USA > Missouri > Atchison County > Biographical history: Atchison County, Missouri > Part 2
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Land is cheap in Atchison county, if quality be considered. Prices will range from $40 to $125 per acre, according to improve- ments and location. Sixty to $90 per acre may be said to be the average price for which good farming lands, accessable to markets, may be purchased to-day. That the farming land of Atchison county is a good investment for capital can hardly be doubted. It rents at about $4.50 per acre, which pays a fair interest on money invested.
Atchison county has the greatest cultivated area of any county in the state of Missouri-416 acres per square mile, while the three southeastern counties, Carter, Reynolds and Shannon, have the lowest-only 34 acres per square mile. Only 21 of the 114 coun- ties in the state have half or more of their surface now in cultivated crops. In the order of their cultivated acreage per square mile they are as follows: Atchison, 416; Nodaway, 400; Lafayette, 374; Saline, 362; Gentry, 358; Cass, 323; DeKalb, 350; Platte, 348; Clinton, 347; Andrew, 343; Caldwell, 342; Carroll, 339; Jackson, 337; Holt, 330; Bates, Buchanan and Johnson, each 329; Audrain, Cooper and Dav- ies, each 324; Ray, 322. Great is Missouri-and Atchison county.
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ROCK PORT.
N ATHAN MEEK laid out the town on April 8th. 1851. It is located in Clay township. in section 27. township 65, range 41. It is the county seat; has a popula- tion of about 1.200; owns the electric light and water plants which furnish the town with light and water: the citizens of the town own and operate the Rock Port, Langdon & Northern Railway, which connects with the Burlington railroad at Langdon. Has three banks, three blacksmith shops. three wagon shops. one creamery, one canning factory. one electric light and water plant, three hardware stores, three general stores. four grocery stores, two harness shops, one photograph gallery, two dentists, two furniture stores, four drug stores, two clothing stores, one racket store, two meat markets, one shoe store. two millinery store, two livery barns, two feed barns, one race course, training stables, two tin shops, two confectionaries and restaurants. three hotels, two lumber yards. two brick yards, one public school building, one county fair association. one lecture congress and chautauqua, one flouring mill, four insurance companies. six physicians, two veterinaries, one court house, one jail. six attorneys, six churches. seven carpenters, two shoemakers. one opera house, two newspapers. The town is surrounded by fine farms, and, supplying the thrifty farmers with the necessaries of life, it will be understood that it is quite a busi- ness center. In fact, we doubt if as many goods are sold in any town in the state of the same size. Visitors to the town declare that Rock Port has the most hospitable people on earth. Taking into consideration the features mentioned. together with the fact that here are among the best public schools to be found anywhere. makes the town a desirable loca- tion for farmers and others who would retire, or for those who desire to educate their child- ren. It is no "boom town," but grows steadily, and those owning property here realize that they could not have invested their money to better advantage.
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A PORTION OF THE RESIDENCE SECTION OF ROCK PORT
TARKIO.
IN August. 1880, the town of Tarkio was laid out on the west half of the southwest quarter, and the southeast quarter of section 14. township 65, range 40. The popu- lation of the town has increased so rapidly and houses sprang up so numerously that large additions have been laid out, from time to time. The population of the town is now about 2,000. The Tarkio Valley railroad, a branch of the Burlington system, runs through the town. and Tarkio is considered one of the best shipping points in Northwest Missouri. There are also good prospects of another road being built through the town, connecting Kansas City, Mo., and Omaha, Neb. Tarkio has one foundry, two confectionaries. one shoemaker, two restaurants, one shoe store. two hotels, two newspapers, three grocery stores, one bakery, three lumber yards. three hardware stores, two meat markets. two telephone companies. three general stores, two banks. one cigar store two millinery stores. one planing mill. two wagon-makers, one plow factory, one tailor shop, two jewelery stores, four drug stores, one paint and wall-paper store, one, electric light and water plant. one college, one public school building. one elevator, one flouring mill, two veterinaries, two clothing stores, one undertaker, two furniture stores. three dentists, six churches, one tinner, one book and notion store, one brick and tile fac- tory, five physicians, two livery barns, one horse and mule barn, three attorneys, one auditorium, three barber shops. The Tarkio College and the splendid pub- lic schools of the town give the place a wide reputation as an educational center. In fact, Tarkio is regarded as the modern Athens of this section of country. From a moral stand- point it is a desirable residence location and many well-to-do people have bought residence property there because of the moral surroundings and educational advantages, regarding it just the place in which to properly raise and educate their children. There are seven churches in Tarkio, all well supported. The town is beautifully located and is surrounded by a magnificent country.
