USA > Missouri > Cooper County > A history of Cooper County, Missouri, from the first visit by white men in February, 1804, to the fifth day of July, 1876 > Part 1
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Gc 977.801 C788 1164499
M. L
GENEALOGY COLLECTION
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 01053 7519
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2018
https://archive.org/details/historyofcooperc00leve_0
W. R. BAKER
-DEALER IN-+
Agricultural Implements
HARDWARE AND FIELD AND GARDEN SEEDS. No. 47 MAIN STREET, Boonville, Olio.
188
Do you know?
Do you know that you can drive tils into hard wood with out bending em if you dip them first in lard? That a lump of camphor in your othes press will keep steel ornaments ora tarnishing?
That stale bread will clean kid oves?
That bread crumbs cleanse silk owns?
That milk, applied once a week ith a soft cloth, freshens and pre- erves boots and shoes?
That gloves can be cleaned at ' ome by rubbing with gasoline?
That weakspo. ? a black silk waist lay be strengthened by "sticking" purt plaster underneath?
That tooth powder is an excellent eanser for fine filigree jewelry?
That a little vaseline, rubbed in nce a day, will keep the hands from Lapping?
BRIGHT'S DISEASE OF THE KIDNEYS.
The symptoms of this dread disease are puffiness of the face, especially under the eyes, sometimes of the feetalso, dull, heavy pains in the back and loins gradu- ally increasing, restlessness and weak- ness, palpitation of the heart, indiges- tion, and urinary sediments. At the ap- pea rance of the first symptom Pe-ru-na should be taken in tablespoonful doses six times each day, or, if more conveni- ent, two tablespoonfuls three times each day before each meal. This remedy strikes at once at the very root of the disease. It at once relieves the congest- ed kidneys of their stagnant blood, pre- venting the escape of serum from the blood. Pe-ru-na stimulates the kidneys to excrete from the blood the accumulat- ing poison, and thus prevents the con- vulsions which are sure to follow if the poisons are allowed to remain. It gives great vigor to the heart's action and di- gestive system, both of which are apt to' fail rapidly in this disease.
For a complete lecture on Bright's discase, its cause and cure, send for The Family Physician No. 3. Sent free to any address by The Peruna Medicine Company, Columbus, Ohio.
WILLIAMS .- At, his home in Rockville, Ma y 30th, after a lingering sickness of five week s. Elder John W. Williams, age 65 years, 4 months and 5 days.
Bro. Williams was born in Kentucky, emigrated to Tennessee, from there to Green county, Mo., at : the age of 15 years, where he lived up to 1863, then moved to Illinois and remained two years, and in '65 returned to Cole county, Mo. Having lost his first wife during that time, he was left with six motherless children, this stroke of divine providence was endured with Chris- tian fortitude and much patience. In Sep- tember, '65 he was united in the holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Mary Byler. His un- deviating fidelity and parental love mani- fested toward his dear wife and little children during his protracted sickness was soul- cheering and sympathetic. The writer at- tended his bedside more than anyone else and never heard him murmur nor complain. He bore all his suffering with Christian forbearance, and hnmble resignation to the will of God, whom he had so faithfully served.
The old soldier has laid his armor by to dwell with Christ at home. Dear sister Williams, you have a bright treasure in heaven that cannot come to you, but by God's grace you and your dear fatherless children can go to him, never to part again. Trust in Jesus, the widow's friend, for He says, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." M. E. BALDWIN.
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tion.
ELLEGE .- In Judsonia, Ark., Sept. 4th 1889, Miss Fannie Ellege, daughter of pasto L. Ellege; aged 19 years.
Miss Fannie was born in Johnson county Kan., Sept. 3rd, 1870. At the age of two an a half years she was attacked with spina meningitis, which wrecked her physics system and caused her to be a constant su ferer throughout life. For eight years prio to her death she was a confirmed invali and in a helpless condition. But, notwith standing her physical infirmity, she por sessed a bright mind. Her attendance upo school was marked with great success. Sh professed faith in Christ in August, 188: and united with the Baptist church at Popla Bluff, Mo. Since that time her membershi was transferred to the church at Judsonia, ( which her father is pastor.
