USA > Missouri > DeKalb County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 49
USA > Missouri > Andrew County > History of Andrew and De Kalb counties, Missouri : from earliest time to the present; together with sundry personal, business and professional sketches and family records. besides a condensed history of the state of Missouri, etc > Part 49
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The votes for the Republican candidate were all cast in Dal- las Township.
In 1864 the contest was really upon the question of continu- ing the war. As the Confederate States were out of the contest the election was decided by the Northern States alone. The Re- publicans renominated Mr. Lincoln while the Democrats chose for their leader Gen. George B. McClellan, the popular com- mander of the Army of the Potomac. At this election the polit- ical complexion of De Kalb County underwent a radical change, as is shown by the number of Republican votes gained from the previous contest. The vote of the county was as follows: Lin- coln, 400; McClellan, 197.
Lincoln's re-election developed the fact that the North was in favor of continuing the war, and the struggle for supremacy was vigorously renewed. The war was continued, and, as well known, resulted in the subjugation of the South and the preservation of the Union.
The presidential election of 1868 found Gen. U. S. Grant and Horatio Seymour the candidates of the Republican and Demo- cratic parties, respectively. The campaign in De Kalb County was an interesting one, and is remembered as engendering con-
347
STATE OF MISSOURI.
siderable party feeling. The following is the vote of the county: Grant, 586; Seymour, 291.
The following is the county vote at the same election for State officers:
Governor-McClurg (Republican), 586; Phillips (Demo- crat), 291.
Secretary of State-Rodman (Republican), 592; Poeping (Democrat), 280.
Treasurer of State-Dallmeyer (Republican); 592; Hend- hauser (Democrat), 280.
Attorney General-Johnson (Republican), 595; Hockaday (Democrat), 280.
Register of Lands-McGee (Republican), 591; Rogers (Democrat), 280.
The vote for congressmen was as follows: Asper (Repub- lican), 576; Oliver (Democrat), 225.
COUNTY VOTE OF 1868.
Representative-Howe (Republican), 491; Thomas (Demo- crat), 342.
Sheriff-Ransom (Republican), 591; Chrissman (Democrat), 271.
Treasurer-Lipscomb (Republican), 560.
County Justice-Williams (Republican), 575; Taylor (Dem- ocrat), 283.
Public Administrator-Weatherby (Republican), 540.
Surveyor-Pritchard (Republican), 590; Ritchie (Demo- crat), 278.
Superintendent of Schools-Putnam (Republican), 588. Coroner-Bell, 583.
In 1872 Grant was nominated for re-election. The Repub- licans who opposed him united with the mass of the Democracy and placed Horace Greeley in the field. The straight-out Dem- ocrats nominated Charles O'Conner.
De Kalb County voted as follows:
348
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
Grant.
Greeley.
O'Conner.
Grand River
84
90
00
Adams
82
94
00
Dallas.
88
43
00
Colfax
97
87
16
Camden.
182
88
1
Grant.
111
68
00
Washington.
171
169
11
Sherman
81
139
00
Polk
121
63
00
Total.
.,017
841
28
STATE AND COUNTY TICKET, 1872.
Governor-Henderson (Republican), 1,013; Woodson (Dem ocrat), 908.
Lieutenant-Governor-Stover, 1,026; Johnson, 899.
Secretary of State-Voerde (Republican), 1,026; Weigle (Democrat), 898.
Treasurer of State-Draper (Republican), 1,094; Salmon (Democrat), 830.
Auditor-O'Conner, 1,094; Clark, 830.
Attorney-General-Chandler (Republican), 1,025; Ewing (Democrat), 898.
Register of Lands-Nitchey (Republican), 1,026; Solomon (Democrat), 898.
Congress-Parker (Republican), 1,034; Pike (Democrat), 868.
Circuit Judge-Ensworth ( Republican), 1,186; Grubb (Dem- ocrat), 744.
Representative - McDonald (Republican), 964; Parrott (Democrat), 942.
Sheriff-Holbert (Republican), 999; Smith (Democrat), 905.
Collector-Atterbury (Republican), 975; Hewitt (Demo- crat), 939.
