History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

J. F. Rucker, J. M. Hawkins, S. O. Titus, F. W. Middleton, S. W. Shryock, J. A. Turner, P. M. Hutton, T. A. Cassity. The first of- ficers were : S. W. Turner, P. M. W .; G. W. Batterton, M. W .; T. S. Carter, G. F .; R. H. Edwards, O .; A. J. Wren, F .; F. W. Middleton, G. ; J. M. Hawkins, J. W. ; J. T. Jackson, O. W .; S. O. Titus, R. ; S. W. Shryock, receiver. The present officers are : S. W. Turner, P. M. W. ; T. S. Carter, M. W .; W. H. Goin, G. F .; G W. Batterton, O .; S. T. Davis, R .; John Stolts, receiver ; S. F. Cross, financier ; E. S. Hawkins, J. W .; T. G. Sims, O. W .; M. T. Wade, G. The present membership is sixty-six. During this term the lodge has lost only one member, James H. McBride, who died January 17, 1881. The loss was promptly paid. One member was suspended and in about two weeks thereafter committed suicide. During the year 1881, fifteen new members were admitted to mem- bership. The lodge is in good financial condition and thoroughly prosperous.

KNIGHTS OF HONOR.

Sturgeon lodge No. 2134, was instituted by Grand Reporter Peter Keffer. The dispensation was issued April 3d, 1880. The first mem- bers were: S. W. Turner, J. T Jackson, T. M. Smith, Dr. J. F. Keith, John Hazelrigg, P. M. Hutton, S. M. Smith, M. M. Clark, J. H. Winscott, D. Miller, John J. Canada, John W. Owens, J. H. Barnett, Y. E. Riggs. The first officers were : John Hazelrigg, dic- tator ; M. M. Clark, vice dictator ; P. M. Hutton, assistant dictator ; S. W. Turner, past dictator ; J. W. Owens reporter ; J. H. Win- scott; financial reporter ; J. T. Jackson, treasurer ; J. F. Keith, medical examiner ; D. Miller, guide. The present officers are : J. T. Jackson, dictator ; J. H. Barnett, vice dictator ; Ed. Jarman, assistant dictator ; John Owens, reporter ; W. H. Winscott, financial reporter ; John Stolts treasurer ; Frank Bruton, guide ; P. M. Hutton, chaplain ; C. H. Prather, guardian ; F. M. Truby, sentinel ; J. F. Keith, med- ical examiner. The present membership is forty-two. The hall in which the lodge meets is rented. This lodge has had no deaths since its organization. The Order of Knights of Honor was instituted in the United States, June 30, 1874. Total number of members June 30, 1881, 112,155 ; assessments during the same period, 91. Losses paid, $5,395,093.65. Total number of members in the State of Missouri, December 31, 1881, 5,441. Total cash on hand and in- vested for the State, $23,617.31. Total deaths in Missouri to December 31, 1881, 122, one-half of these were half rate. Altogether

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the beneficiaries received $243,000. The report of the Grand Lodge is highly satisfactory, considering that the order passed through the yellow fever period, during which its-losses were excessive.

THE STURGEON SCHOOLS.

As previously stated, the first school house in Sturgeon was built in 1857. The pine lumber of which the house was built was brought from Hannibal ; the oak was procured at home. At first the house had but two rooms, one above the other. Considerable additions have been made to it since, however. The house was built expressly for school pur- poses, but it was afterward sold to the Catholic church, and still later repurchased for $1,000. The town trustees had promised a school house free gratis to the people, but failed to fulfill that promise, as it is said they did certain others.

A Mr. Dewey was the first school teacher in Sturgeon. He had a good school and received about $100 per month.

Prof. S. T. Davis is the present principal of the Sturgeon school. In the last term, ending in March, S. O. Titus was first assistant till Christmas and after him was J. A. Hatchett. The other teachers were Miss D. Annie Allison and Miss Rena M. Redmond. The town has about six months' public school and three months' private school, two teachers being engaged in the latter. The following is an abstract of the report for the term ending March 17, 1882 : -

Number of pupils enrolled - White, males, 124; females, 104; total, 228. Average daily attendance, 149.

Colored School - Males, 29; females, 44; total, 73. Average daily attendance, 38.

Total enrollment in both schools, 301. Average daily attendance in both 187. Increase in enrollment over last year, 32; increase in attendance 30.

The present school officials are Joseph Seymour, president ; T. S. Carter, clerk ; Silas Fretwell, treasurer ; D. Mayer, F. M. Chaney, and L. Sweeney, trustees.

STURGEON CEMETERY.