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TARKIO
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FAIRFAX
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WESTBORO
FAIRFAX.
HE town of Fairfax was laid out in April, 1881. on a part of the west half of the south- east quarter of section 22. township 64, range 40. It has a population of about 700; is on the Tarkio Valley Ry; has two banks. six general stores, one furniture store, one newspaper, one elevator. two hardware stores, one harness shop, two drug stores. one wood work shop, one harness store. two drug stores, two blacksmith shops, two meat markets, two confectionaries, one millinery store, two lumber yards, one livery barn. one city hall, one brick vard. one public school building. three physicians, four churches, two barber shops, two dentists. one hotel and more fine residences than are usually seen in towns of the same size. Its population is composed of a moral and highly respectable class of peo- ple. The town is surrounded by the best farming country and most prosperous farmers in the county, or in any other county, for that matter, and. therefore, it will be understood that it is a live town. A stranger entering that town for the first time would judge, from the grain-wagons, hog-wagons and other vehicles he met. that he was approaching a town three times the size of Fairfax. It is claimed as many goods are sold there as in any town in the county.
WESTBORO.
L OCATED in the northeast quarter of section 10, township 66, range 38. is the town of Westboro. It has a population of about three hundred. It is on the Tarkio Valley railroad and is quite a shipping point, being in the midst of a great agricul- tural region. The town has two banks, one elevator, two general stores, two restaurants, two dealers in agricultural implements, two hardware stores, one lumber yard, two drug stores, one blacksmith shop, one livery barn, one meat market, two barber shops, four physicians, one newspaper, one city hall. There are also two churches and a good public school, and the population is composed of the very best people.
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MILTON.
B EFORE the advent of the Tarkio Valley railroad Milton was the most important trading point in south Atchison county. The town is located about one-fourth of a mile from a switch on the Tarkio Valley railroad. The population is about fifty. There is a post-office, one store, blacksmith shop, two churches and a school house.
NISHNABOTNA.
T HIS is a town of about thirty inhabitants, on the Burlington railroad. There is a post-office, two stores, a blacksmith shop and school house. Considerable live stock and grain is shipped from that station, as it is in the midst of prosperous farming community.
LINDEN.
I HE town of Linden was laid out in 1846, and was the first county-seat of Atchison county. It is located five miles north of Rock Port, in Polk township. Has about thirty inhabitants, one church, one general store and a blacksmith shop.
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WATSON.
A S a shipping point Watson is perhaps the equal of any town in the county-situated on the main line of the Burlington railroad and in the midst of one of the richest farming communities in the world-farms on the choicest of Missouri valley soil. The town has a population of about 400: two elevators, one bank, one furniture store, three general stores. one mill. one hardware store. one blacksmith shop. two livery barns. two hotels, one lumber yard. one grocery store. one drug store. one confectionery. one harness shop. one restaurant. two barber shops. one meat market, three physi- cians, four churches, one public school building.
PHELPS CITY.
THE town of Phelps City was laid out in August. 1868, on sections 35 and 36. town- ship 65. range 42. It is located on a main line of the Burlington railroad. Thetown has a population of 167. There are two general stores, two churches, one public school building, one hotel, one physician, one drug store, one opera house, one blacksmith shop. The town is in the midst of a splendid farming region and is a good shipping and trading point.
LANGDON.
L ANGDON was established in 1880, on the farm of Col. P. A. Thompson. three miles south of Phelps City. It has about thirty inhabitants. one store, one hotel, one church, one lumber yard, one blacksmith shop and is a great fishing resort. It is on a main line of the Burlington railroad and in the fishing season quite a number of people are generally there from abroad.
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PARTIAL VIEWS OF LANGDON, PHELPS CITY AND WATSON
1-Langdon 2-Phelps City
3-Watson
JAMES S. ATHEN.
M R. ATHEN first saw the light of day in the state of Indiana on March 1st. 1864, the son of James S. and Julia Ann Athen. When yet a babe in his mother's arms his par- ents emigrated to Atchison county. Missouri. His father died soon after. and later his mother married J. W. Mapes. He made his home with Mr. and Mrs. Mapes until in his seventeenth year, when he began life for himself. working by the month as a farm hand, and truthfully it can be said that Mr. Athen is a self-made man. He owns and lives upon one of the best improved farms in the county, comprising 220 acres, in section 4, township 66. range 41, fourteen miles north of Rock Port. He lives in a modern two-story house of ten rooms, besides halls and closets, in size 35x42 feet; his barn. in size. is 50x50 feet, with 16- foot posts, and there are sheds, hog houses, scales, an orchard of 350 trees, and. besides other improvements, an octogan-shaped pavillion in which he holds his annual sales of ·blooded swine. The residence is in the midst of a beautiful lawn and grove.