For three months preceding her death sh was confined to her bed. In this conditio she manifested the greatest patience an reconciliation. She passed away Sept. 4tl 1889. The immediate cause of her death w consumption attended with congestion an other diseases. She never lost ber consciou ness; she remained rational until she sank i death. As the dissolution took place, sl called her father, then her mother and the her brother, and said : "Come here, I al almost at the end." As her vision clos upon the outer world, a smile of radial played upon her cheeks, and those wi witnessed the change said she passed awa without a struggle. Not a ripple was on b countenance; she fell asleep in the Lor The good people of Judsonia, old and youn came and looked upon her lifeless body ar commingled their tears and sympathies wi those of the bereaved family. On Thursdi at three o'clock P. M. her remains we carried to the church, and there in the mid of a large concourse of people, who had a sembled to witness the funeral services, aft the reading of appropriate Scripture, Eld J. W. Harris, of Searcy, delivered an a dresu.
In the midst of sobs and tears her remai were borne from the church to the cemeter where, with kind hands and loving hear they were deposited in the tomb, to ewi the resurrection morn. We tender o most sincere condolence to the beresy family.
A
HISTORY
OF
COOPER COUNTY.
Missouri,
From the first visit by White Men, in February, 1804, to the 5th day of fuly, 1876.
-
BY HENRY C. LEVENS AND NATHANIEL M. DRAKE.
ST. LOUIS:
PERRIN & SMITH, STEAM BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS, 701 WASHINGTON AVENUE. 1876.
1
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by LEVENS & DRAKE, In the office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
CONTENTS.
Correspondence, Introduction,
- 5
7
10
CHAPTER I. ·
History of Boone's Lick Country, from the First Visit by White
0 Men to the Organization of Howard County, 11
CHAPTER II.
History of Boone's Lick Country, continued, . 20
CHAPTER III.
History of Boone's Lick Country, continued, 29
CHAPTER IV.
Organization of Howard County, 39
CHAPTER V.
Organization of Cooper County, . 4S
CHAPTER VI.
History of Cooper County,
56
CHAPTER VII.
History of Cooper County, continued, .
64
CHAPTER VIII.
History of Cooper County, continued, . 68
CHAPTER IX.
Political History of Cooper County, .
72
CHAPTER X.
War History of Cooper County, .
87
CHAPTER XI.
War History of Cooper County, continued, 96
CHAPTER XII.
Character, Manners and Customs of the Early Settlers of Cooper County,
·
119
CHAPTER XIII.
Different Towns in Cooper County,
126
PAGE.
Dedication,
iv.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XIV. 142
Different Townships in Cooper County, .
CHAPTER XV.
Early History of Different Townships, CHAPTER XVI.
157
Early History of Different Townships, continued, CHAPTER XVII. 177
Biographies of some of the Old Citizens, which were not placed in
the History of the Townships in which they lived, 196
CHAPTER XVIII.
Celebration of July Fourth, 1876, at Boonville. Poem by H. A.
Hutchison, 203
CHAPTER XIX.
Present Boundaries of Cooper County, Population, etc., etc., . 210
CHAPTER XX.
Complete List of State Officers who served from the Organization
of the State to the present time,
CHAPTER XXI. 215
Complete List of County Officers who have served from the Organ- ization of the County to the present time, . 221
Those to Whom we are under Obligations for Assistance, 228
Abstracts. 229-231
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1164499
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
THE following correspondence explains itself :
BOONVILLE, Mo., June 5, 1876.
Messrs. H. C. LEVENS and N. M. DRAKE :
GENTLEMEN-We are making arrangements for celebrat- ing the 100th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independ- ence, and in order to do so with credit to our people, we propose to enlist the cordial efforts of our citizens. Know- ing your thorough acquaintance with the history of Cooper county, we respectfully solicit a contribution from you in conformity to a resolution of Congress and proclamation of the President, to be read upon the above occasion, at least such portions as you may deem of special interest to our people. We are aware that we are asking a great deal to be done in so short a time, but the circumstances, we think, justifies the appeal, and our confidence in your willingness to respond favorably.
Awaiting an early reply, we have the honor to remain with sentiments of high respect.
Very truly yours, F. W. LUDWIG, H. M. CLARK, Spec'l Com.
BOONVILLE, Mo., June 8, 1876.
Messrs. F. W. LUDWIG and H. M. CLARK :-
GENTLEMEN-Yours of 5th inst., requesting us to write a short history of Cooper county, &c., received. In reply would say, that we will comply with your request to the best of our ability.