Treasurer-Gilbert (Republican), 1,052; Glazier (Democrat), 835.
County Justice-Rhoads, 993; Williams, 918.
Assessor-Todd, 983; Dougherty, 924.
School Superintendent-McKee, 996; Potter, 917.
Prosecuting Attorney-Miller, 818; Loring, 926; Weatherby, 124.
349
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Coroner-Bleistein, 1,001; Howes, 836; Dent, 100.
For township organization, 1,012; against township organ- ization, 657.
In 1876 Tilden and Hendricks were the nominees of the Democratic party for President and Vice-President, and Hayes and Wheeler were elected as standard bearers by the Republicans. The exciting events of that celebrated campaign have gone into history and need not be repeated here. The following result shows how De Kalb's vote was divided between the two tickets: Hayes, 1,110; Tilden, 1,083. The vote by township for that year is not accessible. In 1880 three national tickets were put in the field: Hancock and English, by the Democrats; Garfield and Arthur, by the Republicans, and Weaver and Chambers, by the Greenbackers. The election in De Kalb County gave the follow- ing return: Hancock and English, 1,305; Garfield and Arthur, 1,238; Weaver and Chambers, 221.
In 1884 the nominees of the Democratic party for President and Vice-President, were Grover Cleveland and Thomas A. Hendricks. The standard bearers of the Republicans were James G. Blaine and John A. Logan, while the Prohibitionists had for their candidate St. John.
The campaign in De Kalb County was warmly contested, and the vote was an unusually full one. The following is the vote by townships:
Cleveland. Blaine St. John.
Adams.
124
120
0
Camden
164
226
0
Colfax
194
177 6
Dallas.
81
161 0
Grant.
137
188 0
Grand River
116
149
0
Polk.
182
233
3
Sherman.
256
131
0
Washington.
248
270
0
For Congress, 1884, Dockery, 1,548; Harwood, 1,615; Jor- dan, 9.
Thus it will be seen that the county, though generally Re- publican has been quite close, a fact which has had great weight in causing the different parties to put forward their best men for local offices.
1
350
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
LOCAL OPTION.
The Legislature of Missouri on the 15th of April, 1887, passed an act to provide against the evils of intemperance by local option. The act provides " that upon application, by petitions signed by one-tenth of the qualified voters of any county, who shall reside outside of the corporate limits of any town or city, having at the time of such petition a population of twenty-five hundred inhab- itants or more, who are qualified to vote for members of the Legislature, in any county in this State, the county court of such county shall order an election to be held in such county at the usual voting precincts to take place within forty days after the reception of such petition, to deter- mine whether or not spirituous and intoxicating liquors, includ- ing wine and beer, shall be sold within the limits of such county."
In accordance with the provisions of this act the friends of temperance in De Kalb County circulated petitions for an election, which, signed by a large number of citizens, were presented to the county court. The court thereupon ordered a special election to be held on the 6th of September, 1887. Pend- ing the election came one of the most interesting campaigns in the history of De Kalb County, as it developed the true sentiment of the people relative to the great question of prohibition. The temperance element spared no reasonable effort to impress upon the people the necessity of having the law, and, in order to gain friends for the movement, able speakers were secured, and numer- ous rallies held throughout the county. Maysville contributed its leading professional men to the cause, and nightly for many weeks cross-roads, school houses, country churches, village halls, and other places resounded with the eloquence of able orators and speakers, as they urged the people to support the measure. Upon the other hand the " wets," as the anti-prohibi- tionists were termed, while making no public display in the cam- paign, were nevertheless far from being idle, as their con- stantly increasing numbers abundantly proved. For a while it was generally thought that the measure would be carried by an overwhelming majority, but as the election approached this feel- ing of assurance was gradually dispelled by the constantly increasing strength of the opposition. The day of election will
351
STATE OF MISSOURI.
long be remembered. In Maysville the members of the Women's Christian. Temperance Union secured a large hall, and spread therein a generous dinner, to which all the friends of local option were invited, while some of the ladies made no hesitancy in approaching doubtful parties, and personally soliciting their votes. Another notable feature of the day was the parading in the streets of a band of little girls, beautifully dressed, bearing aloft banners inscribed with appropriate mottoes, and singing tem- perance songs.
