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OSAGE COUNTY BUSINESS AND INDIVIDUAL DIRECTORY
OSAGE COUNTY DIRECTORY AND STATISTICAL COMPENDIUM
C. J. VAUGHAN, COMPILER LINN, MISSOURI - 1915
1805046
PREFACE.
The compilation of this volume has required considerable statistical research. The records of the county and other authorities available have been diligently searched to obtain the information contained herein. All matter of a statistical character has been carefully verified and will be found correct, barring such mistakes as are likely to occur in dealing with figures. Historical data has been obtained from sources con- sidered reliable, and, while not exhaustive, it is believed will prove interesting. The directory feature, of course, must of necessity in time lose some of its present accuracy.
It has not been the purpose of the compiler of this book to produce a voluminous or exhaustive work, nor does this volume represent an effort on the part of the compiler at literary achieve- ment. It is a plain presentation of local statistics and his- torical data which, it is believed, will prove interesting and useful. The professional and business men represented herein have contributed in a large measure to the production of this book, and to them is hereby made public acknowledgment of thanks.
C. J. VAUGHAN, Compiler.
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1)
HOMORRISON
STABERA
3
E
- NIT
BACKIE'S CREEK
Loys Town
MINTHILE
FLORA
WELCOME
BOERGERSTORE
KER
LOOSECRE
OK
CRAWFORD LINN
FREEDOM
COOPERYS
FK
RICHFOUNTAIN
TIVER
FEVERSVILLE
TACK
WASHINGTON
CONAD
KOENIG JEFFERSON LEBORE
BARTOWN
PYTON
KOEDE
1
JERSEY
TARTARE
MISSOURI RIVER
HAMOIS
LANGE STORE
S BELL
ONNO
os
INN 1
OSAGE RI
WESTPHALLAL
AUS 5
FRYNERE BURG
FREDERICKSBURG
.
OSAGE COUNTY.
Osage county is in Central Missouri. St. Louis, the metropolis of the Mississippi Valley, is 85 miles from the eastern border. Jefferson City, the capital of the State, is 10 miles from the western boundary. The physical boundaries of the county are the Osage on the west, the Missouri on the north, while the meanderings of the Gasconade establishes in part the boundary on the east. Maries county lies just south. The county has an area of 375,336 acres and a population, according to the census of 1910, of 14,283 people.
The predominating geological formations are limestone and sandstone. Lead, coal, kaolin and iron ore have been dis- covered in various parts of the county, but not in quantities sufficient to hazard the cost of an attempt at commercial de- velopment. Topographically considered, the county shows the effect of the glacial period. Hills and valleys of irregular for- mations stretch in all directions. The strata of rock, irregular in position, shows the result of the upheaval. The main watershed is an irregular promontory stretching from the Maries county line to the Missouri river. Diverging from this mainland are numerous lesser watersheds, feeding tributaries of the Osage and Gasconade rivers. The great bluffs overlook- ing the larger and smaller streams are objects of scenic interest and beauty. Rising precipitiously hundreds of feet above the streams at their base, they are majestic in their proportions. They are practically unexplored, notwithstanding that industry has for years been carried on about them. Nature has dealt lavishly in forming a landscape of beauty. Prodigious hills and fertile valleys ever delight the eye with scenic variations. Rome's seven hills, celebrated in literary metaphor, are abashed by the seventy and seven hills of Osage. Nature shows a curious and interesting workmanship. Some formations suggest the spectacular and delightful Alps, while nestling at their base are fertile valleys, yielding abundantly blade and grain in response to human industry. Nowhere in all the vast expanse of the American continent can be found a country of equal area yield- ing products, domestic and natural, of greater variety. The oak, sycamore, cottonwood, elm, ash, walnut and hickory are
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
the natural product of hill and valley. Civilization introduced a variety of domestic products which yield their rich portion in season. Not only does the topography of the county and the varied character of its soil permit the production of a variety of staple articles, but nature well adapted all elements to the first requirements of the pioneer. The numerous streams abounded with fish, the woods with game and the hills and valleys with wild fruit. These, with crystal springs of never-failing water, fulfilled the pioneer's vision of an earthly paradise. While making conquest of the forest and laying the foundation for the more improved civilization to follow, nature yielded abundantly to the wants of the early settler. True, the valleys, covered with a growth of luxuriant oak, about which were dense hanging foliage, spread malaria in his path. Even the residents of the high hills escaped not the unsparing ravages of disease peculiar to an undeveloped country. Owing to the nature of the country it yielded stubbornly to conquest. The sturdy settler battled heroically with his new environments, making progress by slow and difficult stages.