Very Respectfully, HENRY C. LEVENS, N. M. DRAKE.
*
INTRODUCTION.
IN compliance with a resolution of Congress, and the Proclamation of the President of the United States, the Committee of Invitation for the Celebration of the "Cen- tennial" 4th day of July, requested us to write a brief his- torical sketch of Cooper county, Missouri, to which we, with considerable mistrust, as to our ability to meet the ex- pectations of the people, consented, and undertook to per- form.
After reading the same on that occasion, the multitude there assembled, unanimously passed a resolution, offered by Maj. Henry M. Clark, Chairman of said Committee, requesting us to complete said history, and have the same published in book or pamphlet form, which has accordingly been done.
This book contains, among other items of interest, viz : Ist. The history of the "Boone's Lick Country," from the time it was first visited by white Americans to the or- ganization of Cooper county.
2d. The general history of the county of Cooper from the time of its organization, to the 5th day of July, 1876.
3d. The Political History of the County, containing the names of all of the voters at the first election for delegates to Congress on the 2d day of August, 1819, who lived with- in the present limits of the county ; and, also, the names of the candidates for office at several of the early elections and the number of votes given.
4th. The war history of the county.
viii
INTRODUCTION.
5th. A short biographical sketch of some of the most prominent early settlers.
6th. A description of the first churches, and schools, ministers of the gospel and school teachers, showing that the first school was taught upon a log in the open air, and the names of the pupils attending the same.
7th. A list of all of the State and County officers elect- ed and appointed, from the formation of the State and county government to the 4th day of July, 1876; their terms of office, when the same commenced and when ex- pired.
8th. A table showing the progress of schools, the taxa- ble wealth and taxes at different periods and other useful statistics, in regard to the advancement of the county.
9th. A description of each post office in the county, and a separate history of the City of Boonville and the different towns.
roth. A brief history of each township, with the names of a number of its earliest settlers, from the best informa- tion which could be obtained from the records, and the rec- ollections of the old citizens still living. A large majority of those mentioned were here and voted at the August elec- tion, in 1820, and but few are included, who arrived subse- quent to that date. These lists are, we think, in the main correct, but some of the early settlers have, no doubt, been omitted, for the want of proper information. It will be no- ticed that the histories of some of the townships are more full and complete than others, their citizens having taken more interest in giving the desired information.
We expect our history to be severely criticised by some, but they must bear in mind, that it is a difficult and labori- ous task to write a detailed history, reaching over a period of sixty-six years, when there are so few of the old settlers now living from whom information could be obtained.
ix
INTRODUCTION.
Neither could any other history, written previous to this one be found, which could be used as a guide.
We have, merely in a plain old-fashioned style, recorded the facts, as they were learned from others, and from the State and county records. We undertook the task, not be- cause we thought that we could perform it better than any one else, but because we felt that it should be done, and no one else showed a disposition to put his shoulder to the wheel.
For these and other reasons, we have undertaken this responsible duty, hoping that our efforts, in that behalf, may meet the expectations of a generous public ; and that the following pages may be the means of perpetuating the memories of at least some of those who braved the dangers of the savage foe, and whose privations and toil were the means of opening to civilization one of the most productive and best counties, upon which the sun has ever shone. Many of them, whose remains are sleeping in the sacred soil of old Cooper have been long since entirely forgotten, and all recognize the fact that this should not be.
We should honor their memories, and imitate their vir- tues, their moral courage and their heroic bravery. We have few such men among us now. Those glorious days of simplicity have passed away, and only the memory of them remains. We live during the fast age of steamboats, railroads and telegraphs. Whether these things have in- . creased our happiness and prosperity is left to others to de- termine.
But one thing is certain, and that is, the fact that crime has increased to an alarming extent. The records of our county show that no person was indicted or punished for crime, during the twelve years subsequent to its first settle- ment. This proves that the first settlers were, with hardly an exception, honest men and law abiding citizens.
X
INTRODUCTION.
Hoping that our efforts, in this behalf, will be the means of accomplishing some good, we are,
Very Respectfully, Your Obedient Servants, HENRY C. LEVENS, N. M. DRAKE.
DEDICATION.
To Captain SAMUEL COLE and MRS. JENNIE DAVIS, his sister, the only two persons now living in Cooper county, who were among the first company of settlers who put their feet upon its sacred soil-this work is respectfully dedicated. May they live long, and be forever blessed, and may their latter days be as peaceful and happy as their former ones have been honorable and glorious.
