History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 98

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

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Excitement ran very high during the remainder of the night. The negroes were drunk and were yelling about their haunts, and the- whites expected the attack to be renewed every minute. A strong force of whites was kept under arms throughout the night. . It chanced that Dr. Jackman was the only surgeon in town at the time, and he was kept busy the rest of the night attending to the wounded. Indeed, it was some time after daylight before all the wounds were examined and dressed. In all of its history, including the period of the civil war, Rocheport had never passed such a night of terror.

On Sunday morning early the authorities began to move. Marshal Evans and Constable Barton arrested " Gen." Wilhite, Bill Barber, Jack Booth, Ed. Washington, Benton McClure, Jim Bellons, Russ. Foster, Jim Beatty and Wm. Watts, on a warrant charging them with assault with intent to kill. The next morning the prosecuting attorney changed the charge to assault and battery. The prisoners were tried before Justice Scobee, convicted, and all but Foster, Beatty and Watts were fined and imprisoned in the county jail. Afterward the imprisoned, together with Alex. Gaw and Tom Steele, were in- dicted at the April term of court, 1882, tried in a few days thereafter, and, with the exceptions of Mitchell and Washington, all were con- victed of assault with intent to kill, and sentenced to terms in the penitentiary of from two to seven years.

TOWN GOVERNMENT.

Mayor, Thos. Chapman ; clerk, Wesley Scobee ; treasurer, W. E. T. Waddell ; marshal, David Barton ; assessor, A. G. Norris ; council, Henry Williams, John S. Clayton, W. E. Waddell, Wesley Scobee, . Thos. Chapman.

PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

The number of school children within the corporation is about 260, and of these 120 are colored. The white-school building is a brick, 40x60 feet in area, and three stories high. The upper story is occu- pied by the Masonic and Odd Fellows' lodges. The school is graded and divided into three departments. About nine months of school

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per year is the present average. No building is owned by the district that is occupied as a colored school. One is rented whenever the occasion demands.

CEMETERY.

The Rocheport cemetery originally contained but one acre, but it was afterward extended to twice that area. It is beautifully located on a hill overlooking the town. The ground is nicely fenced and well kept, and therein, sleeping their last sleep, lie many of the pioneer citizens of the neighborhood, the founders of Rocheport, and the builders up of the country round about.

CHURCHES - M. E. CHURCH (SOUTH).

This congregation of worshippers was organized in 1835 with about fifteen or twenty members, all of whom have passed away with the ravages of relentless time, or moved far in the distance to make their homes elsewhere. There are no records of sufficient age to give a history of the church, and very little definite information can be ob- tained. The church building, a large brick with spire and bell, was erected in 1844. It still stands and answers the church as a place of worship. Rev. William Rush is the " circuit rider," and holds services there one Sabbath in each month. The membership numbers thirty-five.

CHRISTIAN CHURCH.

The church of Christ at Rocheport was organized in 1837 with about twenty members, the only one of whom now living is Mrs. Anna Wheeler, wife of Henderson Wheeler, who still resides in the town. The following were among the constitutional or first members : Thomas Hart, wife and daughter; John B. Hill and wife ; Porter Jackman and wife; Dr. Buster; Mrs. Adams and Mrs. Amanda Wheeler. The first pastor was Thomas B. Allen. They built a brick house of worship in 1845, with spire and bell, the dimensions of the building being 35x50 feet, with a fifteen foot ceiling. The edifice still stands and is in good repair. They have a membership of 113, and a flourishing Sabbath school, with about fifty children attending. At this writing, Mr. E. C. Gill is pastor in charge, and resides in Rocheport. Dr. W. A. Jackman, J. W. Morris and J. W. Champion :. are elders ; and J. A. Chambers, J. H. Chambers, C. M. Patterson and J. M. Hern are deacons. The other officials are T. M. Nichol- son, clerk ; R. W. Hubbard, Sabbath school superintendent, and C. M. Patterson, Sabbath school clerk. As full a history cannot be given

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as this church merits, owing to the fact that some of the records 1 have been lost or destroyed.

