USA > Missouri > Linn County > Compendium of history and biography of Linn County, Missouri > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80
About this time the Brownlees began to make preparations for opening a new bank on their old corner, which was done in 1893 under the name of the present Brownlee Banking Co., of which W. H. Brown- lee was president ; S. E. Crance, vice-president ; Walter Brownlee, cash- ier, and R. S. Brownlee, assistant cashier. The directors and stock- holders of the Brownlee Bank then, in addition to the above, were Henry Tooey, R. N. Bowden, N. G. Ransom, T. P. Oven, Lan Rummell, Oliver Cramer, Thomas Halliburton, and George Howard. The present officers are: Walter Brownlee, president; R. S. Brownlee, cashier ; H. W. Craig and John Cornish, assistant cashiers.
Some twelve years ago the old Linn County Bank reached the "second generation" epoch in its history. A younger set of men took charge in the management of its affairs. First came George W. Stephens, Jr., all his life a banker, and was made cashier, succeeding W. H. DeGraw, who was at that time made president. Charles H. Jones at the same time was made assistant cashier, and later came E. M. Lomax as the active vice-president. Dr. DeGraw, one of our pioneer bankers, was by acclamation made president of the Linn County Bank, upon the death of his brother. Some five years ago the lamented Dr. DeGraw retired and E. M. Lomax was elected president, while C. H. Jones was elected cashier and W. W. Martin assistant cashier. George W. Martin is first vice-president, but not in an active capacity. Messrs. Lomax, Jones and W. W. Martin practically conduct the affairs of the Linn County Bank now. The directors at the present time are: R. X. DeGraw, G. W. Martin, R. R. Smith, C. L. Spalding, E. M. Lomax, C. H. Jones, W. W. Martin. The capital stock is $100,000.
It was in 1887 that a new factor appeared in the banking circle of Brookfield. R. J. Wheeler, from before the war up to this time, was a merchant and trader in Bucklin. He got rich-not as rich as Croesus, but rich for men in country towns. He longed to come to Brookfield, a larger town, and finally did so, establishing the Wheeler Bank after
203
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
building Wheeler block on the corner of Main and Wood streets. He organized the bank in 1887, with himself as president and Thomas Flood, now deceased, cashier. Mr. Flood afterward ran for county recorder, and was elected. E. M. Lomax, formerly in a clerical position with the Laclede Bank in St. Louis, was made Mr. Flood's successor as cashier of the Wheeler Bank, which position he filled until 1900, when he retired to accept the vice-presidency of the Linn County Bank. Thereupon Mr. Harry Markham, formerly of Laclede, was made cashier of the Wheeler Bank and Robert Wheeler, Jr., assistant cashier. At the present time, however, Robert Wheeler is president, while Mr. Markham is still cashier.
In the year 1904 James Moore conceived the idea of establishing a bank in South Main street, and did so, with himself as president and the son, Joseph Moore, as cashier. Each year has seen this, the fourth bank, grow in business and popularity, as have its older competitors.
The only bank failures ever in the history of Brookfield were that of the first banker, T. D. Price, and seventeen years ago that of the Bank of Brookfield, the latter during the panic.
Thus it will be seen that Judge William H. Brownlee and Dr. Hamilton DeGraw and W. H. DeGraw, now deceased, were the Nestors in the banking business here in Brookfield. All three were interesting men. Dr. DeGraw was a sage-like man, perhaps better read than any man in Brookfield-had a philosophical sort of mind, was a student of the Bible as well as political economy; of philosophy as well as occult science. Judge Brownlee was of a poetical turn of mind. He loved fiction, was fond of the classics, and as an "Indiana man" was partial to Gen. Lew Wallace and James Whitcomb Riley. While he was an able lawyer, the public for years associated him in its mind as a banker, W. H. DeGraw was a banker personified. He was fond of home life, and a most entertaining, chivalrous character.
A BANK ROBBERY
There are some interesting reminiscences connected with the his- tory of the banking business in Brookfield. None the less was the rob- bing of the Bank of Brookfield about thirty years ago, a few years after it was established. One lazy, summer afternoon, just before closing time, when the bank was located where is now the Model Cleaners, four men rode into town on horseback from the northeast. They came in on Wood street and dismounted in the alley in the rear of the bank.
