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Full text of "History of Randolph County, Missouri"

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HISTORY 






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OF 



Randolph County 



MISSOURI 



ALEXANDER H. WALLER 



ILLUSTRATED 



HISTORICAL publishing company, 

TOPEKA CLEVELAND 

1920 




%V0AT10»» 



.♦ 



PREFACE 



Histoiy is a record of human events, the personal element ever being- 
present. Men perform their allotted work upon this earth and then depart. 
Others follow to take up the work left unfinished by those who have pre- 
ceded them. It was ordained by an omnipotent and omniscient Providence 
that it should be the task of His creatures here below to go forth into, 
subdue, and people the waste places of the earth, the forests, and the 
plains ; to change the wide spaces of land into fertile areas so as to pro- 
vide sustenance for mankind. The vanguard were the pioneers, men and 
women accustomed to simple methods of living, inured to hardships, bred 
to a life which required that they wrest a livelihood from the soil, and 
imbued with the spirit of generations of pioneers. They accomplished 
their self-imposed task and subdued the lands of what is now known as 
Randolph county. They paved the pathway for others who followed to 
resume the task of making a happy and prosperous community. Their 
work was well and faithfully done and this volume of Randolph county 
history might fittingly be dedicated to the memory of those brave men 
and women. 

Lest we forget, lest the children of today and of the tomorrows know 
not the deeds of their progenitors, this history has been written and pub- 
lished — affording an authentic and readable record for all time to come, 
the story of the settlement and upbuilding of Randolph county. 

History has been and is now being made. The great task of founding 
and creating an important sub-division of the great commonwealth of 
Missouri has been accomplished. The future will bring forth still greater 
development. That this is possible is due to the bravery and hardihood of 
that noble race who have preceded the present generation and who lie 
sleeping peacefully beneath the sod they loved so well. 

The following pages present a history of Randolph county, based upon 
personal narratives, research, compilation, and official records. Inasmuch 
as history in the aggregate is a record of the composite achievements of 
all the people in a community during a course of many years, it is neces- 
sary to present much personal history in a work of this kind. 



True history is based upon personal achievement. True history, then, 
in its wider sense is but biography. The biographical department of this 
history of Randolph county, therefore, is important, as presenting a record 
of the leading families of Randolph county and recording the personal 
achievements of the men and women who have made Randolph county 
what it is today. In the publishing of this important department which 
is destined for the enlightenment of the present and future generations as 
to the best information available, concerning their forbears, and no effort 
has been spared to insure accuracy without exaggeration. 

In the preparation of this work it has been the aim of the writer to 
present the salient facts and the important events bearing upon the story 
of the settlement and early development of the county. Many events, of a 
seemingly remote character, had an influence in shaping the destiny and 
moulding the future of Randolph county, and it is hoped that the present 
and future generations may derive some benefit from the effort that has 
been put forth here in the way of a modest contribution to the annals of 
this splendid county. 

ALEXANDER H. WALLER. 

Moberly, Mo., August 1, 192C. 



INDEX 



Adams, Carson L. 755 

Adams, Samuel B. 751 

Adams, Simon F. 525 

Agee, W. E. 444 

Alexander, John D. 6S9 

Alexander, John W. 487 

Allen, John P. 678 

Allen, B. M. 283 

Arline. A. A. 797 

Asbell, Alguin S. 600 

Ash, David P. 052 

Ash. OttiS O. 225 

Ashcom, Benjamin II. 581 

Bagby, James H. 514 

Bagby, Thomas J. 699 

Bailey. Harry P. 530 

Baird, Edward T. ,__ 310 

Baird, William II. 778 

Baker, David F., Jr 825 

Balzar, J. W. 410 

Bank of Moberly 255 

Barclay. Christopher C. 826 

Barlow, Alfred 780 

Barr, Warren L. 704 

Bassett, Church A. 771 

Bassett, Homer 509 

Bassett, Robert H. 507 

Baugh, Willis 324 

Bazan, L. A. 305 

Bazan, Theodore B. 306 

Bell Brothers 342 

Bennett, Charles B. 396 

Bennett, George 690 

Bennett, James 690 

Benton, David S. 566 

Benton. John H. 810 

Bierman, Morris 321 

Blake, Charles D. 765 

Bledsoe, John A. 464 

Blood, E. O. 389 

Blood, G. N. 389 

Bobbitt, William A 692 

Boland, John M. 833 

Boney, A. T. 377 



Boney, James T. 375 

Boucher, Orion V. 769 

Bowers, Jacob S. 322 

Bowers, William S. 323 

Braddick, G. F. 631 

Bradley, Dudley. T. 576 

Bradley, Joseph W. 834 

Bragg, General Grant 586 

Brawley. William R. 842 

Brooks, James R. 666 

Brooks, Obediah 812 

Brown, Charles C. 597 

Brown, S. B. 669 

Buchanan, Walter C. 337 

Bundridge, J. W. 234 

Bundridge, V. E. 235 

Burckhartt, G. Dorsey 743 

Burckhartt, George H. 744 

Burke. Edmund 568 

Burke, M. W. 750 

Bnrkbalter, Charles F. 483 

Burkley, Andrew J. 531 

Burklund, Leslie G. 302 

Burton, Ambrose C. 809 

Burton, Asa T. 789 

Burton, Henry t>84 

Burton, Henry M. 659 

Burton, Medley 498 

Busch, Theodore Fred 312 

Butler, W. R. 327 

Bye, George E. 667 

Byrd, William F. 767 

Cairo, Bank of 378 

Campbell, John R. 715 

Campbell, Richard R. 687 

Campbell, Winfield S. 624 

Camplin,Robert T. 548 

Caplinger, Thomas A. 338 

Capp, A. A. 307 

Carney, P. J. 376 

Carrell, Richmond R. 811 

Carter, Joseph C. *05 

Carter, Joseph F. 580 

Carter, M. A. 653 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Carter, Richard D. Jr 823 

Carter, Richard L., Sr 638 

Caulkins, M. E. i 668 

Cavanattgh, Henry B. 620 

Cave, Willard P. 226 

Chaniici-. Arthur B. 453 

Chapman. William T. 672 

Chilton, Z. T. 501 

Christ, Charles F. 722 

Christian. William Paul 757 

Clapp, Chambers B. 275 

Cleveland, Charles B. 648 

Clifford. William C. 384 

Clifton Hill Banking Company 590 

Clifton. William D. 509 

Coates, John IT. 319 

Cogley, Edward c. 636 

Cottingham, James H. 533 

Cottingham, Guy 509 

Cottingham, Lane 736 

Cowan, Mercer B. 758 

Cox. William G. 398 

Creson, S. W. 281 

Crews, John B. 802 

Crews. Joseph S. 804 

Crisler, Charles E. 406 

Cromwell, William O. 680 

('rose, Homer 358 

Crose, L. M. 617 

• 'rose. R. K. 356 

Crose. S. P. 356 

Cross. James Thomas 296 

Crumrine, Amos L. 806 

Cubbage, Henry B. 741 

Cuppaidge, Godfrey <>. 474 

Dameron, S. M. 42:: 

Dameron, William L. •""'•"•'• | 

Dameron, William T. 553 

Daniels. Charles H. 845 

Darby, John L. 649 

Darby. William F. 528 

Davis. George M. 848 

Davis, William R. 505 

Dawkins Brothers 142 

Dawkins, William c. 731 

Dawson. Samuel P. 827 

Day, Winfred E. 759 

Denny. David R. 774 

Deskin. E. G. 633 

Deskin. George C. - 646 



Dessert, William P. 402 

Dixon, Charles IT. 462 

Dixon, Robert R. 647 

.Dodson, Charles L. 290 

Dodson, Thomas B, 679 

Doyle, Joseph A. 571 

Duffy, William E. 411 

Dnlany, James G. 557 

Dumont, John X. 70<> 

Dunn, Julius ^-M) 

Dunivent, Wade II. 421 

Dutton, Charles K. 473 

Bckard, William II. S05 

Eddings, George P. 316 

Edwards. Cyrus L. 579 

Edwards, Boy W. 239 

Edwards, William I). 490 

Egly, William 494 

Elliott, Alonzo IT. 655 

Elliott, Asher W. 655 

Elsea, Felix <;. 713 

Embree, C. B. 400 

Emerson, William Henry .'52* 

Fugle, Henry T. t>73 

Fnslen. James C. 320 

Epperly, Joshua T. 793 

Epperson, William D. 760 

Epping, Frank J. 415 

Esry, William A. 5<i2 

Estill, Frank Hartley '. 265 

Eubank, James R. 429 

Eubank, P. B. 430 

Eubanks, Harvey C. 7.'!6 

Evans, William M. ."7."! 

I'aessler. John W. 454 

Faessler, Louis F. 168 

Farmers and .Mechanic's Bank 234 

fennel, William. Sr. 280 

Ferguson, Andrew J. 582 

I'il'er. Harry M. 535 

Fifer, Walter D. 684 

Finn. John W. 783 

Fiorita, T. R. *_ 2!>1 

Fleming, Jacob C. 250 

Fleming, Thomas s. 217 

Forney. Frank B. 267 

Forney, I. B. 245 

Forster, Ed M. •""»»'.• 

Fort, Otto H. 313 

Fountain, Otis i 540 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Fowler, James A. 332 

Fowler, Otto S. »0S 

Frampton, David A. 711 

Fray, Oswald S. u4G 

Freeman, John 839 

Freeman, Timothy 813 

Freyslehen, Gustave 30S 

Fullington, Charles P. 630 

Galbreath, Lee 309 

Galbreath, Kay 326 

Gilflllin, Harry B. 4<;3 

Gipson, George B. 625 

Gladney, Albert C. 650 

Goddard, John M, 830 

Goodding, William W. 37'.i 

Gould, Kohin 840 

Gowan, George 839 

Graves, J. Will 595 

Greasa, Charles E. 64.'. 

Grimes, II. A. 299 

Gross, George W. olf> 

Grotjan. J. A. 661 

Gutekunst, Emil 273 

Hackley, J. S. 706 

Haden, Tucker G. 378 

Haines, Evan 564 

Haley, S. L. 4*: 

Hall, J. Ereckson 651 

Halliburton, Callie 575 

Halliburton, George I). 504 

Halliburton, Orley 692 

Halloran, Patrick 458 

Halterman, Gyrus 520 

Halterman, J. A W. :___ 686 

Hamilton, John N. 232 

Hamilton, Ira S. 513 

Hamilton, Stephen G. 537 

Hammett, Aubrey R. 331 

Hammett, Clarence J. 621 

Hammett, Francis M. 613 

Hammett, Jim L. 742 

Hammett. John H. 613 

Harbaugh. James E. 761 

Hardin, John H. 516 

Hare. David S. 4S9 

Harlan. Ira F. 314 

Harlan, Lee Smith 588 

Harmon, Henry S49 

Harris, C. J. Lumber Company 368 

Harvey, Frank B. 333 



Hatton, <>. F. 623 

Haworth. Harry H. 734 

1 la worth, Nathaniel F. 732 

Hayiies, Carl 781 

Haynes, Finis Ewing 790 

Haynes, Sidney H. 749 

Haynes, William J. 846 

Heddinghaus Frank B. 445 

Hedges, James S., Jr 654 

I lei fner. Joseph F. 601 

I lei fner. John Pressley 822 

Heifner, V. 536 

Hellensmith, William 330 

Henderson, William F. 661 

Hepple, George 705 

Hestler, August 658 

Hickerson, E. R. 277 

Hines. Abraham S. 392 

llines. Ilollie P. 524 

Hinton, Newton E. 782 

Holbrook, B. C. 456 

Holbrook, Solomon M. 329 

Holloway. John H. 363 

Holman, II. Frank 264 

Holman, Jim W. 202 

Holman, Neal 817 

Holman, William 561 

Holtsinger. F. If. 417 

lion, Charles C. 316 

Honey, James H 831 

Horner. James S. «. 386 

Hubbard, Frank T. 560 

Hubbard. James E. 526 

Hulen, C. M. 271 

Hulen, George L. 529 

Hulen. Sterling Price 532 

Hunker, Albert J. 693 

Hunter, Silas Oak 459 

Huntsman, Josiah 683 

Hurt, Eugene H. 700 

Hurt, Everett E. 598 

Hutsell, James D. 359 

Hutsell, Jerry C. 370 

Hutsell. John W. 850 

Hutsell, W. W. 346 

Irons, Thomas 408 

Irons. William A. 632 

Jackson, George H. 565 

Jackson, I. B. 585 

Jackson, John A. 682 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Jaeger, Gustav H. 360 

Jahnel, Peter 670 

Jefferies, Jerry M. 235 

Jennings, J. B. 228 

Johnson, (Jeorge L. 443 

Johnston, Norman C. 569 

Johnston, Mrs. E. M. 403 

Jones, A. W. 301 

Jones, W. B. 341 

Jones, William F. 515 

Jones. Winfield S. 424 

Jordan, William S. 656 

Keeley, R. F. 847 

Kehoe, James L. 460 

Kehoe, Martin J. 457 

Keiter, Ed Y. 467 

Kelliher, Daniel T. 339 

Kelloek, Thomas 413 

Kelly, Leonard W. . 539 

Kelly, William S. 660 

Kiernan, Robert E. 550 

Kingsbury Robert 364 

Klein, Louis 803 

Kynaston, John F. 344 

Lamb, Hugh 702 

Land, Hiram 497 

Landram, W. L. 393 

Larson, Charles L. 756 

Lawrence. Marvin R. 772 

Lay, (Jeorge William 611 

Lea, A. G. 435 

Lea, Elbert 1). 591 

Leonard, Edward E. 383 

Levy, Ren 790 

Levy, Henry 790 

Lilly. Major J. 231 

Littrell, James H. 506 

Uttrell, Watts 521 

Lockrldge, William D. 694 

Letter, Herman J. 447 

Lowry, John A. S21 

Lynch. Bernard E. 843 

Lynch, John E. 253 

McAdam, ('. A. 372 

McAfee. Frank C. ___J 286 

McOandless, Alexander 401 

McCormick, Frank Leslie 361 

McCoy, Alexander R. 34S 

McCoy, Hartley A. 298 

McCune, John W. 815 



McDonald, Patrick 47<f 

McDonald, Swan T. 77<; 

Me(Jinnis, Thomas 441 

McKlnney, J. Logan 677 

McKlnney, H. (Coon) 675 

McKinney, II. S'. "Harry" ^__ 471' 

McKlnney, Herbert J. 077 

McKinney, J. F. 391 

McKinney, Madison 480 

McKinney, May R. 674 

McLean, W. II. 725 

Magrudel", Samuel A. 307 

Mahan, Albert K. 252 

Mahan, E. Rell 251 

Malone, Homan H. -j37 

Malone, Lute A. ' 664 

.Mangus, William F. 324 

Manning, Charles A. 512 

Marshall. Byrd ulO 

Marshall, Claude D. 794 

Marshall, James W. 479 

Marshall, Melvin N. 283 

Marshall, Milton M. 350 

Marshall. Wiley D. oil 

Majrtin, Forrest 24:: 

Martin, Joseph Davis 261 

Martin, John R. 259 

Martin, Omar 260 

Martin, Samuel 355 

Maslen, William F. 756 

Mason, William Y. 746 

Mast, Phillip 710 

Mathews, Huston 311 

Mathias, Nicholas 639 

Mayo, James P. 608 

Mayo, Porter 593 

Meals, Marvin 325 

Meals, Orville 488 

Meals, William J. 334 

Mechanic Savings Rank l'27 

Melton, John A. 476 

Menke, Perry D. 385 

Merck, August 295 

Merrill. Kufns E. 835 

Meyers. F. H. 3<1 

Michaels. S. A. 635 

Mikel, Charles W. 663 

Milam, Ed L. 425 

Milam, John C. 427 

Miles. William N. 753 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



Miller, Clyde 272 

Miller, Thomas \Y. ___ -Lis 

Miller, William J. 403 

Mitchell, Ralph 507 

Mitchell. Ki.ss A. __ 4S7 

Mize, John P. 718 

Moberly Wholesale Grocery Com- 
pany -. 282 

Moeller, Otto L. — 828 

Moore, William F. __ 7'.rj 

Morris, George W. . <;t>2 

Monis. John J. i;!>."> 

Morrlssy, Calvin T. 434 

Morrison, Bldridge s. :;s<i 

Motley, J. E. 7:'><> 

Monnce, A. M. 230 

Mounce, Alexander M., Jr J"-".! 

Murphy, Mark _. 4M 

Murphy, Patrick J. 4 1 r, 

Murnin, John J. 702 

Murry, Marion 77". 

Mustek, William B. 027 

Xeal, Matthew H. 522 

Nebergall, Charles C. 477 

Xebergall, John 11. 240 

Nelson. Clement II. 640 

Nice. Ilamp M. 35] 

Nice. <>. R. 344 

Nichols. George M. ."(mi 

Nichols. Roy 1 TlfJ 

Noell. John R. 071 

Noland, Moss R. 735 

Nugent, Robert A. 844 

O'Brian, James R. 297 

O'Bryan, Owen Redick 256 

• ••Conner. James T. 798 

O'Keefe, Arthur 703 

O'Keefe, John C. z88 

O'Keefe, Joseph F. 290 

O'Keefe. William P. 289 

O'Leary, John 720 

Ornburn. Benjamin F. 527 

Ornburn, Ollie 837 

Ostman, George J. 841 

Owen, James H. 851 

Owen, Henry W. 723 

Owen, Willard 490 

Owings, Willard A. 538 

Packwood, Price 764 

Palmer, Elliott 799 



Palmer, Shackel 728 

Payton, Oscar W. 422 

Peebles, James A. 414 

Perry, George O. 461 

Phillips, Duff G. 719 

Phipps, Samuel B. 578 

Pigott, R. F. 347 

Pitts, John A. 545 

Powell, Charles J. 518 

Powell, lsliaiu , 552 

Ragan, Stephen T. 291 

Ragsdale-Carter Dairy Company 405 

Ragsdale, Earl 400 

Ragsdale, Bdward W. V77 

Randolph County Trust Company 315 

Ratlin"'. George N. 448 

Ratlin", liven 629 

Rector, Joel i,. 739 

Reed, John II. t>04 

Reed, W. T. ■_ 430 

Retinoids, George R. 481 

Rentchler, Chester L. 724 

Rice. John I). 838 

Richardson, Charles II. 360 

Rlcheson, Joseph G. 791 

Richmond, Aubert B. 626 

Riegel, Jerome A. 410 

Riegel, Val 409 

Robb, John Trice 696 

Robb, Leslie 698 

Roberts. James G. 376 

Roberts, John Henry 374 

Robertson, William 820 

Robertson, Waller W. 523 

Robinson, John F. 810 

Rohloff, William F. 270 

Romans, Merritt A. 203 

Rother, Anthony J. 388 

Rowland. Marvin 832 

Rubey, A. B. 284 

Rucker Brothers 450 

Rucker, Robert M. 269 

Rupp, E. G. 294 

Rutherford, Hayden L. 555 

Ryan, II. Edwin 340 

Sandison, Charles D. 572 

Sandison, Jack M. 249 

Sandison, James '. 248 

Sandison, W. H. 551 

Sandison, William 240 



BIOGRAPHICAL INDEX. 



San ford. J. E. 270 

Scampton, William I ». 285 

Schmidt, I. J. 70s 

Scars, James T. (JHI 

Sears, Madison L. 747 

Shearer, Bert 311) 

Shiflett, Walter J. 642 

Shipp, Charous M. 665 

Short, Edward C. 317 

short. Patrick J. 317 

Short, William .7. 318 

Shumate, Clay a. 401 

Sibhitt. A. ('. 397 

Sihbitt, Glenn A. 397 

Sipple Brothers 431* 

Skinner, John C. 712 

Skinner, Oather A. 77.". 

Smith, Garfield A. • 304 

Smith, George A. 768 

Smith. William C. 587 

Snow, O. E. »29 

Sours, Fousie L. 738 

Sours, George H. 465 

Sours, John S. 49.". 

Spragg,' Robert W T . . 644 

Sphrling, Walter E. 517 

Staebler, George 71T 

Stamm. W. J. 352 

stamper. F. M. 779 

Stark. John B. 637 

Stautermann, Peter 432 

Stephens, Temple 354 

Sternitzke, John Albert 407 

Stevenson, S. C. 27S 

Stinnett. J. P. 390 

Stockton. Joseph G. 541 

Street. Frank 542 

Sutliff. Enoch P. 558 

Sutliff and Jennings 369 

Summers, James II. 610 

Summers. Lewis A. 607 

Swetnam, J. H. 543 

Swetnam, Jim W. 622 

Taylor. John X. 720 

Tedford, May J. 203 



Terrill, Henry R. 262 

Terrlll, R. G. 382 

Terry, Alfred &18 

Thackston, John W. 41!* 

Thiemann, A. 786 

Thornburg, George 544 

Towles, William K., Jr. 395 

Towles, William K.. Sr 394 

Towles, Stokley P. 469 

Truesdell, James 814 

Truesdell, John C. 400 

Tuggle, Irvin L. 707 

Turner, David 602 

Turner. Virgil 305 

Vandergrift. William P. 807 

Vasse, Percy L. 570 

Walker, Nathan E. 819 

Waller, Alexander H. 450 

Walton, Thomas II. 478 

Webb, John M. o91 

Weber. Anthony J. 016 

Weis, Phares K. 245 

Wegs, Frank B. 274 

Westfall. Allen C. 657 

Wheeler, Andy H. 740 

Wheeler, Joseph H. 496 

White. Allen C. 303 

White, Benjamin R. 336 

Whittaker, Thomas B. 801 

Wiggington, William F. 733 

Wight, James F. R. 241 

Wight, James William 237 

Wight, James Winter 236 

Wiley, John W. 519 

Wilhite, Chester S. 353 

Williams, James S. 727 

Willott, August M. 362 

Willott. Ed A. 7S7 

Winans. Francis E. 788 

Winn, James W. 485 

Wirt. J. E. 534 

Witten, Paul S. 300 

Wright. George P. 619 

Wright, Sam W. 612 

Voder and Yoder 26S 

l 



History of Randolph County 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



EARI.V EXPLORATIONS A.\'l> DISCOVERIES THE NORTHMEN — CHRISTOPHER 
COLUMBUS— SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH EXPLORERS— ST. AUGUSTINE. 
THE OLDEST TOWN IX THE UNITED STATES— SANTA FE — RESULT OF EARLY 
EXPL< (RATIONS 65-69 

CHAPTER II 



INDIANS. 



SOLITUDE OF THE WILDERNESS CHARACTERISTICS — MODE OF LIVING — FORM OF 
GOVERNMENT— RELIGION— ENDURANCE TESTS— TORTURE OF CAPTIVES— A 
CRUEL ENEMY. BUT STEADFAST FRIEND — WHAT HE TAUGHT THE WHITE 
MAN— ALLIANCES WITH EUROPEAN NATIONS — INDIAN WARS 70-73 



CHAPTER III 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 



FIRST ENGLISH COLONY — SETTLEMENT OF MANHATTAN — THE MAYFLOWER — 
PLYMOUTH COLONY— LORD BALTIMORE— RELIGION — PENN— LAWS — CHAM- 
PLAIN— THE JESUITS — FRENCH AND ENGLISH ENMITY— FRENCH AND INDIAN 
WARS— FALL OF QUEBEC — TREATY OF PARIS — LOUISIANA TERRITORY — 
DANIEL BOOXE 74-84 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER IV 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 



SCOPE OF LOUISIANA TERRITORY NECESSITY OF AN OCEAN PORT— JEFFERSON'S 
NEGOTIATIONS— LIVINGSTON AND MONROE TO PARIS — PURCHASED FROM 
NAPOLEON— TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES DOUBLED — ORGANIZATION 
OF TERRITORY — COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS — POPULATION— TERRITORIAL LEG- 
ISLATURE 85-92 



CHAPTER V 



ADMISSION AND ORGANIZATION OF STATE. 



TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE CONVENED — "MISSOURI QUESTION" — STATE AD- 
MITTED UNDER CONDITION'S— COUNTIES— STATE CONSTITUTION — FIRST GOV- 
BRNOR — GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED— GOVERNORS OF MISSOURI— UNITED 
STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI— REPRESENTATIVES FROM RANDOLPH 
COUNTY 03-101 



CHAPTER VI 



EARLY CONDITIONS. 



BOONSLICK COUNTY WITHIN RESERVATION OF SAC AND FOX INDIANS— INDIAN 
CLAIMS EXTINGUISHED — COMING OF SETTLERS— FIRST SETTLEMENTS— IM- 
MIGRATION— PIONEER FARMING— THE "RAZORBACK" — INDIAN MENACE — 
BLACK HAWK WAR— SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS 102-lOt; 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER VII 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 



DANIEL BOONE'S FIRST EXPEDITION HERE— HE DISCOVERS A SALT SPUING 

BENJAMIN COOPER AND FAMILY SETTLE HERE— AN ATTRACTIVE COUNTRY 
— FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT — A COLONY OF KENTUCKIANS COME — 
ROADS— FIRST SETTLERS IN BOONSLICK COUNTRY 107-109 



CHAPTER VIII 



CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS OF PIONEERS. 



SELF-RELIANT AND BRAVE— FREE FROM PRIDE AND VANITY — GOOD WILL BE- 
TWEEN NEIGHBORS — MANY WELL-TO-DO — SLAVE OWNERS — PRODUCTS — 
FIRST HOMES— COOKING — GAME IN ABUNDANCE— -THE PIONEER FAMILY- 
SUPPLIED THEIR OWN WANTS 110-114 



CHAPTER IX 



PIONEER SETTLERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP SETTLED FIRST— WILLI AM HOLMAN FIRST SETTLER- 
SETTLERS MOSTLY FROM THE SOUTH — DR. FORT FIRST PHYSICIAN— EARLY 
SETTLERS— ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— PIONEERS WERE OF HIGH TYPE— OTHER 
EARLY SETTLERS 115-120 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER X 



ORGANIZATION OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



ORGANIZED IN 1829 — NAMED IN HONOR OP JOHN RANDOLPH OP ROANOKE — FIRST 
COUNTY COURT— COUNTY DIVIDED INTO FOUR TOWNSHIPS— OFFICERS AP- 
POINTED— SECOND SPECIAL TERM— COUNTY FINANCES— FIRST BRIDGES- 
COUNTY RECORDS — FIRST CIRCUIT COURT — FIRST GRAND JURY — ATTOR- 
NEYS—SECOND GRAND JURY 121-127 



CHAPTER XI 



EARLY WARS. 



BEFORE WAR OF 1812 — INDIANS IN WAR OF 1812 — FORTS CONSTRUCTED IN BOONS- 
LICK COUNTRY — INDIAN WARFARE— SETTLERS KILLED BY INDIANS — CAP- 
TAIN COOPER ASSASSINATED — CAPTAIN SARSHALL COOPER'S COMPANY- 
MEXICAN WAR— COMPANY ORGANIZED IN RANDOLPH COUNTY — CIVIL 
WAR 128-134 



CHAPTER XII 



PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES. 



LOCATION— AREA — GRAND DIVIDE— RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS TIMBER- 
COAL— TOPOGRAPHY— SOILS 130-1:: 7 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XIII 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 



FOUR ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— LATER TOWNSHIPS— ORIGIN OP COUNTY SYSTEM- 
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP SYSTEM — EARLY METHODS OF TAKING UP GOV- 
ERNMENT LAND— PRESENT SYSTEM OP LAND SURVEYS— CONGRESSIONAL 
TOWNSHIP— MARKINGS 138-145 



CHAPTER XIV 



TOWNSHIPS. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP- CAIRO VILLAGE- CLIFTON TOWNSHIP CLIFTON HILL— CHAR- 
ITON TOWNSHIP DARKSVILLE— ._ 146-154 



CHAPTER XV 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP— JACK Si >NVILLE — MONITEAU TOWNSHIP— H1GBEE— PRAIRIE 
TOWNSHIP— RENICK — SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP — UNION TOWNSHIP— MILTON— 
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP — MT. AIRY — SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP 155-168 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVI 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
MOBERLY. 



'CHARTER GRANTED TO RAILROAD— PLAN TO INDUCE SETTLERS TO COME HERE— 
PATRICK LYNCH FIRST SETTLER— REVIVED AFTER CIVIL WAR— RAILROAD 
ACTIVITY— TOWN PLATTED— SALE OF LOTS — HOTEL BUILT — OTHER BUILD- 
INGS—EARLY MERCHANTS — PANIC — FIRST TRUSTEES— NEGOTIATIONS WITH 
RAILROAD COMPANY TO LOCATE SHOPS HERE — LAND DONATED — BONDS 
VOTED— TOWN INCORPORATED — FIRST ELECTION — CITY OFFICERS— PUBLIC 
SCHOOLS — PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — LIBRARY — CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD 
COMPANY— BOND— FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER 169-191 



CHAPTER XVII 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
HUNTSVILLE AND SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. 



..SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. HUNTSVILLE: LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT— NAMED 
AFTER DANIEL HUNT, ONE -OF THE DONORS— OTHER DONORS— FIRST SALE 
OF LOTS — PIONEER BUSINESSMEN — EXTRACT FROM MISSOURI GAZETTE — 
FIRST LODGES— FIRST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOI^OPERA HOUSE— TOWN- 
INCORPORATED— FIRST MAYOR— PUBLIC SCHOOL — CITY AND SCHOOL OFFI- 
CERS— TEACHERS— MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE — OFFICERS— FIRST FAIR — 
LIBRARY— FIRST COURT HOUSE— SECOND COURT HOUSR 193-203 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



DR. WILLIAM FORT. FIRST DOCTOR EARLY CONDITIONS— EARLY DOCTORS — 
PHYSICIANS FROM 18«if. TO 1890— DOCTOR TERRILL — DOCTOR VASSE — EARLY 
DOCTORS AT HIGBEE, RENICK. CLIFTON HILL, CAIRO AND OTHER LOCALI- 
TIES — EARLY DOCTORS AT MOBERLY — PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF THE 
C< HN'TY 204-20G 



CHAPTER XIX 



BENCH AND BAR OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ESTABLISHED— JUDGE TODD PRESIDED OVER FIRST 
CIRCUIT COURT— FIRST LAWYERS IN ATTENDANCE— JUDGES THOMAS REY- 
NOLDS, JOHN D. LELAND. WILLIAM A HALL. GEORGE H. BURCKHARTT. JOHN 
A. HOCK ADA Y, ALEX AX HER H. WALLER AND ALLAN W. WALK I0R— EARLY 
LAWYERS— LATER MEMBERS OF THE BAR— PRESENT-DAY LAWYERS- 207-212 



CHAPTER XX 



EARLY CHURCHES. 



FIRST CHURCH ORGANIZED IN 1819— OTHER EARLY ORGAXIZATIONS— PRIMITIVE 
AND MISSIONARY BAPTISTS — MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE BUILT — PROVIDENCE 
METHODIST CHURCH — ANTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH— SALEM CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH — SUGAR CREEK CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH — MT. HOPE 
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHLTRCH 213-214 



CONTENTS. 



CHAPTER XXI 



TRANSPORTATION. 



STEAMBOAT TO HANNIBAL AND GLASGOW SUPPLIES HAULED OVERLAND— NORTH 
MISSOURI RAILROAD IN 1858— RA1 1. ROAD BUILDING SUSPENDED DURING 
CIVIL AVAR — CHICAGO & ALTON BUILT IN 1871 — WABASH RAILROAD AND ITS 
BRANCHES— THE MISSOURI, KANSAS & TEXAS— RAILROAD PROSPECTS IN 
CONTEMPLATION 215-217 



CHAPTER XXII 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE "RAZORKAi'K"- FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE— INDIAN 
SCARE OF 1829 218-224 



CHAPTER XXIII 

BIOGRAPHICAL 



INDEX TO ILLUSTRATIONS 



Ash. Ottis <). 225 

Bledsoe, J6hn A. and family 404 

Bledsoe's Residence, John A 465 

Bradley, -Mi', and Mrs. Dudley T r>7<; 

Burke, Edmund 568 

Burton, Henry 584 

Busch, Theodore F. 312 

Carney, P. J. 376 

Clifford, William < '. 384 

Coal .Mine Bigbee 160 

Court Eouse, Huntsville 65 

Cross. J. T. 296 

Darby, 'William C. and family 528 

Dunn, Mr. and Mrs. Julius 440 

Early Day Transportation 96 

Emerson* William II. 328 

Esry, William August 592 

Fennel, William, S'r. 280 

Halliburton, George l>. 504 

Halterman, Mr. and Mrs. Cyrus 520 

Hamilton, John X. 232 

Harris, C. J. Lumber Company ..<;s 

Heifner, V. - 536 

High School, Moberly 128 

Ilincs. Abraham S.. and family 392 

Holbrook, B. C. 456 

Holman, II. Crank 2<U 

Hubbard, John W. 560 

Irons, Thomas Jus 

Irons. William A. 632 

Jaeger, G. II. 360 

Jones, Winfleld Scott 424 

Kynaston, John C. 344 



McKinney, II. S. •■Harry" and family 47:2 

McKinney, "Mat" 480 

Mayo. James 1'. COS 

Manning, John W. 512 

Manning, Mrs. Martha I. 512 

Meals. Residence of Orville £88 

Miller. Clyde 272 

Murphy, 1'. J. -ho 

Xebergall, John X. -.— 240 

O'Bryan. Owen Rediek 256 

O'Keefe, John C. - 288 

Pioneer Home 65 

Pioneer Motor Power SO 

Postoffice, Moberly 65 

Powell, Isham ami grandson 552 

Public Library, Huntsville 192 

Public School, Higbee 160 

Public School, Huntsville 192 

ic.it lire. George x. 44.x 

Sanitarium, Randolph County SO 

Sandison, James 24N 

Smith. G. A. 304 

Stamm, William. Jr. 352 

Stamm, Mr. and Mrs. William J 352 

Street Scene. Moberly 17G 

Stautermann, Peter 432 

Thomburg, George 544 

Truesdell, John C. 4<>o 

Waller. Alex. H Frontispiece 

Weber, A. J. 610 

Wheeler, Resilience of Joseph II. 4.96 

White, B. R. 336 

Woodland Hospital 128 




RANDOLPH COUNTY COURTHOUSE. HUNTSVILLE, .MO. 




UNITED STATES POSTOEEICE, MOBERLY, MO. 



History of Randolph County 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY. 



EARL? EXPLORATIONS AND DISCOVERIES — THE NORTHMEN — CHRISTOPHER 
COLUMBUS — SPANISH, FRENCH AND ENGLISH EXPLORERS— ST. AUGUSTINE, 
THE OLDEST TOWN IX THE UNITED STATES— SANTA FE— RESULT OF EAUUY 
EXPLORATIONS. 



This work will be essentially a history of Randolph County. But 
the history of no state, nor part of a state, of this Union would be com- 
plete if all earlier historic events are omitted. 

The first European visitors to North America were Northmen about 
the year 1000 A. D., under the leadership of Leif Ericsson, son of Eric 

the Red, an adventurous navigator and 
explorer. The place where he and his 
companions landed, and later spent one 
or more winters cannot be determined. 
They called the region Vineland be- 
cause of the abundance of wild grapes. 
This point may have been somewhere 
along the North Atlantic coast from 
Labrador to Massachusetts or Rhode 
Island. But, however interesting it may be to us to know that the North- 
men (Danes and Norwegians), visited our shores at this earlier date, still 
their discovery led to nothing. No attempt was made by the Northmen 




66 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

to colonize the country, and in course of time their descendants, less 
adventurous, had lost all remembrance of any tradition or record of that 
far off shore. If any legend survived, it had become a mere fable, im- 
potent to inspire action and obtain results. 

Nearly five hundred years later Christopher Columbus, an Italian, 
born at Genoa about the year 1436, through the generous encouragemenl 
of Queen Isabella of Spain, received from the Spanish government the 
necessary help, together with the rank of admiral, to enable him to sail 
in search of the East Indies by sailing west. No thought of a new world, 
a Western Continent, had entered the mind of Columbus or any one else. 

On Friday, August 3, 1492, half an hour before sunrise, he set sail 
from Palos, Spain, with three small vessels, and one hundred and twenty 
men. 

No one understood navigation better than Columbus ; he had a chart 
of the globe made by himself and based on the highest authorities. Next, 
he had the compass for his guide. Finally, he carried with him an im- 
proved astrolabe, or instrument for determining his position by observa- 
tion of the sun. But these were not all. He had the conviction that 
he was engaged in a providential work, and that he was certain to ac- 
complish it. There are occasions in life when such a faith is worth every- 
thing; this was one. 

Nine weeks after his embarkation, and not too soon, because the 
crews of his ships had become discouraged, almost mutinous, an event 
occurred, which led to results. On October 2nd, a flock of land birds 
was seen flying to the southwest. At the instance of Alonzo Pinzon, 
one of his captains, Columbus, who had been sailing due west, turned 
the prow of his ship and followed these winged guides. 

Five days later on Friday, October 12th, a small island, one of the 
Bahamas was sighted, and the flag of Spain hoisted thereon. 

Columbus believed the island to be a part of the East Indies, hence 
he called the native inhabitants, Indians, a name they still bear in this 
country. Columbus made three more voyages to the Western continents, 
but never found out his mistake, but died in 1506, firmly convinced that 
America was part of Asia, and that he had discovered a short and direct 
all sea westward route from Europe to the East Indies. 

On this, his first voyage, Columbus discovered Cuba, and San 
Domingo; on his second voyage, Porto Rico, Jamaica and the islands of 
the Caribbean Sea in 1493 ; on his third voyage, 1498, the island of Trin- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 67 

idad off the coast of Venezuela, and the mainland of South America at 
the mouth of the Orinoco river. On his fourth and last voyage he ex- 
plored Central America and the Isthmus of Panama. Columbus raised 
the Spanish flag and claimed the country for Spain wherever he went. 

In the spring of 1497, John Cabot of Venetia, an Italian then resid- 
ing in Bristol, England, encouraged by Henry VII, King of England, 
set sail westward and discovered the continent of North America. 

On a map drawn by his son Sebastian is found the following inscrip- 
tion : 

In the year of our Lord 1497, John Cabot and his son Sebastian, 
discovered that country which no one before his time had ventured 
to approach, on the 24th of June about five o'clock in the morning. 

Cabot planted the English flag on the coast, and took formal pos- 
session of the country for the English King. 

The next year Sebastian Cabot made a voyage and explored the 
coast from Nova Scotia to Cape Hatteras, perhaps even farther south. 
He likewise asserted the title of Henry VII to the land. 

Upon the discoveries of the Cabots the English based their claim 
to this country. 

The fact that the western hemispheie, the two Americas, north 
and south, was no part of Asia, was made known by Magellan in 1517- 
1519, sailing under the flag of Spain, who sailed around the south end 
of South America, through the straits that bear his name, thence north 
along the west coast for some distance, thence west across the Pacific 
Ocean. One of his ships sailed entirely around the world. 

Then the eyes of Europeans were opened and the truth made known. 
America was an immense continent, to them a new world. In 1509, Diego 
Columbus, son of Christopher Columbus was appointed governor of San 
Domingo, where a colony had been already established, who speedily 
thereafter conquered the Island of Cuba. 

In the spring of 1513, Ponce De Leon, an elderly Spaniard, went 
upon an exploring expedition, under the auspices of the Spanish govern- 
ment and on Easter Sunday discovered the mainland of North America. 
De Leon landed near the mouth of the St. John river, planted the cross 
and raised the Spanish flag, and named the country Florida. It was 
upon this discovery that Spain laid claim to Florida and afterward made 
this claim good. In 1565, a fort was built at St. Augustine by the 
Spaniards and a settlement effected. St. Augustine is the oldest town 



68 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in the United States. Santa Fe, in the state of New Mexico, the second 
oldest town, was settled about 1582 by Spaniards. 

During the year 1534, Cartier, a Frenchman, discovered and named 
the St. Lawrence river and ascended the same to Mount Royal, so named 
by him, the site of the city of Montreal, raised the French flag - and 
claimed this territory for France. 

In the spring of 1539 Hernando De Soto with a force of six hundred 
picked men, two hundred horses, three hundred hogs for meat, sailed 
from Cuba, landed at Tampa Bay, and began his march of exploration 
and violence toward the natives. For two years this march went on. 
During that time De Soto and his men traveled upward of fifteen hun- 
dred miles through the now states of Florida, Georgia, Alabama and 
Mississippi. Their quest was for gold and they found little. In the 
spring of 1541, they came to the Mississippi river at a point in the north- 
west corner of the state of Mississippi and there they crossed over into 
the then wilderness, now the state of Arkansas, and resumed their march. 
How far, and whence they journeyed, is of little consequence now. In 
May, 1542, they came back to the great river, at the mouth of Red River. 
This was the end of De Soto's career. There he died and was secretely 
buried at midnight in the muddy waters of the Mississippi. Only about 
half of those who had landed in Florida were alive, a miserable remnant 
of a once proud array, half naked, half starved, the survivors at length 
reached the Spanish settlements in Mexico. De Soto and his followers 
were the first white men to stand on the banks of the Mississippi river. 

As late as the year 1600, there seemed small promise that this coun- 
try would ever be settled and governed by the English-speaking race. 
Look at the situation. More than a hundred years had passed since 
Columbus landed ; yet the only white inhabitants of the territory now 
embraced in the United States were a few hundred Spaniards in St. Augus- 
tine, Florida, and perhaps a few hundred more in Santa Fe, New Mexico, 
the second oldest town. Over the rest of the country, embracing more 
than three millions of square miles, the Indians ruled supreme. France 
had tried to get a foothold on the Atlantic coast and had failed ; England 
had tried and failed, likewise. Spain alone succeeded. In 1600, it cer- 
tainly looked as though her flag was destined to wave over the whole 
land from sea to sea. 

Confining ourselves to the territory now included in the United States, 
let u<s see what the explorers of that, and also of a later age, found 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 69 

America to be. In great measure it seemed to them Europe repeated. 
It had practically the same climate and the same soil. It produced, or 
was capable of producing, the same trees, the same fruits, the same crops, 
with the valuable addition of cotton, sugar, and rice. In all ways it 
was equally favorable to human health and life. 

But this is not all. In two important respects America is superior 
to Europe. That continent commands the Atlantic only; this commands 
two oceans, the Atlantic and the Pacific. Ships can be sent direct to 
Europe and Africa from our eastern coast and direct to Asia and Australia 
from our western. That is the first advantage. The second is that 
though America icpeats the natural features of Europe in its lakes, moun- 
tains, plains, rivers, and foiests, yet it repeats them on a far grander 
scale. Europe has nothing to compare with the Sierras and the Rockies, 
the Great Lakes, the Mississippi, Niagara, the Canyon of the Colorado, 
Yellowstone Park, or the western prairies. "America," says a distin- 
guished English statesman "has a natural base for the greatest continu- 
ous empire ever established by man." Such was the land spread out 
before the explorers. It seemed to offer to all who were disappointed with 
the Old World an opportunity to try what tiiey could make of life under 
new and broader conditions. 



CHAPTER II 



INDIANS. 



SOLITUDE OF THE WILDERNESS— CHARACTERISTICS— MODE OF LIVING— FORM OF 
GOVERNMENT— RELIGION— ENDURANCE TESTS— TORTURE OF CAPTIVES— A 
CRUEL ENEMY. BUT STEADFAST FRIEND — WHAT HE TAUGHT THE WHITE 
MAN— ALLIANCES WITH EUROPEAN NATIONS — INDIAN WARS. 

One strange fact about the country was, that east of the Mississippi 
the whole vast area was well nigh a solitude. Where today fifty millions 
of white men live, there were then only two or three hundred thousand 
Indians. In going through the forests, the explorers would sometimes 
travel for days without meeting a human being. The truth is, that the 
Indians cannot be said to have occupied the land; they simply possessed 
it. To them it was mainly a hunting-ground to roam over or a battle- 
field to fight on. 

Columbus called the natives Indians, but they called themselves simply 
"Men," or "Real Men"; "Real Men" they certainly often proved them- 
selves to be. The most numerous body of Indians in the east was the 
Algonquins; the ablest and most ferocious was the Iroquois. They were 
a tall, well-made race, with a color usually resembling that of old copper. 
Their hair was like a horse's mane, coarse, black and straight. Their 
eyes were small, black and deep set. They had high cheek bones and 
a prominent nose. 

The women let their hair grow long. The men cut theirs off close 
to the head with the exception of a ridge or lock in the middle. That 
was left as a point of honor. It was called the "scalp-lock." Its object 
was to give an adversary — if he could get it — a fair grip in fight, and 
also to enable him to pull his enemy's scalp off as a trophy of the battle. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 71 

That lock was the Indian's flag of defiance. It waved above his head 
as the colors do over a fort, as if to say, "Take me if you can I" 

The Indians were savages, but seldom degraded savages. They 
lived by hunting, fishing and agriculture. Their farming, however, was 
of the rudest kind. For weapons they had bows and arrows, hatchets 
made of flint and heavy clubs. 

The Indian believed in a strict division of duties. He did the hunt- 
ing, the fighting, and the scalping; his wife did the work. She built the 
wigwam or hut of bark. She planted and hoed the corn and tobacco. 
She made deerskin clothes for the family. When they moved, she car- 
ried the furniture on her back. Her housekeeping was simple. She 
kindled a fire on the ground by rubbing two dry sticks rapidly together; 
then she roasted the meat on the coals, or boiled it in an earthen pot. 
There was always plenty of smoke and dirt ; but no one complained. 
House-cleaning was unknown. 

The most ingenious work of the Indians was seen in the moccasin, 
the snow-shoe, and the birch-bark canoe. The moccasin was a shoe made 
of buckskin, durable, soft, plain and noiseless. It was the best covering 
for a hunter's foot that human skill ever contrived. The snow-shoe was 
a light frame of wood, covered with a net work of strings of hide, and 
having such a broad surface that the wearer could walk on top of the 
snow in pursuit of game Without it the Indian might have starved in a 
severe winter, since only by its use could he run down the deer at that 
season. 

The birch-bark canoe was light, strong, and easily propelled. It made 
the Indian master of every lake, river and stream. Wherever there were 
waterways he could travel quickly, silently and with little effort. If he 
liked he could go in his own private conveyance from the source of the 
Ohio to the Gulf of Mexico or from the mouth of the St. Lawrence to the 
Falls of Niagara. 

Politically the Indian was free. Each tribe had a chief, but the 
chief had little real power. All important matters were settled by coun- 
cils. Socially, the Indian had less liberty than the white man. He was 
bound by customs handed down from his forefathers. He could not marry 
outside his tribe. He could not sit in whatever seat he chose at a council. 
He could not even paint his face any color he fancied; for a young man 
who had won no honors in battle would no more have dared to decorate 
himself like a veteran warrior, than a private soldier in the United States 



72 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

army would venture to appear at parade in the uniform of a major-general. 

The Indian usually believed in a Great Spirit-all-powerful wise and 
good; but he also believed in many inferior spirits, some good, and some 
evil. 

Often he worshipped the evil spirits most. He reasoned in this way : 
The Great Spirit will not hurt me, even if I do not pray to him, for he is 
good ; but if I neglect the evil spirits, they may do me mischief. 

Beyond this life the Indian looked for another. There the brave war- 
rior who had taken many scalps would enter the happy hunting-grounds ; 
there demons would flog the coward to never-ending task. 

It has sometimes been said that "the only good Indian is a dead 
Indian," but judged by his own standard of right and wrong, the red man 
was conscientious. He would not steal from his tribe, he would not lie 
to his friends, he did not become a drunkard till the white man taught him. 

The Indian rarely expressed his feeling in words, but he frequently 
painted them on his face. You could tell by his color whether he- meant 
peace or war, whether he had heard good news or bad. He sometimes 
laughed and shouted, he seldom if ever wept. From childhood he was 
taught to despise pain. A row of little Indian boys would sometimes put 
live coals under their naked arms, and then press them close to their 
bodies. The game was to see which one would first raise his arms and 
drop the coal. The one that held out longest became the leader. If an 
Indian lad had met with an accident and was mortally wounded, he scorned 
to complain ; he sang his "death-song" and died like a veteran v/arrior. 

Generally speaking, the Indians tortured their captives. They wanted 
to see how much agony they could bear without crying out. The surest 
way for a prisoner to save his life was to show that he was not afraid 
to lose it. The redman never failed to show his respect for courage. An 
instance is found in the case of General Stark of New Hampshire. He 
was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1752, and condemned to run the 
gauntlet. Two long rows of stalwart young warriors were formed. Each 
man had a club or stick to strike Stark as he passed. But Stark was equal 
to the occasion. Just as he started on the terrible race for life he snatched 
a club out of the hands of the nearest Indian, and knocking down the 
astonished savages right and left, he escaped almost unhurt. The old 
men of the tribe, who stood near, roared with laughter to see the spruce 
young warriors sprawling in the dust. Instead of torturing Stark, they 
treated him as a hero. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 73 

The Indian was a treacherous and cruel enemy, but a steadfast friend. 
He thought at first that the white man was a celestial being who had 
come from heaven to visit him. He soon found out his mistake, and acted 
accordingly. The Indian could return good for good, but he knew nothing 
of returning good for evil ; on the contrary, he always paid bad treatment 
by bad treatment, and never forgot to add some interest. If he made a 
treaty, he kept it sacredly; it is said that in no instance can it be proved 
that he was first to break such an agreement. Those of the early white 
settlers who made friends with the redman had no cause to regret it. 

The Indian's school was the woods. Whatever the woods can teach 
that is useful — and they can teach much — that he learned. He knew the 
properties of every plant, and the habits of every animal. The natives 
taught the white man many of these things, but the most useful of all the 
lessons the American barbarians gave the civilized Europeans was how 
to raise corn in the forest without first clearing the land. 

They showed them how to kill the trees by burning or girding them. 
Then, when the leaves no longer grew, the sun would shine on the soil 
and ripen the corn. There were times in the history of the early settle- 
ments of white men when that knowledge saved them from starvation, for 
often they had neither time nor strength to clear the soil for planting. 

But the results of contact between the two races did not end here. 
The alliances formed between the Indians and the English on the one hand, 
or the Indians and French, who were rivals and enemies of the English, 
on the other, had important historical results. The hostility of the Iro- 
quois Nation, five tribes, of New York to the French in Canada, prevented 
the French from getting possession of the Hudson river, and so separating 
the English colonies of New England from those of Virginia and Pennsyl- 
vania. This was a decided advantage to the English settlers, who thus got 
a firm foothold on the Atlantic coast. 

Finally, the Indian wars prevented the English from scattering over 
the country. These contests forced them to stand by each other, and thus 
trained them for union and for independence. 



CHAPTER III 



EARLY EXPLORATIONS AND SETTLEMENTS. 



FIRST ENGLISH COLONY — SETTLEMENT OF MANHATTAN — THE MAYFLOWER — 
PLYMOUTH COLONY— LORD BALTIMORE — RELIGION — PENN— LAWS — CHAM- 
PLAIN— THE JESUITS— FRENCH AND ENGLISH ENMITY— FRENCH AND [NDIAN 
WARS — FALL OF QUEBEC — TREATY OF PARIS — LOUISIANA TERRITORY — 
DANIEL BOONE. 

The first English colony that endured was sent out by the London 
Company on New Year's Day, 1607. It consisted of 105 persons, all men. 
They sailed up a river of Virginia which they named the James river 
about the middle of May and settled at Jamestown. Fortunately there 
was a young man of decided ability among these colonists. This was 
Captain John Smith. His energy and courage saved the settlers from 
starvation and in the end perpetuated the settlement. The start was 
discouraging, but the colony lived to lay the foundation of a prosperous, 
powerful and independent state. 

In 1609, Captain Henry Hudson, an Englishman then in the employ 
of Holland, crossed the ocean and entered what is now New York Bay and 
was the first Englishman who sailed up the river that today bears his 
name. 

In 1626, the Dutch West India Company sent out a colony and landed 
on Manhattan Island. The governor bought from the Indians the entire 
island and established a settlement thereon. Later the English King, 
Charles II, claimed the whole country on the ground that the Cabots had 
discovered the coast and planted the English flag on it in 1497. Suddenly 
one day in 1664 a British fleet appeared off New Amsterdam, as the set- 
tlement was called, and demanded its surrender, promising at the same time 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 75 

full protection of life and liberty, freedom of trade, religious liberty and 
a representative government. In consequence the Dutch flag was hauled 
down, the English colors were run up, and the name changed to New York. 

Thus was the first colony planted in the state of New York, and the 
city of New York founded. 

On a morning late in November, 1620, the Mayflower, bearing the Pil- 
grim fathers, 102 in number, all told, sighted Cape Cod, and cast anchor 
m what is now Province Harbor. While the Mayflower was at anchor 
Captain Myles Standish, who was with them, but not of them, with a 
boat load of men went out to explore. A few days later the Mayflower 
sailed into Plymouth Rock Harbor, and the pilgrims went ashore on the 
mainland of the now state of Massachusetts. They immediately erected 
cabins and went into winter quarters, but such was the hardships they 
had to bear that by spring just one-half of the colony were in their graves. 
But when the Mayflower went back, not one of the Pilgrims returned ; they 
had come to stay. 

The colony increased but slowly. Even at the end of ten years there 
were only 300 people in Plymouth. Massachusetts Colony, founded in 
1630, overshadowed and finally absorbed it. 

In 1628, John Endicott assisted in planting a colony at Salem, Massa- 
chusetts. Endicott was a Puritan and his purpose was to establish a place 
of refuge for the oppressed people of his own faith, and of his own faith 
only. But great immigration to New England began in 1630 when John 
Winthrop, a wealthy English Puritan decided to emigrate. 

He came with a fleet of eleven vessels, bringing a colony of over 
seven hundred persons, with horses, cattle, and all things necessary for 
establishing a thriving settlement. John Winthrop was appointed Gov- 
ernor, and thus became the first sole and resident Governor. From the 
outset all public matters were settled in town meetings. When the colony 
grew too large, the towns sent representatives. Church members only 
were allowed to vote. 

In 1635 provision was made for the establishment of a public school in 
Boston. In the course of a few years free instruction was provided for 
every white child in Massachusetts. This was the beginning of the com- 
mon school system of the United States. In 1636, money was voted by 
the General Court to found a college. Two years later the Rev. John 
Harvard left his library and half of his estate of about 750 pounds to 
the college. Such was the origin of Harvard University, the first English 
college in America. 



76 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

During the years 1634-1635 the rich lands of the valley of the Connec- 
ticut attracted settlers from Massachusetts, and several towns were 
founded. In 1639 the people of these several towns met at Hartford 
and drew up the first constitution, or form of government ''known in 
history." 

This compact made no mention either of the King of England or 
of the English company which held a royal grant of the Connecticut 
lands. It was in reality the constitution of a republic. 

One reason why the Connecticut emigrants had left Massachusetts 
was that they did not believe in the principle of limiting the right of 
voting to church members. The Hartford constitution imposed no such 
restriction. Every citizen was politically equal with every other, and 
was at liberty to take part in making the laws. 

Today the United States and every state of the Union has a written 
constitution, and the right of suffrage is general as to every citizen. 

In the year 1634 a company of Catholic pilgrims came to America 
that they, too, might build up a state where they could worship God 
without molestation. This colony consisted of about 300 persons led 
by Governor Leonard Calvert, a younger brother of the second Lord 
Baltimore, landed on the northern bank of the Potomac near its mouth 
and founded the town of St. Marys. Prior to this time Charles I had 
granted to Lord Baltimore that part of northern Virginia, north of 
the Potomac river, and named it Maryland in honor of his queen, who 
was herself a Catholic. A part of these colonists were gentlemen of 
wealth and standing and probably Catholics. The rest of the emigrants 
were laborers and seem to have been chiefly Protestants. 

Father White, a priest who accompanied the expedition, had no 
sooner landed than he got permission from an Indian chief to convert 
his wigwam into a chapel. This hut was the first English Catholic 
church in America. Virginia would not have permitted that church 
to stand, New England would not. It was only in the wilderness of 
Maryland, in that mixed population of Catholics and Protestants that it 
was safe. 

From the beginning all the colonists took part in making the laws, 
and in a few years Lord Baltimore granted them the power of originat- 
ing those laws. In religion, absolute freedom of worship was given to 
all Christians, but to Christians only. No other colony in this country 
the nen joyed such liberty, and it was wholly unknown in Europe. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 77 

In 1636 Roger Williams, an exiled minister, from Massachusetts with 
others established a colony at Providence, Rhode Island. Other colonists 
soon followed and founded Portsmouth and Newport. From the beginn- 
ing entire freedom of conscience was given to every settler, "soul liberty" 
Williams called it. Maryland had granted such liberty to all Chris- 
tians, but the colony of Providence did not limit it, not Protestants and 
Catholics only, but Jews and unbelievers were protected. Roger Wil- 
liams laid down and put into actual practice what we may call the 
"American principle," that is, that government has nothing to do with 
the control of religious belief. This idea so new, strange and startling 
at the time, steadily grew and spread until in time it became a part 
of the constitution of the United States, where it now appears in the 
language following: 

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of reli- 
gion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof." 

And again, "No religious test shall ever be required as a qualifica- 
tion to any office or public trust under the United States." 

The first permanent settlement in New Hampshire was about 1627, 
four years later, in 1631, Portsmouth was settled. The first permanent 
settlement on the mainland of Maine was effected in 1625. Saco and 
Biddeford were founded in 1630, and Portland in 1632. 

In 1663 Charles II of England granted an immense tract of land 
south of Virginia to a company composed of Lord Clarendon and seven 
associates. This territory was called Carolina. On the coast it embraced 
the entire region now included in the states of North and South Carolina, 
Georgia, and a part of Florida; westward it extended to the Pacific. 

At the time this grant was made there were a few farmers in the 
northern part who had moved in from Virginia. These settlers were 
formed into a colony in 1663 called Albemarle. North and South Caro- 
lina was settled by emigrants from Virginia, by English and also by 
Huguenots, or French Protestants who came to escape persecution to 
which they were subject in their native land. General Marion, a descen- 
dent from a Huguenot family, a revolutionary patriot, won renown in 
the American cause. 

Charleston, founded in 1690, at the time of the revolution, was one 
of the chief cities of America. 