The result of the election was awaited with great interest and eagerness, and as the reports continued to come in with majori- ties against the law, the friends of temperance reluctantly con- ceded their defeat. The returns from the last township, however, with a majority of 148 for local option, decided the matter to the intense joy of the temperance people, as it showed the meas- ure was carried by thirty votes. The following is the vote of the different townships for and against the sale of intoxicating liquors:
For.
Against.
Camden.
138
219
West Adams
57
40
East Adam
74
45
Clarksdale.
111
34
Stewartsville.
111
77
Grant.
120
107
Sherman.
149
.
106
Polk.
6'7
215
Dallas
95
92
Grand River.
41
54
Colfax.
126
110
Total.
1,069
1,099
Majority for local option.
30
RAILROADS.
Hopes of securing the advantages of a railroad began to be entertained by the citizens of De Kalb County as long ago as 1847, at which time the Hannibal & St. Joseph Road was char- tered, and county courts along its line were empowered to sub- scribe to its capital stock. In 1849 an act was passed granting State aid in making a preliminary survey of the line, and one year later the county court of De Kalb County appropriated $100
352
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
toward making a more thorough survey in the county. Before running the line, however the company asked a subscription from the county of $30,000 on the condition that the road should be run to Maysville. The court took action upon the matter, and at the suggestion of a number of citizens granted the subscription on the 18th day of September, 1851. On the first day of Decem- ber, of the same year, two bonds for $1,000 and $500 respectively were issued as part payment, but the route surveyed being found impracticable, the company abandoned it as well as the subscription voted by the county. In 1852 the road was located upon its present line which passes through the southern part of the county, near the boundary, in an easterly and westerly direction. The construction of the Hannibal & St. Jo. Railroad marked an important era in the history of all the counties through which it passes, as well as in the history of the entire State of Missouri. To De Kalb County was the road especially beneficial, for no sooner was its construc- tion made a certainty than the thriving town of Stewartsville was projected, the subsequent growth of which has added greatly to the material prosperity of the country. Another outgrowth of the road is the beautiful town of Osborne, from which the surplus products of a large area of the county are shipped to eastern markets. The road was several years in building, and it was not until 1859 that cars began running regularly. In the meantime, about 1850 or 1852, the overland travel had become quite exten- sive, the route from Hannibal to St. Joseph having become an important one on account of the California emigration. A line of coaches was soon afterward placed upon it, running on the State road through Gallatin and Maysville, and this way of travel and carrying the mails continued until the completion and opening of the railroad in the year mentioned.
In the summer of 1871 the people of the county became in- terested in the proposed construction of what was known as the Burlington & Southwestern Railroad. This company had come into possession of the charter of the St. Joseph & Iowa Rail- road, which by its terms authorized the county courts of counties along its line to subscribe to its capital stock. Accordingly ap- plication was made to the county court of De Kalb for a subscrip- tion of $150,000, on condition that the road should pass through
353
STATE OF MISSOURI.
the corporate limits of Stewartsville, and within 1,000 yards of the courthouse in Maysville. An order was made grant- ing subscription on the 9th of October, 1871, and the winter of 1871-72 the road was located through the county. In the mean- time the bonds were engraved, signed, and placed in the hands of O. G. McDonald, to be delivered upon the completion of the road to the county seat. In March, 1872, Joseph Truex, William G. Farris, William T. Reed, Edward Smith and Benjamin Hitt brought suit in the De Kalb Circuit Court to enjoin the issue of the bonds, and in October of that year the injunction was made perpetual for want of answer. The road was not constructed.
CHICAGO, ROCK ISLAND & PACIFIC.
