weldon Kiver; north by Mercer county; east by Liberty township 
 and south by Trenton. Liberty township at that day was all of Myres 
 township as now known, and the north half of its present boundary. 
 Mercer county was on the north, Sullivan on the east, Marion township on 
 the south, with a corner of TrentoTi and all of Franklin on the west. Ma- 
 rion township extended to the south line of Grundy county, having Sullivan 
 and Linn counties on the east, Livingston on the south, Trenton township 
 on the west and Liberty township on the north, containing at that time all 
 within her present boundary, and, also, half of Liberty as now formed, and 
 all of Wilson. The Heatherl^' gang gave this township some early noto- 
 riety of rather an unsavory kind. ' History did not exactly repeat itself, 
 but the "men of Marion" township did their part toward extirpating the 
 band of cut-throats and murderers that had, for a short space of time, an 
 abiding place within her borders. If it were not the " Swamp Fox," the 
 gallant Marion and his men, it was the spirit of this hei-o of revolutionary 
 
HISTOEY OF PETTNDY COUNTY. 205 
 
 nieinorj which led tliern on, and wlio in years agone was famous in song 
 and story, whose deeds of daring are recorded among the bravest of brave 
 men in the annals of our country's history, and whose heroic, self-sacrificing 
 life will ever adorn the pages of that immortal record which flashed to the 
 world a nation born and liberty triumphant. 
 
 Trenton township was composed of all the territory south of Franklin to 
 the Livingston county line, and east of Grand and Weldon rivers to the 
 Marion township line. West of Grand River and in southwest corner of 
 the county was Jefterson township, its metes and bounds being Livingston 
 county on the south, Daviess on the west, Madison township on the north 
 and Grand River on the east, her north line extending from Grand River 
 to the Daviess count}' line, being one mile above her present boundar}'. 
 Madison township, its south line being Jeiferson, was all the country lying 
 west of Grand and Thomjison rivers, to the county lines of Daviess and 
 Harrison. 
 
 The seven townships whose metes and bounds are thus described, com- 
 posed the municipal divisions of the county, and their township officers were 
 justices of the peace and constables, who looked after the local aifairs. 
 
 MEXICAN WAR. 
 
 The next few years were uneventful ones so far as local affairs were con- 
 cerned. The Mexican War which began in 1846 sent a thrill of excitement 
 through the hearts of the people. The regular army was not able to cope 
 with tiie Mexican forces, on account of superiority of number of the latter, 
 and a call for volunteers was made. The Southern States being nearest the 
 scene of conflict rushed their volunteers to the front, but it was not long be- 
 fore it was shown bj' the people of the country that the treasonable and cold- 
 blooded utterance of an Ohio member in the halls of Congi-ess had no resting 
 place in the hearts of the people: "That Mexico should welcome our sol- 
 diers with bloody hands to hospitable graves." General Taylor opened the 
 fight at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Raima and Monterey, but it was done at 
 the loss of the brave and gallant Ringgold, who met his fate at Palo Alto, 
 and a host of others, who gave tlieir lives to their country's glor}'. And it 
 will do no harm to mention here the initial steps in the science of war taken 
 hj a number of gallant officers who proved themselves heroes upon more 
 than one battle-field of the Mexican War, who on broader and more exten- 
 sive fields, attracted, by their skill and daring, the attention of the world. 
 These young heroes of the Mexican War were Grant, McClellan, Lee, 
 Beauregard, Hill, Jackson, Sherman, Hooker, Longstreet, Buell, Johnston, 
 Lyon, Anderson, Kearney, Thomas, Ewell and Davis. And of thirty offi- 
 cers Tiientioned by General Scott, for their skill and daring, sixteen were gen- 
 erals in the Union army, and fourteen were generals in that of the Confed- 
 eracy. It was not until 1847, when a second call for troops was made, that 
 
206 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Grundy county responded to the call. Sterling Price, then a member of 
 Congress, resigned, and was appointed by President Polk to command 
 another regiment of Missouri mounted volunteers which had been calledfor. 
 Hon. John C. Griffin was appointed by the governor to raise a company 
 and was requested to be at Independence, Mo., witliin ten days. Volunteers 
 responded promptly' and the company was formed and an election of officers 
 took place here, August 2Sth, 1847 and reported at Independence, Septem- 
 ber 3, 1847. The following were the officers elected, and tlie privates as far 
 as we have been able to secure their names. 
 
 Officers — Captain, Jno. C. Griffin; first lieutenant, Oliver Bain; second 
 lieutenant, Ashley GuUey ; third lieutenant, Ira Benson, all of Grundy county. 
 • Privates — J. H. Shanklin, N. A. Winters, James Winters, Thos. Aubrey, 
 William Winters, Milton Aubrey, James Williams, Robt. Williams, Elisha 
 Vanderpool, Dock Vanderpool, Jacob T. Tindall, David Arbogatli, James 
 Tindall, Simon Adamson, John Reybnrn, Lyman Odle, Overly Clark, J. 
 Puck, John Boolier, Sol. Spear, Wm. Hughes, Ezekial Long, Sol. Cole, Alf. 
 Turner, Jno. W. Moore, Geo. Inman, Caleb Knight, John Swopes, Geo. 
 Swopes, Wm. Hughes, Wm. Steers, Jos. Moore, Tillery Pruit, John E,. 
 Clark, Sam'l Clark, Gouverneur Fisher, Milton Moore, John Moore, Jr., 
 John Moore, Sr., Grundy county; Jno. McCroskej', Mansfield, Liv- 
 ingston county; Webb joined at Independence, Mo.; Jas. Preston, Liv- 
 ingston county; Basil Barrett, Miles Wasson, Mercer county; Jacob Bain, 
 
 Vandyke, John Munn, Jos. Kennedy, John Burns, Jos. Applegate, 
 
 Wash Duskins (deserted), John Boils, Lafayette Warmouth, Grundy county* 
 The company numbered 112 men. At Independence they voted for Wm. 
 Gilpin for lieutenant-colonel, and then marched to Leavenworth where 
 Alex. W. Doniphan was chosen colonel, C. F. Ruft', lieutenant-colonel and 
 Wm. Gilpin, major, and were mustered in and proved to be the only com- 
 pany from north Missouri. Tliey were soon on the march for Mexico. 
 When they reached the Cimaron River they were not long in finding an 
 enemy. Tliey were on the border of New Mexico which was tlien a part 
 of Mexico propel-. Their orders were to keep open and guard the Santa Fe 
 trail. The Comanche Indians, the allies of the Mexicans, and a number of 
 the latter, six hiindred strong, attempted to capture them, there being onlj'^ 
 ninety-eight officers and men in the command. In the engagement they 
 whipped the Indians after a pretty severe fight, Iiaving quite a number 
 wounded, but thanks to Providence, none killed. 
 
 "Then louder than the bolts of heaven. 
 Far flashed the red artillery." 
 
 Their volleys of grape and canister saved them, it prevented the Indians 
 from coming to close quarters. On the defeat of the enemj' they resumed 
 their march to Fort Masey, to which point they had been ordered. This 
 Fort was some fifty miles north of Santa Fe, and from that as a base of 
 
TtlSTOET OF GRUI^DY COUNTY. 207 
 
 •operations they were to guard and protect the Santa Fe trail and keep it 
 open. The company under Capt. GrifRn continued in service until August, 
 1S48, when the war being over they were recalled. The order, however, 
 did not reacli them until three weeks alter the war had closed. They re- 
 turned and were mustered out at Independence, Mo., Sept. 28, 1848, being 
 nearly or quite thirteen months in the service \yithout the loss of a man. 
 Simon Adamson was taken sick and received his discharge and Wash. 
 Duskins deserted. 
 
 Maj. Gilpin's battalion, five companies, wintered on the Arkansas Kiver 
 in the winter of 1847-48. This ended the Mexican War so far as Grundy 
 county was concerned, and it is a record to be proud of. Only one company 
 from north Missouri, and nine-tenths of that company came from Grundy 
 county. That record will do to go down in history, and an example to be 
 followed by the sons and grandsons of these heroes of Grundy county. 
 
 The first reference we find to the institution of slavery is the following 
 order of the County Court at its February term, 1847, and it was to divide 
 tlie slaves of Henry Lyda and make report to the County Court. 
 
 The two next, and all that is to be found of recoi'd, is given below, and 
 will close the subject of slavery as the war of 1861-65 closed its practical 
 working as an institution of involuntary servitude within the limits of this 
 ■country. The following is a verbatim order for a free colored man to live 
 in Grundy county: 
 
 " Jeflierson Waterford, alias Thompson, a free man of color, files a certifi- 
 cate of good character, and apjilies for a license to live within the State of 
 Missouri, and it is ordered that he give bonds for his good behavior. ' Said 
 J. Waterford files a bond for his good behavior with Wra. Metcalf and 
 John R. Scott as his securities, which is approved,' this December 16, 1851." 
 And the following: "Randall Darnaby, a free man of color, having been 
 emancipated by C. Darnaby, his former master, applies for a license to re- 
 main in this State, and having produced satisfactory evidence of good 
 moral character, it is ordered by tiie court that said Randall, now about 
 thirty-five years of age, 5 feet 6J inches high, dark brown color, and 150 
 pounds weight, and scar under the right ear, be and he is hereby licensed 
 to remain in the State of Missouri, having given bond as is required by 
 law." This was granted at the May term of the County Court, 1856. 
 
 NATURALIZATION. 
 
 The first naturalization papers issued by the court of Grundy county was 
 to Judge Valentine Briegel, of Lincoln township, who has proven to be one 
 of Grundy's most progressive citizens. These papers were issued April 10? 
 1848. Mr. Briegel's energy of character and worth as a citizen have been 
 
208 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 acknowledged by the people of Grundy county by his election as co\inty 
 judge and as the presiding justice of said court for a number of years. 
 Henry "Wild, of Yorkshire, England, was the second person naturalized in 
 this county, and his papers ai-e dated in June; he having been declared a 
 citizen of the United States at the June term of the (circuit Court for the 
 year 1848. 
 
 .tudctE of probate. 
 
 The County Court at its July session, 1849, "ordered that a poll be 
 opened in the respective precincts of Grundy county on the first Monday 
 in August, A. D. 1849, for the purpose of voting for or against a probate 
 court and for one probate judge, for one day.'' 
 
 The Connty Court at its August term, the 7th day of August, 1849, 
 " ordered that Wm. Renfro receive certificate of election as judge of pro- 
 bate for Grundy county, he having received a majority of the votes cast at 
 the August election." And so Wm. Keufro became the first probate judge 
 of the county. Those who succeeded him will be found recorded in the 
 chapter of connty, oflicers. 
 
 IN court. 
 Once in awhile in tliose early times in the county's history they would 
 have a row in court just like they occasionally have in these enlightened 
 days. Lawyers in those days seem to have been at times possessed of 
 evil ways and would wake np an ugly customer to break the monotony of 
 court proceedings. Henry W. Lyda succeeded in making a very angry 
 man of Mr. Ezekiel Rouse, and while in that state of i-age Ezekiel made a 
 violent assault on Lyda in open court. Things looked lively. Ezekiel was 
 trying to wipe up the floor with the body of the unfortunate Lyda when a 
 sufiiciency of help came to the assistance of the sheriflf", and Ezekiel was 
 hustled up before the court, of which he was in contempt, and the judge 
 fined him fift}' dollars on the spot for his outrageous conduct. Li the 
 language of the small boy, this took the "mad" all out of Mr. Ezekiel 
 Rouse, and a more humble man never bowed in sorrow before his Honor, 
 tlie Judge. Mr. Rouse didn't carry around with him fifty dollars all in 
 hard cash, or the currency of the times, and he was permitted to go free,» 
 but came up before the next meeting of the court and settled his little bill 
 for contempt. Being an honest man and a pretty fair talker when, what 
 was called in those times, big money was at stake, Ezekiel came promptl}' tO' 
 time and made the "greatest eftort of his life." The couit appreciated his 
 eloquence and allowed him just thirty-five dollars for it, and Mr. Rouse was 
 required to pass over fifteen dollars and call the contempt square. This 
 was done and he was free. This ended the "great contempt" case of this, 
 county. 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 209 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE GOLD FEVEE. 
 
 New El Dorado — A Deficienc;/ — Contest of 1861 — Union and Confederate Meetings — The 
 Twenty-Third Missouri — Pittshnrg Landinrj — Field of Shiloh — Death of Tindall — 
 Tribute to his Memory — Etdogy of Woolfolk — Roll of Company B — Confederates — 
 Grundy County Battalion — The Forty-Fourth — Peace — The Blue and The Gray — The 
 Dark Days of the Ciril War, 1862-5. 
 
 " Let duet-begrim'd worm carrion clay 
 On our rich vitals feaet and prey; 
 And dig and delve with hungry greed 
 For faintest trace of ' golden lead.' " 
 
 The roar of cannons througli the mountain gorges and canons of Mexico, 
 the angry shouts of the combatants, and the glad shout of victory which 
 rang with a glorioxis sound from one end of our country to another had 
 scarcely died away before the air was freighted with rumoi's of a land where 
 gold literally covered the earth. These stories, as they first came to hand, 
 were vague, but Aladdin's lamps shone not more brightly on the wonders 
 of ancient days than these tales assured of when the reality was reached^ 
 that gold had been found on that distant shore where the waves of the 
 mighty Pacific lashed in fury when in its wrath, or kissed its pebbled 
 beach when the storm clond had passed, and he who ruled the storm had 
 spoken, " peace, be still." Then, indeed, was the whole country excited. 
 The excitement became intense as more definite news came continually to 
 hand, and a perfect stampede took possession of those who were borne away 
 by the wild and wonderful stories of that far-oft" land. The rusli was 
 terrible in the number who left all behind them to gain a fortune in the 
 El Dorado of the "West, and still more terrible in the sufferings and death 
 of thousands who never reached the Pacific coast and whose bones, with those 
 of thousands of cattle and horses, whitened the plains which lie between 
 the home they had left and that golden shore. Men started out on foot,, 
 on horseback, with oxen and horses to wagons, some well ])rovided, others 
 not; covered wagons whitened our State, for Independence and St. Joseph 
 were favorite fitting-out places for those who had the money, while the 
 great Santa Fe trail led from the former place. But nearly all who went 
 overland made the soil of Missouri the route to their distant destination and 
 her western border as the starting point, where civilization ended, and the 
 wild country beyond was the great unknown land whose dark and gloomy 
 portals had to be passed before the liglit of a golden day would again greet 
 their eyes. The plunge was made, and the discovery of California, that far- 
 away treasure-trove, has left its footprints upon the pages of history' in the 
 trials and sufferings of a mighty host, and the death of thousands of brave 
 hearts who suffered all and endured all for their loved ones at home. 
 
:210 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Grundy county had her gold-seekers, and scores of the bravest and best 
 left in the wild liegira for the land of gold. All who had horses or cattle 
 to sell got a good price for them for they were in demand. Trade seemed 
 to take a new start, but all that was gained failed to compensate for the 
 sturdy men and their outfit which left the country. Some of those who 
 left died on the way, others reached the haven of their hopes, and after 
 years of toil concluded to make it their home. Others returned, some with 
 fortunes and some with none; some in rugged health and others broken and 
 dying, only anxious to I'each their homes and loved ones once more before 
 they closed their eyes in death. Not all had their wishes gratified. Those 
 who returiied well provided with the "root of all evil" were not slow in 
 letting it be known that the}' had "made their pile," but just what was the 
 size of the " pile " was one of those things " no fellow " ever could find out. 
 Still, things took a livelier turn; farms were purchased, stock boitght and 
 an era of prosperity began to dawn more auspiciously than ever. 
 
 At this time a full settlement was made with "Wm. Thrailkill, ex-sherifi", who 
 was short in his collection for 1843 some ninety dollars. The County Court 
 at their August term ordered suit for its recovery and his sureties paid it. It 
 seems not to have been considered a wrong so much as an error. There 
 were other discrepancies found for small amounts for diiferent years, and all 
 seemed to have been settled by him or his sureties. In November, 1848, 
 the County Court took a notion to economize, a habit which had become 
 •chronic, and concluded not to advertise any more in newspapers but stick 
 up written notices at cross-roads and other public places, and it was so 
 •ordered. They granted, at the same term of the c<5urt, on November 1,3, 
 1848, a ferry license to Samuel Benson, across Grand River, and it went 
 by the name of Benson's Ferry, until after the bridge was built. In 1849, 
 at the May terra, the tax collector had been enabled to collect some back 
 taxes as far back as 1845, and he returned the following sums as evidence of 
 his success: 
 
 "Samuel Chesnut, delinquent 1845, State tax, 39 cents; county tax, 78 
 cents; total, $1.17, paid." 
 
 "Edward Williams, delinquent 1845, State tax, 25 cents; county tax, 50 
 cents; total, 75 cents, paid." 
 
 That May term was further noted for cutting all bills against the county 
 down to where it met the bottom point of economy as entertained by the 
 eourt. 
 
 In 1850 three dollars were allowed for taking the census, but there was 
 nothing that could give a clue to just what the census consisted of. Whether 
 •this extravagantly paid official just took the enumeration of the population, 
 or included, also, cereals and live stock is not known by any one of this day 
 and generation and must therefore ever remain unknown to history. There 
 was a proposition entertained at the August term, 1850, to sell the old clerk's 
 
HISTORY OF GRINBY COUNTY. 211 
 
 office and the sheriff was ordered to sell, but he proved either too slow or 
 else purchasers had become painfully scarce, for the sale had not been eflected 
 when the court met again and the order was promptly countermanded. A 
 new order of the court caused the same to be repaired as follows: " Brick 
 work repaired, new roof, window, sash and glass, under floor repaired, doors 
 and windows painted w-ith two coats of white lead, shingles to be made of 
 good oak or walnut timber, clear of sap, and to show but live inches to the 
 weather, made full eighteen inches long and five-eighths of an inch thick; 
 plastering, two coats overhead and whitewashed; walls, one coat and white- 
 washed; also windows, shutters and fastenings, new door, lock, frame, etc."' 
 And thus the old clerk's office was made new and it stood until a tire a few 
 years later consigned it to ashes with most of its contents, and with all the 
 records of the probate court to that date. In 1850 it was decided to close 
 the grand jury room and bar all secret societies from its use, and all the 
 benches, tables, etc., taken to be returned at once under penalty of the law. 
 This order seemed to liave had the desired effect for nothing more was heard 
 of the ni after. 
 
 The (yircnit Court turned out a batch of indictments at the April term, 
 1850, and among the number was one against John Forkner, for assault 
 with intent to kill, but the charge not being sustained, the attorney entered 
 a nol. pros. 
 
 It was in November, 1850, that grand jurors got tired of serving at fifty 
 cents a day and petitioned to have the salary raised to one dollar per day^ 
 but the petition was rejected. No such extravagant salaries would be paid; 
 not, in the language of the day, if the court knew herself, and the unfor- 
 tunate foreman of the grand jury retired, abashed, while the court expressed 
 itself astonished at his presumption. And so a grand juryman was com- 
 pelled to grind out indictments and board himself at fifty cents a A&y. It 
 will be admitted by the most unprejudiced i-eader that the bankrnptcy of 
 Grundy county was not imminent on the score of high salaries. Still, the 
 grand jury did its woi'k and in the following spring ground out eight in- 
 dictments for playing and betting on cards, and in the fall turned out twelve 
 more, seven who had sinned against the law of God and man by betting at 
 cards, three more for not attending to their duties as road overseers and fail- 
 ing to repair roads, and two for assault with intent to kill. This woi'k was 
 all at the usnal rate of fifty cents per day and find yourself 
 
 Mr. Jeremiah Snyder of the County Court resigned at this November 
 term, 1852, and Mr. Giles Songer was appointed county judge in his place. 
 The old county road to the upper ferry, from the west limits of Trenton, 
 was vacated, being seldom used. It took fifty days to take the census of 
 Grundy county in 1853, seventy -five dollars was allowed for the job, 
 and it was paid to W. C. Harvey. That same year Mr. J. T. Tindall was 
 appointed to investigate and to settle the county affairs between Mercer 
 
212 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 and Grundy counties, there being due some moneys from Grundy on ac- 
 count of taxes, etc. Tliis was satisfactorily accomplished within a reason- 
 able time. There was nothing further of special interest occurred in the 
 <50unty. Matters had become quiet, the returned Californians would now 
 and then report, and many would leave for that far-off land every year. 
 
 At the April term of tlie County Court, 1853, tlie following order was 
 ■made in reference to swamp lands: 
 
 Ordered hi/ the Court. That John C. Griffin, of Grundy county. Missouri, be allowed as 
 full compensiition for his services as selecting agent the sum of four cents per acre for each 
 acre selected, designated and reported by him as overflowed land granted to the State ot 
 Missouri by an act of Congress, entitled " an act to enable the State of Arkansas and other 
 States to reclaim the swamp lands within their limits," approved. September 28, 1850, for 
 all such lands situated in the county of Grundy, which may be confirmed to the State and 
 made subject to the management of the County Court of said Grundy county, as provided by 
 an act of the legislature, approved March 8, 1851, to be paid out of the first proceeds of the 
 sales of such lands: provided, he shall not receive pay for more than 35,000 acres. 
 
 In April, 1854, the county purchased the "field notes" and "plats" of 
 lands lying in Grundy county of B. F. Thomas and allowed him eighty-live 
 •dollars for the same. That year was the first that a temperance move was 
 inaugurated, by petition, and then John H. Shanklin presented a petition 
 signed by a majority of the tax-payers against granting licenses to dram 
 shops for a year. The petition was approved and no licenses were granted. 
 That year Judge Gamble of the Supreme Court resigned and an election was 
 ordered in Grundy county to come off in January, 1855, to vote for a suc- 
 cessor. An order had been made by the County Court against the occupation 
 of the court-house by the diffei-ent lodges in Trenton as their place of meet- 
 ing. It seems they had taken possession and had not given a quid pro quo 
 and the court put a stop to it. The lodges felt the loss of their free room, 
 and so lodge No. Ill of Freemasons rented the use of the grand jury room,, 
 when not used as such, as theii- lodge room at an annual rental of twenty- 
 five dollars. 
 
 In February, 1856, J as. Austin resigned the position of county treasurer 
 and Geo. M. Cooper was appointed, and John C. Griffin was appointed 
 county attorney in place of J. T. Tindall, resigned, in March, 1854. 
 
 John M. McDonald resigned the probate judgeship and Stephen Peery 
 was appointed his successor. A court of appeals was held August 17. 
 Both of these incidents transpiring in 1857. 
 
 The attempt in July, 1858, to divide Liberty and Marion townships into 
 three townships failed. 
 
 J. FI. Cooper, Thos. J. Proctor and Wni. Collier were appointed a com- 
 mittee to superintend the erection of the county jail and were also given the 
 power to select the spot on the public square where it should be placed. 
 
 Under an arrangement for the assessment of the county it was, in Jan- 
 uary, 1858, divided into four districts, and the following describes their 
 boundaries as fixed: 
 
HISTOKY OF GKUNDl' COUNTY. 213 
 
 It is ordered by the Court, That Grundy county be divided into four districts for the Dur- 
 pose of assessments; to- wit. District No. 1 commencing at the northeast comer of Grundy 
 county, thence west to the range line dividing ranges 23 and 24, thence south to the north- 
 east coi-ner of township 61. range 24, on said range line, thence east on the township line 
 dividing township 62, range 23, and township 62, range 22, from township 61, range 23, 
 and township 61, range 22, thence north to the line of beginning. 
 
 The court-house square was ordered enclosed with a paling fence in the 
 fall of 1859, and an oak plank walk ordered laid down. The purchase of 
 two large box stoves was decided upon and they cost the sum of $45.82. 
 This closed the extra expenses for that year. 
 
 The year 1860 was a fruitful one as regards the crops. Cereals and fruit 
 gave abundant returns, and at no period of our country's history was it 
 more prospei'ous. But in the fall and winter of 1860-61 came the first 
 muttering of a storm which was to deluge our land with j^lood, and to bring 
 grief to the homes and firesides of our glorious and prosperous land. 
 
 THE CONTEST OF 1861. 
 
 The ^ear 1861 will go down in history as the opening year in the dark 
 drama where American freemen, instead of uniting to build up a fraternal 
 brotherhood of States, caused the land to become a battle-field of contending 
 hosts, and our favored and prosperous countrj^ to be drenched with the life 
 blood of her people. The angel of peace had taken her flight and the demon 
 of hate held high carnival over tlie death struggles of brave men. Once 
 more was the "Land of the Free" to seal her devotion to liberty in the blood 
 of her martja-ed sons. The brave and heroic deeds of the sons of freedom 
 were given an additional luster, but at enormous cost, while the wails of 
 agony went up from the hearts of millions of people, and the lives of thous- 
 ands were given freely, a sacrifice upon the altar of their country. The 
 people of to-day can look more leniently upon the action and motives of 
 those who. in the madness of the hour brought dire distress and sorrow to 
 the land, yet no blush of shame mantles the cheek, for right or wrong, they 
 fought as only brave men fight, and so far as in that fierce conflict man 
 met man in hostile array, it was no crime. The crimes committed lay at 
 the door of those at home, who, while brave men were defending the very 
 portals of liberty, engendered hatred and malice, preached the gospel of hate, 
 and committed tliose crimes of which history has but imperfect recoi'd, 
 and whose appalling atrocities are branded deep in the hearts and memories 
 of the families and friends of the victims. 
 
 Grundy county, at the outset of the war, was pretty evenly divided in 
 sentiment, but as time passed, the ringing crj of the "Union forever " soon 
 placed the Federal power iii a majority, and when the news came that 
 Sumter had fallen, the time had also come for the upholders of the Union 
 to express more openly their sentiments and determination. -Among the 
 rising men of the day, there came to the front oTie of those men of which 
 
21-t HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 heroes are made. Fromiit in action, strong of will, with the spirit of a 
 patriot to draw others to liis belief, lie promptly took the lead. This man 
 was J. T. Tindall. Then others at once rallied to his standard, and the 
 cause of the Union took new life. Jewett ISTorris, Geo. H. Hnbbell, J. T. 
 Tindall, J. H. Shanklin, E. A. DeBolt and Andrew Shanklin took the 
 stnmp and traveling over the surrounding counties they addressed the peo- 
 ple, defending the Union with burning words and with matchless eloquence, 
 calling on them to stand by it and prevent its severance. 
 
 THE DIVISION. 
 
 In May, 1861, two meetings were called, one to be addressed by those 
 favoring the Confederate cause, the other for the Union. The latter showed 
 by far the largest j^ssembly, and from that day the Union advocates took 
 courage. The formation of a regiment was at once determined upon, and 
 the recruiting went briskly on and continued during the last of July and 
 in August, 1861. On August 25th seven companies had been raised and 
 were in Trenton on that day, as was, also, a company of Merrill's Horse 
 from Daviess and Harrison counties. An election of officers took place and 
 Jacob T. Tindall, of Trenton, Grundy county, was elected colonel. Jacob 
 Smith, of Linn county, was elected lieutenant-colonel, but was not commis- 
 sioned as he was appointed judge of this judicial circuit, and Quin Morton 
 was selected in his place. John McCullough, of Sullivan county, who 
 proved a brave man and an able officer, was elected major. R. A. DeBolt 
 acting as recruiting officer. In the formation of compam^ B, raised in 
 Grnndy county, and numbering ninety-six men and officers, R. A. DeBolt 
 was elected captain; Stephen Peery, first lieutenant, who resigned on being 
 promoted to adjutant; Samuel Eooks, second lieutenant, but promoted to 
 first lieutenanc}', taking the post vacated by the promotion of Peer3^ 
 Benj. F. Harding became second lieutenant, and this is the way the com- 
 pany stood at the battle of Shiloh, which so nearly destroyed it. Captain 
 DeBolt, First Lieut. Hooks and Second Lieut. Harding all resigned after 
 being exchanged. June 7th, 1862, at the reorganization of the Twenty-third, 
 Wm. P. Pobinson, of Harrison countj^ became colonel; J. M. Nash, captain of 
 company B, with Orville Moberly first lieutenant and Robt. A. Collier sec- 
 ond lieutenant. August 26, 1861, these troops arrived at Chillicothe, where 
 the election as above stated took jjlace and the regiment named The 
 TwENTT-THiED Regiment OF VoLUNTEEK Infantkt of Missouri. From 
 there they went into camp near Brookfield until ordered to St. Louis, where 
 they received their arms and accouterments and were mustered into service 
 September 1st, 1861. They left St. Louis for Macon City October 15th, 
 and remained in the latter city until November 1st, and then were ordered 
 to M'inter at Chillicothe. Recruiting continued, and in January, 1862, 
 their full complement of ten companies and 1,000 men was secured and the 
 
HISTOEY OF ORDNDT COUNTY. 215 
 
 officers received their commissions. In February, 1862, delegates were 
 elected to the State convention to be held the follovring June, and Colonel 
 Tindall was the choice of the people of Grundy county to represent them, 
 but it was a position he was never destined to fill. In March Colonel 
 Tindall received orders to report with, his regiment at St. Louis, and he 
 arrived there and reported to the commanding officer and took quarters at 
 Benton Barracks. The men were re-clothed and new arms given them, and 
 on April 1st, being in fine condition, they were ordered to Pittsburg Land- 
 ing and reported to General Grant, who ordered them to the brigade of 
 Gen'l B. M. Prentiss, to whom Col. Tindall reported. They had reached 
 Pittsburg Landing on the 4th of April, unloaded and prepared to join 
 Prentiss's brigade on the 5th. On the morning of the 6th they were ready for 
 duty and met the enemy on the Field of Shiloh, one of the bloodiest of 
 the war. The scene of carnage was fearful; tlie demon of war was in his 
 glory, and when the sun set that day it cast its fitful rays of light through 
 the trees upon the body of as brave a man and as noble heart as ever beat 
 in the cause of the Union. Between four and five o'clock the gallant colo- 
 nel of the Twenty-third Missouri, who had been in the heat of the struggle 
 all day, his regiment still fairly surrounded by his foes and sadly decimated, 
 the dead and wounded lying around him, like a stag at bay, was still mak- 
 ing a heroic stand. Begrimed by the smoke of battle, he made one more 
 desperate attempt to fight his way out, and cheering his men on, who 
 stood unflinchingly by their lion-hearted colonel, he led the last charge and 
 fell, pierced by the messenger of death upon the battle-field, and the going 
 down of the sun on the evening of the 6th of April, 1862, upon the field of 
 Shiloh, set while the death-rattle sounded, and the noble spirit ceased its flut- 
 tering and was borne across the dark waters to a brighter and more glorious 
 day. And thus went out the life of Grundy's noblest son. 
 
 "Rest on! embalmed and sainted dead! 
 Dear as the blood ye gave ; 
 No impious footsteps here shall tread 
 The herbage of your grave : 
 Nor shall your glory be forgot 
 While Fame her record keeps, 
 Or honor points the hallov?ed spot 
 Where Valor proudly sleeps." 
 
 The gallant Twenty-third had made a glorious record upon that gory field, 
 and when night came on, little was left to tell the tale of its dire destruc- 
 tion. Of company B, what few who were not kiljed upon the field of bat- 
 tle were prisoners in Confederate hands, and the Twenty-third was known 
 no more until late in the fall of 1862, when it was reorganized. It went 
 into the battle fully 1,000 strong on the morning of the 6t]i of April. It 
 was attached to Prentiss's brigade, which stood the first shock of battle, the 
 14 
 
216 HISTORY OF GEDNDY COTJNTT. 
 
 terrible onset of the Confederates, and when niglit came not three hundred 
 men could be found to answer roll-call. 
 
 A TRIBUTE. 
 
 The State convention which was held at Jefferson City, commencing 
 June 2, 1862, paid a glowing and manly tribute to the memory of the gal- 
 lant Tindall, who was a member-elect of that body. Col. J. H. Shanklin, 
 elected to take his place as a member of the convention, after his death with 
 the gifted and eloquent Woolfolk, Breckinridge and Stewart, all spoke of 
 him, who knowing his duty performed it so nobly and well. Below is given 
 the resolutions passed by the convention, and the beautiful, glowing, but 
 just tribute of the impassioned Woolfolk to the raemoiy of the lamented 
 dead. 
 
 THE EESOLtTIONS. 
 
 On the 3d day of June, 1862, at the afternoon session of the Missouri 
 State convention, Mr. Woolfolk, of Livingston county, presented the fol- 
 lowing resolutions in reference to the death of Col. Tindall: 
 
 Whereas, The calamities of war have deprived this convention and the 
 country of the services on this floor of Col. Jacob T. Tindall, who fell at the 
 head of his regiment on Sunday, the 6th day of April, 1862, on the battle- 
 field of Shiloh ; therefore, be it 
 
 Resolved, That in the death of Col. Tindall this convention has lost a 
 valued member, whose intellect and energy, patriotism and conservative 
 views rendered him an able and efficient member of this body. That by his 
 untimely fall the nation has lost a devoted pati-iot in the hour of her peril, 
 the army a prudent commander, the society in which he moved an ornament, 
 and his family an atfectionate husband and father. 
 
 Resolved, That in testiinony of our appreciation of the deceased and 
 from due regard to his memory, this convention will now adjourn until to- 
 morrow morning at 9 o'clock, and that the members wear the usual badge 
 of mourning during the present session. 
 
 Resolved, That we tender the condolence of the members of this body to 
 the family and immediate friends of Colonel Tindall in their sad bereave- 
 ment; that these resolutions be spread upon the journal of this convention, 
 and that a copy thereof be prepared by the secretary and forwarded to Mrs. 
 Emeline Tindall, the wife of the deceased. 
 
 MK. WOOLFOLK's remarks. 
 
 " JLT/'. President — It has become iny sad and unexpected duty to present 
 these resolutions upon this floor. I deem them only a proper tribute to 
 the memory of one of thi^ body wlio has gone from our midst — who has 
 fallen in the discharge of his duty as a patriot and soldier. 
 
 " The deceased united in himself many of those qualities which win our 
 admiration and love. He M^as sincere, honest and generous, and full of that 
 noble modesty which, united to a proper self-respect, lends such a charm to 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 217 
 
 merit. Born in Kentucky, in 1825, his parents removed to Howard county, 
 Missouri, during liis early youth, and afterward removed to Grundy county 
 when lie reached the age of eighteen years. As a youth he was much loved 
 in the county in wdiicli he lived. He was quiet, unassuming and diligent 
 in the prosecution of his studies. 
 
 " When tlie Mexican War broke out he at once enlisted and served with 
 honor in the position of sergeant-major and acting adjutant of his regiment. 
 When the war was over he commenced the practice of law in his own 
 county of Grundy, and soon won for himself a proud name in his own and 
 adjoining counties. His integrity, his close application to business, and his 
 fine, discriminating intellect made him one of the most successful advocates 
 in the Grand River Yalley. The masses possessed entire confidence in his 
 honesty, and this fact gave him a power before juries which few others pos- 
 sessed. He had for several years prior to our national diflSculties stood at 
 the liead of his profession in the Grand Eiver Valley. At the very com- 
 mencement of this revolution he took a bold stand in favor of the Union, 
 and when the convention was called he was elected by an overwhelming 
 majority to this body. When Sumter fell and the American nation was 
 called to arms, he was among the first to i-ally at the call of his coiintry. 
 I well remember an evening passed with him about this period. It was 
 just after the Camp Jackson afifair. The military bill had been passed and 
 Union men were falling away by hundreds. Everywhere in the State con- 
 fusion was reigning. False reports as to the policy of the government were 
 flying over the country. No Union man ' felt secure. The iron hand of 
 rebellion was upon us; and a rebel government had been erected in our 
 midst. I was gloomy — almost despondent. In my own city of Chillicothe 
 two-thirds of the citizens had suddenly become avowed secessionists, and 
 the remaining one-third, with but few exceptions, occupied ambiguous posi- 
 tions. Tindall came to our city just at this period, on his way to St. 
 Joseph. He came to my office and announced that the time had come when 
 we must fight on one side or the other. The Union men must abandon 
 their principles and enlist under the militaiy bill as passed by the legisla- 
 ture, or they must organize to resist it. Brigadier- general Slack had just 
 ofiered him the position of brigade inspector, with the proviso that if he 
 did not like the place he should have any other he desired. But Tindall, 
 true to his principles, unhesitatingly refused his ofl:ers. ' I have made up 
 my mind,' said he to me, ' to resist this military bill and battle on the side 
 of my government, but I dislike to be alone in my opposition. I am going 
 to St. Joseph for the purpose of seeing if the Union men there and else- 
 where M'ill act witli me in my resistance to treason.' I admired his bold, 
 decisive conduct. I felt that nature had destined him for a leadei', and I 
 unhesitatingly pledged him my support, even if I should stand alone. 
 
 *' After raising his regiment, he was for several months stationed in the 
 
218 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 city of Chillicothe, and his conservative course had a great influence to- 
 ward restoring peace to that distracted section. The ultras who desired to 
 use the strong arm of military power for the purpose of gratifying revenge- 
 ful passions, found in him no friend, and he pursued unwaveringly the path 
 of conservatism, regardless of the clamor of men who called for acts of 
 violence and wrong. Tlie ultras endeavored for a time to weaken his influ- 
 ence by charges that he was courting favor with the secessionists, and I shall 
 never forget his noble reply when he heard these charges. ' They may call 
 me what they please, but they shall not induce me to do what I believe to 
 be wrong.' He was loved by all good men, regardless of party; all felt 
 secure under his authority as long as they respected the constitution and the 
 laws. And when his bleeding remains were borne from the battle-field of 
 Shiloh, good men of all parties followed him weeping to the grave. He 
 was one of those noble men whom we often meet during these struggles, 
 aud whom I always admire. Born in the South, he was not a Union man 
 from any hostility to slavery, or from any sympathy with Northern States 
 in opposition to Southern States. He was a Union man from principle and 
 patriotism. He abandoned his section for the sake of his country; but by 
 his country he meant his whole country — not the northern half of it — and 
 he loved it all, from ocean to ocean and from the lakes to the gulf. 
 
 '' Pie has given the noblest proof of his patriotism, for he has made the 
 last only sacrifice a patriot can make for his country'. He led his gallant 
 regiment upon the bloody field of Shiloh, and belonging to Prentiss' bri- 
 gade, they stood the first shock of battle. During the entire day of the 6th 
 of April, the gallant men of the Twenty-third Missouri were in tlie thickest 
 of the fight and nobly stood their ground against superior numbers. About 
 4 o'clock in the evening Tindall fell, at the head of his regiment. I mourn 
 his loss but I could not ask for him a nobler fate. 
 
 ' Dulce et decorum, pro patria mori.' 
 
 " If there was a spot upon the green earth where the patriot should desire 
 to breathe out his spirit, that spot should be the battle-field of Shiloh. It 
 will live in history as one of those fields 
 
 ' Where life is lost, or freedom won'; 
 
 and around it will cluster those imperishable memories that gather about 
 such names as Bunker Hill, Tiiermopylie and Marathon. Life is nothing; 
 it is the manner we spend that life. The patriot never dies too soon who 
 falls in the defense of his country; but lives too long, if he survive to wan- 
 der amid its ruins. No: I could ask no nobler fate for the lamented dead! 
 He knew no feeble sunset; no slow wasting away of life; no emaciated form; 
 no dismalchamber of disease; but he fell at once in the pride of his strength, 
 like some green oak shivered by the lightning's touch. He sank upon the 
 tented field, with the blue sky above him and the starry banner for his 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 219 
 
 winding sheet; and his gallant spirit mounted aloft from a death-bed of 
 fame, as the free mountain bird soars to its eyrie. He lias gone, but gone 
 in glory. With ns remains the dirge — with him has ascended the psean of 
 triumph. He fell in the vigor of life, in the noon of his fame just as he 
 saw the star of his destiny dawning brightly from the sky of fate. His last 
 words that were heard ringing along the burning lines of battle, were words 
 cheering on his men to the conflict. He fell as a patriot and a hero would 
 desire to fall — at the head of his i-egiment, with the might}' hosts of free- 
 dom battling around him, and the wild thunders of battle ringing upon his 
 dying ear. 
 
 " The remains of the lamented Tindall have been removed to his home 
 near Trenton, in Grundy county, Missouri, and there he reposes amid the 
 scenes of his early labors and triumphs. He sleeps in the quiet village 
 churchyard, away from tlie busy hum of life — far away from the thunder of 
 conflict, and no clarion note will ever more disturb his slumbers or call him 
 forth to battle. Let us hope that, " after life's fitful fever, lie sleeps well." 
 JSTo proud mausoleum marks his resting place, and he needs none. His 
 noblest monument has already been erected in the hearts of his fellow citi- 
 zens. His lonely grave will long be treasured in their memories, and will 
 be a sacred shrine to which votaries will often wander. Peace to his ashes. 
 May the undying laurel of glory grow green over his grave. 
 
 ""When I remember, sir, all the gallant dead that have fallen in this war, 1 
 feel that this government should be preserved in justice to their sacrifices if 
 from no other motive. We cannot abandon this struggle — we cannot sub- 
 mit to a division of the Union without a wrong, a deep and burning wrong, 
 to the noble men who have sacrificed their lives to preserve the integrity of 
 this government. Shall they fall in vain? No, sir: it must not be! Let 
 us swear by our gallant dead that we will preserve this temple of liberty as 
 our fathers made it; or, if all is vain, that we will clasp its crumbling col- 
 umns and perish amid the wreck. 
 
 " Mr. President, the traveler through the Grand River Valley is struck 
 with its desolate appearance. The country looks dreary and deserted. The 
 farm-houses are often empty; the villages are destitute of their teeming 
 population, and that once beautiful and populous region is almost as lonely 
 as the grave. Where, sir, have the gallant men of that region gone? Go 
 to your armies of the Union and 3'ou will And them there. When Tindall 
 raised his regiment, the gallant men of Grundy, Harrison, Linn, Sullivan, 
 Putnam, Mercer, Daviess and Livingston, rallied at once to his standard. 
 They flocked to the banner of their countiy, abandoning their farms in 
 secession neighborhoods, and leaving their property at the mercy of jay- 
 hawkers. When the Eighteenth and Twenty-fifth regiments were raised, the 
 same counties poured out their loyal hundreds and soon filled them to the 
 maximum. When the State militia were called for, the young men of 
 
220 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 these counties were almost all in the field, but true to their patriotic im- 
 pulses, the old men turned out and at once filled the First and Third regi- 
 ments of Missouri cavahy. 
 
 "Sir, the gallant men of this section need no eulogy from me. The bones 
 of their heroic dead are bleaching upon every battle-field of the West. Tin- 
 dall, one of their colonels, sleeps in the village churchyard in Grundy 
 county, Missouri. Peabody, the colonel of the Twenty-fifth regiment, 
 reposes amid the green hills of his New England home. The colonel of 
 the Eighteenth regiment, and McCullongh, the gallant major of the Twenty- 
 third, together with many of their brave officers and men, are now incar- 
 cerated in Southern prisons, because too fearless to tnrn their backs upon 
 the foe when deserted by other regiments who should have stood with them 
 in the hour of danger. But many, very many of these gallant men have 
 left their bones to bleach upon the plains of Shiloh. While other States 
 have recorded the valor of their slain, these noble men have gone down to 
 the grave without an ei^itaph. No marble monuments are over them — no 
 trump of fame breathed its elegiac tones over their graves, but they sleep 
 amid the wild scenery of Tennessee, far from their loved ones, and in a foe- 
 man's land, with no kindly hand to scatter the flowers of affection upon 
 their tombs, and with only the whistling winds and the chirping wild birds 
 to chant their mournful requiem. But let them sleep on. They could find 
 no nobler bed than the field of their fame, for it will be hallowed by a 
 nation's gratitude and a nation's tears." 
 
 COMPANY B. 
 
 Company B, from Grundy county was badly cut up — quite a number 
 were killed and a larger number wounded. Below are the names of the 
 gallant men who composed company B, and who shed such luster not only 
 upon Grundy county, but to the noble regiment in which they served: 
 
 THE ROLL AT SHILOH. 
 
 E. A. DeBolt, captain. A. Reynolds. 
 Samuel Rooks, first lieutenant. Ed. Gray. 
 Stephen Peery, second lieuten- J. W. Babb. 
 
 ant. Wm. Rooks. 
 
 Rich. Smith, orderly sergeant. Jos. Rooks. 
 
 Bcnj. 0. Eddy. Silas Parres. 
 
 F. W. Lowen. Jos. Moore. 
 Martin Eagan. Sidney Moore. 
 Benj. House. Clay McCord. 
 Thomas Torpey. T. L. Baulser. 
 R. A. Collier. B. F. Harding. 
 W. T. Wisdom. Orvile Moberly. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 221 
 
 John Phillips. 
 Harvey Brazier. 
 "W". B. Scott. 
 Bose Nichols. 
 Benj. Nichols. 
 Chas. Brown. 
 Jonathan Knightly. 
 John Channie. 
 W. C. Kirk. 
 Thos. Kirk. 
 Press Kirk. 
 Samuel Kirk. 
 Francis Kirk. 
 Eich. Fleshman. 
 Wm. Parr. 
 Owen Smith. 
 Marion Sprout. 
 W. T. Sprout. 
 Marion Jones. 
 Henry Jones. 
 Jos. Jones. 
 A. F. Slocum. 
 Edgar Funk. 
 Carl Leach. 
 Rich. T. Blew. 
 Marvin Scott. 
 H. H. Shelton. 
 Columbus Thompson. 
 Thos. Farrell. 
 Allen Smith. 
 Samuel Smith. 
 Levi Pinker. 
 Frank Rook. 
 Ped McThaney. 
 John Fleshman. 
 Samuel Fleshman. 
 David Bravenstot. 
 
 McCamman. 
 McCaniman. 
 
 Harvey Braiser. 
 Geo. Leslie. 
 Benj. Leslie. 
 Labor Rickets. 
 John Pratt. 
 Seth Hathaway. 
 Michael Crisman. 
 Hans Crisman. 
 Wm. Long. 
 Thos. Long. 
 Solomon Johnson. 
 Daniel Lomax. 
 Jno. W. Lomax. 
 Ed. Henderson. 
 Alfred Gardener. 
 James Scott. 
 Hiram Johnson. 
 Hiram Morris. 
 Samuel Crisman. 
 Jas. Tobbert. 
 Sol. Skagg. 
 W. C. Vorris. 
 George Blew. 
 Hiram Scott. 
 Benj. Scott. 
 Chas. Cash. 
 Calvin Bridges. 
 James Petree. 
 Wm. Petree. 
 James Davis. 
 John Davis. 
 Calvin Slover. 
 Jas. Wheeler. 
 Wm. Flesher. 
 
 The first man wounded in the company was W. I. Sprout, and the first 
 killed was Owen Smith. 
 
 The history of the Twenty-third regiment on its reorganization is con- 
 nected with that of the Fourteenth army corps. It participates in the battle 
 of Murfreesboro, Tenn., in the Atlanta campaigns and was with Sherman in 
 his march to the sea. 
 
222 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COITNTT. 
 
 CONFEDERATES. 
 
 There were no companies formed in this countj^ for the Confederate service 
 and no record kept of those who joined the South. Capt. Coleman recruited 
 a few men here in 1861, and witli the best information, after the most 
 searching inquiry, there seems to have been about two hundred men from 
 this county to join the Confederate cause. They were not recruited, except 
 those who joined Capt. Coleman's company, but generally left in small 
 squads, from five to twenty, and made their way to the South. 
 
 Capt. Jacob Bain, of Lincoln township, raised a company in Mercer 
 county and came down to Lincoln, his old home, and recruited others from 
 among his old acquaintances until his company numbered 183 men. They 
 camped awhile at Edinburgh and then went to Chillicothe, where they were 
 mustered in Col. Clark's regiment. 
 
 GRUNDY COUNTY BATTALION. 
 
 The above battalion were six months' militia, and were mustered into ser- 
 vice in October, 1861. They remained at their several camps, with an occa- 
 sional drill, until November, 1861, when they were organized and found 
 service in breaking up sundry secession encampments, and acting as scouts 
 and skirmishers for the various regiments encamped in the neighborhood. 
 They were sent to Chillicothe, where they remained until they were mus- 
 tered out. They numbered 269 men, rank and file. There were in all five 
 companies, and officered as follows: 
 
 Walter King, lieutenant-colonel; , major; James Cooj^er, surgeon; 
 
 W. W. Hubbell, adjutant; Jewett Morris, quartermaster. 
 
 The companies were not lettered but had the following officers. There 
 was no roll of the men : 
 
 First company — Captain^ Jas. H. Creightou; first lieutenant, Franklin 
 Froman; second lieutenant. Perry Froman. 
 
 Second company — Captain, Sam'l M. Haycroft; first lieutenant, Henry 
 V. Stutt; second lieutenant, Wm. Dunlap. 
 
 Third company — Captain, E. L. Winters; first lieutenant, Wm. Eucker; 
 second lieutenant, Sam'l J. Warner. 
 
 Fourth company — Captain, Martin B. Garvin; first lieutenant, P. H. 
 Yakey; second lieutenant, W. W. Hubbell. 
 
 Fifth company — Captain, E. A. Morton; first lieutenant, George Long- 
 head; second lieutenant, James Martin. 
 
 The Forty-fourth regiment of State militia was organized and enrolled 
 for service in October, 1862, and W. B. Eogers was. commanding colonel of 
 the same November 5th, his commission dating from October 24, 1862. 
 The regiment numbered 516 men, 46 officers, and was in service 25 days.. 
 
 It was not until August, 1862, that the members of the Twenty-third Mis-i 
 souri regiment were gotten together for reorganization. Those who werel 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 223 
 
 prisoners, and others that came back, in all about 250, were again placed in 
 rank and the regiment recruited up to a fair number and went at once into 
 active service. There were but a few Grundy county men in tlie new 
 organization outside of company B. The regiment was a fighting regiment 
 from its first organization. Wni. and R. A. Collier, Moberly, Torpey, in fact all 
 of the original company not killed or wounded were in the regiment, except- 
 ing tliose who resigned. The regiment did duty in different parts of the 
 State as provost-guard until July 3d, wlien it was ordered to Vicksburg, 
 but as that post fell July 4th they did not go, but went to Holla to guard 
 and cut out timber for a fort. In Ifovember they were ordered to report to 
 Geiieral Rosseau and became a part of his brigade in the fight around Nash- 
 ville, and from there took part in the siege of Atlanta, where the regiment 
 was badly cut up. PrevioTis to the Atlanta siege the regiment had been trans- 
 ferred to General Turchin's command, a part of the Fourteenth army corps. 
 They were in North Alabama a while at Galeville, and marciied from thence 
 to Rome, Ga., on to Kingston, some fifty odd miles north of west of 
 Atlanta. They remained there until Sherman was ready to start or hi 
 memorable march to the sea and became a part of tiiat army. The regi- 
 ment was mustered out at Wasliington, D. C, June 10, 1865. Besides this 
 regiment there were quite a number of Grundy county men connected with 
 the Eighteenth and tlie Thirty-fifth regiments of volunteer infantry, and also 
 the Seventh Missouri State militia. 
 
 FORTY-FOURTH REGIMENT. 
 
 The Forty-fourth regiment was organized in August, 186i, and it was the 
 expectation the}' were to remain in Missouri and become a sort of home- 
 guard to protect the State from the raids of jay hawkers and organized bands 
 of thieves, but they counted badlj', for they were immediately ordered to 
 the front. Even, , before fully recruited they were ordered to Rolla. In 
 November the regiment was ordered to Paducah, Kentucky, where they 
 arrived on the 16th, with nearly one-third of its members sick and unfit 
 for duty. Those who were able were sent out to meet rebel cavahy. From 
 Paducah they went to Columbia, Tenn., and were placed under General Scho- 
 field in the Twenty-third army corps. Tliey took part in the battle at 
 Franklin, wliere they sufi'ered heavy loss and fell back on Nashville, at 
 which place they arrived Dec. 1st, 186-J:. They were joined to General A. J. 
 Smith's corps from Sept. 3d until mustered out at St. Louis, August 15th, 
 1865. They had been in several engagements in Mississippi and Alabama, 
 and had been down the river to New Orleans and from there to Mont- 
 gomery, Alabama. From Tuskegee they were ordered to St. Louis. There 
 is no roll of the Grund}' county men who composed a pait of this regiment. 
 Two of Trenton's prominent citizens were in it, Rezin A. DeBolt as major; 
 W. B. Rogers, then of Princeton, Mercer county, captain of company' D, 
 
224 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 and M. A. Winters, captain company K; Jas. Overman, first lieutenant, 
 and Sam'l Warner, who was killed at the battle near Columbia, Tenn., 
 :N"ovember 29, 1864. 
 
 There was an enrollment of all able-bodied men subject to military duty 
 in January, 1865, and the following- named persons were apx^ointed as en- 
 rolling officers. The number found was not reported, or if so the record 
 has not been kept. They started on their duty January 4tli: 
 
 " W. Dillon, T. J. Clawson and W. B. Dillon, Marion township; E. L. 
 Winters, John Rolls and Wm. Tolle, Liberty township; C. H. Cornwell, 
 Wm. Wyatt and W. Y. Denslow, Franklin township; C. Burgess, G. A. 
 Spickard and John McHarque, Washington township; W. B. Grubb, W. 
 W. Metcalf and A. R. Tate, Madison township; Joseph Lucas, W. H. Tur- 
 ner and L. Chenowith, Jefferson township; A. Y. Shanklin, J. S. Estes and 
 J. B. Thomas, Trenton township." 
 
 Such is the record of Grundy county in the late civil ^war, and is a con- 
 cise history of all that can be found in reference thereto, and is carefully 
 confined to the facts. Many personal incidents might be recorded, but 
 would not be of general intei'est and are therefore left out. The record al- 
 together is one to be proud of and Grundy county upon the battle-field for 
 the pi-eservation of the Union acted a noble part. 
 
 The war cloud had passed, but it had left a trail red with the blood of the 
 sons of freedom; yet had peace come, and the land so latel}' rended by strife 
 and raging hosts of armed men, now lay quiet, bathing in the soft sunlight 
 of a spring day, and hope, the white winged messenger of despairing hearts, 
 came in silent gladness to the people once more. Tlie Blue and the Gray 
 had met in mortal strife; they now meet as brothers. Tlie country has suf- 
 fered and passed through a trying oi'deal, bnt liberty remains unscathed. 
 Let us hope that the future of our country may never again be in the 
 throes of a fratricidal strife, and that peace and bi'otherly love may be upon 
 the banner of tliose who shall now and in all future time guide the destin- 
 ies of this great republic. Strong, solid and as enduring as the rock of 
 ages, its principles founded upon the rights of the people for self-govern- 
 ment, liolding out its hands in welcome to the oppressed of all nations, the 
 " Blue and Gray" unite once more in bonds of fraternal union, and standing 
 side by side will ever guard the portals of liberty from all foes. And thus 
 standing side by side as brothers, there is notliing more appropriate to close 
 the record of the past tlian the beautiful tribute of Francis Miles Finch, at 
 Arlinofton : 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 THE BLUE AND THE GRAY. 
 
 By the flow of the inland river, 
 
 Whence the fleets of iron had fled, 
 Where the blades of the grave-grass quiver,. 
 Asleep are the ranks of the dead ; 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Under the one, the Blue; 
 Under the other, the Gray. 
 
 Those in the robing of glory, 
 
 Those in the gloom of defeat, 
 All with the battle blood gory. 
 In the dusk of eternity meet; 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Under the laurel, the Blue; 
 Under the willow, the Gray. 
 
 From the silence of sorrowful hours, 
 
 The desolate mourners go. 
 Lovingly laden with flowers. 
 Alike for the friend and the foe; 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Under the rose, the Blue; 
 Under the lilies, the Gray. 
 
 So with an equal splendor, 
 
 The morning sun -rays fall; 
 With a touch impatiently tender, 
 On the blossoms blomingfor all; 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Broidered with gold, the Blue; 
 Mellowed with gold, the Gray. 
 
 So when the Summer calleth. 
 On forest and field of grain, 
 With an equal murmur falleth. 
 The cooling drip of the rain ; 
 Under the sod and the dew, 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Wet with rain, the Blue, 
 Wet with rain, the Gray. 
 
 Sadly, but not with upbraiding. 
 The generous deed was done; 
 In the storm of years now fading, 
 No braver battle was won; 
 
 Under the sod and the dew. 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Under the blossoms, the Blue; 
 Under the garlands, the Gray. 
 
 225 
 
226 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 No more shall the war-cry sever, 
 
 Or the winding river be red; 
 They banish our anger forever, 
 When they laurel the graves of our dead. 
 Under the sod and the dew, 
 
 Waiting the judgment day; 
 Love and tears for the Blue; 
 Tears and love for the Gray. 
 
 FEOM 1862 TO 1865 — the dark days of the civil wak. 
 
 During the dark days of the civil strife which shook the pillars of freedom 
 to their foundation, there was, outside of the army, much of history which 
 has not and never will be recorded. The records of local aifairs, not men- 
 tioned in army history, and much of the fierceness of that strife and its re- 
 taliating spirit, is found in the home or local surroundings. Of this local 
 liistoiy we give a chapter below from the graceful pen of Dr. Thos. Kimlin, 
 who depicts, as with a practiced hand, the home events of Grundy county, 
 while the struggling combatants, in serried columns, fought for supremacy 
 upon the battle-fields of the South. The following is from the Doctor's 
 graphic pen : 
 
 " GRUNDY AT HOME. 
 
 "In the montli of June, 1862, the Writer of this sketch, then a young man 
 of twenty-four, walked from Chillicothe, in Livingston county, to Trenton, 
 in Grundy. He had come from New York, and on arriving at Chillicothe 
 found his means exhausted, consequently was obliged to resort to natural 
 locomotion to reach his destination. The Harry House was the only hotel 
 in Chillicothe, and as the tired traveler rested there for one night, thinking 
 of his walk on the morrow, he was anything but delighted to hear that the 
 bushwhackers were seen on the Trenton and Chillicothe road tlie day before, 
 and were raiding around Springfield. 
 
 " The next moi-ning dawned bright and beautiful, and as our traveler struck 
 north he thought he ne\'er saw a more lovely counti'y. The prairie was of 
 a gentle, i^ndulating character, covered with a fine growth of grass and in- 
 terspersed with belts of timber — hickory, oak, ash, elm, cottouwood and 
 black walnut. Numerous streams crossed the country, along the banks of 
 which the wild plum and crab-apple grew in the greatest luxuriance. The 
 soil was a fine, deep, dark loam. The woods and streams abounded in 
 game. The chattering squirrel ran across the road or, perched on a sturiip, 
 scolded like a fish-woman; the shy rabbit loped along under the shade of the 
 bushes; coveys of quails from time to time rose whirring in the air; and 
 on passing the creeks and water pools many a wild duck flew away on clam- 
 orous wing. Only the road was deserted. In the entire distance he met 
 not a single individual. No farmers were at M'ork in the fields; no loaded 
 teams wended their way to town; no market wagons filled with noisy lads, 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 227 
 
 rosy lasses, or aged parents, went clattering home with recently acquired 
 stores of dry goods and groceries. Even the few houses along the road 
 looked deserted — in one or two the doors and windows were jealously closed, 
 and in a few others the widely open door and broken windows revealed 
 empty desolation within. 
 
 '•About half w&j between Trenton and Chillicothe stood two farm-houses 
 a short distance from the road whicli were some months afterward the scene 
 of a terrible tragedy' that to-day invests the neighborhood with a strange 
 horror. Again a few blackened beams, a pile of crumbling brick or stone, 
 showed where a house had been. What had happened here? What had 
 become of the inhabitants? Happily for the traveler's peace of mind he 
 did not know then, nor \mtil long afterward, for those who knew of these 
 occurrences were very reluctant to speak about them. 
 
 "Our traveler, however, arrived safely in Trenton, which he found to l)e a 
 town of perhaps seventy or eighty houses, clustered irregularly around a 
 square brick building, the county house. The appearance of the place was 
 not such as to impress a stranger very favorably. Instead of being located 
 on one of the fine prairies with which Grund}' county abounds, the town 
 was built on and between a number of scraggy bluffs adjacent to Grand 
 River. These blulFs had been washed out of all shape by rains, and cut 
 into gullies so deep that some of the streets were impassable. The 
 streets were overgrown with a prodigous growth of "jimson'' aud dog- 
 fennel, which, when in bloom, filled the atmosphere with an odor that was 
 more striking than pleasant. The population was rather heterogeneous. 
 The war had swept off the best part of the people — the young men to join 
 the Union armies; the feeble and weak-kneed in body and loyalty to the 
 more bracing climate of Montana and Oregon. 
 
 " In politics Trenton had been Democratic, so mucli so that in the election 
 of 1860, bi^t two or three votes were cast for Lincoln. iSTow it was all 
 the other wa}'. Trenton got so loyal it leaned backward ; or, rather, when 
 the really patriotic men had joined the army, man}' rough characters came 
 to the suface who, otherwise, would have remained hidden in their native 
 obscurity, and these ruffians, assuming the garb of loyal men and Republi- 
 cans, were a disgrace, alike to the cause of the one and the name of the 
 other. 
 
 In no State in the Union did men, both Democrats and Republicans, turn 
 out in defense of their country more enthusiastically than in north Mis- 
 souri; and no county in north Missouri exceeded "loyal old Grundy." 
 
 " Rampant ruffianism made it almost as dangerous for a man to say he 
 was a Democrat, as to say he was a rebeh Even the families of Democrats, 
 whose sons perhaps were in the Union array, were not altogetlier safe. 
 
 " The Rev. Mr. Starr, an infirm Methodist preacher M'hose only son was 
 in the Union army, and who was on Grierson's staff in his famous raid to 
 
228 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 New Orleans, M^as subjected to numerous petty persecutions. One was the 
 nailing of a Union flag over his front door, not as a sign of loyalty, but as a 
 mark of disgrace — pretty much of the same character as the red flag nailed 
 to houses suspected of containing small-pox. 
 
 " Street fights were common, and it was a poor day that did not afford two 
 or three fights, perhaps coming off at one and the same time. 
 
 " The business of the town had suffered a severe shock by the war. Some 
 of the best firms had succumbed; probably the largest amount of trading 
 was done at ' Moberly's Corner,' and carried on chiefly by "Wm. 0. Benson, 
 who was at that time treasurer of the county. 
 
 " The people were frank and hosjjitable in their manners, and their tastes 
 were simple. They had few amusements. Among the ladies, good looks 
 were then, as well as now, the rule, especially among the girls up to the age 
 of twenty', and plain looks the exception. The writer don't remember of 
 seeing a really ugly woman except once, and she hailed from an adjoining 
 county. To join in their social recreations, one might easily fancy himself 
 in some primitive acadia, where the shepherds piped to their lassies on 
 wheaten straws; indeed, one favorite game was called 'Weevily wheat,' 
 from an artless song of that name. This song was sung by the entire com- 
 pany while marching two and two around a circle. The refrain was: 
 
 I won't have none of your weevily wheat, 
 
 I won't have none of your barley, 
 For I must have the best of wheat 
 To bake a cake for Charley — 
 
 '• The song went on to tell who Charley was and what were his qualifica- 
 tions, thus: 
 
 For Charley he is a nice young man. 
 
 And Charley he's a dandy; 
 And Charley loves to kiss the girls — ^ 
 
 As sweet as sugar candy. 
 
 " But for the matter of that, each yonng lady mentally fitted the nanae to 
 her own particular admirer. 
 
 " There was one piano in town, perhaps two, but for good downright ear- 
 piercing music the fife bore off the palm. We may be mistaken, but we be- 
 lieve that the filer's stock of music consisted of two pieces, the one he was 
 alwa^'s playing, at least when we could hear him — and that was daily — the 
 other tune was never heard. 
 
 " Pitching dollars into a hole in tlie ground was a favorite out-door game. 
 It was generallj' carried on in front of a groggery, and the players were sure 
 to be surrounded by a circle of highly interested spectators, their interest 
 being partly accounted for by the fact that, with western generosity, many 
 of the games were played for ' drinks for the crowd.' 
 
 " Correspondence with the outer world was carried on by means of a hack 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 229 
 
 which made a tri-weekly trip to Chillicothe. Tlie arrival of the hack was 
 always the signal for a crowd to gather around the post-office, and listen 
 while tlie address on each letter and paper was called out by the worthy 
 postmistress, Mrs. Collier. When the papers were distributed, they ad- 
 journed to some convenient fence corner to hear the news about the war. 
 This was generally read aloud by Mr. A. Iv. Sykes, who has done more 
 gratuitous work of this kind for the people, than any other man in the 
 count}'. 
 
 " At times the monotony of this life would be broken by a report of a raid 
 of bushwhackers somewhere in the neighl)orhood, and the men and hoys 
 would be hastily gathered together, enrolled as militia, and either sta- 
 tioned as guards on the roads leading to town, or sent off to protect some 
 more threatened or scared locality. 
 
 '■ The writer has a distinct recollection of a certain hurried march to the 
 neighboring town of Edinburgh, taking possession of the college there, and 
 being quartered on tlie town for a day or two, very much to the disgust of 
 the inhabitants, who appeared more relieved • by our depai'ture than over- 
 joyed by our presence. 
 
 " Truth compels me to say that the militia made no nice distinctions be- 
 tween memn et tuum, in the matter of corn and chickens. These militia 
 raids were sometimes more extended, even on occasion going as far as tlie 
 Missouri River. On one memorable tour the Grundy county militia were 
 gone two weeks, and scoured the counties of Livingston, Tiay, Carroll and 
 Caldwell. The militia from Mercer, Harrison, Daviess, Sullivan and Put- 
 nam took part in this demonstration, as well as a few companies of Illinois 
 cavalry. The writer, who had never been on liorseback before, was mounted 
 on a little scrub of a pony that had a vicious tendency of falling upon its 
 nose every few hundred yards. Two of the heaviest doctors in tlie county 
 accompanied the men, well ladened with lint and bandages. Several preach- 
 ers also went along, presumably', to attend to the morals of their flock. The 
 •company was under the command of Capt. R. A. DeBolt. The first day's 
 inarch brought them to Chillicothe, where muskets and ammunition were dis- 
 tributed to the men, who were then slightly drilled and the new recruits ini- 
 tiated into the duties of militia men, i. e., stealing fodder and trading horses. 
 As Chillicothe was a friendly town and near liome, the tirst was generally 
 done by moonlight or starlight under tlie guidance of a more experienced 
 comrade. The latter was performed on the authorit}' of an order issued by 
 our worthy colonel, J. II. Shanklin, directing liis men if the inhabitants did 
 not supply them with horses when when they needed them, to take 
 them by force. 
 
 •'The recruits were all apt scholars. Indeed, how could they be otherwise 
 with such teachers? To be sure, the preference was given to rebel corn- 
 cribs and rebel horses, and a Union corn-crib, if empty, was not touched. 
 
230 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 and a Union liorse, if blin^d or lame, was considerately left to its owner. 
 The expedition was a grand success. All the more so, perhaps, because it 
 fell in with no bushwhackers. Rebel chickens were plenty, and so wei-e 
 rebel horses, and the men of CTrnndy helped themselves as coolly to one as 
 to the other, so that the fame of their exploits went through all that region 
 round about. Indeed, it was maliciously said that when the women would 
 hear the Grundy militia were coming they liastil}^ gathered up their children 
 and valuables and hid themselves in the brush. It is hard to say what gave 
 them this notoriety ; whether it was from their hungry looks (for by accident 
 or design they had been assigned to the rear of the column where there was 
 but scanty picking), or whether it was because they had so many preachers^ 
 in their company, and a natural inference in regard to chickens was the conse- 
 cpence — one divine had the bow of his saddle adorned with a defunct 
 rooster, that caused considerable merriment — or whether it was, as the 
 writer suspects to be the fact, because the militia froin the neighboring 
 counties when they stole anything and were caught at it invariably said they 
 were from Grundy county. At any rate the Grundy militia got the blame 
 for all the depredations committed, and for years afterward were hated by 
 the people of the river counties even as the Jews hated the Philistines. 
 The truth is, that except taking a little corn-fodder, occasionally borrowing 
 a horse when their own gave out, leaving their name and address with the 
 owner, the Grundy county militia paid their exjaenses out of their own 
 pockets. 
 
 " One beautiful morning down on the Missouri bottom the bugle sounded 
 the companies to fall into line. The tired militia who had been reclining 
 on the grass, or eating their scanty breakfasts, mounted their horses in haste 
 and took their stations in their respective companies. The militia of 
 Grundy, always among the first to obej' an order, were soon in their places, 
 wondering what was going to take place next. On their right and left were 
 stationed the various other militia companies composing the expedition and 
 on the extreme left the Illinois cavalry. Some important order was about 
 to be given. Some said that the bushwhackers had escaped and that th^ 
 would be followed over the river. That was good news, for there was not 
 one thei'e who would not willingly have gone over the Arkansas line if nec- 
 essary. The officer commanding and his staff were posted some little dis- 
 tance oft". Suddenly an adjutant left the group and rode to the place where 
 DeBolt's company was stationed. Halting, he took out a paper and read 
 the following: 
 
 "'Wheeeas, Continual complaints have reached the ears of the command- 
 ing officer that the militia company under the command of Captain R. A. 
 DeBolt have been guilty of numerous crimes and misdeeds whereby the 
 morals of the command in general have been very much deteriorated, there- 
 fore they are discharged from further participation in this campaign. They 
 are ordered to report in Chillicothe and be dischai-ged,' 
 
IIISTOET OF CtRUNDT COUNTY. 233 
 
 "And so the poor militia — victims of unjust suspicion and Ijnng accusa- 
 tion — turned their horses' heads and sadly wended their way in silence over 
 the hills to the right of the encampment and struck out for home. The 
 same evening on halting for the night an examination was made of the 
 entire company, at their own request, to ascertain if any had been guilty of 
 stealing. The result was: One old horse blanket, one curry comb, three 
 onions and twenty ears of corn. 
 
 " The greater part of the company had too much respect for themselves to 
 forget, for a single moment, that they were gentlemen and men of honor, 
 and would have scorned to commit the petty crimes with which they were 
 charged. 
 
 " Two days afterward the company reached Trenton, where, in the wel- 
 come they received, they soon forgot their fatigue, disasters and mortifica- 
 tion. In the foregoing sketch, when alluding to the Grundy county militia, 
 DeBolt's company, composed of men living in and about Trenton, was more 
 particularly meant, as that was the company that was so especially honored 
 on the Missoui'i bottom. 
 
 "Before the war closed, the disorderly spirits in Trenton, got so out- 
 rageous in their conduct, that Col. Shanklin was ordered to take a company^ 
 of militia from St. Joe, proceed to Trenton to arrest the violators of thepeace^ 
 and take them to St. Joe for trial. This was done and Trenton had no more 
 trouble. The war came to a close, and with the return of the heroes' who- 
 went, happiness and peace settled down, though here and there a mournful 
 face looked out on the silent night, and the gazer thought of her loved one 
 lying dead beneath the stars that twinkled so tremulously in the Southern 
 
 " Time passed on, the clouds of war faded away one by one, and instead of 
 the roar of distant cannon, the roll of the emigrant's wagon was heard upon 
 all the roads of Grundy and adjacent counties. Many passed on through^ 
 crossing the Missouri River and seeking a home on the distant prairies of 
 Kansas and Nebraska, but many remained and made their homes on the 
 rich prairies that lay between Grand iiiver and Medicine Creek, and none 
 ever regretted having done so. Law and order, peace and plenty, virtue and 
 happiness have existed in old Grundy for many years, and that they may 
 ever continue to do so is the sincere wish of one who came here a stranger 
 and found friends; who came penniless and found a competence; who came 
 a bachelor and found a companion to cheer him to his life's end." 
 
234: HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER V. ' " 
 
 COMING DAWN. 
 
 Miscellaneous — Railroads, Look out for the Cars — Its First Officers — Description — County 
 and Totvn Suhsci'iption — Economt/ — J'lie Jail — The Most Accomplished Unfortunate — 
 I>-on Bridge — New Toirnships— Metes and 'Bounds — Township Registration — Election — 
 Low Assessment on Railroad Propertij — Poor-farm^The Centennial Year — Hail, Rain 
 and Wind Storm — New Judicial Districts — Wool-grower's Association — First Marriage 
 License — The County Debt. 
 
 " Come Bee what pleasures in our plains abound, 
 The|woodH, the fountains, and the flow'ry ground.^^ 
 
 The war had not yet come to a close when the people began to take an 
 interest in home improvements. The dawn of peace began to light up the 
 eastern horizon, and although it was not yet known just when it would come, 
 yet it was certain not to be in a far distant future. Thus it was that the 
 people at home came to study the problem of advanced progress, and what 
 would most add to advance the material interests of all, and it fell to rail- 
 roads to become the open sesame of that prosperity. 
 
 It was not alone that Grundy county did her duty in furnishing men for 
 the army, but in the matter of taxes she paid her part. In 1862 forty-one 
 counties paid nearly all the taxes and seventy-three paid none. Adair and 
 Harrison were the only two counties in the State that paid the State tax in 
 full. The tax of Grundy county was $3,725.47, and she paid $2,745.17, and 
 that was above the average of the other thirty-eight counties which paid a 
 portion of their State tax. 
 
 The death of Colonel Tindall, at Shiloh, necessitated another election for 
 a member of the State convention and J. H. Shanklin was elected to fill 
 the important position, and proved a prominent and one of the ablest of its 
 representatives. 
 
 In the matter of shinplaster currency a few Trentonites furnished a por- 
 tion, and found it necessai-y to get a bill of relief passed through the legis- 
 lature, which was accomplished upon the groiind that all was to be re. 
 deemed. 
 
 In 1864, at the fire of the probate judge's office, besides the records of 
 the office, the volumes of decisions of the Supreme Court were also burned. 
 After that the County Court invested $180 in purchasing a second-hand 
 safe of W. H. Robinson. 
 
 In 1865 E. P. Cariies was appointed military claim agent for the countyj 
 and in 1866 B. Wyatt was elected supervisor of registration, but removed 
 from the county in 1868, .and David C. Pugh was appointed in his place 
 and held the office until it was abolished. 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 235 
 
 EAILEOAD. 
 
 The first railroad projected, and in which the people of Grundy county, and 
 more especially Trenton township felt an interest, was the old Hannibal & 
 St. Josej^h Railroad. That road was building west and had surveyed two 
 lines, or partially so, and subscriptions were asked all along the routes. 
 Some of those connected with the road paid Grundy county a visit and the 
 result was that a proposition to subscribe ^25,000 was submitted to the 
 people. The election was held and carried, and the $25,000 was to be sub- 
 scribed on condition that the money so voted should be expended within the 
 limits of Grundy county. As the road was farther south, through the next 
 tier of counties below, it was never called for. The election cost the people 
 $150. 
 
 The railroad fever again broke out as early as 1863, even before the close 
 of the war. This time it assumed proportions that gave hope that before it 
 abated the iron horse might come snorting over the prairies and woodland 
 of the county in triumj^h. The Chillicothe & Des Moines City, which 
 changed to Chicago & Southwestern, and still later to the Chicago, Rock 
 Island & Pacific, was the first road to take practical shape and to promise 
 gratifying results. The history of this road forms a very interesting 
 chapter in the progress of Grundy county, and a full account of its progress 
 and final success will be found full of interest to future generations and to 
 many even of this day. It requires energy and perseverance to accomplish 
 any great work, and fortunately for Grundy county she was blessed with a 
 good many of that kind of people, 
 
 CHILLICOTHE AND DES MOINES CITY E. E. 
 
 It was believed that the result of the war would bring about a new order 
 of things in the State, and the people along the Grand River country were 
 not slow to partake of this spirit, so that as early as 1864 they procured a 
 charter for the Brunswick & Chillicothe Railroad, and in February, 1865 a 
 charter was also secured for the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railway 
 Company. It was the design that the people of Iowa should cooperate 
 in the movement to secure a railroad from the capital of Iowa, south 
 through the Grand River countiy, via Brunswick to St. Louis. 
 
 In the act creating the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railroad Com- 
 pany, Dr. James B. Bell, J. J. Clark, J. W. McMillan, J. li. Ellis, John A. 
 Lowe and Robert L. Moore, of Livingston count}-, Daniel Berry, G. W. 
 Moberly, A. T. Shanklin, C. Ramage, E. L. Winters, S. Wilson, William 
 Metcalf, William Bennett and William Wyatt, of Grundy county, J. A. 
 Kennedy, John Brown, T. J. Wyatt, A. Lowrey, J. Bradley, John Snyder, 
 J. F. Stevens, I. Patton and F. M. Evans, of Mercer, were made the first 
 board of directors. 
 
236 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 On the 6th of Jiine,1865, a new constitution was adopted which had a provis- 
 ion allowing the people of counties and towns throughout the State to vote 
 aid to the construction of railroads, provided two-thirds of the voters voting 
 at an election for that purpose would vote for such aid. Under this pro- 
 vision in the constitution, the people of Chillicothe and Grundy and Mercer 
 counties cooperating together, finally succeeded in voting a large subscrip- 
 tion to the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railroad Company; to-wit, 
 
 The city of Chillicothe voted $40,000, Grundy county, $200,000, and 
 Mercer $200,000 (altogether $4:40,000). 
 
 So far as Grundy county was concerned, success in voting the $200,000' 
 came by the hardest work. No less than three elections were held before a 
 two-third vote for the siabscription could be obtained. At the fall election 
 in 1866 a proposition to subscribe $200,000 was defeated; afterward, on the 
 8th day of January, 1867 the same proposition, at a special election held for 
 that purpose, was again defeated, but the people were determined to have 
 railroad connection with the " outer world," and by their zeal and energy 
 kept on pressing the question and in March, 1868, a mass-meeting was held 
 at which resolutions requesting the County Court to submit the question 
 again were passed. Accordingly, on the lltli of April, 1868, a special elec- 
 tion was held and the proposition to subscribe $200,000 to the Chillicothe 
 & Des Moines City Company was carried by more than a two-third vote^ 
 and the people were happy. On the 19th of February, 1868, the very day 
 when the right to meet and organize under the act creating the corporation, 
 expired, fifteen of the charter members met in a called meeting at Chilli- 
 cothe, and effected a temporary organization by electing Hon. Geo. W. 
 Moberly, president; Hon. Robert S. Moore, secretary; and Wm. Wyatt, 
 treasurer. At a meeting held at Trenton on the 22d of April, 1 868, the fol- 
 lowing named persons were elected directors to serve until the annual elec- 
 tion in June following; to-wit, J. H. Shanklin, M. Y. Thompson, Wm. 
 Dunlap, Stephen Peery, I. B. Bell, Smith Turner, S. H. Ferryman, Ira B. 
 Hyde, Israel Fatton, R. B. Ballew, Wm. B. Rogers, H. I. Ally and Feter 
 Cain, who organized by electing Col. J. H. Shanklin, president; S. H. Fer- 
 rjnnan, secretary; and R. B. Ballew, treasurer. The president's salary was 
 fixed at $3,500 jDer annum and expenses, and the secretary's salary, to in- 
 clude services for canvassing for subscriptions of stock to the company, was 
 fixed at $2,000. At the same meeting, Plon. Ira B. Hyde w^s apjrointed 
 attorney for the company, and the ti-easurer ordered to give a bond for 
 $50,000. On the 1st day of June anew board was elected substantially the 
 same and the same officers being continued, except that Ira B. Hyde was 
 made secretary, vice Ferryman, resigned. The company being now perma- 
 nently organized and ready for work, the president, secretary and others 
 gave nearly their whole time to the project of building a railroad from Chil- 
 licothe, where it would connect with the Brunswick'& Chillicothe Road (now 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 237 
 
 Wabash) north through Grundy and Mercer counties in the direction of 
 Des Moines and of cooperating with a company in Iowa, known as the 
 Chillicothe, Leon & Des Moines Eoad. Stock books were opened and dur- 
 ing the year the total capital stock subscribed amounted to $451,500, as 
 follows; to-wit, 
 
 Grundy county, pa3'able in Ijonds at eight per cent interest, $200,000; 
 Mercer county, pa^'able in bonds at eight per cent interest, $200,000; city 
 of Chillicothe, $40,000, payable in bonds at eiglit per cent interest. Pri- 
 vate subscriptions — cash, $3,760, and lands in various conditions, $7,750. 
 
 Steps were at once taken to employ a corps of engineers to locate the 
 road, and early in June, 1868, a strong force was put to work to sur- 
 vey and locate the road, with Peter Markey as chief, and H. N. Arm- 
 strong as assistant engineers. This work was vigorously pressed, so that as 
 early as the 10th of February 1869, the road was ready to be let for con- 
 struction; and on the said 10th of February the contract for grading, 
 bridging and tieing the road, from Chillicothe to Princeton, a distance of 
 forty-nine miles, was awarded to Messrs. Nolan & Moore, for $320,000, in 
 bonds of the company, which proved not to be sufficient. " The construc- 
 tion of the road-bed was at once commenced and vigorously prosecuted till 
 in July, when a rainy season set in and almost totally stopped the work, 
 and as no contract for ironing, equipping and operating the road up to this 
 time had been secured, the spirit of criticism was developed, and consider- 
 able opposition manifested itself against the further issuing of county bonds 
 in payment of its subscrijDtion, which at this time amounted to about 
 $50,000. The county committee, composed of Hon. A. H. Burkeholder, 
 president, and William Y. Denslow and G. A. Spickard, withstood the oppo- 
 sition, and the president of the committee continued to issue bonds as the 
 work on the road progressed, as the committee had agreed to do, and not- 
 withstanding " Black Friday " (27th of September, 1869), and its effect upon 
 the financial condition of the country, which strengthened local opposition, 
 the board of directors and the members of the county courts of Grundy 
 and Mercer counties, met at Trenton, October 19, 1869, and resolved to co- 
 operate together, and go ahead with the construction of the road-bed, and 
 between that time and the 1st of May, 1870, the president of the County 
 Court continued to issue bonds, as the work in the construction of the road 
 progressed, until the entire subscription of the county had been paid in 
 bonds. 
 
 About the middle of February, 1870, negotiations were opened between 
 the Chiliicotlie & Des Moines City Railroad Company and the Chicago & 
 Southwestern Railroad Company, which, on the 20th day of April, 1870, 
 resulted in an agreement as follows: That tlie Chillicothe & Des Moines 
 Company let and lease to the Chicago & Southwestern Company, all that 
 portion of the road-bed between Princeton and Trenton, and such further 
 
238 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COTJNTY. 
 
 portion south of Trenton as may be necessary to make a convenient cross- 
 ing of East Fork of Grand Eiver, for the full term of nine hundred and 
 ninety-nine years, on the condition that the lessees should, within eighteen 
 months from that time, iron and operate the road. This contract was in the 
 main put into writing on the 3d of June, 1870. Prior to the opening of 
 these negotiations, the people generally had become despondent — there did 
 not seem any way out — no feasible plan in sight. to get the road ironed, 
 equi^jped and operated, because at that time the North Missouri and the 
 Hannibal & St. Josepli I'oads were loaded down with mortgages, and were 
 xinable to undertake any new enterprise. So when the Chicago & South- 
 western came in sight, and it became known that the foregoing lease was 
 effected, the people felt that though there had been " grojjing in the dark," 
 yet "there was light behind the clouds," and that the money that the 
 county had furnished was well invested, as the management was better than 
 had been expected, that it would place Grundy county on a great through 
 line of railway, connecting with Chicago and the East on the one side, with 
 the great grain and cattle producing ]-egions of the Southwest, and the peo- 
 ple were again happy. And the sequel shows that it M^as a wise movement, 
 as the completion of the road soon followed, reaching Trenton from the 
 north on the Sith day of June, 1871, and as early as September the road 
 was completed clear through the county, and ready for through business to 
 Leavenworth as early as October, 1871. 
 
 In July and August the question of locating the railroad machine-shops 
 agitated the people. The people of Trenton voted $10,000 and secured about 
 $3,000 worth of land and offered it to the Chicago & Southwestern, if the 
 company would establish a division round-house and machine-shops at 
 Trenton permanently. The company accepted the proposition and the 
 people were again well satisfied with their investment, as it has made Tren- 
 ton a first-class town and a splendid home market for the people of the 
 county. In addition to the above, the Chicago & Southwestern Railway 
 company also received $50,000 in eight per cent bonds, from the town of 
 Trenton, in payment of a subscription voted to the company as early as 
 July, 1869, on the condition that their road should pass through Trenton. 
 
 In the contract made on the 20th of April, 1870, between the Chicago & 
 Des Moines Railway Company and the Chicago & Southwestern Railway 
 Company, the latter company had the right, at their option, within eighteen 
 months, to complete and operate that portion of the line between Muddy 
 Creek and Chillicothe, belonging to the former, which was then nearly 
 ready for the iron. Tlie Chicago & Southwestern did not, however, elect to 
 complete and operate the same, and after fruitless efforts to get some other 
 corporation to do so, the board of directors sold the ties along that part of 
 their line, and the same remains in an unfinished condition to-day. The 
 board of directors elected in 1868 remained in the board, with very few 
 
HISTOEY OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 239 
 
 changes, till June, 1877, when a new set of men were elected as directors 
 uf the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railroad Company, who at once 
 worked up a feasible plan to iron and operate the road between Trenton and 
 Chillicothe, but the great "railroad strike," that took place in July, 1877 
 frustrated their plan, and the same was afterward abandoned, and this 
 branch still remains uncompleted. The present management, headed by 
 Judge George Hall as president and E. M. Harber as secretary, is sanguine 
 that at no distant day the road will be completed and operated, and the 
 railroads at Chillicothe and Trenton be connected. It may be added here 
 that while it was originallj' contemplated to build a railroad from the city 
 of Des Moines, Iowa, south, and down along the Grand Kiver, via Bruns- 
 wick, to St. Louis, the friends of the project succeeded in building a road 
 from Chillicothe to Brunswick, where connection was made with a St. 
 Louis line, and from Trenton to Princeton, leaving a gap between Chilli- 
 cothe and Trenton and between Princeton and Des Moines in the line as 
 originally designed. 
 
 It may here be i-emarked that the board, who had the management of 
 building the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railroad, had many difficulties 
 to contend with; mud in the winter and spring of 1869, and a rainy season 
 in the following summer, as well as local criticism and financial embarrass- 
 ments. Nearly all the capital stock of the company consisted in county 
 bonds, which went oif stubbornly at seventy cents on the dollar, and had 
 not the county courts of Grundy and Mercer counties supplemented the 
 eftbrts of the board, the project doubtless would not have been a success. 
 
 In February-, 1877, a few months before the old board retired, they pub- 
 lished a financial statement concerning the entire labors from April, 1868, 
 which, in substance, shows that the subscribed capital stock by the counties 
 of Grundy and Mercer was all paid; to-wit, $400,000, which, in the main, 
 was disposed of at seventy cents on the dollaf, and realized to the company 
 $280,000 in cash. That from subscriptions on private stock the company 
 received $2,439. From the Omaha Railroad Company, on the right of way, 
 the company received $989. From the {^Ihicago & Southwestern Railroad 
 Company, $11,000, in aid of construction. From sale of Grundy county 
 bonds in excess of seventy cents, $450. From sale of Mercer county bonds, 
 in excess of seventy cents, $591, making a total of actual, available cash 
 funds with which to build the road the sum of $295,469.50. And the rec- 
 ords of tlie corapan}' show that the treasurer of the board paid out the 
 following amounts: For engineering salaries, $48,226.93; to contractors 
 Nolan and Moore, including work done after Messrs. Nolan and Moore had 
 failed, in cash, $246,267.18, making a total of $294,494.11, and leaving a 
 balance of $575.39 in the treasury, August 25, 1871, and which was after- 
 ward paid out. 
 
 A casual observation of the foregoing statement will show that the city 
 
240 HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 of Chillicothe failed to pay Lei- subscription of $40,000 and which the 
 people of Grrundy c ounty regarded, and atthe time the cit}' council refused 
 to issue and deliver the bonds, charged as bad faith on the part of Chilli- 
 cothe. 
 
 It may be added that the Chicago & Southwestern Eailroad was a mere 
 construction company backed up and indorsed by the Chicago, Kock Island 
 & Pacific which was the real party in interest and which was seeking an 
 outlet to the Missouri River at Leavenworth and the connection the Rock 
 Island has since made at Atchison and Kansas City has made the road 
 through Orundy a grand trunk line, between the east and tlie west. 
 
 The foregoing is a concise and succinct des cription of the birth, growth 
 and development of the first railroad built through the county, and is a 
 sufficient statement, for this volume, of the public spirit of her citizens in 
 voting aid for the construction of the road, as well as the public services, 
 the zeal and determination manifested by some of her citizens who took a 
 government ofiicial grant in the first successful i-ailroad enterprise of the 
 county. 
 
 The following bit of history will show the spirit of perseverance, which 
 characterized the efforts of the citizens of Grundy county to secure railroad 
 connections. In 1850 a proposition of $25,000 was voted to the aid of 
 the construction of the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad. $500 were expended 
 by the County Court in 1866 in surveying routes through the county for 
 the location of the Chillicothe & Des Moines Railroad. 
 
 A proposition to subscribe $200,000 to the Chillicothe & Des Moines 
 Railroad was voted down at the November election in 1866, and the same 
 was again voted down on the 8th of January, 1867, but was carried at a 
 special election on the 11th of April, 1868. At the July term of the County 
 Court in 1869, orders were made submitting the question to the people of 
 subscribing $150,000 to the tJhicago & Southwestern Railroad Company 
 and $150,000 to the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad Company and 
 $50,000 to the Brookfield & Trenton Railroad Company but these propo- 
 sitions all failed. 
 
 TOWNSHIP SUBSCKIPTIONS. 
 
 In May, 1870, the township of Madison voted down a proposition to vote 
 $25,000 to the capital stock of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad Com- 
 pany. On the 20th of July, 1871, Marion township voted $50,000 to the 
 capital stock of the Lexington & Utica Railroad Company. In the spring 
 of 1873 Madison township voted down a proposition to subscribe $25,u00 
 to the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad and Marion township carried 
 a like proposition and Trenton township voted $50,000 to the Quincy, Mis- 
 souri & Pacific Railroad at the same time. On the 22d of October, 1875, 
 Marion township voted $15,000 more to the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific 
 Railroad. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 241 
 
 CITY SUBSCRIPTIONS. 
 
 The city of Trenton voted $50,000 to the capital stock of the Chicago & 
 Southwestern Raih-oad Company in the month of July, 1869, f50,000 to 
 the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Koad in October, 1875, $50,000 to the Chil- 
 licothe & Des Moines City Railroad Company in November, 1875, and 
 §13,000 for the repair and machine-shops in 1871; all together out of the 
 various propositions $528,000 of county, town and township subscriptions 
 were carried b}' a two-third vote as the law required, and bonds by the 
 county and city of Trenton to the amount of $263,000 were issued. The 
 respective railroads to which the remainder of the subscriptions were voted 
 never complied with the conditions of the subscriptions and hence the same 
 were never paid in bonds. The last effort of the people of Trenton and 
 vicinity made to secure further railroad connection was in July, 1880, which 
 I'esulted in raising $40,000 by private subscriptions to the Quincy, Mis- 
 souri & Pacific Road payable in one*and two years on the condition that the 
 road would be built through the corporate limits of Trenton by the first of 
 July, 1881, so that the subscriptions, both public and private, amount to a lit- 
 tle over $300,000 but in return for this the people of the county have secured 
 railroad property of an assessed value of nearly $400,000. 
 
 The county judges still continued to hold to the policy of economy, and 
 while allowing the probate judge $10 per month in excess of fees, knocked 
 off sixty dollars in a lump they had agreed to pay him. Judge Burke- 
 holder made an application for a salary as probate judge, but the court was 
 not in favor of any such extravagance and concluded that Judge Burke- 
 holder could live on glory and such occasional fees as he could pick up, and 
 this closes the year 1867, for that refusal was dated December 31, 1867. 
 
 The jail, however, is deserving of mention. It was ordered built in Jan- 
 uary and completed June 4th. It was a building which for its beauty and 
 strength particularly pleased the editor of the Trenton Reiniblican, who 
 took occasion to say: "Tiie jail is completed. There are four cells below, 
 and up stairs three rooms for the use of the sheriff and other ofKcers. The 
 plans were by Capt. Herrick; W. H. Smith was the builder." Of the cells 
 the editor says that " they are well ventilated and strong enough to hold 
 the most accomplished unfortunate." This was June 9tli, and on June 
 16th, the next issue, tlie editor felt constrained to remark, that " the jail 
 was a good deal 'Fuller' the other day than it is now." The facts of the 
 case were that a burglar by the name of Fuller was caught and locked up 
 in one of those cells which were " strong enough to hold the irost accom- 
 plished unfortunate," and it didn't take but three days to get out, and 
 he was resting about three-fourths of that time. The next week a couple 
 of accused murderers were incarcerated, and they, too, left without bidding 
 
242 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 the sheriif good bye. The genial Rogers felt sick, and apologized to the 
 "accomplished unf'oi-tnnates " and admitted they knew more about jails 
 than lie did, and the next jail delivery he simply stated that another " ac- 
 complished unfortunate " had left. The editor will conHne his judgment 
 to board fences in the future, if allowed to see the posts set. 
 
 The iron bridge across the river by the woolen mills cost f 9,000 and was 
 built by the Snath Truss Bridge Company. It was afterward decided to 
 have iron piers and they were added at a cost of $1,800. The old railroad 
 bridge across the Weldon fork, was rebuilt and this bridge cost $2,000. The 
 railroad and the machine-shops brought a large number of families here and 
 lumber was in demand. 
 
 Twenty saw-mills were in operation in the county in 1870, and then it 
 took three lumber yards to fill the demand.' The opening of the first rail- 
 road, the Chicago Rock Island & Pacific, in the count}', took place July 
 29th, 1871, and an excursion train and party from Chicago came over the 
 line Sejjfember 25th. The first s^iipment from the county was from Trenton, 
 and in three days there were sent out twelve cars of stock and six car loads 
 of grain. It will thus be seen that the farmers took prompt advantage of 
 their opportunity. 
 
 In 1871 $150 which were asked for by the Agricultural and Mechanical 
 Association as a donation was disallowed, but $800 were voted as a yearly 
 compensation to the man who held the office of treasurer. 
 
 In the matter of taxation of the railroad, the city of Trenton being a sub- 
 scriber to the stock, called upon the county for a fair divide. The city's 
 representatives met the County Court, and the basis of the compromise 
 was that the county subscription amounted to $200,000 and the city's $64,- 
 200 and the taxation it was agreed to divide upon that basis. 
 
 NEW TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 The new township organization law which passed, and which so far as 
 this county was concerned, by nearly a unanimous vote in its favor, was put in 
 force in Grundy county, by the prompt act of tlie County Court. "At the 
 November term of the County Court, 1872, the following members of the 
 court being present; viz., G. Williams, James McCane, G. W. Moberly; 
 clerk, W. H. Roberts and N. A. Winters, sheriff, the court proceeded to 
 organize the township into municipal districts as required by the township 
 organization law, at adjourned session of the 26th General Assembly of the 
 state of Missouri, and adopted by the qualified voters of Grundy county at 
 the election held on the 5th day of November, 1872. The township organ- 
 ization law was carried in Grundy county by a vote of 1,205 in its favor, to 33 
 against it. The boundaries of the several townships were then made, and 
 the county divided into thirteen municipal districts, in place of the original 
 seven which had stood from 1845 to the date of the new districting. The names 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 243 
 
 of the new metes and bounds of the several municipal divisions seemed to 
 meet with general favor, and no opposition of moment was made against 
 them. The new townships were given the following names: 
 
 Washington, Franklin, Myres, Liberty, Marion, Wilson, Jackson, Jeffer- 
 son, Madison, Harrison, Taylor, Lincoln, Trenton. The order for their 
 several jurisdictions was made by the County Court at the said November 
 term and is of record as follows: 
 
 IIETES AND BOUNDS. 
 
 Wilson — It is ordered by tlie court that all of congressional township No. 
 60, of range No. 22, lying in Grundy county, Missouri and all that part of 
 township No. 60, of range No. 23, lying east of sections 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32 
 be a municipal township and named and known as Wilson township. 
 
 Marion — Ordered that all the part of township No. 61, of range No. 22, 
 lying in Grundy county, Missouri, and also all that jaart of township No- 
 61,. range No. 23, lying east of sections No. 5, 8, 17, 20, 29, and 32 be the 
 municipal township of Marion. 
 
 Liherty — Ordered that all that part of township No. 62, of range 22, in 
 Grundy county and lying south of sections No. 4, 5 and 6, and all that part of 
 township 62, of range 23, lying south of sections 1, 2, 3 and 4, and all that 
 part lying east of sections 8, 17, 20, 29 and 32, be known as Liberty town- 
 ship. 
 
 Myres — Ordered that all that part of township No. 63, of range No. 22, 
 lying in Grundy county, Missouri, and sections No. 4, 5 and 6, of township 
 No. 62, of range No. 22, and all of sections No. 1, 2, 3 and 4, of township 
 No. 62, of range No. 23, and all that part of township No. 63, of range No. 
 
 23, in Grundy county, Missouri, and east of sections No. 17, 20, 29 and 32, 
 be known as Myres township. 
 
 Franklin — Ordered that all of township No. 63, of range No. 24, lying 
 in Grundy county, Missouri, sections No. 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30 and 32, of 
 township No. 63, of range No. 23, be the municipal township of Franklin. 
 
 Lincoln — Ordered that all of township No. 62, of range No. 24, and sec- 
 tions No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 32, of township 61, of range 
 No. 23, be named and known as Lincoln township. 
 
 Trenton — Ordered that all of township No. 61, of range No. 24, and 
 sections No. 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of'township 61, of 
 range 23, be known and named as Trenton township. 
 
 Jackson — Ordered by the court that all of township No. 60, of range No. 
 
 24, lying east of Grand Eiver, and sections 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 31 and 
 32, of township No. 60, of range No. 23, be named and known as Jackson 
 township. 
 
 Jefferson — Ordered by the court that all of township No. 60, of range 
 
244 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 No. 24, lying west of Grand Eiver, and all of township No. 60, of range JSTo. 
 25, be known as Jefferson township. 
 
 Madison — Ordered that all of township No. 61, of range No. 25, lying 
 west of Grand Eiver be known as Madison township. 
 
 Harrison — Ordered that all of township No. 61, of range No. 25, lying 
 east of Grand Kiver, and all of township No. 62, of range No. 25, lying east 
 of Grand Eiver be known as Harrison township. 
 
 Washington — Ordered that all that part of township No. 63, of range 
 No. 25, lying east of Grand Eiver, and lying in Grundy county be known 
 as "Washington township. 
 
 Taylor- — Ordered by the court that all that part of township No. 62, of 
 range No. 25, lying west of Grand Eiver, and all that part of township No. 
 63, of range No. 25, lying west of Grand Eiver, and in Grundy county, 
 Missouri, be known as Taylor township. 
 
 Tlrese townships with their present metes and bounds constitute the 
 municipal divisions of Grundy county and are correctly represented by a 
 map made by B. F. Thomas, with the exception of the northeast corner of 
 Madison township, which is north and east of Thompson Eiver. This cor- 
 ner, next to the Trenton township line, is a part of Harrison township, the 
 Thompson Fork being the township line between Taylor and Madison, and 
 Harrison. It has been thought by some that the County Court erred in not 
 making the Grand Eiver and East Fork the township line of both Madison 
 and Harrison townships, as was and is that of Jefferson. 
 
 The two constitutional amendments were carried at the same time of the 
 township organization — the first by 1,821 to 182, and the second 1,943 to 
 122 votes against. As the registration law was in force the county court 
 appointed I'egisters for the several townships, and the following gentlemen 
 were appointed: Wilson, F. M. Lawhead; Marion, Geo. W. Eaj^ton; Lib- 
 ert}', S. J. Atkinson ; My res, Lewis Meyers; Franklin, T. J. Wyatt; Lincoln, 
 Edward Chambers; Trenton, J. M. Leedy; Jackson, Nathan Arnold; Jef- 
 ferson, Eobt. Laird; Madison, And. 'McClure; Taylor, Sparks McClure; 
 Harrison, Isaac Yeach; Washington, Wysom Fox. 
 
 Under this new township oi'ganization law five judges were to be elected 
 instead of three — one to be elected at large, and the other four by districts. 
 The election took place in May, 1873, and the question of license or no 
 license was voted on at the same election. The judges elected were: at 
 large, Judge Valentine Briegel of Lincoln township, and in the districts as 
 follows: first district, Clement A. Conrad; second district, Felix Wild; 
 third district, Casy Tate; fourth district, Marshall Humphreys; Judge 
 Briegel being president of the court, or presiding justice. There was to be 
 a new county judge elected every year, and, therefore, the district judges 
 drew for their respective terms: Judge Tate, one year; Judge Wild, two 
 
HISTOKY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 245 
 
 years; Judge HTimphreys, three years, and Judge Conrad, four years; the 
 judge at large holding for the full terai of four years. 
 
 The liquor question was decided in favor of license by a vote of 714 in 
 favor to 431 against. The spirit of the old pioneer still held s\va_y, and a 
 little for the stomach's sake was not voted a crime. 
 
 At the June term the County Court took up the question of license, as the 
 same had been carried by a majority of 283 votes in a poll of about 1,150, 
 and at the above term of the court license was put at the modei"ate sum of 
 8600 to sell liquor. This was not relished by the saloon men, and they 
 fought against the price vigorously, and viciously in some respects. They 
 claimed that the vote was a majority sufficient to convince the court not 
 only that the people favored license, but no extortionate rates should be de- 
 manded. The six months' license having expired in November, that being 
 the time for which licenses were granted, the County Court revised its charge 
 and reduced it to $400, with $50 to the State. 
 
 The business of settlement with the collector was decided bj' the County 
 Court at the October term, 1873, for a monthly settlement, and to further 
 the honesty of both collector and treasurer it was ordered that all county 
 warrants received for taxes, or redeemed at the treasury, should have in- 
 dorsed on the back of each the amount of principal and interest paid, and 
 the date of such payment. 
 
 The belief that the new township organization law would be a boon to the 
 county was more than verified by a much closer collection of taxes, and 
 with far less cost to the county. This was proven very gratifying to the 
 people, and the ground-work of their faith was in the promptness of P. W. 
 Bain, of Lincoln township, who was collector, the first under the new law. 
 
 From the Reptiblican we find this compliment to not only a trustworthy 
 officer, but an accommodating and genial gentleman. It says: 
 
 " Collector Bain made complete settlement of collections on 1873 tax-book 
 with the court last week. He filed the smallest delinquent list that any 
 collector has ever returned. On the personal list there were five hundred 
 and ten names. The tax summed up as follows: State, $230.24; State in- 
 terest, $397.28 ; county revenue, $460.40. 
 
 " On the land list he i-eturned one thousand, four hundred and seventy 
 tracts with tax as follows: State tax, $454.81; State interest, $568.51; 
 county revenue, $909.62. 
 
 "There was dufe on settlement, after making all due credits: county rev- 
 enue, $5,603.33; road fund, $1,492.04; railroad, $3,447.61; poor fund, 
 $1,563;9S; bridge fund, $1,625.37; asylum, $693.99; dram shop license, 
 $2,165.48. 
 
246 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 LOW ASSESSMENTS. 
 
 About this time a note of dissatisfaction was heard in regard to the 
 assessed vahiation of the raih'oad property in Gl-rundy county. The vice- 
 president of the Chicago, Koclv Island & Pacific Koad had returned tlie val- 
 uation of the road-bed and other property of the corporation in the county 
 at the sum of $125,639, and divided the same as follows: Franklin township, 
 $15,280; Lincoln township, |121,710 ; Trenton township, $54,505 (this in- 
 eluded city of Trenton); Jackson township, $6,381, and Jefferson township 
 at $27,763; which made the above total of $125,639. This was a depi-ecia- 
 tion in value so unprecedented as to rather astonish the people and they gave 
 expression to their views through the County Court, which appointed ap- 
 praisers to appraise this property at a fair valuation for assessment. 
 Grundy county had invested $200,000 in the road, Trenton $64,200, the 
 railroad claimed they had invested in round-house, machine-shops, depots, 
 reservoir, tools, etc., over $200,000 more, and this sum of actual expendi- 
 ture of about $500,000 had got down to one-fourth its original value, when 
 the general supposition was that the property could not be purchased with- 
 out a considerable advance made on its original cost. The appraisers or 
 committee appointed set to work, and at the next session of the County 
 Court returned the following figures as tlie total assessed valuation within 
 the county, $354,376. This seemed to be a fair assessment, being about 
 half of the real value of the property. The next year, 1874, it was assessed 
 at $354,572. The vice-president was somewhat astounded at this tremendu- 
 ous valuation and there was for a time a disposition to kick, but better 
 counsel prevailed and a full compromise was agreed upon. The road has 
 cost the people of Grundy county a good deal of money, but no one would 
 be willing to give up the property and wealth tlie railroad has brought to 
 the county for what it cost. And then, again, it is not so much of the 
 wealth and prosperity brought in that made the Rock Island Koad so popu- 
 lar with the people. It has given the people an outlet north and south, and 
 has proven, as all railroads are known to be, the pioneer of progressive civil- 
 ization. It does away with the slow travel of the wagon, it enlarges the 
 crops of the agriculturist and makes transportation light, it causes the 
 stock-raiser to increase tlie size of his ranch and the number of his cattle, it 
 brings population, for there is an outlet, and when population increases 
 we find schools and churches growing in number and in attendance. The 
 railroads and the press may well be stamped as the true pioneers of progres- 
 sive civilization. Without them the wilderness would not blossom like the 
 rose in a century. 
 
HISTOETY OF GEUNDT COtlNTT. 247 
 
 POOE-FAEM. 
 
 The necessity of making provision foi" the poor of the county becoming 
 apparent, the County Court at its March term, which opened on tlie 7th, 
 1871, ordered that twenty cents on the one hundred doHars be levied on all 
 taxable property in the county, to be known as the ]3oor-fund, to be used for 
 the purchase and improvement of a poor farm. The court examined a 
 piece of land, containing eighty-four acres, three miles north of Trenton, 
 purchased the same, and ordered suitable buildings to be erected. At the 
 January term, 1872, Geo. W. Gibson was appointed bj' the court superin- 
 tendent of the poor-farm for one year, commencing Marcli 1st, 1872. One 
 half acre of this farm was fenced off, in the southeast corner, as a burial- 
 place for the pauper dead. The cost of a pauper burial outfit was fixed at 
 ten dollars for a burial suit and five dollars for a coflin. This pi-ice was fixed 
 in 1873. In 1874 bids to furnish cofiins for the poor were received and 
 opened by the court, and that of Yerian & McMullen was accepted, it 
 being at the price of one dollar per lineal foot, and all over three feet in 
 length to have raised lids. Thei-e was no record kept the first three years 
 of those who had been received at the county house, but at the suggestion 
 of the county physician, the County Court ordered a book of record, and 
 all inmates have their full name entered and such facts as are of value for 
 the identification of all who may be compelled by misfortune to accept a 
 pauper living and fill a pauper's grave. Mr. David Wigle succeeded Mr. 
 Gibson as superintendent of the poor-farm March 1st, 1873, and has con- 
 tinued in office ever since, having proven himself to be the right man in the 
 management of the farm and the poor intrusted to his care. As high as 
 one dollar and fifty cents per week has been allowe'd for board of those 
 unable to work. 
 
 , MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 A sad accident occurred just beyond the city^ on the Rock Island Road on 
 August 5th, 1873, when a cow getting on the track was run over, which 
 threw the train from the track, killing a young man named Morgan, fireman, 
 and wounding severely four others. 
 
 The County Court, in 1874, took, temporarilj^ a new departure, and felt 
 disposed to relax that economy which had been chronic in its application to 
 county affairs. They placed licenses for the State at ten dollars, and county, 
 sixty dollars. They even went so far as to appropriate $150 to the agricul- 
 tural and mechanical association, to be given as premiums at tlie fall fair of 
 that year. The swamp land imbroglio, with the Hannibal & St. Joseph 
 Railroad was also brought out' that year, and an attempt to settle the differ- 
 ence resulted at first in a failure. The court got its blood up, and gave the 
 company .ninety days to consider whether they would pay §2,000 for a quit- 
 claim deed from the county, or the latter would take possession. This was 
 
248 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 in November, 1874. This had the desired effect of forcing a negotiation, 
 and the raih'oad company offered $1,500 for the said deed. This was at last 
 accepted, in April, 1875, and the great swamp land suit, in prospective, was 
 summarily disposed of for all time. 
 
 Not much history has been made the past few years. In fact, the decade 
 fi'om 1870 to 1880 was barren of stirring incidents. Peace and prosperity 
 hovered over the land. The crops of all kinds were good, advancing steadily 
 in wealth and population, and a general state of good health pervaded the 
 Grand River country. The wool crop of 1875 amounted to 64,270 pounds, 
 and in 1879 this was increased to 105,500 pounds. The iron bridge was 
 completed across Muddy Creek, on the Lindley road, at a cost of $500, in 
 1875, the old wooden structure having been carried away by a freshet. This 
 year (1875) was also known as the grasshopper year. There were millions 
 of them, and their stay was in the neighborhood of ten days in Grundy 
 county. They came late, their stay was short, and the damage done so 
 slight as not to be worth recording. The vote on the new State constitution 
 was a feature of the political part of the year 1875, and it was carried by the 
 handsome majority of 249. Or there was in its favor 373 votes, and against 
 it 124. 
 
 THE CENTENNIAL YEAE. 
 
 The centennial year, 1876, opened with the same outlook of peace, pros- 
 perit}', and additional happiness over the promised centennial exhibit, at 
 Philadelphia. Many citizens of Gnmdy county visited that famed exhibition, 
 where was told, in deeds as well as words, the astounding progress in all that 
 makes a country' great and prosperous. The world itself stood with won- 
 dering eyes, looking at the work a free people had wrought in one centur}' 
 of existence, whicli the effete monarchies of the old world had taken many 
 centuries to perform. That year was a renewal of the patriotic fii'es whiel^ 
 burned with such intense fierceness in the glorious days of 1776, and which 
 culminated in the eloquence of a Henry, and that glorious' and noble dec- 
 laration which proclaimed a nation of freemen and a spirit to maintain that 
 freedom with their life's blood. The fourth of July, 1876, was duly cele- 
 brated by the people of Grundy, and in Trenton, on that day, gathered the 
 sons and daughters of freedom to rejoice at the nation's prosperity and 
 their own happiness. Hon. George H. Hubbell read a short but compre- 
 hensive history of Grundy county, and Dr. Coles read a poem well worthy 
 of the author's reputation, and the day was celebrated as no other fourth of 
 July had been for years, because not only was it the fourth of July, but it 
 was the centennial year of our national existence. 
 
 On July 6, 1876, the people were surprised and shocked in learning 
 of the death of Wm. H. Mason, resulting from an over dose .of opium. He 
 was a young man, liighly respected, in the twenty -eighth year of his age. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 2i9 
 
 and the son of John and Amelia Mason. He had been suffering great 
 agony from an attack of neuralgia, and to relieve himself from the torture 
 which he was not able to bear longer, took a dose of opium, but it was be- 
 lieved more than he was aware of, and under its influence died, it being 
 impossible to awaken him from his sleep until death claimed him for its 
 own. He had taken it before for the same complaint, and it had relieved 
 him; but in this last he had evidently made a mistake in the dose, and died 
 from its effects. 
 
 In August a contract was entered into with the Missouri Valley Bridge 
 Company for repairing Trenton bridge across Grand River, and to maintain 
 the same for four years in good repair. It was to have a span of 192 feet, 
 double intersections and Pratt truss. The price agreed upon was $-i,876.S0. 
 The county, in the January term, 1877, ordered the treasurer a salary of 
 §200 per annum, from January 1, 1877. The treasurer's bond at that time 
 was $35,000, with approved sureties. The completion of the new bridge 
 across Grand River having been finished, the court ordered a new flooring 
 should be put in tlie Rainbow bridge across or over the Weldon River, and 
 the old flooring of the Trenton bridge was magnanimously donated by the 
 County Court to Lincoln township for that important work, and at the same 
 time that the court evoked this liberality of spirit, ordered the balance of 
 the old timber of said Trenton bridge to be sold to the highest and best bidder 
 by the sheriff. 
 
 The assessed valuation of land and stock for different j'cars had varied 
 somewhat, and in the year 1877 the assessment was far more carefully con- 
 sidered than usual. A fair valuation was at last agreed upon, and this 
 agreement on value has been the basis of future years. The assessment was 
 as follows: Land average for the county, $5.77 per acre, of which Trenton 
 township was the highest, at $7.63 per acre, and Taylor township, at $3.81 
 per acre, the lowest. Horses were assessed at $31; mules $32.25; cat- 
 tle $10.75. The same year the National Bank of Trenton was assessed on 
 a capital of $60,000. 
 
 On Simday, April 20, 1880, a violent rain and hail-storm passed over the 
 north part of the county, and did considerable damage by the breaking of 
 window-glass in Taylor, Harrison and Washington townships. The hail- 
 stones were reported of various sizes, some smooth ones measuring five and 
 a half inches in circumference, while rough ones measured more. The build- 
 ing known as Half Rock Church, in Washington township, was moved 
 from its foundation by the violence of the wind. Judge Spickard, and 
 many of his neighbors in Washington, and Henry Lewis, in Tayloi- town- 
 ship, suffered the entire destruction of the window-glass in their residences 
 facing the hail, while cattle exposed to the storm were severely injured. 
 
250 
 
 HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTT. 
 
 NEW JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. 
 
 The session of the County Court, on March 4, 1878, made the new judicial 
 districts, as provided for under the new constitution, and in accordance with 
 the law. The first district was composed of the townships of Wilson, Jack- 
 son, Jefferson, Madison and Trenton. The second district of Marion, Liber- 
 ty, Myres, Franklin, Washington, Taylor, Harrison and Lincoln. 
 
 The temperance craze struck Grundy county in 1878, and while it proba- 
 bly did little harm, no very lasting good seemed to have resulted. Still 
 there are some pretty strong temperance advocates in the county, and these 
 have exercised a powerful iniluence for good. Drunken men are the excep- 
 tion and not the rule among the peo^jle. 
 
 The Wool-growers' Association is still one of the institutions of Grundy 
 and has done much to advance the sheep industry of the county. 
 Tlie care of sheep and improved breeds has caused some pretty heavy fleeces 
 of wool to be produced, and the sheep* raisers are taking a just pride in 
 their work. The organization is energetically pursuing its • work of im- 
 provement. Its president is S. Asher, and secretary, L. Gass. At a com- 
 petitive shearing in May, 1881, fourteen sheep were sheared, and the fleeces 
 and sheep Aveighed as follows: 
 
 Sex. 
 
 Ages. 
 
 Fl'ce. 
 
 ewe 
 
 1 
 
 13 
 
 ewe 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 
 ram 
 
 8 
 
 2414 
 
 ewe 
 
 1 
 
 lOU 
 
 ram 
 
 '2 
 
 18%f 
 
 ram 
 
 2 
 
 m4 
 
 ram 
 
 1 
 
 18 
 
 ewe 
 
 1 
 
 M% 
 
 ram 
 
 3 
 
 my. 
 
 ram 
 
 4 
 
 im 
 
 ram 
 
 4 
 
 17 
 
 ram 
 
 2 
 
 20iM: 
 
 ewe 
 
 y 
 
 24-7 
 
 ram 
 
 2 
 
 18-18 
 
 Car- 
 cass. 
 
 Haynes. . . 
 Haynes. . . 
 Haynes. . . 
 Asher. . . . 
 Asher. . . . 
 Asher. . . . 
 Asher. . . . 
 Asher. . . . 
 Downing. 
 
 Limes 
 
 Evans. . . . 
 Griffith... 
 Griffith. . . 
 Griffith. . . 
 
 51 lbs 
 
 50 " 
 120 " 
 
 44 " 
 
 91 " 
 
 107 " 
 
 77 " 
 
 51 " 
 76 " 
 89 " 
 
 115 " 
 
 The average was just seventeen pounds. Afterward four otlier fine rep- 
 resentatives were sheared; one buck, two years old, twenty-four and three- 
 fourths; said to be the heaviest fleece ever sheared in Grundy county. The 
 other three weighed respectively, twenty and one-half, ram; and sixteen 
 and one-half, and fifteen, ewes. Four bucks sheared eighty-four and three- 
 fourths pounds. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 251 
 
 MAEEIAGE LICENSE. 
 
 The first marriage license issued from tlie recorder's office of Grundy 
 county, was to Wm. A. Brock and Sarali F. Atkinson. It was issued on 
 Sunday, June 26th, 1881, the first day that the law went into effect; a second 
 license was issued on the same day, to Wm. C. Urton and Maggie A. 
 Evans. 
 
 This is the first license law of the State and is likely to bring in quite a 
 revenue. 
 
 The Circuit Court docket at the April term, 1S81, showed an even one 
 hundred cases to be disposed of. 
 
 THOSE BONDS. 
 
 About the time the philosophers of the city of Trenton were delving in 
 tlie burial mounds of a pre-historic race, the home people put in some prac- 
 tical work in the shape of voting to cancel the present indebtedness of the 
 county by issuing a new series of bonds, drawing six per cent interest to 
 take up the present bonded debt upon which they were paying eight per 
 cent. The vote was taken June 14th and carried by 103 majority, but only 
 a light vote was polled. The city debt was, also, carried by a large major- 
 ity for the same purpose. 
 
 COUNTY DEBT. 
 
 The county debt at this writing amounts to $155,000 and the city debt 
 $46,000. The new series of 5-20 bonds are now being engraved for both. 
 When received they will be exchanged for the old bonds, or sold at not less 
 than par, and the old bonds purchased with the proceeds. The old bonds 
 are now legally subject to redemption and being at a higher rate of interest, 
 eight per cent, quite a saving is made in issuing the new bonds and taking 
 up the old. Mr. D. C. Pugli, the efficient county clerk, was offered a pre- 
 mium of two per cent, August 29tli, 1881, for $1,000 bonds. The credit of 
 Grundy county stands high. 
 
252 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 KESOURCES. 
 
 Central Location— Surface— Coal— Building Stone— Timber and Prairie— Clitnate— Soil- 
 Cereals— Tobacco— Average Crop— Fruits and Vegetables— Vintage— Grasses— Stock- 
 Number of Head of Live Stock. 
 
 " The fatter earth by handling we may find, 
 With ease diBtinguished from the meager kind; 
 Poor BOil will crumble into duet ; the rich 
 ■Will to the lingers cleave like clammy pitch ." 
 
 Grandy county has a commanding and central location, in central north 
 Missouri, and in the heart of the rich and prosperous valley of the Grand 
 Kiver. It is bounded on the north by Mercer county; on the east, by Sulli- 
 van and Linn ; south by Livingston, and on the west by Daviess and Har- 
 rison. Its northern border is about twenty-two miles south of the Iowa 
 State line, on the fortieth parallel of latitude, and at an altitude of 900 feet 
 above the water level. 
 
 In climate, soil, production and in the face of the country, it has no su- 
 perior and few equals in the State of Missouri, and at this time presents to 
 the eye a magnificent field of what can be accomplished by the earnest hearts 
 and willing hands of an active, enterprising and educated people. The value of 
 its location is further enhanced by the fact that the counties surrounding 
 are alike rich in the productiveness of their soil, the energy and culture 
 of their people, and that this surrounding is tributary in a large degi'ee to 
 the prosperity of Grundy county and her chief city, Trenton. 
 
 ITS SUEFAOB. 
 
 The face of the country is gently undulating and is beautifully diversified by 
 rolling prairie, timbered hills and valleys, with intervals of groves, giving the 
 whole country the appearance of a grand park, especially adapted not only 
 to the wants of man, but to his pleasui-es. Hills, and vales, and open prai- 
 ries, here and there patches of woodland, running streams of pure water, 
 springs bubbling up, cool and refreshing their liquid light, building sites 
 with grand views, and mill sites with good water-power, all these tend not 
 only to please the eye, but show plainly to the close observer, the farmer 
 and the manufacturer, tlie fact that solid wealth, as well as pleasure, can be 
 found within the borders of Grundy county. About two-thirds of the county 
 is prairie, and the remainder woodland. Her prairies, as remarked before, 
 are high and rolling, while lier timbered upland and the banks of her run- 
 ning streams are covered with groves of white, burr, red. spotted, pin, black 
 and water oaks, hard and soft maple, white and black shell-bark hickoi-y 
 grey ash, walnut, elm, hackberry, sycamore, linden, mulberry and cotton- 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 253 
 
 wood, and a large variety of small growth. The Grand River, the principal 
 stream in the county, is formed by the junction of the Thompson Rivef, 
 coming in from the northwest section of the county until it meets the Wel- 
 don or east fork of the river which comes in from the north, about one and 
 a half miles north of Trenton, the county seat, flowing southward, next 
 westward, then curving and winding around the south of the city; thence 
 southerly as far as Chillicothe. From that city it takes a southeasterly 
 course through Livingston county, forming the dividing line between Car- 
 roll and Chariton counties, and empties into the waters of the Missouri 
 near Brunswick. Among lesser streams are Big Muddy, Honey Creek and 
 their numerous branches, No Creek and Medicine River, east of the Grand, 
 with Gees, Hickory, Wolf, Coon, Sugar and Middle creeks,west, giving abund- 
 ant water. This grand water supply is, and can be, supplemented by wells, 
 where excellent water is reached at a depth of from fifteen to fifty feet. 
 In Grand River and Thompson's Fork can be found an abundance of water- 
 power for milling purposes, and it is already utilized to a considerable ex- 
 tent by flouring and saw mills. Other streams have, also, power for mill- 
 ing purposes, and for the present and in the prospective wants of the future, 
 the water-power of Grundy county is complete. 
 
 Of other native resources of the county which are likely to have great 
 bearing upon her future prosperity, and which will add largely to the wealth 
 and population are the 
 
 COAL AND BUILDING STONE, 
 
 which cover a large area, and are found in considerable quantities. Sand* 
 stone rock, a good building and macadamizing stone, is found in nearly 
 every section of the county, and in quantity to meet all practical demands. 
 Limestone is also found in large quantities; in fact Grundy county is under- 
 laid with limestone, and the famous bine-grass, which has given Kentucky 
 a world-wide fame, is indigenous to her soil, and has already given her the 
 name of the blue-grass region of Missouri. She will, ere long, become the 
 home of the race-horse and the blooded cattle of the State. 
 
 Coal underlies at least two-thirds of the county. Up to the present, little 
 attention has been paid to coal mining. With the exception of the mines 
 worked at the county seat this inexhaustible supply of wealth is yet to be 
 developed. 
 
 We have thus placed on record that Grundy county is rich in timber, 
 rich in her prairie lands, while the wealth of a State lies under her soil in 
 limestone, in sandstone and her coal strata. Her water power can be util- 
 ized to add to this aggregate of productiveness, and yet not half has been 
 told. We have spoken of her forests and streams, of the glorious beauty of 
 her prairies and woodland, and the wealth of her mineral resources, but of 
 her soil and its wonderful richness, of her health-giving climate, of her peo- 
 
254 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 pie, noted for their energy, enterprise and culture, we have yet to speak. 
 Tliere is beauty and life-giving health enough in her broad fields and bound- 
 less prairies to charm even the heart of an anchorite, and draw hira froiri 
 his life of solitude to the bright and charming light of a happier and more 
 glorious day. 
 
 Perhaps one of the greatest attractions, and wliich, when generally known, 
 will make this region of country more sought after, is its 
 
 MILD AND HEALTHFUL CLIMATE, 
 
 caused in a great measure by its splendid drainage system. You find no 
 marshes or stagnant pools to breed malaria, but a climate that gives a spirit 
 and a healthful tone to all forms of life, without the bitter extremes of a 
 northern temperature, and with that mildness which avoids the heat and hu- 
 midity of the more southern latitudes. It has thus become well known 
 that the valley of the Grand River has no superior in health-giving proper- 
 ties, and that nowhere in the Western States can be found a better or more 
 salubrious climate. 
 
 THE SOIL. 
 
 The soil of Grundy county can be divided into two parts. That is, the 
 top soil and the subsoil. The quality of the soil, its depth; and the ques- 
 tion of tillage are the primary questions which arise to those who make 
 farming their profession. The soil of Grundy county is a rich, black loam, 
 a vegetable mold, varying in depth from six to thirty-six inches on the 
 upland prairies, and in the valleys of the rivers and creeks is an aggrega- 
 tion and deposit of earth, sand and other transported matter forming a rich 
 alluvium, from three to five feet deep, and in its generating and life-giving 
 properties, inexhaustible. 
 
 This soil, which has been chemically analyzed, is found to be composed 
 of carbonate of lime, phosphate of lime, magnesia, and silicious matter, 
 is easily worked, the plow and the harrow giving it the softness of an ash 
 bed. This salubriousness of climate and ricliness of soil give a wide range 
 of pi'oduction, and all the cereals, vegetables and fruits of the temperate 
 zone are easily and successfully raised. All seem to be indigenous to the 
 soil. With care and cultivation ample crops are raised, and the husbandman 
 finds no cause to complain. Wheat, rye, oats, barley, buckwheat, corn, 
 hemp, tobacco, millet, sorghum, broom-corn, etc., all of the vegetables, and 
 grasses of which there are several hundred varieties, white and red top clo- 
 ver, all yield abundantly. 
 
 The principal crops grown in tlie county are wheat, corn, oats, rye and 
 buckwheat, the latter but little sown, the crop of 1880 being but 271 bushels. 
 Corn, from the large quantity raised, is the leading crop, wheat in value 
 
HISTOKT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 255 
 
 comes next, yet oats exceed wheat in bushels by at least one hundred per 
 cent. Tobacco is grown to the extent of from ten to twelve thousand 
 pounds, the bottom and the uplands producing a good grade. 
 
 Corn may be considered the leading crop, both in value as well as pro- 
 duction. The crop is enormous and taking the size of Grundy it leads in 
 that staple over surrounding counties, excepting Harrison. The crop 
 of Indian corn for 1880 amounted to 1,963,523 bushels. The crop will 
 be increased from year to year as the county becomes more thickly set- 
 tled, as it is sure and always brings a fair price. Stock raising demands 
 it, cheap corn makes stock raising profitable. There were 53,677 acres of 
 corn planted yielding the above crop. 
 
 Wheat follows corn as a valuable and important crop. The yield in 1880 
 was 138,440 bushels, and the number of acres sown, 10,329. It is not 
 likely that the area devoted to wheat will be veiy rapidly increased in this 
 count3^ Stock i-aising, grass growing, and pasture and hay lands, will prob- 
 ably prevent any more than the natural increase which would be seeded for 
 the usuals urplus over the home supply. The wheat crop is generally a 
 pretty sure one, and the result is a steady showing from year to year, bnt not 
 an increase that would prove it to have any particular run over other crops. 
 It will always lead, next to corn, as a grain raising crop. 
 
 Oats are a staple crop and they return a handsome yield of from twenty- 
 five to thirty bushels per acre. The crop of 1880 amounted to 302,806 busliels, 
 an average, that year, of about twenty -nine bushels per acre. There were 
 sown, for the year, 10,375 acres. 
 
 EYE AND BUCKWHEAT. 
 
 There is not much attention paid to these crops. There seems to be but 
 little demand for them. There is no question but what the people could do 
 as well by raising a small patch of buckwheat as to buy it. The number 
 of bxishels raised in the county last year was only 271, and undoubtedly ten 
 times that amount was used. It yields prolifically and one acre of buck- 
 wheat would supply a family, and, perhaps, as far as it goes it is the equal 
 in value of any other cereal. Rye is also lightly invested in. It is not 
 much used for bread, and the demand has therefore been light. The manu- 
 facturer of whisky is not making a verj^ great demand for it in these parts. 
 The crop of 1880 amounted to 11,434 bushels. 
 
256 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 This is also a light crop in this county. Livingston, the county south, 
 raised a crop last year of 305,073 pounds, while the yield of Grandy county 
 was only 11,755 pounds. There is no question but what tobacco is easy of 
 production, a most profitable plant, and why it should be a leading crop in 
 Livingston and adjoining counties, and so little raised in Grundy, the writer 
 has failed to 'learn. The crop of 1880 averaged 481-J- pounds of tobacco to 
 the aci'e, which being a light yield may be the cause of so little being 
 planted. It was also but a little over half the yield per acre of the crop in 
 Livingston for the same year. 
 
 There is no barley raised in Grundy county, but this is because there is 
 no demand for it. 
 
 AVERAGE CROP. 
 
 The average crop of the several products grown in Grundy county is a 
 good and just criterion of her value as an agricultural county. There is 
 no evidence that the average production of this county has fallen below the 
 average crop of the State, since the report here printed, but enough is 
 known to assert, without fear of successful contradiction, that the great av- 
 erage over that of the State, as published in the agricultural report of 1871, 
 is still held by this county. The average of the four leading products in 
 the State of Missouri for the year 1871 was: wheat, 13 4-100 bushels; rye, 
 17 1-100 bushels; oats, 26 17-100 bushels, and corn, 38 bushels per acre. 
 Grundy county's average for the same year, taken from the same report, 
 gave wheat at twenty bushels; rye, twenty-five; oats, twenty-nine, and corn, 
 forty-five bushels, per acre. This gives wheat and rye an average over that 
 of the State of nearly fifty per cent, while oats and corn were about twenty 
 per cent better. This is sufficient evidence of the good quality and strength 
 of the soil, and places Grundy in the front rank of agricultural counties in 
 the State. In fact, the great excess over the average here shown was not 
 excelled by a half dozen counties in the State. Agriculturally speaking, 
 Grundy county ranks A 1, and this fact should be remembered. 
 
 FRUITS AND VEGETABLES. 
 
 Of course it is to be supposed that a county so rich in soil, with a cli- 
 mate unsurpassed and producing such bountiful crops, would be equally 
 fruitful in the yield of the numerous roots which compose the vegetable 
 kingdom, and the supposition is correct. They are, one and all, you might 
 say, natives of the soil, and their growth as prolific as desired. The mel- 
 lowness of the ground makes cultivation easy, and while the farmer raises 
 large crops of cereals the garden is not neglected. Still the crops of pota- 
 toes, turnips, beets, etc., are not confined to the garden, but are largely 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 257 
 
 grown for use and profit, by sale. These all do well, give imnaense yields, 
 and prove to be a first-class auxiliary for stock food. Peas, beans, carrots, 
 parsnips, all find a natural home in the soil of this county. Hops do well, 
 but the demand being light are not much planted. It is thus shown that 
 there is nothing in the vegetable line but what, if planted, will yield an 
 abundant return. 
 
 Fruits are "natives and to the manor born"; the correct quotation 
 should be "to the manner born," but it does not suit the writer, and it ex- 
 presses what is meant as first written. The orchard product of Grundy 
 county forms no mean part of her wealth. Nearly, or quite, every farmer 
 has his orchard, and, besides being a paying investment it gives a great 
 deal of pleasure and is very conducive to health. The hot summer season 
 is gone through with a far greater degree of health' by the use of fruits in 
 season, and discarding meats, than if not used. The apple, in the State of 
 Missouri, is the king of fruit, and it can be grown in no greater perfection 
 than within the borders of this county. The varieties are numerous. There 
 is the summer apple, the fall apple and the winter apple, and of each, es- 
 pecially the two last, there are a wonderful number of diiferent kinds, all 
 having some special claim to the attention of the farmer. As a result of 
 the examination into the merits of north central Missouri as a fruit-grow- 
 ing country, the remarks of a distinguished pomologist, in regard to the 
 apple, are given. He said: "The counties of north central Missouri, and 
 in the valley of the Grand Kiver, can show apples in as great a variety and 
 excellence as any ten States outside of Missouri." This, coming from one 
 who had made fruit-culture a study, is sutficient evidence of the value of 
 this section in that line. 
 
 The orchard product is not confined, by any means, to the apple. Peaches, 
 pears, plums, apricots, quinces, nectarines, etc., all grow well, and are 
 equally at home with the apple in this soil and climate. Both peaches and 
 pears have their seasons of failure, but there are always enough for home 
 consumption, except in unprecedented bad years. A very fine peach is 
 grown, and there are several kinds which are very palatable, being of a most 
 delicious flavor. The pear grows to a large size, is ver^' rich and luscious, 
 and resembles the California pear in size and appearance. Neither the 
 peach nor pear crop is as certain as the apple, still the peach is largely 
 grown throughout the county. A good year for peaches is a good year for 
 the farmer who has them for sale. Very few plums are raised, and why is 
 an enigma. Wild plums, about the size of the common blue plum, grow 
 abundantly in the woods and are brought to town for sale, but no other. 
 There are a few trees in towns, grown in gardens, which yield largely, but 
 as yet, like the apricot, nectarine and quince, cannot be called a product of 
 
258 HISTORY OF GBUNDY COTJNTT. 
 
 the county. These fruits would all grow and give handsome returns for 
 their cultivation. 
 
 CHERRIES. 
 
 Cherries are indigenous to the soil and climate, and grow spontaneously. 
 The county, and the town of Trenton, are full of cherry trees, and in an 
 abundant season they are an absolute drug in the market. As nearly everybody 
 raises them the demand is limited. They are "put up" by the housewife 
 in quantities, and cherry wine might be made so as to fill an aching void 
 in the list of temperance drinks. 
 
 Like cherries, are as plentiful as flies in summer. They can all be found 
 in this section. Blackberries, raspberries, gooseberries, strawberries, cur- 
 rants, etc., etc., are to be found in all the gardens, and, with the exception 
 of the currant, in the woods and the corners of the fences. While the 
 market supply, in some years, exceeds the demand, there is no question 
 but what the Grundy county people are a berry-loving and a berry-eating 
 people. Farmers have been seen on the streets of Trenton eating cherries 
 which they had purchased, because they couldn't wait until they returned 
 home, where they had plenty. They were simply hungry, and as every 
 store in town held a supply they didn't propose to starve. They eat all 
 kinds of fruit in season, morning, noon and night, before breakfast, after 
 supper and between meals, and carry more sound health about with them, 
 from one year's end to another, than any other people of any other State 
 can boast. They live way up into the eighties and nineties, and many to a 
 hundred years of age, and if they lived five centuries the people of Grundy 
 would eat fruit and berries to their dying day. 
 
 Grape culture is in its infancy in the State of Missouri; it is in still greater 
 infancy in northern Missouri and in Grundy county. Yet the State is 
 noted for its climate, soil and production as a grape growing State. Wlien 
 its vast resources in the growing of vineyards and in the making of wine 
 shall become fully developed, Missouri will become no more noted in any 
 other branch of industry, noT receive a greater reward or profit from the 
 investment, than in her graperies. The grape flourishes in this county, 
 and a large number of farmers are giving attention to its culture. Both 
 in town and country grape arbors are common, and ' very many raise 
 enough for home use. The grape has proven so prolific in this county 
 that there are few if anj' counties in the State that can be found its superior. 
 The leading grape grown is the Concord variety, but the Elvira, Martha, 
 Norton's Virginia Seedling, Cynthiana, Isabella, Clinton, etc., are all 
 
HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 259 
 
 grown, and it is believed tliat the time cannot be far distant when the vine- 
 yards and the production of wine will become au important element in the 
 productive wealth of the county. There are at present but few vineyards 
 of a size that warrant the manufacture of wine, yet it is as evident to all 
 observers as it is well known to all farmers, that grapes will flourish here, 
 and that there are few crops raised on any land planted which will show a 
 better net yield to the acre than that set out in a vineyard, and it has aston- 
 ished the writer somewhat to find a crop so certain, so prolific in its yield 
 and so sure of remuneration, that has been so little cultivated for wine 
 making and exportation. Take the Concord variety; the farmers of Grundy 
 county have given it a preference because of its hardy nature, its great 
 yield and the quality of the wine and quantity produced, yet tliere are otlier 
 varieties which are as hard}' and equal to the Concord in their rapid growtl^ 
 and which will yield more pounds of grapes to the acre and make a far su- 
 perior wine. These are the Elvira, Martha, and Norton's Virginia Seed- 
 ling. The largest vineyard in the county is tliat of Judge Valentine 
 Breigel, of Lincoln township, to whom the writer is under obligations for 
 much valuable information in regard to the grape crop, and which will be 
 of great value to all those who propose making grape culture a part of their 
 agricultural work. Judge Breigle has a vineyard of tiiree acres in Con- 
 cord, and one of two and a half acres in Elvira and Martha, about equally 
 divided. 
 
 As it is the intention to make this work not only a history of Grundy 
 county to date, but a valuable book of information and reference, the writer 
 will give a short history of the grape, from the source spoken of above. 
 
 Judge Breigel has given several years of his time and a large amount of 
 money in experimenting with no less than twenty-five different varieties of 
 grapes. He has tested them by the light of experience, in regard to soil, 
 climate, quality of grape, quality and quantity of wine, and the hardy na- 
 ture of those kinds best adapted to the soil of Grundy county. His first 
 choice for fine wines is the Elvira, next the Martha, then the Virginia Seed- 
 ling and the Concord. Out of the twenty-five varieties, only five proved of 
 value on the soil of this county. These five varieties the judge grows and 
 has discarded all others. For common table wine the Concord leads, and 
 yields on an average 7,500 pounds of grapes to the acre. The Elvira is 
 his favorite, with the Martha a very close second, then comes the Seedling. 
 The Elvira and Martha are the hardiest and the most prolific. They are 
 planted in rows eight feet apart with a space of six feet separating the vines, 
 but it has been found that equal intervals is jireferable between rows and 
 vines, and that eight feet is the proper distance, as it gives the vines more 
 room and a freer circulation of air through them. This is what prevents 
 mold or rot. Nine thousand pounds of this grape can be grown to tlie acre, 
 and they make the best white wine of good body and splendid flavor. A 
 
260 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 trial of eight years with the Clinton variety proved them a failure. Twelve 
 to fifteen pounds of these grapes will make a gallon of wine. Norton's 
 Virginia Seedling, while making a rich wine, is not so profitable. It takes 
 fifteen pounds or more to the gallon and requires more care. The Cyn- 
 thiana will take the place of the Seedling, being both more hardy and pro- 
 lific, and making a wine fully as marketable as the other. 
 
 The vineyard of Judge Breigel has a capacity of 5,000 gallons, and 2,000 
 gallons were manufactured last year. Miller Lewis, Jacob Mullen, Otto 
 Gehlback and Jacob Breigel all make some wine, but not in large quanti- 
 ties. 
 
 We then have the Concord for a good common wine and a hardy grape, 
 and the Elvira, Martha, Cynthiana and Norton's Virginia Seedling for a 
 finer wine. The second and third varieties named are the best, being as 
 hardy and more prolific than the Concord, and produce much richer wine 
 than the two last. There is no trouble to raise these varieties and the profit 
 of wine culture is enormous. Grundy county farmers have had the exper- 
 iment tried and they now know the kinds best adapted to this climate. 
 The United States is yet to furnish the wines for the world. 
 
 GRASSES. 
 
 The meadow-lands of Grundy county are found wherever the bottom- 
 lands are, and the rest of the county will grow red and white top clover to 
 perfection. Blue-grass, timothy, alfalfa, or orchard grass are all indigenous to 
 the State and the lands of the county. Quite a large number of farmers- 
 have splendid pastures of blue-grass, and orchard, both the most nourishing 
 grasses grown. Cattle not only improve but grow fat on it, and require 
 little more grain than enough to harden the flesh to give it solidity, and 
 make them fit for the market. 
 
 The hay crop of Grundy county is a valuable one. Good meadow land 
 will give from one and a half to three tons of hay per acre, and it brings 
 good prices. Of course a country so rich in grasses is the one for stock, and 
 that is why this county has already become noted as a splendid one for stock- 
 raisers. It has no superior in the State. 
 
 As we have just said, this county is already noted for its fine stock. 
 Horses, cattle, sheep, hogs and mules are not only numerous already, but are 
 rapidly increasing. The stock men are taking especial pains to secure the 
 best breeds to be found, and where purchased to give them every care and 
 attention. The farmers have given greater attention to draught horses 
 and roadsters than to racing and trotting stock, but the latter is now being 
 sought after, and it will not be long before the native blooded stock will be 
 added to the record of fine horses. The high prices which good trotters 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 261 
 
 always command in the market, should be an incentive to the farmers to 
 look well afier their breed of horses, as well as of cattle, sheep and hogs. 
 Of late the success upon the grounds of the agricultural and mechanical 
 expositions, have brought more prominently before the farmers the value of 
 . blooded horses, and if they are wise they will give close attention to this 
 branch of the farm business. It is as easy to raise a thorough-bred colt as a 
 scrub, and when grown it is worth half a dozen of them. 
 
 The same grasses grow here and are as nourishing as the famed blue- 
 grass region of Kentucky, and it only requires some of the skill, judg- 
 ment and care here to compete with that celebrated land of noble women, 
 brave men and splended blooded stock. However, it will not be long be- 
 fore breeders of fine horses in this county will try the mettle of the racers 
 and trotters of other States with the native trotters and racers, products of 
 their own raising. 
 
 Cattle raising has been the pride of the farmers of Grundy county, and 
 they have given a good deal of care and spent considerable money tof secure 
 the best stock. It has paid them well, and even at this day they are em- 
 barking in it largely. The Short-Horn leads up to date; they have proven very 
 profitable so that other breeds have found but little favor. Tiie great supe- 
 riority of the Short-Horn over the native strains, and the very excellent 
 results in crossing shown, by the decided improvement exhibited in the 
 latter, had satisfied the farmer that the heights of excellence had been ob- 
 tained in securing the possession of the Short-Horn. This has caused very 
 little desire to examine into the merits of other breeds which are now com- 
 ing forward, such'as the Hereford and the Jerseys. 
 
 These latter are quietly and gradually gaining a foothold. Whether the 
 former of the two last mentioned will outstrip the Short-Horn is doubtful, 
 but there is little question but that they will gain, and gain rapidly in the fa- 
 vor and good graces of the stock-raisers of Grundy. It is well known that at 
 not a few of the best fairs and stock sales ever held in this country, the 
 Short-Horn and the Hereford stand side by side competing, and none, pos- 
 sibly excepting the connoisseur of fine stock, could tell whicli possessed the 
 greater excellence. 
 
 THE LITTLE JERSEY COW 
 
 is what is astonishing the natives, and what she is capable of doing on the 
 soil of Grundy, this extract from, and comment of, the Trenton Republican^ 
 fittingly decribes: 
 
 "Mr. P. H. Takey informs us that his Jersey cattle, mention of which 
 was made in these columns some time ago, are coming fully up to his ex- 
 pectations. In fact, he is more than pleased with his investment. He has 
 
262 HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 furnished us the following facts concerning his Jersey heifer, Amy Lang- 
 don, H. E., No. 10,656: She dropped calf May 23d, was 21 months and 3 
 days old. Milk weighed, first day it was saved, 27^ pounds. Again the 7th 
 day it weighed 28 pounds, 5 ounces. She ran on pretty good pasture and 
 was fed three quarts of ground feed night and morning, and was kept in 
 the barn lot during the night. She made, during the seven days her milk 
 was kept and churned by itself, 9 pounds and one ounce of butter. She 
 will be two years old on the 20th of August next, having been dropped 
 August 20th, 1879. 
 
 "If she does that well before she is two years old, what will she do when 
 she is five? Yery few, if anj' cows of any other stock, when at their prime, 
 can be found to do as well as she does now, and it is reasonable that she 
 will double that amount before three years. There is no question but that the 
 Jersey is the best stock for butter, and there is big money in butter-raakfng. 
 Why should not others imitate his example?" 
 
 The introduction of this strain of cattle will undoubtedly do much to 
 turn the attention of the farmers to the dairy business, which can be made 
 as profitable as any other business connected with the farm. 
 
 In this connection, it may be stated that a lot of fat cattle, purchased in 
 Grundy county, for the Chicago market, by one of the local dealers, Oapt. 
 H. F. Peery, were shipped to Chicago the last week in January, 1877, 
 and numbered 110 head, and tiie entire lot averaged 2,000 pounds each. 
 One car-load of the above averaged a little over 2,400 pounds each, one 
 weighing 2,500 pounds and another 2,600. The question was very natn- ■ 
 rally asked, "who could beat it?" The response, if any, was not audible 
 to the farmers of Grundy or the cattle-buyers. This item is sufficient 
 to convince the most skeptical that as a stock raising county Grundy has no 
 superior and but few equals. 
 
 Grundy county is preeminently a sheep county. Water, grasses and 
 corn are abundant, and farmers are paying a good deal of attention to 
 sheep raising. In the last ten years sheep have wonderfully increased, both 
 as regards number and quality. The Merino takes the lead, but the South- 
 Downs and Cotswold are increasing in number. Grundy county is ahead 
 of many counties in the State in regard to her sheep and wool production, 
 and this branch of farming industry is likely to increase. One of her 
 greatest resources in the future will prove to be sheep raising, and its pro- 
 ductiveness will be found the equal of any of her many wonderful agricul- 
 tural resources. The Merinos so far have proved profitable both for wool 
 and mutton, but there is a belief that the South-Down and Cotswold are 
 both hardier breeds. The Merinos need shelter and protection in winter, 
 in fact so do all, but the Merinos, if too much exposed, are more apt to 
 
BISTORT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 263 
 
 lose their lambs than the other breeds mentioned. In the early raising of 
 sheep it was supposed they could take care of themselves, and little atten- 
 tion was paid them, but like all other domestic animals the sheep well re- 
 pays good care, while a want of it is likely to be as costly to the farmer as 
 any other stock. The South-Downs are a good mutton sheep, so, also, are 
 the Cotswold, and their hardier nature will be likely to greatly increase their 
 number in the near future. The Merino's wool is short and holds more dirt 
 than the others; in fact, it makes the fleece quite heavy and the clipping is 
 very often sold for less by the pound than the Cotswold or South-Down. The 
 •Cotswold, from what can be gathered from the farmer, is likely to become a 
 prime favorite. The wool is long, of fine thread, and in size larger. They 
 are, therefore, for mutton, superior to the Merino. Their clip will average 
 from ten to ten and a half pounds. Some of this breed, on account of size, 
 have sold as high as eight dollars and the pelt was reserved, this too, at 
 eighteen months old. This gives the judgment of the farmer at this day as 
 preferring the Cotswold and Merinos, and next to these the South-Down. 
 As this judgment is founded upon actual tests of their value, the new set- 
 tler in this county need try no experiments. 
 
 are a staple product, both for home consumption and for foreign export, 
 aud they form no inconsiderable revenue to the Eock Island Railroad in 
 their transportation. ' The hog crop ranks among the best in the county, 
 and its productiveness is sure and its profits for the last few years have 
 been fair. There is nothing to prevent this stock from advancing rapidly, 
 for the climate, soil and products are peculiarly fitted to make it a splendid 
 and remunerating success. The manner in which the people have taken 
 advantage of the rich and peculiar resources of the county has shown not 
 ■only their hard practical sense and education, but that they, seeing the 
 course which would lead to its greatest production, promptly and success- 
 fully adapted themselves to the work in hand. Swine breeding forms an 
 interesting chapter in the farming interest of Grundy county. The com- 
 mon hog of the early day was known^r called the ''Hazel Splitter." He 
 was a long, lank animal, long in the legs as well as in body, and in early 
 spring when the mast in the woods had become scarce he well represented 
 his name. Putting up and feeding was not the fortune of the hog of the 
 early settlers. A good year for mast was the hog's glory and he got fat, 
 and man profited by killing him, but a failure of tiiis wild crop of swine 
 food changed all this, and man and hog both suifered in those early days 
 accordingly. The race-horse style of hog, and they were almost as fleet, 
 of the "Hazel Splitter," gave way at last to the breed known as the 
 "Irish Granger," a hog imported from Illinois. This improved the orig- 
 inal strain, giving more body, but not decreasing the legs or running gear 
 
264 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 much. The Grass breed or Suffolk, came next, a short stubby animal of 
 early maturity, and nearly all fat. They failed to meet expectation, and 
 so the " Chester White " was tried by a few, then came the Berkshire. 
 These latter have proven good, but in the earlj' days when allowed to roam 
 in the woods in droves, got a little too wild ; outside of this the farmers took 
 to the Berkshire. The Poland-China came last, and of all the breeds in- 
 troduced into Grundy county it probably stands the highest. It is a do- 
 mestic animal and failed to catch any of the wild notions of the favorite 
 Berkshire. It grows rapidly, gains flesh easily, and, in fact, is a hog all 
 over. For the past few years the Poland and Berkshire have become the 
 favorite and the standard breeds. 
 
 It has been only a few years back since attention has been given to rais- 
 ing mules for a market. Some very fine animals have been raised in this 
 county, and the traffic in these useful animals has largely increased the 
 past few years. Why it has not been of large growth is hard to tell. 
 Mule raising can be successfully prosecuted in Grundy county, and the only 
 reason it has not been is probably owing to the fact that there is nothing in 
 the agricultural or stock raising line that cannot be successfully carried on, 
 and the farmer has not reached the mule department. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 Not only is Grundy county well supplied with coal, and has fine quarries 
 of building stone, and a plentiful supply of timber, but it has, also, pot- 
 ter's clay of a good quality, and probably it is known to but few that a 
 pottery was in actual operation in this county in 1858, 1859 and 1860. The 
 pottery was on Beckner's Creek in Marion township. The clay near the 
 works on the creek was good and more was found on the farm of John 
 Strickers, in Wilson township. This pottery was conducted by Mr. Couch, 
 father of Finman C. Couch, now of Deadwood, Dakota. There is con- 
 siderable of this ware now in use in Grundy and adjoining counties. 
 Whether a silver mine is one of the resources of Grundy county is yet to 
 be solved, but in the settlement of Taylor township a furnace was found 
 where mineral had been smelted, and from which Furnace Creek takes it 
 name. Small particles of silver were found, but no further development 
 has taken place. 
 
 In closing the chapter on Grundy county and its resources, and having 
 given its crops of cereals, the number of its live stock is here added. 
 This number is for the year 1880, or ending April 1, 1881, having been 
 taken in the spring assessment of the latter year. There were: hogs in 
 Grundy county, 24,761; sheep, 19,948; cattle, 16,874; horses, 5,716; mules, 
 746; asses and jennets, 29. 
 
Oc^. 
 
 H^^u. 
 
HISTORY OF GRrNDT COUNTY. ' 267 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 AGKICULTURAL AE^D MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 Organization — Incorporators — First Officers — New Organization — Board of Directors — 
 Constitution and By-laws — Grounds. 
 
 As early as 1859 the fanners of Grundy county began to think of organ- 
 izing for a county fair. In fact the matter had been tallied of for a year or 
 two previous, but did not talie definite shape until the fall of 1859, the year 
 above mentioned. It was decided that fall to organize and form an Agri- 
 ciiltural and Mechanical Association, and a petition was drawn up and the 
 county canvassed for the required number of signatm*es to be presented to 
 the County Court for its sanction as a body politic under the corporate name 
 of the " Grundy County Agricultural and Mechanical Society." The order 
 of the coiirt granting the prayer of the petitioners reads: 
 
 " E. A. DeBolt presents the petition of fifty citizens, freeholders of the 
 coiinty of Grundy, praying to be organized into a body politic and corporate 
 by the name and style of the Grundy County Agricultural and Mechanical 
 Society, and the court being satisfied that such petition is signed by at least 
 fifty freeholders of said county, do hereby declare and order that John W. 
 Coleman, Thos. B. Head, John T. "Witten, J. K. Merrill, N. M. Holton, "W. 
 W. Brooks, Alf Bleu, S. F. Ellis, G. W. Moberly, J. T. Tindall, C. G. 
 Chandler, R. A. DeBolt, H. W. Lyday, G. W. Parker, A. Evans, W. Water- 
 land, S. Dunham, S. Peery, W. C. Benson, C. S. Honian, Jas. Kennedy, J. 
 F. Thomas, A. Beckner, L. E. Monby, J. H. Shanklin, L. Field, Jas. G, 
 Benson, H. Eenfro, M. Ai-bogast, T. P. Wynn, J. R. Coleman, John Baxter, 
 J. "W. Eice, Jas. A. Goodwin, Wm. T. Shei-man, W. P. Walhouse, Jas. 
 Lawnut, Geo. H. Hubbell, Jas. E. Estes, Wm. D. McGuire, Jas. 
 Kackley, Jas. Oliver, B. W. W. Elam, J. W. Bagley, Wm. Collier, Jr., 
 Richard Baxter, Geo. Baxter, C. A. Evans, G. M. Evans, J. Field, J. F. 
 Downing, G. W. Hendrix, C. H. Cornwell, J. L. Ragland, D. S. Hendrix, 
 A. J. Spites, C. L. Reynolds, T. J. Coleman, C. S. Stall, G. Songer, J. S. 
 Herbert, C. Evans, S. A. Gaines, A. Y. Shaiaklin, G. W. Gaines, J. M. Eng- 
 land, S. M. Haycraft, Chas. Skinner, Thos. Martin, O. Shinn, E. P. Meuz- 
 man, J. A. Lowe, James Wynn, B. F. Fulkerson, B. F. Croome, E. Jones, 
 W. P. Cornwell,W. T. Crawford, be and they are hereby incorporated into 
 a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the Grundy County 
 Agricultural and Mechanical Society." 
 
 The above order was made of record at the October term of the County 
 Court, 1859. Not much was done, and owing to the civil war of 1861 little 
 was to have been expected, After the war two fairs were held on the high 
 17 
 
268 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ground just back of the Presbj^terian church on Prospect Street, and suc- 
 ceeded beyond the expectations of those who had given their time and 
 money to make tliem successfuL This was the first step toward the present 
 association which has been so successfully maintained, and its history, its 
 trials, failure and success are here given under a new name. 
 
 NOBTH MISSOURI CENTEAL AGEICULTUEAL AND MECHANICAL ASSOCIATION. 
 
 The history of all successful agricultural, horticultural and mechanical 
 associations are due to the intelligence, enterprise and social qualities of the 
 people. If they are wanting in these tliey cannot thrive. A unity of inter- 
 ests, directness of purpose and ambitious resolves, is the ground-Avork of 
 success. We believe in county fairs. Strong, vigorous competition, a de- 
 sire to become the successful competitor, the honest pride which shows it- 
 self when the ribbon is gained, is worthy of all praise. There is nothing 
 sordid in these eiforts to win, only a desire on the part of the exhibitor to 
 be known as a successful and skillful worker in the chosen field of his occu- 
 pation. These associations have become numerous in every section of the 
 country. They bring prominently before the country the advancement 
 made in developing the rich resources of our agricultural bonanza, they add 
 to and shows the quickening pulse of the hands of genius, sharpen the 
 intellect and give hope and encouragement to those who work and delve in 
 the labyrinthian depths of the field of science and of art. By becoming 
 known to all it encourages all, and thus the agricultural association becomes 
 in its field of competiton the starting point of many new discoveries which 
 have proven valuable to all classes of citizens. They are in fact the main- 
 springs which develop the richness of our soil, the skill of the husbandman, 
 the magic hand of the artisan and the mechanic, and last, but not least, the 
 intuition, the grace and culture of the glorious womanhood of America. 
 
 ITS FIRST ORGANIZATION. 
 
 This association was first organized March 9, 1868. After several meet- 
 ings previous, the assembly of that day was of sufficient character, both in 
 number and influence, to form an association, which has proven of incalcu- 
 lable benefit to the farmers and stock-raisers of the county. After a full 
 consultation and study of the situation the following gentlemen were named 
 as the first board of directors of the North Missouri Central Agricultural 
 and Mechanical Association: Edwin Ryder, Chas. Skinner, H. J. Herrick, 
 G. W. Gibson, Josiah Barnes, G. W. Moberly, C. R. Webster, J. H. Shank- 
 lin, J. M. Leedy, Benj. Lockhart and P. H.' Yakey. The capital stock was 
 placed at $5,000 divided into shares of $10 each. The board of directors 
 proceeded to business by purchasing a beautiful piece of ground, twenty- 
 two and one-half acres, and fenced it with a board fence nine feet high. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 269 
 
 The grounds have a natural growth of forest trees, are well set in blue-grass, 
 water plentj"^, and the face of the grounds somewhat rolling. 
 
 The first fair was held in the fall of 1868, commencing September 30th, 
 and lasting three days. The association continued along with varying suc- 
 cess for several years. In 1873 an eifort was made, it being the sixth an- 
 nual fair of the association, to organize a grand district fair, to be com- 
 posed of the counties of Livingston, Daviess, Harrison, Mercer, Sullivan, 
 Linn and Grundy, but failed. The counties favored a district organization, 
 provided each county could have it, but as that could not be, the matter 
 was dropped. Grundy coanty was central, communication easy, and the 
 grounds in good shape, and an association could have been formed by such 
 a combination that would not only have been a splendid success, but resulted 
 in great and lasting benefit to the whole country around. It would have 
 attracted the farmers and stock-raisers of other States, and they, seeing the 
 magnificent country here, would have tended largely to an increase of that 
 class of population. It was unfortunate and an exhibition of short-sighted- 
 ness on the part of the farmers of adjoining counties, not at all to their 
 credit. One fair with the combined energies of the farmers in all these 
 counties would be worth a dozen smaller ones, and while the latter has but 
 a local name and only local efiect, the former would have aroused a spirit 
 of emulation reaching far and wide, and north central ]\fissouri would 
 long ere this have become noted, as she is yet destined to be, as the garden 
 of the State. 
 
 The ambition of the farmers of Grundy county has, however, exceeded 
 their financial resources in the advancement of this important association 
 and the stockholders were obliged to succumb to the inevitable. The oricr- 
 inal company threw up their charter and another organization was formed 
 taking many of the old members into the new, who had contributed money, 
 time and labor to its varying fortunes. This was in 1876. 
 
 NEW OEaANIZATION. 
 
 The new organization at once proceeded to business, took possession of the 
 grounds, assumed the debts and placed the association on a firm financial 
 basis. The following are the names of the stockholders of the new associa- 
 tion: Charles Skinner, Richard Burke, John W. Smith, Peter H. Yakey 
 Warren Harris, James B. Games, John "W. Cherry, M. L. Bovles, R. If. 
 Belshe, Jacob Goldenburg, Joseph L. Nichols, Judson Davis, John G. Hen- 
 ley, G. D. Smith, George H. Hubbell, William Holt, Elkano Payne, J. A. 
 Webster, C. A. Evans, William W. Hiibbell, John H. Shanklin, Georo-e W. 
 Moberly, D. Pt. Miller, A. J. Spitler, I. Brainerd, William M. Pond, Alonzo 
 Walker, A. Y. Shanklin, James Austin, George W. Smith, Jacob W. Morris 
 Emory Wild, M. Y. Thompson, F. A. Dinsmoor, Henry J. Herrick, Yalen- 
 tine Briegel, A. E. Sate, Jacob P. Custard, Daniel Welch, H. M. Anderson 
 
270 HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 William Anderson, R. D. Haley, D. G. Piigh, E. A. DeBolt, B. F. Thomas, 
 Pleasant W. Bain, W. C. Swayze, E. O. Carseadin, J. H. Kerfoot, Arthur 
 Hubbell, George Tindall, George Hall, and M. A. Low. 
 
 A board of directors was elected as follows: Charles Skinner, George W. 
 Moberly, John W. Smith, James B. Carnes, William Pond, P. H. Yakey, 
 A. Y. Shanklin, Elkano Payne, George W. Smith, Daniel Welch, Isaiah 
 Brainerd, C. A. Evans, Emory Wild. 
 
 Offio67's — Charles Skinner,* president; P. H. Yakey ,t vice-president; John 
 W. Smith, secretary; James B. Carnes, treasurer. 
 
 First executive committee — Charles Skinner, P. W. Yakey, J. W. Smith 
 A. Y. Shanklin, and G. W. Smith. 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 The following constitution was adopted unanimously: 
 
 Article 1. The board of directors of this society shall consist of thirteen 
 members, who shall be elected annually. The officers shall consist of a 
 president, vice-president, seci'etary and treasurer, all of whom shall be 
 elected annually, at the first meeting of the board of directors. 
 
 Art. 2. The election of the board shall be by ballot, on the second day 
 of the annual fair of each year, at 10 o'clock a. m. of that day and the 
 directors elected shall enter upon the discharge of their duties the first day 
 of January following, and shall hold their offices until their successors are 
 elected and qualified. 
 
 Art. 3. The treasurer shall, before entering upon the duties of his office, 
 execute his bond to the society in the sum of three thousand dollars for the 
 faithful discharge of his duties and the paying over of all money that shall 
 come into his hands, in sums that the board of directors shall from time to 
 time order. 
 
 Art. 4. No person shall be an officer who is not a member of the society. 
 
 Art. 5. The annual exhibition of the society shall be in the months of 
 September or October of each year. 
 
 Art. 6. All articles oifered for premiums must be owned by the persons 
 offering the same, or by the members of his or her family. 
 
 Art. 7. Awarding committees of three persons each shall be annually 
 appointed by the board of directors of the society, for judging the different 
 classes of articles offered in competition, and awarding premiums for the 
 same. If not present when called, a committee will be appointed by the 
 superintendent of that class. 
 
 Art. 8. A list of articles on which premiums are to be awai-ded by the 
 
 *Cliarles Skinner, elected president, was the first president of the old association and the only 
 one, and is its president to this day, having been elected annually since its last, as well as its 
 first organization. He has proved a competent and faithful officer. 
 
 tGeorge W. Moberly was elected vice-president, but declined. 
 
IIISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 271 
 
 society, shall be published at least a month previous to the day of the exhi- 
 bition. 
 
 Aet. 9. Competitors for premiums on crops shall be required to have the 
 grounds accurately measured by some competent person, whose statements 
 shall be verified by affidavit. 
 
 Art. 10. Premiums on grain and grass crops shall not be awarded for 
 less than one aci"e, and root crops not less than one-fourth of an acre. The 
 whole quantity produced on the ground specified shall be measured or 
 weighed — root crops to be estimated by weight (divested of the tops), sixty 
 pounds to the bushel, and grain crops to be measured or weighed by the 
 usual standards. The rules in relation to other crops are to be agreed on by 
 the board of directors. 
 
 Art. 11. When articles or animals are deemed unworthy of a premium, 
 the judges must refuse to award one. 
 
 Art. 12. A report shall annually be made by the president and secretary 
 to the State Agricultural Society, embracing, first, a copy of the printed list 
 of premiums offered and awarded by the society, together with an abstract 
 of the treasurer's report; second, the statement of the competitors for pre- 
 minms on crops and improvements; third, a report giving a general account 
 of the proceedings of the society, the number of members and the prospect 
 of its progress, iisefulness, etc., a statement of the principal kinds of agri- 
 cultural products in the county, and, so far as practical, the aggregate 
 amount of the same, the value, amount, price of products in market, and 
 such information as may aid the State board in keeping a statistical state- 
 ment of the products of our county. 
 
 Art. 13. The constitution may be altered or amended at any meeting 
 of the board of directors by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. 
 
 Article 1. All entries must be made bj' noon of the second day of the 
 fair and not afterward, unless by order of the executive committee. 
 
 Art. 2. Competitors for premiums on stock will be required to furnish 
 the secretary with a statement of the ages of stock on exhibition, and in 
 case false statements are made, the premium will be forfeited. 
 
 Art. 3. No member of a committee shall sit as judge in the class in 
 which he may be a competitor, but his place shall be filled by the sujjerin- 
 tendent, as in other vacancies, and no competitor shall interfere, or in any 
 manner attempt to influence the opinions of the judges under penalty of 
 forfeiting any award made him. 
 
 Art. 4. Persons exhibiting contempt for this society, by tearing off the 
 ribbon placed upon a premium article or animal by the judges, shall be 
 debarred from competing in this society hereaftei'. 
 
272 HISTORY OF GRTJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Art. 5. Awarding committees shall make their reports in writing to the 
 secretary, signed by a majority of the same, immediately after their decision. 
 
 Art. 6. Persons having stock or manufactured articles to sell may have 
 admission to the ground by paying one dollar for entry of articles for that 
 purpose, provided they do not in any way interfere with the operations of 
 the society. 
 
 Art. 7. All premiums which may be awarded, if not called for within 
 thirty days next after the fair, will be considered as donated to the society. 
 
 Art. 8. No animal or article shall be entered except by or in the name 
 of the actual owner, and if done otherwise the premium will be forfeited, 
 if awarded. 
 
 Art. 9. No eating-houses shall be allowed on the ground without per- 
 mission of the executive committee. 
 
 Art. 10. There must be two or more entries to constitute a ring, and if 
 not more than one entry be made, entrance-money will be refunded. 
 
 Art. 11. No fast driving will be permitted on the grounds, and the 
 marshal will see that this rule is strictly enforced. 
 
 Art. 12. No person shall have access to the secretary's books, nor shall 
 the secretary give information as to entries made in any ring. 
 
 Art. 13. All horses and teams admitted at the gates will be assigned to a 
 place within the fair grounds by the marshal. 
 
 Art. 14. The blue ribbon shall designate the first jsremium, and the red 
 the second. 
 
 Art. 15. No animal will be allowed to run at large, and to hitch to the 
 trees is positively forbidden. A violation of this rule subjects stock to exclu- 
 sion from the grounds. 
 
 Akt. 16. Evidence will be required of animals as breedei-s that they are 
 not barren, and that they have produced offspring within the past two years. 
 
 Art. 17. The marshal shall announce, in the ring, the decision of the 
 awarding committee, which shall be final. He shall be chief of police 
 with power to appoint assistants and make arrests. 
 
 Art. 18. All keepers of eating-houses, etc., will be required to lay in 
 their supplies before 8 o'clock eacli day. 
 
 Art. 19. The gates will be open, at 7 o'clock a. m. of each day, and at 
 that time every officer is required to be at his post. 
 
 Art. 20. The exhibition in the amphitheater will commence on the first 
 day at noon, and on all subsequent days precisely at 10 o'clock a. m., and 
 continue until the programme of the day is through. 
 
 Art. 21. Until the award has been made, marks of any kind, or other 
 indications of ownership, will not be allowed. 
 
 Art. 22. Every article or animal upon the grounds shall, during the 
 fair, be under the control of the board of directors, and whilst every possible 
 precaution will be taken for the safe keeping of the same, the association 
 will, in no case, be responsible for any loss or damage that may occur. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 273 
 
 Art. 23. N^o persou, excejjt the awarding committe on duty and officers 
 of the association, will be allowed inside the area whilst the exhibition is 
 going on. 
 
 Art. 24. Exliibitors in the amphitheatre must be careful to have the 
 entry card in a conspicuous place on the animal, that the committee may 
 be facilitated thereby in making awards. 
 
 Art. 25. If it be ascertained that an exhibitor has made, or caused to 
 be made, any false statement in regard to animal or article exhibited, or if 
 any exhibitor shall attempt to interfere with the judges in the performance 
 of their duties, by letter or otherwise, he shall be excluded from competi- 
 tion. 
 
 Art. 26. The exhibition of the stock in the amphitheatre will commence 
 at the time and proceed in the order specified in the programme. Animals 
 not ready at the proper time and place will be ruled out of competition. 
 
 Art. 27. Committees are particularly requested not to give encourage- 
 ment to over-fed animals in the breeding classes. 
 
 Art. 28. In judging of blooded stock, regard will be had to the purity 
 of blood, as established by size, form and action, and general characteristics 
 of the various breeds, making proper allowance for age, feed and general 
 circumstances. 
 
 ^ Art. 29. Stalls for horses and cattle, and pens for sheep and hogs, will 
 be furnished, as far as practicable, to such as are exhibited. Grain and hay 
 will be furnished on the ground at prime cost. The stalls and pens are 
 numbered and will be assigned in regular rotation. 
 
 Art. 30. The president of the association will wear a white, each mem- 
 ber of the board of directors a blue, the secretary a red, and the superinten- 
 dent of the fair ground a yellow rosette, and the marshal and his assistants 
 red scarfs. 
 
 Art. 31. Any member of the board of directors failing to attend three 
 consecutive meetings, without a good excuse, shall cease to be a member of 
 said board, and a majority present at any regular meeting shall have power 
 to appoint a successor. 
 
 Art. 32. No spirituous, malt or vinous liquors shall be permitted upoQ 
 the ground or in the neighborhood of the fair. 
 
 Art. 33. No gaming of any kind will be permitted within the enclosure 
 or vicinity of the fair ground. 
 
 Art. 34. All officers of agricultural societies and members of the press 
 are invited to attend the fair, and will be admitted free. 
 
 Art. 35. An auctioneer will be upon the ground each day of the fair 
 to make sales of stock and articles offered, and will charge but a reasonable 
 commission for his services. 
 
 Art. 36. The gates to the ground will be opened at 7 o'clock each morn- 
 ing of the fair, and the exhibition will commence at 10 o'clock. 
 
274 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Aet. 37. The gate fee will be: Footmen, 25 cents; team and wagon, 
 25 cents; horse and buggy, 25 cents; saddle-horse, 15 cents. 
 
 Akt. 38. Persons taking premiums in all classes where no entrance fee 
 is required will receive two-thirds and stockholders three-fourths of pre- 
 miums offered, except in classes A, B, C, G and 11, where full amount will 
 be paid. 
 