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Was organized June 3, 1839, under the pastorate of Rev. R. L. Mc- Afee. The original members were Rollin Lyman, Temple E. Bell and Mary Bell (his wife), Miss Mary Lientz, Mrs. Reuben Parker, Mrs. Mary Gaw, Mrs. Mary Leintz, and Mrs. Ellen Knox. They built a church in 1845, which was burnt during the war, February 20, 1865. They have never re-built, neither had any regular pastor.

BAPTIST CHURCH.

The Baptist Church of Christ was organized at Rocheport in July, 1851. The original record of that date reads as follows : " A meet- . ing was held in the Presbyterian meeting house in the town of Roche- port to take into consideration the propriety of organizing a Baptist . church. After sermon by T. C. Harris, Rev. F. Wilhite was called to the chair, and Bro. A. J. Barnes was elected clerk pro. tem. A committee previously appointed consisting of Ira E. Barnes and John F. Calvert to ascertain and report the names of persons desirous to go into such organization, presented the following names, viz .: C. N. Worthington, Ira E. Barnes, John F. Calvert and lady, Martin Cal- vert and lady, Tom Cooper, lady and daughter, Silas Tipton, Mrs. Wilson, Mrs. Lyell, Mrs. Cornelius, Mrs. Lewis, Mrs. Gentry, Mrs. Pharris, Sidney Elliott, E. McClelland and lady and John L. Lewis. On motion of Bro. Ira E. Barnes it was unanimously agreed to go into the organization of a church to be called the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ in Rocheport." After adopting a " declaration of faith and church covenant," they " on motion, adjourned to meet on the 3d Saturday in August, 1851."

The records show the election of pastors as follows : Rev. Robert Harris, 1853 ; J. M. Robinson, 1855 ; X. X. Buckner, 1856; T. M. Johnson, 1858; R. H. Harris, 1860; Noah Flood, 1863; J. D. Murphy, 1866; William Tipton, 1872 ; E. D. Isbell, 1876; M. L. Laws, 1877 ; N. T. Allison, 1878 ; J. S. Parmer, 1879 ; J. B. Stark, 1882. From the time of its organization till 1861, they held church -services in the Presbyterian church ; in that year they built a church, which was dedicated to God's service by Rev R. H. Harris, in June, 1861. The present pastor is Rev. J. B. Stark, who preaches once a 64

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month. The congregation now numbers a membership of fifteen souls.

CIVIC SOCIETIES. - MASONIC LODGE.

The Rocheport lodge, No. 67, of A. F. and A. M., is, perhaps, the most venerable secret institution in the town, and was organized as long ago as October 20, 1843. The only names remembered of char- ter members are George Knox, William Reid, and William E. Harris, who, after organization of the lodge, were chosen its first worthy Mas- ter, senior warden and junior warden, respectively. The reason so little of the early history of the lodge is accessible, is the fact that their hall was destroyed by fire in 1865, and all of their records, books and papers lost. For that reason, much that would be both valuable and interesting will necessarily have to be omitted. The present officers are: W. Scobee, W. M. ; J. M. McKee, S. W .; J. H. Lowrey, J. W .; H. Tumey, Treas. ; Chas. Myer, Sec. ; J. W. Bell, S. D .; C. M. Patterson, J. D .; H. F. Williams, Tyler. None of these are grand lodge officers. The hall they now own was built in 1868, and is a good brick structure , erected at a cost of $2,400. The membership is in number 38, and the lodge is in a thriving and harmonious condition.

ODD FELLOWS.

The Boone lodge, No. 121, I. O. O. F, was instituted by John McFarland, and their charter was received in 1858. The charter members were Ferry Rockwell, James Bradley, Thomas H. Bowen, Moses Barth, Solomon Sticknell. The first officers were James Brad- ley, noble grand ; Thomas H. Bowen, vice grand; J. S. Clayton, secretary ; Moses Barth, treasurer ; T. Waddell, O. and I. guard. The present officers are Charles Myer. N. G. ; Fielding Tin- dall, V. G. ; A. G. Norris, Sec. ; John Dodson, Treas. ; J. S. Clay- ton, W .; M. D. Lewis, conductor, and James O'Howell, guard. There are no grand lodge officers of this lodge. The present mem- bership is thirty-three. They built a brick hall in 1868, which cost $2,000. The lodge is reported in a prosperous condition.