In 1861 Charles II gave to William Penn a territory of forty-eight 
thousand square miles, fronting on the Delaware river. 



78 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The first emigrants sent over by Penn arrived in 1681. The next 
year (1682) Penn himself came over, together with a hundred English 
Quakers, and took formal possession of his vast estate. The same year 
he founded Philadelphia. 

Less than two months thereafter Penn called an assembly, and he 
with the people enacted the "Great Law." 

"That constitution had a two-fold foundation, liberty of the people 
to make their own laws, and obedience to the laws they had made;" 
for, said Penn, "Liberty without obedience is confusion, and obedience 
without liberty is slavery." 

By the great law it was provided, first: That all Colonists should 
be protected in their worship of God, but that no one should be com- 
pelled to support or attend any form of worship against his will. 

Second: That all resident taxpayers should have the right to vote 
and that every member of any Christian church might hold office, and 
become a member of the legislative assembly. 

Third : That every child after reaching the age of twelve should 
be brought up to some trade or useful occupation. 

Fourth: That the death penalty should be inflicted for two crimes 
only, murder and treason, and for the first time in the history of the 
world, it was further provided, that every prison should be made a 
workshop and a place of reformation. Penn's next act was a treaty 
with the Indians. 

Penn met the Indians under the branches of a wide spreading elm 
in the outskirts of Philadelphia. There solemn promises of mutual 
friendship were made, but no oaths were taken. Each trusted the other's 
word. That treaty was never broken, and for sixty years, as long as 
the Quakers held control, the people of Pennsylvania lived in peace with 
the Indians. Voltaire, the French historian, said that it was "the only 
treaty which was never sworn to and never broken." 

In 1732 General James Oglethorp, a member of the English Parlia- 
ment, obtained a charter for settling the country between the Savannah 
and Altamaha rivers. Oglethorp was a man of high character and ability. 
His prime object in establishing this colony was benevolent. 

Imprisonment for debt obtained in England and thousands of honest 
hard working men, who through sickness or misfortune had contracted 
some debt, however trifling, that he was unable to pay, had been cast 
into prison, where many of them remained for years. These men were 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 79 

in prison, yet they had committed no crime. Oklethorp's scheme was to 
select the most deserving, discharge their debts, to furnish them and 
their families transportation to America and thus give them a chance 
to begin life anew. 

The English government and private individuals contributed money 
and the first emigrants were sent out. This first settlement was made 
on the Savannah river and the town named Savannah. Later, German 
Protestants, persecuted in their own country, and sturdy Scots for the 
Highlands made settlements in Georgia. With the settlement in Geor- 
gia effected, the entire Atlantic coast from New Brunswick to Florida 
was held by the English colonist. 

In the summer of 1608, Champlain, a French explorer, sailed up 
the St. Lawrence to Quebec and there established the first French colony 
planted in North America. Other settlements followed. In New Bruns- 
wick at Louisberg on the island of Cape Breton, at Montreal, Kingston 
and other places. 

The French, not the English, were the explorers of the West. The 
Jesuit Missionaries set out to convert the Indians, and in their zeal for 
this work, they braved all danger, and every hardship. They made 

friends of the Indians and sought to do them good. The fur traders, 

■ 

seeking gain, followed on the heels of the missionaries, oftimes they 
came with him. Next came the fort builders, and after the friendship of 
the Indians had been secured all came together. 

The Jesuits reached the western shore of Lake Michigan in 1669 
at Green Bay. There they established a mission. Prior thereto mis- 
sions had been established at Sault St. Marie and Mackinaw. In 1673, 
Joliet, a French explorer and fur trader, and Father Marquette set out 
from Mackinaw to find a great river which the Indians told them was 
west of Lake Michigan. Making their way to Green Bay, in birch bark 
canoes they paddled up Fox river to Portage. They carried their canoes 
across, less than two miles, and started down the Wisconsin river, and 
on a June day they floated out of the mouth of the Wisconsin onto the 
waters of the Mississippi. Down this stream they descended past the 
mouths of the Missouri and the Ohio rivers and south to the Arkansas. 
Here they turned back and laboriously paddled their way back to, and 
up the Illinois river, and thence across Lake Michigan. 

Six years later, in 1679, La Salle, the greatest of these French ex- 
plorers, set out from Montreal to complete the work of Joliet and Mar- 



80 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

quette. He sailed to Mackinaw, and from thence he and his companions 
went in canoes to the St. Joseph river, near the southeastern corner 
of Lake Michigan. From thence they crossed over to the headwaters 
of the Kankakee river, and down this stream to the Illinois river. Con- 
tinuing their descent to a point where Peoria now stands. They built 
a fort. Leaving a small garrison, La Salle, although it was winter, 
returned to Canada on foot for supplies. While he was gone, Father 
Hennepin, a priest in his expedition, set out from this fort to explore. 
After many adventures he finally reached the rapids of the Mississippi, 
where Minneapolis now stands, which he named the Falls of St. Anthony. 

The next year La Salle returned to Illinois, landing where Chicago 
now stands, he crossed over to the Illinois and going down the river, 
entered the Mississippi in February, 1782. The weather was bitter cold 
and the river full of floating ice; La Salle did not hesitate, but started 
with his company on his voyage. Nine weeks later he reached the 
Gulf of Mexico. There he set up a wooden cross on which he fastened 
a metal plate bearing the arms of France, and took possession of the 
entire territory watered by the Mississippi and its tributaries as French 
territory. He gave the name of Louisiana to this vast territory, which 
included all the valley of the Mississippi and extended from the Alle- 
glienys in the East to the Rockies in the West. In 1718 a French 
colony was established at Mobile, on the Gulf of Mexico, and in 1718 
New Orleans was founded by the French. 

We have seen that by reason of the exploration of the Cabots that 
England claimed all of the Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida 
and the territory westward to the Pacific ocean Several of the early 
grants made by the English sovereigns granted all this terrtiory westward 
to the Pacific. 

We have also seen that French explorers, La Salle and others, laid 
claim not only to Canada, but to the Valley of the Mississippi as well, 
and France stood ready to make good these claims by force of arms. 

In Europe the French and English had been long at enmity, and 
their rival claims to territory in America did not make them better 
friends, and eventually led to conflicts, four in number, known in the 
histories of the colonists as the "French and Indian Wars." 

The Iroquois Nation of Indians in northern New York were, through- 
out, the steadfast allies of the English during all of their wars. 




X 



1 



-> 



: 



U.WnOLI'H COUNTY SANITARIUM 







PIONEER MOTOR POWER 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 81 

The Algonquins, comprised of kindred tribes in southern Canada, 
Michigan and extending west as far as eastern Minnesota, together with 
other tribes west of the Alleghanies, were fast friends and allies of the 
French. The first war began in 1689 and lasted eight years. 

Frontenac, the French governor, sent a force of French and Indians 
to attack the English colonies along the Hudson. They secretly marched 
from Montreal in mid-winter, and at midnight fell upon the village of 
Schenectady, New York, burned it and massacred most of the inhabitants. 

Thus was the war begun, and thus was it, and the next two wars, 
in the main, prosecuted. The second war began in 1702 and lasted 
until 1713. 

After an interval of thirty years, the third one of these wars began 
in 1744, and ended in 1748. Like the preceding wars it led to a series 
of forays, destruction of outlying towns, pillage and massacre, and one, 
or more, pretentious military attempts by the English colonists, that 
in the end obtained no lasting results. 

By this time the French had got possession of the two chief rivers 
of the country, the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi. To clinch their 
hold, they had built fort after fort until they had a line of sixty, extend- 
ing from Quebec to Lake Michigan, and thence down the Illinois and 
Mississippi rivers to the gulf. The French and the English both claimed 
the valley of the Ohio river. 

Before 1749, no English settlements had been made west of the 
Alleghanies. In the year 1749 the kind of England granted to the Ohio 
Company, 600,000 acres of land in the Ohio Valley, situated in south- 
west Pennsylvania and West Virginia. 

The French determined to stop this movement and began to erect 
a new line of forts extending from Erie on Lake Erie southward to the 
juncture of the Alleghany and Monongahela rivers, where the Ohio river 
is formed. 

These movements speedily brought about results, namely the fourth 
and last French and Indian war. The struggle began in 1754 and was 
finally terminated, in fact, by a bloody battle fought under the walls 
of Quebec in the autumn of 1758, Montcalm, noble and chivalorous com- 
manded the French. General Wolf, gifted and gallant, led the English. 
The English won and Quebec surrendered. Both Montcalm, aged 40, 
and Wolf, age 34, fell in this battle; thus two loyal and intrepid spirits, 
foes in life, together passed into the land of perpetual peace. 



82 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The fall of Quebec was a turning point in the history of North 
America. On the night that Wolf and his army climbed the rocky 
heights behind Quebec, to the plains of Abraham, the whole of the 
country west to the Mississippi, and the valley of that river to New 
Orleans and the gulf belonged to France. When the sun went down the 
next day, the sun of France had already set in the new world. Her hold 
on America was lost, gone forever. But this seven year war did not 
come to an end until Spain had taken up arms in aid of France. Then, 
in 1762, England conquered Cuba and the Philippine Islands. When peace 
was made at Paris, in 1763, England gave all these islands back to Spain 
and took Florida in exchange. France to indemnify Spain for the loss 
of Florida, ceded to Spain the city of New Orleans and the territory of 
Louisiana. 

By the treaty of Paris, 1763, all of the territory, including Florida, 
New Orleans and westward to the Mississippi, all of Canada west to the 
Pacific and north to the frozen ocean, except Alaska became English 
territory. The territory of Louisiana was ceded to Spain in 1762. 

Less than seventeen years after the capture of Quebec, the Ameri- 
can revolution began and seven years later the thirteen colonies had 
gained their independence. Shortly thereafter the constitution was 
framed and adopted, the thirteen colonies became states of the Union, 
and the United States of America appeared upon the map, and took 
their place among the nations of the earth. 

In 1800, Louisiana territory was retroceded to France, but Spain 
was in actual possession until November, 1803. 

The first permanent settlements made by the French were situated 
along the eastern bank of Mississippi, five in number, in the state of 
Illinois, extending from near the mouth of the Illinois to the Kaskaskia 
river. They were Kaskaskia, settled in 1682, View Rocher, Fort Charters, 
Phillippi and Kahoki. The white population of these five posts did not 
exceed eight hundred. 

From these points exploring parties were sent forth, and one such 
party from Kaskakia having crossed the Mississippi in search of the pre- 
cious metals, found lead instead. This discovery led to the establish- 
ment of the first white settlement on the west bank of said river, 
in 1684, at St. Geniveve, in the state of Missouri. 

St. Louis was founded by Pierre Laclede Siguest, in the year of 1764 ; 
he was a native of France, and a member of a trading company to which 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 83 

a royal charter had granted an exclusive trade with Indians as far north 
as the St. Peters river. This colony grew rapidly by accessions from 
Kaskakia and other towns on the east side of the river and its trade 
correspondingly increased. The next settlement was made at Potosi, in 
Washington county, by Francis Breton, who discovered the mine nearby. 

Five years after St. Louis was founded, Blanchette, a Frenchman, 
established a ssttlement and built a fort at St. Charles, the first in north 
Missouri. Soon thereafter the old French village of Portage dis Sioux 
was located on the Mississippi, near the south of the Illinois river. 

In 1781. New Madrid was settled by French Canadians, and there- 
after, in 1801 Cote San Dessein, on the Missouri river in Callaway county 
was settled by the French. This village at that time was considered the 
outpost. 

Prior to the acquisition of Louisiana territory, a number of adven- 
turous spirits from the older states of the Union, attracted by the liberal 
proffers of land grants made by the Spanish authorities, or by the call 
of the wild, or by both, had come to Missouri. Among these was Moses 
Austin of Virginia who in 1795 received a grant of a league of land from 
the Spanish government, on condition that he would establish a lead 
mine at Potosi and work it. At this place the first shot-tower and sheet- 
lead manufactory was erected. 

Big River Mills, St. Francois County, was settled in 1796, by Andrew 
Baker, John Alley, Francis Starnator and John Andrews, each locating 
claims. The next year a settlement was effected near Farmington by 
Rev. Williams Murphy from East Tennessee. 

In 1796 settlements were made in Perry County by emigrants from 
Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Birds Point, opposite Cairo in Mississippi 
County, was settled in 1800 by John Johnson, who received a land grant 
from the Spanish authorities. Norfolk and Charleston were settled in 
1800 and 1801. Warren County was settled in 1801. 

Daniel Boone, a pioneer in Kentucky, secured a grant of land in 
St. Charles County and located thereon about 1797. He was then an 
old man, but strong and vigorous, and so remained for many years there- 
after, and hunted and trapped up and down the Mississippi river, depend- 
ing upon his traps and rifle solely for his wants. When Hunt, in his 
expedition across the continent, early in the year of 1811, touched with 
his boats at Charlotte, one of the old villages founded by the French, 
he met with Daniel Boone, who was still leading a hunter's life at the 



84 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

age of 82 years. He had but recently returned from a hunting and 
trapping expedition and had brought with him about sixty beaver skins, 
trophies of his skill. He was still erect and strong of limb and his cour- 
age unabated. Prior to 1807, Nathan and Daniel M. Boone, sons of Daniel 
Boone, had joined their father and they were living together, about 
25 miles west of St. Charles. Daniel Boone died in 1820 in his ninety- 
second year. 



CHAPTER IV 



LOUISIANA PURCHASE. 



SCOPE OF LOUISIANA TERRITORY NECESSITY OP AN OCEAN I '< >RT— JEFFERSON'S 
NEGOTIATIONS— LIVINGSTON AND MONROE TO PARIS — PURCHASED FROM 
NAPOLEON— TERRITORY OF THE UNITED STATES 1 '< >U B I .El >— ORGANIZATION' 
OP TERRITORY— COUNCIL PROCEEDINGS POPULATION— TERRITORIAL LEG- 
ISLATURE. 

Prior to 1803 the territory, entire, of the United States included 
Maine and extended thence south to Florida and thence westward to 
the Mississippi, thence up the Mississippi to its source, thence north 
to Canada. Immediately after the revolution immigration westward be- 
gan and settlements were effected along the Mississippi and to a greater 
extent along the Ohio and its tributaries. There were no railroads then,- 
nor steamboats. The way to the ocean, and the only way that surplus 
products could find a market, was by way of New Orleans and the mouth 
of the Mississippi; hence the fact that New Orleans and the way to 
the sea were controlled by a foreign country, caused discontent and loud 
clamor from Pittsburg, down the Ohio and Mississippi, to the last set- 
tlement on its eastern bank. So insistent and importunate were these 
settlers, citizens all, so unnecessary did it seem, that the present and 
future interest of these settlers be conserved, and so imperative, if the 
peace of the nation be maintained, that in the early part of the year 1803 
President Jefferson, assisted by Madison, framed careful instructions, 
and appointed James Monroe, envoy extraordinary, to treat with France 
for the purchase of New Orleans. Shortly before, Robert R. Livingston 
had been appointed minister to France and was sent January 11, 1803. 
Jefferson fully realized the importance of the acquisition of the mouth of 



86 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the Mississippi, and his master mind conceived the plan to acquire, for 
the west, this outlet to the sea by purchase. 

In a letter to Monroe he wrote, "If we cannot by a purchase of the 
country, insure to ourselves a course of perpetual friendship with all 
nations, then as war cannot be far distant, it behooves us immediately 
to prepare for that course without, however, hastening it." 

When Monroe later arrived with more extensive powers, Livingston 
had already begun negotiations and was waiting to conclude terms for 
the purchase of not only New Orleans, but both upper and lower Louis- 
iana, at a price within the reach of the United States treasury. 

Napoleon was at the time on the verge of a war with England and 
he needed money, besides by reason of the supremacy of the English 
upon the sea and war inevitable, he deemed the colony of Louisiana lost 
already. The time was auspicious and the terms were speedily agreed 
upon and as speedily concluded. Napoleon urged that the business be 
closed at once lest, he said, "I shall only transmit an empty title to those 
republicans whose friendship I seek." 

At Paris, France, the treaty and the two covenants were signed in 
French on April 30, 1803. 

Four days later, after these documents had been translated into 
English, they were again signed. This was the final act and the pur- 
chase was completed. After thus completing their task an exalted senti- 
ment seemed to animate and inspire the three ministers who had nego- 
tiated this compact. As soon as they had signed they rose to their 
feet and shook hands. Livingston, in expressing the general satisfac- 
tion said : ''We have lived long, but this is the noblest act of our whole 
lives. The treaty which we have just signed has not been obtained by 
art, or dictated by force; equally advantageous to the two contracting 
parties, it will change vast solitudes into flourishing districts. From this 
day the United States take their place among the powers of the first 
rank. The instruments which we have just signed will cause no tears 
to be shed. They prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations 
of human creatures. The Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed 
one another and multiply, truly worthy of the regard and care of Provi- 
dence, in the bosom of equality, under just laws, freed from the error 
of superstition and the scourage of bad government." 

When Napoleon heard that the treaty had been made final he said : 
'This accession of this outlet strengthens forever the power of the United 






HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 87 

States; and I have just given to England a maritime rival that will 
sooner or later humble her pride." 

This stupendous land transaction was concluded within two months 
after Monroe had sailed from New York. This treaty so manifestly ad- 
vantageous, was not so speedily ratified. Grave doubts arose as to 
whether new territory, and up to that time foreign territory, could be 
legally annexed. 

The constitution, it was contended, was formed for the government 
of a certain known and defined territory and could not be extended to 
other territory without the consent of each of the states. President 
Jefferson himself was of the opinion that the acquisition of any addi- 
tional territory whatever, under the obligation to admit such territory 
as a state to the Union, was not warranted by the constitution. He con- 
fessed that in lending his approval he had "stretched his power till it 
cracked." These old time statesmen had the utmost respect for the 
constitution, and no doubt construed it strictly, and sought to shun the 
least infraction of this sacred covenant. 

But the people were for it, and in the end, the treaty was ratified 
by the senate on October 21, 1803, by a vote of yeas 24, and nays 7. 

The formal transfer of the possession of Lower Louisiana was made 
by the representatives of the French government, and accepted by those 
of the United States on December 20, 1803, at New Orleans, and the 
French flag was hauled down and the flag of the United States hoisted 
instead. 

Twenty-five days later, on January 12, 1804, the formal possession 
of North Louisiana was likewise transferred to this country in the city 
of St. Louis, and the stars and stripes hoisted in place of the colors of 
France. 

The acquisition of this vast territory thus obtained doubled the area 
of the United States and more than doubled its natural resources. The 
Mississippi had now become ours and its every tributary, and the right 
of way down its broad bosom to the open sea was likewise ours, beyond 
dispute. 

The magnitude of the two Louisianas can be realized only by tracing 
their boundaries. On the south it included the gulf short of Louisiana, 
west to Texas. Thence northwest with the undefined eastern boundary 
of Texas to the Red river; thence up the Red river to the 100th meridian, 
at the southwest corner of the present state of Oklahoma; thence along 



88 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

said meridian, north to the Arkansas river; thence up this river to its 
source, and on to the main crest or divide of the Rocky Mountains; 
thence northwesterly, along said divide to the Canadian line, at about the 
113th meridian, west; thence east, along said Canadian boundary about 
900 miles to a point on the south shore of the Lake of the Woods, directly 
north of the source of the Mississippi ; thence south to said source, thenc< 
down said river to the state of Louisiana, the place of beginning. 

Included within these limits there are over nine hundred thousand 
square miles of land, or six million acres ; all of which was obtained by 
this purchase for sixteen million dollars, or two and two-thirds dollars 
per acre — a good buy certainly, when we take into consideration the 
fact that Randolph County was included in this purchase. 

Ten days after the ratification of the treaty, October 21, 1803, tem- 
porary measures were taken for the government of the Louisianans, and 
Amos Stoddard was appointed Commandant of Upper Louisiana. This 
temporary provision came to an end by act of congress which went into 
effect October 1, 1804. 

This act provided that Louisiana be divided into two territories, all 
south of the thirty-third parallel being designated as the Territory of 
Orleans, and all north of that line as the District of Louisiana. The Terri- 
tory of Orleans was given its own territorial government, but the Dis- 
trict of Louisiana, for governmental purposes, was placed under the gov- 
ernment of the territory of Indiana which then embraced all the then 
Northwest Territory. The Territory of Louisiana was of the lower grade, 
and all of the officers were appointed ; the people had no voice therein. 

This governmental arrangement, however, created universal dissatis- 
faction in the district of Upper Louisiana, so much so that five days 
before it was to go into effect, the representatives of the five administra- 
tive divisions of the district, all in Missouri (St. Charles, St. Louis, St. 
Geneveve, Cape Girardeau and New Madred) joined in a petition protest- 
ing against the act, and so cogent and convincing was this petition and 
protest that on March 3, 1805, congress by an act of that date, provided 
for a separate territorial organization for Upper Louisiana, thereby creat- 
ing the Territory of Louisiana, instead of the District of Louisiana. No 
material change was made in this arrangement until 1812. By this time 
the population had doubled ; 10,000 in 1804 had grown to 20,800 in 1812, 
in consequence of an influx of settlers from the states east of the Missis- 
sippi. These hardy pioneers bought with them not only their dogs, their 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 89 

rifles and their families, but very positive convictions as to the right 
of local self-government, at the earliest date possible. In consequence 
they submitted to congress, between 1810 and 1812, fifteen petitions 
praying for a higher and better form of territorial government, 

Congress, on July 4, 1812, changed the name of Louisiana Territory 
to Missouri Territory and organized the same with a governor and gen- 
eral assembly. The governor, legislative council and the 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 representatives to the President of the United States, from whom he 
selected, with approval of the senate, nine councillors to compose the 
legislative council. 

The house 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 con- 
sisted 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 hav- 
ing three judges, 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 1, 1812, required by congress, reorganiz- 
ing the districts of St. Charles, St. Louis, St. 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. 

Captain William Clark, of the expedition of Lewis and Clark, was 
the first territorial governor of Missouri Territory, appointed by the 
president, and began his duties in 1813. 

Edward Hempstead, Rufus Easton, Samuel Hammond and Matthew 
Lyon were candidates in November for delegates to congress. 

Edward Hempstead was elected, being the first territorial delegate 
to congress from Missouri. He served one term, declining a second 
term, and was instrumental in having congress pass the act of June 13, 
1812, which he introduced, confirming the title to lands which were 



90 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

claimed by the people by virtue of Spanish grants. The same act con- 
firmed to the people "for the support of schools," the title 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, in St. Louis, 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 Mc- 
Gready. 

Cape Girardeau: George F. Bollinger and Spencer Byrd. 

New Madrid: John Shrader and Samuel Phillips. 

John B. 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 per- 
sons from whom the president of the United States, 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 Frederick Bates, secretary and acting governor of the 
territory, by proclamation, June 3, 1913, and fixing the first Monday in 
July following, as the time for the meeting of the legislature. 

In the meantime the duties of the 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. Consequently but little is known in reference to the 
workings of the first territorial legislature in 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 cen- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 91 

sus, permanently fixing the seats of justices and an act to compensate 
its own members. At this sesion laws were also passed defining crimes 
and penalties, law in reference to forcible entry and detainer, establish- 
ing courts of common pleas, incorporating the Bank of St. Louis, and 
organizing a part of Ste. Genevieve County into the County of Wash- 
ington. 

The next session of the Legislature convened in St. Louis, Decem- 
ber 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 Isreal McCready, from the county of Washington. 

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 Gazette. 

At this session of the Legislature many wise and useful laws were 
passed, having reference to the temporal as well as the moral and spiritual 
welfare of the people. Laws were enacted for the suppression of vice 
and immorality on the Sabbath day ; for the improvement of public roads 
and highways; creating the offices of auditor, treasurer and county sur- 
veyor; regulating the fiscal affairs of the territory and fixing the bound- 
ary lines of New Madrid, Cape Girardeau, Washington and St. Charles 
counties. The Legislature adjourned on the 19th of January, 1914, sine 
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 
Hammond, 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 received 965, Mr. Hammond, Mr. McNair 853 and Mr. 
Riddick (who had withdrawn previously to the election) 35. Mr. Easton 
was elected. 

The census of 1814 showing a large increase in the population of the 
territory, an appointment was made increasing the number of the repre- 



92 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

sentatives 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 representatives. 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 Neelwy, 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 Territorial Legislature again began 
its session. Only a partial report of its proceedings are given in the 
Gazette. The County of Howard was then organized by bill approved 
January 13, 1916, from St. Louis and St. Charles Counties, and included 
practically 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 December, 1916. During the sitting of this Legislature many im- 
portant acts were passed. It was then the "Bank of Missouri" was chart- 
ered and went into operation. In the fall of 1817 the "Bank of St. Louis" 
and the "Bank of Missouri" were issuing bills. An act was passed chart- 
ering lottery companies, chartering the academy at Postosi, and incor- 
porating a board of trustees for superintending the schools in the town 
of St. Louis. Laws were also passed to encourage the "killing of wolves, 
panthers and wild-cats." 

The Territorial Legislature met again in December, 1818 and among 
other things, organized the counties of Pike, Cooper, Jefferson, Franklin, 
Wayne, Lincoln, Madison, Montgomery, and three counties in the southern 
part of Arkansas. In 1819 the Territory of Arkansas was formed into 
a separate government of its own. 



CHAPTER V 



ADMISSION AND ORGANIZATION OF STATE. 



TERRITORIAL LEGISLATURE CONVENED- "MISSOURI QUESTION" — STATE AD- 
MITTED UNDER CONDITIONS COUNTIES -STATE CONSTITUTION— FIRST GOV- 
ERNOR—GENERAL ASSEMBLY ELECTED GOVERNORS OP MISSOURI— UNITED 
STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI REPRESENTATIVES FROM RANDOLPH 
COUNTY. 

The Territorial Legislature convened in December, 1818 and at this 
session which continued into 1819, application was made by this legis- 
lature that Missouri Territory be admitted into the Union as a state. 
Slavery existed generally in the territory at that time and the presenta- 
tion of this application for admission, fanned into flame the slavery ques- 
tion, not only in Congress, but throughout the states of the Union and 
for the next three years the "Missouri Question" was the bone of con- 
tention, the absorbing political theme. Finally by an act of Congress, 
concurred in by both House and Senate on February 28, 1821, Missouri 
was admitted on conditions. At a special session of the Legislature held 
at St. Charles in June following, assent was given to the conditions of 
admission and thereafter, on August 10, 1821, President Monroe by 
proclamation announced the admission of Missouri into the Union as a 
State. 

At the time Missouri was so admitted, its territory was divided into 
twenty-seven counties, and by subdividing later, we now have one hundred 
counties within the state as admitted, and six others organized within 
the Platte purchase, and added to the State in 1833, and the city of St. 
Louis which is a county, making a total of one hundred and fifteen 
counties. Any reader, curious to know, may trace the trend of the set- 



94 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



tlement of the state by the dates of the 


organization of the count 


in the table following: 




County. 


Organized. 


Adir, 


January 29, 1841 


Andrew, 


January 29, 1841 


Atchison, 


January 14, 1845 


Audrain, 


December 17, 1836 


Barry, 


January 5, 1835 


Barton, 


December 12, 1835 


Bates, 


January 29, 1841 


Benton, 


January 3, 1835 


Bollinger, 


March 1, 1851 


Boone, 


November 16, 1820 


Buchannan, 


February 10, 1839 


Butler, 


February 27, 1849 


Caldwell, 


December 26, 1836 


Calloway, 


November 25, 1820 


Camden, 


January 29, 1841 


Cape Girardeau, 


October 1, 1812 


Carroll, 


January 3, 1833 


Carter, 


March 10, 1859 


Cass, 


September 14, 1835 


Cedar, 


February 14, 1845 


Chariton, 


November 16, 1820 


Christian, 


March 8, 1860 


Clark, 


December 15, 1818 


Clay, 


January 2, 1822 


Clinton, 


January 15, 1833 


Cole, 


November 16, 1820 


Cooper, 


December 17, 1880 


Crawford, 


January 23, 1829 


Dade, 


January 29, 1841 


Dallas, 


December 10, 1844 


Daviess, 


December 29, 1836 


De Kalb, 


February 25, 1845 


Dent, 


February 10, 1851 


Douglass, 


October 19, 1857 


Dunklin, 


February 14, 1845 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



95 



Franklin, 

Gasconade, 

Gentry, 

Greene, 

Grundy, 

Harrison, 

Henry, 

Hickory, 

Holt, 

Howard, 

Howell, 

Iron, 

Jackson, 

Jasper, 

Jefferson, 

Johnson, 

Knox, 

Laclede, 

Lafayette, 

Lawrence, 

Lewis, 

Lincoln, 

Linn, 

Livingston, 

McDonald, 

Macon, 

Madison, 

Maries, 

Marion, 

Mercer, 

Miller, 

Mississippi, 

Moniteau, 

Monroe, 

Montgomery, 

Morgan, 

New Madrid, 

Newton, 



December 


11, 


1818 


November 


25, 


1820 


February 


12, 


1841 


January 


2, 


1833 


January 


2, 


1843 


February 


14, 


1845 


December 


13, 


1834 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


15, 


1841 


January 


23, 


1816 


March 


2, 


1857 


February 


17, 


1857 


December 


15, 


1826 


January 


29, 


1841 


December 


8, 


1818 


December 


13, 


1834 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


24, 


1849 


November 


16, 


1820 


February 


25, 


1845 


January 


2, 


1833 


December 


14, 


1818 


January 


7, 


1837 


January 


6, 


1837 


March 


o 
o, 


1849 


January 


6, 


1837 


December 


14, 


1818 


March 


2, 


1845 


December 


23, 


1826 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


6, 


1837 


February 


14, 


1845 


February 


14, 


1845 


January 


6, 


1831 


December 


14, 


1818 


January 


5, 


1833 


October 


• 1, 


1812 


December 


31, 


1838 



96 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



Nodaway, 

Oregon, 

Osage, 

Ozark, 

Peniscot, 

Perry, 

Pettis, 

Phelps, 

Pike, 

Platte, 

Polk, 

Pulaski, 

Putnam, 

Ralls, 

Randolph, 

Ray, 

Reynolds, 

Ripley, 

St. Charles, 

St. Clair, 

St. Francois, 

Ste. Genevieve, 

St. Louis, 

Saline, 

Schuyler, 

Scottland, 

Scott, 

Shannon, 

Shelby, 

Stoddard, 

Stone, 

Sullivan, 

Taney, 

Texas, 

Vernon, 

Warren, 

Washington, 

Wayne, 



February 14, 1845 

February 14, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

January 29, 1841 

February 19, 1861 

November 16, 1820 

January 26, 1833 

November 13, 1857 

December 14, 1918 

December 31, 1838 

March 13, 1835 

December 15, 

February 28, 1845 

November 16, 1820 

January 22, 1829 

November 16, 1820 

February 25, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

October 1, 1812 

January 29, 1841 

December 19, 1821 

October 1, 1812 

October 1, 1812 

November 25, 1820 

February 14, 1845 

January 29, 1841 

December 28, 1821 

January 29, 1841 

January 2, 1835 

January 2, 1835 

February 10, 1851 

February 16, 1845 

January 16, 1837 

February 14, 1835 

February 17, 1851 

January 5, 1833 

August 21, 1813 

December 11, 1818 



36 



2 




HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 97 

Webster, March 3, 1855 

Worth, February 8, 1861 

Wright, January 29, 1841 

Prior to the admission of Missouri as a state, a convention to frame a 
constitution was assembled on July 19, 1820 ; a constitution was framed 
and adopted in anticipation of admission as a state. One provision of 
this organic law proved to be distasteful to Congress, and by the terms 
of the Missouri Compromise, Missouri was to be admitted upon condition 
that this objectionable feature of its constitution be eliminated, which was 
accordingly done, as we have seen in a preceding paragraph. 

This constitution provided that an election be held on August 28, 
1820 to elect a governor, and other state officers, members of the Gen- 
eral Assembly, county officers, United States Senators and a member of 
Congress. Alexander McNair was elected governor, a total of 9,132 votes 
being cast. John Scott was elected to Congress and other state and 
county officers were voted for and elected throughout the territory. 

The General Assembly so elected in August, met on Sept. 19, 1820 
and after organizing by their votes elected David Barton and Thomas H. 
Benton to the United States Senate. Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook, and 
John R. Jones were appointed judges of the Supreme Court, each to hold 
office until he reached the age of 60 years. When the territory a year 
later finally became the State of Missouri, these state and county officers 
had already been installed in office and when Congress convened in De- 
cember, 1821, these senators and the representatives were sworn in and 
became members. 

Thus it came about that Alexander McNair became the first governor 
of Missouri, and Mathias McGirk, John D. Cook and John R. Jones the 
first judges of the Supreme Court and David Barton and Thomas H. 
Benton the first United States Senators from the State of Missouri. 

Both of these senators were men of ability, and served their State, 
and the nation as well with fidelity. David Barton served for ten years, 
and was succeeded by Alexander Buckner. Senator Benton served there- 
after continuously for thirty years, until 1850. 

Both Barton and Benton were men of ability, Benton, especially so, 
and during this long service ranked in the Senate as one of its ablest 
members. He was not possesed of the peronal charm nor persuasive 
oratory of Henry Clay, nor the overpowering eloquence of Daniel Web- 
ster, but in practical statesmanship, he was probably the superior of 
either of them. 



98 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



GOVERNORS OF MISSOURI. 



Name. 


County. 


Elected 


• 


Alexander McNair, 


3t. Louis, 


August, 


1820 


Frederick Bates, 


St. Louis, 


August, 


1824 


Abraham J. Williams, 


Boone, 


Pres. S 


enate 


John Miller, 


Cooper, 


Dec. 8, 


1825 


John Miller, 


Cooper, 


August, 


1828 


Daniel Dunklin, 


Washington, 


August, 


1832 


Lilburn W. Boggs, 


Jackson, 


August, 


1836 


Thomas Reynolds, 


Howard, 


August, 


1840 


M. M. Marmaduke, 


Saline, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


John C. Edwards, 


Cole, 


August, 


1844 


Austin A. King, 


Ray, 


August, 


1848 


Sterling Price, 


Chariton, 


August, 


1852 


Trusten Polk, 


St. Louis, 


August, 


1856 


Hancock Jackson, 


Randolph, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


Robert M. Stewart, 


Buchanan, 


August, 


1857 


Claiborne F. Jackson, 


Saline, 


August, 


1860 


Hamilton R. Gamble, 


St. Louis, 


Appointed 


Willard P. Hall, 


Buchanan, 


Lieut. 


-Gov. 


Thomas C. Fletcher, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1864 


Joseph W. McClurg, 


Camden, 


November, 


1868 


B. Gratz Brown, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1870 


Silas Woodson, 


Buchanan, 


November, 


1872 


Charles H. Hardin, 


Audrain, 


November, 


1874 


John S. Phelps, 


Greene, 


November, 


1876 


Thos. T. Crittenden, 


Johnson, 


November, 


1880 


John S. Marmaduke, 


St. Louis City, 


November, 


1884 


Albert P. Moorehouse, 


Nodaway, 


Lieut 


-Gov. 


David R. Francis, 


St. Louis City, 


November, 


1888 


Wm. J. Stone, 


Vernon, 


November, 


1S92 


Lon V. Stephens, 


Cooper, 


November, 


1896 


Alexander M. Dockery, 


Daviess, 


November, 


1900 


Joseph W. Folk, 


St. Louis, 


November, 


1904 


Herbert S. Hadley, 


Jackson, 


November, 


1908 


Governor Majors was 


elected in 1912 and Governor 


Gardner in 


1916. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 



99 



UNITED STATES SENATORS FROM MISSOURI. 



When 

Elected. Name. 

1820. David Barton, 

1820. Thomas H. Benton, 

1824. David Barton, 

1826. Thomas H. Benton, 

1830. Alexander Buckner, 

1832. Thomas H. Benton, 

1834. Lewis F. Linn, 

1836. Lewis F. Linn, 

1838. Thomas II. Benton, 

1842. Lewis F. Linn, 

1843. David R. Atchison, 

1844. David R. Atchison, 
1844. Thomas H. Benton, 
1849. David R. Atchison, 
1851. Henry S. Geyer, 
1857. James S. Green, 
1857. Trusten Polk, 

1861. Waldo P. Johnson, 

1862. Robert Wilson, 

1862. John B. Henderson, 

1863. B. Gratz Brown, 
1867. Charles D. Drake, 

1869. Carl Schurz, 

1870. Daniel F. Jewett, 

1871. Francis P. Blair, 
1873. Lewis V. Bogy, 
1875. Francis M. Cockrell, 
1877. David H. Armstrong, 
1879. James Shields, 
1879. Geo. G. Vest, 

1881. Francis # M. Cockrell, 

1885. Geo. G.Vest, 

1887. Francis M. Cockrell, 

1891. Geo. G. Vest, 



Politics. 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Whig, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Conservative, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Republican, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 

Democrat, 



Residence. 

Howard 

St. Louis 

Howard 

St. Louis 

C. Girardeau 

St. Louis 

St. Genevieve 

St. Genevieve 

St. Louis 

C. Girardeau 

Platte 

Platte 

St. Louis 

Platte 

St. Louis 

Lewis 

St. Louis 

St. Clair 

Andrew 

Pike 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

St. Louis 

Johnson 

St. .lou is 

Carroll 

Pettis 

Johnson 

Jackson 

Johnson 

Jackson 



100 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1893. Francis M. Cockreil, Democrat, Johnson 

1897. Geo. G. Vest, Democrat, Jackson 

1899. Francis M. Cockreil, Democrat, Johnson 

1903. William Joel Stone, Democrat, Jefferson City 

1905. William Warner, Republican, Kansas City 

1909. William Joel Stone, Democrat, Jefferson City 

1911. James A. Reed, Democrat, Kansas City 

As we have seen Randolph County was a part of Howard County 
during the territorial days from 1816 until 1820. Chariton County was 
organized in 1820 and therefore until 1829 Randolph County was a part 
of Chariton County. After Missouri was admitted as a state the first 
representative to the General Assembly from Chariton County was Hon. 
George Burckhartt, who resided about six miles and a half from Hunts- 
ville in the now county of Randolph. Mr. Burckhartt was reelected in 
1824 and again in 1826, and was afterward twice elected to the General 
Assembly from Randolph County. 

The following is a list of members of House of Representatives from 
Randolph County: 

Charles McLean, 1830 

Dr. William Fort, 1832 

Dr. William Fort, 1834 

Dr. Waller Head, 1836 

George Burckhartt, 1838 

George Burckhartt, 1840 

James B. Dameron, 1842 

Robert Wilson, 1844 

Thomas P. Ruby, 1846 

P. T. Oliver, 1848 

Dabney C. Garth, 1850 

James F. Wight, 1852 

Dabney C. Garth, 1854 

May M. Burton, 1856 

Henderson D. Wilcox, 1858 

J. F. Cunningham, 1860 

George M. Quinn, 1862 

Joseph L. Minor, 1864 

Thomas P. White, 1866 

John G. Burton, 1869 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 101 

John G. Burton, 1871 

Henry A. Newman, 1873 

William Quayle, 1875 

James F. Wight, 1877 

Franklin P. Wiley, 1879 

Franklin P. Wiley, 1881 

Walker Wright, 1883 

W. J. Hollis, 1885 

Henry A. Newman, 1887 

Willard C. Hall, 1889 

William B. McCrary, 1891 

George 0. Powell, 1893 

William A. Rothwell, 1895 

William A. Wight, 1897 

William A. Wight, 1899 

Stephen W. Creson, 1901 

Stephen W. Creson, 1903 

William T. Heathman, 1905 

William T. Heathman, 1907 

John E. Lynch, 1909 

John E. Lynch, 1911 

Rich R. Correll, 1913 

Rich R. Correll, 1915 



CHAPTER VI 



EARLY CONDITIONS. 



r.ooXSI.ICK COUNTY WITHIN RESERVATION OF SAC AND FOX [NDIANS— INDIAN 
CLAIMS EXTINGUISHED— COMING OF SETTLERS— FIRST SETTLEM I 3NTS— IM- 
MIGRATION — PIONEER I A KM IXC— THE "RAZORBACK" — INDIAN MENACE- 
BLACK HAWK WAR— SALE OF PUBLIC LANDS. 

Prior to 1808, the Bconslick country, north of the Missouri River was 
within the reservation of the Sac and Fox Indians. By the terms of the 
treaty of Paris, the French government ceded Louisiana Territory to the 
United States subject to the claims of the Indians to the land. These 
claims, our government recognized, consequently the United States could 
convey no clear title to any part of these lands until the claims of the 
Indians had been extinguished by purchase. It appears that prior to 
this time the claim of the Indians had been so extinguished in the lands 
north of the river and east of a line drawn from a point opposite the 
mouth of the Gasconade River, northerly to said river and thence down 
said stream to the Mississippi. 

The question of the ownership of the lands in the Boonlick country, 
was finally set at rest in the fall of 1818 when government land officers 
at St. Louis and Franklin opened their doors and began to sell these lanus, 
after the Indian claims had been so extinguished. With the end of the 
War of 1812, the tide of immigration which had been stayed by this war, 
again flowed westward in an ever increasing volume. 

These new settlers came as best they could. The greater number in 
covered wagons, a few horseback, and possibly some single men afoot. 
The better to do families came in two or more wagons, and sometimes 
several families in company. Those coming in wagons, frequently 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 103 

brought with them live stock, and more generally necessary tools and 
equipment such as axes, saws, hoes and other edged tools and probably 
spinning wheels and looms for weaving cloth or equipment for a loom. 
Every man or boy able to shoulder a gun brought with him a rifle or 
gun of some description. 

The earlier settlers who had gone before had blazed the way and 
marked the trail. Those who followed gradually converted these trails 
into roads. There were no bridges, nor legally established highways in 
the Boonslick country and probably none west of St. Charles, and conse- 
quently these roads, in bad weather or when the streams were swollen, 
were not always passable. But the early settler was indomitable, and in 
the end reached his destination, even if he had to hew his way through 
with his axe. Thus the first highways of Missouri were established by 
river. 

As we have seen, the first settlements were made along the Missis- 
sippi from St. Louis down the river to New Madrid, and above, at St. 
Charles on the Missouri, prior to the Louisiana purchase. Thereafter 
and prior to the War of 1812, settlements had been established up the 
Mississippi in the counties of Lincoln and Pike further north. 

Likewise immigration had crept westward from St. Charles along 
both banks of the Missouri, and settlements had been effected on both 
sides of said stream as far west as Coopers Bottom in the Boonslick 
country. j j 

This renewed tide of immigration which set in during the year 1815, 
and thereafter continued to grow steadily, came first to these earlier 
settlements there to acquire knowledge of the country and look around 
for themselves, and from thence this tide moved up the Missouri to the 
mouth of the Kaw River, where Kansas City now stands; and up the 
Mississippi to the mouth of the Des Moines River. 

In consequence of these early settlements along these streams, the 
country bordering on the river was the first organized into counties in 
north Missouri. Prior to the admission of Missouri as a state, seventeen 
counties had been organized in North Missouri, all of them being river 
counties. 

St. Charles County situated at the confluence of the Missouri and 
Mississippi Rivers and bordering on both, was as we have seen organized 
as a county in 1812. Northward, along the west bank of the Mississippi, 
the counties of Lincoln, Pike and Clark were organized in 1818 and Ralls 



104 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

County in 1820; westward of St. Charles County and north of the Mis- 
souri ; Howard County w r as organized in 1816 ; Montgomery in 1818 and 
Callaway, Boone, Chariton, and Ray in 1820. South of the Missouri, 
Cooper and Franklin counties were organized in 1818 and Gasconade, 
Cole, Saline and Lafayette in 1820. 

These early settlements in the river counties, by reason of this in- 
flux of home seekers, grew by accretion and stretched out farther and 
farther into the country away from the rivers. Other initial settlements 
further west and north were established and likewise grew away from 
the rivers. The timbered counties were the first settled. Chariton 
County to the east, and Ray and Clay counties west, were peopled, before 
Carroll County which is largely a prairie county. 

In these days the question is often asked why it was that these early 
settlers neglected the rich prairie lands, and reared their cabins in the 
forest, upon inferior lands in many instances, where they must fell the 
timber and burn the brush before they could plant, when the prairie 
stood ready for the plow. This question can be answered only by putting 
our feet in the shoes of these pioneers. 

It must be borne in mind that the greater number who came to 
north Missouri prior to 1821 were from central Kentucky, Tennessee and 
states further east, and over roads much of the way that would today 
be regarded unfit to travel. They came in wagons and they could bring 
with them only such of their belongings as were indispensable. Agri- 
cultural implements were out of the question. They could not be brought, 
hence the settler must equip himself with such implement he could get 
or construct at his journey's end. 

Good water and an abundance of fuel to warm up their open cabins 
in winter were essentials, and fence rails to inclose field and garden with 
a substantial fence, sufficiently high and strong enough to keep oui '.he 
deer and elk and his neighbors stock were indispensable. 

The timbered lands extending back from the river abounded in springs 
of cool pure water, and a cabin in the woods near a spring brought both 
of these essentials to its door. 

found adjacent to the prairie, if not too remote from a settlement, was a 
lucky find and the land thereabout was quickly taken up by some home- 
seeker. Such locations were desirable, as the settlers stock whether much 
or little had ample room to graze on the prairie and the timber as a rule 
was nearby. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 105 

But the breaking of the tough prairie sod and subjecting this land 
to cultivation was a task to be accomplished at a later date than we now 
have in view- 

The wooden plow or the plow with an iron shear and wooden mold- 
board, the only kind to be had at these times, were wholly inadequate to 
break and turn the tough prairie sod. As late as the middle of the last 
century, the prairie plow with its heavy iron shear, moldboard, coulter 
and massive beam and rods to strengthen and small wooden wheels of 
unequal sizes, set under and at right angle with the beam, one wheel to 
track in the furrow last made, and the other on the sod to steady the 
plow and prevent it from tipping, was a clumsy and cumbersome imple- 
ment. Such plow when in operation was usually drawn slowly along by 
three yoke of oxen, but it served to do the work as it had been doing 
before for a quarter of a century, or more. 

After the sod was thus turned it had to lie and rot for a season 
before it could be again plowed. The' man with a hoe could plant corn 
on this newly turned sod and grow sod corn if the spring and summer 
rainfall was ample. If a dry year the corn "burned" and yielded no grain. 

The prairie was therefore impossible to these early settlers. In the 
timber the settler could with axe, mall and iron wedge and wooden glut 
fall the timber, split his rails, and erect his fences and complete his in- 
closure. The laps of the trees thus felled would furnish him his next 
winter's wood. Then with axe he could belt, or deaden the remaining 
timber, scratch the virgin soil, by ploughing around the stumps, with 
his wooden or combination plow, and by the industrious use of hoe, and 
plow grow corn for his stock. 

His hogs, if any, great and small could provide for themselves in 
the woods when spring came and unless they strayed away and went wild, 
the settler was assured of hog and hominy when fall came. 

The hog of that period, known as "raisorback" was a rustler and 
could take care of himself in the forest without human aid, and is given 
further notice in these pages. Another reason why these new comers 
settled in the timbered country was the fear of the Indians. The first of 
these settlers came within a year after the end of the Indian War in 
the Boonslick country, and the last of them within less than six years 
thereafter, while Missouri was yet a territory. 

During all of this period the Indian was regarded as a menace. The 
settler, however courageous and fearless he might be, for the peace and 



106 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

safety of his family and live stock, preferred to settle within or near the 
outskirts of an established settlement, where aid could be had in case of 
danger. Indeed, it was not until the Sac and Fox Indians had been finally 
defeated, the Black Hawk War ended, in 1833, and these Indians were 
removed entirely out of this state, and that part of Illinois to the east, 
that all fear of danger from that source was finally removed from the 
minds of our people. During the first years that we are now dealing 
with the Indians outnumbered the whites in the Boonslick Country, and 
westward. They had no love for any white person that spoke English, 
and the settler disliked and distrusted the Indian as much or more. There 
was no further warfare in the Boonslick Country, no more scalping, but 
an armed truce instead, in time of peace that might not last. 

No surveys of the public lands of the Territory of Missouri was begun 
until December, 1816. The only lands legally surveyed prior to that time 
were the French and Spanish claims. This survey began the last of the 
year 1816, progressed slowly and it was not until August 3, 1818, that 
the first land sale by the United States government was held in St. 
Louis and on November 2, 1818, the first in the Boonslick Country at 
Franklin, Howard County. These first sales were made at public vendue 
to the highest bidder. The settlers had an understanding that they would 
not bid, the one against the other. A large number of people attended 
the land upon which he had "squatted," and to a decree mproved, we 
competition and spirited bidding for choice tracts among these visitors. 
Whether or not any settler was by this sale deprived of his cabin, and 
the land upon which he had "squatted,', and to a decree improved, we 
are not advised. 

The settlers in the Franklin land district at this time had given 
notice to the officers of the land office, claiming the land upon which each 
resided by right of preemption or that they had given notice to the land 
office that they claimed and intended to purchase some certain tract. 

In March, 1818, Congress passed an act whereby the right to pre- 
empt land was granted the settler and made legal. 



CHAPTER VII 



EARLY SETTLEMENTS IN THE BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 



DAXIE1, r.OOXKS KIIIST EXPEDITION HERE Mi: DISCOVERS A SALT SPRING — 
BENJAMIN COOPER AND FAMILY SETTLE HERE AN ATTRACTIVE COUNTRY 
—FIRST PERMANENT SETTLEMENT— A COLONY <>K KENTUCKIANS COME— 
ROADS FIRST SETTLERS IN BOONSLICK COUNTRY. 

Daniel Boone in some one of his hunting and trapping expeditions 
discovered a salt spring about eight miles northwest of the old town of 
Franklin in Howard County. Afterward, in 1807, Boone's sons Nathan 
and Daniel M. made salt at this spring, and it is probable that the elder 
Boone had made salt there prior to this time. This salt spring was 
given the name of Boonslick, and all the country thereabouts without 
limit was known as the Boonslick Country. 

In the spring of 1808, Benjamin Cooper and family, consisting of 
his wife and five sons, moved into the Boonslick Country, built a cabin 
and cleared some ground about two miles southwest of Boonslick. He 
had thus far progressed toward making a permanent home, when Gov- 
ernor Lews issued an order, directing him to return below the mouth of 
the Gasconade River. This order was given because trouble with the 
Indians, which soon occurred, was anticipated, and the location he had 
chosen was so far away, that the government could extend him no pro- 
tection; another reason was that Cooper was trespassing upon lands that 
belonged to the Indians. In obedience to this order he returned to Loutre 
Island, and remained there until 1810. 

This section of the Boonslick Country was not destined to be left 
long to the reign of the wild beasts and the savage Indian. It was at- 
tractive and presented advantages which those seeking homes where they 



108 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

could find the richest of lands and the most healthful of climates, could 
not, and did not fail to receive attention. Its fertile soil promised, with 
little labor, the most abundant of harvests. Its forests were filled with 
every variety of game, and its streams with all kinds of fish. It is no 
wonder that those seeking homes looked upon this section as a "promised 
land," where provisions could be found, and that they should select and 
settle the rich lands here, accommodating themselves to the scanty fare 
of the wilderness, and risking all the dangers from the wild beasts and 
the Indians who lived in great numbers nearby. 

Two years after the first settlement of Benjamin Cooper and after 
his removal to Loutre Island, the first permanent and abiding settlement 
was made in this section; this was but a forerunner of the stream of 
emigration which soon followed. 

On Feb. 20, 1810, Benjamin Cooper with several others returned to 
what is now Howard County. They came upon the north side of the Mis- 
souri from Loutre Island, and all of them, except Hannah Cole, the widow 
of William Temple Cole, and her family and Stephen Cole and his family, 
settled in Howard County, north of the Missouri River. Hannah Cole 
and Stephen Cole, together with their families, settled in what is now 
Cooper County. 

Benjamin Cooper settled in Howard County, at the same place and 
in the cabin which he had built two years before. This cabin had not been 
disturbed by the Indians, although they had occupied all the adjacent 
country and doubtless had passed it many times. 

In the year 1810 a colony of Kentuckians, consisting of from fifty 
to a hundred, families came to and settled in that part of the Boonslick 
Country, now Howard and Cooper counties. These settlers located on 
both sides of the Missouri River, the greater number on the north side, 
between Rocheport and the west end of Coopers Bottom. Many of them 
became the neighbors of Benjamin Cooper, the first settler. 

When the Coopers and the Coles came to this section, there was 
neither road nor path for them to pass through the wilderness, save here 
and there the trail of the savage or the path of the wild beast. They 
had to take care as to the course in which to travel; any opening which 
they could find in the thickets, or through the forest, that would permit 
the passage of their wagons and animals, and frequently were compelled 
to chop their way through with the axe, an essential accouterment of the 
early pioneer. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 109 

Names of first settlers in Boonslick Country and \t hence they came: 
Those who settled in the central Boonslick Country in 1810 are as 
follow: From Madison County, Ky., Lieut. Col. Benjamin Cooper, Francis 
Cooper. William Cooper, Daniel Cooper, John Cooper, Capt. Sarshall 
Cooper. Braxton Cooper, Sr., Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cooper, Braxton 
Cooper, Jr., Robert Cooper, James Hancock, Albert Hancock, William 
Berry, John Berry, Robert Irvin, Robert Brown, Joseph Wolfscale, William 
Thorpe, John Thorpe, Josiah Thorpe, James Thorpe, Gilead Rupe, James 
Jones, John Peak, William Wolfscale, Adam Woods. From Estill County, 
Ky., Amos Ashcraft, Otho Ashcraft, Jesse Ashcraft, James Alexander. 
From Tennessee, John Ferrell, Henry Ferrell, Robert Hancock. From 
Virginia, James Kile. From South Carolina, Peter Popineau. Previous 
residence unknown, John Busby, James Anderson, Middleton Anderson, 
William Anderson. From Wayne County, Ky., Hannah Jennie, Mattie, 
Dickie, Nellie, James, Holbert, Stephen, William, Samuel, Stephen, Phoebe 
(Stephen's wife), James, Rhoda, Mark, Nellie, and Polly Cole. 

Those from Wayne County, Kentucky, settled south of the river. 
The women belonging- to some of these families on the north side of the 
river did not arrive until the following July or August. There may have 
been others but the above list is all that we are able to trace. 



CHAPTER VIII 



CHARACTERISTICS AND CUSTOMS OF PIONEERS. 



SELF-RELIANT AND BRAVE— FREE FROM PRIDE AND VANITY— GOOD WILL BE- 
TWEEN NEIGHBORS— MANY WELL-TO-DO — SLAVE OWNERS — PRODUCTS — 
FIRST HOMES— COOKING! — GAME IN ABUNDANCE— THE PIONEER FAMILY- 
SUPPLIED THEIR OWN WANTS. 

During the years preceding the organization of the county, for the 
settlers it was a time of self reliance and brave, persevering toil ; of 
privations cheerfully endured in hope of a better time to come. The 
experience of one settler was just about the same as that of others. 
Most of the settlers were poor; they faced the same hardships and stood 
generally on an equal footing. They kept no record of events nor of 
the privations they were called upon to endure, nor of incidents in their 
lives nor happenings in the community that would be of interest at this 
time. They were too busily engaged in making history to preserve 
historical events. This is a matter of regret now, for it was then the 
corner stones of all the county's history and future prosperity were laid. 

If these early settlers were poor they were free from pride and vanity, 
and the anxiety that attends the position of wealth. There were no 
fashion plates in those days and they were not concerned in dress nor 
display of that kind. Other people's eyes cost them nothing. They had 
few near neighbors but they were on the best of terms with those they 
had. There was no room for jealousy or strife to creep in. A com- 
mon interest and a common sympathy bound them together. They were 
a little world to themselves, far removed from the east of the Mississippi, 
bound together by the consciousness of common hardships, attended with 
some peril and they must necessarily depend the one upon the other and 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 111 

make common cause in case of need. If disaster came to any one settler, 
if his cabin burned or was blown down, the neighbors assembled at once 
to assist the unfortunate to rebuild his home, as if they were members of 
the same family bound together by ties of blood. 

What is said here with reference to Randolph County would hold 
good throughout the other settlements of that period within the state. 
The very nature of their surroundings made it necessary for them to dwell 
together in this spirit. They were thus living before there was an officer 
of the law in the county. The only protection each had was in the good 
will and friendship of his neighbors. The ill will of his neighbors justly 
merited would ostracize him and in the end drive him out of the com- 
munity. The indignation of a pioneer community was more potent even 
than the law. 

What we have said above is specially applicable to the first comers 
who settled in Randolph County prior to the admission of the state and 
shortly thereafter. 

Every settler who came in the early days, however, was not penni- 
less. In 1820 a census was taken in the state of Missouri and the popu- 
lation all told was 70,000. Of this total population, 12,000 in round num- 
bers were negro slaves. The influx of population after the admission of 
the state brought many comparatively well-to-do men together with their 
families and oft times as many slaves as there were members in his 
family, into these river and contigious counties from Boone County to 
the then state line. This class, as a rule, bought farms improved or 
partially improved and oft times the pioneer seller would go farther back 
into the country and begin his pioneer life anew. The growing of hemp 
and tobacco with slave labor soon became a lucrative business and within 
a decade after Randolph County was organized and prior thereto in these 
river counties, comfortable houses were erected here and there, and wealth 
began to accumulate, not great fortunes such as we have today but 
competent ones that enabled the sons and daughters of the wealthier 
class to attend seminaries and colleges. 

The first cabins erected in the county were temporary and less stable 
than the log houses that shortly took their places. To erect a log house 
required help, hence the preliminary cabin that must be raised by the 
unaided efforts of the settler was necessarily a make shift and of course 
endured for a few seasons only, until a more stable structure could be 
erected. No accurate description can be given at this late date of these 
temporary structures. 