HISTORY OF BOONE'S LICK COUNTRY.
From the First Visit by White Men to the Organization of Howard County.
CHAPTER I.
BOUNDARIES of the Boone's Lick Country .-- Derivation of the Name .- First Visit by White Men .- Second Visit .- Third Visit .- First Salt Manu- factured in County .--- First regular Settlement in Boone's Lick Country. -First Settlement in Cooper County .- Aspect of the Savages.
All of the present State of Missouri, lying west of Cedar Creek, and north and west of the Osage river, and extend- ing to the territorial line on the west and north, was, for many years, known as the "Boone's Lick Country." The first settlers, who came here, knew it only by that name.
It received its name from a place called "Boone's Lick," in what is now Howard county, situated about eight miles northwest of New Franklin, near the Missouri river. This place was visited by Daniel Boone at a very early time, but the exact date is not known. Here Boone found several large salt springs, and, as such places were always resorted to by deer and other game, he often hunted in the neigh- borhood.
Although it has always been stated, as a surmise, that Daniel Boone once resided at this Lick, and afterwards, within the present county of Cooper, yet it has been im- possible to find anything authentic upon the subject ; and, as Samuel Cole, a member of the first white family, which settled in the present limits of Cooper county, says emphat- ically, that Daniel Boone never lived farther west than St. Charles county, the conclusion is inevitable, that these his-
12
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
tories are mistaken, when they make the statement, that he was the first settler in the "Boone's Lick Country."
The first Americans, of whom we have any definite knowledge, who were ever in this portion of the State, were Ira P. Nash, a deputy United States surveyor, Steph- en Hancock, and Stephen Jackson, who came up the Mis- souri river, in the month of February 1804, and located a claim, on the public lands, in Howard county, nearly op- posite the mouth of the Lamine river. They remained there until the month of March, in the same year, employ- ing their time in surveying, hunting and fishing ; and in the month of March they returned to their homes, which were situated on the Missouri river, about 25 miles above St. Charles.
While Nash and his companions were in Howard coun- ty, they visited "Barclay's and Boone's Licks ;" also a trading-post, situated about 2 miles northwest of Old Frank- lin, kept by a white man by the name of Prewitt. The existence of this trading-post, and the fact that "Barclay's and Boone's Licks" had already received their names, from the white persons who visited them, shows conclusively, that this portion of the country had been explored, even be- fore this, by white Americans. But no history makes men- tion of this trading-post, or of Prewitt; hence we are una- ble to determine when he came to the "Boone's Lick Coun- try," how long he remained, and where he went when he left ; but he, evidently, left before the year ISOS, as, when Benjamin Cooper moved to what is now Howard county, in that year, there was then no settlement in this part of the State.
In July, 1804, Ira P. Nash, in company with William Nash, James H. Whitesides, William Clark, and Daniel Hubbard, again came into what is now Howard county, and surveyed a tract of land near the present site of Old
I3
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
Franklin. On this second trip, Ira P. Nash claimed that, when he came up the river the February before, he had left a compass in a certain hollow tree, and started out with two companions to find it, agreeing to meet the balance of the company the next day at Barclay's Lick, which he did accordingly, bringing the compass with him, thus proving beyond a doubt, that he had visited the country before this time.
Lewis and Clarke, on their exploring expedition across the Rocky Mountains, and down the Columbia river to the Pacific ocean, arrived at the mouth of the Bonne Femme, in Howard county, on the 7th day of June 1804, and camped for the night. When they arrived at the mouth of the "Big Moniteau Creek," they found a point of rocks, covered with hieroglyphic paintings, but the large number of rattlesnakes which they found there, prevented a close examination of the place. Continuing their way up the river, they arrived at the mouth of the Lamine river on the 8th of the same month, and on the 9th at Arrow Rock.
When they returned from their journey in 1806, after having successfully accomplished all the objects for which they were sent out, they passed down the Missouri river and camped, on the 18th of September, in Howard county, opposite the mouth of the Lamine river. And, as they journeyed down the river on that day, they must have passed the present site of Boonville early on the morning of the 19th of September, 1806.