 Aet. 39. Any horse or mare having taken a premium during the fair 
 will not be permitted to compete again For another prize, except in the fol- 
 lowing rings; viz., For all purposes, speed, roadsters, brood-mare, with colts 
 by her side, and they can take but two premiums at the same fair, after which 
 such animal will be barred from further competition, except as one of a 
 matched pair, sweepstakes and speed. 
 
 The by-laws were revised in 1880 by a committee appointed for that pur- 
 pose composed of the following named gentlemen : Jno. H. Shanklin, W. 
 W. Hubbell, E. A. DeBolt, E. Payne and C. A. Evans, and the above is the 
 late revision and now in force. 
 
 The oiBcers of the association for the present year (1881) are: President, 
 Chas. Skinner; vice-president, Geo. W. Smith; secretary, G. D. Smith; 
 corresponding secretary, Geo. Tindall; treasurer, James Austin; marshal, 
 W. "W". Hubbell. The grounds are about one mile from the center of the 
 city, just outside of the limits and within about one squar^of the Quincy, 
 Missouri and Pacific division depot of the Wabash Eailroad. Considerable 
 improvements have been made the present season, including a fine, new 
 judges' stand, a large and commodious floral hall. A racing meeting was 
 held in June, continuing for three days, and the coming fall meeting of the 
 association promises to be the best the society has ever held. 
 
 CHAPTER VIII. 
 PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 
 
 When Organized — First Officers — List of Granges — Declaration of Purposes — 300 Waqons 
 and 10,000 Bushels of Wheat. 
 
 The success of the order was very great in the county and it was at its 
 best in 1874. The order had flourished greatly throughout the State, and 
 Grundy county was no exception to the general result. It was, no doubt, 
 of great benefit to the people, especially to the farming community, and so 
 long as the interests of the farmer and the mechanic were the chief end and 
 object of the organization, just so long it flourished, and rapidly added to 
 the material interests of the agricultural element of the State and county 
 where located. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COITNTr. 275 
 
 The first organization andadoptionof a constitution and by-laws for Grundy 
 county was on August 30, 1873, and the constitution was accepted by a meeting 
 of the order in tlie city of Trenton. A great many granges had been formed in 
 the county and the central or county organization became an important fac- 
 tor in extending the order until the whole county was a network of granges. 
 The constitution and by-laws were perhaps best expressed in the "dec- 
 laration of purposes," the minor details relating simply to the rules of the 
 local granges. In 1873 twenty-five granges had been established, and 
 reached their highest number in 1874, when there were thirty-four granges es- 
 tablished and in full fellowship. 
 
 The first ofiicers of the county grange were as follows: Chairman, E. 
 Ryder; overseer, George Spickard; steward, H.Gregg; A. S. steward, C. 
 S. Mace; chaplain, J. B. Gass; lecturer, Geo. H. Hubbell; treasurer, J. H. 
 Grofl^; secretary, A. Haynes; gatekeeper, IS". W. King; L. A. S. steward, 
 Mrs. E. Ryder. 
 
 The groundwork of their faith was a unity of spirit and of action in all 
 things essential, that which was only of personal interest, full liberty in indi- 
 vidual action, and charity exercised when wisdom taught that it would do 
 good. As these granges flourished and grew within the county a strong 
 feeling of friendship between ail connected with the farming interest sprang 
 up, and to this day there is among the agriculturalists of Grundy county a 
 strong, brotherly aff^ection for one another that has grown stronger as it has 
 grown older. 
 
 The following are the correct names of the different orders in this 
 county: 
 
 LIST OF GRANGES. 
 
 Oak Ridge, No. 20i — J. "Washburne, master; Y. M. Cantwell, secretary; 
 Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 Hickory Grove, No. 363 — James Weigel, master; John Eagle, secretaiy; 
 Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 Bural Dale, No. 22 — E. Ryder, master; Robert Eveland, secretary; 
 Rural Dale post-oflice. 
 
 Blooming Grove, No. 97 — H. Gregg, master; W. C. Fennei', secretary; 
 Rural Dale, Missouri. 
 
 Goodwill, No. 340 — Samuel Wilson, master; Alfred Chapman, secretary; 
 Alpha, Missouri. 
 
 Independence — G. G. Jewett, master; J. A. Hall, secretary; Lindley, 
 Missouri. 
 
 Defiance, No. 1846 — At Winter's school-house, in Liberty township, 
 William Bevans, master; S. J. Adkinson, secretary; post-office Lindley, 
 Missouri. 
 
 Pleasant Grove, No. 1848 — At Pleasant Grove school-house, in Jackson 
 
276 HISTORY 01' GEDNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Township, Francis Sproull, master; Jas. M. SprouU, secretary; post-office, 
 Farmersville, Missouri. 
 
 Lebanon^ ]No. 1819 — Fnlkerson school-hov;se, in Taylor township, Josiah 
 Cloar, master; J. "W". Mackley, secretary; post-office Edinburg, Missouri. 
 
 Lincoln, JSTo. 115 — Aaron Haynes, master; E. K. Carpenter, secretary; 
 Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 Eitreka, No. 339 — J. B. Gass, master; J. L. Lafierty, secretary; Trenton 
 post-office. 
 
 TindaJl, No. 165 — James Proctor, master; V. Briegel, secretary; Tren- 
 ton, Missouri. 
 
 Prairie View, No. 202 — P. Z. Delano, master; Leliew, secretary; 
 
 Trenton post-office. 
 
 Liberty, No. 164 — D. W. Haley, master; J. W. Eoot, secretary; Tren- 
 ton, Missouri. 
 
 Friendship, No. 342 — Wm. Downing, master; J. H. Willis, secretary; 
 Lindle}', Missouri. 
 
 Bethel, No. 161 — J. H. Merryman, master; C. A. C'onrads, secretary; 
 Alpha post-office. 
 
 Madison, No. 543 — Joshua Casebeer, master; A. R. Tate, secretary; 
 Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 Fair View, No. 471 — S. M. Williams, master; J. M. Merrill, secretary; 
 Spickardsville, Missouri. 
 
 Grand River, No. 1573 — H. S. Lewis, master; J. H. Walker, secretary; 
 
 Oriental, No. 163 — Geo. Spickard, master; Wm. Spickard, secretary; 
 Spickardsville, Missouri. 
 
 Franhlin, No. 162 — -N. W. King, master; J. T. Wyatt, secretary; Spick- 
 ardsville, Missouri. 
 
 Friendship, No. 2 — Felix Wild,' master; P. W. Thompson, secretary; 
 Buttsville, Missouri. 
 
 Commerce — Henry Wharton, master; Daniel Wright, secretary; Trenton, 
 Missouri. 
 
 Edinhurg — S. K. Witten, master;. W. W. Barnes, secretary; Edinburg, 
 Missouri. 
 
 Jefferson — Wm. Collins, master; J. S. Collins, secretary; Jamesport, 
 Missouri. 
 
 M'uirton, No. 309 — C. S. Mace, master; B. F. Snodgrass, secretary; 
 Muirton, Missouri. 
 
 Industry, No. 987 — James Mack, master; Y. J. Janes, secretary; Farm- 
 ersville, Missouri. 
 
 Perseverence, No. 952 — C. H. Longfellow, master; Hiram Smith, secre- 
 tary; Jamesport, Missouri. 
 
 Jeff'erson, No. 554 master; ■ secretary; 
 
 Trenton, Miss<juri. 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 277 
 
 Confidence — Nathan Cravens, master; J. B. EeicI, secretary; Trenton, 
 Missouri. 
 
 North Union — C. Hoffman, master; W. J. Jackson, secretary; Enral 
 Dale, Missouri. 
 
 Fidelity — A. T. Shanldin, master; B. M. Ford, secretary; Trenton, 
 Missouri. 
 
 Harrison — Henry Mason, master; B. C. Oiler, seci-etarj^; Trenton, Mis- 
 souri. 
 
 Trenton, No. 108 — G. H. Hubbell, master; Warran Harris, secretary; 
 Trenton post-office. 
 
 The declaration and purposes of the Patrons of Husbandry, that which 
 caused the order to spread so rapidly over the country were of that spirit of 
 brotherly love, and opposition to all manner of oppression, which has gained 
 the heart of a people reared in the cradle of liberty, and staunch defenders 
 of a republican form of government. Could the order have prevented the 
 politician from becoming a feature in its organization, and the efforts of a 
 few aspirants for power and pelf to make it a stepj^ing-stone to their polit- 
 ical ambition, it would have flourished to-day as it did a few years ago. As 
 a political party, its si;ccesses were of a transitory nature and local effect, 
 yet what reforms they did succeed in carrying out were of essential benefit 
 to the great agricultural interests of the country, and it is to be regretted 
 that the order to tliis day is not enlarged and united for the work of reform, 
 as declared in its public profession of faith. Believing that these expres- 
 sions should not die, and that they are the groundwork of a people's inter- 
 ests and prosperity, those principles and purposes for which and under 
 which the noble order flourished are given a place in this history. Future 
 generations can look back with pride to their ancestors who made these 
 declarations the groundwork of their civil and political actions. It will 
 show them that the true spirit of brotlierly love and noble manhood inspired 
 their forefathers of this day and generation. The following is the "declara- 
 tion of purposes " as given forth by the order of the Patrons of Husbandry in 
 convention assembled: 
 
 DECLARATION OF PURPOSES OF THE PATRONS OF HUSBANDRY. 
 
 " 1. United by the strong and faithful tie of agriculture, we mutually 
 resolve to labor for the good of our order, our country and mankind. 
 
 "2. We heartily indorse the motto: ' In essentials, unity; in non-essen- 
 tials, liberty; in all things, charity.' 
 
 " 3. We shall endeavor to advance our cause by laboring to accomplish 
 the following objects: To develop a better and higher manhood and woman- 
 hood among ourselves; to enhance the comforts and attractions of our homes 
 and strengthen our attachments to our pursuits; to foster mutual under- 
 standing and cooperation; to maintain inviolate our laws, and to emulate 
 
278 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 each other in the labor to hasten tlie good time coming; to reduce our 
 exj^enses, both individual and corporate; to buy less and produce more in 
 order to make our farms self-sustaining; to diversify our crops, and crop no 
 more than we can cultivate; to condense the weight of our exports, selling 
 less in the bushel and more on the hoof and in the fleece; to systematize 
 our work and calculate intelligently on the pi-obabilities; to discountenance 
 the credit system, the mortgage system, the fashion system and every other 
 system tending to prodigalit}' and bankruptcy. We propose meeting to- 
 gether, talking together, selling together, buying together, and, in general, 
 acting together for our mutual protection and advancement as occasion may 
 require. We shall avoid litigation as much as possible b}' arbitration in the 
 grange. We shall continually strive to secure entire harmony, good will, 
 vital brotherhood among ourselves, and to make our order perpetual. We 
 shall earnestly endeavor to suppress personal, local, sectional and national 
 prejudices; all unhealthy rivalry; all selfish ambition. A faithful adher- 
 ence to these principles will insure our mental, moral and social advance- 
 ment. 
 
 "4. For our business interests, we desire to bring producers and con- 
 sumers, farmers and manufacturers into the most direct and friendly rela- 
 tions, hence we must dispose with a surplus of middle men; not that we 
 are unfriendly to them, but we do not need them; their surplus and their 
 exactions diminish our profits. • We wage no aggressive warfare against any 
 other interest whatever; on the contrary, all our acts, so far as business is 
 concerned, are not only for the benefit of the producer and consumer, but 
 also for all other interests, and tend to bring these two parties into a speedy 
 and economical contract. Hence, we hold that transportation comjjanies of 
 every kind are necessary to our success; that their interests are intimately 
 connected with our interests and that harmonious action is mutually advan- 
 tageous, keeping in view the first sentence of our declaration of principles 
 of action, ' that individual liappiness depends on general prosperity.' We 
 shall, therefore, advocate for every State the increase in every practical way 
 of all facilities for transporting cheaply to the sea-board, or between home 
 producers and consumers, all productions of our country. We adopt it as 
 our fixed purpose to open out the channels in nature's great arteries that the 
 life-blood of commerce may flow freely. We are not enemies of railroads, 
 navigable and irrigating canals, nor of any corporations that will advance 
 our industrial interests, nor of any of the laboring classes. In our noble 
 order tliere is no communism, no agrarianism; we are opposed to such a 
 spirit and management of any corporation or enterprise as tends to oppress 
 the people and rob them of their just profits. We are not enemies to cap- 
 ital, but we oppose the tyranny of monopolies; we long to see the antago- 
 nism between capital and labor removed by common consent and by an en- 
 lightened statesmanship worthy of the nineteenth century. We are opposed 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 279 
 
 to excessive salaries, high rates of interest and tlie exorbitant per cent of 
 profit in trade. Tliey greatly increase our burdens and do not bear a proper 
 proportion to the profits of the producers. We desire only self-protection 
 and the protection of every true interest of our land by legitimate transac- 
 tions, legitimate trade and legitimate profits. We shall advance the cause 
 of education among ourselves and for our children by all just means within 
 our power. We especially advocate for our agricultural and industrial col- 
 leges that practical agriculture, domestic science, and all the arts which 
 adorn the home be taught in their courses of study. 
 
 " 5. We emphatically and sincerely assert the oft repeated truth taught 
 in our organic law that tlie grange, national, State or subordinate, 
 is not a political or 'party organization. 'No grange, if true to its obliga- 
 tions, can discuss political or religious questions, nor call political conven- 
 tions, nor nominate candidates, nor even discuss their merits in their meet- 
 ings, yet the princij)les we teach underlie all true politics, all true states- 
 manship, and, if properly carried out, will tend to purify the whole political 
 atmosphere of our country, for we seek the ' greatest good to the greatest 
 number,' but always bear it in mind that no one by becoming a grange 
 member gives up that inalienable right or duty which belongs to every 
 American citizen, to take a proper interest in the politics of this country; 
 on the contrary, it is right for every member to do all in his power, legiti- 
 mately, to influence for good the action of any political party to which he 
 belongs. It is his duty to do all he can in his own party to jjiit down 
 bribery, corruption and trickery ; to see that none but faithful, competent 
 and honest men who will stand unflinchingly by our own industrial inter- 
 ests are nominated for all positions of trust, and to have carried out the 
 principles which should always characterize every grange member, that the 
 oflice shoiild seek the man and not the man the oflice. We acknowledge the 
 broad principle tliat diiference of opinion is no crime, and hold that prog- 
 ress toward truth is made by difi^erence of opinion, while the fault lies in 
 the bitterness of controversy. We desire a proper equality and fairness; 
 protection of the weak; restraint upon the strong; in short, justly distrib- 
 uted burdens and justly distributed power. These are the American ideas, 
 the very essence of American independence, and to advocate contrary is un- 
 worthy of the sons and daughters of an American rejjublic. We cherish 
 the belief that sectionalism is, and of right should be, dead and buried with 
 the past. Our work is for the present and the future of our agricultural 
 brotherhood and its purposes. We shall recognize no ISTorth, no South, nO' 
 East, no West. It is reserved by every patron, as the right of a free man, 
 to affiliate with any party that will but carry out his principles. 
 
 "6. Ours being peculiarly a farmer's institution we cannot admit all to our 
 ranks. Many are excluded by the nature of our organization; not because 
 they are professional men, or laborers, but because they have not a sufii- 
 
280 HISTORY OF URUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 cient direct interest in toiling, or pasturing the soil, or they may have some 
 interest to conflict with our purposes; but we appeal to all g ood citizens 
 for their cordial cooperation and to assist in our efforts toward reform, so 
 that we maj' eventually remove from our laidst every vestige of tyranny 
 and corruption. We hail the general desire for fraternal harmony, equita- 
 ble compromise, and earnest cooperation as an omen of our future suc- 
 cess. 
 
 "7. It shall be an abiding principle with us to relieve any of our op- 
 pressed and suffering brotherhood by any means at our command. 
 
 '•Last, but not least, we proclaim it among our yjurposes to inculcate a 
 proper appreciation of the abilities and sphere of woman as indicated by 
 admitting her to membership and position in our order. Imploring the 
 continued assistance of our Divine Master to guide ns in our work, we here 
 pledge ourselves to faithfully and harmoniously labor for all future time to 
 return by our united efforts to the wisdom, justice, fraternity and purity of 
 our forefathers." 
 
 A memorial to the patrons in the cotton States was also adopted. It is 
 a strong argument in favor of a mixed husbandry in the Southern States 
 instead of expending all the energies of the people of that section in raising 
 a single staple, and gives several strong reasons why the planters of the 
 South should and how they can become self-sustaining. 
 
 It was the grand and noble declaration of principles and purposes which 
 gave such strength to the order and caused it in a few short months to be- 
 come a power for good in the land; to cause monopolists to tremble and 
 extortionists to shake with an apprehension of coming doom. That it 
 should so soon lose its power is mueli to be regretted, but that its good 
 work lives after it, is seen even to this day. The farmers, the mechanics 
 and the laboring men have found that they are strong enough to rule when 
 joined together in the cause of right, and the same organization will again 
 come to the front when monopolists become tyrants and would oppress and 
 rob those who are their real benefactors. That it checked the railroad cor- 
 morants in their insatiable greed is certain, that the money power felt that 
 the Patrons of Husbandry had rights that money kings were bound to re- 
 spect was more than once illustrated by the lack of that defiant tone so 
 common to those who have secured wealth and usurped power. One of the 
 incidents of the organization of the order in Grundy county is worthy of 
 record and took place in the early fall of 1874. The grange agent at Tren- 
 ton could not make rates with the Chicago & Rock Island Eailroad for the 
 shipment of wheat. Eates were offered by the Hannibal & St. Joe at Chil- 
 licothe which were acceptable. A meeting was called and the result was 
 that 200 wagons with an aggregate of 10,000 bushels of wheat filed in pro- 
 cession and delivered that wheat to the Hannibal & St. Joe depot at Chilli- 
 cothe. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 281 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 SCHOOLS OF GRITNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Educational — Exploring the Records — School Organization — Enumeration in 1847 — Nuinher 
 of Children, 1853 and 1854 — School Moneys — Progress from 1865 — School Commission- 
 ers—New Era— Superintendent's Report-School Fund, 1874— Steady Growth— Letter 
 from State Superintendent— School Fund bg Townships, 1875-1876— County Superin- 
 tendent's Report, 1879-1880— Value of School Property and Rejm-tfor 1881—" The Men 
 Who Hare Guided." 
 
 ** Bid him besides his daily pains employ 
 To form the tender manners of the boy, 
 And work him like a waxen babe, with art, 
 To perfect symmetry in every part." 
 
 Schools have been the beacon-lights which hare illnmined the pathway of 
 civilization from the earliest ages np to the present era of progress and en- 
 lightenment. Education has stood the keystone in the arch of all social 
 and intellectual advancement, and as with broad and far-reaching sweep it 
 has spread over the world, the arts and sciences of peace have " smoothed 
 the wrinkles from the brow of grim-visaged war," and relegated to the 
 depths of darkest oblivion the days when conquering armies tread the civil- 
 ization of the ancients under foot, leaving a countiy devastated by pillage 
 and plunder to mark the line of march. Learning stepped in, and the 
 physical force of the sword gave way to the intellectual sway of the pen 
 raising man to a higher plane and a nobler aim than the mere acquirement 
 of athletic accomplishment. Mental power began to be looked up to, and 
 from that early day to this, with steady stride the progress of education has 
 been a tour of triumphs " onward and upward" toward the goal of universal 
 knowledge. 
 
 When the early jjioneer first set foot upon the fertile soil and invaded 
 the leafy forests of Grundy count}'', the first thing to engage his attention, 
 after the erection of his rude cabin home in western wilds away from the 
 bustle of the world, was the thought of a school for his children, and the 
 deed followed the thought with immediate action. Then the log school- 
 house assumed a prominent place in every settlement, a substantial token of 
 the admiration of the citizens for learning. 
 
 From these early evidences of a desire for culture sprang the j^resent com- 
 prehensive system which has given to every district in every township good 
 school-houses and a thorough course of study in the various branches of 
 knowledge, and to this influence may be traced the industry and pros- 
 jjerity which jiermeates every nook and corner of Grundy county, aiding in 
 its growth and development, until to-day she stands in the front rank 
 amono; counties in the errand old Commonwealth of Missouri. 
 
282 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 EXPLOEING THE EECOEDS. 
 
 In going over and exploring the musty records of the past, the first evi- 
 dence found relating to schools was in the month of June, 1840, at which 
 date the organization of township 61, range 24r, into a school-district took 
 place, the first section organized for school purposes in Grundy county cov- 
 ering what is now known as Trenton township, the most populous portion 
 of the county. From this time on schools became frequent, and each town- 
 ship boasted of from one to two school-houses. These institutions of learn- 
 ing were under charge of the township, each was nnmbered and was con- 
 trolled by a board of trustees, and the chairman of the several boards of 
 the township constituted the township school-board to which all questions 
 connected with the schools were referred. This system continued in force 
 until the year 1875, when the law was changed, giving to each district full 
 charge of its own school affairs, since which time the schools have made 
 considerable progress. The working of this law, which is still in force, has 
 aided not a little in attainment of the present high standard and perfection 
 of the schools of Grundy county. 
 
 On the 4th of August, 1846, the County Court ordered congressional 
 township 62, range 24, to be organized for school purposes, and on the 10th 
 of February of the following year the citizens of said townsliip met at the 
 home of Mr. Samuel Kelso, where the necessary arrangements were made. 
 Mr. Kelso's residence was near the center of what is now known as Lin- 
 coln township, but which at that time was embraced in the limits of Tren- 
 ton township. At the same term of court Mr. Wm. H. Kobinson was 
 appointed school-commissioner for Trenton township, and consequently was 
 the first school-commissioner in the county. 
 
 SCHOOL CENSUS. 
 
 In 1847 a general sentiment seemed to prevail throughout the county in 
 favor of a more thorough organization of the school system, and to that 
 much desired end, at the June term of the County Court, enumerators were 
 appointed to take a census of the children of school age in the various 
 townships in the county, and the following gentlemen were named to per- 
 form the duty: James R. Devaul, Franklin township; Samuel Rook,. 
 Marion; J. L. Henderson, Trenton; Zela Conkling, Jefferson; Jacob Rob- 
 bins, Washington; John Priest, Liberty; William Metcalf, Madison. This 
 was the first combined effort on the part of the citizens of the county 
 toward their one cherished object — a uniform school system, affording ad- 
 vantages alike to all portions of the county. 
 
 The following yeav, 1848, the petitions for the organization of townships 
 began to flow in upon the County Court and in March, township 63, range 
 24, in Washington township, and township 62, range 22, in Liberty, were 
 
HISTOKT OF GETTNDT COUNTY. 283 
 
 organized for school purposes, with Elijah Burgess, Wm. Kent and Royal 
 Williams as commissioners. About this time the first experience of trouble 
 with the finances in Trenton township came up before the May term of the 
 County Court, when the directors of school township 61, range 24, filed a 
 motion to investigate the schools of said township, stating that a deficiency 
 of some hundreds of dollars existed. The investigation was ordered, but 
 as nothing further concerning the matter is to be found upon the record it 
 is supposed everything was made, or found to be, satisfactory. 
 
 In May, 1850, the citizens of township 62, range 22, petitioned for an 
 organization for school purposes. This was the same school-district in 
 Liberty township organized in 1848. The petition was granted and Giles 
 Songer was appointed commissioner, and A. Beckner, Wm. Euckee and 
 George Smith were aj^pointed directors. In April, 1851, Wm. Linney and 
 others presented a petition to organize a school-district in Liberty town- 
 ship 62, range 23, which was duly granted. On ISTovember 28th, of the 
 same year, a petition to organize a school-disti'ict of township 60, range 22, 
 in Marion township, was also granted, and a meeting for that purpose was 
 held at the home of Washington E. Young, near Dyke's Mill, on Medi- 
 cine Creek, January 1st, 1852. The next school organization was of town- 
 ship 60, range 24 in Trenton township, and in June, 1853, the first meet- 
 ing in regard to the matter was held at the house of J. D. Parkins. 
 
 KCMBEE OF CHILDBEN 1853. 
 
 The commissioner's record shows a total of 1,781 children in Grundy 
 county in 1853. Of that number tlie four school-districts of the municipal 
 township of Trenton contained 294; Madison township, with two districts, 
 furnished 314; Jeflerson's one district numbered 176; Franklin, with four 
 districts, came forward with 244; Marion's four districts gave a total of 246; 
 Liberty, with five districts, the largest number in the county, footed up 
 259; Washington, with four districts, completed the list with 240. 
 
 SCHOOL MONET. 
 
 The State school money for 1854 amounted to $748.02, which sum was 
 divided among the townships as follows; Trenton, $123.48; Madison, 
 $131.88; Jefferson, $77.28; Franklin, $102.48; Marion, $103.32; Liberty, 
 $108.78; Washington, $100.80; amounting to 42 cents per capita on the 
 enumeration of 1853. The township money for the same year amounted 
 in the aggregate to $633.86, which was apportioned among the twenty-four 
 schools in the county. 
 
 NUMBER AND AMOUNT. 
 
 The number of children entitled to the benefits and privileges of the 
 public schools in 1854 showed a perceptible increase over the enumeration 
 of the previous year, 2,010 names appearing upon the rolls. The State fund 
 18 
 
284 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 for 1855, nnder the above enumeration for that year, reached the sum of 
 $763.80, an average of thirty-eight cents per head. There were $849.64 of 
 township money for the same year. The growth of the schools continued, 
 showing gratifying gains in the number in attendance, and also in the ad- 
 ditional increase in the State appropriations. The school census of 1855 
 gave to the county 2,352 children, and the appropriations for the year 1856, 
 which were based upon the above enumei-atiou, amounted to $1,881.60, or 
 eighty cents per head, from the State, and $1,260.44 from the townships. 
 In 1856 the number of children of school age showed a total of 2,852, 
 which formed the basis of the school moneys for 1857, the State fund being 
 $2,224.56, while from the townships were received $2,623.84. The children 
 numbered 3,226 in 1857, and the appropriations for 1858 showed a corres- 
 ponding increase, the county adding, for the first time, its quota to the 
 school fund, in the sum of $533.80; the same year the State furnished 
 $2,258.20, and the townships $1,963.58. The enumeration of 1858 con- 
 tained the names of 3,645 school children, and on the basis of that number 
 $2,515.05 was the portion of Grundy county from the State fund, the county 
 money amounting to $187.28, and the townships increasing the sum by $1,- 
 518.16, for the year 1859. The next information we can find is for the year 
 
 1862. That year the number of children returned was only 2,380, and the 
 amount of money received from all sources was $952. The exact manner 
 in which this was divided is, unfortunately, not of record. Some districts 
 which failed to report got nothing. For instance, in 1856 district Nos. 1 
 and 4, township 62, range 22, failed to call for their apportionment for two 
 years, and it was given to other districts in the same township; and in 1858 
 township 60, range 23, with four schools-districts, only No. 1 reported, with 
 thirty-three children, and it got the entire money of the districts, amount- 
 ing to $336.37. Here closed the oflScial record, as far as can be ascertained, 
 up to the breaking out and during the civil war. In the fall of 1859 a 
 school meeting was called for the election of trustees in Union School No. 
 1, but in what township or range was not of record. The election was to 
 have been held October 8, 1859, but whether it was or not cannot be told. 
 November 12, 1859, William P. Warmoutb and Elijah Burgess were ap- 
 pointed trustees of some school-district. This ends all school reports up to 
 
 1863, when Joseph L. Bush, of district 5, township 61, range 22, was ap- 
 pointed, October 6, 1863, trustee for that district. Alexander S. Hughes, 
 October IS, 1868, was appointed for district 4, township 61, range 22. E. 
 L. Webb, Hiram Kichardson and Isaac H. Brown were appointed trustees, 
 October 29, 1863, for district. No. 1, township No. 63, of range 22; James 
 Dunlap was appointed, December 1, 1863, trustee for district No. 3, town- 
 ship 61, range 24; H. H. Turner, William F. Brown and Thomas Williams 
 were appointed trustees, April 8, 1865, of district No. 1, township No. 60, 
 of range 25, and M. S. Pond, Robert Stephens and John Davis were, on 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 285 
 
 August 7, 1865, appointed trustees of district No. 4, township No. 60, of 
 range 25. In some of the townships schools continued regularly, as the 
 record of 1862 gives evidence, but there seemed to be but little school 
 funds received from any source for that purpose. 
 
 SCHOOL-COMMISSIONEE. 
 
 No record of a school-commissioner for Grundy county can be found earlier 
 than 1859, when, in September of that year. Judge E. A. DeBolt was ap- 
 pointed to the position which he held by election until November, 1863, 
 when Mr. Geo. H. Hubbell was appointed, holding the office until 1865. 
 Both of these gentlemen labored earnestly in behalf of the educational inter- 
 ests of the coiint}^ and must be credited with much that is enduring of the 
 present excellent school system. 
 
 In 1864 the County Court, at the February term, made an order in regard 
 to the payment of principal and interest due on the school fund. The war, 
 which had been in progress for nearly three years at that time, had caused 
 a rathei- imsettled state of affairs to exist regarding school matters, and a 
 custom had prevailed during the time mentioned of receiving Union mili- 
 tary bonds as either principal or interest on the common school fund or the 
 township school fund, and the order in question prevented a further receipt 
 of these bonds, except from soldiers who had served in the army for them. 
 Another order was issued by the same court in June, 1865, instructing the 
 ti'easurer of Grundy county, Missouri, to be authorized to loan the principal 
 and interest on hand of Missouri military bonds belonging to the common 
 school fund of said county, for the term of twelve months, and if not paid at 
 the end of that time, to draw ten per cent interest per annum, payable in 
 United States treasury notes. 
 
 After the rude shocks and alarms of war had passed away, and Missouri 
 had once more settled down to the enjoyment of peace; when once more the 
 industries of the State sprang into active life and the busy hum and whirr 
 of machinery were heard in cities and towns; when the early whistles called 
 the workmen to their labor, and morning light brought bustle and activity 
 to the farm, then it was that the never flagging interest in the public schools 
 manifested itself, and with undiminished zeal the citizens of Grundy county 
 bended their energies to the work of building up the schools which had 
 languished during the four years of strife. The schools were put upon an 
 enduring basis and the good work progressed rapidly and well. In October 
 of 1867 an enumeration was ordered and the result showed a total of 3,584 
 children enrolled who were entitled to the benefits of the cominon school 
 and State school funds, and 4,402 who were entitled to the advantages ot 
 the township school money. 
 
286 HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 The schools, under the nourishing care of an efficient management, con- 
 tinued to grow and flourish until, in 1870, seventy-five school-houses lifted 
 their chimneys toward the blue vault above, and their walls within echoed 
 and reechoed with childish shouts and childish laughter. The schools were 
 beginning to form a valuable portion of the county's jsroperty, and in this 
 same year the round sura of $62,960 was their total valuation. It was in 
 1870 that the Trenton high school building was erected, W. H. Smith, con- 
 tractor, at a cost of $15,000, $7,500 in cash, and the same amount in school 
 bonds. The building is of brick, square and substantial, the exact propor- 
 tions being seventy by seventy feet and two stories in height, situated 
 on a gentle knoll in the resident portion of the city, well located and con- 
 venient in all its appliances. The liistory of its educational management 
 will be found embodied in the history of the city of Trenton. 
 
 supeeintendent's eepoet. 
 The condition of the schools was one of constant improvement. Prof. 
 E.. C. Norton, one of the best teachers the county ever had, and also super- 
 intendent, reported in 1872 eiglitj' primary schools in the county. There 
 was one high school (at Trenton), also three select schools and one college, 
 the latter Grand River College. One colored school in Trenton, with an 
 attendance of twenty-four pupils, completes the school statistics of 1872. 
 The total number of children of school age in Grundy county in 1872 num- 
 bered 4,549, of which 3,806 attended school. The colored children num- 
 bered but 36 in all. The daily average attendance, 2,617, and the number 
 of schools 82, and the number of school-houses 75. There were 97 teachers 
 employed, 71 of whom were males and 26 females. The average salary 
 paid, $38 per month for the males, and $26 for female teachers. The reg- 
 ular income arising from the different funds was reported as follows: 
 
 State school fund $ 2,322.00 
 
 County school fund 1,948.00 
 
 Township school fund 1,492.00 
 
 School tax, 1872 8,335.35 
 
 Total $14,097.35 
 
 The total amount of wages paid to teachers was $7,329, and there were 
 expended in new school buildings and repairs $3,919. 
 
 The total amount of school fund reported for the year 1872 was $33,- 
 288.48. There was little difference in 1873 from the above yearly record, 
 and on January 1, 1874, a full statement of tlie school fund was made. 
 
 SCHOOL FUND 1874. 
 
 While the schools seemed to have flourished and the fund to grow, it was 
 evident that for several years there had been a looseness in the management 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 287 
 
 of the fund arising out of tlie sales of the sixteenth section. To show first 
 how the matter stood, the County Court ordered a statement giving the 
 school fund as it stood January 1st, 1874. The statement was as follows of 
 the amount of township school fund due each township: 
 
 Township 60, range 22 $ 724.40 
 
 Township 61, range 22 987.17 
 
 Township 62, range 22 535.00 
 
 Township 63, range 22 814.04 
 
 Township 60, range 23 818.00 
 
 Township 61, range 23 1,137.85 
 
 Township 62, range 23 895.55 
 
 Township 63, range 23 569.98 
 
 Township 60, range 24 1,000.89 
 
 Township 61, range 24 1,564.86 
 
 Township 62, range 24 1,482.57 
 
 Township 63, range 24 820.50 
 
 Township 60, range 25 1,150.87 
 
 Township 61, range 25 884.17 
 
 Township 62, range 25 1,015.51 
 
 Township 63, range 25 653.46 
 
 Total township fund $15,054.85 
 
 Total common school fund 17,339.32 
 
 Total principal $32,394.17 
 
 The county clerk makes the following remarks on the above statement: 
 " This is the fund from which interest is derived to support the public 
 schools of the county, other than that received from the State and known as 
 State school money, and that arising from taxation. Of course more or less 
 of this $32,394.17 is worthless, arising from insufficient security and negli- 
 gence on the part of the County Court of former years. The County 
 Courts since 1866 have taken every precaution to make this fund as secure 
 as possible, the present court having just ordered citations for additional 
 security on all bonds where either of the securities have removed from the 
 county or deceased, and have ordered collections in many cases. They pro- 
 pose, also, to engage a competent person to examine into the solvency of all 
 the bonds, and report to them at a succeeding term." 
 
 Grundy county had sold up to January 1st, 1873, eight thousand one 
 hundred and twenty (8,120) acres of school lands, from the sixteenth sec- 
 tion and received for the same $12,560. Of this sum by improper security 
 $1,307.71 were lost up to that time. The swamp land which was a part of 
 the school fund amounted to 33,255 acres. It is all sold and realized the 
 sum of $15,434.23 and of this amount by insufficient secui'ity and otherwise 
 $1,864.04 were also lost to the county and the school fund. There has not, 
 perhaps, been all that care necessary in taking charge of the school fund 
 
288 HISTOKT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 of Grundy county that should have been, yet the County Court has exer- 
 cised a judgment worthy of all praise from the fact that nearly all the losses 
 have been by failures caused by misfortune in business and removal of secu- 
 rities, of which no information was .given, rather than by any rascality on 
 the part of those who purchased, or their securities. Still a more watchful 
 care will not fail to prove of value to the sc hool fund of Grundy county and 
 of greater credit to the County Court. 
 
 STEADY PEOGEESS. 
 
 There has been steady progress in the schools of the county, and they have, 
 continued to increase in number and efficiency. Tlie yearly apportionment 
 has been more regularl}^ called for and the result has proven very satisfactory. 
 Some few districts in the county need to elect more thorough men to their 
 boards of trustees. No man should accejjt the position who would not only 
 take an interest in education but work for the success of the school. 
 
 LETTER FEOM THE STATE SUPEEINTENDENT. 
 
 The year 1874 opened well for the schools of Grundy county, and not- 
 withstanding there are many older counties in the State, vei'y few, if any,, 
 stand higher in the educational department of the State than this 
 county. Exceptionally good teachers, combined with earnest work, have 
 given Grundy county a proud prominence in educational matters. Her ad- 
 advanced progress brought her into notice, audi the state superintendent of 
 schools, the Hon. John Monteith, paid Prof Norton, who was then countj 
 superintendent of Grundy county schools, the following high comjjliment in 
 the year above mentioned. Keferring to the change in, the county super- 
 intendent's office, he says: 
 
 The main defects in the new law are, the assessment of teachers to defray 
 the expense of examination for certificates, and the curtailment of the- 
 duties and pay of the county school officer. The first named defect will' 
 perhaps be offset by a very material reduction in the contingent expenses 
 of the district, such as the amount thereto paid for blanks and for commis- 
 sions to township treasurers, a fact which will create a strong tendency in 
 the direction of higher wages. The second named defect is the striking off" 
 the visitation of schools from the duties of the county school officer. 
 
 This is an unfortunate restriction, and if our citizens are desirous of 
 knowing why it was made, let them ask their late representatives. Nearly- 
 every member and every senator, without distinction of party or section, 
 advocated or supported this change. This defect is partially, but forcibly- 
 offset by a few considerations and facts. 
 
 Experience proves that the most effective influence exerted by the county 
 officer upon the schools of his county is the character and quality of the- 
 teachers he selects, examines and approves. 
 
HISTORY OF GBUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 289 
 
 Take, for example, the condition of the schools in the connty of Grnndy, 
 which will compare favorably with the educational conditions 
 of any other connty in the State. The superintendent (now commis- 
 sioner) of that county has held the otfiee for nine years, and yet, dui'ing all 
 that time, has drawn almost as small an amount for visitation as has been 
 received for this purpose by any superintendent in the State. The secret 
 of success iu this county lies in the fact that Prof Norton has worked up 
 his schools through his teachers. A thorough, practical teacher at the head 
 of such an educational force, ivithout visitation, will effect more than can 
 possibly be accomplished by an oiBcer selected for political and not educa- 
 tional qualifications with visitation. 
 
 The new school law will have a tendency to retain just such men as Prof. 
 Norton at the head of the schools in each county, far more effectually than 
 did the old law. Under the present regulations the county officer is to be 
 elected at the annual school-district meetings, when the people are gathered 
 together for purely educational purposes. 
 
 SCHOOL FUND BY TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 The schools for 1875 continued in a flourishing condition, and the total 
 number was 84, not counting Grand River College. The school fund for 
 1875 and 1876 was apportioned among the several townships as follows: 
 
 
 No. Schools in T'p. 
 
 School Fund. 
 
 
 1875. 1 1876. 
 
 1875. 1 1876. 
 
 
 8 
 10 
 6 
 6 
 
 8 
 7 
 7 
 1 
 5 
 7 
 7 
 3 
 4 
 5 
 
 S 
 10 
 7 
 6 
 8 
 7 
 7 
 1 
 5 
 7 
 7 
 5 
 4 
 5 
 
 $ 379.86 
 460.80 
 284.16 
 194.88 
 360.00 
 516.48 
 374.40 
 746.88 
 231. .36 
 392.64 
 352.32 
 173.68 
 147.84 
 192.00 
 
 $ 392.04 
 442.03 
 
 
 
 288 09 
 
 
 220 77 
 
 
 383.13 
 
 
 478 17 
 
 
 408.87 
 
 
 765 27 
 
 
 217 80 
 
 
 377 19 
 
 
 353 43 
 
 
 286 11 
 
 Taylor 
 
 148 50 
 
 
 201 96 
 
 
 
 Totals 
 
 84 
 
 87 
 
 $4,809.30 
 
 $4,963.86 
 
 The school population of the county was, in 1875, 6,154. Of this num- 
 ber there was an attendance of 5,008; not attending, 1,046. The above we 
 find upon the county records, but in the state superintendent's report it is 
 given at 4,714, and an attendance of 3,842. Just who is to blame for this 
 difference is not mentioned, and doubtless until this book was published 
 the discrepancy was not known to exist. However, this year 1875 was a 
 new school law, and the changes and errors are probably due to the new or- 
 der of things. While we have given the public school fund for 1876 by 
 
290 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 townships, making a gross sum of $4,963.86, the state superintendent 
 makes $3,319.92. The value of the school property in the county in 1876 
 was placed at $64,750, and the unexpended balance of school money at the 
 close of the year, $3,522.13. The year 1878 had increased the number of 
 , school-houses to seventy-eight. There had been some ten thousand dollars 
 added in new buildings and repairs, and about two thousand more for the 
 necessary apparatus in the diiferent schools. This had been expended from 
 1876 to 1878, inclusive. This brought up the value of the school property 
 of the county to $86,579. The public school fund for 1877 and 1878 
 amounted to $7,110.43, and there were on hand at the close of the school 
 year $5,522.60 of school funds. One hundred and sixteen teachers had been 
 employed during the year, and the amount paid them was $15,504.55, the 
 average salaries of male teachers being $33.02, and of females $23.87 per 
 month. There were thirty-eight colored children attended school. 
 
 SCHOOLS IN 1880. 
 
 There was no halt in the educational department for 1879-80. The 
 schools increased in number and more teachers were needed to impart in- 
 struction, and every effort was to still further advance the popular desire 
 and wishes of the people on the part of those who had the schools under 
 their charge. The following will show the principal features of the schools 
 for the year ending July 1, 1880: 
 
 Number white children between six and twenty years of age 5,149 
 
 " colored children between six and twenty years of age 58 
 
 Total 5,207 
 
 Number attending school, white 4,872 
 
 " attending school, colored 23 
 
 Total 4,895 
 
 Number teachers employed 122 
 
 " of school-houses 83 
 
 " of school-houses rented 1 
 
 " of schools taught 84 
 
 Amount paid teachers $16,314.00 
 
 Amount township fund $14,369.38 
 
 " Co. fund, including $1,235.48, for fines, etc. 24,812.24 
 
 Total $39,181.62 
 
 Amount total receipts for the year $27,177.10 
 
 " total expenditures of the year 22,519.15 
 
 Amount of balance carried to next school year $ 4,657.95 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 291 
 
 1881. 
 
 There is but little to be observed that shows a change for the school year 
 ending July 1, 1881, over that of the same date of 1880. The number of 
 school, children gives a small increase, being a total of 5,393, of which 5,155 
 attended school. There were ninety-six white schools and one colored school 
 in operation during the school year, and $18,071 were paid for teachers' 
 wages, an increase of $1,751: over the year previous. The eighty-three 
 school-houses are paid for, and two houses had to be rented for school pur- 
 poses for the year. Other school-houses will be ei'ected soon, as it is not 
 the intention to pay rent longer than to get a sufficiency of scholars to war- 
 rant the erection of a permanent school-building. The cost of fuel for the 
 year amounted to $814.25, and there were paid for repairs and rent $1,235.50. 
 Besides the regular school funds (State, county and township), there were 
 raised by taxation for the school year just closed, $12,087.77, the school tax 
 for the year being forty-two cents on the dollar valuation. The value of the 
 school property of Grundy county is $87,231. The average of the counties 
 throughout the State is $64,503.52. This shows that Grundy county far 
 exceeds this, her excess being $22,727.48, an excess that is over one-third 
 the general average. This is a showing that any people may be proud of, 
 and of which few counties can boast. 
 
 THE MEN WHO HAVE GUIDED 
 
 the schools of Grundy county to their present ennobling and prosperous 
 condition since Messrs. DeBolt and Hubbell closed their duties as school- 
 commissioners have each and all been trained, educated gentlemen, who took 
 pride in their work, and who by energetic labor and faith in the cause of 
 progressive education and a higher order of scholarship have reared a monu- 
 ment to their memory that time will not crumble or decay. 
 
 The first who was elected county superintendent after the late war was 
 Prof. R. C. Norton, in 1866, and his successors were: 
 
 Prof. John E. Vertrees, elected in 1868 
 
 Prof. Geo. P. Beard, elected in 1870 
 
 Prof. E. C. Norton, elected in 1872 
 
 Prof. R C. Norton, reelected in 1874 
 
 Prof. B. F. Thomas, elected in 1876 
 
 Prof. T. B. Pratt, elected in 1878 
 
 Prof. Pratt was reelected in 1880 and is now superintendent, serving in 
 his second term and giving untiring attention to his duties. The interest 
 in the schools of Grundy county is still unflagging, and the desire is to in- 
 crease their usefulness by constant endeavor and securing every faculty for 
 their progress. And, in closing, would say that the entire educational in- 
 terests of Grundy county are grounded upon popular sentiment, enlight- 
 ened law and liberal and comprehensive management. 
 
292 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 MISCELLANY. 
 
 County Map — Cyclone, 1880 — Political — Population and its Increase — Census of 1880 — Com- 
 parison — Official Vote of Grundy County, 1880 — Tenth District for 1880 — Valuation of 
 Property — Assessment by Toivnships, 1874 — Assessment, 1879 — Valuation, 1881 — Immi- 
 gration — Grundy County's Advantages. 
 
 COUNTY MAP. 
 
 The first attempt at a map of Grundy county was one giving the route of 
 the proposed Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, whibh was sometime in 
 the 3'ear 1858, and several lines had been run, but not then located. In 
 1875 Messrs. John C. Moore & Co., of Quincy, Illinois, proposed to publish 
 a map of Grundy county complete, but they failed to perform their self-al- 
 lotted task. On their failure Mr. B. F. Thomas took the work in hand and 
 finished the same, giving, with the exception of a slight error in Madison 
 township, a very complete and correct map of Grundy county, giving dis- 
 tricts, townships and town lines, and locating the farms and residences of 
 the county as occupied at that time. 
 
 " What at first was called a ' gust,' the same 
 Hath now a storm's, anon, a tempest's name." 
 
 Saturday, April 24, 1880, will be a day somewhat memorable in the his- 
 tory of Grundy county. It was a day of sunshine and storm, of gladness, 
 of 'fear and trembling. The storm king had risen in his wrath and swept 
 the earth witli vengeful hand and a giant's strength. The gnarled and rugged 
 oak of centuries bowed before his majesty, the lightning shed its baleful 
 ray and lighted up his pathway, and the thunder rolled in unison, making 
 hearts leap with terror. 
 
 The morning had been clear and bright, but along about ten o'clock the 
 wind began to rise and its. moaning voice gave token of an approaching 
 storm. The dark clouds began to gatlier in the southwestern sky, and as 
 they arose they grew dark, and black, and more dense. AH at once the 
 wind died away, the air was stifling in its closeness, the lightning grew 
 more vivid and appalling in its intensity and brilliancy, the deep tone of 
 the distant thunder came nearer and nearer, seeming to shake the very earth 
 in its onward way. Then again arose that moaning sound — the storm king 
 was coming, and death and destruction marked his pathway. The clouds 
 suddenly became agitated, then began to assume a rotary motion and a funnel 
 shape, and the awe-stricken citizens saw that ominous cloud move swiftly 
 
HISTOKT OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 293 
 
 forward, gathering within its folds, by its whirling motion, all things in its- 
 destructive path. It was mid-day, but the darkness began to gather, the 
 gloom to deepen, and the people of Trenton stood spell-bound. The city 
 was directly in the course of the cyclone and nothing but a merciful prov- 
 idence saved a large portion of the town from instant destructi('n. The 
 faces of the people assumed a ghastly whiteness, and they stood in a stupor 
 as the whirling clouds came rapidly toward the doomed city. They saw no 
 way of escape. Thus standing awe-stricken, the people gazed at the won- 
 derful sight as though fascinated. They could not turn their gaze away, and 
 they seemed powerless to move. All at once the circular mass careened 
 and broke, that part nearest the earth rising as if being drawn to the larger 
 and blacker clouds above, and passed over the northeast corner of the city, 
 deluging it with a heavy fall of rain. The city escaped, but the clouds again 
 united, taking a northeasterly course, and destruction marked its pathway 
 wherever in its ricochetting motion it touched the earth. 
 
 It first struck the farm of John B. Gass, who lived about four miles 
 northeast of town, and he became the first victim of its terrible power. His 
 orchard was nearly destroyed, the trees, being either torn up by the roots or 
 twisted off, went flying through the air. Two of his children and a farm 
 hand were caught and wounded by flying missies before they could reach a 
 place of safety. The outbuildings were blown away and his residence lifted 
 from its foundation and turned partly around, but fortunately without being 
 broken. It was a narrow escape for the family. His brother, Lycurgus, 
 had his house partially unroofed and met with some other damage, but 
 nothing very serious. 
 
 The storm-cloud again arose and was heard of at other places. It struck 
 near Edinburg, destroying orchards and fences, carrying away farm imple- 
 ments and wagons, nobody knew where, making a pathway bare of every 
 semblance of living things, No lives were lost, but the escapes were some- 
 times marvelous. 
 
 There was a feeling of relief, and a prayer of thankfulness went up from 
 all hearts when the storm swept by and the bright noonday sun appeared, 
 and was welcomed with joy. Some damage was done at Jamesport, Daviess 
 county, just over the county line. Quite a number of buildings were blown 
 down, the fair grounds seriously damaged, and one man severely wounded. 
 This closes the record of the only cyclone which ever visited Grundy county. 
 Other wind-storms have come and gone, have done some damage, but the 
 storm of April 24, 18S0, will be known as the only original cyclone ever 
 seen and felt in this section of country, and there is a unanimous hope that 
 it may be the last. 
 
294 HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 POLITICAL. 
 
 There is but little to be said of the jsolitics of Grundy county. Previous 
 to the war it was very close as between Whigs and Democrats. The Whigs 
 claimed a very small majority, but popular Democrats like Geo. H. Hubbell 
 and John C. Griffin were generally elected. The first election which was of 
 general interest was in 1860, and in that memorable triangular contest the 
 divided Democracy and the Whigs generally avoided the Kepublican can- 
 didate, Lincoln, and voted for Douglas, Breckenridge and Bell. Lincoln re- 
 ceived but eighteen votes in the county. This all changed in the presiden- 
 tial election of 1864. November of that year began to show serious signs 
 of the downfall of the Confederate States, and the votes of that year were as 
 decidedly in favor of President Lincoln's second term as they had solidly 
 opposed his first. The .vote stood as follows: For Lincoln, 817, for 
 McClellan, seventeen. 
 
 From that day until the present, Grundy county, according to her popula- 
 tion, has been the banner Eepublican county of the State. Now and then a 
 Democrat would succeed in getting some unimportant county office, but it 
 wasn't often enough to cause any material change in the general result. 
 
 Sometimes this great majority would be cut down in congressional elec- 
 tions. When a citizen of Grundy county got the nomination, local pride 
 had something of a force in the vote. 
 
 The elections for 1876 and 1880 tell of a Kepublican majority which 
 may be said to stand. The excitement and animosities of the civil war had, 
 in a great measure, subsided, and thus is shown its true political proclivities. 
 The vote of 1876 was 1,810 for Hayes and 1,113 for Tilden. In 1880, for 
 Garfield 1,917, and for Hancock 1,102. 
 
 From this vote it is clear that Grundy county is likely, for several years 
 at least, to remain a strong Republican county, or whatever name the party 
 may take. There are but few counties in the State which have been so 
 steadfast in their political faith as Grundy, and the outlook is that that 
 faith will abide with her people during the present generation. 
 
 INCEEASING POPULATION. 
 
 The county of Grundy having been organized in 1841, the census of 1850 
 gives the first record of her population as a county. This was put down at 
 3,006. During the next decade the gain in population became more rapid, 
 and in 1860 footed up 7,887, a gain of over 150 per cent. This had proven 
 satisfactory, but the dark cloud of civil war now began to spread over the 
 country, and chaos reigned supreme. Grundy county , like all others, had 
 met witli demoralization among her people and stagnation in business. At 
 the end of the war, in the spring of 1865, the county could hardly boast of 
 the population of the census of five years before, that of 1860. Peace had. 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 295 
 
 however, thrown the mantle of her wing over the country. Grundy county 
 took new life, and the car of progress moved more rapidly within her bor- 
 ders. The winter of 1865-66 brought quite a large influx of new settlers, 
 and the remaining four years of the decade, ending 1870, were years of 
 prosperity, and the increase of population over 1860 proved to have been 
 2,680 — the census of 1870 being 10,667. This increase had nearly all been 
 received within the four 3'ears mentioned. The following are the census 
 returns of 1870, by townships: 
 
 "Washington l,01i Trenton 2,934 
 
 Franklin 1,029 Jefferson 874 
 
 Liberty 1,036 Madison 1,396 
 
 Marion 2,284 
 
 Total 10,567 
 
 Trenton- (town) had a population in 1870 of 920. It was not until the 
 If ovember term of the County Court of 1872 that the county was re-districted 
 into thirteen municipal districts in place of the seven above named. The 
 law known as the township organization law had been passed at the ad- 
 journed session of the Twenty-sixth General Assembly of the State of Mis- 
 souri, adopted by the people at the following general election, held Novem- 
 ber 5, 1872. By order of the (bounty Court at the February term of 1876, 
 the township assessors were required to take the jDopulation of their several 
 townships in addition to their duties as assessors. They did so, and in 
 March, 1876, returned to the County Court the following: 
 
 POPULATION OF GEUNDT COUNTY BY TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 Washington 487 Jefferson 1,022 
 
 Franklin..... 1,025 Madison 769 
 
 Myres 671 Harrison 581 
 
 Liberty 866 Taylor 882 
 
 Marion 1,139 Lincoln 1,158 
 
 Wilson 900 Trenton 3,442 
 
 Jackson 596 
 
 7,424 
 
 5,684 
 
 Total population of the county 13,108 
 
 From the census returns of 1880 the population of Grundy county, towns 
 and townships, has been returned to the United States Census Bureau at 
 Washington, and the following received is the olBcial report of the United 
 States census for 1880: 
 
 GRUNDY COUNTY, TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS. 
 
 Franklin township including Spickardsville 1,261 
 
 Spickardsville 330 
 
 Harrison township 557 
 
 Jackson township 540' 
 
296 HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Jefferson township 1,189 
 
 Libert}' township 907 
 
 Lincoln township 1,170 
 
 Myres township 750 
 
 Madison township inclnding the town of Edinburg 1,091 
 
 Edinburg 174 
 
 Taylor township 479 
 
 Marion township, including the town of Lindley 1,307 
 
 Lindley 269 
 
 Trenton township, inclnding the town of Trenton 4,493 
 
 Trenton 3,326 
 
 Washington township 518 
 
 Wilson township, including the town of Alpha 941 
 
 Alpha 128 
 
 Total 15,201 
 
 COMPAEISON. 
 
 Increase of the population of the State as compared with Grundy county 
 from 1850 to 1880, by decades: 
 
 The population of the State of Missouri in 1850 was 682,044 
 
 In 1860 1,182,612 
 
 Increase 73 per cent. 
 
 Orundy county, 1850 3,006 
 
 Grundy county, 1860 7,887 
 
 Increase 160 per cent. 
 
 County over State for the decade ending 1860, 87 per cent. 
 
 State of Missouri, 1860 1,182,012 
 
 State of Missouri, 1870 1,721,295 
 
 Increase nearly 46 per cent. 
 
 Grundy county, 1860 7,887 
 
 Grundy county 1870 ....'. 1,567 
 
 Increase 34 per cent. 
 
 STATE OF MISSOTJEI FOR 1880. 
 
 The official figures give nearly forty-six per cent as the gain the past 
 •decade; Grundy county, thirty-four per cent. Taking the gain then for the 
 last thirty years, and Grundy county has far more than kept up her average 
 in comparison with the State. Or, in other words the State has gained in 
 population in the past thirty years over the population of 1850 about 318 
 per cent. Grundy county for the same time has increased her population 
 506 per cent. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 297 
 
 The true population of the United States in 1870 was 38,925,598 
 
 The population of Missouri 1,721,295 
 
 The population of the United States in 1880 •. . . 50,152,866 
 
 The population of Missouri in 1880 2,168,804 
 
 Missouri is the fifth State in the Union as regards population, only being 
 exceeded by New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Illinois. In 1850 Missouri 
 was the thirteenth, and in 1860 the eighth. In 1870 the fiftli, and she still 
 retains her position of fifth in 1880. 
 
 OFFICIAL VOTE OF GRUNDT COUNTY 1880. 
 
 The number of ballots cast in Grundy county at the November election, 
 1880, taking the vote for governor, showed a total of 3,147; to-wit, Crit- 
 tenden, Democrat, 1,108; Dyer, Republican, 1,915; Brown, Greenbacker, 
 124. At tiie same election the following gentlemen wei-e elected to the 
 ofiices named: Wesley A. Jacobs, State senator; Thos. J. Taylor, represent- 
 ative; Gavan D. Burgess, circuit judge; Wm. li. Wilson, sheriff; county 
 attorney, Melvin Bingham; John E. Carter, treasurer; Isaiah Brainerd, 
 Freeman Dunlap, Isaac Washburn, county judges. 
 
 The vote for Congress was between Mansur, Democrat, and Burrows, 
 Greenbacker. The Republicans declined to make a nomination, giving 
 their support solid for Burrows. The vote was as follows: 
 
 TENTH DISTRICT. 
 
 Chas. H. Jos. H. Scatter- 
 MaDsur. Burrows. ing. 
 
 Randolph 2,963 1,662 .... 
 
 Chariton 2,945 2,077 .... 
 
 Linn 2,040 2,126 .... 
 
 Sullivan 1,737 1,775 1 
 
 Mercer 999 1,055 .... 
 
 Grundy 1,096 1,975 .... 
 
 Livington 1,878 2,354 .... 
 
 Daviess 1,997 2,064 1 
 
 Harrison 1,564 2,196 4 
 
 Total 17,219 17,284 6 
 
 Majority over Mansur, 65. 
 
 ^REAL ESTATE AND PERSONAL PROPERTY — ITS VALUATION. 
 
 At the close of the civil strife all values were deranged, and it was not 
 until 1867 that the State Board of Equalization accomplished the work of 
 securing, as far as was practical, a uniform system of valuation. Grundy 
 county was growing quite rapidly, the influx of settlers in the fall, and the 
 winter of 1866 and 1867, was the greatest of any one year. There was evi- 
 dence that peace would continue and that the development of the rich soil, 
 and the wealth of the coal and mining interests of Missouri would occupy 
 
298 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 the people for years at least. The State was in debt, and there was need of 
 money to pay the interest of the bonded debt, the redemption of the float- 
 ing debt, and such uniformities in value of real and personal property of 
 the State as wonld in a measure assure to the State a certain sum to meet 
 accrued and accruing debts. This was effec ted in 1867, and the rate of taxa- 
 tion for the State and State interest tax arranged. 
 
 IN GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 The assessed valuation of real estate and personal property in Grundy 
 county for the year 1867, was as follows: 
 
 Eeal estate | 1,601,984 
 
 Horses 174,680 
 
 Cattle 108,120 
 
 Hogs , 39,982 
 
 Sheep 21,079 
 
 Total I 1,945,845 
 
 The assessment of 1870 shows a vei-y fair, and we might almost say a 
 rapid increase for the three preceding years, the total being for real and 
 personal property $2,396,127, an increase of $450,282. In 1872 the assess- 
 ment of real estate was $1,737,960, and of personal property $844,536; 
 total $2,682,496. 
 
 The assessment so far had been uniform, the railroad property forming 
 no inconsiderable part of the amount. From January 1, 1871, to May 1, 
 1873, the railroad tax had amounted to $46,800. The railroad company 
 paid during the same time a tax of $2,545.04. Total railroad tax collected 
 $49,345.04; of which, after paying accrued interest and warrants, there were 
 left in the treasury to the credit of the railroad fund $5,345.04. 
 
 The valuation of real and personal property in 1874, the only year 
 that the assessment was made by municipal townships, as returned, 
 is given below so that the assessed wealth of each township may be 
 known! Tlie assessment was returned on the 23d of April, and entered 
 of record. 
 
 1874. 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Trenton township $600,183 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Lincoln township 255,777 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Marion township 245,474 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Wilson township 226,991 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Madison township 213,271 
 
 Eeal and persona] property. Liberty township 195,578 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Jackson township 188,991 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Jefferson township 185,195 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Myres township 174,930 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Franklin township 119,801 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Harrison township 124,035 
 
 Eeal and personal property, "Washington township 112,480 
 
 Eeal and personal property, Taylor township 71,373 
 
 Total , $2,764,079 
 

 ^^A^S~^^^.^-^^/7~ 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 301 
 
 From 1874 there has been s ome considerable variation in the assessment 
 of property in the county. Undoubtedly much of the valuation was high, 
 but Grundy county was in debt, yet siie was prospering and while crops 
 were good and prices fair, it was sound economy to lessen the debt and 
 save the drain of interest, which is ever a clog to the financial advanceinent 
 of any business, let it be of a person or a municipal corporation. There is 
 uo disputing the point that a public debt is a curse, and the sooner the 
 books can be brought to a final balance-sheet the better for the people in 
 the aggregate. The assessment of 1875 fell short of that of 1874, being 
 put down at tiie sum of ^2,728,649, and the same year the assessed valua- 
 tion of railroad property within the county was $321,393.59. The railroad 
 company could not see the exact justice of that assessment, claiming that 
 it was at least one hundred per cent too high, in fact, they had previously 
 returned a valuation of the same property at about $125,000, yet it was 
 clear to all that they had erred far more than the assessor in giving in that 
 sum. They strove for a reduction of this valuation, and wei'e in a measure 
 successful. The valuation of railroad property per mile having since been 
 reduced. 
 
 The year 1879 culminated the high assessment, it being the heaviest 
 ever known, and the present year's assessment (1881) still falling short 
 over $131,000 of the valuation of that year. 
 
 In the assessment of 1879 we find that the returns were made in a differ- 
 ent form, and we therefore give it in full. The number of acres taxed, as 
 per tax book, was 276,280.27 acres. The real number of acres of land 
 in the county is 273,357.39. The excess taxed being added to from 
 sections which by rivers were cut short in actual acres; the difference in 
 favor of the tax book being nearly 3,000 acres. The stock assessment was 
 placed under the head of "all other property." 
 
 ASSESSMENT 1879. 
 
 Land, 276,280.27 acres ... $ 1,601,960 
 
 Town lots, 1,056 357,180 
 
 Money, bonds and notes 237,012 
 
 Banks and dealers 39,500 
 
 All other property 668 897 
 
 C, E. I. & P., and I. S. & M. IS 189,141 
 
 Insurance companies 5.938 
 
 Western Union Telegraph Co 1,849 
 
 Total $ 3,101,477 
 
 The amount of tax realized on this assessment was in 
 
 State and State interest tax $12,381.90 
 
 County, including school, railroad, and railroad sinking 
 
 fund, etc 48,488.90 
 
 Total .$60,870.80 
 
 19 
 
302 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 VALUATION, 1881. 
 
 The assessment the present year has been returned, and the assessors' 
 books show in gross the following valuation: 
 
 Valuation of land $1,562,005.00 
 
 " " H. &. St. Joe Railroad 3,520.00 
 
 " Town lots , 376,445.00 
 
 " '• Real estate total 1,921,970.00 
 
 " " Personal property 1,037,159.00 
 
 Total $2,969,129.00 
 
 The valuation placed upon the land and machine-shops outside of the right 
 of way, was $50,000. The total difference in the valuation of the rail- 
 road property within the county is as follows for the years 1875 and 1881, 
 thelatter year's assessment being satisfactory: Valuation, 1875, $321,393.59; 
 valuation 1881, $215,979; being a reduction of $105,414.59. 
 
 IMMIGRATION. 
 
 To persons seeking homes in the West the county of Grundy offers many 
 advantages over any other portion of the State. Lying in one the northern 
 tiers of counties, the climate is a blending of Northern winters with South- 
 ern summers, inviting in its healthful results alike to the new-comer from 
 any portion of this country. Good health and the pleasurable enjoyment 
 of life is the rule in Grundy county. 
 
 The soil is rich and fertile, well watered by running streams. The stran- 
 ger has his choice of acres of rolling prairie or well-grown woodland. The 
 first is unsurpassed as a grazing land, and offers extra inducements to the 
 stock-raiser, whose labor in this direction yields a handsome income. Sheep 
 raising may be attended with a success not attainable in many sheep grow- 
 ing States. The finest breeds may be said to attain their highest perfection 
 in this county, the fleece growing in silky luxuriance, while the meat is 
 firm and solid. Horses and cattle are bred with little trouble. The fine 
 blue-grass pasture lands aiding in the superiority of Grundy county stock. 
 Persons wishing to engage in stock raising will find this county very 
 attractive. 
 
 All kinds of agricultural pursuits are well adapted to this county, and 
 the farmer may feel reasonably sure of reaping a generous harvest for his 
 labor. All cereal crops grow here in a greater or lesser degree. Wheat 
 and corn are never failing crops, and as many bushels are produced to the acre 
 as in any part of the State. Oats, rye, barley and buckwheat attain a like 
 success. 
 
 Fruits of every variety grow in the greatest abundance and perfection. 
 Orchai'ds are almost as common as pasture lands. Trees growing on the 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 303 
 
 rich soil of either hillside or valley are very prolific. Fruit culture is one 
 of the ruost profitable sources of investment in the county, the soil and 
 climate being naturally suited to the work. The cultivation of the grape 
 may be attended with large profit at a very small outlay. Wine making is 
 exceptionally attractive and the extra quality which may be manufac- 
 tured from Grundy county grapes finds a sure market at very remunerative 
 rates. The horticultural products of this county stand as high as any in 
 the State. 
 
 Coal mining is carried on within the limits of Trenton, the county seat. 
 The best quality of soft coal may be purchased at ver^' low rates. Trenton 
 has direct railroad connections with all the large cities east and west, thus 
 offering extra facilities for the shipment of any kind of produce. These 
 roads utilize the abundance of oak timber for bridge purposes and for rail- 
 road ties, thus making the forests a source of income. 
 
 There are good schools in every district. The_ buildings are properly 
 equipped and paid for. The county debt only amounts to $155,000, thus 
 making the taxation light. In fact, all the inducements of splendid farm- 
 ing lands at cheap rates and easy terms, with none of the hardships attendant 
 upon pioneer life are here found. The people are sociable and hospitable, 
 and extend a cordial welcome and helping hand to all new-comers. Your 
 politics and religion are your personal property, and you have perfect lib- 
 erty to express your opinion on any subject without fear or hindrance. The 
 people are progressive, industrious, and mind tlieir own business and give 
 everybody else the same privilege. 
 
 To those seeking homes in the towns or villages, here again Grundy 
 county steps forward with superior inducements. Those who wish to en- 
 gage in commercial enterprises will find an ample field for their capital and 
 talent. Trenton, the county seat, is the commercial metropolis, and is an 
 energetic, bustling little city of some 3,600 inhabitants, always offering lib- 
 eral encouragement to all worthy enterprises. Opportunities for profitable 
 investment ma}- be found at almost anj' time. Two railroads, excellent 
 hotels, churches, good schools, three newspapers, all kinds of business, neat 
 residences, with room for more, are among the attractions of Trenton. 
 
 Tiien in the northern part of the county, on the line of the raih-oad, is 
 Spickardsville, a flourishing village of three hundred and thirty iidiabitants. 
 In the eastern portion of the county is situated Lindley, a thriving town 
 with a population of two hundred and seventy. West of Trenton, Edin- 
 burg, the seat of the Grand River College, one of the leading educational 
 institutions in the West, is situated, and lias a population of one hundred 
 and seventy-four. Alpha, in the southern part of the county, closes the list, 
 a prett}' country hamlet of one hundred and twenty-eight inhabitants. 
 
 In conclusion it can be truthfully said that in Grundy county may be 
 found suitable locations with pleasant surroundings for almost any pursuit 
 
304 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 a man wishes to follow. He has only to come, view the country, investigate 
 its adaptability to his calling, make his choice and settle down to a life 
 attended with many pleasures to lighten his labors and brighten his 
 pathway. 
 
 CHAPTER 11. 
 COUNTY OFFICIALS. 
 
 Election in 1842 — Sheriffs — Defalcation — Circuit and Counti/ Clerks — Missing Funds — Cost 
 of Suit — Circuit Clerics — Count;/ Treasurers — Probate Judges — Salaries — Members of the 
 Legislature — State Senators — Circuit Judges — Circuit and County Attornegs — Judicial, 
 Senatorial and Congressional Districts — Congressmen — County Judges- -County Officers, 
 1881. 
 
 The first election for county officers, outside of the justices of the peace, 
 took place in 1842, the appointments by the legislature holding until that 
 time. 
 
 SHEEirFS. 
 
 Wm. Thrailkill was elected sheriff in August, 1842. He held lus office 
 by appointment at that time; was reelected in 1844 and was followed 
 in 1846 by Ashley Gulley. Gulley appointed Win. Metcalf bis deputy^ 
 who attended to about all the business the last year of Gulley's term, Mr. 
 G. being in the Mexican War. William Metcalf, at the end of Ashley 
 Gulley's term, was elected sheriff, this being in 1848 and was again elected 
 in 1850. Mr. W. C. Harvey came next and having been reelected served 
 two terms, ending January 1st, 1856. James S. Estes then came in 
 for two terms, 1856 and 1858, and right after him came E. P. Harding in 
 1860 and 1862. 
 
 DEFALCATION. 
 
 At the August term of the County Court, 1865, Mr. Harding had a finat 
 settlement with the county as sheriff and ex officio collector, and a warrant 
 was drawn in his favor for $428 as a balan ce due him on settlement, wJiich 
 was certilied toby the presiding justice of the court. There seems to have 
 been an error in regard to the whole matter, and at the October term of the 
 said court the order of settlement was rescinded and a deficiency was found 
 against Mr. Harding for the sum of $433.75, as shown b^^ the following pro- 
 ceedings of the Grundy County Court, 1865: 
 
 "Geundy County Couet, Octobee Teem, 1865. 
 " Wheeeas, At the August special term A. D. 1865 of this court, the fol- 
 lowing appears of record among the proceedings of said court; to-wit, On 
 
IIISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 305 
 
 a final settlement with E. P. Harding, late collector of Grundy county, Mo., 
 there was found to be due said collector $428, said settlement embracing all 
 the years for which the said collector was liable, embracing the years 1860 
 lip to 186i inclusive. 
 
 (Signed) Jas. G. Benson, Pres. Co. Crt. 
 
 "Whereas, Edson P. Harding, late collector of Grundy Co., Mo., has 
 failed to make settlement with this court according to law and the orders of 
 the County Court, the court proceeds to make settlement, which is as fol- 
 lows; to- wit, Balance due county $433.76." 
 
 JSTothing satisfactory resulted from the above, and it appears that Mr. 
 Harding refused to take any notice of the new order of things, and on the 
 6th of November, 1865, the following proceedings from the record show 
 that the county immediately began suit against Mr. Harding's bondsmen 
 for the amount alleged due Grundy county, as given below: 
 
 "Geundy County Couet, November Term, 1865. 
 
 "Be it ordered by the court that whereas Edson P. Harding, late collector 
 of Grund}' county Mo., having neglected and refused to render true ac- 
 counts and settle with the court, the court did at its October term, 1865, 
 adjust the accounts of said Edson P. Harding, collector as aforesaid, ac- 
 cording to the best information they could obtain, and found the balance 
 due by said Harding as such collector to be $433.75, and whereas the said 
 Edson P. Harding owes the sum of $433.75 with thirty per cent per annum 
 until paid and that execution issue immediately. 
 
 "Ordered by the court that Daniel Metcalf, county attorney, bring suit 
 against the securities in the Grundy County Circuit Court on the official 
 bond of Edson P. Harding, late collector of Grundy county. Mo." 
 
 The case came up in regular order on the next day, Nov. 7th, and was 
 continued over until the 15th, as per the following entry on the record of 
 said date: 
 
 "Grundy County Court, November Teem, 1865. 
 
 In the case of Grundy County v. Edson P. Harding the motion came to 
 be heard, the parties appeared by their attorneys and the court doth order 
 that the judgment rendered yesterday be set aside and that the cause be 
 continued until Wednesday, November 15th, 1865." 
 
 On the 16th day of November the case of Mr. Harding still hung fire, 
 and a further investigation of the acounts ran the deficiency up in the 
 neighborhood of $2,000, and said sum not having been paid ten per cent 
 was added to the amount ten days after date, where the case stood until 
 again brought before the court at the December term when the matter was 
 turned over to the Circuit Court. The proceedings from the records are as 
 follows : 
 
306 histoky of geundy county. 
 
 "Geundy County Court, November Teem, 1865. 
 
 "On a final settlement with Edson P. Harding, late collector of Grundy 
 county, Mo., the court finds said collector to stand indebted to the county 
 and State as follows; to-wit. To the county $1,925.4:5 and to the State of 
 Missouri $62.98. Also $50 balance on school funds recovered by execu- 
 tion V. John T. Hughes and ordered same certified." 
 
 "In vacation Nov. 26, 1865, said Harding having failed to pay the amount 
 due within ten days from settlement, ten per cent is added." 
 
 "Geundy- County Couet, Decembee Teem, 1865. 
 
 "Edson P. Harding, late collector of Grundy county, Missouri, having 
 failed to pay over the money found due the county on final settlement, it 
 is ordered that the clerk make out and certify an abstract of any and all set- 
 tlements made with the said collector since September, 1865, and deliver 
 the same to clerk of the Circuit Court of this county and immediatel}' on 
 receipt of said abstract, the circuit clei'k will issue execution for the amount 
 vs. the said Edson P. Harding, drawing 30 per cent from this date, Decem- 
 ber 5th, 1865." 
 
 On the first of January, 186i, Orville Moberly took possession of the 
 oflBce and continued until the 1st of January, 1868, then came N. A. Win- 
 ters for two terms, and following him in 1872 and 1874 was E. E. Boyce. 
 S. J. Atkinson was sherift" from January 1st, 1877, to January 1st, 1881, and 
 the present eheriif is W. H. Wilson, who was elected in November, 1880.* 
 This closes the list of sheriffs. 
 
 CIECUIT AND COUNTY CLEEKS. 
 
 There were not so many changes in this office as in that of sheriff. It is 
 an oflBce, or was at that time, that required a knowledge of the routine bus- 
 iness of the court and when once learned the court or courts seldom wanted 
 a change. A clerk well qualified and thoroughly knowing his business was 
 a valuable person to have around either circuit or county judges, and espe- 
 cialjy when the many changes in the county judges took place an able and 
 willing clerk made the new judges feel at home. In fact, he would show 
 them how it was done. The first circuit and county court clerk was Thos. 
 W. Jacobs and his name is pretty often found in this history because he 
 held the position for several years and in the early records which have been 
 liberally copied from, his name, so far as the clerk 's office is concerned, was 
 always attached. He held the office from the date of his first appointment 
 in 1841, to January 1st, 1848. The Hon. Geo. H. Hubbell was then elected 
 and took charge of the oflice at the latter date. He proved a model clerk 
 and held the position for nearly seventeen years. In 1865 the offices 
 throughout the State were vacated by law, and in this county the offices of 
 circuit clerk and county clerk were divided, each having its own clerk, in- 
 
HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 307 
 
 stead of one to fill Loth ofiices. Gov. Thos. C. Fletcher appointed IST. T. 
 Doape circuit clerk and E. P. Harding county clerk. 
 
 FUNDS MISSING. 
 
 The appointment of E. P. Harding was not satisfactory, and it was also 
 said to he illegal, and the ease was brought before the Circuit Court; that 
 court decided against the appointment, and Gov. Fletcher withdrew the 
 name and gave the office to R. P. Carnes, who held and filled its duties 
 acceptably until 1870. In this latter year Wm. H. Roberts was elected 
 clerk, and was again elected in the election of 1874. In the spring of 1876 
 Mr. Roberts was found to be short in his accounts, failing to pay over to the 
 couuty treasurer sundry fees, amounting in all to $1,917.95. Besides this, 
 certain dram shop and billiard licenses were not to be found of record, and 
 it appeared pretty clearly to the County Court that a serious defalcatiou had 
 taken place. Mr. Roberts resigned, and the court employed counsel to 
 assist the county attorney to recover from the bondsmen of Roberts the 
 amount lost, stolen or missing. The net result was not, it seems, veiy 
 encouraging. The suit of record stands as follows: 
 
 Total debt due by Roberts $1,917.95 
 
 Amonnt short on licenses, not known. 
 
 EXPENSES OF SUIT. 
 
 Retainer fee, Shanklin, Low & McDougal $ 50.00 
 
 This firm's account was $700, allowed 450.00 
 
 One fee bill of. 111.25 
 
 Another fee bill of 114.30 
 
 A discount on the original bill 215.95 941.50 
 
 iSTet amoulit $976.45 
 
 This was the net amount received by the county, and in addition to this 
 the court received a letter of resignation and apology from the defaulting 
 clerk, which was placed upon the records. 
 
 On receiving the resignation of Mr. Roberts, Mr. E. B. Cooper was 
 appointed temporary clerk for that session, and the court elected D. C. Pugh 
 to fill the vacancy. However, Mr. Pugh failed to get the seat warm, as 
 S. L. Harvey was appointed by Governor Hardin. It might be mentioned 
 here by way of explanation that Governor Hardin and Clerk Harvey were 
 Democrats, and the genial Pugh wasn't. Mr. Pugh vacated the office, but 
 promised his friend and successor, Mr. Harvey, that he would see him again. 
 Mr. Pugh fulfilled his promise, and made a new year's call on Mr. Harvey 
 January 1, 1877, which was duly acknowledged, and Mr. Pugh took his seat 
 as county clerk by and with the consent of the people of Grundy county. 
 Mr. Pugh was again elected for four years in 1878, and few counties in the 
 State can boast of a better officer or a more perfect gentleman than D. C. 
 Pueh. 
 
308 HISTOKY OF GEtlNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CIKCUIT CLERK. 
 
 The separation of the circuit clerk and county clerk's office, and forming 
 two in place of one, resulted, as before stated, in Governor Fletcher ap- 
 pointing ]Sr. T. Doane to the position of circuit clerk, who held the same 
 until January, 1867. The election of 1866 being in favor of A. K. Sykes, 
 who held the office for four years, and was again elected in 1870. In 
 187i Mr. J. B. Berry was elected to succeed Mr. Sykes, and in 1878 he 
 managed to "pull through" and succeed himself. Afr. Berry proved a 
 trifle moi-e popular than was supposed, for it was intended that four years 
 would end his clerkship. But mistakes will happen, and this particular 
 mistake was perfectly satisfactory to Mr. Berry, and to this gentleman we 
 are under obligation. 
 
 COUNTY TEEASUEEE. 
 
 The first county treasurer of Gru ndy county was one of the old pioneers, 
 Mr. James R. Merrill. He held the office from the organization of the 
 county, in 1841, until September, 1846. George W. Moberly was then ap- 
 pointed by the County Court as treasurer, and performed the duties accept- 
 ably to the court until his resignation, in August, 1848. Mr. James Austin 
 was appointed to succeed Mr. Moberly, and held the same until February 
 1, 18.56, when he, too, resigned. Then followed in the order named: first, 
 George M. Cooper, appointed February 1, 1856; S. Isom, elected August, 
 1858; James R. Merrill, appointed April, 1862; Houston Renfro, elected 
 November, 1862; William C.Benson, appointed February 3, 1863; William 
 C. Benson, elected November 1, 1866: William C. Benson, elected Novem- 
 ber, 1868; Robert A. Collier, elected November, 1870; Hugh S. Carnes, 
 elected November, 1872; R. E. Boyce, elected November, 1874; William 
 P. Laiferty, elected November, 1878; John E. Carter, elected November 
 1880, present treasurer. 
 
 PEOBATE .JUDGE. 
 
 The first record or entry upon the records for probate judge was August 
 7, 1849, and William Renfro was so designated. Just how long he held 
 the office is not stated, but J. H. Shanklin was his successor, and Mr. 
 Shanklin resigned June 5, 1855. Mr. Richard H. Musser was appointed to 
 the vacancy, which he held until the August election of 1855, when John 
 B. McDonald was elected for six years from date of said election. He, how- 
 ever, held the office only about two j-ears, when he resigned, and the County 
 Court appointed as his successor Mr. Stephen Peery. Mr. l^eery tilled out the 
 unexpired term and was elected probate judge August 6, 1861. Following 
 Mr. Peery came William Metcalf, elected in 1863; D. C. Gibbs in 1865, 
 and A. H. Burkeholder in 1866. During Judge Burkeholder's terra the 
 probate judge was made, January 14, 1867, ex officio president of the County 
 Court, but the same was discontinued in 1870. Judge Geo. Hall was elected 
 
HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 309 
 
 in 1870, succeeding Judge Burkeholder, and Judge Hall lield until the 
 election of 187S, when the Hon. P. C. Stepp was elected as his successor, 
 and is the present incumbent in this, the year of our Lord 1881. 
 
 The salaries of the county officers are sufficient for a comfortable living, 
 but not to warrant any extravagant enterprises, such as opening banks (un- 
 less with a jimmy), or building palatial residences. The county clerk gets 
 fifteen hundred dollars, if his fees amount to that much, and he is allowed 
 a deputy at six hundred; the circuit clerk also gets wages to the amount 
 of fifteen hundred dollars a year, provided the fees of the office amount to 
 that sum, if they do not the circuit clerk falls short Just that amount. All 
 over fifteen hundred dollars he has to return to the county, the same as the 
 county clerk, but if it fall short the county, for tiie people's interest, makes 
 no provision to make up the balance, and it never does. The circuit clerk 
 is also allowed a deputy at six hundred dollars a year. 
 
 The collector, sherifi", assessor, and judge of probate, all receive fees or 
 per cent, while the county attorney gets a salary of six hundred dollars and 
 fees. The question of economy on the part of the several county courts, 
 since the inception of Grundy as a county, has been a marked character- 
 istic, and in many instances their prudence, caution and economy have been, 
 it might be said, reduced to a science. The only way anyone connected 
 with managing county affairs can get rich, is either by stealing or resign- 
 ing, and there have bpen one or two notable examples of each. 
 
 MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE. 
 
 The next ui order to congressmen and State senators, comes the members 
 ■of the lower house, and this member particularly represents the people. 
 He comes directly from them and is their local servant to look after their 
 pecuniary, social and political rights, and to secure to them the full priv- 
 ileges of a citizen of the Commonwealth. 
 
 The first election foj' the legi^ature, and in fact for any county office, 
 ■excepting justices of the peace, and they may be styled more correctly as 
 township officers, was August 2d, 1842. Major John C. Griffin, yet living 
 in the city of Trenton, had the honor of being the first representative to the 
 legislature from Grundy county. Major Griffin has lield many other offices 
 in the gift of the people, and in all has he done justice to them and reflected 
 credit upon himself. Major Griffin served two terms, and was succeeded by 
 Dr. James Livingston in 1846, serving also two years, and giving way to 
 the brave and gallant Jacob T. Tindall, in 1850. Edson P. Harding was 
 elected in 1852 and reelected in 1854, and was followed in succession by the 
 ■following gentlemen, each holding but one term and in the order named: 
 Wm. H. Nelson, John Cullers, Wm. D. McGuire, E. L. Winters, Lewis 
 
310 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Myei's. J. B. Freeman was elected in 1866 and reelected in 1868. Then 
 followed Geo. H. liubbell, who was the author of the township law, which 
 has jiroven of so much practical use to the people. He was, also, highly 
 complimented in the Kansas City Times, as one of the most pi'ompt and 
 efficient legislators in the session in which he served. E. F. Horton suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Hubbell in 1872, followed by R. C. Young in 1874. In 1876 
 Mr. Paris C. Stepp stepped to the front, but concluded to remain only one 
 term, Mr. Benjamin Lockhart taking the j)osition of the late incumbent iu 
 1878, when be declined to serve longer, as the election count of 1880 liad 
 proved that Thomas J. Taylor was elected, and he is now the member-elect. 
 
 STATE SENATORS. 
 
 The first senatorial district to which Grundy county was united and formed 
 a part, was composed of the counties of Macon, Linn, Livingston and Grundy. 
 This was iu 1842. Tlie next change put Grundy in an entirely separate 
 district, which was composed of the counties of Daviess, Harrison, Mercer 
 and Grundy. The legislature of 1862-63 again changed the district, and 
 the following counties formed the Fifth State senatorial district: Carroll, 
 Livingston, Grundy and Mercer. This senatorial district remained until 
 the session of the legislature of 1880-81. The legislature, failing to pass a 
 re-districting act as required by law, in the census of 1880, it devolved npon 
 the governor, secretary of state and attorney-general to do so, as required 
 by section seven, article four, ot the new constitution. Grundy was 
 then associated with Livingston, Mercer and Putnam^ the four composing 
 the Fifth State senatorial district. The names of the State senators who 
 have represented the senatorial district of which Gnmdy constituted apart 
 are as follows: to- wit, 
 
 ft:AR ELECTED, 
 
 Dr. John Wolfscale, Livingston county ... 1842. 
 
 Jewett Norris, Grundy county 1846. 
 
 John C. Griffin, Grundy county 1850. 
 
 Jewett Norris, Grundy county 1854. 
 
 Wm. H. I^yda, Grundy county 1858. 
 
 Jewett Norris, Grundy count}'^ 1862. 
 
 Dr. John Ellis (two years), Livingston county 1866. 
 
 W. B. Rogers, Grundy county 1868. 
 
 M. T. J. Williams, Carroll county 1872. 
 
 A. H. Burkeholder, Grundy county 1876. 
 
 Wesley A. Jacobs, Livingston county 1880. 
 
 So far as senatorial representation is concerned, Grundy county has noth- 
 ing to complain of. She has held the position seven times to the remain- 
 ing counties' four, which is a very pretty compliment to the ability of her 
 citizens. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 311 
 
 CIRCUIT JUDGES. 
 
 At the time of the organization of Grundy county in 1841, James A. 
 Clark held a commission as circuit judge, and he presided at the first ses- 
 sion of the court held in the count}', in April, 1841. Judge Clark held the 
 position until 1862, when he resigned, having held some twenty-five years. 
 The State convention which convened June 2d, 1862, passed an act embody- 
 ing an oath which Judge Clark declined to take, hence his resignation. 
 Jacob Smith, of Linneus, Linn county, was appointed Judge Clark's succes- 
 sor, and he held the position until the election of E.. A. DeBolt, of Trenton, 
 Grundy county, who took the oflice of judge on January 1st, 1864:, and 
 held it until January 1st, 1875. The election of 1874 resulted in the 
 choice for circuit judge of G. D. Burgess, of Linneus, Linn county, who 
 was reelected in 1880 and is the present incumbent. 
 
 CIRCUIT AND COUNTY ATTORNEYS. 
 
 The first circuit attorney after the organization of the county was Benj. 
 F. Stringfellow, who attended the first court in the county in April, 1841. 
 Wesley Halleburton, Robt. D. Morris, John C. Grifiin, Daniel Metcalf and 
 L. W. Wright followed in succession, -when, under the new constitution the 
 office was done awaj' with. These circuit attorneys acted in many cases as 
 ex officio county attorneys. The County Court of Grundy county some- 
 times appointed county attorneys and then again they did not. J. F. Tin- 
 dall sei'ved as county attorney from 1855 to 1859; who, if anybody, served 
 during the war is not of record. Daniel Metcalf, John M. Vorris, Fred. 
 Hyde, A. H. Biirkeholder, H. J. Herrick, Stephen Peery, serving since, and 
 Melvin Bingham in 1880. 
 
 JUDICIAL DISTRICTS. 
 
 .Grundy county is in the Eleventh judicial district, composed of the fol- 
 lowing counties; to-wit, Chariton, Linn, Sullivan, Mercer and Grundy. 
 The Circuit Court for this county is held on the third Monday in April, 
 and on the first Mondays in August and January. This is the law of 1881, 
 which made a change in the time for holding the court in this county. 
 
 NUMBERS. 
 
 The State senatorial district is the Fifth. 
 
 The congressional district is the Tenth. 
 
 The judicial district is numbered the Eleventh. 
 
 CONGRESSIONAL. 
 
 There were no separate congressional districts in the State up to and in- 
 cluding 1860, but the congressmen were all elected upon a general ticket. 
 As far back as 1844 an attempt had been made to district tlie State. Con- 
 
312 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 gress liad passed a law in its session of 1843-44 dividing the State into five 
 congressional districts, the number of members to which Missouri was then 
 entitled, but the State legislature of 1844 declined to do so on the ground 
 that Congress did not have the right or power to pass the law, but that it 
 was entirely a State matter. However, the question was given to the people 
 to vote upon in conjunction with one to amend the State Constitution. 
 They defeated the constitutional amendment in August, 1846, by 9,000 
 majority. At the State convention held in 1862, this district was numbered 
 the Seventh, and the following counties were included within its bounds: 
 Atchison, Holt, Nodawa}', Andrew, Buchanan, DeKalb, Gentry, Daviess, 
 Harrison, Mercer, Putnam, Worth, Sullivan, Grundy and Livingston. It 
 had, also, before this been called the Third district. At this time, 1862, the 
 census had given the State nine congressmen, and this remained until the 
 new apportionment rendered necessary by the census of 1870. The cen- 
 sus that year gave .the State thirteen members of congress, and Grundy 
 county was placed in the Tenth district, composed of the following coun- 
 ties; viz., Randolph, Chariton, Linn, Sullivan, Mercer, Grundy, Livings- 
 stou, Daviess and Harrison, nine counties in place of fifteen as in 1860. 
 Missoiiri will gain one member if the house of representatives shall consist 
 of 309 members, or over, up to 325, the highest number mentioned in con- 
 nection with the new census that will be voted for. Under 309 Missouri 
 will retain her present number of congressmen, thirteen, making the re-dis- 
 tricting of the State unnecessary. 
 
 OUR SECTION. 
 
 The names of the members of congress who liave represented more par- 
 ticularly this section of the State, and might be considered as the congress- 
 men who served for this district, are as follows: 
 
 John Bull, Howard county, 1832 to 1834. 
 
 Albert G. Harrison, Callaway county, 1834 to 1839. 
 
 John James, Callaway county, 1839 to 1844. 
 
 Sterling Price, Chariton county, 1844 — resigned. 
 
 Wm. McDaniel, Marion county, unexpired term. 
 
 James S. Green, Lewis county, 1846 to 1850. 
 
 Willard P. Hall, Buchanan county, 1850 to 1852. 
 
 James J. Lindley, Lewis county, 1852 to 1856. 
 
 Jno. B. Clark, Howard county, 1856 to 1861 and expelled. 
 
 Benj. F. Loan, Buchanan countj-, 1862 to 1868. • 
 
 Joel F: Asper, Livingston county, 1868 to 1870. 
 
 Isaac C. Parker, Buchanan county, 1870 to 1872. 
 
 Ira B. Hyde, Mercer county, 1872 to 1874. 
 
 Eezin A. DeBolt, Grundy county, 1874 to 1876. 
 
 H. M. Pollard, Livingston county, 1876 to 1878-. 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 313 
 
 G. F. Eothwell, Randolph county, 1878 to 1880. 
 
 Jas. H. Burrows, Randolph county, 1880 — present incumbent. 
 
 Grundy county has been blessed but a very few times with her choice, as 
 shown by her vote, in the matter of congressmen, but what she has lost in 
 congressional timber her majority vote has made up in local sway. 
 
 COUNTY JUDGES. 
 
 It has been impossible to get a complete list of the county judges between 
 1841 to 1846, no record having been kept — or being recorded on paper in- 
 stead of in a book it has been lost. We give, however, nearly a complete 
 list from the latter date. They are as follows: 
 
 1839 — Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, of Madison township, and D. PI. Dunker- 
 son, of Taylor township, justices of Livingston County Court. 
 
 1841 — Jewett INorris, Robert Peery, Isaac J. Harvey and Benj. F. Wood. 
 
 1846— Benjamin F. Wood, Abraham Field, Carter' B. Whitfield and 
 James R. Merrill. 
 
 1850 — Giles Songer, Abner Drinkard and James R. Merrill. 
 
 1851-52— E. P. Harding, B. F. Wood, G. Songer. 
 
 1853-54 — Giles Songer and Wm. Collier. 
 
 1854-58 — G. W. Parker, Andrew Evans and Jas. Tolson. 
 
 1858— Zela Conkling, Abner Drinkard and Casey Tate. 
 
 1860— S. Brooks, J.'^F. Downing and C. S. Reynolds. 
 
 1862 — March 12th, Abner Drinkard resigned and John McHargue was 
 ajjpointed and officiated until the following November, when James G. 
 Benson was elected. 
 
 1864— Wm. B. Dillon. 
 
 1865 — May 1st, Casey Tate, Wm. B. Dillon and Jas. G. Benson ap- 
 pointed by the governor. 
 
 1866— (3-eorge A. Spickard and W. V. Denslow. 
 
 1870 — Gabriel Williams, two years; George W. Moberly, six years; 
 James McLain, four years. 
 
 1873 — Under new township law, five judges were elected at large, Val- 
 entine Briegle, four years; 1st district, Clement A. Conrads, four years; 2d 
 district, Felix Wild, two years; 3d district, Casey Tate, one year; 4th dis- 
 trict, Marshall Humphreys, four years. 
 
 1877 — C. A. Conrads, Charles Skinner and C. P. Brandon. 
 
 1878 — James G. Benson, William Pond and Isaiah Brainerd. James G, 
 Benson died before taking oath of office and T. B. Harber was appointed 
 by the governor. 
 
 1880 — Isaiah Brainerd, Freeman Dunlap and Isaac Washburn. 
 
314 HISTOEY OF GETTNDY COUNTY. 
 
 GKUNDY COUNTY OFFICEES, 1881. 
 
 Representative — Thomas J. Taylor. 
 
 Judge of Probate — Paris C. Stepp. 
 
 Presiding Judge County Court — Isaiah Brainerd. 
 
 First District County Judge — F. Dunlap. 
 
 Second District County Judge — I. Wasliburn. 
 
 Sheriff— W. H. Wilson. 
 
 Collector — B. F. Harding. 
 
 Circuit Clerk and Recorder — Jno. B. Berry. 
 
 County Clerk — David 0. Pugh. 
 
 Prosecuting Attorney — M. Bingham. 
 
 Coroner — C. L. Webber. 
 
 Assessor — J. W. Conduit. 
 
 Public Administrator — G. L. Winters. 
 
 Treasurer — J. E. Carter. 
 
 Surveyor — C. K. Brown. 
 
 School . Superintendent — T. B. Pratt. 
 
 CHAPTER Xll. 
 TRENTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Description — Boundary— Frst Election — Steady Progress — The Coming Storm — Railroad 
 Fever — Quincy, Missouri d- Pacific Railroad — $40,000 Raised — Rejoicing — Schools — 
 etc. 
 
 Trenton township is the banner township of the county in population 
 and wealth, and, like Lincoln, is a central township, well watered, well tim- 
 bered, rich in soil, fruitful yield, and has within its borders the only coal 
 mine in the county. It has also a stone-quarry about two and a half miles 
 from the county seat where an extra quality of fine building stone is pro- 
 cured. It is heavily wooded on the ban ks of the Grand Eiver and other 
 streams which traverse its territory, and its bluffs along the river banks are 
 of a broken and rocky nature. Next to Jackson, it is the best watered 
 township in the county. Grand River runs through its entire western bor- 
 der north and south. Muddy Creek and Honey Creek each also pass through 
 it north and soutli, the former west and the latter to the east of the center 
 of the township, while No Creek touches its southeastern border, crossing 
 into Marion township about three miles from its southern line. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 315 
 
 ITS BOUNDAET. 
 
 It is bounded on the west by Madison, and a corner of Harrison townships; 
 siortli by Lincoln: east by Marion, and south by Jackson. It has an ex- 
 treme width of eight miles east and west, and six miles north and south, 
 with forty-eight sections of land, in all 29,760 acres. 
 
 The first settlei-s were Levi and Rachel Moore and quite a large family. 
 Mr. Moore was also accompanied, as stated, by his sons-in-law. They 
 settled on what is now a part of the city of Trenton. The most of the early 
 history of Trenton and also of the city of Trenton is part and parcel of the 
 county history in its early day. Its development and growth are blended so in- 
 timately with that of the county that a history of one is the record of the 
 other. The first death, Mrs. Devaul; the first birth, Minerva Thrailkill; the 
 first cabin and first store; the group of early se':tlers, Moores, Thrailkill, 
 McAfee, Cochran, Benson, and others, all represent not only Trenton town- 
 ship, but the early history of the county and the first settlement of the city 
 itself. The first corn planted in Trenton township was on the bottoms now 
 occupied by the railroad machine-shops, and was nearly destroyed by pig- 
 eons, there being a pigeon roost a short distan ce away. There were literally 
 millions of them, and the limbs of tlie trees broke down with their weight, 
 and the noise of their wings while flying or fluttering could be heard a great 
 distance. 
 
 The dress of the early period was coon-skin cap, deer-skin pants, and 
 moccasins. The living, corn bread, and for meat, wild game; and for 
 months there was nothing to disturb the monotony of daily life. The ring 
 of the woodman's ax or the crack of his rifle was all that was heard. How- 
 ever, all that was to be found of progressive civilization was right here in 
 this settlement. They had hand corn-mills, saws, broad-axes and such im- 
 plements of advanced progress. The first hand corn-mill ever taken to 
 Lincoln township, was purchased of Daniel Devaul by Jesse Bain, and taken 
 to the Bain-Kelso settlement, some six miles northeast of Lomax Store. It 
 was the point in the county which it was conceded that all business would 
 radiate from, and although a strong fight was made a few years later, on 
 the location of the county seat, nature had given to Lomax Store and Tren- 
 ton township the appointed spot. 
 
 The first election in Trenton township, and one of the first two held in 
 Grundy county, was at the house of Daniel Devanl, on the 27th day of 
 May, 1837. On the same day, at the house of Wm. Peery, in the Thomp- 
 son settlement, on the west side of the river, was another election, and these 
 two were the first ever held on the soil of Grundy county. The judges in 
 the township were Daniel Devaul, John Thrailkill and Wm. Cochran. 
 James E. Devaul, son of Daniel, was clerk. This township was then known 
 as Muddy Creek township, the name having been given it on the 7th of 
 
316 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 April, 1837, and its territory comprised all the land east of Grand River., 
 and the East Fork, afterwards known as "Weldon Fork, to the Iowa State 
 line. 
 
 A NEW DEAL. 
 
 The next election was held in May, 1838, and this election was of more 
 local importance, being for the election of justices of the peace for Muddy 
 Creek township. Three of these necessary adjuncts to civilization were 
 placed i;pon a ticket and elected. Tlieir names were John Thrailkill, Samuel 
 Benson and AVm. Cochran. In 1839, General or Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, 
 of Sugar Creek township, and D. H. Dunkerson, of Jefferson township (but 
 a part of that township included congressional township fifty-nine, range 
 twenty-five), were elected county judges of Livingston county, and among- 
 the first acts of that Livingston County Court, of which Dr. Thompson was 
 the presiding judge the next two years, was to cut up these two townships, 
 whose limits extended to the Iowa State line, into several smaller ones, of 
 which the names and metes and bounds will be found in the general history 
 of Grnndy county. Yet this part of the township was still known as 
 Muddy Creek township, so far as the records are concerned, until the organ- 
 ization of the county, January 29, 1841. The first school land ordered 
 sold in Grnndy county, was in August, 1838, and the land was the sixteenth 
 section in Trenton, township sixty-one, range twenty-four. The first road 
 laid out in Grundy county was from Chillicothe, in Livingston county, 
 through the present township of Trenton, to the south line of section thirty- 
 five, of congressional township sixty-one, of range twenty-four. The peti- 
 tion to view said road was granted August 20, 1838, and the reviewers 
 appointed were James Conner, William Evans and Francis Preston. Geo. 
 Tetherow presented the petition, and right where that road stopped was 
 where the said Geo. Tetherow, three years later, made his gallant fight for 
 the location of the count}^ seat. It looks as if Mr. Tetherow had a pretty 
 long head, and made his calculations sometime before it was necessary to 
 carry them out. James S. Lomax got his license for selling goods and liquor at 
 retail in 1838, and from the month of June, that year, the city of Trenton 
 was first named, though for several years after it was known as Lomax Store, 
 and was so quoted in all legal documents. It was also called Bluff 
 Grove, but no legal documents have been found with that name on them. 
 The first school section organized in Grundy county was in Ti-enton town- 
 ship, in June, 1840. James B. Merrill was appointed school-commissioner, 
 and Martin Winn and Samuel Benson were appointed school-inspectors. 
 They were to meet at Lomax Store, at the house of James S. Lomax. It 
 is thus seen that Trenton township, or what is now known as Trenton, was 
 the initial starting point of nearly every important step in the onward prog- 
 ress of the county. All this, of course, was in a measure the result of its 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 317 
 
 central location, and the fact that the business of the county seemed to 
 drift naturally to this point. The township settled faster and improved 
 more rapidly tlian any other part of the connty, and where Trenton town- 
 ship is spoken of at that time in its history, the greater part of the present 
 township of Lincoln was inclnded. 
 
 STEADY PEOGRESS. 
 
 The organization of the connty and the permanent location of the connty 
 seat which was decided in the December term of the Circuit Com't in 1841, 
 the case of Tetherow having been at that term thrown out of court, gave 
 stability to the town of Trenton which then began to grow, and from that 
 time on there was but little to record in the history of the township. New 
 settlers arrived, and when the Mexican War broke out this township led in 
 the number of recruits and tlie first company was organized in this town- 
 ship. Not all were from here, but a majority over any other single town- 
 ship in the county. And here again we find much of record that, while a 
 part of the township history, is, perhaps, more correctly placed in that of the 
 county where it will be found. The wild rush for the golden-shore in 1849' 
 and 1850, found many from this township added to the throng who made 
 their way to the land of promise, and many who left found homes in the 
 new State on the wild Pacific shore. Jas. S. Loniax, whose name is familiar 
 to all in the early history of the connty, and who stood prominent and 
 foremost in pushing forward the interest of Trenton township and town, is 
 still a resident of that far off clime. Daniel Devaul, whose name is also 
 identified prominently with Trenton's early history, remained in that coun- 
 try, and was buried in 1871 in the land of his adoption. Other names 
 might be added until the list would number a score or more of familiar 
 names. 
 
 In September, 1850, the township line of Trenton was extended to 
 the center of the ridge or divide between Honey and No creeks, but as 
 the early record was destroyed, just how much was added to her territory 
 is not known, though her eastern boundary may have been the range line 
 between 24 and 23. There were elections every year for justices, etc., but 
 still there was little of moment transpired in the township for several years. 
 The court-house was built, and a public well was dug on the northeast cor- 
 ner of the square in 1855. 
 
 THE COMING STOKM. 
 
 Of course the mutterings of the coming storm which made our land a 
 house of mourning began to be heard. The few years of peace and pros- 
 perity wei-e rapidly drawing to a close and the land so happy and fruitful 
 was to drink deep, and of the bitter dregs of a fratricidal striie. These 
 were dark days, full of bitterness, of crime and of woe. This section was not 
 20 
 
318 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 SO heavily cursed as wlien the footprints of armed men met in unhallowed 
 strife, but mistrust and unnatural feeling were paramount until long after 
 the white-robed angel of peace had closed her wings over all this broad 
 laud. What Grundy county did in the cause of the Union is a record of 
 the several townships, and in the county history will be given all that can 
 be gathered of the part the county took in the civil war. 
 
 The board of education of Trenton township seem to have been in want 
 of funds when the war closed, and borrowed of the school fund $1,350, No- 
 vember, 1866. It was this year that the first inception of an agricultural 
 and mechanical association found expression. Before the present fair 
 grounds were purchased they held two fairs on the high ground where 
 Prospect Street is, and northwest of it west of Elm Street. These were the 
 first fairs held in the county. Trenton township's farmers were largely rep- 
 resented in its inauguration, thej^ having taken the initiatory steps to give it 
 a corporate existence. The success of this agricultural institution will be 
 found fully recorded in the history of the county. It has been of no small 
 benefit to Trenton township. 
 
 The railroad fever continued until the securing of a road was effected, when 
 there was a rest preparatory to making another trial. This soon came along 
 when the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad started west to grow up with 
 the country. Numerous propositions were voted on and carried, and had 
 the company been able to come west a few years sooner they would have 
 secured several thousand more dollars than they received. The progressive 
 spirit which had all along governed the people of this township was ex- 
 hibited toward this last road as toward the first. That spirit has been one 
 of liberality, and has made Trenton township the most populous and 
 wealthy in the county. Eailroads sometimes kill a town, commercially 
 speaking, but they always build a county, and Trenton township can thank 
 the railroads and the press for her wealth and prosperity, more than any other 
 two combinations of business within her borders. Railroads and the press 
 are the pioneers of true civilization. A cDuuty that has neither may grow, 
 but in comparison with a county which has these great engines of civiliza- 
 tion, that growth would seem like decay. Trenton township started for- 
 ward in the race for wealth rapidly after she had secured railroad commu- 
 nication, and she showed her faith by her works for she subscribed largely. 
 
 QUINCY, MISSOURI & PACIFIC EAILEOAD. 
 
 Perhaps we can not to better advantage show to the people of future 
 generations the spirit which actuated the people of Gruudy county in her 
 material progress and her determined enterprise, than to copy into this his- 
 tory an article from the Trenton Be])uhlican on the raising of $40,000 for 
 
HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 319 
 
 the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad. Tlie company had demanded the 
 above sum and the right of way, and it had to be raised by private sub- 
 scription, and the new constitution prevented a heavier taxation than a certain 
 per cent for any purpose. "We give article, headlines and all. It was pub- 
 lished August 12th, 1880. It is as follows: 
 " It is Raised — Hij)^ H^p-: Hurrah ! ! ! — The Future of Trenton Secured 
 
 — The Toxon of North Missouri— %^0, 000 in Good Notes Secured — 
 
 Firing of Cannon — Waving of Flags — Torchlight Processio7i, Speeches, 
 
 Music, Singing, etc., etc. 
 
 "The past three weeks have been one continual excitement over the raising 
 of the necessary money to secure the Quincj-, Missouri & Pacific Kailroad, 
 but nothing in Trenton has ever compared with the effort for the past three 
 daj's. Last Saturday night when the notes were all footed up, there were 
 not quite twenty thousand dollars. When the people asseinbled at the court- 
 house, Judge Moberly's subscription for five hundred dollars was announced 
 and then the work commenced. Nat Slianklin doifbled from five hundred 
 to a thousand in addition to the five hundred of Mr. Austin's already sub- 
 scribed. Dr. Kerfoot, J. B. Carnes, "W. H. Hubbell, Fitterer & Hoffman, 
 Wm. Holt and many others commenced raising one, two and three hundred, 
 so that when the meeting adjourned it was in the neighborhood of twenty- 
 eight thousand. Resolutions were passed requesting all business houses to 
 keep closed Monday' and Tuesday until two o'clock each day, and then open 
 only two liours, so that everybody could work for the railroad. The order 
 was carried out with one or two exceptions. An executive committee was 
 appointed to have charge of the management of the work. Men were sent 
 everj' direction into the country to work Monday and Tuesday. Farmers 
 quit their work and joined the canvassers and when Tuesday night came 
 onlj' a few thousand were lacking. Tuesday night the most enthusiastic 
 jneeting of all was held and the amount swelled up to $39,060, when on 
 motion of Col. Shanklin the meeting adjourned until next morning at eight 
 o'clock, to push the work until the last dollar was raised, which was not done 
 until late last night. Mr. Rowland, secretary of the company, came Mon- 
 day morning and telegraphed Mr. Green to be here Tuesday night. He 
 came, but not in time to see the excitement, until "Wednesday morning. 
 
 "A grand work has been done. One of the best roads in the west has been 
 secured. Direct route to Quincy, St. Louis, Chicago, Toledo and all points 
 east. 
 
 "The people have worked hard and nearly all contributed liberally. "We 
 would love to mention some of the names of those who have worked hard 
 from the start, but it would not do to discriminate. Would love to mention 
 some of the liberal subscribers, not those who have given the most, but 
 most according to their means, but we must not even do that. Nearly all 
 
320 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 
 
 have given liberally and they will not be forgotten by a generous pnblic. 
 The town has done well, but equal credit is due to the country, considering 
 the circumstances. It will not be out of place to mention the subscription 
 of Mr. W. Wild, of Mercer county, who gave fifty dollars just on account 
 of the good feeling he had for the town and county. He has no property 
 in the county although he was reared here. Another gentleman from Cin- 
 cinnati, Ohio, gave twenty-five dollars. We only mention these two cases 
 to show the interest that was worked up. Mr. Green assured our people that 
 the road would be located immediately. It is the understanding that a 
 proposition will be made to Lindley to make that town a point, and the uni- 
 versal feeling of the people of Trenton is that they hope Lindley will suc- 
 ceed. 
 
 "The people of Edinburg also hope to get a proposition, and, if they do,, 
 some substantial aid can be obtained in Trenton. 
 
 "There is now no question but that it will come to Trenton. The depot 
 grounds and the right of way are 3'et to be secured, but there will probably be 
 but very few cases where that will cost any money, except to pay some man 
 to fix up the papers. There ought to be a few thousand dollars for that 
 purpose. The people of Trenton are happy and the railroad men went back 
 feeling well pleased. 
 
 "Grandmother Collier, aged mother of the Collier family, gave one hun- 
 dred dollars to secure the railroad. She said it was the best thing she could 
 do with it." 
 
 We close up the railroad matter by copying an article which was kept in 
 the Trenton and Chillicothe papers as standing matter to be used semi-occa- 
 sionally. It has been standing ten j^ears and is still found to be of use and 
 when it will be finally distributed is yet unknown to those interested, but 
 seems to be in the far distant future. It reads: 
 
 "The railroad connecting Trenton and Chillicothe is now almost a cer- 
 tainty." Then is added, after a few weeks of hope deferred: " And in this 
 year of our Lord, 1881, it is as yet a d d barren ideality." 
 
 The iron piers were placed iinder the iron truss bridge at Trenton, across 
 the Grand River, in 1879, at a cost of $1,800. 
 
 One of the institutions connected with the railroad repair and machine- 
 shops is the reservoir, which is situated on the highest point of land belong- 
 ing to the railroads and is full fifty feet in diameter and twelve feet deep,, 
 six of which are below the surface of the ground. It holds 171,000 gallons 
 and is filled from the river just one mile distant by pipes and is pumped in 
 by steam engines. 
 
 The schools of Trenton township, outside of Trenton City, are seven in 
 number, good frame buildings, with all the necessary school apparatus and 
 
HLSTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 321 
 
 all paid for. In fact, as we have said before in our school history, Grundy 
 county school property is free from debt. 
 
 Trenton township offers every inducement for settlement. There is still 
 abundance of land in its primitive state that can be purchased from eight to 
 twelve dollars per acre, and improved farms from twenty to thirty-five. 
 Every facility for a near market, cheap transportation and good prices are 
 at command. The city of Trenton is in the western part of the township, 
 and the county seat, where there is no branch of mercantile business but 
 what has its repi-esentation. In reading the history of the city this fact 
 will be patent to the reader, and it is therefore above all a most valuable 
 and pleasant section for a home. No farmer can find better land, or a healthier 
 cMmate than here, and all are invited to come. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 The above closes the history of Trenton township proper, and following, 
 in conclusion, will be found biographical sketches of the most prominent 
 citizens of said township, many of whom have been identified with its vary- 
 ing interests and steady growth since and before the organization of Grundy 
 county. 
 
 .J. C. BELSHE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Tazewell county, "Virginia, June 
 4, 1833, and his parents were both natives of the same State. In the year 
 1839 his parents removed to Grundy countj^, and with the exception of a 
 two years' residence in Colorado, he has lived here ever since. Mr. Belshe 
 passed through many of the trials and hardships of pioneer life incident to 
 the settlement of this county. On the 4th of August, 1856, he married 
 Miss Mary Ann Kilburn. She was born in Pulaski county, Kentucky, 
 January 1, 1841. The ceremony was performed in the house in which Mr. 
 and Mrs. Eelshe still live. By this union they have seven children, as fol- 
 lows: John W., born September 4, 1858; Nancy B., born December 8, 
 1861, now Mrs. Thomas May; Margaret, born November 7, 1864; Dale, 
 born September 29, 1874; Leora, born January 31, 1876; Cora, born De- 
 cember 29, 1879; and the youngest, born March 6, 1881. Mr. Belshe may 
 be numbered among the successful farmers and stock-raisers of the county. 
 He owns a fine farm of eleven hundred acres, well supplied with the nec- 
 essary implements for cultivating the soil. His principal attention, how- 
 ever, has been given to cattle raising, in which he has attained enviable 
 success. 
 
 WILLIAM COLLIER. 
 
 The above named gentleman first saw the light of day on the second of 
 June, 1828, in Howard county, Missouri, and was the seventh child of 
 William and Susan Collier. His father was a native of Kentucky, and mi- 
 
322 HISTORY OF GRUNDY OOTJNTY. 
 
 grated to this State about fifty-five years ago. He was a brickmason by 
 trade, and built the court-house which now stands in Trenton. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was about fifteen years of age when he came, 
 with his father, to Grundy county, with whom he continued working, at 
 the occupation of building, until he had reached the years of manhood. 
 
 In 1854 he married Miss Sarah A. Templeman, daughter of Thornton H. 
 Templeman, at that time residents of Grundy countj'. In less than one 
 year after his marriage Mr. Collier lost liis wife. After he;- death he be- 
 came engaged in farming, merchandising and other pursuits. 
 
 September 14, 1871, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Samantba Telley, 
 nee Leedy. Four children have been the result of this union. Their 
 names are as follows: Lilly A., Carrie G., Mabel A., and James C. ?n 
 1878 Mr. Collier moved to his farm about one mile south of Trenton, where 
 he still lives. He is a member of the Christian Church, and of the I. 0. 
 O. F. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Collier lives a 
 quiet life, enjoying the fruits of his early labors. 
 
 JOHN CAMPSY, 
 
 Son of Joseph and Mary (Campbell) Campsy, was born on the 6th of February, 
 1823, in Washington county, Pennsylvania, and'died in July, 1881, in Grundy 
 county, Missouri. He attended the common schools of his native county until 
 he reached the age of fifteen, when his parents removed to Morgan county, 
 Ohio, where he resided until 1856. It was during his residence in Morgan 
 county, that he met and married Miss Priscilla Nelson, on the 24th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1842. She was a native of Morgan county, and born March 9, 1819. 
 From his Ohio home, he sought allocation in the Northwest, and settled in 
 Van Buren county, Iowa, in the latter part of 1856, where he followed his 
 occupation of farming, until 1871, when he became a citizen of this county. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Campsy became the parents of ten children, eight of whom 
 are still living, and their names are here given: Mary J., born July 27, 
 1843; Margaret, born March 28, 1850; John C, June 22, 1851; David, De- 
 cember 6, 1852; Joseph D., October 11,1855; Martha, September 21, 1858; 
 Hattie E., February 11, 1861; Katie, September 20, 1863. They have all 
 received the benefits of a good education and are highly i-espected by their 
 neighbors. „ 
 
 ANDREW DOERR. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Germany, and was born July 23, 
 1819. At the age of twent^'-two he depai-ted from the " Faderland," and 
 crossing the deep blue ocean, landed in this country. After his arrival he 
 went to New Orleans, but remained only a short time, and next came to 
 St. Louis, where he worked three yeai-s, saving enough from his earnings 
 during that period to buy a small farm in Monroe county, Illinois, in 1845. 
 He remained in Illinois until 1870, when he came to Grundy county and 
 
HIStORT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 323 
 
 purchased the laud which now constitutes his present handsomely improved 
 farm of sixty acres. By frugality and industry he has placed himself in 
 comfortable circumstances. December 17, 1848, Mr. Doerr was joined in 
 liol}' wedlock to Miss Mary Nagle. The issue of this marriage was three 
 children: Frederick W. C, born November 22, 1849, now a resident of 
 Monroe county, Illinois; Marj', born July Y, 1851,, now Mrs. Augustus 
 Adler, of the same count}'; Elizabeth, born July 26, 1855, now Mrs. Chas. 
 Biskim, of the same county. Mrs. Doerr departed this life October 12, 1857. 
 Mr. Doerr was raai-ried a second time December 17, 1859, to Miss Louisa 
 Bauikeng, of Monroe county, Illinois, who was born November 16, 1839. 
 They have four children: Louisa, born January 3, 1861; Annie, born June 
 27, 1863; Henry, born October 22, 1866; and Laurena C, born August 10, 
 1875. ' ' . , 
 
 GEORGE E. DELANO. 
 
 George E., son of Philip and Ann Delano, was born in Stowe, Vermont, 
 February 8, 1825. His parents were also natives of the Green Mountain 
 State, the year of his father's birth being 1779, and that of his mother 1804. 
 He grew up and received an education in his native place. In 1854, he mi- 
 grated to California, where he was engaged in raining and the dairy busi- 
 ness during his four years' stay. Returning to Vermont in 1858, he re- 
 mained there nine years, spent three years traveling in the Southern and 
 "Western States, and in 1870, located in Grundy county, where he has since 
 followed the pursuits of the farm. 
 
 Mr. Geo. E. Delano and Miss Louisa Maeomber were married September 
 1st, 1859. She was born in Green Island, Vermont, April 13, 1830. By 
 this marriage tliey have had four children. Caroline L. was born Septem- 
 ber 27, 1860; Philip P., born December 15, 1862, died May 29, 1869; Ben- 
 jamin M., born August 28, 1864, died March 28, 1869; and Annie E., born 
 April 18, 1869. 
 
 FREEMAN DUNLAP 
 
 Was born in Fa3'ette county, Pennsylvania, April 8, 1836. His parents, 
 Adam and Louisa Dunlap, both natives of Pennsylvania, removed to Bel- 
 mont county, Ohio, when our subject was but a child, and afterwards 
 changed their residence to Morgan county, in the same State, where he 
 lived until 1863, and then removed to Grundy county and settled upon the 
 farm he now owns. Starting out with nothing but his determination to 
 make his way, he has now a splendid farm of three hundred and forty acres, 
 well stocked, as a result of his persevering industry. Mr. Dunlap married 
 Miss E.. M. Buchanan, November 17, 1857. She was a native of Ohio, 
 born in Harrison county, February 19, 1840. Eight children have been the 
 fruits of this union; namely, Samuel T., born March 24, 1859; John, born 
 January 21, 1862: Edgar, born September 24, 1864; Charles, born Decern- 
 
324 HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COTINTY. 
 
 ber 10, 1866; Jessie, born February 20, 1869; Carrie, born September 14, 
 1871, died June 5, 1874; William, born April 13, 1874; and Mary, born 
 November 21, 1876. 
 
 H. DAUGHERTY. 
 
 Hezekiah Daugberty was born in Morgan county, Ohio, June 9, 1839. 
 Was the son of John and Margaret Daugherty, the former a native of 
 Pennsylvania, and the latter of Ohio. He attended the common schools of 
 his native place and worked npon his father's farm until he -was twenty-two 
 years of age, when, on the 31st of ITovember, 1861, he enlisted in the ser- 
 vice of the Union as a private in company I of the Sixty-second regiment 
 of Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three years in the arm}' of the 
 Potomac, participating in the many severe engagements of that wing of 
 the service. Receiving his honorable discharge in 1864, he returned to his 
 home in Morgan county and pursued his avocation of farming. December 
 29, 1868, he married Miss Sarah J. Much, a native of Ohio, born November 
 8, 1849. Four years after his marriage he removed to Grundy county, 
 where he has since resided an esteemed citizen and farmer of Trenton town- 
 ship. Mr. and Mrs. Daughertj' are the parents of three children, whose 
 names and dates of birth are as follows: George T., born October 14, 1870; 
 John A., April 15, 1877; and Lenora B., borA April 29, 1881. 
 
 p. Z. DELANO 
 
 Is one of the prosperous farmers of Grundy county, and owns a beautiful 
 farm of three hundred and thirty acres in Trenton township. Mr. Delano 
 was born March 19, 1830, in the State of Vermont, where he lived until he 
 reached the age of seventeen, when he accompanied his parents in their 
 change of residence from their native State, to Massachusetts. After a five 
 years' residence in the Bay State, at the age of twenty-two, he went South, 
 and was engaged in various pursuits in Mississippi and Louisiana, among 
 which was boating, on the Yazoo River. Retui-ning home, he remained in 
 Massachusetts one year, when he caught the "golden fever," and in 1854 
 we find him in California, where he was engaged in mining and ranching 
 for eight years. In 1862 he traveled eastward, and settled in Portage 
 county, Ohio, where, on the 30th of August of the same year, he married 
 Miss Alma Collins, daughter of Rev. Geoi*ge S. Collins. She was a native 
 of Ohio, and born on the 15th of March, 1843. By this marriage they have 
 three children: Caliste A., born July 10, 1863; Louis H., January 11, 1866; 
 and Cora E., February 15, 1868. Mr. Delano moved to Grundy county in 
 1865, and purchased the pleasant farm which he now lives on. 
 
 DR. SAMUEL W. ELMORE. 
 
 On the 13th of January, 1826, in Spartansburg District, South Carolina, 
 Samuel W. Elmore was born. He M'as the fourth child of Samnel K. and 
 
 I 
 
IIISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 325 
 
 Jane Elmore, both natives of Soutli Carolina. Samnel K. Elmore was 
 reared in Soutli Carolina, and during the latter years of his sojourn there 
 followed the occupation of school-teacher. From South Carolina he re- 
 moved to Kentucky and thence to Indiana, in which State he died in 1848, 
 his wife having preceded him to the grave about three years. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared principally in Daviess county, Indi- 
 ana, and received his education in that county, where, up to the time he left, 
 he was engaged in the drug business and the practice of medicine. March 
 13th, 1851, Dr. Samuel W. Elmore was married to Miss Sarah E. Dillon, 
 daughter of Isaac Dillon, of Daviess countj', Indiana. One child, now liv- 
 ing, was the fruit of this union. His name is Thomas T. Elmore. 
 
 In 185i Dr. Elmore lost his wife, and October 9, 1856, was united in 
 wedlock to Miss L^'dia Ream, daughter of Henry Ream, then of Grundy 
 county. After his second marriage Dr. Elmore spent one winter in Indiana, 
 and in April of 1865 he returned to Grundy county, settled permanently in 
 the neighborhood where lie now lives, and engaged in the practice of medi- 
 cine and in farming. 
 
 By his second wife Dr. Elmore is the father of eight children living, 
 whose names are: Elizabeth C, Stephen D., Victoria, Henry H., John L., 
 Ada W., Keturah and Ethel A. Dr. Elmore is a member of the Masonic 
 order. 
 
 B. M. FOKD. 
 
 B. M. Ford, son of Laban and Elizabeth Ford, was born in Howard 
 county, Missouri, October 21, 1826. His parents were natives of Ken- 
 tucky. In Howard county he lived until 1854, receiving his education 
 there, and marrying there on the 10th of April, 1849, Miss Eleanor Thorpe, 
 a native of that county, born January 13, 1831. He has made farming his 
 business through life, and now owns a finely improved farm of two hun- 
 dred and forty acres, and a comfortable home. Mr. and Mrs. Ford have had 
 seven children, five of whom are living. Their names are as given: James 
 T., born February 20, 1850: Sarah J., born January 19, 1852, now Mrs. J. 
 L.Steele; John H., born October, 20, 1854, died January 16, 1855; Eliza- 
 beth F., born January 9, 1856; Mary A., born K"ovember 21, 1858, died 
 June 14, 1874; Benjamin F., born March 1, 1861, and Nancy E., born May 
 11, 1863. 
 
 B. B. GILL 
 
 Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, on November 13, 1808, the son 
 of James Gill and Elizabeth Gill, nee Moss, both natives of Kentucky. 
 His father was a very efiicieiit soldier in the "War of 1812. The subject of 
 this sketch lived in Mason county until he was forty-seven years of age, and 
 in the year 1855 came to Missouri and located in Livingston county, where 
 he resided till he moved to Grundy county, in 1875, where he has since 
 
326 . HISTORY OF GEUNBT COUNTY. 
 
 lived and engaged in farming. He was married in Kentucky, to Miss 
 Lydia W. Moss, on June 19, 1828. She was a native of Fleming county, 
 Kentucky, and born March 14, 1810. By this union seven children were 
 born; viz., William W., born March 25, 1829; James A., August 23, 1830; 
 Vincent G., born December 8, 1832, and died July 21, 1862; Elizabeth, 
 born April 6, 1835; Hendreii, born May 23, 1837; Judith, August 18,1839, 
 and Baldwin B., born August 1, 1842. Mrs. Gill died March 19, 1843. 
 Mr. Gill was again married in 1844, to Sarah Moss, a sister of his first wife. 
 She died in 1863, and he again married, on !N"oveinber 10, 1864, Mrs. Susan 
 E. Ball, the widow of Edward Ball. She was a native of Bedford county, 
 Virginia, and born October 16, 1832. They have had three children: 
 Annie, born JSTovember 15, 1865, and died August 16, 1866; Elvira V., 
 born May 25, 1867, and J^annie B., born February 25, 1872. 
 
 When the civil war broke out, Mr. Gill was the owner of one of the tinest 
 farms in Livingston county, containing thi'ee hundred and sixteen acres. 
 He was a member of tlie National G uards, and upon his return from service 
 with them, was called upon to take part in a meeting for the purpose of 
 organizing a company of bushwhackers, which measure he so ably and 
 strenuously opposed that he broke up the attempted organization, and this 
 was the means of saving Livingston county from the terrible effects that 
 would inevitabl}' have followed. Shortly after this a company of Federal 
 soldiers took him as a prisoner of war, and kept him at Quincy, Illinois, 
 for three months. At the same time they appropriated several very valua- 
 ble horses and other propert}'. As soon as the authorities at Quincy learned 
 the facts in the case, he was released, and sold his farm (which is now worth 
 $80 per acre) for $14 per acre, and bought a small farm upon which he 
 lived till he moved to Grundy county. He has seen many of the ups and 
 downs of life, yet, in his seventy-third 3'ear, is a man of remarkable vigor 
 both of body and mind. Mr. and Mrs. Gill are consistent members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 (iEOEGE GRIFFITH. 
 
 Mr. Griffith is one of the most worthy and prosperous farmers in Tren- 
 ton township, and has, for a number of years, been extensively and success- 
 fully engaged in the business of sheep raising. His principal attention lias 
 been given to the cultivation of the long-wool breeds, in which he has 
 obtained gratifying results. 
 
 George Griffith was born in Carroll county, Ohio, on the 22d of March, 
 1838, and ten years later accompanied his parents in their removal to Lick- 
 ing county, in the same State, where he. grew to manhood on his father's 
 farm. March 14, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Jane A. Thomas, 
 of Licking county, by which union they have four children. The first, 
 Amelia, is a young lady of nineteen, the date of lier birth being April 5, 
 
HISTORT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 327' 
 
 1862; on the 25th of August, 1864, the second child, Ellsworth, was born; 
 Fannie, the third, was born May 15, 1866; Lulu, the youngest, and pet of 
 the family, was born on the 23d of September, 1877. 
 
 GEORGE H. HUBBELL. 
 
 This gentleman, now one of the most prominent citizens of Grundy county,, 
 was born at Ogdensburg, St. Lawrence county, ISTew York, on the 11th day 
 of February, 1818, and was a resident of the Empire State until he reached 
 his sixteenth year, when in the early winter of 1835 he left the city for the- 
 vast west, with his destination fixed in the growing State of Missouri. He 
 became a student at Marion College, nu institution of learning under the 
 auspices of the Presbj^terian Church, located in Marion county. Here he' 
 remained during a pei'iod of three years, paying his board and tuition by 
 his labor. Lea^ang the college he went to Howard county, where he taught 
 school and occupied his leisure hours in the study of law, and was licensed 
 to practice by Judge Leland, of the same county, in 1841. Remaining in 
 Howard until February, 1842, he removed to Buchanan coiinty and settled! 
 at Sparta, then the countj' seat, where he made his home until May of the 
 same year, when again starting upon his travels he is next found a resident 
 of the county of Grundy, where he has remained an honored citizen. Mr. 
 Hubbell engaged in the active practice of his profession until 1847, in: 
 which year he was elected clerk of the Circuit and County Courts for a. 
 term of six years. The prompt and efficient manner in which he performed 
 the duties of the office led to his reelection in 1853, and in 1859, after 
 twelve years' service, the people again called upon him; once more he took 
 the 'oath as clerk, and most satisfactorily were the aifairs of the clei'k's 
 office administered. The rural j^leasures of farm life have always been 
 attractive to Mr. Hubbell, and at the expii-ation of his last term as clerk he 
 retired to his pleasant country home, two miles trom Trenton, and gave his- 
 whole attention to the farm pursuits which he had been, in a measure, 
 forced to neglect while holding office. However, he Avas not allowed tO' 
 remain in seclusion long; his services were needed, and in 1870 he was- 
 unanimously nominated by the Democratic party to represent the county 
 of Grund^' in the legislature. He accepted the call and his high standing- 
 and great popularity were never better illustrated than by the triumphant 
 majority which elected him to the General Assembly, notwithstanding the 
 fact that the political party which tendered him the nomination Avas largely 
 in the minority. During the sessions of which he was a member Mr. Hub- 
 bell served his constituents faithfully and well, and retired from the Llouse 
 of Representatives with an honorable record. Mr. Hubbell has since lived 
 on his farm, where his whole time is occupied in the supervision of his- 
 broad and well-cultivated fields of growing grain, and his herds of fine cat- 
 tle which lazily browse upon the rich pastures. Li conclusion it may be 
 
■328 HiSTOEY "of geundy county. 
 
 mentioned that Mr. Hubbell was chosen to write the historj' of Grundy 
 county for delivery at the centennial celebration, and how well he performed 
 the task may be judged when the author acknowledges that he is indebted 
 to that "Centennial Sketch" for many of tlie important facts and incidents 
 -of Grundy's history. 
 
 WAEEEN HAEEIS. 
 
 Warren Harris, son of Daniel and Libbie Harris, was born in Champaign 
 ■county, Ohio, May 12, 1833. His father was of Virginia birth, and his 
 mother a native of Vermont. Reared upon a farm, he attended the com- 
 mon schools of his native county, where he continued to reside until 1862, 
 when he made his home in Grundy county. He married Miss Henrietta 
 L. Cranston, November 1, 1855. She was born in Champaign county, 
 Ohio, September 28, 1837. By this union they have had six children, four 
 of whom are now living. Their names are as follows: Randolph C, born 
 July 12, 1857, died January 19, 1865; C. D., born December 21, 1858; 
 Eugene G., born October 31, 1863, died July 12, 1865; Glenn C, born 
 March 4, 1867; Annie L., born December 21, 1868; W. Guy, born Decem- 
 ber 19, 1871; and Louis H., born March 26, 1875. Mr. Harris lives upon 
 a fertile farm of two hundred and eighty acres, and is engaged largely in 
 stock raising, owning one of the finest herds of thorough-bred Short-Horn 
 -cattle in the State, his stock having been purchased fi-om the best breedex'S 
 in Ohio and Kentucky. The raising of thorough-bred Cotswold sheep and 
 Berkshire hogs lias received attention, and his success in this business has 
 been most complete. 
 
 T. M. HAED. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born on a farm in Addison county, Ver- 
 mont, May 5, 1829. His parents. Lancing and Rillie Hard, were also na- 
 tives of the Green Mountain State. He attended the common schools in 
 ■winter and worked on his father's farm in the summer, until he had ac- 
 quired a fair education. After attaining his majority, in 1850, he went to 
 Illinois and located in McHenry county, where for twenty years he was 
 engaged in farming and in handling fine horses. N"overaber 18, 1857, he 
 wedded Miss Carlinda Field, of Addison county, Vermont. By this union 
 they had one child, May, born March 26, 1861. Mrs. Hard died August 
 15, 1861, and Mr. Bard was a second time married, November 25, 1866, to 
 MIks S. a. St. Clair. From McHenry county, Hlinois, he removed to 
 Lewis county, Missoni'i, in 1870, where he remained four years, and then 
 moved to Grundj^ county. He lives upon a farm of eighty acres, and gives 
 his attention to its cultivation and dealing in stock. 
 
HISTORY OF trRUNDY COUNTY. 329' 
 
 HENRY O. HERBERT, 
 
 Son of John L. and Rebecca Herbert, was born in Muskingum county, Ohio,, 
 on the 31st of January, 1843. His father hailed from Virginia, and his 
 mother was a native of Ohio. When Henry was three years old the family 
 removed to Missouri and made their home in Grundy county. The rude 
 alarms of war sounded in 1861, and Henry C. Herbert was among those' 
 who responded to their country's call. He enlisted as a private in com- 
 pany G, Thirty-third regiment Missouri volunteer infantry, and served four • 
 years, passing unscathed through many fields of carnage, where the groans- 
 and wails of the wounded mingled with the hissing of the flying shot andl 
 shell. He participated in the battles of Helena (Ark.), Gains' Hill, and 
 Vicksburg, in the spring and summer of 1863. The Thirty-third Missouri 
 formed a part of the third brigade, first division of the sixteenth army corps, 
 under General N. P. Banks, and, with his company, he accompanied, on 
 the 11th of March, 1861:, the memorable and disastrous expedition up Eed 
 Eiver to capture Shreveport, the seat of the Confederate government in 
 Lousiana, and took part in the assault and capture of Fort de Eussy, the 
 skirmish and retreat at Mansfield, the bloody engagement at Pleasant Hill 
 and consequent retreat to Alexandria, and by gunboats down Ped River 
 on their return, reaching Vicksburg on the 22d of May, 1864. He partici- 
 pated in the skirmishes at La Grange, Holly Springs, Oxford, Waterford,, 
 and the three days' fight at Tupelo on the 13th, 14th and 15th of July, the 
 same year, arriving at Memphis, Tenn., August SOtli. Here he was on the 
 sick list, and on the 2d of November, 1864, went home on a furlough, re- 
 maining until his recovery, March 19th, 1865, when he rejoined his com- 
 pany and went down to New Orleans. After a short sickness he took part 
 in the siege and capture of Spanish Fort, near Mobile; accompanied the- 
 march to Montgomery, Ala., thence down the river to Selma, where he was 
 stationed until July 21st, 1865, when the regiment went by rail to Vicks- 
 burg, up the Mississippi to St. Louis, receiving his honorable discharge 
 from the service on the 10th of August, 1865, and reaching home on the- 
 14th of the same month. 
 
 On the 16th of September, 1866, Mr. Herbert married Mrs. Mary Lee- 
 per, widow of Andrew 0. Leeper, by whom she was the mother of two- 
 children, James M , born January 20, 1863; and Andrew C, born Noveui- 
 ber IS, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have been the parents of eight chil- 
 dren, six of whom are living, as follows: John W., born July 27, 1867; Ivan 
 B., May 5, 1868; Hugh L., April 13, 1870; Martha M., March 10, 1872; 
 Hiram B., December 12, 1873; and Benjamin F., December 7, 1876. Mr. 
 Herbert is a farmer and his farm is among the best cultivated in Trenton, 
 township. 
 
530 HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 "Was bom in Fleming count}'^, Kentucky, October 12, 1837. His parents 
 were Joseph and Abigail Lee, the former a native of Virginia and the latter 
 of Kentucky. He received a common school education in his native place, 
 where he remained until 1867, when he removed to Kansas, remained three 
 years, and then settled in Grundy county, where he has since lived and en- 
 gaged in farming. Mr. and Mrs. Lee have had nine children: William J., 
 born June 9, 1860, died December 23, 1878; Cora E., born May 5, 1861; 
 James L., born December 5, 1862, died September 15, 1864; John R., 
 born January 28, 1865; Benjamin F., born November 14, 1866; Laura B., 
 born May 4, 1869, died October 30, 1869; Thomas E., born October 12, 
 1870; Elizabeth G., born December 17, 1872, died January 14, 1874; and 
 Charles B., born January 10, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Lee's wedding day was 
 August 29, 1859. 
 
 .JAMES LEEPER 
 
 Came to Grundy and settled in Trenton township in 1845, and after jea.rs 
 of painstaking industry is now the possessor of a handsome farm of five 
 Inmdred and seven tj^ acres under cultivation, a cozy home and fine orchard. 
 He was born in Pennsylvania, February' 13, 1814, and his parents, William 
 and Rachel Leeper, were natives of the same State. The family migrated 
 to Ohio and settled in (xuernsey county, where they remained a few years, 
 and from thence went to Muskingum county, in the same State. While 
 living here Mr. Leeper was joined in the marriage covenant to Miss Martha 
 Crawford. This lady was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on the 16th of 
 July, 1816, and has proved a most worthy companion for her husband. Ten 
 children have come of this union, whose names and birth are here given: 
 Mary M., born February 3, 1837, died February 5, 1837; Mary J., born 
 May 6, 1838, died JSTovember 24, 1840; Andrew C, born August 4, 1840, 
 died October 15, 1864, leaving a widow and two children; Elizabeth, born 
 August 7, 1842, died February 28, 1843; Sarah E., born March 15,1845, 
 died February 25, 1862; Martha R., born January 29, 1849, wife of J. A. 
 French; Eupheniia, born February 28, 1854, wife of R. E. Boyce; James 
 E., born February 28, 1856, a physician in Morgan county, Ohio; Norvin, 
 born October 3, 1857, died February 27, 1862; John W., born April 4, 1859, 
 is the only one the large family at home. 
 
 B. F. LKllEW. 
 
 Benjamin Franklin Lehew was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, Sep- 
 .tember 5, 1834, where he was reared and received a common school educa- 
 tion. Leaving home when twenty-four years of age, he went to Allen 
 county, Indiana, and settled down. February 8, 1859, Mr. Lehew was 
 united in marriage to Miss Sarah C. Comstock, a young lady of Ohio birth, 
 
HISTORY OF GRTTNDY COUNTY. 331 
 
 born in Janesville, June 13, 1836. The family resided in Indiana until 
 1872, when they removed to Grundy county. Mr. Lehew is one of the sub- 
 stantial farmers of the county, and is also a successful fruit-culturist and 
 sheep-raiser. He has a comfortable home and pleasant surroundings. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Lehew have a family of eight children, whose names are here 
 given: Lewis W., born October 26,1859; Mary M., born November 3, 
 1861; Alpha, born December 10, 1863; Myra J., born September 14, 1865; 
 Annie E., born August 4, 1868; James C, born May 16, 1870; Franklin 
 G., born March 20, 1872; and Leora G., March 21, 1878. 
 
 THOMAS LUKE. 
 
 Thomas Luke, a native of Lawrence county, Illinois, was born December 
 6, 1839. When nine years of age his parents renioved to Wayne county, in 
 the same State, where they remained si.x years, when they again ]:)acked 
 their household goods and started for the West, arriving in Grundy county 
 in June of 1854. From the age of fifteen be grew to manhood in Grundy 
 county. April 1, 1860, Mr. Luke and Miss Sarah P. Marshall were joined 
 in the marriage covenant. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Luke have a family 
 of nine children; vi^, Nancy J., born June 8, 1861; Martha F., born 
 November 9, 1862; Mary M., born March 30, 1864; Abraham L., born 
 December 15, 1866; Samuel D., born Januarj^ 23, 1868; Minnie L., born 
 October 13, 1869; William T., October 15, 1871; Parnielia B.,born Decem- 
 ber 10, 1873; and Euth jST., born July 21, 1879. Mr. Luke, though carry- 
 ing on all the various pursuits which constitute farming, has given his at- 
 tention largely to the cultivation of fruit. He has a fine orchard of forty 
 acres, in which he cultivates nearly every fruit which will grow in Grundy 
 county soil, and has, perliaps, the largest number of apple trees of any 
 orchard in the State. He raises many choice varieties of both large and 
 small fruits, and has met with remarkable success in cultivating so as to 
 produce an abundant yield. 
 
 w. s. m'lain. 
 
 W. S. McLain was born in Sangamon county, Illinois, June 2, 1836, of 
 Kentucky parentage. When six years of age his parents removed to Ken- 
 tucky, where he grew up and received his education. In 1857 he removed 
 to Grundy county and settled upon a farm near where he now lives. Sep- 
 tember 20, 1863, he married Miss Eliza A. Adkins, of Grund}' county, born 
 November 17,1846. They have had seven children: Lucy, born August 12, 
 1864; Mary E., born November 20, 1866; William, born March 19, 1869; 
 Alice, born November 26, 1871; Minnie, born June 3, 1874; Lenora, born 
 May 21, 1877, died August 27, 1878; and Arthur, born January 19, 1880. 
 Mr. McLain is engaged in agricultural pursuits, giving special attention to 
 the raising of fine hogs of the Berkshire and Poland-China breeds. He 
 lias a fine farm of one hundred and ninety acres. 
 
332 BISTORT OF OEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 C'rEOEGE .T. m'cEEADT 
 
 Is one of the old pioneers of Grundy county. He was born in Bracken 
 county, Kentuck}^, on February 10, 1820. His father was a native of 
 Maryland, and his mother of Virginia. His father, George W. McCready,. 
 was an ofticer in the War of 1812; he died in March, 1836, and his wife 
 died about three weeks afterwards. "When the subject of tliis sketch was 
 about three years of age his parents moved to Worcester county, Maryland, 
 and there he remained till 1839, when, on June 16th, he located in Grundy 
 county, Missouri, where he has since remained, engaged in farming. Thus 
 he has known this county from that early day when it was an unbroken wil- 
 derness up to the present time, with its beautiful and well cultivated farms, 
 and its population of thrifty and intelligent farmers. 
 
 Mr. McCready was married on June 6, 1840, to Mrs. Laura Knight, a 
 native of Schuyler county, Ohio, and born in 1820. This lady and her first 
 husband were on their way from Ohio to seek a home in the far west, when 
 as he was taking his gun from the wagon one day, to shoot a squirrel, he 
 accidentally shot and killed himself. By her first marriage, Mrs. Knight 
 had one child, named Anna. By lier marriage with Mr. McCready, six 
 children were born, whose names are Melissa, Jane, George W. and Alonzo, 
 who are still living, and W. E., who died when four years old, and Mary, at 
 the age of eleven months. Mrs. McCready died February 11, 1853. Mr. 
 McCready again married on June 6, 1853, to Mrs. Martha A. Grubb, widow 
 of F. B. Grubb, who died in Grundy county in 1850. Mrs. Grubb was a 
 native of Tennessee, and was born December 16, 1823. She had three chil- 
 dren by Mr. Grubb: Amanda E., James M. and Erastus. By her marriage 
 with Mr. McCready the following named children were born: Albert J., 
 Walter M., Sophronia E., Alice Ann, Stephen B., Hattie Lee and Augusta 
 B. Mr. McCready owns a fine home of sixty acres, pleasantly located in 
 Trenton township. 
 
 ABEAM PEENELL. 
 
 Abram Pernell was born in Morgan county, Ohio, April 20, 1841. He 
 received a common school education, and learned the wagon-maker's trade, 
 at which he was employed the first years after his school days. In 1859, at 
 the age of eighteen, he removed to Grundy county, and engaged in farming. 
 On the first of September, 1865, he was united in matrimony to Miss Elsie 
 Weeden. She was born June 13, 1840. Mr. and Mrs. Pernell have a 
 famih' of four interesting children, named respectively, Carrie, born Decem- 
 ber 8, 1866; Frank, born February 13, 1868; George E., born September 
 1, 1870; and Charles A., born September 14, 1873. 
 
.---^^^'^^ 
 
UISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 335 
 
 J. H. EUDROW 
 
 Was bom in Greene county, Ohio, May 27, 1844, and there resided until 
 1861, when he enlisted in company H, of the Tliirty-uinth regiment of 
 Ohio volunteer infantry, serving through the entire four years of the late 
 momentous struggle. Receiving his honorable discharge from the United 
 States service, he returned to his home in Ohio, and September 20, 1865, 
 was united iti marriage to Miss Jane Millon, of Xenia, Ohio. He engaged 
 in the grocery business nntil the fall of 1867, when he removed from Xenia 
 to Muncie, Indiana, and there went into tlie black walnut lumber trade, but 
 I'emained only a short time, when he returned to Ohio, locating in Fayette 
 county, still continuing in the lumber trade. October 21, 1870, he removed 
 to Grundy county, bought a farm, and has since been engaged in its 
 cultivation and also dealing extensively in black walnut lumber tliroughout 
 northwest Missouri. Mr. and Mi's. Rudrow have a family of four children 
 to bless their fireside; namely, W. T. Sherman, born July 18, 1866; Mag- 
 gie, born May 5, 1870; Minnie, born September 5, 1877, and Samuel N., 
 horn February 21, 1880. 
 
 GILES SONGER. 
 
 Giles Songer settled in Trenton township, Grundy count}^ in tlie year of 
 1846, and gave his attention to farming. He was a native of Indiana, and was 
 born in Washington county, in that State, on the 25th of October, 1818, the 
 son of xlbrani and Catlierine Songer, both natives of Pennsylvania. When 
 quite small liis parents removed to Clay count}', Illinois, where he grew up 
 and received his education. 
 
 On January 21st, 1837, Mr. Songer was united in matriraonj^ to Miss 
 Nancy Childers. Miss Cliilders was a native of Lincoln county, Kentucky, 
 and was born July 20, 1820. This union was blessed with thirteen children, 
 eight sons and five daughters, eight of whom are still living. William, the 
 eldest, was born January 13, 1838, and died April 10, 1869, leaving a wife 
 and three children; Julia, born February 27, 1839, became the wife of 
 Joseph Eeeder, and died December 10, 1870, leaving her husband and six 
 children to mourn hei- loss; Joseph W., born March 1, 1842, is a resident of 
 Grundy county; Mary A. was born November 7, 1843, and is Mi's. William 
 Luke; Thomas B., born October 25, 1845, died in the U. S. hospital at St. 
 Louis, November IS, 1864, having served during the war in company A, 
 Forty-fourth regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry; John B., born No- 
 vember 9, 1847, is still living in Grundy county; Albert G., born Decem- 
 ber 17, 1850, died February 10, 1871; Richard H., born September 19, 1851, 
 died March 25, 1852; Franklin J., born February 27, 1863; Missouri A., 
 born February 4, 1855; Elizabeth, born February 11, 1857; Flora Belle, 
 born July 6, 1859, and Lyman T., born October 25, 1862. Mrs. Songer is 
 still living. 
 21 
 
336 HISTOEY OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Soiiger became one of the prominent citizens ot Grundy count}', and 
 served in several official capacities, having been elected county judge two or 
 three terms. After a long life of usefulness, he died on the 13tli of Decem- 
 ber, 1880, in the seventy-third year of his age. 
 
 OLIVER SMITH, 
 
 One of the substantial farmers of Grundy county, was ushered into exist- 
 ence on the 16th of January, 1821, in the District of Columbia, where he 
 passed the first two years of his life, when death deprived him of both father 
 and mother. Oliver was then placed in care of an aunt, who took him to 
 Loudoun county, Virginia, where he grew up. When eighteen years of age 
 he bid farewell to " Ole Yirginny" and sought a home farther west, locating 
 in Guernsey county, Ohio, but remained there only a few years when he 
 made his home in Morgan count}', in the same State. On the 4th of June, 
 1846, he wedded Miss Euth Walters, an estimable young lady of Morgan 
 county. January 10, 1828, was the date of her birth. This marriage was 
 blessed with four children; namely, Mary A., born June 8, 1847, died May 
 9, 184T; Benjamin F., born March 2, 1850; Jonah W., born January 14, 
 1853; and Mary E., born August 24, 1855. In 1864 Mr. Smith removed, 
 with his family, to Grundy county, where he now has a farm of six hundred 
 and thirty acres of fertile land, well stocked, a comfortable homestead, 
 orchard, etc., all of which he has acquired by patient industry and the wil- 
 ling help of his wife. They have toiled long together and can now enjoy 
 the fruits of their labor. 
 
 .rOSEPH W. SONGER. 
 
 In Clay county, Illinois, on the 1st day of March, 1842, Joseph W.. sou 
 of Giles and Nancy Songer, was born. His father was b}' birth an Iiidi- 
 anian and his mother a Keutuckiau. Joseph had reached the age of four 
 years when his parents migrated to Grundy county. He received his edu- 
 cation in the early log school houses of the county, and being very fond of 
 music, acquired quite a reputation as a pleasing vocalist and officiated as 
 teacher in many of the singing-schools in vogue when he reached manhood. 
 He was also engaged in sabbath-school work, and assisted in the^ organiza- 
 tion of a number of schools throughout the county. Mr. Joseph W. Songer 
 and Miss Sarah T. Taylor were joined in wedlock, April 6, 1862. She was 
 a native of Grundy county, and August 6th, 1841, is the date of her birth. 
 Seven children have gathered around their fireside, all of whom are yet liv- 
 ing: Ei chard E., born December 31, 1862; Nancy H., August 30, 1864; 
 Elizabeth M., July 8, 1866; James A., February 15, 1868; Myrtle A., Feb- 
 ruary 19, 1870; MontaM., March 10, 1872; Eobert G., October 1, 1874. 
 Mr. Songer is a thrifty farmer, and has given much of his time for the last 
 few years to growing fine wool sheep, and has attained most gratifying results. 
 
HISTORY OF GETJNDY COUNTY. 337 
 
 The Spanish Merino breed is his preference among the several strains of 
 long-wool sheep. From one animal he took nineteen pounds of wool last 
 spring, at one shearing. 
 
 .r. L. STEELE. 
 
 J. L. Steele, son of L. J. and Caroline Steele, was born in Pike county, 
 Illinois, February 13, 18i7; his father being a native of Kentucky, and his 
 mother of Ohio. When the subject of this sketch was three years old, his 
 parents removed to Adams county, in the same State. He received an ed- 
 ucation in the common schools, and completed a course in the Perry High 
 School, of Pike count}', and afterward attended and graduated at Eastman's 
 National Business College, of Chicago. February 21, 1864, when but seven- 
 teen years of age, he enlisted in company G, of the Seventh regiment of 
 Illinois reserve militia, and served until the close of the war. In 1868 he 
 •came to Grundy county, and engaged in farming and teaching school, in 
 both of which avocations, he has attained considerable success. December 
 2-ith, 1871, Mr. Steele was united in marriage to Miss Sarah J. Ford of 
 Grundy county, born January 19, 1852. By this union they have had three 
 children: Minnie, the eldest, was born October 1, 1872, and died October 
 31, 1873; the second, Bertha, was born August 1, 1874; and the youngest 
 Mary L., was born October 27, 1877. 
 
 WILLIAM H. SMITH 
 
 Was born April 25th, 1826, near Richmond, Virginia, and is the third 
 child of William K. and Ann C. Smith, both natives of the " Old Dominion." 
 In 1837 our subject, with his father, migrated from Virginia to Missouri, 
 and settled in Glasgow, Howard count}-, and lived in that place with his 
 parents, working at the cai-penter's trade, until May, 1846, at which time he 
 moved to St. Louis. 
 
 On the 27th, of December, 1849, he was married to Miss Sarah A. 
 Humphreys, daughter of Edward Humphreys, all of St. Louis. 
 
 The issue of this marriage was three children, whose names are Mrs. 
 P. Hunt, nee Anna M. Smith, Sarah A. Smith, and James H. Smith. De- 
 cember 8th, 1860, Mr. Smith lost his first wife, and on the 15th of the same 
 month, in 1862, with his three children left St. Louis to settle in Trenton. 
 
 On the 15th of October, 1863, he married Miss Susan E. Lowen. By 
 his second wife Mr. Smith is the father of five children now living. 
 Their names are Emma F., Lura M., Artliur P., Jennie L., and Luther C. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Smith are both members of the Christian Church. He is 
 also a member of the I. O. O. F. 
 
 Mr. Smith moved to Trenton in time to build a great many of tlie oldest 
 houses now standing in that place, and is still actively engaged in the pur- 
 suit of his trade. 
 
338 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 JOHN R. SONUER, 
 
 Son of Giles and Nancy Songer, was born in Grundy county, Missouri, 
 November 9, 1847. Farming iias been his business since lie has been old 
 enough, and his life has been spent upon the same section of land he was 
 born upon. Mr. Songer was united in marriage to Miss Nannie V. Sliank- 
 lin, December 31, 1870. ^he was also a native of this county, born May 
 27,184:7. They have had four children: Carrie, born Februarys, 1872; 
 Frederick W., born March 14, 1874; Homer, born March 28, 1876, died 
 April 10, 1876; and Carl A., born February 3, 1878. Mr. Songer has a 
 good farm and is one of the prosperous farmers of the township, and he 
 and his wife are highly esteemed by their neighbors. 
 
 ROBERT TAYLOR 
 
 And his aged wife rank among the pioneers of Grundy county. He was 
 born in Worcester county, Maryland, October 20, 1808. Robert was 
 reared on a farm and lived in Maryland till he was twenty-six years of age. 
 In 1829 he married Miss Nancy Blades, a native of Maryland, and born 
 November 13, 1809. By this marriage eleven children were born, seven of 
 whom are still living; viz., Caroline, born April 15, 1830; Mary J., born 
 April 7, 1832; Sarah T., born August 6, 1841; Eobert T., born November 
 30, 1842; William D., born November 30, 1846; Levin H., born January 
 18, 1849; Luther, born July 6, 18;> . John P., Harriet, Nathaniel and 
 Melinda E. are dead. About the year 1833 Mr. Taylor and his young 
 wife came to Missouri, located in Lafayette county, and lived there about 
 three years. In 1836 the family located in Grundy county, on the same 
 farm they now occupy. He converted three hundred acres of the wilder- 
 ness into a fertile farm and a beautiful home. The old cabin erected in 
 1836 still stands, and is yet used by this venerable couple as a summeif 
 kitchen. 
 
 Mr. Taylor takes great pride in his orchard, which is a very fine one and 
 of the' choicest varieties of fruit. Mr. and Mrs. Taylor are members of the 
 Baptist Church, and are quietly and peacefully passing their declining years 
 under the shadow of the trees their own hands have planted. 
 
 ALFRED URTON 
 
 Was born in Jefferson county, Kentucky, on the 24th of June, 1825, the 
 son of James and Jane Urton, the former a native of Virginia, and the lat- 
 ter of Kentucky. After his school days were over he became an overseer 
 on a plantation, which situation he held until early in 1854, when, at the 
 awe of twenty-nine, he went to Illinois and located on a farm in Adams 
 county, where he lived five years and then moved to Pike county. While 
 iivinc here he was united in matrimony to Miss Ann Eliza Bowles. She 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTV. 339 
 
 was born Jaunary 5, ISSi, and was a native of Adams county. In 1S66 
 Mr. Urton removed from Illiuois, and settled in Grundy county, where he 
 still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Urton have had eight children, whose names and 
 dates of birth areas follows: Selina J., born November 11, 1854, died April 
 12, 1878; William C, born June 1, 1858; Olive, born March 15, 1862; 
 Edwin, born May 31, 1864; Alva, born October 9, 1866, died September 
 19, 1867; Elma, born June 20, 1870; Alfred B., born March 29, 1872; 
 Effie, born July 22, 1874. Mr. Urton has a fine farm of one hundred and 
 seventy-four acres, and a comfortable home. 
 
 JAMES WIGGINS 
 
 Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, January 21, 1848, son of Benja- 
 min and Mary Ann (McCoy) Wiggins. His father was a native of Seneca 
 county, New York, but when quite young came with his parents to Ohio 
 and settled in Cincinnati, afterwards went to Kentucky, and in 1820 settled 
 in Howard county, Missouri, and in 1846 removed to Grundy county, and 
 thence to California, where he died in 1850. His mother was a native of 
 Kentucky, and born in 1818, but when one year of age her father came to 
 Missouri and located in Howard county. After the decease of Mr. Wig- 
 gins she married J. R. Merrill, and now lives in Trenton. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was reared on a farm. When sixteen years of 
 age he went to Colorado, remained two years, and then returned to Grundy 
 county, where he engaged in the stock business for three years. Novem- 
 ber 14, 1875, he married Blondina Mueller, a native of St. Clair county, 
 Illinois, and who was born September 28, 1854. Two children. Bertha E., 
 born February 12, 1879, and Eichard M., borri March 1, 1881, are the result 
 of this union. Mr. Wiggins purchased a half interest in twenty-two acres 
 of land adjoining the town site of Trenton, which is now (in 1881) all oc- 
 cupied by buildings, and known as Wiggins & Murphy's Addition to Tren- 
 ton. After quitting the stock business he dealt in real estate till the fall 
 of 1875, when he returned to his farm, and has since resided there. He is 
 a man of fine business ability, while socially he and his famil}' are highly 
 respected. 
 
 JOHN NELSON WTMEE. 
 
 This name was given to a son born to John and Patience Wymer, on the 
 18th of February, 1829, in Bristol township, Morgan county, Ohio. The 
 family removed to Lawrence county, in the same State, in 1845, where the 
 subject of this biography grew to manhood and learned the carpenter's 
 trade. On the 20th of October, 1850, John N. Wymer and Miss Celia E. Dil- 
 lon were united in the holy bonds of matrimony, at the home of the bride's 
 parents in Lawrence county. Miss Dillon was a native of Franklin 
 ■county, Virginia, where the first two years of her life were spent. She 
 was born September 20tli, 1828, and, with her father's family, became a 
 
340 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 resident of Ohio, in 1830. Six years after his marriage Mr. Wyraer re- 
 moved to Indiana, and located in Boone county, where he continued to 
 make his home until the close of the civil war, in which he served as a pri- 
 vate in company A, of the Indiana State militia. After the close of hos- 
 tilities,- in 1865, he came to Grundy county and settled on a farm some ten 
 miles northeast of Trenton. He continued to cultivate his farm until 
 March, 1881, when he disposed of it, and took up his residence in Trenton 
 and resumed work at his trade, in which he is still engaged. 
 
 Mr. Wymer's father died in February, 1880, having reached the advanced 
 age of ninety-five years. His motlier, in her seventy-lifth year, still pur- 
 sues the journey of life. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wymer have four children living and two dead. Merada 
 M., the first, was Ijorn March 3d, 1851, and died September 20th, 1854; 
 Electe Ann, born February 12th, 1852; Mary C, born August 17th, 1854, 
 died in 1857; John W., born July 1st, 1855; Ehuama P., born October 
 3d, 1857; George W., born April ITth, 1859. 
 
 Mrs. Wymer was a member of the Baptist Church before her marriage, 
 and Mr. W. was baptized and received into the same church in 1852, two- 
 years after that event, and both remain consistent members. 
 
 PETKE H. YAKEY. 
 
 Peter H. Yakey was born on the 5th of March, 1829, in Guernsey 
 county, Ohio, and was the second child of Joseph and Sarah Yakey. 
 
 His father, Joseph Yakey, was born in Maryland, August 12th, 1802, 
 and at the age of twenty migrated to Ohio, where he married Miss Sarah 
 Shafer, in Guernsey county, in 1826. Mr. Yake}' was a farmer. He died 
 July 16th, 1875. Mrs. Yakey is still living in Indiana. 
 
 Peter H. Yakey lived with his parents until he became of age. On the 
 17th of March, 1853, he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss 
 Isabella McBurney, daughter of John McBurney, resident of Guernsey 
 county. After his marriage, Mr. Yakey commenced farming for himself,, 
 which occupation he continued until October, 1858, when his wife died. 
 
 Next we find Mr. Yakey in charge of the po&t-oflice and railroad office at 
 Gibson station, Ohio. 
 
 January 19th, 1860, he married Miss Martha K Braden, daughter of 
 John Braden, all of Guernsey county. On the 2d of April, 1860, he mi- 
 grated to Grundy county, where he has since resided, engaged in farming. 
 In August, 1861, he enlisted in company A of the Missouri volunteer 
 militia. 
 
 Peter PI. Yakey is the father of seven children living, two by his first 
 wife and five by his second. The names of his first wife's children are 
 Albert L., and Mary C, now Mrs. "W. R. Saddler; and those of his second 
 wife are Joseph S., John B., Annie M., Willie G., Frank L. Mr. Yakey is. 
 a member of the Masonic order and A. O. U. W. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 341 
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 CITY OF TKENTON. 
 
 Commanding Situation — New Life — Business — Second Railroad — Mamifacturiiig — Deed of 
 the Totvn Site— The City Charter — Plat of Trenton — Incidents — Continued Progress — 
 Milh Wagon — "Iron Horse and Joy Unspeakahle" — Crossing the Line — Machine-shops 
 —Close of mil. 
 
 Trenton, the county seat of Grundy county, Missouri, has a beautiful 
 and commanding situation upon rising ground on the east bank and in the 
 pleasant rolling valley of the Grand River, just below the junction of the 
 Weldon and Thompson forks — the former also known as the East fork of 
 the Grand River, and the latter as the Middle fork — about thi-ee and three- 
 fourths miles southwest of the exact center of the county. Thus situated, 
 Trenton is the metropolis of a rich and prosperous country 'round, which 
 makes it the life ^nd center of the commercial affairs of the county and the 
 fountain-head of the various enterprises which have diffused the life-streams 
 of energetic industry and business intelligence over the fruitful soil of the 
 entire county of Grundy. 
 
 Bearing a name made famous by her aged namesake upon the classic 
 banks of the fast flowing Delaware, in the memorable campaigns of 1776, 
 Trenton started out in 1841 with an historical prestige which she has ever 
 endeavored to preserve and hand down to future generations brightened 
 with the record of good deeds and remembered triumphs in tlie days of 
 peace as well as in the days of strife. Founded in 1841, Trenton was built 
 upon two ridges, whose inner edges almost touched, but whose outer ends 
 extended out at right angles, leaving the town nestling in the triangular spot 
 between, and giving a quaint peculiarity to the streets and a pictui'esque 
 appearance to the town. And thus she stood during the years that flew by 
 on the fleeting wings of time, slowly plodding her way along, but always 
 with her energies alive with the flres of a substantial ambition for a future 
 greater than she was or had been, until in 1870, with a population of 920 
 Bouls, her dormant activitj^ was aroused, and she sprang at once into the 
 maelstrom of the bustling, busy, growing era at the prospect of her first 
 railroad. The citizens went to work with a will, and it was a bright day 
 for Trenton when their efibrts were crowned with the laiirels of success, and 
 the steam horse, witii fire dropping from his nostrils, sped over the iron 
 rails into the city. 
 
 NEW LIFE. 
 
 From the time the engine of the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad 
 pulled her first train into the depot, the city of Trenton began to feel the 
 inspiration of a second growth. She snufted the smoke of coming conquests 
 
342 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY'. 
 
 from afar. "With the raUroad and her coal mines, and the immense possi- 
 bilities of the future, Trenton began to spread herself, and it must be admit- 
 ted that she has succeeded admirably. It is enough to cause a genuine 
 glow of pride to beam from the honest countenance of every citizen when 
 he contemplates the material progress of the last ten years, and notes the 
 increase of population from 920 in 1870 to 3,340 in 1880. With the 
 increasing population the corporate limits have kept apace, and with the 
 rapid growth and steadj' demand for more room, additions have been made 
 until they have numbered twenty-two, and Trenton still grows. These 
 new additions have been laid oif at right angles from the old town, the new 
 streets running north and south, east and west, from Water Street, the main 
 thoroughfare of the city, thus leaving old Trenton with her angles and tri- 
 angles, her " five corners " and her " seven corners," while the new city 
 starts out fair and straight with the world, her streets lined on either side 
 with neat, handsome residences, and tasty front yards with flowers and 
 shade trees plentifully bestrewn, showing cultivation, refinement and a love 
 of the beautiful in nature. Adding to this the social characteristics of her 
 people, Trenton makes a pleasant and attractive location for homes and 
 home enjoyment. 
 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 In point of business enterprise and solid improvement, Trenton is still the 
 peer of any town in northern Missouri, in truth she has in the last few 
 years distanced all competitors. With her modern outlets for trafiic, Tren- 
 ton has left behind the slow gro^vth of her early years, and has now fairly 
 entered the arena of busy life, to battle with the woi-ld for a foothold among 
 the flourishing cities of the country, and with every muscle strained and 
 everv nerve at a tension she goes steadily forward on her conquering way, 
 the leading commercial city of the Grand Kiver Yalley, with no equal 
 between Kansas City and Koek Island. 
 
 As before mentioned, twentj'-two additions have been made to the city, 
 most, if not all, since the advent of the railroad in 1871. The main portion 
 of the city lies west of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and 
 south of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific. The two roads run nearly at 
 right angles. The Quincy, Missouri & Pacific depot is situated just outside 
 the city limits, about three-quarters of a mile from the business center. It 
 could have been placed nearer bnt a difliculty appeared in crossing the 
 Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific tracks. However, the town will grow, and 
 the cheap property out there will serve to draw in that direction. There 
 was money in tliat location to the railroad, but it is not just what was due 
 to Trenton. Business has grown with the demands of the people, until 
 there is scarcely a branch of trade that is not represented here. The peo- 
 ple have become able to indulge in the luxuries as well as the necessaries of 
 life, and this, as a matter of course, has increased trade and caused a demand 
 
HISTORY OF GRTNDY OOUNTr. 343 
 
 for a class of goods wliicli a few years since M'oiild have found no buyers, 
 but to-day commands a liberal sale. 'Churches and schools are numerous, 
 and will receive, as they deserve, notice under a separate head elsewhere'. 
 
 HEE SECOND KAILKOAI). 
 
 The completion of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Eailroad marks an- 
 other pei-iod of progress for the magic city of the Grand River Valley. It 
 gives Trenton a direct eastern outlet, placing her upon a footing with her 
 heretofore more favored sisters. The benefit of this road can be already 
 seen by tlie increase of arrivals looking for business openings. The trade 
 of Trenton, after an exhaustive review of the merchants and business men 
 by the Trenton Republican, in January, 1876, siiowed -the sales of that 
 year, l»y a fair computation, to exceed $1,200,000. 
 
 MANUFACTURING. 
 
 Trenton is fortunately located on a site offering all the facilities of a 
 large manufacturing town. Coal is mined at her door, timber is within 
 easy reach and there is not an ai-ticle manufactured of wood which could 
 not be produced here as cheaply as at any point in the State, or in the West. 
 Water power, also, is abundant. Furniture, wagon, farm implement, hub 
 and spoke factories should find locations here where there is ample room for 
 untold development. Cattle and sheep find homes upon the prairies of 
 Grundy county and tlie increased attention given to this branch of farm 
 industry adds other valuable features, in woolen factories and tanneries, and 
 these would make a market for the oak bark, while egg, beef and pork-pack- 
 ing houses would undoubtedly pay. All these industries could and should 
 have a location within or near the limits of Trenton. The population would 
 double. The completion of the new road would make her freighting facili- 
 ties equal to the best, leading to all competing markets and numerons 
 enough to prevent extortion. Taking these advantages altogether, it is 
 plain to be seen that the future of Trenton lies in her proper appreciation 
 and employment of these benefits, and in consequence, becoming a great 
 manufacturing city, with the ceaseless buzz and whirr of machinery making- 
 music from early dawn 'til dewy eve. The stave factory, the woolen and 
 flouring-mills, the machine and repair shops, have already shown to the 
 people of Trenton the value of manufacturing development, and urge them 
 onward to increased exertion and a determination to reach the goal beyond. 
 There is no reason why success, grand, buoyant success, cannot be achieved if 
 the people put their shoulders to the wheel and move with a united effort 
 toward the one object in view of making Trenton the one leading city in 
 population and wealth in this section of Missouri. AVith the completion of 
 the railroads, the opportunity to grasp the scepter of sui^reniacy is at hand 
 and the hour is here. Let not the spirit of supineness or illiberality prevail, 
 but put forth the fiiendly hand of encouragement to capitalists to make 
 
344 HISTORY OF OETINDY COUNTY. 
 
 their homes within the borders of this fair city. Keep the good work going- 
 on and ever let the burnished armor of industry stand well to the front, 
 and a future of floui-ishing prosperity is an assured fact — a practical and 
 accomplished reality. 
 
 DEED OK THE TOWN SITE. 
 
 As one of the interesting events in the history of Trenton, below is given 
 a verhatim copy, except as to punctuation, of the original deed of eighty 
 acres for, and in consideration of, one dollar, and the location of the county 
 seat thereon. The deed will be found of record on page 181 of "Book A," 
 in the circuit clerk's office, and reads as follows: 
 
 "J. S. LoMAX I 
 
 TO \ Deed. 
 
 " County of Geundy. ) 
 
 " This indenture made and entered into this Sixth day of August in the 
 year of our Lord, one Thousand eight hundred and forty-one, by and be- 
 tween James S. Lomax, of the county of Grundy and State of Missouri, of 
 the first part, and the County of Grundy of the second part, witnesseth: 
 That for and in consideration of one dollar in Hand Paid and the Location 
 of the County Seat of Grundy Count}' on the Lands hereinafter named, 
 adjoining other lands of the said party of the first part, he, the said party 
 ot the first part, his heirs and assigns, has granted, bargained and sold, and 
 by these presents does grant, bargain and sell unto the said party of the 
 second part all the right, title, claim and interest wjjich lie the party of the 
 first part has in law and equity to the following described Land Lying and 
 being in Grundy county; to-wit, beginning at the half mile corner stake, 
 being the Northwest corner of the North East quarter of section No. 
 Twenty, Township No. Sixty-one of Eange Twenty-four, Eunning South 
 One hundred and Twenty-five Poles to a steak; Thence East ninety Poles 
 to a steak; tiience North Seventy-Eight Poles to a stake; Thence East sev- 
 enteen Poles and four links to a stake; Thence North ninety-seven Poles to 
 a stake; Thence West one hundred and five Poles to tlie beginning. Con- 
 taining Eighty acres. To have and to hold the aforesaid Tract of Land 
 witli all and singular the Riglits, privileges and appertenances thereunto 
 belonging or in any wise appertaining to the said County of Grundy for ever, 
 and tlie said party of the first part, his heirs, executors, administrators and 
 assigns will warrant and forever defend the aforesaid Land to the party of 
 the second part for ever free from tlie claim or claims of any and every per- 
 son or persons whatever. In testimony whereof the party of tiie first part 
 has liereunto set his hand and seal, the day and year aforesaid. 
 