112 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

As the tide of emigration was strong after 1818, the community was 
speedily formed and log houses of one or more rooms were then erected. 
These were oft times rude enough. Some of the cabins were constructed 
of rough logs, notched and laid up one on top of the other, while others 
were constructed of hewn logs likewise notched and laid up and were gen- 
erally a story and a half high, and all cabins alike were covered with clap- 
boards, rived usually out of oak trees somewhat thicker than more than 
double the length of an ordinary shingle. Many of the chimneys were 
made of sticks covered with clay, the fireplace being lined with stones. 
Cracks between the logs were chincked and daubed with mud so as to 
keep out both wind and rain. The doors of these cabins were usually 
hung on wooden hinges and secured when closed by a wooden inside latch 
lifted by a string through a hole in the door so that the door could be 
opened from the outside, and all that was required to lock the door was 
to pull in the string. 

There were no mills in Randolph County when the first settlers came, 
neither sawmills nor gristmills, and when planks were needed or when 
they were indispensable, they were sawed by hand, two men performing 
the work. 

Cooking was done in vessels over the fire in the fire place and in sum- 
mer frequently under the shade of a nearby tree. 

The cabin erected and the shelter thus secured for the family, the 
next work for the pioneer was to start his clearing so that bread could 
be had the following season. The trees were felled, or many of them, 
and the bodies converted into rails and the laps into fire wood for winter 
use. Enclosures were erected wherein to confine what livestock the set- 
tler possessed. Trees unfit for rails were deadened by cutting through 
the bark of the tree all the way around thereby girdling it, and all the 
brush on the clearing was burned. Of course the tree put out no leaves 
the following year and cutting down and converting the same into fire 
wood was the work of a later day. After the land to be cultivated was 
cleared and fenced, the amount of work to be done and the time required 
depended upon the size of the clearing. The settler was then ready to 
plow and plant. It goes without saying that the farmer and his sons 
had worked incessantly until the planting season came. 

The family of the pioneer was seldom in want of food. The woods 
and prairies abounded in game. Elk, deer, bear, rabbits and squirrels 
innumerable could be obtained by the hunter. The pioneer was an ex- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 113 

pert rifle shot as a rule, and fresh meat could be obtained in an hour's 
hunt. Game birds also abounded. Wild geese, ducks, wild turkey and 
prairie chickens could easily be found. Fur bearing animals, the beaver, 
otter, mink, raccoon and others were abundant and many a pioneer ret 
traps in winter and secured furs which were readily sold for cash. 

The pioneer family like the neighborhood was necessarily based on 
the community plan. The pioneer must furnish the food and the ma- 
terial for clothing and shoes, while the pioneer's wife equally the head of 
the family in her department carded, spun, wove and made the clothing 
with the help of her daughters and servants, and also prepared and served 
the meals. There were times, no doubt, when the wives of the very early 
pioneers were compelled to card the wool as well as to spin and weave. 
Such carding was done by hand and just how this now seemingly im- 
possible achievement was accomplished this writer will not attempt to 
describe. Mills to grind corn and saw timber were indispensable and 
were early established. These mills were operated by water or horse 
power. The carding mill was equally indispensable and these were estab- 
lished here and there as promptly as were the sawmills. Thereafter the 
wool was taken to the carding machine, converted into rolls and the 
wives, daughters and women servants spun, wove, fashioned and made 
all the winter wear and likewise much if not all of the summer wear of 
flax or hemp. The summer wear of the family, especially the working 
clothes, was home spun, made of flax or hemp milled and was called 
"tow linen". A suit of homemade flax, skilfully milled, spun and woven 
and properly bleached, such as the farmers and their negro slaves wore 
in the antibellum days, would bring more on the market today fashion- 
ably cut, and would be much superior to the present palm beach suits 
both in durability and comfort. The wearing of homespun clothing did 
not end with the pioneer days, but continued until the Civil War and 
ended only when the slaves were freed. 

There may have been differences of opinion and some bickering be- 
tween man and wife in those days, but these old pioneers were usually 
prudent and sensible men, and having much to do themselves did what 
they were told to do, when in and about the house, by the other head ot 
the family. In any event, the early chronicles of Randolph County maKe 
no mention of a pioneer wife such as we have described deserting her 
pioneer husband and her family. The wife had too much responsibility 
to indulge in such pranks, besides, like Miss Betsy Trotwood's niece, she 
had no place to go. 



114 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The winter wear of the pioneer and his sons and servants was home- 
spun jeans, cotton warp and all wool woof woven three or four ply. 
The only difference between the coat of the colored servant and the 
master was in the shape and color. The master's coat was usually dyed 
with indigo and was called blue jeans, while the suit of the servant 
and oftimes the working clothes of the other members of the family 
was dyed with walnut bark or made of wool from the backs of black 
sheep and was therefore brown. 



CHAPTER IX 



PIONEER SETTLERS OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP SETTLED FIRST WILLIAM ETOLMAN FIRST SETTLER- 
SETTLERS MOSTLY FROM THE SOUTH DR. FORT FIRST PHYSICIAN— EARLY 
SETTLERS— ORIGINAL TOWNSHIPS— PIONEERS WERE <>K HIGH TYPE— OTHER 
EARLY SETTLERS. 

The Missouri River at Glasgow, flowing eastward to that point, 
turns abruptly to the south and flows south for approximately twenty 
miles ; thence east to Rocheport. Howard County lies largely in this 
bend of the river, the northwest corner being about six miles north of 
Glasgow. In consequence, Randolph County, adjoining on the north, 
is nearer Glasgow than any other point on the river. As we have seen 
the first settlements were along the river and from thence grew inland. 
Silver Creek township in the southwest corner of Randolph County is 
from eight to fifteen miles from Glasgow, and it was in this part of 
the county the first settlement was made. It is conceded that William 
Holman was the first permanent settler in Randolph county. He located 
near a spring in Silver Creek township in 1818. Following close on the 
heels of William Holman, came James Holman, a brother of William, 
and James Dysart, the same or following year. 

From this beginning the settlement of Randolph County grew rapidly 
east and north. From and after the close of the war of 1812 and the 
treaty of peace with the Indians, the tide of immigration from the older 
states east of the Mississippi grew stronger year by year. Kentucky 
contributed by far the greater number of settlers and Tennessee, North 
Carolina, Virginia and Maryland each contributed large numbers. Mis- 
souri was admitted as a slave state and while the free states farther 



116 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

north contributed, the number was relatively small compared with the 
numbers coming in from the states south of the Mason and Dixon line. 

Within three years after the coming of William Holman the settle- 
ment thus begun had stretched east beyond Higbee and north beyond 
Huntsville, and probably an occasional settler had found his way to the 
neighborhood of Middle Grove and Milton and other parts of Randolph 
County. 

In the year of 1820, Dr. William Fort, the first physician to locate in 
Randolph County, settled on land about three and a half miles west of 
the site of Huntsville and he and Tolman Gorham established and oper- 
ated salt works at the Salt Spring, now known as Randolph Springs. 
These works they continued to operate for many years thereafter, fur- 
nishing salt for a wide stretch of surrounding territory. 

Among other early settlers of Silver Creek and Salt Springs town- 
ships were John Viley, Nicholas Dysart, Cornelius Vaughn, Iverson Sears, 
John Sears, Asa Kerby, Hardy Sears, David R. Denny, Younger Row- 
land, John Rowland, Archie Rowland, Samuel Humphreys, Wright Hill, 
Rev. James Barnes, Uriah Davis, Abraham Goss, Isiah Humphreys, Rev. 
S. C. Davis, James Davis, Jacob Medley, Thomas Mayo, Sr., Charles 
Mathis, Tillman Bell, James Beattie, Charles Finnell, Val. Mayo, Charles 
Baker, Sr., Jos. M. Baker, Charles M. Baker, Jr., Jer. Summers, John Whel- 
den, Wm. Elliott, Neal Murphy, Wm. Cross, Nat. Hunt, Blandermin Smith, 
George Burckhartt, John C. Reed, Capt. Robert Scones, James Goodring, 
Elijah Hammett, John J. Turner, Joseph Wilcox, James Cochran, Thomas 
Gorham, Sr., T. R. C. Gorham, Daniel Hunt, William Goggin, Rueben 
Samuel, Thomas J. Samuel, John Head, Robert Boucher, Joseph M. Ham- 
mett, Dr. W. B. McLean, Chas. McLean, F. K. Collins, Paul Christian, 
Sr., Jos. Cockrill and Robert W. Wells and Nathan Hunt. 

It will be borne in mind that these early settlers arrived and located 
prior to the organization of Randolph County and when we refer to the 
townships in this connection by name we refer to the four original town- 
ships into which the county was subdivided after its organization. Pri- 
marily, Silver Creek and Salt Spring townships embraced the entire 
western half of the county and Prairie and Sugar Creek townships the 
eastern portion of the county. Many others came before the organiza- 
tion of Randolph county, but the time of their arrival cannot be definitely 
fixed at this late date. These later arrivals, many of them, will receive 
mention in the history of the several townships as now organized. 






HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 117 

In a recent history of Missouri written by a college professor these 
pioneer settlers are referred to by the learned author as rude, uncouth, 
roistering men and not over law abiding. Evidently the author of this 
work belongs to a younger generation and was not fortunate enough 
to have become personally acquainted with any great number of these 
pioneers. The writer of this article grew up from a boy ten years of 
age among the pioneer settlers of Clay County and in the early seventies 
made the acquaintance of many of these old settlers of Randolph County 
who were then advanced in years, some of them feeble with age, others 
yet sturdy oaks in their seventies, perhaps older. The early settlers 
of Clay County, like those of Randolph, were from the same states 
and like to the early settlers of Randolph County in every respect. As 
a rule they were not college bred, yet some of them had college diplomas. 
And on the other hand some were illiterate, but not all. Prior to 1840 
Missouri was yet a young state and much of it was yet a wilderness, 
and the class of people who came were as a rule men of strong convic- 
tions and strong characters. 

The very early settlers, those who took up their abode in Ran- 
dolph County prior to its organization, were supermen. Before 1820 
no steamboats plied the Missouri River and previous to that time and 
long afterward the emigrant from east of the Mississippi came with 
his family, if he had one, in a covered wagon or wagons. It was only 
the courageous, industrious, fearless man that come to the wilderness 
in those days. He may have been deficient in book learning, but he 
had learned much in the most thorough school of all — the school of 
experience. The man who sought an easy, restful life, free from cares 
and dangers, remained in the state of his birth. No drones crossed 
the Mississippi River into the wilderness in the early days. 

It was my fortune to make the acquaintance of probably a dozen 
of the very early settlers who came to this county before the state 
was admitted into the Union and of many more before Randolph County 
was organized. They were not great scholars, many of them, but as 
a rule they were men, courageous, honest, energetic, home loving and 
hospitable, and many of them were consistent church men. So far as 
natural ability, industry, morality and right living was concerned they 
more than averaged with the men of Randolph County today. As a 
rule their word was as good as their bond. In the early days when 
they lived side by side, i. e., within a few miles of each other, facing. 



118 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

a common peril, and being largely dependent the one upon the other, 
it was no uncommon thing for a neighbor to loan a neighbor not only 
small sums of money, but sums amounting to several hundred dollars 
and decline to take a note because his neighbor's promise was good 
and his lender knew his word would be kept. 

Nor were those early settlers rude or uncouth, especially in the 
company of ladies. They were possessed of native dignity, they placed 
women upon a pedestal and were gentlemen in their presence and true 
men at all other times. As a matter of course there were some, as 
there always are in every neighborhood who didn't measure up to this 
standard, but there were as few of their class then as now. Men and 
women of today are better educated, it is true, but God makes men 
and women and endows them. The college may polish and to a degree 
enlighten and improve, but it can't make nor unmake God's handiwork. 

It is not the purpose of the writer to unduly extol these early 
settlers, but to pay them a just tribute only. It was the writer's privi- 
lege in the early seventies to become personally acquainted with a num- 
ber of these old settlers. Several of them had already passed their 
four score mile post. Others were a score or half a score of years 
younger and many of these younger ones became my personal friends. 
A number of the early settlers had moved west and south and of course 
many others had ended life's journey and were sleeping the last sleep 
in the church yards that dotted Randolph County. 

The memory of men, however, such men as were George Burck- 
hartt. Major Horner, William Holman and the older Taylors, Samuels, 
Burtons, McLeans and many other former leading citizens, does not 
die with them. There were hundreds yet living who bore testimony 
to the high character and worth of these early settlers. What I have 
written concerning them, the ones that I knew, I know to be just and 
true, and what I have written concerning those who had passed away 
is equally true because based upon the testimony of many credible men. 
The sons and daughters and later descendents of these pioneers may 
therefore take pride in the names and achievements of their pioneer 
forefathers, with few exceptions. 

Other early settlers were: James Head, Robert Wilson, James 
Wells, Archibald Shoemaker, John Peeler, Elisha McDaniel, Thomas 
Bradley, John Dysart, Abraham Goodding, Nathaniel Floyd, David Floyd, 
William Drinkard, John McCully, Benjamin Hardester, Samuel McCully, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 119 

Terry Bradley, Thomas J. Gorham, George Shirley, Robert Gee, Phoebe 
Wheldon, Gabriel Johnson, Abraham Summers, George W. Green, Jacob 
Maggard, Samuel Eason, James Davis, John Harvey, Elijah Hammett, 
Joseph Goodding, Fielding Cockerill, Edwin T. Hickman, Nicholas S. Dy- 
sart, Benjamin F. Wood, Hancock Jackson, S. Brockman, Elias Fort, 
Aaron Fray, John Wheldon, John M. Patton, William Harris, William 
Patton, Isaac Harris, James Wells, Henry Lassiter, Mark Noble, William 
B. Tompkins, John Garshwiler, Sandy Harrison, Thomas Adams, May 
Burton, James Burton, Josiah Davis, David Proffit, Joseph Higbee, Am- 
brose Medley, Henry T. Martin, John Loe, Thoret Rose, Charles Baker, 
William Baker, John Clarkson, William Holeman, John Bagley, John Tay- 
lor, George Q. Thomson, Thomas Griffin, Thomas Prather, John Kirley, 
John Littrell, James Pipes, James Vivion, Wiley Ferguson, Robert Ash, 
Hiram Summers, Nicholas W. Tuttle, Noah Baker, Richard Wells, Phillip 
Dale, Isaac Waldon, Felix G. Cockerill Frederick Rowland, James Howard, 
Rachel Crawford, William H. Davis, Isam Rials, Anthony Head, Jesse 
Jones, Robert Cornelius, John Biswell, Luke Mathis, William Robertson, 
William H. Brooks, Adam Wilson, Benjamin Hardin, William Blue, Wyatt 
McFadden, W. M. Dameron, William Lockridge, Gideon Wright, John Ball, 
Thomas H. Benton, John D. Reed, Moses Kimbrough, Aaron Kinbrough, 
James Emerson, Edward Stephenson, Evan Wright, Stephen Scoby, James 
Vestals, John J. Rice, Waddy T. Currin, Derling Wright, William Upton, 
William Meyers, Lewis Collier, W T illiam B. Tompkins, William Oliver, 
Samuel Gash, Abijah Goodding, Martin Fletcher, Edmund Chapman, 
John Thompson, David Peeler, John Tooley, Tolancl Magoffin, James S. 
Ingram, Adam Everly, Uriel Sebree, Robert Payne, John Nanson, Jona- 
than Dale, Michael Daly, Benjamin Skinner, William Cooley, Henry Wil- 
kinson, Mark H. Kirkpatrick, John Bull, George Watts, Justin Rose, Noah 
Baker, Simpson Foster, Richard Goodding, Andrew Goodding, William 
Sears, George Dawkins, Jonathan Ratliff, Henry Schitchfield, Benjamin 
Hardin, Liberty Noble, Richard Rout, E, D. Vest, Henry Austin, William 
B. Means, Jubal Hart, John Dunn, William Lindsey, Branton Carton, Wil- 
liam Ramsey, Zepheniah Walden, Lewis S. Jacobs, William Cristal, John 
Collins, Stanton Carter, Charles Hatfield, Reynold Green, James Mitchell, 
John Rowton, Garland Crenshaw, William Smoot, Thomas Phipps, Joshua 
Phipps, Owen Singleton, Samuel T. Crews, Richard Routt, John A. Pitts, 
Tilman W. Belt, Joseph Sharon, Dabney Finley, Aaron W, Lane, Rueben 
Small, William Banks, John Parker, Henry Hines, Abner Brasfield, Lucinda 



120 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Dalton, Thomas Partin, Russell Shoemaker, Jesse Harrison, John B. Samp- 
kins, William C. Dickerson, John D. Bowen, Andrew King, Samuel Hodge, 
James Hodge, Byrd Pyle, Bright Gillstrap, David James, Tucker W. 
Lewis, William Wear, C. F. Burckhartt, Squire S. Winn, Samuel Rich- 
mond, John Kane, Gabriel Maupin, Phillip B. Hodgkin, Michael W T ate, 
Peter Culp, Sydney J. Swetnam, William Fray, James H. Bean, Ebenezer 
Enyart, Edmund Bartlett, Nathan Minter, James Hinson, Major W 7 allis, 
Robert Steele, Richard Banter, James T. Haly, Isham P. Embree, P. Samuel, 
William H. Mansfield, Lewis Bumbardner, Waller Head, Edward R. Brad- 
ley, Yancy Gray, Abner Vickry, Waitman Summers, William Eagan, 
Barnaby Eagan, Charles W. Cooper, G. W. Richey, Joseph D. Rutherford, 
Loverance Evans, Clark Banning, Levi Fawks, James Fray, John Wilks, 
Samuel Belshe, Hugh C. Dobbins, Fisher Rice, Nathan Decker, Leonard 
Dodson, Silah Phipps, Thomas Tudor, Thomas K. White, William W. 
Walker, Isaac L. Yealock, Walker Austin, Daniel Lay, John McDavitt, 
Henry Smith. 



CHAPTER X 



ORGANIZATION OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



ORGANIZED IN 1829- NAMED IN HONOR OF JOHN RANDOLPH OF ROANOKE— FIRST 
COUNTY COURT — COUNTY 1 >I VI I >E] > INTO FOUR TOWNSHIPS -OFFICERS AP- 
POINTED—SECOND SPECIAL TERM COUNTY FINANCES— FIRST BRIDGES— 
COUNTY RECORDS— FIRST CIRCUIT C*OURT— FIRST GRAND JURY— ATTOR- 

N I : V S— S E< '< »N I > GRAND JURY. 

Randolph County was organized in 1829 and bears the name of an 
early American orator and statesman, John Randolph of Roanoke, who was 
born in Chesterfield County, Virginia, June 2, 1773, and died in Phila- 
delphia, June -24, 1833. He was educated at Princeton and Columbia 
colleges. He was elected a representative in congress from Virginia in 
1799, and soon became conspicuous. He was described by Hildreth as "a 
singular mixture of the aristocrat and the Jacobin." He was re-elected in 
1801, and was made chairman of a committee of ways and means. In 
1803, as chairman of a committee, he reported against a memorial from 
Indiana, for permission to introduce slaves into the territory in spite 
of the prohibition of the ordinance of 1787, which he pronounced to 
be "wisely calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of the 
northwestern country." 

In 1804 he was chief manager in the trial of Judge Samuel Chase, 
impeached before the senate. In 1806 he assailed President Jefferson 
and his supporters with great virulence. He attached Madison's admin- 
istration, and opposed the declaration of war against Great Britain in 
1812. His opposition caused his defeat at the next election. He was 
re-elected in 1814 and again in 1818, having declined to be a candidate 
in 1816. In the congress of 1819-20 he opposed the Missouri Com- 



122 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

promise, stigmatizing the northern members, by whose co-operation it 
was carried, as "doughfaces," an epithet adopted into the political vo- 
cabulary of the United States. In 1822 and again in 1824 he visited 
England. From 1825 to 1827 he was a senator of the United States, 
and during that time fought a duel with Henry Clay. He supported 
General Jackson for president in 1828. In 1829 he was a member of 
the convention to revise the constitution of Virginia, and in 1830 was 
appointed a minister to Russia, but soon after his reception by the 
Emperor Nicholas, he departed abruptly for England, where he remained 
for nearly a year, and returned home without revisiting Russia. He 
was again elected to congress, but was too ill to take his seat. 

Exhausted, with consumption, he died in a hotel at Philadelphia, 
whither he had gone on his way to take passage again across the ocean. 
During his life, his speeches were more fully reported and more gen- 
erally read than those of any other member of Congress. He was tall 
and slender, with long, skinney fingers which he was in the habit of 
pointing and shaking at those against whom he spoke. His voice was 
shrill and piping, but under perfect command, and musical in its lower 
tones. His invectives, sarcasm and sharp and wreckless wit, made him 
a terror to his opponents in the house. At the time of his death he 
owned 318 slaves, whom by his will he manumitted, bequeathing funds 
for their settlement and maintenance in a free state. His "Letters to 
a Young Relative" appeared in 1834. 

The first county court that convened in Randolph County, was held 
on the 2d day of February, 1829. The following is the record and 
proceedings of the first term of the said court: 

At a county court begun and held, for and within the county afore- 
said, at the house of Blandermin Smith, the place appointed by law 
for holding the courts of said county, James Head, William Fort, and 
Joseph M. Baker, Esquires, produced from the governor of the state 
commissions as justices of said court, who qualified on the 2d day of 
February, in the year one thousand eight hundred and twenty-nine. 
Whereupon court was opened by proclamation. 

The court appoint James Head president of the court. 

The court appoint Robert Wilson clerk pro tern of this court. 

Ordered, That all applicants for office file with the clerk pro tern, 
their applications in writing. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 123 

The court appoints Robert Wilson clerk of said court; whereupon 
he entered into bonds with satisfactory security, which is received by 
the court, and ordered to be certified to the governor. 

Ordered, That court adjourn until tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. 

WM. FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

Tuesday Morning, February 3d, 1829. 

The court met pursuant to adjournment. Present, Justices Head, 
Fort, and Baker. R. WILSON, Clerk, P. T. 

The court recommend to his excellency, the governor of this state, 
the following named persons to be appointed justices of the peace, viz.: 
Blandeiman Smith, James Wells, and Archibald Shoemaker, for Salt 
Spring township; John Peeler and Elisha McDaniel, for Sugar Creek 
township; Thomas Bradley, John Viley, and John Dysart, for Silver 
Creek township, and Charles McLean for Prairie township. 

The court then proceeded to divide the county into townships, as 
follows, viz.: The township of Silver Creek shall be bounded as follows: 
Beginning at the southwest corner of Howard county; thence running 
north with Randolph county line, to the township line, between town 
ships 53 and 54; thence east with said township line, to the range line, 
to the Howard county line; thence west with said line to the beginning. 

The township of Prairie shall be bounded as follows, viz.: Begin- 
ning at the Howard county line, where the range line between ranges 
14 and 15 intersects the same; thence north with said range line, to the 
line dividing townships 53 and 54; thence east with said townships to 
the line dividing Randolph and Ralls counties; thence south with said 
county line, to the Boone county line; thence west with the line, divid- 
ing Randolph and Boone, and Randolph and Howard, to the beginning. 

The township of Salt Spring shall be bounded as follows, viz.: 
Beginning where the township line, dividing townships 53 and 54 on 
the west ; thence north with said county line to the northwest corner 
of the county; thence east with the county line, to the range line be- 
tween ranges 14 and 15; thence south to the corner of Silver Creek 
township; thence west with said line to the beginning. 

Ordered, That all territory lying north be attached to and form a 
part of said township. 

The township of Sugar Creek shall be bounded as follows, viz.: 
Beginning at the range line, between ranges 14 and 15, on the north- 



124 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ern county line; thence east to the northeast corner of the county; 
thence south with the line dividing townships 53 and 54 : thence west 
with said line to the corner of Silver Creek and Prairie townships. 

Ordered, That all the territory lying north of said township, be 
attached to and form a part thereof. 

The court appoint Thomas J. Gorham surveyor of the county of 
Randolph, whereupon he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, 
with satisfactory surety. 

The court appoint Terry Bradley assessor for the county of Ran- 
dolph, for the year 1829, and until his successor is duly elected and quali- 
ried. Whereupon, he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, in 
the penal sum of five hundred dollars, with Thomas Bradley and Ben- 
jamin Cockerill his securities, which was received by the court. 

The court appoint Jacob Medley collector for the county of Ran- 
dolph, for the year 1829. Whereupon, he entered into duplicate bonds, 
conditioned as the law directs, in the penal sum of two thousand dol- 
lars, with James Head and Terry Bradley as his securities, for the faith- 
ful performance of his duties in relation to state tax, which was received 
by the court, one of which was ordered to be forwarded to the auditor 
of public accounts; he also took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint Nathan Hunt constable of Salt Spring township. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penal sum of eight hundred 
dollars, with Daniel Hunt and Abraham Goodding as his securities, which 
was received by the court. 

The court appoint Nathan Floyd constable of Prairie township. 
\\ hereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars, 
with David Floyd and William Drinkard as his securities, which were 
received by the court; he then took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint John McCully constable of Silver Creek township. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars, 
conditioned as the law directs, with Benjamin Hardester and Samuel 
McCully as his securities, and took the oath prescribed by law. 

The court appoint Abraham Goodding constable of Sugar Creek 
township. Whereupon, he entered into bond in the penalty of eight hun- 
dred dollars, conditioned as the law directs, with Terry Bradley and Rob- 
ert Sconce as his securities, and took the oath prescribed by law. 

Ordered, By the court, that application be made to the clerk of 
Chariton county court, for copies of such records pertaining to the county 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 125 

of Randolph, as may be thought necessary. The court appoint Robert 
Sconce, guardian of Luzetta Wheldon, minor of John Wheldon, deceased. 
Whereupon, he entered into bond conditioned as the law directs, in the 
penalty of one thousand dollars, with John J. Turner, and Thomas J. 
Gorham as his securities, which were received by the court as sufficient. 

Ordered, that court adjourn until court in course. 

WILLIAM FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

At a county court begun and held for and within the county afore- 
said, by special appointment on the first day of March, 1829 ; present 
William Fort and Joseph M. Baker, justices of said court. Robert Wil- 
son, clerk, and Hancock Jackson, sheriff. 

Ordered, By the court, that the temporary seat of justice for said 
county, be fixed at the house of William Goggin in said county; and 
it is further ordered that all courts of record, hereafter to be holden 
in said county, be held at the house of the said William Goggin, and 
that a copy of this order be furnished the judge of the circuit court. 

Ordered, That court adjourn until court in course. 

WILLIAM FORT, 
JOSEPH M. BAKER. 

The above constitutes the proceedings of the first and special terms 
of the county court. The second regular term of the court was held on 
the 4th day of May following, and we note the following proceedings: 

Gabriel Johnson was recommended for justice of the peace for Sil- 
ver Creek township, and George Burckhartt and Benjamin Hardin, for 
Prairie. 

The following gentlemen were appointed road overseers: Archibald 
Shoemaker, Blandermin Smith, Thomas Bradley, John Dysart, James 
Wells, Henry Lassiter, Mark Noble, William B. Thompkins, John Garsh- 
weiler, John M. Patton and Josiah Davis. 

The first county levy was made at the June term, anil was ordered 
to be 50 per cent of the state levy, and in order to give some idea of 
the kind of salaries our old-time officers received, it should be stated 
that the county assessor, Terry Bradley, "was allowed his account of 
sixty-one dollars and fifty-six and one-fourth cents, for thirty-five days' 
service, postage, stationery," etc. Query — If such salaries as this were 
paid nowadays, would not electioneering grow small by degrees and beau- 
tifully less? 



126 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The collector made settlement of his accounts for the county revenue 
November 3, 1829; it was as follows: 

Resident list amounts to $253.60 

Delinquent returned and allowed 1.25 

Allowed by law for collecting 20.20 



$21.45 
Leaving a balance of two hundred and thirty-two dollars and fifteen 
cents in his hands, together with the sum of two dollars and ninety- 
nine cents, received by him on licenses, which is ordered to be paid to 
the county treasurer. 

In August, 1830, the county court made the following order: 
The clerk is ordered to procure a seal for the county court, with the 
emblem of the American Eagle, provided the same can be had on reason- 
able terms. 

Robert Wilson was appointed commissioner of the county seat. 
William Goggin and Nancy, his wife, and Gideon Wright and Rebecca, 
his wife, Daniel Hunt and wife, and Henry Winburn and wife all made 
deeds without compensation, conveying land to the county for the seat 
of justice. Each gave twelve and a half acres, aggregating 50 acres. 
Reuben Samuel was appointed superintendent of public buildings. 

The first guardian appointed by the county court of Randolph county 
was John Harvey, who was appointed guardian of Drucilla Wheldon, 
minor child of John Wheldon, deceased. Davis and Currin were granted 
the first license to keep a tavern ; their stand was at the house of Wil- 
liam Goggin. The license for the same cost them $10. John Taylor 
was the second tavern keeper. 

The first bridge of any importance, constructed in the county, was 
built over the east fork of the Chariton river, on the first high bank 
above Baker's ford, in 1829. The citizens paid half of the cost by sub- 
scription, and the county court subscribed the other half. Henry B. 
Owen was the contractor, and received $1.65 for building half of the 
bridge. In 1830 Nicholas Dysart was allowed the sum of $56 for assess- 
ing the county. 

The early records of the circuit court and recorder's office, espe- 
cially the record of deeds in the latter office, were destroyed by fire 
in 1882, at the time the court-house was burned; consequently we are 
forever precluded from knowing just exactly what they contained. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 127 

The first circuit court within and for the county of Randolph, was 
held at the residence of William Goggin in 1829. The Hon. David Todd, 
of Boone county, was the presiding judge; Robert Wilson was the clerk, 
Hancock Jackson, sheriff, and James Gordon, prosecuting attorney. The 
following persons composed the first grand jury: George Burckhartt, 
foreman; Peter Culp, Ambrose Medley, William Baker, Lawrence Evans, 
Terry Bradley, Edwin T. Hickman, Francis K. Collins, Levi Moore, Jere- 
miah Summers, Robert Boucher, Richard Blue, Henry Martin, Thomas 
Kimbrough, Moses Kimbrough, James Davis, John Bagby, John Dunn, 
William Upton, Robert Dysart, John Martin, William Pattin, Isaac Harris. 
They closed their labors on the second day of the term, having found 
two indictments, — one against John Moore for "assault and battery," 
and one against John Cooley, for resisting legal process. 

The following attorneys were in attendance upon this court: Robert 
W. Wells, attorney-general; John F. Ryland, Gen. John B. Clark, Joseph 
Davis, Thomas Reynolds and Samuel Moore. Each one of the above 
named attorneys, excepting Moore, afterwards occupied honorable posi- 
tions in the councils of the state. Wilson and Gen. Clark were in the 
congress of the United States, the former being a senator. 

This second grand jury was made up of John Dysart, foreman; 
James Davis, John Owens, David Turner, William Mathis, Thomas 
Prather, William Kerby, Jacob Epperly, Nicholas Tuttle, Robert Elliott, 
George W. Green, Thorett Rose, Elisha McDaniels, John D. Reed, John 
Gross, James Cooley, John McCully, Dr. William Fort, Nathaniel Floyd, 
David Floyd. 



CHAPTER X| 



EARLY WARS. 



BEFORE WAR OF 1812— INDIANS IN WAR OF 1812— FORTS CONSTRUCTED IN BOONS- 
LICK COUNTRY — INDIAN WARFARE— SETTLERS KILLED BY INDIANS— CAP- 
TAIN COOPER ASSASSINATED — CAPTAIN SARSHALL COOPER'S COMPANY- 
MEXICAN WAR — COMPANY ORGANIZED IN RANDOLPH COUNTY— CIVIL WAR. 

Doubtless before the War of 1812 began, the Missouri Indians were at 
heart hostile. They were idle, shiftless and treacherous, from the white 
man's viewpoint. In the presence of the settler, they were apparently 
frank, accommodating' and kind. Yet they knew by experience that 
the white man coveted their lands, hence was their enemy, and that 
eventually they would be dispossessed of their hunting grounds, all of 
which subsequently came to pass. 

Immediately upon the breaking out of hostilities the settlers in the 
Boonslick country began to erect forts in every neighborhood. Four 
were constructed north of the Missouri river and two south. 

The largest, Coopers fort, a stockade flanked by log houses, was 
erected in the bottom south of Glasgow and near the Missouri river. 
A common field of 250 acres lying between the fort and said river was 
worked by all of its inhabitants. Some twenty or more families and a 
number of young men took refuge therein. 

McLeans fort, or Fort Henpstead, was situated on a high hill near 
Sulphur creek, about a mile west of New Franklin. 

Fort Kincaid was near the river about a mile and a half from the 
present site of old Franklin. 

Heads fort was four miles from Rocheport on the "Big Hill" near 
the old Boonslick trail. It was the most easterly fort of the settlement. 

South of the river was Coles fort, a mile and a half east of the pres- 
ent site of Boonville. 




MICH school. MOBERLY, MO. 




WOODLAND HOSPITAL, MOBERLY, .MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 129 

In 1814, the Hannah Cole fort was erected on a bluJT overlooking 
the Misosuri river not far from Boonville. The settlers of these several 
neighborhoods took refuge in these forts and so remained until peace 
was declared. Thus situated, co-operation, so vitally necessary for the 
safety of all, was rendered difficult. They made common cause of their 
danger, however, and stood together and extended to each other armed 
aid. And when on one occasion the settlers in Cole's fort, south of the 
river were threatened with extermination and escaped across the river 
to Fort Kincaid, they found not only a refuge, but an indefinite right of 
hospitality. 

There were no phones in those days whereby one fort could com- 
municate with the other in safety. When danger appeared, some daring 
man or woman if need be, must take his life in hand and bear the mes- 
sage in person. 

Beside these imprisoned women and children and men as well must 
be fed and the woods was their larder. The hunter must go forth, other- 
wise a famine. The hunters went at duty's call, sometimes he did not 
return, for the Indian was a "bushwhacker," the first of the kind. 

Fair play and no favors was no part of his war creed, nor is it now 
among so-called enlightened nations, as it once was in the days of chiv- 
alry. The Indian preferred to lie in wait and slay his enemy from am- 
bush. The redmen were not cowards, but they went on the warpath to 
kill, not to be killed. A scalp counted, whether obtained by a shot from 
the bush or in open fight, and he preferred to shoot when concealed; 
it was safer. Indians were seldom reckless in battle, but if need be 
they knew no fear. Today full blood Indians who served with the Amer- 
ican forces in France in the late World War, are wearing "decorations" 
awarded them for efficient and daring service, unsurpassed by any sol- 
dier of any nationality. The Indian as a foe was cruel and vengeful, 
but what about the white race in this last great war. Waged as it was 
by enlightened nations that claim to be Christian countries as well. 
Every damnable device that inventor could design or chemist discover 
was used to cruelly and effectually destroy life and future health. Thou- 
sands of hopeless invalids may today be found in the countries engaged 
with lungs burned beyond repair by poison gas, who must suffer until 
life ends. 

Thus it has come to pass that the savage Indian of more than a 
century ago has been so far outdistanced in cold-blooded war cruelty, as 
to make the redman of that time appear comparatively humane. 



130 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

During the war of 1812 it is definitely known that the Indians took 
the lives of ten of these early settlers, two south of the river, and eight 
north, in the Boonslick country. 

In 1812. two men from Cole's fort went hunting, Smith and Savage, 
and were cut off by hostile Indians. Savage escaped, but Smith was 
slain. 

Later, in 1814, William Gregg, while feeding hogs, was shot and 
killed from ambush by Indians. This took place above Arrow Rock, and 
both these killings were south of the Missouri river. 

Early in the year 1812, Jonathan Todd and Thomas Smith, while 
looking for land upon which to settle were set upon by Indians near the 
Boone County line. They bravely resisted and killed several Indians, but 
in the end paid the forfeit with their lives. 

In July, 1812, a man named Campbell and Adam McCord went to 
Campbell's home from Fort Kincaid to do some work. Campbell was 
killed from ambush and McCord escaped. 

Braxton Cooper, Jr., was killed in September, 1813, two miles north 
of New Franklin while cutting logs to build a house. He was armed 
with a rifle and a hunting knife, and fought to the end. When his 
body, lying face downwards, was found, his gun lay by his side and in 
his clenched right hand was his knife bloody to the hilt. He was a 
young man of superior physical strength and courage and the trampled 
ground and broken bushes about bore evidence that he had fought des- 
perately. He was not scalped nor mutilated, positive evidence that the 
Indians were put to flight while he was yet capable of resistance. 

Joseph Still and Stephen Cooper, a youth of sixteen, both rangers 
from Fort Cooper, while scouting, came in contact with a band of one 
hundred Indians twenty miles from the fort. The Indians barred the 
way, so the two rangers rode full speed at the Indians' line with cocked 
rifles. Both fired with effect. Cooper killed an Indian and Still shot and 
wounded another. Still was shot from his horse at the Indian line and 
killed, while the boy Cooper went through and escaped to the fort. This 
was in October, 1813. 

About the same time, October, 1813, William McLean was killed 
near Fayette. He with several other men went to select a piece of land 
upon which someone of them desired to settle. They were attacked by 
a large party of Indians and McLean was shot in the head and fell 
dead. The others escaped to McLean's fort. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 131 

A negro named Joe, belonging to Samuel Brown, was killed by In- 
dians near Burckhartt's farm, three-quarters of a mile from Estill Sta- 
tion. Several other men belonging to Cooper's fort also lost their lives 
during the war period, but no record of their names remain. 

One of the most lamentable events of this war was the taking off 
of Captain Sarshall Cooper on the night of April 14, 1814. The night 
was exceedingly dark and a storm was raging. Captain Cooper and 
family lived in one of the angles of Fort Cooper. A single warrior crept 
up to the fort and made a hole in the clay between the logs, large enough 
to admit the muzzle of his gun. Captain Cooper was sitting before the 
fire, his youngest child in his lap. his wife nearby, was sewing. The 
Indian fired and Sarshall Cooper fell lifeless to the floor in the midst 
of his family. 

Captain Cooper was a born leader. He was five feet and ten inches 
in height, fine physique, a superb horseman and was cool, deliberate and 
courageous. Cooper County was afterward named for him. 

The musterroll of Captain Sarshall Coopers' company, dated April, 
1812, is not without interest, and gives the names of the following offi- 
cers and men : 

William McLean, first lieutenant; David McQuilty, second lieutenant; 
John Monroe, third lieutenant; Ben Cooper, ensign; John McMurray, first 
sergeant; Sam McMahan, second sergeant; Adam Woods, third ser- 
geant; David Todd, fourth sergeant; John Mathews, fifth sergeant; An- 
drew Smith, corporal; Thomas Vaugn, corporal ; James McMahan, cor- 
poral; John Busby, corporal; James Barnes, corporal. Privates Jesse 
Ashcraft, Jesse Cox, Sam Perry, Solomon Cox, Henry Ferrill, Harmon 
Gregg, Robert Cooper, William Gregg, John Wasson, Josiah Higgins, 
David Gregg, Gray Byrum, David Cooper, Abbott Hancock, William 
Thorp, William Cooper, John Cooper, Joseph Cooper, Stephen Cooper, 
William Read, Stephen Turley, Thomas McMahan, James Anderson, Wil- 
liam Anderson, Stephen Jackson, John Hancock, Robert Irvin, Francis 
Cooper, Benoni Sappington, James Cooley, Nathan Teague, James Doug- 
lass, John Sneathan, William Cresson, Joseph Cooley, William McLane, 
James Turner, Ervin M. McLane, William Baxter, Peter Creason, David 
Burns, Price Arnold, John Smith, John Stephenson, Alfred Head, Gilliard 
Roop. Daniel Durbin, James Cockrill, Jesse Tresner, Mitchell Poage, Town- 
send Brown, John Arnold, Robert Poage, Francis Berry, Lindsay Car- 
son, David Boggs, Jesse Richardson, Robert Brown, John Peak, John 



132 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Elliot, Joseph Beggs, Andrew Carson, John Colley, Reuben Fugitt, Seibert 
Hubbard, John Berry, William Brown, Francis Woods, William Allen, 
Robert Wells, Joseph Moody, Joseph Alexander, Amos Barnes, Daniel 
Hubbard, Harris Jamison, Abraham Barnes, William Riclgeway, Enoch 
Taylor, Mathee Kinkead, John Barnes, Henry Waedon, Otto Ashcraft, 
John Pursley, William Monroe, Isaac Thornton, Stephen Feils, Dan Monroe, 
Giles Williams, Henry Barnes, William Savage, Thomas Chandler, John 
Jokley, Stephen Cole, William Robertson, William Bolen, Mixe Box, Sabert 
Scott; John Savage, James Cole, Stephen Cole, Jr., John Ferrill, Delaney 
Bolen. James Savage, Joseph McMahan, Braxton Cooper, Robert Hancock. 

Every enlisted man furnished his own equipment and an order was 
promulgated so the "citizen soldiers may not be ignorant of the manner 
in which the law requires him to be equipped; he is reminded that it is 
his duty to provide himself with a good musket, with bayonet and belt 
or fusil, two spare flints and a knapsack pouch with a box thereon to 
contain not less than twenty-four cartridges, or a good rifle, knapsack, 
powder horn and pouch, with twenty balls and one-quarter of a pound of 
powder." 

It is not within the provincs of this work to go further into the details 
of this war period. They are intensely interesting, however. At that 
time the now Randolph County was a part of the Boonslick country, but 
as yet no white settler had reared his cabin within its boundaries, hence 
Randolph County had no part in this struggle. 

No doubt descendants of some of these pioneers who took an active 
part in this struggle may be found in Randolph County at this time, but 
the writer of this work cannot so state positively, nor give names. 

In July. 1846, upon the call of the president of the United States, a 
company of men was organized in Randolph County fez the Mexican 
War. The company consisted of about 100 men, and left Huntsville on 
the first Monday in August, 1846. Before leaving the company was 
presented with a beautiful silk flag, made by the ladies of Randolph 
County. This flag was carried by the men through all their long marches 
and engagements, and when they returned home, in November, 1847, 
with a list of the names of the men, stored away in the courthouse for 
safe keeping, and, unfortunately, destroyed by fire when the courthouse 
was burned. This list, being thus destroyed, we are unable to give all 
the names of the men who made up the company; the list, however, is 
as complete as we can make it: 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 133 

Hancock Jackson, captain; Clair Oxley, first lieutenant; R. G. Gil- 
man, second lieutenant ; W. R. Samuel, third lieutenant ; William Ketchum, 
first sergeant, died in the army; W. L. Fletcher, first sergeant; L. W. T. 
Allin, second sergeant, died in the army; Eldridge Cross, second sergeant; 
Vincent Barnes, fourth, died in the army; Isaac Larrick, fourth sergeant, 
died in the army; Thomas L. Gorham, first corporal; Robert C. Reed, 
third corporal; E. C. Montgomery, fourth corporal; R. M. Proffit, first 
bugler; W. C. Hoiman, second bugler; Harrigan Barnett, A. Bradigan, 
blacksmith, N. B. Briswell, W. P. Baker, John W. Burris, James H. Brown, 
Francis Condon, George R. Caton, Jeremiah Clarkston, Asa K. Collett, 
James Cole, Lewis R. Collier, William Embree, O. N. P. Flagett, David A. 
Gray, Samuel P. Gray, William N. Gist, Benjamin F. Heaton, Lewis Hag- 
gard, James Heaton, A. O. John, N. T. Johnson, F. M. Morris, John F. 
Miller, Daniel C. Moore, E. A. Matney, James N. Marshall, William Murley, 
Monroe Mullion, John F. McDavitt, died in the army, 0. P. Magee, A. 
McDonald, John O. Oxby, F. E. W. Patton, James Phillips, M. H. Parker, 
E. W. Parsels, John Roberts, H. H. Richardson, John W. Richardson, W. 
T. Redd, W. G. Riley, S. D. Richardson, Martin Riddle, P. M. Richardson, 
John W. Latta, Harvey C. Ray, James Ramy, James G. Smith, W. R. 
Slater, Paul Shirley, E. K. Wilson, G. H. Wilson, William H. Wilson, 0. 
H. P. Fizell, William Roberts and A. M. C. Donald. 

This company belonged to the Second Regiment, Missouri Mounted 
Volunteers, and was under the command of Gen. Sterling Price, and Lieut.- 
Col. D. D. Mitchell, two as brave and gallant officers as ever commanded 
a regiment in any war. 

The men were in two small engagements, one at Taos, and the other 
in the Moreau Valley, and like the American forces generally, came out 
victorious. 

The young men from Randolph County joined the army away from 
home. Their names were Clinton B. Samuel and his cousin, Edmond T. 
Taylor. The former joined Capt. 0. P. Moss' company, Doniphan's regi- 
ment, and the latter Captain Barber's company, of Linn County. They 
were true-hearted and brave; one died with the consumption (Samuel), 
and the other (Taylor) died from an attack of measles, and was buried 
far away from home and friends, on the top of a lonely mountain in New 
Mexico. 

Randolph County, as did the state of Missouri generally, suffered much 
during the Civil War. Her territory was nearly all the time occupied by 



134 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

either one or the other antagonistic elements, and her citizens were called 
upon to contribute to the support of first one side and then the other. 

Among those who commanded companies which were partially or 
entirely raised from Randolph County for the southern army were Col. 
H. T. Fort, Col. John A. Poindexter, Capt. Frank Davis, Capt. John W. 
Bagby, Capt. Benjamin E. Guthrie and Col. C. J. Perkins. Some of the 
above named officers were from adjoining counties, but recruited portions 
of their companies from Randolph county. 

Among those who raised companies for the Union army were Capts. 
T. B. Reed, C. F. Mayo, W. T. Austin, N. S. Burckhartt, W. A. Skinner, 
M. S. Durham and Alexander Denny. The number of men entering each 
army was about the same — numbering between 600 and 900. 

During the w r ar a few non-combatants were killed in the county: 
James Harris, Martin Green, James K. Carter, Andrew J. Herndon, and 
two or three colored men were shot to death at their homes or in the 
county. 



CHAPTER XII 



PHYSICAL FEATURES AND NATURAL RESOURCES. 



LOCATION— AREA GRAND DIVIDE RIVERS, CREEKS AND STREAMS— TIMBER— 
COAL— TOPOO I : \ i ■ ii \ SOILS. 

Randolph County is a north Missouri county. Its southern boundary 
is from twenty-two to twenty-five miles north of the Missouri river at 
Rocheport and at Boonville. It is approximately seventy miles south 
of the Iowa state line and is one of the central counties from east and 
west. It contains 307,677 acres. Randolph County is bounded on the 
north by Macon and Shelby Counties ; on the east by Monroe and Audrain ; 
on the south by Howard and Boone and on the west by Chariton County. 

The grand divide between the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, begin- 
ning in St. Charles County, runs northwest into Randolph County, thence 
turns north through the counties of Macon, Adair and Schuyler into 
Iowa and thence northwesterly, parallelling the Des Moines river beyond 
its source, thence northwesterly to a point northwest of Big Stone Lake, 
where it joins the continental divide running east and west from the 
Atlantic to the Pacific, dividing the waters running south from those 
running into the Hudson Bay. About one-fourth of Randolph County 
is on the east slope of this divide and from this part of the county the 
water flows into the Mississippi, and on the other hand the waters from 
the west and south side of the divide flow into the Missouri. The towns 
of Clark, Renick, Moberly, Cairo and Jacksonville are situated on this 
divide, Moberly being the highest point between Hannibal and Bruns- 
wick. This divide is a prairie from the eastern part of Montgomery 
County throughout its length and is of unequal width, varying from one 
to five or six miles, and was known in the early days as the Grand Prairie. 



136 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The slopes of this divide to the east are gentle, hut as the smaller 
streams come together and form larger ones, the land along the water 
courses that flow from these slopes grow more undulating and hilly along 
the streams. From the west and southwest side of the divide flow the 
Perche, Moniteau, Silver Creek, Sweet Springs, Sugar Creek and Locust 
Creek and other smaller streams. All of these streams, except the Perche 
and Moniteau, which flow south directly to the Missouri river, empty into 
the east fork of the Chariton river. The eastern fork of the Chariton has 
its source in north Missouri and enters Randolph County from the north, 
about the center of the county, flows thence southwest until it empties into 
the Chariton river a few miles above the mouth of that stream west of 
Glasgow. Six miles east of the western line of the county the middle 
fork of the Chariton enters the county, flows south by Thomas Hill in 
Chariton township, thence southwest into Chariton County, passing Salis- 
bury east of that town and forms a junction with east fork a few miles 
north of Forest Green, and the streams so combined flow into the Chari- 
ton as we have seen. From the southeast corner of the county west, 
the land slopes gently to the south and west for several miles, becom- 
ing broken and hilly along the Perche and Moniteau for a few miles north 
of the county line. An arm of the grand prairie stretches out to the south- 
west from a point two miles south of Moberly for several miles, extend- 
ing to within a mile of Higbee when it becomes wooded, and thence ex- 
tends into the northern part of Howard County. From this divide the 
waters flow directly south from the south side, and into Silver Creek and 
Sweet Spring from the northern side. The land situated on this divide is 
first class farming and grazing land. The western part of the county was 
mostly timber land, interspersed, however, with rich prairie, and is of 
superior productive qualities. The timber was principally elm, shell-bark 
hickory, linden and burr, swamp, red, white and black oak, sycamore and 
sugar maple. There are some large bodies of very rich land in different 
portions of the county. The bottoms of the east and middle forks of the 
Chariton and Sweet Spring creeks are very flat, but have generally been 
sufficiently drained to be cultivated, and are very productive. 

There are several prairies in the county which contain very superior 
land for agricultural purposes. The creek bottoms are wonderfully rich, 
and where not too flat, or being flat have been drained, they produce 
remarkable crops of the cereals and grasses. About one-half of the coun- 
try is prairie. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 137 

Practically all of Randolph County rests upon coal beds of varying 
thickness lying in strata at different depths. 

From the edge of the prairie that crown the grand divide, westward 
a vein of coal from three and a half to four feet in thickness underlies 
the county practically to its western border. From Jacksonville west 
these coal measures extend to and beyond the county limits. In the south- 
western corner they may be somewhat curtailed. Coal mines have been 
opened and successfully operated at and south of Renick, at and on all 
sides of Higbee, and west thereof to Yates. Also at and around Hunts- 
ville to within a mile of the machine shops at Moberly and west of Jack- 
sonville. This great coal field underlies all of the rough timbered lands, 
valuable now for grazing purposes, but vastly more valuable by reason 
of their mineral wealth, when transportation for the coal that underlies 
them can be had. This coal is a soft, bituminous coal and unexcelled for 
steam purposes. As yet only a few hundred aires of this great coal field 
has been mined and this vast wealth lies safely stored underground 
to enrich a future generation. 

The eastern half of the county, generally speaking, is what we know 
as the Putnam silt loam or level prairie, although, of course, this is cut 
into by streams in many places and timber land results. This timber land 
IS mostly what we know as the Lindley loam. This soil is found princi- 
pally, however, in the belt running north and southwest of Moberly, prac- 
tically across the county and five to eight miles wide. 

West of Huntsville the land is mainly what we know as the Shelby 
loam in the northern two-thirds of the county, while in the southwest 
coiner there is some soil that is classed as the Marshall silt loam. This 
is the best land in the county outside of the bottoms. The Lindley loam 
is commonly known as the white oak ridge land and is best adapted to 
grass and timber. There are, of course, many intermediate types in the 
county, but these represent the principal soils. 



CHAPTER XIII 



TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION. 



FOUR ORIGINAL TOWXSH I PS— LATK1: TOWNSHIPS — ORIGIN OF COUNTY SYSTEM- 
BEGINNING OF TOWNSHIP SYSTEM— EARLY METHODS OF TAKING UP GOV- 
ERNMENT LAND — PRESENT SYSTEM OF LAND SURVEYS— CONGRESSIONAL 
TOWNSHIP— MARKINGS. 

Randolph County was originally divided into four townships: Silver 
Creek, Prairie, Salt River and Sugar Creek. The townships of Chariton, 
Clifton, Salt Spring, Jackson, Cairo, Union and Moniteau have since been 
added, making eleven municipal townships. Prairie is the largest, and 
occupies the southeastern portion of the county. Jackson and Union are 
the smallest. 

We deem it proper here to give some explanations of the county and 
township systems and government surveys, as much depends in business 
and civil transactions upon county limits and county organizations. 

"The county system originated with Virginia, whose early settlers 
soon became large landed proprietors, aristocratic in feeling, living apart 
in almost baronial magnificence, on their own estates, and owning the 
laboring part of the population. Thus the materials for a town were not 
at hand, the voters beng thinly distributed over a great area. 

''The county organization, where a few influential men managed the 
wholesale business of a community, retaining their places almost at their 
pleasure, scarcely responsible at all, except in name, and permitted to con- 
duct the county concerns as their ideas or wishes might direct, was more- 
over consonant with their recollections or traditions of the judicial and 
social dignities of the landed aristocracy of England, in descent from whom 
the Virginia gentlemen felt so much pride. In 1834 eight counties were 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 139 

organized in Virginia, and the system extending throughout the State, 
spread into all the Southern states and some of the Northern States; 
unless we except the nearly similar division into 'districts' in South Caro- 
lina, and that into 'parishes' in Louisiana, from the French laws. 

"Illinois, which, with its vast additional territory, became a county of 
Virginia, on its conquest by Gen. George Rogers Clark, retained the county 
organization, which was formerly extended over the State by the constitu- 
tion of 1818. and continued in exclusive use until the constitution of 1848. 
Under this system, as in other States adopting it, much local business 
was transacted by the commissioners in each county, who constituted a 
county court, with quarterly sessions. 

"During the period ending with the constitution of 1847, a large por- 
tion of the State had become filled up with a population of New England 
birth or character, daily growing more and more compact and dissatisfied 
with the comparatively arbitrary and inefficient county system. It was 
maintained by the people that the heavily populated districts would always 
control the election of the commissioners to the disadvantage of the more 
thinly populated sections — in short, that under that system 'equal and 
exact justice' to all parts of the county could not be secured. 

"The township system had its origin in Massachusetts, and dates back 
to 1635. 

"The first legal enactment concerning the system provided that, 
whereas, 'particular townships have many things which concern only them- 
selves and the ordering of their own affairs, and disposing of business in 
their own town,' therefore the 'freemen of every township, or a majority 
part of them, shall only have power to dispose of their, own lands and 
woods, with all the appurtenances of said town, to grant lots, and to make 
such orders as may concern the well ordering of their own towns, not 
repugnant to the laws and orders established by the general court.' 

"They might also," says Mr. Haines, "impose fines of not more than 
twenty shillings, and 'choose their own particular officers, as constables, 
surveyors for the highway, and the like.' 

"Evidently this enactment relieved the general court of a mass of 
municipal details without any danger to the power of that body in con- 
trolling general measures of public policy. 

"Probably, also, a demand from the freemen of the towns was felt 
for the control of their own home concerns. 



140 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

"The New England colonies were first governed by a general court 
or Legislature, composed of a Governor and a small council, which court 
consisted of the most influential inhabitants, and possessed and exercised 
both legislative and judicial powers, which were limited only by the wis- 
dom of the holders. 

"They made laws, ordered their execution by officers, tried and de- 
cided civil and criminal causes, enacted all manner of municipal regulations, 
and, in fact, did all the public business of the colony." 

Similar provisions for the incorporation of towns were made in the 
first constitution in Connecticut, adopted in 1639, and the plan of town- 
ship organization, as experience proved its remarkable economy, efficiency 
and adaptation to the requirements of a free and intelligent people, became 
universal throughout New England, and went westward with the immi- 
grants from New England, into New York, Ohio, and other Western States. 

Thus we find that the valuable system of county, township and town 
organizations had been thoroughly tried and proven long before there was 
need of adopting it in Missouri, or any of the broad region west of the 
Mississippi River. But as the new country began to be opened, and as 
Eastern people began to move westward across the mighty river, and 
formed thick settlements along its western bank, the Territory and State, 
and county and township organizations soon followed in quick succession, 
and those different systems became more or less improved, according as 
deemed necessary by the experience and judgment and demands of the 
people, until they have arrived at the present stage of advancement and 
efficiency. In the settlement of the Terirtory of Missouri, the legislature 
began by organizing counties on the Mississippi River. As each new 
county was formed, it was made to include under legal jurisdiction all the 
country bordering west of it, and required to grant to the actual settlers 
electoral privileges and an equal share of the county government with 
those who properly lived in the geographical limits of the county. 

The counties first organized along the eastern borders of the State 
were given for a short time jurisdiction over the lands and settlements 
adjoining each on the west, until these localities became sufficiently set- 
tled to support organizations of their own. 

"Previous to the formation of our present government, the eastern 
portion of North America consisted of a number of British colonies, the 
territory of which was granted in large tracts to British noblemen. By 
treaty of 1783, these grants were acknowledged as valid by the colonies. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 141 

After the Revolutionary War, when these colonies were acknowledged 
independent States, all public domain within their boundaries was acknowl- 
edged to be the property of the colony within the bounds of which said 
domain was situated. 

"Virginia claimed all the northwestern territory, including what is 
now known as Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois. 
After a meeting of the representatives of the various States to form a 
Union, Virginia ceded the northwest territory to the United States govern- 
ment. This took place in 1784 ; then all this northwest territory became 
government land. It comprised all south of the lakes and east of the 
Mississippi river and north and west of the States having definite boundary 
lines. This territory had been known as New France, and had been ceded 
by France to England in L768. In the year 1803, Napoleon Bonaparte 
sold to the United Stales all territory west of the Mississippi River and 
north of Mexico, extending to the Rocky mountains. 