Life in Osage county in the pioneer days was typical of that in the colonial period. Log houses with puncheon floors sufficed the needs of the early settler. The more prosperous of that period lived in two-room log houses, with an entry between. All houses had their celebrated fireplaces, these at one end of the building. Huge rock chimneys on the outside carried away the great volume of smoke. Home life was simple and hospitality was the predominating virtue. The early settler was not harassed by the Indian as was his Virginia forebears. Ere settlement was made here the Indian had moved further west and south. The first white settlers were in exclusive control of the territory. Prior to occupancy of the land by the whites, the Osage, Shawnee and Delaware Indians inhabited the country. Before them were the mound builders, who, from evidences now apparent, must have numerously populated this region. Interested parties have made excavations and found skeletons and stone implements peculiar to that prehis- toric race. A regularity of earth formations in Benton town- ship, south of Chamois, indicate that the mound builders re- sided there in great numbers. These formations have both the appearances of natural and artificial creation. Their vast size suggests the difficulty of artificial construction, while their regularity gives almost positive assurance that they are not the work of nature.
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
SETTLEMENT.
The first settlers in Osage county were the French near Cote Sans Dessein, near the present site of Bonnots Mill, where they established trading posts with the Indians, with whom they were much thrown in social intercourse. History gives us no par- ticulars of their crude form of social government, but tradition informs us that they lived a life of social merriment in which the peaceable Indian participated. This was about the beginning of the nineteenth century. The gradual encroachment of the Missouri river upon the settlers village dispersed them and they moved to points more remote in the interior of the county and by degrees familiarized themselves with the processes of farming. The great overflow of 1844 drove the last resident from French Village and the town ceased to exist. Thereafter Dauphine- now Bonnots Mill-was established.
About the year 1833 a colony of educated Westphalians located in the western part of the county on the big and little Maries. These sturdy characters were ambitious to establish institutions of learning in the new country. They were devout Catholics and aspired to give to the world an example of de- votion to faith by establishing institutions of learning calculated to promote the growth of their religion. They made a map of the Osage and Maries region, showing the location of settlers' farms, roads and other places then regarded of importance. The beautiful town of Westphalia was established by them, which became their headquarters and to which immigration from the fatherland poured in. They were an industrious people who prospered in the new land of their adoption.
The first of the American-born immigrants were Virginians, who settled in the interior of the county on land adapted to the growth of tobacco. They selected the high hills, rejecting the more fertile valley land which could have been obtained at no greater cost. They were a peaceable people who, while not indolent, took life easy. Their environments were adapted to the full enjoyment of their tastes. The fox chase was a community affair in which success was evidence of valor or failure, humiliation. The tables were well supplied with venison, the skin of the deer being converted into buckskin trousers, a staple garment in those days. All domestic services were per- formed by the women, who procured wood and water and often solved the vexatious problem of supplying, by ingenious pre- paration of materials at hand, the table wants of the family.
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
These conditions had established themselves without serious consideration of the respective duties of the sexes. The early settler answered the call of the wild as the first law of his nature. He was not disturbed with ethical problems of home life further than to require morality and virtue in the home. If the women performed more than their share of work, their endurance was regarded as proof that not too much had been required. No Lochinvar could woo with greater ardor than the sturdy young suitor of that period, but once having acquired possession of the object of his affection, he reverted to type and lived true to the example set by the fathers.