The next evidence we have, of any white persons being in the "Boone's Lick Country," is the following :
In 1807, Nathan and Daniel M. Boone, sons of old Dan- iel Boone, who lived with their father in what is now St. Charles county, about 25 miles west of the city of St. Charles, on the Femme Osage Creek, came up the Missouri river, and manufactured salt at "Boone's Lick," in Howard
14
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
county. After they had manufactured a considerable amount, they shipped it down the river to St. Louis where they sold it. It is thought by many that this was the first instance of salt being manufactured in what was at that time a part of the Territory of Louisiana, now the State of Missouri. Though soon after salt was manufactured in large quantities, "salt licks" being discovered in many parts of the State. Although these were the first white persons who remained for any length of time in the "Boone's Lick Country," yet they were not permanent settlers, as they only came up there to make salt. and left as soon as they had finished.
William Christie and John G. Heath came up from St. Louis in 1808, and manufactured salt in what is now Black Water Township, Cooper County. The place is known to this day as "Heath's Salt Lick." He for years afterwards, every summer, made salt at the same place, and was known as the "big salt maker." The salt springs are located on "Heath's Creek," which was also named after him.
Previous to the year 1808, every white American who came to the Boone's Lick Country, came with the intention of only remaining there a short time. Three parties had entered it while on exploring and surveying expeditions ; two parties had been to its fine salt licks to make salt, and, no doubt, many of the adventurous settlers living in the eastern part of this State, had often on their hunting expe- ditions, pierced the trackless forests to the "Boone's Lick Country," but, of course, there is no record of these, hence, those expeditions of which there is a record, are placed as being the first to this part of the country, when, in reality, they may not be.
But in 1808, one adventurous spirit, determined to forsake what appeared to him to be the too thickly settled portion of the State, and move farther west to the more pleasant solitudes of the uninhabited forest. In the Spring of that
15
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
year, Col. Benjamin Cooper and his family, consisting of his wife and five sons, moved to the "Boone's Lick Country," and located in what is now Howard County, about two miles south-west of "Boone's Lick," in the Missouri river bottom. Here he built him a cabin, cleared a piece of ground and commenced arrangements to make a permanent settlement at that place. But he was not permitted to remain long at his new home. Governor Merriwether Lewis, at that time Governor of the Territory, issued an order directing him to return below the mouth of the Gasconade river, as he was so far advanced into the Indian country, and so far away from protection, that in case of an Indian war he would be unable to protect him. So he returned to Loutre Island, about four miles below the mouth of the Gasconade river, where he remained until the year 1810.
But the rich Territory was not destined to be left forever to the reign of wild beasts or still more savage Indians. Aside from the fact that the character of the men of the early days caused them continually to revolt against living in thickly settled communities, yet the Boone's Lick Country, and especially what is now Cooper County, presented advantages, which those seeking a home where they could find the richest of lands and the most healthful of climate, could not and did not fail to perceive: Its fertile soil promised, with little labor, the most abundant harvests. Its forests were filled with every variety of game, and its streams with all kinds of fish. Is it a wonder, then, that those seek- ing homes where these things could be found, should select and settle first the rich lands of Cooper and Howard Counties, risking all the dangers from the Indians who lived in great numbers close around them? Two years after the settlement of Benjamin Cooper and his removal to Loutre Island, the first lasting settlement was made in the Boone's Lick Country, and this party was but the forerunner
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY.
of many others who soon followed, and in little more than one-half of a century have thickly settled one of the richest and most attractive parts of the State of Missouri.
On the 20th of February, 1810, Col. Benjamin Cooper with several others returned to what is now Howard County. They came up on the north side of the Missouri river from Loutre Island, and all of them, except Hannah Cole and Stephen Cole, settled in Howard county, north of the Mis- souri river. Hannah Cole and Stephen Cole settled in what is now Cooper county ; Stephen Cole, about one and one-half miles east of Boonville, in what is now called the old "Fort Field," now owned by J. L. Stephens ; and Hannah Cole, in what is now East Boonville, on the big bluff overlooking the river at a point of rocks where a lime kiln now stands. Benjamin Cooper settled in Howard county, in the cabin which he had built two years before, and which had not been disturbed by the Indians, although they occupied all the adjacent country.
When the families of Hannah and Stephen Cole settled in what is now Cooper county, there was no white Ameri- can living in Missouri west of Franklin county and south of the Missouri river. Those who came with them and settled north of the Missouri river, were their nearest neigh- bors, but they were most of them two or three miles distance from this side of the river.
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