"While the public domain was the property of the colonies, it was 
disposed of as follows: Each individual caused the tract he desired to 
purchase to be surveyed and platted. A copy of the survey was then filed 
with the registrar of lands, when, by paying into the State or Colonial 
treasury an agreed price, the purchaser received a patent for the Jand. 
This method of disposing of public lands made law suits numerous, owing 
to different surveys often including the same ground. To avoid the diffi- 
culties and effect a general measurement of the territories, the United 
States adopted the present mode or system of land surveys, a description 
of which we give as follows: 

"In an unsurveyed region, a point of marked and changeless topo- 
graphical features is selected as an initial point. The exact latitude and 
longitude of this point is ascertained by astronomical observation, and a 
suitable monument of iron or stone, to perpetuate the position, is thus 
reared. Through this point a true north and south line is run, which is 
called a principal meridian. This principal meridian may be extended 
north and south any desired distance. Along this line are placed, at dis- 
tances of one-half mile from each other, posts of wood or stone or mounds 
of earth. These posts are said to establish the line, and are called section 
and quarter-section posts. Principal meridians are numbered in the order 
in which they are established. Through the same initial point from which 
the principal meridian was surveyed, another line is now run and estab- 
lished by mile and half-mile posts, as before, in a true east and west 



142 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

direction. This line is called the base line, and like the principal meridian, 
may be extended indefinitely in either direction. These lines form the 
basis of the survey of the country into townships and ranges. Township 
lines extend east and west, parallel with the base line, at distances of six 
miles from the base line and from each other, dividing the country into 
strips six miles wide, which strips are called townships. Range lines run 
north and south, parallel to the principal meridian, dividing the country 
into strips six miles wide, which strips are called ranges. Township strips 
are numbered from the base line, and range strips are numbered from the 
principal meridian. Townships lying north of the base line are 'townships 
north'; those on the south are 'townships south.' The strip lying next 
the base line is township one, the next one to that, two, and so on. The 
range strips are numbered in the same manner, counting from the principal 
meridian east or west, as the case may be. 

"The township and range lines thus divide the country into six-mile 
squares. Each of these squares is called a congressional township. All 
north and south lines north of the equator approach each other as they 
extend north, finally meeting at the north pole ; therefore north and south 
lines are not literally parallel. The east and west boundary lines of any 
range being six miles apart in the latitude of Missouri and Kansas, would, 
in thirty miles, approach each other at 2.9 chains, or 190 feet. If, there- 
fore, the width of the range when started from the base line is made 
exactly six miles, it would be 2.9 chains too narrow at the distance of 
thirty miles, or five townships north. To correct the width of ranges and 
keep them to the proper width, the range lines are not surveyed in a con- 
tinuous straight line, like the principal meridian, entirely across the State, 
but only across a limited number of townships, usually five, where the 
width of the range is corrected by beginning a new line on the side of the 
range most distant from the principal meridian, at such a point as will 
make the range its correct width. All range lines are corrected in the 
same manner. The east and west township lines on which these correc- 
tions are made are called correction lines, or standard parallels. The sur- 
veys of the State of Missouri were made from the fifth principal meridian, 
which runs throughout the State, and its ranges are numbered from it. 
The State of Kansas is surveyed and numbered from the sixth. Con- 
gressional townships are divided into thirty-six square miles, called sec- 
tions, and are known by numbers according to their position. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 143 

"Sections are divided into quarters, eighths and sixteenths, and are 
described by their position in the section. The full secton contains 640 
acres, the quarter 160, the eighth 80, and the sixteenth 40. 

"Congressional townships, as we have seen, are six-mile squares of 
land, made by the township and range lines, while civil or municipal town- 
ships are civil divisions, made for purposes of government, the one hav- 
ing no reference to the other, though similar in name. On the county map 
we see both kinds of townships — the congressional usually designated by 
numbers and in squares; the municipal or civil township by name and in 
various forms. 

"By the measurement thus made by the government the courses and 
distances are defined between any two points. St. Louis is in township 44 
north, range 8 east, and Independence is in township 49 north, range 32 
west; how Car. then, are Kansas City and St. Louis apart on a direct line? 
St. Louis is 40 townships east — 240 miles — and 5 townships south — 30 
miles ; the base and perpendicular of a right-angled triangle, the hypoth- 
enuse being the required distance." 

The "township," as the term is used in common phraseology, in many 
instances is widely distinguished from that of "town," though many per- 
sons persist in confounding the two. "In the United States many of the 
States are divided into townships of five, six, seven, or perhaps ten miles 
square, and the inhabitants of such townships are vested with certain 
powers for regulating their own affairs, such as repairing roads and pro- 
viding for the poor. The township is subordinate to the county." A 
"town" is simply a collection of nouses, either large or small, and opposed 
to "country." 

The most important features connected with this system of town- 
ship surveys should be thoroughly understood by every intelligent farmer 
and business man ; still there are some points connected with the under- 
standing of it, which need close and careful attention. The law which 
established this system required that the north and south lines should 
correspond exactly with the meridian passing through that point; also, 
that each township should be six miles square. To do this would be an 
utter impossibility, since the figure of the earth causes the meridians to 
converge toward the pole, making the north line to each township shorter 
than the south line of the same township. To obviate the errors which 
are, on this account, constantly occurring, correction lines are established. 
They are parallels bounding a line of townships on the north, when lying 



144 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

north of the principal base from which the surveys, as they are continued, 
are laid out anew ; the range lines again starting at correct distances from 
the principal meridian. In Michigan these correction lines are repeated 
at the end of every tenth township, but in Oregon they have been repeated 
with every fifth township. The instructions to the surveyors have been 
that each range of townships should be made as much over six miles in 
width where it closes on to the next correction line north ; and it is further 
provided that in all cases where the exterior lines of the townships shall 
exceed, or shall not extend, six miles, the excess of deficiency shall be 
specially noted, or added to or deducted from the western or northern 
sections or half sections in such township, according as the error may be 
in running the lines from east to west, or from south to north. In order 
to throw the excess of deficiencies on the north and on the west sides of 
the township, it is necessary to survey the section lines from south to 
north, on a true meridian, leaving the result in the north line of the town- 
ship to be governed by the convexity of the earth and the convergency of 
the meridians. 

Navigable rivers, lakes and islands are "meandered" or surveyed by 
the compass and chain along the banks. "The instruments employed on 
these surveys, besides the solar compass, are a surveying chain 33 feet 
long, of 50 links, and another of smaller wire, as a standard to be used 
for correcting the former as often at least as every other day, also 11 
tally pins, made of steel, telescope, targets, tape-measure and tools for 
marking the lines upon trees or stones. In surveying through woods, trees 
intercepted by the line are marked with two chips or notches, one on each 
side; these are called sight or line trees. Sometimes other trees in the 
vicinity are blazed on two sides quartering toward the line; but if some 
distance from the line, the two blazes should be near together on the side 
facing the line. These are found to be permanent marks, not wholly recog- 
nizable for many years, but carrying with them their old age by the rings 
of growth around the blaze, which may at any subsequent time be cut out 
and counted as years ; and the same are recognized in courts of law as evi- 
dence of the date of survey. They cannot be obliterated by cutting down 
the trees or otherwise without leaving evidence of the act. Corners are 
marked upon trees if found at the right spot, or else upon posts set in the 
ground, and sometimes at monument of stones is used for a township 
corner, and a single stone for a section corner; mounds of earth are made 
when there are no stones nor timber. The corners of the four adjacent 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 145 

sections are designated by distinct marks cut into a tree, one in each sec- 
tion. These trees, facing the corner, are plainly marked with the letters 
B. T. (bearing tree) cut into the wood. Notches cut upon the corner posts 
or trees indicate the number of miles to the outlines of the township, or, 
if on the boundaries of the township, to the township corners. 



CHAPTER XIV 



TOWNSHIPS. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP — CAIRO VILLAGE— CLIFTON TOWNSHIP— CLIFTON HILL— CHAR- 
ITON TOWNSHIP— DARKSVILLE. 



CAIRO TOWNSHIP. 

Cairo township lies in the second tier of townships from the northern 
boundary of Randolph, and in the central northeast part of the county. 
It contains an area of 21,920 acres, or a fraction over 34 square miles. 
The grand divide runs in a northwesterly direction through it, separating 
it into two nearly equal parts. Its territory was formerly a part of Sugar 
Creek township. 

The soil is a rich black loam, overlaying a substratum of stiff clay 
that, when exposed to the influences of rain and sunshine, snow and frost, 
not only becomes friable and arable, but imparts a peculiar productive 
energy to the soil and is admirably adapted to the cultivation of certain 
crops. Hence, the meadows and grass fields that have been deeply stirred 
are among the best in the state, and the township is noted for the rich 
and nutritive quality of its grasses. The cereals, also, are cultivated with 
success. About two-thirds of the territory is a high rolling prairie. 

The Wabash Railroad follows the divide and runs through the town- 
ship; even the farmers who reside in the most remote parts of it are not 
more than six miles from a depot. 

The East fork of Chariton River and Walnut Creek on the west side, 
and Mud Creek, Elk fork and Flat Creek on the east, afford plenty and 
never failing water for all the operations of the farm. 

Live stock is raised extensively and the amount shipped to markets of 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 147 

cattle, sheep, hogs, horses and mules, is very large, returning a handsome 
income to the farmers. 

The average yield of farm products per acre is as follows: Corn, 30 
bushels average, extra, 60 bushels ; oats, 35 bushels average, extra, 50 
bushels ; hay, one and a half tons. 

Among the early settlers in Cairo township were Leonard Dodson, 
from Kentucky ; Andrew Goodding, from Kentucky ; Samuel Martin, from 
Kentucky ; Col. Robert Boucher, from Kentucky ; Isaac Baker, from Ken- 
tucky; Ben.i. Huntsman, from Kentucky; Daniel McKinney, from Ken- 
tucky; James Cochran, from Kentucky; William King, from Kentucky; 
James T. Boney, from North Carolina; Benjamin Dameron, from North 
Carolina; W. S. Dameron, from North Carolina; Judge Joseph Goodding, 
from Kentucky. 

Judge Joseph Goodding is said to have been the first settler in the 
township. He emigrated to Howard County, Mo., from Kentucky, in 
1818, and in 1823 located in Cairo township. He was a prominent citizen, 
and filled the office of county judge three or four terms. 

W. S. Dameron came to the township in 1841, from Huntsville, Mo., 
and has lived in Randolph County 52 years. He was born in Nirth 
Carolina, October 29, 1824. 

Cairo was located in 1860, on the North division of the Wabash, St. 
Louis and Pacific Railway, eight miles from Huntsville, and seven miles 
north of Moberly, and 152 miles nortrrwest of St. Louis. The town site 
originally comprised 40 acres, owned by W. S. Dameron, who donated five 
acres for depot purposes. The remaining 35 acres were laid out in lots. 
The new town was at first called Fairview, but there being another town 
of the same name, it was changed to Cairo, at the suggestion of Thomas 
Dameron. 

P. G. McDaniel, from Kentucky, erected the first store building in the 
town; Thomas Dameron, the first dwelling house, located east of the rail- 
road. J. C. Tedford was the pioneer physician. Abner Landram was the 
first blacksmith, and Thomas Carter was the first shoemaker. B. R. 
Boucher taught the first school. The Methodists (M. E. Church South) 
erected the first church edifice. Thomas Dameron was the first postmaster, 
and wrote the first mail matter that was sent from the town. 

CLIFTON TOWNSHIP. 

Clifton is the middle township on the western border of Randolph 
county. It is five miles in width from east to west, its greatest length 



148 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

from north to south being seven and a half miles, giving an area of about 
321/2 square miles. It is watered by the Middle and East forks of the 
Chariton, Muncus and Dark creeks, the slopes are gentle and the land lies 
in beautiful waves. Towards the southern and western parts of the town- 
ship the hills become more abrupt, and in the vicinity of East fork, on 
the south, and the Middle fork, on the west, it is broken and somewhat 
ragged. This is one of the best farming sections of the county. The soil 
is deep and rich, affording such a variety, that, with care in selection of 
position, almost any crop may be developed in perfection. About one- 
third of the township is prairie, the balance timber land. 

The Wabash Railroad passes through the southern part of the town- 
ship, and no point in it is distant more than seven miles from that road. 
This gives a convenient outlet to all the products of the farm and easy 
shipping of live stock and other farm products. 

All the field crops yield heavy harvests. Corn will yield 8 to 12 bar- 
rels or 40 to 60 bushels to the acre ; wheat, 15 to 25 bushels ; oats, 40 to 
50 bushels ; hay, 1 to 2 tons. Besides this, blue grass spontaneously, and 
clover when cultivated give rich crops. 

Kentucky is more largely represented in the early settlement of this 
township than any other state. Her sons and her daughters have ever 
been in the front ranks of civilization, and wherever they located, lived 
and died, there may be found even to this day, among the present genera- 
tion, many of the traits of character which they possed. Early settlers 
in Clifton township are as follows: 

Joseph Baker, from Kentucky ; Charles Baker, from Kentucky ; Noah 
C. Baker, from Kentucky ; David Harris, from Kentucky ; David Proffit, 
from Kentucky; Sadie Baker, from Kentucky; Wm. Titus, from Kentucky; 
Russell Shoemaker, from Kentucky; Levi Fox, from Tennessee; Samuel G. 
Johnson, from Tennessee; Joseph Harris, from Kentucky; Noah C. Harris, 
from Kentucky; James Holman, from Kentucky; Hiram Stamper, from 
Kentucky ; John C. Turner, from Kentucky ; Augustine Bradsher, from 
Kentucky ; Capt. N. G. Matlock, from Kentucky ; J. M. Summers, from Ken- 
tucky; T. J. Summers, from Kentucky; Judge D. J. Stamper, from Ken- 
tucky;. James Ferguson, from Kentucky; A. G. Rucker, from Kentucky; 
David Bozarth, from Kentucky; F. H. Hackley, from Kentucky; David 
Milan, from Kentucky; W. H. Ball, from Kentucky; W. B. Crutchfield, 
from Kentucky ; J. M. Creighton, from Kentucky ; W. B. McCreary, from 
Kentucky ; J. M. Patton, from Kentucky ; E. Greer, from Kentucky ; 
Thomas Williams, from Kentucky ; J. H. Wayland, from Kentucky. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 149 

Samuel G. Johnson, born in 1807, who was one of the first settlers in 
the township, once speaking of early events, said: "I came to the town- 
ship October 16, 1833, from Wilson County, Tennessee. We all lived in 
log cabins. My cabin had a board roof, which was weighted down with 
poles. When there was a snow storm the snow would drift through the 
roof, and after the storm was over, the snow would be almost as deep on 
the inside of the cabin as on the outside, the beds being covered like the 
floor. I have awaked many a morning with my head and neck covered 
with snow, and after making a fire had to clear away the snow from around 
the fire, so my wife and children could get up to it and warm. 

•'The floor of my cabin consisted of loose planks, sawed by hand. The 
bedsteads were made of small logs, with poles put across and boards laid 
on them." 

Such was the primitive method of living and yet there were compen- 
sations and pleasures which were experienced by these pioneers, that are 
wholly unknown to the people of today. The forests abounded with game 
and all the streams teemed with delicate varieties of fish. 

The first mill that was erected in that section of the county, was 
built by Ezekiel Richardson, in 1824, on the Middle fork of the Chariton 
River. Richardson resided in Chariton County and sold the mill to Levi 
Fox. 

The first religious services were held at Joseph Baker's house, but 
were afterwards held at Ezekiel Richardson's cabin, about the year 1828, 
where they were continued until 1834, when Mr. Johnson's cabin was used 
as a house of worship. After a period of four or five years, a small house, 
known as Johnson's school house, was erected, which served the purposes 
of a church and school. Here met these humble Christian worshipers 
until 1846, when a larger and more costly building was constructed and 
called Providence church. This edifice, although not a very stately and 
magnificent one, was something of an architectural w r onder, as it con- 
tained 12 corners. The services above mentioned were conducted by the 
Methodists, who also erected Providence church. Among the early min- 
isters of the gospel was Rev. John Shores, a Methodist. 

Clifton Hill is the only town in the township and was laid out in 1866, 
on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 
54, range 16, and was named after David Clifton, who came from Owen 
County, Kentucky, about the year 1850, and was the owner of the town 
site. 



150 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

William Holman erected the first house that was built in the town. 
The first hotel was opened by Julius Rogers. Dr. J. J. Watts was the first 
physician to practice in the town. Dr. E. F. Wilson was the first resident 
physician. The first school was taught by Ansel Richardson, from Vir- 
ginia. William Wagner and James Maddox were the first shoemakers, 
and W. M. Roberts and Cyrus Clifton were the pioneer blacksmiths. 

The present village officials are: Mayor, George F. Christy; clerk, 
Everett Thurston; treasurer, H. C. Eubank; collector, P. D. Blake; street 
commissioner, E. E. Hurt; marshall, W. B. McDavitt. Councilmen : 
George F. Christy, Everett Thurston, H. C. Eubank, P. D. Blake, E. E. 
Hurt. 

CHARITON TOWNSHIP. 

Chariton township lies in the northwest corner of Randolph and 
borders on Macon and Chariton Counties. It was organized in 1832, and 
of territory originally belonging to Salt Spring township, and extended 
12 miles into the present limits of Macon County. By the subsequent 
organization of that county Chariton township lost two-thirds of its terri- 
tory, and was reduced to its present dimensions of 54 square miles in a 
rectangular shape, being nine miles long from east to west, by a width of 
six miles from north to south. 

The first settlement was made in about the year 1829, by a few 
families on each side of Dark's Prairie, near the present site of Darksville. 
These were followed in the spring and fall of 1830 by others, and from 
that time the country was rapidly filled up by immigrants from Virginia, 
North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee. In about three years from the 
time of its first settlement it had acquired sufficient population to justify 
its organization into a separate township, with Joseph Turner its first 
magistrate and Henry Smith its first constable. 

The soil of this township, while ranking along with the best in the 
county, is remarkable for the uniformity of its adaptability to agricultural 
and grazing purposes. There is very little waste land in the whole town- 
ship, and scarcely an acre can be found that is not valuable for growing 
grass or grain. The soil is principally a black loam of great fertility, 
and sufficiently undulating to avert disaster from the crops in extremely 
wet seasons, and yet sufficiently retentive of moisure to preserve them 
from total failure in extreme drouths. The township is about equally 
divided between timber and prairie land, the timber embracing wide mar- 
gins along the streams, and the prairie occupying the intervening space. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 151 

This natural arrangement afforded the early settlers ample scope for select- 
ing their lands with a proper division of timber and prairie, and has re- 
sulted in the establishment of some of the best organized farms for mixed 
farming in the county. The township is well watered by four principal 
streams and their tributaries, all flowing from north to south, and so 
well distributed as to furnish abundant stock water convenient to all the 
farms the year round. Along the eastern margin of the township flows 
the East fork of the Chariton, and through the central portion, at an 
average distance of two miles, are Dark creek, Muncas creek, and the 
Middle fork of the Chariton, while the western portion is watered by a 
tributary of the Chariton River, the latter of which flows from north to 
south just outside of the western boundary. Surface springs are not 
abundant, but unfailing living water is of easy access in well distributed 
localities throughout the entire township, by sinking wells to a depth of 
10 to 30 feet. Its inhabitants are engaged almost exclusively in agri- 
cultural pursuits, and the well-improved condition of their farms indicate 
their general prosperity. 

Darksville was settled in 1856, and takes its name from a creek called 
Dark creek. William Elliott was hunting in the township in 1821, and 
night overtaking him on the banks of a creek, he camped all night, and 
said that it was the darkest night he ever saw; hence the name, Dark 
creek. 

Early settlers of Chariton township before 1848 were: John Sum- 
mers, Aaron Summers, Johnson Wright, Allen Wright, Hezekiah Wright, 
Nathan Barrow, Daniel Barrow, Joshua Phipps, and James Phipps, from 
Kentucky; Robert Grimes, from Virginia; Robert Elliott, Robert Elliott, 
Jr., William Cristal, Thomas Rice, A. R. Rice, William H. Rice, George 
Shipp and Owen Singleton, from Kentucky; John W. W. Sears, from Vir- 
ginia; Philip Baxter, William Terry, Jonathan Cozac and E. H. Trimble, 
from Kentucky; John H. Hall, from Maine; William Rutherford and John 
McCully, from Kentucky; Mathias Turner, Joseph Turner and John M. 
Turner, from Tennessee; Mrs. Wright, Mrs. Mary Dawkins and Henry 
Griffith, from Kentucky; John M. Gates, Giles F. Cook and James Carter, 
from Virginia ; James Lingo, Samuel Lingo, G. W. Harland, Isaac Harland 
and James Harland, from Tennessee ; Hancock Jackson and William Sump- 
ter, from Kentucky; Burchard McCormick, John Gaines and John Head, 

from Virginia ; Thomas Robert and Chitwood. from Kentucky ; 

James Holeman, Thomas Gillstrap and Thomas White ; William Brogan and 



152 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Henry Brogan, from North Carolina; Black; Nathaniel Tuley, 

from Virginia ; James Hinton, from North Carolina ; Green Shelton and N. 
Tuttle, from Tennessee; William A. Hall and John H. Hall, from Maine; Dr. 
R. L. Grizard, from Tennessee; Dr. Stephen Richmond, from North Caro- 
lina; John Harland, Josiah Harland, Lee Harland, Josiah Smith, Henry 
Smith, John Smith, James Smith, William Beard, Josiah Taylor, from 
Tennessee ; William Redd, from Virginia ; John Richmond, Samuel Rich- 
mond, James M. Richmond, John Dameron and James Dameron, from 

North Carolina ; Pipes and William Pipes, from Kentucky ; John 

Hix, Elliott R. Thomas, Henry Thomas, Lowden Thomas, Haines, 

from Virginia; Bruce Stewart, Frances Terrell, Ned Stinson, John Wilks, 
Tyra Baker, Andrew Baker, Douglas Baker, Alfred McDaniel, Thomas 
Kirkpatrick, Ephriam Snell, Jordan Elliott, Perry Elliott, William Elliott, 
Jr., H. M. Rice, Joshua Rice, Bennett Rice, Yancey Gray, Mike McCully, 
John McCulley, Jr., Robert Turner, Elijah Turner, John Turner, Carroll 
Holman, John Godard, Samuel Turner, Bartlett Anderson, John R. Ander- 
son, Crafford Powers, Campbell, John Campbell, Thomas Camp- 
bell, William Edwards, James Lamb, Ashbury Summers, Thomas Egan, 
Benjamin Cozad, John Terrill, Caswell Smith, Grant Allan, Henry Johnson, 
George H. Hall, George W. Barnhart, and Silas Phipps. 

One of the oldest settlers in the township was Judge Joseph Turner. 
He was born in North Carolina, in 1802, moved with his parents to Tennes- 
see in 1815, was married in 1822, and moved to Missouri and entered the 

i 

land on which he now resides, near Eldad church, in 1830. He was ap- 
pointed justice of the peace before the township was organized, and had 
jurisdiction to the Iowa line. He held the office of justice of the peace 
until 1850. In 1861 he was appointed county court justice, was president 
of that body, and held the position nearly six years. When he first set- 
tled he had for neighbors Joseph Holman, George Epperly, Richard Blue 
and Asa Kirby. These were, perhaps, the first settlers on the west side 
of Dark's prairie. Richard Blue and Asa Kirby were the only heads of 
families then residing west of the Middle fork. John Richmond moved to 
Randolph County from Tennessee in 1830, and lived in Silver Creek town* 
ship until the fall of 1832, when he entered 120 acres of land where 'ne 
lived and built his cabin upon it in pioneer style. He raised a family 
of six children, four boys and two girls. When he first came to the town- 
ship, the first settlers of that neighborhood, already mentioned, had been 
increased by the addition of Yancey Gray, Mark Crabtree, Samuel Rich- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY L53 

mond, Josiah Smith, Henry Smith, James Lingo, Samuel Lingo, Isaac Har- 
lan, John Withes, Andrew Baker, Tyree Baker, Jesse Milier Thomas Kirk- 
pat rick and Greenbury Shelton. Some of these made their settlements 
about the same time with Mr. Richmond. Among those who settled in 
his neighborhood soon after him were Daniel Milam, John Gray, Jonathan 
I lay nes, Thomas Brookes, John McCully and Madison Richmond. On the 
east side of Dark's prairie, south and east of the present site of Dai"ks- 
ville, were living at that time (18:12) Johnson Wright, John Waymire, 
Joseph Summers, Hodge England, and Pleasant and Nicholas Tuttle. With 
the last named lived their father, a very aged man and a revolutionary 
soldier. 

Among the strongest minded and most imiuential men of his day in 
that township was John M. Yates. He immigrated from Kentucky to 
Randolph County about 1835 and after living a year or two in the southern 
part of the county, settled on Dark's prairie about the year 1835, and died 
on a farm adjoining the one he first settled in the year 1872. He was 
twice married and raised L5 children, 13 of his own and 2 step-daughters. 

Mr. Yates was an uncle of the celebrated Richard Yates, once Gov- 
ernor of Illinois and U. S. Senator from that state, and was himself a man 
of much more than ordinary intelligence and soundness of judgment. 

Judge William A. Hall was born and partly raised in the State of 
Maine. His lather having been appointed to a position in the U. S. armory 
at Harper's Ferry, Ya., he moved with his parents to that place, and when 
they moved to Chariton township, about the year 1839, he soon followed 
them, being then a young man nearly 25 years of age. About that time 
his father died, and he made his home with his widowed mother, although 
he kept his law office in Fayette, Mo., and for a short time edited a Demo- 
cratic paper in that place. He made regular visits to his mother's home 
in Chariton County whenever his professional duties would permit, and 
very often walked the entire distance of over thirty miles. He rapidly 
advanced to the front rank in his profession, and on the death of Judge 
Leland, which occurred about the year 1846, he was appointed by the 
Governor judge of this judicial circuit, a position to which he was con- 
tinuously re-elected until 1861, when he was elected to represent the dis- 
trict of which Randolph was a part, in the U. S. Congress. About the 
time he was first appointed judge, he was married to Miss Octavia Sebree, 
a niece and adopted daughter of Uriel Sebree, a prominent citizen of How- 
ard County. Soon after his marriage he settled on his farm in Chariton 



154 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

township, where he remained until he removed to Huntsville in 1861, and 
the following year to a farm near Huntsville. 

In the winter of 1860-61, Judge Hall was chosen, with Gen. Sterling 
Price, to represent this senatorial district, then composed of Randolph and 
Chariton Counties, in the State convention called by the Legislature to con- 
sider the relations between the State of Missouri and the general govern- 
ment, in view of the then impending crisis which threatened a disruption 
of the Union by the secession of the Southern states. In that convention 
he sided with the majority in favor of the state continuing her allegiance 
and loyalty to the Union, and during the war that followed remained a 
consistent Union man. By his conservative position and able management 
he did more to protect the Southern people of this county and State from 
military despotism and the lawless acts of an unrestrained soldiery, than 
any other man. He was twice elected to Congress during the war, and 
at its close he resumed the practice of his profession at Huntsville, in 
which he continued until about 1874, when he improved another farm in 
the northwest corner of Chariton township, where he resided in complete 
retirement from public life, in the bosom of his family and surrounded 
by his flocks and herds. 



CHAPTER XV 



TOWNSHIPS. CONTINUED. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP JACKSONVILLE -MONITEAU TOWNSHIP HIGBEE PRAIRIE 
TOWNSHIP — RENICK — SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP -UNION TOWNSHIP — MILTON — 
SILVER CREEK TOWNSHTP MT. AIRY SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 



JACKSON TOWNSHIP. 

Jackson township is the middle township on the northern border of 
the county. It is somewhat irregular in shape, and is less in size than a 
congressional township, having an area of 17,400 acres, or 271/2 square 
miles. It is watered on the west by the East fork of the Chariton and 
Walnut creek, and on the east by Hoover and Mud creeks. Almost every 
acre of the soil is susceptible of cultivation. Prairie and timber land are 
about equal. Its valuable minerals consist of coal, limestone and fire ciay. 
The farms generally are in good condition. The prairie is undulating, 
and in its wild state, produce a strong, healthy and vigorous growth of 
native grasses. In a state of cultivation it yields generously to the care 
and culture of the husbandman, all the grains, grasses, roots and fruits 
usually cultivated in this latitude. 

The early settlers in Jackson township settled generally along the 
course of the streams, and in the timber; in fact the pioneers throughout 
this Western country all sought the timber and water. The prairies were 
not settled until many years had passed. Many of the pioneers were poor, 
and did not have teams sufficient to break the prairie, as it required from 
three to four good yoke of oxen to draw the plow, and coming as they did 
from Kentucky and other States, which were originally covered with dense 
forests, they naturally located conveniently near to or in the timber. The 



156 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

old settlers now say, the prairie land has undergone a great change since 
they first came to the county; it then appeared to be of a cold, wet, and 
clammy nature, and did not possess the same productive quality that it now 
has. As the country became opened and settled, and the prairie were 
grazed and trodden by stock, their productive qualities were greatly im- 
proved until they are now considered the better farming lands. 

Jackson township is not so well watered naturally as some other town- 
ships. The streams generally vein the western and southeastern portion 
of it. Walnut creek, the East fork of the Chariton River, Hoover and 
Mud creeks, and their tributaries, all take their rise in this township, and 
all flow southwest and southeast excepting Hoover creek, which flows 
northeast. 

The early settlers included some of the following names: Henry 
Owens, from Kentucky ; Isaac Reynolds, from Kentucky ; John Coulter, 
from Kentucky ; Robert Stevens, from Kentucky ; William McCanne, from 
Kentucky ; H. J. McCanne, from Kentucky ; Thomas McCanne, from Ken- 
tucky; Nathaniel Sims, from Kentucky; Benj. Poison, from Kentucky; 
James W. Lamb, from Kentucky ; Milton Durham, from Kentucky ; Stokely 
W. Towles, from Kentucky ; Leonard Hill, from Virginia ; John Hore, from 
Virginia ; George W. Hore, from Virginia ; David McCanne, from North 
Carolina; L. C. Davis, from North Carolina; Jonathan Hunt, from Vir- 
ginia ; John Ancell, from Virginia ; Frank Ancell, from Virginia ; C. F. 
Burckhartt, from Virginia; Frank Sims, from Tennessee; William Bailey, 
from Tennessee ; John H. Penny, from Virginia. 

Among the oldest settlers were Henry Owens and James W. Lamb. 
Mr. Lamb came in November, 1837, from Casey County, Kentucky, and 
followed farming and later kept a hotel in the town of Jacksonville. In 
1837 there were no settlements on the prairie. A road ran north and south 
through the township, called the "Bee Trace," so called from the fact that 
it was the route traveled by the old pioneers who hunted wild honey, which 
was worth at that time twenty cents a gallon. 

Mr. Lamb occupied his time after his arrival in the township, cut- 
ting timber and splitting rails at thirty-seven and a half cents a hundred, 
and sawing planks with a rip saw at $1.50 per hundred feet. Tobacco was 
raised at an early date, and taken to Glasgow, where it was sold to the 
merchants and shipped to St. Louis and elsewhere, for $1.50 per hundred 
pounds. Bacon was worth $2.25 per hundred. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 157 

After remaining here a few years Mr. Lamb went back to Kentucky 
and while there, married. After his marriage he determined to return 
to Randolph County, and in 1842 he started upon his journey of nearly 
600 miles, with ouly $10 in money, his wife, a horse and buggy, and nearly 
traveling 26 days, he arrived at his new home, having spent all his money, 
excepting seventy-five cents. Deer were so numerous from 1835 to 1840 
that oftentimes 30 and 40 could be seen at one time. 

Humphrey and Brock erected the first saw mill in the township, which 
was soon destroyed by fire, and immediately rebuilt, when it was sold to 
George W. Jones, who combined it with a grist mill. Jones sold to Benja- 
min Sims. The mill was located about half a mile north of Jacksonville, 
at a spring, which furnished water during the dry seasons for many of 
the citizens of the town. 

The first church that was built in the township was also located at 
this spring by the Christian denomination in 1852, and was a union church. 

The town of Jacksonville is located on the Wabash Railway, 19 miles- 
northwest of Huntsville, and 12 miles north of Moberly. 

The town site was owned by William McCanne, Jr., John W. McCanne, 
Sr., and Henry Owen, who donated 50 acres to the railroad company, pro- 
vided they would locate a depot upon it. This was about the year 1858. 
The town was named after Hancock Jackson, who was an early settler in 
the county, and who filled besides several county offices, the position of 
Lieut.-Governor of Missouri. The first business house was erected by 
J. J. Humphrey and was occupied by him as a general store. 

Samuel Ridgeway opened the first hotel, and continued to occupy 
it until his death, which occurred in 1880. Dr. Burckhartt was the first 
physician. Thomas Demster was the pioneer shoemaker. The first 
church was erected in 1867 by the Christians. Thomas Griffey and Robert 
Skinner were the first blacksmiths. 

Masonic Lodge, No. 44 was organized in Jacksonville in June, 1866, 
with the following charter members: James A. Berry, James A. Holt, 
James M. Hannah, J. H. Pety, David Halliburton. 

MONITEAU TOWNSHIP. 

Moniteau is the middle township on the southern border of Randolph 
county. It contains a fraction over 37 square miles, and was cut off from 
the townships of Prairie and Silver Creek after the construction of the 
Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad, from Hannibal to Sedalia. Soon 



158 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

after this event a depot was established in the present territory of Moni- 
teau, on lands then belonging to Edward Owens, called Higbee, and soon 
a village was laid out on lands belonging to Edward Owens and Joseph 
Burton. A post-office was also established, and the growth of the future 
town was begun. This growth was afterward accelerated by the location 
of the Chicago and Alton Railroad through its borders, crossing the Mis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas road near the center of the town. These arrange- 
ments having been completed, a petition was numerously signed by citizens 
of the vicinity, asking the county court to organize another township, to be 
called Moniteau, as it would be located on the head waters of Moniteau 
creek. 

The Moniteau, Silver and Bonne Femme creeks take their rise in the 
borders of this township. Along the borders of these streams the country 
is broken and hilly, covered with black and white oak timber. Where the 
bottoms and valleys are broad enough for cultivation, the land is found to 
be very rich and productive. Even the land that cannot be cultivated is 
covered with a heavy growth of valuable timber composed of sugar maple, 
walnut and cottonwood. As the dividing ridges of these streams are 
approached, a sightly and fruitful country is presented, now occupied by 
substantial farmers, and highly improved. For grazing purposes it seems 
in many respects, better than regions adjoining, which have a richer and 
deeper soil. Clover and timothy produce well with cultivation ; but blue 
grass, the first to come in the spring, the most nutritious while it lasts, 
and the last to be affected by the frosts, is the spontaneous production of 
this region. 

Bituminous coal underlies the surface and crops out at intervals along 
almost all the streams. The proximity of the railroads to these deposits 
of "black diamonds," makes either enterprise a safe and profitable invest- 
ment and coal mining is carried on extensively at Higbee. 

Moniteau was first settled by Virginians, Kentuckians, Tennesseeans 
and North Carolinians, among whose virtues were temperance, industry, 
probity and hospitality. Of these were James Dysart, John Dysart, Dr. 
William Walker, Rev. Jesse Terrill, Montgomery Whitmore, J. Higbee, 
George Yates, Nicholas Dysart, Christopher Dysart, M. M. Burton, Maj. 
J. B. Tymony, Joseph Burton, Edward Owens and George Quinn. Edward 
Owens was the oldest man in the township at the time of his death. 
Among other settlers were John Turner, William B. Tompkins, Lynch 
Turner, Joseph Wilcox, Jacob Maggard, Charles McLean and Thomas 
Dawkins. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 159 

John Turner erected the first mill that was put up in the township. 
It was an old-fashioned horse-mill ; was located in the northern portion of 
the township, and was running as early as 1828. 

Thomas Dawkins taught the first school about the year 1830; the 
school house, a small cabin, stood near a small stream — one of the forks 
of Silver creek. Dawkins was from Kentucky, and was much thought of 
as a teacher. 

The name of James Higbee, a worthy citizen of Moniteau, now de- 
ceased, gave the title to the station which has grown into a lively, pro- 
gressive and thriving town. Higbee is situated about three miles north 
of Howard County line, at the crossing of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
and the Chicago and Alton Railroads. It possesses good facilities for 
shipping second to no place in North Missouri. It stands on an open 
ridge two miles wide, between the Moniteau and Bonne Femme creeks. 

The present city officials of Higbee are: Mayor, Lee Thomason; 
clerk, Richard L. 1 lines; collector, Joseph W. Burton; assessor, Walter 
Davis; street commissioner, Oscar Fowler; health commissioner, George 
M. Nichols ; marshal, W. Isaac Williams ; fire chief, John Egly ; aldermen, 
Roy Compton, Jenkin Williams, Clarence Leland, John Little. 

PRAIRIE TOWNSHIP. 

Prairie township lies in the southeastern corner of Randolph County. 
It is the largest township in the county, and has an area of about 88 square 
miles. The amount of prairie and timber land is about the same. As 
the township is bounded on two sides by Monroe, Audrain, Boone and 
Howard counties, Prairie is in the front rank of townships, and is settled 
by a progressive and prosperous people. The soil is a black loam with 
substratum of clay. The land has an undulating surface, drains itself 
readily in seasons of protracted rainfall, and retains sufficient moisture 
for the sustenation of vegetation in periods of protracted drouth. 

It is watered by the tributaries of Salt River on the north and east 
sides of the "divide" and by Perche and the tributaries of Moniteau River 
on the southwest. These streams take their rise within its territory, but 
before they leave it, form large, deep creeks that contain water during the 
entire year, however dry the season. The smaller streams being numer- 
ous, supply stock water for every part of the district. Coal is abundant 
throughout the district and. several mines are worked. 



160 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

It is often the case in the east that coal lands are unfit for anything 
but coal, but such is not the case in Missouri. Land overlying coal beds 
is frequently as rich and productive as any other land in the country, and 
this is peculiarly the case in Prairie township. 

Among the old settlers of this township were John Hamilton, James 
Martin, R. P. Martin, Mrs. Chisham, William Butler, Joel Hubbard, Rice 
Alexander, Hugh C. Collins, Dr. Presley T. Oliver, Jackson Dickerson, 
Joseph Davis, Moses Kimbrough, Aaron Kimbrough, Thomas Kimbrough, 
A. Hendrix, Benjamin Hardin, Asa K. Hubbard, Presly Shirley, Jeremiah 
Bunnel, Thomas Stockton W. S. Christian, Granderson Brooks, Archibald 
Goin, May Burton, John Sorrell, Henry Burnham, William Croswhite, John 
Kimbrough, Bluford Robinson, Wiley Marshall, A. W. Lane, Durett Bruce, 
Reuben Samuel and Joseph Wilcox. 

Nearly all of the above named pioneers were from Kentucky and many 
of these men were great hunters, notably so were Durett Bruce, Joe Davis, 
Cy Davis, Uriah Davis, H. C. Collins, John Sorrell and James Martin. The 
latter in his early manhood was very athletic and was probably the only 
man who ever caught an unwounded deer by running after it on foot. 
Durett Bruce, who came to the township in 1837 lived to a great age. He 
was born in Fayette County, Kentucky, eight miles south of Lexington, 
March 1, 1789. His father's name was Benjamin Bruce; he was a native 
of Scotland, and a kinsman of Robert Bruce, one of the Scottish chiefs, 
whose deeds of bravery and feats of manhood have been immortalized 
by the incomparable pen of Jane Porter. 

Mr. Bruce married Miss Sarah Stephens, daughter of Col. Stephens, 
April 13, 1813. In 1834, October 10th, he came to Boone County, Missouri, 
and after raising two crops, he settled in Randolph County. Hearing that 
the wolves were numerous, and very destructive to sheep, he brought with 
him to the county 15 sheep, 18 hounds, and a cur dog, and was never 
annoyed by wolves after his arrival. He was in the War of 1812 and 
served under Gen. William H. Harrison six months and Gen. McArthur 
four months. 

In early life Mr. Bruce was apprenticed to the trade of locksmith, a 
pursuit which he followed until he was past 95 years old. In 1869 he 
located in the then new town of Moberly, where he died. 

The first mill in Prairie township was owned by Jesse Jones, and was 
located about three miles southwest of Renick. The first church edifice 
in the township was called Dover church, and was occupied by different 




PUBLIC SCHOOL, HIGBEE, MO. 




COAL MINE, HIGBEE, MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 161 

denominations. The first school was taught by Col. John M. Bean, a Ken- 
tuckian, at a place called Oak Point. Lynch Turner was the first officiating 
minister of the Gospel. 

Renick, the most important town in the township, was located in 
1856, after the North Missouri Railroad, now the Wabash, had become an 
established institution. It is situated on a high rolling prairie, on the 
"Grand Divide", the waters on the east side of the town flowing to the 
Mississippi and those on the west side to the Missouri. The Wabash 
Railroad passes diagonally through the town, the depot being convenient 
to the business portion of it. It lies six miles south by east of Moberly. 
Its citizens are a thorough-going and enterprising people. During the 
Civil War, nearly all the houses in the town were destroyed. 

Masonic Lodge, No. 186, was organized October 19, 1867, with the 
following charter members: G. A. Settle, A. E. Grubb, S. A. Mitchell, 
James Hardin, Benjamin Terrill, J. R. Alexander, R. Davis, T. Y. Martin, 
R. P. Martin, J. Y. Coates, S. S. Elliott, William Butler, G. R. Christian. 

Clay Thompson, who came from Kentucky about the year 1856, erected 
the first house in the town; he also opened the first business house and 
hotel. William H. Marshall was the first blacksmith, Peter Hoeman the 
first shoemaker. William B. McLean was the first physician in that region 
of country. 

SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP. 

Salt River is the northeastern township of Randolph County. About 
one-fifth of the surface is prairie, the balance is timber land. The prairie 
is generally level or gently undulating. The timber land is more uneven, 
and in the vicinity of the streams is somewhat broken and hilly. 

The territory is well provided with streams and stock water is abund- 
ant throughout the year. Mover, Mud, Flat, McKinney, Lick, and Painter 
creeks, with other less important streams, take their courses through the 
township and every farm is convenient to some stream that contains water 
the year round. Nevertheless, for greater convenience, ponds, wells and 
cisterns are dug on the farms for the use of stock. Living water is found 
at short distances below the surface, giving a permanent and inexhaustible 
supply. 

Among the early settlers of the township were H. G. Robuck, M. 
McKinney and Strother Ridgeway. The farms in this township are gen- 
erally small, averaging in size from 100 to 200 acres, and very few ex- 



162 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ceed the latter amount. It is essentially a farming and grazing country. 
The quality of the soil is rich and productive and easily cultivated. 

The reliable staple crops are com, wheat, oats, timothy and blue 
grass. The latter is used almost entirely for grazing and is rarely mowed 
for hay. 

Coal lies a short distance below the surface in many parts of th< 
township. 

The improvements on the farms are generally good. Farmers have 
neat and comfortable farm houses to take the place of less sightly edifices 
built in the earlier history of the township. 

UNION TOWNSHIP. 

Union is the middle township on the eastern border of Randolph, 
joining Monroe County on its eastern boundary. It has an area of about 
29 square miles. Flat creek, Coy branch, Elk Fork, Sugar creek, Mud 
creek and Coon creek, branches of Salt River, penetrate its territory in 
every direction and fertilize its fields and farms. There is no district in 
the county, of the same dimensions that is better watered. 

The first settlers of the township were George Burckhartt, father of 
Judge G. H. Burckhartt, Clemen Jeeter, Dr. Burton, George Chapman, Nade 
Chapman and William Haly. These men left the impress of their toil and 
industry on the country they settled and improved. 

The lands of this township are unusually fertile and will ;ompare 
favorably with the best lands in any part of the state. The territory is 
about equally divided into prairie and timber lands. Each division is 
equally well adapted to cultivation and pasturage. The crops of every kind 
are heavy and the live stock raised is of superior quality. 

Coal is found in large beds and of very excellent quality in various 
parts of the district. Limestone, brick and potter's clay are also found. 

The yield of crops is as follows : Corn per acre, average, 40 bushels, 
extra, 70 bushels; wheat, average, 15 bushels, extra, 25 bushels; -ats, 25 
to 35 bushels per acre ; hay, average, one ton, extra, two tons. 

Rev. J. A. Holloway, Mrs. Wesley Boatman and David Myers were 
early settlers. George Burckhartt was the first settler. 

Milton, the only village in the township, is about 75 years old. Its 
trade has been of a purely local character, there being no facilities for 
shipping. It is, however, eligibly and pleasantly situated on Elk Fort. 
Until about 1878, four ministers made their homes in Milton, to-wit: Eld. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 163 

J. A. Holloway, of the Christian church, Rev. Peter Parker and Rev. W. D. 
Hutton, of the M. E. Church South, and Rev. W. L. T. Evans of the Mis- 
sionary Baptist Church. The latter, a most estimable and much beloved 
man, died about 1871). Dr. R. R. Hall was the first physician. 

SILVER CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

Silver Creek is one of the four townships into which Randolph County 
was originally divided. It was made the smallest in extent if territory, 
because it embraced the most thickly settled portion of the county at the 
time of its organization. This fact, taken in connection with its location 
along the border of Howard County, which was settled first, leads us to 
inter that it is the oldest settlement in the county. Although originally 
the smallest in area, it gave up 18 square miles of its territory to the 
township of Moniteau when the latter was organized. It is situated in the 
southwest eorncr of I he county. 

While it has no railroad running directly through it, its peopie, taken 
as a whole, are as well accommodated with railroad facilities as those of 
any other township, except Sugar Creek. 

Within a mile and a half of its northern boundary are the stations of 
the Wabash Railroad at Huntsville and Clifton Hill. Not far from its 
eastern boundary the Chicago and Alton Railroad crosses the Missouri, 
Kansas and Texas, at Higbee, and on the south, at Armstrong, in Howard 
County, is another depot of the Chicago and Alton Railroad. The town- 
ship is literally surrounded by railroad stations without any railroad run- 
ning through it, a circumstance which gives to all its people a great uni- 
formity of railroad advantages. 

While Silver Creek contains less level land than the other townships, 
it may be safely asserted that the most fertile tracts in the whole county 
lie within its borders. The surface ranges from the gently undulating to 
hilly near the margins of the streams, and with the exception of a few 
white oak ridges and hickory flats in the northeast, and an occasional one 
in other parts, the soil of the entire township is of a black, rich, sandy loam, 
interspersed with limestone, which does not predominate in any locality so 
as to interfere seriously with cultivation, but is generally distributed so 
as to furnish the requisite supply of this material element of natural 
fertility. 

Here, also, is to be found one of the best watered sections in the 
whole country. The Sweet Spring, taking its name from a noted foun- 



164 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

tain on its southern margin, washes the northern boundary of the town- 
ship, and Silver creek with its tributaries flows from east to west through 
the central and southern portions. The names given to these streams, 
from the latter of which the township takes its name, are significant of 
the purity and palatable qualities of their waters and of the perennial 
fountains which dot their margins and spring spontaneous from the fertile 
hillsides in many other parts of the township. 

About one-third of the township is prairie land, lying mostly south 
of Silver creek and along the Howard county line. Of the magnificent 
forests that originally covered the remaining two-thirds of the township, 
all has given way to cultivated fields. 

Mt. Airy is located on the public road leading from Huntsville to 
Roanoke, about seven miles from the former place and twelve miles from 
Moberly. There is plenty of coal in this township. 

Among the early settlers were John Viley, who was judge of the county 
court ; Nicholas Dysart, George W. Dameron, once sheriff ; Woodson Newby, 
James Goodman, Morgan Finnell, William Burton, William Thompson, 
William R. Burch, George Ellis, Newton Bradley, Jeff. Fullington, Samuel 
Cockrell, John Minor, Paschall Troyman, Leven I. Dawkins, John E. Walden, 
William Nichols, Roderick O'Brien, William Holman, Joseph Holman, Sr., 
John Sears, Sr., Hardy Sears, Iverson Sears, Allen Mayo, William Mayo, 
Valentine Mayo, John Rowland, Younger Rowland, D. R. Denny, Samuel 
C. Davis, Isaiah Humphrey, William Fort, Asa Kirby, John Head, Ambrose 
Medley, Basil McDavitt, Sr., Roger West, James Davis, Rev. Samuel C. 
Davis, Thomas Bradley, Tolman C. B. Gorham, Tolman Gorman, Jr.. Thomas 
Gorham, Ambrose Halliburton, William Morrow and Joseph Morrow. 

Mr. William Mathis, better known as "Uncle Billy Mathis," emigrated 
from North Carolina in the year 1827 and erected his cabin, in primitive 
pioneer style, on 80 acres of land entered at government price, within five 
miles of where Mt. Airy now stands. He was married when he came to 
the state, but never had any children. He was there before the county was 
organized, and William Holman, Abraham Gross and James Dysart were 
here when he came, the first of whom was engaged in running a horse 
mill. 

Jerry Jackson came with "Uncle Billy Mathis" from North Carolina, 
and settled in the same neighborhood, but emigrated to Texas. 

About the year 1837, Capt. William Upton, another old settler, opened 
a store at his place in connection with D. C. Garth, who lived at Hunts- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 165 

ville, and had another store there. A blacksmith shop and a tobacco 
factory were soon after erected, and the place was first called Uptonsville. 
The enterprising people of the vicinity, however, were not long in obtain- 
ing a postoffice, which was christened Mt. Airy, a name which it has ever 
since borne. Captain Upton, several years before the late war, sold out 
his farm and store and moved south of the Missouri river. 

Judge Janus I had, one of Silver Creek's pioneers, a resident when 
the county was organized, and one of the judges of the first county court, 
founded Roanoke on the Howard county line in 1836. The place at first 
went by several names, as suited the fancy of the settlers, such as Head's 
Store, and Van Buren, the favorite and successful Democratic candidate 
for the presidency for that year. Bui when the postoffice was established 
there, at the suggestion of Judge Head, it was named for the residence 
of a favorite statesman of his native state — the celebrated John Randolph, 
of Roanoke. Judge Head emigrated to Randolph County, from Orange 
County, Virginia, several years before the county was organized. He was 
accompanied by his sister, Mrs. Fannie Medliy and her husband, Jacob 
.Medley, who settled near him, and was the first collector of Randolph 
County. Judge Head lived on his farm adjoining Roanoke, and carried 
on business in the town, until 1849, when he moved to Lockhart, Texas, 
where he died in 1875, at the age of 82 years. He was followed to this 
state in 1831 by his father and mother, and all his remaining brothers and 
sisters, except .Mrs. Minor Rucker, who came with her husband and family 
in 1837. They all settled in Randolph County. His father, John Head, 
and his brother, John Head, Jr., settled in Silver Creek, two miles north of 
Roanoke, the former on the farm where he resided until his death in 
1852. All the others settled in and around Huntsville. These were Dr. 
Walker Head, who was twice elected to the legislature from this county, 
and at the time of his death in 1845, he had just been elected a delegate 
to the state convention, to revise the constitution. Mrs. Emily Chiles, 
Mrs. Sarah D. Allen, Mrs. Amanda Garth, and Mrs. Harriet Rucker were 
other members of the family. Mrs. Martha Price, the youngest daughter, 
was single when she came to the state, and was married to General Sterling 
Price, at her father's residence in Silver Creek towmship, in the year 1833. 

Robert Smith', who operated a tobacco factory, half a mile east of 
Mt. Airy, was an old settler. He came to Huntsville in 1837, where he 
remained six years, and then moved to Silver Creek. 



166 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

John Osborn emigrated from Orange County, Virginia, in 1835. He 
purchased dry goods and other family supplies at Old Chariton, in Chariton 
County. Allen Mayo, Daniel McDavitt and William Ferguson were Mr. 
Osborn's earliest neighbors, having preceded him in the settlement. 

Rev. William H. Mansfield resided one mile northeast of Roanoke, on 
a farm of 200 acres which he settled in 1831, and was one of the oldest 
men in Silver Creek township at the time of his death. He was born in 
Orange County, Virginia, and resided in this county fifty years. He was 
married in 1814, in Virginia, to Miss Salina Ecldings, and they had thir- 
teen children. Mr. Mansfield was a veteran of the War of 1812, and drew 
the usual pension. He took a just pride in having participated in the 
stirring events of that great national drama, in which his valor and 
patriotism contributed to win imperishable honor for Americans and vin- 
dicated our national motto, "Free Trade and Sailors' Rights." He never 
departed from the political faith which inspired his early manhood, and 
in his old age he adhered with unwavering fidelity to the principles which 
in his youth he drew his sword to defend. He was a devoted Christian, 
and a member of the Missionary Baptist church for nearly three-quarters 
of a century. He was ordained a minister of the gospel in 1832, and for 
more than forty years valiantly carried the banner of the Cross, until 
increasing age and corpulency compelled him to abandon the active duties 
of the ministry, when, under a conscious conviction of having finished 
his appointed work, he retired to the shades of a more private life. Being 
seldom away from home he was very often called upon to perform the mar- 
riage ceremony, and was noted for his clemency towards runaway couples, 
whom he never declined to unite, unless prevented by a legal barrier. He 
was remarkable for his sociability and hospitality, and always gave his 
friends a dinner on Christmas Day, and on New Year's 1878, he celebrated 
his golden wedding. 

Mrs. Salina Mansfield, his wife, was the oldest woman in the township 
at the time of her death. She was much beloved on account of her social 
and Christian virtues, and, like her husband, was a zealous Christian and 
member of the Baptist church. 

SUGAR CREEK TOWNSHIP. 

This is one of the original municipal townships, and was organized in 
1829. Its general shape is that of an L, a strip six miles long and two 
miles wide forming the lower extension of the letter, while a strip four 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 167 

miles wide and six and a half miles long composes the upper extension. 
The township contains about thirty-six square miles. It has been much 
reduced from its original limits, other townships having been formed from 
it. The narrow strip of the township reaches to the eastern border of 
the county, while the greater body of land lies six miles west of that boun- 
dary. 

The "divide" runs through its territory in a north direction, in the 
eastern central portion of the township. The eastern part, therefore, con- 
tributes its waters to the Mississippi river, while the streams of the western 
part are tributary to the Missouri. 

Among the earliest settlers having made their homes in the county 
before it was originated were Reuben Cornelius, Benjamin Hardin, Mal- 
com Galbreath and T. N. Galbreath. The latter lived in Prairie township. 
In 1822, when he first settled there, and even at a much later period, elk, 
deer, bear, wild turkeys and grouse were abundant for game, while wolves, 
foxes, wild cats and panthers were numerous. Col. P. P. Ruby, T. P. 
White, John Hannah, Alexander Jones, John Grimes, Elijah Williams, 
Patrick Lynch. W. H. Band and Eli Owens were among the early settlers. 

Wild honey proved a profitable crop, and could be found with little 
labor. In 1823, or 1824, Mr. Whittenburg built a mill in the southeastern 
part of the county, and Mr. Goggin one within the present corporate limits 
of Huntsville. These were draught or hor.<2 mills, grinding corn alone. 
Previous to that meal was ground on hand mills or grated on graters pre- 
pared for the purpose. Little wheat flour was used, and what was con- 
sumed was brought from Old Franklin, more than forty miles distant. 

The land is diversified with prairie and timber; comparatively little of 
it is so broken as to be unfit for cultivation, and all of it is adapted to 
grazing. 

In the early settlement of the county the native grasses held possession 
of the soil, and blue grass was unknown. When the lands were "enclosed, 
and the trampling and grazing of stock had killed the native grass, blue 
grass began to make its appearance; showing that it is an indigenous 
growth in this soil, and neither cultivation nor grazing will destroy it. 

The township settled up slowly, owing, in great part, to its remote- 
ness even from local markets and the want of adequate transportation to 
foreign marts. The farmers fed their grain and grass to live stock, and 
depended upon the "drovers" to purchase their cattle, horses and hogs. 
After the construction of the North Missouri Railroad, settlements became 



168 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

more common, and after the close of the Civil War they advanced rapidly. 

The creeks in this township are numerous, but as the land lies along 
the dividing ridge of eastern and western waters, these streams are small. 

The variety of agricultural products is not surpassed by any other 
country in the world. While there are other lands that may produce one, 
two or even three crops in larger proportion, there are non that will yield 
so generous a harvest of such a great variety of productions. 



CHAPTER XVI 



TOWNSHIPS. CONTINUED. 
MOBERLY. 



CHARTER GRANTED TO RAILROAD PLAN TO INDUCE SETTLERS TO COME HERE- 
PATRICK LYNCH FIRST SETTLER REVIVED AFTER CIVIL WAR RAILROAD 
ACTIVITY — TO WW I'LATTKh SAJ.K ill' l.oTS— HOTEL BUILT— OTHER BUILD- 
INGS- EARLY MERCHANTS— PANIC!— FIRST TRUSTEES NEGOTIATIONS WITH 
RAILROAD COMPANY TO LOCATE sums HERE — LAND DONATED — BONDS 
VOTED— T< IWX I Ni ■( i K I '( ) 1 1.\ T K [ >— K I H ST ELECTION — CI T Y ( I F FICE RS — PUI SLIC 
SCHOOLS PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS — LIBRARY — CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD 
COMPANY— BOND — FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER. 

In 1858 a charter was granted to the Chariton and Randolph Railroad 
Company, with authority to construct a road from a point in Randolph 
County to Brunswick, in Chariton County. It was desirable that this 
road should tap the North Missouri road at the most convenient point for 
its construction, and what is now Moberly was fixed upon as the point 
of departure. The company laid off a town and drove up stakes marking 
the lots. The village of Allen, one mile north of where Moberly now stands, 
contained several houses, and was the shipping point for Huntsville and 
other points west. To induce the abandonment of this village, the Chari- 
ton and Randolph Company offered to all who w^ould remove their houses 
to the new site the same amount of ground they owned and occupied in 
Allen. This was in the summer of 1861. But the inhabitants of Allen 
either had no confidence in the company's ability to build the road, or 
thought their ow r n town better located, and destined in the future to beat 
its rival, which then existed only in name and on maps. From whatever 
cause, the proposition w r as rejected by the majority, and w r as accepted by 
only one person, Patrick Lynch, father of John E. Lynch, president of 



170 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

the Bank of Moberly and the present United States marshal for the eastern 
district of Missouri,. had a small, one-story frame house in Allen, and be- 
lieving the junction would one day be the better point, he placed his domicile 
on rollers, took a yoke of oxen, and drew it down to what were then and 
still are lots 11 and 12 in block 12, fronting on Clark street, opposite to 
the Merchants Hotel, and running east with Reed street to the alley 
between Clark and Sturgeon. 

This was the beginning of Moberly. The land around was a prairie, 
without fence or enclosure of any kind, and here 'Tat" Lynch lived with 
his family, solitary and alone. The Allenites laughed at him, but he stuck 
to his contract and stayed. The Civil War put a temporary embargo upon 
town building, and Mr. Lynch concluded to profit by his lonely position. 
He plowed up the stakes set to mark the lots, and cultivated the land on 
the west side of the railroad, where the business houses of Moberly now 
stand. Nothing was done toward the further sale of lots by the Chariton 
and Randolph Railroad Company, and Lynch continued to occupy the place 
and "hold the fort" during the continuance of the war, unmolested by 
soldiers. 