 "(Signed) James S. Lomax [seal]. 
 
history of geundy county. 345 
 
 " State of Missouri, ) 
 
 "County of Grundy. ( 
 
 " Be it remembered that on this sixth day of August Eighteen hundred 
 and forty-one, pei-sonallj' appeared before me the undersigned clerk of the 
 Circuit Court for Grundj' county, James S. Lomax and acknowledges the fore- 
 going to be his voluntar}' act and Deed for the purpose therein contained 
 and he, the said James S. Loinax, is personally known to me to be the same 
 person who signed said deed as having executed the same. Taken and cer- 
 tified the day and year above said. In witness whereof, I, Thomas W. 
 Jacobs, clerk of the Circuit Court of said County have hereunto Set my 
 hand and private Seal affixed, there being no official Seal for said Court yet 
 provided. At office the day and year above written. 
 
 " (Signed) Thomas W. Jacobs, 
 
 " [seal.] Cleric. 
 
 "The foregoing deed was filed in my office for record on the 6 day of 
 August, 1841. 
 
 " (Signed) Th. W. Jacobs, Clerks 
 
 city charter. 
 
 Such is the position, and such tlie prospect, of the city of Trenton. Her 
 earliest record is already written in the pages of the general history of 
 Grundy county, and there is little more to be added until the time comes 
 when a charter was demanded by the wants of the people and the growth 
 of the town. This question had been talked over, and a bill was brought 
 before the legislature in the month of February, 1857, for a city charter. 
 The bill was passed and became a law, and remained so, with amendatory 
 acts, until March 9, 1872, when the charter and its amendment were consoli- 
 dated into one act, of which the following is an official copy: 
 
 An Act to amend an act entitled " An act to incorporate the town of Trenton, Grundy 
 county," approved Februai-y 27, 1857, and all acts amendatory thereof and supplemental 
 thereto, and reduce the same into one act. 
 
 article I OF BOUNDARIES AND INCORPORATIONS. 
 
 Be it enacted by the General AssenMy of the State of Missouri as fol- 
 
 loios: 
 
 Section 1. That an act entitled "An act to incorporate the town of Tren- 
 ton, in Grundy county," approved February 27, 1857, and all the acts 
 amendatory thereof and supplementary thereto are hereby revised, amended 
 and reduced into one act, so as to read as follows: 
 
 Sec. 2. All that portion of country included in the following boundar}-; 
 to-wit, Commencing at the point in the center of Grand River where the 
 south line of the southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 
 number twenty (20), township number sixty-one (61), of range number 
 
346 ■ ]IISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 twenty -tour (24), crosses said river; thence east to the southeast corner of 
 said section number twenty (20); thence north to the northeast corner of 
 the southeast qixarter of said section number twenty (20); thence east to the 
 southeast corner of the southwest quarter of tlie northwest quarter of sec- 
 tion number twenty- one (21) of said township and range; thence north to 
 the nortlieast corner of the south lialf of the southwest quarter of the north- 
 west quarter of section number sixteen (16) of said township and range; 
 thence west to the northwest corner of the south half of the southeast quar- 
 ter of the nortiiwest quarter of section number seventeen (17) of said town- 
 ship and range; thence south to the soutliwest corner of the northeast quar- 
 ter of the southwest quarter of said section number twenty (20); thence 
 east to Grand River; thence down said stream, in the center of the main 
 channel thereof, to the place of beginning, and the inhabitants thereof shall 
 be, and are hereby constituted, a body politic and corporate, by the name 
 and style of " The Town of Trenton," and by that name shall be known in 
 law; have perpetual succession, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, 
 defend and be defended against, in all courts of law and equity having com- 
 petent jurisdiction, and in all actions and matters wiiatsoever ; may grant, 
 lease, purchase, hold and receive property, real and personal, within the 
 limits of said corporation, and no other (burial-grounds excepted), that shall 
 be necessary for said town in the exercise of its corporate powers, and may 
 lease, sell and in any manner dispose of the same for the beneiit of said 
 town, and may have and use a common seal, and alter or change the same 
 at j)leasure. 
 
 Sec. 3. If at any time an addition to said town shall be laid off, as soon 
 as a plat thereof shall be filed in the office of the recorder of (xrundy county 
 such addition, and the iidiabitants thereof shall be, to all intents and pur- 
 poses, included in and l)econie a part of the corporaton hereby established. 
 
 AETIOLE II — OF OFFICERS AND THEIB DUTIES. 
 
 Section 1. The corporate powers and duties of said corporation shall be 
 vested in a mayor, four councibnen, and a marshal and such other ofiicers 
 as are hereafter mentioned. 
 
 Sec 2 The mayor, councilmen and marshal shall be chosen by the quali- 
 fied voters within the limits of said corporation, and shall hold their offices, 
 respectivel}^ for the term of two years, and until their succesors are elected 
 and qualified. 
 
 Sec 3. The mayor shall be a citizen of the United States, and at the 
 time of his election shall be at least twenty-five years of age, shall be a legal 
 voter in Grundy county, and shall have resided in said town for the space of 
 three months previous to his election; and no person shall be mayor of said 
 town who is in arrears in the payment of any tax or other liability due said 
 town. 
 
HISTOEY OF (.aJUWDY COUNTY. 347 
 
 Sec. 4. The coiincihnen and marshal shall be citizens of the United 
 States, and at the time of their election shall be at least tweuty-oue years of 
 age. and reside within the limits of said town, and be legal voters under 
 this act; nor shall any person hold the office ot connciluian or marshal who 
 is subject to any of the disqualifications which, according to this act, prevent 
 any person from holding the office of mayor. 
 
 Sec. 5. The mayor and councilmen shall constitute a town council, of 
 which the mayor shall be ex officio president, but he shall have no vote, 
 except in case of a tie. 
 
 Sec. 6. The councilmen, at tiieir first meeting after each general elec- 
 tion, or as soon thereafter as practicable, shall choose one of their number 
 as president ^ro tempore, who shall hold his office until the next general 
 election, and who shall, in the absence of the mayor, preside in the meetings 
 of the council, and exercise all the powers and prerogatives conferred upon 
 the mayor by this act. 
 
 Sec. 7. The town council shall be the judges of the election returns 
 and qualifications of the mayor, members of the council, and marshal, and 
 shall determine contested elections. 
 
 Sec. 8. A majority of the council shall constitute a quorum to do bus- 
 iness, but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel 
 the attendance of absent members, and impose such penalties fur such ab- 
 sence as the council may prescribe. 
 
 Sec. 9. The council may determine the rules of their proceedings, 
 punish their members for disorderly conduct, and, with the concurrence of 
 three-fourths of all the members, may expel a member for disorderly con- 
 duct or breach of ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 10. All vacancies that shall occur in the offices hereinbefore 
 created shall be tilled in such a manner as may be provided by ordi- 
 nance. 
 
 Sec. 11. Whenever a tie shall occur for councilmen or marshal, the 
 mayor shall, by proclamation, order a new election; and if a tie shall oc- 
 cur upon election for mayor, the same shall be determined by a vote of the 
 councilmen. 
 
 Sec. 12. The stated meetings of the council shall be held as often, and 
 at such times and places, as the council, by ordinance, shall designate; and 
 other and further meetings may be convened by the mayor, or, in his ab- 
 sence, by the president jpro tempore^ at any time, in his discretion; and the 
 council may adjourn any meeting from day to day, or to any time within 
 the period fixed for their stated meetings. 
 
 Sec. 13. The mayor or councilmen and marshal shall each, before en- 
 tering upon the discharge of their duties, take an oath to support the 
 Constitution of the United States and of the State of Missouri, and faith- 
 fully to demean themselves in office; and the marshal and treasurer shall 
 
348 HISTOBY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 each enter into bond, in such amount as fixed by ordinance, which bond 
 shall be filed with the clerk and approved by the mayor. 
 
 ARTICLE III — POWERS OF THE TOWN COUNCIL. 
 
 Section 1. The town council shall have power within said town, by or- 
 dinance, not repugnant to the laws of the land. 
 
 First — -To levy and collect taxes for general or special purposes, on real 
 or personal property, and license: Provided, hov^ever. That no tax shall be 
 levied on wearing apparel, nor shall the same be seized or sold for taxes. 
 
 Second — To borrow money on the faith and credit of the town, in such 
 form of bonds, notes, bills, tax certificates or warrants, and for such specified 
 object and time, as the}' may think proper. 
 
 Third — To appropriate the money of the town, and provide for the pay- 
 ment of its debts and expenses. 
 
 Fourth — To prevent the introduction and spreading of contagious dis- 
 eases in the town, and enforce the same to the distance of one mile from the 
 limits thereof ; to secure the general health of the inhabitants; to estab- 
 lish and regulate hospitals; to prevent or abate all nuisances on public or 
 private property; to regulate the slaughtering of animals. 
 
 Fifth — To establish, open, abolish, alter, widen, extend, graduate, pave, 
 or otherwise improve all streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks, public grounds 
 and squares, and to provide for the lighting, cleaning and repairing of the 
 «ame. 
 
 Sixth — To construct and keep in repair all bridges, culverts, sewers and 
 ■drains, and to regulate the use thereof. 
 
 Seventh — To erect, purchase, or rent a town hall, work-house, houses of 
 ■correction, and all other necessary buildings for the use of said town, in- 
 side the corporate limits thereof, and to control, manage, sell or otherwise 
 dispose of the same; to establish, license and regulate markets, market 
 places and meat shops. 
 
 Eighth — To license, to tax and regulate auctioneers, grocers, merchants, 
 hotels, public halls, concerts, public lectures, porters, runners, drummers, 
 patent-right dealers, brokers, banking or other institutions, hackney car- 
 riages, omnibuses, carts, drays and other vehicles, and to fix the rates of 
 carriage of persons, and of wagonage, drayage and cartage of property. 
 
 Ninth — To license, tax, regulate or suppress ordinaries, peddlers, street 
 exhibitions, dance-houses, fortune-tellers, pistol galleries, lottery ticket 
 ■dealers, billiard tables, or any other table or instruments used for gaming, 
 shows, theatrical or other amusements, tippling liquors in any manner, and 
 to su])press and prevent gambling or gambling houses, bawdy houses or 
 houses of iJl-fame or assignation. 
 
 Tenth — To prevent and extinguish fires, regulate, restrain or prohibit 
 the erection of wooden buildings within prescribed limits; may regulate the 
 
HISTOKY OF GKDNDY COUNTY. 349 
 
 Storage of gunpowder, coal oil and other combustible materials; the build- 
 ing of flues and chimneys, and the establishment of any manufactory or 
 'business that is calculated to cause fires or conflagrations. 
 
 Eleventh — To restrain and prevent any riot, rout, noise, disturbance, dis- 
 orderly assemblage in any street, house or place in the town, and prohibit 
 the running at large of cattle, hogs, or other animals in the limits of the 
 town; to prevent and remove all obstructions and encroachments on side- 
 walks, streets, avenues, alleys, and all other public property; to prevent the 
 firing of fire-arms; to prevent unnecessary and furious driving and riding 
 of any horse or other animal in said town; to establish night-watches and 
 patrols. 
 
 Twelfth — To impose, collect and enforce fines, forfeitures and penalties 
 for the breach of any town ordinance. 
 
 Thirteenth — Finally, to pass all such ordinances as may be expedient in 
 maintaining the peace, good government, health and welfare of the town. 
 
 Sec. 2. Every ordinance or resolution passed by the council shall be 
 signed by the mayor, or president pro tern, of the council, and attested by 
 the clerk, before it shall take efifect: Provided^ however, that if the mayor 
 shall refuse to sign any ordinance or resolution passed by the council, he 
 shall state his objection to the council; when, if such ordinance or resolu- 
 tion is again passed by a vote of three-fourths of the councilmen, the same 
 shall be considered to be duly passed. 
 
 Sec. 3. The style of the ordinances of this town shall be, '-Be it or- 
 dained by the council of the town of Trenton." 
 
 Sec. 4. AH the meetings of the council shall be held publicly, and it 
 shall be lawful, at any stated meeting of the council, for any qualified voter 
 within the limits of the corporation, to present for the consideration and 
 action of the council any ordinance, resolution, or business, and to appear 
 by himself or 'counsel, at any meeting of the council, and discuss any busi- 
 ness pending before the same. 
 
 Sec. 5. No ordinance, resolution or order shall be finally passed by the 
 council until the same shall have three times been publicly read in the coun- 
 cil, and an opportunity shall have been given to discuss the same. 
 
 Sec. 6. All ordinances of the town council may be proven \t^ the seal 
 of the corporation, and attested by the clerk; and when such ordinances 
 shall have been printed and published by authority of the council, the 
 same shall be received in evidence in all courts and places without further 
 proof. 
 
 ARTICLE IV executive AND MINISTERIAL OFFICERS. 
 
 Section 1. The mayor shall nominate, and, by and with the advice and 
 consent of the council, appoint all the town officers not ordered by this act 
 to be otherwise chosen. He shall be a conservator of the peace within the 
 
350 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 limits of said corporation; and it shall be liis duty to see that all the or- 
 dinances of the town are rigidly enforced. In case of riot or threatened 
 breach of peace, in presence of the mayor, it shall be his duty, immediately, 
 to arrest the offender or cause it to be done, in which case no warrant shall 
 be necessary, but he may summon the marshal, or such other persons as 
 may be there present, whose duty it shall be to assist the mayor in preserv- 
 ing the peace, and in arresting and securing offenders, and all such as pre- 
 vent the mayor or any of his assistants in the discharge of their duties. He 
 may remit fines and grant reprieves in any case arising under the town or- 
 dinances. He shall have exclusive original jurisdiction over all cases aris- 
 ing under this act, and over all cases arising under any ordinance of the 
 town, made in conformance to this act, subject, however, to an appeal or 
 certiorari in all cases above the sum of five dollars, to the Circuit Court of 
 Grundy county, and such appeal and certiorari shall be granted and taken 
 in the same manner as appeals are granted and taken from justices of the 
 peace in the Circuit Court. He shall have the same power to compel the 
 attendance of witnesses as justices of the peace now have. He shall be 
 ex officio justice of the peace within and for Trenton township, in Grundy 
 us|,y' county, and have the same jurisdiction in all cases, and, when sitting as 
 justice of the peace, be governed by the same laws; and transcripts from 
 his docket shall, in all cases, have the same effect and be entitled to the 
 same lien as transcripts from the docket of a justice of the peace. He may 
 issue his warrant and cause to be apprehended and brought to summary 
 trial all persons accused of violating any of the town ordinances; he shall 
 grant the accused the right to be tried by six competent jurors, who, if they 
 find him guilty, shall assess his tine according to the ordinances; and if any 
 person fined, as aforesaid, shall refuse to pay such fine, the mayor may send 
 him to jail or otherwise imprison him for a period not exceeding twenty 
 days. Fines, penalties and forfeitures may be recovered in a summary man- 
 ner, as aforesaid, or they may be recovered, by action of debt in the may- 
 or's court. He shall cause to be made out, at the end of each fiscal year, a 
 complete and detailed statement of all moneys received and expended, which 
 statement shall be published in sucli manner as the council shall direct. 
 
 Sec. 2. In case of a vacancy in the office of mayor, or of inability of 
 the mayor on account of absence, sickness or otherwise, to discharge the 
 duties and powers prescribed in section one of article four of this charter, 
 the same shall devolve on any member of the town council nntil such va- 
 cancy be filled, or inability removed. 
 
 Skc. 3. The mayor may be removed from office for any misdemeanor 
 by a vote of three-fourths of the councilmen. 
 
 Sec. 4. Tiiere shall be a clerk of the town council, a town treasurer 
 and assessor, a street commissioner, and a corporation attorney, who, in ad- 
 dition to the duties prescribed by this act, shall perform such other du- 
 
HISTORY OF CtEUNDY COUNTY. 351 
 
 ties as may be prescribed by ordinance. There shall be such other officers, 
 ag-ents and servants of the corporation as may be provided by ordinance, 
 who shall be appointed by the mayor, by and with the advice and consent 
 ot^ the councilmen, and who shall perform such duties and receive such 
 compensation as may be provided by ordinance; and all the appointed offi- 
 cers, before entering upon the discharge of their duties, shall take the same 
 oath as prescribed in this act for mayor, marshal and councilmen, and shall 
 be removable bj* the council at pleasure. 
 
 Sec. 5. It shall be the duty of tlie clerk of the council to keep a journal 
 of the proceedings of the council and to record in a separate book all the 
 ordinances and resolutions appropriating mone3^ He shall keep and pre- 
 serve, in his office, the common seal of the corporation, aud all records, pa- 
 pers and documents of the town not properly belonging to some other 
 office, and shall perform such other duties and receive such compensation 
 as may be fixed by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the treasurer to receive and receipt for 
 all moneys belonging to said town, and pay out the same on M-arrants 
 drawn by the mayor and attested by the clerk. 
 
 Sec. 7. The marshal, within the limits of the corporation, shall possess 
 the same powers, perform the same duties and receive the same fees and 
 compensation as the constable of Trenton township in Grundy county, for 
 similar services. He shall execute and return all process to him directed 
 and may serve criminal process and subpoena anywhere in Grundy county 
 for offenses committed within the limits of the corporation. He shall collect 
 all fines, forfeitures and penalties accniing to said town, and shall collect 
 all taxes levied in said town, and pay the same over to the town treasurer 
 and settle with the council as often as the couaeil may prescribe; and for 
 collecting taxes, and for services not above enumerated shall receive such 
 compensation as may be prescribed by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 8. The assessor shall perform such duties, and receive such compen- 
 sation as may be fixed by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 9. It shall be the duty of the corporation attorney to prosecute or 
 defend on behalf of the corporation in all suits instituted by ov against said 
 town; and if he have personal knowledge of the breach of any ordinance 
 or if he have satisfactory information by verbal statement or otherwise that 
 any of the ordinances of said town have been violated, it shall be his duty 
 to prepare a complaint, under his hand, against the accused, substantially 
 setting forth the offense complained of, and present the same to the mayor 
 who shall issue his warrant and cause the offender to be apprehended and 
 summarily tried, as hereinbefore specified; and in all such cases it shall be 
 his duty to prosecute to final judgment all suits instituted by him. In all 
 actions for breaches of ordinances, if the accused is found guilty, or if, in an 
 action in the mayor's court, judgment be rendered against the defendant, in 
 22 
 
352 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 addition to other costs of the proceedings, there shall be taxed against the 
 defendant a fee of two dollars and fifty cents as corporation attorne3''s fee; 
 and for all snch other services he shall receive snch compensation as may 
 be fixed by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 10. It shall be the duty of the street commissioner to superintend 
 iu executing all ordinances of said town for removing nuisances, for erecting 
 and repairing bridges, for opening and forming public squares, avenues, 
 drains and sewers, and for keeping the same clean and in order, and for 
 opening, cleaning, regulating, grading, paving or otherwise improving the 
 streets and alleys within said town, and shall receive such compensation as 
 shall be fixed by ordinance. 
 
 ARTICLE V or ELECTIONS. 
 
 Section 1. A general election for all officers of the corporation, required 
 to be elected by this act, shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first 
 Monday in September, 1873, and every two years thereafter, at such place in 
 said town as may be fixed by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 2. At all elections for town officers the voters shall vote by ballot. 
 
 Sec. 3. Three judges and two clerks shall be appointed by the town 
 council previous to each general or special election, who shall each take an 
 oath faithfully and impartially to discharge their duties. They shall open 
 the polls at nine o'clock in the morning, and keep them open until four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, when they shall proceed forthwith to ascertain and 
 certify the result of the election. 
 
 Sec. 4. If, on the day appointed for holding any town election, the judges 
 or clerks, or any of them, fail to attend, the electors may appoint judges or 
 clerks to hold such election,. 
 
 Sec. 5. All persons who are qualified to vote at State elections in this 
 State, and who shall have resided within the limits of said corporation three 
 months, shall be deemed qualified voters at all elections for town officers. 
 
 Sec. 6. Special elections to fill vacancies shall be held under such regu- 
 lations as may be provided by ordinance. 
 
 Sec. 7. AH officers elected or appointed under the provisions of this act 
 shall hold their offices until their successors shall be duly elected or appointed 
 and qualified according to law. 
 
 ARTICLE VI revenue. 
 
 Section 1. The town council shall have power by ordinance to prescribe 
 the form of assessment rolls, and prescribe the duties and define the powers 
 of the town assessor: Provided, That the town assessor shall have the same 
 power as State assessors. The council may also make such rules and give 
 such directions in relation to the revising, altering or adding to the rolls as 
 they maj' deem proper and expedient. 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 353 
 
 Sec. 2. The council shall have power and authority to levy and collect 
 upon all property, real and personal, taxable by law for State purposes, 
 within the limits of said town, and not by general law exempt from mu- 
 nicipal taxation, not exceeding one-half of one per centum per annum upon 
 the assessed value thereof, to defray the contingent and other expenses of 
 the town not herein otherwise provided for, which taxes shall constitute the 
 general fund. 
 
 Sec. 3. The council shall, each fiscal year, levy and cause to be collected 
 a tax on al! the real and personal property taxable by law for State pur- 
 poses, within the limits of said town, and not by general law exempt from 
 municipal taxation, sufficient for the payment of all interest and bonds for 
 the payment of which said town is liable during said fiscal year, which year 
 shall commence on the first day of April, and end on the thirty-first day of 
 March following; and said tax, when collected, shall be applied exclusively 
 to such payment and to no other. 
 
 Sec. 4. The council shall have power to levy and collect a poll-tax not 
 €xceeding one dollar and fifty cents for every year, upon all male persons, 
 residents of the town, over the age of twenty-one and under fifty years; and 
 such additional tax upon all taxable property within said town as they may 
 think proper, not exceeding one-half of one per cent, which poll and prop- 
 erty tax shall be appropriated to the improvement of the streets within the 
 limits of said town, and to no other purpose. All residents of the town 
 shall be exempt from working on public roads or highways beyond the 
 limits of the town, and from paying any tax on property within the town 
 for keeping the same in repair. The council shall also have power to levy 
 and collect a tax on dogs, not exceeding five dollars nor less than one dol- 
 lar for each year, whether male or female. 
 
 Sec. 5. Whenever it shall appear to the town council that a sidewalk 
 is needed for public convenience along any avenue or street, or whenever 
 the owners of a majority of the real estate fronting on any avenue, street or 
 block thereof, shall petition the town council to construct sidewalks along 
 the side or sides of such avenue, street or block thereof, the town council 
 shall order an assessment to be made of all property fronting on the avenue, 
 street or block along which the proposed walk is to be constructed, and 
 shall levy and collect a special tax, according to the extent of the respective 
 fronts sufficient to make the sidewalk ordered to be made or petitioned for, 
 which shall be applied to that purpose and no other: Provided, That the 
 council may permit any owner of property fronting on the proposed side- 
 walk to construct the same, under direction of the street commissioner, in 
 strict conformity in all respects with the remainder of the sidewalks on 
 such avenue, street or block. 
 
 Sec. 6. The general and special taxes, levied by the town on property 
 an conformity with the powers granted by this charter, shall constitute a 
 
354 HISTOKY OF GBDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 lien on the property against which they are levied until paid, and the town 
 council shall have power to cause real estate to be sold for delinquent taxes, 
 in such manner as they may provide by ordinance, and to cause to be exe- 
 cuted by the marshal, deed or deeds for lots or lands when sold for non-pay- 
 ment of taxes due the town; and such deeds, when executed, shall be 
 received in like manner and have the same force and effect as State tax- 
 deeds by the general laws of the State; and the council may provide for 
 the redemption- of lots or lands sold for non-payment of town taxes, in such 
 manner as shall not be inconsistent with the laws of this State, and may in 
 the same manner give power to the marshal to levy upon and sell any per- 
 sonal property delinquent for taxes. 
 
 ARTICLE VII — OF STREETS. 
 
 Section 1. When it shall be necessary to take private property for open- 
 ing, widening or altering any public street, avenue or alley the corporation 
 shall make a just compensation therefor to the person whose property is so- 
 taken, and if the amount of such compensation cannot be agreed upon, 
 the mayor shall cause the same to be assessed by a jury of six disinterested 
 freeholders of the town. 
 
 Sec. 2. "When the owners of all the property on the street, avenue or 
 alley, proposed to be opened, widened or altered, shall petition therefor, 
 the town council may open, widen or alter such street, avenue or alley, 
 upon conditions to be presented by ordinance, but no compensation shall in 
 such case be made to those whose property shall be taken for the opening, 
 widening or altering such street, avenue or alley, nor shall there be any as- 
 sessment for the benefit or damage that may accrue thereby to any of the 
 petitioners. 
 
 Sec. 3. All jurors impaneled to inquire into the amount of benefit or 
 damage which shall happen to the owner of property taken for opening, 
 widening or altering any street, avenue or alley, shall be first sworn to that 
 effect, and shall return to the mayor their verdict, in writing, signed by 
 each juror. 
 
 Sec. i. The mayor shall have power, for good cause shown, within ten 
 days after any verdict shall have been returned to him, as aforesaid, to set 
 the same aside and cause a new assessment to be made, which new assess- 
 ment shall be final. 
 
 Sec. 5. In assessing the amount of conipensation for property taken for 
 opening, widening or altering any street, avenue or alley, the jurors shall 
 take into consideration the benefit as well as the injury happening to any 
 person by such opening, widening or altering such street, avenue or alley. 
 
 Sec. 6. The council shall have the power, by ordinance, to direct andl 
 regulate the working and improving of all streets, avenues, alleys, sewers, 
 and drains in said town, and provide for the lighting and cleaning of the 
 streets, avenues and alleys. * 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 355 
 
 ARTICLE VIII — IvnSCELLANEOtJS PROVISIONS. 
 
 Section 1. The ordinances of said town, as revised under this charter, 
 ■which are of a general character, shall be published within six months after 
 the passage of this act; and it shall be the duty of the town council to cause 
 to be printed in pamphlet form, for distribution at the end of each munici- 
 pal year, all the ordinances passed during said year and then in force. 
 
 Sec. 2. All ordinances passed by the council of said town shall provide 
 for a single object only, which shall be clearly set forth in the title thereof. 
 
 Sec. 3. In pleading any oi'dinance of said town, or a right derived 
 ther§from, it shall be sufficient to refer to such ordinance by the title and 
 the day of its passage. 
 
 Sec. 4. All ordinances, regulations and resolutions now in force, and not 
 inconsistent with the provisions of this act, shall remain and be in full force 
 until altered, modified or repealed by the town council. 
 
 Sec. 5. This act is hereby declared to be a public act, and may be read 
 in evidence in all courts of law or equity in this State, without proof. 
 
 Sec. 6. The general assembly may, at any time, alter, amend or repeal 
 this charter. 
 
 Sec. 7. All acts or parts of acts heretofore passed inconsistent with this 
 act are hereby repealed. 
 
 Sec. 8. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its pa 
 sage. 
 
 Approved, March 9, 1872. 
 
 the plat of teenton. 
 
 Below will be found a verhatim coj^y of the original survey of the town 
 of Trenton, dated August 7, 1841. The document is yellow with age and 
 almost a total wreck. For years it was thrown around the court-house, 
 sometimes reposing on dusty shelves and at others stowed away in some 
 forgotten pigeon-hole or drawer. In a general cleaning up made in 1875, 
 the old relic was found, and filed for record just thirty-four yeai-s after it 
 was drawn up. It is indorsed : " Plat of the county seat of Grundy county"; 
 and further down appears: "Filed for record, August 20th, 1875. J. B. 
 Berry, recorder." The document reads: 
 
 " By order and under the directions of the commissioners appointed by 
 the legislature to locate the permanent county seat of Grundy county, I 
 precedes, after being duly qualified, to procession the land selected by said 
 commissioners; to-wit. Beginning at the half-mile corner stake, being the 
 northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section twenty"-, range twenty- 
 four and township sixty-one. Thence south 125 poles to a stake bearing s. 
 46, w. 17 links from a white oak and N. 67, w. 23 links fi-om a hickory. 
 Thence east 90 poles to a stake bearing n. 68, w. 21 links from a small white 
 
356 
 
 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 oak, also s. 23, e. 1 pole from a large white oak. Theuce north 2S poles to . 
 a stake, thence east 17 poles and i links to a stake. Thence north 97 poles 
 to a stake. Thence west 105 poles to the beginning. Containing eighty 
 acres. The fields notes of which survey is hirin reported to the County 
 Court of Grundy county. August 7, 1841. 
 
 '• (Signed), Geoege "W. Poage, Sur. 
 
 " Surveyors fees $6. dollars." 
 
 On the opposite page appears the following: 
 
 Merell 
 
 
 
 
 n; 
 
 
 
 
 r^ 
 
 
 64 
 
 
 : 
 
 
 ; 
 
 3 
 
 C : 
 
 -:i 
 
 
 
 — ' 
 
 
 
 16 ~ 
 
 S 
 3 
 
 
 : 90 P. 
 
 l._l 
 
 ■ ^ 
 
 
 
 
 "A plat of the county seat of Grundy county. Laid down on a scale of 
 fifty poles to the inch, with a verriation of 9^ digrees to the left of the nedle, 
 with the exception of the line B C which is laid ofli' with a verriation of 10 
 digrees to the left. 
 
 " The boundary A M L K, represents n. e. J of section 20, township 61 
 and range 24, out of which the county seat plat is taken. 
 
 " (Signed), Geoege W. Poage, Sur." 
 
 There are several incidents of the early days of Trenton,, and some claims 
 to be spoken of which cannot be admitted. Eev. Elijah Merrill is supposed 
 to have been the first preacher in Grundy county, and it is said he preached 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 357 
 
 in the log Baptist church which served as a place for holding court as well 
 as preaching. There are at least two who antedate the Rev. Mr. Merrill. 
 Miss Bernettie Moore was, and is supposed to be the first white child born 
 in Grundy county, and yet she was born in 18i0; we have mentioned one, 
 if not two who were born previous to that date. 
 
 Back to the above date, or a little earlier, Geo. W. Moberly opened the 
 first tailor shop in the town of Trenton, and also kept some fine spirits, 
 which were supposed to be very good. Some put this back to 1838. The 
 price was from eighteen to twenty-five cents per gallon. 
 
 The fii'st school was at the house of Levi ]\[oore and he employed James 
 Carson at fifteen dollars per month as teacher. This was not earlier than 
 1837; and 1838 has been mentioned as the date. This information came 
 from a son of Levi and Rachel Moore. 
 
 The first tavern, for there were very few hotels in those days, in Trenton 
 was kept by Jeremiah Snyder, in 1840. 
 
 After Lomax, Thrailkill, and others, John C. Grifiin opened a general 
 store in Trenton, in February, 1841. 
 
 Li 1842 Mr. Wm. Collier fixed up some seats in a building he had and 
 gave it free for a temporary place of worsliip. This was the next place of 
 worship to the old Baptist log church spoken of. Mr. Collier proved to be 
 one of the most public spirited men of that day, and pressed the work of 
 keeping up religious worship, and in 1848 a church was organized, and he 
 became an elder and deacon. Mr. William Collier was the first P. M. we 
 have any account of. 
 
 In 1850 an inn-keeper's license was granted to J. H. Cooper, and he 
 opened the Union Hotel on Water Street. The town of Trenton was incor- 
 porated that year, 1850, and the above license was the first issued that any 
 account can be found of. Tlie petition for the incorporation of the town has 
 not been found, nor the names of the petitioners, but the following refers to 
 it, and is the order of the County Court granting the same. It reads: 
 
 " March Term County Court, 1850. 
 " Daniel Wright and other citizens of Trenton presented a petition to the 
 court praying for an incorporation, the metes and bounds of which are laid 
 down on plat of said town, which petition was received and their prayer 
 granted. 
 
 \Tlie plat referred to is incorporated in the city charter. — Ed.] 
 
 " Ordered, That Dr. James Cooper, Jeremiah Snyder, Wm. Benson, Joseph Winters and D. 
 T. Wright, be and are hereby appointed trustees for the incorporation of said town of 
 Trenton." 
 
 Still, Trenton might be considered as slow of growth. What she gained, 
 however, was solid. The county itself was improving slowly in regard to 
 
358 HISTQET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 population. Quite a number of immigrants came in in 1850-51 and the town 
 orew, but onl}^ as the demands of the people of the county warranted. 
 
 A map of Trenton was authorized by the County Court June 5, 1855, and J. 
 H. Shanklin was the person named to get it up, the sum of fifteen dollars being 
 allowed by the court for the purpose, but at this time very little is known 
 of said map. 
 
 The completion of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Kailroad to Chillicothe in 
 February, 1858, was quite an era in the history of all this country. It was 
 a great benefit to Grundy county so far as it gave the people an outlet by 
 rail from that point. This was taken advantage of by the citizens, and 
 Chillicothe was made the focus of Grundy county trade when home mer- 
 chants failed to fill the bill. Undoubtedly Trenton would have grown and 
 prospered materially, and far more rapidly, if the break had not come in 
 the deadening etfects of the civil war. It was not only the time the war 
 continued that was lost, but it so demoralized everything that the popu- 
 lation of 1860 was little more than a natural healthy increase without im- 
 migration. Those years were dark and gloomy ones for Trenton, as it was 
 a period of gloom and despondency for tlie whole country. Organized 
 bands of thieves raided the whole country, and Trenton appointed a patrol 
 to guard the city at night from these migratory bands. The men were 
 allowed twenty-five cents an hour while in performance of tlieir duty. The 
 first organization of a patrol was in December, 1860, and was for the town- 
 ship. Jos. Kennedy was made captain and his men were Chas. G. Chand- 
 ler, Wm. Collier, Jr., John W. Rice, Alfred Blew. They patrolled three 
 hours each night. Jos. Kennedy declined to serve and so Reuben Shinn 
 took his place as captain and was engaged for one year. 
 
 IIEE PEOGEESS. 
 
 The progress of Trenton the next few years was marked by her struggle 
 for railway communication, and on the success of that project depended al- 
 most the life of the town. She began to make solid improvement and was 
 growing fast after it was ascertained that the Chicago & Southwestern Railway' 
 would really make Trenton a point. In 1869 buildings were put up to the 
 value of $65,707, and for a town of something less than a thousand people 
 showed wonderful j^rogress. Her energies, however, were far from being 
 exhausted, and the year 1870, though not quite as heavy building operation 
 went on, still the amount reached $56,735. Other business had also rapidly 
 improved and 1870 was one of general prosperity. 
 
 In 1871 Trenton was represented by the following business houses, which 
 shows a pretty good assortment. There were five drj^ good stores, three 
 drug stores, five family groceries, one hardware and agricultural implements, 
 two agricultural agencies, one furniture store, one hotel, three meat markets, 
 one lumber yard, four carpenter shops, three blacksmith shops, three wagon 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 359 
 
 makers, one tin and stove store, one harness shop, five boarding-houses, one 
 restaurant, one boot and shoe store, two milliners, three paint shops, two 
 livery stables, two barber shops, one tannery, three flouring-mills, one woolen 
 factory, one marble yard, one printing office, one seminary, two school- 
 houses, three churches, three land agents, one photograph galleiy, one bank, 
 one gunsmith, two jewelry stores, one tailor shop, six doctors, fifteen law- 
 yers, and insurance agents too numerous to mention. Each taxpayer had 
 personal propertj' to the value of $300 exempt from taxation. The popu- 
 lation had increased from 920 to 1,075, and tlie valuation of city property 
 was $214,685.75. The school building was finished, of which will be found 
 a description in the school history of Trenton. 
 
 THE MILK WAGON. 
 
 About this time Trenton took a new departure, put on city airs, and by 
 and with the consent of P. Y. Yakey came out with that article of a city's 
 prime necessity, a milk wagon. Mr. Yakey inaugurated this necessary re- 
 form, but the first time around his modesty got the better of his judgment 
 and he walked into the house of each customer and announced his presence 
 and his milk. All this, however, wore off, and in a few days Mr. Yakey 
 could give his little bell one of those sharp taps which bids a lazy customer 
 to hurry up, with the twang of an expert. This necessaiy luxury Mr. 
 Yakey was prepared to keep up winter and summer. Mr. Yakey started 
 on his first round of delivery November 30, 1870. 
 
 THE IRON HORSE AND JOY UNSPEAKABLE. 
 
 It was on June 24, 1871, that the citizens of Trenton were fully per- 
 suaded that the " year of jubilee" had come: their faith was the size of a 
 mountain in that belief, and there never was a people so tired as they were 
 that night and so supremely happy. They could talk and shout, that is the 
 few that were not already hoarse from undue exertion in that line, but they 
 could not sleep, and quite a number went down in the morning to see if the 
 thing had really staid all night. But to the feature of all this happiness. 
 
 CROSSING THE LINE. 
 
 On the morning of June 14th, 1871, at precisely nine o'clock in the morn- 
 ing the track laying of the Cliicago & Southwestern Kailroad crossed the 
 line of Mercer into Grundy county. On the morning of June 24tli, 1871, at 
 eleven o'clock, the first rail was laid within the corporate limits of Trenton, 
 and at three o'clock p. m. of the same day the last spike had been driven at 
 the depot. A vast crowd was gathered and ere the ring of the hammer had 
 ceased " three cheers and a tiger" rent the air, and Trenton was in railroad 
 communication with the outside world. A free ride to Tindall and return 
 was given those who wished to go on the construction train, the ])eople 
 
360 IIISTOEY OF 6EUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 returning that night in the iirm belief, that no matter what the future might 
 bring forth, Trenton's fate would be a happy one and her progress rapid. Of 
 this belief, tJie ])ast ten years have proven the truth and from a population of 
 920 she has one of qnite 4,000. 
 
 MACHINE-SHOPS. 
 
 Wliile their joy was great and their hopes high, there was still one more 
 event which they were very anxious should happen and if that were obtained 
 for Trenton then their cup of joy would not only be full but running over. 
 As the saying is, it never rains but it poursj or that one streak of luck brings 
 another, proved true in Trenton's case, and it was not long before the 
 grand prize was dropped into her arms. The machine works and repair 
 shops were located here. When that was decided, it was necessary that 
 some demonstration should be made to let off a little of the joy which was 
 too much to bear. A big meeting was called, the people cheered and 4th of 
 July oratory, real spread eagle style, was indulged in. Col. Shanklin, and 
 C. H. Manson, who was up from Ghillicothe, succeeded in doing the wind 
 work in a surprisingly graceful and popular manner. The people of Tren- 
 ton retired to their homes thrOughly convinced that they had won the stakes 
 and that there were no more worlds to conquer. 
 
 CLOSE OF 1871. 
 
 The lirst merchant tailor, that is, exclusively in the business, in Trenton, 
 was S. V. Sparling and he opened that year, 1871, and in March of the same 
 year E. F. Derick opened the first exclusively boot and shoe house. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 SOMETHING OF A BOOM. 
 
 Onward March. 1872 — First Fire-compani/ — Building Association — Brewery — Financial 
 — Crash — Railroad Business — Public Library — Gas Works — Hotels — Banks — Trentou 
 Silver Cornet Band — Passing Events — Prehistoric — Gala Day — Depot Burned — Tele- 
 graph — Trenton's. Business .Houses. 
 
 The Elmore House and other first-class buildings showed the energy and 
 enterprise of the Trentonians, and the year 1872 proved a boom in the build- 
 ing line. Trenton expended $101,000 that year to increase her residence 
 and business property. That was progress, and progress of that kind makes 
 history. 
 
 The business of Trenton in 1872 amounted to the handsome sum of $502,- 
 000. In excess of that the freight paid on shipments and receipts amounted 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 361 
 
 in the aggregate, to $80,000, and tlie niacliine-shops and departments showed 
 an expenditure the same year of $125,000. 
 
 There were fines assessed for the year 1S72 amounting to $560.50, and 
 the amount the city received from licenses, Irom saloons, billiards, circuses, 
 etc., reached the sum of $1,091.50. By order of the city council this last 
 sum was appropriated for the grading and repairing of the streets and side- 
 walks, and this history records the fact that it would be a great improve- 
 ment to the city of Trenton if more saloons were in full blast, if thereby the 
 sidewalks could be improved. In choosing between the evils of saloons and 
 the present condition of the sidewalks, all will favor the saloons. The side- 
 walks are simply execrable. 
 
 In August, 1873, the stave factorj' was started by J. M. Robertson and 
 J. JVT. Leedy, and it was for a while one of the institutions of the city. 
 
 The house known at that time as the Central Hotel, near the depot, was 
 opened in August, 1873, with D. S. Miller as proprietor. The house is 
 known at this date as the Trenton House. 
 
 The first fire-company was organized in Trenton April 2, 1873, with 
 thirty-eight members. The following oQicers were selected to take charge 
 of the company and look to an increase of membersliip: Foreman, Levi 
 Greer; first assistant, James Guerin; second assistant, George W. Smith; 
 secretary, Robert A. Collier; treasurer, J. W. Smith; and the name given 
 it was the " Trenton Fire King." In June of the same year the organiza- 
 tion had increased to sixty members on the roll, the limit being eighty. 
 
 AN ASSOCIATION. 
 
 One of those wild vagaries which always strike a growing town got a. 
 slight grip on Trenton in the year 1873. The town was growing and there 
 were many new projects started. They had secured a railroad, machine- 
 shops, even ])ut up a first-class hotel and started a national bank, and not 
 finding anything more of a practical nature and within the scope of their 
 financial resources, concluded to step outside of both, and tlie grand idea 
 culminated in the organization of a grand building association, with a modest 
 capital of only $600,000. To be sure the real and personal property of Trenton 
 had been assessed at just $445,467 tlie same year, bnt there was not a parti- 
 cle of doubt that the citizens, or rather the incorporation could, after taking- 
 in the city and its assets, secure the small sum remaining of $155,000. or 
 thereabouts, to make up their capital stock. It was a " big thing," and the 
 wealthiest men in the city were put in as directors to give the association a 
 handsome start. The idea was worthy of the genius of those who love to- 
 build air-castles, but to the plain, matter-of-fact business man, just where 
 the money was to come from, or where the profit would come in, was past 
 
363 HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 their judgment, and so they looked on and wondered at the magnificent 
 scheme, but kept their grip on their pocket-books. They took a just pride 
 in the fact that sucli a rich corporation ov association could be started, and 
 even the suggestion of such a scheme caused them to feel proud of their 
 leading citizens. Still they preferred to get rich by the sweat of their 
 brows, and the author of this liistory is sorry to record that the association 
 was a dead failure after six months of a not over healthy existence. The 
 following were the first and last directors of the association: W. B. Rogers, 
 E. O. Carscadin, Robert P. Carnes, C. R. Dudley, E. Reams, J. R. Rupp, 
 R. V. Young, George W. Smith, W. T. Beachem, John Tannehill, Joseph 
 McMullen, Solomon Stewart and J. M. Leedy. The capital stock, as before 
 stated, was $600,000, divided into 1,200 shares of $500 each. Directors 
 were to be elected annually, on the first Monday in May of each year. The 
 board of directors were to elect their own officers from the directory, which 
 would secure a close corporation. Those who couldn't pay all down for a 
 share could do so in weekly installments. Notwithstanding this last accom- 
 modation the scheme failed, and in November, 1873, the most magnificent 
 project ever offered to the citizens of Trenton " passed in its checks." 
 
 BEEWEEIES. 
 
 In the winter of 1873-74 a brewery was built just outside the city limits 
 on the banks of the Grand River, not far from the river bridge, and on the 
 corner of what is known as the Gilham farm. The building was in size 
 forty b}' eighty feet, the machinery' was received December 12, 1873, and.it 
 commenced operation as soon as it could be arranged. Its proprietors were 
 Messrs. Bauer, Kraner & Schaub, and they were from Ottumwa, Iowa. 
 Mr. Schaub took the active management of the business, and for a year suc- 
 ceeded very well ; but the business seemed to decline after that and he lost 
 all he had, and what his partners put in thej' lost. The brewery burned 
 down in the fall of 1876, and the ground fell into the hands of the Shank- 
 lin & Austin Bank. The unfortunate termination of this business venture 
 made it the last as well as the first brewery in Trenton. 
 
 FINANCIAL CEASH. 
 
 The crash of 1873 and 1874, which swept thousands of business men into 
 bankruptcy and ruin, and brought other thousands to the verge of starva- 
 tion, passed Trenton with scarcely a breath of its destroying force. What 
 proved in some parts of the county a simoon, carrying poison in its breath, 
 and wilting all that came in its path, passed Trenton as mildly as a zephyr. 
 
 Buildings continued to go up, business pi'ospered and the growth of the 
 town kept pace with its business. The coal mines and tlie machine-shops 
 came to the front, and with the money they distributed monthly kept stag- 
 nation away from the doors of its citizens. All around was the crash felt. 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. dOd. 
 
 Cliillicothe felt its poisonous fangs sink deep into its business vitals, and she 
 lies to-day a wreck, scarcely a hundred more in population than a decade ago, 
 and the value of property far below its former price. Trenton was growing 
 and it has continued to grow, and in tliis year 1881 nearly rivals in popu- 
 lation and wealth her sister city, Chillicothe, while a decade since she 
 had but one-fourth of her population. This is the age of progress, and the 
 city or the man that waits for something to turn up, is destined to be badly 
 left in the race for wealth — wealth that is so necessary to build a town or 
 secure a home. Trenton continued to move forward, adding to the area of 
 her boundary, building business houses and residences, and making sure by 
 active work that her progress sliould not be impeded or her future become 
 less promising. 
 
 In 1875 the demand for new buildings continued, and it was seen that a 
 more extensive building arrangement would have to be made than at first 
 contemplated. Many new-comers found rents high while man}' more were 
 forced to board, because vacant hoiises could not be found. "With this de- 
 mand on its hands, Trenton put forth her exertions and by January 1st, 1876, 
 had put up buildings to the value of $71,850. That was what the year 1875 
 brouglit and it added wonderfully to tlie growth of the city. 
 
 The railroad property was assessed at $98,246.51 within the city limits 
 of Trenton. There were paid out for telegraphic dispatches by the citizens 
 of Trenton for the year 1875, $1,551.75, and right on top of that light- 
 ning business a " silver cornet band" was organized, but it died, and those 
 living in the neighborhood where they practiced uttered thanks and sang 
 pseans of joy. 
 
 December, 1875, had the honor of inaugurating street lamps, and one 
 here and there can be found at this day. 
 
 A. cold blooded murder was committed on the 15th day of October, 1875, 
 by a rough, named Dick Mitchell, and the victim of the shooting and of 
 his brutal revenge, was a Mrs. Jane Sayers, alias Fitzgerald, a courtesan. 
 
 BATLEOAD BUSINESS. 
 
 The railroad business of Trenton, for 1875, amounted to 452 ear loads 
 shipped, and the sum of $35,722.07 was taken in on freight received, and 
 on shipment the amount was $33,911.24. In the passenger department 
 tickets to the amount of $12,349.20 were sold during the year. 
 
 The amount of money paid out for labor, which included all making their 
 home or stopping at Trenton, the machine-shop workmen, engineers, etc., 
 was $93,806. 
 
 There were used by the engines and shops at Trenton 13,360,000 pounds 
 of coal the same year. There were also used at this point 13,396 gallons of 
 oil, and 19,116 pounds of waste. 
 
 FerhajDS future generations could have no better idea of what the soil of 
 
364 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Grundy produces, the variety of her productions, and her stock-raising bus- 
 iness, than to give tlie contents of those 452 cars. Here it is: 
 
 CAR LOADS SHIPPED. 
 
 Horses and mules 4 Cattle 61 
 
 Hogs 149 Sheep 11 
 
 Wheat 35 Oats 65 
 
 Eye 31 Corn 10 
 
 Seed, grass and hay 23 A])ples 6 
 
 Potatoes 2 Lumber 21 
 
 Staves and heading 11 Hoop-poles 15 
 
 Wool 8 
 
 Total car loads 452 
 
 PUBLIC LIBEAEY. 
 
 An attempt was made January 4, 1876, to establish a public library in 
 Trenton, and a meeting of gentlemen took place at the office of Luther 
 Collier. A committee was appointed to seek subscriptions of membership, 
 which was placed at five dollars. Another committee was appointed to 
 draft a constitution and by-laws, and after some talk, and further matters 
 considered, the meeting adjourned to meet at the same place in one week, 
 January 15th. It never met, if it did it is not recorded in the papers of 
 that day, or by any other sign, that a library association was ever one of 
 the institutions of Trenton. Yet good men attended that meeting, men 
 of attainment and public spirit, but they were too few, and they are 
 still too few for Trenton's good. However, this attempt was undoubtedly 
 the starting which gave to Trenton her public school library, which was 
 secured the following year. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 The fourth of July, 1876, and the centennial day of our national exist- 
 ence came along, and while all the people could not attend the Philadelphia 
 Exposition and see the wonders of man's genius from all parts of the globe, 
 they could come to Trenton and enjoy themselves, and air their patriotism, 
 which was just as strong and enduring as if the^^ had exhibited it in the 
 halls of the World's Exposition. It was the biggest " fourth of July " ever 
 seen in Trenton. The day was splendid, and the celebration was carried on 
 in a magnificent maimer. It wasn't exactly a centennial for old Grundy, 
 but she put in four decades of life and celebrated it by one of the most 
 attractive features of the day, and that was a short but very interesting his- 
 toiy of Grundy county, from its first white settlement to that day, by Geo. 
 H. Hubbell, and added to that was a centennial poem, read by its author. 
 Dr. Cole. These were productions of high merit, and both the gen- 
 tlemen were handsomely complimented by the large concourse of people, 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 365 
 
 for the rich literary treat given them. This, with fireworks, ended the cen- 
 tennial fourth in Trenton, and it will be to those who were there to enjoy 
 it, the " fonrth of July " of their history and remembrance. 
 
 GAS WORKS. 
 
 A proposition was made the same A^ear to the city of Trenton, to build 
 gas works. The city council met, discussed the merit of the proposal, and 
 concluded to accept it. The party or parties were notified that while Tren- 
 ton boasted a supply of the article manufactured from wind by some of her 
 best legal and oratorical lights, that it was a poor quality for illuminatino- 
 purposes, so to speak, and that coal gas for lighting the streets would be 
 preferable, and their proposition was accepted. Just what scared the ^^er- 
 sons who made the projjosition was not known, but they were not heard of 
 afterward, and Trenton still glories in her street lamps, and the illumination 
 of coal oil. 
 
 Of course it is not known whether the people of one generation are like 
 another, but while the following may not be exactly history, yet future gen- 
 erations, who may happen to have the style of people mentioned below, 
 will know they bloomed and flourished in earlier days, and that tliis class of 
 people, like history, repeat themselves. 
 
 The editor of the Trenton Republican was constrained to publish August 
 2, 1874, the following from personal observation : 
 
 " It is remarkable to see how easy it is for some men to raise money to ' 
 hire a horse and buggy to go out and see a foot-race, who never have a nickel 
 to give to tlie Sunday-school or church." 
 
 Undoubtedly it is somewhat remarkable, while it is a solemn fact, yet 
 such is life, and Grundy county and the city of Trenton probably have their 
 full share, and liistory will so record it. 
 
 In December, 1871, the night of the 16th, a meeting was held to inaugu- 
 rate the building of a first-class hotel. Mr. J. M. Eoberts, of Centerville, 
 Iowa, was present, and ofiered to take from $8,000 to $10,000 worth of 
 stock in a building of that kind. A committee was appointed to solicit 
 siibscriptions, but tlie project fell through. The matter, however, was not 
 allowed to die out, and in June, 1872, the plan for the Elmore House was 
 accepted, and the work begiin. The house was to be of brick, three stories 
 high, 70x100 feet, and substantially built. The owners were Spitler, Her- 
 ring & Elmore, the house being named after the latter gentleman. It was 
 finished in 1873, and met with varying success, changing hands several 
 times in the matter of landlords, until June 1, 1878, when it was leased bv 
 L. D. Baily, of the Baily Brothers, the popular dry goods merchants of 
 Trenton, and since that day the house has continued to grow in popularity. 
 
366 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 The ""' Elmore House," nnder its present able management, has achieved a 
 wide-spread reputation as a first-class hotel, and Mine Host " Baily," has 
 proven himself a prince among landlords. 
 
 AMERICAN HOTEL. 
 
 In April, 1877, Mr. J. Meloney, who owned the property, gave out a con- 
 tract to btiild a hotel on "Water Street, near the Chicago, Eock Island & 
 Pacific depot, and the contract was taken by Mr. C. Hall. Mr. Meloney 
 and his father-in-law, who was with him, came from Washington, Washing- 
 ton county, Iowa. Mr. Hall finished his work, and announced August 1st 
 that the building was completed. It was named the " American House," 
 and Mr. Meloney took charge as landlord and j^roprietor. The house had 
 cost rather more than contemplated, and beyond Mr. Meloney's financial 
 ability to meet, and he gave up the property and returned to Iowa. The 
 property is owned by Mr. Milton Crow, and he leased the house to Mr. 
 Thomas B. Plarber soon after. The hotel has sustained a well merited 
 reputation, is quite a favorite with the traveling public, and Mr. Harber has 
 realized a handsome competency by his successful management. In July 
 quite an addition was added to accommodate an increased patronage. 
 
 OHMART HOUSE.. 
 
 This well-known hostelry is the oldest of the trio which find their loca- 
 cation near the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. It 
 was built in 1860, by the Patterson Brothers, who, also, became the land- 
 lords and held sway for some eighteen months. At the end of that time 
 they traded the house to Mr. Ohmart who assumed its management at once 
 and gave it his name. The house has held a very steady run of customers, 
 is known far and wide among the traveling public and has been the source 
 of a steady and remunerative patronage to its proprietors. It is still owned 
 and under the management of Mr. Ohmart. The Patterson Brothers came- 
 from Ohio; one is dead, the other is a resident of the State of Iowa. 
 
 UNION HOUSE. 
 
 This is one of the oldest hotels of Trenton, and has always received a 
 fair and steady run of custom. The house was built in 1871 by Jas. G-. 
 Benson, who conducted the same until the fall of 1878. He died November 
 22d of that year and since that time his widow has taken charge of the 
 house and been successful in its managment. 
 
 CLOUDAS HOUSE. 
 
 This is the oldest hotel in Trenton, a frame building built in the old- 
 fashioned style, low ceilings and windows with 7x9 and 8x10 glass. The 
 house was erected in 1844, and the corner upon which it stands was, wlien 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 369 
 
 the hotel was built, about the center of the town or the business portion 
 thereof. It is now on what might be considered the west end and be called 
 a rural and out of the way corner. In its long career it has seen manj' 
 strange customers within its walls, and it has had many landlords to welcome 
 its guests. It has had its name changed several times and it is now named 
 as at the head of this article, Mr. Milton Clotidas having kept the house a 
 couple of years. Its landlord is now Kobt. McAfee a genial host and pleas- 
 ant gentleman. 
 
 TRENTON HOUSE. 
 
 This house was built in 1874, by D. S Miller, and was kept by him for a 
 short time. He sold to Ed. Landers who in turn sold to O. G. Newton, present 
 proprietor, who took possession September 20, 1877. In the spring of 1878 
 he added nineteen rooms to the building and it is now, with the exception 
 of the Elmore House, the largest hotel in the city. At the time it was pur- 
 chased by Mr. Newton the house was kept by James Corett. The house is 
 located near the Chicago, Kock Island & Pacific Railroad depot and is re- 
 ceiving a fair share of the patronage of the traveling public. 
 
 THE NATIONAL. 
 
 This hotel was opened in the fall of 1875 by Messrs. Colley and Wilson, 
 who continued as proprietors until 1870 when the partnership was dissolved 
 by the death of Mr. Colley, the father-in-law as well as the partner of Mr. 
 Wilson. The latter still continues its management. 
 
 PACIFIC. 
 
 It was in 1873 that this honse was first opened as a traveler's inn to the 
 public, and was then the property of O. G. Newton, now of the Trenton 
 House, who added six. new rooms and continued its proprietor until 1877, 
 when he sold it to Mr. Edward Landers, the mother of the latter gentleman 
 assuming the proprietorship of the property. It is now conducted by Mr. 
 N. A. Phillips, who is making it a pleasant home for travelers. 
 
 BANKS. 
 
 The First National Bank of Trenton was organized January 23, 1872 with 
 a capital stock of $50,000. The stockholders' names and amount taken b^^ 
 each is as follows : 
 
 Wm. Bradley $ 26,000 
 
 Eobt. P. Carnes 8,000 
 
 Geo. W. Moberly 8,000 
 
 Jas. B. Carnes 2,000 
 
 James Austin 1 OOO 
 
 A. D. Mullin ijooo 
 
 Stephen Peery , . 1,000 
 
 Henry Wharton 1,000 
 
 J. H. Foulks 1,000 
 
 J. A. Webster .' 1 ooO 
 
 2.3 ' 
 
370 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Bradley was made president, Geo. W. Mol^erly vice-president, and Robt. 
 P. Carnes, cashier. It continued business until the summer of 1876, when 
 it gave up its charter and turned its business over to the Union Bank as its 
 successor. The last statement of its assets and liabilities M'as given May 12, 
 1876 and is as follows. 
 
 EESOUECES. 
 
 Loans and discounts $ 91,737.50 
 
 Overdrafts 1,285.21 
 
 U. S. bonds to secure circulation 50,000.00 
 
 Other stocks, bonds and mortgages 4,348.93 
 
 Due from approved reserve agents 33,003.57 
 
 Real estate, furniture and fixtures 2,039.26 
 
 Current expenses and taxes paid 1,201.68 
 
 Premiums paid 4,029.85 
 
 Checks and other cash items 3,455.61 
 
 Bills of other national banks 5,554.00 
 
 Fractional currency (including nickels) 22.10 
 
 Specie (including gold treasury notes) 444.70 
 
 Legal tender notes 6,000.00 
 
 Redemption fund with U. S. treasurer (5 per cent of cii'culation). 2,250.00 
 
 Total $205,375.41 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital stock paid in $ 50,000.00 
 
 Surplus fund : 37,932.13 
 
 Other undivided profits 6,677.46 
 
 National bank notes outstanding 45,000.00 
 
 Individual deposits subject to check 36,697.86 
 
 Demand certificates of deposits 17,067.96 
 
 Time certificates of deposit 12,000.00 
 
 Total $205,375.41 
 
 UNION BANK. 
 
 The closing up of the First National Bank of Trenton brought into ex- 
 istence the Union Bank, the president of the bank, Mr. Bradley, drawing 
 ,ing out his interest and returning to Iowa. The Union Bank, on its organ- 
 ization, elected George W. Moberly, vice-president of the First National, 
 to the ofiice of president, and Mr. George Gilraore, the late cashier, to the 
 same position in the new bank. These gentlemen are still, in 1881, respect- 
 ively the president and cashier of the Union Bank. The resources and lia- 
 bilities of the bank on the first of January, 1881, are found in the following 
 sworn statement of its ofiicers: 
 
niSTOEY OF GETJNDY COTJNTT. 371 
 
 EESOUllCES. 
 
 Loans undoubtedly good on personal or collateral security $28,118.70 
 
 Loans and discounts undoubtedly good on real estate security. . . 4,474.80 
 
 Overdrafts by solvent customers 526.81 
 
 United States bonds on hand 2,500.00 
 
 Due from other banks, good on sight draft 29,167.85 
 
 Eeal estate at present cash market value 495.00 
 
 Furniture and fixtures 1,915.21 
 
 Checks and other cash items 272.00 
 
 Bills of national banks and and legal tender U. S. notes 11,700.00 
 
 Gold coin 500.00 
 
 Silver and other fractional coin and currency 1,173.83 
 
 Total $80,844.20 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital stock paid in $30,000.00 
 
 Surplus funds on hand 475.05 
 
 Deposits subject to draft — at sight 50,369.15 
 
 Total $80,844.20 
 
 SHANKLIN & AUSTIN BANK. 
 
 This is the pioneer bank of Trenton, and holds an enviable position in 
 banking circles as well as at home. The bank was started under the State 
 banking laws in the year 1869, Col. J. H,. Shanklin, a native of Virginia, as- 
 suming the role of president, and his partner, James Austin, that of cashier. 
 This banking house has been uniformly successful, and is still a sort of a 
 family institution, one son of each of the proprietors holding responsible po- 
 sitions with credit, with the careful supervision of Mr. James Austin at the 
 helm. 
 
 The resources and liabilities were as stated below on the first of January 
 last: 
 
 EESOUECES. 
 
 Loans undoubtedly good on personal or collateral security $ 46,027.25 
 
 Loans and discounts undoubtedly good on real estate security. . 22,649.48 
 
 Overdrafts by solvent customers 28,795.90 
 
 Other bonds and stock at their present cash market price 5,100.00 
 
 Due from other banks, good on sight draft 31,842.33 
 
 Furniture and fixtures 1,000.00 
 
 Checks and other cash items 3,328.39 
 
 Bills of national banks and legal tender U. S. notes 12,508.00 
 
 Gold coin 1,179.00 
 
 Silver and other fractional coin and currency 813.37 
 
 Total $153,244.22 
 
372 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 LIABILITIES. 
 
 Capital stock paid in '$ 10,000.00 
 
 Surplus funds on hand 1,090.29 
 
 Deposits subject to drafts— at sight 129,286.72 
 
 Deposits subject to drafts at given dates 12,867.21 
 
 Total $1 53,244.22 
 
 These banks, like a majority of corporations, believe in a light assessed 
 valuation when the taxes are rather heavy, and it is found of record that 
 on April 10th, 1879, J. H. Crowder, assessor, files notice that the valuation 
 of $14,500 for the Shanklin & Austin Bank, as given in by them, vras not 
 correct, and the same was raised to $45,459, upon which they were com- 
 pelled to pay taxes. The same assessor reports the Union Bank, on the 17th 
 of April, as following the example of the first named, and tlie board of 
 equalization promptly raised their assessment to $43,868. Since that time 
 real values and assessments have kept closer company in the history of bank 
 taxation. 
 
 TEENTON SILVER COENET BAND. 
 
 In January, 1878, all other bands having ceased to exist, another was 
 launched upon the rhythmic sea of melody. The new organization was 
 named the "Trenton Silver Cornet Band," and owing to the failure of 
 many others, the editor of the BejnMican advised the " boys " " to stick 
 like a Democrat to his politics." Jhe advice was good. The " boys " fol- 
 lowed it, and the band has proven a grand success. The following gen- 
 tlemen compose the membership: Walter Shanklin, Chauncey Hall, Lo- 
 renzo E-ace, Wm. Thomas, Ory Davis, John Conrads, Samuel Ohmart^ 
 Henry Comer, U. S. Hall, Wm. Thomas, Frank Hoft'man, Good- 
 lander, L. Crowder, Wm. DeBolt. 
 
 The band has paid all its own expenses, purchased its own instruments, 
 and dress suits, besides giving $150 to the railroad bonus and still have 
 money in their treasury. They are good musicians. 
 
 It has been thought worthy of record, as the dry weather has caused all 
 vegetables to be very scarce in this year 1881, and the prices high, that in 
 June 28th, 1878, new potatoes in tlie Trenton market sold for 25 cents per 
 bushel, August 1881, one dollar per bushel. 
 
 The Catholics purchased, in Oct., 1878, six acres of ground for their cem- 
 etery from Daniel Metcalf, on the sloping banks of Grand River, southeast 
 of the city just outside the limits. 
 
 The citiiiens of Trenton had cause to express their sorrow and sympa- 
 thy this year in the death of an old and esteemed citizen, Mr. Jesse Boyce, 
 who departed this life July 11th, 1878. And some two months later, 
 Sept. 14th, 1878, the body of W. W. Gordon was found on tlie Chicago, 
 
niSTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 373 
 
 Eock Island & Pacific Railroad track just north of the town with his head 
 severed from his body. Foul play was suspected, but nothing was dis- 
 covered, if a murder had been committed. 
 
 There were shipped from the Trenton depot fifty-four cars of loaded stock 
 and grain in tlie month of December. 1879. 
 
 The shijiinent for the first six months of 1880 reached the number of three 
 hundred and six car loads. 
 
 It was soon after the Glendale train robbery, near Kansas City, that a 
 few venturesome spirits started to Kansas City on a business and pleasure 
 tour combined, but the train robbery and the perils of travel caused the 
 editor of the Grundy county Times to ofter up the following prayer for their 
 safety: "May a merciful Providence guard their footsteps, and return 
 them safely to a loving community." It is well to add that the gentlemen 
 not only escaped the perils of railway tras-el, but the dangers of seeing Kan- 
 sas City by gaslight as well. 
 
 The author has read of a couple of incidents which may as well be men- 
 tioned here. The editor of the Trenton Republican is responsible for their 
 trutlifulness, as they were found in his valuable paper. One shows that the 
 economy which so long held possession of the County Court was not entirely 
 monopolized by them, and the other the care in which they guarded the 
 morals of their public servants. The economist is thus reported: "A rusty 
 looking agriculturalist entered our ofiice recently, and, after looking around 
 earnestly long enough to excite our curiosity, and to elicit an inquiry as to 
 his business, our rustic friend replied: 'It was nothing much, but I left a 
 large cucumber here in tbe fall for a notice, and thought as how I was in 
 town I might run in and get it if you was through with it.' " Whether Col. 
 Rogers returned the cucumber or paid him for it was not mentioned. 
 
 "Does our town grow?" was the question asked, and the editor goes on to 
 prove it as follows: 
 
 "Bob, Collier, county treasurer, went to Jefferson City, and, returning 
 after a few weeks' absence, ariived in Trenton at night, and the town had 
 grown so that it took the second attempt before he could find his home." 
 . Without waiting to give the reader time to get over the astonishment of 
 such a rapid growth, the editor publishes the sequel in this shape: "The 
 County Court, which granted licenses a few weeks ago, revoked them 
 all this week." 
 
 It would seem the County Court took a queer view of "Bob's" reported 
 growth of the town, and didn't propose to take the consequence of Bob's 
 seeing double. This removing temptation from the path of adults is to be 
 commended, and future County Courts have here a precedent thej^ can fol- 
 low without sin. 
 
 On March 30, 1880, Mr. J. B. Crouch, an estimable man and citizen, a 
 brakeman on the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific Eailroad, fell from the 
 
374 HISTQEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 train while " brakinijj," from a sudden jar, and, falling under tlie cars, M'as 
 killed. 
 
 The city conncil. in March, 1880, concluded to abolish the backwoods signs 
 so prominently displayed all over the city in shape of what they called awn- 
 ings, but of every imaginable description, and an eye-sore to the good looks 
 of the town. The ordinance was passed, and in twenty -four hours about one 
 thousand d-oUars' worth of lumber and disfiguration of the city were removed. 
 There was some objection from those who really had a respectable shade, 
 but they were so few that they were compelled to suffer with the many. 
 The regret was short, as the looks of the town were so changed for the better 
 that pride at once came to the relief of the pocket, and Trenton can now be 
 called a handsome and pleasant little city. 
 
 The city government rented one cell in the county jail for one year front 
 the county for $50; it was afraid that the "most accomplished offenders" 
 might attempt to leave the not over strongly built lodging-rooms belonging 
 to the city. 
 
 The year 1880 closed a very prosperous one for the city as well as the 
 county. Quite a number of new buildings had been erected, the town was 
 spreading and rapidly filling her waste places, and the near advent of the 
 Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad to Trenton inspired all with bright 
 hopes of a prosperous year. 
 
 What has trailspired during the past eight months worthy of historical 
 record will be found in the following pages, and they have proven eight 
 months of very important history to this country, of which Grundy county 
 as a part has felt a deep interest. From January 1, 1881, to September 1, 
 1881, will close this volume, replete with many important facts, but none 
 that will remain longer in the records of the past or future than that which 
 has transpired, so far, in the eventful year of 1881. 
 
 PEKHISTOEIC. 
 
 There had been a wish for some time expressed by the savants of Trentom 
 to look at the interior of several mounds which lay some two miles from 
 the city, and see if they could not find some relic of a prehistoric age. 
 There were quite a number of periods which had marked of the world's pro- 
 gress, and with the tertiary age, the triassic period and the carboniferous 
 period, etc., they proposed to get some knowledge which would, perhaps, 
 enlighten the world, or its living population. Just what they succeeded in 
 finding out may be gathered from the Trenton Times, with the further 
 remark that no more manual labor was performed in search of ancient relics, 
 or of sandstone or rock formation, which might refer to a period beyond 
 the present information of man. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 375 
 
 THE EESUERECTION DAY. 
 
 " The day of resurrection has come — to the bones in the mounds on the 
 bluff across the river. A party of men, with spades and other implements 
 used in digging, made an excavation in one of the mounds one day last 
 week and succeeded in unearthing several basketfuls of bones in different 
 states of preservation. Then, on last Sunday, another party labored to 
 unearth some, and succeeded in finding some ornaments and pretty pieces 
 of pottery. The mounds in which tliese bones were found are about two 
 miles nortliwest of town, on a bluff overlooking the river. Tlie indications 
 are tliat the bodies have lain thei-e, in layers on each other, and all at one 
 time, as though there had been a massacre .or a battle, in which many met 
 death together. Tlie mound whicli was digged into is about thirty by sixty 
 feet, and there are smaller ones near by. On each of tliese mounds are 
 growing large trees, and the relics found indicate that they were made by a 
 race of people who were more skilled in the arts than tlie American 
 Indians." 
 
 On Monday morning, June 27. about daylight, a fierce wind-storm arose, 
 accompanied by some rain, which caused quite a commotion in the citj', 
 from the fact that numerous cyclones had been reported in the State and 
 various sections of the country. The gale tore off the tin roof of Stein's 
 stoi'e, quite a number of awnings took wing, and the old Presbyterian 
 church was struck by lightning; but, with the exception of demolishing a 
 chimney, no great damage was done. The agricultural warehouse of O. D. 
 Smith had one end blown out, and an unoccupied house was lifted from its 
 foundation and partly turned around. While other sections of the State, 
 and Kansas, had severely suffered, Trenton escaped with the above slight 
 casualties. 
 
 A GALA. DAY. 
 
 The long looked for Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railway, due at Trenton 
 July 1, 1881, by twelve o'clock, midnight, arrived about sundown. The 
 force of tracklayers had worked incessantly for some days, a double force 
 being necessary to accomplish the work on time, and so they had pushed it 
 night and day. They were greeted on their arrival by full 2,000 people, 
 and with their shouts and the incessant scream of five steam whistles, which 
 awoke the echoes far and wide, attested to the ears of the people for miles 
 around the fact that the completion of the above railroad within the 
 limits of the city of Trenton was an accomplished fact. While the citizens 
 rejoiced, there was no less rejoicing on the part of the railroad comj^any, for 
 the time specified to arrive here having been accomplished, they were 
 entitled to a private subscription of f40,000, which was given them as a 
 
376 HISTOKY OF GECJNDY COUNTY. 
 
 bonus. The last spike was driven at 7:15 o'clock in the evening, and five 
 engines were on the track, ready to close up to the elegant depot, already 
 completed. A coach, con-veyiug the officers of the road from Quincy, was 
 in the rear and was switched oft" on a side-track. "When the almost 
 unearthly scream of the whistles ceased, and the immense crowd had become 
 quiet. Dr. Horton stepped to the front and made a short sj^eech of welcome, 
 which was responded to by Hon. W. G. Ewing, a lawyer of Quincy, in 
 behalf of the company. Mr. Ewing praised the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific 
 company, the Wabash company, and the people of Trenton, }'eferring among 
 other things, to the band, which had given $150 of its funds to aid in 
 securing the road. After the speaking was over the company rolled out 
 twenty kegs of beer to the hands, who had worked so hard to get through. 
 
 Trenton now is a town with two of the best managed railroads in the West 
 crossing hei'e. She has direct comiection with all principal points east and 
 west by competing lines of transportation. Trenton and the people of the 
 county paid over $40,000 for this competition, but they never made a 
 better investment. It will be paid, and that Avillingly. And thus ended 
 the reception of the second railroad by the city of Trenton. 
 
 • DEPOT BUENT. 
 
 On the night of August 24th the people were aroused by the cry of fire, 
 which proved to "be the depot of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail- 
 road, at Trenton, a frame structure which was consumed vpith its contents. 
 Some five hundred dollars' worth of freight in the building, their books, 
 a supply of new tickets just received, and the railroad supplies in the supply 
 building were destroyed. There was also one box and one platform car 
 partly loaded with lumber partially destroyed. The loss aggregated $3,000. 
 The fire caught in the lamp-room at about 1 o'clock a. m. on the morning 
 of the 25th of August, 1S81. 
 
 The new depot to be constructed in its place will probably be a handsome 
 and substantial brick building, larger and better arranged for the increased 
 business now doing. The old building was much too small. The Oiimart 
 House was saved from the flames with difiiculty. 
 
 The business of 1881, to July 1st, over the last six months of 1880, was 
 fully 15 per cent. The books being destroyed, the exact amount of business 
 done could not be ascertained, but the books wlien balanced July 1st. showed 
 the above increase in a comparison of the aggregate amounts. W. M. Max- 
 well, from whom we have the above, has been the acceptable agent of the 
 company and very satisfactory to the people for the past four years. 
 
 TELEGRAPH. 
 
 The telegraph business now reaches the sum of $200 per month, an in- 
 crease of about $60 per month average over that of 1880, and the business 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNliy COUMTY. 377 
 
 Steadily increasing. The chief operator is T. B. Cook; train dispatcher, 
 J. Fleming, and night operators, M. L. Pai'ker and J. C. Kibbey. 
 
 Trenton's business. 
 
 From the iirst settlement of Treuton up to the year 1868 the business of 
 the town concentrated on Water Street, west, or rather southwest of and 
 opposite the court-honse. The probable location of the Chicago, Rock 
 Island & Pacific depot on the east side of the town gave a tendency to 
 build that way, and business houses gradually pushed their way eastward. 
 In 1871 the four corners east of the court-house were then about the center 
 of the business of the town, but from that day the "West End" has been 
 entirely deserted by the leading business houses, and the business center of 
 the town will probably remain in and around what is called the "Five 
 Corners." It will branch out on Elm Street more extensively, and should 
 the town secure the machine-shops of the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Rail- 
 road Company, Elm to Prospect streets will, with the Five Corners, do the 
 business of the town. One block moi-e on Water Street toward the depot, 
 and perhaps on Prospect Street in the same direction, might also be used 
 for business purposes. The location of the depot of the Quincy, Missouri & 
 Pacific Railroad settles the question as to the resident population, and it 
 will be north and northeast of the State line road. 
 
 KINDS OF BUSINESS. 
 
 The following list comprises the number and kinds of business being 
 transacted in Trenton on the first day of September, 1881: Eight dry goods 
 two clothing, seven drug and four millinery stores, one book and news store, 
 one music, one jewelry, one boot and shoe, and three hardware and stove 
 stores, one agricultural and seed store, one bazaar, "St. Elmo," seventeen 
 grocery stores, two furniture, two musical instrument, and two saddle and 
 harness stores, four sewing machine agencies, two merchant tailor establish- 
 ments, two wagon manufactories, two marble yards, two grain dealers, two 
 photographers, two lumber yards, one second-hand store, two undertakers, one 
 coal yard (mine), one wood yard, one woolen-mill, three flouring-mills, 
 three watch and clock repairers, one gun shop, one novelty slio]!, three boot 
 and shoe shops, four blacksmith, five barber and two paint shops, three meat 
 markets, two bakeries, five restaurants, five saloons, two billiard halls, three 
 ice cream and oyster saloons, twenty-four lawyers, thirteen physicians, three 
 dentists, seven insurance agents — -two life, one lightning rod agent, seven 
 real estate agents, one high school, one primary, seven churches, eight 
 hotels, two banks, three newspapers (weekly), three job ofiices, one amuse- 
 ment hall, three livery stables, one transfer line, two express offices, one tele- 
 graph office, five contractors and builders, two railroads, one machine and 
 repair works, four laundries, one bofwding-house, three ice dealers, two 
 milk dealers. 
 
378 HISTORY OF GEDNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 THE EARLY BAE, ETC. 
 
 Barly History— Bar of 1841— Juries—Important Case— The Present Bar— Trenton High 
 School Historii—Its Rise and Progress— Its Present Condition— Coal— Trial Shaft— The 
 First Companji—The Neiv Organization— Depth of Shaft— The Coal Vein— Woolen and- 
 Flouring-mill— Cost— Weather and Crops— Belotv and Above Zero— Crops Injured— A 
 Review of its Effects— Trenton's Officials, 1847-1881— Places and Distances. 
 
 THE EARLY BAR. 
 
 Very few members of the Grundy eounty bar of to-day remember the 
 early practioners, or know anything of riding the circuit. There was a 
 great deal of hard work and hard riding connected with the practice of the 
 first courts of the eounty. Long and dreary rides through an unsettled 
 country often became monotonous, and it was then that the legal lights of 
 early times cracked their jokes and laughed long and heartily over amusing 
 incidents of their career. Unfortunately, at the present day it is impossible 
 to obtain any personal reminiscences, which would, in themselves, form an 
 interesting chapter. 
 
 Tlie first bar was a strong one, composed of big-brained, large-hearted, 
 good-natured gentlemen, whose rugged health and lively' spirits added a 
 wholesome zest to their rattling intellectual encounters and hard fought bat- 
 tles in the legal arena. 
 
 The first court was held in a log house in Trenton, then known as Lomax 
 stoi-e, in April, 1841. The judicial circuit was at that time composed of the 
 counties of Chariton, Ray, Daviess, Livingston, Macon, Linn and Grundy, 
 Judge James A. Clarke, of Monticello, Chariton county, presiding. Mr. 
 J3. F. Stringfellow, of Brunswick, Chariton county, was circuit attorney, and 
 the following gentlemen were members of the bar: Messrs. Philip L. Ed- 
 wards and Amos Reese, of Richmond, Ray county; Messrs. Benjamin F. 
 Tarr and William Y. Slack, of Chillicothe, Livingston county; Mr. Ander- 
 son S. Harris, of Brunswick, Chariton county; Wesley Halliburton, of 
 Bloomington, Macon county; and E')eiiezer H. Wood, of Trenton. This 
 composed the bar in ISIL Most of these gentlemen rode the circuit regu- 
 larly. In 1852 Major John C. Griffin became a member of the bar, the 
 second member from Grundy county. Later, Messrs. John H. Shanklin and 
 Jacob T. Tindall were admitted. At that time Messrs. Stephen Peery and 
 Daniel Metcalf were law students in the office of Messrs. Shanklin and 
 Tindall. 
 
HISTOKT OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 879^ 
 
 Grand juries were things of the future when the first court was held in 
 Grundy county. Petit juries were picl^ed up anywhere in the woods wlien 
 a jury trial was demanded. There were no jury rooms, and after the jury 
 had absoi'bed the necessary amount of law and evidence in a case they re- 
 tired to the shade of a neighboring tree to deliberate on a verdict. At 
 other tinaes when the court wasn't very busy tlie judge and lawyers would 
 take to the woods and give the jury full swing in the court-house. 
 
 An important case was brought from Platte county to Grundy in 1844. 
 It was a charge of seduction brought by a Miss Ellis against one John 
 Stockton, a man of considerable property. The case was vigorously con- 
 tested and finally won by the plaintifl", the jury bringing in a verdict foi- 
 $10,000 damages. B. F. Stringfellow was the plaintift's attorney. The 
 verdict was a surprise to Stockton, but he managed to turn over his prop- 
 erty to relatives and returned to his old home in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, 
 where, while on the streets of Lafayette, he died from the efi'ects of sun- 
 stroke. 
 
 PRESENT BAR. 
 
 The present Grundy county bar is a body of courteous gentlemen, whose 
 legal qualifications will compare most favorably with the best lawyers of 
 the State. The following is the list of names registered as members of the 
 bar: John PI. Shanklin, Marcus A. Low, A. H. Burkeholder, Pi. A. DeBolt, 
 W. E. Clark, John C. Griffin, A. D. Mullins, Luther Collier, Stephen 
 Peery, Melvin Bingham, P. C. Stepp, A. K. Sykes. T. A. Witten, George 
 Hall, G. L. Winters, Nathan Hearty, M. G. Kennedy, E. M. Harber, W. W. 
 Witten, George Tindall, Orville Shanklin, N. A. Winters, O. G. Bain, 
 Walter Peery, jSTash Peery. Several of these gentlemen are not in active 
 practice, bnt their names are enrolled and for that reason are given. 
 
 TRENTON SCHOOL ?IISTORY. 
 
 The first school ever taught in Trenton, or in Grundy county, was in 
 1838, by an Englishman by the name of Moore. The house was a rough 
 log cabin on the present site of the old cemetery. The school was taught 
 by Jarvis Boyce, 1839-41, and by Geo. H. Hubbell, in the fall and winter 
 of 1842-3. In 1844 a system of public school was inaugurated"; a school 
 board chosen, whose duty it was to elect the teacher. The first election of 
 this kind ever held in the county was in the fall of 1844, and was quite in- 
 teresting. Col. Jacob Tindall was the lucky candidate, and took charge of 
 the school. In 1853 D. T. Wright, of his own means, erected the first 
 frame building in the county for school purposes, on the lot where A. K. 
 Sykes's residence is now situated. The sciiool was now brought from the 
 graveyard to town, and Mr. Wright became teacher. In the meantime. 
 
380 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Judge Snyder bad driven all church organizations from the court-house, 
 . their former place of worship, and the building of Mr. Wright was rented 
 by the different denominations as the only place to hold services. 
 
 In 1856 Joseph Fickiin, now professor of mathematics in the State Uni- 
 versity, Columbia, this State, was chosen to take charge of the school, which 
 he did with general satisfaction. 
 
 In the same year, a regular district school-house was built where Kogers's 
 lumber-yard now stands, and in this building Mr. T. Bradley opened school. 
 The increase in interest and number made it necessary to have more room 
 and better facilities; accordingly, the next year, Mr. Bradley erected the 
 building now used by Fitterer & Hoffman for a grocer}' room. This was 
 known as the Bradley building, in which he opened school, in the fall of 
 1856. This school was so popular that an assistant and music department 
 were added, with Miss Cliamberlin (now the wife of Dr. J. O. Harris) as 
 teacher. In 1860 Mr. Bradley died, and the school was continued by his 
 wife (now Mrs. Leedy, of our city). She, retiring, was followed by Messrs. 
 CoUey and L. Collier, till 1863, when Prof. E. C. Norton, late of Ohio, was 
 induced to take charge of the school. He remained in the district building 
 till 1865, when a want of room ibrced him to go to the Bradley building. 
 
 Trenton now had sprung from a few rude huts to a flourishing little 
 town, surrounded by an excellent and fast improving country. The cause 
 of popular education met with one common unanimity, and so many were 
 flocking to the school-room doors, that a larger building was no longer a 
 question, but an absolute necessity. This fact was universally admitted, 
 and steps were taken to supply the demand; and, in 1870, the present large 
 and commodious building was erected, costing $17,000. An efficient 
 corps of teachers was employed, with Frof. Norton as superintendent. 
 Besides the now large home enumeration, many intelligent young ladies 
 and gentlemen from abroad came and sought admission to the most excel- 
 lent advantages offered. An extensive course of study was prepared and 
 adopted, and students had the privilege of entering upon a regular course. 
 Then began the reputation tlie Trenton schools have always so justly sus- 
 tained at home and abroad as the leading educational institution of North 
 •Grand River Yalley. The efficiency of teachers and schools was so general 
 that many applications came in for teachers from various fields; and, ac- 
 cordingly, in 1875, Prof. Norton was induced to resign the superin tendency 
 and accept the position of vice-president and professor of mathematics at the 
 Warrensburg State Normal. The position of superintendent was then 
 tendered to Prof W. D. Dobson, who had already distinguished himself as 
 an able and efficient educator, teaching the first grammar department. Prof. 
 Dobson held the position of superintendent till 1880, and with the earn- 
 est and faithful work of him and his efficient corps of workers, tiie popular- 
 ity of the schools was kept up. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 381 
 
 In 1880 a new board of education was elected, who, for some factionary 
 cause, rejected Prof. Dobson and several former teachers, greatly against 
 the wish of the people and the interest of the school. Prof. J. E. Vertrees 
 became tl'e next superintendent, and served only one year, when the board 
 were ready to call back Prof. Dobson. Prof. Dobson declined to accept, 
 whereupon. Prof. A. B. Smith was elected and has accepted. 
 
 If space would permit, we would like to speak more in detail of the 
 Trenton schools. Suffice it to say, she has a flourishing alumni, whose 
 association meets annually'. The first class graduated in 1875, and was 
 three in number, and most every j'ear since a class has completed the 
 course. This year (1881) the class numbered eight. 
 
 The people are proud of their school, and it is. with pride they can say 
 that the schools have honorable representatives in the pulpit, the bar, and 
 other fields of honor, trust and profit in many of our States and Territories., 
 The enumeration for last year (1880) was 990, and it is conceded that for 
 this year it will be over 1,000. Another additional department has been 
 added this year, making now thirteen departments and fourteen teachei'S. 
 
 While the State of Missouri has many thoiisands of acres of coal lands, 
 it has only been of late years, and we might say within the last decade, that 
 the real wealth of the State in her coal area has been discovered. We 
 doubt even now, that anything like a full knowledge of her mineral 
 resources are known, and we are aware that coal has been found in large 
 quantities and in places which, a few years ago, geologists had positively 
 decided that coal could not be found. Stratified coal, in the carboniferous 
 age, it is conceded, extended over great areas of country, and at that time 
 the deposits were about on the same level; the thickness of the dejsosits 
 was not uniform, but would vary gradually'' at difi^erent places. In subse- 
 (|uent geologic periods the strata of the earth's surface became greatly 
 changed, so that in some places they were wavy, in other places broken by 
 faults or other depressions, and in other places, particularly in mountainous 
 countries, they were changed by upheaval and the shrinkage of the earth 
 into folds of every conceivable angle, from the horizontal to the perpen- 
 dicular. 
 
 It is therefore well known that the coal fields of the whole Northwest, 
 including Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, as also Missouri and Kansas, 
 belong to the true carboniferous age, and that only in the Alle- 
 ghanies, where subterranean action has taken place, can anthracite coal be 
 found. The bituminous coal fields cover many thousand square miles of 
 the country, and there are but few States that exceed Missouri either in the 
 extent of her coal area, or in its quality. The subject is really one of great 
 interest, and the scientific men have given it profound research — which it 
 is hardly necessary to give here. 
 
382 HISTORY OF URUNDV COUNTV. 
 
 It was not until 1870 that those persons who were acquainted with coal- 
 mining began to notice the general features of the countrj', and they became 
 convinced that its geological formation was such that a coal strata was 
 believed to exist, and that it must underlie a large portion of the county. 
 The veins were not thought to be very thick, yet there was evidence enough 
 to convince the most skeptical that a vein could be found that would fur- 
 nish the fuel needed, and of a thickness that M'ould compensate those who 
 invested money and labor in its development. This belief at last took shape 
 in the organization of a coal company in the spring of 1873. The com- 
 pany organized with a capital of $100,000, a board of directors and the fol- 
 lowing oflicers: president, George W. Moberly; secretary, B. Markert, and 
 treasurer, James Austin.- 
 
 TEIAX SHAFTS. 
 
 But previously to this organization Mr. Markert bored for coal near the 
 woolen-mills, at his own expense, in a search for a paying vein, and proved 
 that coal did exist. He did not make any effort to sink a shaft. However, 
 the company was formed and a shaft sunk on block five of the Harris Ad- 
 dition to the town of Trenton and about 150 yards north of the present 
 shaft. That was worked some time but not being so convenient for the railroad 
 company, the present location was selected and the shaft sunk. Mr. Joseph 
 McMuUen was once president and Geo. Tindall secretary of a firm under the 
 name of the Grundy County Coal company which did some work in January, 
 1878. The present company is now in full possession of all the coal prop- 
 •erty, and the facts here given cover the principal history of coal mining in 
 this county. The company employed a superintendent bj' the name of 
 Jones who in July, 1873, commenced boring for the black diamond. 
 At the depth o*f forty feet a small vein, only four inches in thickness, was 
 struck. The coal was of a good quality, but, of course, the vein was not 
 worth working. At ninety-six feet the bore showed a fourteen inch vein. 
 This also proved a good qnalitj' of coal and comparatively free from sulphur. 
 At the depth of 215 feet an eighteen inch vein was struck and that vein is 
 now being worked. Still below that a distance of fifteen feet lies another 
 vein of about the same thickness, but the roof crumbles and it is therefore 
 harder to work. After working the 215 feet vein for some months the 
 work was temporarily suspended. 
 
 In the fall of 1875 some changes was made in the company. That is, a 
 few of the stockholders dropped out, the remaining ones buying up their 
 stock. The company still consists of the members of the original organiza- 
 tion. They had sunk the shaft to the depth of 215 feet and in October of 
 that year commenced mining on the eighteen inch vein in earnest. The 
 main drift has, up to this year, 1881, been extended some 700 feet from the 
 shaft, nearly northeast A drift has also been worked from 200 to 300 feet 
 west and south. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 383 
 
 THE COAL 
 
 is of good quality, a compact bituminous variety, fine in texture and not of 
 over bright luster. Its compactness causes less loss by shrinkage when 
 exposed to the air. The thinness of the vein and its depth ma^e mining 
 rather more expensive than in larger veins, or of those lying nearer the 
 surface. The price paid is five and three-fourth cents per bushel. The men 
 and boys employed number from sixty to seventy' -five, and the price of the 
 coal varies to consumers. It is now furnished at twelve and one-half cents 
 cents per bushel and has been up to fifteen cents. In large quantities §2.45 
 is charged per ton. This price is paid by the Chicago, Rock Island & 
 Pacific Eailroad Company, who take an average of 1,500 tons per month, 
 delivered, but that is of little expense as the shaft is but a couple of hun- 
 dred feet from the platform alongside of the track. It has now been for 
 seven years under the supei-intendency of Mr. W. Shanklin, an energetic, 
 driving business man, and one of the foremost gentlemen in the county. 
 He claims that no fortune has yet been drawn out of that shaft, that it will 
 be several years before he or the stockholders can retii-e to their several beds 
 of ease and shake hands with the world as money kings, yet it is safe to say 
 that the money has been well invested, and that the stock is not running 
 around asking for buyers to any alarming extent in the present year of our 
 Lord, A. D. 1881. 
 
 ITS FUTURE. 
 
 Its future is one of promise, and it is expected that an additional force 
 will be put on soon. It is a big boom for Trenton, and if railroads have 
 made her, the coal company has helped to support her and has added largely 
 to her population and wealth. 
 
 CITY WOOLEN AND FLOURING-MILLS. 
 
 Among the important industries of Grundy county, the manufacture of 
 woolen goods and flour takes a high rank, and the Trenton woolen and flour- 
 ing-mills have aided not a little in making Trenton a market for wool and 
 wheat for a large area of countiy surrounding the city. 
 
 This mill has been in active operation since the spring of 1870, and from 
 that time many a yard of cloth has been manufactured and man}' a bushel 
 of wheat ground. The building was erected in the latter part of 1869, but 
 not entirely completed until the date given above. The founders were the 
 Messrs. Markertes & Bolser, but the firm dissolved on the 1st day of Au- 
 gust, 1870, Mr. Bolser selling his interest to the Messrs. Markertes, who in 
 turn disposed of a third interest to Dr. J. H. Kerfoot for the sum of $8,000. 
 These gentlemen cojitimied as members of the firm until September, when 
 Dr. J. II. Iverfoot retired and Mr. C. Gilham ]mrchased his one-third inter- 
 
384 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 est. Under the firm name of Markertes it Gilliam the business flourished 
 for three years, when the whole establishinent was purchased by the 
 McGuire Bros, on the 22d of February, 1874, and styled the Trenton Man- 
 ufacturing Company. These gentlemen remained proprietors for several 
 years, when they retired, selling the mills to Messrs. Rockwell & Flannigau, 
 who disposed of it to the present proprietors, Messrs. Smith & Bixty in 18Y9. 
 
 The original cost of the mill was $2i,000. The mill is a combined 
 woolen and grist-mill and does custom grinding. It is the only establish- 
 ment in the county which cards, weaves, spins and manufactures woolen 
 goods, and, in fact, doing a large and general business in both departments. 
 The machiner}' is operated by a forty-horse power engine, and is capable of 
 turning out about 7,000 pounds of flour, 135 bushels of corn, and 2,000 
 pounds of wool in twelve hours. 
 
 Wool is carded and spun at the rate of twenty-one cents per pound, and 
 carded alone at eight and one-tliird cents per pound. The mill manufac- 
 tures four excellent grades of flour. The well known brands, "Best," 
 "Family," "Standard," "XX," are known over this and surrounding- 
 counties as brands of superior merit and fine quality. The Trenton woolen 
 and flouring-mills have largely lielped to make Trenton the bustling city 
 that she is. 
 
 WEATHER AND CROPS. 
 
 The winter of 1873 will long be remembered as the c<:)ldest in the history 
 of Trenton. Tlie cold was intense, and the whole northern portion of the 
 State felt the extreme severity of the weather. Among the older residents 
 of the State it was conceeded to be the coldest winter visiting this section 
 in the past fifty years. The thermometer ranged all the way from ten to 
 twenty degrees below zero, and on the 26th and 27th of January it 
 reached its lowest ebb in the city, the mercury marking twenty-eight 
 degrees below zero, each day. At the farm of P. H. Yakey, two miles 
 east of Trenton, on the same days, it was reported that the mercury reached 
 thirty-two degrees below zero. This extreme cold caused great surprise, 
 when contrasted with the \isually mild, in\'igorating winters of northern 
 Missouri. 
 
 The first heated term of note or of which any record was kept, occurred 
 in the summer of 1878, when on the 13th, 14th and 15th of July the mer- 
 cury rose from ninety up to one hundred and four degrees in the shade. Sev- 
 eral sunstrokes were reported, but no deaths occurred. This was the warm- 
 est weather experienced by the citizens of Trenton until July, 1881, when two 
 weeks of very warm weather were recorded, the mercury rising from ninety- 
 six to one hundred and four degrees daily. A few days of pleasant weather 
 
HISTOET OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 385 
 
 intervened wlien a second heated term began on the 4th of August. The 
 atmosphere was sultry, scarcely- any breezes stirring. The sun's rays came 
 down with burning intensity, parching vegetation to a crisp, amber hue. 
 With the exception of a slight shower or two, there was no rain-fall of any 
 consequence during the months of July and August. The heat fell with dead- 
 ening blight upon the crop prospects. The large yields anticipated in the 
 early part of the summer, especially in corn, began to fade away to a small 
 average, and throughout the country the farmers became disheartened and 
 discouraged. Wheat for 1881 had fallen off on account of the severe win- 
 ter, full twenty-five per cent below the yield of 1880. Corn by this drought, 
 shows a loss of full forty per cent over the previous year's average j'ield. 
 Hay, oats and flax did a. great deal better, but did not reach better than a 
 fair average except in hay; dry weather had a bad effect on the water supply, 
 many cisterns and not a few wells giving out, necessitating the use of river 
 and creek water. Running streams were very low. The following shows 
 the record for August: 
 
 Deg. Deg. 
 
 August 4th, at 10 A. M. 102 , 12 m. 108 
 
 " 5th, " 10 " 104... 12 " 108 
 
 " 7th, " 9 " 98 12 " 108 
 
 " Sth, " 10 " 104 12 " 108.. 
 
 " 9th," 9 " 92 12 " 106 
 
 " 10th," 9 " 92 12 " 104 
 
 11th, "10 " 94 12 " 100 
 
 18th, 
 19 th, 
 25th, 
 26th, 
 27th, 
 
 
 Deg. 
 
 6 p. M 
 
 . 100 
 
 6 " 
 
 97 
 
 3 " 
 
 104 
 
 2 " 
 
 110 
 
 2 " 
 
 108 
 
 ^2 " 
 
 102 
 
 .2 " 
 
 106 
 
 ,2 " 
 
 108. 
 
 .2 " 
 
 102 
 
 2 " 
 
 106 
 
 .2 " 
 
 100 
 
 These were the exceptional hot days but there were very few days in the 
 month of August, 1881, that did not reach over ninety degrees at two p. m, 
 and many not of record that stood from ninety-two to ninety-six. 
 
 While the summer heat on the average has been very great, the heated 
 terms have been longer and more debilitating and depressing in their efiect 
 than any season in the memory of the traditional "Oldest inhabitant." The 
 winter previous, 1880-81, had been one of severitj^, with a greater amount of 
 snow than had fallen in many winters, falling as late as the 12th of April 
 in Missouri, with heavy spring rains, and the greatest freshet since the year 
 1844 on the Missouri, and greater than that year on the river north or above 
 the mouth of the Kaw. The memorable freshet of 1844 at Kansas City 
 was aided by an immense flow of water from that river. 
 
 August 29th quite a heavy rain fell in the afternoon wetting the earth 
 some two or the inches, but the backbone of the drought was completely 
 24 
 
386 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 broken on the night of the 31st of August, and on the following day, Sep- 
 tember 1st, when a very heavy rain-fall was experienced — too late for corn, 
 but in excellent time to put the ground in good condition for the plow for 
 winter wheat. The rain seemed to be general all over the State. The win- 
 ter of 1880-81 and the summer of the latter jea.v will long be remembered 
 for their variable and extreme weather of both heat and cold and the heavy 
 snow and spring rains and dry simimer. The peculiarity of the atmosphere 
 seemed, also, to have a peculiar effect on human nature, especially those 
 whose minds were not evenly balanced. The murders, suicides and crime 
 generally even to this date, September 1st, have exceeded any full previous 
 year. Why it has proven so let the philosopher explain: certainly men have 
 been strangely afflicted, and murder seemed to be the only remedy that 
 would appease their maddening brain. The cities seem to be more afflicted 
 than the country. The dense mass of brick and stone reflected the heat 
 which aftected the body and the bi-ain, alike debilitating the one and mad- 
 dening the other. Thirty-one murders recorded in Chicago in seven months ; 
 and in St. Louis, August seemed to almost breed them, for several men 
 were shot down by these persons upon the most trivial pretense. The East 
 seemed to be afflicted the same way. The Southern cities escaped the intense 
 heat and its murderous effect. The heat was more regular and the hot days 
 '.were fewer. 
 
 teenton's city officials. 
 
 The following is the list of the city offlcials of Trenton from its first in- 
 -^corporation up to the present time: 
 
 1857 — ISTathaniel McBride, mayor; John W. Bagley, John B. McDonald, 
 "William Collier, Sr., and George W. Moberly, councilmen; Stephen Peery, 
 clerk and corporation attorney; H. Cooper, marshal. 
 
 1858 — R. P. Zantis appointed councilman, vice McDonald, resigned; 
 • John C. Griffin appointed corporation attorney, and W. L. McGuire, clerk, 
 ■mce Peery, resigned. 
 
 1859 — No officers elected and the town corporation ceased to exist. This 
 :state of affairs continued for seven years, when new officers were elected. 
 
 1866 — J. H. Kerfoot, mayor; James S. Estes, William L. Knight, Sam- 
 uel D. Luke and E. M. Peck, councilmen; E. 0. Norton, clerk; W. C. 
 Benson, treasurer; J. M. Voris, corporation attorney; A. J. Spitler, asses- 
 sor; F. W. Lowen, marshal. 
 
 1867 — William H. Smith appointed, vice Peck, resigned ; C. A. Hoffman, 
 vice Estes, resigned. 
 
 1869 — H. J. Herrick, mayor; William S. Ivnight, Samuel D. Luke, 
 William H. Smith and Isaac Coles, councilmen; K. C. Norton, clerk; 
 George Hall, corporation attorney; F. W. Lowen, marshal. 
 
 1869 — Eesignations and changes left the organization thus: H. J. Her- 
 
HI8T0EY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 387 
 
 rick, mayor; Isaac Coles, E. 0. Norton, W. H. Roberts and W. H. 
 Smith, councilmen; Luther Collier, clerk; George Hall, corporation attor- 
 ney; James Wamsley, marshal. 
 
 1871— Daniel Metcalf, mayor; W. C. Benson, Isaac Coles, J. E. Harris 
 and E. C. Norton, councilmen; H. J. Herrick, treasurer; Luther Collier, 
 clerk; James Wamsley, marshal. 
 
 1873 — J. L. Lowen, mayor; E. O. Carscadin, A. D. Mullens, J. L. 
 Shipley and J. H. Kerfoot, councilmen; L. Collier, clerk;' L. B. Walker, 
 marshal. 
 
 1876— H. J. Herrick, mayor; J. M. Bailey, M. L. Boyles, R. O. Carscadin 
 and J. H. Kerfoot, councilmen; L. Collier, clerk; E. V. Young, marshal. 
 
 1877— H. J. Herrick, mayor; J. M. Bailey, C. A. Hoffman, John Kirk 
 and Thomas Kimliu, councilmen; L. Collier, clei-k; E. V. Young, marshal; 
 Nathaniel Shanklin appointed, vice Bailey, resigned. 
 
 1879 — George Tindall, mayor; Christopher A. Hoffman, Edward P. 
 Herron, Chauncey Hall and Thomas Torpey, councilmen; E. M. Harber, 
 corporation attorney; James Austin, treasurer; W. H. McGrath, assessor; 
 L. Collier, clerk; E. V. Young, marshal. 
 
 1881 — Herbert L. Low, mayor; Gilbert D. Smith, James M. Bailey, 
 Orson J. Eockwell, W. H. Yerian, councilmen; E. M. Harber, corporation 
 attorney; James Austin, treasurer; J. W. Conduit, assessor; L. Collier, 
 clerk; John A. Shanklin, marshal. 
 
 1881 — Luther Collier, mayor, vice Low, resigned; E. A. Collier, clerk, 
 vice L. Collier, resigned. 
 
 DISTANCES 
 
 MILES. 
 
 From Trenton to Chicago ; 429 
 
 " " " St. Louis 250 
 
 " " " Kansas City 101 
 
 " " " Quincy 130 
 
 " " " Chillicothe 24 
 
 " " " Gallatin 26 
 
 " " " Cameron 47 
 
 " " " Bethany 35 
 
 " " " Princeton 26 
 
 " " "Milan 31 
 
 " " " Linneus 35 
 
 The above distanced cover the usual route traveled either by cars or 
 wagons, and not air-line distances. 
 
 TOWNS IN THE COUNTY. 
 
 From Trenton to Spickardville by railroad 12 
 
 " " '' Lindley, " wagon road 15 
 
 " " " Edinburg, " " 4a 
 
 " " " Alpha, _ " " 15 
 
 " " " Gault, " railroad I5 
 
 " « " Dillon, " " 9 
 
388 HISTOKT OF GRtJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE PEESS OF TEENTON. 
 
 Trenton Pioneer — Herald— Christian Pioneer— Trenton Republican — Its Changes of Name 
 and Proprietors — Its Political Course — Incidents in its Career — Orundi/ County Times 
 — Organ of the Democracy — More Wood — Daily Bazaar — Trenton Weekly Star— First 
 Appearance— Monthly Star — Daily Star — Its Principles—" What Becomes of Editors?" 
 — Daily Evening Republican — A Forward Movement. 
 
 THE TRENTON PIONEER. 
 
 Following fast upon the heels of the early settler came the newspapers, 
 with their civilizing and brightening influence, to cast a ray of mutual 
 interest over the events and occurrences of the community, and to save, as 
 it were, the golden grains from the sands of oblivion. The pioneer news- 
 papers were not a general source of wealth to their proprietors, and while 
 they were building up the community, it was often that their best eiforts 
 were unappreciated, and it was oft-times a hard struggle to keep the paper 
 going, even in a fitful and uncertain way. In 1851 the first newspaper 
 published in Grundy county was placed before the public in the city of 
 Trenton, with tlie i^ame T7'eiiton Pioneer flying from its mast-head. Mr. 
 David T. Wright was the editor and publisher, and continued its publica- 
 tion for two years, giving general satisfaction, when in 1853 he disposed of 
 the good will and material to Mr. E. C. Wliite, who took charge, and the 
 Pioneer moved along under his management Tintil 1854, when the oflSce 
 again became the property of Mr. Wright, who removed it to Lindley, 
 in Marion township, and began the publication of the Christian Pioneer., 
 in conjunction with the Eev. H. 0. Howard. The Pioneer was a five- 
 column sheet, but upon its removal to Lindley it was changed to a quarto 
 form in the shape of a two-column, sixteen page pamphlet. The Christian 
 Pioneer continued the only paper published in Grundy county until 1857, 
 in which year Mr. E. C. Jones started 
 
 THE TRENTON HERALD, 
 
 i 
 
 and under his management it was conducted one year, when Mr. Jones 
 retired, selling the paper to Mr. S. P. Mountain, who continued the publi- 
 cation until 1859, when, for want of proper support, the Herald threw up 
 the sponge and expired. The press and fixtures remained idle until the 
 latter part of the same year, when Mr. D. T. Wright moved his ofiice from 
 Lindley and purchased the material of the Herald office, uniting the two 
 establishments, and continuing the publication of the Christian Pioneer at 
 Trenton in an improved form. Mr. Wright continued the publication with 
 
HISTOET OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 389 
 
 varying fortunes until 1862, when the entire office was destroyed in the dis- 
 astrous fire of that j'ear. This ended the Christian Pioneer, so far as 
 Grundy county is concei-ned, as Mr. Wright removed to Chillicothe, where 
 he re-coramenced its publication. For the two years following the destruc- 
 tion of the Pioneer office, Grundy county had no paper published within 
 its limits. In 1861 the Grand River News was placed before the public, 
 a candidate for popular favor, and a history of its career follows, under the 
 head of 
 
 THE TEENTON REPUBLICAN. 
 
 The Trenton Republican is now nearing the close of its seventeenth vol- 
 ume, and is one of the established and reliable institutions of the Grand 
 Kiver Yalley. Under the management of its present proprietor. Col. W. B. 
 Eogers, it has taken a firm stand under the banners of Republicanism, and 
 wields a large influence in the politics of the Tenth congressional district. 
 The paper has steadily grown, and is now one of the largest county papers 
 in northern Missouri, constantly improving, wide-awake, and up with the 
 spirit of the times. 
 
 The Republican is the oldest paper in Grundy county, and first threw 
 the silken folds of its banner to the breeze in the year 1864, under the name 
 and title of the Grand River News, with the names of Messrs. A. O. Bink- 
 \ey and G. W. Buckingham heading its columns as "editors and proprie- 
 tors." The material was brought from Corydon, Iowa. The exact date of 
 the first number is not obtainable, from the fact that the files of the first 
 five years have been accidentally lost or destroyed. Shortly after the advent 
 of the paper, Mr. Buckingham sold his interest to his partner, and Mr. 
 Binkley continued the publication until 1865, when Mr. John E. Carter, 
 late of the Trenton Star, and the present county' treasurer, jjurchased the 
 good will and material of Mr. Binkley, and at once assumed the position of 
 editor and proprietor. Mr. Carter's stay was short, and in six months after 
 taking charge he disposed of the office to Mr. N. T. Doane. Up to this 
 time the Grand River News boasted of only six columns to the page, but 
 under the proprietorship of Mr. Doane, it was enlarged to a seven-column 
 paper and the name changed to Rejiublican-NeiDS. Tlie paper continued 
 under the management of Mr. Doane until his death in June, 1868, when 
 Dr. J. H. Kerfoot, as administrator of Mr. Doane's estate, assumed control, 
 and the following month leased the establishment to Mr. E. S. Darlington, 
 who continued its publication until April, 1869, when Dr. Kerfoot sold the 
 office to Mr. W. H. Roberts and Mr. E. S. Darlington, the former taking 
 editorial charge. This firm continued in existence about six months, and 
 in September, 1869, the business interests and material of the office became 
 the property of Col. "W. B. Rogers, the present proprietor. 
 
 The Repidylican-Neivs, when purchased by Col. Rogers, was a seven- 
 column paper, twenty-four by thirty-six, and printed a weekly edition of 
 
390 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 twenty- two quires. Under the energetic management of Col. Eogers, the 
 paper began to steadily improve and its patronage to increase, and to meet 
 the demands upon its columns, on November 9, 1871, it became an eight- 
 column paper, twenty-six by forty. The Republican-News continued to 
 thrive and prosper, until the constantly increasing advertising patronage 
 and large circulation made it necessary for another enlargement. This 
 change was made on the 19th of June, 1879, when the paper was issued in 
 ts present nine-column form, twenty-eight by forty-four, printing a regular 
 weekly edition of fifty-one quires, and on the 5th of July following the 
 name was changed to Trenton Rejyuilican, iinder which title it is now 
 widely known as one of the most influential weeklies of northern Missouri. 
 
 POLITICAL COURSE. 
 
 Politically, the course of the RepiMican has been that of a sincere ad- 
 vocate of the principles upheld by the Republican party, of which organiza- 
 tion its editor has long been a conspicuous and consistent member. The 
 Republican has steadily pursued a course which, in its judgment, has best 
 aided the interests of the party which it so ably represents. 
 
 In 1872, when the split occurred in the party, a portion joining what was 
 called the Gratz Brown movement, the Republican gave an active support 
 to the McClurg ticket, as the only regular Republican nominees. 
 
 In 1873 the high standing of the Republican caused it to be selected by 
 the State department at Washington, D. C, as one of the two papers in the 
 State of Missouri to publish the laws and treaties of the United States, an 
 honor which certainly speaks well for the Republican. 
 
 In 1874 the party in the State decided to make no nominations for State 
 officers, and the Rep^ihlican, with its party, gave a passive support to the 
 " People's ticket," in opposition to the regular nominees of the Democracy, 
 but cordially supported the straight ticket in the county and for Congress. 
 
 In 1880 the Republican cast its influence in favor of the Greenback can- 
 didate for Congress as against the regular Democratic nominee — the Repub- 
 licans having made no nomination — and, although there was some opposition 
 at first, it carried with it nearly the entire vote of the party in the county. 
 The Republican has ever been constant and true in its allegiance to the 
 guiding principles of the Republican party, and has never failed to give an 
 earnest, manly support to the nominees of the j^arty. As the largest paper, 
 with the largest circulation in the Grand River Valley, the Republican bids 
 fair to flourish for yeai's to come under the excellent guidance of Col. Wm. 
 B. Rogers, its popular editor and proprietor, and with this bright future be- 
 fore it, this sketch closes its history up to 1881. 
 
 INCIDENTS. 
 
 From a small country printing office the Republican has grown until it 
 now has an establishment capable of executing all kinds of job printing, 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 391 
 
 which will compare favorably with offices in larger cities. A power press, 
 two job presses, and a large assortment of type and fixtures complete its 
 equipment as a first-class office. 
 
 Beside the regular weekly issue, the RepuMican, in the fall of 1877, 
 issued a daily edition during ths continuance of the county fair. The pa- 
 per was a small, spic}' sheet, and closed its career after five issues. 
 
 Among the incidents illustrating the local career of the Repuhlioan might 
 be mentioned one which occurred in 1S72, while Colonel Rogers was away 
 attending to his duties as a member of the State Senate. During the Col- 
 onel's absence the enterprising city editor hastened to inform a confiding 
 public that he, the aforesaid city editor, having assumed full charge and 
 responsibility, would immediately begin to improve the paper, and show 
 what true genius could do in the way of ruiming a newspaper. By way of 
 proving his good intentions, he announced with a flourish of trumpets, that 
 in the next issue of the Republican he would publish a full and complete 
 list of all the marriageable people in town, and wound up by cooly request- 
 ing all ladies who were open to matrimonial propositions to send in 
 their names, ages and description, with full information as to whether they 
 wore false hair or teeth; and, also, whether their dispositions were of the 
 tartaric acid variety. "These questions," sagely remarked the youth, "are 
 very important and absolutely necessary to make the enterprise a grand suc- 
 cess, and will, at the same time, save us the trouble of getting the facts from 
 the census reports, ourselves, ladies." The idea was so perfectly shocking 
 that it liked to have everlastingly ruined the young man's usefulness as a 
 chronicler of society news. 
 
 In the very next issue after the city editor had aired his genius, the 
 " devil " was taken with a severe attack of brilliancy which nearly struck 
 the town all in a heap. It seems that this youngster from the lower re- 
 gions was of a verj' observing disposition, and having noticed that the 
 fashion of wearing bustles had just come in vogue, and that the girls 
 flocked to the newspaper offices to get the much-needed stuffing, he con- 
 ceived the plan to make the business yield a profit; so in the next issue of 
 the Repuhlica7i he inserted an advertisement offering "to exchange old 
 papers for kisses, at the rate of one paper for one kiss, three papers for two 
 kisses, or six papers for three kisses," with a postscript stating that the 
 osculatory caresses must be paid strictly in advance, and that proxies would 
 not be allowed, as he didn't propose to waste any of his sweetness on the 
 hired girls, not if he knew it, and he thought he did. The bustle business 
 boomed, but whether the "devil" scooped in the kisses is not known, but 
 it is certain the girls got the papers. 
 
 Perhaps the worst case of downright meanness ever perpetrated on a 
 human being was practiced on the editor of the Republican. It is possi- 
 ble that editors are not put down in the census reports as human beings, 
 
392 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 but that is not the question. On or about the 29th day of January, 1874, 
 the Republican man was notified that if he didn't pay his taxes before Feb- 
 ruary 1st, said taxes would go up as high as the price of the first crop of 
 watermelons. Te editor shinned around in a hurry, and by going only to 
 people who didn't know him, finally managed to borrow the necessary 
 amount and forked it over to the flinty-hearted collector. The very next 
 day the legislature extended the time three months, and the editor man 
 got mad and hit himself with a club. He rushed madly forth from his 
 oflBce, collared the collector, and demanded the return of his hardly-bor- 
 rowed shekels, and that's right where the meanness came in; the miserable 
 wretch refused to do it. The life of an editor is a hard one. 
 
 THE GEUNDY COUNTY TIMES. 
 
 In the latter part of November, 1871, the Grundy County Times made its 
 first bow to the public, under the editorial management of Mr. S. L. 
 Harvey. The material of the oflice was purchased from the Constitution 
 office, at Chillicothe, and the money was raised by subscription from the 
 prominent Democrats of the county who determined to support a paper ad- 
 vocating tlie principles of Democracy. Mr. Harvey was placed in charge 
 and the office deeded to him on the condition that he would publish a Dem- 
 ocratic paper, and the Times, as above stated, appeared in the latter part of 
 November, 1871, as the result of this determination on the part of the 
 Grundy county Democracy. 
 
 For the first year the Times had a hard struggle for existence, but the 
 Democrats of the county stood solid in its support, and in the beginning of 
 the second year it was firmly established and boasted of a bona fide circu- 
 lation of over five hundred copies. Mr. Harvey continued to edit the Times 
 until the 8th of October, 1874, when he disposed of the good will and mate- 
 rial, Mr. Frank A. Dinsmoor being his successor. The Times had now 
 won a place in the good will of the people, and was one of the permanent 
 fixtures of the county. The publication of the Times was continued by Mr. 
 Dinsmoor until the 3d of April, 1879, when the management was trans- 
 ferred to Mr. C. L. Beacliem, who was in charge only a short time, retiring 
 from the paper on the 20tli of the following November, when Mr. Dinsmoor 
 again assumed control. This time he held on until the 10th of August, 
 1880, wJien the business interests, fixtures and appurtenances became the 
 property of Mr. M. G. Kennedy, who is the present editor and proprietor. 
 
 WHAT IT ADVOCATES. 
 
 The Times has ever been staunchly Democratic, and its fervor in the 
 cause which gave it birth has never abated, but, on the contrary, its columns 
 continue to advocate and defend the principles of pure Democracy, as 
 taught by Jefferson, the founder of the party. The Times has always given 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 393 
 
 hearty support to the nominees of the Democratic party, and stands to-day 
 the representative of the best interests of the Democracy of Grundy 
 county. 
 
 The Times was a seven-column paper from its first issue, and has never 
 changed, but is still printed from a Washington liand press. The office is 
 also supplied with an eighth-medium job press and a stock of job-printing 
 material. 
 
 " MORE WOOD." 
 
 The career of the Times has been steady and uneventful. It is true, 
 howevei', that a terrible howl went up from the Times for more wood in 
 the winter of 1878. But that has nothing to do with its career. Suppose 
 one subscriber did rush in with a load of water-elm and palm it off on the 
 editor for seasoned hickory, who never found out the difference until his 
 wife threatened to stop his supply of provisions until he got a load of wood 
 that would burn without the trouble of putting it in a blast furnace to dry 
 it? Well, suppose the aforesaid editor did meander away on his auriculars, 
 and threaten to make a forcible appropriation of the capillary substance 
 taking root in the cranium of the subscriber who brought in that wood? 
 Suppose he did awake the echoes with his anguished howls for gore, gore, 
 GOEE? Has that anj'thing to do with the Times f Not much; but it shows 
 that you can't please some editors, no matter how much swamp-elm you 
 bring them. 
 
 The Daily Bazaar was issued from the Times office in 1878. It was 
 published in the interest of the Catholic fair, by Rev. J. J. Kennedy. Only 
 a few issues were printed. 
 
 THE TEENTON WEEKLY STAE. 
 
 The Monthly Star, a three-column quarto, made its appearance in the 
 early part of 1877, under the editorial control and proprietorship of Mr. 
 G. S. Dunn. The paper was started as a venture, and was intended to more 
 fully discuss matters of national and scientific importance than those of mere 
 local interest. The Star met with fair success, and its publication was con- 
 tinued for one year, closing its career in 1878, and was followed on the 7th 
 of May, of the same year, by the Daily Morning Star, which flashed like 
 a meteor from the f.ky upon the people of Trenton. The daily was a newsy 
 six-column sheet, the first bona fide daily newspaper published in the city. 
 It was gotten up as a surprise to the people, and its first and last issues 
 were one and the same. 
 
 After a few years' rest the Monthly Star was again before the public, 
 this time to supply what seemed to be a demand for a bold and fearless 
 local paper. It was published in folio form, six columns to the page. The 
 Monthly was a success from the start, and by its outspoken stand upon all 
 questions of local as well as of national interest, won such a large circle of 
 
394 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 friends that, after only three issues, it was merged into the Weekly Star, 
 the first number of which was dated August 21st, 1879. It was a neatly- 
 printed eight-column folio, and, altliough strougly Republican, its course 
 upon the questions of the day were defined in the following salutatory taken 
 from the first issue: 
 
 ITS PRINCIPLES. 
 
 " In presenting you with this, the first copy of the Weekly Star, we deem 
 it proper to offer a few introductory words. The Star will be independent 
 in everything, and neutral in nothing. It will be our constant aim to make 
 a first-class journal, and a live paper. As we belong to no faction, and ai"e 
 controlled by no politician, we are free to work for the best interests of our 
 town aud county, to expose evil and support justice, to defend tlie right and 
 oppose the wrong. Our columns will be free at all times upon matters of 
 public interest, but no attack on any public person or institution will be 
 published unless signed by the writer." 
 
 NEW FIRM. 
 
 With this platform of principles Mr. Dunn placed \he Star upon a solid 
 basis as one of the established enterprises of Grundy county. Under the 
 management of Mr. Dunn the Weekly xSto' continued its prosperous career 
 until the 20th of May, 1880, when his valedictory appeared, he having sold 
 the paper to a company composed of Thos. A. Murphy, Solomon Stewart, 
 George Hall, B. F. Harding, J. E. Carter, R. V. Young, C. L. Webber, L. 
 Garrett, M. L. Boyles, G. L. Winters, H. J. Herrick and A. I. Lord. These 
 gentlemen were granted a certificate of incorporation by the State as the 
 " Star Publishing Company." Mr. Lord was elected business manager of 
 the Stai\ and Mr. Carter, editor. With these gentlemen in charge the Star 
 continued as a successful publication, without change,- until July 28th, 1881, 
 when the valedictory of Mr. Carter as editor appeared, and Mr. Lord took 
 editorial control. With this exception the Star continues in its chosen 
 course, always maintaining the principles of the Republican party, and 
 wielding a ready pen in defense of those principles and for the supremacy of 
 the Republican cause. Its present condition and standing in the com- 
 munity cannot be better shown than by the publication of the following, 
 taken from its issue of August 11th, 1881. 
 
 " This number of the Star completes the second year of its existence and 
 the sixty-second issue by the Star Publishing Company. We feel ourselves 
 under many obligations to the people of Grundy county for their liberal 
 patronage and the kind help and words of cheer we have received. The 
 business men of Trenton recognize in the Star an invaluable medium for 
 extending their business, and their encouragement has been hearty and sub- 
 stantial. The Star Publishing Company came into existence by the same 
 law of supply and demand by which other business is governed. The sue- 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 395 
 
 cess which it has attained is the best criterion by which to judge of its 
 merits. It has attained a hona fide circulation second to none in the 
 county, and its subscription list is rapidly growing. We promise our read- 
 ers that our best efforts shall at all times be used to promote the interest 
 of the whole people of Grundy county and all rings and cliques will be 
 fought irrespective of personal feeling or party pledges. That the cause of 
 the people against monopolies will at all times be upheld, and the news 
 of the day will be accurately given. The people of Gri'undy county 
 by their patronage have made the Star one of the permanent institations of 
 the county and to serve their interest will be the earnest desire of the Star 
 Publishing Company." 
 
 The material and fixtures of the Star were purchased new by Mr. Dunn, 
 and are still in use. The paper is printed on a Washington hand press, 
 which makes an impression clear and distinct. Since the Star became the 
 property of the present proprietors, many additions have been made to the 
 material until the office is now one of the most perfectly equipped in this 
 part of the State. On the 8th of September, 1881, the old hand press gave 
 way to a splendid new Campbell country steam printing machine, and a 
 new power paper cutter was also added, and the office now stands complete 
 and able to compete with any establishment in the city. 
 
 WHAT BECOMES OF EDIT0E8'? 
 
 What becomes of editors? 
 
 That's what we'd like to know; 
 They do a heap of good oh earth, 
 
 And to heaven ought to go; 
 But something seems to tell us 
 
 They are a peculiar set, 
 And in the great hereafter 
 
 Will be "left out in the wet." 
 
 We've been thinking this question over. 
 
 And it troubles us a heap, 
 It comes to us in the day time. 
 
 And with dreams disturbs our sleep; 
 But the more we con the question. 
 
 The deeper it seems to get; 
 And brings us to this conclusion- - 
 
 They'll be "left out in the wet." 
 
 Now reason to yourself a moment; 
 
 Would it do to let him in ? 
 Wouldn't they go to interviewing 
 
 And discussing everything? 
 Wouldn't they have two parties. 
 
 And a hobby, too, to pet? 
 That thing will never do up there! — 
 
 They'll be " left out in the wet." 
 
396 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 It's very well to smile, sir, 
 
 And say "your head ain't level;" 
 But did you ever know an editor 
 
 That didn't keep a " devil"? 
 You don't suppose for a moment 
 
 That he in there could get, 
 And be a .yelling " copy " — 
 
 They'll be " left out in the wet." 
 
 There's one more point we'll'mention — 
 
 We hope you won't get offended — 
 But it's " currently reported," 
 
 That the "free list is suspended." 
 Now, did you ever know an editor 
 
 That has "pulled his weasel," yet? 
 They're not going to do it there — 
 
 They'll stay " out in the wet." 
 
 DAILY EVENING EEPUBLICAN. 
 
 The above is the name of a neatly printed, five-column folio, issued for 
 the first time on Saturday, September 3d, 1881, by "W. B. Rogers, publisher 
 ■of the Trenton Republican. The paper is more especially devoted to the 
 local interests of Trenton and Grundy county, and is issued every afternoon, 
 six days per week. It is under the editorial control of Col. "W. B. Rogers, 
 assisted by Mr. J. A. Gilluly as local editor. The following salutatory ex- 
 plains more fully its purposes: 
 
 "a FORWARD MOVEMENT. 
 
 " Twelve years ago the first instant, the present proprietor assumed control 
 of the publication and business of tiie Republican then the \Grand River 
 Republican.'' 
 
 "In his salutatory he said: ' I have purchased the Republican purely as 
 a business transaction, and would ask of the people of Grundy county that 
 liberal patronage that they have heretofore extended to their home paper. 
 I ha(;^e identified my interests with the people of Grundy county by settling 
 among them and it will be my constant aim to labor for the best interests 
 of the county.' How well we have performed our part we leave it for 
 others to say. 
 
 "Then Trenton contained a population of 800, now 4,000. Tlien the Re- 
 publican and all the job work of the ofiice was printed on a small hand- 
 press, now the paper and other heavy work is printed on a large Campbell 
 two revolution cylinder book and newspaper press, and employs two other 
 fast running job presses. 
 
 " Then the Rejniblican was a seven-column folio now it is a nine-column 
 with proportionate increase in lengtli of columns. 
 
 " Then tlie issue of the Republican reached twenty-two quires; we have 
 now raised it to fifty-two. 
 
HISTORY OF GEDNDT COUNTY. 39T 
 
 " During these twelve years we have labored for the upbuilding of the 
 town and county and at the same time have tried to keep the improve- 
 ments of the Repuhlican fully up witli the growth of the town and county. 
 The last year has been one of marked growth in Trenton and the county;, 
 the indications are that the top has not been reached. Hence we believe 
 the town will support the Republican in another forward movement. We 
 therefore commence the publication, to-day, of a daily paper and ask the 
 support of the public. Other towns not so large and with less business and 
 less thrift ai'e supporting evening daily papers. Kirksville, Cameron and 
 Plattsburg, one, each ; Chillicothe has one and we understand will have a 
 second; why not Trenton have one. The people of Trenton are as liberal, 
 energetic, progressive and as likely to support an enterprise of this kind as 
 any people. If they want it we are wi lling to furnish it to them. The 
 publication of the dail}^ is not commenced merely for fun, for it is no child's- 
 play to get out a paper every day. It will be published for profit and to. 
 meet the wants of the town. As long as it pays it will be continued ; 
 whenever it ceases to pay (we have but little fear of the latter, however) it 
 will cease to be published. 
 
 " The Evening Repuhlican will be issued every afternoon, and furnished! 
 to regular subscribers, delivered in any part of the city by reliable carriers. 
 We shall aim to make the Daily Republican a welcome visitor to every 
 family in Trenton, and hope all those who wish to see it prosper will give it 
 such support as it merits." 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 CHURCHES, LODGES, ETC. 
 
 Presbyterian — Methodist — Catholic— Christian — Baptist — Colored BajHist — Colored Metho- 
 dist — When Organized — TFhen Built — Names of Pastors — Membership — General His- 
 tory — Trenton Post-office — The First Postmaster — Names of all the Postmasters — 
 Quarterly Returns — Money Order Department — Its Receipts — Secret Orders and Societies^ 
 — Odd Fellows — Knights of Pythias — Order of United Workmen — Knights of Honor 
 — Golden Spray Tabernacle. 
 
 PEESBYTEEIAN CU0ECH. 
 
 In the summer of 1873 at a meeting held at the residence of Mr. William, 
 Donaldson, a Presbyterian church organization was perfected under the di- 
 rection of Kev. Mr. Kennedy, of Hamilton, Mo., and the following persons 
 became members: Mr. and Mrs. William Donaldson, Mrs. Randolph, Mrs. 
 S. Smith, and Mr. John A. Reid. With this small beginning, the organi- 
 zation grew until there was a membership of about forty, when the old. 
 
3'98 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 church building of tlie M. E. Church, South, was rented and the Kev. Mr. 
 Chadienne, of Cameron was called. He officiated about one year, when he 
 was succeeded by the Rev. J. M. Crawford who continued in charge uptil 
 January 1, 1879. In the meantime a new and commodious church building 
 was erected, and on Sunday, December 19th, of the year last mentioned, on 
 the morning it was to be dedicated, the sacred edifice burned to the ground, 
 involving a loss of $6,800 on the members with an insurance of only $3,000. 
 The organization which was styled the " First Presbyterian Church," was 
 young and vigorous, and at once went to work to rebuild. The present ele- 
 gant structure at the corner of Elm and Prospect streets was finished in 
 1876, and on the 18th of June, the Eev. J. A. Pinkerton, of Chillicothe, 
 preached an impressive dedication sermon to a large and attentive congre- 
 gation. The new church was a fine building, 36x56, or 40x64 including 
 the recess and tower. The spire reached a little over a hundred feet high. 
 The ceiling was handsomely frescoed, while the windows were neatly fitted 
 with stained glass. The organization became involved in a lawsuit through 
 indebtedness occasioned by the loss of their first building. The case came 
 up and resulted in favor of the defendants, but at this time the Presbytery 
 appointed a committee to compromise the case, and as a result of the arbi- 
 tration the church was turned over to the mortgagees, in the fall of 1879, 
 who still hold the property, and rent it as a school building. The First 
 Presbyterian organization was disbanded, and on the 19tli of May, 1880, the 
 " Hodge Presbyterian Church" was organized with the following members: 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Donaldson, Mr. and Mrs. I. M. White, Mr. and Mrs. 
 W. D. Dobson, Mr. and Mrs. John Flannigan, Mr. and Mrs. Chas. Zinsien, 
 Miss Jennie Lafi"erty, Miss Helen Babcock, Miss Tillie McGuire, Miss Flora 
 Tinsman, Mrs. George F. Walker, Mrs. Ed. Benson, Mrs. S. Smith and Mrs. 
 Kandolph. The new organization purchased the old South Methodist 
 church building and had it refitted throughout, at an expense of $2,300 for 
 the whole. After the Rev. Mr. Crawford ceased to officiate, the Rev. 
 Joseph Thompson was called, and accepted the charge in June, 1879, con- 
 tinuing as pastor under the new organization until the spring of 1S80. On 
 the 11th of September, 1881, the Rev. John Miller, of Oregon, Mo., assumed 
 the pastorate, having been called in the previous August. The church is 
 in a flourishing condition and steadily growing. 
 
 METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHUECH. 
 
 In the early days of Trenton, when the town was small, while there were 
 quite a number of Protestant denominations, they were not strong enough 
 in number or in wealth to erect separate places of worship, and year after 
 year they formed a union church, and eacli took their turn in using it as a 
 place of worship. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal Church members became strong enough to form 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 399 
 
 an organization of their own, at least as a nucleus for, as it was hoped, a 
 large and more influential one in the near future. To that end a few worthy 
 people met together and organized in March, 1865, and called their church 
 as above named. 
 
 The church record of that early day is not now to be found, and the names 
 of all the original members of this church organization cannot be given. 
 The following are a portion of those active members who showed their faith 
 by their works: Samuel D. Luke and wife (now of Fort Collins, Colorado), 
 George "W. Schlotterback a'nd wife, AVilliam Songer (now deceased) and 
 wife, Giles Songer (now deceased) and wife, Peter Colley (now deceased) 
 and wife, Mrs. A. Gilbeant, J. F. Price, and others whose names, as above 
 stated, cannot be found. 
 
 After the organization the church steadily grew and prospered, not rap- 
 idly, but as the town grew, and by the spring of 1869 felt strong enough to 
 commence the erection of a house of worship. -Heretofore they had several 
 temporary places of worship. The church first held service in the Baptist 
 church and continued its use until the fall of 1867. They then made ar- 
 rangements for the use of the court-house, and held regular service at that 
 pjace until the spring of 1869. 
 
 That spring the work of building a Methodist Episcopal church was com- 
 menced and by fall the building was completed. In the meantime, during 
 the summer and fall the members used the Christian church to .hold ser- 
 vice in, instead of the court-house, the congregation of the latter church 
 kindly granting them its use. 
 
 The church built was a neat frame building and when completed cost 
 $2,500. It was afterwards enlarged (in 1879) at a further cost of $950. 
 The house was originally erected on the south part of block four, in Mer- 
 rill's First Addition to the town of Trenton. It stood on the spot where now 
 stands Mr. J. B. Carnes's building, now occupied by J. W. Cherry as a dry 
 goods store, at the junction known as "Five Corners." It was removed 
 from there in 1872 to the pleasant location where it now stands. 
 
 The church was dedicated to the worship of God in 1872, the Eev. Mr. 
 Higgins preaching an impressive dedication sermon. 
 
 The pastors who have ofliciated in the years gone by and up to the present 
 time, are as follows: Pev. J. T. Mesner, 1865; Rev. S. G. Anderson, 1866; 
 Kev. W. J, Fowler in the year 1867; Pev. Edwin Rozzel in 1868; Pev. Ti 
 H. Hollingsworth and Pev. L. V. Ismond in 1869; Pevs. Hatfield and 
 Robert Devlin in 1870; Rev. T. B. Bratton in 1871-72; Rev. J. W.Congh- 
 lin in 1873-74; Pev. O. Bruner,1875; Rev. J. P. Sossein in 1876-77; Rev. 
 J. M. Parker for the years 1878-79-80; and the present pastor the Pev. T. 
 J. Ferrill in 1881. 
 
 From the small beginning of a score of members in 1865, the church has 
 grown, and strengthened with its growth and it now holds a membership of 
 
400 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 275. Thus has the earnest work and faith of a few disciples of the lowly- 
 Jesus brought forth great fruit, and as the 3'ears fade may they ever gather 
 strength and prosper. 
 
 EOMAN CATHOLIC CHUECH. 
 
 The earliest written record of the Catholic Church in Missouri shows that 
 Father Watrin performed ministerial services in Ste. Genevieve, in 1760, 
 and in St. Louis in 1766. In 1770 Father Meurin erected a small log 
 church in St. Louis. In 1818, there were in the State four chapels, and for 
 upper Louisiana, seven priests. A college and seminary was opened in 
 Perry county about this period, for the education of the young, being the 
 first college west of the Mississippi River. In 1826, Father Kosatti was 
 appointed bishop of St. Louis, and, through his instrumentality, the Sisters 
 of Charity, Sisters of St. Joseph and of the Visitation were founded, besides 
 other benevolent and charitable institutions. In 1834: he completed the 
 Cathedral Church, at St. Louis. Churches were built in diiferent portions 
 of the State. In 1847 St. Louis was created an arch-diocese, with Bishop 
 Kenrick, archbishop. 
 
 ST. JOSEPH CATHOLIC CHUECH. 
 
 This church was first organized in the city of Trenton in the autumn of 
 1872. Services were held at the residence of Mr. Joseph McMullen, on 
 Prospect Street, and where the members gathered occasionally to hear 
 instruction and assist at the holy sacrifice of the mass. Among the first 
 members of the church, and who did inuch to advance its interests, were 
 Joseph McMulleu, John Bucklej^ James Fitzsimmons and family, George 
 Fischer and sons, Chris. O'Brien and wife, and a few others, numbering ten 
 families in all. Father Kennedy was the first priest who visited Trenton, 
 and organized the church. Father Murphy attended at Trenton and other 
 out missions a few months at the beginning of the year 1873, and Father 
 Kennedy returned to Trenton and the Trenton mission, and took up his . 
 residence in July, 1873. Steps were taken immediately to secure a plat of 
 ground for a church edifice; this was purchased, and arrangements also 
 eftected for the building of a church. The building is of Gothic style of 
 architecture, of wood, and in size thirty-three by sixty-eight, and cost about 
 $4,000. The organ, sacred vestments, furniture, etc., cost $1,000 more^ 
 The church was named the St. Joseph Church, and was dedicated to the 
 service of Almighty God on the first Sunday in September, 1874, by Rt. 
 Eev. John J. Hogan, bishop of the diocese. The Eev. J. J. Kennedy is 
 the pastor in charge. The present membership numbers nearly 200. Some 
 two years ago, by the united eftbrts of pastor and people, a beautiful sloping 
 liill, adjacent to the city, was purchased, containing six acres, and laid out 
 for a cemetery. It was blessed as a " city of the dead " by the Et. Eev. 
 

 
 
 
 ^^^^ 
 
HISTORY OF OEUNDY COUNTY. 403 
 
 Bishop Hogan, and called St. Josepli's Catholic Cemetery. This is the first 
 Catholic Church and cemetery in Grundy count}-. 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The Christian Churcli of Ti'enton is one of the oldest established 
 churches in the city, and although it has not been one of rapid progress, its 
 growth has been steady, and strength gained from year to year. Tliose 
 who adopted its creed as their faith were few in number at the start, but 
 faith and work will build up both church and State, and they who have the 
 God-like inheritance of the one, and the earnest and persevering will to do 
 the other, can accomplish all things that man is capable of doing. 
 
 In the year 1847 a band of earnest' workers, and possessed of an abiding 
 faith, united together and founded the first organization of the Christian 
 Church at Trenton and the heart's love they gave to it caused it to pros- 
 per and find favor with God and man. The names of those who formed 
 this first organization and were the first members of the cliurch, are as fol- 
 lows, and though not all the names were given us, those that were are here 
 entered: Wm. Collier, Sr., Susan Collier, Adam Murray, David T. "VVright 
 and wife, Mrs. George W. Moberly, and about twenty others whose names 
 have been lost. The trouble with most of the churches of the early times 
 was a want of properly keeping or preserving the minutes of their churches. 
 In this important point too much carelessness has existed in nearly all of 
 them for the first few years of their organization, and many important 
 and very interesting facts have been lost not only to the church, but history 
 itself loses much in being unable to chronicle the early trials and the 
 earnest work of those who have laid the foundation for the magnificent 
 church edifices of the present day, and given character and strength to the 
 growing organizations. 
 
 It was in the year 1856 that the members of the Christian Cliurch united 
 together to build a house of worship for themselves. To plan was to work,, 
 and so before the year last above mentioned was chronicled with the dead 
 eternity of the past, a handsome and tastefully arranged church was built 
 of brick, of medium size, and at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated the 
 same year, by an eloquent and very impressive sermon from Rev. Benj. H. 
 Smith, now of Canton, Missouri, who was called to conduct the dedication 
 ceremonies. He was asked to become their pastor, which he accepted. He 
 was succeeded by the following eminent divines in the order named: Eev. 
 D. T. Wright, Eev. Benjamin Lockhart, Rev. D. M. Turney, Rev. E. V. 
 Rice, Rev. H. W. Dale, Rev. J. R. Gafi^, Rev. Martin Peterson and Rev. 
 W. H. Blanks. The church is in a favorable condition, and its member- 
 ship numbers one hundred and fifty. 
 
 25 
 
404 HISTOET OF GRDNDT COUNTY. 
 
 FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TRENTON. 
 
 This church was first organized in the spring of 1838, under a large elm 
 tree, just south of the bridge aci'oss Grand E-iver, on the road leading to 
 Edinburg, and was first known as the " Washington United Baptist Church." 
 After Trenton was laid out the name was changed to Trenton Baptist 
 Chui-ch. Elder Elijah Merrill was the first pastor. It was organized witli 
 ten members, as .follows: 
 
 Elder Elijah Merrill, Nancy Merrill, James E. Merrill, Elizabeth Merrill, 
 Samuel Benson, Matilda Benson, Cornelius Darnaby and wife, and Mr. and 
 Mrs. Oxford. Mr. Oxford was elected as the first clerk. The records of the 
 church were supposed to have been in the possession of Deacon James 
 Benson, until his death, a few years since, but a search for them among his 
 effects has been unavailing to bring them to light, and they have not yet 
 been found. 
 
 While, therefore, a full and perfect list of the pastors who have presided 
 over the church cannot be given, the following, however, are known to have 
 held such connection, and in the order named: Elijah Merrill, Henry M. 
 Henderson, A. F. Martin, Terry Bradley, Geo. W. Warmoth, P. McCollum, 
 H. H. Turner, A. Jones, P. McCollum again, Eobert Livingston, J. E. M. 
 Beeson, E. L. Jamison and F. J. Leavitt, the present pastor. 
 
 Jacob Oxford, J. E. Merrill, J. M. Henderson, Wm. H. Eobertson, W. 
 -C. Benson, W. W. Brooks, D. W. Eobertson, J. M. Eobertson, J. F. Cran- 
 ■dall, J. M. Leedy and W. B. Eogers, present clerk. All of the above served 
 in the order named. 
 
 WHERE THEY MET. 
 
 For several years after the organization, the country being new and the 
 members living some distance apart, the meetings were held from place to 
 place, taking their turns at the houses of the members and of the citizens, 
 and for a while in a school-house near the old graveyard south of town, 
 which was known as the old Baptist Church at the time that Trenton was 
 located as the county seat in 1841, the first session of the Circuit Court 
 having been held at this log church. In 1844, at the completion of the 
 court-house, service was held there. D. T. Wright then built the house 
 now occupied by A. K. Sykes, which was rented to the Baptists and other 
 denominations, to hold service in. 
 
 The first house of worship erected and belonging to the church was in 
 1852, on the lot in front of where W. H. Yerian now lives. It was about 
 twenty-six by forty feet, and was then in the central part of the town. The 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 405 
 
 cliui-cli proved too small, and ten feet were added to it soon after. It was in 
 the spring of 1850 that a very remarkable revival took place, resulting in 
 over one hundred additions to the church. 
 
 NEW ORGANIZATION. 
 
 It still continued to be known as the Trenton Baptist Church as late as 
 1875, Avhen, in the month of March of that year, it was duly incorporated 
 under the laws of the State and under the name of the First Baptist Church 
 of Trenton, at Trenton, Missouri, with the following named gentlemen as 
 trustees: A. H. Burkeliolder, W. C. Benson, James Austin, W. B. Rogers, 
 W. H. Yerian, James G. Benson and J. M. Eobertson. C. A. Hoifman 
 has since been elected in place of Wm. C. Benson, resigned, and J. G. 
 Hemley in place of James G. Benson, deceased. In 1876 the church com- 
 pleted tlie handsome edifice now occupied by them, on Elm Street, which 
 cost, including the lot, the sum of $5,600. 
 
 WHAT IT JOINED. 
 
 The church sent messengers soon after its organization to what was known 
 as the Fishing River Association of Baptist Churches — an old school or 
 hard-shell association, but there is no evidence of record that it was ever a 
 member or received as a member of that association. In the organization 
 of the North Grand River Association of Missionary Baptist Churches the 
 Trenton Church was one of the constitutional members, and has remained 
 a member ever since. At its organization, or at the time it entered the 
 North Grand River Association, it was supposed to have adopted the articles 
 of faith and covenant as published in the encyclopedia of religious knowledge, 
 but in 1879, the articles of faith having been lost, with the records of the 
 church, the articles of faith and covenant known as the Philadelphia Articles of 
 Faith, and published by tlie American Baptist Publication Society at Philadel- 
 phia were adopted, and remain the faith of the church. While the church has 
 always been known as a missionary church, and has cooperated in the mis- 
 sionary work, there has always been more or less of the predestination or 
 anti-missionary sentiment in the church, holding to the Calvanistic doctrine 
 of election. There is less, however, of that sentiment of late years than 
 formerly. 
 
 The church now numbers one hundred and forty members, and is the 
 third in number in the city of Trenton. 
 
 COLORED BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The Second Baptist Church, colored, of the city of Trenton, was organ- 
 ized a few years ago, by a few persevering brethren, and resiilted in con- 
 tinued success. In 1880 the members of the church united in a determined 
 effort to build a place of worship and the corner-stone was laid that year under 
 
406 HISTOET OF GEUNDT,COUNTT. 
 
 the auspices of the Knights of Tabor and Daughters of the Tabernacle, the 
 Eev. Mr. Smith, of Chillicothe, and the Kev. Amos Johnson, of Maconj 
 Missouri, conducting the ceremonies, assisted by the Rev. M. S. Bryant. 
 The church building is now completed. It is a neat frame building, and 
 the church under its pleasant and able j^astor, the Rev. Harvey Morton, 
 "with a membership of thirtj^-five, is in a flourishing condition. 
 
 AFRICAN M. E. CHDECH. 
 
 This church was organized about the year 1875, and its progress was of 
 such a character that in 1877 the members united and built a neat house of 
 worship. It was dedicated the same year, the Rev. S. Love preaching the 
 dedication sermon. Its pastors have been the Rev. J. R. Loving, and the 
 Rev. H. H. Triplette up to 1879, when in September of that year the Rev. 
 M. S. Byrant was called, who accepted, and he is the present pastor of the 
 church. It has grown steadily under his administration and now numbers 
 forty members, with every prospect of a prosperous future. 
 
 CEMETEEY. 
 
 "I walk these silent haunts with reverend tread, 
 And seem to gaze upon the mighty dead ; 
 Imagination calls the noble train, 
 From dust and darkness back to life again." 
 
 The cemeteries of Trenton are numerous enough, being five in number 
 The Odd Fellow's and the Mason's burial-grounds lie in the west part of the 
 city on a gentle slope. A handsome roadway separates the grounds, and 
 they are kept in excellent order. The Catholic cemetery is on high ground 
 sloping to the west. Tlie old cemetery, witli some twelve acres of ground, 
 lies just east of the Catholic cemetery, and the grounds of the Ancient 
 Order of United Workman containing seven acres are handsomely laid out, 
 but have not yet received an occupant. They lie west of the ground of the 
 Masonic and Odd Fellows. 
 
 SECEET OEDEES AND SOCIETIES. 
 
 Trenton has quite a number of secret orders and societies all of which are 
 in a flourishing condition and seem to grow with her growth for as she gains 
 in population, so do these societies and orders increase in number and mem- 
 bership. It would be impossible for the author of this work, with the space 
 at his command, to give a full and succinct liistory of each and all of these 
 lodges, but has given to each the date of their organization, with their 
 officers and membership, and also the officers and the number of members 
 at the date of this history They are nearly one and all in a flourishing con- 
 dition, and have done much to cement the ties of brotherhood and fraternal 
 feeling among our people. 
 
HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 407 
 
 KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 
 
 AdeljyMa Lodge No. 38. — This lodge was instituted January 26tli, 1876, 
 by Grand Chancellor Chas. D. Lucas, and Grand Keejjer of E. and S. 
 John T. Swygard, assisted by Fast Grand Chancellor J. L. Nichols of the 
 State of Pennsylvania, and the founder of this lodge, who still lives in Trenton. 
 
 Its officers and charter members were: J. L. Nichols, past chancellor; 
 W. H. Roberts, chancellor commander; Henry Stormfelts, vice-chancellor; 
 E. F. Ilorton, prelate; J. U. Ward, K. of record and seal; M. H. Gessler, 
 master of exchange; D. D. Ridgwa.y, master of finance; J. A. Webster, 
 W. M. Garden, C. L. Webber, C. Fv. Dudley, F. M. Hall, J. G. Heamley, 
 M. M. Berry, J. E. Custard, B. D. Beecher, R. H. Hume, seventeen in all. 
 
 Its present membership is sixtj^-four. Its present officers are: E. F. Brown, 
 past chancellor; G. F. Hammer, chancellor commander; M. H. Gessler, vice- 
 chancellor; M. A. Berry, K. of recoi'd and seal; Henry Stormfelts, M. 
 of F; F. Klett, M. of Ex; A. Morris, prelate; Wes. Sparkes, M. of A.; 
 Frank Cosner, T. G.; J. Steinhauser, O. G. 
 
 This lodge is in a prosperous condition and has lately moved into a beauti- 
 ful new hall over the post-office. 
 
 A. o. IT. w. 
 
 Trenton Lodge No. '21., organized July 20th, 1877, with the following 
 officers and charter members: J. M. Crawford, F. M. W.; T. B. Harber, 
 M. W.; G. W. Milton, (i. F.; Levi Greer, O.; H. J. Herrick, recorder; 
 A. Y. Young, iinancier; D. L. Truesdale, recorder; M. C. Aslier, G; E. L. 
 McCluen, I. W.; B. F. Tliomas, O. W.; F. C. Mason, Thos. Kimlin, W. C. 
 Swayze, C. A. Dudley, W. C. Fowler. 
 
 It has steadily grown and among its members may be found some of 
 Trenton's oldest and most prominent citizens. Its present officers are: 
 J. W. Smith, P. M. W.; G. D. Smith, M. W.; F. C. Stepp, G. F.; C. L. 
 Ewing, O.; W. M. Maxwell, recorder; E. A. Benson, financier; Luther 
 Collier, receiver; G. G. McFarland, guide; A. J. Stetler, I. W.; G. L. 
 Winters, O. W.; T. Kimlin, Med. Ex. Total membership ninety. 
 
 Godfrey de Bouillon Commandery No. lilf., K. T., organized June 23d, 
 1874, as follows: James C. Wj'att, Em. Com.; E. E. Fetherstonh, general- 
 issimo; A. D. Mullens, Capt. Gen.; E. 0. Carscadin, Frei.; George Tindall, 
 treasurer; J. B. Farnam, recorder; T. Kimlin, S. W.; I. M. Patton, J. 
 W.; J. L. Nichols, standard bearer; W. H. Roberts, sword bearer; W. H. 
 McGrath, warden, and John Kirk, guard. 
 
 Its present officers are: E. O. Carscadin, Em. Com.; J. B. Farnam, gen- 
 eralissimo; W. S. Prentiss, Capt. Gen.; Thomas Kimlin, prelate; P. H. Ya- 
 key, treasurer; W. C. Swayze, recorder; John Fitterer, S. W.; L. D. Hall, 
 
408 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 J. W. ; J. M. Bailey, standard bearer; C. C. Parker, sword bearer; B. F. 
 Harding, warden; W. H. McGrath, guard. Total number of members, 
 thirty-seven. 
 
 Trenton Lodge, JVo. Ill, A. F. & A. J/., was organized October, 10th, 
 1849, with the following elected officers: J.B. Allen, W. M.; B. H. Smith, 
 S. W.; B. S. Nordyke, J. W. ; J. Snyder, secretary: J. Winter, treasurer; 
 Benj. F. White, S. D.; John R.Clark, J. D.; John W. Smith, tyler. 
 
 Officers 1881: James B. Murray, W. M.; Charles S. Glaspell, S. W.; 
 Wm. C. Swayze, J. W.; James Austin, treasurer; Wm. P. Lafferty, sec- 
 retary; Wm. Hibbert, S. D.; B. A. Fry, J. D.; Thos. Montgomery, Chap.; 
 Wm. H. Johnson, tyler. Total number of members, 138. 
 
 Trenton R. A. C. No. 66, was organized November 16, 1870. At the 
 time of its organization the following were chosen officers: Marshall Ful- 
 ton, H. P.; J. E. Harris, E. K.; N. A. Winters, scribe; W. H. Roberts, 
 
 C. H.; J. L. Shipley, P. S.; Stephen Peery, R. A. C; A. K. Sykes, G. M. 
 1st y.; J. H. Kerfoot, G. M. 2d V.; William Pond, G. M. 3d V.; A. H. 
 Burkeholder, secretary; W. W. Brooks, treasurer; R. F. Keith, guard. 
 
 It steadily advanced from the date of its organization to the present time. 
 The year 1881 the following were elected officers: W. H. McGrath, H. P.; 
 W. C. Swayze, E. K.; B. F. Harding, scribe; J. Goldenburg, P. S.; W. C. 
 Swayze, secretary j9ro tern.; John Fitterer, R. A. C; P. C. Mason, C. H.; 
 P. H. Yakey, treasurer; S. A. Lafferty, G. M. 3d V.; T. Torpey, G. M. 2d 
 Yt. T. M. Hull, G. M. 1st v.; L. B. Walker, guard. Total number of 
 members, fifty-eight. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF HONOR. 
 
 America Lodge JVo. £273, was instituted August 6th, 1880, and char- 
 ter received from the Supreme Lodge August 19th, 1881, as follows: "To 
 all whom it may concern, greeting: Know ye that by virtue of the power 
 vested in Supreme Lodge, Knights of Plonor, as a corporate body, this 
 charter is granted to A. Morris, M. L. Boyles, J. H. Braidwood, J. B. 
 Berry, F. J. Leavitt, H. C. Lanius, W. I. George, J. H. Patton, D. F. 
 Trunkey, F. H. Storts, J. W. Cherry, Fred. Day, D. C. Pugh, A. Walker, 
 N. Shanklin, J. M. Bailey, E. F. Horton, O. J. Rockwell and J. H. George, 
 their associates and successors, constituting them a subordinate lodge of 
 the order to be hailed by the title of America Lodge No. 2273 ' Knights of 
 Honor.'" W. B. Hoke, supreme dictator; J. C. Plumer, supreme R. In- 
 stituted by W. A. Halstead, dictator. The officers elect were: A. Morris, 
 past dictator; M. L. Boyles, dictator; Thos. F. Dean, vice-dictator; Geo. 
 
 D. Fox, assistant dictal^or; F. J. Leavitt, chaplain; J. H. Braidwood, repor- 
 ter; J. B. Berry, financial reporter; D. C. Pugh, treasurer; Geo. Walker, 
 guide; A. Walker, guard; Jos. Beekler, sentinel; J. M. Bailey, W. Shank- 
 lin, W. I. George, trustees. 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 409 
 
 Tlie present membership of the lodge numbers thirty-three and the offi- 
 cers are as follows: A. J. Eockwell, district deputy past grand dictator; 
 A. Morris, lodge deputy past grand dictator; M. L. Boyles, past dictator; 
 H. C. Lanius, past sitting dictator; Wm. Hibbert, dictator; Geo. "Walker, 
 vice-dictator; Geo. D. Fox, assistant dictator; F. J. Leavitt, chaj^lain; 
 James F. Low, reporter; R. A. Collier, financial reporter; D. C. Pugh, 
 treasurer; Jos. Beekler, guide; A. Forbes, sentinel; A. J. Spitler, guard; 
 J. M. Bailey, W. Shanklin, W. I. George, trustees. 
 
 The order is in a flourishing condition and the present membership in the 
 United States numbers over 125,000. The object of the organization is 
 benevolent and fraternal. Over one million dollars were paid to widows 
 and orphans for the year 1880, and the order is increasing in membership 
 at the rate of twentj'-five hundred per month. 
 
 I. o. o. F. 
 
 Trenton Encampment No. 55 was organized May 13, 1871. The charter 
 members were: Wm. Collier, Luther Collier, D. M. Ferguson, R. P. Carnes, 
 T. A. Murphy, F. 0. Conrads, J. II. Shanklin, C. A. Conrads and C. Gilham. 
 The .first elective oflicei-s were: Luther Collier, C. P.; C. A. Conrads, H. 
 P.; E. P. Carnes, S. W.; L. D. Hall, J. W.; W. li. Roberts, scribe; Wm. 
 Collier, treasurer. 
 
 The last semi-ann\;al report to the grand encampment shows a member- 
 ship of thirtj'-four. Amount received during term, $103; amount of cash 
 on hand, $25i.93. 
 
 The present officers are: L. B. Crowder, C. P.; J. M. Wannamaker, H. 
 P.; H. Ginn, S. W.; Gus. Barth, J. W.; E. S. Carnes, scribe; li. F. 
 Carnes, financial scribe; J. B. Carnes, treasurer. 
 
 The encampment meets semi-monthly, on the first and third Monday 
 nights of each month. 
 
 Grand River Lodge No. 53 was organized January 7, 1852, by D. D. G. 
 M. Charles Derrickson and the following charter members: H. H. T. Grill, 
 Wm. E. Moberly, N. J. McAshan, S. Weil, W. H. Dollman, J. Winter, T. 
 Hamburger and T. M- Forkner. Tlie first elected officers were: J. Winter, 
 N. G.; J. H. Shanklin, V. G.; M. A. Thaxton, secretary; H. H. Bledsoe, 
 treasurer. 
 
 Since its organization, and up to date, there were two hundred and fifty- 
 seven names enrolled and admitted; present membership one hundred and 
 thirteen, in good standing. During the last fourteen years there was paid 
 out for benevolent purposes and sick benefits the sum of $1,529.61. 
 
 The last semi-annual report to the grand lodge of Missouri, of March 31, 
 1881, shows the following condition of the lodge: t(?tal receipts during the 
 term, $313.55; amount paid for relief during term, $180; amount in the 
 treasury, $264.14; amount of notes secured by real estate, $950: member- 
 ship, one liundred and nine. 
 
no HISTOEY OF GETINDT COTJNTY. 
 
 Present officers: Henry F. Carnes, N. G.; Gus. Earth, V. G.; Kobt. S. 
 Carnes, secretarj'; J. W. Smith, permanent secretary; G. W. Smith, treas- 
 urer. 
 
 The lodge meets weekly — everj' Tuesday night — in the Odd Fellows' 
 Hall, opposite com-t-house. Their hall is nicely furnished, and the lodge 
 owns a cemetery west of town, well taken care of. 
 
 DAUGHTEES OF THE TABEENACLE. 
 
 Golden 8-pray No. 1^.1. — This is a colored ladies' organization, which has 
 been formed but a few months, and, besides their officers, numbers fourteen 
 members. The}^ hold monthly meetings, the first Monday evening of each 
 month being the time set. 
 
 The present officers ai-e as follows: Mrs. Mollie Hutchinson, C. P.; Mrs. 
 Calvin Eucker, Y. P.; Mrs. Phillis Carter, I. S.; Miss Annie Asby, P. C; 
 Miss Jane Biueson, C. P. P.; Mrs. Laura White, recorder; Mrs. Kittie 
 Steel, treasurer. Tribunes, Mr. H. Steel, Mr. A. Hutchinson, Mr. "Wra. 
 Henderson. 
 
 KNIGHTS OF TABOE. 
 
 Wm. Paid Quinn Temple No. 4.^.. — This order of colored men wais or- 
 ganized December, 1877, and has been very regular in its meetings. There 
 are but few colored people in Trenton, and, of course, the order cannot be 
 very large, but those M'ho are members keep up its spirit and organization 
 with great fervor. They number fifteen in membership, besides officers, 
 and they bold regular monthly meetings. ' The present officers are as fol- 
 lows: James Benton, C. M.; Harrison Steel, Y. M. ; Alex. Hutchinson, 0. 
 S.; Elbert White, C.T.; Hugh Penison, C. D. M.; Nathaniel Cook, C. S. 
 B.; Logan Hutchison, C. S. T. 
 
 TRENTON POST-OFFICE. 
 
 While Trenton was first settled in 1831 and quite a thriving town, its 
 post-office facilities were of the most primitive order until the year 1839. 
 Spring Hill-, in Livingston county, and Millport, in Daviess county or Kay 
 county, up to 1837, were the nearest post-offices, and Lomax Store the gen- 
 eral place of delivery. The person who went to either of the above named 
 places brought up all the letters and ])apers for the neighborhood and left 
 them at Lomax Store to be called for. This continued until the year 1839, 
 when the United States post-office department established a post-office at 
 Lomax Store, and the name was "Blufl^ Grove," and James S. Lomax was 
 duly installed as postmaster thereof. Mr. Lomax continued to perform 
 the arduous duties of the office until the year 1842, when he was succeeded 
 by George W. Moberly, then in the prime of early and vigorous manhood, 
 and now the president of the Union Bank of Trenton. Mr. Moberly held 
 the resijonsible office for nearly eight j'ears, during part of the administra- 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 411 
 
 tions of John Tyler and of James K. Polk. After the election of Taylor 
 and Fillmore and the death of President Taylor, Mr. James Austin as- 
 sumed the important position, Mr. Moberly retiring under tlie popular and 
 well deserved cry of " Well done good and faithful servant." It was during 
 the administration of Mr. Moberly the post-office name was changed from 
 Bluff Grove to that of Trenton. 
 
 The administration of Mr. Austin and the management of the depart- 
 ment was somewhat a peculiar one during his term of office. And to a 
 "strictly confidential ear" the years of 1851, '52, '53 and '54: may be said 
 to have been the amusement years in the history of the Trenton post-office. 
 At the end of Mr. Austin's term, which expired in 1S54, Mr. Geo. M. 
 Cooper, now a resident of Oregon, succeeded Mr. Austin as postmaster, but 
 retained it only two years, when he was succeeded by Joseph Winters. Mr. 
 Winters, however, enjoyed the highly honorable and lucrative position 
 scarcely a year when that popular and reliable citizen and druggist of Tren- 
 ton, Mr. Pobert !N". Featherstone, took possession of the office and held it 
 during the remainder of the administration of James Buchanan. 
 
 TnE CHANGE. 
 
 It was in 1861 when the alarm was sounded that the Union was in danger 
 and young men were called to the front and at the post of danger that Mr. 
 William Collier, one of the old pioneers and one of Trenton's best and most 
 enterprising citizens was called to take charge of the office. During the 
 dark days of civil strife he was at his post and all went well. When peace 
 came and the light of liberty shone with a bright refulgence over all this 
 broad land of ours, the old pioneer, this upright man and citizen, stood at 
 his post and no one asked to take his place. And in the year 1869, after he 
 had lived to see peace and prosperity overspread the land Vitli its mantle of 
 white and gold, and when his years numbered more than three score, the 
 angel of death came and called him home. There was sorrow in Tren- 
 ton then, for not only were they bereft of their postmaster but a good citi- 
 zen had gone. On the death of Mr. Collier, Mr. David Crooks became post- 
 master, and held it until the year 1878. The post-office had been moved 
 several times and quite a feeling had sprung up in i-egard to its location. 
 Fi-om Water Street it had been taken to Elm, and from the latter street 
 back to Water, and for a few years it was kept in a building opposite the 
 court-house, now called the ''West End," and on the outskirts of the business 
 part of the city. Rival parties had sprung up, one to retain and the other 
 to bring it nearer the center of business. 
 
 THE PRESENT INCUMBENT. 
 
 In 1878 the present popular and efficient postmaster, Dr. E. F. Horton, 
 received his commission, and being "chuck full" of pride as well as energy 
 
4:12 IIISTGEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 went to work to make the post-ofBce of Ti'enton an institntion worthy of 
 the town, and the department itself a convenience to the people. He ad- 
 mirably succeeded, and the Trenton post-ofBce hasn^t its equal north of the 
 Missouri River, or in the State for the size of the town, for beauty, conve- 
 nience, excellent management and a courteous desire on the part of the 
 officials to see the people well and promptly served. 
 
 The post-office removal tight had been pretty fierce for the past year. 
 It was one the postmaster. Dr. Horton, did not feel like deciding, and the 
 matter was left to the post-office department at Washington. An agent 
 was sent out, and the new building, then in the course of erection near the 
 Elmore House, and what is known as the "Five Corners," was selected by 
 the agent of the department, and accordingly on the 19th of August, 1881, 
 the office was removed and Dr. Horton took possession of his new quarters 
 and fixed it up in splendid style. The location by the agent was in a meas- 
 ure influenced by the fact that it would be near enough to the Rock Island 
 Railroad depot to cause the delivery to be made at the expense of the rail- 
 road company, and second, it was the central business point of the city. 
 The " West End" felt sadly over the move, and for a few days tried to as- 
 suage their grief by offering ''West End" property at remarkably low rates, 
 either for cash or "Central City" property. Just how much comfort they 
 experienced in tiieir laudable effort was not reported, but it was believed 
 that it was not a grand success. 
 
 The full statement of the receipts and expenditures of the office has not 
 been secured, but through the courtesy of Dr. Horton, the present efficient 
 incumbent, the last quarter is presented. 
 
 The report is ver}' flattering to a town of only 4,000 inhabitants, and will 
 undoubtedly compare favorably with any city of corresponding size in the 
 State. 
 
 The quarterly returns for the quarter ending June 30, 1881, show 
 
 the total postal revenue to liave been $3,821.80 
 
 The total money orders issued for the same quarter amounted 
 
 to 28,664.19 
 
 And the amount of monev paid on the money orders received 
 
 was ." 11,599.19 
 
 Total $17,065.08 
 
 Leaving a balance as above which was remitted to the money order ac- 
 count to the United States depository. 
 
 The rapid growth of Trenton and its increasing population will cause this 
 showing to be handsomely added to, and it will soon become one of the im- 
 portant inland offices of the State. 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 413 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 MEDICAL SOCIETY, CEIMES, ETC. 
 
 Trenton College — When Incorporated — Medical Societi/ — When Organized — Qualification of 
 Members — Enilroad and Machine-shops — Number of Einploi/es — Expenditures — Coal 
 Consumed — Waste and Oil Used — Managers— Crimes — The War Period — Robbery and 
 Murder — Burglar Captured and Shot — Biographies — Alphabetical List of Sketches — 
 Prominent Citizens of Trenton. 
 
 TRENTON COLLEGE. 
 
 An institution of learning, bearing the above title, was incorporated by 
 the General Assembly of Missouri, and received executive approval, on the 
 26th of October, 1857. A board of trustees was appointed, consisting of 
 Messrs. William H. Nelson, William H. Eobertson, James R. Merrill, Wm. 
 W. Brooks, James Austin, John B. McDonald, William C. Benson, Geo. 
 W. Parker and Jerry Bradley, who were given full authority to appoint "all 
 such officers and servants as they shall deem sufficient or useful, and declare 
 the tenure, duties and emoluments of the same." The faculty were granted 
 all the powers belonging and appertaining to a collegiate institution, such 
 as the bestowal of diplomas, which "entitled the possessor to all the immu- 
 nities which, by law or usage, are allowed possessors of similar diplomas 
 granted by any college or university in the United States." The first 
 named trustee was authorized to appoint the time and place and call a meet- 
 ing of said board of trustees. Whether such meeting ever took place is not 
 known, but certain it is that further than the act of incorporation, tlie Tren- 
 ton College never became a reality, and only lives as one of the attempts to 
 make Trenton an established seat of learning. 
 
 GEUNDT COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY. 
 
 The question of organizing a medical society, though frequently broached 
 by the physicians of Trenton, never resulted in an organization until in 
 June, 1880, when the above named society became one of the institutions 
 of the city and county. The following named physicians and surgeons 
 were the original members: Solomon Stewart, W. R. Berry, J. W. Patton, 
 R. Cash, J. E. Harris, C. E. Webber, Isaac Coles and Thomas Kimlin, who 
 organized by electing Dr. Kimlin president, and Dr. Webber secretary. 
 
 The regular meetings of the society are held on the first Monday in each 
 month. Any physician possessing the qualifications required by the Amer- 
 ican Medical Society, may become a member of the Grundy County Medi- 
 cal Society by having his name proposed, balloted for and receiving a 
 majority of the votes cast. The society is governed by the same rules as 
 
414 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 the American Medical Association. The meetings of the society are of 
 much interest, affording, as they do, opportunity for the discussion of ques- 
 tions of importance to the profession, and at the same time cementing the 
 bonds of fraternal fellowship among the members. 
 
 THE KAILEOAD SHOPS. 
 
 Among the industries which have contributed largely to the growth and 
 prosperity of Trenton, the shops of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
 Eailway take the most prominent place, and a statement of the manage- 
 ment and operation of this department of Trenton's business is of more 
 than passing importance. 
 
 The company employs in the shops some two hundred and fifteen men, 
 and for the wages of these employes makes an annual expenditure of 
 $142,296.60, nearly, if not all of which goes to swell the local trade of Tren- 
 ton. These employes represent a class of thriity and industrious citizens 
 who spend their earnings in making and beautifying their homes, thus as- 
 sisting in the material progress of the city. 
 
 Following will be found a more detailed statement of the management 
 and operation of the master mechanic's department of the southwestern 
 division of the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific Eailway, under the efllcient 
 control of the head of the department, Mr. E. O. Carscadin. 
 
 There are one hundred and twenty-one machinists, laborers and wipers 
 employed, for whose services the company pays out annually the sum of 
 $55,051.80. 
 
 In the locomotive department employment is given to ninety-four engi- 
 neers and firemen, the annual aggregate of whose salaries amounts to the 
 sum of $87,544.80. 
 
 The coal consumed annually as fuel amounts to sixty-nine million pounds, 
 a considerable portion of which is mined in Trenton. 
 
 In one year 19,500 pounds of waste are used, and 18,000 gallons of oil are 
 necessary for the same length of time. 
 
 As above stated, the general management is under the charge Mr. E. O. 
 Carscadin, master mechanic. Mr. John Kirk is the general foreman of the 
 shops, and Mr. John Buckley is foreman of the blacksmithing department. 
 Mr. L. T. Cox holds the position of time-keeper. These gentlemen are all 
 thoroughly acquainted with their duties, as the excellent manner in which 
 the business of the shops is conducted amply testifies. 
 