204
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
There was at that time not a half dozen people upon Main street in the block where the bank was located. One held the four horses and three put on masks and went 'round to the front door of the bank. One of these stood in the door with a big revolver swinging in his hand, one covered Cashier Ford with one gun and Miss Carrie Scott, the assistant, with the other as they ordered them to hand over. The third carried a grain sack and put in his time filling it. Daniel Young, a shoemaker, now deceased, was the first to get action with his rifle. This aroused the people and as the robbers broke away, under the pressure of spur to their horses, they were a mile or two out of town in a north- easterly direction before a posse headed by Colonel Arbuthnot, G. R. Critchfield, Harry Moore, and others were in pursuit. All of northeast Missouri reached by wire was notified of the robbery. Two or three times the posse overtook the robbers and exchanged shots, but it was about ten days before they were captured in the brakes west of Kirks- ville. The robbers were four young men, the Mason boys, who for- merly lived in Yellow Creek township, ranging in age from 18 to 24. The leader was married. All were speedily tried and sentenced to the penitentiary for 25 years by Judge Burgess. One by one they were pardoned out, on account of consumption, two of them by Governor Francis. All of them have since died. Most of the money was recov- ered-all but about six thousand at the time. The young men were of good families, but had been students of yellow-back literature, and took it into their heads to imitate the James boys. The robbery made Brook- field famous for a time.
In commercial lines Brookfield has had and still has several mer- chants who have contributed to the upbuilding of the city as a trade center. They have been Oliver Cramer, S. P. Hartman, John Walker, Thomas Halliburton, Gus Tooey, J. H. Foss, R. N. Bowden, while in later years have come B. F. White, L. W. Bundy, L. W. Rummell, Jerry Noland, Cole and Fred Halliburton, G. F. Duker and others. Conspic- uously in their time were the lamented Charles Green, druggist, and Henry Tooey, the clothier; the latter having built up a great business for the firm still bearing his name.
One of the particularly "big things" of Brookfield is the Linn County Fair, which has contributed to making the county metropolis famous. Frank Dick is president; L. W. Rummell, secretary, and Thomas Halliburton, treasurer, while the other directors are R. S. Brownlee, J. H. Fuoss, Gus Gannon and R. N. Bowden. Mr. Gannon has made the fair what it is to the harness horse world.
205
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
NEWSPAPERS
Brookfield has three newspapers, The Gazette, The Argus and The Budget. The oldest paper is The Gazette, which was established forty- six years ago, in the early days of the town, by Crandall & Ward. For many years it was conducted by W. D. Crandall, who was appointed postmaster in the early nineties, when he sold the paper to Martin & Jones. J. W. Jones sold his interest to Col. George W. Martin, the editor, who in turn sold the interest to his brother, J. V. Martin. The publishers of The Gazette now are Martin & Martin, the senior brother, George W., being postmaster at the present time. However, The Gazette has been a stepping stone to the office of postmaster, for J. V. Martin served one term, while J. W. Jones served two terms. Thus, three men connected with The Gazette have been postmasters.
The Argus was founded in 1883 by Charles W. Green, its present editor and publisher, when he was but a boy. The chief strength of The Argus lies in the fact that it has been, early and late, a "booster" for Brookfield.
The Budget, the third paper, was established by A. P. Crosby seventeen years ago, and from that day to this has had a dozen or more editors and publishers, the present ones being H. C. Myers and Nellie Hannan.
Within the past three decades a dozen other newspapers have been born and died in Brookfield, including the New Era, Chronicle, Union, Times, Eagle, Press and Times No. 2.
In many respects the world has been revolutionized since The Argus with its hundred eyes came to keep track of its movements and record its doings. Men in every walk and station of life have come, have played their various parts. Fame has crowned them and they have passed on. Within the life of The Argus new issues have devel- oped in the arena of politics, new questions and theories have com- manded popular attention and consideration, and conditions have ap- peared not dreamed of in the philosophy of thirty years. The silent pages of the files of The Argus, as well as its older sister, The Gazette, tell an inspiring story of the long years that are gone; tell of births, of marriages, of deaths; tell of the material and spiritual progress of this city and county from time to time-year in and year out advocat- ing the cause of Brookfield.
206
* HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
PUBLIC SCHOOLS
While Brookfield had "good" public schools prior to 1880, it has been since that that marked progress has been made; and particularly during the past fifteen years.