When business began to revive after the war, the franchises and prop- 
erty of the Chariton and Randolph Railroad Company passed into the 
hands of the North Missouri Railroad Company, and the project of building 
the road and extending it to Kansas City was renewed. At the head of 
that company was Isaac M, Sturgeon, of St. Louis, a practical business 
man of eminent ability. 

Having determined to complete the extension to Kansas City, it seemed 
to be certain that a large town would grow up somewhere about midway 
between the eastern and western termini of the road. The junction of 
the north end with the western branch seemed to offer a good opportunity 
to lay out and establish such a place. Moberly was, therefore, resurveyed, 
and a sale of lots was advertised to take place on the grounds September 
27, 1866. In the first map of the place, issued by the auctioneers, Messrs. 
Barlow, Valle & Bush, of St. Louis, machine shop grounds were indicated. 
The terms of sale were one-third cash when the deed was ready, one- 
third in one year and one-third in two years, with interest at the rate of 
six per cent on deferred payments — $10 on each lot to be paid at the time 
of bidding. The sale was pretty largely attended and lots sold at fair 
prices. The lot on which the Merchants' Hotel now stands was sold for 
$150, and some other lots brought prices ranging from $85 to $125. The 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 171 

The original plat of the town embraced four blocks north of Franklin 
average price of lots at this sale was between $45 and $50. Before the 
sale began, Mr. "Sturgeon ordered that lots 11 and 12, in block 12, be 
marked off to Patrick Lynch and a deed to them be made, he to pay $1 
as recorder's fee. This, as Mr. Sturgeon said, was in consideration of 
the fact that Lynch had "held the city during the war without the loss 
of a life or a house." Among the purchasers at that sale were William 
H. Robinson, 0. F. Chandler, Dr. C. J. Tannehill, Elijah Williams, John 
Grimes, Ernest Miller, C. Otto, J. G. Zahn and Patrick Lynch. 

Immediately after the sale S. P. Tate began the construction of a 
hotel on the southwest corner of Clark and Reed streets. The structure 
was a two-story frame. John Grimes also began the building of a hotel 
on Sturgeon street, which, being completed before Tate's, is the first 
house ever built in Moberly. Messrs. Chandler, Otto, Robinson, Miller, 
McDaniel and other parties followed in rapid succession, and the noise of 
hammer and saw was heard everywhere along Clark, Reed, Sturgeon and 
Coates streets. 

Adam Given owned a horse mill and sawed the lumber for the first 
house erected in Moberly. The house is still standing, 
street and bounded on the north by the lands of the railroad company; 
five blocks and five half blocks on the west side of the railroad, from 
Wightman street on the south to the railroad lands on the north, and from 
Sturgeon street on the east to the alley between Clark and Williams streets 
on the west ; and also fourteen blocks on the east side of the railroad from 
Sturgeon to Morley, and from Wightman street to the township road on 
the north. At the first sale no lots on the east side of the railroad were dis- 
posed of, and the new buildings were erected on the west side. The first 
brick house built in Moberly was a dwelling on the southwest corner of 
Coates and Williams streets, erected by Perry McDonald. In the fall of 1867, 
another sale took place, at which a large number of lots on the east 
side were sold, and the work of extending the area of the city began. 
This sale also attracted many bidders, as live men had begun to appreciate 
the value of the location as a business point. 

Since then many additions have been made, and the territory of the 
city has been vastly extended, the old limits being gradually filled with 
business houses and dwellings, the population steadily advancing, and 
the permanency of the location becoming every year more and more as- 
sured. The wooden structures at first built gave way to more substantial 



172 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

brick edifices, the frame hotels and wooden store rooms were superseded 
by commodious and solid walls, and the small one-roomed dwellings were 
moved to the rear to make room for larger and more imposing buildings. 

As a matter of history we record the names of the first dealers in 
the leading lines of trade : Dry goods, Tate & Bennett ; drugs, 0. F. 
Chandler ; groceries, — Lampton, who was immediately succeeded by Martin 
Howlett ; hardware, William Seelen ; furniture, H. H. Forcht, and imme- 
diately after, J. G. Zahn, both houses being owned by E. H. Petering; 
lumber, sash, doors and blinds, H. H. Forcht for E. H. Petering; jewelry, 
John H. Kring ; livery, White Bros. ; clothing, Levy & Krailsheimer ; boots 
and shoes, L. Brandt ; butcher, Henry Overberg ; barber, 0. N. Kaare. 

The first officers of the town were: Trustees, A. T. Franklin, pres- 
ident; Charles Tisue, L. Brandt, Asa Bennett and William Seelen; mar- 
shal, Martin Howlett; justice of the peace, E. Sidner; constable, Charles 
Featherston; notary public, W. E. Grimes; postmaster, Charles Tisue, 
who was also agent of the Merchants' Union Express Company. 

Up to 1873, the year of the great panic, the amount of building and 
the increase of business were sufficient to justify the assumption of the 
now popular sobriquet of the "Magic City." Mining and oil districts have 
sometimes gathered larger populations in shorter time, but they have 
not carried with them the evidences of solidity and stability that marked 
the growth of Moberly. But the panic placed a temporary check upon 
the spirit of speculation and enterprise. It checked, but did not stay the 
progress of the town. Even under the most discouraging circumstances the 
work of extension was continued, and if there were fewer buildings erected 
than in previous years, still the citizens and property holders had unfalter- 
ing faith in the future of Moberly, and continued to build as the wants of 
the place demanded. Meantime Moberly had grown from a place on paper 
to a smart village, from a village to a town, from a town to a city. 

On the 6th of June, 1868, the first board of trustees met, chose A. T. 
Franklin chairman, and appointed the chairman and C. Tisue to draft by- 
laws and ordinances. At a meeting of the board June 14, 1869, a resolu- 
tion was passed offering one of three tracts of land to the North Missouri 
Railroad as a site for the location of the machine shops, the ground and 
its appurtenances to be exempt from city taxes so long as they wer3 used 
for that purpose. These tracts were the Concannton farm, 67 acres, 
northwest of town; a portion (60 acres) of the farms of Grimes and 
Meals, north of town; a portion (60 acres) of the Hunt and Godfrey farm 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 173 

south of town. J. D. Werden was appointed agent of the town to confer 
with the directors of the railroad. 

On the 20th of August the purchasing committee reported that James 
Meals offered to sell "near six acres along the West Branch Railroad at 
$200 per acre, and the remaining portion north of said strip and mcluding 
the ground his house is on, extending north to the north line of the land 
known as the reservoir land, at $500 per acre." No action was taken by 
the board on this liberal proposition, but an election was ordered for 
August 31, 1869, to take the sense of the voters as to whether a tract of 
100 acres, to cost not exceeding $12,000, should be bought for machine shop 
purposes. At this election T. B. Porter, B. Y. N. Clarkson and Josiah 
Harlan were judges. At a meeting on the 4th of September, A. F. Bunker 
was appointed a committee of one to close the contract with the railroad 
company for the location of the machine shops. 

On the 27th of June, 1870, another vote was taken to determine 
whether the town would purchase a tract of 104 acres of ground lying 
north and west of town for the machine shops. The result of this elec- 
tion is not recorded, but it was held to have been unlawful, having been 
held on Monday. A new election was ordered for August 2, 1870. The 
election showed perfect unanimity on the subject of the purchase, as there 
was not a dissenting voice ; and at a meeting of the board of trustees on 
the 4th of August, twenty bonds of the denomination of $1,000 each were 
ordered to be printed. 

At a meeting held August 19, 1870, William Seelen was required in 
addition to his duties as vice-president of the board, to "hear and try all 
cases for the violation of the city ordinances," and on the 7th of October 
he was appointed to purchase six street lamps. The bond of the town 
collector was fixed at $4,000; but in 1871 it was raised to $10,000, show- 
ing a hundred and fifty per cent increase in the revenue within two years. 
On the 24th of August, 1871, the president of the board was authorized 
to borrow "such a sum of money as he may be able to obtain at 15 per 
cent interest for the longest time he can get said money, for the improve- 
ment of the streets of Moberly," for which the bonds of the town were to 
be issued. On the 13th of November, 1871, the proposition to donate money 
to the North Missouri Railroad Company for machine shops was renewed. 
On the 21st of March, 1871, the board of trustees accepted the proposi- 
tion of Dr. C. J. Tannehill to donate the block which is known as Tanne- 
hill Park and on which the public school building now stands, as a public 
park. 



171 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

On the 25th of March, an election was held to determine whether the 
city should purchase and donate to the St. Louis, Kansas City and North- 
ern Railroad Company 200 acres of land lying between the west branch 
and the main line, for the erection of machine shops. The election resulted 
favorably, the board of trustees proposed to donate this land, also 618 
acres one and a half miles west of that tract, and exempt the -.vhole 
for twenty years from all city taxes. Another inducement held out was 
that the land thus given contained an inexhaustible bed of coal. Hon. 
William A. Hall was appointed the agent of the town to present the oppo- 
sition. The contract was subsequently made and was ratified by the trus- 
tees of Moberly April 2, 1872. 

At a meeting of the board on the 3d of April, 1872, W. F. Barrows 
was appointed to contract for the lithographing of seventy bonds of the 
denominations of $500 each, bearing 10 per cent interest, and amounting 
in the aggregate to $35,000, payable in ten years. He was also empowered 
to sell these bonds without limitation as to price. At the same time a 
special election was ordered to take place May 10, 1872, to determine 
whether the town would purchase 818 acres of land for the car ohops. 
The election resulted in favor of the purchase by a vote of 299 for, to 
4 against it, and bonds to the amount of $27,000 were ordered to be issued. 
On the 26th of August, same year, right of way was granted to the Mis- 
souri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company to construct their road the 
entire length of Moulton street, and across "any other street in said 
town." 

An election was held February 1, 1873, to ascertain "whether a ma- 
jority of the citizens of the town are in favor of having the town of 
Moberly incorporated under a special charter by act of the legislature," 
J. T. Young, J. H. Burkholder, H. M. Porter, B. Y. N. Clarkson and T. P. 
White having been appointed in the preceding December to draft the char- 
ter. This election resulted in favor of the charter, and T. P. White was 
appointed to go to Jefferson City in the interest of the town. On the 5th 
of March, a legislative delegation visited Moberly and a supper was given 
them by the city, which cost $272. 

The first election under the charter granted by the legislature was 
held April 8, 1873, and resulted as follows: T. P. White, mayor; council- 
man at large, C. P. Apgar; councilman: First ward, H. C. Moss; second 
ward, William Seelen ; third ward, D. H. Fitch and B. R. White. Clerk, 
C. B. Rodes. At that election, also, it was decided to fund the debt of the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 175 

town, under the general law, by a vote of 509 to 4. The bonds of the city 
were ordered by the first council to be of the denomination of $500 each, 
to be issued to W. F. Barrows or bearer, payable ten years after date, 
redeemable at option of the city after five years, with ten per cent interest 
payable semi-annually. The bonds authorized to be issued amounted to 
$30,000. 

The following is a list of officers of Moberly from the founding of the 
town in 1869 until its incorporation in 1873: 1868 — Board of trustees, A. 
T. Franklin, chairman; Charles Tisue, Asa Bennett, Louis Brandt, Wil- 
liam Seelin ; marshal, S. L. Austin, E. Sidner, Martin Howlett; clerk, J. 
W. Dorser; treasurer, W. E. Grimes; assessor, William Williams, W. S. 
Tompkins ; collector, Martin Howlett. 

1869 — Board of trustees, A. T. Franklin, chairman; Charles Tisue, 
William Seelen, James True, Elijah Williams; marshal, Martin Howlett; 
clerk, I. B. Porter; treasurer, W. E. Grimes, C. J. Tannehill; assessor, 

B. Y. N. Clarkson ; collector, Martin Howlett ; street commissioner, M. 
Howlett; assistant marshal, Isaac Jacobs. 

1870 — Board of trustees, A. T. Bunker, chairman ; D. W. Brinkernoff , 
I. B. Porter, W. Seelen, A. T. Franklin; marshal, Martin Howlett, I. W. 
Boucher, George W. Dulaney; clerk, Ben T. Porter; attorney, Ben T. 
Porter ; treasurer, C. J. Tannehill ; assessor, James B. Dameron ; col- 
lector, Isaac Boucher. 

1871 — Board of trustees, B. Y. N. Clarkson, chairman; H. M. Por- 
ter, James M. S. Berry, D. S. Forney, James R. True, J. H. Burkholder, 
J. M. McQuaid, J. W. Haynes ; marshal, George W. Dulaney ; clerk, J. 
W. Dorser; attorney, Ben Porter; treasurer, Charles Tisue;, assessor, 
E. Sidener; collector, William W. Porter. 

1872 — Board of trustees, J. B. Freeman, chairman : J. H. Burk- 
holder, H. M. Porter, Peter Fox, J. Grimes, E. T. Tuckert, D. B. White, 
J. B. Damerson, W. D. Pegram ; marshal, J. W. Ragsdale ; clerk, J. W. 
Dorser; attorney, Ben T. Porter; treasurer, T. P. White; assessor, D. 
S. Forney; collector, William W. Porter. 

The following is a list of officers of the city of Moberly since its 
incorporation in 1873 : 

1873 — Mayor, T. P. White; councilmen, C. P. Apgar, at large; H. 

C. Moss, J. T. Kimbrough, William Seelen, H. Morgan, B. R. White, 

D. H. Fitch; marshal, J. W. Ragsdale; clerk, C. B. Rodes; attorney, 
B. T. Porter ; assessor, J. H. Phillips ; collector, J. B. Sherwood ; police 
judge, W. A. Whitney. 



176 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1874 — Mayor, J. H. Burkholder; councilmen, W. L. Durbin, at large; 
M. R. Burns, H. C. Moss, Terence Clark, H. Morgan, T. B. Patton, G. F. 
Eothwell; marshall, J. V. Baker; clerk, C. W. Oak; attorney, S. S. Mc- 
Nouyhton; treasurer, E. H. Miller; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; a -Hector, 
J. B. Sherwood; police judge, J. B. Dameron. 

1875 — Mayor, W. L. Durbin; councilmen, C. S. Buck, at large; J. A. 
Scott, W. R. Mealer, William Seelen, Terence Clark, W. T. McCanne, 
T. B. Patton; marshall, J. V. Howard; clerk, C. W. Oak: attorney, H. S. 
Priest; treasurer, E. H. Miller; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. 
Sherwood; police judge, J. B. Dameron. 
Dameron. 

1876 — Mayor, J. C. Hickerson; councilmen, Terence Clark, W. L. 
McCart, at large; J. Campbell, J. A. Scott, Paul Roche, William Seelen, 
W. A. Rothwell, W. T. McCanne; marshall, J. W. Howard; clerk, Wil- 
liam Oak ; attorney, F. P. Wiley ; treasurer, W. L. Young, J. L. Wool- 
folk ; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. Sherwood; police judge, 
J. D. Werden. 

1877 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes, at large; O. T. Rouse, John Campbell, 
N. F. Haworth, Paul Roche, W. A. Rothwell, N. B. Coates, S. J. Good- 
fellow ; marshal, J. W. Howard, G. T. Galbreath ; clerk, William Oak ; 
attorney, U. S. Hall; treasurer, J. L. Woolfolk; assessor, M. T. Wil- 
liams; collector, J. B. Sherwood; police judge, I. W. Boucher. 

1878— Mayor, W. T. McCanne; councilmen, W. F. Elliott, at large; 
O. T. Rouse, Dr. Thomas Irwin, J. M. Kiely, N. F. Haworth, W. A. 
Rothwell, S. J. Goodfellow; marshall, G. T. Galbreath; clerk, Richard 
Brooks; attorney, W. J. Hollis; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, 
M. T. Williams; collector, John H. Gravely; police judge, J. S. Way land. 

1879 — Mayor, J. H. Burkholder; councilmen, C. P. Apgar, at large; 
Dr. T. Irwin, A. O'Keefe, Winslow Buck, J. M. Kiely, W. A. Rothwell, 
H. Jennings; marshal, G. T. Galbreath; clerk, C. B. Rodes; attorney, 
B. T. Hardin; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, J. D. Bailey; col- 
lector, John H. Gravely; police judge, I. W. Boucher. 

1880 — Mayor, G. L. Hassett; councilmen, P. J. Carmody, at large; 

A. O'Keefe, Wilson Robertson, Winslow Buck, J. Evans, W. A. Roth- 
well, H. Jennings; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. R. Lowell; attorney, 

B. T. Hardin; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; 
collector, R. A. Wilson ; police judge, Zach Fisher. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 177 

1881 — Mayor, P. J. Carmody; councilmen, Hiram Jennings, at large; 
W. Robertson, J. D. Lipscomb, Winslow Buck, J. T. Evans, E. H. Mix, 
W. A. Rothwell, J. H. Miller; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, C. T. Hunn; 
attorney, J. W. Dorser; treasurer, A. B. Thompson; assessor, W. T. 
O'Rear; collector, R. A. Wilson; police judge, Zach Fisher. 

1882 — Mayor, P. J. Carmody; councilmen, B. R. White, at large; 
J. Q. Mason, J. D. Lipscomb, E. H. Mix, M. A. Hayes, J. H. Miller, 
J. T. Williams, William Coyle; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, C. T. Hunn; 
attorney, J. W. Dorser; Hiram Jennings; assessor, W. T. O'Rear; col- 
lector, J. B. Davis; police judge, Zach Fisher. 

1883 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
J. Q. Mason, W. A. Chisholm, J. E. Camplin, E. H. Mix, M. A. Hayes, 
Norris Tuttle, William Coyle; marshal, George Keating; clerk, C. T. 
Hunn; attorney, W. B. Sanford; treasurer, C. P. Apgar; assessor, W. 
T. O'Rear; collector, J. B. Davis; police judge, D. A. Coates. 

1884 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
W. A. Chisholm, R. C. Murray, H. R. Suppe, M. A. Hayes, Norris Tut- 
tle, A. O'Keefe; marshal, George Keating; clerk, V. M. Tedford ; attor- 
ney, W. P. Cave; treasurer, J. T. O'Neal; assessor, M. V. Greene; col- 
lector, C. T. Hunn; police judge, D. A. Coates. 

1885 — Mayor, D. S. Forney; councilmen, A. E. Simmons, at large; 
J. Tagart, R. C. Murray, H. R. Suppe, M. A. Hayes, N. Tuttle, A. O'Keefe; 
marshal, George Keating ; clerk, John Floyd ; attorney, W. B. Sanford ; 
treasurer, J. T. O'Neal ; assessor, W. S. Boulward ; collector, Jerry Shaw ; 
police judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1886 — Mayor, A. B. Thompson; councilmen, H. R. Suppe, at large; 
J. Tagart, Robert Little, F. Haley, M. A. Hayes, N. Tuttle, Enoch Des- 
kin ; marshal, J. E. Lynch ; clerk, John Floyd ; attorney, W. B. Sanford ; 
treasurer, George W. Sparks; assessor, C. M. Berry; collector, John 
Pierce; police judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1887 — Mayor, Theodore F. Priest; councilmen, J. Sam Hedges, at 
large; R. Little, W. A. Chisholm, W. P. Thompson, Frank Haley, Enoch 
Deskin, J. W. Ragsdale; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; at- 
torney, William Morrissey, B. T. Hardin ; treasurer, George W. Sparks ; 
assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, John Pierce, William Oak; police 
judge, A. J. Featherstone. 

1888 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, C. F. Campbell, at large; 
R. Little, W. A. Chisholm, W. P. Thompson, J. C. Hutton, H. P. Jennings, 



178 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

J. W. Ragsdale; marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, W. P. 
Cave; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, 
James W. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1889 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, Tim Freeman, C. P. Wil- 
lett, A. T. Franklin, Denis Hogan. H. P. Jennings, N. F. Haworth, C. Adams, 
H. 0. Hannah, Louis Cross, J. C. Hutton, W. H. Wilson, F. E. Shuck; 
marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, W. P. Cave; treas- 
urer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, James M. Wil- 
liams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1890 — Mayor, R. R. Haynes; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick. A. T. Franklin, J. W. Ragsdale, H. P. Jennings, N. F. Haworth, D. 
W. Wilson, H. 0. Hannah, Louis Cross, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson, A. D. 
Terrill; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. E. Rucker; attorney, W. P. Cave; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, W. S. Boulware; collector, James M. 
Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1891 — Mayor J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick, A. T. Franklin, T. 0. Afflick, T. F. Priest, N. F. Haworth, D. W. 
Wilson, G. M. Dulany, William Firth, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson. George 
P. Shedd; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, Will A. 
Rothwell; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, Allen D. Terrill; collector, 
James M. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1892 — Mayor, J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, Tim Freeman, J. S. Chad- 
wick, A. T. Franklin, T. 0. Afflick, T. F. Priest, N. F. Haworth, J. S. 
Hedges, G. M. Dulany, J. W. Walden, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson ; George 
P. Shedd; marshall, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. E. Rucker, attorney. Will A. 
Rothwell; treasurer, V. M. Tedford; assessor, Allen D. Terrill; collector, 
James M. Williams; police judge, W. W. McNich. 

1893 — Mayor, J. W. Ragsdale; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, C. A. Settle, 
J. B. Hill, W. S. Jones, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, 
A. S. Hickerson, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. D. Bean, George P. Shed; 
marshal, J. E. Lynch; clerk, J. F. Rucker; attorney, Will A. Rothwell; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge. W. W. 
McNich. 

1894 — Mayor, J. H. Babcock ; councilmen, A. B. McCoy. J. A. Medley, 
J. B. Hill, W. S. Jones, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, A. S. 
Hicherson, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. D. Bean, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
J. E. Lynch, William Fox ; clerk, A. B. Little ; attorney. Will A. Rothwell ; 
treasurer, V. M. Tedford ; assessor, William Oak ; collector, M. J. Tedford ; 
police judge, W. W. McNich. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 179 

1895 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, J. A. Medley, 
J. B. Hill, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, N. F. Haworth, J. S. Hedges, 
J. M. Williams, Louis Gross, C. P. Apgar, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller: 
marshal, William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, Alex H. Waller, J. C. 
Williams, J. W. Wight, Jr.; treasurer, John B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. 
P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1896— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, H. L. Lee, M. 
A. Arnett, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, W. W. Babcock, A. S. Hickerson, 
J. M. Williams, L. Gross, E. O. Doyle, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
shal, William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, J. W. Wight, Jr.; treas- 
urer, John B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Ted- 
ford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1897— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, A. B. McCoy, H. G. Lee, M. 
A. Arnett, J. E. Camplin, N. E. Walker, W. W. Babcock, A. S. Hicherson, 
J ,M. Williams, L. Gross, E. 0. Doyle, W. H. Wilson, I. C. Miller; marshal, 
William Fox; clerk, A. B. Little; attorney, J. W. Wight; treasurer, J. B. 
Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, M. J. Tedford; police judge, 
W. W. McNinch. 

1898 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, J. A. Tagart, C. E. Hallibur- 
ton, J. J. Jones, J. E. McQuitty, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. Miller, 
W. F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, N. E. Walker; attorney, J. W. 
Wight; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, E. P. Harlan; collector, M. 
J. Tedford; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1899 — Mayor, A. H. Waller; councilmen, J. A. Tagart, C. W. Halli- 
burton, J. J. Jones, J. E. McQuitty, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. 
Miller, W. F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, L. L. Wayland; attor- 
ney, F. T. Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; 
collector, William Fox; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1900 — Mayor, A. H. Waller; councilmen, L. S. Gaines, Carter Baker, 
J. E. Camplin, F. C. Jacoby, A. C. Dingle, J. M. Williams, L. Weisberg, 
I. C. Miller; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, L. L. Wayland; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, 
William Fox; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1901 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, L. S. Gains, Carter Baker, 
J. E. Camplin, F. C. Jacoby, N. F. Haworth, A. C. Dingle, I. C. Miller, W. 
F. Moore; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, A. P. Little; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, L. 
L. Wayland ; police judge, D. Proctor. 



180 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

1902 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, 
J. E. Ball; marshal, C. L. Quayle; clerk, A. N. Little; attorney, F. T. 
Woods; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, F. E. P. Harlan; collector, 
L. L. Way land; police judge, D. Proctor. 

1903 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, J. 
E. Ball; marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, R. R. Rothwell; attorney, Oak Hun- 
ter; treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, J. C. Bounds; collector, L. L. 
Wayland; police judge, S. C. Griswold. 

1904 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, John Ward, Dr. Burk, J. E. 
Camplin, E. B. Mahan, E. W. Roberts, J. M. Williams, J. W. Faessler, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Oak Hunter; 
treasurer, J. B. Jennings; assessor, J. C. Bounds; collector, L. L. Wayland; 
police judge, S. C. Griswold. 

1905 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, J. M. Williams, E. B. Mahan, 
J. Gowler, W. McGrew, J. E. Ball, E. W. Roberts, Perrine, J. P. Sinnock; 
marshal, J. Patterson; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Oak Hunter; treasurer, 
J. B. Jennings ; assessor, J. C. Bounds ; collector, S. C. Griswold ; police 
judge, B. O'Connell. 

1906 — Mayor, A. C. Dingle; councilmen, J. M. Williams, J. W. Dy- 
sart, J. Fowler, W. L. McGrew, Perrine, J. P. Sinnock, W. P. Davis, J. 
Ball ; marshal, J. Patterson ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attorney, Oak Hunter ; 
treasurer, J. B. Jennings ; assessor, J. C. Bounds ; collector, S. C. Griswold ; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1907 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, L. Gross, J. P. Sinnock, 
J. Lotter, W. P. Davis, C. B. Dysart, E. A. Willott, J. E. Ball, N. Roe- 
buck ; marshal, John Hogg ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attorney, Elmer Ball ; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, W. E. Travis; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1908 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, O. R. Nise, J. P. Sinnock, 
J. H. Lotter, W. P. Davis, I. F. Harlan, E. A. Willott, N. Roebuck, H. 
Owens; marshall, John Hogg; clerk, J. E. Curry; attorney, Elmer Ball; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, W. E. Travis; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1909 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell ; councilmen, O. R. Nise, J. J. Patrick, 
P. Packwood, W. P. Davis, I. F. Harlan, J. M. Williams, W. McGrew, 
Henry Owens; marshal, John Hogg; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney. Elmer 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 161 

Ball; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1910 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, J. J. Patrick, 
P. Packwood, L. Hunt, I. F. Harlan, J. M. Williams, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, John Hogg; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, Elmer Ball; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, B. L. Young; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, B. O'Connell. 

1911 — Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, P. B. Saterlee, C. B. 
Dysart, L. Hunt, I. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. McGrew, J. E. Ball; 
marshal, Al Flemming; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. Chamier; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, C. W. Hager; collector, Will Short; 
police judge, F. Tedford. 

1912— Mayor, W. P. Cave; councilmen, F. M. Holtsinger, P. B. Sater- 
lee, C. B. Dysart, W. Biggers, 1. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. Mc- 
Grew, J. E. Ball ; marshal, Al Flemming ; clerk, J. F. Curry ; attor- 
ney, A. B. Chamier; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, C. W. Hager; 
collector, Will Short; police judge, F. Tedford. 

1913 — Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, F. M. Holtsinger, C. Baker, 
William Biggers, J. Fowler, I. F. Harlan, W. S. Turner, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Ball; marshal, William Hinton ; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. Chamier; 
treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. Kelly; police 
judge, F. Tedford. 

1914— Mayor, R. R. Rothwell; councilmen, 0. R. Nise, C. Baker, 
J. Fowler, William Biggers, W. S. Turner, I. F. Harlan, W. McGrew, J. E. 
Hall; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, A. B. 
Chamier; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, F. Tedford. 

1915 — Mayor, I. F. Harlan ; councilmen, J. Tomlinson, 0. R. Nise, 
J. Fowler, W. Biggers, W. S. Turner, E. Hutchinson, W. McGrew, W. 
Butler; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, W. B. 
Stone; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, A. B. Adkisson. 

1916 — Mayor, I. F. Harlan ; councilmen, J. Tomlinson, O. R. Nise, 
J. Fowler, W. Biggers, W. S. Turner, E. Hutchinson, W. McGrew, War- 
ren Butler; marshal, William Hinton; clerk, J. F. Curry; attorney, W. 
B. Stone; treasurer, H. J. Lotter; assessor, H. Solomon; collector, C. W. 
Kelly; police judge, J. B. Adkisson. 



182 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The present city officials of Moberly are: Mayor, James T. Cross; 
clerk, William H. Wilson; treasurer, Herman Lotter; collector, E. A. 
Bowman; attorney, Edmund Burke; police judge, William Haynes ; mar- 
shal, Melvin Marshall; health commissioner, Dr. Thomas L. Fleming; 
engineer, Carl Haynes ; street commissioner, James C. Green ; chief of 
police, Melvin Marshall; chief of fire department, John Crews; assessor, 
Ben L. Young ; councilmen, first ward, William Hulen, M. F. Kirtley ; 
second ward, William Biggers, W. B. Davis; third ward, E. P. Hutchin- 
son, F. M. Grimes ; fourth ward, W. R. Butler, W. P. Vandegrift. 

MOBERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS. 

Prior to 1872 there was no regularly organized public school. Pri- 
vate schools were taught from time to time and short terms of public 
schools were held. W. Tandy O'Rear and Charles Rodes were among 
the passing teachers. 

In the year 1872 the first graded public school was organized, the 
principal being Prof. Tuck Powell. Among his assistants were N. E. 
Walker, G. N. Ratliff and Luther Terrill. 

In the summer of 1876 began the erection of "Old Central," which 
stood for years at the corner of Johnson and Rollins streets. At the 
time of the purchase of the plot of ground for this building there was 
a thoroughfare called Phipp's avenue, lying between this ground and 
Tannehill Park. This street was formally closed the next year. 

The high school was organized in 1877 by Prof. Marion Bigley, 
who took charge of the schools as the first superintendent. He reorgan- 
ized the old first ward school on the east side, introduced new methods 
and was, in fact, the founder of the present school system. 

In the fall of 1885 the frame building on East Rollins street was 
burned. It was not rebuilt. Instead the other part of the present build- 
ing was erected in what was formerly Moss Park, at a cost of $13,200. 

West Park was built in 1884, at a cost of $13,000. This building is 
located on a prominent hill in northwest Moberly, and is a commanding 
landmark. • 

In 1893 came South Park, another fine building, which cost $16,000. 

On the evening of December 5, 1894, the old Central building burned 
to the ground. An issue of bonds was at once voted by the people to 
erect a new and up-to-date building on the same ground. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 183 

The first commencement of the high school was held in the "Wig- 
wam," a big frame building erected on the corner of Reed and Fifth 
streets, in the spring of 1880 to accommodate the domocratic state con- 
vention. The "Wigwam" seated about 3,000 people and was crowded 
to its limits with those attending the exercises. 

The graduating class consisted of Will A. Rothwell and Arthur 
Grimes. Will Rothwell delivered the valedictory address and Arthur 
Grimes the salutary. During the evening Superintendent Biglow was 
presented with a handsome heavy gold-headed cane. This was the gift 
of the students of the high school, and the presentation speech was 
made by Hon. F. P. Wiley. The diplomas were presented to the two 
graduates by Dr. W. A. Rothwell, president of the board of education, 
assisted by S. C. Mason, secretary. The class of 1916 contained fifty-four 
graduates. 

The school facilities were increased in 1913 by the erection of a 
modern building in northeast Moberly and the addition of two rooms 
each to East and West Park, and later a new $15,000 school for colored 
children was erected at the corner of Franklin and Horner streets. In 
1916 a bond issue of $100,000 was voted for two additional buildings 
and improvements on the old. 

Following is a list of those who have served as superintendents: 
Marian Biglow, James A. Rice, L. E. Wolfe, W. D. Dodson, W. E. Cole- 
man, J. A. Whiteford, J. C. Lilly and E. M. Sipple. 

Those who have served as presidents of the board of education: I. 
B. Porter, W. T. McCanne, Dr. W. A. Rothwell, W. Simonds, Westley 
Humphrey, R. C. Murray, Dabney Proctor, E. R. Hickerson, W. H. Mor- 
ris, F. G. Ferris, J. S. Bowers, A. B. Little and Dr. C. B. Clapp. 

DIRECTORS OF THE MOBERLY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FROM 1871. 

Name Years of Presi- Secre- Treas- 

Service dent tary urer 

I. B. Porter 1871-1873 1871-1873 

D. B. White 1872-1874 

J . H. Burkholder 1871-1873 

J. T. Kimbrough 1872-1874 

E. H. Miller 1872 

Henry Morgan 1872-1878 1872-1878 

W. F. Barrows 1873-1874 1871-1874 



184 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

W. T. McCanne 1873-1880 1873-1880 

H. C. Moss 1873-1874 

T. P. White 1874 

A. Steed 1874-1876 

S. C. Mason 1874-1881 1874-1881 

W. H. Selby 1874-1885 

W. A. Rothwell 1875-1882 1880-1882 

W.F.Elliott 1877-1883 1878-1883 

Wm. Firth 1878-1879 

H. R. Crockett 1879-1881 

J. C. Kennedy 1879-1881 1881-1882 

W. J. Halleck 1881-1882 1883-1884 

James Shaughnessy 1881-1884 

W. Buck 1881 

W.N.Rutherford 1881 

W. J. Hollis 1881-1882 

W. Simons 1882-1887 1884-1887 

Wesley Humphrey 1882-1884 1882-1884 

R.C.Murray 1882-1893 1887-1893 

U. S. Hall 1882-1888 1882-1883 

C. B. Rhodes 1883-1885 1883 

J.R.Lowell 1883-1901 1883-1901 

C. F. Campbell 1884-1889 1884-1889 

Dabney Procter 1886-1895 1893-1895 

A. L. Bassett 1886-1899 

J. T. O'Neal 1887 1889-1901 

J. S. Bowers 1888-1915 1901-1913 

A. W. Quackenbush 1889 

E. R. Hickerson 1890-1896 1895-1896 

W. S. Wagner 1890-1894 

W. H. Morriss 1893-1897 1896-1897 

W. K. Megee .1894-1897 

E. H. Fitzhugh 1895-1896 

F. G. Ferris 1896-1902 1896-1902 

N.E.Walker 1896-1913 1901-1913 

J. Thomas Coates 1897-1913 1901-1903 

H. V. Estill 1899-1902 

Dr. G. O. Cuppaidge 1901-1904 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 185 

J. S. VanCleve 1902-1905 

W. L. Eddings 1902-1905 1903 

George Manuel 1903-1914 

George Elsea 1905-1914 

C. H. Nelson 1905-1911 

W. S. Orr 1911-1914 

A. B. Little 1913-1915 1914-1915 

J. H. Davis 1913 

J. F. McLellan 1914 

Dr. C. B. Clapp 1914 1915 1914-1915 

Forrest Martin 1914 

Robert T. Kingsbury 1915 1915 

A. B. Chamier 1916 



The present board of education is as follows: President, Dr. C. B. 
Clapp ; secretary, Robert L. Kingsbury ; superintendent of schools, P. P. 
Callaway; secretary to superintendent, Mrs. Carrie Simmons. 

PAROCHIAL SCHOOLS. 

In addition to the public schools there are two parochial schools doing 
excellent work. The oldest of these is St. Mary's Academy, which is in 
charge of Sisters of Loretto. The school was started under the pastorate 
of Father McKenny in 1877, with Sister Phillippi as the first Mother Supe- 
rior. The building is located at the corner of Ault and Farror streets. At 
present Sister Christine is the Mother Superior, and associated with her 
are Sisters Josephine, Casimer, Anunciata, Alacoupue, Elvira and Alexis. 
Sister Alacoque is the music teacher; the other branches taught are the 
eight grammar grades and one year of high school work. The building is 
a commodious brick structure, and excellent work is done. 

The school in connection with the Immaculate Conception Church was 
founded by Father Straubinger, in 1888. This school prepares its pupils 
for high school. It is well attended and has capable teachers. 

LIBRARY. 

The free public library building was the gift of Andrew Carnegie. 
It was completed in 1904 at a cost of $20,00*0, and is supported by taxation 
and kept open day and evening six days in the week. Mrs. Bessie Lee, 
librarian. 

This institution is the culmination of the efforts of the first associa- 
tion, formed in 1872, whose president was T. P. Whie; secretary, William 
Maynard. 



186 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Through varying fortunes and under different names library organi- 
zations have existed from that time to the present. The railway employes 
took a leading part. In the fall of 1900 the Wabash Railway Company, 
which had been giving its assistance, withdrew its help to give to the new 
Y. M. C. A. The Railroad Library Club then faced the problem of sup- 
port and for advice turned to G. R. Rothwell, who suggested making 
use of the new state law, permitting cities to maintain public libraries by 
taxation. This was favorably received and a committee was appointed, con- 
sisting of Messrs. Rothwell, Lowell and N. E. Walker, to manage the move- 
ment for establishing a public library. The matter was voted on April 2, 
1901, and the tax authorized. 

The first board of directors under the new law consisted of Gus 
Ginther, N. E. Walker, J. A. Whiteford, Dr. J. T. Fry, A. B. Ruby, W. D. 
Danley and F. G. Ferris. 

Of the Commercial club members who were active in working for the 
Carnegie building may be mentioned, President J. R. Lowell, Rolia Roih- 
well, Dr. C. B. Clapp, John O'Keefe, L. E. Frost, R. A. Curran, E. B. 
Mahan, G. J. Ginther and Harvey Baker. 

The present library board : President, A. B. Rubey ; secretary, George 
H. Robinson; members, P. P. Callaway, Omar Martin, Arthur O'Keefe, 
G. P. Eddings, Claude Marshall, J. C. Lilly, Dr. C. K. Dutton. Librarian, 
Bessie S. Lee. 

CONTRACT WITH RAILROAD COMPANY. 

The following is the contract entered into by and between the in- 
habitants of the town of Moberly, Missouri, and the St. Louis, Kansas 
City & Northern Railway Company, and locating their main shops at 
Moberly : 

This contract, made and entered into this day of April, 

A. D., 1872, between "The Inhabitants of the Town of Moberly, Mis- 
souri" of the first part, and the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern 
Railway Company, of the second part, witnesseth: That said party 
of the first part, for the consideration hereinafter set forth, hereby 
binds itself to make a perfect title in fee to the party of the second 
part, to the following described lands, situate in the county of Ran- 
dolph and state of Missouri, viz.: All of the land now belonging to 
said party of the second part within the lines as marked on a plat filed 
in the office of the attorney of said party of the second part, marked 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 187 

"Exhibit A," and designated as the plat here referred to by the signa- 
ture of William A. Hall, which said land is north of said town of Moberly 
and contiguous thereto, and to the land now held by said party of the 
second part and is between the main line and the west branch of said 
railway, and also six-hundred and eighteen (618) acres on the west 
branch of said railway, as designated on said plat, about one and a 
half miles west of said land first above described, subject to a coal 
lease on two hundred acres, on the west part if said land — (the rents 
and profits of which shall enure to the said party of the second part) 
all of which appears on the said plat, and said party of the first part, 
in consideration, etc., as aforesaid, further binds itself to pay any and 
all taxes that may be levied by the authorities of said town of Moberly, 
on the property now owned, and on the property to be conveyed under 
this contract, by said party of the first part to said party of the second 
part, for the period of twenty years from and after this elate ; and 
if any other municipal corporation shall be created to cover said lands, 
the said party of the first part binds itself nevertheless to pay any and 
all town or municipal taxes that may be levied, or assessed by such 
municipal corporation so created, on the said property now owned and 
which is to be conveyed to said party of the second part, as aforesaid, 
for the period of twenty years. 

And said party of the first part further binds itself that no roads, 
streets or alleys shall be made over, through or across the said lands to 
be conveyed by them to the said party of the second part, adjoining said 
town without the consent of said company, and that said party of the 
first part will have vacated any streets or alleys which may now be 
located on said lands, and binds itself that it will forever oppose any 
extension of the corporate limits of the said town of Moberly over the 
said land to be conveyed by said party of the first to the said party of 
the second part, adjoining the said town, and further, that it, the said 
party of the first part will not accept any law authorizing any extension 
of the corporate limits of said town that will include the property referred 
to in this agreement without the consent of the said party of the sec- 
ond part, and said party of the first part further binds itself to per- 
fect the title in fee to said party of the second part, and deliver pos- 
session of the lands adjoining the town as above described in ten days, 
except so much as has belonged to a minor heir which shall be per- 
fected in forty-five days, and that it will perfect the title to the six 



188 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

hundred and eighteen acre tract subject to the coal lease in thirty 
days, and that it will have vacated the streets and alleys on said land 
adjoining town in ninety days. In consideration whereof said party 
of the second part hereby binds itself to said party of the first part 
to permanently locate their principal car and machine shops within the 
limits of the land adjoining said town of Moberly, to be conveyed by 
said party of the first part to the said party of the second part, as 
shown by the plat referred to. 

In testimony whereof, the said party of the first part has caused 
this contract to be signed by the chairman of the board of trustees of 
the town of Moberly, and the seal of said corporation to be hereunto 
affixed, and the said party of the second part has caused the same to 
be signed by its president, and its corporate seal be hereunto affixed on 
the day and year first above written. 

B. Y. N. CLARKSON, 

Chairman of Board of Trustees, of the Town of Moberly, Missouri. 
Attest: 

In Witness Whereof, I, J. W. Dorser, clerk of the board of trustees, 
of said town of Moberly, do hereby affix my name and the corporate 
seal of said town of Moberly, at office in said town, this second day 
of April, A. D., 1872. 

J. W. DORSER, 

Clerk. 
(L. S.) 
St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Railway Co. 

By T. B. BLACKSTONE, President. 
(L. S.) Corporate Seal. 
Attest : 

JAMES F. HOW, Secretary. 

CITIZENS' BOND FOR THE FAITHFUL PERFORMANCE OF SHOPS 

CONTRACT. 
Know All Men By These Presents, That we, H. M. Porter, J. H. 
Burkholder, T. P. White, M. Jennings, E. H. Miller, 0. F. Chandler, 
John T. Young, D. B. White, I. B. Porter, William Firth, N. B. Coates, 
S. P. McCormick, Henry Morgan, B. Y. N. Clarkson, William Seelen, 
W. D. Pegram, John B. Freeman, Adam Given, S. Jones, B. F. Porter, 
J. T. Aldridge, C. Fiser, Erwin Gay, C. W. Dawson, C. Otto, P. H. Nise, 
George T. Goldsmith, N. B. Coates, W. F. Bowman, hereby bind our- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 189 

selves, our heirs, etc., to the St. Louis, Kansas City & Northern Rail- 
way Company in the sum of one hundred tfiousand dollars, upon the 
terms and conditions following, to-wit: 

Whereas, The inhabitants of the town of Moberly, in Randolph 
County, Missouri, have submitted a proposition to the said railroad com- 
pany for the purpose of inducing and assisting said company to locate 
on lands donated to said company by said town, adjoining said town 
on the north, their principal car and machine shops of said company. 
And said town also proposes to and donated to said company, six hun- 
dred and eighteen acres on the line of the west branch of said road, 
known as the Horner farm. 

And Whereas, The said company has duly accepted said proposi- 
tion of the said inhabitants of the town of Moberly; now, therefore, if 
said inhabitants of the town of Moberly shall furnish to, or cause to be 
furnished to, said company, a good and complete title in fee simple to 
all of the lands named in said proposition, subject, however, to the coal 
lease therein mentioned, then this bond to be void, otherwise to remain 
in full force and virtue. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto subscribed our hands and 
seals this first day of April, A. D. 1872. 

GEO. W. DULANY, M. B. PEGRAM, 

J. P. MILLER, ADAM GIVEN, 

J. W. BURKHOLDER, S. JONES, 

s. p. Mccormick, b. t. porter, 

0. F. CHANDLER, JOHN T. ALDRIDGE, 

D. B. WHITE, CHAS. TISUE, 

1. B. PORTER, ERWIN GAY, 

E. H. MILLER, C. W. DAWSON, 
H. M. PORTER, CHRISTIAN OTTO, 
B. Y. N. CLARKSON, P. H. NISE, 
WILLIAM FIRTH, GEO. T. GOLDSMITH, 
JOHN T. YOUNG, N. B. COATES, 

M. JENNINGS, W. F. BARROWS, 

W. P. WHITE, C. FISHER. 

J. B. FREEMAN, 
Filed for record July 20th, 1889, at 1:00 o'clock p. m. 

J. C. SAMUEL, 
Recorder. 
JNO. N. HAMILTON, Deputy Recorder. 



190 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

FROM MOBERLY'S FIRST NEWSPAPER. 

The Moberly Herald was Moberly's first newspaper, published on 
the first day of each month, by W. E. Grimes. The first issue appeared 
on Wednesday, March 10, 1869. The following is taken from the sec- 
ond issue: 

OFFICERS OF THE TOWN. 

Trustees: A. T. Franklin, president; Chas. L. Brandt, Asa Bennett, 
Wm. Seelen. Marshal, Martin Howlett. Justice of the peace, E. Sidner. 
Constable, Chas. Featherston. Notary public, W. E. Grimes. Post- 
master, C. Tisue. Merchants' Union Express Agent, C. Tisue. 

MOBERLY BUSINESS DIRECTORY. 
J. J. & G. W. Jones, Dry Goods, Etc., Coates Street, East of Railroad. 
T. P. White, Dry Goods, Clothing, Etc., Corner Clark and Reed Streets. 
Mrs. Foose, Milliner, South Side Reed Street. Mrs. E. Werden, Milliner, 
North Side Reed Street. Berry & Harmon, Family Groceries, Clark 
Street. E. H. Miller, Grocery and Bakery, Sturgeon Street. H. Over- 
berg, Meat Market, Reed Street. Wm. Seelen, Hardware and Cutlery, 
Reed Street. B. Y. N. Clarkson, Reapers, Mowers and Threshers, Reed 
Street. Chandler & Adams, Druggists, Corner Reed and Clark Streets. 
L. Brandt, Boots and Shoes, Corner Reed and Sturgeon Streets. W 7 m. E. 
Grimes, Real Estate, South Side Reed Street. J. D. Werden, Real Estate 
and Insurance, Reed Street. I. B. Porter, Attorney at Law, Real Estate 
and Insurance Agent, Reed Street. North Missouri Coal & Mining Com- 
pany, Sturgeon Street. J. S. Clarkson & Company, Fruit Trees, Hedge 
and Shrubbery, Reed Street. E. H. Petering, Lumber, Coates Street. 
True & Briggs, Contractors and Builders, Clark Street. Joseph Anson, 
Carpenter and Builder, Williams Street. W. K. Christian, Resident Den- 
tist, Residence, Fifth Street. Dr. J. C. Tedford, Physician, Coates Street. 
Dr. C. Adams, Physician, Corner Clark and Reed Streets. Tate's Hotel, 
S. P. Tate, Proprietor, Corner Clark and Reed Streets. W T m. Teeters, 
Restaurant, Reed Street. 0. N. Kaan, Barber and Hair Dresser, Reed 
Street. Manlin & Co., Saloon, Southwest Corner Reed and Sturgeon 
Streets. P. McLarney, Moberly Saloon, Sturgeon Street. J. D. Bailey, 
Carpenter and Builder, Williams Street. J. H. McQuaid, Lumber Dealer, 
Moulton Street, East of Railroad. 

NEW FIRM— NEW GOODS— NEW PRICES. 
T. P. White having purchased the stock of goods of Tate & Bennett, 
will continue the business at their old stand, under Tate's Hotel, Moberly, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 191 

Missouri. He is now purchasing and will bring to this city the largest 
and most complete assortment of Dry Goods, Notions, Hats, Clothing, 
Groceries and Queensware. 

"THE WAR IS OVER AT LAST." 
I have a house and lot in Moberly, Missouri, which I would sell. 
Located on Williams street only two blocks from the depot. Lot, fifty 
foot front, running back 120 feet. Good fence, cistern, etc. House con- 
tains three good rooms, and would rent for about $15.00 per month. 
Price, $1,000. Title perfect.— J. D. Bailey. 

FOR SALE. 

Two hundred and fifty-six acres of good land, lying two and a half 
miles east of Jacksonville, ninety acres in cultivation, balance in timber. 
Improvements consist of a double log house, two stories high, stable, 
etc., never failing water, saw-mill and carding machine within one mile. 
Price $12.50 per acre. 

A farm of 105 acres in Monroe County, lying within three and a half 
miles of Middle Grove and about the same distance from Madison. Im- 
provements consist of a frame house containing four rooms, stables 
moderately good, smokehouses and other out-buildings, good water, a 
young orchard of select fruit, seventy acres of farm in cultivation, re- 
mainder in pasture and timber. Price, $22.50 per acre. 

Twenty-two acres of unimproved prairie land, lying within one-half 
mile of Moberly. Price, $40.00 per acre. 

A large and commodious hotel in the flourishing town of Renick ; 
building new, two-story frame, 30x40 feet, with fifteen rooms. Situated 
near depot, doing a good business. Price, $2,000. 

THE HANNIBAL AND MOBERLY RAILROAD. 

Mr. Mclnally, one of the gentlemanly contractors of the Hannibal 
and Moberly Railroad, informs us that at present they are working about 
one hundred hands on that part of the road that lies between this place 
and Paris, a distance of twenty-four miles, and that the whole line is 
being pushed to an early completion. So we may reasonably conclude 
that within a year the quiet citizens of Paris will be startled by the shrill 
whistle of the locomotive. The iron is already being laid down on the 
Naples and Hannibal Railroad, and when finished will fill a gap in the 
most important direct line of road across the continent. 



CHAPTER XVII 



TOWNSHIPS, CONTINUED. 
KUNTSVILLE AND SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. 



SALT SPRING TOWNSHIP. HUNTSVILLE: LOCATION' OF COUNTY SEAT— NAMED 
AFTER DANIEL HUNT. ONE OF THE DONORS — OTHER DONORS— FIRST SALE 
OF LOTS — PIONEER BUSINESSMEN— EXTRACT FROM MISSOURI GAZETTE— ■ 
FIRST LODGES— FIRST CHURCH AND SUNDAY SCHOOL— OPERA HOUSE— TOWN 
INCORPORATED— FIRST MAYOR— PUBLIC SCHOOL— CITY AND SCHOOL OFFI- 
CERS — TEACHERS — MT. PLEASANT COLLEGE — OFFICERS — FIRST FAIR — 
LIBRARY— FIRST COURT HOUSE— SECOND COURT HOUSE. 

Salt Spring is one of the original four townships of Randolph County, 
and is one of the most wealthy, populous, and influential of the eleven 
townships into which the county is now divided. It also has the dis- 
tinction of being the capital township, Huntsville, the county seat, being 
within its limits. Geographically, Salt Spring is almost central to the 
county boundaries, and contains 31,040 acres. 

Topographically, the lands of this township are gently undulating, 
assuring fine drainage, and are of every desirable adaptation, whether 
for pasturage and the various grasses, or the more active cultivation of 
wheat, corn, rye, oats, potatoes and the several root crops. 

It can hardly be said with propriety that the township contains any 
prairie lands proper. In the matter of timber and woodlands it was 
richly provided, about one-third of its acreage being clothed with forests 
of white, red, black, burr, swamp and pin oak, hickory, walnut, maple, 
elm and sycamore. 

As will readily be conjectured, the township name, Salt Spring, has 
a local significance. It is so called from the existence within its limits, 




PUBLIC LIBRARY, HUNTSVILLE, MO. 




PUBLIC SCHOOL, HUNTSVILLE, MO. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 193 

and some three miles southwest of Huntsville, on the line of the Wabash 
Railway, of a salt spring, or well, of considerable volume, at which, in 
the early history of the county, the pioneer settlers, by primitive pro- 
cesses, manufactured their supplies of salt. The first systematized salt 
works at this place were established and operated by Dr. William Fort, 
at a very early day, who not only supplied the demand of the region im- 
mediately round about, but who also sent large supplies of salt to various 
points on the Mississippi and elsewhere equally remote. 

It is amongst the traditions of the people, that, at an early day, this 
spring, or well, served not alone the purposes mentioned, but was then, 
as it is now reputed to be, a fountain oi healing, in the use of whose 
waters health and rejuvenation came to many hapless victims to acute 
and chronic rheumatism, and other kindred physical ailments. 

This township is also well supplied with water, having the East fork 
of the Chariton River, with its several small tributaries, cutting it almost 
centrally from the northeast to the southwest, and with Sweet Spring 
creek flowing along its entire southern boundary. Of flowing springs 
there are but few, wells and cisterns being relied upon for drinking and 
general domestic purposes. 

Salt Spring township is rich in coal beyond its sister townships of 
the county ; and from this source is now, and for several years past, has 
been realizing much profit. Of well developed coal workings, there are 
several prosperous mines in the township which produce large quantities 
of coal and give employment to hundreds of men. 

The oldest coal banks were opened by J. C. Chapman and David 
Reece. G. W. Taylor, I. Cook, William Mitchell, J. A. Stewart, and 
Anderson & Co. had drift mines at an early day. 

John Sutliff operated a woolen mill here in the early days and there 
were three tobacco factories in Huntsville. Two of these were owned 
by W. T. Rutherford and E. E. Samuel, Jr., and the other by Miss Bernice 
Morrison, of St. Louis. Huntsville was the second largest leaf tobacco 
market in the State, and generally shipped from two and a half to three 
millions of pounds per annum. 

The first settlers of Salt Spring township were generally from Ken- 
tucky, as will be seen from the list of names given below: From Ken- 
tucky came Henry Lassiter, Henry Winburn, Valentine Mays, Neal Mur- 
phy, Clark Skinner, Benjamin Skinner, Joseph M. Hammett, William Fray, 
Blandermin Smith, Robert Sconce, William Baker, Charles Baker, Joseph 



194 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

M. Baker, Christly Baker, Jeremiah Summers, Archibald Rutherford, 
William Rutherford and Shelton Rutherford. John Read came from 
North Carolina. Tolman Gorham came from Tennessee, as did also 
Thomas Gorham, Sr., Thomas J. Gorham and Dr. William Fort. James 
Cochrane, John Welden, Jeremiah Summers, William Elliott, Robert 
Elliott, Joseph Holman, William Cunningham and Abraham Goodding were 
other early settlers. 

Dr. William Fort, above named, together with Tolman Gorham, 
opened and operated the salt works, which were then located at what 
is now known as the Medical Springs, in Randolph County. They began 
making salt in 1823, and continued to supply a wide scope of country, 
extending many miles in almost every direction, for many years. 

The doctor was the first physician to locate in the county, and being 
one of the oldest citizens of the county, we here insert the following 
which was published at the time of his death: 

Another of the strong and notable men of the pioneer life of Mis- 
souri has been called to his reward in the person of Dr. William Fort, 
of Randolph County, who died at the residence of his son, Henry T. Fort, 
near Huntsville, without a struggle, and from exhaustion and old age, 
on August 23, 1881, aged 88 years. 

The deceased was born in Nashville, Tennessee, October 19, 1793, 
and was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Gen. Jackson. After the 
close of the war and on March 14, 1815, he married Miss Patsy Gorham, 
who with four of their six children survive him. 

In 1817 he professed religion and united with the Baptist church. 

In 1820, a year before the state was admitted into the Union, he 
emigrated with his young family to Missouri and settled in Randolph 
County and on the farm on which he was buried. 

He was a member of the first county court of Randolph County, and 
during his life was elevated by his fellow-citizens to seats in both branches 
of the General Assembly, always discharging his official trusts, as he did 
his personal and professional obligations, with fidelity, promptness and 
great acceptance to the people, aiding in all the relations of life in laying 
the foundations of the great Commonwealth of which he was always so 
justly proud. 

He was a Democrat of the school of Jefferson and Jackson and dur- 
ing the latter years of Senator Benton's career, a leader in the state of 
the anti-Benton forces and contributed not a little by his influence in the 
final overthrow of Benton's power in Missouri. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 195 

Dr. Fort was a man of the most exemplary private life; took the 
right side of all the moral questions of the day, and being fearless as 
well as discreet in the proclamation of his opinion, left the world the 
better that he had lived in it. Decided in his convictions of public policy, 
he was conservative without being tame and tolerant of opinions differ- 
ing from his own. In short, he was a strong character and has left his 
impress on his generation. 

By profession he was a physician and for many years his practice 
was very successful and extensive. 

William Fray erected the first water mill in Salt Spring township, 
on the East fork of the Chariton River. 

HUNTSVILLE. 

Huntsville is well located upon an elevated and healthful plateau, on 
the north side of the Wabash Railroad on sections 25 and 36, just a little 
west of the center of the county. 

On the 5th of January, 1831, the first steps were taken towards 
locating the county seat at Huntsville, by the appointment of Robert Wil- 
son, commissioner. The tract or tracts which comprised the original 
town site were donated to the county by William Goggin, Gideon Wright, 
Daniel Hunt and Henry Winburn, and the county surveyor was immedi- 
ately ordered to lay off the land and make a plat thereof. Each of these 
donations consisted of 12V* acres, which formed an exact square, the 
dome of the court house being the centre. 

Daniel Hunt, one of the donors above named, was the first settler, 
locating, however, but a little while in advance of the other three. These 
men were from Kentucky. The town was called Huntsville in honor of 
Daniel Hunt, the first settler. 

The first sale of lots took place in the following April and included 
all of them with the exception of those from number 94 fo 99 inclusive, 
reserved for court house, lot 155 for jail lot, and also number 32, which 
it was then thought necessary to hold back for a market house. The 
market house lot was subsequently sold. The highest price then paid 
for lots was $115. Some of the lots sold as low as $3.25, which are very 
valuable property now. 

The original town site of Huntsville was doubtless covered with 
timber, judging from the following order which was made by the county 
court when the town was located: 



196 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Ordered : That all persons cutting timber in the streets of Hunts- 
ville are required to leave the stumps not more than one foot in height, 
and to clear all timber so cut, together with the brush. 

The pioneer business men of Hunts ville were Davis and Currin, to 
whom were issued the first tavern license, granted by the county court 
in 1829. Their place of business was at the house of William Goggin, 
Daniel G. Davis and Waddy T. Currin. The next merchants were Garth 
and Giddings, Dabney C. Gartha and Brack Giddings. These gentlemen 
were from Virginia. Garth represented the county in the Legislature. 