While there was apparent a palpable inequality in the domes- tic requirements of the sexes of that early day, yet the men were not lacking in respect and affection for the women. The do- mestic structure was the creation of long custom. With no pretension to aesthetic tastes, they accepted without question the perfect idealism of their primitive conditions. They were jealous of any invasion that threatened established customs. The head of the family concerned himself with the work which the mother of the family could not perform. His duties were to annually clear additional land, put in the crop and cultivate it. But these duties were not permitted to interfere with his pleasures. He could discern with fine discrimination the favor- able or unfavorable signs of the weather for fishing, and always yielded to his native impulses in matters of this character. The summer months afforded him much delight on the banks of streams, where he kept tense vigil at his lines. During the winter months he spent much of his time in the woods in quest of game, and he demonstrated prowess with the crude firearms he possessed. The rifle, loaded at the muzzle, was the chief implement of execution. Occupying a place of high esteem was the long-eared, deep bass-voiced hound, whose endurance was a quality of admiration. That hound that laid out in the chase or was outdistanced by the others subjected himself to speedy dispatch. No man in the community dared venture the humiliation of the ownership of a hound that shirked in the chase. In fact, he craved no higher honors than the distinction of owning the best pack in the community.
But the provincialism of the earlier day has been succeeded by the history of the present-an era of progress, prosperity and culture, an expression of the red blood and indomitable char- acter of the early settlers. Improved farms, the best breeds of horses and cattle, and the adaptation of scientific methods in
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
farming are everywhere evident in rural life. Churches and schools dot the hills and valleys of the county, whereby is re- flected an advance in social life and culture.
The public affairs of the county have been economically and honestly administered, and neither suspicion or scandal has been directed at a public official. The mass of the people are intelligent, honest and industrious, and the general effort is towards industrial progress and a higher idealism.
MILITARY.
Osage county has always furnished her full quota of patriotic men when the nation demanded their services. We recall but one who served in the war of 1812-Major Jesse Evans. Col. Adam Miller, whose name was a household word in Osage county, and who was intimately identified with her material interests, served in the Seminole Indian war in Florida.
The Mexican war was the signal for a ready and enthusiastic response on the part of the leading citizens of the county. J. W. Hawkins, militia colonel, called a meeting at Linn in June 1846. An organization was effected with August Rainey as captain and John Scott first lieutenant. Capt. Rainey's company went to Fort Leavenworth, where it remained six weeks and, not being needed, returned home. Captain Rainey died on his return home and William Reynolds, one of the company who became a major, died later while in the service.
At the outbreak of the Civil war Osage county had more slaves than any territory of equal area between the Osage and Meramec. In 1860 there were over 200 slaves in the county, and the richest slave-owner in the whole region resided in Osage county.
After the election of President Lincoln, Osage county be- came much interested in Civil war issues. J. W. Blount was representative of the county in the State Legislature and was a supporter of Gov. Claiborne Jackson's war policy, a position out of harmony with the prevailing sentiment of the repre- sentative men of all parties in the county.
The Home Guard movement had its birth in the summer of 1861. The mission of this organization was to protect public property, bridges and railroads and facilitate the operations of federal troops. Capt. J. K. Kidd formed the first Home Guards
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
at Cooper Hill, and later Medora became general headquarters. Among the captains of Home Guards were John and Henry Bur- nett, J. W. Glover, Sam Miller, Felix Bonnot and W. W. Price. Contemporaneous with these organizations was the formation of State Guards, under direction of Governor Jackson, by J. T. Berry, who was appointed enrolling officer for Osage county. Governor Jackson's withdrawal from the State capital led to the gradual dispersion of these men, some joining the confed- erate forces and others going into the federal militia or regular troops.
In August, 1861, Capt. J. K. Kidd organized the Osage In- dependent Mounted Rifle Company, which he took to St. Louis. In the fall of 1861, Col. George B. Boomer of Castle Rock recruited, from the Home Guards, the Twenty-sixth Missouri Volunteer Infantry. This regiment distinguished itself for bravery and its commander, Colonel Boomer, was a conspicuous and valiant leader in many memorable combats. Today his name occupies a position of high esteem in the hearts of the old soldiers, and to his memory there is accorded a rev- erence singularly profound and grateful. The local Grand Army of the Republic organization takes its name from him.