It was about 1880 that Brookfield began to outgrow the one school building, notwithstanding it had six rooms. There was a demand for more room and naturally all conceded that the South Side was entitled to school facilities. Accordingly, the building in the Third ward, to the extent of two rooms, was erected in 1882 and named the Adams School, in honor of George W. Adams, a Brookfield pioneer, then county clerk. Still there was urgent demand for more rooms, and in 1888 two more rooms were added, to be followed by two more in 1901.
The same year it was decided that the Fourth ward must have a school building. A proposition to bond was voted upon, carried, and a substantial building went up on a site formerly a city park. Hence the name, Park School. It was in 1895 that Brookfield had outgrown three public schools of sixteen rooms. Every ward in the city had a school building except the Second. The question was agitated by the people, encouraged by the press, and as a result the proposition was voted upon, carried, and after a site was purchased from Colonel Dake, the Finley School, named after that departed pioneer and parson, the lamented Rev. J. P. Finley, D. D. Along about this time Mrs. Julia Hickman, a good woman, and a teacher in the First ward school, died, and in her honor the school was named Hickman.
Having four ward schools-but few cities in Missouri of Brook- field's size can say as much-we began to feel important. Brookfield must have a high school, a large, modern structure, centrally located. As usual, the press began the agitation. Everybody endorsed the idea, the school board submitted the proposition to bond for fifteen thousand dollars, which was carried by a large majority.
During the past dozen years many improvements have been made upon the school property. The Brookfield College property, with a whole block of ground and residence at the rear of the building, was bought by the school board twelve years ago for thirteen thousand dol- lars. At a low estimate the High School property, since improvements have been made thereon, is worth forty thousand dollars. The campus is one of the high sites of the city, surrounded by shade trees, while the building is one of the finest in north Missouri. The public library is in the High School, and the laboratory, class rooms, auditorium, large hallways and splendid ventilation, together with the steam heat
207
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
and toilet rooms, makes a high school in every way worthy of the name. Each year there is an effort to make the faculty a little stronger, and each year there is an increase in the attendance not only by students within the district but from those outside, the tuition for the latter being just enough to cover cost.
The present members of the Board of Education are: T. M. Bres- nehen, president ; Dr. J. S. Evans, vice-president; E. M. Lomax, treas- urer; N. E. Wanamaker, secretary; R. J. Beauchamp, Banner Camp- bell, F. D. Sanford.
Citizens who have served in years gone by upon the board, as a labor of love, are as follows : Judge W. H. Brownlee, Col. J. A. Arbuth- not, Henry Tooey, J. G. Banning, George Anderson, all deceased.
J. U. White was elected superintendent of the Brookfield public schools about fourteen years ago and has given splendid satisfaction- so much so that he has been re-elected time after time by the full vote of the board. He came from Jefferson City to Brookfield, accompanied by an accomplished wife and interesting children. Mr. White has a state reputation as an educator. On coming to Brookfield le at once put new life and new ideas into our public school system. He attends National and State teachers' associations and is always on the lookout for new ideas for the Brookfield schools. He and his good wife have proven splendid acquisitions to Brookfield society, socially and morally, and it is the concensus of opinion that Superintendent White, as the official head of the Brookfield public school system, is the right man in the right place, for during his regime of fourteen years wonderful advancement has been made in our schools.
Thus you have the condensed story of the public schools of Brook- field. Do you blame the people of Brookfield for being proud of them? Five public school buildings, all modern structures, each upon a large campus, each with steam heat and sewerage connection, each complete within itself, with a splendid corps of instructors and a strictly up-to- date superintendent and a board at all times, as a "labor of love," doing the best they can to make each school year better than the pre- ceding one.
THE CHURCHES
Most every sect of religious belief is represented in Brookfield, there being altogether eight churches within the city. While there are a few primitive structures, in the main the Brookfield churches are modern and handsome houses of worship. In fact, the Catholic, the Episcopal, the Presbyterian and the two Methodist and the Christian
208
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
would be a credit to a city four times the size of Brookfield; imposing in architectural beauty, either stone or pressed brick, with slate roofs, cathedral windows, etc.