Then came Fielding, Clinton and Grundy Cockerill, who did a gen- 
eral merchandise business under the firm name of Cockerill & Co. Joseph 
C. Dameron commenced the mercantile business in the spring of 1835, 
and in 1842 he brought the first piano to the county, its strange and in- 
spiring notes being the first ever heard among the classic hills of Hunts- 
ville. 

Conway and Lamb were among the earliest merchants. John F. 
Riley was the first gunsmith; O. D. Carlisle was the first saddler; John 
Gray taught the first school in a log house located on the public square ; 
James C. Ferguson was the first shoemaker; Dr. Waller Head was the 
first physician to locate in the town. He was a native of Orange County, 
Virginia, and located in Huntsville in October, 1831, where he continued 
to reside until his death, which occurred in August, 1845. Dr. Joseph 
Rutherford came soon after Head and formed a partnership in the prac- 
tice of medicine with the latter. 

Ned. Goggin (colored) opened the first bakery and after accumu- 
lating quite a fortune, he moved to Putnam County, Missouri. Joseph 
Viley erected the first carding machine and cotton gin in 1834. Joseph 
C. Dameron opened the first tobacco factory. Dr. J. J. Watts kept the 
first drug store ; William Smith the first livery stable. Gen. Robert Wil- 
son was the first lawyer in the town. He was also the first county and 
circuit court clerk, and afterwards became a United States Senator from 
Missouri. Clair Oxley, from Kentucky, was the second lawyer; he after- 
wards died in Santa Fe, New Mexico. William Goggin erected the first 
mill in the town at a very early day. It was a horse mill and was oper- 
ated for nearly 35 years. 

Almost simultaneously with the founding of the new town, a few of 
the old settlers, anxious to amuse themselves, opened a race track near 
the northwestern portion of the town. Here met the sporting men and 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 197 

lovers of the turf for several years, drawn hither at stated periods to 
witness the speed of some strange or favorite horse. Among the horses 
whose popularity has come down to us were "White Stockings" and 
"Aleck" the former the property of Bart McDameron and the latter the 
property of Hancock Jackson. In 1837 Alphonso Wetmore, the compiler 
of the "Gazetteer" of Missouri, said of Huntsville at that date: 

Huntsville, the seat of justice of Randolph, is near the center of 
the county. This town is flourishing and contains a good brick court- 
house, seven stores, etc. There is no church in the place, but public 
worship by all denominations is held in the court house and in the school 
houses of the town and county. This is a fashion throughout Missouri 
and it seems rational to occupy one house for various purposes in a new 
country. While the people are building up their fortunes and erecting 
private houses at the same time there should be indulgence given until 
they shall be better able to build temples suited in magnificence to the 
great Being to whom these will be dedicated. 

The first banking enterprise in Huntsville was inaugurated about 
the year 1866 by William M. Wisdom and Courtney Hughes. It was 
a private institution and Continued until the death of Mr. Hughes, which 
occurred in 1867. The bank then did business under the name of C. 
Wisdom & Co., until December 31, 1874, when it was succeeded by the 
Huntsville Savings Bank, The bank was again changed in 1878, to the 
private bank of J. M. Hammett & Co., with the following directors and 
stockholders: F. M. Hammett, president; James W. Harnmett, vice- 
president; C. H. Hammett, cashier; B. F. Hammett, J. D. Hammett, W. R. 
Samuel, M. J. Sears, John R. Christian. 

Huntsville Lodge No. 30, A. F. and A. M. was chartered by the 
Grand Lodge of Missouri, October 8, 1840. The following are the only 
three names of the charter members that appear upon the records: Ed- 
ward Slater, Fleming Terrill, Thomas P. Coates. 

Randolph Lodge No. 23, I. 0. 0. F. was chartered April 29, 1847, 
and organized and officers installed June 10, 1847, by Grand Master Isaac 
M. Veitch, of St. Louis, assisted by Clark H. Green, D. D. G. M. 

The Huntsville Building and Loan Association was chartered Febru- 
ary 17, 1882. The first officers were William Sandison, president; T. M. 
Elmore, vice-president; C. H. Hammett, treasurer; J. C. Shaefer. secre- 
tary. 



198 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The Huntsville Missionary Baptist church was organized at the house 
of Zephaniah Walden, near Huntsville, in August, 1837, with seven con- 
stituent members: Theophilus Eddine, Zephaniah Walden and wife, Mary 
Thomas, Martha Dameron, Benjamin Terrill and James Terrill. The first 
church house in the town was erected about 1840. 

The first additions to the church were J. C. Shaefer and wife, in 
September, 1837, on letters of commendation from the Baptist church 
at Charlottesville, Va. 

The first Sunday school in the town or county was organized by 
J. C. Shaefer, in August, 1839, and has been successfully carried on with- 
out intermission to the present time. The present superintendent is W. 
R. Samuel. 

Semple's opera house was finished in February, 1884, and was the 
property of Charles Semple. 

Huntsville was incorporated March 12, 1859. March 10, 1871, the 
corporation limits were extended. 

L. S. Barrad was the first mayor and held his office in 1859. 

The public schools were partially organized in Huntsville some little 
time after the close of the war, but the organization was not completed 
until 1877, when a new school building was erected. The building and 
grounds cost about $3,500. It was a two-story frame structure and con- 
tains eight rcoms. In 1877, Prof. M. C. McMellen took charge of the 
school as principal. 

Huntsville has in recent years erected a splendid modern school 
building which is an imposing brick structure with all modern school 
appliances and equipment. 

The Board of Education is as follows: President, W. C. Smith; 
secretary, W. J. Day ; treasurer, W. L. Dameron ; superintendent of 
schools, J. A. Burnside; members, Dr. D. A. Barnhart, Callie Halliburton, 
I. B. Jackson. 

The Huntsville High School teachers are: Principal, Miss Courtney 
Jackson; teachers, Miss Sallie Pattison, Miss Frances Robinson, Miss 
Ollie Woodward, Miss Moselle Densmore. 

The grade schools teachers are: 1st grade, Miss Nora Kiernan ; 
2nd grade, Miss Geraldine Hammett; 3rd grade, Miss Karleen Singleton; 
4th grade, Mrs. Lestal Harns ; 5th grade, Miss Velva Dunivent ; 6th 
grade, Miss Esther Da vies; 7th grade, Miss Anna Pattison; 8th grade, 
Miss Sarah Rutherford. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY . 199 

In 1853 the citizens of Randolph County, impressed with the need 
of an institution of learning, and wishing to secure to themselves its 
benefits, determined to erect suitable buildings at a cost of not less than 
$10,000. Acting on the advice of Hon. William A. Hall, to put the institu- 
tion under the care and patronage of Mount Pleasant Baptist Association, 
a letter stating the above proposal, signed by William A. Hall, H. Austin 
and P. P. Ruby, in behalf of the citizens of Randolph County, was ad- 
dressed to and accepted by the Association, and the institution took the 
name of the Association. Under this arrangement the money was 
secured and the building erected. February 28, 1855, the charter was 
obtained. In 1857, the building having been completed at a cost of 
$12,500, and a school of 170 pupils under Rev. William Thompson, LL. D., 
President, and Rev. J. H. Carter, A. B., Professor of Mathematics, and 
Miss Bettie Ragland, Principal of female department, having been taught 
with gratifying results one year, the institution was formally tendered 
by the board of trustees to the Association and accepted ; the Association 
at the same time promising to endow the college remotely with $25,000, 
and within two years, with $10,000, appointed Rev. Noah Flood to pro- 
ceed at once to secure the last named amount, and pledged himself to 
maintain sufficient and efficient teachers until the $10,000 endowment was 
secured. Rev. W. R. Rothwell succeeded Dr. Thompson in the presidency 
and the college ran till 1861, filling the most sanguine expectations of its 
friends. President Rothwell gathered quite an extensive library, provided 
apparatus for chemical, philosophical and astronomical purposes, secured 
a considerable cabinet of minerals and fossils and established the char- 
acter and reputation of the college. The War of 1861 crippled the re- 
sources of the school, by cutting off students, and a deficit of $580 in 
teachers' salaries was imposed, which failing to be met by the Associa- 
tion, the trustees of the college let it to President Rothwell, who, at his 
own risk, and mainly by his own effort, carried the college through the 
clouds of war into the sunshine of 1868. The school which had hitherto 
been self-sustaining, or carried by the magnanimity of President Roth- 
well to 1866, now being cut down by the impoverished and unsettled state 
of the country, made a move for an endowment a necessity, and the call 
became imperative. The board of trustees at Mount Gilead church in 
1866. with emphasis called upon the Association to redeem her past 
pledges for endowment. 



200 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Y. R. Pitts and Wade M. Jackson were appointed solicitors to raise 
$10,000 in twelve months. The next year (1868) the Association at 
Keytesville, through Y. R. Pitts, reported as endowment: 

In notes $ 5,640.50 

In cash 200.00 

Jerry Kingsberry bequest 2,500.00 

Balance unprovided for 1,660.00 



$10,000.50 

The balance, $1,660, was raised by subscription at that sitting of 
the Association. 

In 1870, Mount Pleasant Association, wishing further to endow the 
college and learning that Macon Association was contemplating building 
a similar institution of learning at Macon City, in the adjoining county, 
and within 30 miles of Huntsville, proposed to Macon Association to 
consolidate upon Mount Pleasant College, offering them first, one-half 
of the board of trustees and second, requiring them to raise $5,000 to be 
blended with the endowment fund. W. R. Roth well, Benjamin Terrill, 
Joshua W. Terrill, W. R. Samuel and W. T. Beckelheimer were appointed 
a committee with discretionary power to confer with Macon Association. 
In 1872, Macon Association having canvassed her ability to build, and the 
proposal of Mount Pleasant Association, agreed by resolution to co- 
operate with Mount Pleasant Association in building up Mount Pleasant 
College, when the committee from Mount Pleasant Association guaranteed 
them one-half of the board of trustees except one, leaving a majority of 
the board in Mount Pleasant Association. In 1869, Rev. James W. Terrill 
succeeded President Rothwell. The war being over, confidence restored, 
and the times being prosperous and inviting, the college with other enter- 
prises, took new life. Added to this, President Terrill brought to the 
institution a combination of merit, enterprise and energy, rarely found 
in one man, and in producing a new, popular and successful method of 
teaching, carried the college to its highest point of success. The ques- 
tion of repairs, additions and betterments (for the building had been used 
for military quarters during the war) now arose, and the terms, patron- 
age and success of the school, and the earnest protestations of both 
Mount Pleasant and Macon Associations, seemed to demand and encour- 
age immediate action in this direction. The trustees concluded to make 
ample improvement and additions, and to the main building added two 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 201 

wings, running out and back of the main building, giving in rooms, halls, 
stairways and closets, a building whose size, arrangement, decoration 
and stability which would rank with any in the state. Added to this the 
patronage and liberality of the citizens of Randolph County, and especially 
the citizens of Huntsville to the institution, which had ever been marked, 
the board of trustees were induced to build a commodious and tasteful 
boarding house, three stories, besides the basement. The citizens of 
Huntsville for this purpose furnished $3,000 cash, by which with a loan on 
first mortgage, assisted by a loan of $3,500 endowment fund, secured by 
second mortgage on the building, it was completed. 

These buildings and additions were completed in 1871 and a con- 
siderable debt incurred. In 1873, the financial trouble which had been 
threatening overwhelmed the country, and a wave more damaging and 
blighting than war passed over the college. For two years longer, under 
President Terrill, it stood bravely on its feet carrying the heavy pressure. 
But the boarding-house was sold under first mortgage, and failing to 
bring the debt, the second mortgage, $3,500 endowment fund, was lost 
and the Jerry Kingsbuiy bequest, $2,500, being swept away, when the 
bank failed, and the parties failing to come to time on their notes, from 
financial embarrassments, the $10,000 endowment was never realized. 

In 1876, Rev. M. J. Breaker came to the head of the institution, 
and like his worthy predecessor, Rothwell, stood by it in a dark hour 
of peril, and by effort and sacrifice bore her on in her noble mission 
for three years longer, till March 21, 1879, when a judgment having 
been obtained against the college for debt, and booking for the execu- 
tion to be levied in June following, President Breaker resigned and 
the school closed — the second time in its existence of 23 years ; once 
before after the close of the war in 1869, under President Rothwell; 
both times at the spring term. 

Mount Pleasant College, during her 23 years of existence, had been 
presided over by Rev. William Thompson, LL. D., one year; Rev. W. R. 
Rothwell, D.D., twelve years; Rev. J. W. Terrill, seven years, and Rev. 
M. J. Breaker, three years ; it instructed hosts of youths, turned out 
109 graduates, blessed the cause of education, elevated the community, 
and demonstrated the co-education of the sexes, as the fittest and 
best. 

Rev. A. S. Worrell, D.D., succeeded Mr. Breaker, and was presi- 
dnet of the college in 1880-81. Rev. James B. Weber succeeded Dr. 



202 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Worrell, and had charge of the college as its president when the build- 
ing was destroyed by fire (July 13, 1882). At the time the college 
building was destroyed there was a debt on it of $3,000, which was 
paid by the friends of the institution. The Ferguson bequest was 
known as the (Wiley) Ferguson bequest. All other debts had been 
secured by a mortgage on the building and grounds, and in order to 
pay this, the college and grounds were sold in 1883, and were pur- 
chased by the court-house building committee. 

The board of directors and faculty at the time the college was 
burned down in 1882, was: H. T. Fort, President; T. B. Kimbrougli, 
secretary; W. R. Samuel, treasurer; J. D. Brown, Stephen Connor, 
fessor of Natural Science; Mrs. A. E. Weber, Principal Preparatory 
and Primary Departments; Mrs. M. E. Lasley, Principal of the Music 
J. F. Finks, P. T. Gentry, J. D. Humphrey, G. W. Keebaugh, R. J. 
Mansfield, W. A. Martin, W. D. Wilhite, Alfred Coulter, W. F. Elliott, 
J. T. Fort, W. J. Horsley, W. B. McCrary, S. Y. Pitts, T. T. Elliott, J. 
C. Shaefer. These trustees held the college for the Mount Pleasant 
Baptist Association. Faculty: — Rev. J. B. Weber, A. M., President, 
Professor of Greek, Moral Philosophy and English; Miss Nannie L. Ray, 
B. A., Assistant of Mathematics and Latin; J. B. Weber, Acting Pro- 
and Primary Departments ; Mfc. M. E. Lasley, Principal of the Music 
Department. 

The first fair was held at Huntsville in the fall of 1854. D. C. Garth 
was president; Wallace McCampbell, vice-president; William D. Malone, 
secretary; Robert Y. Gilman, treasurer. The directors were: Dr. W. 
T. Dameron, James M. Hammett, Col. Thomas P. Ruby, Hon. James F. 
Wright, F. M. McLean, N. B. Christian. The last fair was held in 1876. 
The officers were: H. T. Rutherford, president; J. M. Summers, first vice- 
president; F. M. Hammett, second vice-president. The directors were 
Louis Heether, W. T. Rutherford, James F. Robinson, Capt. Thomas B. 
Reed. James M. Baker, Neal Holman, G. H. Burckhartt, S. T. Morehead. 

The present city officials of Huntsville are: Mayor, Dr. Robert E. 
Kiernon ; clerk, Ad S. Heether ; treasurer, James C. Lay ; collector, Joseph 
S. Taylor; attorney, John N. Hamilton; police judge, Wallie H. Sandison ; 
marshal, Stephen W. Jones; health commissioner, Dr. John R. Mabee; 
engineer, Dallas E. Ingersoll ; street commissioner, Kiernan Minor; chief 
of fire department, Kiernan Minor. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 203 

Aldermen: G. P. Dameron, N. D. Minor, William T. Haley, H. L. 
Rutherford, Jr.; S. M. Corbin, D. C. Griffiths, William E. Mitchell, Van 
G. Sutliff. 

Huntsville has a public library second to none in a town of its size. 
The building' is attractive and is a substantial structure. The library is 
well supplied with books and is well managed. 

The present library board is as follows : President, J. L. Hammett ; 
secretary, I. B. Jackson ; treasurer, W 7 . L. Dameron ; W. C. Smith, W. J. 
Day, Roy Sutliff, J. G. Dulaney, Dr. D. A. Barnhart, W. A. Brooking, Dr. 
R. E. Kiernan. 

The contract for building the first court house was let on the 13th 
of June, 1831, and the building was completed some time in the fall of 
the next year. It was a brick structure, two stories high, built in a 
square form, one room below used as the court room and three above 
used as jury rooms. One of those small rooms was for a number of years 
used as a Masonic hall and it was there that the first Masonic meeting in 
Huntsville was held. This building cost $2,400 and it was condemned 
and torn down in the winter of '58 or the spring of '59. 

The second court house was completed in 1860 by Henry Austin, 
who was the contractor. The building was a two-story brick and cost 
$15,000. It was burned August 12, 1882. Steps were immediately taken 
to build another and a third court house was commenced during the fall 
of 1883 and finished in April, 1884. J. M. Hammett, W. T. Rutherford, 
E. P. Kerby, John N. Taylor, G. W. Taylor and R. E. Lewis were the con- 
tractors and James McGrath of St. Louis was the architect. The build- 
ing is a two-story brick, contains eleven rooms and cost about $35,000. 



CHAPTER XVIII 



MEDICAL PROFESSION. 



DR. WILLIAM FORT, FIRST DOCTOR— KARLY CONDITIONS— EARLY I rORS — 

PHYSICIANS FROM 1865 TO 1890— DOCTOR TERRILL— DOCTOR VASSE — EARLY 
DOCTORS AT HIGBEE, RENICK, CLIFTON HILL, CAIRO AND OTHER LOCALI- 
TIES — EARLY DOCTORS AT MOBERLY — PRESENT PHYSICIANS OF THE 

COUNTY. 

The first doctor to locate within the boundaries of the present county 
of Randolph was Dr. Wm. Fort, who settled on lands a few miles west 
of Huntsville in the year 1820. 

At that early period there was not a town nor village in Randolph 
County. Huntsville was laid out and made the county seat of Randolph 
County in 1831. The early villages, if they can be called such, in the 
beginning were a store, a blacksmith shop, probably a wagon shop and 
a shoemaker and little else. About a half a dozen families in all, these 
villages such as Roanoke, on the line between Howard and Randolph, 
Mt. Airry, Middle Grove, just over the line in Monroe County and Milton 
in the southeast part of the county were such. 

The pioneer doctor as a rule settled on farming lands and became a 
land owner and combined the vocations of farmer and doctor. Other 
pioneer doctors of Randolph County, as near as we can now ascertain, 
were Dr. Waller Head, who settled on lands adjoining Huntsville, Dr. 
Joseph Rutherford, who settled in the same vicinity and probably a little 
later Dr. J. J. Watts, who located in Huntsville, also Dr. Stephen Rich- 
mond, who located in the northwest part of the county. 

Among the very early doctors were Dr. C. F. Burckhartt, who located 
in the northern part of the county near where the town of Jacksonville 
now stands. In the neighborhood of Milton, the first was probably Dr. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 205 

James A. Burton, who purchased a farm almost adjoining the village of 
Milton and nearly the same time Dr. Robert R. Hall, who likewise became 
a land owner in the same vicinity, where he died a number of years ago 
at an advanced age. Dr. Burton about the beginning of the Civil War 
moved to Lafayette County and there died. 

In Prairie township in the southeast part of the county the pioneer 
doctors were Dr. Wm. B. McLean, probably the first to come and Dr. 
Presley T. Oliver. 

At Roanoke on the county line, we find no record of the pioneer doc- 
tors. Dr. William Harvey and Doctor Bagby were practicing physicians, 
however, past middle life when the Civil War closed and no doubt had 
been practicing for a number of years prior to that time. Dr. William 
Walker was probably one of the pioneer doctors of the southern part 
of the county. He settled in what is now Moniteau township and after- 
ward removed to Howard County where he died some years ago. 

Between 1865 and 1890 the physicians in active practice at Hunts- 
ville and that section of the county were Dr. John C. Oliver, Dr. Alex. L. 
Bibb, Dr. R. E. Kiernan, Dr. Wm. H. Taylor, Dr. Warren M. Dameron and 
Dr. John T. Fort. All of the above named doctors were superior men, 
skilful physicians and excellent citizens. All are now dead. 

In the neighborhood of Darksville in the northwest part of the county 
was Dr. Robert A. Terrill, who was married to a sister of Judge Wm. A. 
Hall. Dr. Terrill in the early seventies was well advanced in years and 
had been practicing in that vicinity for a long period of time. He was a 
good physician and an excellent man, who attended the rich and poor alike. 
If Doctor Terrill could have collected all the fees earned by him in treat- 
ing the poor he would have died a richer man by several thousand dol- 
lars. And what we say in this respect of Dr. Terrill is true with refer- 
ence to all the pioneer doctors of the county. 

We also find Dr. W. W. Vasse located on a farm near Thomas Hill. 
He was likewise a man of fine character and a capable physician. During 
the same period of time Dr. Paul Yates was located at Jacksonville and 
practiced his profession successfully in that vicinity until he removed to 
the southern part of the state some years later. 

In or near Higbee during this same period Dr. Wm. P. Dysart re- 
sided on a farm about two miles northwest of Higbee. Dr. Lascellus 
Dysart and Dr. L. J. Miller residing in Higbee, practiced in that vicinity 
during these same years. 



206 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

At Renick we find Dr. Thomas Hamilton and Dr. Thomas Christian, 
and somewhat later Dr. S. M. Forrest who served this part of the county 
as medical practitioners. 

In the neighborhood of Clifton Hill, Dr. J. J. Watts from Huntsville 
and probably other Huntsville physicians met the needs of that com- 
munity until the North Missouri Railroad was extended west to Kansas 
City and Clifton Hill was organized as a village. Thereafter Dr. E. F. 
Wilson and Dr. J. G. Baker located and practiced medicine in and around 
Clifton Hill. 

In the vicinity of Cairo, Doctor Boucher, Dr. J. G. Wilson, and Doc- 
tor Ridings were located and there practiced from and after the close of 
the Civil War. Dr. Boucher probably before. 

During this same period the following named doctors located and 
practiced their profession in the city of Moberly and vicinity: Dr. J. C. 
Tedford, Dr. J. C. Hickerson, Dr. Wm. A. Rothwell, Dr. John T. Cox, Dr. 
J. R. L. Clarkson, Dr. G. W. Weems, Dr. N. M. Baskett and Dr. Thos. 
Irwin. 

All of the above named except Dr. Baskett are dead. They were men 
of high attainment in the medical profession at that time and excellent 
citizens without exception. 

The active practicing physicians of Randolph County as shown by 
the record of the roster furnished us by the Secretary of the Medical 
Association of Randolph County are as follows : Moberly. — Dr. C. B. 
Clapp, Dr. C. K. Dutton, Dr. William D. Halliburton, Dr. E. R. Hickerson, 
Dr. S. T. Kelly, Dr\ Frank L. McCormick, Dr. T. D. Mangus, Dr. W. K. 
Megee, Dr. 0. K. Megee, Dr. Wm. H. Selby, Dr. E. W. Shrader, Dr. S. P. 
Towles, Dr. R. A. Mitchell, Dr. L. A. Bazan, Dr. Chas. H. Dixon, Dr. M. 
R. Noland, Dr. C. L. Doclson, Dr. G. G. Levick, Dr. Langdon, Dr. J. S. 
Paey. Dr. Thos. A. Cottingham, Dr. I. F. Harlan, Dr. 0. 0. Ash, Dr. G. 
O. Cuppaidge, Dr. S. T. Ragan, Dr. L. 0. Nichels, Lensley. 

Clark : Dr. R. A. Woods, Dr. N. K. Pope. 

Higbee: Dr. Chas. F. Burkhalter, Dr. T. H. Dinwiddie, Dr. G. M. 
Nichols, Dr. J. W. Winn. 

Darksville: Dr. Hatton. 

Cairo: Dr. J. P. Allen. 

Jacksonville: Dr. Davis. 

Clifton Hill: Dr. W. C. Alexander, Dr. A. J. Bradsher, Dr. J. A. 
Lowry. 

Huntsville: Dr. D. A. Barnhart, Dr. R. G. Epperly, Dr. J. D. Ham- 
mett, Dr. J. W. Taylor, Dr. W. P. Terrill, Dr. G. G. Bragg. 



CHAPTER XIX 



BENCH AND BAR OF RANDOLPH COUNTY. 



SECOND JUDICIAL DISTRICT ESTABLISHED— JUDGE TODD PRESIDED OVER FIRST 
CIRCUIT COURT— FIRST LAWYERS IX ATTENDANCE— JUDGES THOMAS REY- 
NOLDS, JOHN D. LELAND, WILLIAM A. HALL, GEORGE H. BURCKHARTT, JOHN 
A. EJOCKADAY, ALEXANDER H. WALLER AND ALLAN W. WALKER— EARLY 
LAWYERS— LATER MEMBERS OF THE BAR— PRESENT-DAY LAWYERS. 

The second judicial circuit in Missouri was established in 1821, im- 
mediately after this state was admitted into the Union. Judge David 
Todd, prior to that time Territorial Judge, was appointed judge of this 
circuit by Gov. McGirk and served from 1821 until 1837. ' This circuit 
endured until 1882 as the second circuit, when the General Assembly of 
the state renumbered the circuits and the second circuit became the ninth 
circuit. Judge Todd presided over the first circuit court that was held 
in Randolph County in 1829. He was a Kentuckian born in Fayette 
County in 1790. He came to Missouri about the year 1818 as Territorial 
Judge and located first at Old Franklin in Howard County. Afterward 
he made Columbia in Boone County his home, where he died in 1859. 
Judge Todd was regarded as an able lawyer and a just judge, impartial 
and conscientious. 

John F. Ryland, Joseph Davis, Robert Wilson, John B. Clark and 
Robert W. Wells were among the lawyers that attended this first term 
of court. Judge Ryland was an eminent lawyer who was first appointed 
Judge of the sixth judicial circuit and afterward one of the judges of 
the Supreme Court. He died in 1873. 

Joseph Davis was born in Christian County, Kentucky, in January, 
1804. He came to Howard County with his parents in 1818. He prac- 



208 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ticed law in Fayette for several years and was an eminent lawyer in 
his day. He served in the Legislature and died at Fayette. 

Robert Wilson was born in November, 1796, in August County, Vir- 
ginia. In the spring of 1820 he located at Old Franklin in Howard 
County and afterward practiced law in Fayette. He served in the Mis- 
souri Legislature in 1845 and afterward in the State Senate. In 1862 
he served an unexpired term in the United States Senate. He died in St. 
Joseph, Missouri. 

General John B. Clark was born in Madison County, Kentucky, in 
1802, and came with his father's family to Howard County in 1818. He 
served as an officer in the Black Hawk War in 1832. In 1854 he was 
elected to Congress and served for three successive terms. In the War 
of 1861 he served as a brigadier general in the Southern army and was 
wounded at the battle of Wilson Creek. He was afterward a member of 
the Confederate Congress. General Clark was a lawyer of marked ability 
and a fluent speaker. 

Mr. Wells was the first attorney general to appear and represent the 
state in the Randolph Circuit Court. He was born at Winchester, Vir- 
ginia, in 1795. He was also a lawyer of marked ability. Mr. Wells was 
the first circuit attorney and in 1826 was appointed attorney general of 
the state in which capacity he served for a period of ten years. After- 
wards he was appointed United States District Judge for the District of 
Missouri and held this office until his death, April 2, 1863, at Bowling 
Green, Kentucky. 

Judge Todd, on retiring from the circuit bench in 1837, was succeeded 
by Judge Thomas Reynolds, who resided at Fayette, Howard County. 
Judge Reynolds was born March 12, 1796, in Bracken County, Kentucky. 
He moved to Missouri in 1829 and located at Fayette. He was regarded 
as a just judge and bore a high reputation as a jurist. In 1840 Judge 
Reynolds resigned from the bench and was elected governor of this state 
and died in office. 

Judge John D. Leland was appointed judge of the second circuit in 
1840 to fill the unexpired term of Judge Reynolds. He served until 1847 
and acquitted himself on the bench with credit and was considered a just 
judge. 

In 1847, Judge William A. Hall of Randolph County was elected judge 
of the second judicial circuit. Judge Hall was a man of great ability and 
a stern but just judge. He served until 1862 when he resigned to become 
a member of Congress. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 209 

Judge George H. Burckhartt of Randolph County was appointed to 
fill the unexpired term of Judge Hall in 1862, and was afterwards elected 
and reelected from time to time until his death in 1890. Judge Burck- 
hartt was a natural born judge. As a judge of evidence he was unsur- 
passed. He possessed a profound knowledge of human nature and of men 
and was seldom deceived by a witness on the stand. Judge Burckhartt 
was one of the kindest of men and at the same time a firm and just judge. 
As a personal friend he was steadfast and true. Judge Burckhartt's 
popularity in the counties that then constituted the second circuit, Ran- 
dolph, Howard, Boone and Callaway, was unbounded and he was elected 
and reelected and served altogether as judge twenty-eight years. Judge 
Burckhartt died in the spring of 1890. He was succeeded by Judge John 
A. Hockaday of Fulton, Callaway County. Judge Hockaday served as 
judge for thirteen years until his death. He was a man of exalted char- 
acter, a fine lawyer, a careful and just judge, painstaking and impartial. 
Among his close friends he was one of the most congenial of men. Upon 
the bench he hewed to the line and was seemingly austere, and at all 
times dignified. Judge Hockaday died in the latter part of November, 
1903. He was succeeded by Alexander H. Waller of Moberly, Randolph 
County, who served for a period of thirteen years and retired from the 
bench January 1, 1917. 

Judge Waller was succeded on the bench by Judge Allan W. Walker 
of Fayette, Howard County, an able lawyer, patient and conscientious. 
Judge Walker is the present incumbent and has given universal satis- 
faction. 

In the early days it was the custom of members of the bar to travel 
with the judge from court to court over the circuit. Hence the lawyers 
in attendance at each term of court were composed largely of lawyers of 
other counties in the circuit and of adjoining circuits. 

Among the leading lawyers of Randolph County in early days were 
Judge Wm. A. Hall, Judge George H. Burckhartt, and Abe McKinney, 
and at a somewhat later date H. M. Porter, Col. A. F. Denny, Capt. 
Thomas B. Reed, Robert Brooking, Isaac Bibb, Judge John R. Hull and 
probably others. 

After the close of the Civil War in addition to the several above 
named, Judge A. P. Terril, G. F. Rothwell, W. A. Martin, John R. Chris- 
tian, W. T. McCanne, W. N. Rutherford and Thomas B. Kimbrought were 
added to the list of active attorneys, all of whom made good as able and 



210 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

successful practitioners. In 1878 Mr. Rothwell was elected a member 
of Congress and served one term. Judge A. P. Terrill was an exception- 
ally able lawyer and a safe counsellor. 

Between 1873 and 1877, Henry S. Priest, Franklin P. Wiley, Uriel 
S. Hall, John N. Hamilton, Ben T. Hardin and A. H. Waller, all young 
men, were admitted to the bar of Randolph County. 

Waller was elected prosecuting attorney of the county in 1878, and 
served three terms. Wiley was elected to the legislature at the same 
time and was reelected in 1880 and afterward served two terms as prose- 
cuting attorney from 1892 to 1896. Mr. Wiley was an able lawyer and 
probably the most resourceful and skillful trial lawyer the county ever 
had. He was a high class man in every respect, well educated, fearless, 
a ready and forceful speaker, and a true friend. Mr. Wiley was born in 
Illinois in 1853, and died at his home in Moberly at the age of forty-five 
years, in December, 1898. 

Henry S. Priest in 1881 removed to the city of St. Louis and there 
served first as attorney for the Missouri-Pacific Railroad Company, next 
as attorney for the Wabash Railroad Company and again for the Mis- 
souri Pacific, as general counsel. While serving in this capacity in 1895 
he was appointed U. S. District Judge for the eastern district of Missouri. 
Judge Priest served in this capacity for about two years then resigned 
and the firm of Boyle, Priest and Lehmann was organized. All of the 
three lawyers who constituted this firm were exceptionally able lawyers 
and this firm became one of, if not the leading, law firm of St. Louis. 
Judge Priest is now living in the city of St. Louis and is yet practicing 
law with one or more of his sons. 

Ben T. Hardin succeeded A. H. Waller as prosecuting attorney and 
served in that capacity from January, 1885, until January, 1889. Shortly 
thereafter he removed to Kansas City and has since practiced law in 
that city, successfully and profitably, and is yet one of the leading trial 
lawyers at that bar. 

Judge Waller was elected mayor of the city of Moberly in April, 
1899, in which capacity he served a term of two years and was there- 
after appointed circuit judge, as we have already seen. 

Uriel S. Hall, one of the five above named, was endowed with great 
energy and strength, both physical and mental. He practiced law in 
Randolph County successfully until the beginning of the year 1882, when 
he removed to Kansas City, where hr practiced law about two years, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 211 

when he retired from the law and took charge of the large fertile farm 
belonging to his father, consisting of about 700 acres, situated in the 
northwest part of Randolph County, which he operated energetically 
and successfully until he was elected to Congress in 1892. He was re- 
elected in 1894 and served altogether four years. Mr. Hall was a sound 
money Democrat as was President Cleveland, and was not again a candi- 
date for Congress. Since, Mr. Hall has been an educator and the head 
of several colleges and schools and has proved himself to be equally 
efficient as an educator as well as in other vocations. 

After 1882 Willard P. Cave, Will A. Rothwell, Forrest G. Ferries 
and William Palmer were successively within the next decade added to 
the list of lawyers of Randolph County. 

Mr. Cave is still practicing law in the city of Moberly and is regarded 
as one of the county's ablest lawyers and has a large and lucrative prac- 
tice. 

Mr. Ferries practiced law in Moberly for a number of years. He 
was studious and unassuming, but his worth and ability finally became 
manifest and he was appointed assistant to the attorney-general by At- 
torney-General Hadley. Later he was appointed assistant circuit attor- 
ney of the city of St. Louis, and afterwards became a member of the 
firm of Ferries and Rosskopf, which firm is now doing a lucrative busi- 
ness in the city of St. Louis. 

Will A. Rothwell was admitted to the bar in 1885 and began the 
active practice of Jaw in 1891, when he was elected city attorney of 
Moberly. He was a highly educated and brilliant man and rapidly grew 
into an able and successful law r yer. He was elected a member of the 
Missouri legislature in 1894 and served one term. In 1896 he was 
elected prosecuting attorney of Randolph County and served two terms. 
He proved himself to be an able and successful prosecutor. In 1892 he 
w r as made chairman of the Democratic state committee of the state of 
Missouri and successfully managed the Democrat campaign that year. 
In 1894 he was appointed member of the national Democratic committee 
and served in that capacity until his death in October, 1908, aged 46 
years. 

Mr. Palmer was born and reared in Randolph County and rapidly 
developed into a good lawyer after his admission to the bar. He 
was elected prosecuting attorney of the county and served four years. 
Within a short time after the termination of his services as prosecut- 



212 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

ing attorney he died at his home in Moberly, still a young man. Will 
Palmer had many friends and his untimely death was a cause of gen- 
eral regret throughout the county. 

John N. Hamilton is the senior member of the bar of Huntsville, 
having been admitted to the bar in the late seventies, and since that 
time has been a worthy member. He is an able lawyer, a progressive 
citizen, and has held several county offices, recorder of deeds being one 
of the several offices that he has filled with credit. 

The bar of Randolph County will rank with any bar of equal num- 
bers in this state, not only as capable lawyers, but as progressive citi- 
zens and men of high character. In the court room they contest their 
cases vigorously and efficiently, but courteously. A half a century ago 
personal strife and biting personalities were not uncommon in courts of 
record and jealousy and personal enmity among members of the bar 
was a rule, rather than the exception. Thirty years ago the bar of Ran- 
dolph County composed as it then was of right minded men as well 
as able lawyers reversed this order of things, and enmity and strife 
among the members of the bar became a thing of the past in this county. 
The bar of Randolph is now organized into a bar association and live 
together in peace each one respecting the other as he deserves, and 
are following the footsteps of the predecessors of the last generation in 
this respect. 

The following is a list of active members of the bar of Moberly, Ran- 
dolph County: William P. Cave, J. W. Wight, Jr., A. H. Waller, Major 
Lilly, E. O. Doyle, Aubrey R. Hammett, E. J. Howard, Thos. Tydings, 
A. C. Gladney, Warwick McCanne, S. 0. Hunter, Arthur Chamier, Jerry 
M. Jeffries, Frank Lofty, O. R. O'Brien, W. B. Stone, Edmund Burk, 
J. A. Walden, Wm. Morrissey, David E. Janes. 

The following members of the bar are not in active practice : J. Mor- 
ris Graves, special court reporter; Jerome Reigel, office practice only; J. 
F. Rothwell, retired; James R. Lowell, post master and editor of Moberly 
"Democrat." 

Active members of the bar at Huntsville are: Norman Johnson, 
John N. Hamilton, Madison Stringer. 



CHAPTER XX 



EARLY CHURCHES. 



FIRST CHURCH ORGAN 1 Z 10 1 > IN lM'.t— OTH JO li EARLY ORGANIZATIONS— PRIMITIVE 
AND MISSIONARY BAPTISTS BIT. PLEASANT COLLEGE BUILT PROVIDENCE 
METHODIST CHURCH A.NTIOCH CHRISTIAN CHURCH— SALEM CHRISTIAN 
CHURCH SUGAR CREEK CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN « - 1 IURCH— MT. HOPE 
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN cur ltd I. 

The first church was organized in Randolph County on the third 
Saturday in August, 1819, by the Primitive Baptists under the name of 
"Happy Zion," afterwards changed to Silver Creek. In the following 
month this church united with the Mount Pleasant Association organized 
at Mount Pleasant, Howard County. Thereafter churches were organ- 
ized at Mount Harmon, Mount Ararat, Pleasant Grove, Dover and Little 
Union, located one mile north of Huntsville, organized in 1828. These 
churches were likewise Primitive Baptist churches and all except Silver 
Creek church are not extinct. 

About 1835 the Baptist church split and organized separate congre- 
gations known as the Regular or Primitive Baptists and Missionary Bap- 
tists. 

Mount Pleasant College was erected and the building completed be- 
tween 1855 and 1857. A school of 150 pupils was established, the chapel 
of the college was used by the Missionary Baptists at Huntsville from 
and after that time until the building was burned in 1882. 

In 1858 the Mount Vernon church, Missionary Baptist, was organ- 
ized. Prior to 1868 Dark's Prairie church was organized and held its 
meetings one mile north of Clifton Hill until 1868, when the congregation 
moved into a new church structure in the village of Clifton Hill. 



214 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

In 1871, Good Hope, Missionary Baptist church, was organized and, 
no doubt, there were other Missionary Baptist churches in the county 
prior to the Civil War, but we have no data as to when these churches 
were organized. 

In 1834, Providence church, Methodist, was organized at the resi- 
dence of S. J. Johnson. In 1836 this congregation held its services 
at the Johnson school house and in 1846 they erected Old Providence 
churcli and called it the "Twelve Corners." In 1878 a new church build- 
ing was erected. 

Antioch Christian church was organized the first Sunday in June, 
1837. 

After the town of Higbee was established the church was moved 
to that place where a new church building was erected in 1880. 

Salem Christian church was organized in the summer of 1873. 

Antioch Christian church was apparently the pioneer Christian 
church of Randolph County. This church is noted in that it sent into 
the ministry several preachers of conspicuous ability, namely: Henry 
H. Haley, Thos. Haley, E. J. Lampton and Alexander Proctor. The two 
last named were eminent preachers. Neither the one nor the other 
were narrow or sectarian, but were eminently liberal with respect to 
members of other churches. Alexander Proctor, in the opinion of the 
writer of this article, was one of the great if not the greatest religious 
teacher that Missouri has ever sent forth. He was too broad and charit- 
able to question the Christianity of any other church member or its 
efficacy. For thirty-six years he was pastor in the Christian church at 
Independence, Missouri, and died there recently. 

The Sugar Creek Cumberland Presbyterian church building was 
erected by the congregation already organized in 1840. This church 
stands about two miles north of Moberly and was there standing when 
the tall prairie grass waved over the site of the present city. The 
church was organized in 1834 by the Rev. Samuel C. Davis. 

Mount Hope, Cumberland Presbyterian church, was constructed in 
1874. The congregation had been organized as a church sometime prior 
thereto. 

Since the close of the Civil War church buildings have multiplied in 
Randolph County. 



CHAPTER XXI 



TRANSPORTATION. 



STEAMBOAT TO HANNIBAL AND GLASGOW— SUPPL1 ES HAULED OVERLAND— NORTH 
MISSOURI RAILROAD IN 1858— RAILROAD BUILDING SUSPENDED DURING 
CIVIL WAR— CHICAGO & ALTON BUILT IX 1871— WABASH RAILROAD AND ITS 
BRANCHES — TH 10 .MISSOURI. KANSAS & TEX AS— RAILROAD PROSPECTS IN 
CONTEMPLATION. 

Randolph County, as we have seen, was organized in 1829. By this 
time or shortly thereafter, steamboats began to run more or less regu- 
larly on both the Missouri and Mississippi rivers. Goods and groceries, 
such as sugar, tea, coffee, hardware and other necessaries, were obtained 
by the merchants of Randolph County either from Hannibal or from 
Glasgow. Glasgow, being the nearer, was the usual shipping point where 
produce was shipped and merchants received goods bought in St. Louis 
or farther east. 

The ability to obtain necessary supplies and hardware material aided 
in the improvement and development of the county. Emigrants coming 
into the state had their choice to come overland by wagon or they could 
come by boat to Hannibal or Glasgow and thence to their destination 
by land. -: 

In the year 1858, the North Missouri Railroad leading from St. Louis, 
north. west and north, was built into Randolph County, entering the county 
near its southeast corner, thence northwest to a point three miles south of 
the city of Moberly, and thence north to the town of Allen, where it 
crossed the state road leading from Huntsville to Paris. This road was 
extended the same year northward to Macon City, being completed to 
that point where it connected with the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad 
in February, 1859. The building of the North Missouri Railroad through 
the county put Randolph County on the map as a railroad county. 



216 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The war between the states known as the Civil War or War of the 
Rebellion began in April, 1861. During the four years that this unhappy 
struggle continued, railroad building, and indeed every constructive enter- 
prise, was halted. Directly after the close of the war projected lines of 
railroad so halted by the war, many of them were speedily constructed 
The projected line from Moberly westward to Kansas City was constructet 
between the years of 1865 and 1868. The projected railroad from Hanni^ 
bal to Moberly was constructed and completed between 1869 and 1872 
and shortly thereafter in the same or following year the railroad first 
known as the Tebo and Neosho, afterward the Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
Railroad, was extended south through Fayette and Boonville to Sedaiia and 
from thence south to Texas. About the same time, or shortly thereafter, 
a branch line was built northwest from Brunswick, following along the 
valley of the Grand river through the cities of Chillicothe, Gallatin and on 
to Pattonsburg, where it connected with the Omaha, Quincy and Kansas 
City Railroad. 

A number of years later the line of road extending from Brunswick to 
Omaha was purchased and became and is yet part of the Wabash System. 

In 1871 the Chicago and Alton Railroad Company constructed its line 
of railroad westward from Mexico through Randolph County and from 
thence westward to Kansas City. With the completion of these several 
roads and branch lines all constructed within the fifteen years elapsing 
between 1858 and 1873, Randolph County had probably a greater mileage 
of railroads than any inland county within the state. At the present day 
that part of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad extending from 
Moberly to Hannibal is used by both the Missouri, Kansas and Texas and 
the Wabash railroads. 

From Moberly the Wabash railroad and its branch lines extend to 
St. Louis, Hannibal, Ottumwa, Des Moines, Iowa, to Kansas City west- 
ward and to Omaha in the northwest. The Missouri, Kansas and Texas 
likewise operates its trains to and from Hannibal and from Moberly south 
to the Gulf of Mexico. The Chicago and Alton railroad enters Randolph 
County east of Clark, passes through Clark, Higbee and Yates, and from 
thence into Howard County and on to Kansas City through Glasgow. 

Prior to the entry of the United States into the World War the Santa 
Fe and Burlington systems of railroad had determined to build a line of 
railroad from Carrollton, Missouri, through Randolph County to Mexico, 
Missouri, where it would connect with the Burlingrton road extending from 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 217 

Mexico to St. Louis. It was further determined by the Burlington Rail- 
road Company that this company would build a line of railroad from or- 
near Monroe City, southwesterly through Monroe County and through the 
city of Moberly to a junction point of said roads about five miles south- 
west of Moberly and much of the right-of-way for these railroads had 
already been acquired, prior to the declaration of war by this government 
^against the German Empire. 

That these railroads will be ultimately built seems a certainty. The 
grade of these roads, established by their engineers, does not exceed three 
per centum throughout their length. 

It was further projected by the Burlington road that a like grade would 
be obtained between Monroe City and Quincy, Illinois. By this line the 
distance from Chicago to Kansas City over the Burlington road would be 
shortened thirty or thirty-five miles, and the grade so obtained would en- 
able said railroad to economically compete with any railroad now operating 
from Kansas City to Chicago, the Santa Fe included. 

When these roads are completed, as they will be, Randolph County 
will be a veritable railroad center and will have direct lines of railroad 
radiating in every direction and that too over the shortest lines. 



CHAPTER XXII 



MISCELLANEOUS. 



THE "RAZORBACK"— FROM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE— INDIAN 
SCARE OF 1829. 

THE RAZORBACK. 

With the coming of the pioneer to the Boonslick Country came the pio- 
neer hog, the "razorback." 

The "razorback" like the pioneer was no pampered child of fortune. 
He was likewise of the pioneer type, in that he was somewhat long of 
limb, gaunt, muscular, active, strong and swift of foot, when occasion 
required. He was further of the pioneer type in that he was active, cour- 
ageous and self-reliant, and frequently it was a case of "root hog or die" 
with both man and hog. 

For the purpose of rooting the "razorback" was well equipped. His 
shoulders, neck and head were large and muscular and his nose was long, 
terminating with a rooting attachment that needed no repair. This nose, 
however, was not equipped with a coulter and the tough prairie sod was 
too tough of a proposition for him as well as for the pioneer settler, hence 
they both went to the woods together where they could make an honest 
living the year around by the industrious use of hand and snout. 

The woods at that time had other inhabitants, bears, panthers, wild 
cats, and wolves in great numbers, but the razorback went forth fearlessly 
at hunger's call or just because he wanted to, that is, the full-growns did, 
and unless restrained, the younger ones followed. The "razorback" was 
armed for defense. From his lower jaw projecting upward and outward 
were strong, sharp, curved tusks, several inches in length, and set into 
the upper jaw were shorter upturned tusks that co-ordinated with the 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 219 

larger ones below. In battle the "razorback" fought by lowering his 
head and striking upward. These upper thrusts driven by the powerful 
next muscles were capable of inflecting long, deep, ragged wounds, some- 
times dangerous or deadly. 

The "razorbacks" in the woods usually herded together. When a 
member of the herd by prolonged squealing gave the signal of distress the 
grown ups of the herd, with bristles erect rushed to the rescue, and 
whether the trouble maker be man or animal the only safe way was up a 
tree or rapid flight. 

The "razorback," though homely and bristly, was invaluable to the 
early settler. He could take care of himself. He was able and willing 
to make his own living in the woods ten months in the year, if need be, 
and was therefore a cheap boarder. The "razorback" was seldom con- 
verted into bacon before he was eighteen months or two years old. Run- 
ning at large, he grew more slowly, his keep was trifling and he usually 
survived until the fall of his second year. Having grown fat on acorns 
and nuts the settler would round up his herd, separate and confine in a 
closed pen all those that he designed to butcher, feed them corn for a 
few weeks until assured that the meat and lard would be firm and of the 
best, then a day was set and the hog killing was held. Usually the near 
neighbors assisted and frequently a score or more hogs were butchered 
and cut up in a single day. 

Then the meat was salted down, the lard rendered out, and in early 
days before the advent of the sausage grinder, sausage was made by 
beating the meat into a pulp on a block with hammers. 

Aside from the labor of feeding the hogs at times, and that incident 
to butchering and curing the meat, the cost of bacon to the farmer was 
trivial compared to the cost of today, nor does the packing house bacon 
of this period of time compare in excellence with the delicious country 
cured hams, smoked with hickory wood and carved out of these mature 
hogs. 

But the "razorback," indispensable to the early settlers, could not 
endure. He had his day in north Missouri, and his decline. As the trees 
in the wooded districts fell year by year under the blows of the woods- 
man's ax, the noise of their falling beat the "razorback's" "last tattoo." 
With the going of the woods went the razorback, with improved methods 
of farming came improved breeds of hogs, cattle, sheep and horses. The 
"razorback" had served and served well — his purpose and his mission 
was ended. 



220 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

In the Ozai'ks he survived until the Civil War. The late Proctor 
Knott, for many years a Kentucky congressman, while a young man spent 
some years in the Ozarks and while there was elected to the Missouri 
legislature shortly before the Civil War. While so serving he made a 
speech in the house, boosting the Ozarks and their many resources, their 
climate, fishing, streams, fruit trees, fertile valleys, and their endless 
forests of oak that covered the hills and bore fruit and almost covered 
the ground with acorns in the fall of the year. Among other assets he 
introduced the "razorback" as a prime asset in that timbered region. 
After describing him and his characteristics of courage, industry, and 
his ability to provide for and defend himself against all comers without 
human aid, he wound up by saying "that the 'razorback' could readily 
root potatoes out of the third row through a crack in the fence." 

It seems from the following incident that the "razorback" may yet 
survive in some of the timbered regions farther south. A Pennsylvania 
breeder of fine hogs had a pen of assorted sizes on exhibition at the Rich- 
mond, Virginia, Exposition, held a half score years ago. A North Caro- 
lina farmer came along, stopped, leaned on the fence of the pen and 
leisurely scanned its inmates. They were show hogs, short legged and 
fat. Some were lying down and others were waddling around in the pen. 
The owner came around hoping to sell and said, "What do you think 
of them?" 

"I never saw such hogs before. They sure do look fine," replied the 
tar heel. 

"Don't you want a pair to take home with you?" inquired the Penn- 
sylvanian. 

"No," replied the North Carolinian slowly, "they would be of no 
account to me, stranger. No hog is worth a d — m in the country where 
I live that can't outrun a nigger." 

FPvOM THE AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF LIBERTY NOBLE. 

Liberty Noble was born in Casey County on November 10, 1809. He 
was the third son of Mark Noble and Rachel, his wife. In June, 1817, 
Mark Noble and his family, consisting of a wife, seven sons and three 
daughters, moved from Kentucky to Howard County, Missouri, and four 
years later, on March 8, 1821, moved to Randolph County. The follow- 
ing is an excript from his autobiography: 

"About the year 1829 we moved to near where Huntsville now 
stands and cleared off the first twelve acres of the city lots. We com- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 221 

menced nearly exactly where the court house now stands. The contract 
was let to the lowest bidder and my father secured the contract. We 
also burnt the lime for Randolph's first court house. Two weeks were 
spent in building a lime kiln. We found two trees on the hillside some 
thirty feet apart and hauled our logs and piled them upon each other 
against the two trees until we had a large pile; then we hauled rocks 
and stacking them on the long heap set fire to the logs. When the 
logs had burned away the rocks being burnt were left in a heap something 
similar to the" form in which they were placed. Then we slacked this 
burnt rock and had our lime. 

Lumber was sawed by hand in those days and I have helped to 
saw thousands of feet with the old hand rip saw. I have had the privilege 
of sawing lumber with Missouri's Ex-Governor Jackson. We found two 
trees somewhat like we did in commencing a lime kiln. These trees must 
have forks some six or eight feet from the ground. In these forks we 
placed a pole called a ridge pole. On the ridge pole we put two other 
poles with one end of each on the hill side. Then we hewed our logs 
square, rolled them on the poles, lined them on top and on the bottom 
the entire length, and with one sawyer on top and the other on the ground 
sawed out our lumber. We stuck one end of the logs as far over one 
of the poles as we could not to overbalance and then ripped all the logs 
at that end ; then slipped them endways past the pole and sawed again 
to the other pole and so on through the log. We could saw about two 
hundred feet in a day by this method. 

In the fall of the year of 1832, I with four friends went on a bee 
hunt. It was the month of September and we went to the Chariton river, 
eight or ten miles northwest of where Kirksville now stands. We camped 
over night and spent the next day in locating bee trees. We were gone 
twenty-three days and brought home 309 gallons of strained honey, one 
tub and two buckets full of honey in the comb and a good quantity of 
beeswax. 

When my father first moved to Missouri hogs were very scarce and 
he paid one dollar for a very small pig. I remember our hogs used to run 
outside, and during the summer when we were busy in our crops and 
harvesting, we would not see our hogs for sometimes three months at 
a time and they would become rather wild, so we would have to hunt their 
beds and drive them home. 



222 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The houses in which we lived were built of logs hewn out by our 
own broadaxes, and chinked with sticks, rocks and mud. They were 
almost always built with a chimney in the west side so the heat as we 
thought would be on the coldest side of the house. The chimney was 
built according to the number of children in the family, a small family 
built a small chimney and sometimes a chimney occupied nearly all the 
west end of the house. Then a log was split and legs put into it to make 
a bench for each side of the fireplace, and a long bench made for in 
front of it. Some, though not all, of the bedsteads were one-legged ones. 
A post placed from one corner of the room and poles reached from the 
post to the walls and plank put on these formed the platform on which 
our straw beds were placed and after awhile some people became rich 
enough to afford geese and they had feather beds. 

We had to go twenty or twenty-five miles to mill and then furnish 
our team to grind our grain. The mills were old fashioned sweep-mills 
and ground the corn somewhat similar to the way molasses cane is 
mashed now. There were two mills in Howard County, one was run by 
Colonel Snoddy and the other by Paddy Woods. 

Our grain was cut with a reap hook and very slow work it was. We 
caught a bunch of grain by the top with the left hand and cut it with 
a reap hook in our right hand, and when we had thus cut across a field 
we hung the reap hook on our shoulder and bound the grain we had 
cut as we came back. 

I never went to but three schools in my life and only went about 
half the time then for I had to stay at home and work. Schools were 
taught in the spring and summer just when the most work was done. 
I went to one school in 1819 in Howard County to Joseph Persinger and 
in 1823 in Randolph County to John Dysart, a brother of Rev. James 
Dysart of the Cumberland Presbyterian church. The next year, 1824, 
I went to Nic Dysart, also a brother of the preacher. Our schoolhouses 
had only dirt floors and they would get pretty dusty sometimes. At our 
writing desk a log was cut out so as to give us light and we stood and 
wrote with a split log for a desk and used ink made from indigo and 
oak berries and a goose quill for a pen. The benches were made of split 
logs with wooden pegs for the legs and were generally made of cotton- 
wood or lime so as to be soft so they would not have to be cushioned. 
Our feet dangled between the bench and floor and as we had no lazy 
backs to the benches we did not have to have our coats patched in the 
back. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 223 

The plows we used were single shovels made by a blacksmith and the 
bar-shear plow, which had a wooden mouldboard, as did the Cary plow 
which came into use a few years later. These plows were about ten inches 
wide and if a man broke two acres a day he had done something extra. 
Our harness were all homemade; the collars were made of linn bark and 
shucks. The hames were made by ourselves and had a hole bored through 
them into which the rope tug was run and with some bark and a knot 
fastened. The rope tugs were made by twisting tow and flax together. 
A notch was cut in the end of a singletree, and we made a loop in the tug 
and slipped it over the end. Very often we had no backhands to the 
harness, but occasionally some would make them out of bark and shucks. 
Old Mr. McClain, whose son lived in McClainsville, said he could not raise 
a crop without hickory bark. It was used for as many things as string 
is now. 

Our hoes were made by a blacksmith and were very heavy, some- 
times having enough iron in one for two or three hoes like we use now. 
Our axes were also home-made, and in fact nearly everything then was 
very different from what it is now. 

The girls in those days worked hard enough to raise corns on their 
hands, wore home-made dresses and sunbonnets, and besides the house 
work also helped in the field and hoed in the garden, and had to content 
themselves with such flowers as the morning glory, hollyhock, sunflower 
and pumpkin blossoms." 

INDIAN SCARE OF 1829. 

It was customary in the early days for every male over eighteen 
years of age to have a good trusty rifle and plenty of ammunition. 
Shotguns were unknown, also revolvers. These hardy men most gen- 
erally took their firearms with them wherever they went, not for the 
purpose though, be it remembered, to shoot one another, as is often done 
nowadays, but to defend themselves against the wild, untutored redman, 
who then had their wigwams so close to their borders, and occasionally 
made unexpected raids into the white settlements to take vengeance upon 
the innocent and peaceful citizen, for some outrage often committed upon 
the poor Indian by some of the few bad white men, that then had their 
homes somewhere in these western wilds. 

Most of the cruelty and butchery committed by the savages, in those 
days, no doubt, were occasioned by the fact that bad white men, either 
instigated them, or had committed great outrages upon the Indians when 



224 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

they had the advantage of them. And, they being savages, and perhaps 
knowing no better, would take vengeance upon the first pale-face man, 
woman or child that happened in their pathway. But it is true, no doubt, 
also, that these red men of the forest took great delight in shedding 
blood, and gloried in taking the scalp of the white man ; and for even 
a fancied wrong conjured up by the brain of some would-be chieftain, 
they would raise the war-whoop and sally forth, seeking whom they 
might devour. Hence, when in the year 1829, these first settlers of Ran- 
dolph County, together with others that had then made Randolph County 
their future home, heard from a messenger, fresh from the scene of the 
conflict, his fiery charger foaming, being driven by the whip and spur 
to his utmost speed, that the Indians on the northern borders had raised 
the war club and were marching rapidly to the settlements, murdering 
indiscriminately men, women and children that were then scattered along 
in isolated settlements from the Iowa line down to what is now the 
boundary line of Randolph County. 