This was originally the St. Joseph & Iowa Railroad, running through the county from north to south, and was completed and opened for traffic in 1886. Individual subscriptions were made to the company, and the "right of way" guaranteed through the coun- ty. It is difficult to estimate the beneficial effects to the county resulting from this road. It has had a marked influence in devel- oping the resources of the country by affording easy communica- tion with the large cities and commercial centers north and south, besides adding to the material prosperity of Maysville, and build- ing up the flourishing towns of Clarksdale, Amity and Weather- by. Since the completion of the road, lands of the county have increased greatly in value, while the near proximity of shipping points along its line has proved of inestimable advantage to farmers and stock raisers desiring to dispose of their products and herds.
CHICAGO, BURLINGTON & QUINCY.
This road, formerly the St. Joseph & Des Moines Narrow Gauge, which passes through a small portion of the northwest corner of the county, was completed late in the year 1881, and purchased by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Company, and changed to a standard gauge in 1886. Since the change the road has been doing an immense business, and although not so beneficial to De Kalb as either of the roads previously mentioned, it has proved a decided benefit to the citizens of the western and northwestern portions of the county. An immediate outgrowth of the road is
23A
354
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
the beautiful and thriving village of Union Star, the third town in size and importance in the county.
A small portion of Grand River Township in the southeast corner of the county is traversed by the Chicago & Southwestern Railroad. This road has proven of comparatively little value to De Kalb, there being no town or station upon the line in the county.
CENSUS AND STATISTICS.
Population of De Kalb County by census of 1850, 2,075; 1860, 5,224; 1870, 9,858.
Population by minor civil divisions in 1870-Adams Town- ship, 879; Camden, 1,359; Colfax, 796; Dallas, 807; Grand River, 959; Grant, 956; Polk, 957; Sherman, 1,116; Washing- ton, 2,029.
STATISTICS, 1870.
Acres of improved land, 84,248; estimated value of lands $3,- 299,869; estimated value of all farm productions, $589,518; value of live stock, $760,446; assessed value of real estate, $2,203,193. Total value of taxables, $5,000,000. Total taxes for 1870, $55,915.
CENSUS OF 1880, POPULATION BY MINOR CIVIL DIVISIONS.
Adams Township .1,163
Camden, including Maysville. 1,640
Maysville. 418
Colfax Township, including part of Osborne village. 1,450
Part of Osborne village in De Kalb County 313
Dallas Township. 1,161
Grand River. .1,198
Grant. .1,518
Polk. .1,345
Sherman. 1,621
Washington, including Stewartsville. .2,238
Town of Stewartsville. . 537
Osborne in De Kalb and Clinton Counties. 412
STATISTICS, 1880.
Number of farms. 2,036
Acres of improved lands. 179,437
Value of farms and improvements. $3,978,901
Value of farming implements. $208,969 Value of live stock $1,176,919
Estimated value of farm products, 1880. $968,444
Bushels of corn. . 3,113,160
Bushels of oats 257,003
355
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Bushels of rye. 6,638
Bushels of wheat.
167,034
Tons of hay.
19,673
Bushels of potatoes.
51,013
Pounds of tobacco.
6,530
Value of orchard products.
$16,713
LIVE STOCK.
Number of horses. 7,804
Number of mules
1,090
Number of cows.
9,391
Other cattle.
17,641
Sheep
12,608
Swine
.40,435
Pounds of wool.
.65,394
Gallons of milk.
2,335
Pounds of butter.
94,919
TAXES, 1880.
State tax
$11,418
County tax.
14,273
City, town, village and school district
18,267
Total taxes
$43,958
STATISTICS OF 1887. LIVE STOCK.
Number.
Value.
Horses.
8,137
$280,443
Mules.
1,033
39,660
Cattle
22,551
299,840
Hogs.
26,207
51,760
Sheep
.3,779
3,124
Moneys, notes, bonds and other credits
$429,743 00
All other personal property.
189,648 00
Total value of personal property by assessor. 1,296,423 00
State revenue tax, 1886.
$7,745 86
State interest tax
7,745 86
All county taxes.
54,585 82
Railroad tax.
2,511,81
Merchants' tax.
2,892 22
Total taxes $75,481 57
TAX LEVY FOR 1887.
On $100
State tax.
$0 40
County revenue
20
County poor
05
Bridge. 10
Township
15
Courthouse and jail. 40
Average school tax.