In 1862 Col. Adam Miller, who was enrolling officer for Osage county, began the formation of militia companies. The first enrolled was Company A, under Captain David Hopkins. Company B was also enrolled at Linn under Captain Marion Davis. Then followed the organization at Linn of Company C, E. W. Anderson, Captain; Company D, J. W. Williams, captain; Company E, Mat Stiefermann, captain; Company F, P. J. Com- bey, captain; at Westphalia Company G, S. Borgmeyer, captain; at Koeltztown Company H, H. Strobach, captain; at Linn, Com- pany I, J. C. Dessieux, captain; at Westphalia, Company J, George Laverenz, captain; at Linn, Company K, D. C. Duncan, captain; Company L, G. J. McKnight, captain. David Hopkins of Company A first had general administrative control of the com- panies, but dissatisfaction arising from his radical rule, Col. L. Zev- ely was placed in charge, whose vigorous yet just policy restored harmony among the men and peace in the county. Many of those composing these companies originally served in Governor Jack- son's State Guards. This militia organization was subject to fed- eral orders, but its chief duty was to guard the lines of transpor- tation in the county. Medora, originally headquarters of the Home Guards, surrendered its military prestige to Linn, which afterward became the center of the Home Guards organization.
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
The years 1861-62 were productive of much bitterness and frequent troubles. Assailed by disturbers within and marauders from without, Osage county experienced its share of war history. General Price, in his famous raid from St. Louis to Jefferson City, invaded the county in October 1864. His army, driven to des- peration by want, and hardened by years of warfare, plundered as they went, taking the best horses and plundering homes of all articles that were of value. Little food was left in the coun- try after Price's invasion.
The Home Guards were under Maj. Chesley Glover, a man of broad sympathies, loyal patriotism and unquestioned integrity. This organization was subject to orders from Rolla and Pacific. Gradually it was absorbed by the regular troops and the enrolled militia, which latter organization was formed at Linn in the fall of 1862, with L. Zevely, colonel; Adam Miller, lieutenant-colonel; W. J. Williams, major, and August Klein- sorge, adjutant.
The Thirty-third Missouri Volunteer Infantry, commanded by Col. C. B. Fiske; the Sixth and Tenth Cavalry Volunteers, with some Iowa regiments, embraced 456 men from Osage county. There were 181 in the Twenty-sixth, 102 in the Iowa troops and 120 men, organized at Linn August, 1864, in the Forty- eighth Missouri Volunteer Infantry.
Osage county passed through the reconstruction period with considerable agitation, but without serious overt acts. Oaths of loyalty, dispossession of office and disfranchisement of voters instituted an unpopular regime, which, however, grad- ually gave way to more tolerant and charitable rule.
During the Spanish-American war Osage county supplied a number of young volunteers for the army, some of whom saw active service. A company was organized at Linn in the sum- mer of 1898, J. C. Von Arx being elected captain and Hermann Tillman first lieutenant. This company endeavored to get into the service, but, not being needed, did not get into the field. The company was organized independent of orders, hence was not a recognized military organization.
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.
The first courthouse erected in Osage county was in 1843 at a cost of $3,420.79. The contract for the building of the sec- ond courthouse was let in 1872 at a cost of $28,993.41. This building was completed in 1874; destroyed by fire Sunday night November 15, 1880, and rebuilt at a cost of $13,000.
The first jail erected in Osage county was in 1844 at a cost of $133.14. The present building was erected in 1858 at a cost of $2,560.
The county poor farm was created in 1853 with 108 acres. The present building was erected in 1893 at a cost of $4,550. The present farm consists of ten acres.
Contract for the erection of the bridge across Doolin's creek, near Chamois, in sum of $685, was let August 20, 1890.
The contract for the erection of the bridge across Loose creek, near Isbell, in sum of $4,000, was let August 17, 1891.
The contract for the erection of the bridge across the Maries creek, near Westphalia, was let November 22, 1892. Bridge was built in 1893. Contract price, $14,000.
The contract for the erection of the bridges across Swan creek and the Gasconade river at or near Rollins' ferry in sum of $12,440, was let June 29, 1897. Bridge was completed in 1898.
CITIES AND TOWNS.
LINN.