The original town cemetery was deeded to the public by the town company, in 1857. It contained about five acres. Its location was inside of the corporate limits. No one was ever buried in this cemetery. It was soon sold and another purchased a half-mile west of the town. This, the present cemetery, contains about six acres.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY. *

The first burial therein was that of John B. Smith, Esq., one of the original proprietors of the town. It is asserted that Mr. Smith was the first citizen of the place that died ; but those who perhaps know best deny this, and say that Miss Hukle, before mentioned, died before Mr. Smith. Besides their own cemetery the citizens of Sturgeon use Pisgah graveyard, across the line, in Audrain, and Mt. Horeb, a mile or so south of town, as burying grounds.

THE STURGEON "LEADER."

There had been several papers started at Sturgeon previous to the advent of the Leader in 1869. John W. Jacks, a practical printer, was the founder. It was not a success, financially, under his manage- ment, and at last suspended in 1872. In 1873, its present proprietor, T. S. Carter, purchased the office, and in May, 1873, issued the first number of the paper under the new management. The paper is a six- column folio. It has a good circulation in Boone, Audrain, Randolph, Monroe and Howard counties. It is Democratic in politics, but liberal in sentiment. It is a live; earnest, reliable local paper, giving all the news within the range of its circulation, at the exclusion if necessary of foreign matter. This feature of the Leader has given it a wide cir- culation, and made the paper an indispensable visitor in almost every household for miles around .. The Leader, in Mr. Carter's hands, has not only given satisfaction to its patrons, but has proved a pay- ing enterprise to its publisher. -

BIOGRAPHIES.1

J. H. ALEXANDER.

J. H. Alexander, farmer, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, December 2d, 1815. His father, Joshua Alexander, was a native of Georgia, removing first to Kentucky, and thence to Missouri, in 1818, settling in Perche township, about eight miles south of where J. H. Alexander now resides. He died Jan. 27th, 1867. Mrs. Alex- ander, nee Rowland, was a native of Kentucky. She died January 13th, 1842. The subject of this sketch came to Missouri with his parents in 1818, and has lived in Boone county ever since. Hc was raised on a farm, and has followed agricultural pursuits all his

1 Arranged alphabetically. 37

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

life. He moved to his present home February 1st, 1839. Was mar- ried April 8th, 1838, to Miss Emeline, daughter of Armstead and Sarah ( Wade) Carter. They have seven children living and three dead. The living are : Joslina C., James T., George W., Elizabeth J., wife of C. G. King; Martha E., married to Mr. Copher ; Mary Alice and Emeline. Mrs. Alexander died January 14th, 1870. Mr. Alexander has been a member of the old school Baptist Church for forty-five years. He is of Irish origin. He is a good citizen, a kind neighbor and a worthy man in every sense of the term.

J. B. ALLISON.

J. B. Allison, farmer, near Sturgeon, is the son of Alexander and Jemima (nee Crawford) Allison. His mother was the daughter of James Crawford, one of the first settlers of Boone county. His father came to Boone county in 1815, and settled about six miles north of Columbia. He helped to make the first wagon road ever opened in Boone county. It was called the Boone's Lick road. The elder Allison died October 13th, 1861. The subject of this sketch -was born six miles north of Columbia, September 7, 1828. When about five years old his father moved over on Salt River. He lost his mother when eight years old. The children were then scattered, no two of them growing up in the same place. The first money ever earned by J. B. Allison was spent in educating a sister. The family were brought up under very unfortunate circumstances. The subject of this sketch was apprenticed out at the tanner's trade, which he fol- lowed until he was twenty-one years old. From twenty-one to twenty- two, he taught school. He was principally raised in the vicinity of Florida, Monroe county, Missouri. Was married, November 14th, 1850, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Benjamin and Martha Woodson, and a niece of Warren Woodson, who was clerk of the Boone county court for forty years. They have eight children living : George W. and Benjamin A., attorneys, at McPherson, Kansas ; Annie and Belle, teachers in the public schools ; John S., Emma J., William Mosley and Mary H. Mr. and Mrs. Allison are both members of the Meth- odist church. Mr. Allison is a self-educated man. After marrying he engaged for several years in selling lightning rods and chain pumps. He afterwards followed farming. He was marshal of the common pleas court at Sturgeon for eight years. He was the Republican nom- inee for the legislature in 1866 against Major James S. Rollins. Mr. Allison was an unconditional Union man during the late war.

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

GEORGE W. BATTERTON.