The news was carried from cabin to cabin by swift and trusty mes- 
sengers. It was appalling, it is true, and no doubt carried great consterna- 
tion to some. But action was quickly taken and preparation made to 
send the women and children down to the big settlement in Howard 
County, under charge of the old and feeble men, not able to do military 
duty, where they knew they would be well protected and cared for cheer- 
fully. A company of about seventy men, comprising nearly all the able- 
bodied adult men in the county was organized. Robert Scounce, a highly 
respected citizen who many years afterwards died in the county, was 
elected captain, and marched at once to meet the enemy. In the mean- 
time a regiment was organized in Howard County, under command of 
Colonel, later General John B. Clark, an honored citizen of Howard 
County. 

The Indians were driven without much trouble north of the state 
boundary. Before the expiration of these troubles, two other companies, 
under command of Captain Abraham Goodring, who was also in the war 
of 1812, and a highly respected citizen of the county, and Captain Robert 
Boucher, of Randolph County. This small war was one of the incidents, it 
was said, leading to the famous Black Hawk war. 



CHAPTER XXIII 

BIOGRAPHICAL 



Ottis O. Ash, M. D. — Among the professional men of Randolph 
County none is more worthy of being represented in its annals than Dr. 
Ottis 0. Ash, a leading physician and surgeon of Moberly. For more than 
17 years he has lived within the county's borders, during which time he 
has been a prominent factor in its social, civic and professional affairs. 
Doctor Ash was born in Monroe County, Mo., March 13, 1869, the son of 
W. P. and Hester (Wilson) Ash, being the second of 12 children born to 
them. 

W. P. Ash was born in the same house in Monroe County, Mo., July 8, 
1843, and died Feb. 11, 1913. He was a son of Robert and Mary (Kess- 
inger) Ash, both born near Lexington, Ky. They came to Missouri at an 
early day locating in Howard County, later removing to Monroe County 
where the grandfather was a farmer. He died in 1875 at the advanced 
age of 80 years, being survived by his widow who lived to be nearly 100 
years old. W. P. Ash was a farmer and country merchant, who passed 
all his days in Monroe County, now being survived by his wife who was a 
native of Shelby County, Mo. She now resides at Madison, Mo. She is 
the daughter of Frank and Julia (Rappwood) Wilson, natives of Kentucky 
who were among the earliest settlers of this state as her father was one 
of the first men to erect a gristmill in this section, which was known as 
the Wilson Mill. 

Doctor Ash attended the district school near his home and while yet a 
young boy began to clerk in his father's store. In 1877 he entered the 
high school at Moberly, finished there and then took a two year course 
at the State Normal School at Warrensburg, Mo. Following this, he 
taught school one year in the district school of Salt River township, Ran- 
dolph County, but as he had determined upon a professional career, re- 
signed in the spring and early in the fall of 1890 entered Beaumont Hos- 



226 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

pital College. Two years later he was granted a degree of Doctor of 
Medicine and entered the Medical Department of Washington University, 
St. Louis, to take a higher course in his profession, graduating there in 
1894. He returned to his home and began practice at the town of Ash, 
Monroe County, which had been named after his father who started the 
postoffice of the village. Doctor Ash remained in this location for ten 
years, building up a good practice. He gained the esteem and good will 
of all the residents over a large radius of the country as he was never 
too busy or too tired to respond to the call of the suffering. His sympa- 
thetic manner, kind heart and abilities won him many life long friends. 

In 1902, Doctor Ash took a post graduate course and a year later 
came to Moberly and began practice as he desired a wider field for his 
efforts and has met with uniform success and has an extensive practice. 
He is a close student of his profession, has a fine medical library and a 
high reputation for skill and ability. 

Doctor Ash is a Democrat and served as city physician in 1904. He 
is a Royal Arch Mason. On Nov. 30, 1904, Doctor Ash married Miss Mazie 
Peterson who was born at Grand Island, Neb., and they have one daughter, 
Dorothy. 

Dr. Ash is now vice-president of the Randolph County Trust, Mob- 
erly, Mo. 

Willard P. Cave, a leading member of the Randolph County bar and 
one of the well known attorneys of this section of the state is a native 
of Missouri and a decedent of pioneers. Mr. Cave was born at Mexico, 
Mo., and is a son of Frank and Catherine (Galbreath) Cave. Frank Cave 
was born at Columbia, Mo., and was the son of William and Mary Cave, 
pioneer settlers of Boone County, Mo. William Cave was a son of Richard 
Cave who with a brother, William Cave, came from Virginia and settled in 
Boone County at a very early date. They platted the original town ot 
Smithland, which is now the city of Columbia, Mo. 

Frank Cave was reared in Boone County, attending the University of 
Missouri and was a graduate of that institution. When the Civil War 
broke out, he resided at Natchitoches Parish, La., where he enlisted in the 
Confederate Army and served throughout the war. He died in Audrain 
County, Mo., in 1880, and his wife died in 1863 and her remains are buried 
at Caddo, Parish, La. 

Willard P. Cave was educated in the public schools and in the Uni- 
versity of Missouri, as were also his father and son. Thus three genera- 
tions of the Cave family are graduates of that institution. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 227 

Willard P. Cave began the practice of law in 1883 and since that time 
has been successfully engaged in the practice in the various state and 
federal courts and has established a reputation of being one of the able, 
conscientious and fearless lawyers of this section of Missouri. 

Mr. Cave was first married to Octavia Ficklin, a daughter of Prof. 
Joseph and Penelope (Terrill) Ficklin, both of whom are now deceased. 
Octavia Ficklin Cave died in 1892 at Moberly, Mo. and her remains are 
buried at Columbia, Mo. To Willard P. and Octavia (Ficklin) Cave were 
born two children as follows: 

Catherine, married Malcolm McClelian of Jacksonville, Fla., and Helen 
married Homer Teachenor of Shelbina, Mo. Mr. Cave was married the 
second time in 1894 to Miss Fannie Lango and to this union has been born 
one son, Harold, who is a graduate of the University of Missouri and now 
taking a postgraduate course at Yale. 

Harold Cave served in the World War, first entering the service as a 
member of an ambulance unit and reached France considerably in advance 
of the regular American Expeditionary Forces. There were about 28 
members of his unit and after reaching Paris, they took a vote to decide 
what they would do and 25 of the number, including Harold Cave, voted to 
volunteer to serve with the French Army which they did. They served in 
the sector between Soissons and Rheims for the term of their enlistment: 
Later Mr. Cave enlisted in the United States navy where he was serving 
when the armistice was signed. He has received a letter of thanks and 
a medal in appreciation of his services from the French government. 

Willard P. Cave has been identified with the welfare and development 
of Moberly and Randolph County for nearly 40 years and during that 
period has contributed much of his time and talent to the betterment and 
upbuilding of this city and county. He has served four terms as mayor 
of Moberly and his administrations were successful epochs in the history 
of Moberly and marked for their progressiveness. 

The Mechanics Savings Bank of Moberly, Mo. is one of the substantia! 
financial institutions of this section of Missouri and has stood the test of 
time with a clean record throughout all the financial flurries of nearly half 
a century. This bank was organized in 1872 and began business at its 
present location, 208 Reed St. The first officers were M. N. Towner, 
president; Moses Jennings, vice-president; S. P. Griffith, cashier; and H. 
P. Jennings, assistant cashier. The bank was organized with an author- 
ized capital of $100,000. 



228 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The present officers are H. P. Jennings, president; J. B. Jennings, 
vice-president; V. W. Wilhite, cashier and W. T. Smart, assistant cashier. 
The board of directors consists of the above named gentlemen with the 
exception of W. T. Smart, and J. C. O'Keefe and lsham Powell are also 
members of the Board of Directors. The present capitol stock is $150,000 
and the surplus and profits are $150,000 with other additional reserve 
funds. The deposits are over $1,500,000. The bank is the owner of the 
Merchants Hotel block and is located in the northwest corner of that 
building. 

The changes in the personnel of the officers of this bank have been 
few since its organization in 1872, and it is regarded as one of the care- 
fully managed and conservative banking institutions of the state. Mem- 
bers of the Jennings family have been the dominant factors of this institu- 
tion since its organization. Moses Jennings, the first vice-president was 
the grandfather of J. B. Jennings, the present vice-president and the 
father of H. P. Jennings. 

The bank fixtures are modern and every convenience is provided for 
the many patrons and every safety device known in the modern banking in 
the way of mechanical contrivances is here installed. The steel vault is of 
the best material and construction that money can buy and the door of the 
vault alone weighs three and one-half tons. 

J. B. Jennings, vice-president of the Mechanics Savings Bank and one 
of the well known bankers of this section of the state was born at West 
Union, W. Va. and is the son of Hiram and Emely (Davis) Jennings, the 
former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Virginia. Mr. Jennings 
is a descendant of old Virginia stock, including the Randolph and Davis 
families. Hiram Jennings came to Missouri with his family in 1874 and 
settled at Moberly. Here he was engaged in the dry goods and grocery 
and lumber business during his active business career and met with suc- 
cess and during his time was one of the substantial business men of this 
section. He died in 1898 and his wife died in 1895. Their remains are 
buried in West Union, W. Va. They were the parents of one other child 
besides J. B. Clara, who is now the widow of W. L. Irwin and resides in 
Kansas City, Mo. Three brothers are deceased: William, Howard, and 
the youngest who died in infancy. 

J. B. Jennings received his education in the high school of Moberly 
and in 1879 entered the Mechanics Savings Bank and has been connected 
with this institution continuously until the present time. Nothwithstand- 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 229 

ing, Mr. Jenning's career has has been first of all that of a banker, he has 
always found time to devote a portion of his time to public and civic affairs 
and take a good citizens interest in the welfare of the community. He 
served as treasurer of the city of Moberly for 18 years and for 12 years 
was treasurer of the Moberly School Board. He has been prominently 
identified with the Missouri Banker's Association for a number of years 
and at various times has served as treasurer, vice-president and president 
of that organization. He is a member of the American Banker's Associa- 
tion and at the present time is a member of the executive council of that 
organization. 

Mr. Jennings was married in 1896 to Miss Frances W. Wight, a daugh- 
ter of James W., Sr. and Auleria (Fullenwider) Wight, of Moberly. fuither 
mention of whom is made in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Jennings have 
been born two children. The elder, Howard Wight, age 21 years, is now 
a student in the University of Colorado, at Boulder, Colo. He began mili- 
tary training at the age of 13 years and when he was 21 years of age, he 
was captain of Company I at Boulder, Colo. The younger child, Frances 
E. is at home with her parents. Mr. Jenning's home is located at 520 W. 
Rollins Street on the site of the old Jennings home which was destroyed 
by fire where his parents lived for 20 years. 

Alexander M. Mounce, Jr., bookkeeper for the D. H. Mounce Lumber 
Company, Moberly, Mo., is one of the progressive young men of Randolph 
County, who turned from the peaceful pursuits of business life when the 
United States entered the World War and served during the remainder of 
that great conflict. 

Alexander M. Mounce, Jr., was born at Bunker Hill, Kan., April 18, 
1888, and is a son of Alexander M. and Martha (Monson) Mounce, the 
latter of whom is now deceased, having departed this life in October, 1914, 
and her remains are buried in Woodland Cemetery, Moberly, Mo. The 
father resides in Moberly which has been his home for the past 30 years 
and a sketch of him appears in this volume. 

Alex. M. Mounce, Jr., received his education in the public schools of 
Moberly, Missouri State University at Columbia, Mo., and the University 
of Chicago, Chicago, 111. In 1912 he entered the employ of the D. H. 
Mounce Lumber Company at Moberly as bookkeeper and was thus em- 
ployed until Dec. 13, 1917, when he enlisted in the Aviation Corps of the 
United States Army. Shortly after enlisting, he was sent to Camp Custer 
at Battle Creek, Mich. After spending seven weeks there, he was trans- 



230 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY ■ 

ferred to Barron Field, Fort Worth, Texas, where he served with the fly- 
ing and engineering department of the aviation service until Marcn 28, 
1919, when he was honorably discharged. Mr. Mounce then returned to 
Moberly and resumed his former position with the D. H. Mounce Lumber 
Company and is now serving in that capacity. 

A. M. Mounce of the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company is one of the 
enterprising business men of Moberly. He is a native of Missouri, hav- 
ing been born at Florida, Monroe County, June 18, 1848. He is the son 
of Samuel and Elizabeth (Bryant) Mounce, the former a native of Lincoln 
County, Ky., and the latter of Virginia. Samuel Mounce came to Missouri 
and settled in Monroe County about 1820 and was there married and spent 
the remainder of his life. He was a cabinet maker and also owned and 
operated a farm in Monroe County. He died in 1864. His wife preceded 
him in death a number of years, having died in 1849. 

To Samuel and Elizabeth (Bryant) Mounce were born the following 
children: John W., who was an accountant and vice-president of the 
Bank of Hannibal, died at Hannibal, Mo., in 1917 ; Mary C, married David 
Hendricks, who is now deceased and she resides in the state of Washing- 
ton; Sarah Mariah, married Thomas Sheriman and they reside at Fresno, 
Calif. ; Lucy Ann, widow of Richard Robey, Monroe City, Mo. ; David Henry, 
senior member of the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company, and A. M., the 
subject of this sketch. 

A. M. Mounce was educated in the public schools and when about 16 
years old, in 1864, he entered the dry goods business at Shelbina, Mo., 
and for ten years was thus engaged. He then went to Hannibal, where he 
was engaged in the same business until 1885, when he went to Clarks- 
ville, Mo. and was engaged in business there and later at Louisiana and 
Mexico, Mo. He then went to Bunker Hill, Kans., where he remained 
until 1889, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identi- 
fied with the D. H. Mounce Lumber Company and for 30 years his inter- 
ests has been with this concern. The D. H. Mounce Lumber Company is 
one of the leaders in lumber and other building supplies in this section of 
the state. The business is located on the corner of Weightman and 
Sturgeon streets. 

A. M. Mounce was married first in 1871 to Miss Mattie Monson of 
Shelbina, Mo., and to this union the following children were born: Edna, 
Washington, D. C, Mrs. Goldena Terrill, Moberly, Mo., Mrs. Margaret 
Lynch, St. Louis, Mo., Alexander M., Jr., a sketch of whom appears in 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 231 

this volume; Stella deceased, and Fay, deceased. The mother of these 
children died in 1914 and Mr. Mounce was united in marriage Sept. 25, 
1919, with Jannie Burton, of Moberly, Mo. and they reside at 600 West 
Carpenter Street, Moberly, Mo. 

Mr. Mounce is a Democrat and has always taken a commendable inter- 
est in political matters and public affairs. While a resident of Bunker 
Hill, Kan., he served as councilman and when he lived in Shelby County 
was a candidate for circuit clerk of that county. 

Major J. Lilly, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar, who 
is engaged in the practice of his profession at Moberly, is a native of 
Randolph County and a descendant of one of the pioneer families of this 
section of the state. He was born in this county March 25, 1872, and is 
the son of James Madison and Margaret (Orr) Lilly. 

James Madison Lilly was a native of Kentucky, born in Oldham 
County, Ky., in 1816. He came to Missouri in 1836 and first settled in 
Marion County, where he remained two years. In 1838 he came to Ran- 
dolph County, which has been the home of the Lilly family to the present 
time. James Madison Lilly followed blacksmithing and also worked as a 
stone mason. He was also engaged in farming for a considerable time. 
He died Aug. 8, 1900. His wife, Margaret (Orr) Lilly, was born in Wash- 
ington County, Va., Jan. 2, 1835, and died Sept. 15, 1903. 

To James Madison and Margaret (Orr) Lilly, were born the following 
children : Charles W., a farmer of Randolph County ; Joseph, who form- 
erly served as superintendent of the public schools of Moberly; Henry L., 
a farmer in Randolph County; Nora, married Omer Hendricks of Monroe 
County, Mo., and Major J., the subject of this sketch. 

Major J. Lilly was reared in Randolph County and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools and the State Normal School at Kirksville, Mo. 
He began his career as teacher in 1890. He served as school commissioner 
of Randolph County for two years, and at the same time was engaged in 
teaching in the Moberly public schools. Later he served as superintendent 
of public schools at Unionville, Mo. In 1898 Mr. Lilly was elected clerk 
of the Circuit Court in Randolph County, and in 1902 he was re-elected to 
that office, serving eight years in all. During that time he studied law 
and was admitted to the bar in 1901. At the expiration of his second term 
of office, he engaged in the practice of law and has successfully devoted 
himself to his profession in this county for the past 20 years, and is re- 
garded as one of the foremost lawyers of this section of the State. 



232 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Lilly is a Democrat and stands high in the councils of his party. 
He has served two terms as a member of the State Democratic Committee. 
In 1918 he was a candidate in the primary for judge of the Kansas City 
Court of Appeals and was the second in the list of four candidates. 

Mr. Lilly was united in marriage July 17, 1901, to Miss Irma Ragland 
of Monroe County, Mo. She is a daughter of Frank B. and Letitia (Bas- 
sett) Ragland, the former of whom is now deceased. He was identified 
with the agricultural industries of Monroe County for many years. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Lilly have been born two children: Margaret and Frank. 

Mr. Lilly is a member of the Presbyterian church and is a Knights 
Templar Mason and a representative to the Grand Lodge of Louisiana. 
He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and 
Past Exalted Ruler of Moberly Lodge No. 936. 

John N. Hamilton, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar 
and a well known attorney throughout central Missouri, has been a prom- 
inent factor in the affairs of this section for many years and has been 
successful in the many fields of endeavor to which he has given his atten- 
tion. Mr. Hamilton is a native of Randolph County and comes from a 
family of prominent pioneers of this state. He was born on a farm in 
Prairie township, April 22, 1854, and is a son of Dr. Thomas L. and 
Cynthia A. (Christian) Hamilton. 

Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was born in Williamson County, Tenn., May 
17, 1825 and was a son of Dr. John B. Hamilton and Nancy (Campbell) 
Hamilton, natives of Kentucky who lived near the Tennessee state line, 
near Mammoth Cave. The family moved to Green, Ky. when Thomas L. 
Hamilton was a child. Dr. John B. Hamilton practiced medicine in that 
vicinity for many years and in 1846 came to Prairie township, Randolph 
County, Mo. with his family and later located in Gallatin, Mo. After the 
death of Dr. John B. Hamilton's first wife, he married Caroline Sanders. 
Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton received a good preparatory education and early 
in life began the study of medicine under the direction of his father. He 
took his first course of lectures at the McDowell Medical Institute in the 
winter of 1849-50. In 1850, he began the practice of his profession near 
Renick, Randolph County, and with the exception of about three years, 
spent at Davids and one year in St. Louis County and about a year in 
Huntsville, during the Civil War, he was engaged in the practice in that 
locality until his death in 1894. In addition to his practice he was also 
interested in the mercantile business for a number of years and conducted 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 233 

a drug and dry goods store. He took a prominent part in local affairs of 
his day and served as mayor of Renick and was president of the school 
board there. 

Dr. Thomas L. Hamilton was married Dec. 18, 1850 to Cynthia A. 
Christian, daughter of N. B. and Martha C. Christian and to that union the 
following children were born: Cora, married Rev. J. W. Terrill, president 
of Mt. Pleasant College which was located at Huntsville and they are both 
now deceased; John N., the subject of this sketch; William T., a farmer 
and merchant of ^Randolph County; Carrie E., married E. B. Pennington, of 
Birmingham, Ala. ; James P., president of the Lozier-Rowe Abstract Com- 
pany of Kansas City, Mo. ; Ollie, married Oscar Craig, who is now deceased 
and left one child, Lawrence Craig who is now a student in Drake Uni- 
versity at Des Moines, Iowa, and Ida F., who is now the widow of John 
Davin and resides in Kansas City, Mo. Dr. Hamilton was a Mason and a 
member of the Christian church. 

John N. Hamilton was reared in Randolph County and educated in the 
public schools and Mt. Pleasant College at Huntsville. He then studied 
law and was admitted to the bar in 1875. He began his professional career 
at Renick and in 1885, located at Huntsville which has since been his 
home. Notwithstanding the fact that Mr. Hamilton has always had a 
large law practice, he is extensively interested in other enterprises. On 
Feb. 1, 1911 he purchased the Huntsville "Herald" which is a $10,000 
corporation known as the Hamilton Publishing Company .The "Herald" 
is an influential newspaper of wide circulation. Mr. Hamilton also organ- 
ized and incorporated the Hamilton Abstract Company. This company 
was incorporated in 1909. He was also one of the promoters and in- 
corporation known as the Hamilton Publishing Company. The "Herald" 
incorporated and is president and manager of the Hamilton estate, a 
$50,000 corporation. He is the owner of considerable real estate and 
interested in other enterprises, including the Hamilton and Company In- 
surance agency. 

Mr. Hamilton was united in marriage Dec. 6, 1897 with Miss Susan 
C. Maupin, of Renick, Mo. She is a daughter of L. D. and Nannie (Moore) 
Maupin, natives of Monroe County, Mo, where the father was a carpenter 
and wagon maker. 

Mr. Hamilton is a Democrat and is prominent in the councils of his 
party. In 1890 he was elected recorder of deeds in Randolph County and 



234 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in 1894 was reelected to that office and served two terms. He served as 
city attorney of Huntsville for four years. He is a member of the Knights 
of Pythias and the Christian church. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank, of Moberly, Mo., is one of the sub- 
stantial financial institutions of Randolph County which has had a marked 
development and phenomenal success since its organization in 1913. The 
officers at the organization of this bank were A. Vince, president; R. A. 
Curran, vice-president; J. W. Bundridge, cashier and V. E. Bundridge, as- 
sistant cashier. The first directors were: Abe Vince, R. A. Curran, J. W. 
Bundridge, E. P. Newman, T. J. Jones, J. T. Sheahan, and V. E. Bundridge. 
The bank was organized with a capitol stock of $30,000. 

The present officers of the Farmers and Merchants Bank are: J. W. 
Bundridge, president; R. A. Curran, vice-president; V. E. Bundridge, 
cashier; J. W. Sours, assistant cashier; Abe Vince, chairman of the Board 
of Directors which is composed of the above officials of the bank and T. J. 
Jones, J. T. Sheahan and E. P. Newman. 

The capitol stock has been increased to $75,000 since the organization 
of the bank. The surplus is $25,000 and the deposits are over $700,000. 

The Farmers and Merchants Bank is a conservatively conducted bank- 
ing institution and the officers and directors are all substantial men of 
affairs whose integrity and capabilities are well known to the Moberly and 
Randolph County public. 

J. W. Bundridge, president of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of 
Moberly is a well known and successful banker and has been engaged in 
the banking business since early manhood. He is a native of Missouri 
and was born in Macon County, Oct. 30, 1881. He is the son of John C. 
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, who now reside at Bucklin, Mo. They 
are the parents of two children, J. W., the subject of this sketch and V. 
E., a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

J. W. Bundridge was educated in the public schools, and after attend- 
ing the Brookfield High School, he took a course in the State Normal 
School at Kirksville, Mo. and later attended the Chillicothe Business Col- 
lege. 

Mr. Bundridge began his banking career shortly after leaving the 
school at Browning, Mo. In 1905 he organized the bank at New Boston, 
Mo., and in 1910 he organized the Citizens Bank at Bucklin, Mo. In 1913, 
he disposed of his interests in the Citizens Bank and organized the Farm- 
ers and Merchants Bank of Moberly, Mo., to which he has since devoted 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 235 

his attention and which is now one of the successful financial institutions 
of Randolph County. 

Mr. Bundridge was married in May, 1905 to Miss Sylvia D. Burns of 
Green City, Mo. She is a daughter of George S. Burns, who is now de- 
ceased as is also his wife. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundbridge has been born one 
son, Eldon. 

Mr. Bundridge is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and 
the Benevolent and Protective Elks. Mr. Bundridge is essentially a banker 
and has made an unqualified success in his chosen field of endeavor. 

V. E. Bundridge, cashier of the Farmers and Merchants Bank of Mob- 
erly was born in Linn County, Mo., July 28, 1890 and is the son of J. C. 
and Delana (Campbell) Bundridge, now residents of Bucklin, Mo. 

V. E. Bundridge received his education in the public schools, including 
a course in the Brogkfield High School. Later he took a course in the 
Chillicothe Business College and was graduated from that institution in 
1908. 

Since leaving school Mr. Bundridge has been engaged in the banking 
business. He was first connected with the Citizens Bank of Bucklin, Mo. 
He was also identified with banks of Browning and Brookfield, Mo. In 
1913 he assisted in the organization of the Farmers and Merchants Bank 
at Moberly and at the organization of this institution he became assistant 
cashier and on Dec. 1, 1919 he became cashier of the bank and has cap- 
ably filled that position to the present time. Although a young man, Mr. 
Bundridge has had an extensive experience in the banking business and is 
well qualified for the responsible position which he holds. 

Mr. Bundridge was married April 8, 1916 to Miss Mary Cecil Ingram, 
of Moberly, Mo. She is a daughter of J. W. and Martha (Enslen) Ingram, 
of Moberly, Mo. To Mr. and Mrs. Bundridge has been born one daughter, 
Martha Delana. 

Mr. Bundridge is a member of the Moberly Lodge, Benevolent and 
Protective Order of Elks and is the present treasurer of the Moberly 
Board of Education. 

Jerry M. Jefferies, a well known and successful attorney of Moberly, 
is a native of Missouri and a descendant of one of the early pioneer families 
of this state. He is the son of William M. and Sarah E. (Smallwood) 
Jefferies, the former a native of Lewis County, Mo., which is the same 
county in which Jerry M. Jefferies, the subject of this sketch, was born. 
The mother is a native of Indiana. Jerry Meridith, grandfather of the 



236 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

subject of this sketch, was a native of Faquier County, Va., and a pioneer 
settler of Lewis County, Mo. When he settled in that county, he entered 
government land and spent the remainder of his life there. 

Jerry M. Jefferies received his preliminary education in the public 
schools of Lewis County and the La Grange Baptist College. He then 
entered the St. Louis Law School and was graduated from that institution 
in 1899. In 1900, he engaged in the practice of his profession at Can- 
ton, Mo. and was thus engaged until 1910. He then came to Moberly and 
took up the practice of law here and was successful from the start. Dur- 
ing the ten years that he has been a resident of Randolph County, he has 
built up a large practice, acquired an extensive acquaintance and stands 
high with the members of the legal profession and the citizens of Randolph 
County. Two years after coming to this county, Mr. Jefferies was elected 
prosecuting attorney and at the expiration of his first term was re-elected 
to succeed himself, serving in that important office from 1913 to 1917. 

James Winter Wight, a prominent attorney of Moberly who has been 
successfully engaged in the practice of law for the past 26 years is recog- 
nized as one of the able lawyers of central Missouri. He is and has been 
identified with the interests of Randolph County in many ways and bears 
the distinction of having served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph 
County longer than any other man that ever held that office. 

Mr. Wight is a native son of Randolph County and is a member of 
one of its old and distinguished pioneer families, members of which played 
a conspicuous part in the early settlement and development of Missouri 
which is more fully set forth in the biographical sketch of James Frances 
Ratcliff Wight, grandfather of James Winter Wight which will be found 
elsewhere in this volume. James Winter Wight was born at Wightland in 
Randolph County, July 1, 1869. He is the only son born to James William 
and Aurelia T. (Fullinwider) Wight, now residents of the city of Moberly 
and of whom more extensive mention is made in this volume. 

James W. Wight was reared in Randolph County and received a good 
preliminary education in the public schools of this county. He then 
entered Central College at Fayette, Mo., where he took a course, after 
which he attended Washington University in St. Louis and then attended 
the University of Missouri at Columbia where he was graduated from the 
law department. While a student at the latter institution he was awarded 
the Stephens medal for oratory. After completing his law course he was 
admitted to practice at Moberly and since that time has been actively 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 237 

engaged in the practice and numbers among his clients some of the leading 
men of affairs and business institutions of this county. He is a close 
student of the law and a capable trial lawyer. 

Mr. Wight is a Democrat and has ever taken a keen interest and 
active part in matters pertaining to politics of a local, state and national 
character. He first served as prosecuting attorney of Randolph County 
by appointment from Gov. Joseph Folk to fill out the unexpired term of 
the late Harry LaMotte. After serving that term he was elected to that 
office for two terms in succession. He was again elected to the office of 
prosecuting attorney in 1916, serving one term and thus he has served 
nearly four full terms in the office of prosecuting attorney which is the 
record for long service in that office in Randolph County. He made a good 
record for all the years that he was prosecuting attorney and he was 
always fair, as well as fearless, in the matter of law enforcement. While 
Mr. Wight has had a busy professional career he has also been interested 
in other fields of endeavor and among other things he has been interested 
in the management of the old homestead of the Wight family in Randolph 
County, known as Wightland. This is a splendid estate consisting of 500 
acres of valuable land. 

Mr. Wight was united in marriage Dec. 1, 1892 with Miss Elma Smith, 
of Palmyra, Mo., a daughter of John A. and Ellen (Gardner) Smith. To 
Mr. and Mrs. Wight have been born three children: Florence Loraine, 
married Paul Stephenson of Moberly, Mo. ; James Augustine, who is now a 
student in Central College at Fayette, Mo. and Francis Mildred, resides at 
home with her parents in Moberly. 

During the World War, Mr. Wight served in the capacity of Govern- 
ment Appeal Agent. He is a member of the Benevolent and Protective 
Order of Elks, and he and Mrs. Wight are members of the Methodist 
Church, South. 

James William Wight, a prominent citizen of Randolph County, now 
living retired at Moberly, is a native of this county and is the only son 
born to James Francis Ratcliff Wight and Frances and Burton Wight. A 
sketch of James Francis Ratcliff Wight appears in this volume. James 
William Wight was born in Randolph County, June 13, 1842, and has spent 
practically all his life in his native county. He was given more than 
ordinary educational advantages. He attended Mount Pleasant College in 
Randolph County, graduating with the highest honors of the class and 
being chosen by the president of the school from among the entire list to 



238 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

deliver the valedictory address. Subsequently he was again chosen to de- 
liver an address about two years later, at which time he was awarded 
the degree of Master of Arts. Mr. Wight's career as an active business 
man was largely devoted to the beautiful old country estate of Wightland 
in Randolph County. 

An influential Democrat, he was elected and served for eight years as 
clerk of the Randolph County Court. Mr. Wight is one of the prominent 
laymen of the Southern Methodist Church of the county, having served as 
recording steward, church treasurer, steward, district steward, Sunday 
school, superintendent, member of the board of trustees of church prop- 
erty, chairman of said board of the church in Moberly. He holds the office 
of chairman of the board of trustees at the present time. His only fra- 
ternal or social relation is with the Order of Good Templars. 

On May 12, 1868, Mr. Wight was married in Shelby County, Kentucky 
to Aurelia Tevis Fullinwider. She was educated at Science Hall, Shelby- 
ville, Ky. Her parents were Henry Winter and Jane Amanda (Shipman) 
Fullinwider. Her grandfather Jacob Fullinwider was born at Hagerstown, 
Md., in 1767, moved with his father to Kentucky in 1783 and on the fron- 
tier of Kentucky became noted as one of the great Indian fighters. Later 
he served in the last campaign of "Mad" Anthony Wayne against the 
Indians of the Northwest. Rev. Peter Fullinwider, father of Jacob and 
great grandfather of Mrs. Wight, settled at Hagerstown, Md., in 1852. 
He was a Reformed Presbyterian minister, and one of the great desires 
of his life was to preach the gospel to the Indians. It was on this mission 
that he sought the bordering countries in the same year that peace was 
declared between Great Britian and the colonies and only a short time 
after George Rogers Clarke and his Virginia soldiers had conquered the 
Ohio valley and made a permanent part of the colonial possessions. Rev. 
Peter Fullinwider was a great power for good during his generation, and 
one of the most noted of the early ministers of the gospel in the west. 
He died in Shelby County in 1799 and was buried under the house, safe 
from Indian scalp-hunters. 

The old bible which is now in possession of one of the great grand- 
daughters was brought from Switzerland in 1752, and was carried by him 
in all his wanderings, wrapped in a buckskin, taking part in many pic- 
turesque incidents in his remarkable career. To him it was the cherished 
treasure of his heart. Although it weighed 30 pounds, it was carried on 
horseback all over the country and from its pages the little congregations, 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 239 

of Wights, Rice's and many of the other forts were taught the gospel. 
Many were the Indians that listened to his translation from this book, for 
he tried to study their language as far as possible. In old age it was for 
years his custom to sit at the table and read from this cherished volume, 
and daily he could be seen, his silvery locks falling over his shoulders, 
stooping over the book, enjoying its promises and enraptured with its 
beauties. One morning when his little grandsons were tiny boys playing 
about the room with their little sisters and cousins, the venerable grand- 
father was found to be dead with his face in the old Bible. "God hath 
taken him thus," it was said. 

There are two children of Mr. Wight and wife: James Winter Wight, 
further mention of whom is made in this volume and Frances Amanda 
Wight who was born at Wightland, Randolph County, Oct. 7, 1876. She 
received her education at Central Female College at Lexington and was 
married to John B. Jennings, a sketch of whom appears in this volume. 

Roy W. Edwards, a well known jeweler of Moberly, and a veteran of 
the World War, is a native of Nebraska. He was bom at Dubois, Neb., 
March 12, 1891, and is the son of William Henry and Julia (Downs) 
"Edwards. William Henry Edwards was a native of Newcastle, Pa. He 
went to Nebraska when he was 21 years of age, where he worked at his 
trade, which was that of a jeweler and watchmaker and spent the re- 
mainder of his life there. He died Dec. 19, 1911, and his remains was 
buried at Dubois, Neb. His wife was a native of Connecticut and they 
were married in Nebraska. She died in 1890 and is also buried at Dubois. 

Roy W. Edwards is one of the following children born to his parents ; 
Andrew W., who served in the United States navy in the Atlantic fleet, 
enlisting in 1917, and served until the close of the war, now residing at 
Lincoln, Neb.; Chole, married Robert Whithorne, and died at Vallejo, 
Cal. ; and Roy W., whose name introduces this sketch. 

Mr. Edwards was educated in the public schools of Alva, Okla. and 
the Northwestern Normal School. He learned the trade of jeweler at 
the Bradley Polytechnic at Peoria, 111., and since 1910, he has worked 
at that trade with the exception of the period spent in the United States 
Army during the World War. He enlisted at Moberly, March 17, 1918, 
in the 56th Engineers, and was sent to Washington Barracks, Washing- 
ton, D. C. for training. His unit sailed for France, July 8, 1918, and on 
July 22, 1918, he landed at Brest, France. After five weeks training, 
near Paris, they were sent to the front and spent 20 days on the front 



240 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

line. Mr. Edwards was in searchlight work and was stationed near the 
Meuse at the time the armistice was signed. He remained in France 
until March 14, 1919, when he returned to America and received his 
honorable discharge at Camp Taylor, Ky., March 27, 1919, and is now 
connected with the Burklund Jewelery Store at Moberly. 

Mr. Edwards was married July 22, 1914 to Miss Estell J. Graff, of 
Ashland, 111. She is a daughter of Frank Graff, of Ashland. 

Mr. Edwards was a charter member of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, 
American Legion and was the first treasurer of the local organization 
and the second commander of the Post, which position he holds at the 
present time. He is a member of the Knights of Pythias of Michigan 
City, Ind. and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of Moberly. He is 
a progressive young man and has a wide acquaintance and many friends 
in Moberly and Randolph County. 

John H. Nebergall, one of the oldest and most popular conductors 
on the Wabash Railroad and the president of the Moberly Steam Laundry 
Company, was born in Ross County, Ohio, June 24, 1854, the son of James 
and Mary (Parker) Nebergall. They were the parents of four boys: 
James, deceased; John, the subject of this review; Adam, of Carroll 
County, Mo. ; and George Franklin of St. Louis. The father was descended 
from a long line of Pennsylvania ancestors. He was a farmer there, later 
he went to Ohio and then to Illinois, where he became prosperous as a 
farmer. Soon after the close of the Civil War he came to Missouri, locat- 
ing on a farm in Carroll County, Dec. 25, 1867. He became one of the 
recognized agriculturists of central Missouri and lived there until he re- 
tired, when he moved to Chillicothe, and died in 1886 at the age of 74 
years. Mrs. Nebergall was born near Indianapolis, Ind., and died 1868, 
aged 55 years. 

John H. Nebergall was reared on a farm and attended the district 
school. When only 18 years old, Mr. Nebergall secured a position with the 
construction company which was building one of the new lines of railroad 
through this section. He was willing to do anything to make a start and 
for a short time carried water and did anything he was called upon to do. 
With headquarters in Moberly, he early became acquainted with this city 
which since has been the scene of his financial successes. In 1873, Mr. 
Nebergall became a brakeman on the Wabash Railroad. In 1875 he was 
promoted to freight conductor and in 1884 he was promoted to passenger 
conductor and today holds one of the important passenger runs on the 




JOHN H. NRBERCiAU 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 241 

Wabash system from Moberly to Des Moines. Not confining all his 
energies to one vocation, Mr. Nebergall studied the financial situation and 
in 1890 invested in a laundry business in Moberly in association with R. J. 
Gee. This partnership was dissolved in August, 1918 and Mr. Nebergall 
in association with R. J. Gee incorporated the laundry with a capital stock 
of $40,000. The business ran the first week about $55. Under their able 
management this has been increased until it is a slack season when the 
books do not show a turn over of more than $1,000 for each week of the 
year. Today the Moberly Steam Laundry has one of the largest plants in 
central Missouri. An up-to-date dry cleaning department is one of the 
features of the business and gives excellent service. 

Mr. Nebergall operates one of the finest cattle, horse and stock 
ranches in Wallace County, Kan., which is incorporated with paid up capital 
of $50,000. In addition to this place, Mr. Nebergall owns two sections of 
valuable wheat and grazing land in Edwards County, Kan., where he raises 
grain and carries on extensive dairying operations. He is also a stock- 
holder in the Durbin Malleable Foundry Company, of St. Louis, which is 
capitalized at $500,000 and being a patriotic citizen Mr. Nebergall has not 
neglected the home industries as he is a stockholder in the Moberly Trust 
Company. He is regarded as one of the substantial financiers of central 
Missouri. 

On Dec. 7, 1876, Mr. Nebergall was married to Miss Nellie Shumate, 
Jackson County, Ohio, and to them four children have been born: Charles 
C, in partnership with his father in the Gates Half Sole Tires and a bat- 
tery service station, Moberly; Jeanette, married W. G. Price, of Des 
Moines; Bessie, who married J. W. Faessler, of Moberly, and Lewis L., a 
bookkeeper in Omaha. 

Mr. Nebergall belongs to the Masonic Lodge and the Order of Railroad 
Conductors. He and his wife are members of the Baptist church, and he 
is a Republican. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight. — Among the notable Randolph County 
families none has been more conspicuous for three generations in this 
county since 1840 than the Wight family. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight, the founder of the Wight family in 
Randolph County was born in Frankfort, Ky., May 26, 1819 and died 
Oct. 26, 1905. He was a son of James and Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight. 
James Wight was the founder of the Wight family in America. He was 
born at Ormiston, near Edinburgh, Scotland, Feb. 24, 1789. In 1794 he 



242 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

came to America with his parents, James and Jane (McConachee) Wight 
and settled near Richmond, Va. He subsequently removed to Fleming 
County, Ky., and then to Frankfort, in the same state, where he was 
married Nov. 15, 1815, to Sarah Ratcliff and to them were born eight 
children. While residing in Frankfort, James Wight was a cabinet work- 
man and contractor and built the statehouse or capital. In 1836 he took 
his family to Shelby County, Ky., and ever after lived as a farmer until 
his death at the home of one of his daughters at Normal, 111., April 22, 
1871. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. His early education was 
obtained in the common school of the country districts. He was a mem- 
ber of the Methodist Church South and took much interest in church 
affairs, giving liberally of his means to the support of the church and 
benevolences. 

Sarah (Ratcliff) Wight, wife of James Wight, was born in Richmond, 
Va., May 10, 1790. She was the daughter of Francis Ratcliff. who was 
born in Chesterfield County, Va., in 1755, and the maiden name :>f her 
mother was Rebecca Bridges who was born in 1758. Frances Ratcliff 
was a corporal in Capt. William Pierce's company in the First Artillery 
Regiment of Continental troops, commanded by Col. Charles Harrison 
during the Revolutionary War. This regiment was assigned to the state 
of Virginia. The records of the land office at Richmond, Va., show that' 
Francis Ratcliff was allowed the portion of land allotted the corporal of 
the Continental line for three years service. Sarah Ratcliff received her 
education in the common schools and was also a member of the Methodist 
Church, South. 

James Francis Ratcliff Wight married Anna Burton in Oldham 
County, Ky., June 6, 1839. She died Sept. 3, 1843, leaving one child, 
James William Wight who now resides in Moberly and a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume. The second marriage of James Francis Ratcliff 
Wight was to Harriet Amanda Head, Dec. 8, 1846. No children were 
born to this marriage. Mr. Wight was a farmer and stock raiser taking 
much interest in fine horses and cattle and he was a promoter of agri- 
cultural fairs. He owned about 1,000 acres of land in Randolph County 
upon which he resided for more than 60 years and to which he had moved 
from Shelby County, Ky., in the fall of 1840. He was a Methodist and 
in politics a Whig, and as a member of that party he was elected to the 
state legislature from Randolph County, which was then about equally 
divided between Whigs and Democrats, in 1854. After the dissolution 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 243 

of the Whig party, he allied himself with the Democrats and again repre- 
sented Randolph County in the legislature in 1876, defeating after a 
spirited contest one of the most popular men of the county. During the 
Civil War he was a strong Southern sympathizer, and while he did not 
enlist as a soldier he rendered the cause much help by his counsel and 
means. During that great conflict he had many interesting experiences 
which tested the true metal of the man. While he was steadfast and 
loyal to the cause in which he believed and the principles for which he 
stood he was also fair and generous to its enemies. It has been well said 
of him: "The late Mr. Wight was a man of strict integrity, a close 
observer of men and affairs, a good judge of human nature, wise in 
council, and his advice was often sought in matters financial and judicial. 
He was very charitable, having reared six orphan children." 

Frances Ann (Burton) Wight, wife of James Frances RatclifT Wight, 
was born in Oldham County, Ky., Jan. 21, 1820 and was the daughter of 
William and Ann Burton. She came with her widowed mother and hus- 
band to Randolph County, in 1840. They made the trip in wagons, the 
party consisting of eight white people and 30 negro slaves. In coming 
through Illinois, a negro girl was kidnapped by Abolitionists which de- 
tained them several days. The mother of the kidnapped girl was frantic 
with grief because of the kidnapping and wild with joy at the rescue. 

Forrest Martin, secretary and treasurer of the Little Dick Clothing 
Company of Moberly, is a native son of Randolph County and a descendant 
of one of the very early pioneer families of this county. He was born in 
Prairie township May 8, 1877 and is the son of Bailey Martin and Martha 
Ellen (Davis) Martin. Bailey Martin was born in Prairie township, 
Randolph County, Aug. 8, 1827. He was reared to manhood in this 
county and followed farming and stock raising here all his life, and had a 
successful career. He died Dec. 24, 1908 and his remains are buried in 
the Davis Cemetery. He was the son of Henry Martin, a native of Ken- 
tucky who was a pioneer settler of Prairie township, when that town- 
ship included what is now Sugar Creek, Silver Creek and Salt Spring 
township. When he came here he entered government land, taking up 
about a section and this property is now owned by the Bailey Martin 
heirs. Henry Martin spent his entire life in Randolph County, after 
coming here and died about the age of 84 years. He was prominent in 
the early day affairs of this county and served as justice of the peace 
of Prairie township for a number of years. 



244 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Bailey Martin was united in marriage in Prairie township, Feb. 18, 
1852 with Miss Martha Ellen Davis. She was a daughter of Joseph and 
Permelia (Kirkpatrick) Davis who were also very early pioneer settlers 
in Prairie township. They were Kentuckians and drove through from 
that state to Randolph County on horseback. They both spent their lives 
in this county and their remains are buried in Davis Cemetery. Mrs. 
Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin is now 82 years of age and resides on the 
home place in Prairie township. 

To Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin were born 13 children, 
all of whom are living as follow: Mollie, married Lee Shirley, now de- 
ceased and she resides in Colorado; Ida, married T. S. Hines who is now 
deceased and she resides in Texas; Ella, widow of the late T. T. Patton, 
Moberly; Laura, married Noah Burkhead and lives in Prairie township; 
Prof. W. H. Kansas City, Mo.; J. R., president of the Little Dick Cloth- 
ing Company, Moberly; Hannah, married J. J. Christian, Moberly; Mattie, 
resides at home with her mother; J. D., with the Little Dick Clothing 
Company; Luther, agent for the Wabash Railroad Company at DeWitt, 
Mo. ; Florence resides at home with her mother ; Omar, manager of the 
Wolff-Berger Company, Moberly and Forrest, the subject of Jiis sketch. 

Forrest Martin was reared on the home farm and received his edu- 
cation in the public schools. He began his career as a clerk in Moberly 
and in 1907 he was elected county clerk of Randolph County and served 
in that capacity in a capable and efficient manner until 1911 when he 
bought a half interest in the Little Dick Clothing Company which nad 
been established by his brother J. R., in 1897 and since that time he nas 
devoted himself to this business. 

Mr. Martin was married July 1, 1900 to Miss Sallie G. Perkins, of 
Moberly, Mo., the marriage ceremony being performed at the home of 
the bride's grandmother, Mrs. Sallie Peeler at Rocheport, Mo. Mrs. Mar- 
tin is a daughter of Rev. G. A. Perkins, a minister of the Christian denom- 
ination. To Mr. and Mrs. Martin have been born two children: Martha 
Maurine a student in Linwood College, and Doris Margaret, at home with 
her parents. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Loyal Order of Moose and Modern Woodmen of America. He 
is a substantial citizen and one of Moberly's most progressive business 
men. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 245 

Phares K. Weis, who is successfully engaged in the general insurance 
business at Moberly, is one of the progressive and enterprising younger 
business men of this city. He is a native of Kentucky, born at Louisa, 
Lawrence County, Ky., Jan. 7, 1885. He is the son of Dr. Francis W. 
and Josephine (Evans) Weis. The father was born in Maysville, Ky., 
in 1852, and the mother is a native of Missouri, born at Armstrong, 
Howard County in 1861. His parents were among the early settlers of 
that section of the state. 

Phares K. Weis and his brothers LeRoy D. who now resides at Chi- 
cago, 111. and Rolla L. who died in infancy, were the only children born 
to their parents. Phares K. Weis was educated in the public schools of 
Kentucky, West Virginia and Moberly. In early life he began the 
printer's trade on the Ashland Daily News, Ashland, Ky. Later he 
worked on the Armstrong Herald, Armstrong, Mo., and in 1896 he came to 
Moberly, and was employed on the Weekly Headlight for two years. He 
then entered the employ of the Moberly Democrat and remained with that 
paper for eight years and at the time of his resignation he was city 
editor. He then worked on the Monitor for four years. He was a 
charter member of the Moberly Printer's Union when he was sixteen 
years old. 

Mr. Weis began writing insurance in 1911 and since that time has 
gradually added some of the best companies to his agency, until he now 
represents a number of the best insurance companies of the country. 
He represents practically every branch of insurance underwriting and 
has built up an extensive business. His offices are located in the Moberly 
Trust Building. 

Mr. Weis was married in 1912 to Miss Harriet Turley of Moberly,, 
Mo. She is a daughter of Thomas and Marie Turley. To Mr. and Mrs. 
Weis have been born two children: Mary Loraine and Phares K., Jr. 

Mr. Weis takes an active part in all matters pertaining to the better- 
ment and upbuilding of the community and for a time during the year 
of 1919, he was acting secretary of the Chamber of Commerce, an organ- 
ization in which he has taken a keen interest. 

I. B. Forney, proprietor of the I. B. Forney Ladies Ready to Wear 
Clothing Store is one of the successful merchants of Moberly and con- 
ducts one of the leading establishments of this section, dealing exclu- 
sively in ladies' ready to wear garments. Mr. Forney has been engaged 
in the mercantile business in Moberly for over 40 years, and during that 



246 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

time has built up a reputation which extends over a large scope of terri- 
tory and the name, Forney, means the last word in style and quality. 

I. B. Forney was born at West Liberty, Ohio County, Va., March 14, 
1861. He is a son of D. S. Forney and Henrietta (Beatty) Forney. The 
mother was born in Cambridge, Ohio, in 1836 and died in Moberly, Mo., 
in 1872. D. S. Forney was a native of Virginia, born in 1834. He came 
to Moberly in 1867; prior to that time he was a wool buyer in this section. 
Here he engaged in the dry goods business which he conducted for a 
number of years. He was one of the successful pioneer merchants of 
Moberly and at the time of his death in 1912, he was the oldest merchant 
in this city. He lived to the age of 78 years and his remains rest by the 
side of his wife in Oakland Cemetery. 

D. S. Forney was a son of Dr. D. S. Forney, Sr., who was born in 
Reistertown, Maryland, and died in Burlington, la. He was a highly 
educated man and a graduate of Yale, having received his degree when 
he was 21 years of age. He practiced medicine for 70 years. His first 
wife bore the maiden name of Buchanan and she was a niece of President 
James Buchanan. Their marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. 
Alexander Campbell, founder of the Christian church. 

D. S. Forney, father of I. B. Forney, was not only a successful 
merchant, but took an active part in the civic affairs of Moberly. He 
served three terms as mayor of this city and during that period much 
public improvement was made, including a sewer system and water 
works, as well as other improvements. 

I. B. Forney is one of the following children born to his parents: 
May Miller, deceased; I. B., the subject of this sketch; Mrs. Etta Ditty, 
deceased; and Frank B. a merchant of Moberly. 

I. B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly and was 
brought up in the mercantile business. He engaged in the dry goods 
business for himself at Moberly in 1894, at his present location. Here 
he continued in the general drygoods business until about 1913, when 
he began to specialize in ladies' ready to wear clothing and abandoned the 
general drygoods business and has buit up an extensive business in this 
particular line. He is a discriminating buyer and makes regular trips 
to the eastern markets and manufacturers to purchase his stock and study 
the styles and the I. B. Forney store can always be depended upon to 
stand in the forefront in style as well as quality. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 247 

The store is located at 400 Reed Street and is equipped with the most 
modern fixtures. Mr. Forney is the owner of the building, the first floor 
of which is occupied by his business and the upper floors is rented for 
office purposes. 

Mr. Forney was united in marriage Jan. 1, 1895 with Miss Ida Trede- 
man of St. Louis, Mo., and two daughters have been born to this union: 
Henrietta and Irene, both graduates of the Moberly High School. 

Mr. Forney is a progressive business man and stands high in the 
community. 

Dr. Thomas S. Fleming, a well known and successful physician of 
Moberly, is a native of Randolph County. He was born at Elliott, May 30, 
1887, and is a son of Jacob C. and Nettie (McClure) Fleming, further 
mention of whom is made in this volume. 

Dr. Fleming received his preliminary education in the public schools 
of Moberly, and was graduated from the Moberly High School in the class 
of 1907. He then entered Missouri University at Columbia, Mo., where 
he was graduated in 1911 ; he then attended St. Louis Medical University, 
and was graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine in 1913. After 
serving two years as an intern in the city hospital at St. Louis, Mo., he 
began the practice of his profession at Moberly, Jan. 1, 1915. Here he 
w r as successfully engaged in the practice of his profession until the United 
States entered the World War, when on June 2, 1917, he applied for a 
commission in the medical corps of the United States army, and was com- 
missioned as first lieutenant, and sent to Fort Riley, Kan., where he was- 
stationed until Jan. 1, 1918. He was then attached to the 65th Coast Ar- 
tillery at San Francisco, Calif. In March, 1918, he set sail from San 
Francisco with his unit for France, by way of the Panama Canal, and 
arrived there with the 65th Coast Artillery, April 8, 1918. From that time 
on he was with his command at the front, until the armistice was signed. 
He returned to the United States in Jan., 1919,- and shortly afterwards 
resumed the practice of his profession at Moberly, where he has an exten- 
sive and well established practice. 

Dr. Fleming was united in marriage Oct. 3, 1917, with Eilleen Trenble, 
daughter of M. J. and Alma (Valendegham) Trenble, of Plattsburg, Mo. 
To Dr. and Mrs. Fleming have been born one daughter, Shirley, who 
was born June 27, 1919. 

Dr. Fleming is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and holds membership in the County, State and American Medical Asso- 
ciation. 



248 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

James Sandison, a pioneer of Moberly who for many years was en- 
gaged in contracting, is now living retired at his comfortable and pleasant 
home at 902 West Gilman street, Moberly, Mo. Mr. Sandison was born at 
New Mills of Keith, Scotland, Dec. 29, 1843. He is a son of William and 
Jean (Dasson) Sandison, both natives of Scotland, the former being born 
near the New Mills of Keith and the latter on the River Donn. The father 
was a stone mason. The mother came to America when she was 52 years 
of age and settled near Huntsville, Mo. She spent the remainder of her 
life in Randolph County and died at the age of 92 years and her remains 
are buried at Huntsville. 

The following children were born to William and Jean (Dasson) 
Sandison : William, died at Huntsville, Mo. ; Mrs. Annie Simpson, Hunts- 
ville, Mo.; James, the subject of this sketch; Arthur, deceased; Charles, 
deceased; Mrs. Mary Murray, Paducah, Ky. ; Christena Bohn, Huntsville; 
Jean, deceased; and two of the family, Jack and Helen, remained in Scot- 
land. 

Since coming to Randolph County, James Sandison has seen this sec- 
tion of the country developed almost from the beginning. When he came 
to Randolph County there were only three houses on the present site of 
the city of Moberly. Since early manhood, Mr. Sandison has been engaged 
in construction work and similar industrial enterprises and was a success- 
ful contractor during his active career. He began constructing railroad 
bridges for the Hannibal, Moberly and Central Railroad Company which 
is now the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railroad. His last contract work 
was for the Wabash Railroad Company at St. Louis where he did some 
bridge work, built a roundhouse and constructed additional trackage to 
accommodate the World's Fair traffic. For several years Mr. Sandison 
was also engaged in the manufacture of brick at Moberly and did an ex- 
tensive business in this line and at the same time carried on his general 
contracting business. He frequently employed as many as 80 or 90 men 
and kept his plant in operation continually. He was an extensive employer 
of labor and never had any trouble with his employees. He sold his brick 
plant in 1906 to the Metropolitan Paving and Brick Company of Canton, 
Ohio, and that company still operates it. Mr. Sandison then retired. 

In 1872, Mr. Sandison returned to Scotland and was married to Miss 
Mary Morrison and brought his bride to Moberly. Mrs. Sandison's mother, 
Margaret Morrison, now resides with Mr. and Mrs. Sandison. She came 
to Moberly in 1881. She was born in Scotland Dec. 24, 1827 and although 



HISTOBY 01 RANDOLPH ( 01 Ml Y 249 

►3rd year as keen and active on many 

. | • ts up ' mornii iix o'clock and durinj 

World War she di of knitting for the Red Croi i . She I 

. tiad th in the World War. Th< 

John, Herbert and & . all of whom • J the 

from Arizona. 

To Mr. and Ml bom the foil' children: 

Jam< George, William, • nd Arthur. 

Mr. Sandison ha raveler during th< 

and has made 13 trips aero.-.-; the Atlantic Ocean. He iva in 
land v. hen the World War broke out. H< >UT times on 

ill fated Lusitania and mad< eturn trip on the Aquitai 

For the last few years he and Mi a trip nortl im- 

mer, includ. nada and Ala.-ka. He if a Randolph County citizen oi 

real worth and eld in the higl m. 

Jack .M. Sandison, a member of Hie firm oi Robuck-Sandison Whole- 

of Moberly, ell known and pr< 

Man of this city. H< on of Randolph County am 

bom in Moberly July 30, L879. He is the son of Ja id Mai Mor- 

rison) Sandison, a sk( map:- tl volun* 

Jack M. Sand rublic schools of Moberly and 

the Ohi' rity at Columb Ohio. Aft ooi 

he learned the the art of clay v He tl 

nth hi.-; father in the manufa of brick at Moberly for 

a number of year.-. Jn 1915 hi engaged in tl 

in partne ir. Rob ■ that time 

fully in that bun.: 

M a Republican and tal part in politu 

affair- ; he has ate for state 1 and 

count ,r. He is a Kr..:- I Templar 

William Sandison, of the firm of Robn 
of Mobe. born at Huntsville, Mo., Dec. $, 1874 lie is tin 

Jar andison, a b of 

- educated in the public schools of Moberly, including a i 
in the Moberly Higrh -'• Later he took a ne - eg< 

and for 17 yearn he was manager and su] of th< Pav- 

g Brick r - mpany. He continued with that company foi 



250 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

after the local plant was purchased and operated by the Metropolitan Pav- 
ing Brick Company. He resigned his position with that company in 1916 
and in February, 1917, he became associated with the Robuck-Sandison 
Company. 

Mr. Sandison was married to Miss Olive Chamblin of Paducah, Ky. 
She is a daughter of C. H. Chamblin who now resides at Carthage, Mo. 
and whose wife is deceased. She bore the maiden name of Byers. To 
Mr. and Mrs Sandison have been born three children as follow : James C, 
at Harvard University ; Allie Janette and Gordon. 

Mr. Sandison is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons 
and is a Knights Templar. 

Jacob C. Fleming, president of the Moberly Foundry and Machine 
Company, is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, and is at 
the head of one of the important industrial enterprises of this city. He 
was born at Kewanee, 111., April 27, 1860, and is a son of Thomas and 
Janet (Simpson) Fleming, the former a native of England and the latter 
of Scotland. They were the parents of the following children: Jennie, 
now the widow of R. S. Crammer, and resides at Nevada, Mo. ; Mary, mar- 
ried Thomas W. Vandivier, Nevada, Mo.; Jacob C, the subject of this 
sketch; Ira M., Kansas City, Mo.; Cora I., widow of E. K. Atkinson, 
Nevada, Mo.; Emma L., married A. L. Davis, Joplin, Mo.; Elizabeth A., 
married David Cravens, Lincoln, Neb. 