Mr. Athen's famous Bayview Herd of Poland-China hogs is known far and wide and his annual sales are not only patronized by the leading farmers and stockmen at home but also by people from other states. His start in blooded swine was made from one sow, which he paid for by working by the day. From that beginning he has sold thousands of dollars worth of hogs.
On March 17, 1866, he was united in marriage with Miss Elizabeth Coppage, daugh- ter of Alfred and Emaline Coppage. She was born in the state of Illinois on Nov. 6, 1866. Of this union three children were born. namely: Carl, born Dec. 16. 1887: Mabel. born Oct. 10, 1892: Daisy, born Nov. 17, 1900.
Mr. and Mrs. Athen are members of the Lone Chapel Christian church. In politics Mr. Athen is a Republican. He held the office of school director several years.
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PREMISES OF J. S. ATHEN HOME OF BAYVIEW HERD OF POLAND CHINAS
JOHN M. ANDERSON.
O NE of the really popular men of the county, impregnable in politics as well as morality, is John M. Anderson. who has had charge of the county's "strong box." He was born in Brown county, Ohio, Aug. 26. 1853. His parents are William and Albertine An- derson. of Clark township. Atchison county, Missouri, but natives of Ohio. With them he came from Ohio to Atchison county when he was eleven years old. He remained on the farm with his parents until in his seventeenth year, when he began doing farm work for others. and later farmed for himself. In 1894 he was elected Assessor of Atchison county. but continued his farming operations throughout the term. Shortly after his term of office had expired he engaged in the drug business at Phelps City. Mo .. and continued in that business until he was elected to the office of Treasurer of Atchison county. in 1900. He was re-elected to that office in 1902. At each election he was one of the two candidates only elected on the Republican ticket.
Fraternally, he is a member of the A. O. U. W .. Masonic and K. of P. lodges of Rock Port. and holds the office of Junior Deacon in the Masonic lodge: is a leading member of the M. E. church at Rock Port: is a Trustee in that organization and Assistant Superin- tendent of the Sunday School.
In 1902 he was Chairman of the Republican Central Committee of AAtchison county: was two years committeeman of Benton township; was delegate to a convention at Savan- nah. Mo., to select delegates to the National convention: was delegate to the Judicial con- vention at Maryville, Mo., in 1898; was a director of the Phelps City school board four years, and also President of the Phelps City town board: was a director of what is known as the Cooper school district for two years. Besides attending the district school he was also a student at the Rock Port Seminary.
John M. Anderson and Sarah C. Cheeseman were united in marriage in Atchison county on February 22nd. 1890. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Manson and Amanda Cheeseman, natives of Ohio. Her mother died of cholera during the epidemic of cholera in the Missouri valley of Atchison county in 1872. They came to Atchison county in 1854. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have an adopted child-a little girl.
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RESIDENCE OF J. M. ANDERSON IN ROCK PORT
JEFFERSON DAVIS ANGEL,
T "HIS native of Atchison county. Missouri, was born Oct. 8th, 1860, the son of Thomas and Sarah A. Angel and tenth in a family of fourteen children. He lived with his parents, on the farm. until in his twenty-first year, when he bought eighty acres of land east of Fairfax and began farming for himself. He now owns and lives upon a fine farm of 160 acres, in section 21. township 64, range 40, two and one-fourth miles southwest of Tarkio. The accompanying view of Mr. Angel's premises shows his family in a group, in front of the modest cottage in which they lived until their modern colonial mansion was erected. In size this beautiful structure is 36x40 feet and of two stories. The house is sup- plied with modern conveniences, including a system of water-works. Among other im- provements is a substantial barn, in size 40x40 feet. with 16-foot posts, and a shed on one side, in size 18x40 feet. There are also cribs, sheds, etc .. and a fine orchard. Mr. Angel also owns a fine farm ofeighty acres in section 33. township 66, range 40, which is well improved.
On June 15th. 1884, Mr. Angel was united in marriage with Miss Lillie Belle Mullis, daughter of Hemy and Elizabeth Mullis. She was born at Nebraska City, Neb., June 7th, 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Angel have eight children, namely: Opal. Ann, Vera, Lulu, Ollie, Belle. Edward Davis and Bernice.
Mr. Angel is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, while Mrs. Angel has membership with the Christian church. Politically Mr. Angel is a Democrat.