Linn was created by the County Court of Osage County in 1842, when that body appointed John Scott county seat com- missioner and ordered that the county seat be known and styled as "Linnville". Later the town was called Linn in honor of United States Senator Linn of Missouri, a distinguished physi- cian and popular statesman.
Some facts that the compiler of this volume has obtained from the county court records follow:
February 14, 1842, John Scott, commissioner, was ordered to plat town and sell lots on "credit of twelve, eighteen and twenty-four months" and instructed to sell no lot for less than $10. May 8, 1843, the commissioner's report was received and ordered recorded. On the same day Henry Zurnegeda, surveyor, filed his report of the survey of the town. On the succeeding day it was ordered by the court that thereafter all terms of court be held at Linn, except the next one, which was to be held at Van Buren, then the meeting place of the court.
In pursuance of an order of the court made at its May term, 1843, the first session of the county court held at Linn was on August 14, 1843. Thereafter Linn became the permanent county seat. An ineffectual effort was made by M. C. Davis, through his attorney, in February, 1844, to move the county seat back to Van Buren; but the court, upon investigation of the petition for removal, found that not two-thirds of the taxable inhabitants of the county had signed the petition, therefore the matter was dismissed. At the same term of court, George Crutsinger, superintendent of public buildings, filed plans and specifications for a new courthouse, and reported the award of contract for its building, which the court approved.
The first dramshop license granted to a citizen of Linn was on August 14, 1842. The first authorized tavern keeper was Theo. Even, who was granted a license for that purpose by the county court February 14, 1844, upon payment of $10, to the State, and $12.50 to the county.
The first store in Linn was conducted by W. M. Lankin where the convent now stands. E. McJilton built the first frame
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
house on the site of the Boillot postoffice building. The first brick house in Linn was erected by E. McJilton, the same being the one removed by John Feuers in 1913, and known as the Hopkins place. Southwest of the courthouse Burch & Young contractors, built a double log house which was used as a hotel. The "Linn Mansion," erected in 1849, was a pretentious build- ing for its day and place, and was justly celebrated for the air of domesticity and hospitality which prevailed there.
The growth of the town has been by slow but substantial stages. Transportation, passenger and freight, has been, until recently, exclusively by hack and dray, Bonnots Mill being the shipping point. The improvement of the public roads, which has introduced automobiles, has greatly facilitated passenger service and placed the town in quick communication with the railroad.
Linn was incorporated as a village October 3, 1899, and remained so until October 11, 1911, when it was incorporated as a city of the fourth class.
The public utilities of the town are an electric light plant, incorporated, the stock of which is held by the citizens of the town; a central telephone system, with lines radiating to all points in the county and having connections with the Bell and Kinloch systems; the Postal Telegraph-Cable Company, with an office in the city. The Osage County Fair Association grounds and buildings are located in East Linn. The Fair Association was permanently organized at Linn, December 29, 1906. March 23, 1907, the grounds, consisting of twelve acres, were pur- chased for $1,200. Articles of incorporation were granted March 18, 1907. Stock in the Fair Association is held by the people of the county generally. The Bank of Osage County was organized in the Farmers and Merchants Bank in 1913.
CHURCHES AND FRATERNITIES.
St. George's Church was organized at Linn by Father John B. Goeldin, S. J., in 1867. The first church building was erected in 1874. This was succeeded by the present building, which was erected in 1894. The convent building was com- pleted in 1883. The first parsonage was built in 1874, and the present one in 1894.
The first Methodist Church was erected in 1874, an organi- zation having been effected many years previously. Later this property, east of courthouse square, was sold and a half
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DIRECTORY OF OSAGE COUNTY.
interest acquired in the Christian Church building, where the two congregations worshipped alternately. In 1905 the present build- ing was completed. The church parsonage was bought in 1881.
The Christian congregation was a vigorous and active or- ganization from 1880 to 1890. In 1880 the congregation built a church. Eventually the organization lost its identity and the trustees sold the church property. The membership has been, to a considerable extent, absorbed by the Methodists. Those who remain with the organization have transferred their membership to Fairview.
There are a few adherents of the Baptist denomination in the vicinity of Linn, but they have no church property or or- ganization.
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