GOOD TEMPLARS.

Rocheport Lodge, No. 147, I. O. G. T., was organized July 28th, 1870, the first officers being : - Chas. Myer, W. C. T .; M. E. Root, W. V. T .; H. C. Mooth, Sec .; D. H. Root, P. W. C. T. The char-

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ter-members were Rev. D. H. Root, Sarah Tumy, Jennie Root, Mary Root, Chas. Myer, H. C. Mooth, H. Tumy, Mollie Burkhardt, Mary Jones, William Hill, Robert Boyze, John Scobee, J. L. Root, Ann Root, Ora Root, and Sallie Wheeler. The present officers are J. W. Champion, W. C. T .; Clara Dodson, W. V. T .; Geo. Hill, R. S .; H. A. Henley, F. S .; H. A. Roberts, M .; Mrs. Henley, I. G .; H. C. Mooth, O. G .; J. R. Robinson, S. D. Number of members, 40.

UNITED WORKMEN.

Rocheport Lodge, No. 81, of the A. O. U. W., was instituted by John A. Brooks, both charter and dispensation bearing date of Octo- ber 9th, 1878. The names of charter members are : R. W. Hubbard, John E. Miller, O. J. Miller, T. M. Nicholson, Charles Myer, Henry Hall, Sylvester Calvert, U. Baldwin, S. P. Scobee, W. E. Mabry, and Robert White. The first officers were - Robert White, P. M. W. ; O. J. Miller, M. W .; R. W. Hubbard, G. F .; T. M. Nicholson, O .; Chas. Myer, Recorder ; Henry Hall, Financier, J. E. Miller, Re- ceiver ; S. P. Scobee, Guide; U. Baldwin, I. W .; J. S. Palmer, O. W. The names of the present officers are : John Scobee, M. W. ; James O'Howell, P. M. W. ; W. F. Potts, Recorder ; A. G. Norris, Financier ; R. W. Hubbard, Receiver ; James Bradley, I. W .; F. M. Nicholson, O. W .; Wesley Scobee, Guide ; Peter Fine, G. F. They have a membership of forty, but as yet own no lodge building, hold- ing their meetings in a rented hall.

BUSINESS INTERESTS OF ROCHEPORT.

Newspapers. - The first paper published in Rocheport was the Times, by Isaac N. Houck in 1868 and 1869. In 1872 F. B. Bysfield established the Enterprise, which was discontinued in 1873. The Rocheport Commercial was started in 1879. It is still published, and does excellent work for the town. J. W. McQuitty is the present editor and proprietor.

Bank. - The Rocheport Bank has a cash capital of $10,000, and its deposits amount to about $100,000 annually. Present officers : L. Grossman, president ; F. E. Carr, cashier ; L. Grossman, David Pipes, W. B. Hunt, T. H. Winterbower, F. E. Carr, directors.

Mills. - The Boone County Star grist mills grind about 150,000 bushels annually. They have four run of burrs. About 15,000 barrels of first-class flour are annually shipped to St. Louis. The mills are owned by a company, of which W. T. Anderson is president ;

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David Pipes, vice president ; J. S. Clayton, secretary and superin- tendent, and F. E. Carr, treasurer.

The Moniteau saw and grist mills, J. W. Champion, proprietor, were established in 1875. They have three run of burrs, do a large local trade and custom work, grinding severa thousand bushels an- nually. The saw-mill has a capacity for sawing 2,500 feet of lum- ber daily.