 The list of crimes and casualties that have taken place in Grundy county, 
 outside of those committed during the late civil war, were of but little con- 
 sequence. With tlie exception of one murder, of a courtesan, referred to, the 
 cases have been of lighter degrees of crime than murder. During the war, 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 415- 
 
 hatred born of fanaticism, and a naturally depraved and brutal heart, com- 
 mitted crimes in the name of liberty that not only damned their actors as 
 fiends, but threw a veil of deep damnation over the fair fame of the Union 
 itself, and caused a feeling of intense horror to take possession of the peo- 
 ple. These acts were caused by the civil war when passion raged and judg- 
 ment was lost in the fury of the hour. But what excited the horror and 
 astonishment of the people was the fact that such devils incarnate were 
 found among those who had lived in their midst. It was not for the love- 
 of Union, or the love of a Confederacy that caused these crimes to be com- 
 mitted in freedom's name, but was the tigerish instinct and thirst for blood 
 of a few demons in human shape. The people of Grundy can thank 
 God that they had but a few of these beings around them, and these pages 
 ■will not be polluted even by the mention of their names. The death of 
 Mr. Wright, the cowardly assasination of Chambers, the brutal and fiend- 
 ish hanging of Gooch, the murder of Sharp, and the sending of poor 
 Bonta to his long home, are a portion of the list of crimes which have 
 darkened the pages of an otherwise bright record in the rise and progress 
 of Grundy county. This history briefly records these things because they 
 are records of events that have their share in the annals of passing time, 
 and to make this work complete, but not to dwell upon a chapter that, 
 while it cannot be left unwritten, can at least be shortened in detail. 
 
 SAFE ROBBERS. 
 
 The county safe was broken into in April, 1870, and the robbers escaped,. 
 but were tracked to Kansas City and there arrested. They gave their 
 names as Edward O'Dowell and John Fuller. Fuller also escaped from thfr 
 Trenton jail, but was recaptured. The money was mostly recovered. The 
 attempt to burglarize the bank of Shanklin & Austin was another episode 
 in the annals of crime in Trenton. The fact was discovered and the bur- 
 glar shot dead in his attempt to escape. His pal gave him away. On. 
 finding himself trapped he struck one man with his jimmy and hurt him. 
 severely, but the sheriff fired and killed him. His name was Carter. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 JAMES AUSTIN 
 
 "Was born upon a farm in Boone county, Missouri, on the 23d of July, 1818.. 
 On the farm he continued to live until reaching his twenty-second year,, 
 receiving such education as the common schools of his native county 
 afforded. Leaving Boone county in 1840 he came to Grundy county and 
 settled' in Trenton, then a very small village, and engaged in a general mer- 
 cantile business with John Graham as a partner, iinder the name and style- 
 
4:16 HISTOKT OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 of Graham & Austin. In this business he continued, with few changes in 
 the firm, until 1859, when he became associated with Messrs. Jacob T. Tin- 
 ,.d?ijl and John H. Shanklin in the law and brokerage business, under the 
 *nrm name of Tindall, Shanklin & Austin. This firm transacted business 
 until 1862, when by the death of Colonel Tindall at the battle of Shiloh, 
 the firm of Shanklin & Austin was established, and still carries on an ex- 
 tensive banking and legal business, Mr. Austin having the general manage- 
 ment of the banking department. Mr. A. has never sought political noto- 
 riety or preferment, but has always interested himself in the building up 
 and general prosperity of Trenton. 
 
 Mr. Austin was united in the marriage bonds to Miss Susan Collier, in 
 18i7. By this union they have a family of six children, named, respect- 
 ively, Sarah Frances, now Mrs. William W. Hubbell, of Trenton; Eliza, 
 now Mrs. JST. Shanklin, of Trenton; William E., cashier of Shanklin & 
 Austin's bank; Laura, now Mrs. James Carnes, of Trenton; Lizzie, now 
 Mrs. E. M. Harber, of Trenton; and Alice, now Mrs. J. H. Hughes, of 
 Trenton. Mrs. Austin is a worth}^ member of the Christian Church of 
 Trenton. 
 
 ASHER BEOTHEES. 
 
 This firm consists of M. C. and H. B. Asher, both natives of Muskingum 
 county, Ohio. M. C. was born March 27, 1851, and H. B., March 3, 1853. 
 They came to Grundy county with their parents in 1869, settling on a large 
 tract of land eight miles northeast of Ti-enton, where tliej' lived with their 
 parents and helped to improve the farm until they began life for themselves. 
 Before leaving home the}' had received a good common education. The 
 senior, M. C, began teaching when nineteen years of age, and wlien twenty, 
 jiis father gave him a tract of land adjoining the homestead, of which he 
 made a good farm and still owns it. March 14, 1871, he married Miss 
 Georgiana McMillen, of Muskingum county, Ohio, and began housekeep- 
 ing on his new farm. Living there until 1875 he rented the place out and 
 came to Trenton to represent his father in the firm of Miller & Asher, and 
 the same in their successors, Asher & Murphy, until 1879, when the pres- 
 ent firm established themselves in business. He has one childj Orville. 
 H. B., the junior member of the firm, remained on the homestead until 
 1876, when he came to Trenton and began learning the tinner's trade with 
 Miller & Asher, working with them and their successors, Asher & Murphy, 
 until 1879, when the present firm of Asher Brothers was formed. Decem- 
 ber 24, 1876, he married Miss Elizabeth Humphrey, of Grundy county. 
 
 W. E. BEEEY, M. D. 
 
 William R. Berry was born in McConnelsville, Ohio, April 14, 1840, and 
 was^there reared and received an elementai-y education in the common and 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 417 
 
 high schools of McConnelsville, afterward attending the State University at 
 Ann Arbor, Michigan, from which institution he graduated in 1860. Ke- 
 tiirning home he at once entered upon the study of medicine under Dr. John 
 Ewing, of McConnelsville, in whose office he remained three years. In 
 1864 he volunteered his services as army surgeon, and became assistant 
 surgeon in the hospital department, under General W. T. Sherman in his 
 celebrated march to the sea, remaining until the capture of Atlanta, in the 
 fall of 1864, when he resumed his studies, graduating a doctor of medicine 
 from the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor, in the spring of 1865. 
 Immediately after his graduation he came west and settled in Trenton, and 
 entered upon the practice of medicine and surgery, remaining three years, 
 and removing in 1868 to Macon City, Missouri, where he continued prac- 
 tice until 1872. In this latter year he went to New York City and com- 
 pleted a full course in the medical department of the university of that city, 
 and graduating therefrom in the spring of 1873. From New York he went 
 to Edinbui'gh, Scotland, entered the medical department of the Edinburgh 
 University, passed an examination in the fall of 1873, and received a certifi- 
 cate of membership to the Koyal College of Physicians and Surgeons — an 
 honorary degree. Returning to Macon City in the spring of 1874, he for a 
 time gave up the practice of his profession, invested in mining stocks, and 
 gave his attention to interests connected with the mines of southwest Mis- 
 souri, in which business he was engaged for four years. In the spring of 
 1878 Dr. Berry again located in Trenton, and once more entered upon the 
 practice of medicine, in which city he yet resides, and continues practice. 
 
 Dr. Berry was married in McConnelsville, Ohio, on November 1, 1860, 
 to Miss Elizabeth Dunlap, of that place. They have a family of three 
 children, named, respectively, Annie E., Corydon L., and William L. Dr. 
 Berry is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and became a master mason 
 in Trenton Lodge No. Ill, in the year 1867. 
 
 HON. A. H. BUEKEHOLDEE. 
 
 Abraham Hudson Burkeholder was born at Dillsbury, York county, Penn- 
 sylvania, June 27th, 1835. When he was four yearg of age his parents 
 moved to Perry county, and settled on a farm near Newport, where he en- 
 joyed the advantages of the neighborhood common school until his nine- 
 teenth year, when he began the battle of life for himself. He went on the 
 Juniata Canal as a boat driver and soon became a bowsman and steersman. 
 In a few months, however, he was taken down with a malarial fever, from 
 which he did not recover for nearly a year, and this event was the turning 
 point in his life, as he entered the Markleville Normal Institute in his 
 twentieth year, where he graduated, receiving the second honors of his class, 
 in his twenty-fourth year. He had no capital but his love of knowledge 
 and a determination to obtain it by his habits of industry and economy. 
 
418 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 By teaching school and otlier labor, he paid for liis own edneation. After 
 graduating he entered the law office of Mclntire & Son at Bloom- 
 d, Pennsylvania, in April, 1860, where he read law, and at the April 
 ^rm of the Common Pleas Court, in 1862, was admitted to the bar. In 
 the meantime his father had moved to Ohio, near Toledo, and he immedi- 
 ately followed him. He had been a Democrat np to this time and had 
 voted the Douglas ticket in 1860, but here he cut loose from old party lines 
 and afterward acted in harmony with the administration of Lincoln, and 
 made speeches against the rebellion. On December 25th, 1862, he married 
 Miss Kebecca Ada Waltner, of Putnam county, Ohio. They have a family 
 of two children living, Poe and Norton. He taught school during the fall 
 of 1862 and winter ot^ 1863, at the close of which he took the field and 
 made recruiting speeches for the Union arraj^ and in June, 1863, enlisted 
 as a private soldier in the Eighty -eighth Ohio volunteer infantry. He was 
 successively promoted till he became quartermaster of the One Hundred 
 and Seventy-ninth Ohio volunteer infantry. He served till the close of 
 the war, receiving his discharge at Nashville, Tennessee, when he returned 
 to his home in Ohio, but immediately turned his eyes westward and moved 
 to Missouri with his family, and settled in Trenton, where he at once began 
 the practice of his profession. In the year 1866 he was elected as a Repub- 
 lican to the ofilce of probate judge and ex officio president of the County 
 Court, for the term of four years. In 1872 he was elected prosecuting at- 
 torney of the county, and in 1876 was elected to the State senate from the 
 Fifth district, on the Republican ticket. On entering the senate Mr. Burke- 
 holder at once took hold of legislation with a will and determination to 
 make himself felt, introducing a number of important measures the first 
 session and carrying several through successfully. He was a member of the 
 committee on criminal jurisprudence and four other standing committees^ 
 and during the first session was regarded as a hard-working, zealous mem- 
 ber, but as a member of the Thirtieth General Assembly, with the expe. 
 rience of the first session, he took rank above the average senator. In ad- 
 dition to other committees, lie was made chairman of the committee to re- 
 vise all the taxatioi* and assessment laws relating to railroads. He is the 
 author of the law relating to the right to increase the levy for the support 
 of schools and erecting school-buildings, and of, the act of 1879 directing the 
 State board of equalization to make a back tax assessment on all the rail- 
 roads in the State for the year 1873, but the law was not enforced and the 
 State lost from seventy-five to one hundred thousand dollars in taxes that 
 the railroads owed the State. Passing by a number of his bills that be- 
 came parts of the statutes, his services in procuring the charter of the 
 Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad extended for the term of three years and 
 were invaluable. His incessant labors saved the bill from defeat and thereby 
 enabled the railroad company to go on building the road west from Kirks- 
 
HISTOKT OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 419 
 
 ville, and the people of Grundj' now enjoy the completion of the road to 
 Trenton, which will before long become a great through line. He possesses 
 an enterprising spirit, always working in the interest of good society, and 
 to build up the community and for the spread of education. He became 
 president of the board of trustees of Grand River College in 1876 and he 
 still fills that position. 
 
 L. D. BAILET 
 
 Was born in Collinsville, Illinois, June 7, 1838. His father dying when he 
 was only eight years old, he lived with his mother, remaining at home with 
 her until he was twenty-six years old. He was educated in the common 
 schools in Illinois, which he completed with a course in the high school at 
 Lindley, Missouri, in 1868. With his mother and brother James, he came 
 to Missouri in 1857, and settled in Lindley, Marion township, Grundy 
 county. Ifi 1858 he and his brother embarked in the mercantile business 
 at Lindley, under the firm name of J. M. Bailey & Brother. Retiring from 
 the firm in 1862, he went to California, and settled in Sierra county, and 
 engaged in ranching and farming until 1866, then sold out and went to 
 Pomo, Mendocino county, California, and engaged in the mercantile bus- 
 iness. In 1869 he returned to Lindley, Missouri, and became the successor 
 of James Winters in the mercantile business, which he carried on at Lind- 
 ley until 1870. That year he sold out and came to Trenton, and became 
 associated with his brother in the firm of James M. Bailey & Company, 
 changing the firm name to L. D. Bailey & Company. In the fall of 1872 
 he sold his interest in the firm to his brother, and again visited California, 
 and engaged in hotel keeping at Ukiah, the county seat of Mendocino 
 county, and continued the business nntil the fall of 1874, and then once 
 more returned to Grundy county, and again associated himself with his 
 brother in the mercantile business at Trenton, under the name of J. M. 
 Bailey & Company. Retiring from the firm in 1878, he opened a millinery 
 and fancy goods store in Trenton, and carried it on for two 3'eai's, when he 
 became proprietor of the Elmore House, of Trenton, of which he is still 
 proprietor. In January, 1862, Mr. Bailey married Miss Eliza D. Haj'den, 
 of Lindley, from whom he was divorced in 1880. They became the parents 
 of five children; namely, Eli B., Laura, Clarence, Otto and Lulu. Eli B., 
 Laura and Lulu are living with their mother in Davilla, Texas, and sup- 
 ported by their father. On February 29, 1880, Mr. Elmore married Miss 
 C. W. Bowen, of Trenton. 
 
 EICHAED K. BOTCE. 
 
 Richard E. Boyce was born on a farm in Daviess county, Missouri, JNTo- 
 vember 18, 1847. When he was ten years old his parents came to Grundy 
 county and settled in Harrison township, and afterward in Washington 
 26 
 
420 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 township. He worked on the farm until sixteen years of age, when he be- 
 gan teaching school, having attended the district school of the townsliip and 
 Ifeaken a three years' course in Grand River College at Edinburg, Grundy 
 county. He continued teaching, in Mercer and Grundy counties, up to 
 1867, when he accepted a clerkship in the store of W. W. Brooks in Tren- 
 ton, remained one year, and then accepted a similar situation with Bozman 
 & Carnes, of the same place, continuing with them until they sold out in 
 1869, and remaining with their successor, James M. Bailey, until 1872, in 
 which year he was elected sheriff of Grundy county, and held that position 
 for two consecutive terms. In 1876 he was elected county treasurer, and 
 while so officiating was also engaged in the mercantile business at Trenton, 
 from which he retired in the spring of 1878. In the spring of 1879 he 
 again engaged in the mercantile business at Trenton, being associated with 
 W. T. Wisdom, under name of R. E. Boyce & Company. In the spring of 
 1880 Mr. Wisdom sold his intei-est to J. M. Bailey, when the present firm 
 of R. E. Boyce & Co. was formed. In 1871 Mr. Boyce was united in 
 marriage to Miss Euphemia Leeper, of Grundy county. They have three 
 children by this union; namely, Uorinda, Edwin L. and Mattie. 
 
 M. BINGHAM. 
 
 Melvin Bingham, prosecuting attorney of Grundy county, was born near 
 Waukegan, in Lake county, Illinois, July 4, 1854. When two years old his 
 parents removed to Bremer county, Iowa, and settled on a farm, where he 
 lived with them until eigliteen years of age. He obtained an elementary 
 education in the common schools of Bremer county, and finished it in the 
 Upper Iowa University, at Fayette, entering this institution in the fall of 
 1872, and attending four years, taking a scientific and commercial course, 
 and graduating in 1876. After leaving the university he taught school, as 
 he had previously done. He continued to teach until the fall of 1877, when 
 he came to Missouri for his health, and visited at Trenton, returning home 
 in March, 1878. In May of the same year he came back to Trenton, and 
 began the study of law in the office of Shanklin, Low & McDougal, study- 
 ing witli them until April, 1879, when he was admitted to the bar. ' He 
 remained with the above firm until January, 1880, when he established an 
 office of his own, and has built up a lucrative practice. Althougli a young 
 man, his talents are appreciated, and he has been called into public service 
 by the voice of his fellow citizens, having been elected prosecuting attorney 
 of Grundy county, in November, 1880. On the 16th of December, 1880, 
 he was united in marriage to Miss Florence Ohmart, daughter of C. Ohmart, 
 of Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 L. BALLINGEE. * 
 
 Libanus Ballinger was born on a farm near Ohillicothe, Missouri, January 
 9, 1851, where he lived with his parents until his sixteenth year, and then 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 421 
 
 went to Chillicothe and served an apprenticeship of three years to learn the 
 art of photographing, with Louis Moberly, after which he went to Boone 
 countj', Missouri, and spent a year with his brother. In 1869 he came to 
 Trfenton and bought out a photograph gallery; pursuing tliat business until 
 1871, he sold out and accepted a clerkship in the Trenton post-office, under 
 Postmaster David Crook, and held it until the spring of 1874, when he 
 went to PalmjTa, Missouri, and was employed in the bookstore of F. Krum- 
 mel until February, 1875. Accepting a position as traveling salesman for 
 R. S. Poppin & Compan}', of St. Louis, he was in their employ until the 
 following July, when lie returned to Trenton, and in October was employed 
 by Boyles & Bowen, lumber dealers, as book-keeper, remaining with them 
 until Marcli, 1877. Again accepting a clerkship in the Trenton post-office, 
 (under the same postmaster) he held the position for two years. In March, 
 1879, he established his present business, dealing in books, stationery and 
 notions, and is building up a good trade. On tiie 13th of September, 1876, 
 Mr. Ballinger married Miss Albina S. Devereaux, of Palmyra, Missouri. 
 They have one child, Leon D., born in Trenton, June 18, 1878. Mr. B. is a 
 member of the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. "W. orders. 
 
 .1. B. BERRY, 
 
 The present genial circuit clerk and recorder of Grundy county, was born 
 in Coshocton county, Ohio, November 29, 1833. He was reared in his na- 
 tive county, and began life for himself in 1851, engaging in the photograph- 
 ing business, which lie followed until 1856 or '57. In 1853, March 13th, he 
 was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Green, of Coshocton county, Ohio, 
 who died at Trenton, May 27, 1877. In 1857 our subject went to Illinois 
 and lived in the cities of Peoria and Fulton, where he was engaged in car- 
 pentering until 1867, in which year he came to Grundy county. Settling 
 on a piece of wild land he improved and lived upon it until 1875, and, with 
 farming, was also engaged, to some extent, in raising hedge plants. In 
 1875 he rented his farm and came to Trenton, having been elected circuit 
 clerk and recorder the previous year. In 1878 he was elected his own suc- 
 cessor, and is now woi-thily serving his second term. His great popularity 
 deserves mention, for having been twice elected, as Grundy county is 
 strongly Eepublican and he is a Democrat, and was defeated when brought 
 out by his party for the election of shei-iff in 1872. December 1, 1878, Mr. 
 Berry married Mrs. Sallie H. Miles, of Linn county, Missouri. He has six 
 children — all by his first wife; viz., William "W., of Kansas City; John, 
 clerk in the store of Boyce & Co., in Trenton; Mary, living at home; Frank, 
 clerking for M. S. Flynn in Trenton; and Cora and Jennie, living at home. 
 
 MRS. NANCY BENSON. 
 
 Nancy Wilson, a native of Virginia, was born in Tazewell county, in 
 1830. Her parents, John and Sarah Wilson, came to Missouri in 1840, and 
 
422 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 settled near Keytesville, Chariton county, until 1844, when tliey came to 
 Grundy county and permanently located on a farm near Trenton. On the 
 5th of January, 1851, she became the wife of James G. Benson, who was 
 one of the pioneers, and a prominent citizen of Grundy county. Mr. Ben- 
 son was horn in Maryland in 1813, and came to Grundy county in 1836. 
 In 1865 he was appointed county judge by the governor, and in 1877 was 
 presiding justice of the county court of Grundy county, and held that office 
 up to the time of his death, which occurred November 22, 1878. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Benson were the parents of four children: Lou Emma, wife of Mr. 
 Bert Tomlinson, of Trenton; William T.; Ruth, wife of J. W. Proctor, of 
 Trenton; and Charles. Mrs. Benson, since her husband's death, has owned 
 and conducted the Union House, of Trenton. 
 
 GUSTAV BARTII 
 
 Was born in Illingen, Prussia, June 19, 1857, and was educated in the high 
 school of the city of Illingen, completing the higher branches in the Hebrew 
 Seminary of the same city. When iifteen years of age he came to the 
 United States, and on his arrival, in 1872, accepted a position as salesman 
 in the store of his brothers, J. and V. Barth, at Columbia, Missouri, and 
 continued with them three years. In 1875 he caine to Trenton and 
 engaged in business with his brother, under the firm name of Simon V. 
 Barth & Co., and dealing in clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods. He is 
 also associated with his brother, at Atchison, Kansas, wliere they are doing 
 business as S. V. Barth & Co. He was reared, and still adheres to the Jew- 
 ish faith and worship. 
 
 JOHN BUCKLEY 
 
 Was born at Lindsay, Province of Ontario, Canada, August 8, 1840, where 
 he was reared, attended the common schools and served an apprenticeship 
 of three years to learn the blacksmith's trade under John Thirkell, an ex- 
 tensive and prosperous carriage-maker of that place. After the expiration 
 of his apprenticeship he was employed in the same shops as journeyman 
 three years. In 1863 he came to the United States and was employed in 
 the shop of T. D. Demorest, of Unionville, New York, in the agricultural 
 Avorks of Seymore, Allen & Co., of Brockport, same State, in the car mann- 
 facturingshops of L. Gill & Son, of ColumbuS, Ohio, and in the shops of 
 the Atlantic & Great Western R. R. Co., at Cleveland, Ohio, going to 
 Chicago in May, 1866, where he was employed in the shops of the Chicago, 
 Rock Island & Pacific R. R. Co. There he worked until 1872, when he 
 was promoted to the foremanship of the company's blacksmith shops at 
 Trenton, Missouri, under R. 0. Carscadin, master mechanic. October, 13, 
 1872, he married Miss Rose M. Coughlin, of Chicago. They have one 
 child, Anna Elizabeth, two years old, and born in Trenton. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Buckley are members of St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Trenton. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 423 
 
 W. C. BENSON. 
 
 William 0, Benson was born on a farm near Snow Hill, the county seat 
 of Worcester county, Maryland, on the 2d of September, 1820. His mother 
 dying when he was two years old, and his father when he was ten, our sub- 
 ject was placed in care of an uncle living near his native place. With this 
 uncle he remained until he reached the age of fifteen years, having worked 
 on the farm except such time as he attended the district school in winter. 
 In 1836 he accompanied his uncle in his removal to Missouri, stopping at 
 Lexington, the county seat of Fayette county, where he remained until the 
 following fall, and then struck out for the Grand River country, and settled 
 near where Trenton now is, then in the county of Livingston. When nine- 
 teen years old he started out to make his own living, securing employment 
 at splitting rails by the hundred, which he shortly gave up to accept a situ- 
 ation at driving a breaking plow at $10 per month, continuing that business 
 until he became of age. At that time he began to learn the carpenter's 
 trade, and worked at the business for fifteen years, when, in 18.56, he went 
 into the store of G. M. Cooper & Co.. of Trenton, as clerk, and remained 
 three or four years. This firm sold out to Harris & Cook, with whom he 
 remained a short time, and then accepted a similar situation in the store of 
 Parker & Cliandler. In the employment of tliis firm he continued until 
 1861, when he received the appointment of deputy sherift' under 
 Edsou P. Harding, served about six months, then accepted a po- 
 sition in the store of G. W. Moberly, which he held until 1877, 
 and was next in the employ of D. M. Rice & Sons, successors to 
 Mr. Moberly. In 1868 he embarked in the niercantile business on 
 his own account, and the following year John A. Shanklin became 
 his partner, under the firm name of W. C. Benson & Co. This firm con- 
 tinned to do business until the spring of 1874, when Mr. Shanklin retired, 
 -and Edward A. Benson succeeded him, under the name and style of W. C. 
 Benson & Son, and they still continue to carry on a large business, average- 
 ing annually about $25,000. During the time Mi*. Benson was in the 
 emplo}' of Mr. Moberly, and afterward, he was elected and reelected treas- 
 urer of Grundy county, serving in that capacity eight years. He is a prom- 
 inent member of the I. O. 0. F., and has fi.Ued all the offices in the subor- 
 dinate lodge, and is now deputy grand master of his district. 
 
 Mr. Benson has twice been united in matrimony; the first time to Miss 
 Elizabeth Walker, of Tennessee, in 1844. This lady died in 1865, leaving 
 her husband three children; namely, Beatrice, now Mrs. Erwin Dunlap; 
 Euth, now Mrs. John A. Shanklin; and Edward A., of the firm of W. C. 
 Benson & Son. 
 
 In 1867 Mr. Benson was married a second time, Mrs. Martha Thomas 
 becoming Mrs. Benson. They have two children, Cora and Carl. 
 
4:24 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Benson was county treasurer during the war, and owing to the troub- 
 lous times, when the war waged fiercely and bushwhacking parties raided 
 the country, he was in constant fear of being robbed of the county funds 
 in his keeping. He at last threw the key of the safe away, so that if he 
 should be called on for it, he could not surrender it or tell where it was. 
 Mr. Benson is a member of the Baptist Clmrch. 
 
 ISAAC COLES, M. D. 
 
 Isaac Coles was born on a farm near Deerfield, Portage county, Ohio? 
 October 1st, 1819. His father was of New Jersey birth and his mother 
 was a native of Massachusetts. Wiien Isaac was six months old his father 
 removed to Pennsylvania, and settled upon a fai-m he had traded for on 
 Scrubgrass Creek, in Venango county, fifteen miles from Franklin, the 
 county seat: Here little Isaac, when old enough, attended his first school, 
 trudging along for a mile and a half through the unbroken forest to the 
 temple of learning, which consisted of a rude log school-house with bench 
 seats, the backs of wliich was the invigorating atmosphere which whistled 
 through the cracks of tlie structure. The teacher was supported by sub- 
 scriptions from the patrons, but these sums were never large enough to ena- 
 ble him to acquire fabulous wealth by his labors. Isaac attended this school 
 until the spring of 1832, when his father sold the farm and removed to the 
 western part of Mercer county, in the same State, and they lived upon a 
 farm bordering upon the Shenango River, for one year. Prom here the 
 family removed to Hartford, Trumbull county, Ohio, where Isaac attended 
 the district schools a short time and then went to live with the family of 
 Mr. Seth Hayes, at Burgh Hill, in the same county, working during the 
 summer and in the winter attending the select school at Burgh Hill. When 
 fifteen years old he entered the academy at Farmington, in Trumbull county, 
 and the winter he was sixteen taught school at Brookfield. From this time 
 on he continued to teach in winter and study in summer for some six years, 
 when in the spring of 1838 he entered the ofiice of Dr. Joseph Truesdale, 
 of Poland, Mahoning county, Ohio, and began the study of medicine. The 
 following summer he taught three months in Poland, and the next winter 
 conducted a select school in Bourbon county, Kentuckj^, returning to Dr. 
 Truesdale's office the ensuing spring. The winter of 1840 found him teach- 
 ing in Rossville, Butler county, Ohio, and employing his leisure moments 
 perusing medical works borrowed from a neighboring physician. He pre- 
 sided over the school at New Harmony, Indiana, the winter of 1841, and 
 the following spring returned to Dr. Truesdale's office, where he remained 
 until the school season and then went to Brookfield, Ohio, thus teaching his 
 last school at the same place he first officiated. The summer of 1842 he 
 read medicine with and assisted Dr. Joseph Cowden, of Lowell, Ohio, and 
 the next fall attended to the practice of Dr. Wood, of Pulaski, Mercer 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 425 
 
 county, Pennsylvania, during ,the doctor's absence. He attended the ses- 
 sions of 1843 and 1844 of the "VVilloughby Medical College, and in the 
 spring of tlie latter year began practice at Milton, in Trumbull county, 
 Oliio, removing the next year to Palmyra, Portage county, in the same State, 
 where he practiced his profession until August, 1860, and then located at 
 Pilot Knob, Iron count}', Missouri, practicing there up to the latter part of 
 1862, when owing to troubles gTowiug out of the civil war he returned to 
 the land of tlie Buckeye and settled in Shalersvi lie, Portage county. While 
 living upon his farm in Portage county, in 1864, Dr. Coles entered the army 
 as a volunteer surgeon, and was inunediately sent to the front to attend 
 upon the wounded in Posecrans's army at Chattanooga, Tennessee. He at- 
 tended the course of lectures of 1866-67 of the Charity Hospital Medical 
 School, at Cleveland, Ohio, from which institution he graduated. In the 
 spring of 1867 Dr. Coles retraced his steps to Missouri and located in Tren- 
 ton, where he has since resided and secured a large and extensive practice in 
 the various branches of his profession. Shortly after his arrival in Trenton 
 he was associated with Dr. Wm. E. Berry, until that gentleman's removal 
 to Macon City. Dr. Coles is a frequent contributor to the press, and in 
 1876 composed and read tlie centennial poem at the grand fourth of July 
 celebration of that j'ear. He still holds the position of examining surgeon 
 of Grundy county, having been appointed in 1867. He has served two 
 terms in the city council, and for four years was director of the public schools 
 of Trenton and was also treasurer when the high school was erected. Dr. 
 Coles cast his first vote for Martin Van Buren in 1840, and remained a 
 member of the Democratic party up to the time of the repeal of the Mis- 
 souri Compromise and the Kansas-Nebraska agitation, when he entered and 
 assisted in the organization of the Kepnblican i>arty, voting for Fremont in 
 1856 and Garfield in 1880. 
 
 Dr. Coles was united in marriage in Shalersville, Portage county, Ohio, 
 August 1st, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Viets, daughter of Chauncey and 
 Clarissa Viets. The issue of this union was two children: Vietta, now 
 Mrs. H. H. Lord; and Fiat— both of Ohio birth. Dr. Coles's father died 
 in 1841 and his mother in 1847. 
 
 O. A. CONBADS. 
 
 Clemens Augustus. Conrads is a native of Prussia, and was born Feb- 
 ruary IS, 1838, in the city of Coblentz, which takes its names from its sit- 
 uation at the confluence of the Phine and Moselle rivers. He received an 
 education in the common schools of his birthplace, and worked with his 
 father as a machinist until he reached his twentieth year, when he emi- 
 grated to the United States, and located at Lindley, in Grundy county, in 
 May of 1858, where he engaged in the stove and tinware business with his 
 brother, F. C. Conrads, who had preceded him to this country some four 
 years. Retiring from the firm on account of ill health, in 1862 he made a 
 
426 HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 trip to Nevada and California, where he, fore short time, engaged in min- 
 ing. Returning to Grundy county in 1865 his brother Iiad removed to 
 Trenton, where he again became a partner under the firm name of Oonrads 
 & Bro., whicli firm still conducts a general stove and tinware business. In 
 1866 Mr. Conrads married Miss Annie E. Lowen, of Trenton. By this 
 marriage they have four children, Lena, Rupert, Kate and Ralph. Mr. 
 Conrads is conservative Democrat in politics. Was a member of the city 
 council from 1870 to 1872; in 18Y3 was elected county judge, reelected in 
 1877, and served until 1879. At the time of his visit to California, and be- 
 fore, he suffered severely from chills and fever, which usually attacked him 
 in July and remained with him "closer than a brother" until February, but 
 his trip across the plains proved a panacea for all his ills, and from the date 
 of his return his health has been excellent. 
 
 LUTHER COLLIER, 
 
 The present mayor of Trenton, was born in the town of Fayette, Howard 
 county, Missouri, June 19, 1842. His father,/William Collier, was the con- 
 tractor and builder of the Grundy countj^ court-house, at Trenton, and was 
 in Trenton at the time of his son's birth, making arrangements for the 
 removal of his family to that place. In April, 1843, the family took up 
 their residence in Trenton, where the subject of this sketch was reared, 
 receiving an education in the common schools and high school of Trenton. 
 This latter institution was at that time under the charge of Prof. Joseph 
 Ficklin, now professor of mathematics in the State University. Mr. Collier 
 graduated in the fall of 1859, and in 1860 became assistant instructor at the 
 high school under Prof. W. D. Stewart, principal, and continued until May, 
 1861. In the summer of the same year he opened a select school in Tren- 
 ton, and taught one month, when he gave it np to a young lady, and enlisted 
 in the Missouri State militia for six months. He was mustered out in 
 March, 1862, and resumed teaching in Trenton, but after a three months' 
 term, again enlisted in the service of liis country, this time in company B, 
 of the Twenty-third regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry. He was suc- 
 cessively j)romoted fifth sergeant, orderly sergeant and captain, but before 
 receiving his commission as captain of company A, of the Twenty-third, he 
 was detailed as acting adjutant of the regiment, and while in discharge of 
 liis duties was cut oif from mail facilities, and so failed to get his commis- 
 sion until mustered out of the service in Washington City, in June, 1865. 
 Adjutant Collier was an active participant in the battle of Peach Tree Creek, 
 Georgia, the siege of Atlanta, and battle of Jonesborough, Georgia, the fight 
 at Bentonville, North Carolina, besides a number of others, and accompan- 
 General W. T. Sherman in his famous march from Atlanta to the sea. 
 Returning to Trenton after his honorable discharge from service, he accepted 
 a clerkship in a store, which he held but a short time when he became assis- 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 427 
 
 tant deputy in tbe conntj clerk's office, continuing until 1868. He then 
 began the study of law in the office of Shanklin, Austin & Herrick. Feb- 
 ruary, 1870, he was admitted to the bar, and in 1871 opened an office in 
 Trenton and began the practice of law. With the exception of the winters 
 of 1871 and 1872, when he was docket clerk of the House of Representa- 
 tives, at Jelferson City, he has continued uninterruptedly in the practice ol 
 his profession. He has held several offices of trust at the hands of the peo- 
 ple, having been elected clerk of the school-board for seven years in succes- 
 sion, city attorney of Trenton for six years, cit3'' clerk from 1869 to 1880, 
 when he was elected mayor, whicli office he now holds. 
 
 Mr. Collier has been twice married. The first time to Miss Martha B. 
 Carter', of Trenton, who was taken from him by death, June 16, 1878. By 
 this union his fireside was blessed with five interesting children, named, 
 respectively, Annie D., Oscar L., Kate, Jewett and Luti^er. His second 
 wife, Miss Fannie Browner, of Clinton county, became Mrs. Luther Collier, 
 October 29, 1879. They have one child, Leland H. Mr. and Mrs. Collier 
 are members of the Christian Church of Trenton, of which church the first 
 Mrs. Collier was also a devout member. 
 
 DE. JAMES COOPEE. 
 
 James Cooper was born near Carver's Ferry, in Madison county, Ken- 
 tucky, on the 19th of February, 1814-, where he was reared to manhood, 
 and received a common school education. In 1837 he migrated to Missouri 
 and taught school three months in Boone county, and then began the study 
 ■of medicine under Dr. Wilcox, of Rocheport, in the same county. He con- 
 tinued to study, alternating with school-teaching, until 1839, when he 
 removed to Linneus, Linn county, Missouri, and practiced for five years, 
 removing to Trenton in 1844. Here he formed a partnership with Dr. 
 Thompson, and practiced with him for one year, then opened an office alone, 
 and has attended to the arduous duties of an extensive practice for thirty- 
 eight years, four of which, from 1854 to 1858, he was associated with Dr. 
 E. Harris. In 1861 he was commissioned army surgeon, and placed in 
 charge of the hospitals at Chillicothe and Trenton, holding this position 
 until 1863, when he resigned and removed to Canton, Illinois, where he 
 acquired a large practice during his six years' residence. He returned to 
 Trenton in 1869, continuing his residence and practice there since. 
 
 On the 10th of August, 1837, Dr. Cooper was joined in wedlock to Miss 
 Mary Ann E. Harris, daughter of Major Robert Harris, of Madison county, 
 Kentucky. Three children were the fruits of this union; namely, Ann E., 
 now Mrs. R. A. Collier, of Trenton; Eberle 1?., present deputy county clerk 
 of Grundy county.; and jSTannie J., now Mrs. W. S. H. Marsh, of Trenton. 
 Dr. and Mrs. Cooper are members of long standing of the Methodist Epis- 
 copal Church of Trenton. 
 
 # 
 
428 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 J. E. CARTER. 
 
 John E. Cartel- was born near Lafayette, Tippecanoe connty, Indiana, 
 December^Slst, 1S36. He grew np in the Hoosier State, and learned the 
 trade of blacksmi thing. In 1854 the family migrated to Missouri and settled 
 in Trenton,|w]iere the subject of this sketch began business on his own re- 
 sources by engaging in blacksmithing, in which he continued until 1863, 
 excepting the time he served as captain in the Missouri State militia, in 
 1863. In the latter part of 1863 he launched his bark upon the journal- 
 istic sea by purchasing the Grand River Republican, which he edited and 
 published only a sliort time, then sold out and returned to his business of 
 blacksmithing to which he added wagon and carriage making, carrying on 
 the business until 1879, when he accejjted a position as traveling salesman 
 for Semley Bro., of Quincy, Illinois. With this firm he remained only a 
 short time, then i-eturned to Trenton and in 1880 was elected treasurer of 
 Grundy county, which position he is at present acceptably filling. In May 
 of the year last named he purchased an interest in the Trenton Weekly Star, 
 and was elected editor of that paper by the stockholders. Mr. Carter con- 
 tinued to edit the Star until July 28th, 1881, when he retired, having won 
 during his occupancy of the chair editorial a wide I'eputatiou as a bright 
 and popular writer. After retiring from the newspaper business, he once 
 more began work at his trade of blacksmithing and carriage making, in 
 which he is still engaged. 
 
 Mr. Carter was united in marriage to Miss Mary J. Wethered, of Alpha, 
 Missouri, on the 30th of January, 1860. By this nnion the3' have five chil- 
 dren; namely, Minnie M., Elizabeth A., Luther T>., Samuel "W. and Martha 
 C. Mr. and Mrs. Carter have been members of the Christian Church of 
 Trenton for nineteen years. 
 
 R. O. CAESCADIN 
 
 Is the pi-esent master mechanic of the southwestern division of the Chicago, 
 Rock Island & Pacific Eailway, at Trenton. He was born in Moravia, 
 Cayuga county, New York, December I7th, 1825, and was there reared, 
 and educated until his fifteenth year was reached when he was apprenticed 
 for three years, to learn the machinist's trade, in Auburn, and was to receive 
 for his services fifty dollars for each year. He readily acqiiired the knowl- 
 edge and skill of his chosen trade and became proficient as a machinist long 
 before his time expired, and received the compensation of a skillful journey- 
 man. From 181:2 until 1846 he worked in several prominent machine-shops 
 in New York, and next began to run a locomotive, as engineer, on the Buf- 
 falo & Attica Eailroad, which he did until 1848, when he went to New Or- 
 leans, Lonisana, and was employed on the steamboat, "76," plying between 
 New Orleans and Nashville, Tennessee, until 1851. Returning north 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 429 
 
 he received employment in Roger's locomotive works at Paterson, New 
 Jersey, and was sent out with locomotive engines to all parts of the Union. 
 He left the shop in 1852 and was employed on the Lake Shore Koad as an 
 engineer until 1856 when he went to Bolivar, Tennessee, and became 
 master meclianic of the Mississippi Central & Tennessee Railroad and that 
 road consolidating with the Mobile & Ohio, soon after he went to Jack- 
 son, Mississippi, as master mechanic of tlie same road and continued until 
 November, 1861. On account of the disturbed condition of the South he 
 went nortli and accepted the position of division master mechanic for the 
 Michigan Central Railroa d, with headquarters at Michigan City. Serving in 
 that capacity until 1863, he was employed in the same position on the New 
 York Central and Erie roads at Corning, and Rochester, New York. In 
 1871 he came to Trenton and became master mechanic of the southwestern 
 division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway. February 8th, 
 1851, Mr. Carscadin married Miss Maria Louisa Smith, of Buffalo, New 
 York. Slie was a graduate of Mrs. Willard's Feinale Seminary, of Troy, 
 New York. Mr. and Mrs. Carscadin have four children; viz., Fred. S., an 
 engineer on the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific; Emma, wife of Myron 
 Shearwood, also an engineer on the same road; Bessie, and Robert St. John. 
 
 E. A. COLLIEE. 
 
 Robert A. Collier was born in Fayette, Missouri, March 19, 1838. In 
 1844, when he was six years old, his parents came to Grundy county and 
 settled in Trenton, then a small liamlet, where he was reared and edu- 
 cated and has lived ever since with the exception of four years spent in 
 travel in Colorado, Utah and Illinois. His father being a bricklayer he 
 learned tlmt trade but followed it only a short time after attaining his ma- 
 jority. In 1861 he enlisted in company B, Twenty-third Missouri volun- 
 teer infantry under Colonel Tindall, and participated in the battle of Shiloh, 
 where he was taken prisoner and lield as such seven months, during which 
 time he was confined at Corinth, Memphis, Mobile, Montgomery, Chatta- 
 nooga, Macon, and in Libby Prison; was patroled at Aiken's Landing, Vir- 
 ginia, October 19, 1862; was twice promoted, first as orderly sergeant and 
 next as second lieutenant. In 1863 he was detailed assistant commissary 
 for the district of Rolla, Missouri, and was mustered out in 1864, serving 
 six months longer than the term enlisted for. Returning to Trenton he 
 was deputized county and circuit clerk by Hon. George H. Hubbell. In 
 1866 he engaged in the mercantile business with W. T. Wisdom, under firm 
 name of Wisdom & Collier, and retired from the firm tlie following winter. 
 In the fall of 1870 he was elected county treasurer of Grundy county and 
 was elected his own successor. In 1875 he was appointed township trustee 
 of Trenton, wliich he was legislated out of by a change made in the law. 
 Since that time he has been variously employed, becoming book-keeper for 
 
430 HISTORY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 N. Shanldin & Brother in 1880. In 1862 Mr. Collier married Miss A. E. 
 Cooper, of Trenton. They have four children: Willie C, Robert E., Leon 
 E., and Mary Ellen. 
 
 F. C. CONEADS. 
 
 Frederick Charles Conrads was born at Coblentz, Prussia, January 26, 
 1835. "When thirteen years of age he began to learn the tinner's trade, and 
 served four years. In 1852, then in his seventeenth year, he left home, 
 maintaining himself by working in Hesse Darmstadt, Ems, Cologne and 
 Mnelheim, up to 1854, when he went to London, England, and failing to 
 find employment after a two months' sojourn, started for the United States, 
 landing in New York City, October 23, 1854. Again failing to find work 
 at his trade, he went to the country, in New Jersey, and worked as a farm 
 hand until June, 1855, then came to Missouri and secured employment at 
 Glasgow, Howard county, in the tinshop of John E. Carson, and worked 
 for him, at that place and at Carrolton, one year, and with Mr. Carson's 
 successor, J. J. Heisel, at Carrolton, until the spring of 1857. From Car- 
 rolton he went to Linneus, Linn county, and worked in the tinshop of 
 Smith & Melmein until the spring of 1858, when he came to Grundy county 
 and engaged with his brother Clemens in the stove and hardware business 
 at Lindley, under stjde of Conrads & Brother. In 1862, his brother, on ac- 
 count of declining health, retired from the firm and went to Colorado. He 
 continued in business at Lindley until 1864, when he came to Trenton and 
 established himself in the hardware, stove and tinware business. In Octo- 
 ber, 1865, his brother returned from Colorado, improved in health, and 
 again associated with him and formed the present firm of Conrads & Bro. 
 January 1, 1861, he married Arraecie B. Cooper, of Lindley. Tliey have 
 eight children; viz., Joseph W., clerking with his father; David W., a 
 printer, and at work in the Trenton Republican ofiice; John E., a student 
 in the high school; Gussie G., Elizabeth C, Claudie A., Winthrop C, 
 and Clementine. He is an Odd Fellow, and a member of Grand Eiver Lodge 
 No. 52, of Trenton. 
 
 D. W. COON 
 
 "Was born on a farm, near Princeton, Mercer county, September 19, 1854. 
 He I'eceived his primary education in the district school, and finished in the 
 high school at Princeton during his sixteenth and seventeenth years. After 
 leaving school he was emijloyed in the dry goods store of Hunt & Coon, of 
 Princeton, remained with them some five or six months, and then began to 
 learn the drug business in the drug store of Dr. G. "W. Newman, of Prince- 
 ton, and was with him and his successors, G. T. Newman & Co., three years. 
 Leaving them in 1876, he went to Half Rock, in Mercer county, and car- 
 ried on the drug business for himself until April, 1879, when he removed 
 to Spickardsville, in Grundy county, and there engaged in the drug business 
 
HISTOEY OF GH0NDT COUNTY. 431 
 
 until 18S0. Selling out he came to Trenton and established liis present 
 drug business in January, 1881. Mr. Coon's course in life is, indeed, com- 
 mendable. When seventeen he bought his team of his fatlier, agreeing to 
 pay $200 out of his first earnings. Without receiving any pecuniary aid 
 from any one he has succeeded in establishing himself in business with a 
 well-earned reputation. January 1, 1877, Mr. Coon married Miss M. E. 
 Lewis, of Princeton. They have two children, Claude and Cleo. 
 
 COMEE BEOTHEES. 
 
 H. S. and E. T. Comer, founders of the firm of Comer Brothers, estab- 
 lished their business in February, 1881. They were born on a farm near 
 Wilton Junction, Muscatine county, Iowa — the senior, August 30, 1855, 
 and the junior, November 28, 1856. They lived in their birthplace until 
 1868, when their parents moved to Tipton, Iowa, so that their children 
 might have the opportunity to attend school, and they completed their ed- 
 ucation in the Tipton high school in 1869. In 1870 their father had the 
 misfortune to lose his.proj^erty, when they returned to Muscatine county, 
 and went to Texas to retrieve his losses and improve his health, but he was 
 taken down with the yellow fever, from which he never recovered. With 
 their mother and two sisters to be supported, they began working as 
 farm hands for difterent farmers. During the winter of 1869 and '70 
 they bouglit standing timber, chopped it into cord-wood and sold it. 
 From that time until 1872 H. S. was variously employed. He came tO' 
 Trenton in the year last named, and was employed in the drug store of his 
 uncle, W. P. Cowans, until 1873, when he accepted a position in the brick- 
 yard of W. W. Gordon and worked for him until the following May, when 
 he went into the Eagle Mills to learn the milling business, working there 
 and in the City Flouring Mills of Trenton until January, 1881. E. T. also 
 worked in the vicinity of Wilton Junction until December, 1872, when he 
 came to Trenton and was employed in the grocery store of S. D. Saxby as 
 delivery clerk until February, 1873, when he went on the Cliicago, Kock 
 Island & Pacific Railway as train-boy, but disliking that he quit the next 
 May and accepted a clei'kship with Slianklin Brothers, of Trenton, and was 
 with them and their successors until February, 1879, when he began work 
 for G. D. Smith in the agricultural implement and grain business. The 
 following year he became associated with his employer in the same business 
 as Smith & Comer, he retiring from the firm January 1, 1881, and became as- 
 sociated with his brother, H. S., in the grocery business. March 16, 1878, 
 Mr. E. T. Comer married Miss Mildred Smith, daughter of G. D. Smith, of 
 Trenton. Tliese brothers, although young men, have built up a good busi- 
 ness reputation. Thrown upon the world empty-handed, without a father's 
 aid or counsel, they have manfully battled with the world, and by their tem- 
 perate habits, persevering efforts, and unflinching energy have gained a 
 standing that men many^ years older might envy. 
 
432 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 HON. E. A. DEBOLT. 
 
 Rezin A. DeBolt, of Trenton, is a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, bora 
 January 20, 1828. Keared on a farm, his time up to his seventeenth year 
 was divided between agricultural pursuits and acquiring an education in 
 the common schools of the county, the first of which was the foundation of 
 his present rugged and vigorous constitution, and the last the beginning of 
 future attainments. In 1845, in his seventeenth year, he was apprenticed 
 for tliree years to a tanner, served his time, and followed his trade for a fevv' 
 years, and in the meantime gave his nights to study, "many times and oft" 
 burning "the "■ midnight oil, " as he eagerly pored over dry volumes of 
 legal lore. Ceaseless diligence and tireless study were at last rewarded, and 
 in February, 1856, the whilom tanner's apprentice was admitted to the bar, 
 to practice in the courts of Ohio. Two years he practiced in his native 
 State, then following the tide of immigration which was flowing rapidly 
 westward, he joined the throng, hoping to take the tide " at the flood 
 which leads on to fortune." Arriving in Missouri he settled in Trenton and 
 began the successful practice of his profession in 1858. The following year 
 he was appointed commissioner of common schools of Grundy county, and 
 was elected to the same office in 1860, but still continuing his practice 
 whicli the duties of his office did not interfere with. When the dark clouds 
 of dread civil war first hovered over the land, he was among the fii'st to 
 come to his country's aid, and his voice grew strangely eloquent when he 
 raised it in behalf of the Union and the stars and stripes. In 1861 he 
 recruited a company; was elected captain in the Twentj'-third Missouri vol- 
 unteer infantry. At the head of his men he participated in the battle of 
 Shiloh, and was captured April 6, 1862, and held a prisoner until the fol- 
 lowing October. His health had become impaired and he resigned his com- 
 mission in 1863, but again entered the United States service in 1864, and 
 was commissioned major of the Forty-fourth Missouri volunteer infantry, 
 remaining until mustered out in August, 1865. November, 1863, he was 
 ■elected judge of the Circuit Court of the Eleventh judicial circuit, which 
 oflSce he held by reelection until January 1, 1875, and by his impartial rul- 
 ings won many encomiums. In 1877 Judge DeBolt again entered the arena 
 •of political life, as a candidate for congress, and after an exciting and bitter 
 canvass was elected a member of the Forty-fourth Congress, as a Democrat, 
 defeating his opponent by two hundred and seventeen votes. Since the 
 •expiration of his term in Congress, he has given his entire attention to his 
 large law practice. He is a man fearless, independent and outspoken in his 
 advocacy of what he believes to be right. By hard battles against desper- 
 ate resistence, he has won his M'ay to his high position in the esteem of the 
 people among whom he lives. 
 
 Judsre DeBolt has been twice wedded. His first marriage was to Miss 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 433 
 
 Maria M. McCleery, of Fairfield county, Ohio, near Lancaster, June 19, 
 3849. By this marriage they had a family of six children, three only of 
 whom are living. Mrs. DeBolt died February 4, 1869. His second mar- 
 riage was to Miss Lanrestine U. Dinsmoor, a native of Canada, but reared 
 in New York. The ceremony was performed October 12, 1869. Five 
 children have been the issue of this union, all living. 
 
 Judge DeBolt has a fine residence in the southeastern portion of the 
 city, with grounds covering ten and a half acres, handsomely laid off" with 
 shade trees and shrubbery in front of the house. With his wife and family 
 gathered around, it makes one of the most pleasant and comfortable homes 
 in Trenton. 
 
 .JAMES E. DEVAUL 
 
 Was born near Elkton, Christian county, Kentucky, March 28, 1814. His 
 parents came to Missouri in 1820 and after stopping in Chariton county one 
 year, went to Eay county where they settled. They removed in 1834 to 
 Daviess county, being one of the first five families that settled in that 
 county, and thence to Grundy county in 1835. He lived with them until 
 attaining his majority in 1835, and in the spring of 183Y staked his first 
 claim on government land which he afterward improved and entered — 
 the same land is now a part of the site of Trenton city. .He has, in his time, 
 improved five farms in Grundy county. He was among the pioneers and 
 took an active part in the organization of Grundy county, is now the only 
 surviving member of the firstgrand jury of the county, and was elected and 
 held the ofiice of justice of the peace four years. March T, 1837, Mr. De- 
 vaul married Miss Sarah Howell, of Linn county, Missouri. They have ten 
 children living; namely, William A., and Jasper N., of California; Luther 
 C, of Oregon; Martha A., wife of William Cornwell, of Grundy county: 
 Louisa, wife of John H. Roberts, of Oregon ; Green C, and Oscar remain- 
 ing at home. Two have died, Daniel P., in the United States army, and 
 Sarah J., in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Devaul are members of long- 
 standing in the Baptist Church, he for fifty-five years, and she for forty 
 years, being one of the original members of the Trenton Church. The pub- 
 lishers of this work extend their thanks to him for the valuable information 
 he has given to their historian and for the interest manifested in its compila- 
 tion. 
 
 ABNER DEINKARD 
 
 Was born near Glasgow, Howard county, Missouri, February 1, 1826. He 
 came to Grundy county with his parents in 1841 and settled at the forks of 
 Grand River, five miles northwest of Trenton. In 1862 he enlisted in the 
 Confederate arm}^ Captain Hugh's company and Col. Perkins's regiment, 
 and in October of the same year was taken prisoner at Roanoke, Missouri, 
 and kept in prison at St. Louis, and Alton, Illinois, until February, 1865, 
 
434 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 when lie was liberated on parole. He went to Qnincy, Illinois, and from- 
 tliere to Roanoke, Missouri, returning to Grundy county in 1872, settled in 
 Trenton and worked at carpentering until 1876, when he was employed in 
 the repair shops ot'the C, R. I. & P. R. R. company, and remained four 
 years. In 1880 he went to live with his son, William E., assisting him in 
 his grocery store at Trenton. He has been twice married, the first time to 
 Miss Etiiie Maston in 1842, who died in 1843; and the second time to Miss 
 Caroline E. Clark, in 1847, and by whom he has five cliildren: Mary J., wife 
 of C. Sires, of Grundy county, William E., grocer of Trenton; John W., 
 employe in C, R. I. & P. R. R. shops; James M., and Fronie, wife of New- 
 ton Ratliff, farnier of Grundy county. In 1852 he was elected county as- 
 sessor holding the position for two yeai's, and in 1858 was elected one of 
 the county judges, holding that position until 1862, when he was legislated 
 out of office. 
 
 CORNELIUS J. DRISCOLL 
 
 Was born in the county of Cork, Ireland, November 1st, 1843. His 
 parents left their native isle during the famine of 1847, and Avent to- 
 London, England, where his father died the following year, and where he 
 lived with his mother until March, 1852, then came west with her to- 
 America, landing in New York City in April of that year. They settled 
 at Springfield, Massachusetts, where he lived until 1875. In 1861 he began 
 to learn the painter's trade, under W. H. Allis, and followed it until 1866,. 
 when he began to work at the carpenter and joiner's trade, with Hogan 
 & Keefl", of Springfield, and worked with them until 1870, then began 
 contracting and building for himself in the same place, and continued that 
 business until he came West in 1875. He settled at Trenton, and engaged 
 in contracting and building, where can be seen many beautiful struct- 
 ures designed and built by him, among which are the Hodge Presbyterian, 
 and the first Presbyterian churches, tlie Baptist chui'ch, and the residences 
 of Messrs. Geo. F. Walker, and C. E. Peckham. The beauty of his handi- 
 work is displayed in the altar of St. Joseph church (Catholic) which he 
 designed and built. 
 
 On the loth of August, 1871, he married Miss Mary A. Sheehan, of East 
 Hampton, Massachusetts. Mr. and Mrs. DriscoU are members of St. Joseph 
 Catholic Church of Trenton. 
 
 Mr. Driscoll now holds the position of foreman of the carpenter shops of 
 the C, R. I. & P. R. R- Co. at Trenton. 
 
 A. DUBACH 
 
 Was born in Lorraine, France, July 15th, 1847; when about three years old, 
 his parents came to the United States and settled in Chicago. When our 
 subject was fourteen he began working in the planing-mills of Abbott & 
 Kingman, of Chicago, making his home with his parents, to whom he gave 
 
W' 
 
 ri 
 
 ^^^-^^^^^^ 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 437 
 
 his wa^es. When eighteen he began to learn the trade of machinist in 
 the shop of John Schlacks, of Chicago, and was with him up to 1869, when 
 he was emploj'ed as machinist in the shop of the Chicago, Rock Island & 
 Pacific Railway Compan}', at Chicago. He worked there nntil 1872, when 
 the same company sent him to work in their shops at Trenton, wliere he 
 continued until 1876, when he left them and engaged in the saloon busi- 
 ness at Trenton. In 1871 he married Miss Margaret Schneider, of Chicago. 
 They have three daugliters, Maggie K., Barbara E., and Gertrude F., and 
 two sons, Franklin and Louis H. 
 
 WILLIAM E. DRINKAED 
 
 Established his business in Trenton in October, 1880. He was born on a 
 farm near Trenton, March 22d, 1850. In 1864, when fourteen years of age 
 he went to Illinois and worked on a farm near Quincy, until 1866, when he 
 went to Roanoke, Missouri, and worked at the carpenter's trade with his 
 father. In 1871 he came to Trenton and worked at carpentering until 1874, 
 when he was employed in tlie Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad shops 
 where he worked until 1879. Tliis latter year he began clerking for D. E. 
 Lilly and was in his employ until he opened business for himself in 1880. 
 In 1875 he married Miss Sarahette Fleak, of Trenton. They have two 
 children, Rella and Pearl. 
 
 COEWIN A. FEEEMAN, M. D. 
 
 Corwin A. Freeman was born in LaGrange, Lorain county, Ohio, Decem- 
 ber 11th, 1850. While an infant, his parents removed to Newark, Ken- 
 dall county, Illinois, where he was reared and educated, attending the district 
 schools of Newark until his twelfth year, when he entered Fowler's Insti- 
 tute, of Newark, taking an irregular coui-se preparatory to the study of 
 medicine. His father, being a physician, had him educated especially for 
 the profession, and he began the study when he was fifteen in his father's 
 office and continued three years, when he attended one course of lectures at 
 the Bellevue Hospital College, of New York City, then returned home and 
 began practice with liis father. He intended returning to New York and 
 finishing his course, but the support of his mother and three younger 
 brothers was unexpectedly thrown upon him and he was prevented, yet he 
 persevered in his study and practice and was enabled to complete a course 
 in the Long Island Medical College in 1876, when he graduated as M. D., 
 second in his class. He returned to Newark and continued practice until 
 October, 1878, when he came to Trenton and established himself in his- pres- 
 ent practice. In 1876, October 18th, he married Miss Lottie Wright, of 
 Newark, Illinois, who died at Trenton, October 13th, 1879, from congestion 
 of the lungs brought on by exposure while convalescing from typhoid 
 fever. October 18th, 1880, Dr. Freeman married Miss Mary Odom, grand- 
 daughter of Rev. John Evans, of Grundy county. 
 27 
 
438 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNXr 
 
 J. B. FAKNAM. 
 
 J. B. Farnam came to Trenton in 1872, having been sent there from Chi- 
 cago by the Chicago, Eock Island & Pacific liailway Company to act as 
 passenger and fi'eight agent temporarily, and also agent for the United 
 States express company. Soon after, he was permanently employed, and 
 kept the position until 1875, when he established himself in the drug busi- 
 ness at Trenton, in which he has since been engaged. J. B. Farnam was 
 born on a farm near Lockport, Niagara county, New York, June 25, 1826. 
 When fourteen j^ears of age he went into the drug store of G. W. Merchant, 
 the celebrated Gargling Oil manufacturer, of Lockport, to learn the drug 
 business, and remained with him in the store until 1845, and during 1846 
 and 1847 was traveling salesman for the same house. In 1848 he was em- 
 ployed in the drug house of Scammon & Haven, of Chicago, and was in 
 their employ until 1851, when he became station and express agent at Hud- 
 son, Michigan, appointed by the Michigan Southern Eailroad Company. 
 He acted in that capacity until 1860, and from that time until he came to 
 Trenton, in 1872, was at Decatur, Illinois, employed by the United States 
 and Merchants' Union express companies. Mr. Farnam, on October 18, 
 1852, married Miss Sarah A. Eyerson, of Chicago. 
 
 JOHN FITTEBEB 
 
 "Was born near Dayton, Ohio, March 25, 1852. His mother dying when 
 he was eighteen months old, he was placed by his father with diflerent fami- 
 lies until he was eight years old, Avhen he began living with C. A. Hoffman, 
 now his partner in business, who married his sister, and was then living 
 near Carthage, Illinois. He lived with' Mr. Hoffman uTitil he was twelve, 
 when he went to live on a farm with William Fruze, near Carthage, and 
 worked for him until he was fourteen, when he came to Trenton, in 1865, 
 with an older brother, Enos Fitterer, and his brother-in-law, C. A. Hoffman. 
 With them he learned the trade of baker, being with them about two years, 
 when he went to Chillicothe and was employed by Leach Brothers as stage- 
 driver from that place to Trenton for one year. In 1869 he went to Keo- 
 kuk, Iowa, and was employed as baker by Stahl & Saltzer, wholesale bakers 
 and cracker manufacturers, until 1871, when he returned to Trenton and 
 worked at his trade with Fitterer & Eange. In 1873 he went to Chicago, 
 and was employed in the fancy bread and cake bakery house of Samuel 
 Gourley, until 1875, and again returned to Trenton and went into the bak- 
 ery and grocery business with his brother Enos, under the firm name of 
 Fitterer & Brother. In 1877 they sold out to Hyde & Crandall, and he 
 remained as baker with them some two months, when he purchased Mr. 
 Crandall's interest, changing the firm name to Hj'de & Fitterer; and in 
 1879 his present partner, C. A. Hoffman, bought Mr. Hyde's interest, and 
 the present firm of Fitterer & Hoffman was formed. 
 
HISTORY OF GETJNDT COTTNTY. 439 
 
 Mr. Fitterer obtained his education by attending district schools in vari- 
 ous places, and being born of Grerman parents had to attend school to learn 
 the English language, which he learned to speak fluently by the time he 
 was eight years old. Mr. Fitterer married Miss Lillie Cline, of Trenton. 
 They have two children, Ethel and Alouis. 
 
 J. E. FULKEKSON 
 
 Was born on a farm eight miles northwest of Trenton, April 3, 1848, where 
 he was reared. His father died when he was twelve years old, and from 
 that time he and three brothers remained on the farm with their widowed 
 mother, and b}' their labor the farm work was carried on, thereby support- 
 ing her and a sister. In 1869, when he was twenty-one, he rented a farm 
 in Fayette county for one year, at the expiration of which time he returned 
 to Grundy county, and during 1871 he and two brothers farmed the home- 
 stead. In the spring of 1872 he attended T. J. Bryant's commercial col- 
 lege at St. Joe, graduating from that institution in June of the same year, 
 then came to Trenton and began clerking for J. M. Bailey and was with 
 ■ him until June, 1874, when he made a pleasure trip to Denver, Colorado, 
 with R. P. Carnes, who made the trip for his health, many of his friends 
 accompanying him. " The excursion was called " the Carnes expedition." 
 After returning in August, he worked for a short time on the home farm, 
 when he was employed as book-keeper in the First National Bank of Tren- 
 ton, and was so employed for three years, and when it was changed to the 
 Union Bank lie became book-keeper and assistant cashier and continued to 
 hold that position until the fall of 1878. He was the nominee of the Ee- 
 publican party in 1878 for sheriff and was defeated by only twenty-nine votes. 
 In December of the same year lie was employed as salesman and book- 
 keeper in the lumber yard of H. S. Carnes, and was with him until 1879, 
 in March of which j'ear he went to Colorado and prospected in various 
 places and assisted in surveying and platting Gothic City, near the Elk 
 Mountains, Colorado. Returning to Grundy county in August, the follow- 
 ing October iie began to travel for a drug house of St. Joe, traveling in 
 twenty-eight States in all parts of the Union, and returning to Trenton in 
 April, 1881. He then purchased of H. S. Carnes his interest in the boot 
 and shoe business of Carnes & Nichols, changing the firm to B. C. Nichols 
 <fe Co. October 24, 1876, Mr. Fulkerson married Miss Georgia Shannon, 
 of New Market, Missouri, by wliom he has two boys, Hugh Floyd, and a 
 younger son, not named. 
 
 MAJ. JOHN C. GRIFFIN. 
 
 John Collier Griffin was born near Cynthiana, Kentucky', October 1, 
 1812. He lived with his parents until his thirteenth year, when he went to 
 live with Dr. Samuel C. Miller, of his native town, with whom he lived 
 
440 HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 three years, and was then employed in the store of Joseph Van Deren, of 
 the same place, for two years. The close confinement impairing his liealth 
 he was advised to go south, and went to Natchitoches, Louisiana, remaining 
 there and in that vicinity for seven years. Returning to Kentucky in the 
 winter of 1838, he stopped at Louisville until the following fall, and then 
 came to Missouri and settled in that portion of Livingston couiily, now 
 known as Mercer county, and engaged in farming and stock-raising. In 
 1839 he was elected major of the first battalion of militia organized in 
 Livingston county. He came to Trenton in February, 1841, and engaged in 
 the mercantile business and followed it until the spring of 1845. At the 
 first general election held in Grundy county, in 1842, he was elected repre- 
 sentative, and elected his own successor in 1844. In 1845 he was elected 
 by the Fifth senatorialdistriet as a delegate to the constitutional convention, 
 to revise the State constitution. In 1847 he was elected captain by a volun- 
 teer company of cavalry, which was received into the United States service 
 at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve during the war with Mexico, and as- 
 signed to duty in the Indian Territor3^ His company was mustered out of 
 the service at Independence, Missouri, in September, 1848. He closed out 
 his mercantile business in Trenton in 1845, and removed to his farm some 
 six miles north of that place, to which he returned in 1852. In 1850 he 
 was elected senator by the Fifth senatorial district and served as such until 
 1856, and in that year was elected circuit attorney for the Eleventh judicial 
 circuit, and elected his own successor in 1860, since which time he ha& 
 been in the law practice at Trenton. April 6, 1843, he married Miss Nancy 
 J. Clark, of Grundy county, who died September 6, 1858. They had seven 
 children, only one of whom, Martha J., wife of William W. Bonta, is now 
 living. Major Griffin has been identified with all the best interests of 
 Trenton and Grundy county since the pioneer days, and been called upon to 
 serve the people of Grundy in a public capacity more times than any person 
 now living, and has fairly earned " the well done, good and faithful servant,"' 
 which has been bestowed upon him. 
 
 GEOEGE GILMOEB. 
 
 George Gilmore was born on a farm near Bloomington, Illinois, June 1, 
 1845. He was reared upon the farm, and received an elementary education 
 in the district schools. In 1864, when nineteen years old, he joined the 
 Union army, enlisting as a private in company G, Thirty-third Illinois vol- 
 unteer infantry, serving eighteen months, when he was discharged on 
 account of disability, having been wounded at Spanish Fort, Alabama, by 
 the explosion of a shell, which shattered his ankle joint and rendered ampu- 
 tation of the foot necessary. After his discharge he returned home, and in 
 April, 1866, entered Eureka College, at Eureka, Illinois, and was a student 
 until the spring of 1870, when he went to Bloomington, Illinois, and studied 
 
HISTOEY OP GBUNDT COUNTY. 441 
 
 law in the office of E. M. Prince foi' six months, having previously been a 
 member of the law class while attending Eureka College, and was admitted 
 to the bar at Bloomington in 1871. He began practice at Fontiac, Illinois, 
 but remained only a short time, and in Marcii, 1872, came to Trenton, 
 where he practiced until 1876, then accepted the position of cashier iu the 
 First National Bank of Trenton, which he tilled until it surrendered its 
 charter in August, 1876, when he became cashier of its successor, the Union 
 Bank of Trenton, which position he still holds. October 6, 1878, he married 
 Miss Isabelle M. Borin, of Pontiac, Illinois. They have one child, Gladys, 
 iborn in Trenton, July 8, 1880. 
 
 WILLIAM GESSLEE 
 
 Was born in New York City, October 11, 1845, and was there reared, edu- 
 cated and learned his trade of machinist. His father dying when he was 
 four years of age, and his mother when he was twelve, he at that early age 
 had to maintain himself. He was first employed as an errand boy in the 
 Bookman Street Bank, which position he held some eighteen months, and 
 after that served in the same cajjacity for the Singer Sewing Machine Com- 
 pany one year. December 27, 1859, when fifteen, he apprenticed himself 
 to the Novelty Works Company, to learn the machinist trade, and served 
 until 1863, when he was employed by the Gennett Brothers to go to Chats- 
 worth, Livingston county, Illinois, to superintend the placing of machinery 
 in their Beet Sugar Factory, and was with them until 1864. From there 
 he went to Chicago, and was emploj'ed as machinist by the Illinois Central 
 Railroad Company. In 1866 he quit the above company and was employed 
 by the Frost Manufacturing Company, of Galesburg, Illinois, and worked 
 for them until 1870, when he went to Lincoln, Nebraska, and built and put 
 up the machinery in the Lancaster Mills, of that place. After completing 
 this work, the following spring he, with John McKesson, built a machine- 
 shop and foundry at Lincoln, under the firm name of McKesson & Gessler. 
 Petiring from the firm in 1872, he came to Trenton and was employed in 
 his present situation as machinist in the C, P. I. & P. Pailroad shops. 
 July 2, 1871, he married Miss M. C. Carson, of Galesburg, Illinois. They 
 have three children: Maud, Grace and Frances, all born in Trenton. He 
 is a inembei' of Adelphia Lodge, No. 38, K. of P., of Trenton, and of 
 Alpha Lodge No. 155, A. F. & A. M., of Galesburg. 
 
 S. GREENABArM 
 
 Was born in Offenbach, Prussia, August 3, 1837. He knows but little 
 about his father, who came to the United States prospecting in 1842, and 
 soon after his arrival in New Orleans died of yellow fever. His mother 
 remained in Europe and died there in 1871. At ten years of age he came 
 with friends to the United States, where he had two brothers, one, Alex- 
 
44:2 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY, 
 
 ander, in l^liiladelphia, Pennsylvania, and the other, Moses, in the IsTappa 
 Yalley, California. He lived a short time with the brother in Philadelphia, 
 who removed to Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, and engaged in mer- 
 chandising, and he remained with him and clerked in his store and 
 attended school until 1S62, when he went to his brother in California, who 
 was also in the mercantile business, with whom he lived until 1856, when 
 he returned to Fayette. He was brought up a merchant, entering his 
 brother's store when he first came to America, and continued as a clerk up 
 to 1861, when he joined the Union army, enlisting in company D, Seventh 
 Missouri cavalry, Missouri State militia, and served during, the war in south- 
 ern Missouri and northern Arkansas. He was mustered out at St. Louis in 
 the fall of 1865, and went to Atchison, Kansas, where he was employed as 
 a clerk in a clothing house for one year, then established himself in the 
 millinery business at that city, which he followed until he was burned out 
 in 1868. He next went to Hamilton, Missouri, and* carried on the mercan- 
 tile business for E. Fist & (^o. until 1870, then accepted a situation to travel 
 for a hide, wool and leather house in St. Joe. In 1872 he established him- 
 self in the hide, wool and fur business at Trenton. June 22, 1872, Mr. 
 Greenabaum married Miss ISTettie Strouse, of Trenton, by whom he has four 
 children, Leon, Lottie, Rinda and Abram, all bom in Trenton. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Greenabaum were brought up in and adliere to the Jewish faith, but 
 are not members of any congregation. 
 
 HARVEY GINN 
 
 Was born in New Castle, Henry county, Lidiana, October 1, 1848. When 
 he was eight years old his parents removed to Putnam county, Missouri, 
 where he lived with them until he was sixteen years old, at which age, in 
 
 1864, he enlisted in the Confederate army under Captain P. Thompson, in 
 Col. Forbes's regiment, and served one year. After being mustered out in 
 
 1865, he returned to Putnam county and attended school until 1867. Jan- 
 uary 1, 1867, he married Miss Sarah J. Ayers, who died March 3, 1871. 
 Soon after his marriage he purchased a farm in Putnam county and lived on 
 it until the death of his wife. In the spring of 1871 he began to work on. 
 the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway as a laborer, working four 
 months, then came to Trenton and worked in the machine-shops and round- 
 house (then being erected) until February, 1872, when he went on the road 
 as brakesman. He held this position until 1877 when he was given the 
 position of conductor on a freight train, which he still holds. He has twO' 
 children, Emma and Alvertes Omri. 
 
 CALVIN GILHAM 
 
 Was born on a farm near Morristown, Belmont county, Ohio, January 13,. 
 1838, where he was reared and lived until 1854, when he came to Missouri^ 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 443 
 
 He iirst settled on a farm in Daviess county, and lived there until 1859, 
 when he came to Grundy county and engaged in the milling business at 
 Trenton, with his father, Isaac Gilham. lie was one of the proprietors of 
 the City Mills, buying an interest in tliem just before their completion. 
 In February, 1862, he joined the Union army, enlisting in company I, Mis- 
 souri State militia, under Col. King and Captain Garvin, served one year, 
 and while out was promoted to second lieutenant. When his regiment con- 
 solidated with the Seventh regiment, Missouri State militia, there were a 
 number of supernumerary ofhcers who were obliged to resign, he being one 
 of them. He immediately returned home and engaged in farming. In 
 1870 and 1871 he was one of the originators of the woolen-mills of Trenton. 
 ■Selling his interest in 1876, he engaged in his present business of farming 
 and dairying. In 1873 he, with Byron and Daniel Markerts, prospected for 
 and found the vein of coal that is now being successfully worked at Trenton. 
 Like every new experiment the expenses were great, and they were obliged 
 to sell, and others are now reaping the benefit. December 23, 1857, Mr. 
 Gilham was united in marriage to Miss M. D. Merrill, who was born and 
 reared in Trenton. They have three children, Charles, Bessie and Ada 
 Belle. Mr. and Mrs. Gilham are members of the Baptist Church of Tren- 
 ton. He is, also, a member of the Grand Eiver Lodge No. 52, I. O. O. F. 
 
 JACOB GOLDENBERG 
 
 Was born in Horinghausen, Hesse Darmstadt, Prussia, February 7, 1842, 
 where he lived until he was fourteen years of age, attending school up to 
 that age when he began clerking in his father's store, and remained with him 
 until 1858 then came to the United States, arriving at Castle Garden, Kew 
 York City, Jul}' 4, of the same year. He went to St. Louis and purchasing 
 a small stock of goods started out as a peddler, following the business for 
 nearly one year, when, disliking it, he began clerking in a grocery store at 
 Jerseyville, Illinois, and there remained until the fall of 1860, when he went 
 to New Orleans and clerked in a dry goods house until the breaking out of 
 the war of the rebellion. Returning to Illinois he held the position of clerk 
 in a clothing house, in Jacksonville, until 1864, when he went to Springfield, 
 same State, and accepted employment in a clothing liouse. In the fall of 
 18G6 he located in Hamilton, Missouri, and opened business on his own 
 account, dealing in clothing and gentlemen's furnishing goods. He contin- 
 ued in this, until 1871, when he^came to Trenton and established himself in 
 the same business. Jacob Goldenberg and Miss Mar\r Bushnell were mar- 
 ried at Springfield, Illinois, in 1865. They have two children, Simie and 
 Bertha. 
 
 WILLIAM T. GEORGE 
 
 Was born on a farm near Knoxville, East Tennessee, April 8, 1848. He 
 came to Missouri with his parents when he was three years old, settling 
 
444 HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 near Princeton, Mercer connt}^ where he was reared and lived until 18Y4. 
 He started out in life at eig-hteen, farming as a renter, for six years. In 
 1872 he began railroading as a subcontractor under his father, Abner 
 George, following the business until 1878. At that time he began to fur- 
 nish piling, bridge timbei' and hard wood lumber to the Atchison, Topeka, 
 & Santa Fe E. K. Co., under contract. In 1879 he contracted with the 
 Chicago, Eock Island & Paciiic Railwaj' Company to furnish wood material 
 for bridging, pib'ng, car-building and ties, employing annually about two 
 hundred men and furnishing about 250,000 ties, 6,000 piles, and 100,000 
 feet of bridge timber. He came to Grundy county and settled on Hickory 
 Creek in 1874, and from this to Trenton in 1878. March 22, 1866, he mar- 
 ried Miss Sarah A. Mulvaney, of Mercer county, by whom he has seven 
 children; namely, Johnson H., Tisia Ann, James W., Salitha, Abner, Elma 
 and Sarah. Mr. and Mrs. George are members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 •JUDGE GEOEGE HALL. 
 
 The above named gentleman is one of the most influential citizens of 
 Trenton, as well as one of the most polished and learned ornaments of the 
 Grundy county bar, of which he has been a' member since 1867. George 
 Hall was born of highly respected parents, upon a farm, near Indianapolis, 
 Indiana, lilarch 10, 1840, where he continued to live until he became of age. 
 He received an education, such as the common schools afforded, until he 
 reached his nineteenth year, when he entered the academy at Danville, Indi- 
 ana, and remained in attendance for two j-ears. Keturning home in 1861, 
 at the outbreak of the war of the i-ebellion, he at once enlisted in company 
 A, of the Nineteenth regiment of Indiana volunteer infantry, and in August, 
 1862, again enlisted, this time in company B, of the Seventy-ninth regi- 
 ment of Indiana volunteers, in which command he served during the war. 
 He was in many of the hotl}' contested engagements in that long and terri- 
 ble struggle for the Union, having participated in the battles of Louisville, 
 Virginia; Perry ville, Kentucky; StoneRiver, Chickamauga and Chattanooga, 
 Tennessee; Resaca, Kingston, New Hope Church, Pine Mountain, Kene- 
 saw Mountain, Marietta, Peach-Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesborough and Love- 
 joy's Station, Georgia; Franklin and JSTashville, Tennessee. He was mustered 
 out of service in June, 186.5, at Nashville, returned home, and a short time 
 thereafter went to Indianapolis, where he began legal studies in the office 
 of J. W. Blake. In due time he was admitted to the bar, and also to prac- 
 tice in the Su])reme Court of his native State. Bidding farewell to his 
 home and friends in Indiana, he journeyed westward in search of a location, 
 and his prospecting tour ended in Trenton, where he "hung out his 
 shingle," and entered upon the practice of law. His efforts were attended 
 with signal success, and his business increased until his practice is now 
 one of the largest and most lucrative in the city. In 1868 he was appointed 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 445 
 
 city attorne}^, which position he held until November 8, 1870, when he was 
 elected probate judge for the term of four years, and then reelected for the 
 same length of time. Politically, Judge Hall is a Republican, and was 
 tlie delegate from his district to the Republican National Convention, at 
 Chicago, in 1880, which nominated President James A. Garfield. The 
 same year he was the nominee of his party for the circuit judgeship. 
 
 Judge Hall married Miss Rachel A. Smith, a native of Morgan county, 
 Ohio, April 15, 1869. They liave four children. Hallie, Homer, Mabel and 
 Frank. Mr. and Mrs. Hall are members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Cliurch. 
 
 HON. E. F. HOKTON. 
 
 Edward Festus Horton was born on a farm twelve miles west of Mai-ietta, 
 in Washington county, Ohio, on the 10th, of September, 1840. He attended 
 the common schools where he acquired the elementary branches of an edu- 
 cation, which he completed at Marietta College. Leaving home in 1857, at 
 the age of seventeen, he went to Iowa, determined to fight his own battles 
 and win his own way in the world. Locating at Unionville, he remained 
 bat a short time, and removed to Fort Dodge, in the same State, where he 
 was engaged in the farm implement business. Returning to Unionville in 
 the winter of 1858-'9, he taught school until the following spring, and 
 tlien began the study of medicine under S. H. Sawyer, M. D., in whose office 
 he continued until the breaking out of the civil war in 1861. He entered 
 the service of the Union as second lieutenant of company I of the Third regi- 
 ment of Iowa cavalry, and September 1st, 1862, was promoted to the cap- 
 taincy of his company. June, 1863, he was honorably discharged on account 
 of physical disability. Returning to Unionville, he was elected a member of 
 the General Assembly of Iowa, and entered upon his duties, but before the 
 expiration of his term, in 1864, was appointed provost-marshal of the Fourth 
 Iowa district, which position he held until the close of the war in 1865. 
 Resuming his medical studies, he graduated from the medical department 
 of the Iowa State University, at Keokuk, in 1866, and soon after he began 
 to practice at Iconium, Iowa. At Iconium he remained until the spring of 
 1868, then removed to Grundy county and located in Trenton, where he has 
 since resided. Entering actively upon the practice of liis pi'ofession, Dr. 
 Horton soon attained a high standing in the community and secured a lucra- 
 tive practice. In 1872 he was elected and represented the district in the lower 
 branch of the Missouri legislature, and discharged the duties devolving upon 
 him most croditably to himself and his constituents. Retiring from the prac- 
 tice of medicine in 1874, he engaged in the grain and seed business with Gil- 
 bert D. Smith, under tiie firm name of Smith & Horton, and continued 
 until 1878, when he received the appointment of postmaster. This latter 
 position he has most worthily and satisfactorily filled and still holds. 
 
446 HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Dr. Horton was uuited in niamage to Miss Sarah Dean, of Unionville, 
 Iowa, October 8th, 1861, by whom he has three children living; namely, 
 Blanche, Claude and Edward; and one dead: Dean, who died at the age of 
 two years. 
 
 J. E. HARRIS, M. D. 
 
 Joseph E. Harris was born on a farm, near Hichmond, in Madison county, 
 Kentucky, January 13th, 1821. In his native county he was reared, and 
 received an education in the common schools of the district. Early evinc- 
 ing a desire to become versed in the science of medicine, his longing was 
 not gratified until he had reached his twenty-fourth year when he became 
 a student in the office of his elder brother. J. M. Harris, M. D., of Rich- 
 mond, K}'., and afterward graduated from the Louisville Medical College of 
 Louisville, Ky., and began practice in Madison county in 1849, and con- 
 tinued for four years. In 1853 he removed to Manchester. Ky., where he 
 practiced his profession one year, and then came to Grundy county, and 
 permanently located in Trenton, which has since been his home. Dr. Har- 
 ris is a Freemason of long standing, and one of the first chapter masons in 
 the county having received the degrees in 1855, after riding one hundi;ed 
 and twenty miles to Huntsville, in Randolph county, for that purpose. 
 
 Dr. Harris has been twice married, the first time to Miss Jane McDonald, 
 ot Wyoming county, West Virginia, who died in 1861. In 1865 he mar- 
 ried Mrs. Eva A. Bishop, by whom he has five children: Robert M., Anna, 
 Lillie, May and Ada. 
 
 T. B. IIARBEK. 
 
 T. B. Harber was born on a farm near Richmond, Kentucky, in October 
 1829, where he was reared, and lived with his parents until 1849, in which 
 year he married Miss M. A. Phelps, only daughter of G. Phelps, of Mad- 
 ison county, Kentucky. He bought a farm in the same county, and farmed 
 there eight years. In 1857 he came to Clinton county, Missouri, and 
 engaged in farming, as a renter, one year, then went to Osborn, a newly 
 laid put town on the Hannibal & St. Joe Railroad, where he engaged in the 
 mercantile business, building the first business house and dwelling in the 
 place. He carried on business at Osborn until the fall of 1861, when he 
 was so unfortunate as to have his store robbed while on a visit with his 
 family to Kentucky, and on his return closed out his stock of goods, and 
 engaged in farming. The fall of 1862 he kept a hotel and bought and 
 shipped stock until August, 1864, when he went to Nebraska City, Nebraska, 
 and engaged in hotel keeping until 1865. Quitting the hotel. business, he 
 devoted his attention to freighting at Julesburg, and other points in Col- 
 orado, until 1866, when he returned to Clinton county, and pursued farm- 
 ing. In 1872 he again embarked in the hotel business, continuing until 
 1874, when he was employed as a clerk in the stores of N. A. Winters & 
 
HISTOKT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 447 
 
 Compauy, and Chapman & Kirk, up to 1877, when he traveled as- salesman 
 for the mercantile house of E. L. McDonuald & Company, St. Joe. He 
 became proprietor of the American Hotel, of Trenton, in 1878, and still 
 conducts that house. During President Buchanan's administration he was 
 appointed postmaster at Osborn, an d held the office by re-appointment by 
 President Lincoln, until 1864. In January, 1879, he was appointed presid-. 
 ins justice of the Grundy County Court, which position he held until 1881. 
 He has eight children: James B., of Colorado; Edgar M., attornej^-at-law, 
 of Trenton; Tivis S, of Colorado; Nannie L., relict of the late William 
 Conant, of Trenton; Bessie, wife of M. F. Hough, of Chicago; and Rella 
 and Charles, living at home. One child, George T., died in Colorado, in 
 1881. 
 
 BEN.TAMIN F. HARDING 
 
 Was born in Meigs county, Ohio, April 25, 1831. He came to Grundy 
 county with his parents in April, 1845, and settled on a farm five miles 
 west of Trenton, near Edinburg, where he lived with them until he was 
 about twenty years of age. What little education he has received was by 
 attending the common schools in the different places where his parents re- 
 sided, and at the Old Grand River College at Edinburg. In April, 1861, he 
 joined the Union army, enlisting in company B, Twenty-third Missouri 
 volunteer infantry as a private, but was afterward promoted to second 
 lieutenant of his company. On account of poor health he resigned his 
 commission in the fall of 1862, and returned to Grundy county and engaged 
 in the mercantile business with his father, E. P. Harding. Having the mis- 
 fortune of being burned out soon after, from that time until 1865, he was 
 employed as clerk in his father's store in Trenton. In the spring of 1866 
 he removed to Henry county, Missouri, and lived in Springfield a short 
 time, and from there went to Clinton, and thence, in 1868, to Keytesville, the 
 county seat of Chariton county, where he worked at his trade as mason and 
 plasterer. Eeturning to Grundy county in 1870 he worked at his trade up 
 to 1878, when he was elected county collector, and still holds that office. In 
 1881 he was elected school-director for the city schools of Trenton. Mr. 
 Hardin married Miss Sarah Elizabeth Eeynolds, of Tretiton, and she died at 
 Osceola, St. Clair county, Missouri, March 8, 1868. Pie has two cliildren: 
 Margaret C, wife of Harvey H. Griffey, of Trenton; and Kate, living with 
 her father. 
 
 W. W. HUBBELL 
 
 Was born in Trenton, Missouri, November 4, 1844, where hs was reared 
 and has spent his life. He obtained his elementary education by attending 
 private schools maintained by his father and a few of his neighbors for the 
 benefit of their own families, and others too indigent to affijrd to pay for 
 schooling their children, and among the teachers they employed were Messrs. 
 
448 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Stewart and Ficklin, who have since become eminent teachers, the latter now 
 holding a professorship in the Missouri State University. His education _ 
 was completed at the college of Grlasgow, Missouri, which he attended for 
 «ix montiis in 1850, and from that time until 1861 worked on his father's 
 farm. In the fall of the last named year, when only sixteen years of age, 
 he entered the State service as second lieutenant and adjutant of the Grundy 
 county battalion, under Colonel Walter King, and served until the expira- 
 tion of his terra of six months. Early in 1862 he assisted in organizing the 
 Third regiment Missouri State militia, going out as first lieutenant and ad- 
 jutant, and served one year, when he resigned his commission and returned 
 to Trenton. In 1863 he was deputized circuit and county clerk of Grundy 
 county by his father. In October of the same year Mr. Hubbell was united 
 in marriage to Miss Fannie Austin, of Trenton, and immediately after en- 
 gaged in' the mercantile business with James Austin, his father-in-law, and 
 J. H. Shanklin, under tiie firm name of W. W. Hubbell & Co. That firm 
 closing out in 1866, he engaged in farming and stock-shipping until 1868, 
 when, with A. J. Spitler, he formed the firm of Hubbell & Spitler, and en- 
 gaged in the grocery business at Trenton. They conducted the business 
 only a short time when they were burned out, and from tliat time until the 
 spring of 1881 he engaged in farming and buying and shipping grain and 
 stock. In February, 1881, he purchased Mr. Borders's interest in the firm 
 of Murphy, Lanius & Co., and formed the present firm of Murphy, Lanius 
 & Hubbell. Mr. and Mrs. Hubbell have six children: Ahda T., Arthur 
 R., Austin E., Laura L., JSTellie Grant and M. Woolsey. 
 
 E. M. HAEBER. 
 
 Edgar M. Harber was born upon a farm near Eichmond, in Madison 
 county, Kentucky, October 26, 1854. He attended the common schools of 
 Clinton county, Missouri, whither his parents had removed from Ken- 
 tucky, and completed his education in the high school at Nebraska City, Ne- 
 braska, where his parents resided from 1857 to 1871. In this latter year he 
 removed to Trenton, and in 1873 entered the law ofiice of Captain H. J. 
 Herrick as a student, and after two years' study was admitted to the bar in 
 August, 1875, and at once began practice. During the time he was pursu- 
 ing his studies in the office of Captain Herrick he was elected and served 
 .as justice of the peace, his term, however, not expiring until January, 1877. 
 In 1879 he was appointed city attorney of Trenton by Mayor George Tin- 
 dall, was re-appointed hj Mayor H. S. Low in 1881, and still holds the posi- 
 tion, which he has most ably filled. He was nominated and elected presi- 
 dential elector for the Tenth congressional district on the Democratic ticket 
 in 1880, and was the youngest member of the electoral college. 
 
 Mr.- Harber was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Austin, of Trenton, on 
 the 8th of March, 1881. For so young a man, Mr. Harber has reached a 
 
HISTOET OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 449 
 
 prominence in the community in which he lives wliich is surpassed by few, 
 and in tlie achievement of this well deserved popularity has laid the founda- 
 tion for a future of great promise. 
 
 L. D. HALL. 
 
 Was born in Smithfield, JeflFerson county, Ohio, February 27, 1836. When 
 he was five years old his father removed to Lawrence county Ohio, where 
 he was reared, and received a common school education, which he completed 
 at the Ohio State University, at Athens, in 1854. In November, 1855, he" 
 began teaching in Lawrence county and continued until 1871, when he en- 
 listed in the Union army, first in a three months' regiment, and at the ex- 
 piration of that time agaip enlisted, in company D, Ninety-first Ohio volun- 
 teer infantry, and served during the war. While out was promoted through 
 the various grades from private to second lieutenant, and participated in a 
 number of battles, the most important being Cloyd Mountain, Winchester, 
 Cedar Creek and Lynchburg. After the war he resumed teaching in 
 Lawrence county, Ohio. He came to Grundy county in 1858, and continued 
 teaching until 1873, when he was engaged in his present position of time- 
 keeper of the southwestern division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
 Railway, under R. O. Carscadin. March 31, 1873, he was united in mar- 
 riage to Miss Nancy E. McCollum, of Trenton. 
 
 JOSEPH W. HILL 
 
 Was born at Bellefontaine, Logan count}', Ohio, April 11, 1849. At the age 
 of eight years, with his parents, he went to McKinney, Collin county, 
 Texas, and after living there two years, returned north and came to Boli- 
 var, Polk countj', Missouri, in 1859, and from there came to Grundy 
 county the following year and settled on a farm in Madison township. He 
 continued to live with his parents until March, 1865, when he enlisted in 
 companj' B, Fifty-first Missouri volunteer infantry, and served six months. 
 On being mustered out at the close of the war he returned to Trenton and 
 began to learn the carpenter's trade, liiring out at once and not serving any 
 time. He has since worked at the trade in Ti-enton, with the exception of 
 the time from March, 1871, until January, 1872, when he lived in Clinton, 
 Missouri, where he failed to find employment, but had a good team stolen. 
 He returned to Trenton in January, 1872, and began work as a conti-actor 
 and builder, and has built up a good business. April 7, 1 870, Joseph W- 
 Hill and Miss Ella Luke, of Trenton, were married. They have three chil- 
 dren, Eva, Maud and Lula, all born in Trenton. Mrs. Hill is a member of 
 the M. E. Church at Trenton. He is a member of Grand River Lodge No. 
 52, 1. O. O. F., and of Adelphia Lodge No. 38, K. of P., at Trenton. 
 
450 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 
 
 J. G. HEMLET 
 
 Was born in Warren, Trumbull county, Ohio, October 24, 1835. His par- 
 ents removed to Ashland, Ohio, where they lived until he was ten years 
 old, and then removed to Pendleton, Putnam county, Ohio. His father 
 being a harness-maker, he was brought up to the trade, and began work 
 in his father's shop when he was twelve years old, and worked with him 
 until he was twenty-four. April 24th, 1859, he married Miss H. L. Bagley, 
 yf Pendleton, and immediately went to Mill Grove, in Wood county, Ohio, 
 and embarked in the harness business. He remained one year, and then 
 removed his business to Pendleton, where he soon after closed up his shop. 
 At the breaking out of the late war in 1861, he joined the Union army, 
 enlisting in company D, Twenty-first Ohio volunteer infantry, and served 
 three 3'ears and three months — three months over his term of enlistment. 
 His regiment was in the Fourteenth army corps under generals Rosecrans 
 and Thomas, and took part in the battles of Stone River, Chickamauga, and 
 others too numerous to mention. He was mustered out and discharged at 
 G-alesville, Alabama, October 22, 1864, and returned to Pendleton, Ohio, sold 
 out his property tJiere, came to Missouri, and settled at TItica, Livingston 
 count}', where he carried on harness-making in connection with farming until 
 1869. In that year he went to Chillicothe and continued harness-making 
 until 1873, when he removed to Trenton, and established his present bus- 
 iness, dealing in and manufacturing harness and saddles. He is doing an 
 extensive business and employs from six to seven hands. He has four sons, 
 George W. and Nathaniel E. at work in the shop; and Russell H. and John 
 L. One son, Alfred, died in Pendleton, Ohio, in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Hemley are members of the Baptist Church at Trenton. He is a member 
 of Grand River Lodge, No. 52, I. O. O. F., and of Adelphia Lodge No. 
 38, K. of P. 
 
 E. H. HUME 
 
 Was born near Richmond, Kentucky, March 6, 1843, where he lived with 
 his parents until he was eighteen years old. At that age he joined the Con- 
 federate array, enlisting in company F, Third Tennessee cavalry, and served 
 tirst under Gen. ZoUicoifer, and after his death imder Gen. Kirby Smith, 
 serving in that army corps some eighteen months; was discharged and 
 returned to his liome in Kentucky, where he was soon after taken prisoner 
 by the Union provost-guards, and imprisoned three months. "Was released 
 in May, 1865, and soon after enlisted in com])any F, Third Kentucky cav- 
 alry, under Gen. John Morgan, and served until July 19, of the same year, 
 when he, with his corps, was taken prisoner near Buffington Island, Ohio, 
 and was for a short time imprisoned at Camp Morton, at Indianapolis, 
 Indiana, and from' there taken to Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois, and 
 kept until the close of the war. After his release he returned to Kentucky, 
 
HISTOBT OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 451 
 
 and engaged in farming nntil February, 1866, then went to Arkansas, and 
 was employed as superintendent on a cotton plantation for one year. Sub- 
 sequently he was employed as a clerk in the store of W. K. Hocker & Co., 
 Lonoke, Arkansas, remained with them one year, and went to Jefferson 
 county, Arkansas, and engaged in raising cotton. The following year he 
 returned to Kentucky, and after a visit of a few months came to Missouri, 
 arriving in Trenton in April, 1S69, wliere he permanently settled the follow- 
 ing year, and engaged in the grocery business, which he followed until 
 May, 1881. With his brother he built the first brick business house in 
 Trenton. He has made all his property since coming to Trenton, and is 
 among the substantial men of that enterprising young city. November 8, 
 1876, lie married Miss Irena Stombaugli, of Trenton, by whom he has three 
 children: Ethel Lilian, Maggie Myrtle and Robert Allen, all born in 
 Trenton. 
 
 6. P. HAMMEK 
 
 Was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, May 8, 1840. In 1854 he came to 
 America with his parents, who settled in the Territory of Minnesota, where 
 they still reside and where he lived with them until attaining his majority. 
 He was educated in Germany. He acqiiired a knowledge of the English 
 language by his intercourse with Americans and by devoting his spare mo- 
 ments to study. His father, desirous that he should be a farmer, gave him 
 no opportunity to learn any other business, and on leaving home, when 
 twenty-one years of age, to seek other employment more congenial to his 
 taste, his father, although well-to-do, gave him no aid. He started for La 
 Crosse, Wisconsin, on foot, with only a small bundle of clothing, his mother 
 accompanying him a short distance to cheer and counsel him. At La 
 Crosse he failed to find the desired employment, that of clerking. Being 
 without money, and happening on the steamboat wharf as the Northern 
 Belle landed he asked the mate if he wished to hire a hand, was answered 
 in the aflirniative and offered $20 in gold per month, which he accepted 
 and became a roustabout on the boat and endured the hardest of labor for 
 about two months, when he was accidentally seen by a minister of his ac- 
 quaintance, a passenger on the boat, who advised him to seek other employ- 
 ment and to stop off at Red Wing, Miimesota, and he would use his influ- 
 ence to get him a more pleasant situation. He did so, and found emplo}'- 
 ment as a clerk in the store of William Eisenbrand, of Red Wing, with 
 whom|he remained five years, or until 1866. Since leaving his old employer 
 hejhas seen the rough side of life. He has failed in business twice, the 
 first the result of inexperience, and the second of misplaced confidence. In 
 January, 1871, after being in business at Lake City, Minnesota, and at 
 Cameron, Missouri, he started a restaurant at Gallatin, Missouri, without a 
 dollai-, and continued in that business until 1870, when he had, to some ex- 
 tent, retrieved his losses, and during that year he came to Trenton and en- 
 
452 HISTOKV OF GKUNDY COUNTr. 
 
 gaged in the wholesale and retail liquor trade until September, 1881, and 
 has engaged in the wholesale business, exclusive]}', since. In 1871 he mar- 
 ried Mrs. Minnie Ellis, of Warrensburg, Missouri. He is a Knight of 
 Pythias, a member of Adelphia Lodge No. 38, of Trenton, and has passed 
 all the chairs and is now tilling his second term as chancellor commander. 
 He is also a member of Grand Eiver Lodge No. 52, I. O. O. F., of Trenton. 
 
 THOMAS KIMLIN, M. D. 
 
 Thomas Kimlin is of Irish birth and parentage. He was born in Armagh, 
 Ireland, in 1838, and accompanied his parents to the United States when 
 eight years of age. They settled in Poughkeepsie, New Yor k, where he 
 attended the common schools, and in 1859 graduated from the commercial 
 department of Eastman's Business College. In 1860 he began to read medi- 
 cine privately, continuing for two years, or nntil he removed to Trenton in 
 1862,-when he placed himself under the preceptorship of Dr. R. N. Feather- 
 ston, under whose guidance he remained until admitted as a student in the 
 medical college of the New York University, in 1863. From this institu- 
 tion he received his diploma in 1865, and immediateh' thereafter was ex- 
 amined by the United States board of army surgeons, and appointed acting 
 army surgeon and assigned for duty to the field hospital of the Fifth army 
 corps, at City Point, Virginia, where he served until the close of the war. 
 After his return to Trenton in 1865, he formed a partnership with Dr. W. 
 R. Berry, and they practiced together until his removal to Lindley in 1866, 
 where he carried on the drug business in addition to the practice of medi-- 
 cine. Six years later, in 1872, he again located in Trenton, where he has 
 since remained, engaged in the drug business and the practice of his pro- 
 fession. Dr. Kimlin married Miss Lousia F. Turney, daughter of Elder 
 Daniel Turney, of Trenton, on the 5th of October, 1865. Thej' have six 
 children, Henrietta, Cara, Julia, Annie, William and Walter. The family 
 removed to Quincy, Illinois, on the tirst of May, 1881, that the children 
 might receive the benefits of the excellent educational advantages of that 
 city. 
 
 EEV. J. J. KENNEDY. 
 
 J. J. Kennedy is a native of Ireland, born on the 25th of July, 1846. 
 While an infant, his parents emigrated from the "Emerald Isle" to America, 
 landing at Toronto, Canada, where they remained a short time and then came 
 to the United States. After making several temporary locations the family 
 finally settled at Columbus, Ohio. His parents were members of the Cath- 
 olic Church and he was reared in that faith, and early evinced a predilection 
 for holy orders. He entered the St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee, Wis- 
 consin, and began his studies for the priesthood, and from there went to Cape 
 Girardeau, where he became a student in St. Vincent's College, and gradu- 
 ated from the theological department in June, 1870. The same month he 
 
HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 453 
 
 was ordained at St. Joseph, Missouii, by tlie Eight Keverend John J. Hogan, 
 bishop of tliat diocese. His first labor in the field in which he was to devote 
 his life," was in a parish composed of the counties of Daviess, Harrison, 
 Grundy, Mercer, Putnam and Sullivaii with headquarters at Unionville, the 
 county seat of Putnam county, where he formed his first congregation and 
 zealously went to work to erect a church, completing in 1871 the Church 
 of the Assumption. In October of the same year he was called by the 
 bishop to temporarily officiate at Chillicothe, where he remained until July, 
 1873, beloved by his congregation and esteemed by all who knew him. Leav- 
 ing Chillicothe, he became permanent pastor of the congregation in Trenton, 
 and again gave his attention to the- erection of a church edifice, which re- 
 sulted in the present handsome structure which was dedicated St. Joseph's 
 Catholic Church. Father Kennedj'' has two other charges, St. John's, near 
 Bancroft, in Daviess couuty, and St. Mary's, near Akron, in Howard county, 
 both in the country. He is genial, courteous and aftable, makes friends 
 wherever he goes, and in Trenton is held in highest esteem by the people in 
 general, and his congregation in particular. 
 
 M. G. KENNEDY. 
 
 Matthew G. Kennedy was born on a farm in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, 
 September 4, 1845, where he lived and grew to manhood. When twelve 
 years of age he entered the West Bedford Academy, at West Bedford, Ohio, 
 in which institution he was a pupil until 1859, when he returned home and 
 became a clerk in his father's store, remaining four years. In 1863 he ac- 
 cepted a clerkship in the quartermaster's department, at Nashville, Tennes- 
 see, where he continued until the summer' of 1864. During the winter of 
 1865 he taught school, and the following spring attended the Holbrook 
 Normal Institute, at Lebanon, Ohio, which he continued. to attend alter- 
 nately with teaching school, until 1867, when he began the study of law in 
 the office of D. W. Stambaugh, at New Philadelphia, Ohio. He remained 
 here until 1869, giving part of his time to his studies and the remainder to 
 school- teaching. During 1869 and 1870 he took a two years' course in the 
 law department of the Michigan State University, at Ann Arbor. The 
 winter of 1871 he taught school in Madison county, Illinois, and in the 
 spring of the same year came to Trenton and began the practice of law, 
 which he engaged in until August 10, 1880, when he purchased the Grundy 
 County Times, to the publication and editing of which he has since given 
 his attention, and attained a most gratifying success. 
 
 JOHN KIEK 
 
 Was born in Manchester, England, June 5, 1844. When eleven years old 
 he entered the machine-shops of Picksley, Simms & Co., of Bedford Leigh, 
 Lancashire, England, to learn the machinist's trade, and at the age of four- 
 
454 HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 teen was apprenticed to the same company until twenty-one. He was first 
 employed as a regular machinist in 1865, after serving his apprenticeship, 
 by the London & Northwestern Railway Company, at St. Helen's Junction, 
 near Liverpool, leaving here in 1868 to take charge of the machinery in the 
 cotton mills of C. Wright & Co., at Tyldesley, England, with whom he re- 
 mained two years. In 1870 he came to the United States, landing in New 
 York City on the 24th of April, and was at once employed in the machine 
 shops of J. & J. Innis, on West Street, manufacturers of stationary engines. 
 He was called from there three months afterward to Fall Brook, Pennsyl- 
 vania, where his family were visiting friends, by the death of his little 
 daughter, Mary Alice. He remained there and was employed by the Fall 
 Brook Coal Company to repair engines and do extra running on locomo- 
 tives until January, 1871, when he was employed in the machine-shops of 
 Council, Gleason & Graham, of Rochester, New York, for six months, and 
 in ihe stationary engine shops of Woodbury & Booth, of the same place, 
 one year. In 1872, on the 10th of June, he came to Trenton to take a place 
 in the round-house of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company 
 as a machinist, under R. O. Carscadin, master mechanic, and in 1873 was 
 promoted to the foremanship of the round-house, and in July, 1875, was 
 promoted general foreman of the machine-shops and round-house, and now 
 holds that position. In 1878 and 1879 he was a member of the city coun- 
 cil of Trenton. In 1864 he married Miss Sarah Hampson, of Bedford 
 Leigh, England. They have two children, Edwin John and Earl Law, and 
 have lost two, Mary Alice and Frederick. 
 
 FEANCIS W. LOWEN 
 
 Was born on a farm near Monticello, Lewis county, Missouri, May 18, 1836. 
 When quite young, his parents removed to Knox count3% Missouri, and set- 
 tled on a farm near Newark, where he lived until he was seventeen, and 
 came with his mother — his father being dead — to Grundy county and 
 bought a farm six miles north of Trenton. He remained on the farm, one 
 year and then began to learn the trade of bricklaying with his uncle, Wil- 
 liam Collier, Jr., with whom he worked six years. Leaving his uncle in 
 1860, he went to Colorado and prospected and mined one year, then re- 
 turned to Trenton and in the summer of that year joined the Union army, 
 enlisting in company B., Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and par- 
 ticipated in the battle of Shiloh, A2:)ril 6, 1862, when his regiment was cut 
 to pieces, their colonel, J. T. Tindall, killed, and he, with many of the com- 
 pany, were taken prisoners and held as such for seven months, in the pris- 
 ons at Memphis, Montgomery, Chattanooga, Macon, Richmond, and in Libby 
 Prison. He was finally paroled at Aikin's Landing, South Carolina, and 
 soon after sent to Washington City, where he remained in the hospital until 
 about the first of February, 1863, when he was sent back to Missouri. Here 
 
HISTORY OF GRTJNDY COUNTY. 455 
 
 he remained until the first of May, when an exchange was effected and with 
 the other captives, he was ordered back to the regiment in Missouri. His 
 regiment served in the State until November, when it was ordered 
 to Tennessee, and from there in 1864 to join Sherman's army and cam- 
 paign to Atlanta. His term of service expiring while there, in 1865, he 
 was mustered out at that place, and immediately returned to Trenton, where 
 he was soon after employed in the store of W. W. Hubbell & Co., as a clerk, 
 remaining with them until 1867. In this latter year he received the ap- 
 pointment of deputy sheriff and constable, holding the former position eight 
 years and the latter nine. In 1876 he was deputy county collector, and 
 since then has been engaged in fruitgrowing and dealing in nursery stock. 
 Mr. Lowen married Miss Mary G. Allen of Trenton in October, 1865. They 
 have two children, Bessie, fifteen, and Hallie, ten years old, both born in 
 Trenton. Mr. and Mrs. Lowen are members of the Christian Church of 
 Trenton. He is an Odd Fellow and has passed all the chairs and is now 
 P. G. 
 
 H. C. LANIUS 
 
 Was born on a farm near McConnelsville, Morgan count}'-, Ohio, January 
 14, 1838. He never attended school more than eight months in his life, but 
 by applying himself to studj' during his leisure hours he has acquired a 
 fair business education. Starting out in life as a farm hand, he worked in 
 his native county until the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, and 
 enlisted in the Union service as corporal in company D, Seventy-eighth 
 Ohio volunteer infantry, and served three years. Was a participant in the 
 battles of Fort Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Bolivar and Memphis. After 
 his discharge, in 1864, he came to Missouri and settled in Marion township, 
 Grundy county, and engaged in farming as a renter until 1865, and from 
 that time up to 1868 worked a small farm of his own, excepting about 
 six months that he operated a saw and grist-mill in Callaway county, Mis- 
 souri. Having disposed of his farm in 1868 he leased a farm in Trenton 
 township and worked it six years. In 1874 he purchased a farm in the 
 same township, which he still owns and rents. Leaving his farm in 1878 he 
 came to Trenton and went into the hardware business with Thomas A. 
 Murphy and Corwin Borders, under the name and style of Murphy, Lanius 
 & Borders, and is still in the same business, the firm, however, having 
 changed to Murphy, Lanius & Hubbell. On the 2d of November, 1858, 
 Mr. Lanius married Miss Hester A. Fonts, of Morgan county, Ohio, by 
 whom he has four children: Mary A., Annie O., Fannie and Claude. 
 
 LAFFERTY BEOTHEES. 
 
 This firm is composed of Jacob L. and William P. Lafferty. They were 
 born on a farm near Cadiz, Harrison county, Ohio; the senior, March 14, 
 1844, and the junior. May 7, 1851. 
 
456 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 When fourteen years of age Jacob M'as sent b}' his pai-ents to Washington: 
 College, Pennsylvania, where he attended four years, taking the preparatory 
 course and beginning the collegiate, but quit during the junior year, and at- 
 tended the Iron City Commercial College, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 
 which he graduated. Soon after he began teaching, and taught in Ohio and 
 Missouri four years. In 1866 he came to Missouri and settled in Chilli- 
 cothe where he engaged in the mercantile business and farming until Jan- 
 iiary, 1869, when he came to Grundy county, and gave his attention to 
 farming and teaching for seven years. From 1876 until 1879 he was vari- 
 ously employed in teaching and the mercantile business, and during the lat- 
 ter year was emj^loyed b}' liis brother as a clerk, and was with him until 
 June of 1881, when the present firm was established. 
 
 William P. Laft'erty came to Missoui'i with his parents in 1866 and set- 
 tled in Chillicotlie. In 1867 he was an appi-entice in the C onstitiition' 
 office, of Chillicothe, to learn the art of printing under T. B. Reynolds & 
 Co., and worked there until 1869, when he came to Trenton and was em- 
 ployed in the Republican office under W. B. Rogers, working two years as 
 compositor and seven years as foreman. In January, 1878, he was elected 
 treasurer of Grundy county and served two years, and during the same time 
 was engaged in the mercantile business, which he followed until April, 
 1881, when he sold out to Pratt Brothers, and the next June became as- 
 sociated with his brother under the firm name of LafFerty Brothers. No- 
 vember 12, 1875, he married Miss Anora DeBolt, of Trenton. They have- 
 three children: Austin, Willie and Raymond. 
 
 EEV. PAUL m'cOLLUM. 
 
 The gentleman whose name heads this sketch was born in Guernsey 
 county, Ohio, on the I7tli of January, 1828, the eldest of a family of twelve 
 children, nine of whom still survive. His parents were natives of New 
 Jersey, and among the early settlers of Ohio. His father departed this 
 life in 1854; his mother is yet living. Early realizing the advantages 
 of thorough mental discipline, he entered school at Antrim, then known as 
 Madison College, where he acquired a liberal education, and entered upon 
 the profession of school-teaching. • He continued to teach for eight years, 
 and in the meantime, having become a member of the Baptist Church, 
 interested himself in church work and the study of theology, and was- 
 ordained a regular minister of the Baptist Church in August, 1855. 
 Accepting a call from the Sarchet's Run Cliurch, he "officiated one year. 
 In 1856 he became pastor of Will's Creek Church, and in 1857 was called 
 to preside over the Bird's Run Church; dividing his time between the two 
 congregations, he continued with both charges during five years of suc- 
 cessful nainisterial work. In the autumn of 1857, he was appointed by the 
 American Baptist Publication Society to act as colporteur in the Will's 
 
HISTOET or GRUNDT COUNTT. 45T 
 
 Creek Association, in which capacity he faithfully served until July, 1864, 
 when his work closed in his native State, Ohio, and he journeyed toward the 
 setting sun to seek a home in the distant west. In the fall of 1864, he set- 
 tled in Trenton, Missouri, w'here he accepted the pastorate of the Baptist 
 ■Church, continuing also, in the service of the Publication Society. In the 
 sjjring of 1865 he organized the North Union Baptist Church, to which he 
 gave a portion of his time during his four years' pastorate in Trenton. In 
 addition to this work, Eev. Mr. McCollum officiated at the Alpha (Liberty), 
 Providence, Eural Dale and Lindley churches, during a period of four 
 years, when he gave up his ministerial labors, and entered actively into the 
 work of the Publication Society. In 1873 he resumed his pastoral rela- 
 tions, and continued until 1876, when he was appointed by the government 
 to give his attention to the education of the freedmen. After two years' 
 service he returned home and accepted the financial agency of the Grand 
 Piver College at Edinburg, tliis county, in which position he continued 
 until October, 1880. Since this latter date he has labored as missionary 
 and colporteur of the Grand River Association, and continues to make his 
 home in Trenton, where he has deservedly won a large circle of friends. 
 
 Mr. McCollum was married on the 11th of Jitly, 1854, to Miss Elizabeth, 
 youngest daughter of John and Mary Keepers, of Guernsey county, Ohio. 
 This union proved a happy one, and Mrs. McCollum has been a worthy 
 helpmeet to her husband in his holy calling. Five children have been born 
 to them: Mary H., boi-n May 14, 1855; William J., born March 19, 1859; 
 Emma C, born May 3, 1862, died October 14, 1878; and a twin brother to 
 Emma who died the day of his birth; and Sarah Annette, born July 5, 
 1870. 
 
 ~W. H. m'geATH 
 
 Was boni in Boston, Massachusetts, June 25th, 1837, where he attended 
 school from the time he was old enough until he reached the age of twelve, 
 when he left home on account of dislike for liis step-father — his father 
 having died when he was six years old. On leaving home he went to Kan- 
 dolph, Massachusetts, and served an apprenticesliip in the shoemaking busi- 
 ness with a cousin, with whom he worked as an apprentice and attended 
 school, for nearly four years. In 1853, he came west and woi-ked at the trade 
 of shoemaking in various places in Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Missouri and 
 Kansas. Coining to Trenton in 1860, he engaged in boot and shoemaking 
 with Thomas Torpey, as McGrath &. Torpey, and the firm continued busi- 
 ness until the breaking out of the late M^ar. The following j'ear he, in answer 
 to the first call for troops by the governor of the State, enlisted in the State- 
 service, company A, second battalion of Missouri State trooi)s, and served 
 until the term of enlistment expired in 1862, when he was commissioned 
 second lieutenant of the Thirty-third i-egiment of Missouri volunteer- 
 
i58 HISTOKY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 infantry, which he soon after resigned and served as commissary in the State 
 service until the spring of 1863. He then went to Susanville, the county 
 seat of Plumas county, California, and engaged in shoemaking until 1864, 
 next went to Corvalis, Oregon, and thence to Vancouver City, Washington 
 Territory. In this latter place he remained four years, serving one year as 
 deputy sheriif and three years as warden in the Territorial penitentiary. 
 In the fall of 1868 he returned east via Panama and J^Tew York (3ity, to 
 Trenton, where he engaged in making and dealing in boots and shoes, and 
 continued the business up to 1870, in which year he was appointed city asses- 
 sor and street commissioner, holding the former position until 1881 and the 
 latter at various times during the same period, and in 1877 and '78 was 
 deputy county assessor. In 1881 he was elected justice of the peace and is 
 now serving in that position. December 23d, 1860, Mr. McGrath married 
 Miss L. J. Wisdom, of Handolph county, Missouri, by whom he has one 
 child, George T., who graduated at the Trenton high school in 1880. Mr. Mc- 
 Grath is a prominent Mason, and has served as worshipful master eight 
 years, high priest three years, and is now prelate in the commandery, and 
 has been deputy grand master of the Grand Lodge of Missouri, for five- 
 years. 
 
 .losEPH m'mullen 
 
 Was born in Prescott, Canada, on the 13th of July,. 1836. When Joseph 
 had reached the age of seven years his parents removed to Chicago, and in 
 that now "great city by the lake" he grew up and received his education, 
 and there continued to reside until 1860, when he visited the snow-crested 
 Pike's Peak, returning by way of New Orleans in December of the same 
 year, and owing to the troubles arising previous to the oixtbreak of the civil 
 war was detained for some time in the " Crescent City."' On returning to 
 Chicago he received employment as foreman in the lumber yard of Mears, 
 Bates & Co., which situation he held until 1862 and tlien accepted a similar 
 position in the lumber yard of McM alien & Officer. With this latter firm: 
 he continued until 1868, when he embarked in the same business on his 
 own account, carrying it on up to 1869, when Mr. J. L. McVickar became 
 associated with him under the firm name of McVickar & McMullen. In 
 1870 he retired from the lumber business and with Mr. A. McGrath opened 
 the Store of McGrath & Co., dealers in wall-paper, etc. Another year 
 passes and the early months of 1871 find him a citizen of Missouri and a 
 resident of Trenton, whei-e he opened the first lumber yard in Grundy 
 county and conducted the same until 1873, when he purchased the interest 
 of Joseph Robinson in the firm of Yerian & Pobinson, dealers in furniture,, 
 and the present house of Yerian & McMullen was formed. 
 
 Mr. McMullen was united in matrimony to Miss Sarah A. Ghent, of Chi- 
 cago, on the 4th of November, 1863. She died July 28th, 1877, leafing: 
 
HISTORY OF WEUNDY COUNTY. 459 
 
 six children: Mary, Alice, Jauaes, Joseph, Edward Francis, Sarah Agnes 
 and Frances Gertrude. January 8th, 1880, he married Miss Catharine 
 Coan, of Leavenworth, Kansas. Mr. and Mrs. McMnllen are members of 
 St. Joseph's Catholic Church of Trenton. 
 
 THOMAS A. MURPHY 
 
 Was born near Mansfield, Ohio, August 2, 1842, and was there reared on a 
 farm, and attended the district school during the winter terms. In his 
 eighteenth year, in 1861, he enlisted in the First Ohio independent battery 
 of light artillery, and served three years, doing duty in West Virginia, in 
 the army of the Potomac, and in the Shenandoah Valley during Sherman's 
 campaign, in the fall of 1864, and participating in many engagements. He 
 was mustered out at Martinsburg, Virginia, December, 1864, and returned 
 to Mansfield, from where, after spending the winter, he started west in com- 
 panj'^ with an old schoolmate and army chum, John C. Pattei'son, and came 
 to Grundy county, where they purchased a farm near Trenton, and with it 
 a large flock of sheep. They farmed one year and then sold out at an ad- 
 vance of $2,600 on the original price. They separated, and Mr. Murphy 
 went into the grocery business with A. J. Spitler, as Spitler & Murphy, 
 and the firm continued business until the summer of 1866, when his old 
 chum purchased Mr. Spitler's interest, changing the name to Murphy & 
 Patterson. They did business until the latter part 1867, when he I'etired 
 from the firm and engaged in the stock business with P. and J. B. Carnes, 
 as Carnes, Murphy & Carnes. Discontinuing business in the fall of 1868, 
 he gave his attention to farming and the stock business until 1876, when he 
 engaged in' the hardware business in connection with farming, and soon 
 after Solomon Asher became asociated with him, as Asher & Murphy. In 
 1878 Mr. Aslier retired from the firm, and C. Borders and H. C. Lanius 
 became his successors, and the firm of Murphy, Lanius & Cq. was formed. 
 In 1880 Mr. Borders was succeeded by W. W. Hubbell, and the present 
 firm of Murphy, Lanius & Hubbell was founded. Pie has ever been identi- 
 fied with the growth and prosperity of Trenton, and has built several sub- 
 stantial buildings, both businfess and residence. He gave the grounds to 
 the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway' company for their depots, 
 round-house and switch yard; and to secure the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific 
 Railway, gave $300, as his share of the $40,000 raised by subscription for 
 the company. October 15, 1867, he married Miss Mary E. Wiggins, of 
 Trenton, by whom he has four children: Martha Grace, Salome Lilian, 
 Thomas A. and Hugh C. 
 
 MKS. M. L. MOBERLY^ 
 
 Martha L. Wilson, the daughter of Aaron and Sarah Wilson, pioneers of 
 Grundy count}', was born in Linn county. May 26th, 1840. Her parents 
 came to Grundj^ county, wlien she was six weeks old and settled on a farm 
 
460 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 near Trenton, where she was reared. November 4th, 1859, she was united 
 in marriage to Orville Moberlj'-, son of George W. Moberly, of Trenton. 
 He died at Trenton, January 11th, 1875; they had two children Bertha and 
 Bessie, aged respectively seven and nine, both born in Trenton. Mr. 
 Moberly was an active business man, and at the time of his marriage was 
 in the mercantile business, which he followed until the breaking out of the 
 late war when he discontinued, and enlisted in company B, Twenty-third 
 Missouri volunteer infantry, under Col. J. T. Tindall, and served three years 
 and four months, and was promoted through the various grades from private 
 to first lieutenant. He was mustered out of service at Atlanta, Georgia, in 
 1865 and returned to Trenton in October of the same year, and the same fall 
 was elected sheriif of Grundy count}' and served four years. He farmed as 
 renter until 1871, when he was deputized county clerk and recorder by A. 
 K. Sj'kes and acted as such until 1873, when he went into the First National 
 Bank of Trenton as book-keeper where he was employed at the time of his 
 death. 
 
 MES. MAEY A. MEEEILL. 
 
 Mary A. McCoy was born in Booneville, Kentucky, April 29, 1818. Her 
 parents came to Missouri when she was an infant and settled on a farm near 
 Franklin in Howard count}', where she was reared. On the 16th of Feb- 
 ruary, 1837, she was married to Benjamin Wiggins, of Howard county, 
 Missouri. In 1847 she came to Grundy county with her husband and set- 
 tled on a farm five miles northeast of Trenton, on which they lived one 
 year, when they removed to Trenton where she has since resided, with 
 the exception of two years — 1850 and '51 — when she lived in St. Joe. In 
 September, 1850, she was bereft of her husband while he was en route for 
 California. In August, 1854, she was married to James K. Merrill, one of 
 the early settlers of Trenton, and a prominent citizen of Grundy county. 
 Mr. Merrill came to Grundy county in 1837 and invested in land in differ- 
 ent parts of the county. His homestead farm then adjoined Ti-enton, but is 
 now a part of the city, forming a part of several additions. At the organi- 
 zation of the county in 1841 he was appointed the first treasurer, which 
 office he held until 1846. In 1850 he was elected county judge, and filled 
 that position up to 1858, and was appointed county treasurer in 1862 to fill 
 an unexpired term. His death occurred December 10, 1864. 
 
 By her first husband she has two children: James Wiggins, a fanner of 
 Trenton township; and Mary E., wife of Thomas A. Mui-phy, hardware 
 merchant of Trenton; and three b}' her second husband: Salome S., wife of 
 James Beach, of Chariton county, Missouri ; and Isabelle B. and John R., 
 who still live with her, the latter a clerk in .the store of H. Stein in Trenton. 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 461 
 
 G. W. MOBERLY. 
 
 George Washingtou Moberly was born on a farm near Lancaster, in Gar- 
 rard county, Kentucky, on the 18tli of September, 1812. When fifteen 
 years of age he was apprenticed to learn the tailor's trade, at Stanford, Ken- 
 tucky, and his only opportunity for attending school was during his terra of 
 apprenticeship. In the month of September, 1832, he bade farewell to the 
 blue-grass fields of his native State, and journeyed to Missouri, settling in a 
 small town called Florida, in Monroe county, and there he lived, engaged in 
 working at his trade, until the fall of the year 1841 rolled around, when he 
 removed to Trenton. In December, 1841, he opened a saloon in Trenton, 
 and conducted that business some three years, selling out in 1844 and enter- 
 ing the mercantile business. For twenty-three years he continued to do a 
 general mercantile business, selling out in 1867, when he removed to his 
 farm, and gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, which he still makes 
 his avocation. He served as postmaster at Trenton from 1843 to 1847; also 
 held the office of justice of the peace, and served a term of four years as 
 county judge. In 1872 he, in company with others, organized the First 
 National Bank of Trenton, and was elected vice-president. 'In August, 
 1876, the First National surrendered its charter, and the Union Bank became 
 its successor, with Mr. Moberly as president, and he officiates in that capacity 
 in addition to his farm duties. 
 
 Mr. Moberly was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Kibbey, of Lewiston, 
 Lewis county, Missouri, on the 17th of April, 1834. She died in 1854, 
 leaving him six children, all of whom are now dead. In February, 1855, 
 Miss Margaret B. Kobinson, of Trenton, became his second wife. This 
 union was blessed with three children, all of whom are living. The eldest, 
 Mary E., is now Mrs. Benjamin C. Nichols; the second, Harriet A., now 
 Mrs. G. W. Gardner; and the youngest, Margaret B., still at home. 
 
 O. G. NEWTON 
 
 Was born on a farm in Steuben county. New York, November 11, 1831. 
 His parents left there when he was eleven years old, and removed to Lucas 
 county, Ohio, where he lived until 1849, when he came with them to Mis- 
 souri, and settled in Grundy county, five miles west of Trenton. His 
 father being a blacksmith and gunsmith he learned these trades, and when 
 twenty j'ears of age established the first blacksmith shop in Edinburg, 
 where he carried on blacksmithing, gunsmithing and wagon-making. In 
 1866 he retired from that business and engaged in hotel-keeping until 1874, 
 when he left Edinburg and came to Trenton, and became propi-ietor of the 
 Trenton Hotel, which he still conducts. September 17, 1854, Mr. Newton 
 married Miss Mary J. Keys, of Kay county, ilissouri. They have four 
 children; namely, Dora, wife of O. M. Shanklin, of Trenton; Alice, wife of 
 Thomas Elmore, Jr., of Trenton; Emma L. and Edwin, still at home. Mr. 
 
462 HISTOET OF GKTJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Newton, during the late war, served in the State militia, and was moi-e or 
 less in active service while on home duty, and was a solid union man. Mr. 
 and Mrs. JS'^ewton are members of the M. E. Church, and have been for 
 many years. 
 
 .JOSEPH L. NICHOLS 
 
 "Was born of Quaker parents near West Chester, Chester county, Pennsyl- 
 vania, May 4, 1843. When he was abont one year old his parents removed 
 to Philadelphia, where he was reared. At the age of fourteen he began to 
 support himself, being employed as an errand boy in a queensware estab- 
 lishment in Philadelphia, where he remained until the latter part of 1858. 
 In this last mentioned year he went to Wilmington, Delaware, and was em- 
 ployed in an auction house. In 1861 he returned to Philadelphia and was 
 employed as messenger and postmaster in the United States army hospital 
 until the fall of 1862, when he began to learn the trade of book-binding and 
 "worked t-wo 3'ears at that business. In 1864 he enlisted in company F, One 
 Hundred and Ninety-second Pennsylvania volunteer infantry and served 
 until the fall of 1865, when he was mustered out. Returning to Pliiladel- 
 phia he resumed the business of book-binding, following it until 1868, 
 when he was employed as hotel clerk in the Arch Street House, Philadelphia. 
 In 1872 he gave up clerking, came to Grundy county and established his 
 present business of dealing in musical instruments and fancy goods and con- 
 ducting a restaurant, at Trenton. In 1875, in company with several busi- 
 ness men of Trenton on their way east, he met with a severe accident on 
 the Wabash Railroad, the train falling through Gower's bridge, and he re- 
 ceived an injmy from which he has never recovered. In 1877, January 17th, 
 he married Mrs. Josephine Range, of Trenton. They have tliree children: 
 Claude, Lee Muri-ay and Norris. He is a prominent Mason, having taken 
 the Knight Templar degree. He is also a Knight of Pythias and is past 
 grand chancellor of that order. 
 
 DAVID C. PLTGH, 
 
 The present cojinty clerk of Grundy county, was born near Lebanon, War- 
 ren county, Ohio, July 15, 1828. From Warren county his parents removed 
 to Logan county, Ohio, and thence to Perry county, Illinois, where his 
 mother died in 1843, and his father followed her to the grave two years later. 
 David, then seventeen years of age, returned to his native county in the 
 Buckeye State, and there remained until 1853, when he removed to Putnam 
 county, in the same State. His opportunities lor acquiring an education 
 had been few, consisting of one year's attendance in the district schools, 
 where the facilities for imparting instruction were meager, but with a set- 
 tled resolve he persevered, using his every leisure moment at home to sup- 
 ply his thirst for learning, and at the age of twenty-six, when he removed 
 to Putnam county, his ample qualifications at once gave him the post of 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 463 
 
 teacher in the district school. On the 10th of November, 1853, while a 
 resident of the above named county, he wedded Miss Lydia Wamsley. Mr. 
 Pugh continued to teach school during the winter months and farm during 
 the summer until the momentous year of 1861, when, among the many gal- 
 lant sons of Ohio, he volunteered in defense of the Union, enlisting in com- 
 pany D, of the Twenty-first regiment of Ohio volunteer infantry, and in 
 one year's service was promoted from the ranks to corporal and then orderly 
 sergeant, when he was discharged on account of sickness. Returning home, 
 rest and attention soon restored him to health once more, and on the first 
 day of September, 1863, he again enlisted, going out as orderly sergeant of 
 company G, of the Twelfth regiment of Ohio volunteers. He participated 
 in a number of engagements, the most important being the sanguinary bat- 
 tles of Mount Sterling, Ky., Saltville, Ya., Bristol, Tenn., WythevilJe, Va., 
 and Salisbury, N. C, and was mustered out of the service as first lieuten- 
 ant of his company on the 14th of November, 1865. After a short stay at 
 his home in Putnam county, Ohio, he started out to make a home in the 
 West and to grow and flourish with the country. Arriving in Missouri, the 
 fertile prairies and wooded land of Grundy county attracted his attention 
 and he settled upon a farm in Franklin township, and for the first seven 
 years of his residence there divided his time between tilling the soil and 
 "teaching the young idea how to shoot" the shaft of knowledge from the 
 bow of learning, in the district school. In 1872 he became cashier of the 
 First National Bank and most acceptabl^^ filled the position for two years, 
 when he resigned his j^lace. In 1876 he was appointed to fill an unexpired 
 terra of county clerk, and in 1878 was elected to the position for the full 
 term by a handsome majority. He is a clever, genial gentleman, and most 
 worthily presides over the aifairs in the county clerk's 'ofiice, giving cour- 
 teous attention and entire satisfaction to all comers who visit him. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Pugh have been blessed with five children, all daughters; 
 namely, Josephine, now Mrs. J. B. Lindsay, of Kidder, Mo.; Mary, now 
 Mrs. W. C. Key, of Trenton; Alice, now teaching school in Colorado; Eleonora 
 and Florence remaining to brighten home with their presence. 
 
 STEPHEN PEEKY. 
 
 The subject of this slcetch was born on a farm, near Jonesville, Lee 
 county, Virginia, June 23, 1S36. In 1838 his parents removed to Missouri, 
 and settled on a farm near Edinburg in Grundy county. He shared in the 
 trials and hardships with which the life of the early pioneer was fraught, 
 and retains in memory many of the scenes and events transpiring when 
 Grundy county was a wilderness, and the savages roamed the forests where 
 the startled deer bounded from their lurking places. He acquired such an 
 education as the old log school-houses afforded, during his earlier years, and 
 afterward attended the Grand River College in 1852, '53 and '54, and com- 
 pleted his school days at McKendric College, of Lebanon, Illinois, in 1855. 
 
4:64: HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Concluding to adopt the legal profession, he entered the law office of Tindall 
 & Shanklin, in 1856, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. However, he 
 continued his studies with tlie above firm until 1859, when he severed his 
 connection with them, and opened an office in Trenton, where, with the ex- 
 ception of two A'ears, he has practiced ever since. In 1859 he was elected 
 probate judge, holding the office until 1861, and in August of the same year 
 was commissioned, by acting-governor W. P. Hall, adjutant of the Twenty- 
 third regiment of Missouri volunteer infantry, under Col. Jacob T. Tindall, 
 holding the position until March, 1862, when he resigned, receiving a com- 
 mission as major of the Thirtieth regiment of Missouri State militia, under 
 Col. John H. Shanklin. On the 6th of April, lS6i, he resigned his com- 
 mission, and soon after crossed the plains, witii his family, by team, to Cali- 
 fornia, where he remained until 1866, visiting ISTapa City, Cloverdale, Oak- 
 land and San Fi'ancisco, during his stay, and returning by steamer via Panama 
 and New York, reaching Trenton in February of the year mentioned, where 
 he has since made his home. Mr. Peery was united in matrimony to Miss 
 Emma Hendrick, of Trenton, in 1858. Seven children are the fruits of this 
 union, five of whom are living, whose names are Bessie E., born in Cali- 
 fornia, September, 1864; Herbert born in Trenton, September 16, 1866; 
 Nellie, born in Trenton, October, 1868; Jennie, born in California, Novem- 
 ber, 1875; Hortense born in Trenton, April, 1878. They have lost two: 
 Carlisle aged eleven years, and Prentiss aged four years. 
 
 C. C. PARKER. 
 
 On the 28th of March, 1852, Charles C. Parker was born, in the county 
 of Carroll, State of Ohio. In his native State he was destined to remain 
 but a short time, and at an early age he accompanied his parents to their 
 new home in Jefferson county, Iowa, where they resided for two years, at 
 the expiration of which time, the land of the Hawkeye "knew them no 
 more," and next the family is ensconced at home in Scotland county, Mis- 
 souri. From Scotland county they removed to Memphis, Tennessee, wdiere 
 his father was engaged in the mercantile business. In the spring of 1870 
 our subject, while a resident of Memphis, began work for the railroad, and 
 from the lowest round in the ladder he has gradually ascended until at the 
 present time he holds the position of freight conductor on the Chicago, 
 Kock Island & Pacific Railroad. Mr. Parker and Miss Haddie Brackett, of 
 Saybrook, Ashtabula county, Ohio, were joined in the holy bonds of matri- 
 mony, October 2, 1878. They reside in Trenton, and have one child, a son, 
 named Earle Tracey. 
 
 OHAS. E. VBCKHAM 
 
 Was born at Windham, Windham county, Connecticut, in the year 1841, 
 and lived in that county until his ninth year, then went to Brighton, Massa- 
 chusetts. He remained there one year, then returned to Pomfret, Connec- 
 
HISTOEY OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 465 
 
 ticut, where he lived one yeav, then back to Windham and resided there until 
 he was twenty-one years old. Was educated at Dr. J. C. Fitch's Seminary 
 at South Windham. In the spring of '62 he went to Plartford, Connecticut, 
 and was employed at Colt's armory, remaining there until the spring of '64, 
 then went to Springfield, Massachusetts, and was employed in the United 
 States Armory until the spring of '65, when he left for Philadelphia, arriving- 
 there on the 14th da}^ of April — the day of Lincoln's assassination. He 
 was subcontractor in Sharp & Hankin's pistol factory for one year; from 
 there went to Sellersville and worked there until tlie spring of '67, then was 
 sick and returned home, remaining there three months. In August of the 
 same year he started from New York for Antigua, British West India 
 Islands, visiting Santa Cruz, St. Thomas, San Juan and Marquesas Islands 
 and returned to Philadelphia in the spring of '68. Was employed in Cooper, 
 Jones & Cadbury's brass works, remained there two years, and from there 
 went to Baldwin's locomotive works where lie remained six months. In 
 the spring of '71, he went in the machine business for himself; in '72 was mar- 
 ried to a Miss Grant, of Philadelphia; in '73 sold out his business and came 
 out to Missouri and went to work in the machine-shops of the Chicago, 
 Hock Island & Pacific Railway at Trenton; in June, '76, went with his wife 
 to Philadelphia, taking in the exposition and remaining five months, visiting 
 in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut; returning again 
 to Trenton in the fall he resumed work again in the shops. On the 12th 
 of January, '77, a daughter was born to them and named Florence G. 
 Peckliam ; she lived to be eight months and nine days old, dj'ing on the 
 21st of September, '77. In the fall of '79 he bought the photogi'aph gallery 
 from J. W. Oliver, and has been doing a fine class of work ever since. 
 
 T. B. PRATT 
 
 Was born near Kokomo, Howard county, Indiana, September 26tli, 1852, 
 where he lived till 1855, when his parents moved to Grundy county, Mis- 
 souri, and settled on a large tract of land near Trenton. lie assisted on the 
 farm and attended his home school till in the spring of 1867 when he ac- 
 cepted a position in a store where he remained till fall, when he returned 
 to his school. In the spring of 1868 his father sold the large home place 
 and moved to southwestern Missouri, and T. B. entered "Spring River 
 Seminary " and was one of its hardest working students; iu the spring, appli- 
 cation was made for a teacher and the faculty were a unit in i-ecommending 
 him. At the close of his school he returned to the seminar}' and continued 
 "his studies. In the spring of 1870 he returned to north Missouri, taught a 
 fall and winter school and then entei-ed the Trenton high school. He con- 
 tinued to teacli and attend school till 1875, when he graduated with the 
 highest honors of the school. He took charge of the Edinburg public school,, 
 the fall and winter terra, and continued with a select summer school. The 
 next year he taught the Spickardsville school, and during the summer of 
 
466 HISTOEY OF GETJNDY COUNTY. 
 
 1877 assisted in surveying and mapping the county. In the fall he was 
 elected principal and superintendent of the high school, Princeton, where he 
 met with most flattering success. In the fall of 1878 he was induced to 
 return to Edinburg and take charge of tiie public scliool again. During 
 this time he had been an active worker in the "Teachers' Institute " of which 
 he was president, and here as well as in the school-room, had distinguished 
 himself as an able and efficient educator. And in 1879, the time for the 
 election of county commissioner of public schools, he was largely petitioned 
 by teachers and others to run for the office, and although not in the race one 
 week was elected by a handsome majority. In the fall he was elected assistant 
 supei'intendent and first assistant teacher in the schools where he graduated. 
 In the summer of 1880 he retired from the teacher's profession and embarked 
 in the mercantile business in which he is at the time of this writing engaged. 
 It is jiTstly due to say that in his retiring from teaching the profession lost 
 •one of its most faithful, efficient and wortliy members, who has done much 
 for the cause of education in this part of the State. He still held the office 
 of county commissioner, and in 1881 was again urged to make the race. 
 He had two very worthy opponents. The race grew warm and exciting — 
 more than usual, but lie was again elected by an overwhelming majority — 
 receiving more than double the number of votes of the other two. Mr. 
 Pratt, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a faithful worker 
 in the Sunday-school. His uniform kindness and pleasantness render him 
 very popular. 
 
 COL. W. B. EOGEES. 
 
 William B. Rogers was born in Fayette county, Ohio, February 8, 1835' 
 where he remained with his father until his eighteenth j'ear, his mother 
 dying before he was six j'ears of age, and accompanied him in his removal to 
 Noble county, Indiana. He received a common school education in 
 Fayette and Noble counties, which was afterward supplemented "by one 
 year's attendance at Grand Piver College, at Edinburg, this county. Leav- 
 ing Indiana, Mr. Rogers settled near Ravenna, Mercer county, Missouri, in 
 1856, and secured a position as school-teacher, and was subsequently en- 
 gaged in the same work in Andrew county, Missouri, and Wayne county, 
 Iowa, and also officiated as assistant instructor while pursuing his studies 
 at the Grand River College. His last work in this capacity was at Prince- 
 tion, Mercer county, where he taught school for fifteen months. This 
 brought him up to the year 1861, when the country was thrilletj by the 
 prospect of war, and in August he enlisted in the State service, serving six 
 months under Lieutenant-colonel Jonas J. Clark. Returning home, he was 
 elected sheriff and collector of Mercer county, in the fall of 1862, and while 
 acting in that capacity was commissioned colonel of the enrolled militia of 
 that county, by Gov. H. R. Gamble. Before the expiration of his term as 
 sheriff, he raised a company for the United States service, which became 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDV COUNTY. 467 
 
 company D of the Forty-fourth regiment of Missouri vohmteers, of which 
 he was elected captain, Col. R. C. Bradshaw (now of St. Joseph) command- 
 ing. He received his commission from Gov. W. P. Hall, and served un- 
 til the close of the war, 2:)articipating in tlie battles of Franklin, Spring Hill 
 and Nashville, in Tennessee, and the capture of Mobile, Alabama. He was 
 mustered out of service in 1865, and returned to Mercer county and en^ 
 gaged in the mercantile business at Ravenna iintil 1868, when he was 
 ■elected to the State senate, from the Fifth senatorial district, composed of 
 the counties of Livingston, Grundy, Mercer and Carroll, and honorably ac- 
 quitted himself of the duties of the position during his term of four years. 
 In September, 1869, he moved to Trenton and purchased the Grand River 
 Republican, whicli name he changed to Trenton Republican, July 25th, 
 1872, under which title he has continued its publication with eminent suc- 
 cess up to the present date. Col. Rogers early took an interest in the 
 growth and development of the section in which he lived, and was elected 
 one of the directors of the Chillicothe & Des Moines City Railroad Com- 
 panj', in 1868, and much of the success of Trenton in securing the building 
 of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad (which was the successor of 
 the first named company) from Princeton, and the location of the machine- 
 shops at Trenton, are due to his well directed efforts and influence. He is 
 still a director of the last named company. 
 
 Col. Rogers married Miss Cynthia A. Buren, of Daviess countj^ Missouri, 
 April 14th, 1863, by whom he has three children: Carrie, William B., and 
 LToble G. Col. and Mrs. Rogers are members of the Baptist Church of Tren- 
 ton. He has been a member of the church since 1863, and has held the 
 position of church clerk for nine years. Mrs. Rogers, prior to her marriage, 
 was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, from wliich she with- 
 drew and joined the Baptist Church in 1870. 
 
 HENRY KEED. 
 
 The subject of this sketch first saw the light of other days in Brattleboro, 
 Yermont, on the 10th day of February, 1842. He is the son of Henry and 
 Mar}' Reed {nee Liscond). His father was a native of the Green Mountain 
 State, and his mother was of New Hampshire birth, and "Harry," as he 
 is familiarly called, was reared a farmer's lad, amid the invigorating atmos- 
 phere and mountain breezes of his native State. Pages might be filled with 
 a graphic recital of the sunny hours of his childhood, " but enough is given 
 to show the respectability of his birth and his claim upon life." At the 
 youthful age of sixteen, Harry left his home to bravely battle with the 
 world, and " earn his own living." In 1861 we find him in the employ of 
 the New York & New Haven Railroad Compau}', and thus early he became 
 attached to a life on the iron i-ail, which has been his principal occupation 
 ever since. He remained with this company until 1863, when we find him 
 following the "star of empire" in its westward course until he reached 
 
468 HISTOKY OF ORUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Ohio, where lie fomid emplo^-raent with tlie Lake Erie & Louisville Rail- 
 road, afterward the Cleveland & Toledo, now the well-known Lake Shore 
 road. From the Bucke3'e State he returned eastward to New York, where 
 he 'was engaged with his brother on the wood work of the Fisk opera house, 
 corner of Fourth Avenue and Twenty-third Street. His st-a,j here was short,, 
 and through the kindness of Col. "Jim" Fisk, who gave him a letter, he 
 secured a position of conductor on the Erie Railroad. Later we find him 
 "punching tickets" on the New Jersey Midland road, the third conductor 
 in the service of that company, and he had the honor of running the first 
 train into Jersey City. He worthily filled his position with this company until 
 1877, when the western fever again attacked him, and April of the same year 
 finds him a resident of Trenton, Missouri, and wearing a passenger conduc- 
 tor's cap, in the service of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad. 
 He still runs over this line, and is known for his genial qualities and for the 
 prompt and efficient discharge of his duties. 
 
 Mr. Reed was married on the 22d of September, 1869, to Miss Helen S. 
 Haffbrd, an amiable and accomplished young lady, at her home in Fremont, 
 Sandusky county, Ohio. She is the daughter of James H. Hafford and 
 Florilla Hafford, nee Williams. Mrs. Reed has proved a loving helpmeet 
 to her husband, and their home has been blessed with the sunshiny pi-es.- 
 ence of three children, two boys and a girl; Frank H., born April 2, 1870, 
 Sidney, born June 18, 1878, and Julia E., born March 14, 1880, the joys of 
 their parents' hearts. 
 
 N. H. EOGEES. 
 
 N. Harvey Rogers vcas born near Greenfield, Highland county, Ohio,. 
 May 25, 1836, where he lived with his parents until he was nineteen. He 
 received his education by attending the common schools of his town and 
 the Greenfield Academy. On leaving home he worked as a farm hand in 
 the vicinity of his old home until the fall of 1857, when he came to Mis- 
 souri and taught school in Mercer and adjoining counties. Li the fall of 
 1861 he enlisted in couipany E, Second Missouri volunteer cavalry and 
 served four j'ears. Pie went out as a private and was promoted to corporal^ 
 and from that to first lieutenant, and assigned to the command of company 
 H of his regiment. He participated in a number of important battles; 
 was dangerously wounded at the battle of Mooresville, Missouri; and was 
 mustered out of the service at St. Louis in the fall of 1865. Returning to 
 Mercer county he engaged in the mercantile business at Ravenna with his 
 brother, W. B. Rogers, doing business one year. In the fall of 1866 he be- 
 gan to study law in the office of Hyde & Norton, of Princeton, was admit- 
 ted to the bar in the fall of 1867, and began practice at Princeton, and con- 
 tinued until 1872, during three years of which time he also edited the 
 Princeton Advance. During the session of the legislature of 1868 and '69 
 he was elected, by the State senate, sergeant-at-arms of that body, and 
 

HISTORY OF GHTJNDY COUNTY. 471 
 
 served the whole term of two years. In 1872 he removed from Princeton 
 and returned to Ravenna and engaged in merchandizing, also practicing law 
 with F. M. Evans and W. W. Holmes, of the law firm of Eogers, Evans & 
 Co. In 1876 he removed to Mill Grove, Missouri, where he continued in 
 the mercantile business, associating with him R. M. Decker, and did busi- 
 ness there one j'ear, when he returned to Princeton and discontinued the 
 practice of law and engaged in the grain and agricultural business. In the 
 spring of 1879 he came to Grundy countj' and engaged in the lumber busi- 
 ness at Trenton with his brother, W. B. Eogers, under the firm name of N. 
 H. Rogers & Co., he managing the business. In 1865, July 20, he mariied 
 Miss Susan D. Reed, of Huntsville, Missouri. They have three children: 
 John Lincoln, aged fifteen; Otis J., thirteen; and Rosa, eleven. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Rogers and daughter are members of the Baptist Church of Trenton. 
 
 COL. JOHN H. SHANKLIN. 
 
 John H. Shanklin was born in Monroe county, Virginia (now West Vir- 
 ginia), on the 2d day of jSTovember, 1824. His father, Absalom Shanklin, 
 was a native of Botetourt countj^, Virginia, and his mother, whose maiden. 
 name was Nancy Luster, was a native of Campbell county in the same 
 State. He was the eighth child in a family of ten — six sons and four 
 daughters, all of whom attained their majority, and six of whom are still 
 living. From the age of ten until he was sixteen, he attended school in 
 the rough log school-houses of the county, and afterward taught one term. 
 The summer after he was twenty he "cropped on shares" with his brother- 
 in-law in Mercer county, Virginia, and from this realized his first ready 
 money. Returning to Monroe county he taught another term of school the 
 following fall, and on the 2d day of the next March, 1846, with a meager 
 wai'drobe and less than one hundred dollars in money, he bid farewell to 
 relatives in his good old mountain home, and in company with a youno- 
 friend as poor in purse, and as rich in hope as himself, started for the "great 
 west." Taking passage on a steamer at Charleston, on the Kanawha, and 
 changing boats at Cincinnati and St. Louis, they reached Weston, Missouri. 
 Remaining there and in Buchanan county but a short time, he came to 
 Grundy county, arriving at Trenton April 10, 1846. His first emplo^'ment 
 was the teaching of two terms of school in the "Schooler neighborhood," 
 near Spickardsville, and a third term about three miles north of Trenton. 
 In the summer of 1847, he enlisted as a private for " during the war with 
 Mexico," in Capt. John C. Griffin's company, Lieut^-Col. William Gilpin's 
 battalion, for service on the Santa Fe trail, in the Indian country between 
 Missouri and Santa Fe, New Mexico. The company was .mustered into 
 service early in September, 1847, and participated in the march through 
 Kansas, up the Arkansas River to near Bent's Fort, in Colorado, thence 
 across the mountains to Moro, in New Mexico, and down the Canadian 
 29 
 
472 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 River into the Camanche country. In the spring of 1848 he was promoted 
 from the ranks to quartermaster and commissary-sergeant, under Lieut. 
 Ashley GuUey. The summer following a severe attack of inflammatory 
 rheumatism compelled him to use crutches until after his return home, 
 mustering out of the service at Independence, Missouri, in the fall of 1848. 
 The winter of 1848-49 found him engaged in settling up the accounts of 
 Lieut. GuUey, with the department at Washington, after which he resumed 
 teaching near Trenton the following spring. 
 
 On the 22d of January, 1850, he married Miss Kitty Ann Collier, with 
 whom he has lived happily. Their union has been blessed with five chil- 
 dren, three of whom — Orville M., Walter H. and Carrie — are still living. 
 The sons have grown to manhood while the daughter is an amiable young 
 lady of seventeen. Soon after Iiis marriage he was appointed judge of the 
 Probate Court, vice Judge Kenfro, resigned. He had never read law, but 
 in conning the statutes of the State pertaining to the duties of his new 
 j)osition, he became deeply interested, and consulting his friend, Jacob T. 
 Tindall, then a young attorney, he received so much encouragement that 
 he at once entered upon the study of law. At the spring term, 1851, of 
 the Grundy Circuit Court, he was licensed as an attorney and counselor at 
 law, and practiced with the usual indifferent success until the fall of 1852, 
 when he embarked in a small mercantile business until the winter of 1854- 
 55, when he entered into partnership with Jacob T. Tindall, then in active 
 law practice, and continued until the death of the latter at the battle of 
 Shiloh in 1862. In 1858, James Austin became associated with them, and 
 until 1862 the firm was Tindall, Shanklin & Austin. 
 
 In politics Mr. Shanklin was a Whig, and supported the men and jneas- 
 nres of that party until its dissolution. In 1860 he voted for Stephen A. 
 Douglas. Since the war he has adhered to the principles of the Demo- 
 ci'atic party. 
 
 In the fall of 1861 he was commissioned by Gov. Gamble as division 
 inspector, with rank of colonel, and enlisted most of the six months' mil- 
 itia from Grundy, Sullivan, Mercer and Harrison counties, who were sta- 
 tioned at Cliillicothe and Utica. During the winter of 1861-62 he was 
 authorized, with Col. Walter King, to recruit a regiment of M. S. M., and 
 in the spring of 1862, tlie Third regiment of Missouri State militia was 
 raised, of whicli he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. In the mean- 
 time, owing to the absence of Col. Tindall and himself, the business of the 
 firm liad been mainly without attention, and as the family of Col. Tindall, 
 on that officer's death, were dependent upon his interest in the business. 
 Col. Shanklin resigned his commission to look after their interests. About 
 this time he was elected a member of the Missouri State Convention, to fill 
 the vacancy occasioned by Col. Tindall's death, and served in that body in 
 two short sessions — June, 1862 and June, 1863. 
 
HISTOKT OF GKDNDT COUNTY. 473 
 
 After arranging his business affairs, lie was commissioned by tlie gov- 
 ernor, in August, 1862, colonel of the Tliirtietli E. M. M., and assigned to 
 duty, with part of the regiment, at Chillicotlie, Missouri, where he remained 
 in comn:and of the post and adjacent country until March, 1863, when, at 
 his own request, he was relieved. From that time he was actively engaged 
 in the practice of law, until August, 1864, when he was again ordered into mil- 
 itary service, and assigned to the command of a district of eight counties, 
 with headquarters at Chillicotlie, and continued through Gen. Price's last 
 raid into Missouri, until about March 1, 1865. He again engaged in the 
 practice of law until 1868, when, as president of the Chillicothe & Des 
 Moines City Eailroad Company, he undertook to obtain for the people of 
 Grundy and Mercer counties, access by rail to the outer world, and in 1871 
 finally succeeded in obtaining a transfer of the road-bed between Trenton 
 and Princeton to the Chicago & Southwestern Kailway Company (now the 
 C, E. I. & P. Railroad), and its completion through Grundy and Mercer 
 counties. In 1871, as division solicitor for the C, E. I. & P. Eailroad, he 
 attended to all the business of that company in the State of Missouri. 
 
 He was elected a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in 1875, from 
 the district composed of Grundy, Mercer, Livingston and Carroll counties, 
 and during the ninety days' session of that body, which formed the present 
 constitution of Missouri, was conspicuous for his industry"-, zeal and knowl- 
 edge of constitutional law. 
 
 Shanklin & Austin continued with marked success the business of the 
 old firm, Col. Shanklin giving his attention to the law practice, while Mr. 
 Austin takes charge of the banking business, which the firm have been 
 engaged in for a number of years. In January, 1876, Col. Shanklin desir- 
 ing to divide the labor of his large practice, and avail himself of joint 
 counsel in important causes, formed a copartnership with Marcus A. Low 
 and Henry C. McDougal, of Gallatin, Missouri, under the firm name of 
 Shanklin, Low. & McDougal, practicing in the courts of northwest Missouri. 
 
 In the winter of 1880-81, Col. Shanklin became interested in a group of 
 silver and copper mines in the Gallinas Mountains, New Mexico, and spent 
 the spring and summer of 1881 in that Territory, looking after the property 
 and developing the mines. The Gallinas Mining and Smelting Company 
 was incorpoi'ated, with a capital stock of one million dollars, of which Col. 
 S. was elected president and general manager. 
 
 Standing full six feet one inch in height, with an average weight of two 
 hundred pounds, and blessed with splendid physical and mental vigor. Col. 
 Shanklin bears lightly his age at fifty-seven. A careful, patient, diligent 
 student, a conscientious lawyer, an honest man, he has attained a proud 
 position among the many able lawyers of this State. Combining those 
 qualities which have rendered him an eminent jurist and advocate, his kind- 
 ness to the younger members of the bar, and courtesy to the court and 
 
^li HISTORY OF GE0NDT COUNTY. 
 
 opposing counsel, liave for years been j)roverbial. TJiat generous hospital- 
 ity and unaffected simplicity which characterizes the people of his early 
 home in the "Old Dominion," is well exemplified in his daily life. 
 
 JUDGE p. C. STEPP. 
 
 Paris C. Stepp was born near the city of Bloomington, in Monroe county, 
 Indiana, on the ITtli of May, ISio, and there lived upon a farm until 1853, 
 when his parents removed to Missouri and settled upon a farm in Grundy 
 county. Paris went through the usual routine of the country' lad, perform- 
 ing his share of the farm work during the season and attending district 
 school in the winter. This round was continued without much variance 
 until his nineteenth year, when, in June of 1864, he enlisted in the United 
 States service as a private in company E of the Twelfth regiment of Mis- 
 souri volunteer cavalry, served until the close of hostilities, and was pro- 
 moted corporal, and then acting sergeant. He was with the detachment un- 
 der General Hatch which received the attack of the Confederate General 
 Forrest, and participated in the ensuing fierce conflict at Eastport. Was 
 also with the army that met Hood in his daring but disastrous campaign in 
 Tennessee, and took part in the battles of Franklin and Nashville in that 
 State. After being mustered out of the service on the 13th of April, 1866, 
 he returned to Grundy county, completed the course of study under Prof. 
 K. C. Norton, Trenton schools, said county, attended the University at Bloom- 
 ington, Indiana, during the years 1868 and '69, and then engaged in teach- 
 ing, which he continued until 1870, when he entered the office of Col. John 
 H. Shanklin and began the study of law, and in January, 1874, was admit- 
 ted to practice at the bar. His engaging qualities of head and lieart gave 
 him a popularity all over Grundy county, and in the fall of 1876 he was 
 elected to represent his district in the lower house of the legislature, in 
 which position he efficiently served until 1878. At the expiration of his 
 term he received the nomination of the Kepublican party for probate judge, 
 and was elected for the term of four years. Judge Stepp, though still a 
 young man, stands deservedly high among tlie prominent citizens of Grundy 
 county. 
 
 Paris C. Stepp and Miss Mary E. Fleming were united in the marriage 
 covenant on JSTovember 24, 1872. Mrs. Stepp is a native of the State of 
 Indiana. By this union tliey have one child, W. Dale, born in Trenton, 
 September 12, 1873. Mr. and Mrs. Stepp are members of the Christian 
 Church of Trenton. 
 
 E. T. SHORT, M. D. 
 
 R. T. Short was born near Washington, the county seat of Fayette county, 
 Ohio, November 29, 1829, where he lived with his parents, receiving a good 
 common school education at home and completing it at the high school in 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 475 
 
 Greenfield, Highland connty, Ohio, in his seventeenth year. In 1846 he 
 began tlie study of medicine under Dr. Eleazer Martin, and studied with 
 him until 1849. During the winters of 1849, '50, '51 and '52, he attended 
 lectures at the Starling Medical College. lie first began to practice in 
 "Wilmington, Clinton county, Ohio, where he remained until 1855, and 
 while tliere, on the 2d of December, 1852, married Miss E. M. Fowler, of 
 Wilmington. In 1855 he removed to Springfield, Illinois, and there prac- 
 ticed until 1865, when he came to Grundy county. Settling at Edinburg, he 
 practiced until 1876, and acquired an extensive business, extending over the 
 western portion of Grundy county, giving him long and laborious rides. 
 He came to Trenton in 1878, where he still has a large practice. Dr. and 
 Mrs. Short have five children: EoUa E., MoUie, Kittie G., Lorena and 
 Erlin V. 
 
 G. D. SMITH. 
 
 Gilbert D. Smith, of Trenton, was born near Wellington, Lorain county, 
 Ohio, Januaiy 15, 1833. His father was a farmer, and Gilbert was reared 
 amid the sturdy, wholesome influences of rural life. He attended the neigh- 
 borhood schools in winter and bent his energies to the harvest work in sum- 
 mer, and when he reached his twenty-first year was ready to battle with the 
 world, the possessor of a good common school education and a vigorous con- 
 stitution. In 1854 he rented a farm and started out to make his living 
 by the cultivation of the soil; his success was such tlie first year that he 
 continued three je&vs longer in his native State, and in 1858, at the expira- 
 tion of four years of toil for himself, he migrated to Missouri, and purchased 
 a farm in Grundy county, ten miles north of Trenton. Upon this farm he 
 lived until 1871, when he removed to Trenton and began his successful bus- 
 iness career by accepting a clerkship with Smith & Jacobs, dealers in agri- 
 cultural implements, grain, etc., a new house which had just been estab- 
 lished by J. W. Smith and W. A.Jacobs. He remained in the employment 
 of the firm mitil 1875, when Mr. Jacobs witMrew, and continued another 
 year witli Mr. Smith, when in 1876, in connection with Dr. E. F. Horton, he 
 purchased the business interests of his former employer, and under the 
 firm name of Smith & Horton conducted the business until 1878, when 
 Dr. Horton retired. Mr. Smith carried on the business alone for eighteen 
 months, when he sold an interest to E. T. Connor, and the firm of Smith & 
 Connor was one of the reliable establishments of Trenton until January 1, 
 1881, when Mr. Smith again became sole proprietor. The house continues 
 to deal largely in grain, and the anni^al shipments to Chicago and Peoria, 
 Illinois, are largely increased each succeeding harvest. 
 
 Mr. Smith was united in the bonds of matrimony to Miss Caroline A. 
 Powers, of Huntington, Ohio, on the 25th of April, 1854. One daughter, 
 Mildred F., is the issue of this marriage, which has been a happy one. Miss 
 Mildred is now Mrs. E. T. Connor, of Trenton. 
 
476 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 A. K. SYKES 
 
 Was born in East Kupert, Yennont, Marcli 2, 1832, and was there reared 
 and lived until 1858. He obtained bis edncation in the district schools of 
 his town and the academies of Randolph, Northfield, and Milton, Yerniont. 
 In the winter of 1850 he began teaching and taught during the winter 
 months until 1858. During 1856 and '57 he studied law with Fayette Pot- 
 tei', of Rutland county, Yermont, and was admitted to the bar at Fonta- 
 nelle, Iowa, in the fall of 1858. In the spring of 1859 he came to Grundy 
 county and settled at Trenton and established himself in the practice of 
 law, and in the winter of 1860 became associated in the law practice with 
 Stephen Peery. They remained togetlier until the breaking out of the late 
 war, when they, by mutual consent, dissolved. During the long struggle 
 when business was depressed and unsettled he did little or no practice. In 
 1864 he went East, and on the 22d of December, of that year, married Miss 
 Helen Cranston, of Woodstock, Ohio, and soon after returned to Trenton 
 and resumed the law practice. In 1867 he was elected circuit clerk and re- 
 corder of Grundy county and reelected in 1871, holding that office eight 
 years. Since then he has devoted his time to looking after his farms and 
 private business and keeping himself informed as to the news of the day. 
 His wife is a member of the Universalist Church, and he is liberal in his 
 religious views, and Republican in politics. 
 
 S. STEWARD, M. D. 
 
 ' Dr. Steward came to Grundy county in 1866 and settled upon a large 
 tract of land five miles south of Trenton. He had, prior to this date, prac- 
 ticed medicine for nineteen years in and around the city of Mansfield, Ohio, 
 and in consequence of the trying duties devolving upon him from an extensive 
 practice, his health had become much broken, and to remedy tins and re- 
 cuperate his system, he came West resolved to give up practice and turn his 
 whole attention to farming and stock-raising. He was born in Mansfield, 
 November 11, 1823; was there reared; received a common school education, 
 and studied medicine under Dr. William Bushfield, of the same place, 
 begiiining study in 1843. Three years after he entered the Cleveland Med- 
 ical College, graduated in the class of 1848, and began practice in his native 
 city. In 1863 he was commissioned assistant United States army surgeon, 
 and assigned for duty to the general hospital at Mound City, Illinois, where 
 he served during 1864 and '65. After leaving the army at the close of the 
 war he made a visit to his old home in Mansfield, and in the spring of 1866 
 settled in Grundy county, as above stated. Having regained his health, in 
 ^872 he removed from his farm to Trenton and once more entered upon the 
 active practice of his profession. Dr. Steward was united in marriage to 
 Miss Olive D. Hyde, of Mt. Yernon, Ohio, in 1857. They have two daugh- 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 477 
 
 ters: Cora and Nettie. The doctor has a pleasant home in Trenton and a 
 large practice. 
 
 OEVILLE M. SHANKLIN 
 
 Was bom iu Trenton, Missouri, September 16, 1S54. He is the son of 
 Colonel John H. and Kitty Shanklin, was educated in the Trenton high 
 school, and in 1873 lie began the study of law in his father's office. Was 
 admitted to the bar in 1877 and immediately began tlie practice of law at 
 Jamesport, Missouri, where he remained until July, 1879, and then re- 
 turned to Trenton and engaged in teaching in Grundy county. In 1881 lie 
 engaged in the life insurance business, and became district manager of the 
 Centennial Mutual Life Association of Burlington, Iowa. September 19, 
 1877, he married Miss Dora A., daughter of O. G. JSTewtou, of Trenton. 
 They have two children : Alice and Floy. Mrs. Shanklin is a member of 
 the Methodist Episcopal Church of Trenton. In 1880 he was the nominee 
 of the Democratic party for county attorney of Grundy county but was de- 
 feated by a small majority. 
 
 WILLIAM C. SWAYZE 
 
 Was born in Pinckney, Warren count}-, Missouri, June 19, 1841. When he 
 was five years old Jiis parents removed to Canada West. Living there until 
 he was eighteen years of age, he came with his parents to Grundy county, 
 and settled on a farm near Lindley, where he lived with them until 1861. 
 He was enrolled in the State militia and served until 1862, when he enlisted 
 in comj^any C, Eleventh Missouri volunteer infantry, and served during the 
 war. While in the service he was detailed as clerk at regimental headquar- 
 ters, and was mustered out in August, 1865, and returned to Grundy county 
 and engaged in farming. In 1870 he was deputized sheriff, under jST. A. 
 Winters, and served until 1873, when he, with N. A. Winters and H. J. 
 Herrick, formed the firm of Herrick, Swayze & Winters, and engaged in 
 the mercantile business for a short time. After the dissolution of this firm, 
 he, with N. A. Winters, went into the grain and forwarding business, which 
 they carried on until 1874. In 1870 he was one of the original incorporators 
 of the Grundy County Coal Company, and while he was acting as superin- 
 tendent, in 1875, a shaft was successfully sunk and mining began in 1876. 
 In 1877 he was appointed deputy county collector, under W. T. Wisdom. 
 In 1873 he married Mrs. Amanda H. Fisher, of Trenton, a lady who had 
 established herself in the millinery business in Trenton in 1868, which she 
 still carries on, her establishment being one of the oldest in the city. 
 
 JOHN E. SCHOOLING 
 
 Was bora on a farm, near Mackville, Kentucky, Julj' 25, 1837. When 
 fifteen years of age he came to Grundy county with his sister, Mrs. J. W. 
 
478 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Coleman, with whom he lived on a farm, near Trenton, four years, when he 
 came to Trenton and was employed to take charge of the liverj'- stable of his 
 brother-in-law, J. W. Coleman, for one year. At the expiration of that 
 time, Mr. Coleman employed him as clerk in his grocery store, where he 
 remained two years, and was then engaged in the drug business with T. "W. 
 Allen and T. B. Head, under the firm name of J. R. Schooling & Co. They 
 carried on business until August, 1860, when the establishment was pur- 
 chased by R. IST. Featherston, with whom he remained, as clerk, until 1872? 
 in which year he began working at the trade of harness making, which he 
 has followed ever since, working for different firms in Trenton. In May, 
 1872, he married Miss Sallie Reynolds, of Trenton. They have two chil- 
 dren, Jessie and Gordon L. 
 
 GEORGE W. SMITH. 
 
 George W. Smith was born near Syracuse, New York, December 12, 1841. 
 When he was twelve years old his father moved to Ingham county, Michi- 
 gan, where he lived until he was fifteen, and from there went to Hillsdale 
 county, Michigan, working for a while on a farm. He next removed to 
 Janesville, in the same county, and was employed in a livery stable four 
 years. In the spring of 1862 he'went to California via New York and 
 Panama, and from there to Nevada, engaging in the mercantile business 
 until December, 1865, at which time he started upon his return to Michi- 
 igan. The spring of 1866 found him ia Livingston county, Missouri, where 
 he farmed one year, then removed to Chillicothe and became proprietor of 
 the Browning House of that place. Remaining in the hotel business until 
 1868, he removed to Trenton and engaged in the livery business, which he 
 still follows. He has been vice-president of the North Missouri Central 
 Agricultural and Mechanical Association for several years and still holds 
 that position. In 1871 Mr. Smith married Miss Rosa Carnes, of Trenton. 
 They have two children: Hugh C. and Hallie. 
 
 IIENET STEIN 
 
 Was born in Baden, Germany, April 14, 1832, where he lived, was edu- 
 cated and remained until his seventeenth 3'ear, when he emigrated to Amer- 
 ica, arriving in New York City July 5, 1849, an entire stranger, having 
 neither relatives nor acquaintances, and with a cash capital amounting to 
 only twelve dollars. His first enterprise was that of peddling, buying his 
 first stock of goods in New York City, and making his territory the coun- 
 ties of Orange, Sullivan, Delaware and Ulster, in the same State. Continu- 
 ing business in those counties until 1854, he came to Missouri and peddled 
 •in Saline county one year, when he engaged in the general dry goods and 
 grocery trade at Arrow Rock, doing business there until 1864, and from 
 there to Quincy, Illinois, continuing in the same calling until 1868, when 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 479 
 
 he. went to Cbillicotlie, Missouri, and from tliere came to Trenton in the 
 spring of 1869 and establislied his present dry goods and grocerj^ business. 
 Mr. Stein has no aspirations for political preferment, but has been elected a 
 member of the scliool board of Trenton and served four j'ears. August 28, 
 1859, he married Miss Rebecca Strouse, of New York City. They have 
 eight children: Morris, Guss. and Nathan, clerking for their father; and 
 Adolph, Abram, Eddie, Carrie and Lottie, living at home. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Stein were brought up in the Jewish faith but are not members of any 
 congregation. 
 
 HENEY C. SYKES 
 
 Was born on a farm in West Rupert, Vermont, December 10th, 1839, where 
 he was reared and educated, and lived until attaining his majority. In the 
 spring of 1869 he came to Grundy county and purchased a tract of land six 
 miles southeast of Trenton which he has partly improved. In January, 
 
 1873, he purchased the one-half interest in the marble business of R. A. 
 Collier, they doing business as R. A. Collier & Co., until the summer of 
 1877, when Mr. Collier retiring from the firm, he became sole proprietor 
 and has carried on the business ever since. Mr. Sykes, on the 31st of April, 
 
 1874, married Miss Helen A. Cluff, of North Granville, New York. They 
 have two children, Ernest M. and Lucy B. 
 
 NATHANIEL SHANKLIN & BEOTHEE. 
 
 The members of this firm, Nathaniel and William, are sons of Andrew T. 
 Shanklin, one of the oldest pioneers of Grundy county. They were born 
 and reared on a farm near Trenton. Nathaniel on the 3d of November, 
 1842, and William, March 27th, 1852. When quite young, Nathaniel began 
 business for himself, dealing in and feeding stock, which he followed two 
 years, when in 1864 he engaged in the mercantile business with James 
 Austin, W. W. Hubbell and J. H. Shanklin, under the firm name of W. W 
 Hubbell & Co., with whom he did business until 1868, and during which 
 time Mr. Hubbell retired from the firm, changing it to N. Shanklin & Co. 
 After the latter firm closed out business in 1868, he began business again, to 
 deal in and feed stock, and farm at the same time. In 1874 he engaged in 
 the grocery business with his brother, J. A. Shanklin, and they did business 
 together until 1 877, when he retired from the firm and became interested in 
 coal mining. Being a member of the Grundy County Coal Company, in 1870 
 he was chosen superintendent of their coal shaft at Trenton, and still fills 
 that position. October 17tb, 1867, he married Miss Annie Austin, of Tren- 
 ton, by whom he has six children: Minnie, Susie, James, Ernest, Ethel and 
 Ida. 
 
 William Shanklin began business for himself when twenty-three, as a- 
 farmer, following agricultural pursuits until 1879, when he engaged in graz- 
 ing buying and shipping cattle and hogs to eastern markets, at Trenton, 
 
480 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 continuing this until May, 1880, when he became associated with his brother 
 and the present firm of IS^. S. Shanklin & Brother was founded. November, 
 1st, 1874, he married Miss Mary E. Bunnell, of Grundy county. They have 
 three children: John M., Andrew L., and Anna May. 
 