The first church organization in Brookfield was that of the Cath- olic, forty-nine years ago-the first church in the way of a little mission being erected in 1861 on the present Catholic church site. The little church was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Bishop Hendricks, of St. Louis, in 1868-after the war was over.
Rev. J. J. Hogan, whose ashes now rest just west of town in the convent grounds, was in charge. The organized members of the Cath- olic church were Michael McGowan, Thomas Bresnehen, Michael Gan- non, William O'Neill, Michael McGrail, John Curtin, Patrick Tooey, Michael White, John McCormick, Michael Mckinney and James Tooey. All have been gathered to the Great Father except one, Mr. McCor- mick, still a resident of Brookfield.
The new and magnificent Catholic church was erected about six- teen years ago through the untiring energy of Rev. Father Tormey, who has been located here since 1878, although now retired, the Rev. F. C. Cummins being the present pastor.
The first Protestant church organized in Brookfield was the Con- gregational, which was in May, 1865. Rev. Charles H. Pratt was its first pastor. For many years, through the seventies and into the eighties, the Congregational church was the most flourishing in the city. Its members in those days were "the people," or at least thought they were. Those were the days when Major G. N. Blossom used to toss five dollar bills on the collection plate, and Deacon Franklin used to lead in prayer meeting. During that period in the history of the Congregational church some very able divines were called, one after another, as its pastor. As the writer remembers there were Revs. Har- rah, Plumb, Ham, Foster, Cole, Warren, Todd, Watt, and others. But once so flourishing the Congregational church is now but history- having died a decade ago for want of support.
The First Presbyterian church was organized in 1866, and the erec- tion of the building began in October, 1869. Those who took the in- itiative way back in 1866 in the organization of the Presbyterian society were A. W. Myers, Lavina H. Myers, Ephriam Banning, Louisa Ban- ning, William Donaldson, Ira Johnson, Otho Reams, Martha Day and S. P. Huston. All have long since passed away.
The first pastor was the Rev. Jonathan P. Finley, a man who after- wards as a preacher and educator enters into much of the best history of Brookfield. He was the church's pastor for a quarter century or
209
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
more, retiring to devote his entire time to the Brookfield Academy, afterwards the Brookfield College. When Dr. Finley died the college died also, to all purposes, for he was its guiding spirit and its inspir- ation. The new Presbyterian church was erected some thirteen years ago under the guidance of the pastor at that time, the Rev. E. C. Jacka. It was burned some six years ago and the second new church edifice was erected under the leadership of the present pastor, Rev. W. C. Atwood. The Rev. Mr. Atwood is popular with his church and the public; looked upon as a strong preacher and energetic church worker. The Presby- terian church is now among the strongest in the city in membership.
The First M. E. Church of Brookfield was organized in the fall of 1866 at the residence of C. P. Hyatt by the Rev. Shumate, at that time presiding elder of the Hannibal District. The first church was erected in 1870, under the pastorate of Rev. W. F. Clayton. This building was destroyed by a tornado in 1876, but was rebuilt the following year at a cost of about $3,000. The second edifice was dedicated with great cere- mony, the Rev. C. C. McCabe, D. D., being present. During all the years from the dedication of the M. E. church up to the time it was torn down to make room for the present handsome and modern church there were several divines, remembered by some of the older inhabit- ants ; there being Revs. Myers, Weam, Cooper, Ferril, Messner, Stock- ing, Seeley, Cox, Poland, Canada, Casely, Sapp, Sappenfield, Robbins, Wilson, Fay, Chase, while the Rev. Edgar Reed is the present pastor. The present church was erected in 1900 and is one of the handsomest in north Missouri.
Next came the organization of the Baptist church in 1867, with the Rev. E. J. Scott as pastor. The organization disbanded soon, however, and was again organized in 1874, when Rev. S. L. Cox served as pastor for two years, after which it again disbanded.
It was in 1883 that the Baptists re-organized and this time erected a church on the corner of Main and John street, which burned two years ago. Since that time the Baptist society has gradually grown until now, under the pastorate of Rev. O. H. L. Cunningham the church has become strong numerically and in its influence in the community. The . Baptists contemplate the erection of a new and modern church this year.