Miscellaneous. - The oldest business man in the place is Henry Tumy, dealer in saddles and harness, who began business in 1842. Then comes W. E. T. Waddell, hardware dealer and tinner ; estab- tablished in 1853. The oldest mechanic is Henderson Wheeler, a blacksmith, who has struck while the iron was hot since 1838. Hubbard, Prince & Co. and J. A. Barth ship annually thousands upon thousands of bushels of wheat and other grain.

The Rocheport pottery was originally established by John Cranson, in 1844. W. H. Williamson & Son, the present proprietors, took charge in 1860. The establishment turns out 50,000 gallons of an excellent quality of stoneware every year.

The physicians are Dr. William J. Jackman (1873), Bramlitt & Lewis (1882) and E. H. Chinn (1882). Dr. T. M. Nicholson, den- tist, has been established since 1871. .

BIOGRAPHIES.

JÅMES DABNY ARNETT.

James D. Arnett was born in Louisa county, Virginia, near Louisa court-house, May 8th, 1830, where he was raised on the farm, continu- ing in that business until he came to Missouri in 1857. He lived with his uncle, T. R. Daniel, near Midway, and farmed his place on the shares until his death in 1869 and continued to manage the farm for his aunt until her death in 1879, when he purchased the place of their administrators. At this writing Mr. Arnett, is unmarried. In 1864 he was drafted by the Federal authorities but was detailed as a carpenter and served as such until the close of the war. He is a member of the Locust Grove, Methodist church, and steward and Sunday school superintendent. He has been a member of the church since 1850.

WILLIAM F. ANGELL.

William F. Angell was born on the old Reuben Elliott homestead,

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October 18th 1846. He is the son of Joseph and Margaret (Elliott ) 1 Angell. His father having died when he was an infant, his mother remained with her father, the late Reuben Elliott. He was brought up on the farm and educated at the Rocheport and Walnut Grove academies. He began business for himself when eighteen, cultivating rented land. In 1871 he purchased his grandfather's farm -the old Elliott homestead - where he has remained ever since. He was mar- ried, December 14, 1871, to Miss Luella, daughter of Willis G. Evans, of Boone county. They have two children, William E. and McClelland. Mr. Angell is a member of the Walnut Grove Baptist church.

MOSES BARTH.

The subject of this sketch, one of the leading commercial men of the county, is a foreign born gentleman, a native of Illingen, Ger- many, born October 24th, 1824. Though Prussian born, he is of pure Hebrew extraction, and is the son of Michael and Sarah Barth. He was reared and educated in his native city and learned the business of cattle dealer and money exchanger, which was his vocation, and continued in the business with his father till he came to America in 1847. Arriving at New York, June 15th, of that year, he proceeded to Philadelphia and supplied himself with a stock of goods which he " peddled " out to advantage in Berks and Lancaster counties, Penn- sylvania. He then came to Missouri and was similarly engaged in Boone and Howard counties, making his headquarters at Fayette. He then became associated with his brother in the dry goods business, and they operated as both local and itinerant merchants till 1850. In that year, without severing his connection with his brother, Moses made a trip over the plains to the gold fields of California, where he remained about two years, engaged principally in quartz-mining. He sailed from San Francisco to New Orleans, arriving there in the fall of 1852. There he fell sick with a fever, which prostrated him for some ten weeks. He had the good fortune, however, to find a friend in an old-country acquaintance, to whom Mr. Barth is much indebted for kindness during that long illness among strangers. The friend's name was Philip Marx. Returning to Fayette, he found that Alex- ander Greenabaum had bought into the firm during his absence. This firm, in 1853, started a branch house at Rocheport, and Moses was placed in charge of it. The Barths wound up their affairs with Greenabaum in 1856, and centered their business at Rocheport. Two years later, they opened a branch store at Columbia, the