 GEOKGE TI^fDALL. 
 
 George Tindall, son of Col. Jacob T. Tindall (who fell at the battle of 
 Shiloh), was born in Trenton, September 10, 1852. He attended the common 
 and high schools of Ti-enton preparatory to a finishing course in the State 
 University at Columbia, where he graduated in 1868, in his twentieth year. 
 In 1872 he entered the ofiice of Judge Stephen Peery, at Trenton, and pur- 
 sued the study of the law until 1875, when he was admitted to the bar and 
 at once began the practice of his profession, continuing until 1877, in which 
 year he was obliged to relinquish pi-actice on account of ill health. After 
 several trips to Colorado he returned much improved in health, and in the 
 latter part of 1877 established himself in the loan and real estate business in 
 Trenton, and has been so engaged since that time. In 1875 he was chosen 
 superintendent of the Grundy County Coal Company, which position he 
 held until 1878. The following year he was elected mayor of the city of 
 Trenton, and presided over the interests of the city in that capacity until 
 1881. 
 
 Mr. Tindall was united in marriage to Miss Lizzie Campbell, of Garrard 
 county, Kentucky, on the 15th of March, 1875. They have two children: 
 Austin, aged six years, and Lucy, aged four. Mr. Tindall is a prominent 
 member of the Masonic fraternity, having taken the blue lodge, chapter 
 and commandery degrees. 
 
 THOMAS TOEPEY 
 
 Was born in Tipperary, Ireland, August 12, 1835, and when two years old, 
 his parents eniigra ted to the United States and settled in Philadelphia, 
 Pennsylvania, where he was reared. When twelve years of age he began 
 to support himself, and at fifteen was apprenticed to learn the shoemaker's 
 trade, serving three and one-half years, and from that time until 1857, he 
 worked at his trade as journeyman, in Philadelphia, and various towns in 
 Iowa and Missouri, when he came to Grundy county and settled in Trenton, 
 continuing to work as a "jour" until 1859, when he engaged in the boot 
 and shoe business. At the breaking out of the war of the rebellion in 1861, 
 he enlisted in company B, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry and 
 served three years; was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, April 6,1862, 
 and incarcerated in diiferent southern 2:)risons until October 19, 1862, then 
 released on parole at Aiken's Landing, Virginia, and from there sent to 
 Washington, D. C, where for two months he was in the hospital recovering 
 from the efiects of prison exposure. He was sent home on a furlough of 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 481 
 
 six weeks and afterwards joined his regiment at Franklin, Missouri. His- 
 regiment was kept in the State until the following fall, then ordered to 
 Nashville, Tennessee, and soon after joined the Army of the Cumber- 
 land in the Fourteenth army corps, and participated in all the battles of 
 that division up to the capture of Atlanta, Septem.ber 20, lS6i, when he- 
 was mustered out, and immediately returned to Trenton and again engaged 
 in the boot and shoe trade. In 1866, with Martin Eagan, he went into th& 
 marble business at Trenton, under the firm name of Eagan & Torpey. Clos- 
 ing out that business in 1869 he resumed dealing in boots and shoes which 
 he continued until January, 1881. Selling out he entered the restaurant 
 business, in which he is at present engaged. During the years 1871, 
 1872, 1879 and 1881, he was a member of the city council of Trenton. 
 November 4th, 1860, Mr. Torpey and Miss Sarah E. Crouch, of Trenton, 
 were united in marriage. They have five children : Thomas E., Charles A., 
 Maggie G., Hallie and Mabel. Maggie died at Trenton, June 27. 1881. 
 Mr. Torpey holds a prominent place among the enterprising merchants of 
 Trenton. 
 
 HOEACE B. TINSMAN. 
 
 Among those who have more recently come to Trenton, and one who is 
 highly esteemed by all who know him, may be mentioned Conductor Hor- 
 race B. Tinsman. He is a Fennsylvanian by birth, born in Lackawaxen, Pike 
 county, on November 1, 1839, and is the son of John A. and Celia (Eidg- 
 way) Tinsman. Our subject was reared in his native town, receiving the 
 advantages of the schools of that place, supplemented with two years at the 
 University of Northern Pennsylvania, located at Bethany, Wayne county. 
 After leaving school he was employed as clerk in his father's store, and at 
 the age of eighteen left the paternal roof, and soon after we find him in the 
 employ of the New York & Erie Railroad, where he continued for two 
 years, and then accepted a position on the Lackawanna & Bloomsburg Rail- 
 road. Later we find liim in the employ of the Albany & Susquehanna 
 Railroad, and from that road he accepted a train on the New York & 
 Oswego Midland Railroad in 1869, and had the honor of being the first con- 
 ductor in the employ of that company. In April, 1878, he came to Tren- 
 ton, since which time he has been in the employ of the Chicago, Rock 
 Island & Pacific Railroad as passenger conductor. On the 3d day of Feb- 
 ruary, 1863, Mr. Tinsman was joined in marriage to Mary J., daughter of 
 N. B., and Esther Johnson, of Sullivan county. New York. Their family 
 circle consists of Flora E., Scott and Frank N., and they have lost one son, 
 Charles E. Mr. Tinsman is a man of untiring energy, and his friends 
 know him as one careful of the interests intrusted to his keeping. His long 
 experience in railroading has well fitted him for the position he now occu- 
 pies, and his genial ways have won for him a host of friends. 
 
482 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 0. L. WEBBER, M. D. 
 
 C. L. Webber is of Pennsylvania birth, born in Center county, December 
 10, 1843, where he lived until he was twelve years old, when his parents 
 removed to West Union, Fayette county, Iowa. In this latter place he re- 
 sided seven years, attending the common schools of the county until his 
 nineteenth year, when he offered his services in tlie cause of the Union, en- 
 listing in company G, of the Thirty-eighth Iowa volunteer infanti-y, in 
 which he served during the war, and was mustered out at Houston, Texas, 
 in 1865. Returning to West Union, Iowa, he began the study and after- 
 ward practice of dental surgery, which he continued until the fall of 1869, 
 when he began the study of medicine under doctors Boucher and Shrader, 
 of Iowa City. Next he entered the medical department of the Iowa State 
 University, and March 4, 1872, graduated a doctor of medicine. The fol- 
 owing 3^ear he located in Trenton, and established himself in the practice 
 of his profession, and in 1874 became assistant surgeon of the Chicago, 
 Rock Island & Pacific Railway Company. He holds the position of exam- 
 ining surgeon for the Traveler's Accident Insurance Company, of Hartford, 
 Connecticut, and was county physician of Grundy county for the years 1879 
 and 1880, and during the same time was city physician of Trenton. He is 
 now filling his second term as coroner of Grundy county. Dr. Webber 
 married Miss Mary S. Newcomb, of West Union, Iowa, in 1867, from whom 
 he was granted a divorce in 1873. 
 
 I. M. WHITE. 
 
 Isaac M. Wliite was born in Greensborough, Guilford county, North 
 Carolina, May 19, 1829, where he lived with his parents until their death 
 in 1846, and then with ah uncle, E. Hoskins, of the same place, working in 
 his tannery and attending the Quaker college at New Garden, near his na- 
 tive town. His parents and relatives being Quakers he was also reared in 
 that belief and still adheres to the faith to a great extent. September 19, 
 1848, he left his native State in company with a young companion, Thomas 
 Cofiin; they started on foot, each carrying all his worldly goods in a small 
 hand valise, for Knightstown, Indiana, arriving on the first of November. 
 They stopped with relatives until Julj^, 1849, when his comrade bought a 
 quantity of chickens and shipping them on a flat-boat, started for New Or- 
 leans, and he, purchasing a horse, returned to Greensborough, North Caro- 
 lina, where, soon after, his comrade also returned, having lost all he had in 
 his investment and trip to New Orleans. After being together for a short 
 time they concluded to go to California, but after due consideration he de- 
 termined to return to Indiana with relatives. To enable young Coffin to 
 make the trij) to California he loaned him $50, and, although Cofiin became 
 quite wealthy in mining speculation while there, the sum was never re- 
 
HISTORY OF GEDNDT COUNTY. 483 
 
 turntAd. Ou his return to Indiana he rented a farm in Henry county, and 
 farmed one year. In 1851 he invested in the old National Turnpike lead- 
 ing from Richmond to Indianapolis, buying seven shares of $250 each, and 
 began to work on tlie road as a bridge-builder — that being liis first experi- 
 ence as a carpenter and builder. Pursuing that business for one year he 
 went to Raysville, in the same county, and took a contract to manufacture 
 butter firkins, and after completing his contract, in 1852, began working at 
 bi-idge building on the Indianapolis & Peru Railroad, which he followed two 
 years. In 185-i he went to Kokomo, Howard county, Indiana, and engaged 
 in contracting and building until 1856, when he went to Dubuque, Iowa, 
 and worked as carpenter and joiner until December of the same j'ear; from 
 there he removed to Cedar Falls and remained there until the spring of 
 1857, and thence to Hampton, Fratiklin county, Iowa, still working at his 
 trade. In 1858 he was elected one of the county judges of Franklin county 
 and filled the office for two years, and in 1860 was elected justice of the 
 peace at Hampton for a term of four years, but resigned in 1861 to enlist 
 in company F, Second Iowa volunteer infantry, to serve three months. At 
 the expiration of that time he went to Indianapolis, Indiana, and enlisted 
 in company D, Thirty-ninth Indiana volunteer infantry, and with his regi- 
 ment took part in the battle of Shiloli and all others up to the time of the 
 taking of Corinth in 1862, and afterwards participated in the battles of Perry- 
 ville. Stone River, Murfreesborough, Liberty Gap, Chickamauga and Mis- 
 sionary Ridge. In 1863 he was detailed some six months as a sapper and 
 miner for making fagines and gabions for earthworks at Murfreesborough. 
 April, 1864, his regiment veteranized and were given thirty days' furlough, 
 and at the expiration of the furlough were assigned to Rosecraus's division, 
 with which he participated in the raids in Alabama and Georgia under 
 generals Rosseau, Thomas, Cook and Kilpatrick, and accompanied General 
 Sherman in the great march from Atlanta to the sea. In 1865 he was trans- 
 ferred to the First regiment of veteran volunteer engineers and served until 
 his discharge September 30, of the same year. After his discharge from 
 the service he returned to Hampton, Iowa, and during the winter of 1866 
 left there and came to Missouri, settling at Chillicothe, where he engaged 
 in the carpenter and joiner's trade. November 20, 1867, he married Mis& 
 M. A. Lafferty, of Chillicothe, and soon after removed to Wheeling in the 
 same (Livingston) county. In 1870 he was elected supervisor of registra- 
 tion, and receiving the appointment of postmaster under President Grant,, 
 served from 1870 to 1873, when he resigned and removed to Trenton, 
 where he has since resided and followed his trade, excepting a short time 
 in 1880, when he was in the mercantile business with W. P. Laflferty under 
 the firm name of "White & Lafiierty. Mr. and Mrs. White are members of 
 the Presbyterian Church of Trenton, of which he is a ruling elder and one of 
 the board of church trustees. 
 
484 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COITNTT. 
 
 6. L. WINTERS 
 
 "Was born on a farm in Greene county, Illinois, near White Hall, November 
 19, .1842, where he was reared and educated. After leaving the homestead, 
 in 1863, he engaged in farming until 1868, then.began teaching school, and 
 followed it nntil 1871. In this latter year he entered the office of John "W. 
 Kitchen, of Pana, Illinois, and began the study of law. Remained with 
 him eighteen months and then canie to Missouri. Locating in Trenton he 
 engaged in the mercantile business ■with J. H. Winters, under the firm 
 name of J. H. Winters & Co. This firm sold out in 1876, when he went 
 in the office of Judge A. H. Burkeholder, resumed the study of law, 
 was admitted to the bar in the following August and at once engaged 
 in the practice of law in Trenton, where he is yet practicing his profession. 
 He has been twice elected justice of the peace, first in 1878, and a second 
 time in 1880. In the same year, 1880, w-as elected public administrator. 
 March 16th, 1870, he married Miss Eliza Banning, of Greene county, Illi- 
 nois, by W'hom he has one child, Lettie Verne. They have buried one child, 
 ■Clarence C, wlio was drowned in August, 1879, when eight years old. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Winters are members of the M. E. Church of Trenton, Missouri. 
 
 GEORGE F. WALKER 
 
 Is a native of western New York, where he was reared and educated. 
 He was for a number of years connected with the Erie Railway Company, 
 but came West, and in 1871 was appointed superintendent of the south- 
 western division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, with head- 
 quarters at Trenton, and still holds and most efficiently performs the duties 
 of the position. Mr. Walker has been a resident of Trenton since the 
 building of the southwestern division of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific 
 Railroad, and although necessarily away a great deal of his time, takes 
 a great interest in its growth and prosperity'. 
 
 CAPT. N. A. WINTERS. 
 
 Nathan A. Winters was born on a farm near Jacksonville, Illinois, May 
 10, 1831. His parents were Nathan and Ruth Winters, who came to 
 Grund}' county and settled on a farm in Libertj'- township in 1840, where 
 he lived with them and worked on the farm up to his sixteenth year, in 
 1847, when he enlisted in tlie army and served during the Mexican War 
 under Capt. John C. Griffin and Col. William Gilpin, and was mustered 
 out at Independence, Missouri, in October, 1848. He returned to the home- 
 stead in Grundy county-, and soon after purchased a farm in Sullivan county, 
 where he lived and farmed until 1854, when he returned to Grundy county, 
 and engaged in tlie mercantile business at Lindley, which he followed at 
 that place and at Ivirksville, in Adair county, until 1859. That year he 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY CODNTT. 485 
 
 went to Colorado and run a pack train into the mines then known as the 
 Gregory and the Kussell claims until 1860, when he returned to Adair 
 count}' and engaged in farming until the intelligence of the firing on Fort 
 Sumter was received, M'hen he promptly tendered his services to his coun- 
 try, and helped to raise the first company in the State, north of the Han- 
 nibal & St. Josepii Kailroad. He raised a company in the spring of 1861, 
 and was unanimously chosen captain, and went into camp in Adair county, 
 where he thoroughly drilled his men before tendering his company to Gen. 
 Hurlbert, division commander of northern Missouri. His company was 
 assigned to detaclied duty at home, with the addition of five liundred home- 
 guards, and brigaded with the Third regiment of Iowa infantry, Col. 
 Scott commanding. In September, 1861, the home-guards being disbanded, 
 he was commissioned captain, and his company assigned to the Twenty- 
 second Missouri infantry, as company A, but being a cavalry company, was 
 soon afterwards transferred to tlie Seventh Missouri volunteer cavalry as 
 company H, serving in Missouri, Arkansas and Texas. Capt. Winters par- 
 ticipated in many battles, and endured all tlie liardships of a soldier's life. 
 In 1864 he resigned his commission, returned home, and assisted in 
 raising the Forty-fourth Missouri volunteer infantry, and was again com- 
 missioned and went out as captain of company K, of that regiment. While 
 recruiting in 1864, he was injured by a collision on the Hannibal & St. Joe 
 Eailroad, after which he was placed in the reserve corps, and acted as 
 assistant commissary of musters at Eolla, Missouri, until the close of the 
 war. On his return to Grundy county he pursued farming until the fall of 
 1868, when he was elected sheriiF of Grundy county, and elected his own 
 successor in 1870. After serving out his second term he engaged in mer- 
 chandizing in Trenton until 1880, since which time he has been a contractor, 
 aiding to construct the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad. He has been 
 twice married, the first time to Miss Sarah Brown, of Sullivan county, Mis- 
 souri, in November, 1848, and she died March 15, 1878, leaving seven chil- 
 dren, six sous and one daughter. On the 19tli of January, 1879, Capt. 
 Winters was united in marriage to Mrs. Mary Lonorgan, of Trenton. 
 
 J. A. WEBSTER, M. D. 
 
 John A. Webster was born in Athens, Ohio, November 19th, 1841. He 
 received a common school education in Athens, which lie comjjleted at the 
 Hatwinton High School, of Litchfield, Connecticut, residing while in that 
 city, with his grandparents. When sixteen years of age he began the study ' 
 of medicine under Dr. J. H. Worthington, of Albany, Ohio, continued six 
 months, and then went to Keokuk, Iowa, where he studied a short time under 
 Dr. J. H. Sanford. Leaving Keokuk he entered the Bellevue Hospital 
 College, of New York City, and graduated therefrom in the spring of 1860, 
 and the same year began practice in Keokuk, continuing until the breaking 
 
486 HISTOEY OF GKTJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 ont of the civil war. He received his commission as assistant siirgeon of the 
 First New York liglit artillery in 1861, served during the war, and was 
 mustered out in 1865. Coming to Grundy county he lived with his mother 
 ten miles north of Trenton, practicing medicine in that vicinity for two 
 years. In 1872 he removed to Trenton, and soon secured a large and profit- 
 able practice in that city, and also in Grundy county. He became associated 
 with Dr. J. E. Pattou in October, 1879, and the firm of Webster & Patton 
 still remains. Dr. Webster was united in marriage to Miss Lucy Logan, of 
 Trenton, in 1879. 
 
 MOEKIS WETZLEE 
 
 Was born in Saaz, Austria, March loth, 1842. He lived with his parents until 
 he was thirteen years of age, when he came to America with a cousin, with 
 whom he lived two years, in JSTew York City, and attended school, then went 
 to Chicago and attended Skinner's School for one year, and returning to ISIew 
 York City, attended the Allen Street School where he completed his educa- 
 tion, in his seventeenth year. For a short time afterward he kept books for 
 his brother who was a dealer in leather in New York City. In 1861 he 
 went to Chicago and in June following enlisted in company K, Thirty- 
 seventh Illinois volunteer infantry, serving during the war, and participat- 
 ing in the battles of Pea Ridge, Neosha, Prairie Grove (in which he was 
 wounded), siege of Vicksburg, and others. In 1864, by the recommenda- 
 tion of Major-general N. P. Banks, he was j^romoted second lieutenant of 
 company B, Fifth United States infantry. He resigned his commission in 
 1865, and on leaving the service went to New York City, and after making 
 a visit of some three or four months went to Chicago and embarked in the 
 dry goods business with A. B. Wolf under the firm name of Wetzler & Wolf. 
 They did business until 1867, and then dissolved, and he was appointed deputy 
 sheriff of Cook county, Illinois, and filled that position until 1871, when he 
 visited St. Louis, taking a respite from business for a year. In 1872 he went 
 to Vicksburg, Mississippi, and engaged in the dry goods business until the 
 spring of 1873, tlien went to Bowling Green, Missouri, and carried on the 
 same business four years. In 1877 he came to Trenton and engaged in his 
 present mercliant tailoring business. In 1872 he married Miss Amelia 
 Engel, of St. Louis. They have six children: Minnie, Alice, Josephine and 
 Bessie, living; and two, Albert and Joachim, dead. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. WYATT 
 
 Was born on a farm near Paris, Monroe county, Missouri, November 29, 
 1838. His parents removed to Grundy county and settled in Franklin 
 township in 1839, where he was reared, and worked on the farm, and at- 
 tended district school up to 1856, when during that year he attended the 
 Trenton high school. He taught school in Mercer and Grundy counties, 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 487 
 
 until July, 1S61, when he enlisted in company C, Twentj'- third Missouri 
 volunteer infantry, as orderly-sergeant was promoted to second lieutenant 
 March 8, 1862, and to first lieutenant May 8, 1863. He served three 
 years and participated in a number of battles and skirmishes, and was 
 mustered out at Atlanta, Georgia, September 22, 1864. He returned to 
 Grundy county and soon after was employed in his brotiier's (.J. T. Wyatt) 
 store at a place then called Middlebury, in Mercer county, where he re- 
 mained only four months. In the fall of 1865, lie came to Trenton and 
 engaged in the saloon business, which he followed until 1866, when he was 
 deputized county clerk by K. P. Carnes, and acted as such until 1867, when 
 he began to work at his present business of mason and plasterer. December 
 7, 1864, he married Miss Corlissa Reynolds, of Trenton, tliey have four 
 children: Kate, fifteen years of age; Elmore E., twelve; Carrie, eight; and 
 Ethel, four. 
 
 WILLIAM H. WILSON. 
 
 William Harvey Wilson, present slieriff of Grund}' count}', was born 
 near Edinburg, Grundy county, Missouri, March 31,1844. He lived witli 
 his parents, James and Nellie Wilson, at Edinburg and Trenton until his 
 nineteenth year, when he joined the Federal army, enlisting in company A, 
 Forty-fourth Missouri volunteer infantry and served one year, the term of 
 enlistment. After his discharge he returned to Trenton and began to learn 
 the trade of shoemaking with F. P. Buren, and afterwards worked for 
 other persons until 1870, when lie entered the store of Dr. R. N. Feather- 
 ston as a clerk and continued with him until 1873. In 1875 he was elected 
 constable of Trenton township and served as such until 1880, when, in No- 
 vember of that year, he was elected sheriff of Grundy county and still holds 
 that position. December 24, 1872, he married Miss Mollie E. Crouch, of 
 Trenton. He is a member of Trenton Lodge No. 52, I. O. O. F., of Tren- 
 ton. His mother died when he was very young. 
 
 LAFAYETTE B. WALKER 
 
 Was born in Muhlenburgh county, Kentucky, April 27, 1840. His parents 
 came to Grundy county when he was only one year old and settled on a 
 farm near Trenton, where he was reared and still resides. In 1861 he en- 
 listed in company A, Third Missouri volunteer cavalry, which was after- 
 wards consolidated with the Seventh Missouri cavalry as company K. He 
 served during the war, participating in a number of engagements, the most 
 important being Springfield and Newtonia, Missouri, and Mine Creek, and 
 was mustered out at St. Louis, April 15, 1865. After being mustered out 
 he returned to Trenton and began work at the carpenter trade under W. H. 
 Smith, with whom he continued until 1868, when he engaged in the busi- 
 ness as contractor and builder, and among the many fine buildings he has 
 30 
 
488 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 erected are those of Austin's Baak and tlie business houses of Conrads & 
 Brotlier, R. H. Hume, Austin & McMullen, J. H. Kerfoot, G. R. Hammer 
 and H. Wettstein ; also the residences of Mr. Crow, Dr. Kilburn, David 
 Lowry and George Gihiiore, as well as several prominent buildings at Chil- 
 licothe. March 9, 1868, he married Miss Elizabeth Lowen, of Trenton, by 
 whom he has five children; namely, Charles, Edward A., Carrie, Robert and 
 Thomas. Mrs. Walker is a member of the Christian Church at Trenton. 
 Mr. Walker received the Master Mason's degree in Trenton Lodge No. Ill, 
 in 1876, and the Royal Arch degree in Trenton R. A. Chapter in 1876. 
 He is also a Knight of Pythias, a member of Adelphia Lodge, No. 38, of 
 Trenton. 
 
 THOMAS. A. WOODEESS. 
 
 Is a native of Grundy county, born in Edinburg, Madison township, April 
 24, 1857, where he was i-eared. He was educated in the district school of 
 Edinbiirg and at Grand River College. When seventeen years of age he 
 entered his father's store at Edinburg as clerk and was with him two years 
 In the spring of 1876 he came to Trenton and clerked in his father's store 
 until 1877, when he engaged in the grocery business for himself. Although 
 Mr. Woodress is quite a young man he has made a good start in life; he 
 relies on his own eiforts and has never received aid from any one. Decem- 
 ber 16th, 1877, he married Miss Lizzie E. Hoskins, of Glenwood, Missouri. 
 They have two children: Albert Colburn and James Leslie. He is an Odd 
 Fellow, a member of Grand River Lodge No. 52, of Trenton, and is past 
 grand, and is also a member of Trenton encampment of Odd Fellows. 
 
 J. M. WANNAMAKEE 
 
 Was born near Picton, Prince Edwards county, Canada West, December 
 18th, 1844. At the age of twenty he began to learn the blacksmith trade 
 with W. Way at Mountain View, in his native county, with whom he worked 
 over three years, then stai'ted out as journeyman and worked as such in. 
 Canada, Illinois and Missouri. He established a shop in Jameson, Missouri, 
 in 1871. Leaving there in 1877 he came to Trenton and engaged in his 
 present business of can'iage and wagon-making with J. E. Carter, as Carter 
 & Wannaraaker. In 1879 Mr. Carter retired from the fii'm and he is now 
 sole proprietor and is doing a large local trade and em])loys some six or 
 eight men constantly. In February, 1872, he married Miss Emma Stafford, 
 of DeKalb county, Missouri. They have two children: Earl and Effie. 
 
 EDLEY WILSON 
 
 Was born near Linneus, Linn county, Missouri, January 1st, 1840. He 
 came to Grundy county with his parents when be was seven years old, and 
 settled on a farm near Trenton where he was reared a farmer. His father 
 dj'ing when he was fourteen years old, he was the main-stay of his mother 
 with whom he lived and worked the farm, maintaining her and the younger 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 489 
 
 portion of the family, two brothers and three sisters, until attaining his 
 majority. He afterwards owned and resided upon the farm until 1870. Decem- 
 ber 20th, 1866, he married Miss Elizabeth Colley, of Grundy county. She is a 
 native of Pennsylvania, born near Pittsburgh, in 1850, and came to Grundy 
 county with her parents when she was twelve years old and settled near 
 Trenton. She was educated in the schools of Trenton, her teachers being 
 her brother, Samuel M. Colley, and Prof. R. 0. Norton. Mr. Wilson, during 
 the late war, was a Union man and was enrolled in the State militia and 
 held himself in readiness for duty, but was called out only once, when he 
 participated in the engagement with bushwhackers at the forks of Grand 
 River, and was taken prisoner and lost two horses. Leaving his farm in 
 1870 he came to Trenton and with his father-in-law, Peter Colley, rented 
 the Bismark House which they kept up to 1872, then bought the National 
 House, and on Mr. Colley retiring from the business in 1877 he became sole 
 proprietor. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson have two children, William and Minnie, 
 both born in Trenton. 
 
 HENEY WETTSTEIN 
 
 Was born in Zurich, Switzerland, October 18, 184:7, where he was reared 
 and educated, attending the primary and high schools of Zurich until his 
 eighteenth year, when he was apprenticed for three years to learn the mer- 
 cantile business. A.t the expiration of that time he came to the United 
 States," landing in New York City, June 1, 1867, and soon after settled in 
 Quincy, Illinois, and engaged in the wholesale and retail liquor business. 
 In 1870 he removed to Canton, Missouri, and continued in the same bus- 
 iness until July, 1874, when he was burned out. The following August he 
 came to Trenton, engaged in the same occupation until June 16, 1881, when 
 he retired from business on account of rheumatism, with which he had been 
 afflicted for two years. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias, and 
 holds the position of district deputy grand chancellor. He has also been a 
 member of the Druids, of Quincy, Illinois, since 1867. September 23, 
 1875, he married Miss Frederika Roh, of Canton, Missouri. They have 
 three children: Daisy Birdie, Walter Henry and Edgar Leroy. 
 
 W. T. WISDOM 
 
 Was born on a farm in Randolph county, Missouri, May 23, 1841. His 
 father dying when he was two years old, he was placed with his grandfather, 
 Thomas Wisdom, with whom he lived until he was ten or eleven years old, 
 and since that age has maintained himself. He has never had an oppor- 
 tunity of attending school, but by personal application and improving spare 
 moments, has acquired a very good business education. He worked as a 
 farm hand in Randolph and adjoining counties until his seventeenth year, 
 1858, when he began clerking in the store of Renfro & Arbogast, at Tren- 
 
490 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ton, and was with them about one year. He was next employed by EL. 
 Renfro, to take charge of his grocery store, and was with him until 1861, 
 when he enlisted in company B, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, 
 under Capt. E. A. DeBolt, and served until the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, 
 April 6, 1862, where he was badly wounded and left on the field, and from 
 the effects of which he has never fully recovered. He was discharged, Octo- 
 ber 6, 1862, and returned to Trenton and engaged in keeping a saloon 
 which he soon after abandoned at the request of his wife. He next 
 embarked in the mercantile business with J. 0. GrifiBn, under the firm 
 name of Wisdom & Griffin. Retiring from the firm one year afterward, he 
 was variously employed until 186i, when he again engaged in the dry 
 goods business, this time with IS". Shanklin, under the fii-m name of Wis- 
 dom & Shanklin. In the spring of 1865, the firm having closed out, he was 
 employed in the store of G. W. Moberly until 1866, and from that time up 
 to 1877 was employed most of the time in the store of J. M. Bailey. 
 In August of that year he was appointed, and served two terms as county 
 collector, and from May, 1879, until June, 1880, was in the dry goods bus- 
 iness with R. E. Boyce, successor to J. M. Bailey. In March, 1881, he 
 established his present dry goods house. He has been twice married, his 
 first wife being Miss Fannie E. Carter, whom he married December 24, 
 1862, and who died at Trenton, November 15,. 1871, and by whom he had 
 three children; namely, Nora B., Carrie and William P. Miss Nora is a 
 graduate of the Trenton high school, of the class of 1881. His second 
 marriage was to Miss Mary A. Swayze, of Grundy county, iu August, 1872, 
 by whom he has three boys: Frank, Hugh and Albert. 
 
 JAMES R. WILLSON 
 
 Was born on a farm near Zanesville, Ohio, July 7, 1837. When seventeen 
 years old he left his parents and went to Granville, Illinois, where he, with 
 James Caldwell, bought a steam saw-mill and ran it under the firm name 
 of Caldwell & Willson. They were together about two and a half years 
 when they sold out and dissolved, and he went to Iowa, rented a farm near 
 Washington and pursued farming until 1859. He next went to Blooming- 
 ton, Illinois, and was employed by E. Barber & Co., proprietors of the 
 McLain County Mills, as an engineer, iintil April, 1861, when he was em- 
 ployed in the same capacit3' in the mills and elevator of E. Rogers, of the 
 same place, and worked there one year. On the 6tli of August, 1862, he 
 enlisted in company A, Ninety-fourth Illinois volunteer infantry, and 
 served during the war, taking part in thirteen engagements, the most im- 
 portant being the battles of Prairie Grove, siege of Vicksburg, Fort Mor- 
 o-an, Spanish Fort, Mobile and Galveston; was wounded in a skirmish at 
 Morganza, Louisiana; and was mustered out at Springfield, Illinois, August, 
 1865. Returning to Bloomington he was employed by E. Rogers & Co. as 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 491 
 
 an engineer in the Normal Mills for one year, when he went to Washing- 
 ton, Iowa, where he was employed, in 1866, b}'' the Chicago, Rock Island & 
 Pacific Railway Company as fireman. In 1868 he was changed from fire- 
 man to brakeman, and in 1869 was promoted to conductor, and in 1877 
 was appointed yard-master at Trenton. He has been twice married, first 
 to Miss Hattie J. Miller, of "Washington, Iowa, January 1, 1861, who died 
 at Wilton, Iowa, December 13, 1874. They had three children: Elmer 
 E., Ivy O. and Louella. ITis second marriage was to Miss Josie A. Bennett, 
 of Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 13th of December, 1875. They have had 
 one child, Harry B., who died at Trenton when three years old. 
 
 E. V. YOUNG 
 
 Was born in Hiram, Portage county, Ohio, May 9, 1840. He was reared in 
 his native place and lived there until 1869. In 1861 he joined the Union 
 army, enlisting in company A, Forty-second Ohio volunteer infantry, un- 
 der Captain A. Williams, the late president James A. Garfield being the 
 colonel. ■ He served three years, the term for which he enlisted, in Ken- 
 tucky, Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas, and participated in many en- 
 gagements, the most important being the battles of Chickasaw Bayou, Ar- 
 kansas Post, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill and Black River Bridge. Was 
 mustered out of the service and discharged at Columbus, Ohio, September 
 29, 1864. He returned to Hiram, Ohio, and soon after was employed in 
 the railroad ofiice at Garrettsville, in the same county, where he remained 
 one year, and then went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania. After a few 
 months he returned to Hiram and worked on the homestead farm until the 
 spring of 1869, when he came to Missouri and settled at Trenton and began 
 working at the carpenter and joiner's trade. This work he continued 
 until May, 1875, when he was appointed city marshal of Trenton and 
 served in that capacity until May, 1881, and again resumed the carpenter 
 business and is an extensive contractor and builder. February 21, 1867, he 
 married Miss Irena Bishop, of Hiram, Ohio. They have one child, Orin. 
 
492 HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 FEANKLm TOWNSHIP.. 
 
 Us Location — One of the Group of Seven — Its Soil, Creeks, Woodlands and Prairies — 
 Its First Settlers— The First "Corn-cracker"— I'he First Cahin— Early Events— Elec- 
 tions— Churches — Schools — SpickardsviUe — Its Incorporation — Mat/or and Trustees — 
 Additions— A Shipping Point — Its Schools and Churches— Its Business in 1881 — 
 Names of its Business Men — Bioqraphical Sketches. 
 
 This township, which occupies the north central portion of Grundy county 
 and lies within the congressional lines described by township sixty-three 
 and range twenty-four, and a portion of township sixty-three, range twenty- 
 three, is bounded on the north by Mercer county, on the east by Myers 
 township, on the south by Lincoln and on the west by Washington. Under 
 the organization of 1841, Franklin was one of the original townships which 
 composed Grundy and Mercer counties, under the civil jurisdiction of the 
 former. Later, Franklin stood as one of the group of seven townships 
 forming Grundy, when Mercer was duly constituted a separate and distinct 
 county organization in 1845. It remained one of the seven until the present 
 thirteen townships were laid off in 1872. Franklin township was early 
 recognized as one of the most desirable portions of the county, though its- 
 arable acres were orginally nearly or quite three-fourths woodland. 
 
 The "unwedgeable and gnarled oak" flourished in wild luxuriance lifting its 
 acorned boughs towards the sky, while near it grew the hickory, tlie linden, 
 and other varieties less numei'ous. But before the civilizing influence of the- 
 woodman's ax the shadowy nooks disappeared, and where once timbered 
 forests stood, fertile fields lie yellow with their ripening grain. The rugged 
 and rolling surface of the township covers a soil rich and fruitful, irrigated' 
 by the waters of the Weldon River running nearly through its center, with 
 Muddy Creek farther to the east, and Honey Creek almost upon the eastern 
 border, while a second and smaller sti-eam also bearing the name of Muddv 
 Creek, winds its sinuous way through the western portion of the township^ 
 emptying into tlie Weldon just north of Lincoln township. 
 
 The earliest evidences of white settlers within the limits of -what now con- 
 stitutes Franklin townsliip were left by Mormons. These followers of Joe 
 Smith are supposed to have been members of the party who settled in Jack- 
 son county as early as 1832, and also in Daviess and Ray counties. It seems, 
 that some four families stopped in this township, leaving in the early part 
 of the fall of 1838, immediately after the Mormon troubles at Honn's Mill in 
 Daviess county. How long they had been in the township previous to their 
 departure it is impossible to state. They erected cabins, but cleared only 
 small patches of ground, which led the early settlers to suspect that they 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTr. 
 
 493 
 
 intended to make only temporary resting places, then move on, leaving the 
 way marked for other Mormons to follow and take possession. Two of these 
 encamjjments were found, one about two and a half miles east of what is now 
 the town of Spickardsville, consisting of a cabin and abont four acres of ground, 
 and the other abont four miles west of the first, similarly improved. From 
 what can be learned the names of the Mormon families occupying these cabins 
 were Lathrop, Jackson, Bosley and Ives, and they were undoubtedly the first 
 white settlers of Franklin township. Following in the paths of the Mormons 
 came James Weldou, the first permanent white settler of the township, and 
 after whom the "Weldon River takes its name. He with his family came 
 from Lincoln county, Kentnck}^, and located in Franklin township in the 
 fall of 1838, in the same neighborhood then occupied b}' the Mormons, and 
 upon whose departure he took possession of one of their vacated claims. 
 The next settlers were the families of Garrison Carmine and Joseph Men- 
 denhall, who located upon the remaining claim left by the Mormons. In 
 January of 1839, Andrew Weldon, brother of James, arrived in the town- 
 ship and moved into the Mormon cabins on the claim which was then occu- 
 pied by Carmine and Mendenhall. 
 
 The following spring brought a number of families, among which were those 
 of "William Keith, David Ashbrook, "William Schooler, Benjamin Nicholls, 
 Charles Schooler, Thos. Blakely and Levi Keith, who hailed from Ohio, and 
 about the same time came the families of John Eockholt, Allen England, 
 Koyal Williams, Harrison Newton, John Sires, Benjamin D. Thaxton, Rich- 
 ard Williams and William Reid, also William Wyatt and Thomas Thomp- 
 son, from Kentucky. These were the early pioneers, whose best efforts 
 were put forth to build up and make habitable the township. 
 
 At that time the Indian roamed at will through the shady forests, over 
 the grassy hills, along the gurgling streams, or up the gloomy ravines, pass- 
 ing their time in hunting and fishing, and trading with the whites, who had 
 thus made homes within their territory. They were jjeaceable and often 
 rendered much assistance to the pale-face brothers. The woods abounded 
 in wild deer and turkey, and the unerring rifle of the liunter kept the fam- 
 ily larder well supplied, while the bee-tree was tapped and yielded a golden 
 harvest of liquid sweetness. The little clearing was planted in corn, which 
 was manufactured into bread without any patent process of grinding. The 
 usual way was to burn a basin-like hole in a block or stump, pour in the 
 corn, while the grinding was the work of an iron Avedge, with which the 
 kernels were mashed. This system of milling operations existed until 1841, 
 when joj' reigned throughout the settlement upon the pui'chase of the first 
 hand mill or " corn-cracker," which was tiie joint property of the settlers, 
 all paying a portion of its cost, and all using it part of the time. The 
 clothing of the settlers was of home production, the work of the good 
 housewife. Sheep furnished wool for clothing in winter, while flax and 
 
4:94 HISTORY OF GEUNDY CODNTY. 
 
 hemp were utilized in the mannfacture of summer wear. Coon-skins made 
 excellent caps, while cowhide supplied the material for moccasins. With 
 the above mentioned luxuries the pioneers and their families led li%'es happy 
 and contented, little worried bj' the burdensome cares of a mere subsist- 
 ence, although they were forced to forego many of the comforts and even 
 necessities, of a life of to-day. Early thrift brought early plenty, and the 
 hardy yeomen remembering this, bended to their labors with lighter hearts, 
 and when the work of the day was done, they went home to rest and enjoy 
 themselves. Quarrelling was not one of the amusements in those days, 
 and stealing was unheard of. The howling wolves were the only prowlers, 
 and if the sheep were j^rotected from their depredations, and the deer and 
 tnrkey hung out of reach, the howl created no terror in the neighborhood. 
 Money was then almost unknown, but coon-skins and deer and deer-skins 
 were the currency of the realm, receivable for all dues, and with a load of 
 these the settler made his way to Glasgow, a distance of ninetj' miles, the 
 nearest trading-point, where the necessary winter supplies were purchased 
 and hauled home. 
 
 THE FIRST CABIN. 
 
 The first cabin erected upon the soil of Franklin township was built by 
 the Mormons, and, as mentioned afterward, occupied by the family of James 
 Weldon, and still later became the home of the family of Wm. Wyatt, who 
 purchased it from Mr. Weldon. This cabin was a primitive structure con- 
 structed of green linden logs, one room, one window and the same number of 
 doors. The covering was made of the bark from the linden and elm, with 
 puncheon floor. This cabin occupied a site one and a half miles northwest 
 of Spickardsville. The other mansions of those days were built from the 
 same pattern and furnished with equal disregard of expense, so that the 
 work was well done. 
 
 EARLY EVENTS. 
 
 Among the early events transpiring in the township, a few may be of 
 more than passing interest to readers of to-day. Miss Margaret Ashbrook 
 was the first young lady to make her appearance in the township, 
 in the year 1840, and was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David 
 Ashbrook. John C. Nichols was the first male child to see light of day 
 for the first time in the township. He was born Januar}'^ 9th, 1840, the son 
 of Mr. and Mrs. Benj. Nichols. Mr. John C. Nichols is still living in the 
 township on a farm northeast of Spickardsville. 
 
 "Cupid's darts sped on as fatal errands of love in eai'ly days as now, and the 
 young people of Franklin township were no exceptions to the rule. It was 
 in the early part of 1840 that the first wedding occurred in the township and 
 for " better or worse," Mr. Nathan Sharp and Miss Mary Craig were linked 
 
niSTOET OF GETINDY COUNTY. 495 
 
 in the silken meshes of matrimony, amid the joyful congratnlations of their 
 neighbors, consisting of nearly all the settlers in the township. Tliey lived 
 happily together until the breaking out of the civil war, when Mr. Sharp re- 
 sponded to the call of Governor Claiborne Jackson for volunteers to the 
 State militia on the 12th of June, 1861. He served with the State and Con- 
 federate forces for nearly a year when he returned home, but found the 
 Union sentiment too strong to allow him to remain in the neighboi'hood 
 and so went to Iowa, returning frequently by stealth and secretly visiting 
 his wife and family. These visits were made at intervals during the year, 
 but were tinally put a stop to by a gang of roughs, claiming to be Union 
 men, headed by one Joe Rich, who caught Sharp and liung him to a tree, 
 in the eastern part of the township near Honey Creek, and the body was 
 left carrion food for the crows, until found several days after by some chil- 
 dren playing in the woods. This occurred in the latter part of 1863. 
 Sharp is spoken of by his neighbors of that troublesome period as a good 
 citizen and a fervent believer in religion. Mrs. Sharp afterward became the 
 estimable wife of Judge Isaiah Brainerd, presiding justice of the County 
 Court. 
 
 The second matrimonial event taking place in the township was at the 
 house of William Cochran in 1841, when Josepli Connor arid Miss Phoebe 
 Kerkendall, came before Justice of the Peace William Schooler, who pro- 
 nounced the solemn words that made them one forever. They removed to 
 Putnam county afterward, and from thence to California during the mining 
 excitement of 18.50. 
 
 Among the earlier marriages, may be mentioned that of Mr. George A. 
 Spickard and Miss Elizabeth Cantrell, which occurred on the 24th of 
 August, 1847, and was performed b}^ Abram Fields, justice of the peace. Mr. 
 S. is still in the enjoyment of good health at the old homestead, 07ie mile 
 and a half northwest of the young and flourishing village that bears his 
 name. Mrs. Spickard died September 21, 1850, after two weeks' sickness, 
 while crossing the mountains to California. 
 
 Sadness and sorrow sometimes visited the settlers, and death invaded 
 their ranks. There appears to be a confusion as to the date of the first 
 death in the township. The little child of Joseph Mendenhall was prob- 
 ably the first to seek the bright haven above. The little one died in the 
 latter part of 1839, and was laid away mid the tears of those she loved, 
 in an improvised burial-ground upon the Austin farm, where several others 
 were afterward buried. Then was called good old Gi'andma Keith, mother 
 of Wm. and Levi Keith, who laid down the cares and burdens of many long 
 years of this life when the white frosts of winter made the air crisp and 
 cool in the early months of 1842. Tenderly they placed her beneath the sod, 
 and the new-made mound was the first grave in the Bethel church-yard, 
 which was three miles from where Spickardsville now stands. 
 
496 HISTOEY OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 There was weaving, and spinning too, and the whirr of the wlieel made 
 music in many early homes. Mrs. Kachel Moore did the first work of 
 this kind, and owned the first spinning-wheel and loom brought to Grundy 
 county in 1838 or 1839. The j^ear of 18il found the good wives of Thomas 
 Blakely and William Wyatt in possession of these necessary household 
 ornaments. These were the early ones; later, both loom and wheel were 
 found in nearly every home. 
 
 Dr. William P. Thompson was first physician " in these parts," and he 
 practiced in Franklin township, as he did, for years, in all the country 
 around. 
 
 ELECTIONS, ETC. 
 
 The political history of Franklin township can be traced back to 1839, 
 when, at the May term of the Livingston County Court, an election was 
 ordered to be held at the house of James Weldon, on the 1st day of June, 
 1839. This was the earliest election, and three justices of the peace were 
 to be elected for Morgan township, of which Franklin was then a part. 
 Who these first justices were is not of record. The second election was 
 held October 19, 1839, at the same place, and it was to vote for an assessor for 
 the county of Livingston. In the fall of the same year, Martin Winn 
 received the appointment of justice of the peace, vice Samuel Benson, 
 resigned, who, consequently, must have been one of the three first judicial 
 ofiicers of the township. The next election was held in the summer of ISil, 
 on the 19th day of June, and William Schooler, David Ashbrook and 
 William P. Fitzpatriek were chosen justices of the peace for and withiu the 
 township of Franklin. How long these gentlemen dispensed justice the 
 record sayeth not, but probably for six years, for in the winter of 1847 
 James P. Devaul was elected and served one year as justice of the peace. 
 These were the early officers. Others were elected as the threads of time 
 unwound, and served faithfully and well. In the meantime the township 
 was reorganized and the town of Spickardsville came into existence, and 
 under the new order of things a petition was filed with the County Court 
 praying for the removal of the voting precinct from the house of James 
 Clark to Spickardsville, in October of 1872, which failed. The first officers 
 under the new regime were S. W. Eeid and George W. Cox, justices of the 
 peace; Jasper L. N^ewton, collector; Win. A. Brainerd, clerk; W. W. 
 Evans, supervisor; David C. Pugh, assessor — the whole number forming 
 the township board. The election took place April 1, 1873. William, 
 Schooler was appointed constable. May 2.5, 1874, Martin Y. Ewing 
 was appointed trustee, and Charles Spickard, clerk. A new board was 
 elected April 21, 1875, the members being, Heniy Montgomery, chairman; 
 William Brainerd, William Pratt, and Ciiarles Spickard, clerk. Martin Y. 
 Ewing was appointed trustee and J. W. Ellis was appointed constable. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. • 497 
 
 April 19, 18T6, the new members elected were, H. C. Montgomery, chair- 
 man; William Pratt, justice of the peace; S. W. Eeid, and John M. Moore, 
 clerk. The election of April 11, 1877, made the members of the board con- 
 sist of Jacob Keith, chairman; G. W. Pratt, justice of the peace; Jonathan 
 Wiseman, assessor; John M. Moore, clerk. Wesley Keith was appointed 
 constable. The next election of record took place on the 5th of April, 1881,. 
 and those elected were, William Spickard, collector; H. A. Schooler, clerk 
 and assessor ; H. Montgomery and O. P. Mnnu, justices of the peace; which 
 constituted the township board. Wesley Keith was elected constable. These 
 gentlemen are the present trustworthy and efiScient officers of the township. 
 
 THE CHURCHES. 
 
 The first religious services held in Franklin townshijj were conducted by 
 the Rev. Henben Aldridge, a Methodist circuit rider, who preached at the 
 homes of David Ashbrook and William Schooler as early as 1839. Services 
 were also held by the Rev. Thomas Thompson, a minister of the Christian 
 denomination, who was one of the early settlers, and who conducted relig- 
 ious worship at his own home, and that of William Wyatt, in the year 1839. 
 These were the first services held in the township. 
 
 Regular church organizations were formed, and among the first members 
 of the Methodist Episcopal Church were the names of David and Margaret 
 Ashbrook, William and Mary Schooler, Benjamin and Annie Nichols, and 
 William and Elizabeth Keith. This was in 1889. Rev. Mr. Aldridge con- 
 tinued to conduct the services, off and on, until 1841, when he was succeeded 
 by the Rev. E. Marvin, the first minister of the Grundy Mission, who rode 
 the circuit in that year. Mr. Redmond was the presiding elder of the 
 circuit. 
 
 In 1842 the services wei-e held in the log school-house which had been 
 erected that year on the land of Benjamin ISTichols. Preaching was con- 
 tinued in this log school-house, by difiereut ministers, until 1855, when 
 Bethel Church was erected, three miles east of the jai'esent town of Spick- 
 ardsville. It was a union church, and the first church building erected in 
 the township, the property of -the South Methodists, and used by the Bap- 
 tists, Christians and the United Brethren, each holding services once a 
 month, until 1861, when services were discontinued, and the edifice re- 
 mained idle daring the years of the civil war. The Baptists and the United 
 Brethren again used it, arid continued to hold religious meetings there until 
 last year. Rev. Mr. Marvin afterward became bishop of the Southern M. 
 E. Church. 
 
 The Christian organization continued to exist and hold services at the 
 residence of the different members after its organization in 1839. The roll 
 of the first members contained the names of William and Rachel Wyatt, 
 William and Sarah Reid, Benjamin D. and Melinda L. Thaxton, John and 
 
498 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Julia Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Young and Mrs. Delilah Thompson, wife 
 of the minister. Eev. Thos. Tliompson conducted the services until 1850, 
 when he went to California, where he preached until his death several jears 
 ago. Other ministers officiated at the Bethel Church for this denomination. 
 
 The first school taught in the township was by a young man by the name 
 of Robert Huston, in 1842. A vacant house was used and quite a number 
 of pupils attended. This school was only of short duration. In the fol- 
 lowing year the settlers in the neighborhood erected the first school-house 
 in the township; each volunteered to do certain work and the result. was a 
 primitive aifair, built of logs, with one window and a door and rude 
 benches. This was on the land of Benj. Nichols. 
 
 William Schooler officiated as first schoolmaster and the compensation 
 was about sixteen dollars per month. The erection of this first log school- 
 house was a gala day to all tlie country round, and the neighbors all turned 
 out and assisted and joined in the hurrahs that ladened the air when the 
 last log was put in place and the finishing touches done. 
 
 SPICKAEDSVILLE. 
 
 This little village with its three hundred and thirty inhabitants, which is 
 not noted for its beauty or for its unrivaled location, is pleasantly situated 
 on rolling woodland, twelve miles north of Trenton, with the Weldon Fork 
 or the Grand Kiver skirting its western side. It is a station on the Chi- 
 cago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, and a shipping point of considerable 
 importance. The energetic industry of the citizens has laid the foundation 
 for a flourishing town, and its business facilities have caused the country to 
 improve in a corresponding ratio. It is daily giving evidence of its deter- 
 mination to grow and prosper, and ranks next to Trenton as the business 
 point of the county. 
 
 On the 27th of June, 1871, there was filed in the County Court a descrip- 
 tion of the proposed location of the town of Spickardsyille, which was given 
 in the following words: 
 
 " Commencing at the northeast corner of the southeast quarter of the 
 northeast quarter of section 21, township 63, range 24, thence west 470 feet, 
 thence in a southerly direction 60 rods, thence east 452 feet, to the section 
 line, thence north to the place of beginning." 
 
 This plat was to be divided into eight blocks, two hundred feet square, two 
 blocks running east and west, and four running north and south. The 
 .streets were, with one exception, forty feet in width. This one exception 
 was the street extending east and west on the north end of the town, and 
 ■was sixty feet in width. The town was located on land belonging to Mr. 
 ■G. A. Spickard. In October, 1873, the following petition to incorporate 
 the town of Spickard svi He was filed with the Countj^ Court. The corpo- 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 499 
 
 rate limits included land then belonging to G. A. Spickard, B. F. Spickard 
 
 and S. B. Stapp. 
 
 " To the Honorable County Court of Grundy County, Missouri, greeting.- 
 
 " We, the undersigned inhabitants (tax-payers), of the town of Spickards- 
 ville, Grundy county, Missouri, petition your honorable body to incorporate 
 the town of SpickardsviJle, in order that we may establish a police force for 
 our local government, and for the preservation and regulation of any com- 
 mons appertaining to sucli town. The metes and bounds of said corpora- 
 tion to be as follows: Beginning at the northeast comer of the southwest 
 quarter of the northwest quarter of section number ty^enty-two, and run- 
 ning one-half mile west, to the northwest corner of the southeast quarter 
 of the northeast quarter of section number twenty-one; thence south three- 
 fourths of a mile, to the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the 
 southeast quarter of section number twenty-one; thence one-half mile east 
 to the southeast corner of the southeast quarter of the southwest quarter of 
 section number twenty-two; thence north tiiree-fourths of a mile to the 
 beginning corner, all in township sixty, of range twenty-four. And we 
 further pray that your honorable body appoint the following persons as 
 trustees of said corporation, they being resident householders of said town 
 for the past twelve months, and above the age of twenty-one years: James 
 D. Wamsley, James M. Copper, Dr. C. E. Wilkerson, David C. Pugh and 
 Milo Robertson. 
 
 " Grant us this, our humble petition, for which we humbly pray. 
 
 " Spickardsville, Missouri, September 30, 1873. 
 
 " NAMES. 
 
 J. A. Anderson. Milo Robertson. 
 
 W. T. Clark. S. W. Eeid. 
 
 D. J. Lindsey. David C. Pugh. 
 
 S. B. Stapp. James M. Copper. 
 
 Green Gentry. David D. Dinsmore. 
 
 Geo. W. Cox. James W. Munn. 
 
 B. F. Higden. E. D. Dinsmore. 
 J. W. Ellis. Alonzo Rice. 
 
 W. N. Ellis. James D. Wamsley. 
 
 N. F. Munn. S. D. Loe. 
 
 William A. Brainerd. B. F. Spickard. 
 
 S. Benner. W. E. King. 
 
 R. A. Williams. D. McCreery. 
 
 J. A. Lewellin. Wm. Covey. 
 
 R. Latham Greene. C. H. Connell. 
 
 David W. Stapp. G. A. Spickard. 
 
 Ira J. Godfrej'. Jonathan Wiseman. 
 
 M. y. Ewing. Thomas Austin. 
 
 C. E. Wilkerson. A. P. West." 
 
5O0 HISTORY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 The petition was received October 6, 1S73, and filed. The County Court 
 then made the following order, and placed it upon the records, on page 185, 
 Book E: 
 
 " Now at this day comes S. W. Reid, James D. Wamsley, B. F. Spickard 
 and others, being two-thirds of the inhabitants of the town of Spickards- 
 ville, Grundy county, Missouri, and file their petition to this court for an 
 order incorporating said town, granting to them the power to establish and 
 maintain a police force for their local government, and for the preservation 
 and regulation of any commons appertaining thereto, and the court, after 
 due deliberation and consideration, and being satisfied that two-thirds of 
 the inhabitants of said town have signed the petition, doth order, adjudge 
 and decree, that the following metes and bounds; viz. (here follows descrip- 
 tion which is in the petition), be and the same is hereby incorporated, 
 with full power and authority to establish and maintain a police for 
 their local government, and for the preservation and regulation of any com- 
 mons appertaining to said town. And it is farther ordered that the inhab- 
 itants within such bounds shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name 
 •and style of 'The inhabitants of the town of Spickardsville,' and by that 
 name they and their successors shall be known in law, have perpetual suc- 
 ■cession, unless disincorporated, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, 
 defend and be defended in all courts and in all actions, pleas and matters 
 whatsoever; may grant, purchase, hold and receive property, real and per- 
 sonal, within said town and no other (burial-grounds and cemeteries 
 •excepted), and ma}' lease, sell and dispose of the same for the benefit of the 
 town, and may have a common seal, and break and alter the same at pleas- 
 ure. It is further ordered that James D. Wamsley, C. E. Wilkerson, Jas. 
 M. Copper, David C. Pugh and Milo Eobertson, shall constitute the first 
 board of trustees, to carry into effect this charter under the laws of Mis- 
 souri, and shall hold their trusts until their succe ssors are elected and qual- 
 .itied, as may be provided for by ordinance." 
 
 The incorporation of the town gave the people confidence, and a general 
 feeling prevailed that Spickardsville would become the metropolis of the 
 northern portion of this county and the southern portion of Mercer county, 
 near the border of which it lies. The prospect for a business point of no 
 mean importance has already been shown. 
 
 The first meeting of the town trustees appointed by the County Court 
 was on April 27, 1874. J. D. Wamsley was elected mayor; M. V. Ewing, 
 J. Wiseman and S. B. Stapp, trustees. J. Copper was appointed clerk, and 
 H. Montgomery, marshal. 
 
 In the election of April, 1875, J. Wiseman was promoted to the mayor- 
 ship, and David Bonta, Wm. Newton, M. Y. Ewing and D. J. Lindsey 
 •composed the board of trustees. 
 
 At the first meeting of the mayor and trustees the board made the fol- 
 
HISTORY OF GRONDT COUNTY. 501 
 
 lowing appointments: treasurer, W. D. Bonta; clerk, D. J. Lindsey, and 
 Mr. Sam'l A. Hartley was appointed town marshal. 
 
 In 1876 H. Montgomery assumed the position of mayor, Milo Robert- 
 son, clerk, while the board went into the lavish expenditure of having an 
 attorney. Mr. S. W. Reid secured this highly honorable and lucrative 
 office. 
 
 There was nothing of interest transpired for the next two or three years. 
 They changed officers, and S])ickardsvi]le continued to grow from a 
 dozen or so of houses, in 1871, to a town of over four hundred inhabitants, 
 in 1881. This is not a surprising increase, but it is the steady increase 
 brought on by the settlement of the country aroiind. Spickardsville now 
 has a solid, not mushroom growth, and as the country settles she will grow 
 and prosper, because the eountrj' around will find it the most convenient, 
 and where a market can be found the equal of more pretentious places. 
 
 The present officers who are in charge of the municipal interests of Spick- 
 ardsville are: JST. F. Munn, chairman of the board; F. A. Bonner, clerk, 
 and C. H. Cornwell, Perry Schooler and S. B. Stapp as members of the 
 board. 
 
 Two saloons, where the spirit of man might be regaled by the spirit of 
 rye, held open in 1875. They continued one year and closed up. Anotiier 
 was started, and it followed, passing in its checks, and a third and last closed 
 its portals last spring. 
 
 ADDITIONS. 
 
 There have been three additions to the town of Spickardsville since the 
 location of its original metes and bounds. Two of these have been off of 
 the land of B. F. Spickard, and one off of that of S. B. Stapp. These addi- 
 tions comprise twelve blocks two hundred feet square, foui- blocks two hun- 
 dred and fifty-six feet by two hundred feet, and three half blocks one hun- 
 dred and twenty by two hundred feet. 
 
 There are but two saw-mills in the township, and one flouring-mill. Two 
 of the three ai-e located near the town. The flouring-mill is owned by Coon 
 Bros. & Company, and was erected in 1880, at a cost of $7,000. It has two 
 run of stone, with a capacity of one hundred and twenty-five bushels of 
 wheat and three hundred bushels of corn per day, the owners making a 
 market for all the grain in that section of the country. The saw-mill was 
 built by S. B. Stapp in 1871, and he continued its owner until November, 
 1880, -when he sold it to his son, D. "W. Stapp. Both of these mills are run 
 b)y steam-power. The other saw-mill has been running two years, is owned 
 by Mr. Benj. Boslej', and is about two miles from town. 
 
502 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 RECEIPTS BY RAILROAD. 
 
 The receipts by the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad at Spick- 
 ardsville will give some idea of the business of the town, together with its 
 shipments. This statement shows a growth of about forty-three per cent 
 for the six months ending July 1st, 1881, over the corresponding six months 
 of 1880. The receipts were as follows: 
 
 POUNDS. 
 
 From January 1st to July 1st, 1881 335,352 
 
 From January 1st to July 1st, 1880 234,826 
 
 Gain 101,526 
 
 The receipts for the past six months of 1880, from July 1st to December 
 31st, showed the handsome amount of 418,917 pounds of freight, but it is 
 evident that the fall business of 1881 will equal the increase of the spring 
 comparison, the month of July showing a handsome excess. 
 
 The charges paid to the railroad company were, for the six months 
 
 Ending July 1st, 1881 * 1742.89 
 
 Ending July 1st, 1880 618.16 
 
 Gain $124.73 
 
 Received for freight for the last six months of 1880 $1,172,98 
 
 SHIPMENTS. 
 
 The freight paid on shipments by rail from January 1st, 1880, to Jan- 
 uary 1st, 1881, amounted to $12,998.07. The six months ending July 1st, 
 1881, was $5,684.97. The year will probably exceed that of the year pre- 
 vious. 
 
 The station agents have been Mr. Thomas, followed by D. J. Lindsey, 
 and the latter succeeded by the present agent, W. R. Tnpper, who has held 
 his position since June 14, 1876. 
 
 The churches of Spickardsville have shown a favorable growth since steps 
 were taken to organize them, and build separate houses of worship. For 
 years it was the habit of using the buildings for churches and schools, and 
 while this is to be expected in a newly settled country, it is not good for the 
 growth of any denomination. A sejiarate church building, let it be ever so 
 humble, dedicated to the cause of Christ and kept as his sacred temple, is 
 far better than joining with schools, and is much more likely to add to the 
 efficacy of its Christian work. 
 

 If k/ 
 
 ^^^^f-^^-'^^^^Zt^ ^^^^-efL^-^jC^Ji,^ 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 505 
 
 CHRISTIAN CHURCH. 
 
 The organization of this church took place Eebniarj 13, 1870, at the 
 Franklin school-house, in district number five. The first preacher was the 
 Kev. S. H. Hendrix, and the following were the members of the church: Levi 
 Burkeybile, W. T. Hughes, Henry Scott, Thos. J. Wyatt, N. W. King, 
 Wm. Wyatt, Jno. T. AVyatt, Edna S. Scott, Mary Crocket, Priscilla Burkey- 
 bile, Ann E. Hughes, K. E. A. Wyatt. A new church was erected for this 
 denomination in 1875, N. W. King architect and contractor, the edifice 
 costing $900. The church has no regular minister at this time, and service 
 is held only occasionally. 
 
 M. E. CHURCH. 
 
 This church is located at Sjjickardsville, and was organized in 1873. Its 
 service was held the first year in the school-house, and its pastor was Rev. 
 John Burris. The names of those who joined in its first organization are 
 as follows: James Ashbrook, class-leader; Bachel Aslibrook, M. V. Ewing, 
 Emily Ewing, S. Y. Mentor, Nat. W. Keith, Margaret Keith, Wesley W. 
 Evans, Catherine Evans, Jonathan Wiseman, Hannah Wiseman, IST. F. 
 Munn and Amy Munn. The contract for building the church was given to 
 W. D. Bonta and Milo Eobertson, and the cost was $800. The dedication 
 sermon was preached by Dr. Glendeuing. The church was comjDleted the 
 summer of 1874, and its first 2Jastor was the Eev. Jolm W. Burris, who 
 remained with it the remainder of the year. Kevs. Monroe and Todd oflici- 
 ated in 1875, Eev. W. F. Hart in 1876, Eev. B. F. Todd in 1877, Eev. E. 
 J. King in 1878 and 1879, and Eev. W. C. Eeuter in 1880, who still 
 remains. This is the only Methodist Church in the township. Its first 
 trustees were, M. Y. Ewing, S. B. Stapp, W. Y. Denslow, W. W. Evans, 
 and Nat. W. Keitli. The following are the present trustees: W. Y. Dens- 
 low, S. B. Stapp, W. W. Evans, N. M. Coon and F. A. Bonner. 
 
 There is a Union Sunday-school held at the above church, which has an 
 average attendance of from forty to fifty scholars. The superintendent is 
 F. A. Bonner, and its secretary S. B. Stapp. 
 
 CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN. 
 
 This, the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, is the oldest organized churcli 
 in the township. This was effected in the j'ear 1868, in a grove about one 
 mile north of Peter Amicks's in the fall of that year. Its first pastor was 
 the Eev. A. F. Coopei', and its members were: Peter Amick and Lydia A., 
 his wife, Hiram Kelso, Samuel Kelso, Alvira Kelso, Samuel Meass, his wife 
 and daughter, Sally Kelso, W. W. Corn well, Minerva Corn well and Eliza- 
 beth Cornwell. About four years after its organization it was removed to 
 the Tracy school-house, in Lincoln township, where it still exists. 
 31 
 
506 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 UNITED BEETHKEN CHURCH. 
 
 This societj^ was first organized in Franklin township, about the year 
 1857, by Rev. John Osborn. They assembled in the old Bethel church, 
 (which was under the control of the-M. E. Church, -South) until the war, 
 when they met in pi-ivate houses. After the war closed they again held 
 services in the same church, and continue to do so. The names of the first 
 members are as follows: 
 
 George Lambert, Mary Lambert, LLannah Wiseman, Wesley Ellis, Mary 
 Ellis, S. D. Lowe, Jane Campbell and Ann Schooler. The society was 
 organized in Spickardsville by Eev. J. M. Farley, about the year 1877. 
 
 SPICKAEDSVILLE, 1881. 
 
 The business of Spickardsville is conducted by the following proprietors: 
 E. A. Cook, dry goods and groceries; W. H. Brewer, drugs and groceries; 
 Geo. M. Brown & Co., drugs; Samuel Benner, grocer; H. Montgomery, 
 wagon-shop; Burkeybile & Wyatt, blacksmiths; A. Burkeybile, blacksmith; 
 E. M. Crocket, shoe-shop; I. J. Godfrey, harness-shop; Coon Brothers & 
 Co., millers; D. W. Stapp, saw-mill; F. A. Bonner and JST. F. Munn, board- 
 ing house; Miss Mary E. Tajdor, telegraph operator; O. G. Bain, notary 
 and lawyer, and C. E. Wilkerson, physician. 
 
 The post-oflBce is in charge of O. K. Munn, who, with H. Montgomery, 
 are the justices of the peace of the township. 
 
 Franklin township had a population in 1870 of 1,029. In 1876, after tha 
 redistricting of the county made the new township organization, the popu- 
 lation was still 1,029, the gaiu at Spickardsville and in the county was nearly 
 enough to make up for loss of population of that part of her territory 
 attached to Lincoln. The cenus of 1880 gives the total population at 1,261, 
 being the third in the county. Of this number Spickardsville is set down 
 with a population of 330. 
 
 Her assessed valuation in 1874 was $169,801. That of 1880 was given 
 by congressional townships and not municipal. The number of acres within 
 her bounds is 20,480. 
 
 There are seven schools in the township and all are in a flourishing con- 
 dition. The following is an outline description of the locations and schools 
 in the various districts: 
 
 School-house No. 4, in section 17, township 63, range 24, has perhaps the 
 most intenesting history, being the successor to the old log school-liouse 
 built in 1843 by the volunteer services of the neighbors. After the 
 removal of this first primitive structure another school-house was erected 
 in 1857, also by the volunteer work of the neighbors. This was quite an 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 507 
 
 improvement on tlie first, but still lacked a sjreat deal of being perfect in 
 its appointments. It was constructed of logs with such modern conveniences 
 as a stone chimney and a fire-place, and seats made of split logs with holes 
 bored in the ends for the insertion of the legs. John C. Reed was the first 
 teacher, and received the munificent salary of $16 per month. The direc- 
 tors for that term were Messrs. G. A. Spickard, John Spickard and Thomas 
 Austin. The' present school building was erected in 1868 by Thomas Aus- 
 tin and J. B. Wilson, and cost about $700. Mr. JeflTerson Steele was the 
 first teacher, and received §40 per month for his services. The present 
 directors consist of Messrs. G. A. Spickard, W. J. Johnson and J. B. 
 Wilson. 
 
 The school-house in district No. 5, section 15, township 63, range 24, was 
 built in 1868, by Chauncey Hall, and on the 25th of November, 1872, it was 
 burned down. Miss Adaline Robbins otiiciated as the first teacher of the 
 school. A new building was put up in 1873, and is still in use. 
 
 School-house No. 9 is situated in the town of Spickardsville. It was 
 built in the year 1873 by W. H. Newton, and cost some |400. The first 
 preceptor was Mr. W. A. Brainerd, who taught until last year, when he 
 was succeeded by Miss Lizzie Brainerd, who officiated up to the time of 
 vacation. 
 
 The school-house in district No. 8 was erected by Peter A.mick in 1869, 
 at a cost of $550, and the first teacher who oflnciated was Benjamin C. Nichols. 
 The building furnished food for the flames in September, 1880, and the 
 same fall was rebuilt by H. Montgomery. 
 
 Neat and tasty school-houses have been erected in section 19, township 
 63, range 23, section 19, township 63, range 24, and section 30, township 
 63, range 23. The first numbered 3, the second 5 and 6, and the last 6 and 
 7. Schools have been conducted regularly since their erection. This closes 
 the list of schools in the township. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 PETER AMICK, 
 
 Fifth son of Nicholas Auiick, and Sarah Amick, ?iee Foust, was born in 
 Clarke county, Indiana, September 15, 1S19. His parents moved to Jennings 
 ■county, in 1821; remained with his j^arents farming until 1843, when on 
 April 20, he married Miss Barbara Clapp, daughter of Wm. Glapp, and in 
 1851 moved to Jeft'erson county, Iowa. His wife died March 10, 1852, 
 when he sent his children to Indiana, and crossed the plains to California. 
 Returned to Madison, Indiana, by the Nicaragua route, in 1853. 
 
 He married Miss Lydia Ann Sailors, July 8, 1856, and in October, 1857, 
 
508 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 moved to his present farm in Franklin township. Being opposed to slavery, 
 he was branded as an Abolitionist, which caused him considerable trouble 
 before and during the war. In 1860 only tlu-ee men in his voting precinct 
 voted for Abraham Lincoln, and he was the only one who publicly ac- 
 knowledged it. He joined the Missouri militia for six m:onths, and his 
 eldest son, Abram P., enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri infantry for three 
 years, and was in the battle of Shiloh, and with G-en. Sherman on his march 
 to the sea, and was discharged in the fall of 1864. In the spring of 1863, Mr. 
 Amick took another trip to California, returning in May, 1864. After his 
 return he lived in Trenton two years, and then returned to his farm, where 
 he has since remained. 
 
 He has been the father of thirteen children, eight of whom are living, 
 and named as follows: Abram P., married Sarah J. Townsend and they 
 have two sons, William and George; Festus F., Zur. Z., Joel F., Oscar P., 
 Walter F., Seretta A. and John Sherman. 
 
 .JACOB ASHBEOOK. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Logan county, Ohio, born No- 
 vember 29, 1831. "When about eight years old his parents removed to 
 Grundy county, and located a farm upon the banks of Muddy Creek, where 
 he grew up and received an education in the early log school-houses of the 
 country. Eeared upon a farm, he naturally took a great liking for the pro- 
 fession of agriculture, and upon reaching manhood began the life of a 
 farmer on his own resources, and is now the possessor of one of the finest 
 farms, of one hundred and twenty acres, to be found in Franklin township. 
 He has a comfortable residence, beautifully located, commanding a fine view 
 of the surrounding country. At the youthful age of eight years he became 
 a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has ever since been a 
 faithful and consistent member. In 1878 he was licensed an exhoi-ter and 
 through his instrumentality ijiuch good has been achieved. Mr. Ashbrook 
 has won a well deserved reputation as a man of honesty and fair dealing. 
 He was united in marriage to Miss Eachel White, on the 10th of March, 
 1859, in Franklin township. Nine children were the fruits of this union, 
 five of whom are living; namely, Margaret A., William M., Janette E., 
 David F. and Orville. Those dead are: Joseph G., Louise,, Wesley and 
 Isu B. 
 
 ELI A. COOK, 
 
 Son of John and Sarah Cook, nee Wilson, was born at Salem, Henry county, 
 Iowa, September 8, 1843, and educated at the high school of his native 
 place. In August, 1862, he joined the Nineteenth Iowa infantry and took 
 part in the battle of Springfield, January 8, 1863, the several engagements 
 and siege and surrender of Vicksburg, July 4, 1863. Was in General 
 
HISTORY OF CtKTTNDT COUNTY. 509 
 
 Banks's expedition through Texas and remained at Brownsville nine months; 
 took part in the siege and capture of forts Gaines and Morgan in Mobile 
 Bay; also in the engagements at Bagdad, Florida, and Pascagoula, Missis- 
 sippi; was discharged at Davenport, Iowa, then went home to Henry 
 county, same State. In the fall of 1S65 moved to Alpha, in this connty, 
 and taught school. 
 
 On October 6, 1867, he married Miss Mary I. Littrel, step-daughter of 
 the late Samuel Wilson, of Alpha. Was appointed justice of the peace for 
 Marion township in the spring of 1871, and after the township was reorgan- 
 ized in 1872, was elected three times consecutively justice of the peace for 
 Wilson township. In December, 1879, he resigned the office and moved to 
 Spickardsville, where he has since lived, carrying on his present mercantile 
 business. Mr. and Mrs. Cook have four children; viz., Edgar A., born Sep- 
 tember 2, 1868; Emma, born January 27, 1871; Cara, born August 31, 
 1873; Albert P., born November 24, 1873. 
 
 NATHAN M. COON, 
 
 Son of Jacob B. Coon and Julia C. Coon, nee Blair, was born in Mercer 
 county, Missouri, July 29, 1852, and was educated at the district schools. 
 June 23, 1872, he married Miss Minerva J. Drinkard, of Grundy county, and 
 engaged in farming. In 1873 he was licensed an exhorter in the Methodist 
 Episcopal Church, and was Sunday-school superintendent from 1873 to 1879, 
 and in 1877 became a licensed preacher. In 1878 he was elected justice of 
 the peace for Washington township, Mercer county, and held the office until 
 the fall of 1879, when he resigned and moved to Spickardsville, Franklin 
 township, Grundy county, and commenced to build the steam flouring-mill, 
 which was completed in the following year at a cost of about $6,000, and 
 which he is now running, in partnership, in the firm name of Coon Bros. & 
 Co. Mr. and Mrs. Coon have three children ; viz., Fred. W., Leslie E. and 
 Luetta C. 
 
 EEV. W. V. DENSLOW. 
 
 William Y. Denslow, second son of John H. Denslow, and Martha, his 
 wife, nee Shepherd (his father was a native of New York, and his mother 
 •of Kentucky), was born in Jennings county, Indiana, February 7, 1823. 
 He attended a subscription school a short time in Jennings county. In the 
 fall of 1839 his parents moved to Cedar county, Iowa, and he engaged with 
 Lis father in farming. In 1^54 he moved to Benton county, Iowa, and 
 there married Miss Martha M. Cockburn, on July 26, 1855, and the same 
 year was elected township assessor. In 1857 he removed to Franklin town- 
 ship, this county, and bought a farm in section twenty-five, township sixty- 
 three, range twenty-three. In the spring of 1859, he sold out and went to 
 Pike's Peak, but came back in the fall, and bought his present farm. On 
 August 26, 1861, he joined the Twenty-third Missouri infantry, company C, 
 
510 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COtTNTT. 
 
 Captain Jacob A. Trumbo, and was witb the ref>'iment in the battle of Shiloh^ 
 April 6, 1862, when he was taken prisoner and sent to Montgomery, Ala- 
 bama, and then to Macon, Georgia. While at Macon he, with three others, 
 escaped by excavating under the wall of the prison. They traveled by 
 night and hid by day, their principal food being peaches and raw roasting- 
 ears; they managed to get one goose, which they also ate raw. This made 
 them very sick, and after about a week's absence they surrendered at a farm- 
 house and were sent back and put in irons. They were then sent to Libby 
 Prison for a short time, and afterward paroled. The Union authorities re- 
 ceived them in a steamboat on the James Eiver, October 16, 1862, and 
 when he again found himself under the old flag, his feelings of joy were in- 
 describable. He was taken to Trinity Hospital, Washington, and to the 
 hospital in Baltimore, under charge of Dr. Quick, after which he was 
 moved to Camp Parole, Alexandria, where he was discharged, December 6, 
 1862. His wife and three children remained at the farm, the eldest about 
 five years and the youngest less than a year old, with no friends or relatives- 
 in the county. He was elected justice of the peace for Franklin township, 
 in 1858 and in 1860. November 6, 1866, he was elected one of the thre& 
 judges of the Grundy County Court, for six years, and served four years,. 
 ■% when an act of the legislature declared his office vacant. During these four 
 years no saloons were licensed, and the $200,000 railroad bonds were voted 
 on and issued. 
 
 He became a member of the M. E. Church about the year 1865, and was 
 licensed to preach in 1872, and still remains a minister. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Denslow have three children, named, respectively, Cornelius E., born July 
 5, 1856; William M., born August 9, 1858, who married Caroline Schooler, 
 May 22, 1880; and John A., born December 10, 1860. 
 
 PHILIP C. DEVAUL, 
 
 Youngest son of Daniel and Sarah Devaul, nee Khodes, was born in Daviess 
 county, Missouri, August 9, 1836. His parents had lived in Grundy county 
 and moved to Grundy again when he was very small. His motlier died 
 when he was five months old and was buried near Water Street, Trenton, 
 and he went to live with Jarvis Woods, whose wife was his sister (and who 
 were the first couple married in Grundy county). When about sixteen 
 years old he moved to Daviess county and remained two years, then moved 
 to Eay county, where lie married on August 31, 1856, Miss Eliza Kinyon, 
 daughter of Joseph Kinyon, of Clinton county, Missouri. On November 
 10, 1863, he enlisted in the Twelfth Missouri cavahy, company D, Captain 
 Kickards and Colonel Weils, and was mustered in at St. Louis. Went to 
 Memphis, Tennessee, drilled for a while and was then ordered to the front 
 as skirmisher. Went through Tennessee, Mississippi and Alabama, and 
 was taken prisoner on the skirmish line at Campbellsville, Tennessee, a few 
 
HISTOET OF GKTJNDT COUNTY. 511 
 
 daj^s before the battle of Franklin, after which he was marched south to 
 Andersonville prison. Those who had good shoes had them taken away, 
 and most of them went barefoot, with feet bleeding so that they could 
 be traced by the blood. He was kept a prisoner five months and eight days, 
 enduring sufierings and horrors beyond description. On June 2, 1865, he 
 returned home to Grundy county, where he has since lived. After he came 
 home his toe nails and several of his finger nails came off, besides losing his 
 hair. Mr. and Mrs. Devaul have had five children, one dead and four liv- 
 ing, whose names follow: George W., born June 23, 1857, married Miss 
 Emily Massengill; they have one child, Mary E.; Sarah E. F., born April 
 20, 1859, married Jolin J. Scott: they have one child, Mary Irene; Mary 
 Jane, born April 25, 1866; Alwilda, born February 27, 1869. 
 
 MRS. J. L. FAUCETT. 
 
 Melinda Jane Weldon, daughter of Andrew and Matilda Weldou, nee 
 Ham, was born in Lincoln connt^', Kentucky, on March 5, 1831. Her 
 parents left Kentucky September 3, 1838, and landed in Franklin township, 
 this county, January 3, 1839. The county was not then organized, and they 
 moved in a log house on what is now Mrs. Austin's land. Garrison Car- 
 mine and Joseph Mendenhall were living there at the time. In the fall of 
 1838 the battle of Honn's Mill was fought between the Mormons and citi- 
 zens of Missouri, and at that time two Mormon families, named Lathrop and 
 Jackson, lived in this same house. The night and day after the battle these 
 Mormon families kept her sister-in-law, Nancy Hatfield, and several others, 
 prisoners until they, the said Mormons, were ready to leave tlie country, 
 which they did with all speed. 
 
 In February, 1839, her family moved two and one-half miles west ot 
 their first cabin home, and there she remained until her mother died, in 
 April, 1849. In the following August she went to Decatur, Iowa, and 
 June 26, 1856, was united in marriage to Joseph Hanley. In 1869 she moved 
 to Lincoln coujity, Kansas, but returned in 1860 to Livingston county, Mis- 
 souri. In 1862 her husband joined the Twenty-third Missouri infantry, 
 company K; was taken prisoner at Pittsburg Landing on April 6, 1862, and 
 paroled in August, and died February 21, 1863. After her husband's death 
 she removed to Grundy county, and in March, 1867, was married to J. L. 
 Faucett. She became the mother of four children, all of whom are dead. 
 The Weldon Fork of Grand River was named after her cousin, James Wel- 
 don. Her second husband, J. L. Faucett, was born in Orange county, 
 North Carolina, July 31, 1817, and lived there until 1840, when he moved 
 to St. Joseph, Missouri, and in the spring of 1844 moved to Liberty, Clay 
 county, and in the fall of the same year went back to North Carolina. In 
 1850 he moved to Richland county, Illinois, and in 1855 came to Grundy 
 county, where he has since resided. On October 24, 1849, he married Miss 
 
512 HISTOET OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Mary A. Pettigrew, who died May 8, 1866, leaving one daughter, Isabel, 
 who married Josepli Moore. On March 11, 1867, he married Mrs. Melinda 
 J. Hauley, his present wife. 
 
 ALSON A. HART, 
 
 Fonrth son of Absalom and Deborah Hart, nee Hodson (of JS'orth Caro- 
 lina), was born in Highland county, Ohio, September 6, 1825. In 1827 his 
 parents moved to Madison county, Indiana. In 1839 went to Henry 
 county, Iowa, and his mother died there in 1840. Moved to Jefferson 
 county in 1842, and in 1843 left there and went to St. Josej^h, Missouri. 
 In the fall of 1844 he moved back to Iowa, and on February 28, 1845, mar- 
 ried Miss Mary Kape. In October, 1847, he enlisted in the Second regi- 
 ment. United States dragoons, company 0, for the Mexican War; went to St. 
 Louis, Jeiferson City ^^Missonri), New Orleans, landed at Vera Cruz, 
 marched to Camp Washington and to the City of Mexico under General 
 Scott. ( When the General was arrested hy order of Generals PiUovi and 
 Worth he was one of his escorts from the pity of Mexico to Vera Cruz. 
 At the xoest gate of the latter city Gen. Scott, before jyarting, made them a 
 very encouraging speech in ivhich he showed great em.otion.) He visited 
 the old city of Montezuma. When the treaty of peace was ratified he re- 
 turned home, having been discharged in July, 1848. Continued farming in 
 Jefferson county, Iowa, until 1856, then traveled witli goods through south 
 Iowa and north Missouri nntil 1858, when he moved to Linn county, Kan- 
 sas, and lost considerable property while there and returned to Iowa. In 
 May, 1869, he bought land in Franklin township, and has farmed it ever 
 since. Mr. and Mrs. Hart have had seven children, four of whom are liv- 
 ing; viz., Louisa Jane, born July 14, 1847, married John Francisco, and has 
 six children; Elston W., born February 10, 1853, married L. Covey, has 
 four children; Ann G., born January 11, 1855, married A. M. Deane, has 
 three children; Sarah M., bom February 14, 1857, married E. Browning, 
 has two children living and one dead. 
 
 EEV. N. W. KEITH. 
 
 Nathan W. Keith, fourth son of William Keith and Elizabeth Keith, nee 
 Asbury, was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, September 23, 1827. His 
 parents moved to Logan county, Ohio, about 1828, and in 1839 moved to 
 Franklin township, Grundy county, where he attended a subscription school 
 (Col. J. H. Shauklin, of Trenton, being one of his teachers), and worked on 
 the farm with his father until 1849, December 9th of which year he mar- 
 ried Miss Margaret Schooler, and farmed in Grundy county until 1854, 
 when he moved to Mercer county, remained there until 1858, then bought 
 a farm in Franklin township. In 1861 he moved to Wayne county, Iowa, 
 and remained there twelve years, then returned to Franklin township and 
 bought the farm on which he now lives. He was licensed as preacher for 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 513 
 
 the M. E. Church in 1866, and continued to preach in that church until 
 1880, when he changed to the United Brethren and now has charge 
 of the Spiekardsville station. Mr. and Mrs. Keith have eight cliil- 
 dren living, as follows: Christopher C, born December 8, 1850, 
 married Hannah E. Plarron, who died December 18, 1878, and then mar- 
 ried Eachel Dinsmoor; Sarali Jane, born October 17th, 1862; Wm. "Wesley, 
 born Eebruary 19, 1855, married Elvina Trussel; Francis M., born May, 14, 
 1857, married Hannah Ellis; Ezekiel born November 30, 1860; John jST., 
 born July 4, 1863; Thomas H., born December 26, 1866; Alfred Asbury, 
 born January 8, 1870. 
 
 N. F. MUNN, 
 
 Son of James and Philena Munn, nee Oliver, was born in Burlington, Law- 
 rence county, Oliio, June 16, 1819. Was educated in Logan county and 
 married there to Miss Sophia Ellis on October 17, 1838, and engaged in 
 farming. In the fall of 1840 he moved to this county, taking up one liundred 
 and sixty acres of land on Honej' Creek, about five miles southeast of Spiek- 
 ardsville. When he commenced, his whole outfit for himself, wife and 
 child, weighed about one hundred and seventy-five pounds, and he had seven- 
 ty-five cents In cash. He built a log cabin in the spring of 1841, and cleared 
 and fenced about five acres of land, and as he had no team, carried all the 
 rails used in fencing on his shoulders. He borrowed a team to break the 
 ground, and his wife dropped the corn and carried the baby. In 1842 he 
 traded his claim for $50, taking a horse for pay which died in less than a 
 week and he was just as poor as ever, but they were happy. The county 
 was so full of natural resources that if a man had his health he felt rich. He 
 then moved to Mercer county, but returned in 1849. In 1850 he went to 
 California and in the spring of 1852 returned to Franklin township and 
 bought the Blakely farm (now owned by D. C. Pugh) and lived there until 
 1873, excepting the time spent in a visit to Pike's Peak in 1860. Mrs. 
 Munn died August 19, 1872, leaving five children. On March 13th, 1873, 
 he married Mrs. Amy Hooker, of Sullivan county, Missouri, and moved to 
 Spiekardsville and engaged in the mercantile business until 1880, when he 
 sold out. From 1865 to 1872, Mr. Munn was a licensed minister of the 
 church of the United Brethren. 
 
 By liis two marriages Mr. Munn has been the father of seven children. 
 Five by his first wife; namely, Oliver K., Eliza J., now Mrs. S. D. Lowe; 
 Benjamin F. ; James W., married Annie M. Ehinehart; and Armand L. By 
 his second wife, Nettie F., and Alice P. 
 
 JOHN MOOEE, 
 
 Fourth son of Levi and Eachel Moore, nee Haines, was born in Chariton 
 'County, Missouri, September 14th, 1822, and with his parents moved to 
 Eandolph county, from there to Daviess county, and Avhen he was quite 
 
514 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 small settled about two miles north of where Gallatin now stands, Rich- 
 mond, in Kay county, being the nearest town. They moved from there to 
 where Trenton is now located in 1833 or 1834. His father was the first 
 white man who raised a crop in Grundy county — on ground near the present 
 site of the railroad machine-shops at Trenton, where the first corn planted 
 was destroyed by pigeons, which were so numerous that the branches on the 
 trees where they roosted broke otf. Deer, wild turkeys and honey were 
 very plentiful, which, with hominy, was their principal food. His pants 
 were made of buckskin, his cap of coonskin, and he never saw a pair of 
 boots or shoes until he was about twelve years of age, wearing, in winter, 
 moccasins made of cowhide. The county was surveyed b}' Mr. Applegate, 
 in 1836, and he carried the survej^or's provisions. When Trenton was laid 
 off he moved to where Mr. Yal. Briegle now lives and while living at this 
 farm the Indians often came to trade, and buy horses, giving their notes 
 payable when the government paid them, with the old chief Tuckwash, 
 as their security. This chief frequently went to Des Moines in behalf of 
 the settlers to collect these notes which the Indians always paid promptly. 
 Mr. Moore learned their language, while dealing with them. In August 
 1847 Mr. Moore joined the Indian battalion foi-the Mexican War; was mus- 
 tered in at Leavenworth and marched to Santa Fe, under General Price; 
 was not inside of a house for thirteen months; took part in two engag- 
 ments with the Indians in Mexico. When peace was declared he returned 
 to Independence, Missouri, where the battalion was disbanded in Novem- 
 ber, 1848. On May 18th, 1849, Mr. Moore married Miss Emmeline Was- 
 son. In the spring of 1850 he started over the plains for California, and 
 meeting a company from Illinois at Council Blufl^s, the two parties united 
 and elected him captain, and they journeyed on together, taking five months 
 to reach Hangtown, California. He went to the China diggings seventy- 
 five miles east of Stockton, in October, and in the following April, at the 
 request of his comrades, started back home to bring their families. He 
 was seventy-seven days on the way from San Francisco to Panama, crossed 
 the Isthmus on foot and took a steamboat, via Havana, for New Orleans. 
 Soon after his arrival in Grundy county he received a letter from his friends 
 in California stating that they would be home in the fall, so he did not 
 retnrn. He joined the militia, in 1862, as second lieutenant of company 
 A, and was stationed at Cliillicothe. In May, 1863, he joined the provisional 
 militia and was elected first lieutenant, and participated in one skirmish 
 with the bushwhackers under Anderson. The militia disbanded in the fall, 
 when captain G. A. Spickard and he made up a company, and went to St. 
 Joseph, at their own expense. On arrival they found the regiment nearly 
 full and he, with others returned home. 
 
 Mrs. Moore died in- March, 1861, and Mr. Moore married Miss Mary 
 Flowers in July, 1862. lie has seven children living, and two dead. The 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 515' 
 
 names of those by his first wife are Nova Zembla Sublet, Bernettie, Seliss- 
 abel, Cordelia Ellen, and Mary Emmeline; and by his second wife. Fortress 
 Monroe and John Mayland. 
 
 DE. J. m'laughlin. 
 
 John McLaughlin, thii-d son of Thomas and Snsan McLaughlin, nee 
 Maple (his grandfather and grandmother came from Scotland), was born in 
 Greene county, Pennsylvania, August 26th, 1822. In 1825 his parents 
 moved to Kno.x county, Ohio, where he was educated at the district 
 schools, and remained until 1845, engaged in farming. April 13th, 1841:, he 
 married Miss Melissa Young and in the following year moved to Bartholo- 
 mew county, Indiana. In 1857 he moved to Mercer county, Missouri, and 
 in 1858 commenced to practice medicine. In 1861 he joined the Missouri 
 militia and was commissioned lieutenant. In the fail of 1877 he moved 
 to Spickardsville, in this coimty, and in March, 1878, purchased the farm 
 on which he now lives, and continued the practice of medicine. His wife- 
 died May 25th, 1851, and left two children; namely, Lyman, born May 25th,. 
 1846, married Miss Mattie Thogmartin, has five children; Sarah Jane, born 
 May 25th, 1850, married James K. Vanderpool, has seven childreji. August 
 13th, 1852, he married Miss Nancy A. Sullivan. They have five children 
 living and three dead. Their names are: James S., born May 29th, 1853 
 married Mattie Vanderpool, has two children; Thomas Jefferson, born 
 December 29th, 1854; William Allen, born October 29th, 1856, married 
 Sarah E. Colman who died December 29th, 1879, leaving three children;. 
 John S., born August 10th, 1859; Melinda, born September 22d, 1861;. 
 Nancy Belle, born September 22d, 1872. 
 
 H. C. MONTGOMEEY, 
 
 Third son of George and Elizabeth Montgomery, nee Jackson, was born in< 
 Decatur county, Indiana, February 18, 1843. In the fall of 1850, his par- 
 ents removed to Benton county, Iowa, and he attended the district schools 
 in Benton and Linn comities, and engaged in farming until 1861, when, on- 
 August 19th of that year, he enlisted in the Eighth Iowa infantry, company 
 D, Capt. A. Geddes, Col. James L. Geddes; went to St. Louis, Syracuse 
 and Springfield, back to Sedalia, Missouri, and wintered in 1861-62; in the- 
 spring of 1862 marched to the front, and was in the battle of Pittsburg 
 Landing, and taken prisoner on April 6, and sent to Tuscaloosa, Alabama^ 
 and Macon, Georgia; in October, 1862, was paroled at Richmond. Virginia; 
 went from there to Camp Parole, Annapolis, Maryland, and from there to 
 St. Louis; in December, 1862, went home on a furlough, and was called 
 out again in February, 1863; was present at the siege and capture of Vicks- 
 burg, and the engagements at Jackson, Brandon and Canton; remained at 
 Camp Sherman on the Black Eiver two months, thence to Memphis and 
 
516 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Pocahontas, Tennessee, where they wintered. Reenlisted in January, 1864, 
 and was made color-sergeant. Came home on furlough, and on April 20th, 
 1864, married Miss Caroline Brainerd. Joined his regiment May 1, went 
 to St. Louis and Mempliis, and was on provost duty until March 1, 1865; 
 was present at the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and Mobile; and was 
 discharged at Davenport, in Ajjril, 1866, having been in the service four 
 years and eight months; went home to Benton county, Iowa, and com- 
 menced the carpenter and carriage building business. He moved to Grundy 
 county in 1870, and farmed until 1872, when he moved to Spickardsville, 
 and opened a carriage building shop. In the spring of 1875 he was elected 
 justice of the peace for Franklin township, and member of the Spickards- 
 ville town board, in April, 1876. He was again elected justice of the peace 
 in the fall of 1878, and became his own successor in the spring of 1881, 
 whicli office he still holds, and is also a member of the town board. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery have five children living, the names and dates 
 of whose birth are here given: Robert, born Februarj' 11, 1867; Olive J., 
 born October 22, 1868; Mary L., born August 22, 1870; Isaiah B., born 
 August 4, 1875; and Eva E., born July 20, 1881. 
 
 JAMES G. MOORE, 
 
 Seventh and youngest son of Levi Moore, and Rachel, his wife, nee Haines, 
 was born in Randolph county, Missouri, Jnne 16, 1828, and with his par- 
 ents moved to Daviess county, Missouri, and from there to where Trenton 
 now stands in the year 1833 or '34. Pie is a brother of John Moore, whose 
 biography is recorded elsewhere. James O. Moore married Martha Wood, 
 November 11, 1848, and lived with his j^arents two years on the farm now 
 owned by Judge Yal. Briegle, in Lincoln township, then moved to Franklin 
 township where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. Moore have five children liv- 
 ing and two dead. The eldest, James W., married Miss Mary Yanderford; 
 Robert A., married Miss Elva Shaw; Levd E., married Miss Fanny Robert- 
 son; John M., married Miss Mary McCary, and died August 28, 1879, 
 leaving his widow and three children; Oliver J. and Elizabeth Frances. 
 
 O. K. MUNN. 
 
 Oliver K., eldest son of !N". F. and Sopliia Munn, nee Ellis, was born in 
 Logan county, Ohio, April, 11, 1840, in which year his parents moved to 
 trrundy county. After staying two years they moved to Mercer county, 
 and then back to Grundy in 1849. He was engaged in farming until 1861, 
 when, in August of that year, lie enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri 
 volunteer infantry, company C, Captain Trumbo, and served in that regi- 
 ment nineteen months, taking part in the battle of Shiloh and other engage- 
 ments in which that regiment participated during that time. After his 
 ■discharge he returned to Grundy county, and his health being so injured 
 
HISTORY OF GKDNDT COUNTY. 5lT 
 
 during the war, went to school and afterward taught. Ou February 24, 
 ]864, Mr. Munn married Sarali White, daughter of William White. She 
 died of typhoid fever in 1871. He married again in Ajjril, 1874, Mrs. Iva 
 Ann Wilkerson becoming his second wife, and moved tlie same month t& 
 Washington, Iowa, but came back and settled in Spickardsville in 1877. 
 The same year he was appointed postmaster, and has acceptably officiated 
 ever since. In 1S78 he was appointed notary public, and in April, 1881,. 
 was elected justice of the peace for Franklin township. lie is agent for the 
 American Insurance Company, and Burlington Centennial Life Assurance- 
 Company. 
 
 Mr. Munn is tlie father of three children, two by his iirst wife; namely,. 
 William F., and Eliza E.; and b}' his second marriage one cliild has been, 
 born, named Loutetia B. The present Mrs. Munn had one child. John H. 
 Wilkerson, by her first husband. 
 
 F. J. PAYNE. 
 
 F. Josephus Payne, eldest son of William M. Payne, by his second wife, 
 Julia A. Payne, w^e Belshe, was born in Tazewell county, Yirginia, July T, 
 1835, and remained there, engaged in farming, until 1856, when he came tO' 
 Grundy county. In the spring of 1859 he went to Denver and Pike's 
 Peak, Colorado, and returned in the following fall. He married Miss Sarah 
 A. Hobbs, daughter of Thomas Hobbs, September 9, 1860. On February 
 21, 1862, he joined the Third Missouri cavalrj' at Chillieothe, Colonel Wal- 
 ter A. King commanding, under Captain Garvin, in company I, and par- 
 ticipated in the engagements at Springfield, Newfonia, and many other 
 minor engagements, during the two yeai'S the regiment was in south Mis- 
 souri, and in Arkansas. In the spring of 1864 the regiment had become so^ 
 decimated by death, wounded and sickness, that it was consolidated with 
 the Sixth and Seventh regiments of Missouri cavalry. In the fall of 1864,, 
 he took part in several fights with General Shelby's forces, and with Gen- 
 eral Price, during the six weeks the command was in Missouri, and was 
 mustered out at St. Louis, April 11, 1865. He returned to Franklin town- 
 ship, and has since been engaged in farming. 
 
 Mrs. Payne died October 23, 1870, leaving four children ; viz., Mary Jane^ 
 born November 4, 1861, married Charles Miller; William L., born April 
 28,1866; Thomas F. and Eebecca A., twins, born November 13,1868. 
 . Mr. Payne married Harriette Dean, daughter of Abel W. Dean, A2)ril 25,. 
 1871. By this union they have four children; viz., Marion F., born Feb- 
 ruary 7, 1872; John B., born September 3, 1874; Louis M., born Septem- 
 ber 27, 1877; Bertha Elmira, November 14, 1880. 
 
 JUDGE G. A. SPICKAED. 
 
 George A. Spickard, eldest son of John and Mary M. Spickard, nee 
 Deeds, natives of West Virginia, was born near Hillsborough, Highland! 
 
518 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 county, Ohio, September 29, 1823. He lived witli his parents, residing 
 successively in Greene county, Ohio, and in Wan-en county, Indiana, remov- 
 ing to the former connty in 1825, and to the latter in 1829, where he re- 
 ceived his education by a three months' attendance at the district school. In 
 1837 his mother died, and. three years later his father followed her to the 
 wrave. He remained in Warren connty with his one brother and three sis- 
 ters four years, and then migrated to Missouri, settled in Grundy county, 
 and secured work as a held hand upon the farm of Larkin Field in Wash- 
 ino-ton township, in whose employ he remained three years. In 1847 he re- 
 moved to Franklin township, entered a claim of eighty aci'es, which he im- 
 proved and afterward purchased. On tlie 24th of August, 1847, he was 
 joined in marriage to Miss Elizabeth (^antrell, of Grundy county. His 
 eldest son, Charles, was born March 14, 1849. April 14, 1850, he sold his 
 farm, and accompanied by his wife and son, packed their household goods 
 in a wagon drawn by an ox team, and joined the anxious throng of treas- 
 ure hunters who sought fortunes upon the "golden shores" of far-off Cali- 
 fornia. Over the plains he and his young wife and baby-boy, traveled for 
 :five long months and eleven days, when, in the " Pleasant Valley," on the 
 Carson River, within ten miles of their journey's end, on the 21st of Sep- 
 tember, 1850, after two week's illness of " mountain fever," Mrs. Spickard 
 closed her eyes in that long, last sleep that knows no waking, and there, 
 in Pleasant Valley, in the early days of autumn, she was tenderly placed be- 
 neath the sod, and the ox team and its occupants moved sadly on. He set- 
 tled at a small place known as " Miner's Home," near Coloma, El Dorado 
 •county, California, where, on October 23, 1851, he married Mrs. Marj^ Ann 
 Ervin, of that place, a daughter of Rev. Thomas TJiompson, the pioneer 
 preaclier of Grundy county, Missonri. Mr. Spickard engaged in mining 
 upon Caiion Creek for several months, and then removed to San Francisco, 
 which city he left June 3, 1854, via the JSTicaragua route for Grundy county, 
 and arrived in Franklin township July 10, 1854. He bought three hundred 
 and sixty-nine acres of wild land, near the farm he sold in 1850, upon 
 -which he has since resided. On the breaking out of the civil war he es- 
 poused the cause of the Union, enlisting August 28, 1862, in the Missouri 
 State militia, and received his commission as captain of company 0, to date 
 from the 28th of the previous July. His company was stationed at Chilli- 
 ■cothe and his services were chiefly north of the Missouri River. July 6, 
 1865, he was commissioned major, and still holds his commission, never 
 havino- been discharged. November 6, 1866, he was elected one of the three 
 judges of the Grundy Connty Court, for a term of six years, but resigned 
 after four years service, during wliich time the Chicago & Southwestern 
 Railroad was built. 
 
 Judo-e Spickard has converted the wild land which he purchased, on his 
 return from California, into one of the most fertile farms in the county. 
 
IIISTOET OF GETJNDY COTJNTT. 
 
 519 
 
 upon which he has a pleasant home a mile and a half from Spickardsville, a 
 town named in his honor, which he located in 1871. He has nine children 
 living, six sons and three daughters, and a sou and a daughter dead. Their 
 names are as follows: Charles S., born March 14, 1849, married Melissa 
 Evarts, and died February 12, 1880, leaving a wife and live children; El- 
 dorado C, born April 29, 1S53, died July 16, 1854; John Thomas, born Oc- 
 tober 14, 1854; George I. D., born March 29, 1856; Sarah Frances, born 
 February 6, 1858; William Warren, born jSTovember 9, 1859; Alexander 
 U., born May 6, 1862; Benjamin P., born May 1, 1864; Mary M., born 
 February 7, 1866; Edward A., born February 12, 1869; and Melissa M., 
 born April 21, 1871. Mrs. Spickard has one daughter by her first husband, 
 Delilah Erviu, born August 26, 1847. 
 
 DE. O. p. WEST. 
 
 O. P. West was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, February 23, 1832, 
 aud was there reared and educated. After finishing his education he learned 
 the painters and glazier's trade, and worked at the same until the fall of 
 1858, when he migrated to Ealls county, Missouri, where he taught school 
 and read medicine, continuing this occupation and study until the spring of 
 1861. In the winter of 1866 he removed to Pike county, this State, and 
 continued to teach school and study medicine until the fall of 1867, when 
 he went to Jackson, Mississippi, and pursued his medical studies until the 
 fall of 1869. Keturning to Missouri he located in Saline county and be- 
 came engaged in the mercantile business as a clerk, occupying his leisure 
 hours with study. In 1870 he removed to Jackson county, and from there 
 to Lathrop, Clinton county, in 1871, and engaged in the drug business, and 
 began the practice of medicine, and continued until April, 1872, when he 
 came to Spickardsville, opened a drug store and entered actively upon the 
 practice of his profession. He has become deservedly' popular, and has se- 
 cured a lucrative practice. 
 
 On the 31st of July, 1874, Dr. West was united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary E. Sailors, of Grundy county. They have had five children, but only 
 two are living; namely, Charles C. and O. Pearl; those dead are Joseph, 
 James and Eobert. 
 
520 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 MAEION TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Its Boundary Lines— 1838 to 1842— The Heatherlij War— The Redshins— $-10,000 Cost- 
 Thomas's Grove — Churches — Schools — The first School-house — An Elopement — Preparing 
 for Battle, an Incident— The Indian Outbreak of 1842 — The Gulliver War — Assassination 
 — Description — First Elections-Township Officers — Lindleif—Its First Settlers— Incor- 
 poration — Business Houses — Its Famous Mineral Spring — Biographies. 
 
 MAEION TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Investigation of the Count}' Conrt records of Livingston county shows 
 that the territory now comprising Grund}' and Mercer counties was divided 
 into townships. At that time all tliat portion east of Grand River, and the 
 Weldon or East Fork, to the Iowa line, was called Muddy Creek. This 
 was in 183Y. In 1839, at the May term of said court, the following will 
 be found of record : 
 
 FIEST BOUNDAEY. 
 
 "Ordered that a township be made as follows; to-wit, beginning at the 
 east corner of township 'No. 59, range No. 24; thence north with the said 
 range line to the State boundary; thence east with the said boundary to 
 where the Linn county line intersects the same; then south with the said 
 Linn county to township No. 59; thence with the said township line to the 
 beginning. Said township to be called Marion township." 
 
 This order of the court constituted Marion one of the original townships 
 which composed the county in 1841, and which remained in force until 
 1845, when the number was reduced to seven, and of this number Marion 
 still remained one of the prominent townships until the reorganization of 
 the connty under the new law, in 1872, which cut oft' Wilson township 
 from the south and a part of Liberty from the north, thus contracting the 
 territory of Marion to its present size. 
 
 1838. 
 
 Marion township was made the home of the white man in 1838. In that 
 year the settlers first began to arrive. Among those early comers were 
 Joseph, Uriah and Samuel Rooks, of Indiana, and John and Joab Hollo- 
 way, all of whom settled in the township in the fall of 1838. Robert 
 Ishmael was also one of the arrivals in that year, as were John Brown and 
 James Chrisman. The following year Marshall Humphrys and Thomas 
 Dobbins settled in the same neighborhood, but were just over the line in 
 Sullivan connty. They may be counted among Marion's early settlers as 
 they both have been closely connected with the growth of the township 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 521 
 
 since their settlement in the vicinity. The year 1840 added tlie farail}' of 
 Elisha Kilburn to tlie settlement. Samuel Bailey came in 1842, 
 and from that time on new-comers were dropping in every now and then, 
 among whom may be named as early pioneers, E. L. and Nathan Winters, 
 D. C. Smith, Solomon Knapp, William, James and Samuel Barr, C. B. 
 Knight, James Winters, William Hayden, William J. Hatcher, James and 
 Thomas Clawson. These all united with the first named arrivals in build- 
 ing up the best interests of the new country in which they lived. Their 
 cabin homes were simple and their wants were few, and on the whole many 
 of them sigh for the good times of by-gone days. They endured hardships 
 then, but there are many hardships now which did not trouble them in those 
 "halcyon days of yore." Trading was done principally at Brunswick, 
 sixty-five miles away. And that wasn't much. The pioneer did not de- 
 pend a great deal on the outside world for either food or clothing, but with 
 plow and rifle procnred the one, and the spinning-wheel and loom furnished 
 the other. 
 
 THE HEATHEELY WAE. 
 
 Among the early and interesting incidents in the history of Marion town- 
 ship, the Heatherly War takes a prominent place. The disturbance which 
 gave rise to the above name, took place in the year 1838. At that time 
 there was a gang of roughs, known as the Heatherlys, infesting that region, 
 who were in the habit of committing depredations upon the property of 
 the settlers, although most against the Pottawattamie Indians, thus causing 
 bad feeling to exist. The gang was composed of the Heatherlys, a mau 
 named Thomas, one Hawkins, and several others, in all some seven or eight. 
 Horse-stealing was one of their pastimes, and opportunity offering, they 
 raided an Indian camp and made way with several of their ponies. Taking 
 the stolen property they crossed Grand Biver, and made a detour through 
 the country south, in the hopes of eluding pursuit, and finally encamped in 
 a grove two miles south of Lindley, where they were enjoying themselves 
 in what they considered a safe retreat. It is impossible to state how long 
 they were there, but within a short time after their arrival a party of 
 twenty mounted Indians put in an appearance and asked for a parley. The 
 Indians demanded the immediate retui-n of the stolen steeds or a fight. 
 They did not want to make any trouble, bnt the ponies the^' must have. 
 During this parley, the man Thonias drew his weapon and shot one of the 
 Indians. This brought on a fight at once, which was short and sharp. 
 Thomas was killed, also one Indian, and another of the Heatherly gang 
 "bit the dust." This fight culminated in the Heatherly War, which lasted 
 several months, and forced the governor of the State to call out 2,000 State 
 troops and send them to the scene of action. The Indians justly claimed that 
 they had been ill-treated, and so lost no opportunity to retaliate upon the 
 whites, and during the course of the contention between the opposing 
 32 
 
522 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 forces, the settlers suffered most. The redskins were getting decidedly the 
 best of the war, as the Heatherlys were about wiped out in one or two sub- 
 sequent fights, finally leaving the country after the close of the difficulties, 
 Mdiich was brought about by the arrival of the troops. The troops 7net the 
 Indians near the Iowa line, but before hostilities opened a parley was held 
 and the Indians surrendered, on condition that they be given a fair trial for 
 the offenses committed during the struggle. This put an end to the war 
 and to the " reign of terror " in the neighborhood which existed during the 
 difficulties. The Indians were taken before the Circuit Court, then in ses- 
 sion at Richmond, in Ray county, where they were acquitted when it w^as 
 shown that the Heatherly gang were the offenders. This war was oue of 
 the leading topics of conversation among the settlers for years afterward, 
 and the excitement during its progress will be remembered as long as the 
 memory of the " old settler " lasts. It was reported that the war, including 
 the expenses of the Indian trials, cost the State in the neighborhood of 
 $70,000. The grove where the first fight took place became the burial- 
 ground of Thomas, and was known for years after as the "Thomas Grove," 
 and parts of the skeleton of the desperado have been picked up and carried 
 away of late years. The grove was known lat6r as the " Joab Hollaway 
 Grove," and now bears the title by which it is known all over the township, 
 that of " Union Grove." "What became of the Heatherlys is not known. 
 They were not settlers in the township, but were what might be termed 
 '' squattei's," and remained in one location as long as it wasn't " too hot " 
 for them, made so by their thieving proclivities, which had got them into 
 several difficulties previous to the war that finally deprived the townsliip of 
 their presence. Thomas had tlie honor of being the first white person 
 ushered into another world from Marion township, and his bones were left 
 to bleach in the sun that penetrated the dusky shades of "Union Grove." 
 Tlie body was left to the elements for burial, while the guilty soul winged 
 its flight to a final reckoning. This account differs from that in the general 
 history, learned from other sources. 
 
 The early settlement of Marion township was not marked by tlie organ- 
 ization or erection of any churches, and although there may have been, and 
 probably was preaching semi-occasionally in those early days, its recollec- 
 tion has passed out of the memory of the living pioneers as being too in- 
 distinct to say positively whether there was or not. However, if there is no 
 evidence of preaching in Marion township, there is ample proof that the 
 citizens received the benefits and influence of the Christian religion as early 
 as the year 1843, when the Rev. Nathan Winters, a Methodist divine and 
 the first in that section of the country, conducted religious services at the 
 home of Thomas Dobbins, a short distance over the line in Sullivan county. 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 523 
 
 thus taking the credit of early religious service from the township. Rev. IST. 
 Winters was a resident of Marion township up to the time the northern part 
 of it became the southern portion of Liberty, and thus Marion is sliorn of 
 another of her honors. 
 
 "god's first temple." 
 
 The first church erected in the township was by the Christian denomina- 
 tion in 1858. The Rev. David Wright was the first pastor, and organized 
 the church with about twenty members. The congregation came from three 
 counties to Lindley to worship, being from Linn, Sullivan and Grundy. This 
 church has now a membership of about fifty, and services are held once a 
 month in the Lindley Methodist Episcopal church, the Rev. Daniel Mcln- 
 turfl:' being the present officiating minister. 
 
 THE LINDLEY M. E. CHUKCH. 
 
 The Methodist Episcopal church of Lindley is an excellent structure, 
 built of wood, neatly and tastefully finished. It cost something like $3,400, 
 the greater part of which amount was contributed by Mr. Thomas Dobbins, 
 with the proviso that it should be under the influence and control of the 
 Methodist Church, but that its doors should always be open to all other sects 
 and denominations to use as a house of worship. The church organization 
 is in a flourishing condition under the pastoral charge of the Rev. A. Taylor. 
 
 PROTESTANT METHODIST CHURCH. 
 
 This is the name of a church organization formed in the fall of 1873, in 
 the northern part of Marion township. Rev. John Kennedy was the first 
 pastor, and Mr. D. C. Smith was class-leader and steward. The original 
 members were Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Bowen, Mrs. 
 A. Piall, Miss Rebecca Hooper, and Miss Mary J. Eavelin. After the first 
 organization, Mr. Smith was the only male member of the congregation for 
 two years. Services are now held in the Center Union school-house, and 
 the membership has increased until it now numbers twenty-five. Rev. 
 Joseph Willis is the present otiiciating pastor. 
 
 RURAL DALE BAPTIST CHUECII. 
 
 This thriving organization is located at Rural Dale, near the center of 
 Marion township, and has a large and steadil}' growing membership, presided 
 ■over by the Rev. H. H. Turner. They have a substantial church building, 
 well finished and commodious. The church was first erected in 1876, but 
 was unfortunately destroyed by fire in June of the following year. With 
 unusual energy the members immediately went to work and erected another, 
 and in September, 1877, the present church was completed and ready for 
 use, at a cost of $1,600. The first building was dedicated to the worship of 
 
244 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 God in November, 1876. The Rev. P. McColliim was the predecessor of 
 Rev. H. H. Turner, the present minister. 
 
 THE SEPARATE BAPTIST CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST. 
 
 The above is the name of an organization very little known, and as its 
 tenets are somewhat different from those of other chnrches, with a sketch of 
 the organization in Marion township and Grundy county, will be given a 
 copy of its creed or, as the society calls it, " constitution." The Sinai Separate 
 Baptist Church in Christ, has its organization in the southwestern part of 
 Marion township, and services are held in tlie district school-house. This 
 church was established on the 5th day of June, 1869, with eight members 
 on the original roll, whose names are as follows: L. D. Sherow, J. H. Stucker, 
 Elbert Sapp, Samuel Sherow, Mary Sherow, I^ancy Sherow, Maggie Sapp 
 and Esther Sherow. From this small membership the congregation 
 has grown steadily larger, until it now numbers fifty-three. Since its organ- 
 ization, the following pastors have officiated : Rev. A. B. Lemons, Rev. C. 
 C. Nickum, Rev. J. Koble, and its present minister. Rev. Joseph Evans. 
 Mr. L. S. Fleshman is the dean of the church, and Mr. William Bickels, 
 clerk.' There are several ministers of the church who reside in this county, 
 whose names are here given, with address: Rev. A. B. Lemons and Rev. 
 Joseph Evans, Trenton; Rev. Andi-ew Becknei-, moderator, and Rev. Ran- 
 kin Blackburn, Rural Dale; Rev. J. Stucker, clerk, Alpha. In conclusion, 
 the articles of faith of the organization are appended, under the head of 
 
 CONSTITUTION. 
 
 " We, the members of the Separate Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, in 
 north Missouri, being regularly baptized upon the profession of our faith 
 in Christ, are convinced of the necessity of a combination of churches in 
 order to perpetuate a union and communion among us, and to preserve and 
 maintain a friendly correspondence with each other, have thus agreed to 
 give ourselves to tlie Lord and to one another, and, therefore, we are con- 
 stituted on the word of God alone, holding that all Christians have the right 
 to commune together at tlie Lord's table. Said association shall be com- 
 posed of delegates from the dift'erent churches, who shall represent them- 
 selves by letter and messenger. 
 
 "The letters shall express tiieir number in fellowship, baptized, received 
 by letter, dismissed, excluded and dead, since the last meeting of the associ- 
 ation; the members thus chosen, when convened, to be denominated the 
 North Missouri Association of Separa.te Baptists, who are tt> have no power 
 to lord it over God's heritage, nor to have any ecclesiastical }x>wer over the 
 churches. But if, in her opinion, any church or minister of her bod}' l)e- 
 conies disorderl}' or unscriptural, she may discontinue fellowship with such 
 churches or ministers. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 525 
 
 "ISTew churches may be admitted into this association, who are to petition 
 by letter and delegates, and if, on examination by the association, they are 
 found orthodox and orderl}', they ma}^ be admitted into this association. 
 
 "The churches comprising this association shall be entitled to equal repre- 
 sentation, not exceeding five. The association, when convened, shall, after 
 being called to order, proceed to choose a moderator and clerk, which shall 
 be done bj' a private vote of the association. 
 
 " The moderator shall state all questions in order before the association for 
 discussion, and no member shall speak more than twice on the same subject 
 without leave of the association. Each member before speaking on any 
 subject shall arise and address the moderator. The moderator may give 
 instruction on any subject when necessary or called upon, but shall have no 
 vote only in case of a tie; then his vote shall be final. 
 
 "A motion, when seconded, shall be put before the association by the 
 moderator, unless withdrawn by the brother proposing the same." 
 
 The first school in Marion township was taught by Judge Marshall 
 Humphrys when he was a young man and a resident of Sullivan county. 
 The building used was the first school-house erected in that region. It was 
 erected in the year 1845, of hewn logs. Seats were made of split logs, win- 
 dows simply holes with oiled paper for glass, fire-place to hold six foot 
 wood, and chimney of mud and sticks. Here the youth of tlie day from 
 the surrounding neighborhood, in both Grundy and Sullivan counties, were 
 wont to assemble to become grounded in the rudiments of education. The 
 school-house was built on the line between the two counties named, and 
 was located one quarter of a mile north from Lindley. There are now seven 
 school-houses in the township, in which from four to six months school is 
 held every year. The school facilities will rank with any other township in 
 the county. The Eural Dale school-house, which was built in 1864:, is 
 probablj^ the oldest of the school buildings now in use. The brick school- 
 house at Lindley was finished later in the same year, and is the first and 
 only brick school building in the townshiji. 
 
 AN ELOPEMENT. 
 
 It is an old story that "love laughs at locksmiths," and it is o'er true. 
 The first instance of this kind occurring in Grundy count}^ took place in 
 1844, and Marion township furnished the principals for this runaway mar- 
 riage. Young Jolin Holloway, one of the early settlers of the township, 
 met and loved Miss Mary A., the fair daughter of John Merrynian, Sr., then 
 a resident of the same township, but since the formation of Wilson Iiis farm 
 became -a part of that township. Miss Mary , returned the afiection of the 
 eturdy young pioneer, but the "old folks" put in a strong parental objec- 
 
526 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 tion, and young Holloway was given to understand that he must go else- 
 where to woo. This had the effect of making the young couple more de- 
 termined, and an elopement was planned. The appointed time arrived, and 
 with it young Holloway riding one horse and leading another. The young 
 lady was in readiness, and witli a small bundle of clothing she left her 
 home, sprang into the saddle and galloped away. They were married in 
 the northern part of the county, and returned in a few days on their wed- 
 ding tour. The marriage proved a happy one, and the couple have reached 
 old age, reared a large family, and are still living on the old homestead, 
 southwest of Lindley, respected by all who know them. 
 
 PREPARING FOR BATTLE. 
 
 From Mr. D. C. Smith, one of the " old pioneers," the following incidents 
 were learned. The aftair took place in Linn county, near the line of 
 Grundy, and settlers of Marion and Wilson townships were engaged in it. 
 It was in the fall of 1842 and reports were flying around thick and fast in 
 regard to an uprising of the Indians. The rumors were generally found to 
 be false, but still the settlers were on the alert and there was not a little ex- 
 citement prevailing throughout the neighborhood, needing only a scintilla 
 of reliable information to jjut the whites in arms. With this state of affairs 
 existing the following incident happened. A settler living over the line in 
 Linn county had cleared a small piece of woodland, put up his cabin and 
 planted his corn. On the day in question he was away from home, but be- 
 fore leaving had cautioned his wife to keep a sharp lookout for Indians. 
 She obeyed instructions, and before the day passed her worst fears were 
 realized. Along in the afternoon she noticed an Indian, with rifle in hand, 
 making a stealthy approach toward the cabin. She immediately caught up 
 her two small children under either arm and fled by the rear doorway to a 
 neighbor's, three miles away, whom she informed that the redskins 
 were on the war-path. The alarm spread rapidly. The settlers hastily 
 armed and concentrated on a central point, where temporary defenses were 
 thrown up for the women and children. Sentinels were posted, three 
 scouting parties were formed and sent out in as many directions to discover 
 the whereabouts, number, etc., of the savages. The larger party set out for 
 the spot where the Indian was discovered. Moving cautiously up on the 
 clearing they found everything quiet, the cabin deserted and no Indians in 
 sight. Fearing ambush, skirmishers were deployed and the woods scoured 
 with no success until the remains of a deer which had been killed and 
 dressed were found. This explained the matter at once. The Indian had 
 been hunting and wounded a deer, which had crossed the clearing, and the 
 aborigine was in pursuit when spied by the settler's wife. But a short time 
 Iiad been spent in making these discoveries, and the party returned to the 
 camp. The whole aftair was quickly explained, and in honor of the happy 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 527 
 
 conclusion of the anticipated difSculty, a grand sliooting-inatch was pro- 
 posed. Targets were made by "blazing" trees and the shooting proceeded 
 rapidly. In the meanwhile the two outstanding parties, finding no Indians 
 and liearing the rapid firing, concluded that the savages had attacked the 
 temporary fortress. Each party liastened to return, but the return was neces- 
 sarily slow, due precautions being taken to prevent surprise, as it was sup- 
 posed the woods were full of Indians. The two squads came up on opposite 
 sides of the camp after sunset. The firing still continued but it was hard 
 for the parties to distinguish how matters stood. Judging from the shoot- 
 ing it was decided that the tight was going on at sliort range and the In- 
 dians were probably advancing, calculating to charge the fort at dark. 
 With this in mind rapid plans were formed for a daring rush to the rescue. 
 Orders were issued for the onset witli instructions to reserve fire until the 
 fort was gained. This was substantially tlie plan of both parties, and as the 
 day waned the firing became more infrequent, and availing themselves of 
 this opportunity each party dashed in on the unsuspecting marksmen with 
 fierce yells and rifies ready for emergency. In the deepening gloom the 
 firing party took the intruders for Indians. The opposing forces met in 
 such close quarters that the rifles could not be used, and a wild rush was 
 made by each party to take the fort, when it was discovered that no In- 
 dians were around. For a while things looked dangerous, and it was only 
 the close quarters that saved several of the settlers from death. Explana^ 
 . tions ensued and all returned home tired but good humored. Thus ended 
 the Indian outbreak of 1842. 
 
 "the GULLIVER WAR." 
 
 A contest bearing the above title was one of the events that broke the 
 monotony of early pioneer life in Marion township, and is also badly mixed 
 up with Linn county. Most of the participants lived near the county line, 
 some in Linn and some in Grundy. There was a man in the neighborhood 
 by the name of Fletcher L. Rutledge, who was most cordially detested by 
 nearly all tlie settlers, and nicknamed "Gulliver" — whether as a descrip- 
 tive appellation of his large size overcome by small principles or not, is not 
 known. It appears that the settlers without the fear of the law in their 
 hearts, but with the natural instinct of economj', were in the habit of cut- 
 ting government timber thus saving their own. Knowing tliis, Gulliver 
 threatened to inform on them if they didn't stop it. Of course, no atten- 
 tion was paid to this, and the resounding ring of the woodman's ax con- 
 tinued to echo and reecho through tlie forests of the government reserve. 
 Gulliver returned to the attack and announced that he had received in- 
 structions from headquarters to take the names of all who were appropriat- 
 ing government timber, which he proposed to do. This added fuel to the 
 already existing flames of enmity. A party of fourteen men called on Mr. 
 
528 HISTOET OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Gulliver, took him to the Avoods and gave hira a terrible thrashing, wlien he 
 was released and advised to make himself scarce in that community. Gul- 
 liver was unable to leave, but a few of his friends went to Linneus and pro- 
 cured a warrant for the perpetrators of the outrage. The constable, with a 
 small posse, arrived on the ground and was met by a body of seventy men 
 who had collected: this party defied the man of law, who was compelled to 
 return to the county seat for assistance. The sheriif and eighty armed men 
 next appeared upon tlie scene, but in the meantime the settlers recognizing 
 that they had laid themselves liable to a severe penalty by resisting an offi- 
 cer of the law, made haste to " skip out," nearly every one of them leaving 
 the county for parts unknown. This was known as the Gulliver War. It 
 was some years before the diliiculty was finally settled. Some few returned 
 and were fined for their participation in the affair. After matters cooled oif 
 others began to return, and even to this day thej^ are still returning at odd 
 intervals. For prudential reasons, as one of the returned ones remarked to 
 the writer, the subject is very seldom mentioned, until another of the ab- 
 sent ones makes his appearance and quietly settles down, just as still an- 
 other drops in. 
 
 ASSASSINATED. 
 
 It was during the dark days of the civil war that occurred one of those 
 cowardly deeds detested alike by all men, and the scene was in Marion 
 township. Joseph "Wright, a respectable citizen and faithful member of the 
 Methodist Cliurch, of which he was a class-leader, was shot while standing on 
 his own threshold. Mr. "Wright's farm was situated in section twenty-six. 
 He had just returned from his day's work and was feeding his cows, his 
 wife was milking near by, a little son held him by the hand, while his two 
 other boys sat on the steps a few yards away, when there rang out a sharp 
 report of a rifle, and the husband and father sank down in the agony of a 
 mortal wound, in the midst of those he loved. 'Twas a fiend in human 
 shaj)e that blighted that fair domestic scene of peace and happiness. This 
 was on the evening of the lOtli of November, 1863, and ere the setting of 
 another sun the wounded man sank into the cold embrace of death. The 
 vile assassin was never found, but a desperate character by the name of 
 Joseph Hooker, who had been lurking around the neighborhood, was ar- 
 rested on suspicion, and although circumstances led to the belief that he 
 was tlie guilty man, there was no proof, so he was released from custody. 
 
 DESCKIPTIVE. 
 
 Marion township is one of the largest in area, as she is in population, in 
 the county. The township is bounded on the north by Liberty, on the east 
 by Sullivan and Linn counties, on the south by Wilson township, and on 
 the west by the township of Trenton. "Within these boundary lines she has 
 
HISTORY OF txEUNDY COUNTY. 529 
 
 an area of 26,880 acres of territory', and a population of 1,307, or the 
 second in tlie county. The township is two-thirds fertile, undulating prairie, 
 and the i-emainder timber, principally along tlie banks of Medicine Kiver, 
 Crooked and 'So creeks, which furnish the water facilities. The timber is of 
 difierent varieties, mostly oak, elm, hickory, birch and Cottonwood. The 
 land is nearly all under cultivation and fine farms are the rule rather than 
 the exception. In 1871 there were shipped from the township 2,500 hogs and 
 800 head of cattle, while the surplus of oats and barley was 25,000 bushels. 
 Wheat, rye, flax, tobacco, beans and seed potatoes also showed a large aver- 
 age. There has been constant improvement going on and the township now 
 ranks in its products among the best in the county, both as to quality and 
 -quantity. 
 
 FIRST ELECTION. 
 
 The first election credited to Marion township never occui-red within its 
 present boundaries, but was held at the house of Hopkins Work, who, 
 although a resident of Marion township, resided in that portion which has 
 since been cut oS and named Wilson. The Livingston county court or- 
 dered an election for two justices of the peace to be held in Marion town- 
 ship on the 1st day of June, 1839, at the house of Hopkins Work. This 
 order was promulgated at the preceding May term of said court. Later an 
 election was ordered to be held at the same place on the 19th of October, 
 1839, for an assessor of Marion township. These were the first elections 
 held in what are now Marion and Wilson townships. After the organization 
 of the county in 1872, following will be found a list of the ofiicers who 
 have served since the election which took place under the new order, April 
 16, 1873: 
 
 LIST OF OFFICERS. 
 
 1873 — Samuel Rooks, chairman of the board; W. C. Fenner, trustee; 
 Albert Dunlap, assessor; Andrew Beckner, clerk; John Barr, constable. 
 Joab Holloway became trustee, vice Fenner resigned. 
 
 1874 — Moses E. Metcalf, chairman; Samuel Books, Hezekiah Gregg, 
 justices of the peace; Andrew Beckner, clerk. 
 
 1875 — -Hezekiah Gregg and Daniel C. Bruce, justices of the peace; 
 Philip Hill, trustee; William H. Rooks, assessor; John M. Robb, clerk. 
 
 1876 — Daniel C. Bruce and Hezekiah Gregg, justices of the peace; 
 Philip Hill, trustee; William H. Rooks, assessor; John M. Robb, clerk. 
 
 1877 — S. R. Hill, assessor; Daniel C. Bruce and Moses R. Metcalf, jus- 
 tices of the peace; John M. Robb, clerk. 
 
 188] — William 0. Fenner, trustee; Daniel Kinsley and William Cox, 
 justices of the peace; William R. Mock, collector; Samuel C. Barr, clerk; 
 Harvey Elwood, constable. 
 
 1881 — Resignations and appointments have changed the officers for the 
 
530 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 ,above year as follows: William C. Fenner, trustee; William E.. Mock, col- 
 lector; Moses R. Metcalf and T. A. White, justices of the peace; S. C. Barr, 
 clerk and assessor; William Madison, constable. 
 
 The first coffin used in Marion township was made in 1840. No tools 
 were at hand to hew it out, so a wagon-box was cut up and served as the 
 first burial casket. 
 
 Harriet Haley, an old negro woman living on the premises of Judge 
 Marshall Humphrys, is the only colored person having residence in the 
 township. 
 
 The town of Liiidley is situated in the eastern part of Marion township^ 
 its corporate limits being the Sullivan county line on the east. It is sur- 
 rounded by a productive and well settled region of country, and has a large, 
 growing and flourishing trade. It has a population of two hundred and 
 sixty-eight, and its people are thrifty, intelligent and social. 
 
 The land where the town now stands was entered in 1841 by Thomas 
 Dobbins, who gave to John Austin one acre as an inducement to open a 
 store. A log cabin was built for this purpose, and the establishment was 
 opened to the general public in 1842, on the site where Allen's blacksmith 
 shop now stands. A large and varied assortment of merchandise was kept 
 constantly on hand, along with a liberal supply of ardent spirits. The new 
 trading-point was called " Stringtown," from the fact tliat the cabins of the 
 settlers were strung along nearly in a row for several miles in the neighbor- 
 hood. The closest cabin was that of Thomas Dobbins, on the Sullivan 
 county line. In 1845 the town was laid off and named, with appropriate 
 ceremony, in honor of Hon. James J. Lindley, who had represented that 
 district in Congress. John Austin held a monopoly in business during his 
 stay, which was until 1847, when he was succeeded by James Winters, who 
 conducted his establishment without competition until 1849, wlien the sec- 
 ond store in Lindley was opened, dealing in the same line of goods as the 
 first, by Samuel Rooks. 
 
 •From this time on the town's growth was steadily increasing, and there 
 were quite a number of residents in the place. 
 
 It is of record that the said Samuel Rooks, of Lindley, and Asa Boyce, 
 were elected justices of tlie peace for Marion township in 1852. 
 
 In 1863 the " bushwhackers " raided the town and destroyed considerable 
 property, besides taking away goods and horses. The store of N. A. Win- 
 ters was among tliose robbed. The gang was led by a man named Hol- 
 clough, from Howard county. There was no estimate of the value of the 
 property lost by tlie raid. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 531 
 
 INCOEPOEATION. 
 
 The petition of the tax-payers of the town of Lindley, asking the County 
 Court to liave the same incorporated, was presented at the July term, 1876, 
 on the 17th day tliereof, and read as follows, the same having been placed 
 of record in Book E, of the court record of Grundy county: 
 " To the Honorable Cotmty Court of Grundy county, Missouri: 
 
 " We, the undersigned inhabitants of the town or village of Lindley, in 
 Grundy county, Missouri, petitioQ and pray your honorable body that we 
 may be incorporated as a town and a body politic, under the name and 
 description of the town of Lindley, whose metes and bounds shall be as fol- 
 lows; to-wit. Including the southeast quarter of section number sixteen, in 
 township number sixty-one, of range twenty-two, and that a police may be 
 established for the local government, and for the preservation and regula- 
 tion of any commons appertaining to said town. Believing that our prayer 
 is reasonable and just, we pray you that our petition may be granted. 
 " Witness our signatures as taxable inhabitants of said town: 
 
 John Bantz. Ellen McManus. 
 
 W. C. Dye. W. D. Thomas. 
 
 G. T. Moberly. Samuel Green. 
 
 A. B. Stanley. W. J. Overman. 
 
 G. D. Bramhall. W. N. McEpes. 
 
 J. W. Osborn. C. H. Cook. 
 
 E. H. Cabell. M. D. Cole. 
 
 G. W. Baton. T. G. Johnson. 
 
 O. P. Johnson. A. G. Crouch. 
 
 J. L. Cole. Warner Johnson. 
 
 Sarah Dillon. W. H. Foster. 
 
 N. Johnson. James Winters. 
 
 Shelbj' Lewis. George Baugh. 
 
 Charles Bowman. William Madison. 
 
 H. H. Wilson. George Gay. 
 
 Josiah Kerr. William Earl. 
 
 R. M. Dobson. Thos. Gisman. 
 
 John Doty. Albert McDonald. 
 
 "The court granted the prayer andappointed the following trustees: C. H. 
 Cook, T. G. Johnson, R. M. Dobson, 11. H. Wilson and John Doty. 
 " Monday, July 17, 1876." 
 
 TOWN 'OFFICERS. 
 
 The new board of trustees appointed by the court met with all present; 
 viz., C. H. Cook, T. G. Johnson, R. M. Dobson, H. IL Wilson and John 
 Doty. An organization was perfected by the election of H. H. Wilson, 
 
532 HISTORY OF GETJNDT COUNTT. 
 
 chairman or mayor; C. H. Cook, treasurer, and the appointment of G. T. 
 Moberly as clerk, and Henderson Foster as marshal. 
 
 At the April election, 1881, the followinaj gentlemen were elected for 
 the ensuing year: H. H. Wilson, mayor; C. H. Cook, treasurer; J. D. 
 i5oyers, T. A. White, Jacob Osborne. Nathan Harty was appointed clerk, 
 and William C. Woods, marshal. 
 
 The postal facilities include a mail three times per week from Trenton, 
 two mails weekl}' from Wheeling, and the same from Browning. The post- 
 office is under the efficient charge of Mr. C. H. Cook. 
 
 Lindley has had two schools for the past three 3'ears, with two depart- 
 ments, secondary and primary^ which have had a large attendance, gradually 
 increasing, iintil the past year one hundred and fifty pupils were enrolled. 
 Under the excellent management of Mr. T. A. White and Miss C. E. Crouch, 
 who have conducted the respective departments the past year, the schools 
 have been numbered among the best in the county, and are the especial 
 pride of the citizens of Lindley. 
 
 The only church building in use in the town, is that of the Methodist 
 Episcopal organization, under charge of Hev. A. Taylor. The old brick 
 church erected by the members of the Christian organization still stands 
 but is unused. 
 
 The Lindley cemetery is situated a short distance over the line in Sulli- 
 van county. 
 
 BUSINESS HOUSES. 
 
 The flourishing trade of Lindley is catered to by the following list of mer- 
 chants, representing the various branches of trade designated: 
 
 C. H. Cook, Marshall Ilumphrys, George T. Moberly, general merchan- 
 dise; Jewett, Elwood & Co., C. H. Cook, drugs; O. P. Johnson, furniture; 
 Doty & Cox, hardware; Cole & Dunlap, hardware and tinware; G. W. 
 Paton, groceries and notions; Mrs. Philip Robinson, Mrs. Annie Clark, 
 millinery; attorney, Nathan Harty; physicians, Drs. H. H. Wilson, E. M. 
 Dobson, E. H. Cabell; Lewis & Crantz, William Allen, blacksmiths; 
 Bantz & Overman, blacksmiths and wagon makers; John Osborne, barber; 
 John A. Patterson, hotel; H. C. Flagg, boots and shoes, harness and sad- 
 dles; Graham & Cook, flouring-mill; Samuel McCormick, meat-market; 
 S. L. Jewett, livery stable. 
 
 Eecently considerable interest has been manifested in Lindley and vicinity 
 over the discovery of water of undoubted mineral properties, which were 
 said to possess rare medicinal qualities. These springs are located on land 
 belonging to Mr. Thos. Dobbins, and tfie following in regard to them is a 
 letter taken from the Trenton RepuUican, bearing date of August 29. 
 The letter speaks for itself: 
 
histoky of grundy county. 533 
 
 " Mineral Springs at Lindley, ) 
 " Lindley, Aug. 23, 1881. \ 
 " Since this is an age of discovery and invention, it is hard for one to tell 
 wliat a day will bring forth. A few years ago, no one dreamed that there 
 were mineral springs in any part of these diggings, and I don't know that 
 they have dreamed it yet; nevertheless, it is a fact. There have been springs 
 of unsurpassed medicinal qualities discovered on the premises of Thos. Dob- 
 bins. The pasture in which these springs are found is a broken prairie 
 tract of land having a deep, wide gulch running through it by which the 
 water comes to the surface from some hidden fountain which cannot be found 
 by man. We know some will say it is a hoax; we look for it, it is natural — 
 there have been croakers iu every age of the world. From the developments 
 made in mineral water in other parts of Missouri in the last few j'ears, we 
 cannot help but believe the hardest question to answer iu regard to this State 
 was the water question and I have heard it stated time and again that the only 
 objection was liaving to use cistern water. But the last few years have de- 
 monstrated the fact that living water can be found near the surface of every 
 farm within the boundaiy of the State, if tlie owner will only look around 
 and go after the hidden treasure. Some of our citizens have recuperated 
 greatly since they liave begun using the water from these springs. Mrs. 
 O. D. Graham claims that she has been completely cured, having sufiered 
 from ill health for seven years. Mrs. D. C. Bruce has also been greatly 
 benefited by using mineral water. There are others we might mention had 
 we space. Many cases of soi'e eyes have been cured by application of the 
 wonderful water. Men have examined the water and have passed verv 
 satisfactory comment. Bev. A. Taylor thinks them good as any springs he 
 has visited this summer in Iowa or Illinois'; Bev. Dan'l Mclnturff thinks they 
 are good, l^o chemical analysis of this water has been made yet but will 
 be soon when we expect to hear of the best spring in the State. 
 
 " D. JSr. Crouch." 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 HENRY M. ANDERSON 
 
 "Was born in Indiana, March 18, 1830. His father was a native of Ken- 
 tucky and his mother of Indiana. While but a child, with his parents, he 
 moved to Morgan county, Illinois, where he lived until 1844, when he came 
 to this county. Being an early settler in this country, he received only a 
 limited education, frequently carrying bis gun with him and killing game 
 enough, while going to school, to keep his family in meat. He still has, in 
 good preservation, the first and only copy-book he ever used at school, and 
 has a box that he keeps his papers and books in that he made when a boy. 
 
534 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 In early manhood he worked as a coraraou laborer, but finally got an ox 
 team, and for several years broke prairie, and in that way made money 
 enough to buy a part of the farm on which he now lives, one of the largest 
 and best located farms in the county, containing seven liundred and fifty- 
 eight acres, all under fence. Farming and the growing of stock is his busi- 
 ness, and he buys and ships as much stock, perhaps, as any other man in 
 the county. He is also giving considerable attention to the growing of 
 sheep, and has about five hundred head now on his farm, among them a 
 stock of full blooded Spanish Merino. 
 
 On the 22d of November, 1855, Mr. Anderson married Miss Lydia, 
 daughter of David and Sarah Wilson. She was born May 9, 1838. By 
 this uiiion they have had the following children: Mary A., born May 12, 
 1857; William H., born November 12, 1858; Francis M., born August 15, 
 1862; Lincoln L., born June 2, 1864; Lucy A., born January 15, 1867; 
 and Ida M., born September 23, 1868. 
 
 A. BECKNEE. 
 
 Andrew Beckner, deceased, was a farmer in Marion township, and was 
 born March 11, 1819, in Fleming county, Kentucky. His parents moved, 
 when lie was young, to Randolpli count}^, Indiana, and in 1841 lie moved to 
 Missouri, and in 1845 settled on the farm on which he lived and died. He 
 was united in marriage, August 22, 1839, to Miss Nancy Stucker. She 
 was born June 13, 1820. By their union they had five children: Newton, 
 born July 23, 1840; Araminta, born June 9, 1847; Melita, born June 27, 
 1851; Wayne, born October 22, 1853; and Arnette, born September 26, 
 1858. 
 
 Nancy Beckner, first wife of Andrew Beckner, died March 15, 1863. He 
 was again married, June 26, 1864, to Miss Gincy E. Couch. By this 
 marriage they had six cliiidren: Marion, born June 15, 1867; Alta, born 
 November 20, 1868; Iva, born February 17, 1870; Merritt, born November 
 20,1871; Lucy, born January 20, 1873; Minerva, born August 31, 1875; 
 and Leroy, born March 25, 1 877. Mr. Beckner was one of the earl}"- settlers 
 of this county, and endured many of the hardships and privations of a front- 
 ier life. Beginning in life by working as a laborer, he learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade, and worked at that a part of his time. He was a clkss-leader in 
 the M. E. Churcii for many years, and also moderator. After living a life 
 commendable to Christians and as a citizen, he departed this life June 26, 
 1878, leaving a widow and six small children. 
 
 THOMAS B. BEBRY 
 
 Is a native of Coshocton county, Ohio; was born September 29, 1840. His 
 parents, Daniel and Annie Berry, were natives of Ohio. He received an 
 •education in the common schools of his native State, and in 1857, with his 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 535 
 
 parents, moved to this connty. lie was united in matrimony January 10, 
 1869, to Miss Rebecca Eldridge, a native of Pike county, Illinois, born No- 
 vember 3, 1849. By their marriage they have six children, names and 
 births as follows: Josie A., born July 22, 1870; Mary A.., born October 
 20, 1871; Annie C, born June 3, 1874; Albert B., born February 17, 1876; 
 Lulie N., born January 24, 1878; and the baby, born August 11, 1879. 
 Mr. Beny has niade farming his business so far in life, and has a farm of 
 two hundred and forty acres. He is also giving attention to growing fine 
 Berkshire hogs and full-blooded Cotswold sheep. 
 
 R. N. BEL SHE 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, December 17, 1837. His parents, 
 Kichard and JSTancy Belshe, both natives of Virginia, moved to this county 
 when the subject of this sketch was but two years old, and he grew up and 
 received a common school education in this county. During the war he was 
 on the plains, and in Colorado for two years. Farming is his business, and 
 he gives special attention to handling stock. He has eight hundred and 
 fifty acres of land. May 20, 1858, Mr. Belshe married Miss Susan May. 
 This lady was born August 2, 1843, in this county. They have seven chil- 
 dren: Mary P., born April 20, 1860; Jefferson C, born September 10, 
 1862; Nancy A., born September 15, 1863, died September 24, 1865; Susan 
 A., born January 4, 1866; Peggy T., born February 9,1869; Julia M., 
 born July 14, 1872, died February 13, 1873; and James O., born March 
 31, 1873. 
 
 .TAMES BEVANS 
 
 Is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and was born April 23, 1833. His 
 father and mother were natives of Virginia. The subject of our sketch was 
 married August 16, 1856, to Miss Sarah A. Hill, daughter of Samuel and 
 Sarah Hill, natives of Pennsylvania. They have, by this marriage, six chil- 
 dren: Martha E., born May 11, 1857, died in infancy; Ellen P., born 
 August 26, 1858; Lewis S., born September 9, 1861; Sarah A., born Feb- 
 ruary 2, 1864; Charles W., born May 1, 1868; Martha J., born January 
 15, 1871. 
 
 Mr. B. enlisted in 1862, in Captain Haycraft's company of State militia, 
 and in the spring of 1864 enlisted in company K, Forty-fourth regiment 
 Missouri volunteer infantry, serving until the close of the war, in 1865. 
 He was with the Seventeenth army corps and participated in the battles of 
 Franklin and Nashville. Mr. Bevans owns a good farm in Marion township, 
 near Rural Dale, and his two brothers, William H. and J. F., live on ad- 
 joining farms. William H. Bevans wedded Miss Jane Sprout. They liave 
 one adopted child, Mary E. , 
 
536 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ROBEKT BAENETT 
 
 Was born January 14, 1838, in Perry county, Ohio. His parents, Solomon 
 and Nancy Barnett, were natives of Maryland. He grew to manhood in, 
 his native State, and there received an education in the common schools. 
 Robert Barnett and Miss Charlotte Hoffman were united iu marriao-e on 
 the 13th of May, 1860. She was a native of Fairfield, Ohio. They have 
 seven children; namely. Parry B., born March 11, 1861; William H., born 
 September 28, 1863; Edgar L., born January 13, 1866; Solomon S., born 
 January 29, 1871; Francis S., born November 23, 1873; and Nina P., born 
 May 23, 1880. Mr. B. came to this county in 1865, and has made farming 
 his business since. He enlisted May 2, 1861, in company I, One Hundred 
 and Fifty-ninth regiment, Ohio National Gnards, for five years, which time 
 he served out. 
 
 R. n. CABELL, M. D. 
 
 Robert H. Cabell was born in Chariton county, Missouri, December 13, 
 1833. His father. Col. E. B. Cabell, was a native of Virginia, and his 
 mother, whose maiden name was Harriet F. Monroe, was a native of the 
 same State, and a niece of President James Monroe. Robert received an 
 education in the Howard high school, in Fayette, Howard county, Missouri, 
 and after his school days entered the store of N. & A. Johnson, at Bruns- 
 wick, as a salesman, where he remained a number of years. In April, 1857, 
 he formed a partnership with James Winters, and opened a mercantile bus- 
 iness at Lindley, and carried it on for three years, when he returned to 
 Brunswick, Missouri, and again entered the employ of N. & A. Johnson. 
 Here he remained four years, or until 1864, and then went to St. Louis, 
 where he secured employment as clerk in the boot and shoe house of Wm. 
 E. Storer, retaining the position until 1866. In this latter year he returned 
 to Chariton county, Missouri, and began the study of medicine, under Dr. 
 James White, then attended the Philadelphia University of Medicine and 
 Surgery, from which institution he graduated in 1870, and in Jane of the 
 same year commenced practice at Lindley, Missouri. Remaining there only 
 one year, he removed to Trenton and became an active practitioner for three 
 years, when he returned to Lindie}^, and has successfully practiced his pro- 
 fession in that village and vicinity since. 
 
 Dr. Cabell has been married tliree times. His first wife was Miss Ellen 
 Ballentine, of Zanesville, Ohio; they were married December 6, 1854, and 
 she died in May, 1855. Dr. Cabell and Miss Alice Oliver were united in 
 marriage on the 22d of August, 1857. She was a native of Mechanicsburg, 
 Pennsylvania, and died August 15, 1869. The issue of this union was 
 three children ; named, respectively, James O., born July 24, 1858; Poca- 
 hontas, born October 29, 1865; and Robert H., born December 1, 1868. 
 In 1871 Dr. Cabell married Miss Sallie E. Wright, a native of Linn county, 
 
a 
 
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 ^^'i> 
 
 
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 ^^ .^^ -y^'cy^iZ^^ 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 539 
 
 .Missouri. By this iniion they have four children, whose names are: Ila, 
 born July 21, 1872; Mary E., born October 20, 1875; Edward C, born 
 September 27, 1879; and Emma A., born July 11, 1881. 
 
 G. \V. CLAEK 
 
 Was born December 27, 1844, in Montgomery county, Keutuckj'. His 
 parents, James M. and Elizabetli Clark, were both natives of Kentucky. 
 Mr. C. had five sisters and two brothers, and in the burial-ground known as 
 the Hollowa}' Cemetery we find, by the tombstones that mark their respect- 
 ive resting places, six of this once robust and healthy family. The father 
 of this family, James Clark, born April 15, 1804, died September 22, 1870; 
 and the mother, Elizabeth Clark, born May 9, 1816, died October 26, 1872. 
 The remainder of this family were: James, born October 20, 1857, died 
 October 16, 1872; Harriet, wife of L. D. Bowman, born December 2, 
 1842, died December 26, 1872; Mary E., wife of S. G. Crossen, born Sep- 
 tember 22, 1847, died April 14, 1877; Susan, wife of Joseph Crossen, born 
 December 11, 1853, died June 14, 1880; John, born October 22, 1849; and 
 Anna A., wife of Joseph 'N. Crossen. This family came to this county in 
 the fall of 1866. Mr. C. was married October 8, 1874, to Miss Helen 
 "White, born October 11, 1854, in Morris county, Ohio. The}' have two 
 children: Roscoe, born September 27, 1877, and JSTettie B., born October 
 16, 1880. Mr. C. makes farming his business. 
 
 JOSEPH COBLE, 
 
 A native of Perry county, Ohio, was born April 1, 1818. His parents, 
 Henry and Martalanna Coble, were both natives of Somerset county, Penn- 
 sylvania. He was educated in the common schools of his native State. 
 Joseph Coble was united in matrimony, January 28, 1841, to Miss Amelia 
 Barnett, a native of Perry county, Ohio, born April 2, 1822. They have 
 six children: Martha A., born December 1, 1842; George L., born Novem- 
 ber 1, 1844 — enlisted in the United States army in September, 1861, for the 
 term of six months; at the expiration of that time, again enlisted in com- 
 pany H, Sixth regiment Missouri State militia for three years; after 
 serving two years, the company' veteranized in company B, Thirteenth bat- 
 talion, Missouri volunteer cavalry, and after serving his country for nearly 
 four vears, was just ready to return home when he was killed by the Indians 
 on the Little Arkansas River, in western Kansas, June 30, 1865; — Sarah E., 
 born May 14, 1847; William B., born August 27, 1849; Robert J., born 
 October 24, 1856, died January 28, 1863; and Annie M., born June 16, 
 1859. In 1843, Mr. Coble left his native State, Ohio, and settled in White 
 county, Indiana, and in 1856, came to this county and located where he 
 now lives. He has made farming his business through life. 
 
 33 
 
540 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 THOMAS DOBBINS. 
 
 Thomas, son of Thomas and Sarah Dobbins, was born in Wayne county, 
 Illinois, March 20, 1815. His parents died when he was about six years 
 old, and he went to live with Mr. John Ivirkpatrick, in Sangamon county, 
 Illinois, and there remained until lie readied the age of sixteen, having up 
 to that time received just twenty days' schooling, and, as he laughingly re- 
 marked, " had to ride a blind horse six miles daily to obtain that." At six- 
 teen he began work as a farm hand at $10 per month, and continued that 
 employment three years, when, in July, 1835, at the age of nineteen, he 
 was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Kirkpatrick, daughter of his foster 
 father. She was born in Bond county, Illinois, January 20, 1820. The 
 same year of his marriage he removed to Livingston count}', Missouri, and 
 at that time there wasn't a white settler between Chillicothe and the Iowa 
 line. He resided in Livingston county for five 3'ears and then removed to 
 Q-rundy county (at that time still a portion of Livingston), participated in 
 the Mormon war in 1838, which agitated all this section of the State, and 
 was one of the early and vigorous pioneers who pushed forward into the 
 wilderness to make a home. He entered the land where the town of Lind- 
 ley now stands, and gave to John Austin an acre of ground, upon the pres- 
 ent town site, for the purpose of erecting a store, which he built in 1842, 
 and thus began the town of Lindle}'. In 1850 Mr. Dobbins crossed the 
 plains to California, and remained there and in Oregon about fifteen months, 
 and returned home via steamship to New York, where he arrived in the 
 summer of 1852. Mr. Dobbins built the M. E. church at Lindley, and do- 
 nated $1,400 of its cost out of $2,400, on condition that its doors should 
 remain open to all denominations, and it was so expressed in the deed and 
 has proven entirely satisfactory. He also erected the first school-house in 
 this part of the country, near where Lindley now is. He owns about six- 
 teen hundred acres of land; cultivates a fine farm, and has a large, comfort- 
 able residence, a half a mile irom Lindley. He is one of tlie generous and 
 public spirited men of the county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Dobbins have had thirteen children, eight daughters and 
 five sons. Their names and dates of birth are as follows: Maiy A., born 
 August 9, 1836; Martha J., born May 20, 1838; Nancy E., born April 4, 
 1840; Margaret F., born October 3, 1843; Josephine, born March 13, 1846; 
 Charles H., born December 19, 1849; John A., born November 18, 1852; 
 Sarah C, born June 27, 1855; George G., born June 4, 1867; William, 
 born February 10, 1859; Melinda A., born January 5, 1862; Hattie, born 
 March 10, 1864; and Timothy', born July 22, 1867. 
 
HISTOKT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 541 
 
 WILLIAM B. DILLON 
 
 Was'born May 25, 1816, in Adams county, Ohio. His parents, Isaac and 
 Mattina Dillon, were both of Ohio birth. They moved to Indiana, where 
 he lived nntil 1854, when he came to this county. He was educated in the 
 early common schools of Indiana, and began business for himself working 
 on the farm as a laborer. He was united in marriage February 25, 1836, to 
 Miss Eleanor, daughter of Joseph and Mary Ketchem — her father of South 
 Carolina birth, and her mother of Virginia. She was born April 25, 1814. 
 They have had nine children, six sons and three daughters; viz., Joseph A. 
 K., born January 25, 1837, died August 22, 1862, at Macon, Georgia— was 
 a member of company B, Twenty-third regiment Missouri volunteer in- 
 fantry, taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, and held by the Confederate 
 army until death — left a widow and two children; Isaac, born January 11, 
 1840, died October 8, 1843; Solomon K, born July 24, 1842, died Septem- 
 ber 27, 1843; Jacob F., born May 21, 1844, died October 8, 1867, from the 
 elfects of disease contracted while in the army; William J., born February 
 11, 1846, died February 12, 1880, leaving a widow and four children; 
 Mattina J., born January 7, 1848, wife of E. D. Barker, of Sullivan county; 
 Mary, born October 30, 1850, wife of IST. Borders, of this county; John M., 
 born September 8, 1853, married and living at home; Elizabeth E., born 
 November 14, 1855, wife of S. H. Love, of this county; and Samuel H., 
 born June 27, 1860, died June 11, 1878. Mr. Dillon is an old settler, a 
 successful farmer, and widely known throughout this county. Was, for sev- 
 eral years, assessor of this count}', and judge of the County Court for three 
 years, which office he tilled with credit to himself and to his county. Be- 
 ing a strong advocate of the cause of temperance he refused to grant dram- 
 shop license during his terra of office. Was a Union man during the late 
 war, and ever ready to give a helping hand in time of need; belonged to the 
 Missouri State militia and served altogether one year. 
 
 WILLIAM DUNLAP, 
 
 Son of William and Margaret Dunlap (both of Pennsylvania birth), was 
 born October 19, 1813, in Harrison county, Ohio. His parents moved, 
 when he was six years old, to Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1849, then 
 moved to Morgan countj', Ohio. While living in Pennsylvania he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Nancy Wells, on the 7th of January, 1836, in Fayette county. 
 She died September 19, 1837. They had one child, Margaret M., born 
 March 3, 1837, and died August 11, 1837. September 12, 1839, he mar- 
 ried Miss Nancy Eamage. This lady was born December 30, 1821. By 
 this union thej' had six children born to them; viz., Letitia, born January 
 6, 1841, died April 2, 1879, the wife of Edwin Kider, of this county; 
 William, born November 13, 1843, died when eleven months old; Mary 
 
542 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 K, born June 13, 1846, died November 7, 1878, at Elko, Nevada, the 
 wife of Corwin Borders, of this county; Cyrus W., born December 14, 
 1848, now in mei-cantile business in Lindley: Maria, born July 11, 1851, 
 wife of Winfield Bonta, of Trenton. Mrs. Dunlap died July 26, 1851. 
 Mr. Dunlap was again united in marriage March 6, 1852, to Miss Eliza- 
 beth Fonts. She was born in Morgan county, Ohio, March 6, 1832. They 
 had seven children; viz., James T., born December 1, 1854, now living in 
 California; Joseph, born December 3, 1855, died in infancy; William W., 
 born October 19, 1857; Frank E., born November 2, 1860; Bettie, born 
 January 23, 1862; Edward, born March 1, 1865; Alice, born April 6, 
 1869. Mrs. Dunlap died May 20, 1879. Mr. Dunlap again married July 
 24, 1880, to Mrs. Mary E. Sherman, widow of William P. Sherman. She 
 married Mr. Alfred Brown, her first husband, December 27, 1857, and by 
 him had three children, Joseph H., born January 7, 1859; Medora E., 
 born November 11, 1860; Araminta J., born May 12, 1862. Mr. Brown 
 died November 15, 1862, and she married William P. Sherman, Septem- 
 ber 18,1864. They had two children, Melissa A., born March 15, 1866, 
 and Augustus A., born April 26, 1868. Mr. Sherman died August 1, 
 1873. She then mai-ried as above mentioned, Mr. Dunlap, and, notwith- 
 standing both of their misfortunes, they are enjoying health and all the bless- 
 ings allotted to this life. Mr. Dunlap came to this county in 1858, and 
 settled near where he now lives. He has made farming his business through 
 life, but has given more attention to sheep husbandry than any other branch, 
 and has a stock of fall blooded Spanish Merinos now on his farm. 
 
 L. C. DICKINSON. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born August 18, 1809, in Albemarle 
 county, Virginia, and his parents were both natives of the same State. He 
 was educated in the best schools of Virginia of that time, and entered the 
 wholesale and retail house of Kiles, of Richmond, Virginia, when quite 
 young, as a clerk, and when seventeen years old changed to the wholesale 
 and retail house of Kiles & Edgar, at St. Louis, Missouri, and remained 
 with them until 1835. He was then engaged until 1841 as clerk on differ- 
 ent steamboats on the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. In that year he 
 started on a trip of two years througli the Indian country of western Iowa. 
 Petnrning to St. Louis he engaged in the auction and real estate business 
 until 1869, when he came to Grundy county, having purchased land in this 
 county in 1847, also in 1851 and 1860, and now has eight hundred and forty 
 acres of fine land. He has made farming his business since he came to this 
 county, and has his farm well improved, with good house and orchard. He 
 was united in marriage July 3, 1837, to Miss Hilda G. Walton. She was 
 born February 1, 1819. By this union they have five sons and one daugh- 
 ter: John J., was born January 10, 1839, died when two years old. George 
 
HISTOKY OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 543 
 
 A., was born February 18, 1842, and killed at the battle of Fredericksburg, 
 Virginia, December 13, 1862, while commanding battery E, of the fourth 
 artillery, Ninth army corps, under G-en. Sumner, Army of the Potomac; he 
 enlisted as a private in Capt. Burk's company. First regiment Missouri 
 volunteer infantry, commanded by Gen. Frank P. Blair, and was with his 
 company at the battle of Wilson's Creek, near Springfield, Missouri, where 
 he distinguished himself. From that began his promotion, and he was rap- 
 idly ascending the ladder of fame, when cut down, while lighting one of 
 his guns and killed instantly. His commission as captain of the battery 
 was dated the day before his death. He participated in seventeen engage- 
 ments, and was considered by his commanding officers as one of the best 
 artillery-men in the service, showing great skill as an officer at the battles 
 of Antietam, Malvern Hill and others. 
 
 "Rest on j'ou weary ones, 
 The heroes of our land, 
 Until all war and strife is o'er; 
 And we shall meet beyond." 
 
 Orlivious L., born June 3, 1844, and died when two years old; Annie, 
 born June 29, 1849; Samuel, born February 24, 1854, died when two years 
 of age; and William W., born ISTovember 21, 1856, died when twenty-two 
 months old. 
 
 LEWIS S. FLESI-IMAN. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born February 2, 1834, in Greenbrier 
 county. West Virginia. His father, Michael Fleshman, was a native of 
 Germany, and his mother, Elizabeth, was born in West Virginia. When a 
 young man, he learned the blacksmith trade and worked at it for a number 
 of years. While living in West Virginia he married Miss Ada L., daugh- 
 ter of John 0. and Margaret Ewing, both natives of Virginia. She 
 belonged to one of the first families of Virginia. By her union with Mr. 
 F. they had four sons and six daughters; named, respectively, P. E., born 
 August 15, 1856; Mary M., born April 30, 1858, died September 13, 1858; 
 Henry M., born March 19, 1860; John W., born April 12, 1862; Samuel 
 L., born June 12, 1864; Ada G., born February 12, 1867; Annie M., born 
 August 15, 1870; Xora G., born October 3, 1873; and Andrew E., born 
 September 21, 1876. Mr. F. came to this county in 1856, and settled on 
 the farm where he now lives, and made farming his business until eight 
 3'ears ago, since which time he has been engaged in blacksmithing. He is 
 a member of the Separate Baptist Church. 
 
 JOHN DOTY 
 
 Is a native of Darke county, Ohio, born September 10, 1824. His father 
 was a native of New York, his mother, of Ohio. Mr. Doty learned the 
 
544 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 carpenter trade and worked at it, together with farming. When a young 
 man he moved to Indiana, in 1845, and resided there eight years. During 
 that time he owned and worked a small farm, and ran a saw-mill a part of 
 the time. He came to this county October 14, 1865, and settled near Lind- 
 ley, lived on his farm for eight years, then owing to bad health removed to 
 Lindley and began selling farming implements, and now carries a full line 
 of hardware also. He was united in matrimony April 24, 1845, in Darke 
 county, Ohio, to Miss Mary Snider. She was born August 5, 1825, in Lan- 
 caster county, Pennsylvania. They have seven children: Elizabeth J., born 
 March 19, 1846, died September 20, 1849; Martha H., born August 30, 
 1848; Mary M., born September 18, 1850; George V., born May 11, 1853; 
 Lydia M., born June 20, 1855; Hiram F., born April 11, 1858, and Daniel 
 M., born August 25, 1861. 
 
 W. C. FENNEE. 
 
 W. C. Fenner was born February 10, 1836, in Highland county, Ohio. 
 His father was of Pennsylvania birth and his mother was a native of North 
 Carolina. Mr. Fenner was educated in the common schools of his native 
 State. He enlisted July 2, 1863, in company A, Second regiment of heavy 
 artillery, and served until September, 1865. He came to this county shortly 
 after the war and has made farming his business since. He was united in 
 marriage January 27, 1857, to Miss Annie E. Martin. She was born July 
 2, 1836, in Highland county, Ohio. The issue of this union was six chil- 
 dren, named, respectively, Florence, born January 23, 1858;' F. E., born 
 July 13, 1862; Mary C, born December 21, J866; Alice, born August 31, 
 1878. His son, F. E., was educated at the high schools of Trenton and 
 the Gem City College, located at Quincy, Illinois. 
 
 JUDGE MAESHALL HUMPHEYS. 
 
 The subject of our sketch was born in Gibson county, Indiana, August 31, 
 1825, and was the son of TJriali and Rachel Humphrys, the former a native of 
 Kentucky, and the latter of South Carolina. The family removed to Sullivan 
 county, near the Grundy county line, in 1839, and there Marshall grew up, re- 
 ceiving an education in the common schools, which he afterwards supple- 
 mented by two terms at the Grand River College, Edinbui-g, aTid one at the 
 McGee College, in Randolph county, Missouri. He chose the profession of 
 teaching and taught the lirst school in the neighborhood of the present site 
 of Lindley, which was built upon the county line between Grundy and Sul- 
 livan. After teaching school some ten years, he began the study of medi- 
 cine, but after eighteen months application, gave it up and entered the 
 mercantile business at Lindle}', in 1863, and has been engaged in business there 
 ever since. In 1863 he was elected justice of the peace and served ten years, 
 and also officiated as notary public for the period of thirteen 3'ears, On the 6th 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 5t5 
 
 of May, 1873, he was elected judge of the County Court from the Fourth dis- 
 trict, and in April, 1876, became liis own successor, and served the second terra, 
 as lie did the first, with greatest credit to the people who honored him with 
 their trust. Judge Humphrys has been uniformly successful through life, 
 and is now well-to-do in the world's goods, owning one thousand acres of fine 
 farming lands, beside liis flourishing business in Lindley. 
 
 Marshall Humphrys and Miss Eliza A. Haley were united in marriage on 
 the 21st of April, 1864. She was a native of north Carolina, born Api'il 
 12, 1828, and the daughter of Charles Haley of Sullivan county, Missouin. 
 They have had four children; named, respectively', Charles H., born May 
 12, 1865, died August 14,1865; Uriah G., born August 30, 1866; Wade 
 H., born December 2, 1868; and Eachel E., born February 6, 1872. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Humphrys have been members of the Christian Church for twenty 
 years. 
 
 SELAH HAET 
 
 Was born August 15, 1830, in Morgan county, Ohio. His parents, Selah 
 and Mary Hart, were both natives of Ohio. He was educated in the com- 
 mon schools of Ohio, and began teaching school at the age of nineteen, 
 which he followed during the winter, for six years, and gave his attention to 
 the milling business when out of school. He was assessor of his township 
 in Ohio for three successive terms. In 1874 he came to this county and 
 settled where he now lives, made farming his business, and is now the 
 owner of a fine farm of three hundred and seventy-five acres. Mr. Hart 
 was united in marriage June 24, 1869, to Mrs. Rebecca Murphy. She was 
 born March 13, 1841. Her maiden name was Elliott, and she was married 
 to Washington Murphy, October 21, 1861. They had one child, Julietta, 
 born July 2, 1861. Mr. Murphy died in March, 1865. Mr. and Mrs. Hart 
 had three children; viz., Mary D., born June 2, 1870; Frank E., born No- 
 vember 29, 1871; and Annie, born February 7, 1873. Mrs. Rebecca Hart 
 died March 31, 1878. Mr. Hart married, a second time, September 4, 1879, 
 Mrs. Rachel Dewees, widow of Caleb Dewees. Mr. and Mrs. Dewees 
 were married December 25, 1858, and had two children: Charles H., born 
 September 5, 1859, and John A., born August 16, 1861, died December 12, 
 1862. Mr. Dewees was killed at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, 
 July 3, 1863. 
 
 PHILIP HILL 
 
 Was born December 23, 1823, in Wasliington county, Pennsylvania. When 
 fourteen year^ old his parents removed to Morgan county, Ohio, where he 
 was educated in the common schools, and learned and worked at the trade 
 of cabinet-making for about fifteen years; then engaged in the mercantile 
 business for five years with his brother, S. R. Plill, in [Jnionville, Morgan 
 county, Ohio. He was united in marriage June 12, 1850, to Miss Mary 
 
546 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 A. Eeed. She was born Februaiy 10, 1828. Their family consists of seven 
 children;' named, respectively, Ann E., born August 10, 1852, died July 
 13, 1881; Stephen B., born September 24, 1854; William M., born March 4, 
 1857; John S., born November 14, 1860; Marietta, born July 8, 1863; 
 Emma J., born September 4, 1867; and Nettie S., born July 5. 1871. 
 Mr. Hill served nearly two years in company H, Sixth regiment Missouri 
 State militia; was discharged on account of disabilit}'. He came to this 
 county in 1858, and has since been engaged in farming, raising and feed- 
 ing cattle. 
 
 C. D. HOSKINS 
 
 Is a native of this county, and was born May 13, 1844; educated in the 
 common schools of this county. He enlisted at the early age of seventeen 
 years in company B, Second regiment Missouri volunteers, where he served 
 for three years; was discharged May 5, 1865. His service was mostly ren- 
 dered in Missouri, hunting bushwhackers; was in most of the heavy raids, 
 but the hardest service he had was while after General Price. It would 
 seem that he was not born to be shot, as he fought guerillas, not by skirmish 
 but by the month, fighting the bands of Quantrell, Cole Younger, Anderson, 
 Hayes, Hill, Dave Pool, and others. While on the Price raid he went four 
 days at one time without anything to eat. After his discharge he returned 
 home and has been engaged in the pursuit of farming since, excepting one 
 year when he was in the circuit clerk's office at Trenton. March 9, 1875, 
 Mr. Hoskins married Miss Mary M. Dunlap. She was born September 2, 
 1851, in Belmont county, Ohio. They have two children: Emma, born 
 February 5, 1876, and Vade, born May 25, 1878. His parents were among 
 the pioneers of this county. liis father is a native of Delaware and his 
 mother of Ohio. She died August 6, 1877, at tlie age of sixty-five years. 
 She was a member of the M. E. Church for about forty-five years. 
 
 S. E. HILL 
 
 Was born July 30, 1826, in Washington county, Pennsylvania. His par- 
 ents moved to Morgan county, Ohio, when he was twelve years old, where 
 he lived until 1874, when he came to Grundy county. He was educated in 
 the common schools of Morgan county, supplemented by a few terms at the 
 select school and two terms at Sharon College. He began teaching at the 
 age of seventeen and taught eight terms. Entering upon mercantile pur- 
 suits in 1853 he continued until 1861. October 1, 1862, he enlisted in 
 company D, Ninth regiment, Ohio cavalry; was elected first lieutenant, 
 then captain; was with the Army of the Cumberland in 1863 and '64, and 
 was discharged on account of disability. After his return liome he, was 
 elected treasurer of Morgan count}^, Ohio, which office he filled for four 
 years. In 1866 he engaged in mercantile business in McConnelsville with 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 547 
 
 W. F. Pears, and after his term of office expired went into the business 
 alone. He remained in McConnelsvilleim til 1873; was on a farm one year: in 
 1874 came to this county, and has given his attention exclusively to farming 
 since. Mr. Hill was united in marriage March 4, 1856, to Miss Eebecca 
 J. Filkill. She was born in Morgan county, Ohio, July 9, 1839. They 
 have five children, whose names are Rufus P., born January 19, 1857; Wil- 
 liam H., born November 21, 1858; Samuel, born July 14, 1865; Jessie G., 
 born September 13, 1868, and Stephen M., born August 30, 1872. 
 
 DANIEL KINSLEY 
 
 Was born August 2, 1829, in Summit county, Ohio. His parents, George 
 and Elizabeth Kinsley, were both natives of Pennsylvania. His mother 
 died when he was small, and, with his father, when ten years old, he moved 
 to DeKalb county, Indiana, where he lived until 1872, then came to Grundy 
 county. His education was received in the common schools of Indiana of 
 that day. He worked at farming until the beginning of the late war, and 
 then engaged in the mercantile business for a few years. Was next engaged 
 in the milling and lumber business about five years, then came to this 
 county and helped to build the mill known as the Richardson Mill, and has 
 been engaged in running the same most of the time since. He has a nice 
 farm upon which he lives, and works in connection with his milling business. 
 Mr. KinsJej^ was united in marriage, March 30, 1854, to Miss Hannah 0. 
 Livingood, who died April 15, 1857. By this union they had one child, 
 Catharine E., born April 12, 1857, and died when two and one half years 
 old. He again married March 27, 1859, to Miss Rhuama Richards. She 
 was born March 30, 1839, and was a daughter of Abraham and Mary Rich- 
 ards of this county. They have had three children: Emma and Mary, twins, 
 born March 15, 1860; Mary died September 15, 1860, and Emma September 
 18, 1860; and George C, born December 27, 1865. 
 