George W. Batterton, Democratic nominee for the legislature, was born in Boone County, about seven miles north of Columbia, Decem- ber 9, 1837, and grew to manhood on his father's farm. His grand- father, Moses Batterton, emigrated from Kentucky to Missouri about the year 1820, and settled on Callaham's creek, about seven miles west of Columbia. His father, Lemuel B. Batterton, was born in 1801, and learned the cabinet-maker's trade in Kentucky. He came with his father to Boone County in 1820. About four years after his marriage he bought the place where George W. was born, upon which he lived and died, his death occurring in 1869. He married Mary Lynch, a native of Kentucky. Her ancestors came from near Lynch- burg, Virginia, which city was named after a member of her family. Mr. and Mrs. Batterton raised eight sons and two daughters to man- hood and womanhood. The subject of this sketch left home when about eighteen years of age and labored for wages which he spent in educating himself. When about twenty years of age he commenced teaching in the public schools and continued in this business, with slight intervals, for about six years. Was a soldier in the Confederate army for about nine months. Belonged to Mckinney's company, known as the " Blackfoot Rangers." Was in the battle of Wilson Creek, Lexington, and Drywood. Went to Nebraska in 1864 where he worked on a farm and taught school until the close of the war. Came back in 1866 and went to farming in Audrain county. After raising one crop he removed to the Two-mile Prairie, in Boone coun- ty, where he farmed, taught school and bought and shipped stock un- til 1870. He then removed to Vernon county, Missouri, where he farmed for eighteen months. Sold his farm in 1872 and removed to Montana where he followed mining until 1876, when he returned to Audrain county and resumed farming which he has followed ever since. His farm is situated one-half mile from Sturgeon in Audrain county. Was elected a justice of the peace in 1878 and has held the office ever since. He is an earnest, conscientious Democrat, having never voted any other ticket. His first vote was for John C. Breck- enridge for president. Mr. Batterton was first married in 1863 to Sophia E., daughter of Robert and Sophia (Barnes ) Gillaspie. First. wife died January 26, 1872. There were no children by this mar- riage. Was married, April 8, 1873, to Lizzie, daughter of Judge B. P. Ritchie. They have three children living and two dead. The liv-

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ing are Annie Sue, James Ritchie and Mary Lula. First wife was a member of the Christian church. Mr. Batterton is a member of the A. O. U. W. He is of Irish, German and French origin.

FRANK E. BRUTON.

Frank E. Bruton, salesman for Rucker & Turner, Sturgeon, Mo., is the son of Dr. F. J. and Nettie B. (Fenwick ) Bruton. He was born and raised in Boone county, Missouri. His father and mother are natives of Kentucky. Mr. Bruton commenced active business at the early age of fourteen, and has continued without intermission ever since. He is at this writing engaged as a salesman in the store of Messrs. Rucker & Turner, and has given eminent satisfaction to his employers and won the esteem and confidence of all his patrons. He was married April 19, 1882, to Ida, daughter of Joseph B. Harris. He is a member of the Christian church, also of the Masonic and Knights of Honor lodges.

JOHN BUTLER.

John Butler, the subject of this sketch, was born in County Tip- perary, Ireland, September 10, 1825. He is the son of John and Mary Butler. The elder Butler left Ireland when his son was but two years old, coming first to New York City. The family finally settled near Albany, where Mr. Butler took a contract on the first railroad ever built in the United States. This road connected Albany and Schenectady. John Butler owned a hotel on this line, called the Half-way House, where the trains stopped for dinner. He took his son with him on the first train of cars that ever passed over the road. The first package of freight ever sent over the road was consigned to the elder Butler, who preserved the receipt, signed by John Hamp- son, the first engineer on the road. It is dated either in 1831 or 1832, and was given in acknowledgment of fourteen shillings paid by John Butler on the package delivered to him from the train on its first business trip over the road. Mr. Butler, having received the contract for building a turnpike from Troy, New York, to Benning- ton, Vermont, removed to Oneida county, where he died. Mrs. Butler is still living in Oneida county, New York. The subject of this sketch remained at home until 1852. In the fall of that year he went to California, where he remained for three years, returning to New York in 1855, and from there he came to Boone county, by way of Jefferson City, crossing the country on foot. Mr. Butler was first