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PREMISES OF J. D. ANGEL
OLD AND NEW RESIDENCE
CHARLES WAYNE ANDREWS.
T THE subject of this sketch was born in Chautauqua county, New York, on Nov. 26, 1838, the son of Merrills and Elizabeth Ann Andrews, natives of New York. In his fourth year his parents moved to Hancock county. Illinois. He remained with them until the commencement of the Civil war. when he enlisted to fight for the preservation of the union, being in Company A, 118th Illinois Infantry. He was mustered out of service in October, 1865. He was taken prisoner at Meridan, Miss .. and incarcerated in the prison at Rich- mond, Va. Among other important battles which he participated in were those of Mobile and New Orleans. He was a member of the G. A. R. post at Tarkio until it disbanded and held the office of Sergeant of the post.
Mr. Andrews located in Atchison county in 1876, coming from Iowa. Hebought 120 acres of his present farm. paying $12.50 per acre for same. His resources were limited, $1.000 representing his worth financially. His farm now comprises 4021% acres, located in section 2, township 65, range 39, seven and one-half miles northeast of Tarkio. The farm is exceptionally well improved, the dimensions of the residence being as follows: 24x32 ft .. two stories, and 16x24 ft., one story. with a basement underneath. There is a large barn, shop, smoke house, buggy shed, scales, cribs and five acres in orchard. Also a tenant house and a large barn and other improvements therewith. Mr. Andrews is a successful stock-feeder, marketing annually about 75 to 100 head of cattle and about two car loads of hogs.
On Dec. 10. 1857. Mr. Andrews was married to Angeline Ailshire, a native of Illinois. There were two children by this union-Warren, born Oct. 15, 1860, and George, born Dec. 16. 1862. On January 23rd. 1867, Mr. Andrews was married, in Henry county, Iowa, to Mary Wells, daughter of John and Catherine Wells. She was born in Medina, Ohio, Jan- uary 28th. 1844. Of this union nine children were born, eight of whom are living, namely: Marion W .. born March 30, 1868; Elsie M .. wife of Wm. McIntyre, born Sept. 19, 1870; Charles M .. born Aug. 7. 1872: Merrills and Wells (twins.) born July 23, 1875; Katie, wife of Bert Rouse, born February 15. 1877; Gertrude, born Oct. 18. 1880; Bessie, wife of Homer Roush, born Aug. 7. 1882: Florence O., wife of George Colwell, born Dec. 18, 1884. Mer- rills died on Sept. 13, 1876.
Mr. Andrews' sons Warren and George formerly owned fine farms in Colfax township. They are now in the banking business at Belgrade, Neb.
Mr. Andrews enthusiastically advocates the principles of the People's party.
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MR. AND MRS. C. W. ANDREWS AND THEIR HOME
OSWALD THOMAS ATHEN.
A
NOTHER of Atchison county's sons, born March 18th. 1860. His parents were James Samuel and Julia Ann Athen. When the subject hereof was vet very small his father died. His mother married J. W. Mapes and his home was on their farm until in his eighteenth year. when he worked out as a farm hand three years and rented land one year. He then bought forty acres of the farm he owns and lives upon at present. paying $15 per acre for same. He now has an exceptionally well improved farm. as the accompanying view shows. The home place comprises 160 acres, besides which he has 15 acres of timber here and a 160-acre farm in South Dakota. His house is a modern structure of two stories and eight rooms, the dimensions being 29x52 feet. The barn, in size. is 24x28 feet. with a 12-foot posts. There are also cribs. sheds. hog house, wind-mill. etc., and a fine orchard of about 400 trees. He feeds hisgrain to stock of his own raising and makes a specialty of breeding thoroughbred Poland-China hogs and selling them for breeding purposes.
On March 3, 1880. Mr. Athen was united in marriage with Miss Eliza J. Coppage. daughter of Alfred and Emaline Coppage, of Atchison county. Mr. and Mrs. Athen have seven children. namely: Bertha. Pearl. Ray, Vesta. May, Earl and Arnold.
Mr. and Mrs. Athen are members of the Lone Chapel Christian church. In politics Mr. Athen is a Republican. He has been school director several years.
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PREMISES OF O. T. ATHEN
HUGH ERNEST ANGEL.
T HE subject of this sketch. Hugh Ernest Angel, was born in Atchison county, Missouri, on Oct. 6th, 1879. the son of Alfred and Anna Angel and fourth in a family of ten children. His whole life. up to about two years ago, when he began farming on his own account, was passed on his father's farm in Atchison county. He now owns and lives upon a fine farm of forty acres. two miles west of Tarkio. The residence on this farm is of the following dimensions: 30x15 ft .. 119 stories, and 9x15 ft .. one story. The barn, in size, is 16x24 ft., with 18-ft. posts. There is also a hog house. 9x42 ft. in size; cow shed, 24x48 ft .; granary, two wind-mills, orchard, etc.