 W. C. KING 
 
 Was born June 16, 1830, in Preble count}', Ohio; his parents, John and 
 Elizabeth King, being natives of Pennsylvania. When he was four years 
 old his parents moved to Darke county, Ohio, where he was reared and ed- 
 ucated in the common schools. He was engaged in railroading about five 
 years, and the remainder of his life has been given to farming. He was 
 united in matrimony September 25, 1863, to Miss Martha Doty, a native of 
 Darke count}', Ohio, born March 18, 1837. They have five children, whose 
 names are, Edwin B., born February 28, 1865; Lizzie E., born February 11, 
 1867; James, born May 30, 1869; John R., born April 5, 1873; and Joseph 
 W., born June 19, 1880. 
 
548 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ELLING LEE 
 
 "Was born October 10, 1818. His lather, Hiram Lee, was born January 18, 
 ITQl:, and liis mother, Julia Lee, was born January 21, 1798. With his 
 parents lie moved to Connecticut, where his father died when he was thirteen 
 years old, and three years later, with his mother, he moved to Poi'tage 
 county, Ohio, and in 1864 moved to this county. March -22, 1848, Mr. Lee 
 married Miss Marinda, daughter of Jacob and Fannie Kider, both of Ver- 
 mont. She was born August 26, 1826. By their union they had three chil- 
 dren born to them: Edward A., August 20, 1849; Jacob H., May 19, 1851; 
 and Frank W., September 17, 1853. They were all educated in the com- 
 mon schools of the county, and have made farming their business. Edward 
 has been engaged in the lumber and milling business for a few years. After 
 living a successful life, Mr. Lee died Mai'cli 4, 1880, leaving to his family a 
 farm of three hundred and seventy acres. Farming was his occupation 
 . through life, although he served as postmaster for eight years previous to- 
 his death, at Rural Dale. The mother of Mr. Lee was poor, and he, the 
 eldest of five children, had to meet the burthen of caring for the younger 
 members of the family, and when married he and his wife began life with 
 only willing hearts and hands. 
 
 MOSES R. METCALF 
 
 Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 12, 1836. His parents, Abram 
 and Nancy Metcalf, were also natives of Ohio. When he was seventeen 
 years old he moved to Coshocton county, and while there learned the car- 
 penter's trade. In 1854 he moved to Indiana and worked at his trade until 
 the beginning of the war. He was united in matrimony September 20, 
 1857, to Miss Adelia Chultz. She died February 6, 1866. They had two 
 children: Mary R., born October 25, 1858; and James F., born October 1, 
 1861. Mr. Metcalf married Miss Eacliel Mitchell, January 3, 1867. She 
 was born September 9, 1830, in Delaware. They have one child, John R., 
 born March 10, 1868. Mr. Metcalf enlisted August 8, 1862, in company I, 
 Eighty-eighth regiinent Indiana volunteer infantry, and took part in the 
 battle of Perry ville just two months after his enlistment; was next at Stone 
 River; was Mdth the army of the Cumberland until Sherman took com- 
 mand, then was with him until the fall of Atlanta; came back to Nashville 
 with General Thomas, and after the battle of Nashville was discharged on 
 account of ex^jiration of service. While in the army he participated in 
 twelve heavy engagements, besides a number of skirmishes. 
 
 Mr. Metcalf came to this county in 1870, and has been engaged in farm- 
 ing most of the time since, only working at his trade at intervals. He was 
 elected justice of the peace in 1877, and has held the office since, with 
 credit to himself and the county. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 54:9 
 
 GEORGE F. MOORE, 
 
 A native of Macoupin county, Illinois, was born April 21, 1854. His 
 father, George Moore, is a native of Indiana, and his mother, Nancy C, of 
 Tennessee. They moved to this county when George, of whom we write, 
 was one year old. He was educated in the public schools of this county. 
 George F. Moore was united in marriage March 31, 1878, to Miss Nancy 
 A. Crossen, a native of Ohio, born March 5, 1858. They have one child. 
 Daisy A., born May 22, 1880. Mr. Moore began business for himself by 
 working as a farm hand, and as a result of his labors now has a farm of one 
 hundred acres. 
 
 WM. MOCK 
 
 Was born January 12, 1799, in North Carolina. In 1839 he moved to 
 Putnam county, Indiana, where he lived until 1856, when he moved to this 
 county. In December, 1826, Mr. Mock was united in marriage to Miss 
 Annie M. Slater, a native of North Carolina. She died April 15, 1851. 
 Six children was the result of this union; viz., Caleb, born March 29, 1827; 
 Jane C, born May 9,1829, died September 11,1836; Thomas M., born 
 October 4, 1831; Fiza A., born April 5, 1840; William R, born November 
 20, 1845; and Sarah J.., born January 6, 1851, died April 2, 1855. Mr. 
 Moore was married a second time, February 20, 1852, to Miss Kebecca Bar- 
 low. She was born February 25, 1827. They have one child, John H., 
 born March 26, 1855. 
 
 William R. Mock, son of William Mock, was educated in the common 
 schools of this county. On the 28th of February, 1868, he married Miss 
 Sarah A. Osborn. The date of her birth was July 4, 1847. They have 
 three children: Minnie A., born May 19, 1869; Julia B., born April 18, 
 1871; and Claude, born January 6, 1879. William R. Mock enlisted in 
 company H, Sixth regiment Missouri volunteer cavalry, in April, 1862, and 
 served two years; then reenlisted as a veteran in company B, Thirteenth 
 regiment Missouri volunteer cavalry, and served until the close of the war. 
 After his discharge he returned home and began farming which has been 
 bis business since, together with shipping stock. 
 
 GEORGE OSBORN 
 
 Was a native of Lee county, Virginia, and born October 24, 1817. When 
 he was a child his parents moved to Martin county, Indiana, and twelve 
 years later to Daviess county, in the same State, where he lived until 1852, 
 when he came to this county and settled near Lindley. In 1838, while liv- 
 ing in Indiana, he married Miss Rhoda Skaggs. She was born November 
 12, 1818. By this union they had six children: Jacob, born October 21, 
 1840; Rebeccd, born January 8, 1843; Sarah A., born July 4, 1848; John 
 
'550 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTr. 
 
 W., born in October, 1850; Hannah and James, twins, died in infancy. Mrs. 
 Rhoda Osborn, wife of George Osborn, died December 4, 1880; Mr. Osborn 
 ■was an early settler and well known through this county. He was afflicted 
 for about twelve years, and died July 4, 1881. 
 
 •TAMES OVERMAN. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Clarke county, Indiana, and was 
 -born October 15, 1813, his father being a native of North Carolina, and his 
 grandfather on his mother's side (Ramsey) was a soldier in the War of 
 1812. He was educated in the common schools of Indiana. October 5, 
 1837, he married Miss Jane Robertson. She was born in Clarke county, 
 Indiana, March 12, 1818. They have nine children: John M., born July 
 25, 1838; Eli R., born July 14,' 1840; Elizabeth A., born August 7, 1842; 
 Isaac W., born June 30, 1844; William J., born October 25, 1846; Mary 
 -C., born April 15, 1S50; Margaret F., born October 5, 1852, died January 
 15,1854; Maria J., born June 22, 1855; and Charles W., born August 6, 
 1857. James Overman and two of his sons, John and Isaac, enlisted Sep- 
 tember 21, 1861, in Capt. Haycraft's company of State enrolled militia, 
 for six months; at the expiration of that time they again enlisted in com- 
 pany H, Sixth regiment Missouri State militia. James Overman was 
 elected first lieutenant, and after six months' service resigned, and again 
 enlisted in August, 1864, in company K, Forty-fourth regiment Missouri 
 volunteer infantr}'; was again chosen first lieutenant, and served in that 
 company until the close of the war. During his last enlistment he was in 
 the Army of the Tennessee, and was in many of the battles fought by that 
 army. Isaac Overman, after serving nearly two years, reenlisted as a vet- 
 eran in company B, Thirteenth regiment Missouri volunteer cavalry, where 
 he served until May 15, 1866, when he was discharged. John reenlisted 
 March 18, 1862, in company H, Sixth regiment Missouri State militia, and 
 -served until July 23, 1865. 
 
 JOSEPH RUSSELL, 
 
 Son of John and Elizabeth Russell (both natives of Pomsylvania), was born 
 June 25, 1822, in Harrison county, Ohio, where he was reared, educated in 
 the common schools, and worked at farming. He was united in marriage, 
 May 14, 1846, to Miss Susanna, daughter of Lewis and Phamy Bevans, 
 both natives of Virginia. They have six sons and four daughters: Tru- 
 man B., born February 23, 1847, died at Rolla, Missouri, October 18, 
 1864; Lewis J., born May 17, 1848; Phamy, born January 20, 1850, died 
 October 26, 1850; Martha M., born September 19, 1851, wife of Isaac 
 Sheppard, of this county; James F., born February 12, 1854; Joseph A., 
 born November 12, 1855; Anna E., born January 17, 1858; John W., born 
 January 28, 1861; Mary E., born July 11, 1864; and Elma E., born Decem- 
 ber 17, 1867. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 551 
 
 Mr. Russell came to tins county in 1860, settled on and improved the 
 farm where he now lives, which comprises three hundred and twenty acres, 
 well improved. He has made a specialty of raising cattle and hogs, and 
 buying and selling of the same, and by close attention made a success of his 
 business. He has a pleasant family, well educated and highly respected by 
 all who know them. 
 
 MILAN D. KUSK 
 
 Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, February 23, 183^. He was reared in 
 Putnam county, where his parents moved when he was small, and was there 
 educated in the common schools. He came to Grundy county in 1855, 
 learned the carpenter's trade, and worked at it for a few years. Mr. Kusk, 
 married October 4, 1863, Miss Sarah E. Moore. Slie was born May 28, 
 1846. They have seven children; viz., Lydia W., born July 26, 1864; Idris 
 O., born September 21, 1866; Edwin G., born April 24, 1868, died October 
 17, 1869; Minnie F. and Emma, twins, born June 2, 1871, Minnie died 
 January 26, 1874; Myrtle M.,born April 30, 1878; and one not named, born 
 June 17, 1880. Mr. Rusk was the orderly-sergeant of company D, Thirtieth 
 regiment enrolled State militia of Missouri. 
 
 GEOEGE W. SHEPPAED, 
 
 Son of James and Hannah Sheppard, was born October 19, 1829, in Bel- 
 mont county, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty-two years old, receiv- 
 ing an education in the common schools, and working on the farm. While 
 living there he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of . 
 Abraham and Nancy Metcalf. This union was blessed witli ten children, 
 as follows: Isaac H., born May 14, 1852; Mary J., born September 7, 1854, 
 now wife of L. J. Eussell, of this county; Nancy E., born January 17, 1857, 
 wife of J. F. Eussell, of this county; Wilber A., born August 30,1859; 
 Tanner E., born March 10, 1862, died June 22, 1864; May, born April 4,. 
 1864; Carrie E., born July 7, 1866; George W., born April 14, 1869; and 
 Etta B., born June 26, 1873. Mr. S. moved to Eock Island county, Illinois, 
 in 1853, where he lived as a farmer until 1870, when he came to this county,, 
 bought and settled on the farm of one hundred and ninety-two acres, where 
 he now resides. 
 
 L. D. SHEEEOW, 
 
 An old settler of Marion township, was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, 
 on the 19th of January, 1811. His father, Eeuben Sherrow, was a native of 
 ' Virginia, while his mother claimed the famed "Blue-grass State," Ken- 
 tucky, as the place of her birth. When eight years of age, his parents 
 moved to Orange county, Indiana. From Orange county Mr. Sherrow 
 moved to Daviess county, in the same State, where he remained until 1852,. 
 when he made his home in Grundy county, Missouri. 
 
552 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 On the 6th of August, 1833, Mr. L. D. Sherrow and Miss Maiy Ham- 
 mersly were united in holy wedlock. The bride was a native of Campbell 
 county, Kentucky, and was born March 28, 1813. Her parents removed to 
 Indiana when she was a child. Bj' this union, Mr. and Mrs. Sherrow have 
 ten children, all of whom with but one exception, reached the years of matu- 
 rity. The dates of their births are as follows: Sarah, July 17, 183i; widow 
 of Jacob Weaver, of this county. Samuel, October 6, 1836; died May 8, 
 1874. Lousia, November 6, 1838; wife of William Hotfman, of this county. 
 Andrew, September' 23, 1841; a resident of Illinois. Mary E., July 15, 
 ,1843; wife of Newton Beckner, of this county. Nancy, March 26, 1846; 
 died August 12, 1873. Orrena, January 15, 1848; wife of John Kelly, of 
 this county. Daniel A., April 12, 1851; Hiram T., June 10, 1851; James, 
 June 15, 1858; farmers in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Sherrow are 
 members of the Separate Baptist Church, and genial, hospitable people. 
 
 SOLOMON SKAGGS 
 
 Was born October 2, 1839, in Daviess county, Indiana. His father, John 
 W. Skaggs, was of Tennessee birth, his motlier, Elizabeth, from Yirginia. 
 He was educated in the common schools, and in 1853, came to this county 
 with his father. Their family, like a great many others who came west, 
 were poor, but as laud was clieap they managed to secure a home, and it 
 may be said grew up witli the country. The subject of our sketch enlisted 
 August 26, 1861, in company B, Twenty-third, Missouri volunteer infantry; 
 was in Missouri during 1861, but in the spring of 1862 went to Tennessee 
 and participated in the battle of Sliiloh, their first engagement; there Mr. 
 S. was taken prisoner, and taken to Corinth, then, for safety, to Memphis, 
 Jackson, Mississippi, Mobile and Montgomery, then to Macon, Georgia, 
 where he remained in prison live montlis; was then, with many others, sent 
 to Richmond, Yirginia, and was two days in Libby Prison, then paroled, 
 after being a prisoner six months and thirteen days; after two months in 
 a United States hospital, he again joined his company, and was with Sher- 
 man until the fall of Atlanta. After his discliarge he returned home, and 
 to the pursuits of the farm. 
 
 He was united in marriage January 8, 1874, to Miss Maria E. Baker, 
 born Febuary 16, 1841. By this union tliey have two children, Willie, 
 born June 21, 1876, died August 24, 1877; and Alice L., born September 
 13, 1880. 
 
 John W., father of Mr. Skaggs, was born November 29, 1813, and died No- 
 vember 2, 1876. Elizabeth, his wife, now in the seventy-third year of her 
 age, lives with Mr. Skaggs. 
 
 W. B. SEAECY 
 
 Was born November 1, 1827, in Howard county, Missouri, and his parents, 
 Alexander and Mary Searcy, were natives of Kentucky. His father died 
 
HISTOKT OF GKTTNDY COUNTY. 553 
 
 when he was a child, and liis mother then moved to Kentucky, and after a 
 seven years' residence came hack to Howard county, where our subject was 
 reai-ed. In 1850 he went to California, drivina; an ox team across the plains; 
 starting from this county April 1, lie reached California in September, and 
 engaged in mining most of the time while there. He returned by water, 
 but spent two years en route. He settled in this county in 1852, and has 
 improved one of the finest farms in the county, of three hundred sixty acre^i 
 He was united in matrimony to Miss Parmelia I. Yates, on the 6th bf 
 December, 1855. She was a native of Howard county, Missouri, born Jan- 
 uary 15, 1833. By this marriage they have five children: James W., born 
 October 1, 1856; Mary E., born March 3, 1861; Christopher L, born Au- 
 gust 8, 1863; Nora "W., born April 4, 1866; and John F., born April 10, 
 1872. 
 
 C. SWATZK 
 
 Is a native of Oxford county, Canada West. He was born November 14, 
 1847. His father was a native of New Jersey and his mother of Kentucky. 
 With his parents he moved to this county in 1857. His parents died in this 
 county. Here he grew up, and was educated in the common schools. On 
 the 6th of April, 1876, he was united in matrimony to Miss S. F. Thomp- 
 son, a native of Fairfield county, Ohio, born September 16, 1851. Tiiey 
 have two children, Julia May, born June 7, 1877; and Delbert C, born 
 September 9, 1878. Mr. S. is a farmer, and gives his attention chiefly to 
 growing cattle and hogs. 
 
 D. C. SMITH. 
 
 David C. Smith, one of the pioneers of this county, was born October 
 17, 1831, in Tazewell county, Virginia. His parents were natives of the 
 same State, and when he was eight years old they moved to Missouri and 
 settled first in Linn connty for one year, then came to this county in the 
 spring of 1841. His home has been here ever since, and his time has been 
 given to farming, with the exception of a few years he was engaged in the 
 milling business. Mr. Smith was united in matrimony to Miss Delia Ship- 
 ley, July 24, 1853. The date of her birth is June 10, 1834. By this mar- 
 riage they have had eleven children, six sons and five daughters, whose 
 names are as follows: George W., born August 18, 1854; Marion C, born 
 September 21, 1856, died November 28, 1880; Eliza J., born December 15 
 1858, died July 11, 1878; Margaret A., born April 15, 1862, died in in- 
 fancy; Tecumseh S., born April 3, 1864; James T., born October 14, 1866; 
 Nancy A., born February 15, 1870; Alonzo S., born June 27, 1872; Elma 
 E., born July 28, 1875; and Bessie J., born September, 14,1879. Two 
 incidents are narrated in the township history, the first of which Mr. S. par- 
 ticipated in, the other he related from his knowledge. 
 
554 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ISAAC F. SHIPLEY 
 
 Was born in Snllivan county, Missouri, February 24, 1841. His parents, 
 Thomas and Louisa Shipley, were natives of Pennsylvania and Ohio, re- 
 spectively, and came to Missouri in 1840. Like most of those who grew up 
 on the frontier, Mr. Shipley received but a meager education. He was 
 born and reared here, and has witnessed the march of civilization from the 
 pioneer days to the present. When he was young his chief delight was 
 with his gun ; to-day it is with young Shipleys. At the beginning of the 
 rebellion he espoused the cause of liberty and in July, 1861, enlisted in 
 company C, Eighteenth regiment Missouri volunteer infantry. The battle 
 of Shiloh was his first engagement, there he was wounded in the leg — his 
 regiment being in the heaviest of the light was badly cut up. Only about one 
 hundred and fifty came out of tlie fight, and quite a number of them were 
 "wounded, the rest being killed, wounded and taken prisoners. Owing to 
 the condition of their regiment after this battle they were sent home to re- 
 cruit, and after a year they again went south and joined Sherman's army, 
 and were with him on his famous march to the sea. While in the advance 
 of the army he met an advance of the rebel army, and in a skii-misli was 
 wounded in the right foot, which affects him to the present day. He was 
 with Sherman until after the surrender of Lee and Johnson's army, and 
 divided scanty rations of hard-tack and bacon with the hungry "Johnnies" 
 after they surrendered. Mr. Shipley was married February 18, 1860, to 
 Miss Susan McClarron. She was born August 26, 1848, in Holmes county, 
 Ohio. They have eight children, five of whom are living; namely', Mary 
 E., born January 7, 1867, died May 11, 1872; Alvin, born September 11, 
 1869, died next day; Laura J., born April 13, 1874; Mary E., born May 13, 
 1876; Delia, born May 4, 1877; Florence R., born April 19, 1879; and 
 Amanda E., born March 15, 1881. 
 
 WILLIAM B. SCOTT 
 
 Was born in Morgan county, Ohio, August 5, 1835. His father, William 
 Scott, was a native of Pennsylvania, and his mother, Catharine Scott, of 
 Virginia. He was educated in the common schools of his native county, 
 and learned the carj^enter's trade, which has been his occupation most of his 
 life. He was united in matrimony April 1, 1858, to Miss Rebecca Connelly. 
 She was born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, March 1, 1840, and 
 died March 2, 1871. The issue of this marriage was three children: Ella, 
 born February 22, 1859; Martha J., born July 10, 1865; and Augusta, 
 jS"ovember 11, 1867. October 31, 1872, Miss Emma Shirley became his 
 second wife. She was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 5, 1844. 
 This marriage was blessed with three children ; namely, Carlos, born Jan- 
 uary 13, 1874; Layton, born July 27, 1875; and Cordia, born December 1, 
 1877; Mr. S. came to Grundy county in 1860, and has worked at his trade, 
 
 i 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 555 
 
 except during the war. He enlisted August 26, 1861, in company B, 
 Tweuty-third regiment Missouri volunteer infantry, for three years, and 
 served liis time out; was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, April 6, 
 1862, and taken first to Corinth, then to Memphis, Tennessee, thence to 
 Jackson, Mississippi, Mobile, Alabama, and shipped from there to Mont- 
 gomery, and thence to Macon, Georgia, where he was held for five months; 
 then he was taken to JRichmond, Virginia, and was two days in Libby 
 Prison, and ■paroled after being a prisoner six months and thirteen days; 
 was in the hospital two months; then joined his company again, and was 
 with Sherman until that ever memorable period in the histor}^ of our 
 country, the fall of Atlanta. Mr. S. still has some beautiful bone jewelry 
 that he made while in prison. 
 
 WILLIAM C. SMITH 
 
 Was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 3, 1823, and was reared and 
 educated in the same county. He was united in matrimony, March 2, 1842, 
 to Miss Laura Gillett, who was born December 10, 1823, in Jefferson 
 county, Ohio. Their family consists of six cliildren; viz., James H., born 
 January 19, 18i5, died September 4, 1847; George W., born August 8, 
 1847; Mary C, born January 8, 1852; Charles E., born July 12, 1860; was 
 educated in the common schools of this county and at the State Normal 
 school at Kirksville, Missouri, and has been teaching three years; Horace 
 G. and Emma, twins, born June 9, 1864. Mr. S. came to this county in 
 1865, and has given his attention to farm pursuits. He is a descendant of 
 a Scottish family; his grandparents came from Scotland. 
 
 JOSEPH WRIGHT. 
 
 Mrs. Martha Wright, the widow of Joseph Wright, deceased, lives at 
 Rural Dale, in Marion township. He was born November 11, ISIO, in 
 Highland county, Ohio. His father was a native of New Jersey. He 
 learned the blacksmith trade when young, which he followed for a short 
 time, then learned the wheelwright business, which was his calling most of 
 his life. Mr. Wright came to this county in 1856, and settled where his 
 widow now lives. Was married April 10, 1851. He married Miss Martha 
 Gilmore. She was a native of Highland county, Ohio, born November 6, 
 1813. They had five children, three of whom are living: Boston and 
 McCazy, twins, born May 11, 1852; and William H., January 23, 1856. 
 He was killed — being shot by some unknown party November, 1863. The 
 shot was fii-ed from the top of his shop, only a few rods distant from where 
 he was standing, near the fence in front of his house. His wife was milk- 
 ing near by. One of his little boys was holding to his hand when the fatal 
 shot was fired, and the other two boys were standing on the doorstep a few 
 paces to one side. Being a strong Union man is supposed to be the only 
 reason for the deed. 
 34 
 
556 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXI. 
 MADISON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Metes and Bounds — Acres of Land — When Settled — The First Birth in the County — Old 
 Settlers — The Fright — Saved Their Scalps — The First School — The First Wedding — 
 Mills — Edinhurg — Grand Eirer College — When First Started — A Complete History — 
 Business — Petition for Incorporation— Incorporated — ISSl^Biographies. 
 
 MADISON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Madison Township is one of the thirteen municipalities comprising 
 Grnndy county, and is six miles square, or a congressional township, with 
 the exception of the small portion that lies in the northeast corner, north aad 
 east of Thompson River, which contains six hundred and twenty and three- 
 fourths acres of land and is a part of Harrison townsliip. 
 
 Madison is on the west side of the county, is hounded on the north hy 
 Taylor and Harrison townships; on the east by Thompson River and Tren- 
 ton township ; on the south by Jetferson, and on the west by the Daviess county 
 line. Her southern line is five miles north of the southern boundary of tlie 
 county. Madison township has twenty-two thousand four hundred and nine- 
 teen and one-fourth acres of land, very nearly equally divided between timber 
 and prairie. That portion lying on the bordei- of Thompson River is somewhat 
 rough and broken, but plenty of good building stone will be found there. This 
 is, however, but a small, very small, portion of the township. The land, like all 
 of Grundy county is rich and fertile, and while not considered the richest in 
 soil in the county, there is nothing to complain of 
 
 POPULATION AND WEALTH. 
 
 "Wlien Grundy county was first organized or the time when Mercer county 
 was made separate from the jurisdiction of Grundy, Madison was one of the 
 original seven townships, a plat of which will be found in this work. Origi- 
 nally, the first township name the territory of Madison had was " Sugar 
 Creek," and was given her April 7, 1837, and it remained as Sugar Creek 
 township until February 1839, when it was changed to Madison, in honor 
 of ex-president James Madison. Madison, at that time, included the present 
 township of Taylor within her boundary, and this continued until the new 
 township) organization law passed and was accepted by the vote of a major- 
 ity of the people of the county. In 1870, while it constituted one of the 
 seven divisions, Madison was the third township in population. In 1875, 
 after tlie division, and with the township of Taylor taken from her territory 
 
HISTOEr OF GKTJNDT COUNTY. 557 
 
 she became the eighth in population and the fifth in wealth. In 1880 she 
 had gained two points and was the sixth in population and in wealth. The 
 assessed valuation of the township in 1874 was $213,271. 
 
 Thompson Kiver in the northeast is the principal one, but it runs but a 
 short distance on her border. Hickory Creek waters the southwest and 
 Coon Creek the northwestern portion of the township, while Wolf Creek 
 comes in at the southeastern corner, and, with its branches, rises in the vicin- 
 ity of Edinburg. 
 
 OLD SETTLERS. 
 
 In the settlement of Grundy county, both the east and west sides were 
 settled closely together. Dr. Wm. P. Thompson was the first white settler 
 in Grundy county, west of the Grand Kiver, and he settled in Madison 
 township near Thompson's Kiver in 1834. John Scott came with him, 
 also Harvej' Meeks. Milton V. Thompson, now living in Edinburg, and 
 part of the time on some one of his farms in Taylor township, is the son of 
 the late Dr. "Wm. P. Thompson, and was some seven years old when he came 
 to this county with his father. At present Milton V. Thompson is the 
 oldest living white settler in Grundy count}^ as well as Madison and Tajdor 
 townships, both of which he calls his home. Dr. Wm. P. Thompson was 
 the first judge of the Livingston coi;nty court, elected from what is now 
 Grundy county. He was elected from Sugar Creek township, now Madison, 
 and was presiding justice of Livingston County Court from February, 1839, 
 until and including the February term of 1841, when a new court was 
 elected in Livingston to take the place of those outside of the county. The 
 doctor was the first justice of the peace for the township and the first doctor 
 in the township and in the county, the only brigadier-general who ever 
 called Grundy county his home, and probably had more square miles in- 
 cluded within his practice as a physician than any doctor who ever lived in 
 the State of Missouri. Then there was Burt Masters who supposed he was 
 a resident of Grundy county and used to be occasionally around the Thomp- 
 son settlement, a good farmer who, on the county line being run, found him- 
 self in Livingston countj' less than a half-mile from the line. 
 
 The rush of 1835 was a fair one for Madison township. That year came 
 George Peery, with his wife and three children, two of whom are living, 
 Dr. Archibald Peery and Mrs. Louisa Moore, and Humphrey Best. Then 
 came Evans Peei'y and his son Wm. N. Peei-y, Robert Peery, Thos. Carnes, 
 Elder McCammon, Isaac J. Harvey, Wm. Metcalf, Philip Wild, George 
 Bunch, John M. Graham and sons, Wm. Kenfro and K. F. Keith, all came 
 in 1835-36-37, also, Thomas Hamilton and the Slingers on Hickory Creek, 
 besides others whose names were not remembered. Not only the first set- 
 tler on the soil of Grundy is placed to the credit of Madison township, but 
 it has also the credit of the first white child born on its soil. Emory Wild, 
 
558 HISTOET OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 son of Philip and Sallie Wild was born one and one-half miles northeast of 
 Edinburg, July 12, 1836. Daniel, Philip and Wm. Asbbrook settled in the 
 southwest part of the township, while John Shaw, Lewis Phillips, Elisha 
 Inman, Wm. C. Harvey, Absalom Harvey, James and Minor Wynn and 
 James Applegate and sons, were all settlers on or before the year 1840, be- 
 sides many others who arrived in the last named year. Beli Gentry's name 
 was overlooked, he was a good farm worker and one who was noted for using 
 vigorous English a little oftener and easier than any man in the township, 
 with Wm. Cox, John, William and Matthew Gibson, the Longs, all came in 
 1839. Matthew Gibson was a justice of the peace. These were the men 
 who started the work of making the wilderness a home of peace and plenty 
 for future generations and well did they fulfill their self-imposed task. 
 
 This township also turned out liberally to induce the Mormons to leave 
 the country, just over their border, and who had proved very unwelcome 
 neighbors. They had, also, rallied to the call of General Thompson when 
 the Heatherly gang made their false alarm of an outbreak of an Indian war, 
 and so these settlers had their patriotism tried. 
 
 SAVED THEIE SCALPS. 
 
 And right here we will mention a little incident of how the prospect 
 that tomahawks and scalping-knives might be doing their bloody work, 
 was felt by at least one family. There is no question that the settlers felt a 
 cold chill pass up and down their spinal columns at the first news, and just 
 here is where it caught Mr. George Bunch. George had been attending 
 mill and looking after a farm, and wasn't at all anxious to become a second 
 Daniel Boone. The night following the. news was an anxious one among 
 the settlers, of which George Bunch, wife and several cliildren were one or 
 more. Quite a storm came up that night, and the wind broke off a limb of 
 a tree near his cabin, and it broke with a sharp sna]? that sounded for all 
 the world like the crack of a rifle. George heard it and with a bound was 
 out of bed and on his. feet, and with blankets wrapped around them the 
 family were hurried out into the open prairie and hid in the grass. The 
 rain came down and the grass seemed damp, but it was so much better than 
 being scalped that George was happy. Just as he thought that he was safe, 
 however, the baby, not used to the sudden change, set up a yell that nearly 
 took the hair all off of Bunch's head in its rise and his sudden terror. "For 
 God's sake," said Bunch, "wife, stop that crying or we will all be scalped!" 
 The poor wife and motlier was frightened and tried her best to stop the 
 child, and as she could not, she spoke, "0 George, I can't!" George 
 whispered back in awful desperation to " choke it," but it stopped 
 before the mother had to resort to extreme measures. It is hardly neces- 
 sary to saj' that Geoi-ge and his family saved their scalps, but it leaked out 
 about the choking business, aaid it was a good many years before George 
 Bunch was done with being greeted, "Choke it, George!" 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 559 
 
 ADVANCING. 
 
 The march of civilization goes on step by step, and the first advance 
 made in tliat line was in 1837, when the citizens began to put aside their 
 mud and stick chimneys and make them of stone. Mr. Humphrey Best 
 started this innovation, and had a stone chimney put in his house. Mr. Ira 
 Norris was the architect and builder, and Humphrey helped carry the stone. 
 The neighbors all around came and looked at it, and it was generally con- 
 ceded that it was real nice, a great improvement, and that Mr. Best was a 
 rising man. 
 
 INCIDENTS. 
 
 The first deatli in Madison township, if not, as has been heretofore stated, 
 an old lady who died at Dr. Wm. P. Thompson's, was a Mrs. Martin Wynn, 
 who died early in tlie year 1837, and was buried at Trenton, or rather, in 
 those days, Lomax Store. 
 
 The first cloth wove was by Mrs. Nancy Harris. The second justice 
 of the peace was Mr. Evans Peery, Dr. Thompson being first. The 
 first three doctors were Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, Dr. Jos. Cooper and Dr. 
 Archibald Peery. The very first sermon j^reached in Madison township, and 
 supposed to have been reall}^ the first in the county, was at the house of 
 George Peery, early in 1835, and was by the Kev. Thos. T. Ashby. 
 
 THE FIEST MAERIAGE. 
 
 The first wedding in Madison township, and this, also, is believed to have 
 been tlie first in Grundy county, was that of Mjlton L. Moore, to Miss 
 Louisa Peery, daughter of George Peery, all of Madison township. This 
 event occurred April 6, 1837. At the time of the wedding the young 
 couple took a short wedding tour, which was a common occurrence in 
 those days. This tour, however, was cut short bj' the fact that the young 
 husband's farm was only two miles from the old home, but they went on 
 horseback, all the same. The outfit was regal for those days. To be sure 
 the cabin was only partly fioored, and the window-sash and glass hadn't 
 arrived, nor had the Cliarter Oak cook stove come to hand, but such little 
 inconveniences were not thought worth while to worry over, for the skillet 
 was there, and, we are sorry to record, was cracked, and the bake-pan and 
 some tinware, such as cups and plates, and they went right to^ housekeep- 
 ing. Their parlor, bed-room, sitting-room and kitchen was arranged so 
 that they could be tlu'own all into one room, making their cabin a large 
 and commodious building, inside, and as they generally in the start united 
 all these rooms into one, it was mighty convenient, besides it looked more 
 sociable, and there weren't so niany rooms to sweep up, either. And this was 
 the way the belle of Madison township went to housekeeping, and such, we 
 
560 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 are assured was her housekeeping outfit. The lady is alive and well to-day, a 
 noble specimen of the woman-pioneer, and an honor to the county. May 
 she live long in the land with family and friends around her. 
 
 The first school taught in Madison towmship was by Miss Louisa Peery, 
 in the winter of 1835-36, the lady above spoken of She had been well 
 educated and taught successfully. This school is thought to have been the 
 first one in Grundy county. It was a log building about one mile rforth- 
 east of Edinbui-g, on what was known as Philip Wild's farm. It was 14x14 
 and built by "Wild, Peery, Scott and Thompson. 
 
 The second school taught was by Pobt. Moss, since removed to Livingston 
 county, in 1838, in a little log aftair, about one- fourth mile north of Wm. 
 N. Peery's present place of residence, a little over two miles west of north 
 of Edinburg. 
 
 ELECTIONS. 
 
 The first election held upon the soil of Madison, was in May, 1837, and 
 it was held at the house of Wm. Peery, aud, as the order for the election 
 read, " in and for Sugar Creek township." The judges at this election were 
 Wm. P. Thompson, George Bunch and Philip Wild. The elections were 
 the next year held at the house of Philip Wild, it being designated as the 
 voting precinct for said Sugar Creek township. 
 
 The first organized church in the township was the Coon Creek Baptist 
 Church. It was the usual log building, with puncheon seats and the win- 
 dows open to the weather. This church was organized in December, 1844, 
 and Elder Wm. McCammon was its first preacher and its last, that is the 
 elder is still in charge of this church, and has been its steady pastor for 
 seven and thirty years; yet in all that time his M'ork has been more one 
 of love than of emoluments. In fact, a ten dollar bill would more than 
 cover his cash receipts for that thirty-seven years of faithfull}' performing 
 God's holy work. IIow it would improve, and what a glorious world this 
 would be if there were more Wm. McCamraons? The Southern Methodist 
 located in Edinburg was the second church in tlie township. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. • ' 
 
 There are several fiouring-mills in Madison township, also in Taylor, and 
 a fine mill at Jamesport, in Daviess county, and why these are all men- 
 tioned here is because they were all built by one man and his sons, James 
 A. Graham. Mr. Graham is still alive, and a resident in the southwest 
 part of the township, about one half mile from the Daviess county line, but 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 561 
 
 he is one of the oldest settlors of Madison township. Of these old settlers 
 all were more or less identified with the official affairs of the township. 
 Wm. N. Peery has been a justice of the peace and on the school board for 
 years; his father, Evans, was a justice of the peace. Wni. and Dr. Archibald 
 have held trusts, and the latter is still living. Jno. P. Winters came in 1840, 
 and he held the assessorship; Wild, Bunch, Dunkerson, Gibson, and Harvey, 
 all held office, while the rest of the old settlers have all been prominent men, 
 and those still living stand among the foremost of the present day. In " 
 regard to the Mexican War, the company commanded by Maj. J. C. Griffin, 
 got a goodly number from Madison township. The California excitement 
 was really intense in that township, and a large number left. Many re- 
 turned fairly provided with the wealth of the golden land. Others re- 
 mained there being satisfied with the country. The unfortunate civil war 
 found Madison township pretty equall}' divided as to sentiment. Whatever 
 may have been thought of the final result of that fearful struggle, by the peo- 
 ple of Madison township, the predominant feeling now is, that there is no 
 time for bitterness, the present requiring their undivided attention. And thus 
 the war is little talked about, the desire being to pass it by and dwell in the 
 present and future of our countrj-, not in its past turmoil and strife. 
 
 Atrs. Absalom Harvey, another of the pioneers of Madison, is still living 
 at the age of eighty -five, but at present is not in good health and unable to 
 give the incidents of her early life, which was full of interest. Isaac J. 
 Harvey, her son, who built the first store in Edinburg, is now a resident of 
 California. Milton L. Moore, whose marriage is recorded in these pages, 
 went to California in 1850 and remained three j'ears, and died on his way 
 home. Thos. Carnes is living now; an honored citizen of Trenton. Many 
 of the old settlers, and in fact nearly all, have passed the portals of the 
 pearly gates, and but few are left. Madison township has thus kept pace 
 with hei- sisters in nearly every department of progress. Her schools and 
 churches have grown with her growth. Her farmers are nearh- all in good 
 circumstances, her soil is still rich and fruitful, and there are yet some thou- 
 sands of acres that should receive the care of the husbandman. It is a good 
 township to settle in — land ranges from ten to twenty dollars per acre, 
 according to location and improvements. Stock raising is demanding more 
 attention of late; the people are liberal and progressive. From 1870 her 
 people have voted time after time in favor of taking $25,000 stock in a rail- 
 road. Up to this ' time she has failed to get her " heart's desire," but the 
 day is near at hand when her hopes will be realized. The Quincy, Mis- 
 souri & Pacific Railroad, now at Trenton, will pass through this township 
 from east to west near its center. This will give her all the railroads she 
 will need, as no part of the township can be possiblj' over four or five miles 
 from a station. The settlements the past five years show no particularly 
 favored spot, all parts of the township seem to have progressed alike. The 
 
662 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 late Jesse Miller, of this township, was once county jiidsje, his wife is now 
 living, and has given some very interesting accounts of the early times. 
 
 MINEEAL SPEINGS. 
 
 Missouri is prolific in her mineral waters whose life and health-giving 
 properties are having a wide reputation. Many springs have been discovered 
 the past year, a chemical analysis of which has shown them to possess won- 
 derful curative properties. Those in Saline and Flatte counties have had 
 their virtues tried aud are found to have all those qualities whicli have such 
 remedial effect upon all sorts of chronic diseases. During the present- 
 month a mineral spring of undoubted health-giving qualities has been 
 found on the farm of Dr. U. T. Green within half a mile of Edinburg, and 
 some five miles west of Trenton. They are pleasantly situated on the edge 
 of a woodland with a beautiful undulating prairie reaching out for miles 
 around. The springs are capable of being handsomely improved. The 
 waters are said to have great curative qualities, and of a sufficient quantity 
 to make them a pleasant resort for many invalids, while those wlio are in 
 health will find them of great benefit. These springs are to be utilized and 
 another year a hotel and other accommodations will be found by those who 
 wish to partake of their healing waters. 
 
 EDINBUEG. 
 
 There are four small towns in Grundy county, of which Edinburg is the 
 oldest and is third in size, her present population being about 20t.'. The cen- 
 sus gave her a population in 1880 of 174. in this record of population there 
 is nothing to suggest a metropolitan city or people, in fact Edinburg is a 
 small village with the usual village attractions, but with a cultured and re- 
 fined people, some very pretty residences and grounds and a handsome lo- 
 cation. Edinburg is situated on the edge of a beautiful and undulating 
 prairie, is surrounded by a rich farming community, and is itself something 
 farm like in its features and make up. Quite a number of its residences 
 have back yards that cover a good many acres of ground, and grow prosper- 
 ous fields of cereal crops. It is about four and a half miles west of Trenton, 
 the county seat, and has two roads leading to that town. The town was 
 first located in 1838, and Isaac J. Harvey may be considered its founder. 
 He built both the first store and house on the present site of the town, and 
 on the spot where now stands the more modern structure of Woodruff & 
 Shafer. Harvey ran his store a number of years. A.s a large portion of the 
 settlers were farmers there was nothing to give Edinburg any great start 
 as a town, and the one store was about all it could afford for many years. 
 What is known as the Thompson settlement, the Peery's and the Witten's 
 gave about all that was of note to Edinburg in its early days. There 
 was really nothing of moment here until 1850 when "Edina," the poetical 
 name given to its Scottish namesake, made a forward march in the estab- 
 
HISTORY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 663 
 
 lishment of Grand River College, and from their determined efforts in the 
 cause of education did this beautiful country village take its name. 
 
 "Edina! Scotia's darling seat! 
 
 All hail thy palaces and towers, 
 Where once beneath a monarch's feet, 
 
 Sat legislation's sovereign power." 
 
 There is nothing in the history of Grundy county that can be more 
 proudly referred to than the inception and progress of this grand institution 
 of learning, the fame of whicli has spread over man}' States, and more es- 
 . pecially can the people of Madison take pride, for it is to them and their per- 
 sonal effort which has given to the county and this small village of Edin- 
 burg a name for culture and rehnement, and a lavish expenditure of 
 money in the cause of education, which is the foundation and at the same 
 time the citadel of American freedom, the education of the people. The 
 history of Grand Eiver College will be among the brightest and best of the 
 manj' marvels which gives to Grundy county the high station among the 
 most enlightened of her sisters. It was early in the year 1850 that serious 
 talk began to be heard of a more extended means of education than was 
 then vouchsafed to the people of Madison. Still their facilities were 
 equal to any of the neighboring townships. At that time there was no 
 school fund and the education of the children was all by private schools. 
 Those who could afford their children schooling did so. Still there was a 
 yearning for something besides "arithmetic, reading and writing," and that 
 with for a higher and more thorough course of educational training took 
 shape and form in the inauguration of Grand River College. 
 
 GllAND RIVER COLLEGE, EDINBURG. 
 
 Grand River College was lirst organized in August, 1850, and its first 
 teacher was John O. Martin. Mr. I. B. Allen was the founder and first 
 gave it life. The following contract shows that Mr. Allen took the respon- 
 sibility of starting a school which has since become famous for its great suc- 
 cess in imparting education, and for its thoroughness in every department. 
 Its list of graduates tells of this wonderful success. The contract reads as 
 follows : 
 
 "The undersigned agrees and promises to have taught in the Grand 
 River Academy any of the following branches of study for five months, at the 
 following prices per scholar; to-wit, orthography, reading, writing, arith- 
 metic commenced, at six dollars; English grammar, modern and ancient 
 geography and arithmetic completed, at eight dollars; logic, rhetoric, natural, 
 ancient and modern history, natural, mental and modern philosophy, at ten 
 dollars; chemistry, botany, astronomy, geometry, algebra, surveying, book- 
 keeping, Latin and Greek languages, at twelve dollars. For fuel per winter 
 session, fifty cents per scholar. 
 
 [Signed] I. B. Allen." 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 565- 
 
 " We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, promise to pay I. B. Allen, at 
 the close of the first session of the Grand River Academy, the foregoing 
 rates of tuition for each scholar affixed to our respective names. 
 
 Atigust 1, ISSO." 
 
 The first board of trustees was composed of the following named gentle- 
 men: W. H. Lyda, Benj. Fulkerson and Evans Peery. 
 
 A Mrs. Bryan was associated with Professor John O. Martin as a 
 teacher. 
 
 In the fall of 1851 Professor John Ordway, of Massachusetts, became the 
 principal of the school, and held the position until the destruction of the 
 school by fire in December, 1853. Mrs. Bryan continued as associate teacher. 
 Mr. M. McKean and Miss Flora Belle Chamberlin were added as assistants. 
 
 At this time Grand River Academy was the only school, public or private, 
 in north Missouri, and there was no other place within many miles where 
 even the rudiments of an education were taught. 
 
 There was a boarding department in the old building and pupils were 
 boarded at one dollar and a half per week, and the citizens also furnished 
 board to the pupils at nominal prices. The people were determined to 
 foster the school, which in the short time it had been under way had been 
 such a great success. They felt proud of it, and all si-emed to work together 
 and do all they could to promote its welfare. 
 
 CHAPTEE TWO. 
 
 Grand River College stands at the head of all institutions of learning, as 
 being the first in the State to open its doors to women giving them equal 
 privileges with men. It proved to be a successful advance, which has with 
 justice been adopted since in many other institutes, and Grand River claims 
 the credit and honor of inaugurating this just and desirable movement. 
 Many ladies have graduated from its halls. 
 
 Mrs. Bryan continued as teacher until August, 1852. 
 
 The college continued to prosper until December 25, 1853, when it was 
 destroyed by fire, caused by a defective flue. The fire was first discovered 
 by Thomas Carnes, who gave the alarm in time for the inmates to escape, 
 but too late to save much from the burning building. The building was in- 
 sured, and the money received for the insurance was divided among the 
 stockholders. This closed the career of the old Grand River College. The 
 site of the old college was about one quarter of a mile north of the present 
 buildings, and was built by a Mr. Edgar. 
 
 THE NEW COLLEGE. 
 
 Matters remained very quiet for two or three years, when the subject was 
 again broached for the rebuilding and the reorganization of the college. It 
 took shape and form in the year 1858, when a new building was erected by 
 
566 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 John T. Witten and William Peery. These gentlemen, with the assistance 
 of Dr. John Cullers, then a representative in the legislature from Grundy 
 county, secured a charter from that body the last of February. The char- 
 ter Was as follows: 
 
 "an act to incorporate the grand river college. 
 
 ^'■Be it enacted hy the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, as 
 follows: 
 
 " Section 1. That William Peery and John T. Witten, and such others 
 as they may associate with them, and their successors and assigns, are hereby 
 constituted a body politic and corporate, to be known by the name 
 of Grand River College, who may have perpetual succession, and use a 
 common seal and alter it at will, and may, in their corporate capacity, sue 
 and be sued, plead and be impleaded, defend and be defended, in any court 
 whatsoever. 
 
 " Sec. 2. That said corporation shall have power to receive by gift, grant, 
 devise, or otherwise, and shall hold to them and their successors for the use 
 of said college free from all taxation, any lands, tenements, money, goods, 
 or chattels, which may be purchased, devised or given to them, or in any 
 way belonging to said school, and may sell, put out at interest, lend or other- 
 wise dispose of the same on such terms as may be agreed on, and in such 
 manner as, to them, may seem most conducive to the advantages of the 
 school. 
 
 "Sec. 3. That said corporation shall have power to demand, sue for and 
 recover any money or property ah'eady subscribed, or which may hereafter 
 be subscribed to said school. 
 
 " Sec. 4. That section seven of article seven of ' an act to provide for the 
 organization, support and government of public schools in the State of 
 Missouri,' approved December 12, 1855, shall apply to the funds of this 
 school. 
 
 " Sec. 5. That said corporation shall have full power and authority to 
 confer such honors and degrees as are usually granted and conferred in 
 seminaries and colleges in the United States, and to prescribe and fix the 
 form and manner of attesting said honors and degrees. 
 
 " Sec. 6. That so much of an act entitled ' an act concerning corpora- 
 tions,' approved November 23, 1855, as may be construed to limit the ex- 
 istence of this corporation to a period of twenty years, and so much thereof 
 as may be construed to authorize the suspension, alteration or repeal of this 
 charter without the consent of the trustees, and all other acts which con- 
 flict with this act shall not aft'ect the charter hereby granted. And this act 
 shall take efiect and be in force from and after its passage. 
 
 "Approved, February 28, 1859." 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 567 
 
 CHAPTER THREE WHY SUCCESSFUL. 
 
 The successful inauguration of the New Grand River College was due to 
 a proposition made by Messrs. Peery and Witten to the citizens, which was 
 to the effect that if they would secure tifty scholarships at twenty dollars 
 each for six months, they would build a .$3,000 school building, or if they 
 would increase the scholarships to 100 they would put up a college building 
 to cost $6,000, and continue the school six years. The liberality of the 
 people and their hearty cooperation was evinced by accepting the latter 
 proposition, and a $6,000 college building was erected, and Edinburg be- 
 came the seat of one of the most successful and prosperous collegiate insti- 
 tutes in the State, if not in the country. The first few years after the com- 
 pletion of the new building and its inauguration, were dark and gloomy 
 ones. The civil war coming on caused much trouble and distress in all 
 kinds of business. The term of 1859-60 was opened by the employment 
 of Prof. John S. Tucker, his first assistant being Miss Annie Chamberlain. 
 During this session a difficulty arose in the management, and the friends 
 of the college divided, one party sustaining the directory, and the other 
 Prof. Tucker. The latter was not sustained, and he retired from the col- 
 lege. The board of trustees who had been appointed for the new college 
 were all personally anxious for its success, and gave much time and means 
 gratuitously to keep it in'order. The board was composed of the following 
 gentlemen: Wm. JS". Peery, A. Harvey, Waddy L. Curran, Thos. Brown, 
 Elkano Payne, Minor Wynn, John F. Witten and Wm. Peery. Mr. Wm. 
 C. Harvey being one of the most active of its friends from its new start. 
 
 DR. .JAMES F. BEUNER 
 
 was the next principal employed, taking the place of Prof. Tucker, and Miss 
 Dolly May was chosen as Jiis first assistant. The school continued until 
 the spring of 1861, when Dr. Bruner resigned and joined the federal forces 
 in the civil war, then just commencing. Prof. Bruner's resignation was 
 followed by the selection of Prof. Bassett as jjrincipal, wlio had as strong 
 rebel proclivities as his predecessor had for the Union. The school con- 
 tinued to the end of the school term, in June, when it closed. This ended 
 the college course until the close of the war. During the civil strife the 
 State militia used the college building for their headquarters, the State 
 troops having an encampment near. This suspension was a serious blow 
 to the college, and proved quite a loss to a large number of its patrons, es- 
 pecially those who had by money and labor been instrumental in inaugura- 
 ting the new departure. It is said that the use of the building by the State 
 troops while encamped here was never paid for. 
 
 The closing of the war, in the spring of 186.5, caused the people to take 
 new life, and the four years of carnage was in part obliterated by the re- 
 
568 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 newal of those enterprises, which at the beginning of the strife were under 
 way, at the place of leaving oif — making a blank line for the intervening 
 time. This is what took place with the college. In September, 1866, through 
 the instrumentality of the citizens of Edinburg and the trustees, the col- 
 lege was again opened, with encouraging prospects. Profs. Shaw and Lewis 
 undertook its management. They were educated gentlemen and good 
 teachers, and the start was one of excellent promise, but a promise not just 
 then destined to be fulfilled. They taught one year, when they gave it up. 
 During the time that the college existed it had received the public school 
 fund toward its support, and those persons who wanted to get the benefit 
 of that fund had to send their children to the Grand Eiver College. The 
 «lose of the term in June left the college again without a faculty, and the 
 future which had looked so promising the year before, had now become one 
 of gloom and despondency. Still, as it is always darkest just before day, 
 the gloom of June and July gave way to a bright and glorious September. 
 
 THE DAWN OF LIFE. 
 
 In September, 1866, Mr. John E. Vertrees, of Illinois, a graduate of 
 Shurtleff College, a talented and educated young man, who seemed to have 
 about him the air and manner of a successful teacher and manager, hearing 
 <)f the vacancy came to Edinburg and rented the G-rand River College for 
 one year for the sum of $250. Matters did not assume at once a very flat- 
 tering look, and the energy and perseverance of the new professor were 
 pretty severely tried. The failnre of Messrs. Shaw and Lewis when hope had 
 been so high, had caused so much despondency as well as distrust, that the 
 new teacher and proprietor did not meet with that encouragement so much 
 needed in the opening session. Promises of grer.t reduction in the terms 
 for the course resulted in bringing just fourteen pupils at the opening. But 
 Prof. Vertrees came to stay. His assistant was Miss A. A. Ayer, ofSt. 
 Johnsbury, Vermont, a lady of rare accomplishment and grace of bearing. 
 The motto of both was "success," and they did their utmost. The few pu- 
 pils who had entered began to show improvement surpassingly great for so 
 short a time, and then, somehow, they began to talk about their teachers, 
 and all this talk was of constant praise. The school began to look up. The 
 interest of the people, which had flagged and had been so dampening in the 
 start, took a new turn and by the time the school term closed in June, 1867, 
 Grand Kiver College had a\^kened into renewed life, and success was as- 
 sured. 
 
 A NEW ASSOCIATION. 
 
 At the close of the above term it was decided by a meeting of public 
 spirited gentlemen to form a joint stock company to be called the "Grand 
 River College Association." The company was formed, the college grounds 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 569 
 
 and buildings purchased and put in repair, and the property in its new 
 shape and ownership was offered to Prof. Vertrees free of rent for five years 
 upon the sole condition that he would keep up and maintain the school. 
 The proposition was accepted. Ln the meantime Miss A. A. Ayer became 
 Mrs. Vertrees, and when the fall term opened Mrs. Yertrees took the posi- 
 tion of first assistant to her husband. The organization of the college 
 and the trust imposed was placed in the hands of a Board of Trustees, the 
 following names constituting the board: Wm. N. Peery, Stephen Peery, 
 "Wm. C. Harvey, K. T. Short and John E. Vertrees. The board organized 
 by electing John E. Vertrees, president; Stephen Peery, vice-president; Dr. 
 E. T. Short, secretary, and Wm. 1\. Peery, treasurer. Opposition to the 
 new order of things was made, but not of a serious nature, and the school 
 continued with a general and steady progress. It was made a particular 
 feature to train young men and young women for the profession of teachers 
 and in that specialty the college was very successful. The five years of 
 lease was drawing successfully to its close, and among the teachers who 
 rendered efticient service in the good work were. Miss Helen Bernard and 
 H. S. Burgin; Mrs. L. M. Abbott and Miss Ella Johnson, music teachers; 
 Mrs. Wilburn, Miss Kosanna Markey, "Wm. N. Hendrickson, D. W. Mon- 
 roe, Chas. Duff, Miss Ollie Johnson and Miss Ella Peery. 
 
 "When the lease expired, in July, 1872, no arrangements were made for 
 its continuance, but Prof. Vertrees continued another short school year and 
 in 1873 took possession again under a four year's lease. Grand River Col- 
 lege had, up to the year 1876, been a private school. That year. Prof. Ver- 
 trees consenting, his lease having yet another year to run, the property was 
 turned over to the Baptists of North Missouri. Being more particularly 
 placed in the care of the North Grand River, West Fork, Gentry and Mt. 
 Moriah Baptist associations. 
 
 THE BAPTISTS TAKE OHAEGE. 
 
 The Baptists came into possession of the property upon the following 
 conditions: that the property with all its rights and privileges should be 
 theirs upon their adoption of it, and expending upon the property as a sort 
 of guarantee of their good faith, the sum of $3,500; the agreement was 
 complied with and the Baptists took control. Prof. Vertrees had thus con- 
 tinued in charge of the college as principal for ten years. To say that it 
 had acquired a name high in the role of successful educational institutions 
 would be but doing justice to the fair name of the principal and his talented 
 associates. Prof. Vertrees assumed charge of the school the first year under 
 the Baptist's organization. 
 
 THE BAPTIST BOAED 
 
 It would be well to add here that Livingston and Linn Baptist associa- 
 tions were added to the four first mentioned who accepted the property and 
 
570 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 trust, and the six associations mentioned each elected two members, and the 
 twelve members were to elect a thirteenth who was to be a resident of Edin- 
 burg. The board then, in the year 1878, was composed of the following 
 members: "West Fork Association, Rev. J. H. Burrows and Rev. D. C,. 
 Brown; Xorth Grand River, H. H. Burkeholder and Rev. H. H. Turner; 
 Mt. Moriah Association, Rev. T. S. McKenney and A. Adkisson;; Gentry 
 Association, Rev. S. R. Dillon and J. T. Daniel; Linn Association, Rev. 
 E. J. Scott and Rev. J. Gains; Livingston Association, Rev. W. W. Wal- 
 den and W. T. Harper. At the time the charge was assumed the Baptist 
 associations proposed to raise $5,000 to add to the efficiency of the college in 
 its educational department as well as make substantial repairs. In 1878 
 nearly $1,800 had been expended. Rev. John Woodward and Rev. P. 
 McCoUum were financial agents of the college in the order named. The 
 fall term of the institution opened again with Prof. Vertrees as principal, 
 although strenuous efforts had been made to supersede him. In Feb- 
 ruary, 1879, however. Prof. Vertrees resigned his position as principal after 
 thirteen years of constant and successful work. We give his letter as a 
 part of the history of the college: 
 
 eesignation of prof. vertrees. 
 
 "Grand River College, Edinburg, Mo., ) 
 "February 14tb, 1879. f 
 
 "Hon. a. H. Bttrkeholder, Prest. Bd. of Tmstees, G. R. G, 
 
 '■'■Dear Sir — I hereby present to you, and through you to the Board 
 of Trustees my resignation as principal of Grand River College, to 
 take effect at the close of the scholastic year, or sooner if you 
 find it convenient to supply the place. I wish to assure you that 
 my interest in the Grand River College has not in the least abated 
 nor is my faith in her success weakened. There can be no doubt 
 that the prospects of the school are brighter than ever before. Already 
 is the success of the school secureii beyond a doubt. I wish to express 
 to you my sincere thanks for the uniform courtesy that I have received from 
 you and your predecessors, and also for the confidence placed in me during 
 the thirteen years it has been my privilege to officiate as principal of Grand 
 River College. Very Respectfully, 
 
 "[Signed] Jno. E. Yeetrees." 
 
 The scholastic year ending June, 1878, was one of great success to the col- 
 lege. The faculty was increased, and the corps of teachers who had given it 
 such a prosperous year are deserving of meution. The following is the list: 
 Prof J. E. Vertrees, principal; Prof H. C. Adams, first assistant; Mrs. N. 
 E. Connor, second assistant; Prof. R. L. Deeds, principal of the primay de- 
 partment. The executive committee issued an address to the Baptist 
 

 CABKIAGE MANUFACTOKT OF J. M. WANNAMAKBR, TEENTON, MO. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 571 
 
 churches of North Missouri, and after giving the financial condition of the 
 college, spoke in high terms of the ability and earnest work of its corps of 
 teachers from its able head, Prof. Yertrees, down. 
 
 1879 AND 1880. 
 
 The fall term opened auspiciously. The position of principal of the school 
 was offered to Prof. R. S. Duncan, who declined, and the executive com- 
 mittee then selected Prof. Thomas H. Storts, of Kentucky, to fill the position. 
 He accepted, and entered upon his duties in August, 1879. E. B. McVeigh, 
 A. B., a graduate of Dennison University, Ohio, was chosen first assistant, 
 and Miss Ella Peery, of the class of '79 was selected as teacher for the fe- 
 male department, and Miss Flora Storts as music teacher. 
 
 The friends of the college worked with zeal and energy, and the new ad- 
 ministration started out with every prospect of success. Kev. P. McCollum 
 was continued as financial agent. 
 
 During the last two years a paper known as the Educational Monthly 
 had been conducted in the interest of the school. Prof. Storts took charge 
 of the paper and changed its name to Grand River College Coiorant. 
 
 During this year 131 pupils were enrolled, and the income was ample to 
 meet all the expenses of the school. 
 
 A house was erected on the eastern part of the college campus as a resi- 
 dence for the president. It was intended also for a home for the young ladies 
 who should come there to board. This is a large, well-built, commodious 
 house. 
 
 At the board meeting June, 1880, the same teachers were continued in 
 office, and L. H. Shafer was elected treasurer of the board. 
 
 During the year 1880-81 the school was not quite so prosperous as the 
 year before, but arrangements were made to largely increase its field of 
 usefulness. 
 
 At the annual meeting in June, 1881, the office of president of the faculty 
 was created, and John E. Vertrees was chosen to fill the place. Prof. P. B. 
 McVeigh was continued as instructor of languages, and Mrs. Cornelia Hall 
 was selected as teacher of the primary department. The board also decided to 
 begin the work of endowment, and ordered that the president be relieved 
 from active duty of teaching and devote himself as far as practicable to raising 
 fund for endowtnent. A system of scholarships, was agreed upon, and they 
 are now offered for sale. 
 
 President — John E. Vertrees, A. M. 
 
 Vice-President and Professor of Mathematics and Sciences — John E. 
 Brown, A. B. 
 
 Professor of Languages — Reuben B. McVeigh, A. M. ' 
 35 
 
572 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Teacher of Primary Department — Mrs. Cornelia Hall. 
 
 Teacher of Vocal Music, Piano and 6>r^«?i— Professor Gustavus 
 Dolfnss. 
 
 In April, 1880, the title of the property known as the Grand Eiver Col- 
 lege was formally passed to the board of trustees, in trust, for the Baptists 
 of north Missouri, for educational purposes. 
 
 BOAED OF TEUSTBES. 
 
 North Grand Eiver Association — Eev. H. fl. Turner, Alpha; Hon. A. 
 H. Burkeholder, Trenton. 
 
 West ForTi Association — Judge C. P. Brandom,Edinburg; T. G. Nevill, 
 Bancroft. 
 
 Mount Moriah Association — Eev. Israel Christie, McFall; Maj. A. 
 Adkisson, Gentryville. 
 
 Gentry Association — H. H. Hussey, Stanberry; Rev. S. W. Fuson, 
 Albany. 
 
 Livingston Association— 3 . K. Stein, Chillicothe; W. T. Harper, Chil- 
 licothe. 
 
 Linn Association^'Rev . E. Scott, Brookfield; Eev. J. Goins, Brown-. 
 
 ing. 
 
 £^din7jurg—W ilWum C. Harvey, Edinburg. 
 
 Officers of Board^Hon. A. H. Burkeholder, president; Eev. Israel Chris- 
 tie, vice-president; L. H. Shafer.treasurer; Prof. E. B. McVeigh, secretary. 
 
 Executive Committee— 'Rev. H. H. Turner, A. H. Burkeholder and 
 William C. Harvey. 
 
 A HOME INSTITUTION. 
 
 Perhaps the best claim this famous institution of learning has to confi- 
 dence and esteem is the home support it has always received. Few of the 
 citizens of Grundy or surrounding counties ever cared to send their children 
 to any other school so long as Grand Eiver College could open its doors to 
 the pupils who sought admission within its famous portals, and the city of 
 Trenton can show a large list of its most prominent merchants and business 
 men— in fact, in every department or avocation of life — who claim Grand 
 Eiver College as their alma mater. 
 
 BUSINESS. 
 
 The store of Isaac Harvey continued for several years; he had also a farm. 
 It is not clear who followed Mr. Harvey. Peery & Carnes are supposed to 
 have opened in 1851. In 1852 O. G. Newton started the first blacksmith 
 shop, and he had a competitor in a man by the name of Mills. They did a 
 good business for those days. That same year Forkner, Peery & Co. started 
 a store, Fielding and James Peery composing the firm with Forkner, and 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 573 
 
 Abner McFarland inl853 ; Mitchell Peery bad a store in operation in 1854r-55. 
 Thos. Peery and Absalom Harvey opened a store in 1858. John Peery 
 opened a travelers' home or hotel the same year, 1858. James A. Wood- 
 ress came in 1856, and Dr. R. W. Witten in 1852. Next to go into the 
 mercantile business were Archibald Thompson and Wm. Peery. George 
 Harvey started a grocery in 1859, and Robert Hntton was in business in 
 1859 and continued until 1862. The credit of the first hotel is given to 
 Hugh Mills, but he ran no omnibus line in connection. This was some- 
 time previous to 1850. The first church organized was the Southern Meth- 
 odist in 1854, a log building. The Methodist Church North was built in 
 1869, and its first pastor was the Rev. Holes. 
 
 The fact in regard to the business of Edinbu rg in old times is, that it was 
 good. The west side of the river liad been settled as long as any other, and 
 not until the troubles of 1861 commenced did she lose much of her great- 
 ness. But the growth of Trenton, especially since the railroads gave it ex- 
 tra life, has not added to the building up of Edinburg. L. M. Abbott 
 opened a store but concluded after a year to sell to Gannaway & Adkis- 
 son. Then Woodress & Abbott joined forces and started in business in 
 1866, and among the names of those who did business for a short time are 
 Chas. Witten, A. Calhoun, Dr. Johnson, Ward & Gannaway, Wynn & Mc- 
 Dougal. In the meantime Woodress & Abbott dissolved partnership, and 
 started as Woodress & Albin. Woodress then sold to Albin and after 
 a while Wm. Albin thought he would sell back to Woodress and did so. 
 After running awhile Mr. Woodress formed a new partnership in 1873, tak- 
 ing in a young man, Mr. Shafer, and since then the firm has been Wood- 
 ress & Shafer; the latter attends to the business and is a son-in-law "of 
 Mr. Woodress. 
 
 INCORPORATED. 
 
 It was not to be expected that Edinburg would long remain an isolated 
 village so far as being incorporated was concerned. They had a good many 
 merchants and other people, had the only college in the count}', the crash 
 of 1873 had come and gone and there was absolutely nothing on hand to 
 do but to be incorporated with certain raetes and bounds so that an Edin- 
 burg town lot could be told from a Madison township farm. This was an im- 
 portant consideration, so a meeting was called, the importance of beino' an 
 incorporated town explained and it was unanimously decided that the dig- 
 nity of the town could only be sustained by having it incorporated. A peti- 
 tion was drawn up and the work for this important measure was com- 
 menced. There was little or no opposition to the scheme and it was 
 numerously signed by the men of Edinburg. The petition as drawn up 
 and signed is as follows: 
 
574 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 PETITION TO INCOEPOKATE THE TOWN OF EDINBUEG. 
 
 " To the Honorable County Court of Grundy county, Missouri: — We, 
 the undersigned citizens and tax-payers of Edinburg, Grundy county, Mis- 
 souri, hereby petition your honorable body to incorporate the town of 
 Edinburg, in Grundy county, Missouri, and thereby give us the powers 
 and privileges of a corporation in accordance with the laws of the State 
 of Missouri, the metes and bounds of said corporation to be as follows; 
 to-wit, Beginning at a stake three rods south of the northwest corner of 
 the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 15, in township 
 61, range 25; thence north one hundred and eight (108) rods, to a stake; 
 thence east eighty rods to a stake; thence south eighty-eight rods to a 
 stake; thence east twenty-five rods to a stake; thence south twenty rods 
 to a stake; thence west one hundred and five rods, to the place of begin- 
 ning; the same to include the town of Edinburg. 
 " Signed : 
 
 Henry Totten. Geo. "W. Sparks. 
 
 W. T. Gannaway. W. W. Sparks. 
 
 Jno. E. Vertrees. N. B. Hunt. 
 
 J. M. Sparks. W. P. Gates. 
 
 W. Y. N. Keys. G. W. Totten. 
 
 John "Ward. Jacob J. Botsford. 
 
 Daniel Bainter. JohnWitten. 
 
 Mrs. Susan Watkins. L. H. Shafer. 
 
 W. B. Boyer. A. "W". Dumm. 
 
 H. H. Turner. L. F. Falkenstein. 
 
 K. T. Short. Wm. Albin." 
 
 Armed with this formidable document, they proceeded to interview the 
 County Court, with happy results. The court made the following order: 
 
 OEDEE OF INOOEPOKATION OF THE TOWN OF EDINBUEG. 
 
 "April Term County Court, April 17th, 1877. 
 
 "Now at this day come John E. Vertrees and others, citizens and 
 tax-payers of the town of Edinburg, and file their petition, asking to have 
 the town of Edinburg incorporated, which petition was granted, and it is 
 ordered that said town be incorporated, and that L. H. Shafer, John E. 
 Vertrees, William Albin, Dr. R W. Witten and Wesley Sparks be 
 appointed trustees for said town." 
 
 There has been but little since the incorporation of the town to make 
 history. It will never become a large city, but as it is, it has something 
 worthy of its care and pride, and that is the college. Let the people of 
 Madison township foster and sustain Grand River College, and make it 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COTTNTT. 575 
 
 worthy of all praise. Its name has gone forth, and with it a fair reputa- 
 tion that will bring it a heritage that cannot be takea away, and will 
 increase from generation to generation. 
 
 EDINBUEG IN 1881. 
 
 The present business of Edinburg is conducted by Woodress & Shafer, 
 general dry goods, groceries, etc.; John H. George, groceries, cigars and 
 tobacco; John Ward, drug store, and also landlord of the Ward House; 
 John J. Botsford, wagon manufacturer and blacksmith. He has a fine 
 establishment on the site of the old Newton shop, keeps three hands 
 besides himself, and has a new and commodious establishment, and a repu- 
 tation which is well and favorably known far beyond the limits of Grundy 
 county, and of great value to Edinburg. He succeeded his father, Amos, in 
 the wagon department. N. B. Hunt started a wagon manufactory in 1856, 
 and he was followed by the above, Mr. Amos Botsford, and he by his son. 
 
 J. M. Sparks opened a blacksmith and repair shop in 1874, and is doing 
 a good, steady business. 
 
 Daniel Bainter keeps another hotel at the north end of town, and is a 
 favorite with the traveling public. 
 
 Edinburg Lodge, I. O. O. F., No. 394, was organized February 22, 1880. 
 The first officers of the lodge were L. H. Shafer, JST. G. ; John Crowder, V. 
 G.; John E. Yertrees, treasurer, and James Witten, secretary. They elect 
 their officers every six month. The order had seventeen charter mem- 
 bers. Its present ofiicers are James Witten, N. G.; John H. George, V. 
 G.; W. W. Barnes, secretary, and Wm. Harding, treasurer. The order 
 has now forty-five members, and is in a flourishing condition. Meetings 
 are held weekly. 
 
 A cornet band was organized in the fall of 1878, and since that time has 
 become not only proficient in its musical education and training, but very 
 popular with the citizens, and is considered one of the permanent insti- 
 tutions of the town. It numbers ten members, as follows: A. B. Barnes 
 and C. D. Thompson, E-flat; Lee McNaught, B-flat; Otto Crowder, 2d 
 B-flat; James E. Gates, first alto; James F. Godwin, second alto; Oliver 
 Watkins, tenor; Geo. F. Witten, baritone; John H. George, bass; David 
 E. Dick, bass-drum, and Wm. Dent, tenor-drum. 
 
 This closes the record of Madison township, and of the beautiful town of 
 Edinburg, up to the year 1881, both growing, with a bright and prosperous 
 futui'e before them. The ofiicers of the township at the present time are 
 James A. Godwin, assessor and clerk; Samuel K. Witten, trustee; William 
 Harding, collector, and L. H. Shafer and Thomas Bosley, justices of the 
 peace. L. H. Shafer, postmaster. 
 
576 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 EEV. WILLIAM BALDWIN. 
 
 William Baldwin was born in Preble county, Ohio, January 15, 1812, 
 where he lived until he was about sixteen years of age, when his father 
 moved to Montgomery county, Indiana, where he grew to manhood. He 
 embraced religion in his early days, and afterward began preaching. He 
 was married to Miss Elizabeth Harrison, September 6, 1832. Was ordained 
 elder in 1838, and had charge of several churches in his native county; also 
 carried on a farm, which he sold out in 1856, and came to Daviess county, 
 Missouri, where he has made his home most of the time since. Two years 
 ago, in 1879, he came to Grundy county and settled on the farm where he 
 now lives. Elder Baldwin preached in several churches in this county while 
 he lived in Daviess county; he officiated at nearly all tlie marriages of 
 Elder McOammon's children, besides a great many others in this county; 
 filled the pulpit in the Union Church on Coon Creek while Elder McCam- 
 mon's lungs were affected, part of the time during the war. There 
 are four i>reachers now laboring for the Master who were brought to repent- 
 ance through his labors in the good cause ; namely, John. L. Netherton, 
 James Poe, Joseph Wood and DeWitt Brown. He baptized the first three. 
 He has conducted several successful revivals during his labors, has baptized 
 as high as thirty-six persons at one going into the water, and has baptized 
 forty persons a year for three years. He still preaches occasionally now, 
 but has no church in charge. His first wife died September 19, 1850. 
 They had eight children: Mary H., Alzina A., Sarah E., JSfancy J., Zerilda 
 C, Samantha E., Martha E. and John W. Mary H., Alzina A., Sarah E. 
 and Zerilda 0. are dead. He married Mrs. Mary Worley, November 6, 1851. 
 They had three children : Eobert L., Emma A. and Samuel F. Eobert L. 
 and Samuel F. are dead. Elder Baldwin was assessor under the old town- 
 ship law, and was on the school board for several years. 
 
 JUDGE CHAKLES P. BEANDOM. 
 
 Charles P. Brandoni was born in Eappahanock county, Virginia, Septem- 
 ber 7, 1834, where he lived and grew to manhood, and attended the district 
 schools during the winter months, and worked on the farm in the spring 
 and summer. He was living with his father when he married the first time, 
 Miss Betty C. White, August 24, 1854, and continued to reside with him 
 nntil October 7, 1855, when he moved to Greene county, Ohio, and remained 
 until September, 1856. At this time he went into debt for a pair of horses, 
 harness and wagon and some furniture, all of which he loaded into his wagon, 
 and with his wife and one child started for Missom-i. He landed near Gal- 
 latin, Daviess county, where he remained until the spring of 1857, then 
 moved on a farm near Edinbnrg where he remained nntil the sf)ring of 
 
niSTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 577 
 
 1859. His wife was killed by lightning August 9th, the same year, and he 
 lay in bed sick with a fever at the time the bolt struck his house, breaking 
 every window in it and tearing up clothing and bedding; the house was 
 nearly rended to pieces; his family had just got up from the dinner table 
 where every dish was turned upside down, and his wife had come to his 
 bedside to ask him what he wanted to eat, when the lightning struck her, 
 and she fell dead by the bed ; it also tore the sheet and pillow-cases that 
 hung over the bed into strings. Judge Brandom thinks his life was saved 
 by his lying on a feather bed. This misfortune about broke him up, besides 
 robbing him of his dearly beloved wife. He remained here until January, 
 
 1860, when he took his only child and went back to Greene county, Ohio, 
 where his wife's relatives lived, and stayed there about one yeai", then 
 returned to his father's, who was in Daviess county, with whom he remained 
 until he married again, his second wife being Miss Lodey McCammon, 
 daughter of William McCammon, whom he married July 24, 1862. The 
 spring of 1863 he moved on a farm his father-in-law gave him in Grundy 
 county, where he still lives. By hard work and good management he has 
 accumulated considerable property, and now owns twelve hundred acres of 
 land, all told, in this county, and one of the finest farm houses in the county, 
 has a very large barn, and in fact the-outbuildings are good and his farm is 
 all fenced. He deals in cattle and stock generally, and has a large herd of 
 cattle feeding for market, besides sheep, horses, mules and other stock too 
 numerous to mention. He was elected county judge in 1877; has been one 
 of the school board for a number of years; is one of the directors of the 
 Grand River College now; and was township trustee xmder theold township 
 law until it was repealed. Mr. and Mrs. Brandom are members of the 
 Baptist Church. They have had six children, beside Olivia Belle, his first 
 wife's child. Their names are Sylvester W., Eleonora I., Edna Earl, Oriola, 
 Lora Leota and William M. Edna E. and William M. are dead. 
 
 JOHN JACOB BOTSFORD 
 
 Was born in Andrew county, Missouri, July 28, 1853, where he lived until 
 he was about two years of age, when his father moved to Hancock county, 
 Indiana. There he remained about two years, when his father moved back 
 to Missouri and located in Edinburg, where he has since resided. He was 
 educated in the Grand Kiver College. In 1871 he was apprenticed to a 
 blacksmith in Chillicothe, Missouri, where he worked for three years; after 
 that went to Moberly, Missouri, and worked in the blacksmith department 
 of the railroad shops at that place for several years, then thought he would 
 start out and see the world. He traveled through Kentucky, Tennessee 
 and Illinois, and in 1875 returned to Edinburg, bought out the blacksmith 
 shop, and embarked in business for himself. By attending strictly to busi- 
 ness he has been enabled to enlarge his shop to double its former capacity, 
 and has built a new wagon and paint shop, until his establishment is now 
 
578 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 about four times as large as when he started. He manufactures wagons, 
 spring wagons and carriages, and does general blacksmithing, emploj'ing 
 from three to four men. He is a good business man and a credit to the 
 town. Mr. Botsford married Miss Mary Ann A. Witten, August 3, 1876. 
 His wife died June 4, 1881, leaving two little boys, Claude Thompson and 
 Homer Parmlee. 
 
 WILLIAM W. BARNES 
 
 Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, August 5, 1839, where he lived until 
 he was four years of age, when his father moved to Monroe county, same 
 State, where he was educated and grew to manhood, and followed farming 
 and school teaching. He married Miss Amanda J. Dumm, February 12, 
 1860, and settled on a farm, where he was when the war broke out. He 
 enlisted in the Ohio State militia, and his company was called out several 
 times, twice to go after the great raider, John Morgan, who was captured on 
 the farm of his wife's uncle. Remaining in the militia until about the close 
 of the war, he moved to Grundy county, Missouri, in April, 1865, and since 
 then has followed farming, teaching school during the winter; after having 
 taught nine terms in succession in his own district, he gave up teaching and 
 devoted all his time to farming. In the fall of 1880 he embarked in the 
 fine stock business, dealing in short-horn Durham cattle and Norman 
 horses, and owns the thorough-bred bull Paris, registered in the American 
 Herd-book, volume 21, also two ISTorman mares. It is his intentiori to go to 
 Kentucky this winter to purchase some pure Short-Horn heifers, and at the 
 same time to buy some full blood Norman mai'es for breeding. He has a 
 fine farm of one hundred and fort}' acres, and intends to devote his time to 
 breeding blooded stock and improving the live stock of this county. He in- 
 vites the farmers of this and adjoining counties to call and see his stock. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Barnes have six children; namely, John B., Wilbur L., 
 Lewis E"., Frank Carl, Essie and Bessie, twins. They are members of the 
 M. E. Church. 
 
 JOSIAH BARNES 
 
 Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, August 23, 1815, where he lived about 
 thirty years. He married Miss Susannah D. Barnes, in October, 1842, and 
 moved to Monroe count}', same State, in 1845. They had five children. 
 His wife died in 1852, and he married Miss Mary Elizabeth Driggs, October 
 17, 1854. They resided in Monroe county until 1865, when he moved to 
 Grundy county, Missouri, and settled on a farm near Edinburg, where he 
 still resides. Mr. Barnes was township trustee in his native county but has 
 not held any ofiice since he came to this county. Some years since he was 
 asked to write up this county, giving the statistics of the ampunt of grain, 
 etc., raised in the county, fo]- the State Agricultural Society, and spent a 
 good deal of time hunting up such information as was wanted; he could not 
 
HISTORY OF GEtTNDT COUNTY. 579 
 
 find any two men who could tell him the same thing, but procured most of 
 his information from Major John C. Griffin, of Trenton. He has been the 
 father of ten children in all: William W., Abel Benson, Mary Elizabeth, 
 Lydia Ellen, and babe not named, by bis present wife; and Benjamin Allen, 
 Milton Orion, Maggie Belle, Ellsworth Eugene (dead), and Milo Kingsley, 
 by his first wife. Mr. and Mrs. Barnes, and two children, are members of 
 the M. E. Church. He has been church steward for thirty-six years. 
 
 DANIEL BAINTEE 
 
 Was born in Fayette county, Ohio, October 28, 1825, where he lived until 
 he was about twenty years of age, wlien he went to Henry county, Indiana, 
 where he married Miss Charlotta Corry, September 22, 1850. They lived 
 there on a farm until the fall of 1856, then moved to Grundy county, and 
 located on a farm about one and one-half miles from Edinburg. In 1861 he 
 joined the home-guards, under Col. Shanklin and Major DeBolt. His 
 companj^ held themselves in readiness to go whenever they were called on, 
 which was very often, in fact every time that any raiding was done north of 
 the Missouri River; they were called on several times to hunt Quantrell and 
 his band out of this part of the country. He remained in the service until 
 the war was over, when he settled down to farming until the fall of 1866, 
 when he moved to Edinburg, kept a boarding house and run his farm. 
 About five years ago he " hung out his sign," and commenced to keep hotel, 
 which he is still conducting, and keeps a first-class place where man and beast 
 can find the best of accommodations. Mrs. B. presides over the culinary de- 
 partment to the satisfaction of all comers. Mr. Bainter was appointed post- 
 master under President Grant during his first term, which position he 
 held for several 3'ears, then resigned in favor of Mr. Shaffer, the present post- 
 master, because he could not spare the time to attend to the office. He was 
 elected town constable for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Bainter have eight 
 children; viz., William Henry, Sarah Elizabeth, Thomas Albert, John Mil- 
 ton, Mary Eliza, Pen-y Anderson, Ella Belle, and Eddie McGilbert; 
 William Henry, and Sarah E., Avere born in Indiana, the rest were born in 
 Grundy county. Sarah Elizabeth, Thomas Albert, John Milton, Mary 
 Eliza, Perry Anderson, and Ella Belle are all dead. 
 
 WILLIAil H. CUEEAN 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Yirginia, May 1, 1841, where he lived until 
 eleven years of age, then moved to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1852, where 
 he located on the farm he still lives on. He went back to Virginia in 1861, 
 and enlisted in the Confederate army, where he served during the war. Mr. 
 Curran married Miss Nancy Wilson, April 24, 1862. They lived in the 
 "Old Dominion" until 1868, then moved back to Missouri, where he went 
 to farming again on the old place. His wife died October 10, 1874, leaving 
 
580 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 eight children. January 18, 1875, he married Miss Josephine J. Ketron. 
 She was born in Carroll county, Missouri, October 5, 1842, and her parents 
 came to this county when she was about six years old. They have had four 
 children. The names of his first wife's children are William E., Hugh W., 
 Charles F., Sarah O., Mary V., John J., E. M., Myrtle B.; and those of his 
 second wife, !Nancy V., Luvenia J., Thomas and Thompson, twins; Mary 
 Y. and Thompson are dead. 
 
 .JOHN D. FBOMAN 
 
 Was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, Novem ber 24, 1838, where he 
 lived until he was about seven teen years of age, when his father moved to 
 Daviess county, Missouri. He married Miss iN^ancy J. Moore, October 11, 
 1860, and moved on his farm, where he lived until 1865, when he went into 
 the mercantile business in Bancroft. He remained about two years, then 
 sold out and went back on the farm where he stayed about two years, when 
 he bought an interest in a grist-mill, in company with Mr. Graham; the firm 
 was Graham & Froman, and he remained about two years, and then sold 
 out to his brother. From there he went to Gallatin, and bought an interest 
 in a grist and saw-mill, remained about one year, sold out again, rented his 
 mother-in-law's farm, which he has cultivated ever sinc6. He has been on 
 the school board for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Froman had nine children, 
 Lena, Linnie, Leona, Emma, James E., Harry T., Clyde M., Anna E., and 
 Nancy J. ; Lena, Leona, and Anna E., are dead. Mrs. Froman died Decem- 
 ber 23, 1880. 
 
 T. P. FULKEKSON. 
 
 Theophilus P. Fulkerson was born in Grundy county, Missouri, April 
 6, 1845, where he has lived ever since. He was a student of the old Grand 
 Eiver College and attended the first school ever taught in it, under John O. 
 Martin, continuing until the school-house burned, when he went to the dis- 
 trict school taught by Morgan P. Scott. He worked on the farm during 
 the summer and went to school in the winter, and when about twelve years 
 old, he and his brother ran a carding-machine in Edinburg. For two sum- 
 mers he attended tlie sessions of the new Grand River College, under Mr. 
 Wheeler. July 16, 1863, he enlisted in company K, First Missouri cav- 
 alry, Capt. H. F. Peery; they did duty all over the State and were in several 
 skirmishes; he was mustered out in 1865, and then settled down to farming 
 again. He married Miss Sarah J. Fulkerson, July 4, 1869. They had two 
 children, and Mrs. F. died February 21, 18T4. March 2, 1876, he married 
 Miss Phylena Emeline Hudson. They have had two children. The names 
 of the children by botli marriages are: Fred C, Fannie (dead) Ira, and one not 
 named. Mr. and Mrs. Fulkerson are members of the M. E. Church. He 
 owns a farm of three hundred and twenty acres. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 581 
 
 WILLIAM P. GATES 
 
 "Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, Maj' 6, 1833, where he gi*ew to 
 manhood. His early years were filled with many hardships. His lather 
 died when he was about seven years old, and he being the eldest child, was 
 bound out to a preacher and lawyer, with whom he staid until he was about 
 twelve years of age; was then turned out of house and hom.e owing to the 
 death of his employer's wife. He returned home, as his mother had married 
 again, and remained there about two years. Was again bound out, to a 
 farmer, with whom he lived until eighteen years of age, when he 
 left him to try to get an education, as he had never been to school a day in 
 his lifef. He went to live with a farmer, working for his board night and 
 morning and such time as he had to spare from school; attended school for 
 three months, and had to walk five miles every morning and night to and 
 from school. This was about all the schooling he ever received, and as he 
 had lived around enough to learn that a man without an education in this 
 world was not much respected, determined to have a little education, and 
 used to ask people to help him to read; in that way he acquired what edu- 
 cation he has. He learned the shoemaker's trade and employed men to work 
 for him ; used to study of nights and they would help him. This was done 
 principally after he came to this county. To-day he is one of the best in- 
 formed men in the county where he lives, and has followed up his thirst for 
 knowledge until he has got to be a great reader, and keeps "posted" in the 
 general news of the country. Mr. Gates married Miss Mary A. Harper, 
 August 4, 1853. In 1856 he concluded to go West, sold ofi" about all he 
 had, except some bedding and clothing, which he got a neighbor to haul to 
 the Ohio River for him, as they were coming West in company; he and 
 and his wife walking. He carried his seven months old child on his back one 
 hundred miles, from his native county to the Big Sandy Kiver at Prestons- 
 burg, Kentucky, where he and his father-in-law bought a flat-boat, which 
 took about all the money he had, some $11. They then floated down the 
 Big Sandy to the mouth, where thej^ took a steamboat up the Ohio River to 
 Guyandotte, where he had to stop and go to work, as his money was all gone. 
 He worked on the wire suspension bridge, being built there at that time, 
 receiving one dollar per day and boarding himself, and thought that he had 
 found a " bonanza," as he had never received but fifty cents a day where he 
 came from. He worked here about forty-five days, then got another job 
 and worked there all summer to get enough to take his family on to Mis- 
 souri. Leaving there October 22d, he landed at Brunswick, Missouri, No- 
 vember 22d, being on the river one month, and landing there with only one 
 gold dollar to his name. However, he had friends in Grundy county, where 
 he came the same fall, and has been ever since, except about one year spent 
 in Daviess county. He has followed farming most of the time since 
 
582 HISTORY OF GETJNDY COUNTY. 
 
 he came, onl}' working at his trade in winter. In 186i he moved to Edin- 
 burg, where he still lives. Was enrolled in the Missouri militia the same 
 jear and served twentj'-three days. Mr. Gates is respected by all who know 
 hipi. Ml', and Mrs. Gates have five children, two of whom were born in 
 Virginia and the others in this county: Thomas H., Louisa J., Althea J., 
 William B. and James E. There are but two living, William B. and James E. 
 
 WILLIAM T. GANNAWAY 
 
 Was born in Harding county, Kentucky, February 8, 1831, where he lived 
 about ten years, when his mother moved to LaKue county, the same State, 
 where he lived about five years and then went to Breckinridge county, 
 Kentucky. Here he lived some six years, then moved to Macon eounty, 
 Missouri, in 1852, remaining about two years, when he went to Gentry 
 ■county, Missouri. He lived there nine years, and spent the winter of 1862 
 and 1863 in Nebi-aska. In the spring of 1863 he went to Montana, remain- 
 ing there one year; came back to Iowa and spent the winter of 1864 and 
 1865. In the spring of the last named year he engaged in freighting on 
 the plains, which he followed that season, then came to this county. He 
 ■entered the mercantile business in Edinburg, continuing until August, 1871, 
 when he sold out and went to Gentryville, and again embarked in the mer- 
 cantile business, carried it on fourteen months, and again came back to 
 Grundy county and located on the farm where he now lives, near Edinburg, 
 and engaged in general farming. He has been postmaster in Gentryville 
 and Edinburg. 
 
 Mr. Gannaway married Miss Mary Olivia Wynn, September 28, 1871. 
 She was born in Grundy county, March 22, 1846, in the house she still lives 
 in, was the daughter of Minor Wynn, and is a member of the M. E. Church 
 (South). They have had three children; named, Leona, Bertha and Martha 
 Emma. Leona and Martha Emma are dead. Mr. Gannaway owns a farm 
 of two hundred acres. 
 
 JOHN M. GRAHAM 
 
 Was born in Belmont county, Ohio, May 5, 1804, where he lived about two 
 years, when his mother died and an uncle took him to Fayette county, Penn- 
 sylvania. He lived there until he was about twenty-one years of age, was 
 educated and learned the spinning wlieel business, which he followed for a 
 number of years, then moved to White county, Illinois. In 1825 he and his 
 brother started for that State, and having no money to pay their fare they got 
 a skifi" and rowed themselves down the Monongahela and Ohio rivers from 
 above Pittsburgh to Mt. Vernon, Indiana, about 1,000 miles; they left tlie 
 river at this point and footed it across Posey county to the Wabash River, 
 where he paid out the last dime he had in the world to get across the ferry; 
 they footed it to where their elder brother had gone nine years before. Mr. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 5SS 
 
 Graham married Miss Kebecca Phillips, February 15, 1826. He lived on a 
 farm and made spinning-wheels, and speculated on the river; loaded a flat- 
 boat with pork and lard and took it down to New Orleans, met with a good 
 sale and did well, was very successful in his speculations and amassed con- 
 siderable property before he left Illinois. He came to Missouri in the sum- 
 mer of 1845, and settled in Grundy county, where he has made his home 
 ever since. Mr. Graham was one of the early settlers of this county, and 
 he has ever been a valuable acquisition to the county. He came here with 
 a respectable capital, about $10,000, which he invested in machinery and 
 other improvements (he held an interest in seven mills at one time in this 
 and adjoining counties, holding from one-third to two-thirds interest in each 
 of them), and industries to the great advantage of this then newly settled 
 region. He embarked in the mercantile business in Trenton, took Mr. 
 James Austin into partnership with him, carried on business for a sl^ort 
 time and then sold out tu Ashley Gulley. In 184:6 he and Mr. Phillips 
 went into the sheep business, and he sent his sou to Clarke county, Ohio, to 
 buy them, who bought 1,019 head, which he drove through to Missouri. 
 They followed this business a few years, then abandoned it, as it did not 
 pay, washed wool in St. Louis bringing only twenty-two and one-third cents 
 per pound. He afterwards outfitted nine men to go to California, his three 
 sons among the number; they went in the early excitement. This proved 
 another bad investment. He has retired from all business. Mr. Graham 
 served as postmaster for twenty years, part of the time in Illinois. His 
 wife was born in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, October 15, 1803, 
 and was reared in West Virginia. Her parents moved to White county,. 
 Illinois, where she lived about twenty-nine years. Mr. and Mrs. Graham 
 have had nine children; namely, Nancy H., James, William, John M., 
 Emily, George, Alfred, Oliver and Kobert. Nancy H. and Robert are- 
 dead. 
 
 WILLIAM GRAHAM 
 
 Was born in White county, Illinois, September 27, 1830, where he lived 
 until he was about fifteen years of age, when he came with his father to 
 Missouri, where he has lived most of the time since. He went to Califor- 
 nia in 1850, and remained about two years, when he came back to stay with 
 his parents. He married Miss Bathsheba E. Patton, April 28, 1853, and 
 located on a farm where he lived about ten years, after which he embarked 
 in the mercantile business at Gentryville, Missouri, continuing ten years, 
 then sold out and came back to the farm, where he still remains. His wife 
 was born in Montgomery county, Virginia, January 3, 1835, where her 
 parents lived until 1843, when her mother moved to Missouri, where sh& 
 has lived ever since. 
 
584 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 MASON GULLET 
 
 Was born in Garrett county, Kentucky, October 12, 1820, and lived there 
 about five j'ears wlien his father moved to Jessamine county same State. 
 There he learned the blacksmith's trade with Alex. Hamilton. He afterward 
 moved to Johnson county, Indiana, where he went into partnership with 
 George Creasey and they worked together until 1865, when he moved to 
 Grundy county, Missouri, and located on the farm Avhere he still lives. He 
 has a shop on his farm where he does work for his neighbors, running his 
 farm in connection with the shop. Mr. and Mrs. GuUey have had seven 
 children, named, Mary Frances (dead), Wm. Jordan, James A.', Martha, 
 Benjamin, Jessie W., and Ashley. Four are married and live near them. 
 Mr. Gulley owns a well cultivated farm of eighty-three acres. 
 
 WILLIAM C. HAEVEY. 
 
 William Cox Harvey was born in Henry county, Indiana, November 12, 
 1826, where he lived until he was sixteen years of age. His father moved 
 to Grundy county, Missouri, and he has since lived on the farm that his 
 father located on. He was county assessor from 1848 to 1852; was next 
 elected sheriif and collector in 1854, holding the office two terms, up to 
 1856; and from that time to 1858 was again assessor, and could have any 
 office in the county he wanted. He was an old line Whig, and ran against 
 two Whig candidates; he would not go before the convention as a candidate 
 because he had a good many Democratic friends, and so ran independent 
 and beat tliem both, for sheriff. Mr. Harvey is a man of very little learn- 
 ing, and had to hire clerks to do his writing, as he could write only enough 
 to sign his name; but he was a man of fine perception, and knew if there was 
 anything wrong about his books by hearing his clerks read them to him. 
 To-day he has no enemies tliat he is aware of, notwithstanding he has bought 
 tax titles and dealt in real estate ever since he retired from office. He sold 
 all the swamp land in the county while he was sheriff", and in all his deal- 
 ings was never accused of wronging the county out of a cent; he ran for 
 assessor and was elected under the old township law, holding the office 
 about one 3'ear; was again elected by one hundred to six or seven votes; 
 could command the suffrage of the county to-day for almost any office he 
 would ask for. He has been identified with the Grand Kiver College ever 
 since it was started, and has held several offices in connection with it, and 
 is for anything that will improve the town and county in which he lives. 
 Mr. Harvey married Miss Elizabeth C. Peery in 1854. They have had six 
 children ; viz., Absalom Evans, Eleanor, Stephen I., Sarah, Anna N. and 
 Martlia L. Absalom E., Eleanor and Sarah are dead. 
 
 Mr. Harvey buys and sells real estate, is a large breeder of mules, and 
 does a general farming and stock-raising business. He is a remarkable 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 585 
 
 man, generous to a fanlt, and a good neighbor and citizen. To know him 
 once is to know him always. He is always a friend to the poor and needy. 
 
 ABSALOM HARVEY 
 
 "Was born in Eandolph county, North Carolina, June 13, 1791, where lie 
 lived until he was about thirteen years of age. His father then moved to 
 tlie Territory of Indiana, where he resided about thirty-four years. He 
 lived on a farm and used to buy hogs and drive them to Cincinnati, Ohio, 
 to market, following the business about fifteen years. He served in the 
 War of 1812, under General Harrison. At the close of the war he married 
 Miss Eleanor Julian, October 5, 1813, and settled on a farm in Wayne 
 count}', Indiana, where he lived until 1820, then moved to Blue Eiver, 
 Henry coimty, same State, and lived there twenty years. In the fall of 
 1842 he moved to Grundy county, Missouri, where he settled on the farm 
 now owned by his son in Edinburg. He was a noted hunter and used to 
 indulge in the sport a great deal, and kept several hounds; he used to take 
 his dogs and go up the country and start up a deer in the woods on the spot 
 which is now Main Street, Edinburg. The deer went through the place 
 snorting, and when the town was started it was originally called " Buck- 
 snort," owing to this snorting as soon as they got into the town, and was 
 so called for a long time, when the people became possessed of the idea that 
 it was not a nice name, and it was changed. They wanted to call it Harve}'- 
 ville, but Mr. Harvey would not have it that way, so an old Scotchman, 
 named McFarland, had the naming of it, and he called it Edinburg after the 
 classical city in Scotland where he came from. Mr. Harvey very frequently 
 went with the Indians on their hunting excursions, as they had to have a 
 white man with tliem to keep from being molested on tliose hunting tours. 
 His death occurred September 17, 1872. He was a kind husband and 
 father, beloved by all who knew him. He was grandfather to thirty-four 
 children, and great-grandfather to sixteen children. His wife still survives. 
 She was born in Eandolph county, North Carolina, October 9, 1796. She 
 lived with her parents, Isaac and Sarah Julian, until she was married. She 
 has been a pioneer all of her life and helped to settle up two new Territories 
 before coming to this county. Their family consisted of eight children; 
 named, respectively, Jennie, Isaac J., Sarah L., Evans, William C, Elizabeth 
 E., Sophronia J. and a babe not named. She is grandmother to thirty- 
 seven children, great-grandmother to twenty-nine childi-en, and great-great- 
 grandmother to three children. She is a woman of many sterling quali- 
 ties. Her eldest son came from California to visit her in 1871:, and she ac- 
 companied him back, as she wanted to see those of her grandchildren she had 
 never seen; she remained about three months. She was reai-ed a Quaker, 
 but not liking that creed, felt as though she ought to join some church, and 
 so united with the Baptist Church, and still remains an active member. 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 JACOB H. KACKLEY 
 
 "Was born June 5, 1836, in Jessamine county, Kentucky. He is the third 
 child of James and Eliza Kackley, who migrated from Kentucky to Mis- 
 souri in 1844. Jacob H. Kackley lived with his parents, working on the 
 farm, until he grew to manhood, at which time he commenced to farm on 
 his own resources. August 3, 1861, he enlisted in the Twenty-second reg- 
 iment of Missouri volunteers, under Col. Merrill. He served about three 
 years, and was discharged September 23, 1864. December 25, 1864, he 
 married Miss Mary Embry, daughter of George Embry, all of Grundy 
 county. She died August 31, 1865, and March 20, 1866, he married Miss 
 Nancy Lucas, daughter of James Lucas, then residents of Grundy county. 
 By his second wife Mr. K. is the father of five children, whose names are, 
 Alice M., Walter S., Ella M., Izetta and Orie J. Mr. Kackley is now one 
 of the most prosperous farmers of Grundy county. 
 
 WILLIAM M GAMMON 
 
 "Was born in Clay county, Kentucky, January 4, 1811, where he resided 
 until grown, and attended school a short time, but received most of his edu- 
 cation since he came to Missouri. He used to study at night by the light 
 of the fire-place, after lie had done a hard days' work. He married Miss 
 Kosanna Oxford, March 13, 1834. In 1837 he moved to Grundy county, 
 Missouri, then called Livingston county, where he still lives on the farm he 
 first settled on. Their post-oflice then was Spring Hill, about twenty miles 
 distant. His father and mother were members of the M. E. Church, but 
 he took a dislike to the church when he was a boy, for in those days they 
 had what were called circuit riders, and they used to ride up to his father's 
 house and call him, "liere, William, you take my horse and take good care 
 of him, feed, water and clean him off." Then when he would go to the 
 house, if it happened to be cold weather, they would order him to bring in 
 some dry wood and build up a fire, and William you do this and that, when 
 they were great big strapping fellows and did nothing but eat and 
 drink. Every quarter they would ride up to his father's and sa}', " Brother 
 McGammon, we want so much money to-day, as your part towards paying us 
 for preaching"; and his father and mother would scrape up every cent they 
 could find, and they denied themselves a good many necessaries of life to 
 pay those men, who were better able to work than his father. Such things 
 as these disgusted him, and he said that if ever he preached he would never 
 charge people anything as long as he was able to work. He joined the 
 Baptist Church, was ordained elder in that society in September, 1843; 
 when the Union Church on Cook Creek was built in 1844, was called to 
 take charge of it, which position he has held ever since, except one year. 
 The church then called him again, which call he has accepted and will con- 
 
HISTORY OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 587 
 
 tinue to hold as long as he lives. The elder has never received but $7.50 
 cash for his services since he took charge of the church. His church 
 members offered to pay him something for preaching, but he told them 
 that they were as poor as he was, and he could work on his farm and 
 make a living for himself and family, and if they had anything to give, to 
 give it to the widows and orphans who needed it, as he did not want any 
 pay for doing his Master's work. The elder used to hunt up neigliborhoods 
 where there were no appointments, and would send them word that he 
 would be there on Sunday to preach to them, and they would all turn out 
 to hear the word of God, as it was seldom they got a chance in those daj's 
 to listen to a preacher. He has organized several churches in this and 
 adjoining counties, and has been a self-appointed missionary, doing good 
 where he could without ^laj^, often riding on horseback fifteen miles on Sat- 
 urday morning and preaching twice on that day and the same on Sunday, 
 then return home and go to plowing on Monday morning. The elder had a 
 good business woman for a wife who looked after his farm when he was 
 away; was very saving and wf)uld not let anything go to waste, and he 
 attributes his success in this world, pecuniarily, to his wife's management. 
 She was born in Buncombe county, North Carolina, August 6, 1811. She 
 was as good as she was saving, and never saw any one suffer for want of 
 anything she had to give, but gave it freely. She reared a large family of 
 children; namely, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Locky, William Henry, Rosanna, 
 Sarah, Cornelia and Minerva Frances. The first two were born in Ken- 
 tucky, and the rest were born on this farm, married here, and live within a 
 radius of ten miles. William Henry and Cornelia are dead. Mrs. McCam- 
 mon died August li, 1874. In 1880 the elder made a division of his prop- 
 erty among his children, so they all have good homes; he gave up all 
 work at that time thinking that as he was getting old he would do no labor 
 the rest of his days, but his church insisted he should continue to preach 
 for them. This he has consented to do, and will as long as he is able. 
 He lives with his youngest daughter and husband, who have the old 
 homestead. 
 
 JUDGE WILLIAM METCALF. 
 
 William Metcalf was born in Eock Castle county, Kentucky. His parents 
 moved to Laurel county while he was quite young, and his early manhood 
 was spent in that county, where he remained until 1835, when he came to 
 Missouri. He stopped for a short time in Randolph county, then moved to 
 Macon county, this State. There he remained a short time and moved to 
 Grundy county, then called Livingston, in 1838. Mr. Metcalf served out 
 the unexpired term of Ashley Gulley as sheriff, when Mr. Gulley was in the 
 Mexican War in 1847, and was elected to the office of sheriff in 1850; was 
 appointed to serve out the unexpired term of James Sutton as assessor of 
 36 
 
588 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 this county; was appointed county judge to serve out an unexpired term, 
 which he resigned owing to some misunderstanding between him and the 
 other two judges; was afterwards appointed to serve out the unexpired 
 term of Judge Casey Tate; was elected to tlie office afterwards. He was 
 twice married; his first wife was Miss Elizabeth Elkins, whom he married 
 in January, 1827. They had eight children: Elmira, Stephen, Leanna, 
 Eeuben, Mary Ann, Daniel (who was the first white male child born in 
 this county; was born June 13, 1838), Wm. Henry, Sarah Elizabeth. 
 His wife died December 26, 1843, and he remained a widower about one 
 year when he married Mrs. Abigail Bowman. They had three children; 
 viz., Pernecia Ann, Amos C, and Edwin B. The judge was a delegate to 
 the State convention to elect delegates to the national convention that nom- 
 inated Abraham Lincoln the second time. He was an old line Whig in 
 his young daj's. He died March 31, 1878, and it was said that during his 
 residence in this county he had been elected to various public offices within 
 the gift of his fellow citizens, and notably engaged in enterprises affecting 
 the welfare of the people, and for more than thirty -five years had been a 
 member of the Baptist Church. Judge Metcalf's integrity stands unques- 
 tioned, his conviction of duty, his principles, his course in life, are com- 
 mendable, and he always lived evenly and conscientiously toward his neigh- 
 bors and fellow men. As he exemplified the upright, straightforward man 
 in all dealings, and as a father and citizen, we all know that a good man has 
 gone from our midst. 
 
 AMOS C. METCALF 
 
 "Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, January 24, 1848, on the farm that 
 he still lives on and owns. He attended the district school in his younger 
 days; attended the Grand Eiver College, and also went to Prof. R. C. Nor- 
 ton, at Trenton. Mr. Metcalf married Miss Mary E. Tate, October 8, 1871, 
 and settled oh the farm. His wife was born in Grundy county, September 
 3, 1853, on a part of the farm her husband now owns. They have had five 
 children: Amy A., Nettie, Edwin, William and Alma M. Amy A. and 
 William are dead. 
 
 MES. LAUVISA B. MOOEE. 
 
 Lauvisa Peery was born in Tazewell county, Yirginia, December 17, 1811, 
 where she resided until she was about twenty-four years of age, when she 
 came to Missouri with her father, who settled on a farm near Edinburg. 
 She was educated in her native county, and taught the first school in 
 Grundy county, then called Livingston county, in the summer of 1836. 
 She taught in a small log house, with a floor of linden bark, weighted to 
 to hold it from warping. She taught one term that year. She was mar- 
 ried to Milton L. Moore, April 6, 1837, and moved on a farm about one and 
 one-half miles north of Edinburg, where they lived about two years, when 
 
HISTORY OF GRTJNDT COUNTY. 589 
 
 they sold out and bought a farm adjoining her father's farm, where she still 
 lives. She joined the M. E. Church when she was about sixteen years of 
 age, and still i-emains an active member. Her husband died leaving her 
 with eiglit children. She taught school one term after she was married, 
 while her husband was in California. She has kept boarders, run her farm, 
 and educated her children. Her eldest daughter married Prof. John Morse 
 Ordway, second president of the old Grand River College, now pro- 
 fessor of chemistry in Boston, Massachusetts. Her second daughter mar- 
 ried John D. Froman, a farmer, who has run Mrs. Moore's farm for several 
 years. She is very hale looking, and intelligent, and it is a ])leasure to sit 
 and listen to her stories of old times, and what they did in the early settlement 
 of this connty. Her children were named as follows: Virginia, Nancy 
 Jane, Sarah Amanda, a babe not named, Elbert, James Fickling, Liither 
 Brown and George Henry. Sarah Amanda, Luther Brown and George 
 Henry are living. Her husband, Milton L. Moore, was born in Tazewell 
 county, Virginia, June 6, 1807, where he lived about twenty-three years. 
 He learned the bricklayer's trade, which he followed until he was married, 
 and some little after. His farm took most of his time and he gave up work 
 at his trade. He came to Grundy county in the fall of 1836, and lived here 
 until the gold fever broke out in California in the spring of 1850, when he 
 thought he would try his fortune in that land of gold, and remained there 
 until 1853, when he started for home, but only got as far as Lake Nicaragua, 
 where he died. 
 
 BUKL MASTERS 
 
 Was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, January 14, 1818. His father left 
 there when he was quite small and came to Chariton county, Missouri, 
 where he lived until 1834, when he came to Livingston county, then called 
 Carroll where he settled on a farm at the head of Clear Creek. He 
 remained there and married Miss Nancy Harris, January 28, 1844, and lived 
 on his father's place about two years, when he moved to Gees Creek, Grundy 
 county, lived there until 1854, when he moved on the farm that he is still 
 living on, about two and one-lialf miles south of Edinburg, and has fol- 
 lowed farming and hunting ever since. He has hunted all over this county 
 when there were but few settlers. Mr. Masters took a trijj with his team 
 down to Jasper county, Missouri, and back, in 1879; he enjoj's very good 
 health. Mr. and Mrs. M. had twelve children; viz., Mary, Charlotte, 
 Columbus, George Washington, babe not named, Nancy Jane, Burl, Martha, 
 Benjamin F., Elizabeth, Hester Ann and Eva; all are living excepting 
 Columbus, George Washington, babe, Burt, Martha and Nancy Jane. Mr. 
 Masters owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. 
 
590 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTr. 
 
 WILLIAM P. MILLER 
 
 Was born in Bath county. Kentucky, November 20, 1822, where he lived 
 about two years, when his mother took him to Mercer county, the same , 
 State, where lie was reared bj^ a man named Curry. When sixteen years of 
 age he made a trip to South Carolina with a drove of hogs, and on his return 
 went to Cincinnati, Ohio. He engaged in steamboating from there to 
 New Orleans for some time. Next he went to Schuyler county, Illinois, 
 and stopped about eighteen months, then moved to Gentrj^ county, Missouri, 
 in 1841, where he made his home for several years. He learned the plaster- 
 er's trade, which he followed in various places in the State. He helped to 
 cut the liemp off the ground where the old port of St. Joseph was built in 
 August, 1843, and by Christmas there were about three hundred families 
 living there. He left Gentry and went to Chariton county, whei-e he mar- 
 ried Miss B. M. Moore, and rented a farm and fanned for three years. Came 
 to Grundy county in 1849, and lived on the old Wild farm that winter, 
 when he took up a claim in Mercer county, which he sold tlie same fall, then 
 wintered in Daviess county as houses- were scarce in this county. In the 
 spring of 1851 he built a cabin on the bluifs this side of Trenton, which he 
 gave up, as other parties claimed it; then he rented a farm in the southwest 
 corner of the county, of Jesse Harris, where he lived one year; rented a 
 farm in Livingston county, where he stayed two years; took up a claim over 
 in Daviess county, and lived there about six years, then sold out; went back 
 to Livingston county, remained about one year; came back to this county, 
 about six miles east of Trenton; stayed there about two years; then began 
 moving, stopping a while in Livingston and Grundy counties; moved on a 
 farm northeast of Trenton and lived there about seventeen months; next 
 moved on a farm near Lindley; then left and went into Sullivan county, 
 near Lindley, where he bought a farm; lived there about six years; sold 
 out and came back to this county and bought the old Warner farm, where 
 he still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have had nine children : Maiy Jane, 
 Cerilda E., Sarah E., James T., William Henry, Nancy Ann, Oliver G. S., 
 Arviley, Miriam, and a babe not named. Cerilda E., and Sarah E., are 
 dead. 
 
 JESSE MILLER 
 
 Was born in Virginia, January 12, 1802, where he lived until about the 
 close of the war in 1812, when he moved to Franklin county, Ohio, lived 
 there about twenty-seven years, and followed farming. He married Miss 
 Mercy Ann Everett, in October, 1S26, then moved on his farm where he 
 lived until he came to Grundy county, September 20, 1839, and located on 
 a farm near Grubtown, then in Livingston county, where he died. He was 
 county judge at the same time Dr. W. P. Thompson and Judge Woods 
 served, and was one of the first grand jurors; he died the last year of his 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNBT COUNTY. 591 
 
 judgeship, December 18, 1845. His wife remained a widow about two years 
 when she married William Willis, ISTovember 18, 184:7. Thej' settled on 
 the old Jesse Miller farm, and lived there about six years, when they sold 
 out there and bought the old Oxford farm where they lived about twenty- 
 five years, 'when he rented his farm and moved on the old Freeman farm 
 with his son Thomas, who, as they were getting old, wanted them to live with 
 him. They came to Edinburg and he embarked in the mercantile business 
 which he carried on about one year, in connection with his farm, then sold 
 out the store to James Peery. He was born in England, May 19, 1805, 
 where he lived until he was twenty -five or twenty-six years of age, when he 
 came to America, settled in New York State and lived there about six years; 
 moved to Franklin county, Ohio, and lived there about the same length of 
 time when he came to this county, with Mr. Miller, in 1839. He died Sep- 
 tember 10, 1879. His wife still survives him and lives in Edinburg. She 
 had six children by her first husband: Mary Ann, Sarah Jane, Catherine, 
 Amelia Avis, Albert Chapman and S\'lvania; and three children by her sec- 
 ond husband: Thomas G. P., a babe, not named, and Millie. 
 
 GEOGEE W. NICHOLS 
 
 Was born in Boone county, Missouri, August 1, 1828, where he lived until 
 he grew to manhood. He was in the Mexican War under General Price, 
 and served about fourteen months in the Boone company. He went to 
 California at the breaking out of the gold fever in 1849, remained about 
 three years, and came back to Missouri. Mr. Nichols married Miss Louisa 
 E. Patton, of Grundy county, December 16, 1857. He moved to Gallatin, 
 where he and his brother embarked in the dry goods and grocery trade, un- 
 der the firm name of B. F. & G. W. Nichols, and then moved to Bancroft, 
 where they built the first house, and opened a branch store, which he ran 
 about two years. When the war broke out they closed up and he moved on 
 a farm near Edinburg where he lived about eighteen months then moved on 
 the Patton farm south of town. Was in the Missouri militia, and 
 served about one year. He moved back to Daviess county, near Gallatin, 
 where he lived one year, then moved to Gentryville, Missouri, where 
 he stayed about three months, then returned to the Patton farm 
 in Grundy county where he still lives and does a general farming business. 
 His wife was born in Kussell county, Virginia, March 27, 1839, where she 
 lived until she was about three years old when her mother came to Grundy 
 county, Missouri, November, 1841 (her mother was the first school teacher 
 in this part of Grundy county and taught six terms), and settled on the 
 farm where she still lives. Mr. and Mrs. Nichols belong to the M. E. 
 Church (South) ; he was steward in the church for several years. They have 
 had eight children: Laura E., William A., Edward, Kobert Lee, Harry P., 
 Barhie K., David M. and Paul N.; William A. and David M. are dead. 
 
592 HISTOET OF GKUNDY COTJNTY. 
 
 DE. ARCHIBALD PEEET. 
 
 ArcliibaM Peery was born in Tazewell county, Yirginia, December 15, 
 1818, and lived there until he was seventeen years old. His father moved 
 to Gi'undy county, Missouri, in 1835, then called Carroll county or Terri- 
 tory of Carroll, and their nearest post-office was at JRichraond, Eay county, 
 Missouri. His father, (jeorge Peery, settled on a farm near where Edin- 
 burg is now situated. He remained with his father until he was about 
 twenty-iive years old, when he went to read medicine under Dr. Keith, of 
 Chillicothe, Missouri, and afterward attended one course of lectures at the 
 University of the State of Missouri, at St. Louis, during the winter of 
 1847 and '48. Since that time he has practiced his profession in this and 
 adjoining townships. In the early days the country was sparsely settled 
 and he had a circuit of about twenty miles, and had a great deal to contend 
 against, as there were but few roads anywliere in this part of the country« 
 Dr. Peery was the third physician who located in this county, Drs. Thomp- 
 son and Cooper were first, and there were two or three others who came 
 here but did not stay very long, so he claims the honor of being the third 
 one. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Kirk, September 18, 1851, and settled 
 down in Edinburg, where he lived three years, practicing his profession, 
 then moved to his farm about three-fourths of a mile east of town, a part of 
 his father's old place, where he still resides. He has since followed his profes- 
 sion and carried on his farm besides. He does not practice much now, but 
 attends calls when he can?t refuse, as a good many of his patrons will not em- 
 ploy any one else, so he has to still keep going. Dr. Peery Avas deputy 
 sheriff of this county under William Thrailkill, who was appointed the first 
 sheriff in 1841. Dr. and Mrs.^ Peery have eight children: Horace Jewett, 
 Florence H., Nash A., Trusten P., Mary C, Archibald K., Daniel William, 
 and John T. 
 
 WILLIAM H. PEEEY 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, October 16, 1828. His father 
 moved to Montgomery' county, same State, when he was an infant, and 
 they lived there until 1836, wlien his father moved to Montgomery county, 
 Missouri. While there he married Miss Nancy Jane Witten, March 9, 
 1853. In 1854 he came to Grundy county, and located in Washington 
 township, where he lived about ten years, then moved to Edinburg, and 
 went into the mercantile and general trading business. In 1867 he sold 
 out, went to Chillicothe, embarked in the livery business, and carried it on 
 about two years, when ho sold out, and bought a steam saw-mill on Wolf 
 Creek, at a place called '• Dog Town," which he ran for five or six years, 
 when he sold out and bought the farm that he is living on now, about three 
 and one-half miles south of Edinburg. He opened a meat market in Tren- 
 
HISTOKY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 593 
 
 ton in 1875, and ran it abont two years then sold out; has dealt in lum- 
 ber, ties, and wood for a number of years. He has been a member of the 
 school board for some time. Mr. and Mrs. Peery have had eleven children; 
 named, j'espectively, Rebecca R., Sarah E., Joseph A., Cosby F., Thomas A., 
 Edward H., Caroline L., Willie J., Carenia G., Ward H. and Eobert W.; 
 Cosby F., Edward H. and Ward H. are dead. 
 
 WILLIAM KOBERTSON 
 
 Was born in Breckinridge county, Kentucky, Januarj^ 23, 1841, where he 
 lived until 1850, when his father moved to Grundy county, Missouri, 
 where he lived and worked on a farm until the war broke out. He enlisted 
 July 18, 1862, in company F, Thirty-fifth regiment Missouri volunteer in- 
 fantry, and served three years. He was mustered ont at St. Louis, then 
 went back to Grundy county, where he remained a short time. He came to 
 Washington township, where he married Miss Minerva Frances McCam- 
 mon, November 10, 1869, and went into partnership with his father-in-law, 
 William McCammon, in general farming and stock-raising, which business 
 they carried on until March, 1880, when the partnership was dissolved by his 
 father-in-law retiring from the firm. He still carries on the farm and lives 
 on his father-in-law's old homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Robertson have five child- 
 ren: Henry Orville, Charles, William, Emerson Elbert, Rosanna Sarah, and 
 Wilber Esta. 
 
 ABRAHAM RUDDELL 
 
 Was born in Harrison county, Kentucky, February 24, 1823, where he lived 
 until he was ten or elev^en years of age. His father moved to Logan county, 
 Ohio, where he lived about twelve years, then moved to Shelby county, 
 same State. There he lived about eight years, when he moved to Daviess 
 county, Missouri, and remained one winter, then moved to Grundy county, 
 remained one year, returned to Daviess county and resided there about two 
 years, when lie moved back to this county again, and located on the farm he 
 now lives on. Mr. Ruddell married Miss Christina Brandenburg, February 
 20, 1850. They had two children, Mary A. and a baby, not named. 
 
 W. A. SEALOOK 
 
 Was born in Rappahannock county, Virginia, March 27, 1834, where he 
 lived until he was about twenty-three years of age; went to school winters 
 and worked on the farm during the summer. He married Miss Sarah A. 
 Brandom, August 22, 1855, and lived on a farm until he moved to Daviess 
 county, Missouri, in the fall of 1856. Came with his brother-in-law, C. P. 
 Brandom, and settled near Gallatin, where he remained until the spring of 
 1857, when he moved on a farm near Edinburg, lived there two years, 
 then returned to Daviess county, remaining about four years, when he bought 
 
594: HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 the farm where he now lives, and does general farming, raising grain and 
 stock. Was a member of the school board for a number of years. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sealock have liad eight children: John "W., David A., 
 Lou Emma C, Mary E., Edwin S., Viola O., Mortimer G., and a baby not 
 named. John W., Viola O. and the baby are dead. 
 
 L. p. SHIBLEY 
 
 Was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, November 19, 1809, where he lived 
 about sixteen years, when his father moved to Decatur county, Indiana, 
 and he lived there eight or ten years. They next moved to Shelbj'^ county^ 
 same State, where he lived four or five years. He married Miss Elizabeth 
 Cole, November, 1831, in Decatur county, Indiana. They had one child. 
 Mrs. Shirley died December, 1833. December 10, 1836, he married Miss 
 Susannah Burns, in Bartholomew county, Indiana. He took her to his home 
 in Decatur county, where they lived until 1839, when he moved to Grundy 
 county, and settled on the farm where he still lives, on Coon Creek. They 
 have ten children: Daniel G., Mary E., Isaac, Catherine J., William H., 
 L. P., Martin, Joel C, Jonathan and Absalom Harvey. All are living ex- 
 cept Martin. 
 
 DR. WILLIAM p. THOMPSON. 
 
 William Preston Thompson, the first white man to settle in Grundy 
 county, was born in Washington county', Virginia, in 1788. He attended 
 school there, read medicine, and attended the medical college at Richmond, 
 Virginia, and practiced his profession a short time in that city. He was a 
 general in the War of 1812, was paymaster of the army at Norfolk, Vir- 
 ginia, during a portion of that war. Was elected to the legislature of that 
 State, and was also a memb er of Congress from there; was considerable of a 
 politician and an old line Whig. He moved to Kay county, Missouri, near 
 Eichmond, in 1821, and was appointed general of the Missouri militia soon 
 after; was in command of the troops during the Mormon War in this State. 
 He followed his profession in Ray county when he was not engaged in the 
 militia, and was still a general in the militia when he moved to Grundy 
 county, then called Carroll, in the fall of 1833. He located on a farm in 
 what is now Madison township, and his was the first white family and the 
 only one that fall and winter in Grundy county. J. Harvey Meek, a 
 brother-in-law, came with him to help him put up a cabin, and went back 
 that fall and brought his family and another brother-in-law, John Scott, 
 with him in the spring of 1834. They settled near the doctor, and formed 
 the only settlement in the county. The doctor's nearest neighbor when he 
 came was Samuel Peniston, three miles east of Gallatin. In the fall of 
 1834 Levi Moore settled near where Trenton now is, about ten miles from 
 the doctor, and they were glad to have neighbors so near. Dr. Thompson's 
 
HISTOET OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 595 
 
 practice extended from Eay county to the Iowa line, and from 
 Linn county to the Missouri Eiver on the west, and he also had considera- 
 ble practice in Decatur county, Iowa. At that time he was the best physi- 
 cian in north Missouri, and several of his old patrons now living say they 
 have never had so good a physician. The doctor named all the streams in 
 north Missouri. Thompson's Fork is named after him. He was judge of 
 this connt}^ when he had to go to Carrolton to transact business, then had 
 to go to Chillicothe when this was Livingston county, and to Trenton, and 
 was a judge at his death. He lived in the same place all the time he repre- 
 sented the three counties. Was twice married, his first wife being Miss 
 Jane Eussell, daughter of Major Eussell, of Burke's Garden, Virginia. 
 They had six children. She died there and he married Miss Sallie Meek 
 about the j-ear 1820. They moved to Missouri shortly after their marriage. 
 His first children were: Eliza, Maria, John H., Patrick, James and William. 
 Maria mai-ried Eev. David R. McAnally, editor of the Christian Advocate, 
 of St. Louis, and she died in 1862; Eliza married a lawyer named Williams, 
 of Ashland, North Carolina, who moved to St. Louis in 1861 ; both died 
 the same year Mrs. McAnally died. Rev. John H. Thompson, a Methodist 
 preacher, the last of his first children, died in 1880, at Ashland, Kentucky. 
 By his second marriage there were nine children, named Caroline A., Mil- 
 ton v., Catherine S., William Preston, James Winston, Evans Shelby, 
 and Columbus Keyes; Sarah Jane and Mary Jane died in infancy; Caro- 
 line married John S. Darnaby, she had two children, and died in 1850. 
 Catherine S. married William N. Peery, and she is dead. William Preston 
 and James W. died young; Evans Shelby went to California for his health, 
 and came home and died shortly after; Columbus K. enlisted in the Twenty- 
 third regiment Missouri volunteers, was captured the 6th of April, 1862, at 
 the battle of Shiloh, was paroled July, 1862, contracted the chronic diarrhea, 
 got back as far as Nashville, Tennessee, where he was taken to the hospital; 
 Milton went after him and brought him home, and he died soon after. 
 Milton is the only living representative of Di". Thompson's family. Dr. 
 Thompson died November 22, 1848. His wife survived him until October, 
 1851. She was born in Washington county, Virginia, in 1802. 
 
 ALEXANDER E. TATE 
 
 Was born in Daviess county, Indiana, August 22, 1830, where he lived until 
 he was eleven years old, when his father moved to Buchanan county, Mis- 
 souri, in 1841, where he lived about one year, then moved to Andrew county, 
 this State. He married Miss Margaret Carson, of Andrew county, Decem- 
 ber 18, 1851, and rented and lived upon a farm until he came to Grundy 
 county in the spring of 1853. He rented a farm the first years after he 
 came here, then bought the farm that he is living on now. He enlisted 
 in company F, Thirtieth regiment Missouri volunteer infantry on the 27th 
 
596 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 of Jiily, 1862; was elected captain of the same company October 10, the same 
 fall, and commissioned by Governor Gamble; held the position until 1865, 
 when the regiment was reorganized, and he was reelected to the same office, 
 which he held until they were discliarged; his second commission was 
 signed by Gov. Thos. Fletcher; their headquarters were at Chillicothe, and 
 they were called on whenever there was any raiding done north of the river. 
 Mr. Tate ran for sheriff on the independent ticket in the fall of 1878 and 
 was beaten by eighty-six votes. The Democratic party thought they 
 could elect him to an office so he allowed his name to be used; was a candidate 
 for sheriif on that ticket again last fall (1880), was beaten worse than ever 
 and has retired from the field. He has been on the school board for several 
 years, and is one of the stockholders and directors of the North Missouri 
 Central Agricultural and Mechanical Association of Grundy county. 
 
 DR. M. V. THOMPSON. 
 
 Milton V. Thompson was born in Eay county, Missouri, August 22, 
 1826, whei-e he lived until he was about seven years of age, when his father, 
 Dr. W. P. Thompson, moved to Grundy county, then called Carroll, in 
 the fall of 1833, where he still lives. He attended school here, and was 
 a pupil of Miss Louisa Peery, and afterwards attended two terms at Rich- 
 mond College, Ray county, Missouri. When he was ten years of age he 
 could talk the Indian language better than he could English, as he had no 
 playmates except the little Indian children, and was almost as much of an 
 Indian as they were, until the county began to be settled up. He read 
 medicine under his father and practiced with him a while before his death, 
 then took his father's place, practiced about twelve years, and then went 
 into the stock business, which grew so large that he either had to give up 
 his practice or farming, and being in poor health he abandoned the practice 
 of medicine, there bing so much exposure attached to it he could not 
 stand it. He began to raise mules and cattle; the war broke out and he 
 dealt largely in mules, buying and selling them to the government; toward 
 the latter part of the war he had to take all of his mules up into Iowa to 
 keep the ragged Missouri militia from stealing them; they took everything 
 in the shape of stock they could get hold of, and judged a man's loyalty 
 by the number of his horses and mules; if he had a fine lot he was dis- 
 loyal and they took them. After the war he went more into the cattle busi- 
 ness and not so much in mules, which business he still follows, and has sev- 
 eral large farms on which he raises feed for his stock. He is the oldest settler 
 now living in the county. He has been justice of the peace for several 
 years, also road overseer; when the country was new they needed good 
 roads, and he helped to lay out a good many of them. Dr. Thompson mar- 
 ried Miss Elizabeth H. Isli, May 30, 1848, daughter of William Ish, of 
 Lafayette county, Missouri. She was born January 18, 1829, in that 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 597 
 
 county. They have had twelve children; namely, William Preston, Paschal 
 W., Horace R., Evans Dickey, James M., Shelby H., Lenora M., Belle C.,^ 
 Columbus D., Catharine N., Porter A. and Lou OctaviaE.; William Pres- 
 ton, Evans Dicky, James M., Shelby H., Catharine N. and Lou Octavia E. 
 are dead. His son, Shelby H., was struck by lightning and killed in a barn- 
 on his farm, near Grubtown, at the age of eleven years. 
 
 THOMAS G. p. WILLIS 
 
 Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, September 18, 1848, where he has 
 lived ever since. He was educated in the district schools and Grand Eiver 
 College. He lived at home until his father's death, when he went to farm- 
 ing for himself, buying a farm just over the line in Daviess county, where 
 he lived about two years, then rented his farm, and moved to Edinburg. 
 He commenced to buj' stock when he was about twelve years old, and has 
 followed the business ever since; has considerable stock on hand now, about 
 thirty head of fine mules and horses and about ninety head of young cattle, 
 besides other stock too numerous to mention. His farm is all under good 
 cultivation, and is the best watered farm in this section of the State, a fine 
 spring furnishing all the water necessary for his stock. Mr. Willis married 
 Miss Ella L. Mitchell, August 19, 1879. She was born in Daviess county, 
 Missouri, May 1, 1862, where she has lived most of the time since. They 
 have one child, Willie M. 
 
 IIES. MELVINA WYNN, 
 
 Widow of Evans P. Wynn, was born in Pettis county, Missouri, February 
 7, 1834-, where she lived until she was about six years of age, when her father 
 moved to Daviess county, same State. There she was married, September 
 14, 1854, and lived until 1856. Her husband was engaged in selling goods- 
 for two years after they were married, when they moved to Middlebury, 
 Mercer count}', Missouri, where he sold goods for eighteen months, and 
 then moved on the farm where she now lives. Her husband died Septem- 
 ber 27, 1875. She joined the Methodist Ej)iscopal Church (South), when she 
 was about nineteen years old, and is still an active member. Her sons run 
 the farm. She has had eight children ; namely, David B., James G., William 
 K., Frank E., Edward W., Eobert P., Sallie B. and Mary L. Daniel B. is a 
 school teacher; lie was born in Daviess county, Missouri, May 29, 1855; 
 was reared in Grundy county, and attended the Grand River College and 
 graduated in 1880; he follows the profession of teaching in the winter. 
 
 JOHN WYNN 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, May 25, 1840. His father left there- 
 when he was about four months old and came to Grundy county, Missouri, 
 where he grew to manhood, and was educated at Trenton, and Grand River 
 
598 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 College, working on the farm in summer and going to school in winter 
 He enlisted in company G, First Missouri Oonfederate cavalry, June 17, 
 1861, and served until January, 1862, when he went to Virginia and enlisted 
 in Lee's army, April 14, 1862; was discharged April 14, 1865, came back 
 and settled on the farm. He married Miss Anna Holt, March 11, 1866, and 
 went to farming for himself; sold out to C. P. Brandom, and bought the farm 
 where he lives now. He has been on the school board for several years. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wynn are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church (South) 
 and he is one of the trustees of Antioch Church on Hickory Creek. They 
 have seven children; nam§d, respectively, Anna B., Mary E., Theodore H., 
 Eleanor, John W., Archibald P., and Grace. All are living except John W. 
 
 JOHN WAED 
 
 Was born in Morgan county, Illinois, September 20, 1842, where he lived 
 until he was about four years of age. His parents moved to Lee county, 
 Iowa, where he lived until 1856, when they moved to Grundy county, where 
 he settled on a farm, near Grubtown, and lived until the war broke out. He 
 enlisted in the Union army, company H, Twenty-third regiment, Missouri 
 infantry, August 25, 1861; was taken prisoner at the battle of Shiloh, April 
 6, 1862, and paroled in July the same year; was sent to Benton, Roanoke 
 and St. Louis; remained until he was exchanged; same fall was sent to join 
 the regiment and remained until his three years expired; he participated in 
 all the battles his regiment, was engaged in during that time; was mustered 
 out, came back and worked on the farm. He married Miss Sylvania Miller, 
 September 20, 1865, and then he went to teaching, and taught school on 
 Coon Creek that winter. In the spring his father gave him a farm of forty- 
 five acres, when he began farming for himself, and has been very successful, 
 now owning a farm of one hundred and eighty two acres. He continued to 
 farm until he moved to Edinburg, in August, 1876, and in September of 
 that year went into the drug business, which he conducted until January 
 1, 1877, when he took W. T. Gannaway into partnership, and put in a stock 
 •of general merchandise in connection with drugs, and carried on the busi- 
 ness until May, 1878, when they removed their general stock to Hickory 
 Creek station (selling their drugs to McDougal & Wynn), where they re- 
 mained until they were burned out October 18, the same year. He then 
 went back on the farm but returned to Edinburg, in August, 1879, and be- 
 .gan to build to his hotel property, and now has the largest hotel in the vil- 
 lage. In February, 1881, he again embarked in the drug business, which 
 lie runs in connection with his hotel. His wife was born in Grundy county, 
 Missouri, May 20, 1845. Tiiey have had five children; viz., Lora V., 
 Angle H., Millie Ann, Leona and Leota, twins; all are living except Millie A. 
 
HISTOEY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 699' 
 
 JOHN T. WITTEN 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, September 27, 1820, where he lived 
 until he was twenty-three years of age, when he and his brother Samuel 
 came to Grundy county, in 1843. He located on the farm where he still re- 
 sides, near Edinburg, and has his farm under good cultivation; does gen- 
 eral farming, feeds cattle for the market, and raises considerable other stock. 
 He has made farming pay, as he looks after everything himself, and goes in 
 for all kinds of machinery that helps him to save labor; is possessed of good 
 business tact, has accumulated considerable property, and has given all 
 of his children, who have married, a good start. Mr. Witten married Miss 
 Caroline V. Thompson, August 4, 1842. Tiiey had seven children. She 
 died August 20, 1866, and he married Mrs. Lucy A. Peery, February, 1868. 
 Was divorced in April, 1876, and married Miss Evelina Fulkerson, his pres- 
 ent wife, September 26, 1878. He, and a neighbor of his, Mr. William 
 Peery, built what is now known as the Grand River College. It was started 
 on the scholarship plan in 1858, and tliey ran it on that plan until 1861, 
 when the war broke out and the State government used it as quarters for 
 troops for several months; it was next used as a district school for some 
 time, and then they sold it to a joint company. He has taken an active 
 part in all public enterprises, and feels a pride in all educational affairs in his 
 town; has been on the school board for about twenty years. He was 
 county assessor in 1845, and was elected justice of the peace for several 
 years. His children are named as follows: James H., Louisa R., Thomas 
 O., Susan»E. V., Mary Aim, America, John E. and Emma J. 
 
 HENRY B. WITTEN 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, March 1, 1833, where he lived un- 
 til he was eighteen years of age. His father moved to Grundy county in 
 1851, and settled on a farm near "Buck Snort," now Edinburg, where he 
 still resides. He married Miss Emily Graham, October 21, 1852, and went 
 to farming for himself on a farm he owned on Coon Creek, and remained 
 two yeaj'S. He improved a farm in Daviess county, just over the line from 
 this, where he dealt in mules and horses, buying and selling to the government, 
 and continued the business until 1865, when tlie disease called glanders 
 broke out among his stock; he lost heavily, abandoned the mule business 
 and devoted his time to raising cattle. In 1874 he bought the Graham 
 grist-mill on Thompson's Fork of Grand River, and has followed milling 
 and farming up to the present time. He was enrolled in the State militia 
 and was in active service about thirty daj'S. Mi-. Witten is a member of 
 the A. F. & A. M. Lodge No. 311, at Trenton, also of the I. O. O. F. Lodge 
 No. 394, at Edinbui'g, and is a member of the district school board, and has 
 been for a number of years. He and his wife are members of the M. E. 
 
600 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Church (South), joining in 1867; he is sabbath-school supei-intendent and 
 has held the office for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Witten have had twelve 
 children, whose names are: John T., James "W., Charles H., Samuel G., 
 George T., Oliver E., Harry A., Eebecca T., Emma J., John M., Arch. P. 
 and Nancy E. Three, John T., Oliver E. and John M. are dead. 
 
 JAMES A. WOODEESS 
 
 Was born on a farm in LaKue county, Kentucky, November 22,-1825, 
 where he was reared and lived until 1849. His father being a blacksmith 
 he was brought up to that trade, and on leaving home went to Oreen 
 county, Kentucky, and established himself in that business and carried it on 
 until 1856. In this latter year he came to Missouri, and after prospecting 
 in Harrison and Andrew counties, came to Grund}' county in the summer 
 of 1857 and settled at Edinburg, where he established himself in the black- 
 smithing business and carried it on until 1865. During the late war he 
 was a Union man, and was enrolled in the State militia and held himself 
 ready for duty, but was out only thirty days. In 1866 he embarked in the 
 mercantile business at Edinburg with Lucius M. Abbott, under the firm 
 name of Woodress & Abbott. Mr. Abbott retiring from the firm in 1868, 
 William Albin became his successor, clianging the firm to Woodress & 
 Albin. In 1869 he retired from the firm and engaged in farming and 
 blacksmithing until 1871, then bouglit out Mr. Albin and carried on the 
 mercantile business alone until 1873, when his son-in-law, L. H. Shafer, 
 became associated with him, and the present firm of Woodress & Shafer 
 was formed. Mr. Woodress was united in marriage to Miss Hanijah Wool- 
 ridge, of Green county, Kentucky, January 1, 1851. She died at Edin- 
 burg, September 3, 1857. They had three children: William, who died 
 in Kentucky, Laura, wife of L. H. Shafer; and Thomas A., a merchant of 
 Trenton. November 10, 1869, he married Mrs. Phoebe C. Willis, of Edin- 
 burg. They have four children: Katie, Maggie, Pearl and Nellie. 
 
 DE. E. W. WITTEN. 
 
 R. W. Witten was born in Tazewell county, in the State of Virginia, on 
 the 22d day of April, 1832. Opened an ofiice as practicing physician at 
 Oceana, the county seat of Wyoming county, in the State of Virginia 
 (now West Virginia), on the 8th of April, 1855, and continued the practice 
 of medicine at that place until the year 1857, when he removed to Bickley, 
 county seat of Paleigh county, in the same State, and there practiced med- 
 icine until the breaking out of the war between the States. He accepted a 
 surgeon's commission in the Confederate army, and served in that capacity 
 during the greater part of the war. After the war he removed to Grundy 
 county, Missouri, and has been engaged in the practice of medicine at the 
 town of Edinburg ever since. He married Miss Sarah F. Eiggs, of Vir- 
 
UISTOEY OF GEUNDT CODNTY. 601 
 
 ginia, on the 11th of May, 1856. They have four sons: Thomas A., who is 
 a lawyer at Trenton ; William Wirt, also a lawyer at Trenton; Evermont 
 Ward, a medical student, having attended one full course of lectures at 
 the College of Physicians and Surgeons at Keokuk, Iowa; and Robert 
 Pickett, now in his thirteenth year. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 LINCOLN TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Its Municipal Boundart/ — Woodland, Prairies and Running Waters — Its First Settlers — 
 The Bain Settlement — Death of Biason Bain— Union Church — Trading with the In- 
 dians — The First School and School-house — The First Church — Netr Settlers — War 
 Period — When Organized — Public Servants — Incidents — A Memorable Tramp — A Solid 
 Note — Assessed Valuation — Biographies. 
 
 MUNICIPAL BOLNDARY. 
 
 Lincoln township, the most central township in the county, is bounded 
 on the north by Franklin; east by Mj'ers and Liberty; south bj' Trenton, 
 and west by Harrison. It is six miles north and south, eight miles east and 
 west, and has 30,720 acres of land. 
 
 The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad passes through it from 
 north to south, about two miles from its western border. It is watered by 
 the Weldon River and by Muddy and Honey creeks. The Weldon River 
 on the west, the Muddy in the center, and Honey Creek on the east. These 
 streams pass entirely through the township north and south. A few springs 
 are found, and the township, as may be seen, is well watered. 
 
 The land is very rich, easy of cultivation, and generous in its yield. It 
 has some fine timber, and is composed of three-fifths wooded and of two- 
 fifths prairie land. 
 
 It is the banner township for grapes and wine making, and has in it some 
 of the finest apple orchards, both in size and in quality of the fruit, to be 
 found in the county. The orchard of William P. Martin is especially 
 worthy of notice for its size and its splendid quality of fruit. 
 
 Much of the history of the township will be found in the general history 
 of the county, and in this special record there may be more or less of im- 
 perfection. The old pioneer has forgotten many interesting incidents of 
 those early days, and in many cases has forgotten a portion of others. 
 While the general collection of facts will be found of interest and of a reli- 
 able nature, we could have wished to present a more perfect record of their 
 €arly trials. The author will here mention the names of Mr. Jesse Bain, 
 
602 
 
 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 P. W. Bain, Capt. and Mrs. Jarvis Woods, B. B. Cornwell and Jacob Bain, 
 for their great kindness and assistance rendered him in his search for 
 facts. 
 
 The township of Lincoln was first settled in 1837. The first settlers pitch- 
 ing their tents November 12th of that year. The colony consisted of the 
 following five families: Eiason Bain, Samuel Kelso, Jesse Bain, Henry 
 Foster and William Dille. Their camping ground was on the northwes"t 
 quarter of section twenty-two, about 300 yards east of the Bain school-house 
 and about forty rods northeast of the residence of Jesse Bain. They trav- 
 eled many hundred miles to reach their new home, and were water-bound 
 and compelled to remain encamped several days on Shoal Creek, in Liv- 
 ingston county, on account of high water. They spread their tents on a 
 beautiful wooded gro nnd, not far from the waters of the Big Muddy, within 
 a short distance of each other. Here for six weeks they lived until their 
 combined assault on the forest had secured them the timber for cabin homes 
 placed upon their selected lands— each of the settlers having staked out a 
 claim of 160 acres of government land. 
 
 This band of pioneers had come from Ohio and Indiana; had left their 
 native States, social life, the fertile soil and all the comforts of civilization, 
 to make an habitation and a name in the then wilderness of the West. They 
 made a home, and yet that spot of camping ground is still a wooded dell, 
 and, in that section, is held almost sacred by the settlers. It is a portion of 
 the farm of Mr. Jesse Bain, and lies within about 300 yards of the Bain 
 school-house. 
 
 The lands as selected made them neighbors, and the settlers passed the first 
 winter, as all were passed in those early times, in hardship and hard work. 
 They had a hand corn-mill which had been purchased of Daniel Devaul at 
 Moore's settlement, on their way to their new home, and that was the only 
 way they had to grind their corn, the principal article of food, unless they 
 went to the nearest horse-mill, then located some twenty-six miles distant in 
 Daviess county, at a place called Millport, which was also a post-office and 
 a sort of trading-post, kept by Jesse Mornan. There was another mill at 
 Navetown, in Livingston county, now called Spring Hill, twenty mile& 
 away, and started soon after the settlement of the up country. The few 
 hand-mills to be found in the different colonies were limited in their opera- 
 tions. The demand became greater as families moved in, and Millport and 
 Navetown began to loom up in importance. 
 
 Navetown was a sort of trading-post and post-office, and at that time 
 the only one that received a patronage. North of Livingston county the 
 trading was done with the currency of the country, which consisted princi- 
 pally of deer skins, venison hams, honey, beeswax, muskrat and mink skins, 
 with here and there a Spanish quarter or a Mexican dollar thrown in by way 
 of variety. This was the situation for the first year. Some few families were 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 603 
 
 heard of in the east, but not near enough for neighbors. In the fall of 1838 
 some ten more families had gathered around the Bain-Kelso settlement, and 
 the clearing began to assume the appearance of civilization. That fall 
 James Bunch put up a horse-mill in the Thompson settlement, about seven 
 miles distant, and over the river. This was better than going twenty miles 
 to mill, and the settlers took prompt advantage of this great accommoda- 
 tion. Mr. Bunch furnished the mill but the pioneers had to produce the 
 motive power. The first hitched his horse to it, and ground out his bag of 
 corn, then the next, and so on. The mill was a pretty stout affair and Mr. 
 Bunch's principal business was to take in the toll during the grinding sea- 
 son. In the Mormon war, which broke out in Daviess county, that fall, a 
 few recruits were called for and Jesse Bain and Samuel Kelso, Daniel 
 Devaul and some others volunteered. They came back safe after seeing the 
 Mormons scattered. The settlers were now hard at work, new comers rap- 
 idly appeared and the Big Muddy was flanked on both sides with a hardy 
 and progressive people. A new settlement had been building up rapidly 
 on the east side, and farms had been staked out. . The Kirkendalls, Stokes, 
 Cochrans, Moores and Woods had made their homes there during the spring 
 and summer of 1838. The farmers now began to feel at home. The gov- 
 ernment had surveyed the land and the settlers were ready and anxious to 
 enter the claims they had preempted, pay for the same and secure the 
 deeds for their new homes. For the want of school-houses and churches, 
 the settlers, in the spring of '38, united and under the lead of Mr. Kiason 
 Bain held class-meetings. This continued until late in summer, when the 
 services of Rev. Thomas Peery were secured, who preached the first sermon 
 ever heard in what is now Lincoln township, and at the house of Hiason 
 Bain. In August, 1839, Mr. Riasou Bain died, and from that time on the 
 Methodist organization began to decline, preaching only taking place occa- 
 sionally. Soon after the Methodists had secured the services of Dr. Peery, 
 the Presbyterians, under the lead of Mr. Samuel Kelso, engaged the Rev. 
 Wm. Clark to preach for them. His first sermon was delivered at the house 
 of Samuel Kelso. This service was continued until a church was built in 
 1855, generally once a month and always at Mr. Kelso's house. Camp-meet- 
 ings were begun in 1840, and the ground these meetings, or one of them, 
 were held on, was a part of the original camping ground of the first set- 
 tlers. Some few log huts were built for the purjjose and puncheon seats 
 were made in the open air and under trees for the accommodation of visi- 
 tors. These meetings generally lasted about ten days, or if the spirit moved 
 them lively, and it became extremely interesting, the sessions would hold 
 for two weeks. This camp-meeting ground was used as such for many 
 years. These gatherings were immense social afi^airs, and the camp-meeting 
 was a necessity of the times. The friendly Indians of the Sacs and Iowa 
 tribes used to make these camp-meeting huts their headquarters in winter, 
 37 
 
604 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 for they still roamed the valley of the Grand River as a hunting ground. 
 The chiefs of these hunting parties were Poweshiek, of the lowas, "Wa- 
 pello, of the Foxes, Totomah and Tucqua, belonging to the Sacs tribes. 
 These tribes made their homes in this valley up to 1837. 
 
 The United States survey, which took in all the lands in the county, was 
 made by General Lisbon Applegate, and one of his assistants in the survey 
 of some twenty-four congressional townships was Capt. Jarvis Woods, yet 
 an honored resident of Lincoln township. 
 
 From Captian Wood we learned of his first settlement and something of 
 pioneer life in those days. Settlers being few and far between, each one 
 had to rely on himself, and the more he was able to assume the position of 
 jack-of-all-trades, the less of trials and vexation and more of success awaited 
 him. The captain brought his own corn-mill, but it was no easy job for 
 one man to turn it, although it was called a hand-mill. Flour could be 
 purchased at Glasgow for the modest sum of sixteen dollars per barrel, haul- 
 ing free to the seller, but as it was about ninety miles to Glasgow, and 
 money hadn't got to growing on trees in those times, flour was not so plen- 
 tiful as to make it one of the common necessaries of life, but was considered 
 a luxury. Mrs. Wood used to tend garden, milk the cow, hoe potatoes, and 
 when she hadn't anything else to do, went into the field and dropped corn. 
 And this was what the pioneer women all did. They were not behind their 
 husbands, fathers or brothers in their allotted work. 
 
 Wm. F. Cornwell moved to this township in October, 1838. His son, B. 
 B. Cornwell, one of the best farmers in all that section, who is living to-day, 
 came with him. He located one of the finest farms on the Big Muddy. 
 The son is now living within a mile and a half of the old homestead, and has 
 lived on the present farm thirty-one years. The settlers in those early days 
 carried on quite a trade with the Indians. The latter were well pro- 
 vided with araunition, furnished by Government traders, and the settlers 
 got nearly all the powder and lead they used from them. The Indians 
 bought skins from the settlers, and not only paid in powder and lead, 
 but often had notions which they traded. This saved the old pioneers many 
 a long, weary tramp, or ride, while it was in the Indian's line of business. 
 It has been supposed by many that the whites sold the Indians their war 
 and hunting supplies, but here are cases well vouched for that show it 
 was the Indians who sold to the whites. These parties of friendly Indian 
 hunters were well provided, and were able in many instances to take all the 
 skins the settlers had to sell. 
 
 The first death in this township was that of Miss Emily M. Cochran, a 
 young girl twelve years of age. The first eoflin made held her remains. It 
 was made of black walnut, the logs split, and then dressed with a broad-axe. 
 After being put together it was waxed all over, the cracks, filled in, then 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 605 
 
 smootlied and dressed with a hot iron. She was buried near tlie residence 
 of B. B. Cornweli, in 1840. 
 
 The settlers in the township had got pretty well advanced. They had 
 secured their homes, had made rapid headway in clearing their land, had in 
 fact been a band of brothers, helping each other by times. They were raising 
 food enough for themselves and for tlieir horses and cattle; the hogs roamed 
 the woods, lived and fatted on mast, and it did begin to look as if a really 
 prosperous future was before them. They began to think about school- 
 houses and churches. Tlie children liad often been gathered at the houses 
 or cabins of the neighbors to stud}', and liad progressed in many instances 
 60 as to spell and read, but the want of schools was severely felt. 
 
 THE FIEST SCHOOL. 
 
 The first school taught in Lincoln township was by Amos Dille, a brother 
 of Wm. Dille. His education was limited but he was capable of imparting 
 the rudiments of education, or, as it was called in those days, their A B C's, 
 and to read, write and cipher. He taught for three months in the falls of 
 1839-40. The following summer there was no school, but in the winter of 
 1840-41 Jeiferson Forrest taught a session of three months. In the summer 
 of 1841 John Sutton made his appearance and, being capable, was called 
 upon to teach during the summer months; this he did to the general satis- 
 faction. In the winter of 1841-42 another arrangement was made, and Jeffer- 
 son Forrest coming back he was engaged to teach that winter and also the 
 winter of 1842-43. All of these schools had been taught in the old deserted 
 cabins of the settlers. The schools were now kept pretty regularly. Robert 
 Houston followed Jefferson Forrest in the summer and fall of 1843, and 
 the fact of his teaching is fresh in the minds of many of the boys of those 
 days now grown to manhood. Those old forsaken and rudely-constructed huts 
 still did duty as the seats of learning for several years. Henry Foster's was 
 the first of these cabins wiiich became known as an institution of learning, 
 but there were several and all were free. • Mr. Robert Speers came after 
 Mr. Houston in 1847-48. Such is the record of Lincoln township's school 
 days of early times. It was not much the children of those days had to 
 brag of in the way of education, but what little time and opportunity came 
 within their reach they improved. 
 
 FIEST SCHOOL-HOUSE. 
 
 The first school-house was built in the fall of 1849. It was located on 
 the west bank of Muddy Creek, on section fifteen, east side, and about the 
 center of the section north and south. Tliere was nothing of beauty in the 
 simple structure, it was rather substantial, but primitive in its style of archi- 
 tecture. The logs were round, or nearly so, and dressed in their native 
 bark; the windows were holes made and fenced around with logs; the fire- 
 
606 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 place took up nearly one end of the bnilding, and was composed of the 
 best quality of Lincoln township mud, interlaced with a fine assortment of 
 sticks. Logs were split into slabs and the roof was made, and held on by 
 weight-poles; the floor was mother earth; puncheon seats and desks of the 
 latest styles of the art, by the best backwoods artists of the day, were fur- 
 nished free to the scholars. In fact, it was a work of love, and the school 
 was free to all so far as the building was concerned. In winter, paper was 
 put over the windows — it kept the cold out, but did not darken the room. 
 The building was considered a great achievement at that time, and it was 
 far superior to the deserted cabins of the old pioneers. A teacher was se- 
 cured, and the parents who sent their children paid him. This building 
 was used three winters, when it was given up, the school being again taught 
 in the best vacant cabin in the neighborhood, until a log church and school- 
 house, in a better location, and a better building, was put up in 1855. 
 
 THE FIRST CHURCH. 
 
 The settlers at last got together and concluded to erect a building that 
 would answer for both church and school, although it afterward went by 
 the name of the " Log Church." It was not particular]}' renowned for the 
 beauty of its finish, or the height of its spire, but it was a good comfortable 
 house of worship, built of cottonwood logs, primitive in its inside arrange- 
 ment and finish, with puncheon floor, seats and desks. It served for school 
 and church purposes for six years, when it burned down. It was supposed 
 to have been set on fire, but no investigation was made. 'Church service 
 was again held for several years at the houses of tlie settlers, each taking 
 turns. The church burned had been the joint property of the Methodists 
 and Presbyterians. 
 
 It was not until 1868 that the next house of worship was built. The 
 settlers once more united and determined to have a church. There had, by 
 this time, come into the district Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians and 
 Lutherans, and the members of the four denominations united and built a 
 union church at the cost of $800; each denomination holding services 
 once a month. It was a neat frame building, exclusively for church pur- 
 poses, and was nicely arranged inside with seats, and desk and platform for 
 the minister. It was built on the site of the one burned down, and was 
 called the Kelso Church. It still stands and is yet known by its first 
 name. Its size was 36x42, and many who subscribed for its erec- 
 tion, gave labor, some lumber, and some money; each was valued at its 
 market price, and allowed on their subscription. . All could not pay 
 money, but they could furnish labor and lumber, or whatever they had, and 
 the church was completed without a jar, all fulfilling their parts nobly 
 and well. 
 
 The new settlement on the east side of the Muddy built, in the year 1858, 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 607 
 
 a Presbyterian clinrcli, and it was called the Paint Lick Church. This was 
 a frame building, some 30x40 feet in size, and was as well arranged as 
 could be, for the times. It flourished exceedingly well until the breaking 
 out of the civil war, in 3 861. This demoralized the whole country. At; 
 first the sentiment was pretty equally divided, recruits joining both north- 
 ern and southern armies, but toward the close of the war a pretty solid 
 Union sentiment had taken place. ■ Winchell Chapel was erected by the 
 Methodists soon after the building of the Kelso Church, and about two 
 miles from the same — a neat and, from its location, a pleasant place of 
 worship. It was used both as church and school for a few years, and was 
 about midway between Muddy and Honey creeks. The building has long 
 since been vacated and destroyed. Its place is still vacant. 
 
 NEW SETTLKES. 
 
 There were two immigration periods in the history of Lincoln township 
 worth recording. These were the years 1851 and the fall and winter of 1865 
 —66. The flow of settlers, in 1851, came principally from Kentucky, and 
 the last were from Ohio and Michigan. These were the exceptional years, 
 but there was a pretty steady arrival of new settlers for several years. 
 They also came better prepared in worldly wealth, and were valuable 
 acquisitions to the population of the townstiip. 
 
 THE WAE PEEIOD. 
 
 This proved a very unfortunate, as well as demoralizing period in the 
 history of the township and county. Lincoln furnished volunteers for both 
 eides, and neighborly feeling received a rude shock. A regiment was 
 raised for the Union army, and some two companies were formed for the 
 Confederate forces. Captain -John Coleman raised one of the companies 
 which joined the southern army. In both armies were to be found volun- 
 teers from the township of Lincoln who were mustered in at Trenton. 
 During this whole period of four years the township remained at a stand- 
 still. Improvements were very slow, and little was undertaken, except 
 raising the bare necessaries of life. Nothing was known as to the out- 
 ■come, and gloom pervaded the hearts of the people. It was not the tramp- 
 ing of armies, but the destruction of confidence, the loss of neighborly 
 feeling, and the dark uncertainty of the future which conspired to depress 
 the people and give to all minds a continual fear and foreboding of some 
 future calamity. The war at last ended, and confidence began to be 
 restored, but it came slowly. The influx of new settlers, however (spoken 
 of before], who came in 1865-66, began to put a new face upon affairs, and 
 the old settlers assumed a more cheerful and hopeful tone. The following 
 year also proved a good one to Grundy county in the way of population. 
 Quite a large German immigration came in from Illinois, and settled in the 
 
608 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 county, and Lincoln received her portion of the strangers, and they have 
 proved most valuable citizens. Judge V. Briegel, the most prominent 
 among the German arrivals of that period, is one of the most progressive 
 and successful farmers of the county, and is a resident of Lincoln town- 
 ship. The year 1868 opened prosperously and brightly for the settlers, and 
 that year can be called the school year of the township. Never before or 
 since has there been as many school-houses erected, as in 1868. They have 
 quite a number of bridges in the township, the principal one crossing the 
 Weldon river at or near JVlcKeen's crossing. It was placed there at a cost 
 of $2,000. There are several other bridges, one costing $300, another 
 $226, and others still less. All are kept in good repair. The bridges are 
 paid for. The amount necessary for bridge purposes was promptly raised, 
 and is denominated the bridge fund. 
 
 WHEN MADE A TOWNSHIP. 
 
 The county court met in its regular term, November, 1872, for the pur- 
 pose of organizing the county into municipal districts, as required by the 
 new township organization law, which had become the law of the State. 
 Its bounds were defined by the judges as follows: All of township 
 No. 62, of range 24, and sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 
 31 and 32, of township No. 62, and range 23, was to be known as 
 Lincoln township. There are no towns of note in the district, and 
 but one known by name, Tindall. It is a railroad station, has a de- 
 pot building, six houses, a good-sized corn-crib, and a small cattle-yard. 
 It is situated on rather low ground, the houses are comfortable, the gar- 
 dens of good size, and the door-yards covering any amount of land 
 required. This is Tindall, the metropolis of Lincoln township. Its mayor 
 and council, city marshal, railroad station agent and postmaster is repre- 
 sented in the person of J. P. Ward, a thorough business man and a court- 
 eous gentleman, 
 
 ITS PUBLIC SEEVANTS. 
 
 Its first registration oflScer was Edward Chambers, appointed by the 
 county court to register votes for the spring election of 1873. The 
 judges of that election were Isaiah Brainerd, Valentine Briegel, Sen., and 
 J. T. Wyatt. Under the new township organization law five county jus- 
 tices were to be elected. One at large and one each from the four districts 
 as arranged by the county court. Valentine Briegel, Sen., was elected from 
 the county at large, a resident of Lincoln township. The first justice of the 
 peace elected was James li. Devaul. 
 
 INCIDENTS. 
 
 One of the saddest afl'airs occurring in the county marked the annals of 
 Lincoln township. It was the death of a young, intelligent and highly ed- 
 
HISTOET OF GEtJNDT COUNTY. 609 
 
 ucated lady, Miss Araniinta J. Hossoin, in the nineteenth yeai' of her age. 
 Her grace of person and sweetness of disposition had endeared her to all, 
 her family and she were held in very high esteem by her neighbors and 
 friends. 
 
 Her brother, a yonng man of excellent character and well educated, had 
 been teaching a school at what was called the Veach school-house, some 
 three miles from their home, and had been taken sick. He worried over it, 
 and his sister told him that she would teach for him utitil he got well. He 
 at first declined, but she insisted that he would get well quicker if he knew 
 the school was going all right, and the change would be good for lier, and 
 so he consented. She rode the family horse to school, and that was the 
 last time the family saw her alive. 
 
 bhe taught school that day, mounted her horse and started home. There 
 was a bridge to cross, not over four feet high, and the creek had very little 
 water, but was several inches deep in mud. The horse was blind in one eye 
 and it is supposed that in stepping on the bridge he got too near the edge 
 and Miss Hossom in trying to guide him nearer the center the animal 
 backed off the bridge. The print was plain where the young lady first 
 struck on her feet in the mud, but when the horse fell as she slid off, he 
 seemed to have to have fallen against her, knocking her over with her face 
 downward in the mud, and in his wild struggles rolled on her, smothering 
 her to death before recovering his feet. 
 
 The horse got out and started for home, and passed the house of Mr. J. 
 P. Ward, who, seeing no rider, the horse all covered with mud, and know- 
 ing Miss Hossom had rode the animal to school, gave the alarm and started 
 at once for the school-house to see what was the matter. In crossing the 
 bridge he discovered the young lady lying face downward and pressed into 
 the mud. He at once went to the rescue and raised her head but she gave 
 no sign of life, and help coming the body was taken to the home she had 
 left so bright and happy in the morning. It was indeed a heart-rending 
 scene. Not only were her parents prostrated with grief, but the brother, in 
 his anguish at his loss, accused himself of being her murderer. "If she had 
 not gone to teach for me slie would have been alive now," were his words, 
 and notvsrithstanding all that could be done he mourned her loss until his 
 self-accusing spirit found rest only in death. He survived his sister but ten 
 days. And thus were two bright and loving children in the early blush of 
 rising womanhood and manhood called away, and the sorrow-stricken par- 
 ents left to mourn alone The parents are alone to-day but the sorrow of 
 the past still abideth with them, and, it is plain to be seen, will, until in 
 God's chosen time he calls them to meet the loved ones that have gone be- 
 fore. 
 
610 HISTOEY OF GETTNDT COUNTY. 
 
 A MEMORABLE TEAMP. 
 
 It would have been pleasant reading to those of this day if a full and 
 complete account could have been given of a memorable tramp made by Wil- 
 liam Dille and Jacob Bain, from their home to Burlington, Iowa. The nearest 
 way was then through the Indian country. Young Bain was taken along 
 because he could talk the Indian language. They walked the entire distance 
 and camped several nights with the Indians. One night the Indians were 
 suspicious of the honesty of tlieir white guests, and coolly took away their 
 saddle-bags in which they carried what changes they needed and other pro- 
 visions, and examined them. It turned out they were looking to see if the 
 white men had any bridles. They had taken them for horse-thieves and 
 thought they were after their ponies. Finding them all right, they re- 
 mained all night and parted good friends in the morning. It was a narrow 
 escape. - . 
 
 A SOLID NOTE. 
 
 The old pioneer, among other things in those early days, was short in the 
 articles of paper, pens and ink. To be sure there was but little demand for 
 them, 3'et when they did want them, they wanted them bad. They were 
 however, generally equal to the emergency, and a substitute was secured in 
 some way. 
 
 The first note given in Lincoln township was by John Rockhold, of Ken- 
 tucky, and was made in favor of Capt. Jarvis "Wood, of Grundy county, for 
 the sum of ten dollars for value received. Mr. Rockhold wanted Mr. Wood's 
 horse, there being something about the animal which seemed to take his eye. 
 Whether the bones were less prominent, or the ribs less plainly to be seen 
 on the Captain's horse than on his own ]Vlazeppa, history, and especially 
 this history, does not record; but Mr. John Rockhold was willing to swap 
 horses. Capt. Woods seemed willing to trade, but decided, on a careful ex- 
 amination of Rockhold's animal, that his had fifteen dollars more of limbs, 
 bone and muscle than Rockhold's. He couldn't exactly tell where that 
 extra fifteen dollars was located, but insinuated to Rockhold that it was scat- 
 tered sort of promiscuously all over the animal. Anyway the Captain was sure 
 it was there. To this Mr. Rockhold demurred, he couldn't find the fifteen 
 dollars worth of extra horse-flesh on that animal to save his life, when he 
 took a goodsquare look at his own steed. In true jocky style, Mr. Rock- 
 hold jumped on his Bucephalus and put him through his paces, and declared 
 that that horse was a superior animal. But the Captain was firm. He saw 
 more horse in his own animal, and less in Rockhold's, and the latter must 
 make up the diff'erence in some way or no trade. 
 
 Rockhold felt the force of these remarks, and also, that a crisis had come, 
 and he met it bravely by offering ten dollars to boot, and no questions 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 611 
 
 asked. Well, tliere was notliing mean about the Captain, and feeling that 
 Eockhold meant fair, the trade was made. And rigiit here was where that 
 "solid note" came in. 
 
 Mr. John Rockhokl had not ten dollars just then, and Capt. Woods didn't 
 have a scrap of paper, pen, ink or pencil. But Rockhold meant to ride that 
 other horse, and as the Captain's house made of logs had been hewn flat on 
 the inside, it was just the thing, and so Rockhold took a piece of coal out of 
 the tire and wrote: 
 
 "Due Capt. Woods $10 on a horse trade, which 1 will pay when I come 
 back. 
 
 [Signed] " John Eockhold." 
 
 There was no date to the note, and tlie length of time it was to run would 
 seem, to the close observer, as rather indefinite, but it was a solid, substan- 
 tial note, and likely to stay till he got back, and it did. Rockhold came 
 back, paid the note, and it was duly '* wiped" out by him. And that was 
 the first note given in Lincoln township, and no one will dispute the fact 
 that it was a "solid" one. 
 
 In 1874 the assessed valuation of Lincoln township was f 255, 777, and 
 was the second in wealth and population that year. The census of 1880 
 makes it the fourth in population — Marion, Jefferson and Trenton leading 
 her — Jefferson, however, by only nineteen. The assessment for 1881 was 
 not returned by municipal, but by congressional townships. 
 
 TOWNSHIP OFFICEES. 
 
 The following named gentlemen are the present township officers: 
 Trustee, C. D. Gass; Collector and Constable, H. A. H. Kelso; Clerk. 
 R. W. Hossom; Justices of the Peace, Millard Bosworth and J. L. Lowen, 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES. 
 
 SOLOMON ASHEE 
 
 Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 24, 1S27. He is a 
 son of J. S. Asher and Jane, nee Shoemaker. His parents were natives of 
 Ohio, and now both deceased. He was reared on a farm and educated at 
 the district school of the county of iiis birth and lived there till he was 
 forty-two years of age, then moved to Missouri and located where lie now 
 lives. He was married on December 27, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen 
 Birch who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on March 26, 1827. Her 
 parents were also natives of Ohio, and both are now deceased. 
 
 Eight children have been born, all of whom are living: Milton C, born 
 March 27, 1850; Howard B., born March 3, 1852; John A., born February 
 
612 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 7, 1854; Alice J., born March 22, 1856; Edwin F., bora February 24, 1858; 
 Benjamin F., born February 5, 1860; W. A. E., born December 31, 1862; 
 and Solomon S., born June 17, 1865. When Mr. Asher was fourteen years 
 of age he joined the Baptist Church, and for over twenty years has been a 
 deacon in the same, and does not want to be a cipher but an active and 
 energetic member while he lives. The family are all members of the same 
 church. He started in life poor and penniless, but his ambition was to 
 make his mark in the world not only as to accumulating property but to 
 make his life a useful one, and nobly has he fulfilled his purpose. He now 
 is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of one of the finest farms in 
 the county, all under a high state of cultivation with fine improvements 
 and well stocked; he makes a specialty of sheep husbandry, having now a 
 choice flock of Spanish Merinos and native graded. He says that the Osage 
 orange hedge is no longer an experiment with him, but a success, and on 
 his farm is over four miles of as complete a fence and as finely a trimmed 
 hedge as can be seen in the county. He is undoubtedly one of those useful 
 men that will be sadly missed when he leaves his station on earth. Few 
 enjoy so much of the public confidence and esteem as this worthy family. 
 
 ISAIAH BRAINEED, 
 
 Presiding judge of the county court of Grrundy county, was born in Green- 
 ville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1822. He is the son of Isaiah 
 and Jeannette Brainerd. His mother died when he was five years old, and his 
 father one year later, and he was thus thrown upon relatives for support. He 
 lived with his grandfather and relatives until he was eleven years old when 
 he began to work as a farm hand and at brick-making for wages, thereby 
 supporting himself. • Although having but few opportunities to obtain an 
 education he had acquired enough learning by the time he was eighteen to 
 teach school. In 1840 he went to Brooke county, Virginia, where he made 
 his home with a brother, and taught school one term, then was variously 
 employed until 1842, when he went to La Grange, Jefferson county, Ohio, 
 where he was employed in a steauifiouring-mill until 1850 when he engaged 
 in brick-making for one season. In 1 852 he engaged in general merchandising 
 at La Grange, and continued in the business until 1 857. He next removed 
 to and settled on a farm in Belmont county, Oiiio, where he pursued farm- 
 ing and milling until 1860. In this latter year he came to Missouri, and 
 engaged in farming as a renter one season in Grundy county, and then went 
 to Benton county, Iowa, in 1861, where he still pursued farming as a renter. 
 In the year 1863 he returned to Grundy county and permanently settled, 
 and engaged in dealing in stock on a small scale, with James Leaper and 
 Cyrus Ramage, under the firm stvte of Leaper, Brainerd & Ramage. 
 In 1864 Mr. Ramage retired from the firm, changing the firm to Leaper & 
 Brainerd, who continued in business until 1837 when they discontinued, 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 613 
 
 and he has since that time engaged in farming exchisively. In 1878 he 
 was elected connty judge for Grundy county, and in 18S0 was elected pre- 
 siding justice of the county court, which position he still holds. 
 
 Judge Brainerd has been married five times. His first wife was Miss 
 Mary E. Chalphanst, of La Grange, Ohio, whom he married in March, 1844; 
 she died at the same place in April, 1849. By this union he has one 
 child living: Caroline, wife of Henrj^ Montgomery, of Spickardsville. Miss 
 AmyE. Cox, of La Grange, Ohio, became his second wife in April, 1851; she 
 died in La Grange in 1853. He has one child living by this marriage, who is 
 now the wife of Samuel Gray, of Kansas City. In 1854 he was united in 
 marriage to Miss Ann Amelia Cox, of Washington, Washington county, 
 Pennsylvania; she died in Gj'undj' county, Missoui-i, in 1862. Four chil- 
 dren were the issue of this marriage, three of whom are now living; namely, 
 Jennie D., wife of A. Johnson, M. D., of Watson, Missouri; Eva A., of 
 Effingham, Kansas; and Lizzie C, a school teacher. His fourth wife was 
 Mrs. Mary Sharp, of Trenton, whom he married in February, 1865; she 
 died in Octobei", 1876, leaving one child, Sallie, now living at home. Judge 
 Brainerd married Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, nee Spaulding, his present wife, in 
 August, 1877. 
 