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married October 16, 1847, to Miss Jane, daughter of Henry and Jane McGrah, of Hoosick, New York. Had five children by this marriage, two of whom, William and Annie, are now living. The former mar- ried Zelo Hawkins, the latter Thornton Stewart. The first wife hav- ing died in 1862, Mr. Butler was married to his second wife, January 2, 1875. He is now living with his third wife, whose maiden name was Leticia Hill, daughter of Eli Hill, of Sturgeon. Have had three children, two of whom are living, Martin and Mary. Mr. Butler is a mechanic, and as such entered the army in 1862. He is a member of the Masonic lodge at Sturgeon. His wife is a member of the Christian church. He has done as much, perhaps more, to advance the interest and prosperity of Sturgeon than any other individual of the place. He has built a great many houses, and by this means con- tributed largely to the size of the town as well as to the number of its inhabitants. He is a man of considerable means, all of which he earned by his own labor and prudent management. He has engaged in many enterprises, and has prospered in all his undertakings. He is a carpenter, and his skill as such has served him to the best advan- tage in improving his own lands. He owns, in addition to his town property, about seven hundred acres of land, much of which he has redeemed from a howling wilderness. He started the Stur- geon broom factory, now owned by S. A. Fretwell. He also made the Commercial Hotel a profitable business before selling out to its present proprietor, W. E. Smith.

THOMAS S. CARTER.

Thomas S. Carter, editor and proprietor of the Sturgeon Leader, was born in Monroe county, East Tennessee, November 14, 1843. He is the son of Lewis and Elizabeth (nee Parker) Carter. The elder Carter was a Methodist minister. The subject of this sketch came to Missouri in 1860, and settled in Hickory county. Went south at the breaking out of the war. Came to North Missouri in 1864 and en- gaged in farming until 1870, when he removed to Sturgeon where he was engaged as marshal of the town for two terms .. He was also a member of the board of education. In 1874, he was appointed clerk of the court of common pleas, which position he has held continuously ever since. He has represented the Democratic party several times in State conventions, and was one of the delegates to the Cincinnati presidential convention in 1880. Served one session as docket clerk of the Thirtieth General Assembly. He was secretary of

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the Missouri Press Association for three years. He was married December 6, 1876, to Miss Melissa, daughter of John and Nancy Baker, a native of Boone county. They have four children living : Lora E., Maud M., Pearl and Boone. Mrs. Carter is a mem- ber of the Methodist Church South. Mr. Carter was educated at Hiwassee College, Tennessee. He is of Welsh descent on his father's side. His mother was a native of Tennessee. He landed in Sturgeon without a dollar, and has by his own individual exertions and energy accumulated a competence as well as an influential position in the community where he resides.

SAMUEL F. CROSS.

Samuel F. Cross was born in Nashville, Tennessee, October 11, 1834. From Nashville he went to Frankfort, Kentucky, and from there to Cincinnati, finally settling in Rush County, Indiana. Was married October 18, 1855, to Edith P , daughter of Philip and Ann Nicholas, of Indiana. Had three children by this marriage, all of whom are living. Their names are Benjamin F., Louis H., and Edwin P. The first wife dying in 1862, he was married the second time, December 11, 1863, to Susan F., daughter of Robert and Susan F. Adams. They had several children by this marriage, all of whom are living. Their names are Carrie B., Joel P., Mary E., Sarah, George W., Ellen W., and Fleming Rucker. Mrs. Cross died June 2d, 1880. Mr. Cross came to Sturgeon April 28th, 1857. His first business was carpentering. He afterwards engaged in the drug busi- ness, which he followed for about ten years. He was commissioned a notary public in 1864, and has held the office ever since. He is financier of the A. O. U. W., and secretary of the Masonic lodge. He was commissioned postmaster at Sturgeon, February 7th, 1862, but had charge of the office for a year previous, under John P. Hor- ner, now of Columbia, Missouri. He held this office for seven years, retiring when the present postmaster was appointed. Was elected clerk of the Court of Common Pleas in 1864, and held the office for two years. He is a member of the M. E. Church South. He is also a member of the Good Templar, Masonic and United Workmen lodges. He has been marshal of the town and member of the board of education and city council. He is a Democrat in politics.

JOHN H. CROSWHITE.

John H. Croswhite, son of James and Frances ( Hughes ) Croswhite,

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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.

was born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, August 11th, 1824. He came to Boone county with his parents in the autumn of 1826, and settled five miles north of Columbia, where they remained for about fifteen years. In 1841 they removed to Audrain county, and settled two and a half miles north of Sturgeon. The elder Croswhite died on this farm. Mrs. Croswhite is still living, at the advanced age of eighty-six years. The subject of this sketch was raised on the farm, and has followed that occupation all his life, and with more than usual success. He also bought mules for the Southern market, making his annual drives for many years in succession. Was married December 31st, 1851, to Susan L., daughter of Joshua and Jane Lampton, of Boone county. Lived for two years near Hallsville ; then moved to his present place of residence, one and a half miles north of Sturgeon. He went to California in 1864, where he staid several years. Was also for a while a resident of Carson City, Nevada. The Croswhites were originally from Albemarle county, Virginia, and are believed to be of Welsh descent. The subject of this sketch owns a nice farm of 220 acres, forty of which is in timber. Mrs. Croswhite belongs to the Methodist church at Centralia. They have no children.