Thomas Fleming came to America about 1854, and first settled at 
McKeesport, Pa., where he was engaged in coal mining. About 1858 he 
went to Kewanee, 111., where he was living when the Civil War broke out. 
He enlisted in 1862 in the Union Army and served until the 1 close of the 
war. He took part in a number of important engagements and was with 
Sherman on his march to the sea and participated in the Grand Review 
at Washington at the close of the war. After receiving his honorable 
discharge from the army, he returned to Kewanee, where he operated 
coal mines for a few years and in 1872 went to Fort Dodge, la. He was 
engaged as superintendent of mines there for a time and in 1876 he went 
to Chetopa, Kan. Here he continued his interest in the coal mining busi- 
ness and had charge of coal mines in Missouri, Kansas and Indian Terri- 
tory for the Osage Coal and Mining Company. About 1879, he removed 
to Clinton, Mo. continuing with the same company and later went to 
Nevada, Mo., where he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1895 
and his wife departed this life in 1916 and their remains are buried at 
Nevada, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 251 

Jacob C. Fleming was educated in the public schools of Illinois, Iowa 
and Kansas, and when he was 17 years of age, began life as a telegraph 
operator in the employ of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Com- 
pany. In 1884, he took charge of the Osage Coal and Mining Company's 
store at Elliott, Randolph County, Mo. and later had charge of the opera- 
tion of their coal mine there. In 1890, his father bought the coal mine 
property there and Jacob C. had charge of the operation until 1905, when 
practically all of the coal mines of Randolph County, were absorbed by 
the Randolph-Macon Coal Company. 

In 1906, Mr. Fleming came to Moberly when he and the other heirs 
of the Thomas Fleming estate organized the Moberly Foundry and Ma- 
chine Company. This company continued to do business as a partner- 
ship until 1915, when it was incorporated with a capital stock of $21,000. 
In 1917, the Thomas Fleming estate was settled and Jacob C. Fleming 
continued the business. This company has been successfully operated 
from the start and does an extensive business, their principal product 
being railway castings and their entire product, practically, is bought by 
the Wabash Railway Company. They do a general machine shop business 
in addition to manufacturing heavy castings; they also manufacture coal 
mine equipment and machinery, and employe about 18 men. The shop 
is located at the corner of East Reed and Moulton streets. 

Jacob C. Fleming was married in 1886 to Miss Nettie McClure of 
Clinton, Mo. She is a daughter of William J. and Narcissa (Fike) Mc- 
Clure, the former of whom is deceased, and Mrs. McClure makes her home 
with her daughter, Mrs. Fleming. To Mr. and Mrs. Fleming have been 
born the following children: Dr. Thomas S., Moberly, a sketch of whom 
appears in this volume; Jacob William, who is associated with his father; 
Janet Elliott Fleming, in the employ of the Government at Washington, 
D. C. 

Mr. Fleming is a member of the Knights Templar Commandery of 
Moberly. He has an extensive acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph 
County and is one of the enterprising and substantial citizens of this 
section. 

E. Bell Mahan, of the well known firm of Mahan and Son, funeral 
directors of Moberly, Mo., is a native of this state and belongs to one of 
the early pioneer families. He was born in Audrain County, about 15 
miles southeast of Moberly, March 23, 1864, and is a son of John T. and 
Elizabeth (Owings) Mahan. John T. Mahan was born in Boone County, 



252 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mo., Feb. 2, 1828 and died near Paris, Mo., Aug. 8, 1914, and his remains 
are buried at Moberly. He was a veteran of the Civil War, having served 
in the Union Army. His wife was a native of Kentucky and preceded 
her husband in death several years. They were the parents of the fol- 
lowing children: Mrs. Levina Crosswhite Monroe County, Mo.; B. D., 
a contractor, Annaconda, Mont.; James A., died at Ft. Worth, Texas, 
about 1914, at the age of 58. years; Walter, Anaconda, Mont.; Charles F., 
a farmer near Paris, Mo.; E. Bell, the subject of this sketch; Samuel L., 
Anaconda, Mont.; Mrs. Emma Hobson, Kansas City, Mo.; Florence, died 
in infancy; Cyrus, died in 1890, age 16 years. 

E. Bell Mahan was educated in the public schools and engaged in 
business at his present location in Moberly, Sept. 16, 1892. This firm was 
also engaged in furniture business until Sept. 1, 1918 and since that time 
they have been devoted exclusively to the undertaking business and are 
recognized as one of the leading firms of funeral directors in this section 
of the state. The firm was originally, Van Cleave, Martin and Mahan 
and on Jan. 1, 1910, Mr. Vancleave sold his interest to the other partners 
and since April 1, 1920, the business has been conducted by Mr. Mahan 
and Son at 211 North Clark street. 

Mr. Mahan was married March 18, 1890, to Miss Francis King, a 
daughter of Francis and Mary (Bunger) King, both natives of Kentucky 
and now deceased. The father was killed shortly after the close of the 
Civil War and the mother died in 1895 and their remains are buried 
in Meade, Kentucky. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Mahan have been born the following children : 
Verna, married H. H. Stampes, Moberly, Missouri; Albert, a sketch of 
whom follows this article; Eugenia, resides at home with her parents, 
at 527 Logan Terrace. 

Mr. Mahan is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks; Knights of Pythias; National Union; Knights and Ladies of Se- 
curity and the Mystic Workers of the World. Mr. Mahan is progressive 
and public spirited and takes a commendable interest in public affairs; he 
has served as a member of the Moberly City Council. 

Albert K. Mahan of Moberly, who is associated with his father, was 
born in Moberly, July 11, 1894, and was reared and educated in the public 
school of this city and graduated from the Moberly high school in the 
class of 1913. After leaving school he was employed by the firm of Mar- 
tin and Mahan until after the United States entered the World War. On 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 253 

May 25, 1918, he enlisted in the United States army and was sent to 
Camp Dodge, Iowa. Later he was transferred to Camp Upton, New York, 
and in Aug., 1918, he embarked for overseas, a member of Company M, 
349th United States Infantry, and first landed on the other side at South- 
ampton, England, and from there sailed to LeHarve, France, and after a 
period of training was sent to sector Hute, Alsace, France, Oct. 17th, and 
when the armistice was signed he was with his command about twenty 
miles from Metz. After the signing of the armistice, he remained in 
France for several months and reached the United States on May 30, 
1919. He was then sent to Camp Zacharay Taylor, Ky., where he received 
his honorable discharge June 12, 1919. He then returned to Moberly 
and resumed his former position and became a partner with his father. 

Albert Mahan is a member of the American Legion and is adjutant 
of Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, Moberly, Mo. He is also a member of the 
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. 

John E. Lynch, president of the Bank of Moberly, and United States 
marshal for the Eastern District of Missouri, has had an unusual and 
successful career. Mr. Lynch was born in Randolph County, just north 
of Huntsville, Jan. 11, 1858, and is a son of Patrick and Amanda (Stevens) 
Lynch. 

Patrick Lynch was a native of County Carlow, Ireland, and was 
born in 1818. He came to America in 1848, and the same year settled 
in Randolph County, near Roanoke, and a few years later, he removed 
to a farm north of Huntsville. Here he resided until 1860, when he 
came to the vicinity of what is now the city of Moberly, and during 
the Civil War he cultivated a portion of the present site of Moberly, 
and lived at what was known as old Allen, and after the war when 
the railroad was being built the railroad company offered Mr. Lynch 
and others an amount of land in Moberly equal to that which they owned 
at old Allen. Mr. Lynch was the first to accept the proposition and 
moved his residence to Moberly. The original town site of Moberly con- 
sisted of 40 acres of land, and was bounded on the east by Morley 
street, on the south by Wightman street, on the west by the alley be- 
tween Clark and Williams street, and on the north by Union avenue. 
Mr. Lynch's house was located on block No. 12, and his barn was 
located on block No. 7, where the Merchants Hotel now stands. After 
the Wabaash shops were built, Patrick Lynch was employed by 
that company, and spent the remainder of his life in Moberly. He died 



254 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

in 1883. Amanda (Stevens) Lynch, wife of Patrick Lynch was a na- 
tive of Virginia. She died at the age of 68 years, and her remains and 
those of her husband are buried in St. Johns cemetery. 

The children born to Patrick Lynch and wife are as follow: Thomas 
Allen, was an engineer on the Southern Pacific Railroad, and was killed 
in a wreck at Centralia, Wash. ; Richard Moberly, died in infancy ; John 
E., the subject of this sketch, and James C, Omaha, Neb. 

John E. Lynch bears the distinction of being the oldest living resi- 
dent of the city of Moberly from the standpoint of continuous residence 
here. He came here with his parents when a child, and here grew 
to manhood, and since that time he has been closely identified with 
the growth and development of this city in many ways. He received 
his education in such public schools as the town afforded in the early 
days of its existence. When a boy his first work was driving team at 
the construction of the Wabash shops here. He received $5.00 per week 
for his labor. After that, he worked in the shops for three years, and 
then was a fireman for three years. In 1880, he was elected chief 
of police of Moberly and served in that capacity for three years. This 
was an early day in the history of Moberly, and like other new towns 
of that epoch, the limited police force found itself confronted frequently 
by duties that were difficult to perform. Mr. Lynch met all these con- 
ditions and by his courage and capabilities always succeeded in main- 
taining law and order. After having served three years as chief of 
police, he was engaged by the city to run the city fire engine for two 
years, when he was re-elected to the office of chief of police and held 
this position until 1894. He was then appointed United States marshal 
for the Eastern District of Missouri by President Cleveland, and capa- 
bly discharged the duties of that office for a period of four years. At 
the expiration of that time Mr. Lynch began operating as a construc- 
tion contractor, and specialized in paving and sewer construction, and 
was successfully engaged in this line of work until Aug. 15, 1914, when 
he was appointed United States marshal for the Eastern District of 
Missouri by President Wilson, and at the expiration of his four years' 
term in that office, he was reappointed and holds that position at the 
present time. 

Mr. Lynch was elected president of the Bank of Moberly in Febru- 
ary, 1916, and since that time has held that position, and in the capacity 
of chief executive officer of this well known and substantial financial 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 255 

institution, Mr. Lynch has evinced the same keen foresight and clear 
judgment that has characterized his successful career in other fields 
of endeavor. 

My Lynch was united in marriage in 1882 with Miss Mary A. Hall 
of Truesdale, Warren County, Mo. She is a daughter of Denny and 
Elizabeth Hall of that county. To Mr. and Mrs. Lynch have been born 
the following children: George, chief deputy United States marshal, 
St. Louis, Mo.; John E., Jr., of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com- 
pany, of Moberly; Nellie, Grace, Frank, Lucille and James Robert. The 
latter served in the United States navy during the World War. 

Mr. Lynch is a Democrat and for years has been active in the coun- 
cils of his party in Randolph County and Missouri. He has served two 
terms as a member of the state legislature. He was a delegate to Demo- 
cratic National Convention at Baltimore, which nominated Woodrow Wil- 
son for president, and is recognized as one of the leading Democrats 
of the state. He has an extensive acquaintance and many friends, not 
only in Randolph County, but throughout the state and country. 

The Bank of Moberly is one of the strong financial institutions of 
central Missouri. This bank was organized May 11, 1895, by John H. 
Babcock, and is therefore a quarter of a century old, and has to its 
credit 25 years of successful business, and each year of this period has 
shown a substantial growth in the volume of business of this institution. 

The first stockholders of the Bank of Moberly were George Hassett, 
W. T. Richmond, W. P. Palmer, J. T. Lamb, Gus J. Ginther, W. E. Mc- 
Kinney, G. R. Reynolds, A. B. Thompson, William Firth, W. P. Cave, 
B. F. Harvey, D. S. Forney, J. H. Babcock, P. J. O'Leary, H. M. Jordan, 
J. H. Lotter and F. B. Forney. 

The present officers are John E. Lynch, president; J. H. Lamb, vice- 
president; F. B. Harvey, cashier; P. J. O'Leary, teller, and A. E. Brown, 
teller, and R. E. Lynch, teller. The other members of the board of 
directors are Dr. C. B. Clapp, George H. Sours, Gus J. Ginther and George 
Reynolds. 

The following is the official statement of the bank at the close of 
business December 30, 1919. Resources: Loans and discounts, $801,- 
335.68; overdrafts, none; real estate (banking house), $15,000.00; fur- 
niture and fixtures, $15,000.00; demand loans, $327,781.49; bonds, $85,- 
850.00; War Savings Stamps, $1,684.00; cash and sight exchange, $255,- 
642.61; total, $1,502,293.78. Liabilities: Capital stock, $100,000.00; sur- 



256 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

plus and undivided profits (earned), $64,165.28; deposits, $1,338,128.50. 
Total, $1,502,293.78. 

Owen Reclick O'Bryan, a well known and successful attorney of Mob- 
erly and a veteran of the World War, is a native of Randolph County and 
a member of one of the pioneer families of this section of Missouri. Mr. 
O'Bryan was born in a one room log cabin, three miles southwest of Hunts- 
ville, Mo., on the old O'Bryan homestead in Salt Spring township. He is 
the son of James T. and Jennie Lee (Bagby) O'Bryan. 

James T. O'Bryan was born in Chariton County, Mo. in 1860 and re- 
moved to Randolph County with his parents who settled in Salt Spring 
township when he was three years old. He was a son of Redick O'Bryan 
who was born in Kentucky in 1820. Redick O'Bryan was prominent in 
the early day affairs of Randolph County and served as justice of the 
peace of Salt Spring township for many years. He was a deacon in the 
Mt. Salem Baptist church. He died Dec. 25, 1893 and his remains are 
buried in the O'Bryan cemetery which is located on the old O'Bryan place. 

James T. O'Bryan was well educated, having graduated from Mt. 
Pleasant College in the class of 1881. He followed farming in Silver Creek 
township from 1892 until 1902, and for six years of the time was justice 
of the peace of that township. He was solicitor for the Farmers Mutual 
Insurance Company and after moving to Huntsville in 1902, devoted him- 
self to the interest of that company. In 1906, he was a candidate for 
nomination for the office of probate judge of Randolph County but was 
defeated by the narrow margin of 28 votes. lie stood high in the com- 
munity and had a wide acquaintance in Randolph County. He died Nov. 
15, 1907, and his remains are buried in the Huntsville cemetery. James 
T. O'Bryan was married to Jennie Lee Bagby, Dec. 29, 1887. She wa« 
born in Moniteau township, Randolph County, above five miles northwest 
of Higbee, and was a daughter of Owen H. and Maria (Yager) Bagby who 
were pioneer settlers of Silver Creek township. Jennie Lee (Bagby) 
O'Bryan was one of ten children born to her parents, the others being as 
follow: Thomas J., William H., deceased; Zebulon P., Mrs. Mary Jackson, 
deceased; Mrs. Korine Shipp, deceased; James W., Warsaw, Mo.; Benjamin 
F. and Walter H. The Bagby family was one of the very early pioneer 
families of central Missouri. Owen H. Bagby was born in Kentucky and 
came to Missouri with his parents who settled near Roanoke, Silver Creek 
township in 1827. He was a son of John Bagby. Maria (Yager) Bagby, 
wife of Owen H. Bagby, was born at Hampton Roads, Va. and came here 




OWEN REDICK O'BRYAX 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 257 

with her parents at an early day and settled on the place where Thomas J. 
Bagby now lives. To John T. O'Bryan and wife were born the following 
children : Owen Redick, the subject of this sketch ; Mrs. Mary Lee O'Con- 
ner, Huntsville, Mo. and Zebulon D., known as "Jack" of Huntsville, Mo. 

Redick O'Bryan, grandfather of Owen Redick O'Bryan, of this review, 
was three times married and to his first marriage were born the follow- 
ing children: Rev. William F., deceased; Mrs. Flora Bradley, Yates, Mo., 
and Mrs. Adaline Randecker, of Booneville, Mo. After the death of his 
first wife, he married Mary Dennis who was the seventh of 19 children 
of Harrison Dennis and the following children were born to that marriage : 
Cornelia O'Bryan, deceased; James T. O'Bryan, deceased and Matie 
O'Bryan, deceased. To Redick O'Bryan's third marriage with Mrs. Eliza 
Dameron who was the mother of two children by her former marriage, 
William H. Dameron, deceased and Mrs. Julia D. Minor of St. Louis, were 
born the following children: John, deceased; Minnie, married Hon. Wil- 
liam T. Heathman, a former representative from Randolph County ; Milton 
S. O'Bryan, manager of the Harlan Tobacco Store, Moberly. 

Owen Redick O'Bryan, the subject of this sketch was born June 12, 
1890 and attended the White school district in Silver Creek township until 
he was 12 years old when he entered the Huntsville grade school and was 
graduated. Later, he took a course in the Moberly Commercial College 
and was graduated in 1908. He then entered the employ of the Wabash 
Railroad Company and the Express Company and one year later entered 
the Kansas City School of Law and also served a clerkship in Kansas City 
law offices and was admitted to the bar to practice in the state courts June 
2, 1913, and admitted to the Federal courts May 19, 1914. Shortly after- 
wards, he made the race for the nomination for prosecuting attorney of 
Randolph County against Jerry M. Jeffries and F. E. Murrell. He carried 
every township in the county outside of Moberly, except Cairo, and was 
defeated by eight votes. In 1916, he made a second race for the nomina- 
tion of prosecuting attorney and during that campaign he made the promise 
that if the United States should become involved in the World War he 
would enlist. He had an opportunity to make his word good and he did, 
enlisting at Sedalia, Mo., May 13, 1917 and resigned his position as claim 
agent for the M. K. and T. railroad in order to enlist. After enlisting, he 
was sent to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri and assigned to the 16th Infantry 
and from there entrained to El Paso, Texas, but was ordered overseas be- 
fore reaching his destination. He was reassigned to Company A, 34th 



258 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Infantry and after a brief period of training at Port Bliss he was detailed 
to district headquarters in July, 1917. Later he was given a furlough and 
returned home and on Oct. 4, 1917 he addressed the Old Settlers Reunion 
and on October 7th he argued a case in the Kansas Court of Appeals, being 
the first lawyer to appear before that court in uniform. December 13th 
he was transferred as battalion sergeant to headquarters of third division 
Camp Greene, Charlotte, N. C. He left Charlotte, March 7, 1918 and 
arrived at Camp Merritt the next day and embarked at Hoboken, N. J. on 
an old Austrian steamer which had been renamed "Martha Washington". 
He was then regimental sergeant major and commander of the guard every 
other day. At 12 o'clock on April 4th in the Bay of Biscay the convoy 
was attacked by German submarines and a running fight between the sub- 
marines and the United States chasers and convoys took place until the 
submarines were destroyed. The American fleet landed at Bordeaux, 
France, on April 4th. The 'third division then went into training quarters 
at Chateau Villian, 16 miles south of Chaumont, the A. E. F. Headquarters. 
On May 27th, the division was entrained under secret orders for the front 
lines and arrived at the Marne where they occupied 22 kilometers of front 
line to Ballou Woods on the left and extending to Charteves Sector which 
was being pressed by a minor German offensive which extended from 
Soissons to Reims. On July 14th the Germans launched their last 
offensive which continued for four days and gained an entrance south of 
the river. On July 20th the United States army started an offensive and 
drove the Germans back to the Vesle River. The third division was re- 
lieved August 14th and transferred to a recoupment area. This division 
lost 60 per cent of their men in the above engagement. Later they were 
ordered to the St. Mihiel salient, Sept. 5, 1918, and arrived in support of 
the 89th division. Sept. 13, Mr. O'Bryan was transferred to the 89th 
division headquarters which was relieved Oct. 6th and on Oct. 11th took 
a position in the Argonne Forest. After 30 days of hard fighting they 
were on the Meuse River, Nov. 11th when the armistice was signed. They 
then crossed Belgium and Luxemburg on the heels of the retreating Ger- 
man army. They remained there until May 13, 1918 when they entrained 
at Erodorf, Germany, for Brest, France and embarked for America by way 
of Plymouth, England and reached port at New York. Mr. O'Bryan was 
discharged at Camp Funston, Kan. June 13, 1919. 

Mr. O'Bryan engaged in the practice of his profession after return- 
ing to Moberly and has a good practice. He is a capable young attorney 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 259 

and has a wide acquaintance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands 
high in the community. In addition to his general practice he is also 
assistant prosecuting attorney of Randolph County. 

Mr. O'Bryan is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, 
the Knights of Pythias, the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons and holds 
membership in the first Baptist church at El Paso, Texas. 

John R. Martin, better known as "Little Dick," president and founder 
of the Little Dick Clothing Company, which gets its title from Mr. Mar- 
tin's nickname, is one of Moberly's enterprising and successful business 
men and a descendant of one of Randolph County's honored pioneer 
families. 

Mr. Martin has had a varied and successful career in the mercantile 
business. After obtaining a good education in the public schools of Ran- 
dolph County, he began as a clerk in the employ of Mitchell and Moppin, 
of Renick, Mo. Later he clerked for Clack and Parrish, Nevada, Mo. He 
was next employed by Donihue Brothers, Kirksville, Mo. He was then in 
the employ of 0. J. Townsend, Unionville, Mo., for a time when he re- 
turned to Kirksville and took charge of the clothing department of the 
Sam Fickler Store. From there he came to Moberly and engaged in busi- 
ness, becoming the junior member of the firm of Burkholder and Sol 
Martin. Shortly afterwards he sold his interest in that firm and entered 
the employ of Frank B. Forney and later was employed by Henry Levy 
and Company. In 1897 he engaged in the clothing business under the 
firm name of the Little Dick Clothing Company and was the sole owner 
and proprietor of that business until 1911 when he sold a half interest 
to his brother, Forrest Martin, and since that time they have conducted 
the business under the original firm name and have met with success, 
and rank as one of the leading mercantile establishments of Moberly and 
Randolph County. They carry a. full line of men's and boy's clothing and 
furnishings and in the range of quality and price they rank with the 
leading retailers of the country. They carry a large stock and in the 
matter of style they are ready to meet the demands of their customers 
from the conservative to the most fastidious. 

Mr. Martin was married November 9, 1893, to Miss Josie Jamison, 
of Kirksville, Mo. She is a daughter of Joseph G. Jamison, who is now 
deceased. 

John R. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order 
of Elks and the Loyal Order of Moose. 



260 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

The Martin family is one of the pioneer families of Randolph County. 
John It., the subject of this sketch was born in Prairie township and is 
the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin, both natives of Ran- 
dolph County, the former of whom is now deceased and the latter resides 
on the old Martin homestead in Prairie township. A more extensive his- 
tory of this pioneer Randolph County family and its various members ap- 
pears in connection with the sketch of Forrest Martin in this volume. 

John R. Martin has in his possession an interesting volume which 
is devoted to the history of the Martin family which was written by his 
brother, Prof. W. H. Martin, on the occasion of the golden wedding anni- 
versary of their parents. This event took place Feb. 18, 1902. Professor 
Martin presents the story of the Martin family and pays tribute to the 
worthy parents of this large family of thirteen children in a most able 
manner, which was read at the wedding anniversary. In this article he 
narrates the various characteristics of the thirteen children of Bailey 
Martin and in which he evinces unusually keen observation and a clear 
understanding of the individual traits of each member of the family. 

The Martin family is one of the interesting pioneer families of Ran- 
dolph County and every member is a worthy descendant of worthy an- 
cestors. 

Omar Martin, manager of the shoe department of the Wolff-Berger 
Company, has been identified with the commercial life of Moberly for the 
past 25 years and has an extensive acquaintance throughout Randolph 
County from his many years of dealing with the public. 

Mr. Martin is a native son of this county and was born in Prairie 
township. He is a son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. The 
Martin family is one of the prominent pioneer families of Randolph 
County, a more complete history of which will be found in connection with 
the biographical sketches of John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which 
appears in this volume. 

Omar Martin was reared on the old Martin homestead in Prairie town- 
ship and attended the public schools of Prairie township and the Moberly 
High School. After leaving school he entered the employ of the Felden- 
heimer Dry Goods Company of Moberly and for 23 years was in the 
employ of that firm. In 1917 the Feldenheimer Dry Goods Company was 
succeeded by the Wolff-Berger Company and since that time Mr. Martin 
has been manager of the shoe department. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 261 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage Sept. 11, 1900, with Miss Lucre- 
tia Grimes, of Moberly. She is a daughter of Washington and Virginia 
Grimes, pioneer settlers of Moberly, both of whom are now deceased. 
Washington Grimes settled here about the time that the town of Moberly 
was founded and spent the remainder of his life in this city. Mr. and 
Mrs. Martin now reside in the old Martin home at 319 Union avenue, where 
the Grimes family lived for many years and where Mrs. Martin was born. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Omar Martin have been born two children: Bailey, 
who was named after his paternal grandfather, is now a student in the 
Moberly High School and Virginia, who bears the name of her maternal 
grandmother, is at home with her parents. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks. 

Jossph Davis Martin, of the Little Dick Clothing Company, Moberly, 
Mo., is a native of Randolph County. He was born in Prairie township, 
Feb. 23, 1868, and is the son of Bailey and Martha Ellen (Davis) Martin. 
A more detailed history of the Martin family appears in the sketches of 
John R. Martin and Forrest Martin, which will be found in this volume. 

Joseph Davis Martin was reared to manhood on the Martin home 
farm in Prairie township and received his education in the public schools. 
He remained on the home farm, engaged in farming and stock raising until 
1905, when he came to Moberly and since that time has been identified 
with the Little Dick Clothing Company. 

Mr. Martin was united in marriage June 6, 1899, with Eureth J. 
Wirt, a daughter of James and Sallie (Hendrex) Wirt, of Prairie town- 
ship. James Wirt and his wife were pioneer settlers of Randolph County. 
Mr. Wirt was an early day plainsman, crossing the plains with ox teams 
in 1854. He kept in his possession during his lifetime a souvenir, a hunt- 
ing horn, which he made from a horn -of one of the oxen which he drove 
on his trip to California. It is artistically designed and upon it is carved 
the figure of a dog. This heirloom is in Mr. Martin's possession and is 
prized very highly. James Wirt and his wife are both deceased. 

To Mr. and Mrs. Joseph D. Martin have been born two children: 
Laura Loretta and Sallie Janice. 

Mr. Martin is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and is 
a Randolph County citizen of real worth. The Martin family home is 
at 900 Williams street, Moberly. 



262 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Henry R. Terrill, of the firm of Terrill Brothers, which is composed of 
Henry R. and Vincent C. Terrill, is one of the well known and reliable retail 
shoe establishments in the city of Moberly and has an extensive patron- 
age. The Terrill Brothers have been engaged in business here for a 
number of years. 

The Terrill family is one of the old substantial pioneer families of 
Randolph County and the various members of this family have been 
identified with the growth and development of this county for considerably 
more than half a century. 

Henry R. Terrill, the senior member of the firm of Terrill Brothers, 
is a native of Randolph County and was born in Sugar Creek township, 
Dec. 3, 1869. He is a son of John R. and Ann (Roberts) Terrill. John 
R. Terrill came to Randolph County about 1854 when he was 18 years of 
age, and entered government land about two miles south of the present 
city of Moberly and this land is still owned by his descendants. Two 
of his brothers, James and Robert Green, served in the Confederate army 
and both were killed. James Terrill served with General Price and was 
killed and Robert Green was serving with General Morgan's command in 
Kentucky when he was killed. 

John R. Terrill was a son of William Terrill, who came to Randolph 
County at the same time that his son, John R., came and owned an 
adjoining farm. He was a native of Kentucky and was in that state on 
a visit at the time of his death. His remains were brought back to 
Randolph County and buried in Oakland cemetery. John R. Terrill, father 
of Henry R., lived on the same farm in Randolph County for 50 years. 
He died in 1907. His wife preceded him in death several years, having 
died in 1875. Their remains are both interred in Oakland cemetery. 

Henry R. Terrill was educated in the public schools and was grad- 
uated from the Moberly High School in 1890. He then entered the Mis- 
souri University at Columbia and was a student in that institution for 
three years, after which he was engaged in farming about one year. 
He then, in partnership with Joe W. Mullen, purchased the shoe business 
of Victor and Given in Moberly. Later he sold his interest to Mr. Mullen 
and engaged in farming for about four years. The present firm of 
Terrill Brothers was organized and they engaged in the retail shoe busi- 
ness which they have since continued and this firm is now one of the 
mercantile landmarks of Moberly. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 263 

Henry R. Ten-ill was married in 1896 to Golclena Mounce, a daughter 
of A. M. and Martha (Morrison) Mounce of Moberly. A history of the 
Mounce family appears in this volume. To Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have 
been born the following children: John M., a graduate of the Moberly 
High School and now an employe in the Terrill Brothers' store; Mar- 
garet Ruth, also a graduate of the Moberly High School, is bookkeeper 
for Terrill Brothers' store; Mary Emma, a student in the Missouri Uni- 
versity; Robert, Dorothy and Martha. 

John M. Terrill, the eldest son of Henry R., was a student in the 
University of Missouri when the United States entered the World War, 
and in 1917 he enlisted in the Officers' Training School at Camp Han- 
cock, Ga., and was attached to the 15th Company, 3rd Battalion, and 
was stationed at Camp Hancock until the armistice was signed. After 
receiving his training he was retained at Camp Hancock as a military 
instructor and was in the service about one year. He is a member of 
the Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6. 

Merritt A. Romans, of the bridge construction department of the 
Lynch-McDonald Construction Company, of Moberly, is one of the best 
practical bridge men in the state. He is a native of Missouri and was 
born in Callaway County, Oct. 14, 1873, a son of H. P. 0. and Sarah 
Bell (Wilson) Romans. The father was also a native of Callaway County 
and was born in 1844. He died at Greely, Colo., in 1916, and the mother 
now resides at Salida, Colo., and is 68 years old. They were the parents 
of the following children: Charles Edwards, Kersey, Colo.; Merritt A., 
the subject of this sketch; Albert H. Loveland, Colo.; James P. Kersey, 
Colo. ; Samuel A., Boise, Idaho ; W. F., lives in Colorado, and Virginia E., 
married Alfred Owen, and they reside at Salida, Colo. 

Merritt A. Romans was educated in the public schools and since he 
was 16 years of age has made his way in the world. He has had an 
extensive experience in bridge construction, first entering this line of 
work with the Wabash Railroad Company and for eight years was in the 
v employ of that company, and for the last fifteen years has been with the 
Pan American Bridge Company. He travels and manages the construc- 
tion of the bridge department of the Lynch-McDonald Construction Com- 
pany. 

Mr. Romans was married in October, 1900, to Miss Elizabeth Bu- 
chanan, of Trenton, Mo. She is a daughter of A. H. and Nannie (Hale) 
Buchanan, who now reside at Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Romans have 



264 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

been born two daughters: Elizabeth E. and Virginia M., both of whom 
are students in the Moberly High School. Mr. Roman is a member of the 
Knights and Ladies of Security and stands high in Moberly and Randolph 
County. The family residence is at 514 South Fourth street. 

H. Frank Holman, public administrator of Randolph County, senior 
partner in the Peoples Steam Laundry and vice-president of the Moberly 
Chamber of Commerce is one of the well known and progressive citizens 
of Randolph County. Mr. Holman is a native of Randolph County and a 
descendant of one of the early prominent pioneer families of this part 
of the state. He was born in Chariton township, Randolph County, Feb. 
12, 1861 and is a son of James M. and Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman. 

James M. Holman was also a native of Randolph County, born in 
Chariton township, March 20, 1831. He was a son of Joseph Holman, 
who was a native of Kentucky and a pioneer of Chariton township, Ran- 
dolph County, where he settled at a very early date. James M. Holman 
died Nov. 18, 1907 and his remains are buried in Mt. Carmel cemetery. 
He spent his life in this county and was one of its successful citizens. 
He was a progressive farmer and stockman and influential in the county. 
Margaret L. (Harlan) Holman, his wife preceeded her husband in death 
a number of years. She died in 1887 and her remains are also buried in 
Mt. Carmel cemetery. They were the parents of seven children of whom 
H. Frank is the only one living. The others are Mrs. Martha J. Cobb, 
Mrs. Mary Foster, George I., Mrs. Sarah Thomas and tw r o died in infancy. 
After the death of his first wife James M. Holman married Mrs. Bettie 
(Hurt) Powell and one son was born to this union, Payton Y. Holman, 
who lives in Chariton township. 

H. Frank Holman was reared on his father's farm and educated in the 
public schools and for ten years was engaged in farming and stock rais- 
ing. In 1892 he came to Moberly and engaged in the real estate and in- 
surance business. Later he disposed of his business and went west on 
account of his wife's health and upon his return to Moberly in 1899 he 
engaged in the laundry business which he purchased from J. C. Irvin. 
This was a small concern at that time and had been staited by S. S. San- 
ford who sold it to J. J. Stephens before J. C. Irvin owned it. This was 
the beginning of the Peoples Steam Laundry which has developed to its 
present proportions since Mr. Holman purchased it. The laundry was 
formerly operated in a building 25x75 feet and now occupies a building 
100x120 feet, located on the corner of North Williams and Rollins streets 




H. FRANK HOl.MVN 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 265 

in what is known as the Holman building. This is one of the best 
equipped laundries in the country and does an extensive business. H. 
Frank Holman's son, James W., is a partner in the laundry business and 
is the superintendent. 

For the past nine years H. Frank Holman has been engaged in road 
work. He is president of the Moberly Special Road District and has 
charge of the Moberly Road District. He is president of the North Mis- 
souri Cross State Highway from St. Louis to Kansas City via Moberly. 
The work so far has been confined largely to grading and bridge building. 
Mr. Holman has made a careful study of road improvement work and is 
working out some of the problems of this difficult question very satis- 
factorily and making splendid progress. He is now serving his third 
term as public administrator of Randolph County. 

Mr. Holman has been twice married. His first wife, Miss Linda S. 
Vasse to whom he was married in 1887, died Nov. 23, 1898. Two chil- 
dren were born to this union, J. W., who is his father's partner in the 
Peoples Steam Laundry and Percey F., who was a railway brakeman and 
killed in an accident at Walsenburg, Colo. Mr. Holman was married the 
second time to Miss Minnie Guy. of Moberly, Mo., in 1908, and one child 
has been born to this union, Raymond G., who is nine years of age. 

Mr. Holman is a member of the Presbyterian church and the Knights 
of Pythias Lodge. He is vice-president of the Moberly Chamber of Com- 
merce. He is one of the widely known progressive and enterprising 
citizens of Randolph County who stands ever ready to do his part to pro- 
mote the betterment and upbuilding of his native county and its institu- 
tions. 

Frank Hartley Estill.— The Estill Floral Company of Moberly of which 
Frank Hartley Estill is the owner and manager, is one of the impor- 
tant industrial enterprises of this city. It was founded in 1906 by 
Mrs. Rebecca S. Estill, mother of Frank H. Estill. The greenhouses, of 
which there are seven, are located at 707 Gilman street. Seven of 
these houses are 16x90 feet and one of them is 30x100 feet. The com- 
pany has its own water system and the greenhouses occupy five acres 
of ground between Carpenter and Gilman streets and Fort street and 
the city limits. There is employed here a regular force of five men 
and during the summer season several more. This company does an 
extensive business in flowers, floral designs and plants and 90 per cent, 
of the business done by this concern is outside of the city of Moberly. 



266 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Orders are filled from various towns and cities over a broad scope of 
territory. 

Frank Hartley Estill is a veteran of the World War. He was 
reared in Moberly, educated in the public schools and was graduated 
from the Moberly High School in the class of 1910. Afterwards he 
attended the University of Missouri for two terms and since that time, 
except the time spent in the army during the World War, he has de- 
voted himself to the management of the Estill Floral Company. 

Frank H. Estill is a son of H. V. and Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill. 
The father was born in Charleston, W. Va., Feb. 2, 1856, and died at 
Moberly Dec. 4, 1919. H. V. Estill came to Moberly from his native 
state about 1884. He was a civil engineer and for some time was in the 
employ of the Wabash Railroad Company. He installed the city water 
works of Moberly and for 20 years was superintendent of that depart- 
ment and resigned from that position in order to devote his attention 
to the floral business in which he was engaged for a number of years. 
Rebecca S. (Hendricks) Estill was bora in old Milton, Randolph County, 
and was a descendant of one of the very early pioneer families of this 
county. She was a daughter of Capt. Stephen M. Hendricks, a Con- 
federate veteran who enlisted in Randolph County and served under 
General Sterling Price until the time of his death. He was killed at 
the battle of Corinth, Miss. John Dameron, great grandfather of Frank 
Hartley Estill, on the maternal side, was a pioneer merchant of Milton, 
Randolph County. He spent his life here and is buried in Oakland ceme- 
tery. Mrs. Estill died April 4, 1916, aged 54 years, and is buried in 
Oakland cemetery. 

July 24, 1918, Frank H. Estill enlisted in the United States army 
at Moberly and was sent to Camp Funston for training and after three 
months there he was transferred to Camp Mills, N. Y., and about Nov. 
1, 1918, he embarked for France, a member of Brigade Headquarters, 
10th Field Artillery, with the rank of corporal. He then was stationed 
at Camp DeSouge, near Bordeaux, where he was trained for service as 
a wireless telegraph operator. After the armistice was signed he re- 
mained in France until March, 1919, when he was returned to the United 
States and received his honorable discharge at Camp Grant, 111., March 
31, 1919. 

Mr. Estill is a member of the American Legion, Theodore Bazan 
Post, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, Moberly Lodge No. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 267 

344. He also holds membership in the Moberly Chamber of Commerce 
and the Retail Merchants' Association. He is one of the progressive 
and enterprising young men of Moberly and has a wide business ac- 
quaintance and many friends. 

Judge Frank B. Forney, manager of the Forney Clothing Company, 
and a member of the Board of County Judges of Randolph County. He 
is a native of this county and was born on a farm six miles from Mober- 
ly, and when he was two years of age his parents moved to Moberly. 
He is the son of D. S. and Henrietta (Batty) Forney, the former a 
native of Virginia, and the latter of Ohio. A more extensive review 
of the Forney family history will be found in connection with the biogra- 
phical sketch of I. B. Forney, a brother of Frank B., which appears in 
this volume. 

Frank B. Forney was educated in the public schools of Moberly, 
and began his mercantile career in his father's store in Moberly, his 
father being one of the pioneer merchants of this city, and was engaged 
in business here for many years. 

Frank B. Forney remained in his father's store until 1890, when he 
engaged in the clothing business at Moberly, and has continuously been 
in that business to the present time, and the Forney Clothing Company 
of today is the outgrowth of this humble beginning thirty years ago. 

The Forney Clothing Company is one of the extensive commercial 
enterprises of its kind in central Missouri. They deal in men's and boys' 
ready to wear clothing and furnishing goods, and few cities of the 
size of Moberly have the advantage of such an extensive mercantile 
establishment, which offers such a wide range in style and quality as 
does the Forney Clothing Company. The business is located at 318-320 
West Reed street. The building is owned by the company and has a 
frontage of 30 feet and is 110 feet deep. There are two stories, the 
upper one of which is used for storing the surplus stock. The com- 
pany employs eight clerks, most of whom have been with the company 
for several years. George Sours has been with the Forney Clothing 
Company for 29 years; Arthur McCully, 14 years; Herbert Lamb, 11 
years; Buckner Nave, 8 years; Arthur Grimes, 23 years; Ernest Ellin- 
ger, 7 years; Paul Eurton, 2 years; and Lowel Sours, who died in 1919, 
had been with the company for 24 years. 

Frank B. Forney was married in June, 1893, to Miss Myrtle Tucker, 
of Mexico, Mo. She is a daughter of J. D. Tucker, who was a pioneer 



268 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

merchant and capitalist of Mexico, Mo., and is now deceased. To Mr. 
and Mrs. Forney have been born the following children: Francis, a 
student in the Moberly High School; Daniel, also a student in the Mob- 
erly High School; Dorothy and Betty, students in the ward school. 

Mr. Forney is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks. Mr. 
Forney is one of the substantial business men of Moberly, whose career 
has been a successful one. He has an extensive acquaintance through- 
out Randolph County, and Missouri. 

In the spring of 1920, Mr. Forney was appointed to the office of 
county judge by Governor Gardner to fill out an unexpired term, and 
he is giving the same careful attention to the public affairs of Ran- 
dolph County that he has to his private affairs. Judge Forney is a 
member of Governor Gardner's staff. 

Yoder and Yoder. This firm consists of Dr. Samuel J. Yoder and 
his wife, Dr. Delia Yoder, well-known chiropractors of Moberly, who 
have been engaged in the practice here since 1917. Dr. Samuel J. 
Yoder was born in McLean County, 111., Aug. 26, 1866. He is a son 
of Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder, who now resides at Car- 
lock, 111. The father is 80 years of age and the mother is 75 years old. 
Jonathan Yoder is a son of Samuel Yoder, who was a native of Penn- 
sylvania, and a pioneer in Ohio and Illinois. 

The children born to Jonathan and Catherine (Balliman) Yoder are 
as follow: Milo F., Gibson City, 111.; John W., Danvers, 111.; J. E., Dan- 
vers, 111. ; Judson, Danvers, 111. ; Carey, Danvers, 111. ; Chester L.. Ver- 
non, 111. ; Minnie, married Albert Frey, Carlock, 111. ; Alice, married Fred 
Spencer, Danvers, 111. ; Eura, married Herman Sthaly, Aurora, Neb., and 
Dr. Samuel J., who was the second in order of birth. 

Dr. Samuel J. Yoder received a good education in the public schools 
of Illinois and then the Palmer School at Davenport, Iowa, where he took 
a chiropractic course. Doctor Yoder was married to Miss Delia S. Wil- 
hite, a native of Woodford County, 111. She is a daughter of James C. 
and Eliza J. (Sawyers) Wilhite, both of whom are deceased; the mother 
died at the age of 37 at Summer, 111., in 1876, and the father died in St. 
Louis in March, 1918, at the age of 80 years. They were the parents 
of the following children: Theodore S., Decatur, 111.; Leander C, Wich- 
ita, Kan.; John A., Wichita, Kan., and James Edwin, O'Fallon, 111. After 
the death of the mother of the above children, the father was married 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 269 

again, and to that union were born the following children: Scott Wil- 
hite, a county judge at Mt. Carmel, 111.; Alice, married William Fulbright, 
St. Louis, Mo. ; Emma S., married Bert Brown, of St. Francisville, 111. 
The following children of James C. Wilhite are deceased, Hattie S. died 
at the age of ten years ; Rosander C, died in infancy ; Lillie N., died at 
the age of 16 years and Laura B., died at the age of six. 

Doctor Yoder and his wife began practice in Davenport, Iowa, and 
in 1917 began the practice of their profession at Moberly and since estab- 
lishing themselves here they have built up an extensive practice. Doctor 
Yoder says that chiropractics has to its credit from 85 to 90 per cent, of 
recoveries of cases, a majority of which are of the so-called chronic na- 
ture. He says according to statistics taken during the flu epidemic that 
only one case out of 861 was lost; that these statistics cover the entire 
United States and were obtained from chiropractors throughout the coun- 
try by Doctor B. J. Palmer, president of the Palmer School at Davenport, 
Iowa, who sent out 10,000 cards to practicing chiropractors, and the sta- 
tistics was compiled from these cards. 

In connection with the Palmer School at Davenport, Iowa, a free 
clinic is being conducted daily where from 1,200 to 1,500 patients are 
being adjusted, and by this method the students obtain a knowledge of 
giving spinal adjustments. 

Since coming to Moberly Doctor Yoder and his wife have made many 
friends and stand high in the community. 

Robert M. Rucker, of the firm of Rucker Brothers, leading drug- 
gists of Moberly, is a native of Missouri. He was born in Sturgeon, Mo., 
in 1881, and is the son of R. D. and Lula (Dusenbury) Rucker. R. D'. 
Rucker was born at Lynchburg, Va., and for the past 35 years he has 
been engaged in the lumber business at Sturgeon, Mo. He came to 
Boone County just after the close of the Civil War and was engaged in 
farming and stock raising until he engaged in the lumber business at 
Sturgeon. He is now 73 years of age and still active in business. Lula 
(Dusenbury) Rucker was bom in St. Louis and was a daughter of the 
late Judge Dusenbury of that city. She died in May, 1911, and her 
remains are buried at Sturgeon. 

To R. D. and Lula (Dusenbury) Rucker were born the following 
children: Edward L., a member of the firm of Rucker Brothers, of 
Moberly; F. M., Sturgeon, Mo.; Robert M., the subject of this sketch; 
W. H., who died at the age of 27 years; and E. F., a traveling salesman, 
who resides at Sturgeon, Mo. 



270 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Robert M. Rucker was educated in the public schools of Sturgeon, 
Mo., and then took a course in the St. Louis School of Pharmacy. He 
then engaged in the drug business at Sturgeon and later was at Higbee 
two years and at Huntsville six years. For the past eight years he has 
been in Moberly and in all has had 23 years experience in the drug 
business. 

In 1911 Robert M. and his brother, Edward L. Rucker, succeeded 
Doctor Harlan, who formerly conducted the drug store at 401 West 
Reed street, Moberly, Mo. This is one of the well established and high- 
class drug stores of Moberly, and the Rucker Brothers are doing an 
extensive business which has ever increased in volume since they engaged 
in business here nine years ago. Their prescription department is com- 
plete, reliable and efficient. They carry a complete line of drugs and 
druggist's sundries and have a well equipped soda fountain in connection. 
The Rucker Brothers are both progressive and enterprising citizens and 
rank among Moberly's leading business men. 

Robert M. Rucker is a Knights Templar Mason and a member of the 
Mystic Shrine, Order of the Eastern Star and the Benevolent and Pro- 
tective Order of Elks. 

J. E. Sanford, proprietor of the New York Store, of Moberly, Mo., 
is one of the progressive and enterprising business men of Moberly and 
Randolph County. 

The New York Store was founded in 1915 by J. E. Sanford and C. 0. 
Selders. In 1920, Mr. Sanford purchased his partner's interest and is 
now the sole owner and proprietor. The New York Store is located at 
309-311 West Reed street and occupies a frontage of 60 feet. This store 
carries a full line of dry goods, shoes, men's furnishings, rugs and no- 
tions. Mr. Sanford aims to carry a popular price line of merchandise 
which is appreciated by the buying public, and he has built up an exten- 
sive mercantile business in comparatively a brief period. 

J. E. Sanford is a native Missourian ; he was born in Monroe County 
in 1886, and is a son of Jack and Sallie (Barker) Sanford. The former 
is now deceased, and mother resides at Columbia, Mo. After the death 
of her first husband she married Henry Jackson. 

J. E. Sanford is one of a family of three born to his parents, the 
other two being Mrs. Nellie Man-, who now resides in Bismark, N. D., 
and Mrs. Pollie Shanklin, of Fairfax, Okla. 

Mr. Sanford married Miss Mae Hill, of Rocheport, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 271 

Before engaging in the merchantile business and after completing 
school, Mr. Sanford was engaged in teaching and followed that profession 
for four years; he taught school at Branham, Monroe County, and later 
at Granville, which was his last school. He was a successful teacher, but 
the future possibilities of teaching as a profession did not appeal to 
him, and he accordingly turned to mercantile pursuits. His first mer- 
cantile venture was at Centralia, Mo., which he later sold and came 
to Moberly, where he and Mr. Selders founded the New York Store as 
stated in a preceding paragraph. 

Mr. Sanford is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, 
and is one of the substantial business men of Moberly. 

C. M. Hulen, clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, bears 
the distinction of being the youngest circuit clerk in the state of Mis- 
souri. He is a native son of Randolph County, and was born at Clark, 
Nov. 25, 1894. He is the son of S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen, both na- 
tives of Missouri and descendants of pioneer families of this state. 

S. P. Hulen was born near Hallsville, Boone County, Missouri, in 
1863. He came to Randolph County when he was 17 years of age, and 
soon afterwards engaged in the mercantile business at Clark, where he 
successfully carried on business for six years. He then engaged in the 
banking business, and for the past 28 years has been cashier of hte Clark 
Exchange Bank. Ella (Early) Hulen was born near Centralia in Boone 
County, and is a daughter of S. W. and Ruth Early, pioneers of Boone 
County. The Early family came from Kentucky to Missouri in the pio- 
neer days of this state. See sketch of S. P. Hulen on another page in this 
volume. 

To S. P. and Ella (Early) Hulen have been born the following chil- 
dren ; V. E., who is engaged in the oil business at ElDorado, Kan. ; C. M., 
the subject of this sketch; R. P., chief teller in the Mechanics Saving 
Bank at Moberly, and Mary Elizabeth, resides at home with her parents. 

C. M. Hulen was educated in the public schools of Randolph County, 
and the Missouri University at Columbia. When he left school he became 
assistant cashier of the Exchange Bank of Clark, Mo., and served in 
that capacity for five years. When he was 23 years old, in 1917, Mr. 
Hulen was elected clerk of the circuit court of Randolph County, and so 
far as known is the youngest man in the state holding a similar posi- 
tion. He is capable and obliging and has many friends and extensive 
acquaintance throughout Randolph County. 



272 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

Mr. Hulen was married Nov. 25, 1915, to Miss Minnie Mae Wright, 
daughter of William and Ersie (Fray) Wright, of Clark, Mo., where 
Mrs. Hulen was born. 

Mr. Hulen is a member of the Modern Woodman of America, the 
Loyal Order of Moose, and the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons. 

Clyde Miller, proprietor of the Jefferson Cigar Store at 207 Reed 
street is one of the progressive and enterprising young business men of 
Moberly. He is a native of West Virginia, born in Wheeling, March 13, 
1887. He is a son of George and May (Forney) Miller. The mother was 
a daughter of D. S. Fornay, a pioneer merchant of Moberly, further men- 
tion of whom is made elsewhere in this volume. She died in January, 
1889 and is buried at Wellsburg, W. Va. 

George Miller, father of Clyde Miller, is now engaged in the grain 

'business at Erie, Pa. His father, the grandfather of Clyde Miller, was a 

soldier in the Revolutionary War and George Miller served in the Civil 

War and he had a brother, William Miller, who also served in the Civil 

War as a captain. Both enlisted in West Virginia. 

Clyde Miller is one of the following children born to his parents: 
Mrs. C. F. McCord, Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. William Wright, Wheeling, W. 
Va. ; Mrs. H. H. Phillips, Dunkirk, Ind. ; George, Los Angeles, Calif., and 
Clyde, the subject of this sketch. 

Clyde Miller attended the public schools in Wheeling, W. Va., and 
the Moberly High School and since he was ten years old has made his 
own way in the world. He is a wide awake business man of the pro- 
gressive type and has built up an extensive business. He is courteous 
and obliging and has made many friends during the course of his busi- 
ness career in Moberly. He engaged in his present business at 207 
West Reed, Oct. 4, 1914. He carries a full line of cigars, tobacco and 
smokers' accessories and also candies. In connection with his other 
business he conducts the Illinois Coal Company, which is incorporated at 
$10,000, and Mr. Miller is secretary of this company. His billiard room 
is well equipped and conducted on a high-class plane and is one of the 
popular amusement places of Moberly. 

Mr. Miller was married Oct. 4, 1919, to Miss Ruth Marie Durham 
of Kansas City. She is a daughter of Marshal S. and Effie (Hubbard) 
Durham. The mother died when Mrs. Miller was an infant and the 
father now resides at Clark, Mo. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 273 

Mr. Miller is a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of 
Elks, the Country Club and Theodore Bazan Post, No. 6, the American 
Legion, of which he is a charter member. He is a Knights Templar 
Mason and a member of the Shrine. 

During the World War, Clyde Miller enlisted at Columbia, Mo., June 
5, 1918. After taking a special course of instruction at the gas engine 
school at Columbia, he was made an instructor and from there was sent 
to Camp Grant, 111., to the officers' training school, and had just about 
completed his course when the armistice was signed. He was discharged 
Jan. 18, 1919, after having served about nine months with the rank of 
sergeant. 

Emil Gutekunst, a prominent member of the Randolph County bar, 
and one of the leading lawyers of Moberly, is a native of this county. 
He was born in Moberly, Oct. 15, 1878, and is a son of George and 
Emilie (Walz) Gutekunst, early settlers of Randolph County, who came 
here in 1872. For many years the father was engaged in the mercantile 
business here and is now living retired at 201 South Clark street. 

George and Emilie (Walz) Gutekunst are the parents of the follow- 
ing children: George, Jr., lives in Montana; Emil F., the subject of 
this sketch ; Arthur, chief clerk in the Moberly postoffice ; Fred, a grocer 
in Moberly, and Carl, a teacher in the Kansas City High School. Dur- 
ing the World War he was instructor of French in the officers' training 
school at Fort Riley. He was a teacher in the Moberly High School 
prior to the war and enlisted from here. 

Emil F. Gutekunst was reared in Moberly and educated in the pub- 
lic schools. After obtaining a good education, he read law and was 
admitted to the bar in 1904 and began the practice of his profession in 
Moberly, where he has continued until the present time. He has a well 
equipped office and library at 208 North Williams street and has an ex- 
tensive practice. While his practice is of a general nature he gives spe- 
cial attention to probate court practice and the settlement of estates. 

Mr. Gutekunst was married in 1907 to Miss Dola L. Kaufman, of 
Moberly. She is a daughter of George W. and Olive (Lindsay) Kauf- 
man of Moberly. Mr. Kaufman came from Illinois to Missouri and is 
now engaged in the grocery business here. To Mr. and Mrs. Gutekunst 
have been born one daughter, Olive Emilie. 

Mr. Gutekunst is a member of the Presbyterian Church and has 
served as elder for the past fifteen years and for ten years was superin- 



274 HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 

tendent of the Sunday school. Mr. Gutekunst has an extensive acquaint- 
ance in Moberly and Randolph County and stands high among his fel- 
low members of the bar as well as among his friends and neighbors. 

Frank B. Wegs, owner and proprietor of the Moberly Cornice Works, 
is one of the leading sheet metal workers and tinners and probably the old- 
est in the business in Moberly. He is a native of Illinois and was born 
in Brown County, 111., May 16, 1872. His parents were John B. and 
Catherine (Stark) Wegs, both of whom are deceased. The mother died 
at Quincy, 111., 1907, and the father died in 1903, and their remains are 
buried in St. Francis cemetery, Quincy, 111. They were the parents of 
the following children: Mrs. Louise Newman, deceased; Mrs. Gertrude 
Rupp, Moberly, Mo.; Frank B., the subject of this sketch; Henry, Quincy, 
111., and William, Quincy, 111. The mother of these children was twice 
married, her first husband being a Mr. Karsteiner and three children 
were born to that union: John and Barney, of Quincy, 111., and Mrs. Liz- 
zie Wegs, Mt. Sterling, 111. 

Frank B. Wegs was educated in the parochial schools at Mt. Sterling, 
111., and he also attended the district schools. He has made his own 
way in the world since he was 12 years of age. At the age of 15, he 
began working at the tinner's trade at Quincy, 111., and 18 months 
later he went to Monroe City, Mo., where he remained about a year. 
In 1886 he came to Moberly and worked at the sheet-metal and tinner's 
trade for Ben Kanstnier for eleven years, after which he was engaged 
in farming for eight years and in 1908 he bought Mr. Kanstnier's business 
and since that time has been engaged" in business for himself at Moberly. 
He does all kinds of sheet metal and warm air heating work. He owns 
his own building which is located at 111 West Coates street and is 
unusually well equipped to handle his line of work. His building was 
destroyed by fire Jan. 18, 1911, when the O'Keef building burned. Mr. 
Wegs immediately rebuilt and on the 3rd of the following March, about 
40 days from the date of the fire, he had rebuilt and his building was 
ready for occupancy. 

Mr. Wegs was married May 30, 1894, to Miss Mary Stinkamp, a 
daughter of Herman Stinkamp, of Moberly. He is now deceased and 
his widow lives in Moberly. To Mr. and Mrs. Wegs have been born eight 
children as follows: Loretta, married Frank Davit, Moberly; Hilda, mar- 
ried Earnest Wingfield, Moberly; Clarence, Mabel, Emil, Helen, Marie 
and Regina, all residing at home with their parents. They have two 
grandchildren, William Davit and James Wingfield. 

Mr. Wegs is one of Moberly's substantial business men. 



HISTORY OF RANDOLPH COUNTY 275 

* 

Dr. Chambers B. Clapp, chief surgeon of the Wabash Hospital at 
Moberly, who also owns and conducts the Woodland Hospital in this 
city, is one of the skilled and widely known physicians and surgeons 
of the state. Doctor Glapp is a native of Illinois. He was born in Dan- 
ville, 111., Nov. 21, 1858. His parents were George A. and Catherine 
(Brown) Clapp. George A. Clapp was a native of North Carolina and 
a pioneer settler of Vermillion County, 111. He was a farmer by occu- 
pation and when the Civil War broke out he enlisted in the 125th Regi- 
ment, Illinois Infantry, and served in the Union army for three and one- 
half years. He enlisted as a private and was promoted from time to 
time during the course of his military career until he became a first 
lieutenant and held that rank when he received his honorable discharge 
and was mustered out of the service at the close of the war. 

Doctor Clapp's mother died when she was- 21 years of age, leaving 
three motherless children: Dr. Chambers B., the subject of this sketch, 
and Isaac D., twins, the latter of whom is a farmer in Florida, and Mrs. 
O. J. Matthews, of Minatare, Neb. After the death of his first wife the 
father was again married and moved his family to Nebraska, where 
he spent the remainder of his life. He died in 1916 at the age of 78 
years. 

Doctor Clapp received his preliminary education in the district schools 
of Vermillion County, 111., and Nebraska. Later he attended the State 
Normal School of Nebraska, after which he was engaged in the drug 
business for a time at Brock, Neb. He then went to Philadelphia and 
took a course in the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and was graduated 
in 1882. He then returned to Danville, 111., where he was in the drug 
business for four years when he went to Chicago and was engaged in the 
same business for two years. He read medicine under private preceptors 
and entered Rush Medical College at Chicago, where he was graduated 
with the degree of Doctor of Medicine in the class of 1889. 

After receiving his degree, Doctor Clapp again returned to Dan- 
ville, 111., where he was engaged in the practice of his profession about 
one year when he received the appointment of local surgeon for the 
Wabash Railway Company at Moberly, Mo., and immediately came here. 
The Wabash Hospital was completed the same year and ready for occu- 
pancy in 1891 and since that time Doctor Clapp has had cha