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brother assuming charge. Thus they continued till 1869. In 1863-4 they handled tobacco quite extensively, and also estab- lished a shirt factory in Philadelphia. Rocheport was burned by Federals in 1864, and their loss in buildings, merchan- dise and tobacco was almost a fortune in itself. Besides the firm's losses, Moses lost some $7,000 in slave property by their eman- cipation. They managed to get rebuilt in 1866, when A. Victor and H. W. Myer became associated with the firm, and the company thus continued till disasters overtook them in 1869. These reverses, coupled with their losses by the war, forced them into bankruptcy. Being released thereby from all indebtedness, Mr. B. was enabled to start up again by the assistance of friends, and is now doing an exten- sive business in the mercantile line, and is a large shipper of grain, wool, and general produce. On March 21, 1855, Mr. Barth married . Miss Minnie, daughter of Isaac L. Arnold, of Philadelphia. They have seven children : Joseph (in business with his father) ; Nettie, wife of Victor Barth, of Columbia ; Linda, wife of S. Hanauer, of Bis- mark, D. T. ; Pauline A. ; Carrie ; Isadore A. ; Sadie A. Mr. Barth is a member of Boone lodge No. 121, I. O. O. F. at Rocheport, and is also a demitted Mason.

DAVID C. BARTON.

Was born on a farm in Audrain county, Missouri, February 1, 1848, where he continued to reside with his parents until he was twenty- two years old. He then began learning the blacksmith trade with his father, and after working one year, went to Paris, Monroe county, and there did journey work for nearly a year. He worked for other men as a journeyman for some time and in various places, till he finally opened a shop of his own in Perry, Ralls county, Missouri. In 1877, he sold out there and went to Howard county, and started a shop at White's store, where he remained one year and again sold out. Opening out another place in same county, he operated till 1880, when he went to Nevada City, Vernon county, and there car- ried on blacksmithing till he came to Rocheport, in Boone county, in the fall of 1881. Here he purchased property, but engaged in no special business till 1882, when he was elected city marshal of Rocheport, which position he holds at this writing. Mr. Barton, when a boy, witnessed the famous " Centralia massacre," when Anderson and his guerrillas captured and killed a train load of Federals. Before Mr. Erton became marshal, Rocheport had been for some time afflicted.

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with a lawless class of negroes who frequently disturbed the quiet of that staid old place ; but has effectually suppressed that class and has them under thorough control. He was the man who arrested the twelve notorious " nigs " after the " Rocheport riots " in 1882, eight of whom were sent to the penitentiary. (See history of town of Rocheport). Mr. Barton certainly deserves the thanks of the citizens of that place for the effectual way in which he has restored order. He was married, March 6th, 1870, to Miss Maggie Slough, of Cumber- land City, Maryland. Mr. and Mrs. Barton are Baptists, but not connected with any church. He is very abstemious in his habits, not even using tobacco ; and he has been a " teetotaler " all his life, and a member of the I. O. G. T. for eight years. He has held the posi- tion of Worthy Templar for several years, and was for one term lodge deputy, under authority of the Grand Lodge of Missouri.

UGENUS BALDWIN.

Capt. Ugenus Baldwin was born in Shelby county, Indiana, near Shelbyville, the county seat, February 16th, 1833. When he was four years old his parents removed to Missouri and settled in Boone county, seven miles southeast of Rocheport, where he was raised, remaining with his parents until he reached manhood. In 1854, when in his twenty-first year, he went to Buchanan county, where he engaged in teaching for one year. Returning home he attended La- throp Academy for two sessions, afterwards resuming his profession, teaching in Moniteau, Boone, Cooper and Howard counties. He enlisted, August 11th, 1861, in the Confederate army, under Capt. James Watson and Col. John B. Clark. He was made second lieutenant and served for six months, part of the time as captain of the com- pany. In 1862 he entered the regular Confederate service. In April of that year he joined Company C., 6th Infantry, and in September following was made third lieutenant, rising by promotion to the office of first lieutenant, which place he held until the close of the war. He was in many battles, the most important being Lexington, Pea Ridge, Vicksburg, Corinth, Iuka and Port Gibson. His command was captured at Vicksburg and exchanged in the winter of 1863-64, becoming a part of the second and sixth regiments, Missouri Infantry. He held the position of first lieutenant in the re-organization. He next participated in the battles of New Hope Church, Kenesaw Mountain, and a series of skirmishes from New Hope Church to Atlanta. From Atlanta he was sent by Gen. Hood with one hundred men to operate