WILLIAM R. CROSWHITE.

William R. Croswhite was born in Audrain county, near Sturgeon, February 27, 1857. He is the son of Robert and Mary ( nee Palmer) Croswhite. His father was born in Kentucky, but came to Audrain county in an early day and settled on the farm where he now resides. He is actively engaged in farming and stock raising. William R. was raised on the farm and educated at the common schools of the county. In 1881 he attended D. L. Musselman's Commercial College, Quincy, Illinois, graduating from that institution, August 25, 1881. Return- ing to Sturgeon, he was engaged as a salesman in the store of Rucker & Turner, which position he now holds. He is a polite, affable gen- tleman, highly esteemed by all who know him.

ISAAC S. CROSWHITE.

Isaac S. Croswhite was born in Audrain county, four miles north of Sturgeon, December 12, 1844. He is the son of John R. and Rosa (Mosely ) Croswhite, formerly of Clark county, Kentucky. The sub- ject of this sketch was raised in Audrain county where he lived most of his life. He was brought up on the farm. Lived a few years in Carrollton, Missouri. Was married, July 6, 1869, to Miss Amanda

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Catherine, daughter of Barnabas Woods, who lived six miles south of Sturgeon. Have one child, living, Minnie L. Mr. Croswhite took no part in the late civil war. He is a member of the Old School Baptist Church. Is not a member of any secret order. He is a clev- er gentleman, highly esteemed by all who know him.

WILLIAM DINWIDDIE.

William Dinwiddie is the son of Samuel and Patsy (McBride ) Din- widdie. He was born in Lincoln county, Kentucky, December 18, 1833. When six years old he came with his parents to Boone county, Missouri, and settled four miles east of Columbia, where he continu- ously resided up to the day of his death, which occurred about the close of the war. The subject of this sketch was brought up on a farm, and has followed that business since attaining his majority. He was married, November 8, 1855, to Sarah Ann, daughter of Cyrus and Kittie (Crockett) Lusk, natives of Kentucky. The autumn fol- lowing his marriage, he left Boone county, Missouri, previously the home of both himself and wife, and went to Kansas, settling in the vicinity of Topeka. Was there when the war broke out between the Southern and Northern settlers over the slavery question. He re- turned to Boone County and farmed in the vicinity of Mt. Moriah church for several years ; then moved to Bourbon township just pre- vious to the war, where he has lived ever since. They have seven children, three sons and four daughters. Their names are Kittie, Mattie F., Lulie, Emma, William, Alonzo and Edwin. Mr. Dinwid- ' die is a well-educated man, having had, in addition to a fair common- school education, the benefit of three years' study at the State Uni- versity. He is a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Dinwiddie is a member of the Baptist Church. He is also a member of the Or- der of United Workmen. He has been a school director ever since he came to Bourbon township. He has always voted with the Demo- cratic party. He is of Scotch and German origin.

HON. HENRY DUSENBURY, DECEASED ..

Hon. Henry Dusenbury was born on the banks of the Hudson river, New York, in which State he was reared to manhood, and married to Miss M. E. Depew. After his marriage he removed to St. Louis, Mis- souri, where he served as circuit court judge for thirteen years. His health having failed he removed to a farm near Oakland, St. Louis county, where he remained for about twelve years. He next moved

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to a farm near Sturgeon, where he and his wife died a few years after- wards. They were both members of the Methodist church. Judge Dusenbury was also a Mason. He was educated principally at home, under the instructions of a private tutor. He was a Democrat in poli- tics and a descendant of one of the old German families of New York. He had nine children in all, six of whom are now living - three sons and three daughters. Their names are Henry, Mary E., married to G. W. Henderson, of Columbia, Missouri ; Lulu V. B., married to R. D. Rucker ; Fannie, Robert D. and R. M. Robert D. Dusenbury was born at Oakland, St. Louis county, February 10th, 1861, and came with his father to Boone county and lived with him until his death, in 1873. He was educated at the Missouri State University. After re- ceiving a diploma from that institution he took a commercial course and then studied telegraphy. R. M. Dusenbury is studying medicine under Dr. Lockridge, of Sturgeon. He attended one course of lec- tures at the Medical College, St. Louis, in 1881-82, and will graduate at the ensuing term of that institution.

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1882 Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company Number of Pages: 1220

Author:
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: St. Louis, Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1220