 Judge Brainerd is one of the most energetic and progressive men in 
 Grundy county, and his uprightness and integrity have won for him a large 
 circle of warm friends. 
 
 JESSE b"ain. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is entitled to the honor of being the first white 
 settler that had a family and located in Lincoln township, Grundy county, 
 Missouri, and now, in 1881, is still living. His birth-place was in Mus- 
 kingum county, Ohio, and the date June 21, 1812. He was the eldest son 
 of Kiason and EUender Bain. His father was born upon the present site 
 of Wheeling, West Virginia, April 19, 1791. His mother was also a native 
 of Virginia, born in 1797. Our subject lived in Muskinguiti county till 
 about twenty-two years of age, and then moved to Rush county, Indiana, 
 and remained there till the spring of 1837, then in company with his father 
 and his only full brother, Jacob, started to find a home in the then far West. 
 They crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis on April 9, 1837, and trav- 
 eled one hundred and fifty miles in a southwest course to Pulaski county, 
 Missouri, and there the families remained and raised one crop, but in the 
 meantime the father and Jesse Bain wei-e continually prospecting. Acci- 
 dently falling in with Lisbon Applegate, United States surveyor, who had 
 just returned from surveying the Grand River country, he told them that 
 the only way he could make his report as to that country was "better than 
 first rate." They therefore explored the county and being perfectly satisfied 
 returned to Pulaski county and gathering up their families and personal 
 
614 HISTOKT OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 effects started, September 10, 1837, for the Grand Kiver country, and on the 
 12th day of November, 1837, located in what is now the township of Lin- 
 coln, Grundy county. While in Pulaski county, Mr. Jesse Bain was mar- 
 ried, on the lOtli of August, 1837, to Miss Cathai-ine Ogletree, who was a 
 native of Overton county, Tennessee, and born ISTovember 1, 1818. Four 
 children were the fruits of this marriage, two of whom ai'e still living; viz., 
 P. W. Bain and O. G. Bain. Mrs. Bain died in the fall of 1857, and he 
 was again united in marriage, on November 10, 1858, to Miss Mary Pock, 
 a native of Barren county, Kentucky, and born January 12, 1834. By this 
 marriage there are four children; viz., Walter G., Anna, Jesse D. and Hal- 
 lie May. 
 
 Mr. Bain started in this township a poor boy not worth $20, but now, by 
 industry and good management has accumulated a nice property, owning 
 three hundred and twenty acres of the choicest land in Lincoln township, all 
 improved and stocked, and two very fine orchards. During the civil war he 
 was a member of company E, Seventh Missouri State militia. In 1849 he 
 crossed the plains to California, where he remained for some time, and then 
 returned by water, and dui'iug the voyage home was shipwrecked but man- 
 aged to escape. 
 
 p. W. BAIN 
 
 Was born on April 27th, 1845, in Overton county, Tennessee. His father, 
 Jesse Bain, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, Catharine, a native of 
 Tennessee. When an infant he was brought by his parents to Grundy 
 county, that being the place of their residence, but, at the time of his birth 
 they were visiting in Tennessee. He received his education in the district 
 schools of Trenton, and lived on a farm until tlie age of sixteen years, and 
 then, at the beginning of the civil war, enlisted as a member of the Mis- 
 souri State militia and served for one year. Then became a member, as a 
 non-commissioned officer, of company A, Forty-fourth Missouii volunteer 
 infantry, andnvith this regiment served faithfully till the close of the war. 
 On August 15th, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. He thus served 
 over four years as an active Union soldier while yet a minor. After the 
 close of the war he devoted himself to acquiring an education and soon be- 
 came a very successful teacher, and followed this profession for five years 
 in the public schools of the county. He was then elected to the office of 
 county collector, which office he filled for two years with credit to himself 
 and profit to the county. For, as others say, he worked harder and col- 
 lected more money than any of his predecessors. After this he engaged in 
 farming in Lincoln township, where he has built for himself a beautiful 
 home, owning one hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land with a 
 fine residence and an excellent orchard. He was united in marriage, April 
 6, 1869, to Miss Angeline Linney, a native of Grundy county, and who was 
 
HISTOEr OF GfEUNDY COUNTY. 615 
 
 born September 15, 1850. By this marriage they have three children: 
 William W., born April 1, 1870; Claude J., born October 7, 1872; and 
 Estella, born March 16, 1878. Mr. Bain takes more than an ordinary inter- 
 est in having good schools, and believes the best legacy he can leave his 
 children is a good education. He is, politically, a staunch Kepnblican. His 
 accumulations have all been made by his own earnest labors and the aid of 
 his worthy wife. They are both consistent members of the Baptist Church 
 and active workers in the sabbath-school. 
 
 JAMES BLOW 
 
 Is a native of Tioga county, New York, and was born November 27, 1839. 
 He is a son of Henry and Catharine Blow, both natives of New York, and 
 who are still (in 1881) residents of Tioga county. He lived there until 
 twenty-fonr years of age, and there received his education. In 1863 he 
 moved to Lapeer county, Michigan, resided there six years, and was there 
 married to Miss Margaret Hodges, May 24, 1864. She was born in 
 Lapeer county, Michigan, May 2, 1841. In 1868 he moved to Grundy 
 count}' and located where he now and has ever since lived, engaged in farm- 
 ing. He started in life poor, but by hard labor and the assistance of a noble 
 companion has secured a beautiful and pleasant home. They have six 
 children: Charles Henry, born September 1, 1865; Maroey, born April 
 11,1867; Frank, born October 5,1870; Minard, born January 30, 1873; 
 Merritt, born May 24, 1874; and James, born December 16, 1879. While 
 in Michigan he was an active member of the A. F. & A. M. His farm is 
 located near Tindall Station on the Eock Island road. He also owns a 
 large interest in a saw-mill in Mercer county, to the attention of which he 
 devotes a great deal of his time. 
 
 VALENTINE BEIEGEL, 
 
 A native of Bavaria, Germany, was born January 14, 1828, and lived there 
 until 1841, when he immigrated to America and located in Monroe county, 
 Illinois, where he remained for twenty-seven years, and on the eve of the 
 general election, in 1868, after staying long enough to vote for Grant for 
 president, started for Missouri and located in Lincoln township, Grundy 
 county. Mr. Briegel was educated in Germany, and at the McKendree 
 College, in Illinois. While in Illinois he was engaged in farming and mer- 
 chant-milling, and since living in Missouri his business has been farming, 
 stock-raising and horticulture. His fai-m, of three hundred and twenty 
 acres, is called one of the finest in the county; and is well improved and 
 stocked, with fine buildings, two splendid orchards and six acres of vine- 
 yard ; he is one of the most extensive grape-growers and wine-makers in 
 this part of the State. 
 
 He was united in marriage on November 19, 1853, to Miss K. A. Neu- 
 
616 HISTOEY OF' GBUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 barth, a native of Saxony, Germanj^, born May 13, 1832, and who came to 
 America in 1834-. By this union ten children have been born, seven of 
 whom are still living; named, resj^ectively, Gr. A. Briegel, born February 
 26,1864; Louisa E., born October 20, 1855; Herman R. and Maggie A. 
 (twins), born October 6, 1860; Albert F., born April 1, 1863; Pauline 
 F., born February 23, 1865; and Karl F., born June 13, 1871. Valentine 
 F. died at the age of twenty-two years, a very intelligent and promising 
 young man, Avho, at tlie time of his death, was principal of the high school 
 at Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois. They lost two children in infancy. 
 Mr. Briegel has almost continuously filled the office of school director, 
 and is a strong advocate of good schools. In Maj', 1873, lie was elected 
 president of the county court, which office he filled for four years with 
 great credit and ability. The aged parents of our subject live with him. 
 Adam Briegel, his father, was born in 1799, and his mother in 1804. They 
 are both in fine health and spirits, and enjoy their Missouri home with 
 their kind son and his excellent and highly respected family. 
 
 0. K. BEOWN, 
 
 Native of Somerset county, Maine, was born October 2, 1833, and lived 
 there till he was about twenty-four years of age, when he moved to Wiscon- 
 sin. In the year 1857 he removed to Adams county, Illinois, where he fol- 
 lowed school-teaching, farming and surveying; was one of the leading edu- 
 cators of Somerset county, Maine, and Adams county, Illinois'. He was 
 united in marriage, on March 17, 1861, to Miss Martha Moi'gan, a native 
 of Morgan count}', Indiana, but mostly reared in Adams countj% Illinois. 
 She was born April 12, ]840. Her parents moved to Iowa in 1865, but 
 subsequently to Grundy county, where they now reside — her father in the 
 seventy-fifth year of his age and the mother in her seventieth year. Six 
 children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, five of whom are still 
 living; viz., Oliver K., born August 10, 1862; Clarence, born June 28, 
 1866; Chester, born January 8, 1868; Lena, born May 30, 1871; and 
 Andrew, born September 9, 1879. Laura, born February 25, 1878, died 
 December 18, 1879. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Brown moved to Grundy 
 county, and located on the farm now occupied by him in Lincoln township. 
 In 1880 he was elected to the office of county surveyor, which position he 
 is now filling. He takes an active interest in educational matters; owns a 
 fine farm of two hundred acres of valuable land, well improved and stocked. 
 Most of this was accumulated by his own industry and the aid of his worthy 
 companion. He secured a fine education in the best schools in his native 
 State, and became quite proficient in the languages and higher mathematics. 
 
 .JOHN O. BUREN, 
 
 Son of John J. and Cosby Buren, nee Peery, was born in St. Louis county, " 
 Missouri, October 21, 1851. His father was a native of Tennessee. "When 
 
HISTORY OF GEITNDY COUNTY. 617 
 
 the subject of this sketch was only one year old his jDarents moved to 
 Grundy county and located in Edinburg, but his father onh^ lived about 
 three weeks after settling there, and died December 25, 1852; he was pre- 
 siding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and just prior to his death 
 had been stationed for, four years at St. Louis; he was possessed of fine 
 ability, and was a zealous laborer in the Master's vineyard. His mother 
 was a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, and one of twelve children, all 
 of whom lived to be over seventy 3'ears of age, and is now the only surviv- 
 ing member of the family, in the sevent^'-third year of her age. She is a 
 lady of remarkable vigor of mind and body for her advanced age. She is 
 now living with her son. 
 
 John O. Buren was educated at Trenton and at Grand Eiver College. 
 In Trenton he learned the shoemaker's trade. Shortly after his father's 
 •death his mother moved on her farm in Daviess county, and here he 
 remained till 1869, then came to Trenton and lived about eleven years, and 
 for the last four years has been engaged in farming. While in Trenton he 
 filled the position of deputy postmaster, and kept a confectionery store. 
 He was united in marriage, September 8, 1874, to Miss Mary H. McCollum, 
 a native of Guernsey count}', Ohio, born May 14, 1855. By this union 
 they have one little daughter, named Dora May, born August 31, 1875. 
 
 G. D. CAEPENTEE, 
 
 Son of Christian B. and Elizabeth Carpenter, was born in Garrai'd county, 
 Kentucky, October 1, 1853. His parents moved to Missouri in the fall of 
 1854, and settled in Grundy county, near where the subject of this sketch 
 now lives. His father died February 1, 1865, and his mother Februar}' 4, 
 1865. Thus at an early age he was suddenly bereft of his parents and their 
 ■counsel, and left to fight the battles of life alone. He was reared on the 
 tarm which he now occupies, and had but little opportunity of getting an 
 education. He has worked diligently and saved the proceeds of his labor, 
 and now owns a home of eighty-six acres of choice land. January 15, 
 1873, Mr. Carpenter married Miss Johanna Scott, a native of Mahaska 
 county, Iowa, born October 23, 1850. Her parents were natives of Ohio, 
 but moved to Iowa and from there to Missoiiri, m 1851. Her. father died 
 about fourteen years ago, and her mother is still living. They have one 
 ■child, a bright little girl named Ora May, born February 25, 1876. 
 Although he had but little chance of receiving an education, he is a well 
 informed man. His wife is a lady of taste and refinement, and knows how 
 to make home happy. 
 
 B. B. COENWELL 
 
 Is a native of Smith county, Tennessee, born December 6, 1827, and a son 
 of W. T. Cornwell, who was born in Prince "William county, Virginia, March 
 12, 1800. W. T. Cornwell moved to Tennessee and married Miss Jane 
 
618 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTT. 
 
 Payne, November 21, 1824. She was born in Tennessee, October 25, 1799. 
 They moved to Grundy county, in 1838, and lived here until 1868, then 
 moved to Chillicothe, where he died, March 10, 1874, and his wife died at 
 her son, B. B. Cornwell's, February, 25, 1880. W. T. Cornwell and hi& 
 family were very early settlers in Grundy county and with but little means, 
 yet by indomitable energy he overcome all the difficulties that environ the 
 new settler and in a short time converted the wilderness into a beautiful 
 home and gathered around him many of the comforts of life. He was a fine 
 type of the old Virginia gentleman and died leaving a host of warm friends. 
 B. B. Cornwell married Miss Ellen B. Cochran, November 28, 1850. She 
 was a native of Daviess county, Missouri, born February 13, 1834. Her 
 father was a native of Kentucky', and her mother of Missouri. Eight chil- 
 dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell ; namely, William W., born 
 October i, 1851 ; Minerva, July 18, 1854; Abel C, March 9, 1858; Aurelius 
 D., January 21, 1860; Samuel T., January 27, 1862; Lawrence P., November 
 17, 1863; Robert N., Jirae 5, 1866; and David B., born June 6, 1856, and 
 died February 24, 1857. Mr. Cornwell owns a farm of one hundred and 
 sixty acres. He served as postmaster at Tindall for ten years; is an active 
 worker in educational matters, and is highly respected and esteemed as a 
 worthy citizen. 
 
 ALKKED T. COENWELL. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is one of the bright and intelligent young men 
 of our county. He was born in this county on November 26th, 1862, and is 
 a son of J. P. Cornwell, and Martha A. Cornwell his wife, her maiden name 
 being Martha A. Linney. His father was a native of Smith county, Tennes- 
 see, and was born February 14, 1832, and was one of the early settlers of 
 Grundy county. Mr. J. P. (Cornwell married Martha A. Linney, February 
 1, 1860. She was a native of Bath county, Kentucky, born June 6, 1834, 
 but came to Missouri when but an infant, her parents being among the first 
 settlers of Grundy county; J. P. Cornwell died March 26, 1875 and left an 
 estate of two hundred and eighty acres of fine land all well improved and 
 stocked. He was a kind and loving husband and father. He left three 
 children, Virginia, born November 2, 1860; Alfred T., the subject of this 
 sketch; and Ida M, born December 21, 1864. Mrs. Cornwell, with the 
 assistance of her son Alfred, carries on the farm. Alfi-ed has spent several 
 years at the Kirksville Normal School, qualifying himself for the profession 
 of teaching and is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence and one 
 highly spoken of by all who know him. 
 
 J. E. CUSTAED 
 
 Was born in Vigo county, Lidiana, September 2, 1837. When he was but 
 an infant his jjarents moved to Delaware county, Ohio, where he was reared, 
 and educated 'at a select school. He is the son Anthony Custard, who was 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 619 
 
 the second white child born in Trumbull county, Ohio. His grandfather, 
 Jacob Custard, was a commissioned officer in the Black Hawk War and lived 
 to be over one hundred years of age. J. K. Custard lived in Delaware 
 county until twenty six years of age, then moved to Grundy county, Mis- 
 souri, and located where he now lives in Lincoln township. Was married 
 July 25, 1857, to Elizabeth M. Lloyd, a native of Cincinnati, born August 
 8, 1840. Ten children are the result of this union, nine of whom are living; 
 to-wit, William H., born September 25, 1858; Mary A., born September 
 29,1862; Charles R, born August 13, 186i; Maude, born November i, 
 1866; Harvey, born August 11, 1868; Carrie W., born April 15, 1870; Gay, 
 born October 20, 1871; Gny, born November 16, 1873; Bertie L., born 
 September 22, 1875; and Bessie M., born September 11, 1877. Carrie W. 
 died August 18, 1873. He controls three hundred and fortj' acres of fine 
 land located in the best part of Grundy county. He makes a specialit}' of 
 Cotswold sheep, of which he has a fine fiock, and also a few thorough-bred 
 cattle, and two good orchards of choice fruits on his farms. He is a member 
 of the A. F. & A. M. and of th« Knights of Pythias. The family are 
 highly esteemed for their social qualities. 
 
 HENRY K. DAVIS, 
 
 Eldest son of Henry Davis and Charlotte Davis, nee Dodge, was born in 
 Macomb county, Michigan, June 30, 1834. He engaged in farming with 
 his father, and sailed on the lakes about five or six years. In 1862 he joined 
 the Fifth Michigan cavalry and went from Detroit to Washington, then to 
 Fairfax, Virginia, and helped to drive the enemy out of Warrington Junc- 
 tion; was there detailed to go to Centerville as sergeant to General Hayes; 
 was engaged in the battles of Chancel lorsville and Gettysburg; after the 
 latter he assisted to bury the dead. iJad a brush with the enemy, under 
 General Lee, at Hagerstown; was captured and made prisoner while on the 
 picket-line at Blackman's Ford, Bull Run; in the fall of 1863 was sent to 
 Libby Prison, and was exchanged in March, 1864. Joined his regiment at 
 Falmouth in April, and in May was present at the battle of the Wilderness 
 and at Spottsylvania Court-house, where he was wounded, his ankle fractured, 
 and shot in the leg, the bullet being there still; was sent to the hospitals 
 at Washington and Philadelphia, and was discharged February 22, 1865. 
 November 14, 1868, Mr. Davis married Miss Sarah Wells, daughter of John 
 and Elizabeth Wells. Three children were the result of this union, two 
 are living, Agnes, born November 5, 1870; and Lana, born July 22, 1875; 
 one is dead. He moved to Grundy county in 1870, and bought the farm 
 he now lives on in 1876. 
 
 38 
 
620 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 GEOEGE W. DENNIS 
 
 Is a native of Burlington county, New Jersey, and was born February 13, 
 1830. Is a son of Aaron and Mary Dennis, both natives of New Jersey. 
 He lived there till twenty-live years of age, and tliere received his educa- 
 tion. In 1855 he went to Lapeer county, Michigan, and lived there until 
 1867, then came to Grundy county, Missouri, where he has ever since lived, 
 and engaged in fanning. He was married, September 21, 1857, to Anna 
 Eainier, a native of Burlington county. New Jersey, born July 6, 1839. 
 She was a daughter of John and Lydia A. Eainier, both natives of New 
 Jersey. Mr. and Mrs. Dennis have five children living; viz., Ada M., born 
 September 13, 1860; Lydia E., born March 31, 1862; Josephine, born 
 March 26, 1864; Aaron, born March 28, 1870; and Dick, born August 17, 
 1873. Two died in infancy. This couple started in life without any finan- 
 cial assistance, but they have labored earnestly, reared a family, and have 
 secured to themselves a pleasant home in one of the most delightful loca- 
 tions in Lincoln township. They are consistent members of the Presby- 
 terian Church. 
 
 CYBTJS GATES, 
 
 A native of LTnion county, Ohio, was born April 23, 1825. His father and 
 mother were natives of New York; his mother died in 1845, and his father 
 in 1854. He lived in Union county till his sixteenth year, then moved with 
 his parents to Winnebago county, Illinois; lived there till 1853, then moved 
 to Texas and located in Hunt county. After living there about three years 
 he returned to Winnebago county, Illinois, and lived there till 1865, when 
 he came to Grundy count}-, Missouri, and located upon land that he had 
 purchased in 1860. He was married on December 12th, 1847, to Miss 
 Lydia B. Butcher, a native of Ohio, born Jul}^ 20, 1826. She was a daugh- 
 ter of Jesse and Sarah Butcher, both natives of West Virginia. By this 
 marriage eight children were born, five of whom are living; viz., Calvin, 
 born May 27, 1851; Sarah Jane, born May 9, 1853; Emily, born Septem- 
 ber 15, 1861; Frank, born February 9, 1864; and James, born September 
 12, 1865; Orange L., born October 1, 1869, died October 19, 1850; Lucy, 
 born September 25, 1855, died August 24, 1880; and Martha V., born Sep- 
 tember 11, 1859, died April 4, 1862. Mrs. Gates died September 27, 1865. 
 Mr. Gates was united in marriage, on April 19, 1866, to Mrs. Louisa 
 King, widow of Thomas. King, who died while in the Union service at 
 Springfield, Missouri, December 18, 1862. Thomas King was born in Vir- 
 ginia, February 28, 1813, and was married November 11, 1847, to the pres- 
 ent Mrs. Gates, her maiden name being Louisa Ellis. She was born in 
 Switzerland county, Indiana, April 24, 1826. Her father, Enos Ellis, died 
 in 1843, and her mother, whose maiden name was Statira Sprague, died in 
 August, 1878. By the marriage with Mr. King, four children were born; 
 
HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 621 
 
 viz., Francis M. King, born ISTovember 21, 1848; Sarah J., born September 
 18, 1851; Mary A., born July 21, 1855, died May 1, 1872; and Wesley E., 
 born July 1, 1861. By the marriage of Mr. Gates and Mrs. King, two 
 children were born, and both died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Gates owns one of the most beantiful homes in Grundy county, 
 known as " The Elms," from the grove of elm trees about his house. This 
 home of ninety-two acres he, since 1865, converted out of a wilderness. It 
 is now under a line state of cultivation, with good buildings, a fine orchard, 
 etc., etc. 
 
 CALVIN GATES 
 
 Was born in Winnebago county, Illinois, May 27, 1851. He is a son of 
 Cyrus and Lydia Gates, both natives of Ohio. His father is now a resi- 
 dent of Grundy count}', Missouri, and his mother died September 27, 1865, 
 He was reared on a farm, and although only having the opportunity of at- 
 tending the district school, yet received a good English education. He 
 came to Grundy county when fourteen years of age. Mr. Gates was united 
 in marriage to Miss Celia Hulse, November 25, 1878. She was born in 
 Hunt county, Texas, in 1860. Her parents, Jacob and Lydia Hulse, now 
 reside in Winnebago count}', Illinois, the former a native of Ohio and the 
 latter of New York. One child has been born to this couple; to-wit, Wal- 
 ter, a bright little boy, born July 8, 1879. Mr. Gates spent two years in 
 California and Washington Territory. He has worked faithfully and hus- 
 banded his earnings and now owns a nice farm, improved and stocked, also 
 good buildings and orchard. 
 
 AAEON HAYNES. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Licking county, Ohio, February 
 18, 1842; is a son of Eli and Mary Haynes; his father being a native of Vir- 
 ginia and his mother of Ohio. His father died in 1856 and his mother in 
 1860. He lived in Licking county, Ohio, till October, 1868, when he moved 
 to Missouri, and in March, 1869, located in Grundy county. He was edu- 
 cated in Ohio at the district schools and also at the Hartford Academy. 
 October 29, 1867, Mr. Haynes married Miss Philena Biggs, who was born ' 
 in Licking county, Ohio, April 17, 1846. She was a daughter of James 
 and Susan Biggs, both natives of Virginia. Her father died in May, 1863, 
 and her mother is still living in Ohio. They have had three children; 
 named, respectively, Myrtle M., born Januarj' 31, 1869; Charles, born 
 August 15, 1872; and Eli S., born July 12, 1880. Mr. Haynes, by hard 
 labor and good management, has secured to himself a fine farm, consisting 
 of two hundred and eighty acres, two hundred of which are well improved 
 and stocked. He makes sheep husbandry a specialty, and has four hundred 
 head of fine Spanish Merinos. He has been very successful in the sheep 
 business, and is now one of the leading sheep men in Grundy county. 
 
622 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 T. J. HENDRICKSON 
 
 Was born in Knox county, Ohio, February 29, 1820, and is a son of Ezekiel 
 and Susannali Hendrickson, tlie first a native of North (^arolina, and the lat- 
 ter of Virginia. His father died August 7, 1877, and his mother February 
 9, 1851. When about two years of age he went with his parents to Mon- 
 roe county, Indiana, and lived there until 1863, then came to Missouri and 
 located in Lincoln township, Grundy county. He was married February 
 
 13, 1845, to Sarah Jane Fleener, who was born in Monroe county, Indiana, 
 February 26, 1826. By this union eleven children have been born, eight of 
 whom are still living: Martha Jane, wife of L. Evans: William ]S'., min- 
 ister of the Christian Church; James F., a farmer; E. D., a farmer; P. J., 
 studying medicine; Leander, John and George A. at home; Mary Ellen 
 died in 1875 at the age of twenty-five years; Thomas P., killed October 
 
 14, 1879, when about twenty years of age, by a train of cars in Morgan 
 county, this State; and Louisa, died in infancy. He has a fine farm of five 
 hundred acres all improved and stocked, and makes a specialty of graded 
 cattle and horses. He has, for a long time, been township trustee and takes 
 the lead as a practical farmer and business man. The family are all mem- 
 bers of the Christian Church and highly respected citizens. 
 
 •JAMES F. HENDRICKSON, 
 
 A native of Monroe county, Indiana, was born March 5, 1853, and lived in 
 Monroe county till he was eleven years of age, then moved with his parents to 
 Grundy county, Missouri. He received his education at the district schools 
 of this county, and was brought up on a farm and now makes farming his 
 business. James F. Hendrickson was married September 6, 1874, to Miss 
 Mollie J. Houts, a native of Coles county, Illinois, born December 11, 
 1857. She is a daughter of John and Irene Houts, old residents of 
 Grundy county. Three children have been the issue of this union; viz., 
 Eugenia E., born July 7,1875; Samuel D., born March 28, 1877; and 
 Jesse B., born January 5, 1879. Mr. Hendrickson has control of a part of 
 his father's farm, and is a hard-working, indnstrious man, and self-made 
 financially, as the fine personal property of which he is possessed has been 
 accumulated by the care and good management of himself and excellent 
 wife. They are both consistent members of the Christian Church, of which 
 his brother, the Rev. W. N. Hendrickson, is pastor, and makes his home 
 with this family. 
 
 J. S. HERBERT. 
 
 One of the old pioneers of Grundy county, and one whoThas spent his 
 best days in converting the wilderness into a beautiful and fertile home, 
 was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, July 18, 1818, and is a son of Wil- 
 
HISTORY OF GE0NDT COUNTY. 623 
 
 Ham and Elizabeth Herbert, who were both natives of the same county. 
 They moved to Guernsey county, Ohio, in 1822, and there the subject of our 
 -sketch lived till 1845, when he came to Grund}' county. His father died 
 when he was about ten years of age, and his mother came to Missouri in 
 1847, and lived with him till she died, in 1S66. He received a common 
 school education, and when eighteen years of age learned the blacksmith 
 trade, and has spent the best part of his life at that business. He was mar- 
 ried December 9, 1841, to Rebecca J. Crawford, who was born in Mus- 
 kingum county, Ohio, April 20, 1822. Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have had ten 
 children, eight of whom are living; viz., Henry C, born January 31, 1843; 
 Thomas J., born January 15, 1845; Mary E., born November 9, 1846; 
 "William V., born January 24, 1849; Sarah, born July 28, 1851; Salome, born 
 December 25, 1855; Alice, born February 15, 1858; Rebecca A., born May 
 22, 1860; Martha, born June 1, 1854, died September 26, 1874; and Ulysses, 
 born April 17, 1862, died Februai'y 11, 1864. 
 
 Mr. Herbert takes great interest in educational matters and has done 
 more than most men to establish good schools. His son, William V., has 
 been a successful teacher in the public schools. Mr. Herbert owns six hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of as fertile and well cultivated land as can be found in 
 the county; it is well stocked and has line orchards and good buildings. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Herbert have literally carved their present possessions out of 
 the soil which, when they began, was covered with a dense forest. They 
 are members of the Baptist ■Church. 
 
 K. W. HOSSOM. 
 
 Our subject is a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born December 13, 1839, 
 and a son of A. J. and Mary E. (Berkley) Hossom, both natives of Ohio. 
 His mother was a daughter of Reuben Berkley, a noted Baptist minister of 
 southern Ohio; his parents now reside in this count}'. Mr. Hossom was 
 educated at the common schools, and afterward at the high school in Mc- 
 Connelsville, Ohio; lived in Morgan county until 1866, then i-emoved to 
 Grant county, "Wisconsin, and remained there two yeaj-s, speculating in 
 lands, and was quite successful. In June, 1866, came to Caldwell county, 
 Missouri, and located on a farm, and also dealt in lands; sold out, after visit- 
 ing Ohio, returned to Missouiu, and went into the mercantile business at 
 Trenton, and remained there until he located on his present farm, in Lincoln 
 township, in 1878; owns eighty acres of fine land, well improved and nicely 
 located, good buildings and a young orchard of the choicest varieties of 
 fruits. Mr. Hossom was married March 4, 1875, to Mary E. McYeigh, 
 who was born in "Washington county, Ohio, March 4, 1855; she is a daugh- 
 ter of Asa and Eunice McYeigh, the former a native of Ohio and the latter 
 of Maine. By this union two children have been born; viz., Vernie A., 
 April 5, 1877, and jSTannie S., November 3, 1880. 
 
624 HISTOEY OF GEUHDY COUNTY. 
 
 Mr. Hossom enlisted as a member of the First Ohio artillery, remained 
 one year, and was discliarged on account of sickness; was engaged as clerk 
 at the general's headquarters. He has served his township and is now serv- 
 ing as clerk and assessor. He is also the clerk of tli>e Baptist Church, of 
 which he and his wife are earnest members. 
 
 E. A. ISEAEL, 
 
 A native of Belmont count}^, Ohio, was born Mareli 22, 1826, and son of 
 Clary Israel and Mary (Moore) Israel, both of Ohio birth. His father was 
 killed accidentally by the falling of a tree, in 1855, and his mother died in 
 1869. When he was seven years of age his parents moved to Morgan 
 county, Ohio, and he remained there till 1871, when he came to Grundy 
 county. October 9, 1856, he married Miss Lomira Taughn, a native of 
 Morgan county, Ohio, who was born September 22, 1835. They had one 
 child. Clary, bom July 22, 1857, now living in Iowa. Mrs. Israel died 
 May 1, 1860; and March 10, 1870, Mr. Israel married Miss Maggie Cherry, 
 a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born February 5, 1841; her father died 
 in 1863, while in the Union army, and her mother is now living in Warren 
 county, Iowa. By this union two children have been born ; viz., Lottie A., 
 July 9, 1871; and another daughter, July 5, 1881. Mr. Israel has worked 
 his own way through life, and with the assistance of his worthy wife has 
 secured for his family a fine home. Mr. and Mrs. Israel are consistent 
 members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 MES. MAEY JONES. 
 
 Mary Wooley was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, January 24, 
 1810. Her father, William Wooley, came to Kentucky from Virginia at a 
 very early day; he died in February, 1830. Her mother's maiden name 
 was Mary Sutton, and she was also a native of Virginia, and became the 
 wife of William Wooley on May 26, 1807. They had a family of nine 
 children, the subject of this sketch being next to the eldest daughter. On 
 April 2, 1829, Miss Mary Wooley became the wife of James Simpson, a na- 
 tive of Kentucky, born in 1807. In the fall of 1838 this young couple, 
 together with his mother, five sisters and one brother, came to Missouri'; 
 they remained one winter in Chariton county, and in March, 1839, landed 
 and made a permanent settlement in Grundy county, and this venerable old 
 lady still lives there, never having moved from that now beautiful location, 
 which on that dreary March morning in 1839 was an unbroken wilderness. 
 Her husband died July 23, 1857. She was married December 15, 1858, to 
 John'H. Jones, a native of Virginia, born in September, 1807. He died 
 February 16, 1872. Mrs. Jones is a member of the Baptist Church and a 
 very intelligent lady; although now in the seventy-second year of her age, is 
 remarkably well preserved both mentally and physically. She has passed 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 625 
 
 through the many stages of development of Grundy county from its fii-st 
 beginning up to its present prosperity. She settled here when this was a 
 wilderness inhabited only by Indians and wild animals. As an incident of 
 courage and the realities of pioneer life we give the following: One morn- 
 ing in 1839, while Mr. Simpson, her husband, was attending the land 
 sales she treed a catamount and kept it treed until her sister went after 
 '"Uncle Billy Cornwell" to come and shoot it, which was successfully done. 
 This Christian lady is certainly entitled to stand in the front rank of the 
 old pioneers. Her sister Elizabeth was born in Kentucky in 1821, and 
 married O. P. White, a native of Illinois, born in 1819. The family of Mr. 
 White have long kept house for Mrs. Jones, and she still resides with 
 them. Mr. and Mrs. White have five children; namely, William, born 
 September 8, 1841; Sophia, born August 3, 1844; Sarah E., born Novem- 
 ber 8, 1847, died January 8, 1861; James O., born October 4, 1850; Eliza 
 C, born July 22, 1855; and Georgia A., born October 9, 1861. 
 
 HIRAM A. H. KELSO. 
 
 The subject of this brief sketch is .entitled to be called one of the pioneers 
 of Grundy county, for, upon the 16th of May, 1840, he was born upon the 
 very spot upon which he has ever since resided. He is a son of Col. Samuel 
 Kelso, who was the first settler in Lincoln township, Grundy county. He 
 was reared upon the farm now owned by him and received his schooling in 
 what he says were the very common schools of the country at that time. 
 He was a member (during the war) of the enrolled militia. On March 8, 
 1866, he married Miss Marietta Proctor, a native of Mercer county, Ken- 
 tucky, born November 16, 1845. To this couple have been born four chil- 
 dren; viz., Samuel J., July 3, 1867; Mary D., December 5, 1869; J. W. S., 
 December 14, 1871 ; and Lulu, July 10, 1874. 
 
 Mr. Kelso has served his township in an official capacity for a number of 
 years and is now filling the position of collector and constable. He and his 
 wife are consistent members of the Presbyterian Church, and are active sab- 
 bath-school workers. 
 
 He has a fine farm of two hundred acres and is comfortably fixed. He 
 never was one hundred miles from home and expects to live and die upon 
 the same farm upon which he was born. 
 
 S. J. KELSO 
 
 Is a native of Dubois county, Indiana, born May 2, 1831. When he was 
 about six years of age his parents moved to Grundy county, and in the fall 
 of 1837 located near where the subject of our sketch has ever since lived. 
 They tvere one of the first families locating in Lincoln townsiiip and at that 
 time there were no wiiite people living between them and the Des Moines 
 Kiver, and but few west as far as the Missouri, but there were plent}' of 
 
626 HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Indians and game, and vast tracts of undisturbed prairie and timber land. 
 Here the subject of this sketcli was reared, and assisted in clearing one of 
 the first farms opened in Grundy county. He had but little opportunity of 
 attending school, but still is a man of well stored mind and of good bus- 
 iness qualifications. His father and mother botli lived here till their death; 
 his mother dying June 18, 1863, and his father September 8, 1863. 
 
 In 1850 he went to California and remained two years, and at the begin- 
 ning of the civil war enlisted as a member of the Third Missouri cavalry, 
 commanded by Col. King, and afterward consolidated with the Seventh 
 Missouri cavalry, commanded by Col. Phillips; with this regiment he re- 
 mained till the close of the war, and with them participated in the many 
 battles, raids and skirmishes in which they were engaged. Since then he 
 has devoted himself to farming and stock-raising. January 5, 1855, Mr. 
 Kelso married Miss Sarah Ann Tracy, who was born in Gai'rard county, 
 Kentucky, January 10, 1835. They have had eight children, five of whom 
 are still living; to-wit, David L., born November 23, 1859; Samuel S., born 
 October 10, 1862; Sarah F., born September 25, 1865; George W., born 
 January 28, 1868; and Flora L., born September 5, 1874. Mr. Kelso 
 has served his township as a school trustee for several terms. lie and his 
 wife are members of the Presbyterian Church and esteemed members of 
 society. He is the owner of three hundred acres of fine land with good im- 
 provements. 
 
 CHARLES LONG 
 
 Was born in Seneca county, Ohio, November 12, 1840; a son of J. N. and 
 Maria Long, 'nee Shank, both natives of Maryland. His father died in 
 1840, before the subject of this sketch was born, and his mother is still liv- 
 ing, in Sandusky county, Ohio. He lived in Seneca county, till about twelve 
 years of age, and then went to live with his grandfather, Samuel Long, in 
 Cedar county, Iowa. His grandfather was a soldier in the War of 1812 and 
 one of the first settlers of Cedar county, Iowa, having located there in 183Y. 
 Here our subject was educated in the high school at Tipton, and then fol- 
 lowed farming. In 1869 he went to Peoria county, Illinois, and remained 
 till 1861. He enlisted in company C, Thirty-third regiment, Illinois volun- 
 teer infantry, and served for two years; was then discharged on account of sick- 
 ness; came to Iowa, and regaining his health enlisted in company A, Twenty- 
 fourth Iowa volunteer infantry and served till the close of the war. Keturning, 
 he lived in Iowa till 1867, then came to Grundy county, where he has since 
 lived, and engaged in farming. He was married January 29, 1868, to Annie 
 Tillery, a native of Jackson county, Kentucky, born January 27, 1853. Her 
 parents moved to Grundy county in 1859 and still live here. Four chil- 
 dren have blessed this union ; viz., Sarah O., born November 14, 1869 ; Claude, 
 born April 26, 1872; C. W., born July 22, 1874; and Fred., born April 14, 
 1880. He owns a fine home of forty acres improved and stocked. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Long are members of the Christian Church. 
 
IlISTOEY OF GKUNDT COTJNTT. 627 
 
 J. L. LOWEN 
 
 Was born in Knox county, Missouri, October 28, 1841, and lived there till 
 tliirteen j'ears of age, then came to Grundy county and located where he 
 now lives. He is a son of Hamilton and Sally A. Lowen, both natives of Ken- 
 tucky. His father died in 1852, and his mother is a resident of Trenton. 
 He lived on the farm till the beginning of the civil war, then enlisted in the 
 Third regiment, Missouri State militia; was afterward transferred to the 
 Seventh regiment, and served with them till the close of the war; was never 
 wounded, sick or taken prisoner, and was always able, willing and ready for 
 duty. After the war he devoted himself to acquiring an education and soon 
 became a very successful teacher. He was elected mayor of Trenton for the ' 
 years 1873 and 1874; served there as justice of the peace for seven years; 
 at the same time i-ead law, and in 1868 was admitted to the bar. In 1878 
 he returned to his farm where he has since remained. On the 24th of Sep- 
 tember, 1871, he married Miss Keturah A. Stombaugh, who was born in 
 Indiana, August 28, 1850. They have had three children; namely, Nellie 
 A., born July 10, 1872; Archer H., born November?, 1874; and Lettie M., 
 born May 7, 1878. Nellie, the eldest, although not yet nine years of age, 
 has carried otf the palm as being the best scholar in the school. She passed 
 through a five months' term as a member of the highest class in spelling and 
 never missed a word. Mr. Lowen had no financial help to start with, but 
 now by his industry and strict integrity has accumulated considerable prop- 
 erty, owning two fine residences in Trenton and a half interest in the 
 farm on which he is located. He is still serving his township as justice of 
 the peace and school director. Is a member of the I. O. O. F., and both 
 himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. 
 
 BOUETEE LEGG, 
 
 A native of Pickaway county, Ohio, was born January 29, 1834, and is a son 
 of Seldon and Rachel Legg, both natives of Virginia. In 1839 his parents 
 moved to Edgar county, Illinois, and he remained till 1855. He was brought 
 up on a farm and educated in the common schools of the county. When 
 twenty-one years of age he moved to Gentr}' county and remained one year, 
 then came to Grundy connty and located upon the farm where lie now resides. 
 Mr. Legg was married January 3, 1864, to Miss Cemira Woods, who was 
 born in Grundy county, April 27, 1844. She is a daughter of Jarvis Woods 
 and Malvina Woods, who were among the very first settlers of the county. 
 By this union they have had the following named children: Rachel M., 
 born January 14, 1866; Marion, born November 27, 1869; Annie Belle, 
 born February 19, 1872; Jennie Lee, born February 11, 1876; and a baby, 
 born February 9, 1881. George E. died when ten months old, and another 
 died in infancy. Mr. Legg had no financial help but what he has made has 
 been by the hard, earnest labor of himself and wife. They own three hun- 
 
628 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 dred and twenty acres of as fine land as can be found in the county, under 
 cultivation and with good buildings, orchards aiid other improvements. His 
 farm is well stocked and he stands as one of the solid men financially in this 
 part of the county. 
 
 E. E. m'keen 
 
 Was born in Erie county, New York, January 16, 1822; a son of Eoberfc 
 McKeen and Elmira, his wife — her maiden name being Elmira Pain. His 
 fatlier was a native of Bradford, Vermont, born in 1793, and was a great- 
 grandson of James Mclveen, that old heroic Protestant who endured all the 
 terrible privations at the siege of Derry, in the north of Ireland, and who, 
 in the spring of 1719, left friends and country, and with the rest of the 
 little Scotch colony left Ireland and settled in what is now known as Lon- 
 donderry, New Hampshire. The ancestors on his mother's side were noted 
 for the effectual and valuable services rendered in the cause of independence, 
 during the war of the Revolution. At the age of eighteen years the sub- 
 ject of this sketch learned the carpenter and joiner's trade, and then went 
 to Upper Canada to work. While there he married on October 6th, 1845, 
 Miss Sarah Hall, a native of Canada, although of New Hampshire ancestry. 
 She was born on August 1st, 1825. He remained in Canada till 1850, then 
 moved to Macomb county, Michigan, and lived there till 1858, and from 
 there moved to Benton county, Arkansas. In the fall of 1862 he came to 
 Grund}' county, and located in Lincoln township, where he has since resided. 
 When he lived in Arkansas he was a staunch Union man, and as those were 
 the " times that tried men's souls " as well as their bodies, he sought a more 
 congenial home and therefore located in Grundy county. While in Arkan- 
 sas he lost all his possessions, but with a will to do and dare he again set 
 his energies to work, and now owns one of the finest stock farms in the 
 county, consisting of three hundred and twenty acres of choice land, all 
 well improved and stocked, two fine orchards and good buildings. Eight 
 children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. McKeen, seven of whom are still 
 living. Their names are: Frederick, born June 1, 1845; George, born 
 November 30, 1846; Juliet, born August 31, 1852; Charles, born August 
 11, 1856; Retta, born April 1, 1859; Annie, born December 8, 1861; Wal- 
 ter, born September 25, 1864; and Clarissa, who died at the age of two 
 years. 
 
 J. S. p. MARSHALL, 
 
 A native of Franklin county, Ohio, was born upon the land where the city 
 of Columbus now stands, October 29, 1819. His father, J. S. P. Marshall, 
 Sr.. was born in England, and his mother, JSancy Marshall, was a native 
 of Maryland. His father died in Ohio, and his mother migrated to Grundy 
 county in 1839, and lived here till 1863, then went to Tazewell county, 
 Illinois, where she died at tha advanced age of one hundred years. The 
 
HISTORY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 629' 
 
 subject of this sketch was educated in Oliio, and there learned the carpen- 
 ter's trade. Early in 1839 he came to Missouri and located in Grundy 
 county; lived here till 1863, then resided five years in Chillicothe, and re- 
 turned here in the fall of 1868, where he has since continued to live; he 
 has spent most of his time at the carpenter business, but now devotes his 
 attention to his farm. On the 25th of February, 1840, Mr. Marshall and 
 Miss Nancy Young were united in marriage. She was a native of Putnam 
 county, Indiana, born April 9, 1821, and a daughter of Joseph and Priscilla 
 Young, who migrated to Missouri in 1839 and settled in Grundy county. 
 By this marriage they have had sixteen children, eight of whom are still 
 living; viz., Sarah, born November 29, 1841; Mary, born January 17, 1843; 
 Joseph, born January 11, 1844; Minerva, born January 5, 1853; Julia, 
 born October 31, 1856; George, born November 27, 1859; Martha, born 
 February 15, 1862; and James, born September 16, 1865. Rachel died 
 when about twenty-five years of age, and seven others died in infancy. 
 James, the youngest son, is living with his father, and is the staft' of his 
 aged parents' declining years. Mrs. Marshall died November 1, 1880. 
 She was a consistent Christian, and many warm friends mourned her lossw 
 Mr. Marshall was a member of the first grand jury that sat in Grundy 
 count}', and is now the only surviving member of that body. He was 
 teacher of the second school taught in Trenton. He is a member of the 
 Methodist Church, and a man universally respected. His daughter, Julia, 
 now the wife of Benjamin Holloway, remains at home and keeps house for 
 her father. 
 
 WILLIAM p. MAETIN 
 
 Was born in Miami county, Ohio, January 21, 1803. He is a son of Levi 
 Martin, a native of Pennsylvania, who cut the first bush where the city of 
 Cincinnati now stands, and was a soldier during the Revolutionary War. 
 His mother, Delilah Martin, nee Corbly, was one who suffered terribly by 
 reason of Indian barbarities, as will be seen from the following extract 
 copied from a sketch in a book of narratives published in 1785: 
 
 " On the second sabbath in May, 1782, I set out with my dear wife and 
 five children to fill my appointment at Red Stone Fort, about a mile from 
 my dwelling. Not suspecting any danger, I was walking about two hun- 
 dred yards behind my family with my Bible in my hand, meditating, when 
 I heard frightful shrieks from my family. I hastened toward them, vainly 
 looking for a club. When I was within forty yards of them, my poor wife, 
 seeing me, called to me to make my escape. An Indian ran up to shoot 
 me, but I outran him. My dear wife had a babe at the breast, and this in- 
 fant they killed and scalped. They then struck my wife several times, but 
 failing to knock her down, the Indian that pursued me ran and shot her 
 and scalped her. A daughter, besides the infant, they also killed and 
 
■630 HISTOKY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 scalped. My eldest daughter was hid in a tree about twenty yards distant 
 and witnessed the whole proceedings. After seeing the Indians go away 
 she came from the liollow trunk, but one of the Indians saw her and run 
 «p and knocked her down and scalped her." Other atrocities were 
 perpetrated upon this family. The last mentioned daughter was the mother 
 of the subject of our sketch. She survived the terrible wounds, and al- 
 though slie lived to be sixty -nine years of age and was the mother of eleven 
 ■children, ten of whom she reared to manhood and womanhood, the 
 wound where she had been scalped never healed. Wm. P. Martin, of whom 
 we write, was the third son of this noted and noble mother. Her father 
 was a noted minister of the gospel. Mr. Wm. P. Martin was married Oc- 
 tober 12, 1826, to Miss Mary Blue, of the same county, born April 24, 
 1807. This couple in their young days lived on the frontier and remember 
 well the events that occurred during the War of 1812. In 1836 they 
 moved to Elkhart county, Indiana, lived there about thirty years, and in 
 1867 moved to Grundy county, Missouri, and settled upon the farm now 
 occupied by them, and called the model farm of the county. He also 
 has a very line orchard of six hundred trees. His farm contains two hun- 
 <3red and eighty acres. They have had eight children, named as follows: 
 Clarissa, died when' twenty-eight years of age; James, died when thirty- 
 two years; Tyler, was a Union soldier during the civil war; Blackford, now 
 living near home; Arsinoe, died while a nurse in the hospital at Corinth, 
 in 1863; William, died in infancy; Washington, died when twenty-four 
 years of age; Mary, now the wife of Albert Yates, is living with her par- 
 ents and keeping house for them. Three grandchildren; viz., Nora M. 
 Yates, Martin Yates and Ella Yates, also make their home with their 
 parents and grandparents. They have been life-long members of the 
 Christian Church. 
 
 DAVID MUEPHY, 
 
 A native of Eichland county, Ohio, born May 10, 1831, is a son of Robert 
 Murphy, who was one of the old pioneers of Richland county, Ohio, but 
 now a resident of Grundy county. David Murphy lived in Ohio till 
 twenty-two years of age then moved to Henry county, Iowa, and lived there 
 till the beginning of the war. He enlisted in compan}' H, Twenty-fifth 
 Iowa volunteer infantry, and served with that regiment during the war, and 
 was in all the various engagements in which it participated. At the close 
 of the war he returned to Iowa and lived in Poweshiek county two years, 
 then moved to Grundy county, Missouri, and located where he now lives. 
 He was married, May 15, 1860, to Miss Susan Bashon, a native of Ohio 
 •county, Virginia. She was born March 14, 1834. Her father moved to 
 Iowa in 1836, and was one of its earliest settlers; he afterward came to 
 Missouri and died in Mercer county. Mr. and Mrs. Murphy have been the 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 631 
 
 parents of eight children, five of whom are still living; viz., Ella R., born 
 October 15, 1861; David F., born July 30, 1863; Olive M., born March 
 1, 1868; Amy S., born November 15, 1871; Henry O., born April 24, 
 1877; Araminta B., born July 24, 1866, died April 28, 1871; and two- 
 boys died in infancy. Mr. Murphy went to Colorado in 1872 and remained 
 twenty-two months, engaged in mining, then returned to his farm in 
 Grundy county. He has been very successful in accumulating property and 
 now owns four hundred and twenty acres of fine land, also an orchard of" 
 five hundred and fiftj' trees of choice vai-ieties. He is a member of the 
 Presbyterian Church. 
 
 B. M. PATTON 
 
 Was born near Huntsville, Alabama, December 25, 1822, where he lived 
 till about seven years of age and tlien moved to Lincoln county, Tennessee,, 
 where he lived about eight years. . In 1837 he removed to Randolph county,. 
 Missouri, and lived there till March, 1855, when he moved to Grundy 
 county and located in Lincoln township, where he owns two hundred and 
 forty-five acres of fine land and has since lived, engaged in farming. He 
 was married, February 6, 1849, to Parmelia Baxter, a native of Howard 
 county, Missouri, born October 26, 1831. She is a daughter of Richard and 
 Margaret Baxter, both natives of Kentucky; her mother died in 1876, and 
 her father in 1880. Mr. and Mrs. ]\atton have had fourteen children, six of 
 whom are still living; viz., John W., born September 15, 1851; Helena 
 Jane, born April 23, 1855; Berkley, born September 23, 1858; James, born. 
 January 3, 1870; Bettie, born November 24, 1872; and Thomas B., born. 
 December 15, 1874. They lost eight, aged from eight months to eight years. 
 
 EDWARD PENNELL, 
 
 A native of Delaware county, Pennsylvania, was born March 22, 1814; is 
 a son of Evan and Hannah Pennell, both natives of Pennsylvania. His 
 mother died in 1836, and his father, who was a soldier in the War of 1812, 
 died in the year 1847. When our subject was about five years of age, his 
 parents brought him to Chester county, Pennsylvania, and he lived there 
 till he was twenty-three years of age; during this time he had learned the 
 wagon-making trade; went to Morgan county, Ohio, and there worked at 
 his trade for twenty-three years, then moved on a farm in the same county, 
 where he remained till the spring of 1876, when he came to Missouri and 
 settled in Grundy county. 
 
 He was married, April 2, 1840, to Miss Susan Metcalf. She is a native- 
 of Belmont county, Ohio, born August 14, 1820, and is a daughter of 
 Abrarn and Hannah Metcalf, who were quite noted Quakers in Belmont 
 county, Ohio. Her fatiier died August 1, 1868, and her mother, Februarj 
 11,1874. 
 
"632 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 B}^ this marriage Mr. and Mrs. Pennell have had eight children, six of 
 whom are still living; viz., Abram, born April 20, 1841; Lydia, bora 
 [November 6, 1846, now the wit^ of James Marion, of Michigan; Alice, 
 born April 2, 1853; Jesse T., born December 12, 1858; Mary C, born June 
 14,1862; Eddie G., born March 14, 1866; Charles D., born August 26, 
 1849, died October 2, 1873; and one daughter died in infancy. 
 
 J. H. PEOCTOE, 
 
 Eldest son of Francis M. Proctor, was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, 
 June 21, 1849. His father was a native of Jessamine county, Kentucky, 
 born January 18, 1827, and lived there until six years of age, then moved to 
 Mercer county, Kentucky, where he remained till 1862, then moved to Gi-rundy 
 county. He was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Baker, September 19, 
 1848. She was a native of Garrard county. Kentucky, born January 5, 1829. 
 By this union they had nine children; namely, John H. (date given above); 
 Aaron A., born February 29, 1852; Abram, born October 15, 1854; Samuel, 
 born March 18, 1856; Sallie, born August 6, 1857; Susan M., born August 
 28, 1859; Missouri A., born April 3, 1866; William F., born May 18, 1853, 
 died March 13, 1870; Joseph M., born August 17, 1870, died JSTovember, 
 27, 1876. 
 
 Francis M. Proctor died February 26, 1873. He left an estate of one 
 hundred and sixty acres of well improved land. He was a consistent mem- 
 ber of the Baptist Church and not only left his family a competency, but 
 far better, a Christian example and a worthy life. He was a man highly 
 esteemed, and by his death society lost a useful and honored citizen and the 
 family a kind and loving husband and father. His widow, with tjie aid of 
 her children, continues to farm the old homestead. She and nearly all the 
 family are active church members. 
 
 STEPHEN POLLIAM 
 
 Is a native of Garrard county, Kentucky, born April 2, 1825, and a son of 
 "William and Elizabeth Pulliam, both natives of Kentucky. He lived in 
 Garrard county till about twenty-six years of age, then moved to Missouri, 
 and located in Lincoln township, Grundy county, where ho has since lived 
 and engaged in farming. He was married, May 26, 1853, to Miss Mary 
 Cunningham, a native of Mercer county, Kentucky, born January 26, 1827. 
 She is a daughter of James and Elizabeth Cunningham, the first a native of 
 Kentuck}' and the last of jSTorth Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Pulliam have 
 been the parents of six children; named, respectively, James, born August 
 15, 1854; Catherine, born July 13, 1857, now the wife of Benjamin Plossom; 
 William, born October 18, 1859; Elizabeth, born July 3, 1862; Mary, born 
 May 10, 1865; and Ella, bom August 15, 1869. 
 
 Mr. Pulliam, by hard labor, energy and good management, has secured a 
 
HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 633 
 
 fine home of four hundred and seventj-iive acres of land, all well improved 
 and stocked. He ranks as one of the leading farmers and stock-raisers in 
 the county. 
 
 J. M. EOCK 
 
 Was born in Barren county, Kentucky, January 27, 1831, and lived there 
 until 1842, then landed at Lewis Landing, near Glasgow, Missouri. From 
 there he went to Linn county, thence to Macon countj', and in 1850 located 
 in Grundy county. His father died in this county, and his mother, now 
 nearly eighty years of age, lives at Modena, this count}'. Mr. Rock had 
 but little opportunity of obtaining an education, but has been a very suc- 
 cessful man, and owns two hundred and forty acres of well improved land. 
 He was married, January 5, 1859, to Miss Elizabeth Davis. She was born 
 April 23, 1841, and died January 19, 1870. Six children were born of this 
 marriage, two only of whom are now living: Ida May, born January 2, 1868; 
 and Minnie E., born January 10, 1870. They have lost four: James W., 
 born January 6, 1862; Georgia A., born January 5, 1863; Millia 0., born 
 August 28, 1865; and Bettie, born February 9, 1867. The family now 
 consists of Mr. Rock, his two daughters, and Mrs. Davis, the mother of 
 Mrs. Rock. She is a sister to Jesse Bain, and one of the party who, 
 November 12, 1837, settled in Lincoln township, and has never lived a mile 
 away from where she first settled. She has been a good mother and kind 
 nurse to many in the neighborhood, and Mr. Rock is blessed in having her 
 as a guardian for his little daughters. 
 
 JOSEPH H. EOWOTH 
 
 "Was born in Lincolnshire, England, December 3, 1841; is the only son of 
 Robert and Ann Rowoth, nee Weldon. His mother died when he was but 
 five weeks old, and he was left without a mother's tender care. He lived in 
 his native place till he was about nine years of age, when his father came to 
 America and settled in Erie county, New York; they lived there four years, 
 then moved to Warren county, Illinois, and remained there two years; in 
 1857 they came to Missouri and located in Lincoln township, Grundy 
 county. Our subject, then in his seventeenth year, walked from Brunswick 
 with his father and carried all their earthly possessions. This country was 
 then an unbroken wilderness, with very few white settlers, but plenty' of 
 wild game, occasionally a panther, and plenty of wolves. Here our sub- 
 ject started to make himself a home, and his father and himself kept "bach" 
 Itq a log cabin till the beginning of the civil war. Then the love of his 
 adopted country induced him to take up arms in her defense, and he en- 
 listed in the renowned Thirty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served 
 faithfully and well with them in all the trying and various engagements in 
 which they participated. While he was serving his country and was rejoic- 
 
Qdi HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 ing over the glorious victories of July 4, 1863, news reached him that his- 
 aged father had died suddenly, on July 8, 1863. 
 
 He was united in marriage, October 21, 1866, to Miss Kebecca E. Scott^ 
 a native of Ohio, born December 6, 18i7, a daughter of Joseph and Eliza- 
 beth Scott, nee Herbert. Her parents came to Missouri when she was 
 quite young, and settled in Grundy county, where her father died, January 
 4, 1868. Her motlier is still living in this county. Mr. and Mrs. Rowoth 
 have two children; viz., Annie Laurie, born Marcli 6, 1868; and William 
 Walter, born September 21, 1873. Mr. Eowoth is the owner of one hun- 
 dred and twenty acres of well cultivated land. All this he has made by 
 thrift and care, and he stands a living example of what a young man of 
 energy and perseverance can accomplish when he tries. When his father 
 and himself iirst came to America they worked for a farmer for six dollars 
 per month for two of them. This they did in order to pay borrowed money 
 that they had to get from a fellow countryman to pay tlieir passage. But 
 of such nerve and will has been the subject of this sketch that he has over- 
 come all obstacles and been successful. 
 
 JOSIAH SIBBIT 
 
 Was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, May 3, 1846. He is a son of 
 William and Lucinda Sibbit, nee Tuttle, the former a native of New Jersey 
 and the latter of Pennsylvania. His father died in May, 1851, and his- 
 mother in July, 1879. He lived in Fayette county till about six years of 
 age, then with his parents moved to Washington county, Pennsylvania, and 
 lived there four years, and thence to Wayne county, Iowa. In 1867 he 
 moved to Grundy county, and located in Lincoln township, where lie has- 
 since resided. He learned the blacksmith trade in Corydon, Wayne county, 
 Iowa, and worked at the trade about ten years. He was married October' 
 10, 1866, to Miss Buena Vista Forest, of Muskingum county, Ohio. She 
 was a daughter of John and Mary Forest, 7iee Hull, and a neice of General 
 Forest. They had two childi'cn; viz.. Dexter C, born Jnly 27, 1868, who 
 was accidentally killed July 19, 1881, by being thrown from a horse that he 
 was riding while driving stock on his father's premises; and Olive, born 
 February' 9, 1870. Mrs. Sibbit died September 10, 1872. Mr. Sibbit mar- 
 ried, February 27, 1873, Miss Harriet E. Roberts, daughter of Abner and 
 Nancy Roberts, nee McDonald. She was born in Marion county, Indiana, 
 March 2, 1852. They have the following named children: Arthur, born 
 December 26, 1873; Charles, born December 15, 1875; Elmer, born Decem- 
 ber 30, 1877; and a babe, born May 27, 1881; and one died in infancy. 
 He owns one hundred and ninety acres of fine land well improved and 
 stocked. He takes a great interest in and devotes much of his time to hor- 
 ticulture, and has an orchard of fourteen hundred fruit trees of choice vari- 
 eties. He is a very energetic business man and a fine mechanic. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 635 
 
 "WILLIAM SLATEE 
 
 Was born in Lincolnshire, England, October 24, 1815. His father and 
 mother were both natives of Lincolnshire, and both died there; his mother, 
 Elizabeth, in 1867, and his father, William, in 1870. Here the subject of 
 our sketch was educated and reared, and lived till thirty-nine years of age, 
 when he emigrated to America. He was united in marriage to Miss Sarah 
 Hull, June 13tli, 1838. By this union they have had twelve children, six of 
 whom are still living; viz., Joseph, born March 31, 1845; Mar}' A., born 
 August 20, 1847; William A., born February 15, 1850; George, born 
 December 23, 1853; Eobert B., born April 8, 1856; and Anna, born Octo- 
 ber 6, 1861: Six others died in infancy. When Mr. Slaterand wife started 
 from England to America, in 1854, they had four children and were entirely '• 
 without means, and had to borrow money to bring the family across the 
 ocean, but he was a man of grit and enterprise, and determined to win and 
 to secure for himself and family a home. When he first arrived in Amer- 
 ica he worked for one Simon White seven years and at the end of that time 
 had saved $1,800; he then came to Missouri and purchased a farm in Grundy 
 county of eighty acres of finely located and fertile land; he takes the lead as 
 the best hedge grower in this part of the State. Few men have succeeded so 
 well under such adverse cii'cum stances, and he blesses the day he left Eng- 
 land and secured a home in America. 
 
 L. D. SVENCEE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch, was born in Morgan county, Ohio, January 17, 
 1850. His father, David Spencer, and Angeline his wife, were both natives 
 of Ohio and are still living there. Mr. Spencer received his education in 
 the common schools of Morgan county, and at the Lebanon Normal School, 
 where he qualified himself for the profession of teacher. When twenty 
 years of age he began teaching in the State of Ohio, and has since followed 
 that profession; he has been very successful and, as the patrons of the schools 
 where he has taught say, he is a model teacher and stands in the front rank, 
 among the leading educators. In 1875 he came to Missouri and located on 
 a farm in Lincoln township. Although owning a farm, he still devotes 
 himself to his chosen profession. He was married to Miss Nannie Hossom. 
 December 21, 1871. She was also a native of Morgan county, Ohio, born 
 August 26, 1854. They have one bright little daughter, named Edna L. 
 Spencer, born August 3, 1880. His home consists of eighty acres of fine 
 land, all accumulated by his own efforts and the aid of his worthy com- 
 panion. They are both consistent members of the Baptist Church. 
 
 JONATHAN STONE 
 
 Was born in Grayson county, Virginia, April 9, 1 818, and is a son of Stephen 
 and Mary Stone; his mother's maiden name being Cherry. He lived in 
 39 
 
636 IIISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Virginia till 1833, when his parents came to Howard county, Missouri, and 
 he lived there about twenty years, then removed to Linn and Scotland 
 counties and remained till 1871. In this latter year he moved to Grundy 
 county, where he has since resided. He married Miss Elizabeth J. Schrock, 
 June 24, 1849. She was born in Hampshire county, Yirginia, in 1824; her 
 parents were both natives of Virginia, but moved to Missouri in 1845. 
 The parents of both Mr. and Mrs. Stone died in Linn county, Missouri, at a 
 very great age. Ten children have been born to them, eight of whom ai-e still 
 living; viz., James J., at Spanish Fort, Texas; Sarah C, wife of John 
 Eeese; Ann S., wife of Arthur Baxter; Margaret A., wife of A. Case; 
 Kobert L., living at home; Lucy Belle, wife of C. Smith; Henrietta and 
 Ella, both at home. John W., died in 1876, and Mary E., in 1878. Mr. 
 Stone owns a farm of fifty acres, nicely located. 
 
 JAMES T. TEACY 
 
 Was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, July 22, 1831, and was reared on a 
 farm and educated at the common schools of that county. He married 
 Miss Nanc}' Walter on the 28tli of May, 18.52. She was born in Jessamine 
 county, Kentucky, April 26, 1832. In 1852 this young couple came west 
 seeking a home, and located and began life on the same farm now occupied 
 by the familj'. Here they reared a family of five children; viz., David 
 Andrew Tracy, now owner of the Lindley Mills; Thomas Edwai'd, a farmer in 
 Grundy county; John W., Nathan E., and Burdette, at home; Mary F., 
 Sarah E., Charles W., and one infant, died when young. Mr. Tracy died 
 January 30, 1873; was a member of the Presbyterian Chui'ch; left an 
 estate of three hundred and twenty acres of good land, and also a large 
 amount of personal property; was highly esteemed in his life as a public- 
 spirited man. Mrs. Tracy, with the aid of the younger members of the 
 family, carry on farming upon the old homestead, and are esteemed mem- 
 bers of societ}'. 
 
 LEONHAET TETIMP 
 
 Is a native of Wurtemberg, Germany, born November 9, 1827. His 
 parents were natives of the same place, but came to America in ]851, and 
 settled in Pickaway county, Ohio. His father died in 1861, and his mother 
 still lives in Ohio. The subject of this sketch received his education in Ger- 
 many, and March 2, 1849, started for America. After his arrival he worked 
 on a farm near Watei-villc, New York, and from there went to Pickaway 
 county, Ohio, and where lie learned the cooper's trade, and lived about six 
 years. He then traveled over Indiana and Illinois for about three years. 
 December 13, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Eve E. Klaedar, who 
 was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, September 27, 1832. Eight children 
 have been the issue of this union; namely, Paulina, born September 8, 1858, 
 now wife of John Voegel; Martin, born January 22, 1860; Leonhart, born 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 63Y 
 
 November 24, 1861; Caroline, born December 30, 1863; Mary, born Sep- 
 tember 5, 1866; Eosa, born November 14, 1868; Eichard, born February 
 7, 1871 ; and John E., who died in infancy. Mr. Trump owns a farm of 
 two hundred and tliirty acres, with line buildings, orchard, etc., all of 
 whicli have been gathered together by .the united industry of liimself and 
 family. They are members of the Lutheran Church. 
 
 J. p. WAED 
 
 Was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 3, 1836, and lived there until 
 eighteen years of age and then moved to Boone county, Indiana, where he 
 became a very successful school teacher during his residence there of four- 
 teen years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Grundy county 
 and engaged in farming for three years, since which time he has been in the 
 employ of the Eock Island Eailroad Company at Tindall, where he is also 
 postmaster. He was married, November 8, 1857, to Eliza J. Maxfield,-of 
 Belmont county, Ohio. She was born April 5, 1838. They have had four 
 children; viz., Sarah E., born February 14, 1859, now the wife of William 
 Legg; Henry A., born April 4, 1860; Will. E., born December 18, 1861; 
 and Eli C, born August 3, 1864. Mr. Ward has filled the offices of trustee, 
 clerk and justice of the j^eace. He has also served as school director for 
 eight years, and takes a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Ward are both members of the Christian Church. 
 
 JACKSON WILSON 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, July 21, 1828; son of James C. 
 Wilson and Nellie Wilson, both natives of Virginia. They moved to 
 Grundy connty, Missouri, in 1836 and settled near Edinburg. His mother 
 died in 1854 and his father in 1861. He attended school a short time in 
 Virginia and in Missouri. Has always been engaged in farming and is a 
 plasterer by trade. He lived at Edinburg fifteen years, then near Trenton 
 seven years, and in Franklin township five years, when he removed to his 
 present location in 1876. He was united in marriage, January 5, 1854, to 
 Lou Emma J. Wilson, a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, born October 20, 
 1833, a daughter of Aaron and Sallie Wilson, both natives of Virginia, but 
 who came to Missouri in 1834 and were among the verj^ first settlers of this part 
 of the State. They have had five children, four of whom are still living; viz., 
 Frank, born November 28, 1854; William C, born October 2, 1856; Sallie, 
 born June 20, 1865 ; John, born May 4, 1863; and Jessie, a daughter born July 
 1, 1876, and died when one year old. He enlisted in the Missouri State 
 militia for three years, and then as a member of the Fifty-first regiment, 
 Missouri cavalry, and served during the remainder of the war. He is one of 
 those quiet men who think only of securing a comfortable home for his 
 family and giving them a good education. Llis son Frank was educated at 
 the Trenton high school and prepared himself for teaching, which profes- 
 sion he has followed very successfully. 
 
638 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 JAMES C. WILSON 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 17, 1831 ; son of Aaron 
 and Sarah Wilson, nee Maxwell. They were both natives of Virginia. 
 When the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age his par- 
 ents moved to Chariton county, Missouri, and there remained for about 
 three years, then moved to Grundy county and located about one mile east 
 of the present site of the city of Trenton. Here ho lived till about nineteen 
 years of age and then, on May 13th, 1850, started across the plains to Califor- 
 nia, driving an ox team, and was five months, lacking one day, on the 
 journey. He remained in California till 1857, and on the 11th day of June 
 of that year arrived in Trenton township and has since remained in the 
 county, engaged in farming. Mr. Wilson married, December 24, 1857, 
 Miss Sarah A. Wisdom, who was born in Randolph county, Missouri, August 
 9, 1838, a daughter of Moses and Zilpah Wisdom; her father was a native 
 of Kentucky, and her mother of Missouri. By this marriage eight childi-en 
 have been born, seven of whom are still living; viz., Lou Emma, born 
 March 7, 1860; William T., born February 16,1863; Lora F., born Feb- 
 ruary 2, 1866; Martha M., born September 17, 1869; Edley C, born Janu- 
 ary 24, 1871; Walter, born September 4, 1875; Lydia, born April 25,1879; 
 Augustus, born May 4, 1873, and died April 6, 1880. They had no help 
 but their own strong hands and willing hearts, j'et they have succeeded in 
 rearing a large family and gathering together a large amount of property. 
 
 JARVIS WOODS. 
 
 The subject of this brief sketch is entitled to all the honors belonging to the 
 pioneers of Grundy county. He was born April 17, 1812, in Howard 
 county, Missouri; his parents were Kentnckians by birth, but settled in the 
 State of Missoui'i in 1808. When our subject was but seven days old, the 
 Indians drove all the settlers, together with his father's family, into Cooper's 
 Fort, in Howard county. The family remained there four years not daring 
 to move outside of the fort on account of Indians. After this they moved 
 back on the original claim and remained there until he was seventeen 
 years of age, then sold out and moved to Keytesville, Chariton county, 
 where he remained until the spring of 1837, when he engaged with Lisbon 
 Applegate, United States sui'veyor, to assist in the original survey of what 
 was then called the Indian territory, but the most of the work being done 
 in what is now Grundy county. He continued this labor till February, 
 1838, and then returned to Keytesville, remained there a short time assist- 
 ing his mother in caring for the farm, but soon returned to what is now the 
 flourishing city of Trenton, where, during his arduous labors as assistant 
 surveyor, he had not only found a delightful country for his future home, but 
 the greater attraction of a beautiful and accomplished 3'oung lady by the 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 639 
 
 name of Amanda Devaul, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Devaul, the first 
 settlers in Trenton. She was born in Chariton connty, Missouri, July 14, 
 1820, and came with her parents to this county in 1835. February 26, 
 1838, Mr. Woods led tliis fair maiden to the hymeneal altar, and 'Squire 
 Thrailkill (one of the first justices of the peace) united them as one, and 
 for nearly jialf a centurj' they have lived together in love and harmony, to- 
 gether have toiled and endured all the privations of the pioneer life, and 
 ha,ve seen the then unbroken wilderness converted into beautiful and fertile 
 fields, and thickly settled with an intelligent and thrifty class of inhabitants; 
 yet with all the luxuries and conveniences of an old settled and prosper- 
 ous country surrounding them, they say that they are no happier to-day 
 thai\ when on that early spring morning in 1838, they commenced the 
 journey of married life together; when their first shelter was erected by fell- 
 ing a large tree and placing clapboards against it; this they occupied until 
 Mr. "Woods with his strong hands and the aid of his bride soon erected a 
 commodious and convenient log cabin near what is known as the Paint 
 Lick settlement; here they lived about one year, then he sold his claim for 
 flOO, and moved on what is now known as the Belshe farm; in 1874 he 
 purchased land in Lincoln township where he has since lived, and owns 
 eighty acres of fine and well improved land. Eight children were the fruits 
 of this marriage, six of whom are still living; named, respective!}', Eliza Jane, 
 wife of John Eallston, of Spiekardsvillc; Mary Ann, wife of Tyler Martin, 
 of Lincoln township; Cemira, wife of Bonrter Legg, of Lincoln township; 
 Henry B., a railroad employe; B. F. and Jarvis G., both living at home. 
 James C, a soldier in the Union army, died at Nashville, in 1865 ; and one 
 babe died in infancy. This aged ccmple have been life-long and consistent 
 members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Woods says he is, and always has 
 been, a staunch Republican and is proud of it. He was never out of the 
 State of Missouri but once in his life, and that under the following circum- 
 stances, and for one night only: He had sold two pigs to a man on the edge 
 of Iowa, by name of Jefferson Moore, and he was to pay for them with a 
 barrel of lioney. Mr. Moore came in the fall but did not bring the honey, 
 and told Mr. Woods that as he had never been out of the State he would not 
 pay hira for the pigs till he went into the edge of Iowa, and so he went and 
 got his honey and was one night out of the State. He is now in the seven- 
 tieth year of his age and a man who with his entire family are highly re- 
 spected by all. 
 
640 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIII. 
 WILSON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Early Settlemeitt — Silken Bonds — Into the World, and Out — Schools and Churches — First 
 Universalist Church — Organization — Population, etc. — Tragic Events— Town of Alpha — 
 Petition to Incorporate — Present Officers — Business Directory — Biographies. 
 
 WILSON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 The township which bears the above name is one of the finest rolling 
 prairie townsliips in the county. Broad, well tilled farnis are found on 
 every hand, and the people are thrifty and industrious. Peace and plenty 
 make happy homes in Wilson township, and contentment reigns, a joyous 
 monarch. Belts of rugged timber, with wide-spreading branches, skirt the 
 serpentine courses of the sti-eams that flow through her territory. 
 
 EAKLY SETTLEMENT. 
 
 Wilson township was blessed with an earlier and more numerous and 
 compact settlement than many of her neighbors. Her rich soil drew many 
 early settlers, while others had but few. The first comers were from Ken- 
 tucky — the Works family, consisting of a widow and six sons, who settled 
 on section thirty, the southern part of the township, in the spring of 1838. 
 These sons were all grown, and their names were James, Hopkins, Hender- 
 son, Alexander, Fleming and Pobert. TJie family afterward moved to Cal- 
 ifornia, but are still remembered by the old settlers as industrious and 
 kindly neighbors. In the fall of the same year quite a colony from Ohio 
 came and cast their fortunes with the Works family in the sparsely settled 
 region of what was then the southern part of Marion township. They were 
 the families of William Castile and his two grown sons; also Alexander Car- 
 roll and Meredith Blalock, and the same fall came Wilson G. Perkins, from 
 Tennessee. The settlement was growing rapidly, and in the summer of the 
 next year, 1839, new additions were made to the flourishing community in 
 the families of William Anderson, Sr., and his son William Anderson, Jr., 
 who settled near the Works on the 30tli of July. The Andersons were 
 from White county, Tennessee, and William Anderson, Jr., still resides in 
 the township, a sturdy old gentleman with pleasant recollections of the 
 pioneer days. In the fall of 1839 Kichard Belshe, from Tazewell county, 
 Virginia, made his home in the township, and Michael Chrisman, from 
 Indiana, moved in, as did also the family of Joseph Books, from the same 
 State. From this on there was an inflow of new-comers; the families of 
 Thomas and James Clevenger, from Indiana, Thomas Kilburn from Ken- 
 tucky, Beuben Perkins from Tennessee, and the Bethard family from Ohio, 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 641 
 
 all came in the winter of 1840. The fall of 1841 brought the families of 
 Henry Lyda and his son Henry "W"., from Tennessee, John and Eldridge 
 Stucker from Indiana, and in 1842 the families of William, Henry, James 
 and David Kilburn, from Kentucky, and John Wriglit from Howard county, 
 Missouri, made their homes in the township. John H. and 0. S. Merry- 
 man from Kentucky staked off claims in 1843, and the same year and later, 
 the families of David Austin, Tilman Brooks, Andrew Beckner, Andrew 
 G. and M. S. Dye, and William Warren became identified with the progress 
 and interests of Wilson township. The above given names may be said to 
 comprise the pioneers of the southern part of the township of Marion, 
 which took the name of Wilson only in 1872. They mingled together in 
 friendship, and endured tlie privations of their wild life away from the busy 
 world in common. They each and all had the same trouble of getting their 
 wheat and pork to market. Brunswick was the nearest trading-point, and 
 that was forty-five miles. Some drove their hogs to Lexington, in Lafayette 
 county, to sell them. Corn-fed hogs were curiosities in those days. The 
 porkers were allowed to roam at willand fatten upon the mast that covered 
 timbered land, and the greatest trouble was to drive tiie active droves when 
 wanted. 'Twas easy to live in those days, when their wants were few, and 
 the settler often killed his deer and wild turkey without leaving his door- 
 yard. To kill two or three before breakfast was a very common occurrence, 
 as the early crack of the rifle often and amply attested. Wild honey, too, 
 was to be had in abundance, and the housewife reveled in a large supply of 
 this toothsome dainty. It was considered right in the neighborhood when 
 a post-office was located at Chillicothe, only twenty miles away. Deer-skin 
 and homespun was the fashionable attire of the day, and did duty seven 
 days in the week. Mrs. Wilson G. Perkins had the honor of weaving the 
 first cloth in the township, in 1841. After that looms became more nu- 
 merous. It was a very ordinary occurrence for those who had no looms to go 
 to their neighbors to do their weaving. 
 
 TUE SILKEN BONDS. 
 
 The first young couple to unite their hands and hearts for better or for 
 worse, were Mr. Jesse N. Perkins and Miss Rhoda McClelland. Miss 
 Khoda lived in the northern part of Grundy county, now Mercer, and the 
 wedding ceremony was performed at her father's home near where Prince- 
 ton is now situated. Mr. Perkins, with his fair bride, returned to Wilson 
 township to live. This was the earliest marriage in the township, and 
 took place in 1843. The couple remained but a short time, forsook 
 their home and friends, joined the Mormons and went to Salt Lake 
 City, Utah, where Mr. Perkins became a preacher and high dignitary in the 
 Mormon Church. 
 
642 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 INTO THE WOELD, AND OUT. 
 
 The first birth in the township was that of a pretty girl baby, daughter of 
 Mr. and Mrs. "Wilson G. Peririns, in 1840, and her name was Elizabeth 
 Jane. She lived and married in the township of her birth. The first boy 
 baby was a son born to Kichard and Nancy Belshe on the 29t]i day of De- 
 cember, 1843. H. G. Belshe, that son, is at present residing near the home 
 of his birth, a respected citizen. 
 
 That fell reaper, Death, early visited Wilson township, and the first vic- 
 tim to fall was Robert Work, the youngest of the Work brothers, who 
 closed his eyes in his last long sleep in the days of 1839. He was buried in 
 the forest shade on the farm now owned by Mr. H. H. Anderson, but the 
 storms of years have destroyed all traces of the rude mound, and the site 
 of that first-made grave is wrapped with the mysteries of things unknown. 
 In 1841 James Clevengqr died, after one year's stay in his new home, and 
 next followed Henry Lyda, who peaQefuUy passed away in the early days 
 of September, 1843, to be joined in 1845 by his faithful helpmeet. In 
 1840 or 1841, died good Grandma Bolen, who had spanned life's river for 
 over one hundred and fourteen years. She laid down the cares of a long 
 existence seasoned with good deeds, and many were the relatives and friends 
 who mourned her departure for the other world. 
 
 The old cemetery still remains in a good state of preservation upon the 
 farm of Mr. William Anderson. Near the town of Alpha is the neatly- 
 kept burial-ground now in use. 
 
 Among the first ministers to ofiiciate in the township was the Rev. 
 James Robinson, a Methodist circuit rider, who held services in the neigh- 
 borhood at different times from 1840 to 1843. The Rev. William W. Wal- 
 den was among the earliest Baptist divines. The early physicians who 
 practiced in the townsliip were Dr. William P. Thompson, of Madison 
 township, and Dr. Isaac Ralph, of Liuneus, Linn county. 
 
 SCHOOLS AND CHUECHES. 
 
 The first school-house was erected in 1843 on the land of Reuben Perkins. 
 It was put up by the neighbors, was constructed of liewn logs, was about 
 sixteen feet square, and had a stick and clay chimney. The clapboard roof was 
 kept in place by weight-poles. The seats were made of split logs. The 
 school was conducted on the subscription plan and had an attendance of 
 about seventeen. Mr. C. I. Wood was the first teacher. This old log school- 
 house remained iintil it rotted down under its burden of years. There are 
 at present six school-houses in the limits of Wilson township. 
 
 The first church organization was formed on the 2d of August, 1846, and 
 was known as the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. The members of the 
 first organization were Thomas and Jane Kilburn, John H. and Jemima 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 64:3 
 
 Merryman, and Martha St. Clear. The membership increased and in Sep- 
 tember, 1856, a house of worship was erected, the Rev. William W. Walden 
 probably being the first pastor. In 1875 a new church building was erected, 
 The church is a neat frame and cost $1,200. The dedication sermon was 
 preached on the 14th of June 1875 by the Eev. J. R. Shanafelt. The pas- 
 tors who officiated are the Rev. Edward Benson, Rev. Jesse Going, Rev. 
 Isham Owen, Rev. Paul McCollum, and the present pastor. Rev. H. H. 
 Turner. Services are conducted once a month, and the edifice is then at the 
 disposal of other denominations. The organization is in a flourishing con- 
 dition and the present membership numbers one hundred and thirty-two. 
 
 The Marion Center Methodist Episcopal Chui-ch was organized in the 
 spring of 1875, the following being the original members: Mr. and Mrs. 
 J. G. Casebur, Mr. and Mrs William Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Smith, 
 Mr. and Mrs. Jolm Iinhofi", and Mrs. Brown. The minister conducting the 
 organization was Rev. Mr. Anderson. The membership now numbers about 
 twenty -five, under the guidance of Rev. Mr. Taylor. Services are held in 
 the Marion Center school-house. 
 
 FIRST tJNIVEESALIST CHURCH. 
 
 The first Universalist Church in Grundy county was organized in Wilson 
 township and known as the First Universalist Church of Marion Center, in 
 the year 1874. The organization was perfected under the direction of Rev. 
 Stephen Hull, who was the first pastor, with the following persons on the 
 roll of original members: Jacob W. Morris, Daniel R. Baker, James Barr, 
 Libbie Barr, Samuel Barr, James Reed, John Smith and wife, Eldrige Stucker, 
 Joseph Robertson and wife, Mrs. Robertson, Sr., and daughter, William 
 Morris, David Weigle and wife, Elisha Robertson, Wesley McGuire, William 
 C. Fenner, Samuel Newton and wife, Jane Miller, John Chrisman, and Mr. 
 Hamphill. In the summer of 1877 a neat frame church was erected at 
 cost of $1,500, and was dedicated in November, 1877, the Rev. F. Hathaway 
 officiating. He was succeeded as pastor by Rev. C. Dodge, and Rev. Daniel 
 R. Cheney. At present the congregation have no regulf\r minister. 
 
 ORGANIZATION, POPULATION, ETC. 
 
 Previous to 1872 Wilson composed the southern part of Marion town- 
 ship, but under the new organization law of that year the County Court 
 promulgated the following: 
 
 " It is ordered by the court that all that part of congi-essional township 
 No. 60, of range No. 22, lying in Grundy county, Missouri, and all that part 
 of township No. 60, of range No. 23, lying east of sections 8, 17, 20, 29, and 
 32, be a municipal township and named and known as Wilson township. " 
 
 Under this order, a board of trustees was organized April 16, 1873, with 
 the following members: E. A. Cook, chairman; William Welty; J. H. 
 
644: HISTORY OF GEUNDT COTTNTT. 
 
 Merryman, assessor; T. M. Lawhead, clerk. The meetings of the board 
 were held at Alpha. This board continued in ofHce until May, 1878. The 
 present board was elected under the new law, and their names are William 
 Bales and IsTathan Cravens, justices of the peace; Henry Anderson, trustee; 
 W. H. Kobertson, clerk and assessor; and J. H. Rinker, collector. 
 
 Wilson township occupies the southeastern corner of Grundy county, and 
 is bounded on the north by Marion township, on the east by Linn county, 
 on the south by Livingston county, and on the west by Jackson township. 
 Within these boundary lines lie 20,480 acres of as rich farming lands as are 
 within the limits of the coiinty. The population of Wilson has kept apace 
 with the times and by the United States census taken June, 1880, the town- 
 ship shows a total population of nine hundred and forty-one, or seventh on 
 the list of thirteen townships in the county. 
 
 EATHEE COEPTJLENT. 
 
 The heaviest hog ever raised in Grundy county belonged to David Kil- 
 burn, of Wilson township. At the age of two years it weighed eight hun- 
 dred and thirty-six pounds. The aforesaid swine was of the Poland-China 
 and Chester White breeds, and was killed in 1872. 
 
 TEAGIC EVENTS. 
 
 On the 2d day of November, 1860, occurred a death, the sad circum- 
 stances of which left their impress on the surrounding community for many 
 years afterward. At the date given Mrs. Sarah S. Boyers, a very estimable 
 lady, committed suicide by drowning. Domestic troubles caused unhap- 
 piness in her home, and without saying a word to any one of her terri- 
 ble purpose she hurried away and threw herself into the murky waters of 
 Medicine River, near the south line of Marion township. There she had 
 drowned all her sorrows, dissipated all her troubles, and there the lifeless 
 clay wa^ found, while the spirit had taken its flight to commune with its 
 Maker. She gave no reason for the hasty act, but behind she left a letter 
 bearing these gloomy words: "My heart is almost broken, ray mind is 
 almost gone, and my happiness in this world has gone forever," and with 
 these anguished words the letter rambled on in a confused and incoherent 
 style, as though the brain had at last yielded to the strain of bitterness, and 
 she knew not what she did. So be it. The remains were placed under the 
 sod in a silent grave upon the old homestead of her father, John H. Merry- 
 man. 
 
 James L. Birdrow was the victim of a sad mishap which deprived him of 
 his life on the 24th of November, 1870. He was in the thirtieth year of his 
 age, strong and healthy, and on the morning in question took his wagon and 
 went to the lield intending to husk corn. Thinking he might kill a few 
 prairie chickens before his return at noon his shot-gun was placed in the 
 
HISTOET OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 645 
 
 wagon and he drove oft' briskly, feeling the invigorating influence of the 
 cool morning air, and little dreaming that he was viewing familiar scenes 
 for the last time. He arrived at the field and after husking awhile pro- 
 ceeded to throw the corn into the wagon. The gnn remained in the wagon 
 with the muzzle pointing toward the I'ear, and the first handful of corn 
 struck the hammer, discharging the weapon, the entire load passing through 
 the "tailboard" of the wagon into the abdomen of Mr. Birdrow, making a 
 terrible wound, which proved mortal. He lingered in intense agony long 
 enough to explain how the accident occurred, when the angel of death re- 
 lieved his misery. He was buried in the same cemetery as Mrs. Boyers. 
 A sudden end to a young life was the suicide of Miss Baxby Kern, a 
 much esteemed and devout young lady, who resided with the family of Mr. 
 William Anderson. She left home about three o'clock on the afternoon of 
 the 26th of June, 187B, and the morning of tlie 27th her lifeless remains 
 were found in the creek near the farm. No reason for the deed could be 
 found, as hitherto her life had seemed pleasant and her mind contented. 
 She had with her own hand loosed the golden cord that wafted her soul into 
 eternity. Afterward, pinned to the sleeve of one of her dresses, was found 
 this letter, seeming a piteous wail from another world : "Friends and rela- 
 tives I have not. JN"ot very old, I have seen very little pleasure in my life. 
 I have studied worldly matters more than any one of my age, and the more 
 I study, the worse I get. As this world seems to be a wilderness of woe 
 and no pleasure to be found, I have made up my mind to bid this world 
 farewell and try the realities of another. All that has kept me alive is the 
 hope of my future home, and as I am prepared to go, I think it a sin to try 
 to live longer. So I bid you all a long farewell. My last request to you, 
 my friends, is to send all my clothing to my dear sister, whom I love dearly, 
 lor she will never see me more. I bid her a long — a long farewell." That 
 was all. She had sacrificed her life on the altar of her belief. Kind friends 
 performed the last sad rites and she was left to the rest she had sought in 
 the grave. 
 
 TOWN OF ALPHA. 
 
 The town of Alpha is situated on the east bank of Medicine Creek, about 
 one and a half miles north of the Livingston county line, twenty miles from 
 Chillicothe and fifteen miles fi'om Trenton. The town is surrounded by 
 a rich and fertile country and is therefore a convenient trading-point for a 
 thrifty class of farmers. 
 
 The present town site covers eleven acres, and was originally the property 
 of Samuel Ban-. In 1850 Samuel Dunham opened a store on the ground 
 now occupied by the residence of Dr. J. P. Thomas. General merchandise 
 was kept, along with a good quality of whisky. This store was made the 
 genei'al headqi^arters of the township for news and general information, and 
 most any time could be found a few settlers there congregated discussing 
 
•646 HISTORY OF GKTTNDT COUNTY. 
 
 the topics of the times appropriately interspersed with liquid refreshments. 
 The store and one cabin constituted the town, which at that time bore the 
 euphonious title of " Lickskillet," but why, no man can iind out. In 1852 
 Benjamin F. White opened a second store in Lickskillet and the village im- 
 mediatelj' began to assume metropolitan proportions. Several settlers 
 erected cabins until there must have been fully a half dozen of these resi- 
 dences in the neighborhood. The town was named Nevada, and in 1854 a 
 post-ofBce was established with Meredith White as postmaster. Then it 
 was discovered that there was a Nevada in Vernon county, the department 
 called for a new name, and Alpha was the result. To Messrs. Thos. J. 
 Hern and Benj. F. White belong the honor of conferring the name. In 
 1860 the town had become so large that it was deemed advisable to lay off 
 streets. M. M. Hall had the work done by F. Thomas and P. Woods, and 
 the town plat remains the same to-day. After the disturbances incident to 
 the war had passed, the town moved tranquilly along with no visible 
 changes or prospect of any until 1876, the centennial year, which was cele- 
 brated by presenting a petition to the County Court to be incorporated, 
 which was as follows : 
 
 PETITION TO INOOEPOEATE. 
 
 " To the County Court of Grundy county, Missouri: 
 
 "Gentlemen — We, the undersigned inhabitants of the village of Alpha, 
 Wilson township, Grundy county, Missouri, do hereb}^ petition your honor- 
 able body to incorporate the said inhabitants into a body politic, and grant 
 such powers as are necessary to establish a police for the local government 
 of the said village as directed by law. 
 
 "The bounds of said corporation shall be as follows; viz., commencing at 
 the northeast corner of Dr. J. B. Freeman's lot, and from thence to a stake 
 one furlong east, and two furlongs south to another stake, thence due west 
 to the Medicine Creek, thence up Medicine Creek to Mr. Samuel Wilson's 
 north line, about one-half mile, and from thence due east to the place of 
 beginning. 
 
 "Siffned:' 
 
 J. B. Freeman. 
 
 J. P. Thomas. 
 
 H. B. Miller. 
 
 Clay Pi-ice. 
 
 H. S. Graves. 
 
 I. J. East. 
 
 H. C. Wilson. 
 
 K. T. Ishmael. 
 
 E. H. May good. 
 
 Albert Wilson. 
 
 Thos. J. Hancock. 
 
 0. R. Miller. 
 
 Patrick Woods. 
 
 S. Kilburn. 
 
 Samuel Wilson. 
 
 H. J. Hammond. 
 
 J. W. Wood. 
 
 A. Bliss. 
 
 J. Tunstall. 
 
 J. W. Utley." 
 
HISTOKT OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 64:7" 
 
 On the 17th of April, .1876, the court issued the following: 
 
 "Ordered, that the town of Alpha, on petition of the inhabitants of said 
 town, he incorporated and granted such privileges as are necessary to estab- 
 lish a police for their local government." 
 
 And at the July term of the court for the same year, on the 18th of said 
 month, the following appears of record: 
 
 " It is ordered by the court that H. J. Hammond, J. B. Freeman, Samuel 
 Wilson, Joshua Tuustall, and J. P. Thomas, be and they are hereby ap- 
 pointed a board of trustees of the incorporated town of Alpha." 
 
 This was in 1876, but it seems that fully a year was allowed to pass before 
 the petitioners realized that Alpha was an incorporated town, with a board 
 of trustees possessing full police powers for the government of the same, for 
 almost exactly a 3'ear later the following appears of record, as authenticated 
 and attested by the county clerk; to-wit, 
 
 " certified copy of eecoed. 
 
 " State of Missouri, } 
 
 "County of Grundy, j ^'^^ July 16, Term, 1877. 
 
 " In the County Court of said county, on the 16th day of July, 1877, the 
 following among other proceedings were had; viz., 
 
 "Now at this daj^ come Joshua Tunstall, Thomas Hancock, et al., and file- 
 their petition, asking that the town of Alpha be incorporated and a police 
 be established for their local government and for the preservation and regu- 
 lation of any commons appertaining to said town. 
 
 " The eonrt being satisfied that the prayer of the petitioners is reasonable, 
 it is therefore ordered that the town of Alpha be declared incorporated, and 
 that the metes and bounds be as follows: Commencing at the northwest 
 corner of lot four (4) of the southwest quarter of section thirty (30), town- 
 ship sixty (60), range twenty-two (22); thence east to the northeast corner of 
 lot two (2), of the southwest quarter of said section; thence south to the 
 southeast corner of the north half of lot two (2) of the northwest quarter of 
 section thirty-one (31) of said township and range; thence west to the south- 
 west corner of the north half of lot four (4), of the northwest quarter of said 
 sections, thence north to the place of beginning. And that J. M. Woods, 
 H. B. Miller, Clay Price, J. S. Clark and H. J. Hammond, be appointed 
 trustees of said town." 
 
 " State of Missouri, ] 
 
 "County of Grundy. \ 
 " I, D. C. Pugh, clerk of the County Court, in and for said county, hereby 
 certify the above and foregoing to be a true copy of the proceedings of our 
 said County Court, on the day and year above written, as the same appears 
 of record in my office. 
 
-648 HISTORY OF GK0NDT COTJNTY. 
 
 " In testimony whereof, 1 have hereunto set my liand and aiExed the seal 
 of said court at office, in Trenton, this the 19th day of July, 1881. 
 
 " [seal.] D. C. Pugh, 
 
 " Clerk of County Court." ^ 
 
 The board of trustees, consisting, of J. M. Wood, H. B. Miller, Clay 
 Price, J. S. Clark and H. J. Hammond, as appointed, organized by electing 
 H. B. Miller chairman or mayor. Thomas J . Hancock was appointed treas- 
 urer; Joshua Tunstall, clerk and corporation attorney, and Chas. Portman 
 marshal. These gentlen)en continued in office for one year, when the elec- 
 tion was allowed to go by default, and as far as town regulations were con- 
 •cerned the inhabitants reveled in perfect freedom for four years, or until the 
 April election, 1881, when the reins of government were again assumed, 
 by the election of a new board of trustees, and the town began to look up 
 and improve. The present officers are James P. Tiiomas, mayor; John M. 
 Woods, Thomas J. Hancock, H. B. Miller, J. E. Rentfrow and James P. 
 Thomas, board of trustees; H. B. Miller, corporation attorney; J. E. Kent- 
 frow, marshal; O. R. Miller, clerk; H. B. Phillips, treasurer; and T. J. 
 Hancock, postmaster. 
 
 The population of Alpha in 1880 by the United States census, numbered 
 one hundred and twenty-eight. The following is the list of merchants 
 ■doing business in the town: Solomon Kilburn, general merchandise; Thos. 
 J. Hancock, groceries; O. P. Miller, drugs; H. B. Phillips, drugs; Owen 
 Kilburn, blacksmith; Jackson Pridemore, blacksmith; Patrick Woods, 
 wagons; David Loutzenheiser, saddles and harness; Thomas J. Hancock, 
 boarding house; physicians. Dr. H. B. Miller, Dr. James P. Thomas, Dr. J. 
 M. Stone. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 Vv^ILLIAM ANDEESOK, JE., 
 
 One of the pioneers of Wilson township, was born in Jackson county, 
 Tennessee, July 1, 1813. His parents, William and Elizabeth Anderson, 
 were natives of Virginia. He received such an education as could be ob- 
 tained in the early subscription schools of his native county, and then en- 
 gaged in the live stock business. In 1839 he left the herding fields of Ten- 
 nessee to seek newer and better pastures in the West. On the morning of 
 the 17th of May, in the year named, two ox teams in White county, Ten- 
 nessee, headed for Missouri, and in one of the wagons were William Ander- 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 649 
 
 SOD, Sr., and wife, and in the other were William Anderson, Jr., his wife and 
 two children, together with a brother-in-law and his family. Thej' were 
 journej'ing westward to grow up Math the country, and fhej had little 
 trouble on the way, except lack of good roads and a scarcity of bridges; the 
 former there was no lielp for, hut the latter they supplied by felling trees so 
 as to fall across the streams^ covered them with poles, brush and dirt, mak- 
 ing a bridge over which they crossed in safety. They crossed Turkey Creek, 
 in Chariton county, in this waj^, but ferried over Medicine Creek in a 
 canoe. It was their intention when they left the -hills and valleys of Ten- 
 nessee behind, to settle in the country known as the "Three Forks of Grand 
 Eiver," and their lirst stopping place was four miles west of the town of 
 Utica, in Livingston county, wheVe they remained a short time with friends 
 while looking around for a location. In July, 1839, William Anderson, Jr., 
 purchased the claim which is now a part of the fai-ni he lives upon, and on 
 the 31st of the same month moved upon his claim and there he has since 
 resided. Mr. Anderson was united in marriage to Miss Nancy Lyda, May 
 29, 1827. She was a native of White county, Tennessee, born in 1816. 
 The issue of this marriage was nine children ; namely, Henry H., born March 
 26, 1838; Isaac H., born March 6, 1839; William A., born February 14,1844; 
 Brunette, died an infant; Vina E., born August 8,1847; Ira J., born Decem- 
 ber 28, 1848; Ora B., born in February, 1850; Samuel W. and Nancy J., 
 twins, born June 18, 1855. Mrs. Anderson died SejDteraber 11, 1861, aged 
 forty-three years. April 3, 1863, Mr. Anderson married Miss Bachel L. 
 Gillespie, a native of Pickaway county, Ohio. She was born August 23, 
 1815. Her pai'ents were Alexander and Sarah Gillespie. 
 
 In a quiet little cemetei*y, within twenty i-ods of the spot where tliis pio- 
 neer family first pitched their tents, there lies in sweet repose the ashes of 
 William Anderson, Sr., who died July 6, 1854, aged eighty-four, and near 
 by is Elizabeth, wife of William Anderson, Sr., who died October 9, 1855, 
 also eighty-four years of age. There also may be found the graves of 
 Henry Lyda and Nancy, his wife, parents of Mrs. William Andei'son, Jr.; 
 he died September 27, 1844, aged fiftj'-nine, and she died March 1, 1854, 
 aged sixty-five. And Mrs. Anderson is buried in tiie same cemetery. 
 There is yet a vacant spot which remains to be filled. 
 
 Mr. Anderson is a hale old gentleman, with a memory stored with inter- 
 esting reminiscences of the " golden long ago." He and his wife live upon 
 the old place, and his son owns a farm only a few miles awaj'. 
 
 CAIN URTON 
 
 Was born February 1, 1828, in Jefierson county, Kentucky. At the age of 
 twenty-two he was united in marriage to Miss Anna Eliza Helm, of Shelby 
 county, Kentucky. She was born June 13, 1833. Two years and six 
 months after their marriage they moved to Adams county, Illinois, and set- 
 
650 HISTORY OF GK0NDT COUNTY. 
 
 tied on a farm, two miles northeast of the city of Quincy. He remained only 
 two years in Adams county, then moved to Pike county, same State. He re- 
 mained in Pike county nine years. At that time land in Illinois and espe- 
 cially in Adams county, commanded high prices, and believing that he could 
 invest capital to better advantage further west, he left Illinois, and came to> 
 the State of Missouri, and settled in Grundy county on the farm where he 
 now resides. To Mr. and Mrs. Urton there were born seven sons; names as 
 given below: Clarence, born January 6, 1852; Lawrence, born October 22^ 
 1854; Alonzo, born Februarj' 15, 1856; Claudius Luther, born November 16^^ 
 1858; George "Washington, born April 22, 1861; and twins, but no record'*^ 
 made of their birth, both dying before being named. A short time after, 
 Mrs. Urton was removed from the tribulations of earth to the happier re-_^ 
 gion where sorrow never enters, and death is an unknown term. Clarence,, 
 the first born, died March 26, 1853, Mr. Urton married Miss Sarah Eliza- 
 beth Scott, March 11, 1869. By this marriage, three sons were added t& \ 
 the family, as follows: Charles, born March 19, 1870; William, born June 
 17, 1872; and Gates, born September 2, 1874. William Urton died Febru- 
 ary 12, 1872; and Mrs. Sarah E. Urton died September 30, 1877. Mr. 
 Urton was again called to drink the bitter cup of domestic affliction by the 
 loss of his son, and wife, but he believes his loss is their eternal gain. Mr.. 
 Urton married, August 1, 1878, Miss I^ancy Jane ISTorwell, of Linn county, 
 Missouri. May their days be many, and prosperity and success crown all 
 their labors. Mr. Urton owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, well 
 improved, which produces abundantly the various cereals, fj-uits, vegetables, 
 etc., common to this part of the State. He has a handsome residence, and 
 is blessed with all that is necessary to render existence pleasurable and 
 happy. His farm is located twelve miles north of the city of Chillicothe, 
 and the same distance south of Trenton. 
 
 H. J. HAMMOND 
 
 Was born March 13, 1835, in the county of Sufiblk, England, and was edu- 
 cated at the Academy of Plummen in his native county. When sixteen 
 years old he embarked on the Great Britain on her first trip to America, 
 and landed at New York. From there he went to Chicago, and after a res- 
 idence of two and a half years, went to Mantorville, Minnesota, and engaged 
 in the hardwai-e business. In the fall of 1857, he went to Page county,. 
 Iowa, and in the spring of 1860, together with hundreds of others, went 
 in search of a fortune in the gold mines of Colorado, where he worked 
 until 1865, then returned to the States and settled in Livingston county,, 
 Missouri. He conducted his farm and at the same time engaged in the^ 
 mercantile business at Alpha, this county. In 1876 he removed to this 
 county, making it his home, and about tliat time traded for the mill at 
 Alpha, took charge of it, and has been running it since. In May, ISSO, he 
 
HISTOET OF GBDNDT COUNTT. 651 
 
 purchased the tract of land on which the town of Alpha was built. He 
 married Miss Alvira E. Cooper, born August 22, 1843. They have eight 
 children, four of whom are living; namely, Chai'les H., born June 8, 1868; 
 Albert 0., born January 27, 1872; Jessie M., born August 5, 1874; and 
 Lennie L., born July 9, 1880. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. MEEEYMAN 
 
 Was born April 19, 1833, in Rock Castle county, Kentucky. His father, 
 John H. Merryman, was a native of Virginia, and his mother, Jemima 
 Merry man, of Kentucky. In a little family cemetery on the old homestead 
 where they first settled in this county, lie in sweet repose the ashes of his 
 parents. His father died April 26, 1873, aged seventy-six years, and his 
 mother departed this life April 29, 1873, aged sixty-nine years. As their 
 lives had been together in one happy union, so their deaths were but three 
 days apart. The subject of onr sketch was but eleven years old when his 
 ^parents moved to this county. He was united in matrimony, April 10, 
 1856, to Miss Charlotte Kilburn. She was born September 26, 1834, in 
 Pulaski county, Kentucky. They have eight children: Thomas C, born 
 March 23, 1852; Reuben S., born February 3, 1859; Jemima J., born May 
 8, 1861; Sarah S., born February 10, 1863; Mary E., born October 28, 1865; 
 John F., born February 23, 1868; William H., born July 29, 1870; and 
 Benjamin G., born JSTovember 10, 1872. Mr. M. now owns a beautiful 
 farm of three hundred and forty acres. 
 
 .JOHN H. MEEEYMAN 
 
 Was born October 21, 1841, in Rock Castle county, Kentucky; son of John 
 H. and Jemima Merryman, of whom mention is made in another sketch. 
 The subject of our sketch was two years old when his parents moved to 
 this county, on the farm now owned by him, and he was educated in the 
 common schools of this county. He enlisted August 15, 1861, in company 
 -B, Thirtieth regiment Missouri State militia and served six months, and 
 August 31, 1862, enlisted in companj' K, Forty-fourth regiment Missouri 
 volunteer infantry, as third sergeant, and served until April, 1865, when he 
 was discharged. Was with the Army of the Cumberland and participated 
 in a number of the heavy battles fought by that division. He married, De- 
 cember 31, 1865, Mrs. Sirena Baker, whose maiden name was Kilburn. She 
 was married to James Baker, January 1, 1863, and he died in August, 1863, 
 having been accidentally shot at Trenton. By her union with Mr. Merryman 
 they have live children: Laura L., born October 30, 1867; Joseph M., born 
 August 21, 1869; Mary J., born August 1, 1871; and Minnie B, bom May 
 24, 1873. Mr. M. has a farm of two hundred acres. He was the first 
 assessor of Wilson township after the late township organization. 
 
 40 
 
652 HISTOJRY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 THOMAS MOOEE 
 
 Is a native of Greene county, Indiana, born February 14, 1827. His par- 
 ents were natives of Virginia, of English descent. TliomasG., grandfather 
 of our subject, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. When our subject 
 was but a child his parents moved to Macoupin county, Illinois. Here he was 
 reared, and educated in a log school -house, having split logs with pin legs for 
 seats, and a stick and clay chimney. He engaged in farming until twenty- 
 five years old, when he began selling goods as salesman. In June, 18i6, he 
 enlisted for the Mexican War, in company B, Fourth Illinois infantry 
 volunteers, commanded by Col. E. D. Baker. They took a boat at Alton, 
 Illinois, for New Orleans, from there shipped to Point Isabelle, near the 
 mouth of the Rio Grande River, and then marched to Fort Brown, and as 
 their provision train was delayed they were four days without provisions. 
 The regiment was in many of the hard fought battles of that war. After 
 his return from the Mexican War, he began farming Mdiich has been his busi- 
 ness since. He married, September 24, 1851, in Macoupin count}', Illinois, 
 Miss Nancy Covington. She was born November 23, 1833. By this union 
 they have had ten children, eight of whom are living; namely, Edward M., 
 born July 21, 1852; George T., born April 21, 1854; William S., born March 
 19,1857, died in infancy; Frederick A., born September 5, 1859; Lyon S., 
 born September 24, 1861; Sherman G., born January 4, 1864, died Novem- 
 ber 6, 1880; Lincoln F., born July 12, 1861; Sheridan S., born January 22, 
 1869; Jennie W., born April 27, 1871; and Edwinna Cannalls San Men Ulto 
 Florence, born October 23, 1873. Mr. Moore enlisted July, 1861, in com- 
 pany D, Merrill's Horse, which were the first troops sworn into the United 
 States service at Chillicothe; he was wounded at the battle of Roanoke, and 
 was discharged on account of disability caused by this wound. He was once 
 a firm believer in Providence, but by reading the writings of Bob Ingersoll 
 and others has switched ofi" on their track, and believes that nine out of 
 every ten ])rofessors of religion worship the " big dollar" instead of their 
 God; he thinks there never was a beginning nor never will be an ending of 
 the planetary system of worlds. Mrs. Nancy Moore is of French and Eng- 
 lish descent. The family came to this country before the Revolution. 
 
 JACOB W. MOEEIS 
 
 Is a native of Indiana, born June 26, 1836. His parents were both natives 
 of Virginia, and while Jacob was an infant moved to Adams countj^, Illi- 
 nois, where he was reared. He was educated in the seminary at Payson, 
 Illinois, and at the college at Quincy, under Prof. Jacques. He was united 
 in marriage, June 26, 1860, to Miss Melissa J. Nichols. She was boi"n Febru- 
 ary 15, 1841, in Adams countj^ Illinois. Mr. M. came to this county in Octo- 
 ber, 1865, and settled where he now lives, on land purchased by him in 
 
HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 653 
 
 1857. He is a stock-grower and feeder, and makes a specialty of breeding 
 and growing fine liorses, and has perhaps tlie finest blooded horses in the 
 county. 
 
 DE. H. B. MILLER. 
 
 H. B. Miller was born July 16, 1839, in Brown county, Illinois. His 
 father, Samuel W. Miller, was a native of Kentucky, and his mother, Mar- 
 garet Miller, of Tennessee. He was educated in the common schools of his 
 native county and at the academy at Mt. Sterling, Illinois. After he quit 
 school he became a law student for a few months, and then began the study 
 of medicine. He attended one course of lectures at the New Orleans Med- 
 ical School before the war, and at the beginning of the war enlisted in com- 
 pany D, Eighty-fourth regiment Illinois volunteer infantry, as a private, 
 was promoted to first sergeant, then to second lieutenant, next to first lieu- 
 tenant, and then brevet captain; he was in the Army of the Cumberland 
 most of the time during his term of service, and participated in the battles 
 of Perryville, Stone Kiver, Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, Missionary 
 Kidge, and the Atlanta campaign, Franklin and Nashville; was discharged 
 June 8, 1865. He resumed his medical studies after the war, at Keokuk, 
 Iowa, and in April, 1866, came to this county, and entered upon the 
 practice of medicine, and has been very successful. Dr. Miller was united 
 in marriage to Miss B. C. Hoffman, January 1, 1866, at Palmyra, Missouri. 
 She was born September 8,- 1847. Tliey have three children; named, 
 respectivel}^ Maud F., born November 11, 1867; Leona M., born Septem- 
 ber 8, 1869; and Winfield G., born May 1, 1871. 
 
 J. H. EINKER 
 
 Was born in Porter county, Indiana, November 27, 1836. His parents, 
 Henry and Dorothea Binker were both natives of Virginia, and of German 
 descent. When a child of four years, his parents moved to Bock Island 
 county, Illinois, where they lived, for seven years, then went to Madison 
 county, Illinois, and in October, 1855, came to this county, and settled on 
 the farm where they now live. He was reared upon a farm, and educated 
 in the common schools. November 20, 1861, he enlisted in company G, 
 Ninth regiment Illinois volunteer cavalry, as a private; the cavalry 
 branch of the service of which his regiment was a part, was kept on scout 
 and escort duty and guarding outposts, most of the time; while on a scout 
 in Mississippi he was wounded in the right leg and the left foot, both in the 
 same skirmish; with many others who loved the cause they were defending, 
 he reenlisted as a veteran and served, in all, four years. August 22, 1867, 
 Mr. Binker married Miss Amy Bell. She was born December 31, 1837. 
 They have had four children by this marriage; namelj^, Katie, born Septem- 
 ber 9, 1868, died September 10, 1873; Joseph T., born March 20, 1871; Vir- 
 ginia B., born July 16, 1873; and Bertha, born August 1, 1879. He was 
 
654 HISTOEY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 elected township collectoi- in 1874, filled the office for three terms, and was 
 elected, in April, 1881, township trustee, which office he now hohis. 
 
 ABEAM EICHEESOM 
 
 "Was bom in Harrison county, Ohio, thirty-five miles from the Ohio River, 
 August 2, 1802. Thei'e was but one family living nearer to them than the 
 river, at the time of his birth. When young, he learned the carpentei^'s 
 trade and worked at it tintil he was forty-seven years old, and then went to 
 De Kalb county, Indiana, where he farmed for about twenty years. In 1865 
 he went to Iowa and for three years engaged in milling. In June, 1870, he 
 came to this county, and has been engaged in milling ever since. He built 
 the mill he now owns, known as Richerson's Mill, on Medicine Ci-eek. No- 
 vember 20, 1829, Abram Richerson and Miss Mary M. Study were married. 
 Six children were the fruit of this union, as follows: Samuel, born June 2, 
 1832; Joseph, born April 15, 1834; Sarah A., born February 11, 1836;- 
 Mary J., born September 10, 1837;Rhuama, born March 20, 1839; and John 
 "W., born September 14, 1841. Mrs. Richerson died December 13, 1878. 
 November 23, 1879, Mr. Richerson married Mrs. Nancy Hosier, nee Dan- 
 gerfield. She was the mother of one child by her first husband; namely, 
 Olive, born December 3, 1871, died May 12, 1875. 
 
 ELDEIGE STUCKEE 
 
 Was born in Bartholomew county, .Indiana, June 14,1827. His parents, 
 John and Susanna Stucker, were natives of New York. They moved to 
 Monroe county, Missouri, and after a six months' stay returned to Indiana, 
 and four years later, in 1840, immigrated to this county. His father bought 
 a claim, and after the land caine into market entered it at $1.25 per acre, upon 
 which he lived until his death, June 3, 1863. Mr. Stucker makes farming 
 his business, and owns a beautiful farm of two liundred and ninety-five 
 acres. He was married March 22, 1849, to Miss Catharine Christian. She 
 was born July 25, 1830, and died May 9, 1869. They had six children:' 
 Lucinda, born October 4, 1853; John, born December 19, 1856, died No- 
 vember 18, 1857; Wayne, born June 15, 1859; Serilda, born September 2, 
 1861; Henrjs born June 9, 1865; and Thomas, born September 23, 1868. 
 December 8, 1873, Mr. Stucker married Miss Frances Sink. She was born 
 in Wayne county, Indiana, June 5, 1845. By this union they have had 
 four children, whose names are, Julia Ann, born July 10, 1874, died Feb- 
 ruary 3, 1875; Charles, born December 18, 1876, died -June 5, 1881; Jen- 
 hie, born February 17, 1878; and Elma E., born January 24, 1880. 
 
 EEV. H. H. TUENEE. 
 
 Henry H. Turner was born in Rush county, Indiana, March 4, 1836. His 
 parents were natives of Kentucky. His father's name was James Turner> 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 655 
 
 and his mother's Jane Turner. His father was one of the pioneer ministers 
 of north Missouri, and is still living; was born October 17, 1808. His 
 mother was born August 28, 1813. They were married while in In- 
 diana, in 1833, and to them were born seven sons and seven daughters, all 
 of whom are now living except two, and are all members of the Baptist 
 Church. Henry H. Turner was united in marriage to Miss Emily 0. Brass- 
 field, of Livingston county, Missouri, August 9, 1860, by Kev. W. W. Wal- 
 den. She was born September 23, 1841. To Mr. and Mrs. Turner were 
 born four sons and one daughter; viz., Carrie E., born May 26, 1861; James 
 M., born February 4, 1864; Eiley F., born January 22, 1866; Edgar and 
 Oscar, twins, born October 13, 1871. Mrs. Turner survived only fourteen 
 daj's after the birth of the twins. When but three months old, little Edgar 
 followed his mother to the grave. Four years after the death of his wife, 
 Mr. Turner married the sister of his first wife. Miss Letitia Brasstield, Rev. 
 John Harmon officiating. By this marriage two sons were added to the 
 famil}', named: N^orton, born October 7, 1877, and John, born August 5, 
 1880. During the first four years of his public life Mr. Turner rendered 
 efficient service in the profession of school teaching. That he might be 
 better qualified for the work to which he believed he was called, he went to 
 Kew York, Febi'uary 14, 1858, and entered Madison IJniversity, where he 
 pursued a course of study during a period of eighteen months. Mr. Tur- 
 ner settled in Grundy count}' in 1839, and was called to ordination by invi- 
 tation of the Mt. Pleasant Church. The ordination services were held in 
 the Baptist church at Chillicothe, August 26, 1866, during the session of 
 the association in that city. Since that time he has labored successfully 
 with the following churches; to-wit, one j'ear missionary in the bounds 
 of the North Grand River Association. During that year his labor was 
 crowned with encouraging success by the addition of fifty-seven members 
 to the churches. He afterward assumed the pastoral functions, in which 
 ■capacity he has continued to the present time, working with great accept- 
 ance in the Shelburn, Trenton, Liberty, North Union. Rural Dale and 
 Edinburg churches. He is now pastor of three churches: Shelburn, 
 Liberty and Rural Dale. During his first pastorate of Shelburn Church he 
 added one hundred and ten persons to its membership, and since his ordina- 
 tion and induction into the ministry has been instrumental in the addition 
 of probably more than six hundred persons to the membership of the Bap- 
 tist denomination. Mr. Turner lives on his farm of one hundred and forty- 
 five acres, eleven miles southeast of Trenton and sixteen miles northeast 
 of Chillicothe. The land is all under cultivation except thirty-five acres of 
 timber land. The approximate yield of the farm is about the following: 
 Wheat, two hundred bushels; corn, one thousand bushels; oats, fifteen hun- 
 dred bushels; and from ten to fifty tons of timothy hay. 
 
656 IIISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 J. P. THOMAS, M. D. 
 
 James P. Thomas was born in Chariton county, Missouri, September 2% 
 1842. His parents, William and Kachel Thomas, were both natives of Ken- 
 tucky, and moved to Howard county when he was an infant. There he was 
 reared iipon a farm, and educated in the common schools of the county. 
 When nineteen years old he came to Grundy county, and at the age of 
 twenty-one engaged in the drug business, which he followed for ten j^ears. 
 Ardently desiring to practice medicine, he, at the age of thirty-five, began 
 studies at the university at Keokuk, Iowa, where he studied during the 
 years of 1876, '77, '78 and '79, and graduated from that institution, and 
 began the practice of his profession at Alpha, and has been a close student 
 and a successful practitioner. October 20, 1868, Dr. Thomas was united in 
 marriage to Mrs. Catherine Yager, widow of Jacob Yager. Her maiden 
 name was Mangold and she was born March 21st, 1845 in Columbus, Ohio. 
 She married Jacob Yager in March, 1863, and lie died October 30, 1864. Dr. 
 and Mrs. Thomas have seven children ; named, respectively, Elizabeth, born 
 August 15, 1868, died October 20, 1869; Frank, born May 12, 1870 j Harry, 
 born December 22, 1871; Charles, born June 9, 1874; Peter, born March 
 12, 1876; William, born April 22, 1878; J. P., born April 29, 1881. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIV. 
 TAYLOE TOWNSHIP. 
 
 When Organized— Old Zacl — The Early Pioneers— The First Cabinet-shop in Grundy 
 County— The Silent Dead — Schools aiid Churches — Old Mrs. Duncan — Its First Officers 
 — The Mormon Troubles — Dark Deeds and Darker Crimes — Biographies. 
 
 Taylor became a township under the new organization law of 1872, having 
 been a portion of Madison township previous to that date. It was named 
 in honor of the "Old Eough and Keady" hero of the Mexican War, Gen. 
 Zachary Taylor. The official order of the court constituting Taylor a town- 
 ship, reads as follows: 
 
 " It is ordered by the court that all that part of township No. 62 of range 
 No. 25, lying west of Grand River, and all that part of township No. 63 of 
 range No. 25, lying west of Grand Eiver in Grundy county, Missouri, be 
 known as Taylor township. 
 
 Taylor township is bounded on the north and east by the Tliompson Fork 
 of Grand Eiver, on the south by Madison township and on the west by 
 Daviess and Harrison counties. Cat Creek crosses the northern portion of 
 the township, Furnace Creek crosses the central portion, and the southern 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 657 
 
 portion is watered by Sugar Creek, Cat-tail and Coon Creeks, the first three 
 flowing into tlie Tliompson River, and the hist two into Sugar Creek. The 
 country is much diversified, with about tln-ee-fifths prairie, and two-fifths 
 timbered land. The land is generally good and there are many fine farms 
 nnder cultivation. 
 
 THE PIONEERS. 
 
 The first white man t© make a habitation and a home within the present 
 limits of Taylor township, was Washington B. Grnbbe, who staked offa claim 
 on section 20, township 62, range 25, in the year 1838. Ho was fol- 
 lowed by his brother, Thompson Grubbe, in the same year. They hailed 
 from Washington county, Virginia. In the same year came W. W. McClel- 
 land. Milton V. Thompson was the first arrival in 1839, and came from 
 Madison township with his father, Dr. William P. Thompson, who moved to 
 Grundj'^ in 183S, when Milton V. was seven years old. He has since 
 lived in Taylor, and at Edinburg, Madison township, and owns numerous 
 large tracts of land in the former township. The same year, 1839, Ben- 
 jamin F. Fulkerson, John Scott, and Harvey Meek, tlie two latter having 
 lived in Madison township since 1834, were numbered among the settlers of 
 Taylor. After this the new-comers arrived more slowly, and it is not until 
 1843, that another settler makes his appearance in the person of Henry Willis, 
 who came from England. He is at present a resident of Washington town- 
 ship. J. J. Hobbs settled in the northern part of the township in 1844. He 
 was from Lee county, Virginia, but had located near the present town ot 
 Edinbnrg, where he remained until his removal to Taylor. A ford across 
 Thompson River bears his name to this day. There were no other arrivals 
 until along in 1850-54, when J. S. Miller, David Etter and Thomas Plutton 
 located in the township, and in the fall of 1855 Isaac Splawn, one of the 
 early pioneers of Daviess county, removed to Grund}? and became a citizen 
 of Taylor township, where he has since lived. This closes the list of early 
 settlers. Since that date the arrivals have been numerous and steady, of an 
 industrious, well-to-do class, until the year 1881 finds a total population in 
 the township of Taylor of nearl}^ or quite five hundred, the exact number in 
 1880, according to the census, being four hundred and seventy-nine. 
 
 FIRST CABINET-SHOP. 
 
 The first cabinet-shop in the county of Grundy was opened by Washing- 
 ton B. Grubbe in Taylor township. The whole concern was of the most 
 primitive pattern, but in this establishment most of the cabinet work of the 
 county was executed. The principal tool was a broad-ax, and with this 
 rude implement Mr. Grubbe made many of the coffins used in the early 
 days. Trees were felled and split, and the planks were hewn to the requisite 
 thickness with the broad-ax. In 1840 he secured, at considerable expense, 
 
658 HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 a whip-saw, and from that date began to do fine work. Here he manufac- 
 tured the first window-sash and blinds in the county, and the excellent 
 finish of the work was the admiration of the neighbors for miles around. 
 Yet, were these rude, rough-hewn cofiins compared with the elegant and 
 richly-finished burial caskets of the present time, thej"- would produce 
 a smile; but they were fine affairs in their day. 
 
 THE SILENT DEAD. 
 
 Few were they who journeyed to that far away " bourne from whence no 
 traveler returns," in the early days of Tajdor township. It was when 
 the harsh winds of winter blew rough and cold that little Elizabeth, the 
 sweet five year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin F. Fulkerson, 
 breathed her last and her soul winged its flight to the realms where angels 
 live. On the Fulkerson farm (in section 32, township 62, range 25) there 
 stands to-day a small enclosure, the fencing stained and mildewed with timcj 
 and within is a tiny grave, all overgrown witli tangled undergrowth, and 
 here sleeps the remains of little Elizabeth. A tablet of sandstone, cold 
 .and gray, marks the spot, and in letters rudely scratched thereon, is "Eliza- 
 beth Fulkerson, March 19, 1841 " — that is all. The child's slight grave no 
 daisies deck, but there the wild weed makes it home. 
 
 This was the first burial-ground in Taylor township. Only one other 
 grave appears in tlie small enclosixre. The " Ward Cemetery " is now used. 
 This was laid oft' in 1S63 by Henry Willis, on land in section 8, township 
 62, range 25. And a strange coincidence is that the first 'tomli within its 
 solemn bounds bears the date of March 17, 1863, the same month and 
 nearly the same day that marks the first grave in the township. It is the 
 tomb of Mrs. Henry Willis, and she was laid tenderly away in the new 
 burying-place where the cool winds of the early days of winter made a sad 
 requiem, and 
 
 " Passed over that fii-st mound 
 The storm tide's ebb and flow." 
 
 SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, ETC. 
 
 In the 3'ear 1855 the first school-house within the limits of Taylor town- 
 ship was erected, about one mile and a half northwest of the " Grubtown 
 bridge" over Furnace Creek. The building was of white oak logs, 18x20 
 feet, with puncheon floor, and clap-board roof. The chimney was com- 
 posed of mud and sticks, while the windows were -made by taking out one 
 log the entire length of the house and inserting "lights" of glass 8x10 
 inches in size, until the space was closed. Seats were made by slabs, hewed 
 or sawed, with pins for legs. The writing desk was a curiosity. It was made 
 by putting pegs in the wall with the desired- downward slant, upon which 
 was placed a broad plank, and the desk was ready for use by the whole 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. ' 659 
 
 school. This completed tlie furniture of the school, and was thought at 
 that time to be quite a fine structure. Mr. Alpheus Keys was the first to 
 ofiiciate as schoolmaster, and he still lives an honored citizen of the town- 
 ship. 
 
 There are now four school districts in the township, each supplied with 
 comfortable frame school buildings in which scliool is held at least six 
 months in each year. 
 
 Tliere are no church edifices in the township, but the school-houses furnish 
 convenient places for religious worship and are used for that purpose, by 
 the different denominations. Rev. Buren, a Methodist minister, was the 
 first to conduct services in the township. The early meetings were gen- 
 erally held in the groves, " God's first temples," where the sturdy settlers 
 and their families, the rich and poor alike, met on a common level to offer 
 praise to their Creator. Then services were held at the houses of the neigh- 
 bors, until the school-houses were built. 
 
 Atone time the plat of what was intended to be a flourishing town was laid 
 offhand given the name of Grubtown, but it soon sank into insignificance, and 
 although the place is still known by its name, the town lots have been 
 turned into farming land. 
 
 It is worth}' of mention that two old ladies who have trod the thorny 
 paths of pioneer life beyond the alloted three score and ten years, still live 
 in a green old age. These are Mi's. Phoebe Duncan, who lives with her son 
 in the southern part of the township, and Mrs. Sebrina Goodman. Mrs. 
 Goodman is e» native of Chariton county and now in her seventy- 
 seventh year. She has been married twice, her first liusband, Samuel 
 Eiggs, having been one of the earliest settlers of Eay and Daviess counties. 
 Her second husband was Peter Goodman and they came to Grundy county 
 in 1856. She is the motlier of eight children most of whom are now dead, 
 but she is still hale and hearty and lives with her grandchildren around 
 her, on the farm of her brother, Isaac Splawn, in the western part of the 
 township. 
 
 The first officers of Taylor after it became a township in 1872, were Henry 
 S. Lewis, trustee; Joshua Fulkerson, collector; Jas. W. Macley, assessor; 
 justices, Solomon Cole and Jacob McClure; John Ward, clerk. The first 
 meetings were held at the Ivnightstown school-house. 
 
 The present township officers are Henry S. Lewis and Asa Dent, justices 
 of the peace; E. Wirt Fulkerson, trustee; Joshua Fulkerson, collector; A. L. 
 Hudson, clerk and assessor; George S. Connell, constable. 
 
 THE MORMON TROUBLES. 
 
 Mr. Isaac Splawn, one of the oldest settlers of Grundy county, and of 
 Taylor townshij^, gives the following interesting account of the Mormon 
 troubles which caused considerable excitement during the early settlement 
 of this county as well as in the counties where the ti'oubles occurred. 
 
ODU HISTOEY OF GKUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 In the early part of the year 1838, when the troubles with Mormons first 
 began, Mi-. Splawn was living on Muddy Creek, east of Gallatin, in Daviess 
 county. The settlers at that early period were few and far between, and 
 not overburdened with wealth. The Mormons, on the contrary, were pretty 
 well supplied, and felt no conscientious scruples against making up any de- 
 ficiencies in their possessions by levying upon the chattels, etc., of tlieir 
 neighbors, whom they spurned as " Gentiles." These depredations con- 
 tinued, and the horses, cattle, hogs, etc., belonging to the settlers were ap- 
 propriated with clock-like regularity. The Mormons made no attempts to 
 conceal the plunder of these raids, but justified their acts by asserting that 
 the property was consecrated to them by the Lord. This state of aft'airs 
 existed until the patience of the settlers ceased to be a virtue, and they in- 
 voked the aid of tlie law, but justice was an iinknown quantity after the 
 Mormon witnesses got through swearing. At last the Moi-mons received 
 information that the land was theirs — ^that the Lord had also consecrated the 
 ground to their sole use and behoof. As soon as they became thoroughly 
 imbued with this idea, they organized themselves into delegations of fifty 
 or more and called upon each settler and informed him of the new disposi- 
 tion the Lord had made of his property in favor of the Mormons, coupled 
 with the advice to leave that section of the country without unnecessary 
 delay, or, if they did not, their lives and possessions would pay the penalty 
 of their disobedience to the Lord's commands. As they alwaj's took the 
 property anyway, the settlers, who were few when compared to the Mor- 
 mons, hurriedly moved out, some going to Ray and otherg to Livingston 
 county. Among the latter was Mr. Splawn, who had lost a horse in one of 
 these raids. "In the fall of 1838 a meeting was held at Spring Hill, in Liv- 
 ingston county, by tlie Gentiles, or settlers, and a company of two hundred 
 and twelve men was organized. Mr. Jennings was elected colonel, and 
 John Comer captain. At this time the Mormons had formed an organiza- 
 tion under the name of ' Danites,' witli six hundred members, all sworn to 
 fight to the death and die like patriots in the cause of the Lord. They were 
 under the command of a disciple of Joe Smith, named Lyman White, who 
 was a firm believer in the truth of their doctrines as inspired by the Lord. 
 This White sent word at three diff"erent times to tlie ' usurping Gentiles ' 
 that if they did not come out and meet the hosts of the Lord that the Mor- 
 mons would fall upon them at Spring Hill and wipe them from the face of 
 the earth. 
 
 "The settlers carefully studied the matter, and finally concluded that 
 they liad better attack the Mormons than to be attacked by tliem. About 
 the latter part of October, Col. Jennings mustered his forces and marched 
 to Honn's Mill, in Daviess county, the Mormon headquarters. The pioneer 
 force was divided in tliree detachments, and were deployed upon the right, 
 left and center of the Alorinon position, coming upon them from the north. 
 
HISTOKT OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 661 
 
 The 'Saints' were in the midst of a feast, long tables were sitting in the 
 shade of trees loaded with edibles, and everything was in readiness for a 
 season of enjoj'ment, when the appearance of the 'Gentile' pioneers npon 
 the scene took them completely by surprise. They were ordered to surren- 
 der, but refused to do so, instead firing one shot at Col. Jennings, which did 
 no damage." " This,"' said Mr. Splawn, " was the first shot that rang out 
 upon the air, and everything reigned in breathless silence for about a min- 
 ute. The settlers handled their flintlocks nervously, and awaited in uneasy 
 expectancy. The Mormons made good use of their time, and were, in a 
 measure, prepared for the onslaught which followed the interval of silence. 
 The settlers advanced upon the foe. It was two hundred and twelve against 
 six hundred. It was right against might. The gallant two hundred and 
 twelve staked their all upon the result. It was for the lives of themselves 
 and their families that they battled, and their homes. The odds were great, 
 but every man carried his flintlock and fired with an unerring aim born of 
 a desperation never called for before. The struggle was short. It was about 
 sundown, and for about ten minutes the battle raged with unabated fury, 
 when the Mormons were put to flight. By dark the casualties of the fight 
 were found to be thirty-seven Mormons killed upon the field, and a number 
 supposed to have been wounded, who escaped. The settlers lost none, but 
 seven men were severely wounded. The dead Mormons were thrown into 
 an old well, nearly filling it. The settlers then returned to Spring Hill, and 
 two days after the battle of Honn's Mill, joined the forces under Gen. Lucas, 
 who had been ordered out by Gov. Boggs to put a stop to the Mormon dep- 
 redations. No further collisions took place between the opposing commands, 
 the Mormons surrendering at Far West, a Mormon town northwest of 
 Kingston, county seat of what is now Caldwell county. A large force also 
 surrendered at Diamond, at which place Mr. Splawn recovered his horse 
 from one of the 'Saints.' At this latter place a cannon was among the cap- 
 tured trophies of war. After the surrender everything was quiet, except, 
 perhaps, the trouble occasioned in the reclaiming of stolen property, when 
 the settlers returned to their homes in Daviess county. Soon after this the 
 settlers brought their families, with some few exceptions, from Kay and 
 Livingston counties." 
 
 Mr. Splawn found his cabin occupied by a Mormon on his return, who 
 informed him that he was taking care of things while the owner was absent 
 — a kindness not appreciated by Mr. Splawn. Mr. S. still possesses his old 
 flintlock rifle, and could not be induced to part with it. 
 
 " In one of the skirmishes with the Mormons previous to their surrender, 
 Dick Hatcher and Ira Glaze, two of the Gentiles, as the Mormons called 
 them, were captured along with a twelve-pound cannon. Hatcher was a 
 man not at all celebrated for his facial beauty, but on the contrary, was bet- 
 ter adapted to serve as a scarecrow. He was a good-hearted fellow, with 
 
■662 HISTOKT OF GETJNDT COUNTY. 
 
 •eyes a few sizes smaller than saucers, and a month having the appearance of 
 liaving been the result of a gash cut in his face by a broad-ax. These feat- 
 ures had always been a perpetual annoyance to Hatcher, but this time they 
 served him well, for when the Mormons caught a glimpse of his counte- 
 nance they told him to ' move out of that ' in double-quick time, and if the 
 Lord would forgive them for liaving had such an urisightly mortal in their 
 ■company they would feel more than compensated for his immediate absence. 
 Hatcher left with an accelerated speed born of true thankfulness. 
 
 " Glaze was taken along, and was allowed to ride on the captured cannon. 
 Ammunition for twelve-pounders was scarce in those da,js, and for lack of a 
 better place the balls for the artilleiy were placed in the gun and the muz- 
 -zle plugged to keep them in. Glaze observed this and when they crossed 
 the first creek he quietly removed the plug, allowing the balls to roll out of 
 it with a splash, splash into the water. The loss was not discovered until the 
 next day and was then supposed to have been an accident occasioned by the 
 joltings in traveling over rough country. Glaze afterward escaped. 
 
 " Just before the surrender at Far West, Joe Smith prophesied that Gen. 
 Lucas and his army would drop dead when tliey crossed a certain small 
 branch in the neighborhood, and the Mormons all awaited the event as an 
 assured certainty. One old lady watched tiiem as they crossed in safety and 
 •exclaimed in an anguished voice, ' My God ! they have crossed the hollow 
 and are not dead yet! ' This weakened the faith of a few, but had no good 
 effect. 
 
 " The Mormons went to ISTauvoo, Illinois, from Daviess county. At this 
 time,'-' continued Mr. Splawn, " there are very few old settlers living to tell 
 of their participation in that short bat eventful Mormon war." 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 p. a. BOOEAK 
 
 Was born in Jefferson county, Missouri, Jul}"- 7, 1844; son of Z. B., 
 and Ruth (Amsbury) Booran, both were natives of West Yirginia and came 
 to Missouri in the year 1839, and settled in Jefferson county, and in 1848 
 moved to Grundy county and located in Madison township. He made his 
 home with his parents till nearly twenty-eight years of age, then on May 9th, 
 1872, married Miss Mary E. Brown, a native of Daviess county, and a 
 daughter of Moses and Elizabeth Brown, nee Miles. Two children have 
 been born to Mr. and Mrs. Booran; viz., Mindora Ann, December 10, 1873, 
 a bright and intelligent girl; and Moses V., January 3, 1876, died July 18, 
 1878. He moved on his farm in Taylor township in 1872, and owns one 
 hundred and sixty acres of land, ninety of which are well improved. At 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT CODNTT. 663 
 
 the age of twenty years he enlisted as a member of the Forty-fourth Mis- 
 souri volunteer infantry and served till tlie close of the war; was with the 
 regiment in many engagements; was taken sick and sent to the hospital, 
 in February, 1865, and remained there till discharged, July 15, 1865. He 
 has often served his township as school director. Mr. and Mrs. Booran are 
 members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
 
 HENEY DUSKIN, 
 
 Son of Daniel and Margaret Duskin, nee Cesco, was born in Tazewell 
 county, Virginia, Marcli 23, 1820. His parents had a family of thirteen chil- 
 dren and all lived to be married and have families; the parents died in Taze- 
 well count}', Virginia, at a very advanced age. Mr. Duskin was married, 
 October 12, 1843, to MissRissa Harper, a native of Tazewell county, Vir- 
 _ ginia, born March 29, 1826. She was a daughter of Leonard and Polly 
 Harper, nee Folin. The parents of Mrs. Duskin came to Missouri with the 
 family of Mr. Duskin; her father died in January, 1864, and her mother in 
 March, 1881. When Mr. Duskin and wife were married they began farm- 
 ing, but had so little to start with that it was slow work. They remained 
 in Tazewell county till 1857, then came to Missouri, and when they arrived 
 in Grundy county had only seveuty-tive cents left, but now tliey have a 
 nice home and forty acres of land. Seven children have been the issue of this 
 marriage, three of whom are living; viz., Amanda, born November 13, 1854, 
 now the wife of Henry Cheeny; Harvey, born August 6, 1859; and Mar- 
 garet born Januai'y 31, 1862. The four dead wei"e named as follows: 
 Thomas, born December 17, 1844; Leonard, born June 13, 1847; Wilkson, 
 born January 25, 1850; and Polly, April 2, 1852. 
 
 W. B. GEtJBBE. 
 
 The subject of this sketch stands in the front rank of the pioneers of 
 Grundy county, and located upon the farm now occupied by him March 4, 
 1838. He was born in Washington county, Virginia, December 15, 1812; 
 a son of George N. and Amelia Grubbe, nee Keys. His father was a native 
 of Maryland, but reared and educated in Pennsylvania, and was General 
 Jackson's chief clerk during the War of 1812. His mother was born in 
 Tennessee, and tirst married a man by the name of Meek and, after becom- 
 ing a widow, became the wife of George N. Grubbe, the father of the sub- 
 ject of our sketch. In the year 1822' his parents moved to Missouri and 
 settled in Ray county; there the father died in 1825. Tlie family continued 
 to live tliere till 1830, then became scattered and settled in various parts of 
 the State, and his mother lived in various places with her children till she 
 died, in 1842. On March 3d, 1834, he was united in marriage to Miss 
 Amanda Keys, a native of Virginia born March 19, 1816. She was a 
 daugiiter of Francis and Polly Keys, nee Meek. Her parents died in Ray 
 
QGi HISTOET OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 county, Missouri. After getting married Mr. Grubbe worked at his trade, 
 as a cabinet- maimer, in Richmond, Ray county, for about tliree years, then 
 mo^ed to Daviess county and, in the spring of 1838, to Grundy county, 
 where he still lives. Here he commenced to open a farm in what was then 
 a vast wilderness with but few settlers within a radius of twenty miles. He 
 also started a cabinet-shop, and had to split out lumber and dress it with 
 a broad-ax. After a time he was able to buy a whip-saw, and with that he 
 sawed out the finishing for quite a number of houses. He says he often 
 split two hundred and fifty rails in one day and then at night would work in 
 his shop and make a set of window sash. The first window sash used in this 
 county were of his manufactui-e. 
 
 By his first marriage nine children were born; viz., John Quincy, Mary 
 Elizabeth, Amelia Jestin, William Francis, Thomas Nelson, Alpheus Jack- 
 son, and three who died when quite young, Jeannette Ann, George Washing- 
 ton, Charles Preston. His first wife died in 1858, and he was again mar- 
 ried, May 10, 1860, to Mrs. Fhcebe A. Stephenson, widow of Washington 
 Stephenson. Her maiden name was Husted. She was a native of Ohio, 
 a daughter of Moses Husted, a soldier of 1812, and Elizabeth Stanley 
 Husted, sister of General Stanley, of the War of 1812. Eleven chil- 
 ■dren have been born by this second marriage: James Henry, Eliza Ann, 
 Henry W., Beatrice B., Benjamin T., Martha E., Minnie W., Fannie 
 E., Robert R., Charlotte, and John F. Mr. Grubbe has done much 
 towards the development of Grundy county. Alwaj's active and public 
 -spirited, he is a man universally beloved by his great circle of friends. He 
 owns two hundred and fifty acres of land and has given to each of his 
 children, as they became of age, a good home. He rendered valuable ser- 
 vices to his country as an officer in the Union army during the war. As a 
 soldier of the Cross he has worked as a member of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church for nearly one-half a century. 
 
 A. L. HUDSON, 
 
 Son of Rev. Thomas H. and Sidney Hudson, nee Elliott, was born in Mon- 
 roe county, Ohio, May 1, 1854. His parents were both natives of Penn- 
 sylvania, but moved to Oliio at an early day, and from there to Missouri in 
 the year 1866. Here his father died, September 15, 1873. He was a min- 
 ister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and had been an active laborer in 
 the church and sabbath-school during his entire life, and by his death the 
 church lost a faithful worker, society a useful aud honored citizen, and the 
 family a kind and loving husband and father. His mother is still living, 
 with the subject of our sketch. A. L. Hudson attended tlie commercial 
 schools of St. Joe and there obtained a fine business education. He mar- 
 ried, August 29, 1878, Miss Bessie Weldon, a native of Harrison count}', 
 Missouri, born June 23, 1859. She is a daughter of Washington and Mary 
 
HISTORY OF GETJNDY COUNTY. 665 
 
 Weldon, who yet live in Harrison county. She received lier education at 
 Grand River College and became a very successful teacher. Their mar- 
 riage has been blest with two children ; viz., Clara L., born December 5, 
 1879, and Carrie, born July 8, 1881. Mr. Hudson is at present acceptably 
 filling the office of clerk and assessor. He is a young man of more than 
 ordinary business ability, and owns a fine farm, well improved. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Hudson are consistent members of the church. 
 
 HENEY S. LEWIS 
 
 Is a native of Allegany county, JMew York, born March 10, 1830, and is a 
 son of Charles and Catharine Lewis, nee Knight. His father was born in 
 New Jersey, and his mother in Massachusetts. His grandfather, on his 
 father's side, was one of the Hessians captured at Ti-euton, JSTew Jersey, and 
 was there paroled and made that his permanent home. His grandfather, 
 on his mother's side, was a well known and valiant soldier in the Revolu- 
 tionai-y War. At about the age of nine years the subject of our sketch ac- 
 companied his parents from New York to Pennsylvania and remained 
 about two years, and then came to Missouri in 1840. His father was a very 
 fine mechanic and followed that business mostly during his lifetime. In 
 1850 he went to California, in company with his father, and there, in 1851, 
 his father died; he then returned to Scotland county, Missouri. In 1856 
 he came to Grundy county and located near where he still lives. On Octo- 
 ber 23d, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Jane McClure, a na- 
 tive of Logan county, Ohio, and a daughter of Jacob and Martha McClure, 
 nee Williams. Three children were the issue of their wedded life; namely, 
 Charles B., born July 28, 1854; Jacob W., born October 5, 1856; and 
 Martha C, born May 8, 1858. Mrs. Lewis died February 28, 1865. No- 
 vember 29, 1868, he was united in marriage to Mrs. Elvira McClure, the 
 widow of John McClure. She was a native of Yirginia, born April 3, 
 1840. Her parents, William M. and Jane Ford, came to Missouri in 1855. 
 Her father died in 1856, and her mother is still living in Harrison county. 
 When Mr. Lewis first came to Grundy county he, in connection with Mr. 
 McClure, erected the first steam saw-mill in the western part of the county, 
 and operated it till the beginning of the civil war. He enlisted in com- 
 pany K, First Missouri cavahy, and served about four years. After the 
 close of the war he returned to Taylor township, Grundy county, and en- 
 gaged in farming. Here he owns two hundred acres of choice land, well im- 
 proved and stocked. He has served, for a great many years, as justice of 
 the j^eace, and almost continuously in some township office. He is a lead- 
 ing spirit in the township, a staunch Republican, and quite a 2>ower in a 
 political campaign. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 W. A. M'CLUEE, 
 
 Son of Jacob and Martha McClure, nee "Williams, was born in Logan county, 
 Ohio, January 30, 1834. His parents came to Missouri and located in 
 Scotland county; after living there four years moved to Van Buren county, 
 Iowa, and, when the subject of this sketch was about sixteen j^ears of age, 
 they returned to Scotland county, and there resided till the year 1856, 
 when he settled in Taylor township, Grundy county, where he now lives. 
 The parents still liveiu Harrison county, at an advanced age. Mr. McClure 
 was united in marriage, December 24, 1856, to Miss Sarah Ramsey, who 
 was born in Ray county, Missouri, May 25, 1833. She was a daughter of 
 Josiah and Mary Karasey, nee Butcher, both natives of Tennessee. Her 
 father died in 1833 and her mother in 1881. They became the parents of 
 nine children, eight of whom are living, as follows: Josiah, born JSTovem- 
 ber 18, 1857; Commodore, born November 19, 1859; Dennis, born July 
 20, 1862; Adella, born August 13, 1864; Enoch, born April 17, 1866; 
 Mary, born January 27, 1868; Martha, born January 17, 1870; and Dora, 
 bom August 12, 1872; and one died in infancy. Mr. McClure had but 
 little opportunity of obtaining an education, but is anxious to educate his- 
 children well. He started in life poor, but he and his worthy companion 
 have through many adverse circumstances worked, struggled and saved, 
 and now have a fine home of one hundred and seventy acres, well improved 
 and stocked. Twice in his life he has been burned out, once his house and 
 his barn, leaving them at one time with nothing but their lives and land. 
 He lias been a useful man in his township. One of the foremost in every- 
 thing for the development of his count}'. Mr. and Mrs. McClure are 
 members of the Methodist Church. 
 
 .TAMES H. MEEK 
 
 Was born in Boone county, Missouri, in the fall of 1829. He is a son 
 of John B. and Jane Meek, nee Flemming, both natives of Washington 
 county, Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1825; first stopped in Boone 
 county, but soon afterwards located'in Ray county. His father died when 
 the subject of this sketch was an infant, and his mother died in 1838. At 
 the age of nine years, after his mother's death, he was obliged to look 
 for a home for himself. He first went to live with a stranger to learn the 
 tailor's trade, but his employer ran away, leaving him again homeless and 
 penniless. He then went to live with his uncle, James H. Meek, one of the 
 first settlers in Grundy county, and continued to live with him till twenty- 
 one years of age. In 1850 he went across the plains to California and re- 
 mained there two and one-half years, then returned to Grundy county and 
 took charge of his uncle's estate for three years. September 4, 1856, he 
 married Miss Elizabeth McGowan, a native of Wayne county, Kentucky, 
 born October 3, 1830, daughter of David and Mary McGowan, nee 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 667 
 
 Gibbs. They came to Missouri in 183i. Her mother died August 16, 
 1837, and her father August 12, 1865. They became the parents of six 
 children, all still living: William David, born June 22,1857; Luther E., 
 born Februarj' 11, 1859; John B., born August 7,1861; Sarah F., born 
 January 10, 1861:; Harvey E., born August 30, 1866; and Horace Y., born 
 November 3, 1870. Mr. M. has served as trustee of the school in his dis- 
 trict and takes a lively interest in good schools. He served as a member of 
 the militia during the war. He owns one hundred and eighty-four acres of 
 good land well improved and stocked. 
 
 MES. ELIZA J. NICHOLS, 
 
 Widow of Joseph Nichols, was born in La Fayette county, Missouri, 2»Iay 31, 
 18M, the daughter of Isham and Athaliah Manion, nee Finch. Her father 
 was born in Kentucky, and her mother in Virginia. They came to Mis- 
 souri in 1817, and settled in La Fayette county. Her mother died in 1840, 
 and her father in 1852. She was married October 20, 1853, to James L. 
 Painter, a native of La Fayette county, born in January, 1831; his parents 
 were from Kentucky, but settled in Jackson county, Missouri. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Painter had four children; viz., John R., born November 13, 1856; 
 Milton Y., born November 7, 1858; Lewis E., born September 18, 1861; 
 and William Henry, born August 20, 1854, died January 6, 1860. At the 
 beginning of the war Mr. Painter enlisted as a member of the Seventy-first 
 Missouri State militia, and was shortly afterward killed by bushwhackers at 
 Wellington, September 19, 1862. He was a member of tlie Methodist 
 Church, a kind husband and father, and left a wife and three helpless chil- 
 dren to mourn his loss, and with but little to support them during those 
 trying times. April 20, 1864, she married Joseph Nichols, a native of 
 Ohio. They first lived in Daviess county, but in 1865 located in Taylor 
 township, Grundy county. Mr. Nichols was also a Union soldier, being a 
 member of the First Missouri cavalry, and during his term of service con- 
 tracted a disease that finally ended in his death, which occurred February 
 8, 1879. He was an active member of the United Brethren Church, and 
 died a man respected by all. 
 
 There were seven children born of this second marriage; viz., Athaliah, 
 born January 30, 1865; Leetha E., born May 13, 1868; Isham E., born 
 April 15, 1870; Minnie and Millettei, twins, born March 13, 1872; Lillie 
 M., born March 15, 1874; and Stella J., born August 26, 1877. 
 
 Mrs. Nichols carries on her farm of one hundred acres with the aid of 
 lier children. She is a member of the United Brethren Church, and a lady 
 of energy and will, and although she has seen much trouble, is still in the 
 enjoyment of much physical and mental power. 
 
 41 
 
668 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 ISAAC SPLAWN 
 
 Was born in Bedford county, Tennessee, March 7, 1812; a son of John 
 and Eleanor Splawn, nee Leighton, both natives of South Carolina, but who 
 came to Missouri in 1816, and became the first settlers in Carroll county, 
 their nearest neighbor, except a brother, being forty miles distant. Here 
 our subject was reared from the time he was four years of age till he was 
 eighteen, then, in 1830, his parents came to Daviess county, and died there, 
 his father March 1, 1837, and his mother September 4, 1843. He was mar- 
 ried, August 31, 1835, to Miss Isabel Atkinson, who was born July 18, 1812, 
 in Ray county, Missouri, and was a daughter of Thomas and Sarah Atkinson, 
 nee McCarroll. They were natives of Tennessee, but came to Missouri at a 
 very early d'ay. Her father died January 24, 1837, and her mother March 
 21, 1843. Five children have been the issue of Mr. and Mrs. Splawn's mar- 
 riage, all living; viz., John W., born September 6, 1836, now living in Har- 
 rison county; Joseph Watson, born March 10, 1839, now at home; Beth- 
 thena A., born November 15, 1840, wife of Lewis F. Shores; Mary E., born 
 January 17, 1843; and Martha W., born April 12, 1845. Mrs. Splawn died 
 August 28, 1850, after a protracted illness of five years. She was a consist- 
 ent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and passed to her reward 
 mourned by a large circle of friends and relatives. Mr. Splawn continued 
 to live in Daviess county till the year 1855, then moved to Grundy county 
 and located near where he now lives. This was then a sparsely settled neigh- 
 borhood, and here he brought his family of small children and Beththena, 
 the eldest daughter, took charge of the family till she Vas married, October 
 20,1872. Mr. Splawn owns two hundred and eighty acres of land, well im- 
 proved and stocked. During his younger days he was known as the best 
 marksman, with his flint-lock rifle, in Grundy county, and to-day owns the 
 old gun with which he helped drive out the Mormons; few with our more 
 improved guns can compete with him at target practice. He is well and 
 favorably known by a large circle of friends in Grundy and adjoining coun- 
 ties and everyone has a kind word to say of " Uncle Isaac" and his pleasant 
 family. There is, also, in the family a young man, Monroe Eiggs by 
 name, a nephew, whom he has reared since he was two years of age and who 
 is now in his twenty-seventh year; also John M. White, whom he has reared 
 since four years of age. Mr. Splawn is a staunch Republican and glories in 
 the name. Mr. Shores, his son-in-law, served for three years as a member 
 of company K, Third Missouri cavalry. 
 
 EMERSON WARD 
 
 Was born in Yorkshire, England, February 16, 1817, a son of Davison and 
 Elizabeth Ward, both natives of Yorkshire. In April, 1837, he was united 
 in marriage to Hannah Willis, a native of Yorkshire, born June 13, 1811. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 669 
 
 Her parents, John and Alice Willis, were both born in Yorkshire and are 
 both deceased. This j'onn^- couple immediately after marriage started for 
 America to find for themselves a home, and first settled in Morgan county, 
 Illinois, and farmed for eight years. They had but little means when they 
 landed in America, were soon prostrated with sickness, suffered 
 much and had to pay out the last penny for medicines and doctors. They 
 remained in Illinois till 184:6, then having raised a little money and a team, 
 they came to Lee county, Iowa, and there engaged in farming for ten years. 
 In 1856 they came to Grundy county. Mo., and settled in Taylor township, 
 where he now lives and has a fine farm of three hundred acres finely improved 
 and well stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Ward have had seven children, six of 
 whom are living; viz., Alice E., born September 6, 1838, now the wife of 
 Charles Kniglit; Margaret Ann, born August 23, 1840, died August 8, 1877; 
 Jolm, born September 20, 1-842, now druggist in Edinburg, this county; 
 Mary Jane, born June 2, 1845, wife of A. McCime; Hannah E., born Jan- 
 uary 13, 1848; Sarah C, born April 14, 1850; and Henrietta, born April 12, 
 1853, now the wife of Mr. Shepherd. Mrs. Ward died October 11, 1875, 
 since which time he has lived a widower. He cleared the greater part of 
 his farm out of woods and brush by his own labor, and has succeeded be- 
 yond his own expectations since he came to America. He is well and favor- 
 ably known as a public spirited man, a kind neighbor and good citizen. 
 His son, John, enlisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer in- 
 fantry, and served for over three years; was captured at Shiloh and kept a 
 prisoner for some time. Mr. Ward lost several valuable horses during the 
 war, they having been taken by the bushwhackers. 
 
 CHAPTER XXV. 
 WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 An Original Township— Organized bi/ Livingston Count// Court in 1839~Ifs Present Boun- 
 . darii— First Settlement— The Old Pioneers— Prairies and Timber- Its Living Wafers- 
 Its First Church and Minister— The Old Log School-house— Its Present Officers— An 
 Accident— Noble Effort— A Member of the Legislature— Biographies. 
 
 ALWAYS ONE. 
 
 Washington was one of the original townships constituting Grundy 
 county, and was a township under the jurisdiction of Livingston before 
 Grundy became a separate county. It reached from the forks of Grand Eiver 
 to the Iowa State line, taking the greater part of what is now Mercer county. 
 At the February term of the Livingston Cm-mty Court, 1839, the following 
 
670 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 appears of record, giving the rnetes and bounds of a new township to bear 
 the name of the first president of the United States: 
 
 " It is ordered by the court that a township be made in the territory of 
 Livingston, called Washington township, to commence at the north of the 
 "Weldon Kiver, running with the same to the State line; thence west with 
 the stated boundary line to where the same crosses Grand River; thence 
 down said river to the beginning." 
 
 In 1841, when Grundy became a county, Washington constituted a large 
 part of the territory, then comprising the whole of Mercer county. Grun- 
 dy's territory remained the same until 1845, when Mercer was cut off, thus 
 taking a large slice from the northern side of Washington township, leaving 
 its boundary lines with Mercer county on the north, Weldon River on the 
 east, the forks of the Grand River on the south, and the Thompson River 
 on the west. The teri'itory occupied by Washington still remained the 
 same until 1872, when the whole county was reorganized under the new 
 township organization law, when Washington was curtailed to its present 
 dimensions by taking Harrison and part of Lincoln township from its 
 southern boi'der, and a portion of Franklin from its eastern side, leaving a 
 territory of twenty-one square miles, covering an area four miles north and 
 south by six miles east and west^ lacking some two miles on the southwest 
 corner. The present township of Washington is bounded on the north by 
 Mercer county, on the east by Franklin township, on the south by Harrison, 
 and on the west by the Thompson River and a portion of Harrison county. 
 
 FIEST SETTLEMENT. 
 
 In the fall of 1838, the families of Abraham and Larkin Field, Andrew 
 Weldon and Elijah Burgess, moved into what is now known as Washington 
 township. The Fields settled on section thirty-five, and came from Ken- 
 tucky. Weldon was from the same State, and staked his claim on section 
 thirteen. Burgess hailed from Virginia, and located on section twenty-one. 
 These families were the only settlers of the township until the spring of 
 1839, when the families of David Hayes and John and Jetliro Sires, having 
 bid farewell to their homes in the faraway blue grass region of Kentucky, 
 also located in Washington township, Mr. Hayes building his cabin on sec- 
 tion twenty-one, northwest corner, and the Sires cleared a spot in section 
 twenty-four. Among other early settlers were J. R. Robbins, Preston 
 Gobin, R. Magruder, Dr. Henry Hampton, Robert Bennett, Robert Hobbs 
 and A. H. C. McFarland. They had many hardships and trials, 'tis true, 
 but on the whole, their lives were happy and contented, and during the early 
 days the angel of death paid them no visits. The country was rich and 
 partly rolling, about three-fourths timber, the varieties being black walnut, 
 hickoiy, oak, elm and others, the remaining one-fourth was beautiful prairie. 
 The township was well watered,' with Lost Creek flowing through the center. 
 
HISTOKT OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 671 
 
 Wood Creek on the east, and Peteet Creek on tlie west, thus giving an 
 abundance. Even at that earlj' day the township gave proof of its fertility 
 and richness, and the promise has developed into reality, until to-day, with 
 only one-fourth of the township in timber and the remainder under cultiva- 
 tion, it shows some of the finest farming and grazing lands to be found in 
 Grundy county. Rich and fertile, well watered, Washington township 
 cannot be surpassed for the excellent quality of its soil. 
 
 The manufacture of clothing depended upon the good housewife, and she 
 wove and spun untiringly until all were supplied. The first work of this 
 kind was performed by Mrs. Abraham Field in 1838, and soon the other 
 families in the neighborhood also went into the maniifacturing business. 
 Wool and flax furnished the material for garments, while coon-skin and deer- 
 skin served for caps and moccasins. The luxuries in the way of edibles, 
 were brought from Brunswick, in Chariton county. Ox teams were the 
 only means of transportation and when a settler "went to town" to purchase 
 his salt, sugar, etc., he calculated to be gone from ten days to two weeks, travel- 
 ing the ninety-five miles and return, if he was in luck. If a wagon broke 
 down or other matters interfered thej' were considerably longer on the way. 
 
 Washington township was a long time without a church, but religious 
 services were held as early as 1839, at the homes of the settlers; the Rev. 
 Thomas Thompson, then^ resident of Franklin township, conducted religious 
 worship. The services were of the Christian denomination, and were the 
 first held in the township. Later, other denominations held services in like 
 manner, but no churches were erected until 1870, when the Union Baptists 
 built a church edifice. The organization took place on the 4th of July, 1 869, 
 and the following were the first members: Z. W. Shackleford, Anna Shackle- 
 ford, Jane Chestnut, Hiram Gay, Rodena Gay, Margaret Chestnut a;nd Joseph 
 Hartshorn. The following summer the church was built by subscription and 
 donation by members and neighboi-s. It was a frame structure, cost $1,500 
 and was dedicated in the fall of the same year, as the " Friendship Church," 
 Elder James Hammer, assisted by Elders 0. S. Williamson and Samuel 
 Pruitt, ofliciating in the dedicatory exercises. Rev. C. S. Williamson became 
 the first pastor, and was followed by Rev. William Leek. The member- 
 ship increased until the number reached forty-seven, when the organization 
 was broken up. The church building is now used by the Missionary Bap- 
 tists. At present there are several otlier religious organizations, but they 
 have no church buildings. 
 
 THE OLD LOG SCHOOL HOUSE. 
 
 The first school-house was erected in Washington township in 1839, and was 
 the joint work of the neighbors. It was situated in the eastern part of sec- 
 tion 26, now district number five, and was constructed of round poles. It 
 was a one-roomed cabin with a door and holes left in the sides for windows. 
 
672 HISTOKY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 This was used only at odd times when a teacher could be secured, and was 
 known as a subscription school. The old structure stood until 1844, when the 
 neighbors again vohmteered their services and by their united eftbrts and con- 
 tributions erected what is remembered as the "hewn log school-house."' 
 Mr. J. K. Robins was the tirst teacher, and he instructed the rising genera- 
 tion at the rate of $15 per month for his services, and there were about twenty 
 pupils. Mr. Eobins began his work in 1845 and continued until the school- 
 house of hewn logs gave way to the present frame building 28x32 feet, 
 which was erected in 1870 at a cost of $650, and also officiated as the first 
 teacher in the new building, when he retired on account of his age, and was 
 followed by William Houseman. The old hewn log school-house still remains 
 a landmark of the pioneer days and is used on the farm of Mr. Robins as 
 a corn-crib, thus serving its purpose as a storehouse, iirst of knowledge then 
 of corn, both of inestimable value in all ages. The township is now divided 
 into five school districts, each. having neat frame school buildings, where in- 
 struction is given at least six months in the year. 
 
 The present officers of the township are Thomas J. Taylor and William 
 Hartshorn, justices of the peace; Paschal W. Thompson, trustee; Myron 
 Fox, collector; Granville Brown, clerk and assessor; and John I. Craig, con- 
 stable. Washington township also lias the honor of furnishing the mem- 
 ber of the lower house of the General Assembly ij'om Grundy county, in 
 the person of Hon. Thomas J. Taylor, who has served as an efficient mem- 
 ber. 
 
 Buttsville, the post-office, is located in the northeast corner of section 
 thirty-five, and the office is the home of Mr. A. Wright, who serves as post- 
 master. Buttsville proper is located in the central portion of the township', 
 but the post-office Avas removed from tliere to its present location some time 
 since. 
 
 An accident occurred in this township in the year 1858, the sad features 
 of which cast a deep gloom over the community for several months after- 
 ward. A young man by the name of McFarland, about twenty-four years 
 of age, in the very buoyancy of young manhood, well liked and highly re- 
 spected by all who knew him, lost his life in a kindly act in behalf of a 
 neighbor.. The young man was employed on a farm, and was bui-nang stub- 
 ble from the field, when the flames spread too rapidly, and a neighbor'^s un- 
 cut field was likely to furnish food to the fiery destroyer, when, without as- 
 sistance, young McFarland, by strenuous exertions succeeded in ai-resting- 
 the progress of the flames, and saving the field. The effort cost him his life. 
 A neighbor noticing the situation hurried to help him, but arrived only 
 after the work had been accomplished, and McFarland stood jjanting from 
 his exertions. He spoke only a few words and then dropped dead. Tlie 
 funeral was largely attended by mourning friends, bespeaking the great es- 
 teem in which he was held hj tliose who knew him. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 673 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 .TOHN I. CEAIG, 
 
 Son of Franklin and ILelinda Craig, nee Booran, was born in West Vir- 
 ginia, December 22, 1838. His pai-ents migrated to Missouri in 1844, and 
 settled in Grundy eountj\ On August 23d, 1861, he enlisted in company 
 H, Twenty-tliird Missouri volunteer infantry, served for three years, was in 
 many hard-fought battles, and was always ready and willing for duty. He 
 was married, November 8, 1864, to Miss Amanda Wild, who was born in 
 Grundy county, November 28, 1845; her parents Philip and Sallie Wild 
 were among the earliest settlers in Grundy county. They have had eight 
 children, seven of whom are still living; namely, Philip, born September 12, 
 1865; Franklin, born June 15, 1868; Sallie M., born January 27, 1872; 
 Sylvester, born March 17, 1874; Martha A., born March 24, 1876; John I., 
 born August 25, 1878; Marshall, born April 20, 1880; and Herbert E., born 
 May 24, 1870, died August 27, 1871. 
 
 Mr. Craig is now serving his township as constable; and has been an 
 active member of the school boai'd. He has had bad luck by having to pay 
 security debts, yet has struggled manfully on, and now has a nice home of 
 seventy- eight acres of good land. He had no opportunity ot' attending 
 school, but by home application has become a well informed man and en- 
 joys the esteem of all his neighbors. 
 
 E. V. B. KENNEDY, 
 
 Son of John and Elizabeth Kennedy, both natives of the State of New 
 York, was born in Hancock county, Illinois, August 7, 1838. His father 
 was of Irish descent and his mother's ancestry were from Holland, her 
 maiden name being Van Brunt, and. her grandmother a niece of the king 
 of Holland. Large estates in tlie city of New York are now in litigation 
 in which the mother of tlie subject of this sketch is quite an interested 
 party, being a claimant under the king of Holland. His father died in 
 1862, but his mother is still living, a resident of Illinois. He lived mostly 
 in Hancock county, that State, till 1866, and then located in Grundy county, 
 Missouri. He went to the mountains in 1859 and remained four years, then 
 returned to Illinois, and on October 27th, 1874, was united in marriage to 
 Miss Melinda Booker, a native of Kentucky, born February 20, 1847, 
 daughter of Henr}' and Kachel Booker. They moved to Grundy county, 
 where her father died September 9, 1879, but her mother is still a i-esident 
 of the county. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy; 
 named, respectively, John H., September 18, 1865: Lenoi'a, November 9, 
 1867; Artensa, December 30, 1869; Charles Van Brunt, February 27, 
 
674 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COTINTY. 
 
 1873; Maud, December 3, 1874; Kobert, February 28, 1877. He is a man 
 who has made his own way in the world, and now owns eighty acres of fine 
 land, all improved. He is about to obtain a patent for a weed and stalk 
 cutter, an article of acknowledged merit and usefulness, pronounced a suc- 
 cess by all who have seen it. 
 
 DAVID PAYNE 
 
 Was born in Chariton county, Missouri, April 2, 1835. His father, Nathan 
 Payne, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, Nancy Payne, of 
 Indiana. In 1824 his father settled in Boone county, Missouri, and became 
 a noted hunter; afterwards moved to Chariton county, and in the year 1842 
 located in Grundy county. His father died in California in 1871. His 
 mother came to Missouri when only three years of age, her parents locating 
 in Chariton county. She died in the year 1859. The subject of this sketch 
 was reared upon a farm and only went to school a few weeks altogether, 
 and then had to walk five miles. He was married, December 19, 1858, to 
 Melissa F. Sires, a native of Grundy county. She was born March 31, 
 1841, and is a daughter of Jethro and Margaret Sires, very early settlers in 
 Missouri. By this union they have had five children; viz., William, born 
 January 8, 1862; Amy, born September 16, 1866; David, born April 19, 
 1869; Johnnie, born May 25, 1860, died June 30,1869; and Louisa J., 
 born December 3, 1863, died September 25, 1865. Mr. Payne has worked 
 hard and become prosperous. He has dealt largely in stock and was one of 
 the first to ship from Grundy county. He has a fine farm of one hundred 
 and thirty-eight acres. He is a leading member of the Masonic fraternity, 
 and the family are highly respected in the community. 
 
 J. N. SIRES 
 
 Is a native of Kentucky, born April 8, 1837, and a son of John and Eliza- 
 beth Sires, iiee White, both natives of Virginia, but who settled in Ken- 
 tucky, when first married, and lived there until 1841, when they settled in 
 Grundy county, Missouri, and are now living in Franklin township, this 
 county. Our subject has been a continual resident of this count}' ever since 
 he was four years of age. On April 3d, 1863, he married Miss Lucy M. 
 Tompkins, a native of Eandolph county, Missouri, born November 21, 1847, 
 daughter of James and Elizabeth Tompkins, nee Grimes; her father was a 
 native of Kentucky, and her mother of Howard county, Missouri. They 
 are still living in Howard county. Mr. and Mrs. Sires have seven children; 
 viz., Ada, born February 7, 1864; Frank, born April 16, 1866; Lottie, born 
 December 19, 1867; Elizabeth, born February 15, 1870; Nellie, born August 
 21, 1872; Emily, born April 11, 1875; John, born February 1, 1878. By 
 diligence and good management he has succeeded, and now owns three hun- 
 dred and sixty acres of fine land ; the home, one hundred and sixty acres, said 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 675 
 
 to be the best in tlie county. He makes stock-feeding, buying and selling, a 
 specialty, and has made his business a success. When he left school, which 
 he had but little opportunity to attend, he could not write his name or make 
 any calculations with figures, but now he is acknowledged a good business 
 man and learned by home application. 
 
 S. W. SIRES, 
 
 Son of John and Elizabeth Sires, nee White, was born in Grundy county, 
 Missouri, December 19, 1850. His parents settled in Grundy county in 
 1S41, and are now living in Franklin township. At the age of eleven years 
 he began to make his own living by working on a farm for twenty-five cents 
 per day, and now owns a fine farm of one hundi-ed and ten acres of well im- 
 proved land, and all this has been accumulated in a few years by industry 
 and thrift. He married, August 2, 1874, Miss Matilda A. Patton, a native 
 of Clinton county, Ohio, born August 1, 1854; a daughter of Wm. J. and 
 Eachel Patton, nee Garrett, who were both natives of Ohio. They came to 
 Missouri in the year 1873 and remained about one year; then returned to 
 Clinton county, Ohio, where they still live. Mr. and Mrs. Sires have one 
 child. Myrtle, born April 9, 1876, to brighten and make pleasant the home 
 circle. Mr. Sires is a well known young man and one possessed of more 
 than ordinary business ability. 
 