While the birth or rather the organization of the Episcopal church does not date back further than 1874, its charter members were among some of the most prominent pioneers of Brookfield. On the present site of the elegant Grace church, of stone and Episcopal style of church architecture, first stood the Universalist church way back in the six-
210
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
ties. It was a frame affair with a very high steeple. One by one the Universalists moved away from Brookfield and when the Episcopa- lians organized they purchased the Universalist edifice. The original members of the Episcopal church here in Brookfield were John Bolton, Joseph Gamble, Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, Mr. and Mrs. Vosburg, Mrs. Gilson, Miss Fannie Gilson, Mr. and Mrs. Huxtable, Miss Emma Brickell (now Mrs. Eugene Rawn), Mrs. Fantum, Major and Mrs. De- Graw, Mrs. M. Graff, Miss Armstrong, and Mrs. Willis. The church at that time was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Bishop Robertson, and its rectors since those days have been Rev. E. Talbott, now Bishop of Pennsylvania ; Rev. Robert Talbott, now of Washington, D. C .; as well as Revs. Flower, Sellers, Birnback, James and Merriman. The rock church was erected about fourteen years ago and dedicated by Bishop Atwell. One June 11, 1902, occurred an event long to be remembered by all present, being the ordination of Rev. Frank Arthur McElwain, who grew up here at Brookfield, and graduated at the head of his class with great honors in a college of divinity in Minnesota. The present rector is the Rev. Oscar Homburger and the vestrymen are John Mc- Cartney, R. N. Bowden, C. W. Green, L. E. Dewey and James Turner.
In the latter eighties, a few years after the coming of R. J. Wheeler to Brookfield, the Southern Methodist people began to discuss the idea of erecting a church, and it was in the spring of 1893 that the prominent site on North Main street was purchased while Rev. Browning was pastor. The following year the foundation was in and in 1895 the church proper was erected, but not dedicated until 1897. This church and ground is one of the most valuable church properties in the city, having cost about $12,000. Rev. K. T. Davis is the present pastor. He is a forceful preacher and a very effective church worker, very popular with the membership, and held in high esteem by the citizens generally.
The Christian Society was organized in 1887, and the first church erected on South Main street the same year. The first preacher was Rev. Colston, since which time there have been several pastors; the Rev. R. E. L. Prunty remaining the longest.
The present pastor is Rev. Ben F. Hill. He is well liked by the members and the citizens of the community. Rev. Mr. Hill is a zealous worker for his church and stimulates the members thereof.
The United Brethren Church, in the Third ward, was organized about fifteen years ago and the present pastor is Rev. A. C. Tudor. He came to Brookfield last autumn and is an interesting man of good ability and an untiring church worker.
ยท
211
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Brookfield has a bright future before her, and those who have high hopes have abundant grounds for their confidence. The city has had a career of unexampled prosperity during the past five years. The present year is witnessing more substantial progress than any of its predecessors, and enterprises already under way give assurance of more advancement during the year that is still young. The city is rapidly increasing in population, and the volume of emigration flowing in is constantly growing. Business houses are increasing in number and size, assuming really metropolitan proportions.
No where can there be found better fraternal brotherhoods, teach- ing and practicing the lessons of the golden rule; institutions more universal in their application to the advancement of morality and humanity; bringing sunshine and happiness into the homes of the afflicted and the needy, than right here in Brookfield.
The membership of the Brookfield churches of the different re- ligious faiths and the membership of the fraternal societies vie with each other in the work of charity and benevolence, and the upbuilding and moral training of citizens, as they trample every obstacle to brotherly love and consign bitterness and strife to oblivion. And never forgetting to inculcate into the minds and hearts of their children gratitude and love; gratitude to God for permission to enjoy good health, happiness and the blessing of good government ; love for fellow- men, loyalty to state and country, Brookfield is a good town to live in.
THE CITY OF MARCELINE, MISSOURI
(By Clarence M. Kendrick)
The decade from 1880 to 1890 will go down in history as the great- est ten years of railroad construction on the American continent. It was during this period of unparalleled industrial progress that the great trans-continental systems stretched their ribbons of steel over mountain, plain and hill, annihilating distances, connecting the Atlan- tic and Pacific seaboards and laying down at the doors of the people of the hamlets of interior America the rich products of the Orient and the Occident.
The total mileage of railways in the United States standing at 93,296 miles in 1880, increased by leaps and bounds until in 1890 it had reached an aggregate of 166,706 miles, disclosing the enormous increase in ten years of 63,410 miles.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.