On March 2nd. 1905. Mr. Angel and Miss Ella Hindenoch, daughter of George and Hannah Hindenoch. were united in marriage. Her education was finished at the State Normal School at Peru. Neb., she graduating from the training department of that insti- tution in 1904. She spent about six years teaching in the public schools of Johnson county, Nebraska. Besides attending the district schools Mr. Angel attended Tarkio Col- lege two years. Mrs. Angel is a member of the M. E. church near Sterling, Neb. In politics Mr. Angel is a Democrat.
Mr. Angel's father is a native of Missouri-his mother of Tennessee. They have long resided in Atchison county. Mrs. Angel's father was a native of Germany and for about fourteen years resided in Atchison county. In the year 1883 helocated at Tecumseh, Neb., where he died on Sept. 9. 1895. Her mother is a native of Atchison county-a daughter of Michael Steck, one of the German colonists who located about two miles north of the pres- ent site of Rock Port in an early day.
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PREMISES OF HUGH ERNEST ANGEL
WILLIAM L. ANDERSON.
W TILLIAM L. ANDERSON was born in Brown county, Ohio. Nov. 26. 1862. and is a son of George and Mary Anderson, natives of Ohio. When Win. L. was in the second year of his age his father died in an army hospital at Columbus, Ohio. His mother re-married. W. S. Dragoo being her second husband. With his step-father and mother he came from Ohio to Atchison county. Missouri. when about three years old. He began work for him- self in his nineteenth year. and finally bought a farm of 100 acres. three-fourths of a mile north of Langdon. After living on the farm several years he sold the same and bought a farm of 160 acres in Nance county, Nebraska. and moved to same in the spring of 1903. On his farm in Atchison county he generally sold his grain and fed it to stock of his own raising. He marketed about fifty or sixty head of hogs annually.
He was a director of the Nishnabotna Drainage District. and during the last three years of his residence here he was a director of the Langdon school district: was also a mem ber of the Republican committee of Templeton township.
On February 8th. 1882. Mr. Anderson and Miss Cora Sperry were married at Downs. Kans. Mrs. Anderson is a daughter of Joseph and Angeline Sperry and was born May 7. 1863. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have four children-Lester, born March 5. 1883; Hattie born June 10. 1884; Winfield, born Sept. 3. 1887: Finis. born Oct. 12, 1889.
Mr. Anderson was a member of the Christian church at Langdon and was a Trustee n that organization several years. Mrs. Anderson was a member of the M. E. church at Langdon. She is a graduate of the high school at Downs. Kans. Lester attended the . Rock Port high school.
The residence on the farm which Mr. Anderson owned in Atchison county is 32x14 feet in size and of 11% stories. with an addition 12x32 feet. The barn, in size. is 30x40 feet, with 12-foot posts. There is also an orchard and vineyard.
FORMER HOME OF W. L. ANDERSON
ALFRED ANGEL.
A LFRED ANGEL. farmer, of Tarkio township, was born in Clay county, Missouri. May 2nd. 1846. the son of Thomas and Sarah A. Angel, and second in a family of fourteen children. His father was a native of North Carolina, his mother of Tennessee. While vet quite young he came to Atchison county with his parents and this has since been his home. He has made a success at farming. at the same time raising a large family. He now owns and lives upon a fine farm of 320 acres, two miles west of Tarkio, in sections 10 and 16, township 65. range 40. He also owns 120 acres in another part of the county. His resi- dence is of two stories, in size 28x28 feet, and there are eight rooms therein besides the halls. The barn. in size, is 30x40 feet. with 12-foot posts. and a 12-foot shed on each side. There is also a covered crib. 150 feet long. other necessary outbuildings and an orchard and vineyard.
On Oct. 19. 1870. Mr. Angel was united in marriage with Miss Annie Christian, daughter of Thomas and Almira Christian. natives of Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. Angel have ten children. namely: Lottie, Ida. Eugene, Hugh. Stella. Una, Allie, Hermie, Essie and James. Lottie. Stella, Una, Allie and Hugh have attended Tarkio College, and Lottie successfully followed the avocation of school teaching previous to her marriage.
Mr. and Mrs. Angel are members of the Presbyterian church. In politics Mr. Angel is a Democrat. He has served his school district in the capacity of director.
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MR. AND MRS. ALFRED ANGEL AND THEIR
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