05
356
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
Representatives .- Thompson Smith, 1846-50; John F. Doh- erty, 1850-54; I. N. Shambaugh, 1854-56; John Johnson, 1856- 58; Littleton S. Roberts, 1858-62; Elias Parrott, 1862-64; Rob- ert Logan, 1864 (died in office and succeeded by G. B. Atterbury, who filled out term until 1866); W. W. Riggs, 1866-68; Newton P. Howe, 1868-70; Orlando G. McDonald, 1870-72; Joshua Dean, 1872-74; George E. Schultz, 1874-76; Green B. Atter- bury, 1876-78; Joseph Truex, 1878-80; W. H. Haynes, 1880-82; John F. Clark, 1882-84; L. T. Moulton, present incumbent, 1884-86.
Clerks .- Prior to 1858 the officers of county and circuit clerks were held by the same person. The first clerk was John F. Doherty, appointed at the organization of the county. At the first election in 1846, Andrew H. Skidmore was chosen to the office, and discharged the duties of the same until 1850. He was succeeded by James M. Arrington, who resigned early in the winter of 1850-51. A. H. Skidmore was chosen at a special election to fill the vacancy, and served until the general elec- tion of 1852. The next clerk was Robert A. Hewitt, who served until 1858. In the latter year the offices were divided by an act of the General Assembly, after which John F. Doherty was elected clerk of the county court. The ordinance of the con- vention in 1861, prescribing an oath of loyalty, which the in- cumbent refused to take, caused the office to become vacant that year. Ira Brown was appointed to fill the vacancy, and served from 1861 until his resignation in the spring of 1864. He was succeeded by Henry L. Powell, who filled out the unexpired term by appointment. A. F. Harvey was elected in 1864, and served until 1870; A. E. Putnam from 1870 until 1874; John F. Clark, 1874-82; Charles E. Moss, 1882 to the present time, having been re-elected in November, 1886.
Circuit Clerks Since 1858 .- Robert Hewitt, 1858-61; Chris- topher C. Harvey, appointed in 1861, and served until his death, in the spring of 1864. His successor was Ira Brown, after whom came in regular order John Pritchard, Giles Y. Crenshaw, and the present incumbent, Lewis D. Ransom, who was elected to the position in November, 1886.
357
STATE OF MISSOURI.
Sheriffs .- Charles L. Allen was appointed sheriff at the or- ganization of the county, but refused to qualify for the office. Andrew H. Skidmore was elected in 1846, and served until 1850. James Y. Johnson, 1850-54; Simeon Dalton, 1854-58; Andrew Smith, 1858-61; William Orr by appointment, 1861-62; Joseph E. Branscom, 1862-64; William Orr, 1864-66; Daniel Ransom, 1866-70; Green B. Atterbury, 1870-72; E. Holbert, 1872-74; John M. Roberts, 1874-78; E. B. Ogle, 1878-82; E. J. Smith, 1882-86; James Gibson, 1886, present incumbent.
Justices of the County Court .- First court, Elias Parrott, James McMahan and Henry Ritchey. Second board, 1846 to 1850, James McCorkle, James McMahan and Elias Parrott; 1850, Eli Hewitt, John T. Baker and Hugh R. Hodge; 1854, Thomas Williams, John Stokes and Thomas Smith; 1858, Elisha T. Howard, Elias Parrott and Thomas Williams; 1862, John Means, Lemuel Harvey and Jacob Harper; 1864, John Means, T. B. Titcomb and J. Harper; 1865, T. B. Titcomb, N. J. Harvey and W. W. Riggs. In the spring of 1866 the probate court of De Kalb County was established by the Legislature, the effect of which was to change the organization of the county court, making the latter to consist of two justices, with the judge of probate as ex-officio president. Under this act Lewis H. Weatherby was elected probate judge; Jehu Ogle and L. M. Harmon justices of the county court. The court in 1868 was composed of L. H. Weatherby, George W. Williams and L. M. Harmon. In the latter year the organization of the court was again changed by an act of the General Assembly, which provided for the removing of the probate judge from his connection with it. The vacancy thus formed was filled by the appointment of Asahel Smith.