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in the rear of Sherman's army, as the latter was marching on that. city. At the battle of Franklin he had command of the infirmary corps,. and was employed in burying the dead and removing the wounded from the battle field. In December of that year he was made provost marshal of Cockerell's brigade, which position he held until his com- mand was captured in Alabama, April 9th, 1865. They were kept prisoners until the close of the war. Mr. Baldwin remained in Mis- sissippi for one year after the close of the war, engaged in teaching. He returned to Boone county in 1868 and went to farming, teaching school of winters. Mr. Baldwin was married in the fall of 1868 to Miss Laura, daughter of William Allen, of Boone county, after which he purchased the farm where he now resides. He farms during the summer and teaches of winters, They have four children : Minnie Lee, Lillie May, Emmett Allen and Mattie Pearl, all of whom are living with their parents. Mr. and Mrs. Baldwin are members of the Mount Nebo Methodist church. He is also a member of the Roche- port lodge of Ancient Order United Workmen. In 1874 he was ap- pointed a magistrate to fill a vacancy, after which he was elected to the office and has held the position ever since.

THOMAS COLTER BARNES.

Thomas C. Barnes was born in Old Franklin, Howard county, Missouri, May 27th, 1819. He is the son of James and Nancy (Colter) Barnes. His father died when he was but three years old and his mother removed to Boone county, settling on a farm near Columbia. He remained at home with his mother until 1835, when, in his sixteenth year, he went to Columbia to learn the saddler's trade, serving under James Richardson. He remained in the shop four years and a half. During this time he attended school six months. He afterwards went to school five months at his own ex- pense. In 1840 he began farming as a renter and so continued for five years, when he bought the farm he now occupies, which then contained 160 acres, situated five and one-half miles northwest of Columbia. He has added to this by subsequent purchases, and now owns 240 acres. Mr. Barnes has been twice married. His second wife was Miss Susan Davenport, of Boone county. He has ten children, five by each wife. The children by the first marriage are Margaret U., wife of John Davenport, of Boone county ; James S., a farmer in Audrain county ; Amanda, wife of Richard F. Farthing, of Audrain county ; William H., of Audrain county, and Mary, wife of

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Edward Farthing, of Audrain. By his second wife: John G., on the homestead ; Minnie A., wife of Joseph Bennett, of Boone county ; David D., Emma Ellen and Malissa Jane. Mr. Barnes and wife are members of the Oakland Christian church. Previous to changing his membership, he served as elder in the Friendship Christian church, for nine years. During the war he remained neutral. Mr. Barnes has always taken a deep interest in local school matters and has served on the school board of his district for many years, being much of the time chairman of the committee.

EDWARD TURNER BRAMLETT, M. D.

Dr. Bramlett was born in the State of Mississippi, near Verona, December 4th, 1854, and grew up in the place of his nativity. His education was acquired partly in the State of his birth, at Mississippi College, in Clinton, and partly at the University of Kentucky, at Lexington. At the age of eighteen he began the study of medicine under Dr. B. H. Whitfield, professor of natural science, in the above first named college. Subsequently he attended the Louisville, Ken- tucky, Medical College, and graduated therefrom with the degree of M. D. in March, 1876. Returning to Verona, he began the practice of medicine in co-partnership with B. H. Armstrong, at the same time engaging in the drug business in partnership with John A. Arm- strong. He remained there till 1879, when, having closed his busi- ness and practice in that locality, he came to Boone county, Mis- souri, and located at Rocheport, where he resumed the practice. On April 1st, 1882, he became associated with Dr. M. D. Lewis, under the firm name of Bramlett & Lewis. These gentlemen, though still young men, are thoroughly educated generally, as well as specially, and are building up an extensive practice in Boone, Howard, Cooper and Moniteau counties.

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History of Boone County, Missouri., Part 98

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