 HON. THOMAS J. TAYLOE, 
 
 The present representative of Grundy county, was born in Brown county, 
 Indiana, September 15, 1839, and is a son of Henrj' and Catharine Taylor, 
 nee Davidson. His father was born in Kentucky, and his mother in Tennessee. 
 His parents came to Indiana in 1828, and to Missouri in 1840. His father 
 died in 1S53, and his mother in 1875. He remained at home till 1861, then 
 enlisted in company F, Merrill's Horse, and served over four years; was with 
 the regiment in many hard fought engagements and always in the line of 
 duty; was promoted to first lieutenant and brevet captain, and had command 
 of five companies during the summer of 1865. While home on recruiting 
 service, in 1864, on the 21st of January, of that year, he married Miss 
 Eliza Jane Rowland, who was born in Ray county, March 22, 1844, daugh- 
 ter of David and Elizabeth Rowland, nee Lee, both natives of Kentucky. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Taylor have four children; named, respectively, Laura Belle, 
 born July 25, 1866; De Sully, born June 18, 1869; Lenora D., born Sep- 
 tember 29, 1871; and De Soto, born September 28, 1873. He is the owner 
 of two hundred and ninety acres of fine land; and has served as justice of 
 the peace for ten years, and in fact has held all the offices in the gift of the 
 people of his township. At the general election in 1880 lie was elected, on 
 the Republican ticket. State re2:)resentative from Grundy county, and ran 
 one hundred and thirteen votes ahead of Garfield, by a popular majority of 
 
676 HISTOET OF GRXINDY COUNTY. 
 
 nine hundred and forty-three. During his first session he introduced some 
 very important bills in regard to the school system. He is a Eoyal Arch 
 Mason, and was master of Modena Lodge four years. Mr. Taylor and 
 family are highly respected members of society. 
 
 H. E. THOMPSON 
 
 Was boi-n in this county, February 7, 1852. His father, Milton V. Thomp- 
 son, is not the oldest settler in the county, but one of the best known men 
 and the most extensive land owners. H. E,. Thompson received a fine busi- 
 ness education at Grand Kiver College. On the 4th of November, 1874, at 
 the age of twenty-three years, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie 
 McClure, a native of Scotland county, Missouri, born December 9, 1855, 
 daughter of William and Mary Jane McClure. Her father died in 1865, 
 and her mother is still living, in Daviess county. By this union they have 
 had two children; namely, Maud, born October 14, 1876; and Willove, 
 born October 31, 1878, died September 28, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Thompson, in August, 1875, moved on his farm in Washington town- 
 ship, acknowledged to be one of the best in Grundy county. Hei-e he 
 makes a specialty of sheep husbandry, having a choice flock of graded Cots- 
 wold and Merino. He is highly esteemed for his strict business integrity, 
 and he and his excellent wife are noted for their hospitality and social 
 qualities. 
 
 p. W. THOMPSON, 
 
 Son of Milton V. Thompson, a well-known re^dent of Grundy county, was 
 born in Grundy county, Missouri, August 29, 1850. He is a grandson of 
 Dr. Wm. P. Thompson, wiio is still remembered as the first regular physi- 
 cian that practiced in Grundy county, and who settled in this county in 
 1833. 
 
 P. W. Thompson finished his education at Grand Pivei' College, having 
 taken a five years' coui'se. At the age of twenty-one he located upon his 
 farm and kept house by himself until April 1, 1876, when he married Miss 
 Huldah Webster, a native of Athens county, Ohio, born January 25, 1851 ; 
 a daughter of Charles and Hannah Webster, who settled in Grundy county, 
 in 1865. Her father died January 2, 1871, and her mother April 14, 1876. 
 Mrs. Thompson only lived about one year after her marriage, died February 
 19, 1876. June 22, 1878, Mr. Thompson married Miss Olive F. Webster, a 
 sister to his first wife. She was born March 10, 1847. By this union two 
 children have been born : Milton, born May 8, 1879, died September 26, 1880 ; 
 and Paschal, born February 24, 1881. Mr. Thompson is possessed of five 
 hundred and three acres of very fine land, all well improved and heavily 
 stocked. He makes a specialty of graded cattle, having at present a herd of 
 one hundred and seventy head. He is a thorough-going business man, has 
 filled various offices and is a man in whom the community has the most im- 
 plicit confidence. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 677 
 
 DANIEL WELCH 
 
 Was born in Virginia, February 3, 1822. His parents, Clu'istopher and 
 Elizabeth Welch, moved to Oliio in 1834, and after living there seven years, 
 moved to Crawford county, Illinois. His mother died in 1840, and his 
 father in 1854. The subject of our sketch learned the carpenter's trade and 
 worked at that business about fifteen years, su:ce which time he has been en- 
 gaged in farming and stock-dealing. He married, November 9, 1845, Miss 
 Sarah A.Irwin. She was born in Licking count}^ Ohio, May 30, 1827; a 
 daughter of Elijah and Mary Irwin. Her father died September 17, 1879, 
 in the seventy-ninth 3'ear of his age; her mother is still living, in the seven- 
 ty-eighth year of her age. Mr. Welch in 1864 located in Grundy county 
 and has since lived here with the exception of eighteen montlis spent 
 in Wapello county, Iowa. He had no financial help in starting in life, but 
 has become wealthy and is now one of the leading farmers and stock-dealers 
 in the county. Mr. and Mrs. Welch had two children; namely, William 
 B., born April 24, 1849; and Mandilla, born Augnst 7, 1846. Mandilla 
 was the Avife of John Johnson, who died January 4, 1865, and afterwards 
 became the wife of William Houseman; she died February 8, 1879. By 
 her marriage with Mr. Johnson she had one child, William H. Johnson, 
 born August 80, 1855, now making his home with his grandparents, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Welch; he is a young man of fine business qualifications and is 
 already accumulating considerable property. His grandparents on his 
 father's side, Alvin and Jestin Johnson, are still living in the count}', and 
 were among the first settlers of Harrison township and are yet among the 
 most honored and esteemed. 
 
 MES. JULIA K. WILD, 
 
 Widow of Emery Wild, deceased, was born in Bedford county, Pennsyl- 
 vania, December 17, 1855, a daughter of Philip and Mary Steckman. She 
 came with her parents, when five years of age, to Brown connt}', Illinois, 
 and lived there till 1871, when they located in Grundy county. Her father 
 died November 2, 1880, and her mother is still living in this county. She 
 was married to Emery Wild, July 4, 1876. He was a native of Grundy 
 county, born July 12, 1837, and said to be the first wliite child born in the 
 county. He was a son of Pliilip and Sallie Wild. His father died October 
 4, 1864, and his mother September 22, 1875. Mr. Wild had previously 
 been married to Miss Susanna Markwood, and by tliat raaiTiage there were 
 seven children; viz., Pobert, born June 15, 1861; Araminta, born Ajjril 7, 
 1863, died March 22, 1868; Sallie, born June 2, 1866; Charles, born June 
 22, 1868; Hattie, born March 25, 1870; George, born May 14, 1872, died 
 April 10, 1879; Armilda, born March 25, 1874. The first Mrs. Wild died 
 March 31, 1874. By this second marriage one child was born; to-wit, 
 Emily, October 20, 1S77. Mr. Wild died November 4, 1877. At the time 
 
678 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 of his deatli he was master of the grange, had filled many offices in the 
 township, and was an active, public spirited man in all that was for the 
 good of his town and county; he was highly esteemed in his neighborhood, 
 and was a kind and affectionate husband and father. He left a fine estate 
 of six hundred and thirty acres. His widow is an estimable lady, and a 
 member of the Baptist Church. 
 
 IIENBY WlLLIS. 
 
 This gentleman stands in the front rank of the pioneers of Grundy county. 
 He was born in the North Eiding of Yorkshire, England, March 20, 1814. 
 His parents, John and Alice Willis, were well-to-do farmers. They had lived 
 on one farm for over seventy years. His father died at the age of eighty- 
 two, and his mother at the age of seventy-six years. They reared a, family of 
 seventeen children to manhood and womanhood. He always took great delight 
 in farming and stock-raising, and preferred that to attending school. At the 
 age of seventeen years he left the home of his birth and childhood, and, inex- 
 perienced, poor and alone, landed in Quebec, June 22, 1831 ; then made 
 his way to Onondaga, New York; here he found himself destitute of money 
 and began work in the harvest field at eight dollars per month; after re- 
 maining eighteen months he made his way to Frankliii county, Ohio; here 
 he was stricken down with fever and laid eleven months and was entirely 
 destitute of means, but being a man of prepossessing ways and good morals, 
 he found many kind friends; lived in Ohio two years and then went to Mor- 
 gan county, Illinois, remained there eighteen months; then came back to 
 Franklin county, Ohio, where, on September 16th, 183Y, he was married to 
 Miss Mary Everett, a native of that county, born December 10, 1815. With 
 his young wife he left Ohio and sought a home in the then far west, and on 
 February 28th, 1838, located in Grundy county, Missouri. They remained 
 in the count}' of Grundy but a short time, then moved to Mercer. Here he 
 built a small cabin without floor, door or windows, and with scarcely an 
 article of household furniture they commenced their western life, and lived 
 happil}' there for five years, then moved back and permanently located in 
 Grundy county. He is now possessed of seven hundred and forty acres of fine 
 land, highly improved and well stocked. By this marriage they had one child, 
 Sarah Jane, born August 28, 1841, died September 28, 1842. Mrs. Willis 
 died March 17, 1863. May 19, 1864, he married Miss Keturah Kubert, a 
 native of Madison county, Ohio, born August 31, 1828. Her parents were 
 very early settlers in Ohio. Motlier died January 14, 1867, and her father 
 September 26, 1877. The following children were born to them: Alice 
 May, April 3, 1865; John D., June 27, 1867; Hannah E., May 30, 1870; 
 and Mollie Maud, September 2, 1872. Few men have succeeded so well in 
 life as Mr. Willis and it must all be attributed to his indomitable energy 
 and strict integrity. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 679 
 
 CHAPTER XXVI. 
 JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Its Earh/ Settlement — From Indiana, Illinois and Virginia — Tradinf/-point — Forest and 
 Streams — Prairie — Births and Deaths — First Physician — Wedding Bells — Christianity 
 and Education — Extent of Domain — First Township Officers — Where they Met—Poptda- 
 tion^Present Town Board — Biographies. 
 
 JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 This township, which bears the uaine of the iron-willed "Hero of New- 
 Orleans," was first settled in 1837, by the families of William and Josiab 
 Evans, who came from the prairie land of Illinois. They were the pioneer 
 settlers, but were not allowed to remain long alone in their new home, for 
 'ere the budding flowers of the following spring had opened, they had neigh- 
 bors, in the families of James May and Willis Adkinson. The first came 
 from the land of the "Hoosiers," Indiana; and the latter family was from 
 Illinois, but their location was just over the line in what is now Livingston 
 county. Amid the perils and hardships of pioneer life the year passed 
 quickly by, and in the fall of 1839 other settlers came, in the families of 
 George Williams, from Virginia; Solomon Tolliday, from Illinois; and 
 William Uttinger, from Indiana; this made quite a settlement, and although 
 it was ten or twelve miles to a neighbor's, the lonesome feeling had left the 
 community. The year of 1840 brought the family of John Heniy, who came 
 from the southern part of the State. Later came the families of W. S. Pond, 
 James Koberts, and Gedaliah Hughes, so that in 1841, when Grundy was taken 
 from the jurisdiction of Livingston county, there was quite a settlement in 
 what was then the southern part of Trenton township. These early settlers 
 were all in the prime of life, and went vigorously to work to build their 
 cabin homes and till the fertile soil. The gi-eater part of the township was- 
 grass-covered prairie, with plenty of timber along the streams. Oxen were 
 used, as there were no horses in the township. The nearest horse-mills were 
 at Spring Hill and Chillicothe, in Livingston county, sixteen miles distant, 
 to which they slowly ti-aveled with their ox-teams to get their necessary sup- 
 plies. Later Trenton became the trading-point. Like the settlers of other 
 townships, their clothing was of home manufacture. As early as 1839 the 
 first loom was made by James May for his wife, Mrs. Perlina May, still a 
 hale and hearty old lady with good memory of the early struggles of her 
 husband and herself, and the neighboring families. Hers was the first 
 loom and she did the first weaving. There were no other looms in the town- 
 ship for some time afterward, and Mrs. May often loaned hers to the neigh- 
 bors. 
 
680 HISTOET OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 BIETI-IS AND DEATHS. 
 
 Creighton Smith, sou of Mrs. Kachel Smith, was the first child born in 
 the townshi]), which event occurred in 1839. The little fellow lived to be 
 only four or five years old, when he was called to a better land than this. In 
 the following year, 1840, James and Minerva Roberts became the happy 
 parents of a bouncing boj', who was given the name of Thomas. Father, 
 mother and child have long ago sought their resting places beneath the sod. 
 
 In September of 1839 Samuel Smith died. This was the first death, and 
 the remains were quietly laid away under the shade and rustling branches of 
 the trees along the banks of Grand Eiver. Here, too, all that was mortal 
 ■of the infant child of William Evans was placed, and the winds whispered 
 a requiem over the little mound that marked the last sleeping place. 
 Theirs were the only graves in that early burial-ground. 
 
 Dr. William Clark was the first medical practitioner and his home was in 
 Livingston county, at Spi-ing Hill. Physicians were not in demand in 
 those days, and the practice extended over many miles of territory. 
 
 WEDDING BELLS. 
 
 The first glad chimes of the wedding bells rang out in 1859, when Mr. 
 Robert Belshe and Miss Susan May were united in the holy bonds. The 
 ceremony was performed at the family residence of James May, father of 
 the bride. The couple are still living in the township. 
 
 CHUECHES AND SCHOOLS. 
 
 The Rev. James Johnson, a Methodist divine, conducted the first religious 
 services in the township. The meetings were held at the homes of the set- 
 tlers, the cabin of William Evans being the oftenest used. This was in 
 1840, and it was three years befoi-e other denominations held services, when 
 a Presbyterian minister officiated, holding the meetings at the home of 
 James May. 
 
 In this same year, 1843, the first school was taught in the township. An 
 old cabin which had been deserted for a better one, was used as a school- 
 house. It was located on Grand River, in the western part of the town- 
 ship. Mr. Samuel Brooks was the fii-st teacher, and his pupils numbered 
 not over a dozen, sometimes less. For his services he received a dollar per 
 month for each pupil, and the school continued in session three months, 
 which was considered a long time, and the children were expected to pick 
 up a fair education in two or three terms. This school-house was continued 
 in use until 1848, when a school-house was built especiall}' for the purpose. 
 Hewn logs were used in its erection, and it was considered an elegant 
 structure, and probably was at that time. It occuijied a site on land owned 
 by William Evans. On Sundays the building was dedicated to religious 
 -worship. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 681 
 
 The first church erected in the township was built in 1866, and was 
 known as the Skinner Union Church. Services were held in the building 
 bj' any denomination that wished to use it. In 1873 the Pleasant Grove 
 Methodist Episcopal Church was erected. At present no services are con- 
 ducted in it, the congregation being without a pastor. The Honey Creek 
 Christian Church is located in the northern part of the township, and was 
 dedicated in 18T2, and religious worship is conducted regularly by the Eev. 
 James Mack. These are the only church edifices in the township, although 
 several other denominations are represented. 
 
 There are, at present, four substantial school-houses in the township, in 
 which from four to six months schooling is held. 
 
 EXTENT OF TEEEITOBY. 
 
 Until the year 1872 Jackson was a part of Trenton township, but under 
 the new organization law the County Court of Grundy county issued the 
 following: 
 
 " It is ordered by the court that all of township No. sixty, of range No. 
 twenty-four, Ij'ing east of Grand River, and sections seven, eight, seventeen, 
 eighteen, nineteen, twenty, twenty-nine, thirty-one and thirty-two, of town- 
 ship No. sixty, of range No. twenty-three, be named and known as Jackson 
 township." 
 
 The township covers an area of eighteen thousand nine hundred and 
 twenty acres, mostly beautiful prairie land. With Grand Hiver as its west- 
 ern boundary line, Eig Muddy Creek skirting its northwestern corner, 
 Honey Creek flowing through its center, and No Creek crossing the township 
 on the east, it is well supplied with water from running streams. Ti'enton 
 township bounds Jackson on the north, Wilson on the east, Livingston 
 coimtj' on the south, and Grand River divides its territory from Jefferson 
 on the west. 
 
 The first township board met at the house of William Morris, and was 
 composed of the following members: William 0. Evans, justice of the 
 peace and chairman of the board; Patrick C. Connifi", justice of the peace; 
 James Mack, trustee; Isaac Mulford, collector; Thomas Hubbard, assessor; 
 William Morris, clerk; and George Blivens, constable. They pi'omptly 
 transacted the township business and proved an efficient set of officers. 
 
 The United States census of 1880 gives to Jackson township a population 
 of five hundred and forty. 
 
 The present officers are Patrick C. Conniff and Loren B. Hubbell, justices 
 of the peace; William Spencer, trustee; Edward M. Crawford, collector; 
 George W. McLain, clerk and assessor; and Christopher C. Griffin, consta- 
 ble. These gentlemen are giving entire satisfaction in their several posi- 
 tions to the citizens of the township. 
 
682 HISTOKY OF GETINDY COUNTY. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 F. F. AMICK 
 
 Was born seven miles northeast of Fairfield, in Jefferson county, Iowa, 
 October 21, 1851. His father's name is Peter Araick, who is now living in 
 this county, ten miles north of Trenton; his mother's name was Barbara 
 Amick, and she died March, 1852. After the death of his mother he was 
 taken to Scipio, Jennings county, Indiana, where he remained six years, 
 then came to Grundy county, and remained with his father till he was 
 eighteen years old. December 6, 1872, he was united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary Jane Crawford. She was born in Jackson township, Grundy county, 
 August 9,1853. Their children's names are as here given: Maggie lona, 
 born December 16, 1873, died June 23, 1879; Jennie Alice, born July 31, 
 1876; William Perry, born September 16, 1879, died November 5, 1880. 
 Mr. Amick has lived in this county twenty-three years, and says game of 
 different kinds was plenty when he came here, deer, wild turkey, prairie 
 chickens, geese, and other wild fowls; wolves, wild-cats and other vicious 
 animals were numerous. The country tlien was sparsely populated, but 
 ■those who lived here were more sociable, and seemed to enjoy themselves 
 much more than they do now. Agricultural labor was then performed by 
 means of the simplest implements, and the people all seemed interested in 
 each other's welfare. Mr. Amick lives on a small farm of rich, productive 
 soil, containing ninety acres, thirty acres of which are under cultivation and 
 from which he realizes annually about seven hundred bushels of corn, and 
 one hundred and fifty bushels of oats. He handles only enough stock foi' 
 home nse. 
 
 NATHAN ARNOLD 
 
 Was born November 1, 1833, in Maumee county, Ohio, near the river of the 
 same name. • His father's name was Moses M. Arnold, and his mothei-'s, be- 
 fore marriage, was Maiy Ann Morgan. His father is living in Harrison 
 county, Iowa. During their residence in Maumee county his mother was 
 taken away from the toils of earth, in 1835, to receive the reward that 
 awaited her in the eternal state. Mr. Arnold is the youngest of nine sons ; 
 he has one sister living in Union City, Iowa ; one brother lives in Iowa and 
 one in Nebraska; two are done with the cares and labors of life, and have 
 entered where sickness, sorrow, pain and death are felt and feared no more. 
 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Angeline Lowery, of Mercer county, Mis- 
 souri, February 6, 1859, and removed to (xrundy county in 1860. He en- 
 listed in the United States army in the spring of 1862, in the Third Missouri 
 
HISTOET OF GRTJNDT COUNTY. 683 
 
 State militia cavalry volunteers, under Col. "Walter King; at the end of three 
 years and four months the company was disbanded, and consolidated with 
 the Seventh Missouri State militia cavalry volunteers under Colonel Phillips, 
 at Greenfield, Missouri. In January, 1865, he was promoted to the rank of 
 captain of the company, and when this company was mustered out, was re- 
 tained as captain of a company of recruits, which position he sustained with 
 honor and credit till the close of the war. While in the service of his coun- 
 try he participated in six battles, besides many skirmishes, enduring many 
 hardships, privations and much suffering. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have two 
 sons and one daughter; named as follows: William M., aged twenty-one 
 years; Rippey B., aged nineteen years; Martha O., aged thirteen years. Mr. 
 Arnold, during the earlier part of his life, devoted some ten 3'ears to the pro- 
 fession of school-teaching, in which he did good service, training youthful 
 minds for the active business departments of life. It is worthy of notice in 
 this sketch that he assisted in the raid which succeeded in driving General 
 Price from the State. Mr. Arnold ranks among the first citizens of the 
 county, is an extensive farmer, and handles, annually, a large quantity of the 
 various articles, vegetables, etc., etc., for which the county is celebrated. 
 
 A. J. CAMPBELL 
 
 Was born in Franklin county, Ohio, thirteen miles northeast of the city of 
 Columbus, August 19, 1828. His father's name was Robert Campbell, and 
 he was born in Mifflin county, Pennsylvania. His mother's maiden name 
 was Plioebe Campbell, and she was a native of Licking count}', Ohio, and 
 died in 1830. ELis father died in 1860, in Franklin county, Ohio. Mr. 
 Campbell married Miss Mary Quinn, of Franklin county, October 2, 1851, 
 Rev. B. F. Brown, of tlie M. E. Church, performing the ceremony. To Mr. 
 and Mrs. Campbell were born seven children, three sons and four daughters; 
 names and births as follows: Phoebe Ann, born June 11, 1852; Hercules, 
 born May 7, 1855; Leah Elizabeth, born June 6, 1857; Charles Robert, 
 born JSTovember 15, 1858; Ora Ann, born April 21, 1863; and two who 
 died in infancy. Phcebe Ann died November 2,- 1854; and Ora Ann died 
 June 10, 1872. Mr. Campbell left Ohio, April 13, 1868, and landed in 
 Chillicothe, Missoui'i, on the 14th. After a few weeks prospecting, in May 
 of same year he settled on the farm where he now resides, in Grundy 
 county. On the 15th of May, 1881, while Mr. C. was moving a lot of hay, 
 he was bitten bj' a rattlesnake on one of his fingers. He immediately 
 plunged his hand in mud and held it there until whisky was brought to him, 
 of which he drank copiously, and to which he attributes his preservation 
 from death. He has followed the profession of farming as his principal 
 business, and has made a success of it. Owns one hundred and thirteen 
 acres of rich alluvial soil, and of the products of the farm he realizes on an 
 average about two hundred bushels of wheat, two hundred bushels of oats, 
 and about one thousand bushels of corn, and plenty of fruit and vegetables. 
 42 
 
684 HISTOKT OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 HERCirLES CAMPBELL 
 
 Was born in Franklin county, Ohio, May 7,1855, where he resided until 
 1868, when he accompanied his parents in their removal to Missouri. On 
 Christmas Day, 1879, he was united in marriage to Miss Frances S. Overton. 
 They have one daughteV, Ethel Almira, born September 23, 1880. Mr 
 (Campbell received a liberal education, and for five years devoted his atten- 
 tion to the profession of school-teaching, for which he is most excellently 
 qualified. He removed to Grundy county, March 28, 1880, and settled 
 upon a farm in Jackson township. He has a farm of ninety-four acres of 
 fertile land, situated near the Livingston county line; has a handsome resi- 
 dence, built in the modern style, with most pleasant surroundings. The 
 average yield of his farm is about one hundred and twentj'-five bushels of 
 wheat, nine hi;ndred bushels of corn, five hundred bushels of oats, and 
 fifteen tons of hay. Mr. and Mrs. Campbell are highly esteemed by their 
 neighbors. 
 
 H. C. CEAWFOKD. 
 
 Henry Clay Crawford was born in Hocking county', Ohio, June 30, 1838. 
 His parents were William and Eliza Ci-awford, both natives of Pennsylvania, 
 who came to this township in 1857. He was united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary Jane Eades, of Schiiyler county, Illinois, March 26, 1866. She was 
 born in Schuyler county. May 26, 1849. Mr. and Mrs. Crawford have 
 two sons and six daughters living; whose names and dates of 
 birth are as follows: George Washington, born October 20, 1858; 
 Carrie, born February 8, 1868; Mahala, born July 27, 1870; Alma Victory, 
 born November 3, 1872; Lena, born February 12, 1875; Grant, born Octo- 
 ber 29, 1876; Stella, born May 31, 1881; and Lilian, born April 21, 1873. 
 Besides these, there are three dead; namely, Lou Ella, Maggie, and Adelia; 
 each of the three was one of a pair of twins. Mr. Crawford was mustered into 
 the service of his country March 19. 1862, under Captain Estes, in Chilli- 
 cothe, Missoiiri, in company I, Third regiment cavalry volunteers, and served 
 in Missouri, Arkansas, and Indian Territory. At the close of the second 
 year of his service, he, with the remnant of his regiment, consolidated with 
 the Sixth and Seventh Missouri State volunteer cavalry, and was promoted 
 to fourth sergeant of company' K, Seventh regiment; was mustered out April 
 11, 1865, at St. Louis. * He was in the following named battles: Springfield, 
 Neosho, Big Blue, Marais des Cygnes, Mine-Run, and Jefl'erson City, and 
 took part in a great number of skirmishes with guerrillas. His clothes were 
 perforated by man}' a ball, but he escaped unhurt, amid the showers of mis- 
 sies that whistled around him. Mr. Crawford's farm is situated in the 
 southwestern part of Jackson township, and consists of one hundred and 
 seventy acres of rich and productive land, all under cultivation, excepting 
 
HISTOEV OF GRUNDY COCTNTT. 685 
 
 ten acres. The annaial av-erage of his farm products approximates fifteen 
 luindred bushels of corn, forty tons of hay, and wlieat enough for home con- 
 finmption. He has a fine orcliard, containing five hundred trees of selected 
 varieties. He also has about $1,500 invested in live-stock. 
 
 COLUMBUS M. EVANS 
 
 Was born in Howard county, Missouri, March 9, 1834. He came to 
 Grundy county, March 9, 1845, and settled on the farm on which he still re- 
 sides. His occupation is that of agriculture, and by diligence and industry 
 he has acquired a competency. He is an active member of the Christian 
 Church. On November 5th, 1874, Mr. Evans was married to Miss S. F. 
 Crowley, Elder H. U. Dale officiating. Mr. and Mrs. Evans have been 
 blessed with two sons; named, respectively, L. D. Evans and E. M. Evans. 
 Mrs. Evans was born in Ray county, MissoTiri, March 8, 1848. He owns a 
 very handsome farm, and produces abundant crops of wheat, corn, oats and 
 hay. His residence is a handsome frame house, situated some five miles 
 southeast of Trenton, the county seat of Grundy county. 
 
 AUGUSTUS EVANS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in Randolph county, Missouri, April 
 
 10, 1837. His parents removed to Grundy county in 1845, and settled on 
 the farm where he now resides. In 1857 he was united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary E. Browner, of Clinton county, Missouri. -By this union they have 
 had three sons; namely, Charles B., born July 28, 1861; Claude, born June 
 
 11, 1867; and Rupert, born December 19, 1879. Mr. Evans owns an ex- 
 cellent farm located near the center of the township, consisting of two hun- 
 dred and sixty -five acres, most of it tillable, and one hundred and seventy-five 
 acres under fence. He produces annually aboiit seven hundred and fifty 
 bushels of wheat, two thousand bushels of corn, four hundred bushels of 
 oats, and one hundred bushels of timothy seed, besides fruits and vegeta- 
 bles. • The buildings are all in good repair and have the appearance of the 
 thrift and enterjjrise which characterize the owner. 
 
 ELDER J. MACK. 
 
 James Mack was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland, eighteen miles south of 
 the city of Glasgow, March 3, 1826. His parents, Hamilton and Christina 
 Mack, were natives of Scotland, and the former died there, at the age of 
 sixty-three; his mother died in Adams county, Illinois, at the age of eighty- 
 two. In 1844 he accompanied his mother and family' to Illinois, and they 
 settled in Adams county, fourteen miles southeast of Quiucy; and he secured 
 work on a farm for one year, for which he was to receive $120. On the 19th 
 of May, 1850, he was united in marriage to Miss Alpha Lawrence, of 
 Adams county, who on that day was just twenty years old. Her father was 
 
686 HISTOBT OF GBUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 one of the first settlers of that county. The marriage ceremony was per- 
 formed by Elder H. Bowles. By this union Mr. and Mrs. Mack have had 
 ten children, eight sons and two daughters. Three died in infancy, and the 
 names of the remaining seven are here appended: Hamilton Craig, born 
 March 23, 1851; Mary Louise, born April 7, 1854; Woodford W., born 
 May 14, 1856; James Marion, deceased, born December 20, 1862; Oites 
 Franklin, born December 5, 1865; and Arvilla Jane, born October 1, 1867. 
 Mr. Mack was reared in the " Old School " Presbyterian faith, and continued 
 in that belief until his twent3'-third year, when he united with the Christian 
 Church, and has occupied the position of a minister of that denoinination 
 for twenty-six years. He officiated with honor in tliat capacity in the coim- 
 ties of Adams, Pike, Brown and Hancock, in Illinois, and in Grundy and 
 Livingston in this State. Elder Mack owns a good farm which produces 
 an abundant yield, and occupies considerable of his attention, but he still 
 labors in the ministry, and goes about doing good whenever opportunity 
 offers. He is an honored resident of Jackson township. 
 
 G. W. m'clAIN. 
 
 George Washington McClain was born in Bath county, Kentucky, Sep- 
 tember 18, 1838. In 1845, his parents removed to Iowa and settled in 
 Jefferson county, and after a residence of nine years, tliey came to Missouri 
 and settled in Mercer county. Here they resided seven years, when the 
 clarion note of war sounded throughout this broad land, and George W. 
 McClain responded to his country's call, and was mustered into the service 
 of the Union at Chillicothe, Missouri, on the 15th of August, 1861. He 
 was enrolled as sixth sei-geant of company D, Second Missouri volunteer 
 cavalry, under Captain George C. Marshall and Colonel Lewis Merrill. He 
 served until the fall of 1864, was promoted to fourth sergeant, participated 
 in one desjierate battle and several severe skirmishes, and received his hon- 
 orable discharge from the service in September of the year last mentioned. 
 
 September 5, 1872, Mr. McClain and Miss Melvina Cantrell were iTnited 
 in the marriage bonds. Rev. James Mack, of the Christian Church, perform- 
 ing the ceremony. She was born November 9, 1855. Mr. and Mrs. Mc- 
 Clain have been blessed with two children ; named, respectively, Zanie Agnes, 
 born October 18, 1873; and Stella May, born July 3, 1875. 
 
 Mr. McClain owns a farm of one hundred and thirty-three acres, ninety- 
 three of wliich are fenced and under cultivation, producing one hundred 
 bushels of Avheat, four hundred bushels of oats, seven hundred bushels of 
 corn, and twenty tons of haj', per annum. He also deals in live-stock, and 
 has considerable invested in the business. 
 
 WILLIAM H. m'cLAIN 
 
 Was born in Jefferson county, Iowa, July 10, 1849. His parents were 
 Joseph and Melinda McClain, the former a native of Bath county, Ken- 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 687 
 
 tucky, and born July 27, 1811; the latter ^vas born in Morgan county, same 
 State, June 14, 1814, and died in Grundy county, June 27, 1876. Mr. 
 McClain was reared upon a farm, and has given his attention to that calling 
 through life. He lives upon a tract of excellent land, the property of his 
 father, containing three hundred and seventy-three acres, two hundred and 
 seventy-three of which are prairie, one hundred and fifty fenced, and one 
 hundred and thirty acres under cultivation. His average annual total yield 
 of cereals, amounts to 2,150 bushels, and fifty tons of hay. He also engages 
 largely in stock-raising. 
 
 November 4, 1877, Mr. McClain was united in marriage to Miss Mary 
 Jane Thompson, of Hydesville California. She is a native of Davis county, 
 Iowa, born March 17, 1859. They have two children; namely, Bertie 
 Elma, born September 17, 1878; and Edna M, born May 9, 1881. 
 
 CUAELES SKINNEE 
 
 Was born in Loudoun county, Virginia, March 25, 1813, in the village of 
 Aldie, near the city of Alexandria. His parents were Peter and Sarah Skin- 
 ner, both natives of Loudoun county. "While a young man he went to 
 Kentucky and worked on a farm witli his uncle, John Skinner, for about 
 eight months, wlien failing in health he returned to his native county and 
 continued to reside there until September, 1838; he then came to Missouri, 
 and stopped with a former acquaintance in Lincoln county, until the autumn 
 of 1839. From there he went to St. Louis county, and remained there till 
 February, 1841. During his stay there he won the aifections of Miss 
 Amanda Herndon, with whom he was united in marriage February 18, 
 1841, by Rev. Mr. Hurley, of the Baptist Church. With his wife he re- 
 turned to Lincoln county, and from there went to St. Charles county, where 
 they remained sixteen years. During this time he labored in agricultural 
 pursuits, adding considerable to his financial interests. He then, with his 
 family, came to Grundy county, and settled on the tract of land on wliich he 
 still resides. William Skinner owns one of the most desirable farms in 
 Grundy county. The location is beautiful, and the surroundings cheerful; 
 buildings substantial and rnodern in architecture. He owns about six 
 hundred acres of land, all under fence and nearly four hundred acres in 
 cultivation, supplied with the agricultural implements necessary to render 
 farming profitable and pleasant. Mr. and Mrs. Skinner have had twelve 
 children, six sons and six daughters. Of these three sons and three daugh- 
 ters are living. The names of the children with date of birth, are as follows: 
 Sarah Alice, born March 5, 1842; Howard Malcolm, born October 5, 1843; 
 Charles Hubert, born September 3, 1844; Isabella Frances, born August 
 30, 1846; John Richard, born August 22, 1848; Martha Ann, born Febru- 
 ary 9, 1850; James Henry, born September 9, 1852; Mary Eugenia, born 
 January 19, 1855; Margaret Elizabeth, born .November 20, 1856; Annie 
 
000 HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Lanrie, born June 7, 1858; Lemuel J., born July 10, 1860; and Willie, born 
 August 22, 1862. 
 
 WILLIAM E. SPENCER 
 
 Was boni in Macomb county, Micbigan, ^November 26, 1836. His father, 
 Samuel B. Spencer, was a native of New York, born June 2, 1806; his 
 mother died in August, 1855, aged forty-eight years. January 8, 1867, Mr. 
 Spencer was united in marriage to the present Mrs. Spencer, in Utica, 
 Michigan. By this union they have had two sons; namely, Luciau H., 
 born March 25, 1868; and Edward L., born November 4, 1875. He en- 
 listed in the United States service at Detroit, Michigan, August 21, 1861, 
 joining the First regiment of Michigan cavalry, under Col. T. F. Broad- 
 head. In August, 1862, he was taken prisoner at the second battle of Bull 
 Run, paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio; M'as exchanged the following 
 November and returned to his regiment; in December, 1863, the regiment 
 veteranized, under Col. C. H. Town, and remained in the service until the 
 close of the war. He participated in the battle of the Wilderness, lost his 
 right arm in the battle of Five Forks, served under Custer at Gettysburg, and 
 during his enlistment was engaged in about fifty battles and skirmishes. 
 At the conclusion of hostilities he returned to Michigan, remained there 
 nearly three years, then removed to Missouri and settled upon the farm 
 upon which he now lives, January 1, 1868. He owns four hundred and 
 seventy-five acres of land, most desirably located, with substantial buildings 
 and neat surroundings. His farm produces an abundant yield of wheat', 
 corn, oats, hay, flax, fruits and vegetables. Mr. Spencer is one of those 
 cheerful, whole-souled gentlemen who make it pleasant for all with whom 
 they come in contact. 
 
 GEORGE H. TOLLE 
 
 Was born upon a farm nine miles east of Maysville, Mason county, Ken- 
 tucky, March 31, 1817. His father was a soldier in the War of 1812, and 
 served under Gens. William Henry Harrison and " Mad Anthony" Wayne, 
 and his grandfather did valiant service in the War of the Revolution. Mr. 
 Tolle was reared upon the farm of his birth, and received an education in 
 the common schools. November 2, 1834, he was united in marriage to Miss 
 Mary E. Eads, of Mason county. The issue of this union was nine sons and 
 four daughters; names and dates of birth as follows: One unnamed died 
 in early infancy; Frances Louise, born August 27, 1836; William C, born 
 October 29, 1838; Mary E., born June 25, 1841; Moses C, born January 
 17, 1844; James F., born March 17, 1846; Samuel S., born July 18, 1848; 
 Mary E., born January 22, 1853; Jarvis C, born October 15, 1856; Juliet 
 I., born March 21, 1857; George W. H. and Mary E. M., twins, born May 
 21, 1860; and Abraham L., barn August 17, 1862. Three have been called 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 689 
 
 to another world: Mary E., died April 1,. 1859; George W. H., July 1, 
 1860; and Moses C, May 15, 1863, while in the service of his country. Mr. 
 Tolle owns a fine farm containing one hundred acres, situated in the south- 
 western part of the township, and realizes a handsome profit annually from 
 his farming operations. 
 
 CHAPTER XXVII. 
 MYERS TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Its Liication — Organized in 1812— Running Streams — Undulating Prairies — Forests of Tim- 
 her — When Settled — Indians and Wild Game — 1840-41 — Institutions of Learning — Meth- 
 odist and Christian Churches — The First Baby — Cartmill-Eickets Nu/itials — Spin- 
 ning-wheel and Loom — Its First and Present Town Officers — Biographies. 
 
 The township of Myers occupies the extreme northeastern portion of 
 Grundy county. This township came into existence in 1872, by the follow- 
 ing order of the County Court: 
 
 " It is ordered that all that part of township No. 63, of range Isfo. 22, 
 lying in Grundy county, Missouri, and sections No. 4, 5, and 6, of township 
 No. 62, of range No. 22, and all of sections 17, 20, 29, and 32, be known as 
 Myers township." 
 
 The townsliip previous to this order, formed a part of Liberty township. 
 The soil of tlie township is fertile and productive, gently undulating prairie 
 with a plenteoiTS supply of timber along the streams which traverse its ter- 
 ritory'. Two branches of No Creek wind their way lazily through the cen- 
 tral portion of the township, while the eastern portion is traversed by the 
 head waters of Medicine Creek, and a branch of the sweetly named Honey 
 Creek, dashes across the northwestern corner. 
 
 As may be noticed by the critical reader, the name of Myers in speaking 
 of this township in the earlier pages of this history has been invariably 
 spelled Myres, as it appeared upon the old county map of Grundy county. 
 Myers is tlie correct orthography, and the name will be so found upon the 
 map, and, whenever referred to, in the latter part of this work. 
 
 WHEN THEY CAME — 1840. 
 
 It was several years after the settlement of the southern portions of the 
 county before the eye of the early settler alighted upon the rolling prairies 
 of Myers, or the northern portion of Liberty township, as it was known at 
 that time. The cabin of the pioneer was seen dotting the banks of the Grand 
 Biver and its forks, long before there was ever a thouglit of invading the 
 domain of the then isolated section of country now known as Myers town- 
 ship. The Indian, with stealthy tread, followed tlie panting deer unmolested, 
 or indolently passed his time along the banks of the purling waters of the 
 
690 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 streams, at sweet peace with all the world. Nothing disturbed the stilly 
 quietness of nature until 1840, when Thomas Pemberton, a hearty pioneer 
 of Washington township, lured by the broad, tillable acres of north Liberty, 
 left his new home, and planted the first stake in the soil placed by the hand 
 of a white man within the territory of Myers, whose present boundary lines 
 are Mercer county on the north, Sullivan county on the east. Liberty town- 
 ship on the south and Franklin township on the west. Not long was the 
 sturdy Pemberton left "monarch of all he surveyed," but 'ere the joyous 
 spring had melted away into sunshiny summer, and his rude cabin home 
 had received the last stroke of his ax, he was followed by Jacob Thrailkill, 
 and when the summer waned and the cooling frosts of winter made the step 
 buoyant, other settlers came. There was James H. Ford wlio located in the 
 extreme northeastern portion of the township, on section 16; farther south 
 were the Ralls, John, Alex. Y. and Morgan, on the west were Coonrod Woltz 
 and W. W. Cartmill; also came James B. Duff; and there were the Myers, 
 Lewis and Milton J., after whom the township is named, and their claims 
 were located near the central part of the township; thus, before the spring 
 of 1841, before Grundy had become a county, Myers township was teeming 
 with hearty sons of toil, all busily bending to their work, until 
 
 " All through the country 'round stakes were seen, 
 Standing with tops above the verdant green; 
 And here and there a Httle space was cleared, 
 On which the rude cabin should be reared; 
 Then fell the trees before the magic ax, 
 Cabins were reared, with mud daubed up the cracks, 
 And chimneys were built up of oaken sticks — 
 The settler's ready substitute for bricks." 
 
 Later came William Turner, John Hooker, James A. Roberts, Sebron 
 Reed, William Bennett and William 'Cunningham, and with their thrift, 
 they were just the men to assist in the onward progress of the township. 
 These conclude the list of those who were the early settlers of North Liberty, 
 and to-day they with the rest are known for their energetic progressiveness, 
 and the township of Myers with its seven hundred and fifty inhabitants and 
 broad, cultivated fields, shows the result of tlieir early eftbrts. 
 
 INSTITUTIONS OF LEARNING. 
 
 Like other townships, Myers had its old log school-house. The first tem- 
 ple of learning was known as the " Ralls log house," built of logs hewn and 
 pointed, having been erected in the eastern part of the township, in 1842 or 
 '43, upon the land of John Ralls. A gentleman by the name of Green was 
 the first schoolmaster. After this school building came into disuse, another 
 was erected near the central portion of the township, known as the Myers 
 school, and was built witli money raised by taxation. These were the fore- 
 runners of the present school-houses, six in number, all substantial frame 
 buildings. 
 
HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 691 
 
 The honor of holding the first religions services is divided between the 
 Methodist and Christian denominations. During the early settlement of 
 the township, the Methodists held religious services at the homes of the set- 
 tlers in the Myers neighborhood, under the guidance of Eev. Richard Min- 
 shall, while in the eastern part of the township, the Eev. William Eeed, a 
 minister of the Christian denomination conducted services in the Ealls 
 neighborhood, and preached iu the log school-house. No churches have 
 been erected, but services are conducted in different school-houses. 
 
 The Myersville M. E. (church, South, was organized in 1865, and still ex- 
 ists. The original members were Lewis Myers, Nancy A. Myers, Melvina 
 Myers, Margaret Myers, John Eush, Sarah Eush, Isaac Washburn and 
 Mary Washburn. The services are held in school-house number seven. The 
 first minister was Eev. Mr. JSTew, and he has been followed by Eev. F. Stau- 
 ber, Eev. Harrison Winn, Eev. Mr. Bonner, Eev. B. A. Washburn, Eev. John 
 Burris, Eev. B. F. Todd, Eev. William Hart and Eev. W. C. Eeuter. The 
 congregation now numbers about forty, and is in a floui-ishing condition. 
 
 Yery few were the ills that -the fiesh of the rugged pioneers were 
 heir to, but occasionally there was work for the physician. The first who 
 practiced in the township was Dr. W. Gr. Eegnier, who died years ago. 
 Another of the early physicians was Dr. John Martin, now a resident of 
 Jamesport. 
 
 Miss Mary A. Myers had the honor of being the first baby born in Myers 
 township. She was the daughter of Milton J. and Melvina Myers. 
 
 Among the earliest scenes of sorrow were the deatlis of the little son of 
 Mr. John Ealls, and Benjamin F., son of Mr. and Mrs. Myers. They 
 were laid away in quiet resting places, mourned by those left behind. 
 
 The first couple stricken with the teuder passion, were Mr. John A. Cart- 
 mill and Miss Fanny Eickets. Thej' were united in marriage with primi- 
 tive ceremony, and proved a happy, loving couple. 
 
 The weaving and spinning was done by the women, in addition to their 
 other household duties. Among the first to use the loom and wheel were 
 Mrs. W. W. Cartmill and Mrs. James H. Ford. The old loom of the latter 
 is a treasured relic in possession of her daughtei-, Mrs. Wm. Cooksey. It 
 is a curiosity, and a quaint reminder of the days of " auld lang syne." Mills 
 were scarce at that day, and while the wife was busy manufacturing cloth- 
 ing, the husband was away in Linn county getting the corn ground. There 
 were only horse-mills, and often after traveling for miles to use a mill the 
 settler would find so many before him that he would have to move on, and 
 sometimes remain up all night in the hopes of getting a chance to grind his 
 corn and return home. 
 
 The township was organized in 1872 and the first board of trustees were 
 Messrs. W. T. Chipps, J. H. Morris, James Ford, James Warren, assessor, 
 aiid John Eeed, clerk. The first meeting was held at the house of Mr. 
 
692 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Keed. The present township officers are Messrs. J. W. Eoot and R. W. 
 King, justices of the peace; Mr. J. W. Shipnian, collector; Mr. J. H. Morris, 
 assessor and clerk; Mr. B. C. Snodgrass, trustee, and Mr. J. G. Toot, con- 
 stable. Mr. Lewis Myers is jjostmaster at Muirton. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKKTCHES. 
 
 DANIEL M. BEREY 
 
 Was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 25, 1842. When our subject 
 was fifteen years of age his father, Daniel Berry, Sr., removed to Quincy, 
 Illinois, and remained there during the winter of 1856-57, coming to thi» 
 county in April, 1857. 
 
 At tlie beginning of the civil war our subject, in response to Governor 
 Gamble's first call for volunteers, enlisted in company E, of King's battalion . 
 of " sixty day men." At the expiration of the time for which he had en- 
 listed he reenlisted in the Sixth regiment of Missouri State militia, and 
 served two years, after which he joined the Thirteenth regiment of Mis- 
 souri veterans, serving in all four years and two months. He was engaged 
 in a number of battles, in different parts of the State, with Quantrell's 
 guerrilla band in Jackson count}'', with Porter and Poindexter near Glasgow, 
 subsequently on the Hannibal & St. Joe Pailroad at Lone Jack, Harrisonville, 
 Booneville, Warsaw, Springfield and other points in this State, besides sev- 
 eral engagements in Arkansas and Texas. The command was captured 
 at Neosho, Missouri, by General Jo. O. Shelby. He was paroled and 
 soon after took up arms again on an expedition into Arkansas after guer- 
 rillas; was subsequently quartered at Jefferson City to defend the capital 
 against the rebels under General Price; went into winter quarters in 
 1864-65, at Holla; the following spring was sent with the command to quell 
 Indian disturbance on the plains; remained in Colorado during the winter 
 of 1865-56; was mustered out of service at Leavenworth, Kansas, on the 
 11th day of May, and returned to his farm in Grundy county, upon which 
 he has since resided. 
 
 Mr. Berry was married, in this county, in July, 1866, to Miss Susan, 
 daughter of James Ellidge, and a native of Pike county, Illinois. They 
 have five children: Mary D., tJlysses G., James L., Zonie Effie and Carrie 
 Florence. Both himself and wife are members of the Christian Church. 
 
 WILLIAM BENNETT 
 
 Was born in Warren county, New York, March 24, 1816. His father^ 
 Jeremiah Bennett, also a native of New York, was a leading farmer. His 
 mother's maiden name w^as Susannah Wilkerson. The family moved ta 
 
HISTORY OF GRDNDT COUNTY. Q9^ 
 
 Iowa in 1843 and were residents of that State for twelve years. He then 
 moved to this county and settled upon his present place. Mr. Bennett was 
 imited in matrimony in his native county, in 1838, to Miss Mary Ann 
 Somerville. The result of this union is six children, now living: Margaret 
 E., now Mrs. Wm. Chipps; Eleanor; Nancy, now Mrs. Joseph Baldmaut; 
 "William S., Kichard W., and George M. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bennett 
 have been members of the Baptist Church for twenty years. He owns a 
 good farm well stocked and abundantly watered. It is fairly improved 
 and in a line state of cultivation. Mr. Bennett is one of the oldest settlers 
 and most highly respected men in the township. 
 
 JAMES E. BEKKY 
 
 Was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, October 29,1846. His father, Daniel 
 Berry, is a native of Belmont county, Ohio, and his mother, Annie (Dillon) 
 Berry, was born in Pennsj'lvania. When James was twelve years of age 
 his parents removed to Grundy county. His father is one of the oldest set- 
 tlers and most prominent property owners of Myers township. James E. 
 Berry was married in this county May 16, 1867, to Miss Mar^' A., daughter 
 of Robert and Lucinda Whan. She was born in Ohio. Mr. Berry and his 
 estimable lady are members of the M. E. Church. They are the parents of 
 a family of bright and promising children. Mr. Berry is the owner of a 
 farm of two hundred and eighty acres of excellent land, and is an indus- 
 trious and thriving young farmer. 
 
 FEANCIS M. BEITTAIN 
 
 Was born in Rock Castle county, Kentucky, July 10, 1817. He is the son- 
 of Parks and Sarah (Price) Brittain — his /ather a native of Pennsylvania, 
 and his mother of JSTew Jersey. His home was in Kentucky until he was 
 about fourteen years of age, when he removed with his pa rents to Indiana, 
 remaining five years; then went to Illinois, and from that State to Iowa.. 
 He came from Iowa to Gi:undy county, in the spring of 1856, and has since 
 been a resident of this county and engaged in farming. 
 
 Mr. Brittain was married in Illinois, February 22, 1838, to Miss Femina 
 Larrimore. They became the parents of twelve children, eigjit of whom, 
 five boys and three girls, are now living. Mrs. Brittain died in 1860, and 
 Mr. Brittain married Miss Lydia Barnes, a native of Mercer county, Mis- 
 souri. She died July 3, 1862, and, on the IStliof November following, he 
 wedded Mrs. Elizabeth Lickey, nee Dalton. By In's last marriage six chil- 
 dren were born, two of whom, Minda E., born A ugust 3, 1865, and Nathan 
 M., born February, 1873, are j'et living. 
 
 Mr. Brittain and his entire family are members of the Baptist Churcht- 
 He owns a valuable farm of two hundred and forty acres, and is a pros- 
 perous farmer. 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 D. E. BEEEY. 
 
 The gentleman whose name heads this biography, is a native of Ohio, 
 born in Coshocton county, November 11, 1850. He is a brother of James 
 E., Daniel R., and Lewis O. Berry, whose biographical sketches appear else- 
 where in this work. At the age of six years he removed with his parents 
 to Quincy, Illinois, and one year later to Grundy county, Missouri, where 
 he has since resided. 
 
 Mr. Berry was married in Sullivan county, Missouri, October 4, 1875, to 
 Miss Alfaretta, daughter of Abram and Emily (Wear) Clark, natives of 
 Ohio. Mrs. Berry was born in Johnson county, Indiana. The issue of this 
 union has been three children: Nora, Everett and Eugene. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Berry are members of the Christian Church. 
 
 He is a prosperous business man, the owner of a fine, large and well 
 improved farm, gives much attention to live-stock, and by his good man- 
 agement and sound judgment makes that part of his business very profit- 
 able. 
 
 JAMES G. BEITTAIN 
 
 Was born December 10, 1840, in Knox county, Illinois. When about three 
 years of age he accompanied his parents from Illinois to Keokuk county, 
 Iowa. In April, 1856, he migrated to Grundy county, Missouri. On the 
 9th of September, 1860, he married Miss Mary E. Barnes, daughter of John 
 B. Barnes, one of the earliest settlers of Grundy county. August 13, 1862, 
 James G. Brittain enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, 
 under Col. W. P. Robinson. Mr. Brittain lost his wife February 17, 1867, 
 and was married again October 4, 1868, to Miss Maria E. Brown, daughter 
 ■of W. W. Brown 
 
 James G. Brittain is the father of one living child by his first wife: Mary 
 F. The issue of his second marriage is six children, named as follows: 
 Maggie, Effie L., Richard, Fannie and Jessie. Mr. and Mrs. B. are mem- 
 bers of the Baptist Church. 
 
 LEWIS 0. BEEEY 
 
 Was born in Coshocton county, Ohio, August 16, 1851. He is the son of 
 Daniel and Annie (Dillon) Berry, natives of Pennsylvania. At the age of 
 ■eight years the subject of this sketch removed to this (Grundy) county, with 
 his parents, and has lived here since, engaged in farming and stock-raising. 
 Mr. Berry was married in this county, on the 13th of May, 1875, to Miss 
 Mary Wescoat, a native of Iowa and the daughter of Cyrus K. and Eliza- 
 beth Wescoat. Mr. and Mrs. Berry are the parents of three children: 
 Frederick A., Alma A., and Oscar. Both Mr. B. and his wife are mem- 
 bers of the Christian Church. He is a rising and prosperous young farmer 
 
HISTOKY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 695 
 
 and stock-raiser and is well esteemed by all who know him. He owns a fine 
 farm, liandsomelj improved and devotes particular attention to raising and 
 feeding live-stock. 
 
 WILLIAM T. COLEMAN. 
 
 William T. Coleman was born at Port Gibson, Mississippi, on the 26th 
 day of June, 1827. His father, Michael Coleman, was a native of Kilkenny- 
 county, Ireland, and came to the United States on a British ship, in 1812. 
 His mother, whose maiden name was Mary Parish, was born in Mississippi. 
 At the age of two years our subject removed, in company with his parents, 
 to "West Tennessee where they resided till 1831, and then removed to Indi- 
 ana. There Mr. Coleman was educated and lived until 1869 when he im- 
 migrated to Missouri, settling first in Putnam county.- At the expiration 
 of six years' residence in Putnam he came to Grundy county (1875) and has 
 since made his home here. Mr. Coleman was married, in Decatur county, 
 Indiana, July 29, 1851, to Miss Ellen, daughter of William and Delilah 
 Ruddle. The issue of this union was thirteen children, nine of whom are 
 yet living: Emma, Angeline, Elizabeth, Annie, Ella, Thomas, Frank, 
 Oliver, and Edgar. Mr. Coleman has been a member of the Masonic order 
 for a quarter of a century. , He owns a neat, well improved and finely cul- 
 tivated farm and devotes special attention to raising and feeding cattle and 
 other live-stock. In jjolitics Mr. Coleman has always been a staunch Re- 
 publican. He is a pleasant, agreeable gentleman, a good business man and 
 a valuable citizen. 
 
 WILLIAM COOKSEY 
 
 Is a native of Indiana. He was born near Danville, in Hendricks county, 
 February 9, 1830. He is the son of John and Sarah (Martin) Cooksey, na- 
 tives of Virginia. When' our subject was seven years old his father re- 
 moved to Illinois and there William received his education and grew to 
 manhood, engaged in duties upon his father's farm. From Illinois Mr. 
 Cooksey made an overland trip to California and Oregon. He spent five 
 years in the great new West and during that time was engaged in mining, 
 merchandising and other pursuits, enjoying a varied and interesting experi- 
 ence during his sojourn in the "land of gold." At the end of five years he 
 returned by way of the Isthmus and I^ew York to Illinois, and soon after 
 came to this county and has lived here ever since. He was married in 
 Grundy county, Missouri, May 16, 1858, to Miss Angeline Ford, daughter 
 of James H. and Amelia (Cochran) Ford, who were among the earliest set- 
 tlers of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Cooksey have five children, all living; 
 viz., Mary M., Maria J., Eli M., Amelia and Sarah Jane. Mr. Cooksey 
 enlisted at the beginning of the civil war in the Missouri State militia and 
 served during four years in defense of the Union. He was discharged at 
 Chillicothe at the end of the war and soon after resumed the peaceful life 
 
'696 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 of a' farmer. He owns a farm of two hundred and twenty acres admirably 
 adapted to stock-raising, to which business he devotes considerable attention 
 with good success. His estimable lady and several of the children are 
 ;members of the Christian Church. 
 
 JAMES B. DUFF. 
 
 James B. Duff was born in Perthshire, Scotland, November 29, 1824. 
 His parents, William and Jean (Watt) Duff, were also natives of Scotland, 
 as were his grandfathers, John Duff and Jolm Watt, all of whom lived 
 .and died in Perthshire. Our subject was educated in the excellent schools 
 • of the city of Pertli, and after finishing his education he engaged in farm- 
 ing in his native land for five years, and then went to Ireland, wliere, in Kil- 
 kenny county, he was overseer and surveyor for the Earl of Dosart for a 
 number of years. 
 
 James B. Duff was married in Ireland, on the 22d day of November, 
 1849, to Miss Ann Low. Three days afterwards he sailed for America, leav- 
 ing his bride behind him. He had the misfortune to be shipwrecked near 
 the West Indies and was cast away on an island for nineteen days, at the 
 end of which time he was rescued and soon after landed at New Orleans. 
 This was February 2, 1850. From New Orleans he made his way to Iowa 
 and bought a farm in Des Moines county, where his wife joined him the 
 following autumn. Mr. Duff subsequently sold his farm in Iowa and 
 .removed to Sullivan county, Missouri, near the town of Wintersville, where 
 he lived about ten years and then came to Grundy county and located upon 
 his present place. Mr. and Mrs. Duff became the parents of six children, 
 named as follows; viz., Charles M., died, while occupying a teacher's chair 
 in the college at Edinburg, Missouri, July 21, 1873. Jennie L., married C. 
 S. Mace, and is living at St. Jolins, Kansas. Maggie A., married J. B. 
 Howard and lives near lier father. William T. and Mary H. are at present 
 (August, 1881,) living at home. Mrs. Duff died in October, 1879, at the 
 age of sixty-one years. She was universally esteemed for her many excel- 
 lent qualities and her death was mourned by a large circle of friends and 
 relatives. She was the daughter of John Low, an inn-keeper in the town 
 of Downhill, Scotland. Mr. Duff has a farm of four hundred and eighty 
 acres of excellent land in a line state of cultivation and stocked with valu- 
 able breeds of horses, cattle and hogs. 
 
 JOHN B. FOED 
 
 Was born in Marion county, Missouri, November 1, 1837. He is the son 
 ■of James H. Ford, one of the oldest and most highly respected settlers of 
 the township in which he now resides. While John was in his infancy his 
 parents removed to Shelby and soon after to Knox county, whence they 
 ■came to Grundy county where he received his education and has since 
 Jived, in the occupation of a farmer and stock-raiser. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 697 
 
 Mr. Ford was married, in this conutj-, on the 28th day of August, 1859, to 
 Miss Sarah Cooksey. They are the parents of seven children: Eachel E., 
 Maria J., Thomas B., Georg-e "W., Mary A., EUa May, and James E. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Ford have been members of the Christian Church for twenty-three 
 years. He was enrolled and served in the State militia during the civil 
 war. Mr. Ford is the owner of a valuable farm and devotes his attention 
 largely to stock-raising. He is a practical and successful farmer and busi- 
 ness man, a good neighbor, and highly respected. 
 
 BENJAMIN F. FOKD 
 
 Was born in Shelby county, Missouri, April 20, 1841. His parents 
 James H. and Amelia Ford, are natives of Kentucky. When but three 
 years of age his parents removed to Grundy county where he has since 
 resided. He received his education here and grew up on his father's farm 
 in the nortlieast corner of the count}'. He has been engaged, all his life, in 
 agricultural pursuits. Mr. Ford was married, in Gruudy county, on the 
 15th day of December, 1869, to Miss Nettie McCracken, daughter of John 
 A. and Catherine (Barbee) McCracken, natives of Indiana. They have had 
 five childi-en, three of whom are now living; Eva E., Sylvia J. and Cora B. 
 Mrs. Ford is a member of the Christian Church. Mr. Ford enlisted in 1861, 
 in company A, Twenty-third Missouri volunteers, and was captured at the 
 battle of Shiloh and held a prisoner at Montgomery, Alabama, and Macon, 
 Georgia; was subsequently exchanged and entered Sherman's army and par- 
 ticipated in the siege and capture of Atlanta. Soon after the surrender of 
 that place he was discharged and returned to this county. Mr. Ford owns 
 a good farm and enjoys the confidence and respect of the entire community. 
 
 JOHN W. GAERIOTT 
 
 Was born April 16, 1831, in Clarke coiinty, Indiana. His father, Ambrose 
 Garriott, was an engineer, and was killed by the explosion of a boiler on a 
 Mississippi Eiver steamer. In 1852 John W. Garriott left Indiana for Iowa, 
 where he remained about three years. After leaving Iowa he made his 
 home in Putnam and Mercer counties, Missouri, until the close of the war. 
 He enlisted from Putnam county in the United States army under Colonel 
 Morgan. October 8th, 1865, Mr. Garriott married Miss Susan E. Martin, 
 <3aughter of John F. Martin, of Mercer county. Their marriage was blessed 
 with six children; viz., Martha J., Hiram N., John E., Oliver S., Cirilda 
 A., and Joseph M. February, 1866, Mr. Garriott migrated to Grundy 
 county. Mr. and Mrs. Garriott are both members of the Baptist church 
 and enjo}' the reputation of good neighbors and highly respected citizens. 
 
 JOHN M. HUDSON 
 
 Was born in Tuscarawas county, Ohio, September 13, 1834. He is the 
 eighth child of John and Olinda Hudson, nee Ward, natives of Maryland. 
 
698 TIISTOEY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 The other children ol" the family were named as follows: Mary, born 
 August 22, 1821; Eliza, born October 9, 1822; Lee, born March 27, 1824; 
 Phoebe J., born January 4, 1826; Asaliel W., born January 1, 1828; Lois 
 Ann, born November 18, 1830; Cawala W., born October 30, 1832; James, 
 born October 17, 1836; Jesse A., born August 27, 1838; Henry A., De- 
 cember 4, 1841; James, died September 8, 1837; Henry died after the siege 
 of Vicksburg, Mississippi, September 15, 1863. 
 
 Mr. Hudson was married in his native county, October 2, 1856, to Miss 
 Nancy Ann Taylor, daughter of James and Phoebe Taylor, nee Holmes. 
 She is, also, a native of Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Hudson have one child, John 
 T., who was born July 31, 1875. 
 
 Our subject enlisted in the Second provisional regiment of the Missouri 
 State militia in the summer of 1863 and served about six months. Mr, 
 Hudson lived in Iowa, during five m onths after leaving his native State, in 
 the spring of 185Y, and then came direct to this county, where he has since 
 made his home. Mr. Hudson has filled the office of collector of the revenue 
 in his township to the satisfaction of his constituents for a term of two years. 
 
 BENJAMIN LOW 
 
 Was born in Columbiana county, Ohio, July 18, 1833, the son of Henry and 
 Sarah Low, nee Grate, also natives of Ohio. His father died when Benjamin 
 was quite young and his mother married again and removed with the family 
 to Illinois where he learned the blacksmithing trade. He enlisted in May, 
 1861, in company B, Sixteenth 'Illinois infantry and served, in defense of 
 the Union through the war, and wias with Gen. Sherman on his celebrated 
 " march to the sea.'' Was discharged at Goldsborough, N. C, in 1865, and 
 soon after returned to Illinois. 
 
 Mr. Low came to Grundy county in 1868. He was married, in Septem- 
 ber 1879, to Miss Sarah Wilson, a native of this State. 
 
 He owns a good farm of one hundi-ed and twenty acres in a productive 
 state of cultivation, besides a blacksmithing business. 
 
 HON. LEWIS MYEES. 
 
 Lewis Myers, in lienor of whom Myers township was named, was born in 
 Bath county, Kentucky, on the 26th of October, 1818. His father, Jacob 
 Myers, was born in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1792, and 
 when seven years of age came with his parents down the Ohio Eiver in a 
 flat-boat, landing at the mouth of Cabin Creek near Maysville, in Lewis 
 county, Kentucky, where he located foi- a time, then moved to Bath county 
 and remained the rest of his life. He died April 24, 1872. Lucy Corbin 
 was the maiden name of Mr. Myers's mother. She was born in Culpeper 
 county, Virginia, and subsequently removed with her parents, Martin and 
 Nancy Ann Corbin, to Kentucky. Her mother was Nancy Ann Scott, a 
 near relative of General Winfiekl Scott. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY OOTJNTY. 699 
 
 Lewis Myers was educated in Kentucky, and after leaving school taught 
 for a number of years in his native State. He married, in Batii county, 
 Kentucky, August 4, 1842, Miss Nancy Ann Ealls, also a native of that 
 county. He left Kentucky in the spring of 1855 and came to Grundy 
 county, Missouri, and, entering his present place, at once commenced improv- 
 ing his farm. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Myers have six children now living, named as follows: 
 Lucy E., married L P. Martin; Mary Jane, Ann Eliza, mari'ied Wm. T. 
 Hughes, now deceased; John, Richard, Ruth and Andrew. 
 
 Mr. Myers enlisted in the enrolled militia of the State under Governor 
 Gamble's first call, and served in the capacity of orderly sergeant during 
 the war. 
 
 He lias served as justice of the peace for many years, and in 1864 was 
 elected, by a handsome majority, to represent Grundy county in the General 
 Assembly of the State where lie served with credit during two sessions of 
 the legislature. He has been postmaster at Muirton for nearly eight years 
 and has discharged the duties in a highly satisfactory manner. In politics 
 Ml". Myers was originally an "old line Whig." He lived near the great 
 Henry Clay and imbibed the sentiments and doctrines of that statesman. 
 Since the war he has voted and affiliated with the Republican party. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Myers have been leading members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church for nearly forty years. The majority of their children are also 
 members of that cliurch. 
 
 Mr. Myers possesses a productive farm of rich and valuable prairie land, 
 beautifully situated and well watered. He is a leading farmer and a highly 
 respected and influential citizen of the community in which he has lived for 
 more than a quarter of a century. 
 
 .JABEZ H. MOSES, M. D. 
 
 Jabez H. Moses was born in Cayuga county. New York, October 7, 1836. 
 He left New York with his parents when about one year old, and settled in 
 the State of Illinois, remaining there about one year, during which time his 
 father died. Soon after his father's death, in the care of his mother, he 
 returned to New York. When about five years of age he left his native 
 State for Michigan, wliere he grew to manhood. In the days of his early 
 manhood he commenced the study of medicine, in which science he grad- 
 uated Febrviary 1, 1864, from the Rush Medical College, of Chicago. Soon 
 after graduating Dr. Moses was appointed assistant surgeon in the Mississippi 
 squadron of the United States Navy, under Admiral Porter. About the 
 time of his appointment he was married to Miss Maria Ver Beryck, daugh- 
 ter of Dr. Abraham Ver Beryck, of Granville, Wisconsin. The issue of 
 this marriage was two children, whose names are Sidney and Lula. 
 
 Soon after the war Dr. Moses engaged in the practice of medicine in 
 43 
 
700 HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Granville, Wisconsin, and in October, 1867, carae to Grundy county, wliere 
 he lived on a farm until 1877, at which time he moved to Half Eock, in 
 Mercer county, vphere he is now engaged in selling drugs and the practice 
 of medicine. As a result of his energy and superior qualifications the 
 doctor enjoj's a large and lucrative practice. 
 
 MAEGAEET M. MYEES. 
 
 Margaret M. Trumbo was born in Bath county, Kentucky, November 5th, 
 1828. Her father is Manasset Trumbo and her mother's maiden name was 
 Miss Hannah Taylor. Miss Trumbo was reared in Kentucky and married 
 in Bath county to the late Milton J. Mj'ers. With her husband she immi- 
 grated to Grundy county in 1854r. She is the mother of seven children 
 living; viz., George H., Mary A., now Mrs. William C. Henderson; Lucy H. 
 Jacob M., William C, Martha E., and Alfred T. Mrs. Myers has been a 
 widow little over one year. Herself and children own one of the finest farms 
 .in Grundy county. 
 
 WILLIAM A. m'ceACKEN. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is one of the leading farmers of Myers township. 
 He was born in Carroll county, Kentucky, on the 3d day of September, 1848. 
 His parents were John A. and Catherine (Barbee) McCracken. They re- 
 moved to Indiana when our subject was but three years old, remaining there 
 only a short time, came to this State and settled in Putnam county, and lived 
 there during ten years. Mr. McCracken was educated at Chillicothe, Mis- 
 souri, and subsequently lived for a number of years' in Sullivan county. 
 From there he went to Mercer county and after a residence there of six or 
 seven years, came to Grundy county where he has since continued to reside. 
 His occupation has always been farming. William A. McCracken was mar- 
 ried in Sullivan county, Missouri, on the 8th day of December, 1870, to Miss 
 Ann M. Ford, daughter of James H. Ford. Mrs. McCracken was born in 
 Sullivan county, Missouri, January 11, 1848. Thej' are the parents of 
 two children: James A., and Pearl. Mr. McCracken has been assessor of 
 the township for two years, and is an industrious and enterprising business 
 man. 
 
 NATHANIEL PETTIT 
 
 Was born in Beaver count}', Pennsylvania, June 29, 1829. His parents, 
 George and Hannah Petti t, were also natives of Pennsylvania. In his ea,rly 
 youth his parents removed to Coshocton county, Ohio, and there our subject 
 was educated and grew to manhood. He was married in Ohio, in October, 
 1851, to Miss Hannah, daughter of Abram and Nancy Miller. Mrs. Pettit 
 is a native of Ohio. The fruits of this marriage have been twelve children, 
 nine of whom, five boys and four girls, are now living. Mr. Pettit owns a 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 701 
 
 fine prairie farm of three hundred and twenty acres very handsomely im- 
 proved. He is a leading farmer and a respected citizen. 
 
 MORGAN RAXLS. 
 
 Morgan Ralls, one of the earliest settlers of this section of the country, 
 yas born in Logan county, Kentucky, December 25, 1815. His father, 
 "William Ealls, was a native of North Carolina, and his mother, whose 
 maiden name was Naomi Montgomery, was born in Kentucky. "When 
 Morgan was ten years old his father removed to Marion county, Missouri, 
 where our subject received all the education offered him (about three months' 
 attendance upon the common schools) and grew to manhood. He began life 
 for liimself as a farmer and has never changed his occupation. He lived in 
 what is now Knox county during five or six years, and from there went to 
 Adair county where he farmed for fifteen years. From Adair he came to 
 Grundy county for a time and then lived in Sullivan, from which county he 
 subsequently removed again to Grundy and established his permanent resi- 
 dence there. Mr. Ralls was married, in Knox county, Missouri, April 5th, 
 1837, to Miss Lydia, daughter of George and Annie Abbott. They are the 
 parents of ten children: George W., Charles L., Green B., Judith A., John 
 C, Sarah J., Cardwell M., Louisa, Elizabeth and Emma C. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Kails have been members of the Christian Chiirch for more than forty years. 
 Mr. Ralls is, also, a member of the Masonic lodge at "Wintersville. He is an 
 old and highly respected citizen. 
 
 JAMES ROBINSON 
 
 "Was born in Logan count}', Ohio, January 28, 1820. His father, Laborn 
 Robinson, was of Scotch parentage. His mother was the daughter of James 
 Logan, in honor of whom that county was named. When James was but 
 three months old his parents removed to Gallatin county, Illinois, where he 
 lived until fourteen years old, and then went to Rock Island and remained 
 three years. Thence to Pike county, in the same State, where he engaged 
 as a boatman on the river for seven years. In 1844 he went to Iowa 
 City, and six months later made a trip to the mouth of the Yellowstone 
 River. He returned to Rock Island and resumed the boating business, con- 
 tinuing until the fall of 1846, and then attended school at Rock Island for 
 one year. Soon after leaving school, May 20, 1847, he married Miss Ellen 
 Brown, a native of Sangamon county, Illinois. After his marriage he re- 
 turned to freighting and piloting on the Illinois River and continued that 
 business until 1851, when he went back to Rock Island and farmed until 
 1853. Tlien on the 5th day of April, he started with a team of four yoke 
 of cattle, overland, to California, which journey he accomplished in a little 
 more than six months. He spent three years in California, chiefly engaged 
 in mining, for the most part with good success; returning via Panama and 
 
702 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COTJNTT. 
 
 E"ew York to Pike county, Illinois, in the spring of 1856. Mr. Eobinsou 
 came to Grundy county, Missouri, and settled npon his present place in the 
 spring of 1S56, and lived there until 1860, when he made his second trip to 
 the gold fields of the then new West, engaged in mining and teaming, and 
 returned by ship, reaching his home in Grundy county in January, 1864. 
 Kemained at home engaged with the duties ujjon his farm until 1876, when 
 the Union Pacific having in the meantime been opened, he made his third 
 trip, this time by rail, to the Pacific slope, and engaged in "packing" and 
 trading, mostly in Oregon. He returned from Sacramento by rail arriving 
 at home September 25, 1877. Mr. Pobinson is a member of the Masonic 
 order, and his wife, who died on the 21st of September, 1878, was a mem- 
 ber of the Chi'istian Church. The family consists of four children: Mary, 
 Eebecca J., Helen M. and James M. 
 
 JOHN W. ROOT. 
 
 John W. Koot is a native of Athens county, Ohio, and was born October 
 5, 1845. His father, Levi Root, is a native of Livingston county, New 
 York, and his mother, whose maiden name was Polly Stewart, was born 
 in Athens county, Ohio. Our subject was educated in his native county, 
 and after leaving school engaged as clerk in a dry goods store at Stewart's 
 Mills for one year. Mr. Root was married in Washington county, Ohio, 
 September 8, 1860, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Ezekiel and Margaret Moore, 
 all natives of Ohio. 
 
 At the beginning of the civil war he enlisted under the stars and stripes 
 and during the entire war fought in defense of the Union with the Army of 
 the Cumberland. He participated in all the principal engagements of that 
 campaign. Was wounded and taken prisoner at the terrific battle of Stono 
 River after which he la3' for months in the hospital at Nashville. Finally 
 recovering he returned to Ohio and remained at home for three months, 
 subsequently rejoining his old command at Chattanooga. He held the po- 
 sition of orderly sergeant. After the war he continued farming in his na- 
 tive county until 1866, and then removed west of the Mississippi River and 
 spent the first year in Iowa, and then, in the autumn of 1867, came to 
 Grundy county, Missouri, and occupied his present farm upon which he has 
 since resided. 
 
 Mr. Root has been justice of the peace for twelve 3'ears, and was one of 
 the enumerators of the tenth census. He is a public spirited man and an 
 ardent supporter of schools and churches. In politics Mr. Root has always 
 been an active Republican. 
 
 He owns a neat, well cultivated and productive farm, and is in a prosper- 
 ous condition. His family consists of seven children: Linua, Alice, George, 
 Rosa M.., William W., James F., and Grace Viola. 
 
HISTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 703 
 
 JAMES SHIPMAN. 
 
 Tlie subject of this sketch is a native of Ohio. He was born in Belmont 
 county, February 20, 1812. His father, Matliias Shipman, was born in 
 New Jersey, and his mother, whose maiden name was Mary Julia Ann 
 Kuntz, was a native of Pennsylvania. He was educated in the common 
 schools of his native State, and has followed a variety of callings, such as 
 merchandising, milling and farming. 
 
 Mr. Shipman was married in Belmont county, Ohio, on the 29th day of 
 December, 1836, to Miss Eliza, daughter of Daniel and Sarah Warren. By 
 this union they had four children, all of whom are now dead. 
 
 He i-emoved from Ohio to Illinois in 1863. Lived in the latter State 
 during fifteen years. From Illinois he went to Kansas, and after two and a 
 half years residence there, came to Missouri and located in Grundy county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have been members of the Methodist Episcopal 
 Church for more than forty-five years. Their son, George W., after having 
 served one year in defense of the Union, contracted typhoid fever on the 
 bay below Washington, and died at the hospital in that city at the age of 
 nineteen years. He was a member of Sheridan's command, and a brave and 
 gallant young soldier. 
 
 Mr. Shipman is a prosperous farmer and a good citizen. 
 
 GEOEGE W. SWOPES 
 
 Is a native of Campbell county, east Tennessee, born December 2, 1827. 
 His parents were James S. and Eutlia (Brown) Swopes. His father was a 
 Virginian, and his mother a native of New Jersey. When George was 
 three years of age his father moved to Illinois, and a year later to Ray 
 county, Missouri, where the, family lived during twelve or thirteen years. 
 From Ray our subject moved to Mercer county, just aci'oss the Grundy 
 county line, where he has since continued to live, engaged in farming. . 
 
 Mr. Swopes was married, December 27, 1848, in Mercer county, to Miss 
 Sarah Brown, a native of Tennessee. They have eight children, six boys 
 and two girls, now living. 
 
 Mr. Swopes was a soldier in the Mexican War. He enlisted in August, 
 1864, in company D, Forty-fourth Missouri infantry and participated in the 
 battles of Franklin, Nashville and a number of minor engagements. 
 
 He is a member of the Old School Baptist Church, and a good farmer. 
 
 FEANCIS B. SHELTON, 
 
 Was born in Warren county, Illinois, December 8, 1844. Henry H. and 
 Mary Shelton, nee Bojme, natives of Kentucky, were his parents. Our sub- 
 ject was educated in his native State and engaged in farming there, until 
 twent3^-five years of age when he immigrated to Missouri and settled in 
 Grundy county, where he was married, December 31, 1859, to Miss Mary J. 
 
704: iilSTOET OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Seals, a native of Arkansas. They are the parents of four children: iNew- 
 ton, Laura, Henry B., and Hattie. 
 
 Botli Mr. Shelton and his wife are members of the church. He enlisted 
 in 1863, in company C, One Hundred and Tliirty-eighth Illinois volunteers, 
 for six months and at the ex2:)iration of that term of service was discharged 
 at Springfield. 
 
 He is a well-to-do farmer, a good neighbor and a valuable member of the 
 community in which he resides. 
 
 JAMES O. THOMPSON 
 
 Was born January 1st, 1849, in Indiana. He is the son of Samuel G. and 
 Sarah A. Thompson. Samuel G. Thompson was born March 27, 1815, 
 near Redstone, Pennsylvania, and when three years of age migrated with 
 his parents, to Carroll county, Ohio, where he lived until he was twenty-one 
 years of age, and then moved to Jefferson county, Ohio, to learn the trade of 
 blacksmithing. September, 1838, he moved to Edgar county, Illinois, 
 where he married Miss Sarah Ann Williams. Four children were the issue 
 of this marriage, of whom our subject, James O. Thompson, was third. 
 Samuel G. Thompson is still living on his son's farm, in Grundy county. 
 In 1849 James O. Thompson migrated with his parents to Fulton county, 
 Illinois. In the fall of 1861 he left Fulton county and located in Warren 
 county, Illinois. On the 14th of January, 1869, lie married Miss Lizzie Shel- 
 ton, daughter of H. H. Shelton, of Warren county. In February, 1872, Mr. 
 Thompson came to Grundj^ county where he has since engaged in farming. 
 His only child is Samuel T. Thompson. Mr. and Mi's. Thompson are mem- 
 bers of the Christian Church. He has f)rovided for himself since eight years 
 of age and as a result of his labors owns one of the best farms in Grundy 
 county. 
 
 CIIAKLES N. VI&NEEON 
 
 Was born December 31st, 1837, near the city of Nancy, in France. He is the 
 son of John M. and Mary A. (Compt) Vigneron, both of whom are natives 
 of France. They came to the United States in 1853 and settled in Ohiov 
 Beginning at the age of eighteen, Charles learned the trade of a carpenter. 
 In 1861 he left Ohio for Tazewell county, Illinois. In 1862 he enlisted in 
 the Confederate army under Stonewall Jackson. In 1863 he was taken pris- 
 oner by the Federal forces at Pilot Knob. Soon after his capture he was pa- 
 roled and December, 1864, enlisted in the State militia at Springfield, Illinois. 
 After the war he returned to Tazewell county, and October 14th, 1867, was 
 married to Miss Sarah Smuck, daughter of Christian Smiiok, of that county. 
 In March, 1871, Mr. Vigneron came to Grundy county and settled on a 
 farm. He returned to Ohio in 1878 and remained eighteen months. He is 
 now living on the farm which he bought when first he came to this coun- 
 try. He is the father of five children; viz, Mary, Eva, Minnie, John W., 
 and Leroy. 
 
HI8T0KT OF GETTNDY COUNTY. 705 
 
 CHAPTER XXVIII. 
 LIBERTY TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Settled in 183S — Named in 1845 — The Old Pioneers — Marriages — Births and Deaths— Min- 
 isters and Doctors — Schools — The First Divorce in Q-rundy Coiinti/ — Valuation^Rail- 
 road — J'oirn of Gault — Biographies. 
 
 LIBEETT TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Liberty township was first settled in 1838, but never assumed the name 
 until 1845, after the county of Mercer was organized when it, composing 
 the north half of her present boundary and the whole of Myers, was called 
 Liberty. Its metes and bounds now, and since 1872, are as follows: North 
 by Myers township; east by the Sullivan county line; south by Marion, 
 and west by, Lincoln township. It is seven miles east and west, and five 
 miles north and south, and contains' thirty -five sections of land, or 22,400 
 acres. It is watered by No Creek on the western side, and by Little Medi- 
 cine on the east, with several creeks emptying into these two streams. One 
 called Birch Branch, with smaller streams finding its way into Medicine 
 Creek. Liberty township is about two-thii-ds, if not more, undulating 
 prairie. It has some fine bodies of timber lying on No and Medicine 
 creeks and tlieir branches. The soil is rich and easy of cultivation. The 
 black and loamy soil is productive to an unusual degree, and its early set- 
 tlers and its later ones have enjoyed the faithful harvest of forty odd years, 
 and there has been verj' little in their quiet lives to make history. 
 
 . EAELT SETTLEES. 
 
 The earliest settlement in Liberty township of which any trace can be 
 found was in 1838. Minter Brassfield, Mrs. Mary Brassfield, Thomas "W". 
 Brassfield, Hugh Davis, Calvin Brumniet, G. F. Geinan, John Priest, May- 
 berry Splawn, Anderson Malone, and Reuben Bi-assfield all came in the 
 spring of that year. In 1839 R. M. Johnson, William Rucker, John Call, 
 and others came, during the year. Joseph Rook, who settled in the south 
 part of the township, came also in 1838. In 1840 there was quite a flow of 
 settlers, Marion getting the most of them, yet many finding their way to 
 Liberty. The Rooks gathering quite a number around them. Among 
 those most prominent who came in 1840 was Rev. Nathan Winters, who 
 came from Illinois and was the first preacher in the township. His ftimily, 
 like the Brassfields and Rooks, w-as large; among his sons w-ere E. L. 
 William and N. A. Winters. Then there were William Johnson, 
 Henry Ridenour, Clark Kirk. These were of those who were called the 
 pioneers of Liberty township. They had all the trials and tribulations of 
 
706 HISTOEY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 that day to pass through. They used the pestle and mortar and the hand- 
 mill to get their corn in a shape to eat, and their meat was the wild game 
 of the woods, while a bee tree was the fountain from which they supplied 
 themselves with the greatest amount of sweets. They would go to Living- 
 ston county, buy grain and go over to Utica and get it ground by a horse- 
 mill. Roads were where they wished to make them. The prairie could be 
 cut through from any angle, but when tlie timber was reached the settlers 
 generally converged to a single point as far as practicable. Most of the set- 
 tlers came from east Tennessee, some from Kentucky and Illinois. 
 
 MARKIAGE. 
 
 The first marriage in the township was in section 28, and the wedding 
 party was Reuben Brassfield to Miss Lucinda Brassfield, cousins, January 
 17, 1839. The ceremony was performed by 'Squire Robert Walker. 
 
 BIRTHS — BOY AND GIRL. 
 
 The first boy was born May 4, 1838, to Minter and Jane Brassfield, and 
 was named Mayberry Brassfield. The first girl born was (November 19, 
 1839) Mary Ann, daughter of Mayberry and Fannie Splawn. 
 
 The first death was Hugh Davis, son of Hugh Davis, who died in Sep- 
 tember, 1841, and was buried in Lindley Cemetery, section 15, in Sullivan 
 county. He was' a bright and promising youth. 
 
 MINISTER AND DOCTOR. 
 
 The first regular physician who practiced in the township was the ubiquit- 
 ous Dr. William P. Thompson. The first preacher who held regular ser- 
 vice was Reuben Aldridge, a Methodist circuit-rider, who preaclied at the 
 cabin of Calvin Brummet in 1839. 
 
 The first school was taught in 1842 in the forks of Medicine Creek, then 
 Marion township, on section 33. The teacher was J. W. Dunnell, who left 
 afterward for Illinois, his former place of residence. His pupils numbered 
 thirteen that winter. He received one dollar and fifty cents per scholar per 
 month. A school-house was afterward built bj^ the neighbors on section 20. 
 The building was the usual log cabin of the day, minus doors, windows and 
 fire-place. 
 
 SPINNING AND WEAVING. 
 
 Mrs. Patty Davis is credited with the first spinning and weaving in the 
 township, and she was a true representative of the pioneer woman of that day. 
 
. • HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 707 
 
 A woman who could turn her hand to anything, ready and willing to meet 
 the demands of a pioneer's life, its trials, toil and trouble, making no com- 
 plaint but tilling her allotted sphere with a hapjiy and cheerful spirit. 
 
 Tlie only couple in Grundy county who were divorced, during the early 
 days was John W. and Pauline Paton in 1842, and their home was in Liberty 
 township. What caused this separation is not noted as far as the records 
 have been searched, but the sad fact that the silken cord was loosened, can 
 be put down in the pages of this histor}'^ for future generations to know. 
 
 VALUATION RAILROAD. 
 
 The assessed valuation of Liberty township in 1874, was $195,578; since 
 that time there has been no assessment by municipal townships. 
 
 The Quincy, Missouri and Pacific Railroad, which was building July, 1881, 
 crosses the southeast corner of the townsliip and the first village arising within 
 its limits is the town of Gault. A rapidly growing railroad station, in a good 
 agricultural district, about fifteen miles from Trenton, the county seat, and 
 twenty from the town of Milan, in Sullivan county. Its southwest corner 
 is near the town of Dillon, which is just over the line in Trenton township. 
 
 TOWNSHIP OFFICERS. 
 
 The present officers of Liberty township are as follows: Justices of the 
 peace, J. H. Wheeler and D. W. Allen; trustee, Theodore L. Balser; col- 
 iector, G. W. Pollock; clerk and assessor, W. J. Jackson; constable, A. J. 
 Donaldson. 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 JAMES S. BUNNELL 
 
 Was born in Mercer county, Kentucky, January 3, 1810. His parents, 
 Samuel and Elizabeth Bunnell, were natives of Pennsylvania. In his youth 
 he was engaged in rafting lumber and merchandise on the rivers of his native 
 State, and before he was eighteen years old had made two trips to New 
 Orleans in a flat-boat. Mr. Bunnell was married in his native county, 
 October 20, 1850, to Miss Bettie A. McAffee, daughter of Eoberfc and Ellen 
 McAifee and a native of the same county as her linsband. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Bunnell became the parents of nine children; viz, Theodore W., Robert M., 
 Mary E. (now Mrs. William Shanklin), Samuel B., William M., John.L., 
 James E., Charles S. and Bessie H. Mr. Bunnell settled in Grnndj' county 
 in 1863 and continued to reside here until his death wliich occurred Septem- 
 
708 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 ber 20, 1875. He was a consistent member of the Baptist Clinrcb to which 
 denomination his estimable lady now belongs. He left a fine estate of three 
 hundred and twenty acres nicely improved and well stocked, upon which 
 his widow and the younger children at present reside. His son, James E. 
 Bunnell, who finished his education with a course at the Kirksville Normal 
 School, is now engaged in teaching school in the neighborhood of his home. 
 He is an industrious, intelligent and enterprising young gentleman whose 
 future is bright and promising. 
 
 FEANOIS M. SPEOUT 
 
 Was born May 23, 1838, in Marshall county, Indiana. He is the son of 
 William and Hannah Spi'out who immigrated from Indiana to Missouri in 
 1858. His father has been a farmer all his life and is still living in this 
 county; his mother died November, 1879. January 28, 1858, Francis 
 M. Sprout married Miss Sarah R. Winters, daughter of Eev. Nathan Win- 
 ters, of Grundy county. After his marriage he commenced farming on his 
 own resources. May 25, 1861, he lost his wife, and August 26, of the same 
 year, enlisted in the Union army under Col. Tindall, serving sixteen months, 
 during which time he was wounded in the right hand and td,ken prisoner at 
 the battle of Shiloh. Owing to this wound Mr. Sprout was compelled to 
 have his hand amputated in the Confederate hospital at Mobile, Alabama, 
 and after a long siege of suifering was paroled December, 1862, and allowed 
 to return home. February, 1863, Mr. Sprout married Miss Sophia New- 
 land, daughter of Abraham Newland, of Grundy county. 
 
 Since the war he has lived a quiet life on his farm. He is the father of 
 eight children living, two by his first wife and six by his second. The 
 names of his first wife's children are Mary and William; and those of his 
 second wife are Alson, Sarah, John, Minnie, James and Walter. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Sprout are both members of the Baptist Church. Mr. 
 Sprout has served for two terms each in the capacities of township constable 
 and school trustee of Liberty township. As the fruits of his industry he is 
 now the possessor of a fine farm and enjoys the reputation of a good neigh- 
 bor and a valuable citizen. 
 
 E. L. WINTERS 
 
 Was born in St. Clair county, Illinois, October 24, 1819. His parents, 
 Nathan and Ruth Winters, were natives of Tennessee, and when the sub- 
 ject of this sketch was but a child they moved from St. Clair county to 
 Morgan county, Illinois, where he was reared upon a farm. When seven- 
 teen years of age he went to Pike count}', in the same State, where he 
 remained four years. In 1840, he migrated to Missouri and settled upon 
 government land in Grundy county, then known as Livingston. He raised 
 hogs and drove them to market at Hannibal and Brunswick, and thus 
 
HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 709^ 
 
 secured money to pay for entering a part of tlie farm upon which he now 
 lives. The nearest post-office was twenty-live miles, and the closest mill 
 was twenty-three miles, and that only a " corn-cracker." In Illinois Mr. 
 Winters learned the trade of making and laying brick, and continued tO' 
 follow that business for several years after his arrival in this county, but 
 linally gave it up and turned his whole attention to agricultural interests. 
 His farm is something over four hundred acres in extent. Mr. Winters was 
 united in matrimony to Miss I^ancy A. Neet, on the 23d of December, 
 1841. She was born August 19, 1820. By this marriage Mr. and Mrs. 
 Winters have liad nine children; viz., Sarah M., born May 6, 1844; John 
 W., born March 9, 1846, died July 15, 1847; Nathan T., born June 25, 
 1848;' Martha A., born JSTovember 8, 1850; James J., born December 5,. 
 1852, died September 8, 1853; Priscilla B., born August 16, 1854; Isaac E., 
 born October 23, 1856; George W., born April 15, 1859; and Emily P.^ 
 born Augiist 24, 1861. 
 
 CHAPTER XXIX. 
 HAEEISON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 When it was Organized — Acres of Land — Boundaries — Population — Its Schools and 
 Churches — Historii of the Churches — The Old Pioneers — How They Lined, What They 
 Sate and How They Conquered — Early Marriages and Deaths — Its Political Status — 
 Township Officers — Biographies. 
 
 HAEEISON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 Previous to the year 1872, the name Harrison did not appear on the list 
 of townships in the county of Griindy, but the 13,423 acres of territory 
 which it now comprises was the southern portion of Washington. Under 
 the new organization law of the year above named, the County Court 
 
 "Ordered that all of township number si.xty-one of range number twenty- 
 five, lying east of Grand River, and all of township number sixty-two, of 
 range number twenty-five, lying east of Grand River, be known as Harrison 
 township." 
 
 Thus, in honor of "old Tippecanoe," the nintli president of the United 
 States, was the township named. The township is bounded upon the north 
 by Washington township; on the east the Weldon fork of Grand River is 
 the boundary line between Harrison and Lincoln, on the south the Weldon 
 and Thompson forks of the Grand River divides Harrison from the town- 
 ships of Trenton and Madison, and on the west the Thompson Fork of 
 Grand River is the dividing line between Harrison and Taylor. The town- 
 
710 HISTORY OF GEITNDT COUNTY. 
 
 ship is about two-tliirds rich, I'oUing prairie, especially adapted to the rais- 
 ing of corn, wheat, oats, hay and flax. With the Weldon Kiver on the east, 
 the Thompson Kiver on the west, and Muddy Creek flowing through the 
 center, the township is blessed with an abundant and never failing water 
 supply. Tlie farms are large and well cultivated, the houses are mostly 
 neat and roomy, and the farmers genial, industrious and well-to-do. Tren- 
 tton is the trading point for the township. The population of Harrison 
 is five hundred and fifty-seven, as ofiicially repoi-ted in the last census. The 
 growth of the township has been slow but sure, and as a result the improve- 
 ments have been on the order of the substantial and useful. 
 
 In the township there are four good school-houses, well equipped with the 
 necessary supply of school appurtenances, in which schools are conducted 
 regularly. 
 
 HATTON CHAPEL. 
 
 There are two churches in the township, both substantial frame buildings. 
 The Hatton Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the year 
 1865, and the following were the names of the original members: Thomas 
 Atterbury and wife, Thomas Whitten and wife, Samuel Hogan and wife, 
 W. B. Tabor and wife, Wesley P. Marrs and wife, John Buoy and wife, and 
 Demering Cochran and wife. The Rev. Wesley Hatton was the first pas- 
 tor and organizer, and from him the church took its name. The member- 
 ^ship steadily increased, and in 1868 it was decided to erect a house of wor- 
 ship, but although the good work began, the building lagged and it was not 
 until 1881 that the church was completed at a cost of $700. On Sunday, 
 the 31st of July, 1881, the sacred edifice was dedicated to the service of 
 Almighty God, with appropriate ceremonies, the Rev. John A. Beagle, of 
 Gallatin, conducting the services and delivering an impressive dedication ser- 
 mon. The present membership numbers sixty-two. The Rev. B. H. Tripp is 
 the pastor in charge, and they have services regularly. The following will be 
 found a list of the successive pastors who have ofliciated since the church 
 organization: Reverends Weslej'- Hatton, S. W. Cole, S. S. Hardin, A. M. 
 Curgen, Alexander Falconer, Columbus Cleveland, William W. Wainright, 
 R. F. Beavers, F. H. Sumter, and B. H. Tripp. The cliurch is now in a 
 prosperous condition and bids fair to continue so. 
 
 MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH. 
 
 The Salem Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the year of our 
 Lord, 1868. The first minister in charge was the Rev. R. Goodell, and the 
 -names of the original members were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. J. C. 
 lienfro, Josephine Sires, Mary Selby, Levi Collins, Mary Collins, Polly 
 Collins, Kate Cluster, Mary J. Sires, Mrs. Julia Yencli, Ellen Ward, Jane 
 Renfro and Mary Cochran. Tlie steady progress of the organization and 
 
HISTORY OF GEtTNDT COUNTY. 711 
 
 the addition of many new members made it necessary to build a churchy 
 and in the year 1878 the stnietnre was commenced upon land donated for 
 the purpose by Messrs. J. and M. Bushong. These gentlemen also sub- 
 scribed $250 to the cost of erection, and the Rev. D. C. Brown subscribed 
 $75, the three being the largest subscribers. The church cost tlie sum of 
 $600, the remainder of which was contributed in smaller amounts by the 
 members. The building was made ready for use in 1880, but was not at 
 that time entirely finished, and therefore not dedicated. Hev. D. C. Brown 
 was the ofiiciating minister in 1878, was succeeded by Rev. V. M. Harper, 
 and the latter gentleman by Rev. Oliver Newman, who conducted services 
 until June last, since which time the organization has been without a min- 
 ister, and so remains at this writing, August 1, 1881. Tlie membership now 
 nnmbers about sixty-three. With the calling of a new pastor the church 
 will enter upon a new era of success. 
 
 EAELY HISTOEY. 
 
 The early history of Harrison township may be said to have opened with 
 the arrival of Charles W. Scott, who located in the township in the fall of 
 1834. In 1837 John McHargue came from Kentucky and was fol- 
 followed the same year by Alvin Johnson, who hailed from T^orth Carolina. 
 New settlers began to come in steadily after this, and in the year 1838 addi- 
 tions were made to the settlement by arrival of William and Levi Collins, 
 Benjamin F., Franklin and Henry Woods, who located near the central por- 
 tion of the township. The next year brought the Drinkards, James and 
 George, and from that time on, at intervals of from three to six months, 
 there was a frequent dropping in of new-comers. There were the Warmoths, 
 Plenry, Washington and Tandy, John Hays, Lee Spencer, Nathaniel and 
 Gideon Gooch, Cornelius Darnaby, William and Joseph Peery, John 
 Booher, Wesley Reynolds, Moses Payne and Alexander Forkner, J. C. 
 Renfro, Jethro Sires, John Darnaby, R. B. T; Peery, and others, giving 
 Harrison, at that time a part of Washington, quite a fair representation in 
 the early settlement of Grund}' county. Many of those old pioneers are 
 numbered among the most prominent men in the county and still have 
 their homes in Harrison, others have been called to that long rest that 
 knows no waking, and not a few have wandered away to richer fields else- 
 where, but all are remembered for their early participation in the trials and 
 struggles of pioneer life in Grundy county. 
 
 The skin of the deer, coon and wildcat was brought into active use for 
 clothing, and the early loom and spinning-wheel found plenty to do in turn- 
 ing the raw hemp and flax into cloth. Venison, turkey and wild honey were 
 common every day articles of food, while flour and sugar were among the 
 luxuries. Bacon was plentiful and the market price was one cent per pound, 
 while corn brought as much as ten cents per bushel. Plowing was done al- 
 
Y12 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 together by oxen, horses were almost unknown. The old Keery plow, with 
 wooden mould-board, was the leading implement of agriculture. Breaking 
 ground with an ox team and a Keery plow wasn't any fun worth speaking of. 
 It savored a great deal of work. 
 
 As early as 1841 preaching was held in the township. Rev. Thomas 
 Thompson officiated in the neighborhood, holding services for the Christian 
 •denomination. Rev. William Reid, also of the Christian Church, was among 
 the pioneer preachea-s. Rev. "Washington Warmoth was a Baptist minister 
 and services for that denomination were held at his home, and also at the 
 home of James Drinkard. These were the earlier churches — the homes of 
 the settlers in fall and winter, and the shady groves in spring and summer. 
 
 In 1843 or thereabouts, the first school-house was erected in the township. 
 It was built of round logs and was fitted up with rude benches. The erec- 
 tion was the work of the neighbors, and was situated on ground belonging 
 to John McHargue. Irving Drinkard was the fii'st teacher to ofiiciate in 
 this primitive structure. Pupils were few and the salary lacked considera- 
 ble of being large. 
 
 There were two early marriages, both occurring in the same 3'ear, about 
 1843 or 1844, maybe earlier, possibly later. The exact date could not be 
 learned. Mr. Lee Spencer led Miss Nancy Woods, a daughter of Henry 
 Woods, a blushing bride to the altar. Tlie ceremony was performed at the 
 residence of the bride's father. The couple are still alive, respected citizens 
 of Washington township. Next came the happy union of Mr. Solomon 
 Spear and Miss Elizabeth J. Hobbs. They, also, are said to be living. 
 
 Mrs. Darnaby, the aged mother of John and Cornelius Darnaby, occupied 
 the first grave made in the township. Hers was a long life well spent, and 
 freely she laid down her burdens to take up the glory of a better world. 
 
 Harrison township has always been fortunate in the selection of its town- 
 ship officers. It was not organized until 1872 and therefore its list is not 
 very long. The township, politically, has generally given a small Republican 
 majority, perhaps its portion of the vote of from five to eight hundred Re- 
 publican, which is the j)olitical complexion of Grundy county. The present 
 township officers for the year 1881, are, C. H. Cullers, trustee; Marcellus Rat- 
 liff, clerk and assessor; George H, Moore, collector; O. G. Witten, constable; 
 A. H. Buchanan and J. C. Sheppard, justices of the peace, and Martin John- 
 son and Joseph Scott, road overseers. 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 713 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 AAEON BIGGS 
 
 Was born in Shelby county, Indiana, March 8, 1835; a son of Ephraim and 
 Khoda Biggs; his father was born iu Ohio, and died in 1865; his mother 
 was a native of New York, and died in 1881. He lived in Shelby county, 
 till 1855, and then moved to Warren county, Iowa. In 1874 he moved to 
 Mercer county', Missouri, and remained nine months, then permanently lo- 
 cated in Harrison township, Grundy county. He married, February 8, 
 1868, Miss Mary Jane Crow, a native of Warren county, Iowa, born Janu- 
 ary 13, 1849, and a daughter of Samuel and Cyrena Crow, who located in 
 Warren county in 1845 and are still living there. Six children have been 
 the fruits of this union; viz., Minnie Ellen, born August 21, 1869; Henry 
 Ward, born May 14, 1871; Bertha C, born October 5, 1872; Mary Alice, 
 born, April 13, 1875; Samuel C, born May 18, 1878; and Winfield S., born 
 August 1, 1880. He enlisted in company D, First Iowa cavalry, and 
 served about two years. He has accumulated considerable property, all 
 by his hard work and strict business integrity, and owns one hundred and 
 seventy-five acres of a choice stock farm, well imjjjroved, good buildings, 
 and orchard, etc. He also is owner of, and runs a saw-mill in the same 
 townshij). 
 
 E. p. BOTCE, 
 
 A native of Livingston county, Missouri, born September 29, 1842, is a son 
 of Jesse and Dound}' Boyce, nee Peery. His father was a native of Ken- 
 tucky; came to Missouri in 1819 and settled in Boone county, and died July 
 9, 1878. His mother was born in Virginia, and died August IS, 1878. Our 
 subject lived in Livingston county till about two years of age, then came 
 with his parents to Daviess county, and lived there about eleven years, 
 and in 1855 located in Harrison township, this county, where he has since 
 lived. He was educated in the district schools and at Grand River College. 
 He enlisted in the First Missouri cavalry, served during the war, and at the 
 close of it returned to Grundy county. December 4, 1880, Mr. Boyce, 
 married Miss Emma Roberts, a native of Mercer county, born April 26, 
 1855, and a daughter of Oswald and Elizabeth Roberts. He owns eighty 
 acres of fine land, well improved, good buildings and plenty of stock. Mr. 
 and Mrs. Boyce are members of the Methodist Church and are highly re- 
 spected and esteemed citizens. 
 
714 HISTOEY OF GEDNDY COUNTY. 
 
 J. H. BEOWN 
 
 Was born in Kentucky, October 14, 1840. His parents, Andrew and Jane 
 Brown, nee McDowell, were both natives of Virginia. They left Kentucky 
 to move to Missouri in 1840, and the subject of this sketch was born while 
 they were on the way, near Louisville, Kentucky. They first located in 
 Chariton county, and lived there till 1852, then moved to Grundy county 
 and settled in Madison township, and lived there till their deaths — that of 
 his mother November 20, 1854, and of his father, February 26, 1866. Mr. 
 B. was brought up on a farm and educated in the common schools and at 
 Grand River College. He married, April 9, 1863, Miss Louisa E. Witten, 
 a native of Grundy county, born September 24, 1844. Her parents, S. K. 
 and Nancy Witten, nee Peery, were both born in Virginia, but were very 
 early settlers in Grundy county. Her mother died in 1855, and her father 
 is still living in the county. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown have had five children, three of whom are still living. 
 The names and dates of births are as follows: Eugene E., born April 21, 
 1864; Nancy J., born September 10, 1866; Andrew K., born October 19, 
 1868; Ella Ann, born May 6, 1871, died March 31, 1879; and Zuleka, born 
 April 19, 1876, died September 23, 1879. 
 
 Mr. Brown is the owner of a farm of eighty acres, and is one of Harrison 
 township's representative men, wide awake in ev^erything for the public good. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown are consistent members of the Methodist Church. 
 He is a man enjoying the confidence of all the people, and his family are 
 highly respected citizens. 
 
 EEV. D. C. BEOWN. 
 
 D. C. Brown was born in Harrison county, Missouri, August 21, 1841. 
 His father, Jacob A. Brown, and his mother, whose maiden name was 
 Sarah P. Clanton, were both born in North Carolina, but came to Missouri 
 in 1839, and settled in Harrison county. His father was of English and 
 his mother of Irish descent, and were pillars in the Baptist Church, and his 
 father was deacon of the same for thirty years. Jacob A. Brown was 
 elected one of the first justices of the peace in Harrison county, and was a 
 member of the organization of the West Fork Association of Baptists, and 
 assisted in drafting the constitution and by-laws for that association. His 
 father died in 1875, and his mother in 1879. Tliey had lived for many 
 years as consistent members of the church, and passed peacefully to their 
 reward, their loss from earth being mourned by many ti-ue friends. 
 
 The subject of our sketch lived at home till eighteen years of age, then, 
 on October 4, 1859, was united in marriage to Miss Martha J. Cole, who 
 was born October 4, 1839, in Monroe county, Missouri. She was a daugh- 
 ter of William and Mary Ann Cole, nee Kellums. Her parents settled in 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 715 
 
 Monroe county, in the year 1837, and her mother died in 1861, and her 
 lather in 1875. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Brown liave been the parents of ten children, eight of 
 whom are living; viz., Louisa A., born July 6, 1860, now the wife of John 
 Dowell; Jacob J., born September 15, 1866: Sarah E., born August 23, 
 1868; Mary, born March 16, 1S72; j^ancy E., born February 27, 1874; 
 Thomas, born March IS, 1876; Henry A., born August 7, 1878; D. C, 
 born February 18, 1881; and John, who died when thirteen months old, 
 and one in infancy. 
 
 During the war Mr. B. was a member of company F, Second Missouri 
 cavalry; served three and a half years, and was with the regiment in all its 
 various engagements. While in the line of duty he was taken prisoner in 
 Arkansas, and compelled to travel five hundred miles barefooted, and is yet 
 badly crippled from the effects of that march. After the close of the war he 
 farmed in Daviess county until 1876, and then located in Grundy county, 
 where he owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, besides two hundred 
 and eighty acres in Taylor township. 
 
 He began laboring as a minister in 1870, and in 1871 was ordained. He 
 is still an active worker in Harrison county. After the war he employed 
 every leisure hour in sfudy, and thus qualified himself for the responsible 
 position he now holds. 
 
 JOHN AND MARK BUSHONG 
 
 Are natives of Augusta county, Virginia. John was born February 22, 
 1819, and Mark, March 27, 1823. They are the sons of Abraham and Mary 
 C Bushong, nee Toland, both natives of Virginia, the former of French de- 
 scent, and the latter of German extraction. Their father died in 1835, and 
 their mother in 1860. John and Mark were reared upon a farm. In 1838 
 John learned the carpenter's trade and woi-ked at the business for eight years, 
 then they came to Parke connty, Indiana, and there John married, February 
 18, 1847, Miss Elizabeth ISToel, a native of Indiana, born October 10, 1831, 
 and a daughter of Matthew and Mira Noel, nee Puett. Her father was a 
 native of Kentucky, and her mother of North Carolina; the former died in 
 1851, and the latter in 1861. After his marriage Mr. Bushong continued 
 to work at his trade, in Indiana, till 1857, when he and his brotlier moved 
 to Livingston county, Missouri, and farmed till 1869, when they removed 
 to Grundy county and purchased a beautiful farm of two h^mdred acres of 
 choice and fertile land. Eleven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Bush- 
 ong; namely, Nathan N., dead; Minerva, now wife of J. T. Selby; Mary A., 
 wife of B. R. Mans; Mark, dead; Martha, now wife of James Eenfro; Alice 
 v., John A., Eliza J., Henrietta, Lucy L., and Peter S. J., now dead. The 
 brothers have succeeded well since living in Missouri and rank among our 
 best farmers. They have lived together and done business together for over 
 44 
 
716 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 thirty-three years, aud so far there has never been a word of difference be- 
 tween them. They are active and energetic men and alive to everything for 
 the public good. They are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. 
 
 A. H. BUCHANAN 
 
 "Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, September 5, 1844, and is the 
 son of James R. and Nancy Buchanan, nee Hull; both natives of Virginia. 
 His parents moved to Taylor county, Kentucky, in 1851, when the subject 
 of this sketch was seven years of age, and lived there till 1856, then came to 
 Missouri and located in Montgomery county, and thence, in 1859, to Calla- 
 way county, where his father has since lived, engaged in farming. His 
 mother died in March, 1878. Mr. Buchanan was reared upon a farm and 
 received his education in the common schools. At the age of twenty-one 
 years he commenced business for himself. In 1872 he moved from Calla- 
 wsLj to Grundy county and located where he now lives. He married Miss 
 Nancy P. Hale on the 13th of December, 1866. She was born December 22, 
 1848, in Mercer county, Virginia; her parents, C. P. and M. M. Hale, nee 
 Witten, were both natives of the same State, but came to Missouri in 1853 and 
 settled in Livingston county. They are now living in Callaway county. 
 Mr. and Mrs. B. have become the parents of seven children ; namely, Lulu 
 L., born July 12, 1868; John "W"., born November 21, 1870; James H., born 
 September 22, 1875; Lizzie, born December 29, 1877; Nancy, born June 13, 
 1880; Margaret, born June 10, 1873, died September 28, 1874; and one died 
 in infancy. Mr. B. is serving as justice of the peace. He was a member of 
 Colonel Williams' regiment during the civil war, and served one year. He 
 owns one hundred and thirty acres of line farm land, and is a man that en- 
 joys the esteem and confidence of all his neighbors. 
 
 BENJAMIN p. CEAWFOED 
 
 Was born in Mason county, Kentucky, January 18, 1819, and when but a 
 few days old was taken by his parents to Lewis county and lived there till 
 thirty-three years of age. His father, Crozard Crawford, and his mother, 
 Lavina Crawford, 7iee Eeynokls, were both natives of Kentucky, and are both 
 long since dead. He married Miss A. Swearingen, a native of Lewis county, 
 Kentucky, and a daughter of Charles and Catherine Swearingen, nee Rich- 
 ards. By this marriage they have had nine children, seven of whom are still 
 living; viz., William, born September 10, 1847; Daniel R., born August 22, 
 1849; Benjamin F., born July 25, 1851; John T., born February 14, 1856; 
 Martha E., born January 6, 1858; Cliarles W., born February 28, 1861; 
 James H., born December 10, 1863; Mahala J., born February 1, 1845, died 
 May 5, 1870; and Lavina C, born February 17, 1854, died March 18, 1873. 
 Mrs. Crawford died December 1, 1868. March 3, 1869, he was united in 
 marriage to Mrs. Caroline P. Wilkerson, nee McKray, a native of Tennessee, 
 
HISTOEY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 717 
 
 born October 31, 1833, and the widow of Joseph Wilkerson. The issue of 
 this marriage was two children; namely, Cora A., born May 15, 1871, and 
 Iva H., born February 23, 1873. In 1852 he migrated to Illinois and lived 
 in Feoria county five years, then came to Grundy county, Missouri, where 
 lie has since lived. He owns a very choice farm of three hundred and sixty 
 acres, well improved and stocked, and all earned by his own industry and 
 good management. He is known as one of our leading farmers and every- 
 one speaks of " Uncle Perry Crawford" as a good neighbor and genial gen- 
 tleman. 
 
 C. H. CULLERS 
 
 Was born in Frederick county, Virginia, February 26, 1844. His parents, 
 John and Julia A. Cullers, were natives of Virginia. They moved to 
 Somerset county, Pennsylvania, when he was about four years old, lived 
 there two years, removed to Crawford county, Illinois, where they resided 
 six years, then to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1855, and located in Harri- 
 son township. Here his father purchased a large tract of land, and here 
 died June 19, 1869. His mother is still living and makes her home with 
 him. He was married, in Gentry county, to Miss Cornelia A. Adkinson, a 
 native of Kentucky, born April 15, 1852. The marriage ceremony was 
 performed on November 18, 1875. Her parents were from Kentucky and 
 came to Missouri in 1852, and are still living in Gentry county. Two chil- 
 dren have been the fruits of this union; viz., "Woodson, born February 4, 
 1877, died March 6, 1878; and Nora S., born May 31, 1879. Mr. Cullers 
 has served as township clerk and is now trustee. He is a very active busi- 
 ness man and is known as one of the heaviest stock dealers in the county, 
 and has been veiy successful in his business. He owns eight hundred and 
 ninety acres of land under good improvement. 
 
 WILLIAM D. GOSE , 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 11, 1845. His father was a 
 native of Virginia and died when the subject of this sketch was only a few 
 weeks old. His mother, whose maiden name was Rebecca Witten, married 
 James A. Goodwin, and in 1853 they came to Missouri and located near 
 Edinburg, Grundy county. He was educated at Grand River College and 
 at Canton, Illinois. He qualified himself for the profession of teaching 
 and has been one of the leading as well as most earnest and successful 
 teachers in the county. He married, September 24, 1868, Miss Martha J. 
 Witten, who was born in Grundy county, Missouri, October 15, 1848. Her 
 parents, Samuel K. and Nancy Witten, nee Peery, were both from Vir- 
 ginia, and among the first settlers in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Gose 
 had eight children, only three of whom are living; viz., Samuel D., born 
 August 2, 1870; Fannie R., born April 30,1873; and Louisa H, born 
 
718 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 February 26, 1874. The others died in infancy. In 1869 he located in 
 Harrison township and engaged in farming and school teaching. When he 
 came here he says he only had twenty-five cents in money, but now has a 
 farm of eighty acres, and all accumulated by himself and worthy compan- 
 ion. She is a lady of fine education as well as taste and refinement. She 
 received her education at Hannibal, Glasgow, and Canton, Illinois. They 
 are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. 
 
 WILLIAM V. HOISINGTON 
 
 Was born in Athens county, Ohio, January 12, 1842. His parents, James 
 W. and Lydia Hoisington, nee Eddy, were also natives of Athens county. 
 His mother was related to General Nathaniel Greene. The family moved 
 from Athens, Ohio, to Iowa, and lived there the season of 1865, then located 
 in Grundy county, Missouri. The family consisted of four children ; viz., 
 James E., William Y., Mary and Charles A. Mr. James W. Hoisington 
 died December 26, 1866; he had been a useful and honored member of 
 society wherever he had lived. Mrs. H. died September 4, 1872; she too 
 had lived a life of usefulness and left many warm friends to mourn her de- 
 parture from life. When the subject of our sketch was four years of age 
 he left Ohio with his parents and came to Iowa and lived with them until 
 1862, when he enlisted in company F, Thirty-third Iowa volunteer infantry, 
 served till the close of the war, and was with them in all their various en- 
 gagements and marches. After the close of the war he came to Grundy 
 county and located near where he now lives. He married, June 19, 1873, 
 Miss Margaret E. Witten, a native of Gentry county, Missouri, born De- 
 cember 10, 1853. They have had four children; named, respectively, 
 Lydia M., born May 24, 1874; Mary E., born February 26, 1876; Earl, born 
 January 18, 1881; and James W., born August 1, 1878, died May 5, 1880. 
 Mr. Hoisington owns one hundred and sixty acres of fine land, well improved 
 and stocked. 
 
 MES. MAEGAEET LEE. 
 
 Margaret Scott was born in Pike county, Missouri, January 1, 1837. She 
 was a daughter of Andrew and Jane Scott, the former a native of Ken- 
 tucky, and the latter of Virginia. They came to Missouri in 1822, settled 
 in Pike county and lived there till they migrated to Grundy county in 1856, 
 and located in Harrison township where Mrs. Lee now lives. Her father 
 died Angust 24, 1867, and her mother, February 27, 1870. Miss Scott was 
 nineteen years of age when she came to Grundy county. She was united in 
 marriage, April 30, 1861, to William Lee, who was a native of Clinton 
 county, Missouri, born November 13, 1836. His parents were originally 
 from Virginia, and his father died August 6, 1856, and his mother, in Feb- 
 ruai'v, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Lee became the parents of five children, three 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 719 
 
 of whom are living; viz., Benjamin L., born February 17, 1862; Joseph 
 A., boi"n January 24, 1864; and Ada, born September 4, 1871. Victoria 
 died when four years of age, and Hettie when six. Mr. Lee died Aiigust 
 30, 1872. He was a man universally beloved by all who knew him, and es- 
 teemed for his social qualities. Mrs. Lee lives upon the homestead, and her 
 sons, Benjamin and Joseph, are carrying on the farm. They deserve great 
 credit for their industry and the affection shown their mother, and sister 
 Ada. Mrs. Lee is a member of the Methodist Church, and the family are 
 highly respected. 
 
 J. E. MAXSON 
 
 Was born in Lewis county, Yirginia, December 18, 1841. His parents, 
 Herman and Drusilla Maxson, were both natives of Virginia. They came 
 to Missouri in 1865 and located at Alexandria, in Clarke county, and re^ 
 mained there till 1869, then came to Grundy county, where they still reside. 
 Our subject was reared upon a farm and received Iiis education in Virginia. 
 He came to Missouri with his parents in 1865 and returned to Virginia 
 in 1866 and, on the 19th day of April, of said year, was united in 
 marriage to Miss Doretha Clemans, wiio was born in Harrison county, but 
 reared in Lewis county. She was born March 24, 1845; her father was a 
 native of Germany, and her mother of Vii'ginia. Her father died in 1857, 
 and her mother, in 1872. Mr. and Mrs. Maxson became the parents of six 
 children: Mattie, born October 1, 1869; Carrie, born November 16, 1871; 
 Henry F., born April 14, 1874; Gracie, born September 11, 1877; Walter 
 E., born October 1, 1879; and Minnie, born September 8, 1868, died No- 
 vember 29, 1868. 
 
 Mr. Maxson, enlisted in company C, of the Tenth West Virginia volun- 
 teer infantry and served for nearly four years. He was wounded in the 
 Slienandoah Valley (siiot through the leg), and still suffers greatly from the 
 effects of this wound, which was inflicted July 17, 1864, and although a very 
 severe one, November 15 of same year he reported for duty, and served 
 faithfully and well till the close of the war. He enlisted as a private, but 
 was promoted from one office to another, till he attained that of first lieu- 
 tenant. He was taken prisoner, November 6, 1862, at Sutton, Virginia, 
 taken to Libby Prison, and kept tliree months, and endured all manner of 
 hardships. When he came to Missouri with his young wife, he had but five 
 dollars, but they unitedly fought the battle bravely and conquered, and now 
 have a beautiful farm of one hundred and twenty acres, well improved and 
 stocked, and located in a fine neighborhood. 
 
 LEVI MOOEE 
 
 Was born in Howard county, Missouri, May 22, 1844, and is a son of Josiah 
 and Nancy Moore, nee Montgomery. They were natives of Kentucky, but 
 came to Missouri at an early day. His mother died when he was about three 
 
720 HISTOET OF aEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 months old, and his father four years later. Being left an orphan at this 
 early age he was taken care of by his uncle, Levi Moore, who lived in 
 Grundy county, and by him was reared till he was eighteen years of age, 
 when he enlisted in company H, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, 
 and served with them over three years. He relates the following incident 
 as a part of his life in the army: About the iirst of November, 1864, near 
 Atlanta, Georgia, while detailed on a foraging expedition he was in the upper 
 story of a tobacco warehouse, about four and one-half miles from camp. 
 Looking out at the gable-end of the building he saw thirteen mounted Con- 
 federates coming toward him and where his horse was hitched. He knew 
 it was time to leave, and climbing and falling through the tobacco racks for 
 thirty feet to the floor he quickly picked himself up and made for his horse 
 with all speed, but by the time he was mounted the Confederates were 
 within one hundred and seventy-live yards and opened fire upon him; then 
 began a race for life. Luckily for him his horse was a good one, and he 
 kept his distance but still under fire, and the chase was thus kept up for 
 about four miles, when he came to a ditch about fourteen feet deep and twelve 
 feet across, which his horse successfully cleared, but it stayed his pursuers, 
 and turning in his saddle he called to them to come on. They only answered 
 
 with oaths, that he was a d d Yankee, and hastily beat their retreat. 
 
 A few days after the occurrence above related he, with several of his com- 
 rades, was taken prisoner and held at Andersonville and other places, 
 during which time he suffered much from fevers and the hardships of a 
 prisoner's life. After the war he returned to Grundy county, and on the 
 22d of February, 1S67, was married to Miss Martha Ann Boyce, who was 
 born October 14, 1845, in Daviess county, Missouri. They have had three 
 children; namely, James E., born December 17, 1868; William Harley, 
 born February 18, 1870; and Ida, born March 19, 1871. Mr. Moore had 
 but little opportunity of obtaining an education, but now, by diligence in 
 study at home, has become a well informed man, and has secured to him- 
 self and family a fine home of forty acres, where he lives a happy and con- 
 tented life. 
 
 BEES B. T. PEEEY 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, November 13, 1828. His parents, 
 George and Jane Peery, were natives of Virginia. They migrated to Mis- 
 souri in the year 1835, remained in Daviess county during the winter, and 
 in the spring of 1836 located in Grundy county, one mile east of Edinburg, 
 and lived there till the subject of this sketch was about twenty-five years of 
 age. The family consisted of about thirteen grown sons and daughters, 
 who were by this time all established in business for themselves, and the 
 subject of our sketch settled upon section fourteen, in Harrison township. 
 His father died in 1874, and his mother in 1872. He wr.s educated in the 
 
HISTORY OF GEtJNDT COUNTY. 721 
 
 common schools and at Grand River College; he was reared a farmer, and 
 as he observes, never failed to raise a crop in his life. 
 
 Angnst 10th, 1853, he was united in marriage to Miss Eleanor Witten, 
 who was born in Tazewell count)', Virginia, September 16, 1833. Her par- 
 ents, Thomas and Rebecca Witten, were also natives of Tazewell county, 
 but came to Missouri in 1852, and soon after settled in Harrison town- 
 ship, Grundy county. Her mother died in 1874, and father in 1879. 
 
 Ten cliildren have been the issue of this marriage; namely, Milton T., 
 born July 29, 1851; George L., born March 3, 1856; Rebecca J., born July 
 29, 1857; Robert F., born June 14, 1859; Archibald T., born November 
 6,1860; Attelia L., born December 18, 1863; Willie Ann, born October 
 27,1866; Henry T., born May 9, 1869; Bowen, born February 20, 1871; 
 and William, born May 18, 1862, died January 16, 1863. Mrs. Peery died 
 June 21, 1874. 
 
 Mr. Peery owns five hundred and fifty acres of land, three and one-half 
 miles northwest of Trenton, and the finest for a stock farm in this part of 
 the country. He is liberal in liis views in regard to education, and never 
 thinks but what his school tax is a good investment. His son George, has 
 been one of the leading teachers in the county. He ranks among the pio- 
 neers and has lived a quiet and peaceable life with all men, and only desires 
 to live such a life during the remainder of his days. 
 
 MAECELLUS EATLIFF 
 
 Was born in Lewis county. West Virginia, July 19, 1827. He lived in 
 that State till twenty-three years of age; moved to Butler county, Ohio, and 
 lived there two years; then to Hancock county, Illinois, where he resided one 
 and one-half years; thence to Wayne county, Iowa, remained till the spring 
 of 1863, and then located in Harrison township, Grundy county, Missouri, 
 where he has since lived, engaged in farming and stock-raising. His father 
 died in 1875, and his mother is still living in Wayne county, Iowa. He 
 was married in Virginia, December 30, 1849, to Miss Sarah Brown, a na- 
 tive of Lewis county, born May 20, 1831. Her parents were also natives of 
 Virginia. Her father died in 1845, and her mother, in 1880. Both his 
 grandfathers were noted soldiers in the Revolutionary War and War of 1812. 
 Ten children have been born to them, seven of whom are still living; 
 namely, Stephen F., born September 30, 1850; John R., born May 12, 1852; 
 J. N., born February 8, 1854; Jennie, born October 11, 1857; Rosa, born 
 January 8, 1860; William E., born November 20, 1862; and Thomas, born 
 May 27, 1871. Three died in infancy. 
 
 Mr. Ratliff has filled manj' of the township offices, and is now township clerk 
 and assessor. He never had any help financially when he started in life, but 
 has succeeded well, and by industry and good management has accumulated 
 considerable property, and three hundred acr3s of what is said to be one ut 
 
722 HISTORY OF GETTNDY COUNTY. 
 
 the best stock farms in tlie county, well stocked and with fine buildings and 
 a good orchard. Only the two youngest children reside at home, the others 
 are settled in life for themselves and are all living in the same townsliip. 
 
 SILAS EATLIFF, 
 
 A native of Lewis county, West Virginia, was born September 6, 1831 ; son of 
 Jesse and Sarah Eatliff, both natives of West Yirginia. When he was six- 
 teen years of age his parents moved to Butler county, Ohio, and lived there 
 five years, then moved to Wayne county, Iowa, in the fall of 1854. His 
 father died suddenly, while on a trip to Kansas, in 1876. His mother 
 is living, in the seventy-fourth year of her age. His grandfather, William 
 Eatliff, was cook for General Washington, during the Revolutionary War, 
 and his grandfather on his mother's side was a valiant officer in the War of 
 1812. Four of the brothers of the subject of this sketch were brave soldiers 
 during the late war; one died of sickness, from exposure, and one while suf- 
 fering imprisonment at Anderson ville. In April, 1863, he came to Grundy 
 count}', Missouri. He married, August 28, 1853, Miss Matilda Butcher, also 
 a native of Lewis county. West Virginia, born April 18, 1831. Her mother 
 died in 1872, and her fatlier is still living in Lewis county, West Vii-ginia, 
 in the seventy-eighth year of his age. Mr. and Mrs. Eatliff have had ten 
 children; viz., Sarah C, born May 28, 1854; Eliza 0., born September 15, 
 1856: John L., born January 23, 1861; Jesse A., born October 27, 1863; 
 David E., born January 10, 1866; Mary F., born January 9, 1870; Martha, 
 born March 11, 1876; Nora M., born February 6, 1877; Louisa E., born 
 January 11, 1880; and William, born October 30, 1858, died February 22, 
 1879. They had no financial assistance in starting in life, but this worthy 
 couple have striven on hand in hand together, have reared a large family and 
 provided for them a home of one hundred and nineteen acres of fine land. 
 
 C. W. SCOTT. 
 
 This gentleman has the honor of being one of the first white persons that 
 lived in Grundy count}^ He was born in Daviess county, August 2, 1833. 
 His parents, John and Charlotte Scott, nee Meek, were natives of Washing- 
 ton county, Virginia; the former was born May 6, 1787, and the latter, April 
 16, 1805. Tliey came to Missouri in 1831, lived a short time in the counties 
 of Ray and Daviess, and late in the fall of 1 833 located in Grundy county, near 
 Edinburg. His father died June 18, 1850, near Julesburg, while crossing 
 the plains to California, and his mother died in 1849. The subject of this 
 sketch lived with his parents in Grundy county till seventeen years of age, 
 then, in company with his father and others, started to California and M'hile 
 crossing the plains they were stricken with cholera and only a few lived to 
 reach the golden sliore. He spent about three years there and then returned 
 to Grundy county. He was married, December 3, 1854, to Miss Sallie Thorn- 
 
, HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 723 
 
 broiigli, a native of Lawrence county, Alabama, born January 22, 1S37. 
 She was a daughter of William and Catherine Thornbrough, who came 
 to Missouri in 1837 and settled near Edinburg. Her father died in 1847, 
 and her mother is still living in Grund}' county, now eighty-three years old. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Scott have been the parents of nine children; named, respec- 
 tivelj', Laura, born October 9, 1855; Flora, born November 19, 1857; Han- 
 nah, born November 25, 1859; Charlotte, born April 12, 1862; Charles, 
 born February 16, 1865; Thomas, born May 31, 1867; Hugh, born May 31, 
 1870; Barton, born October 26, 1874; and Porter, born April 27, 1877. Mr. 
 Scott never had an opportunity of receiving a scholastic education, but has 
 acquired a good general knowledge of things and is a man of fine business 
 ability. He owns a comfortable home of one hundred and twenty-seven acres 
 of fine land, well imj^roved. In 1863 he, together with his family, made a 
 second trip across the plains to California; there they remained for three 
 years, and then returned to Grundy county. 
 
 JOSEPH SCOTT 
 
 Was born in Hancock county, Indiana, August 5, 1836. His father, William 
 Scott, was a native of Delawai'e, and his mother, Rebecca Scott, of Ohio. 
 They came to Indiana at an early day and were pioneers of that country. His 
 mother died in 1838; and his father in 1880, at the age of eighty-three 
 years. At the age of nineteen years our subject left home to work for him- 
 self He had but a poor opportunity of obtaining an education, yet he is 
 now a well informed man. At the age of twenty-two years he came to 
 Missouri and located in Gentry county, then crossed the plains in 1859 to 
 Pike's Peak, and in 1860 returned to Grundy county. He married, January 
 24, 1865, Miss Mary E. A. Selby, who was born in Shelby county, Illinois, 
 January 12, 1847, a daughter of Rev. John C. and Louisa U. Selby, both 
 natives of Kentucky. Her father died in 1860, and her mother is still liv- 
 ing in Grundy county. They have had four children; viz., John W., born 
 December 19, 1865; Belle T.', born May 4,1870; William D., born Septem- 
 ber 22, 1876, died August 17, 1877; and Kemp S., born September 6, 1878. 
 Mr. Scott has forty acres of fine land and considerable stock. He had six 
 brothers in the Union army during the late war, three of them lost their 
 lives, and three returned home safe. Mr. Scott has served his township as 
 school director and road supervisor. 
 
 W. B. TABOE 
 
 Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, February 21, 1816, son of James 
 and Henrietta Tabor, nee Blackwell. He lived in Tazewell county till 
 1855, then immigrated to Missouri and located in Liberty township, 
 Grundy county, lived there till 1865, then settled in Harrison township, 
 where he still lives. His grandfather, Robert Blackwell, served seven years 
 
724 
 
 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 as a soldier during the Eevolutionary War. Mr. Tabor married, October 
 30, 1834, Miss Cliarity Eunyaii, of Tazewell county, born September 1^ 
 1816, daughter of Joseph and Nancy Runyan, nee Jacobs. By this union 
 they have had ten children; viz., Theodosia I., born August 21, 1835; 
 Seletha Ann, born September 29, 1837; James C, born Marcli 7, 1840; 
 Elizabeth J., born February 16, 1842; Nancy Elvira, born October 9,1844; 
 Joseph Harvey, born May 1, 1847; William Hardin, born December 31, 
 1849; Stephen Bartley, born January 22, 1853; Mary V., born March 8^ 
 1857; George S., born September 9, 1860. William Hardin died July 1, 
 1851; James C, died February 10, 1865; and George S., died April 5, 
 1881. Stephen B. was ordained a minister in 1877 and has ever since been 
 a faithful laborer as a pastor in the Methodist Episcopal Church (South). 
 Joseph Harvey is also a licensed exhorter in the same church. James C. 
 was a soldier in the Confederate army and died at Camp Douglass from 
 sickness contracted while in the service. Mr. and Mrs. Tabor have been 
 church members for fifty years, and all the family belong to the same 
 church. 
 
 ISAAC VEACH 
 
 Was born in Shenandoah county, Virginia, December 27, 1820; son of Sol- 
 omon and Mary Yeach, nee Lichliter. His father died at the age of fifty- 
 five years, and his mother at the age of eighty-nine. He lived in Shenan- 
 doah county till tliirty-five years of age; was reared upon a farm till eighteen 
 years of age, then learned the trade of wagon-maker and worked at the 
 same till thirty-five years of age. He was married, February 24, 1852, to 
 Miss Julia A. Clem, a native of Shenandoah county, born October 19, 1826; 
 daughter of David and Catharine Clem, iiee Walters, both natives of Vir- 
 ginia, and both died there. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. 
 Veach; viz., Joshua, bornMarch 18, 1856; Benjamin, May 24, 1858; Ella, 
 December 5, 1860; J^uford December 20, 1863; Mason died when about three 
 years old. Mr. Veach left Virginia, March 21, 1855, came to Missouri, and 
 remained one year in Caldwell county, then located in Mercer county; re- 
 mained eight years and then went to Harrison township, Grundy county, 
 where he still lives and owns a fine farm of two hundred and forty-four 
 acres well improved and stocked. In 1876 he was appointed bridge com- 
 missioner by the County Court, and served three years. He is truly a self- 
 made man, mentally and financially, ^j diligence in study he has become 
 a well informed business man, and by industry and good management, has 
 secured a beautiful and pleasant home. In 1869 he erected a bridge across 
 Sugar Creek which Luther Collier, then bridge commissioner, reported as 
 the best bridge in northwestern Missouri. He was chiefly instrumental in 
 securing the building of the graded road from Ti-enton to the forks of the 
 river. 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDT COUNTY. 725 
 
 W. E. WATTS, 
 
 A native of Audrain county, Missouri, was born June 10, 1842; son of 
 Littlebury and Elizabetli Watts, nee Throckmorton. They were both born 
 in Virginia, but came to Missouri at a very early day. His mother died 
 when he was five years of age and his father died in 1879. At the age of 
 sixteen he began business for himself, and early in 1863 enlisted in company 
 B, Twenty-third Missouri volunteer infantry, and served till the close of the 
 war and with the regiment, was in many engagements. While in the service 
 in Tennessee he contracted a disease from wliich he still suffers. After the 
 close of the war he returned to Grundy county, and February 15, 1866, was 
 united in marriage to Miss Nancy E. Tabor, who was born in Virginia, October 
 9, 1844. She is a daughter of W. B. Tabor, of this county. Six children have 
 been born, the issue of this union; viz., Mary E., born December 18, 1866; 
 Ida E., born February 11, 1870; Kufly E., born October 13, 1872; CoraB., 
 born May 30, 1875; Thomas H., born November 20, 1877; and Amanda, 
 born December 3, 1868, died January 18, 1869. He has made his own way 
 in the world and now has a nice home of sixty acres of good land well im- 
 proved and stocked. Mr. and Mrs. Watts are members of the Methodist 
 Church. 
 
 T. O. WITTEN 
 
 Was born in Grundy county, Missouri, January 2, 1849. His father, J. T. 
 Witten, and his mother, Caroline Thomson Witten, were both born in 
 Tazewell cox;nty, Virginia. They came to Missouri in the year 1854, and 
 stopped near Edinburg, and there his father is still living, but his mother 
 died, August 22, 1865. He married, April 9, 1868, Miss Laura J. Woodress, 
 who was born in Kentucky, June 4, 1849. Her parents, William O., and 
 Eleanor Woodress, were natives of Kentucky, but came to Missouri at an 
 early day. Mr. and Mrs. Witten were educated at Grand Eiver College and 
 Canton, Illinois. They have four children; viz., Nellie, born February 26, 
 1869; Minnie, born July 31, 1872; MoUie, born August 22, 1875; and Eva, 
 born January 22, 1878. He has served his township as constable and 
 school director. He is the owner of seventy-six acres of fine land, well im- 
 proved. He is a live, public spirited man, and the family are noted for their 
 generous and kind disposition and hospitality, and his abode is ever oj^en to 
 the accommodation of strangers. 
 
 J. A. WRIGHT 
 
 Was born in Frederick county, Maryland, December 10, 1839. His parents, 
 Albert and Elizabeth Wright, were both natives of Virginia, and are now 
 residents of Grundy county. On the 31st of December, 1863, he was mar- 
 ried to Miss Eva Brown, a native of Clinton county, Ohio, born July 31, 
 1844. Her father, Moses Brown, was a native of Virginia, and her mother, 
 
726 HISTOET OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 Kuth McPherson Brown, a native of Ohio; her father died November 9, 
 186S; and her mother is still livin_^, in Grundy countv. When Mr. Wright 
 was qnite young his parents moved to "Virginia, and when he was sixteen 
 they came to Ohio. Shortly after his marriage he enlisted in company E, 
 One Hundred and Sixty-ninth regiment of ]SJ"ational Guards, served five 
 months; then became a member of company E, Eighteenth Ohio volunteer 
 infantry and served till the close of the war; he was taken prisoner near 
 Cyntliiana, Kentucky, and kept for some time and then paroled by Gen. 
 John Morgan. After the close of the war he returned to Ohio and farmed 
 till 1869, then came to Missouri, and after spending one year in Caldwell 
 county, located permanently in Grundy county. Mr. and Mrs. Wright be- 
 came the parents of ten children; namely, Arthur J., born October 15, 1865; 
 Annie E., born January 5, 1867; Charles and William (twins), born No- 
 vember 2, 1869; and Jessie, born, June 14, 1876; Albert M., born June 26, 
 1868, died February 2, 1869; Emma and Edward (twins), born January 15, 
 1873, Edward died July 11, 1873, and Emma October 10, 1874; Anna and 
 Alfred (twins), born February 9, 1875, Alfred died August 14, 1875, and 
 Anna, August 21, 1875. 
 
 Mr. Wright was the eldest son of five children, four of whom are living: 
 William H., a brother, who died August 12, 1870, was a man of far more 
 than ordinary ability and stood among our leading educators; his chosen 
 profession was that of teaching, and he was continually striving to reach a 
 higher standard of excellence in his labors; he was a Union soldier in the 
 Forty-fourth Ohio volunteer infantry, and in the Tenth Ohio cavalry, and 
 served his country four years; was twice wounded and twice captured, but 
 by his bravery managed to escape and was soon again with his command, 
 able and ready for duty ; yet, in the prime of life, while in the good woi'k of 
 educating, the great destroyer, Death, conquered him and he was called to 
 his reward, deeply mourned by relatives and friends. 
 
 Mr. Wriglit, the subject of our sketch, has been a very useful man in the 
 county, having been postmaster at Buttsville for a number of years, justice 
 of the peace for seven years, and filled other townsliip offices. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Wright are members of the Protestant Methodist Church, 
 and highly esteemed members of society. 
 
HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COTJNTT. 727 
 
 CHAPTER XXX. 
 JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP. 
 
 How Situated — Area in Acres — When Organized — Its Metes and Bounds — Earh/ Settlers 
 — Fancy Sketch — First Election, 1S37 — Pioneer Incidents — Schools and School-houses 
 — The Cost of the First School-house — Pioneer Transportation — Climate, Soil and Pros- 
 perity — Township Officers, 1881 — Biographies. 
 
 The township of Jefferson is situated and constitutes the southwest corner 
 of Grundy county, and contains an area of about 22,720 acres. It is known 
 for its extensive bodies of timber, excellent water and fertile land. Within 
 its borders live many of the more enterprising farmers and stock-raisers of 
 the county. 
 
 Jefferson was a township before Grundy became a county, and was one of 
 the original eleven townships upon the organization of the county in 184:1. 
 The following taken from the records of the Livingston county court, for 
 the February term, 1839, shows its 
 
 FIEST BOTJNDAEY. 
 
 " Ordered that a township be made in the. county of Livingston, commenc- 
 ing where townships 60 and 61 cross Grand River; thence west to the inter- 
 section of said line with Daviess county; thence south with said line to the 
 road leading from Jerry Bannon's to Robert McGain's thence with said road 
 to Black's mills. Said township to be called Jefferson. Running from 
 McGains' so far as to include James Black in Jefferson township; tlience to 
 N. R. Hobbs', so as to include Hobbs in Jefferson township; thence running 
 with Bear Creek to the north; thence with the river to the beginning." 
 
 The present boundary lines of Jefferson township are Madison township 
 on the north, Grand River separating it from Jackson on the east, Living- 
 ston county on the south, and Daviess county on the west. It is the fourth 
 township in the county in regard to population, having witliin its limits, 
 according to the census of 1880, one thousand, one hundred and eighty-nine 
 inhabitants, or a net gain of three hundred and fifteen in ten years. The 
 township is watered by the Grand River on its eastern border, and Hickoiy 
 Creek which traverses the township diagonally from the northwest corner, 
 to the Grand River. 
 
 EARLY ARRIVALS. 
 
 Jefferson was among the most thickly settled townships of the county in 
 1841, when the organization went into effect. In 1836 the families of Jesse 
 Harris, Cornelius Darnaby and William Davies opened the way to the rich 
 lands of Jefferson, and staked their claims to build up homes in the wilder- 
 
728 HISTOEY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. ■ 
 
 ness of the Grand River Valley. Jesse Harris came from Garrard county, 
 Kentucky, and located on section No. 28 ; Cornelius Darnaby was also from 
 the famed "blue-grass region," Hopkins county, and his claim was staked in 
 ^section ISTo. 32; from the same State came William Davies, from the count}' 
 of Christian, and his cabin was erected on section JSTo. 33. These were the 
 three first white settlers in the township, but they were soon followed by a 
 host of others who came to stay. There were Greenbery Harris, D. H. 
 Dunkerson, Dr. James Livingston, J. W. Moore, M. Hornback, Richard 
 Ghenoweth, W. W. Bond, Joshua Bond, John Harshu, John Gee, Henry 
 Gee, Nathaniel Gee, L. D. Thompson, Edward Smith, J. M. Nichols, Na- 
 thaniel Maxey, George Trout, A. G. Taylor, George Embry, Isaac Embry, 
 Elijah Embry, Basil Tinsley, Dock Brown, "W. F. Brown, James Turner, 
 Thomas Turner, James D. Nordyke, James Blackburn, Pulligan Sandridge, 
 "William Woolridge, Matthew Greene, Fresle}' Boone, William Ashbrook, 
 Zela Conkling, Benjamin S. Ashby, and B. G. Gibbs, all came to make their 
 homes in the wild and rugged West, and Jefi'erson was the township selec- 
 ted. Some came with their families growing up around them, others were 
 young men just starting in life and eager to battle with the hardships of 
 the western frontier. "They came, they saw and they conquered" the 
 wilderness, and where once only the wild flower and wild grasses grew lux- 
 uriantly, there sprang up the necessaries of life. Broad acres over which 
 the plow had made its furrow took the place of trackless jDrairies, and rude, 
 but cosy cabin homes sprang up where once was only a dusky forest dell. 
 The deer and wild turkey that had wandered the silent woods alone, only 
 now and then disturbed by the stealthy tread of the Indian hunter and the 
 crack of his unerring rifle, now were startled by the ringing echo of the pio- 
 neer's ax, and scampered away from his imf)etuous presence, to be followed by 
 the whirring rifle ball that speedily put an end to their roving career. 
 
 EARLY ELECTIONS. 
 
 The first election held in what is now Jefferson township, took place two 
 years before the township became known by its present name. An election 
 was held at the house of D. H. Dunkerson in 1837, and the said Dunkerson 
 was elected a county judge of Livingston county. He was afterward re- 
 elected. In August of 1839, after the organization of the township, an 
 election was held at the home of Judge Dunkerson for the election of a jus- 
 tice of the peace for the new township, and at the same place, on the 19th 
 day of October, the same year, the citizens voted for an assessor for the 
 county of Livingston. Oti the 20th of March, 1841, after the organization 
 of Grundy county, an election was ordered for a justice of the peace for 
 the township of Jefferson. James D. Nordyke was elected, and held the 
 office until his death which occurred a year later, and on the 2l8t of June, . 
 1843, Michael Hornback was appointed his successor. The next election to 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. ' 729 
 
 be found of record, took place in the summer of 1852, when Greenberj' 
 Harris, B. G. Gibbs and Joshua Bond were elected justices of the peace, 
 within and for the township of Jefferson. Other early elections were held, 
 but no I'ecord was kept of who were elected. 
 
 The first sale of school lands in the township occurred on the 3d day of 
 February, 18i0, on which date the Livingston County Court ordered section 
 16, township 60, of range 25, to be sold for school purposes. 
 
 PIONEEB INCIDENTS. 
 
 The first couple to seek the joys of connubial life, were Benjamin S. Ashby 
 and Miss Elizabeth Harris, and the marriage took place at the home of the 
 bride's father on the 28th of March, 1838. The ceremony was performed by 
 the Eev. James McMahan, a Methodist minister. It was one of the happy 
 •events that relieved the monotony of the early days of toil, and the couple 
 received congratulations that were hearty and possessed that quality which 
 makes them appreciated — they were meant, every word of them. 
 
 James P. Harris was the first person born within the present limits of 
 Jefferson township. He first saw the light on the 28tli day of July, 1839, 
 on the old homestead on section No. 28, the son of Jesse and Mary Harris. 
 The first young lady to greet the morning of life in the same township, was 
 Miss Margaret Smith, the winsome daughter of Edward H. and Sarah 
 Smith, whose birth occurred not long after the first mentioned. 
 
 Death, that grim visitant that leaves only sorrow in its path, first sought 
 the realms of Jefferson on the 9th of March, 1838, when little Mary, daugh- 
 ter of Jesse and Mary Harris, was gently wafted to her last home in the 
 world beyond. She was buried in Livingston county. 
 
 Dr. James Livingston was the first practicing physician. He came from 
 the State of Ohio, and died in the township. He was one of the early 
 settlers. 
 
 The first minister was Rev. Elijah Murrell. He was a native of Mary- 
 land, and preached in Jefferson as early as 1836 or 1837. He was a Baptist, 
 and conducted services at the homes of the pioneers. The Bev. James 
 McMahan, a Methodist' divine, was one of the pioneer preacheirs, and came 
 to the township not long after Eev. Mr. Murrell. He, too, held services at 
 the cabins of the settlers. Eev. Mr. Murrell afterwards went to JSTebraska, 
 where he died. 
 
 SCHOOL AND SCHOOL-HOUSE. 
 
 The first school taught in Jeiferson township was in the year 1842, in 
 the kitchen of Jesse Harris. They were not particular as to the location of 
 a scliool in those days, and if they had only a few months schooling per 
 year, they were satisfied until they could do better, and took advantage of 
 what was vouchsafed tliem. This first of schools had about fifteen pupils, 
 
730 HI8T0EY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 and for instilling into their minds the rudiments of education the sum of 
 $10 was paid per month, and it was considered a fair compensation, for 
 money was scarce and it wasn't absolutely necessary to have a very large 
 amount to live comfortably, as things went in those days. Mr. Spencer 
 Brown was the first schoolmaster. He afterward moved to Andrew county, 
 Missouri, became a physician, and practiced medicine in his new home. 
 
 The first school-hoiise was erected in the fall of 1844. The building was 
 pnt up on section number twenty-nine, and built by George W. Trout, of hewn 
 logs, and after the style of school-houses of those days, with mud and stick 
 chimney, wide fire-place, split-log seats with no backs to them. This first 
 structure dedicated to learning in the township of Jefferson cost the sum of 
 one hundred and fifty dollars — whether in money or coon-skin currency, is 
 not known. 
 
 MISCELLANEOUS. 
 
 From Brunswick, in Chariton county, and Glasgow, in Howard county, 
 the settlers procured their supplies, and the great difficulty of traveling by 
 wagon was overcome by going horseback, sometimes taking pack-horses. 
 Like the housewives of other settlements, the good wife in Jeff'erson town- 
 ship had to manufacture the clothing for the family while the husband tilled 
 the field. The first domestic work of this kind was performed by Mrs. 
 Mary Harris, in 1836 or 1837. Weaving and spinning wasn't a pleasant 
 task by any means, especially when such raw materials as flax and hemp 
 were used, with some wool and a little cotton. 
 
 Jeff'erson township grew and prospered. Her soil was rich, timber plenty, 
 and a hardy, energetic class of citizens composed her population. She 
 ranks fourth in that respect, the census of 1880 giving 1,189 as the popula- 
 tion of the township. In 1870 the number was '874, an increase of thirty- 
 three and one-third per cent. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad 
 passes through the township in rather a southeasterly course, and this town- 
 ship furnishes a large number of ties for the road. The political complex- 
 ion of Jefferson township is Republican, and its township officers are of 
 that faith, but politics has little to do with local affairs. The present town- 
 ship officers are named as follows: Trustee, Gilbert Evans; collector, 
 Samuel H. Laird; clerk, John Roberts; constable, J. S. McCracken; jus- 
 tice of the peace, J. B. Embry. 
 
HISTOKT OF GETJNDY COUNTY. 731 
 
 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 
 
 J. B. ANDERSON. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Canada, born April 14, 1823. 
 He resided in the place of his birth until he completed his education, and 
 then commenced farming, which he continued until the fall of 1860, when 
 he removed to Michigan and remained there ten years, engaged on a farm. 
 He then moved to Grundy county, where he has since resided. When he 
 came to this county, in 1870, he selected a beautiful eighty-acre tract of 
 land which he has developed into a fine home farm, and on which he has 
 erected valuable buildings and made other permanent improvements. 
 October 14, 1874, Mr. Anderson was married to Mrs. Julia Davis, a native 
 of Virginia. 
 
 WILLIAM ASHBROOK. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is among the oldest and most respected citi- 
 zens of Grundy county. He was born in Kentucky, in February, 1802, and 
 passed the early years of his life in his native State. At the age of twenty- 
 one he went to Ohio where he became engaged in farming, and remained 
 there over twenty yeai-s. In the year 1844 he moved from that State to 
 Grundy county and has made his home in this county from that early period 
 to the present time. He has always been engaged in agricultural pursuits, 
 giving the greater part of his time to the improvement and cultivation of 
 his farm which contains three hundred acres of land. He has been content 
 and prosperous in a fair degree, and by cheerful and honorable labor has se- 
 cured a sufficient competence. He was married, November 13, 1827, to Miss 
 Mary Kithby, of Ohio, by whom lie has had six children, four of whom are 
 living: Martha A., David P., William H. and John W. Swing. Sarah J. 
 and Jemima, are deceased. 
 
 PRESLEY BOON 
 
 Was born in Madison county, Kentucky, July 13, 1820. His parents 
 brought him to Howard county, Missouri, when he was about two years of 
 age, and remained there only two years, when they moved to Sheridan 
 county, remaining until 1831. At this time they went to Livingston county, 
 where the subject of this sketch resided until his removal to Grundy county 
 in 1850. Here he purchased land and became engaged in farming. He now 
 owns one hundred and fifty-two acres of choice land, all under good cultiva- 
 tion. 
 
 Mr. Boon was married, in Livingston county, April 7, 1847, to Miss 
 43 
 
732 HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 
 
 Sarah J. Rosson. They have had seven children; namely, Daniel, Sarah E., 
 Mary H., Augustus, Tempy, Lydia and Perdida. 
 
 DAVID BEATTON. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Pennsylvania. He was born 
 January 26, 1818, and resided in his native State until the spring of 1868, 
 when he migrated to Grundy county. His education was received in the 
 schools of Pennsylvania, and after leaving school he learned the blacksmith's 
 trade, at which he worked until he moved from the State. When he came 
 to Grundy county he purchased a farm and has since been engaged in farm- 
 ing. He now owns one hundred ninety-eight and one-half acres of well- 
 improved land and is chiefly occupied in its cultivation. 
 
 Mr. Bratton was married in December, 1842, to Miss Margaret Casher, of 
 Pennsylvania. They have had ten children; named, respectively, Theophilus, 
 Susannah, Mary S., Eliza J., Nancy M., Hannah, Ellen and Alice; and 
 Elizabeth C. and Harry, deceased. 
 
 J. A. BROWN 
 
 Was born in Nicholas county, ^Kentucky, March 1, 1824. His parents moved 
 to Indiana when he was two years of age, and he remained in that State un- 
 til he completed his education, and became engaged in farming. In the fall 
 of 1843 he moved to Adair county, Missouri, where he lived until he came 
 to Grundy county, in the spring of 1845, and has been a resident of this 
 county since that time. His farm consists of two hundred and eighty-four 
 and one-half acres of land, under good cultivation, and finely located, both 
 for farming and stock-raising, and is improved with jjermanentand substan- 
 tial buildings. Mr. Brown has managed his farm successfully, and during 
 his residence in the county has earned the reputation of being energetic in 
 business affairs and upright and honorable in all the relations of life. He 
 was married in Grundy count}-, February 8, 1846, to Miss Amanda F. 
 Bailey. Twelve children liave been the result of this union, eight of whom 
 are now living, seven sons and one daughter; namely, William E., Alexander 
 M., Sarah E., John H., James L., Thomas J., Robert and Arthur J. 
 
 THOMAS BEUMIT 
 
 Is a native of Missouri, born in Livingston county, July 27, 1849. He was 
 there reared and educated, and subsequently engaged in farming. After 
 his removal to Grundy county he still continued farming, and now owns and 
 cultivates one hundred and sixtj' acres of choice land. His farm is finely 
 located and under good cultivation, and the building improvements are of 
 a permanent kind. Mr. Bruniit possesses good business qualifications and 
 in the management of his aifairs has displayed those characteristics which 
 have won the confidence and esteem of all. He was married, in Grundy 
 county, January 9, 1881, to Miss Elizabeth Curtiss, a native of Missouri. 
 
HTSTOKY OF GBUNDY COUNTY. 733. 
 
 H. C. CALLISON 
 
 Was born ill Daviess county, Missouri, April 7, 1850, and was reared in that 
 county. After completing his education he became engaged in the mercan- 
 tile business and followed this, in connection with stock-raising, until the 
 spring of 1874, when he moved to Grundy county and coniined his atten- 
 tion cliiefl}' to raising stock. He deals largely in cattle, sheep and hogs. 
 He is a successful business man and one who has the reputation of being 
 honorable and upright in all the relations of life. 
 
 Mr. Callison was married, in Daviess county, March 31, 1873, to Miss 
 Fannie Livingstone, a nativ-e of Grundy county, born March 30, 1850. Three 
 children have been born to them: Frank L., "William H. and Susie. 
 
 WILLIAM E. COLLINS 
 
 Is a native of Franklin county, Ohio, born December 1, 1837. He received 
 his education in his native county, and remained there until the fall of 1855,. 
 when he moved to Lee county, Iowa, and engaged in farming for several 
 years. In March, 1869, became to Grundy county, and has since made his 
 home here. During the war he enlisted, November 1, 1861, in company D, 
 Fourteenth Iowa intkntry, and served three years and three months, when he 
 was honorably discharged. 
 
 Mr. Collins now owns and cultivates a farm of one hundred and twenty 
 acres of land, well located and well stocked, and improved by handsome and 
 commodious buildings. His residence occupies a beautiful site commanding 
 a fine view of the surrounding country. 
 
 September 13,1860, Mr. Collins was united in marriage to Miss Susannah 
 Doane, of Lee county, Iowa. They have seven children; viz., William E.^ 
 Albert A., Estella K., Alta O., Guert O. S. L., Otto 0. and Leota. 
 
 \V. L. CtTETIS. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Missouri, born in Livingston 
 county, January 27, 1853. On completing his education he became en- 
 gaged in farming and followed this occupation for a number of years in liis 
 native county. In 1879 he moved to Grundy county and purchased eighty 
 acres of land, which he cultivates in connection with stock-raising. He oc- 
 cupies a beautiful residence, and is surrounded with all the accessaries of 
 comfortable living. 
 
 Mr. Curtis was married in Livingston county, October 15, 1874, to Miss 
 Katie Black, of that county. 
 
 SAMUEL GAY 
 
 Is a native ot Daviess county, Missouri, and was born in that county July 
 26, 1841. His parents were born in Pocahontas county, Virginia, but 
 
734 HISTOET OF OEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 moved to Howard county, Missouri, in 1838, and in the spring of 1839 went 
 to Daviess county, where they still reside. The subject of this sketch 
 became a resident of Grundy county iu 1878, since which time he has been 
 principally engaged in farming, cultivating one hundred and twenty-six 
 acres of land which he owns, and on which he has made permanent building 
 improvements. 
 
 July 20, 1S65, Mr. Gay was married to Miss Mary A. Matthews, a native 
 of Michigan, born November 14, 1847. They liave four children: Eobert 
 A., Addie, Charles M. and William A. 
 
 GEOEGE S. GOODRICH 
 
 Is a native of Indiana, born June 15, 1840. When he was between three 
 and four years of age his parents removed with hiiu to Michigan, and he 
 was there reared and educated. After completing his education his inclina- 
 tion for a farmer's life led him to make that his choice, and he engaged in 
 farming in Michigan until he moved to Missouri, in 1858. When he came 
 to Grundy county he selected a finely located farm, and continued his labor 
 as a farmer. At the present time lie owns two linndred and seventy acres 
 of land, all under improvement, well stocked, and has fine and commodious 
 buildings. 
 
 Mr. Goodrich was married, February 20, 1863, to Miss Mary Prothew, of 
 Macon, Missouri. They have two children, Clarissa A. and Jessie E. 
 
 A. J. GEIFFITH 
 
 Was born in Hendricks county, Indiana, September 17, 1848. When nine- 
 teen years of age lie went to Daviess county, Missouri, and was there engaged 
 in farming for a number of j'ears. In the fall of 1871 he moved to Grundy 
 county, and remained until the spring of 1876, when he returned to Daviess 
 county. After a residence of four years in that county he came back to 
 Grundy county, and located on the farm he now owns. It is a fine stock 
 farm of one hundred aud sixty acres, well watered and otherwise adapted for 
 stock-raising and farming. 
 
 Mr. Griflith married, November 13, 1871, ffliss Alice Chenoweth, of 
 Grundy county. They have one child, Harley O., born September 19, 1875. 
 
 SAMUEL H. LAIED 
 
 Was born in Sheridan county, Missouri, January 10, 1844. He commenced 
 farming in early life, and continued the same in his native county until the 
 spring of 1876, when he removed to Grund}-- county and took up his former 
 occupation. He now has a fine farm containing one hundred and seventy 
 acres, which his industry has brought to a good state of cultivation. His 
 time is principally spent in tilling the soil, but he is interested in county 
 
HISTORY OF GKUNDY COUNTT. 735 
 
 and township affairs, and is now officiating as township collector, to which 
 office he was elected in April, lS8t. 
 
 Mr. Laird was married, in Grnndy county, September 17, 1878, to Miss 
 Mary Robinson. By this nnion they have two children, Rewaner and Alice. 
 
 C. n. LONGFELLOW 
 
 Is a native of Summit county, Ohio. He was born March 22, 1841, being 
 reared and receiving a part of his education in his native county. After 
 completing his education at Kendallville, Indiana, he was engaged in teach- 
 ing and farming for sevei'al years, when he came to Grundy county and 
 purchased his present farm, which he has continued to cultivate and im- 
 prove. He owns one hundred and three acres of land under good cultiva- 
 tion, has erected a handsome residence and otherwise improved his land by 
 substantial buildings. He was united in marriage, October 31, 1865, to 
 Miss Ella F. Robinson, a native of Wayne county, Ohio. Thej' have four 
 •children; namely, Ellis E., Howard N., JSTellie E., and Bertha. 
 
 Mr. Longfellow has held the office of township clerk and also that of 
 township trustee. 
 
 SETH MACY. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born in North Carolina, April 23, 1831, 
 and was reared and educated in Ids native State. In the spring of 1852, he 
 went to Marshall county, Iowa, and became engaged in farming, remaining 
 there until 1861, when he moved to Indiana, and the ensuing year went to 
 Daviess county, Missouri. In the fallof 1865, he came to Grundy county. 
 He has been principally engaged in farming, and has purchased a farm con- 
 taining three hundred and twenty acres of land, well adapted to grain and 
 stock-raising, and finely located. 
 
 Mr. Macy was married, while a resident of Daviess county, to Miss Mary 
 A. Froman, of that county. Three children are the fruits of this nnion; 
 viz., Franklin, Alpheus and Amy F. 
 
 WM. U. MILLEE, 
 
 Station agent of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railway, at Hickory 
 Creek. The subject of this sketch was born in Livingston count}-, Missouri, 
 May 23, 1855. When he was about four years of age his parents moved to 
 Grundy county, and here he was reared and educated. In the fall of 1874, 
 he went to Arkansas where he remained two years, then went to Texas, re- 
 maining until 1881, when he returned to Grundy county and accepted the 
 poistion he now holds, and which he has filled acceptably. 
 
736 HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 H. C. PARBERRY. 
 
 The subject of this sketch was born December 22, 1833, in Franklin 
 county, Virginia. His parents moved to Barren county, Kentuclcy, when 
 he was only one year old, and resided there until he had partly received his 
 education. He then went to Macon county, Missouri, where he finished his 
 education, and then engaged in farming for a number of years previous to 
 his removal to Grundy county, in 1860. He has now been a resident of the 
 county for over twenty years, and during that time has been principally 
 engaged in farming. He owns nine hundred and twenty-three acres of land^ 
 which is under good cultivation and finely located. 
 
 Mr. Parberry was married, in liandolph county, Missouri, Aixgust 28,. 
 1856, to Miss Mary E. Dunham, and by this union they have had one child, 
 Mary E., now Mrs. Bleict. Mrs. Parberry died June 22, 1857. January 
 1, 1860, he married Miss Elizabeth A. Rowland, of Macon county, Missouri. 
 Twelve children have been born to them, five of whom are living; viz., 
 Kittie A., Nancy D., George L., Martha E. and Jerry F. 
 
 WILLIAM PARKER 
 
 Is a native of Franklin county, Ohio. He was born September 12, 1837, 
 aud when about one year old his j)arents moved to Madison county, where 
 he was reared and educated. In October, 1849, he went to Illinois, where 
 he engaged in farming, and continued that occupation until tlie spring of 
 1860, when he came to Grundy county. Soon after coming to the county 
 he enlisted in the United States Army, July 3, 1861, in company D, of 
 Merrill's Horse, and served three years. At the end of that time he became 
 disabled, and received an honorable discharge, when he returned home, and 
 since that time has been a resident of the county. He now cultivates one 
 hundred and twenty-one acres of land, and confines his attention mainly to 
 farming and stock-raising. 
 
 Mr. Parker was married, in Livingston count}', September 24, 1868, to 
 Miss Annie E. Bennett. They have four children: Charles E., Edgar B., 
 William W. and Eliza A. 
 
 C. W. PRICE 
 
 Is a native of Virginia, having been born in that State June 18, 1836. 
 When he was six months old his parents brought him to Daviess county, 
 Missouri, where he was reared and educated. After completing his educa- 
 tion he decided to engage in farming, and commenced his labors in this 
 direction in Daviess county, and remained there until March, 1863. He 
 then moved from that county to Grundy county, and located upon his pres- 
 ent farm. He now owns three hundred and fifty acres of choice farming 
 land, which he has brought to a fine state of cultivation, and has improved 
 
HISTORY OF GEUNDT COUNTY. 737 
 
 and beautified by a fine residence and other buildings, which give evidence 
 of thrift and prosperity. 
 
 Mr. Price was married, March 12, 1863, to Miss Mary J. Smith, of 
 Grundy county. Foiir cliildreu have been born to tliem; namelj', John E., 
 Dellie M., George S. and Harley E. 
 
 JOSEPH REYNOLDS 
 
 Was born September 29, 1825, in the State of Ohio, where he spent the 
 early part of his life. When nearly sixteen years of age he went to Indiana, 
 where he completed his education and continued to reside, engaged in his 
 chosen profession of farming, until the fall of 1856. At that time he left 
 the State and moved to Missouri, settling in Grundy county, and continuing 
 his labors as a farmer, where he has since resided, being principally en- 
 gaged in cultivating his land and making permanent improvements i;pon 
 his farm. He owns five hundred and five acres of land, which have the 
 natural advantages of a fine location, etc., and have been highly' improved 
 and cultivated by j'ears of labor, and which now afibrd a generous compe- 
 tence. Mr. "Reynolds was married, September 26, 1850, in the State of In- 
 diana, to Miss Martha Cory, a native of that State. They have had three 
 children; namely, Nancy E., now Mrs. Martin; William E.; and John W., 
 deceased. 
 
 Was born in Massachusetts, September 13, ISM, and was there reared and 
 educated. After finishing his studies he went to Black Hawk county, Iowa, 
 remaining there one year and then went to California with an ox train, by 
 the overland route, being one of the first trains that crossed the plains. He 
 engaged in mining operations and working at the carpenter's trade. In the 
 spring of 1866 he returned to his native place and remained six jnonths, 
 when he came to Missouri and located in Grundy county, following his 
 trade for several years, and in 1878 commenced farming. Since that time 
 he has been largely engaged in stock and sheep-raising. He now has two 
 hundred head of sheep and deals largely in stock. His farm contains four 
 hundred and forty acres of land, all under improvement and good cultiva- 
 tion, and is in all respects one of the finest farms in the countj'. Mr. Rice 
 was married in Grundy county, September 24, 1868, to Miss Amanda L. 
 Simms. They have three children ; viz., Lela A., Earl L. and Francis D. 
 
 WILLIAM EICIIAESON 
 
 Was born April 15, 1825, in the State of Kentucky, and was there reared 
 and educated. He first commenced work in a woolen factory in his native 
 county, and afterward continued the same labor on removing to Indiana in 
 1853. On coming to Grundy county in 1865 he became engaged in farming 
 
738 HISTORY OF GEUNDY COUNTY. 
 
 and now cultivates one hundred and ten acres of land. This farm is well 
 situated and improved by substantial bnildings. Mr. Richarson was mar- 
 ried in Kentucky, in October, 1835, to Miss Martha J. Patterson. Nine 
 children have been born to them, six of whom are living; named, respect- 
 ively, Alpheus M., Eufus A., Desdemona, Carrassia C, Alonzo O., and 
 James A. "William C, Nathaniel P. and Horace C, deceased. 
 
 HIBAM SMITH 
 
 Was born in February, 1813, in Pike county, Ohio. He there received his 
 education, and after the completion of his studies began the labor of farm- 
 ing, which he continued until his removal to Indiana, in 183i. He re- 
 mained in that State about four years, and at the end of that time decided 
 to make Missouri his future home, and, coming to the State, located in 
 Grundy county, in the fall of 1838. He jDurchased one hundred and sixty 
 acres of land, which he has since cultivated and continued to improve, and 
 his farm is now numbered among the finest of which the county can boast. 
 Mr. Smith was married in Indiana, February i, 1836, to Miss Hannah 
 Ellis. They have had fourteen children, ten of whom are living; viz., 
 Mary E., Elinor, Samuel, William W., Lilburn R., Hester A. E., Missouri, 
 Rebecca, Hannah M., Plenry B., and Edward H. Erameline, Rose Ann 
 and Hiram, deceased. 
 
 J. B. TPIOMPSON. 
 
 The parents of Mr. Thompson were natives of Kentucky, and resided in 
 that State until 1838, when they moved to Grundy county and followed 
 farming. Our subject was born in this county, April 4, 1839, and was 
 reared and educated here, and chose to follow farming when he reached his 
 majority. He now owns one hundred and ten acres of well improved land, 
 which is finely situated both for farming and stock-raising. He was mar- 
 ried, September 25, 1862, to Miss Mary J. Embry, and by this union they 
 have three^children; namely, Robert, Mary A. and Elizabeth. 
 
 M. D. L. TONGEAY 
 
 Is a native of Kentucky, born January 22, 184-i. He was there reai-ed and ■ 
 educated, and after completing his studies commenced farming and dealing 
 in stock, continuing iii both until the spring of 1870, when he moved to 
 Missouri and located in Grundy county. He owns two hundred and fifteen 
 acres of land under good cultivation, and has a fine residence surrounded 
 by shade trees and evergreens. Aside from the occupation of farming he 
 deals largely in horses and mules, and possesses some of the best thorough- 
 bred stock in the county. Mr. Toncray is a man of good business qualifica- 
 tions, and manages his affairs in accordance with the strict rules of integrity. 
 He was married in Daviess county, Missouri, May 21, 1872, to Miss Matilda 
 E. McBrayer, a native of that county. 
 
HISTORY OF GRUNDT COUNTY. 739 
 
 ELI.TAH TURNER. 
 
 The subject of this sketch is a native of Grundy county, born April 30, 
 1843. His early education was begun and completed here, and here among 
 old and familiar friends he has tilled his farm and made his home. During 
 the war he enlisted, in August, 1861, in the Second Missouri cavalry, and 
 served three years, when he received an honorable discharge from service. 
 Since that time he has continued to cultivate and improve his farm, and now 
 has forty acres under good cultivation. July 27, 1862, Mr. Turner was 
 united in marriage to Miss Eliza J. Long, of Livingston county, Missouri. 
 Four cliildren are the fruits of this union; namely. John H., James T., 
 Newton E. and Lillie M. 
 
 HENRY WHORTON 
 
 Was born January 1, 1856, in Sheridan count}', Missouri. His parents 
 moved to Grundy county when he was about fifteen jj'ears old, and hfe has 
 been a resident of the county since that time. He has followed mercantile 
 pursuits in connection with stock dealing and farming. In 1881 he was 
 appointed postmaster of Hickory Creek, which office he now holds. Mr. 
 Whorton has been twice married; first to Miss S. A. Neft", of Grundy 
 county, by wliom he had three cliildren: Thomas, Jerry, and Eddie. Mrs. 
 Whorton died September 22, 1873. January 22, 1876, he married Miss 
 B. E. BrattoD, of the same county. By this union they havie three chil- 
 dren; viz., Henry C, Wetzal and Glancy. 
 
 MRS. NANCY WILLIAMS. 
 
 Mrs. Williams was born in Kentucky, February 11, 1829. Her parents 
 immigrated to Sheridan county when she was about two years of age, and 
 she lived in that county until 1844, when she came to Grundy county in 
 compan}' with her parents, and has been a resident of the county since that 
 time. She was married April 3, 1858, and is the mother of three children, 
 whose names are, Mary E., Elizabeth A., and William. Her husband died 
 February 21, 1862. 
 
 JOHN WILLIAMS 
 
 Was born in the State of Tennessee, on the 12th day of May, 1830. In 
 early infancy his parents moved to Indiana, where he was reared and edu- 
 cated. When nineteen years of age he came to Grundy county, and has 
 been a resident of the county since. He owns a fine farm of two hundred 
 and forty acres, which he has brought to a good state of cultivation. He 
 has erected a handsome residence, nearly four miles southeast of Trenton, 
 and has otherwise improved his farm. March 28, 1852, he married Miss 
 Jane McAlpin, a native of Tennessee. By this marriage they had two chil- 
 dren: Thomas A. and Sarah M. Mrs. Williams died February 22, 1879, 
 after a short illness. 
 
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