In 1870 Daniel M. Albright, William Sifers and Asahel Smith composed the court. In 1873 a special election for county court judges was held on account of the adoption of what is known as the township organization law. At this election the following per- sons were elected: William H. Sifers, A. T. Downing, John F. Doherty, I. V. Smith and H. C. Burnham. Smith resigned in 1874, and was succeeded by T. G. Smith. In 1875 the organiza- tion of the court was changed for the third time by abolishing the five justices and the appointing by a special act of one judge. Man-
358
HISTORY OF DE KALB COUNTY.
ford Lancaster was appointed judge of the court, and served until 1876. His successor was W. W. Riggs. In 1878 the law was again modified, at which time three judges were elected: George Taylor, H. C. Burnham and T. G. Smith; 1880, George Taylor, Robert Smith and Thomas Williams; 1882, Thomas King, Thomas Williams and George Williams. The court at this time is composed of the following gentlemen: John McManus, Waldon Kelly and Austin Craig.
County Treasurers-Andrew Hamer, James Grant, Alexan- der Black, William Orr, George W. Lipscomb, William Gilbert, L. L. Daniel, M. N. Jones, Manford Lancaster and E. A. Bunton.
Probate Judges .- L. H. Weatherby, John S. Stevens, John H. Williams, and the present incumbent, W. H. Rogers.
School Commissioners-G. W. Rose, A. E. Putnam, L. L. Daniel, J. S. McKee, T. J. Williamson, D. Perry and B. F. Meek.
Collectors-Green B. Atterbury, George M. Brown and Rob- ert Nicholson. The township organization dispensed with the necessity of this office, each municipal township providing for the collection of its own taxes.
Prosecuting Attorney-Aaron H. Conrow, William G. Lewis, T. H. Collins, I. C. Parker, G. W. Rose, Jeff. C. Chandler, B. K. Davis, Samuel G. Loring, Benjamin J. Casteel, W. J. Franklin, B. K. Randolph and Robert A. Hewitt, Jr.
Circuit Judges-Austin A. King, G. W. Dunn, James Mc- Ferran, Jonas J. Clark, William Herren, Isaac C. Parker, Ben- nett Pike, Joseph P. Grubb, William Sherman and Oliver Spencer.
BENCH AND BAR.
The first session of the circuit court in De Kalb County was held at the residence of John Buckingham, one and three-quarter miles southeast of Maysville, on the 27th of August, 1845; pres- ent, Hon. Austin A. King, judge of the Fifth Judicial Circuit.
The first proceedings were of a formal nature, pertaining to the organization of the court, after which a jury of inquest was empaneled and instructed by the judge. The proceedings of the term, owing to the absence of the first record, are not now known. The spring term of 1846 was held at the same place, and
359
STATE OF MISSOURI.
in October of that year, the house of Walter A. Doak, a short distance east of Maysville, was used for the fall term. The bus- iness transacted at these early terms was not very extensive, and consisted largely in disposing of cases appealed from justices' - courts.
In the spring of 1847 the first courthouse in Maysville was completed and used for court purposes.
LAWYERS.
The early judiciary of Missouri was marked as furnishing a high order of talent, larger-minded men, in fact, than are to be found in the early political history of the State. Many of these early jurists will take their proper place in history as among the country's best men. They mingled with the rude people, assist- ing, advising and counseling them for their own good and bene- fit. They forecast and laid well the superstructure of the civil politics of the State, and in looking into the imperfect records of their lives, that are now attainable, the student of history is im- pressed with the fact that here, indeed, was Missouri most favored and fortunate.
At the time of the organization of De Kalb County there were but few resident lawyers here. The legal machinery had been put in working order, and fully set in motion before even the legal " circuit rider " came in any great numbers to gladden the hearts of the settlers by adjudicating and settling their little dif- ferences and misunderstandings. But courts were a " necessary evil;" justice had to be administered, quarrels adjudicated, rows settled and criminals punished, and many other little things ad- justed that could only be performed by this august body, and the judiciary was, therefore, an early institution. As already noted, the first term of the De Kalb Circuit Court was held in 1845, by Judge Austin A. King.
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