History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences, Part 112

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260

USA > Missouri > Livingston County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 112
USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 112

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).

After Father Hogan there came as pastor to St. Columban's Revs. R. S. Tucker, - Gestach, A. J. Abel, J. J. Kennedy, E. J. Shee- hey, and Francis Monning. The latter came in October, 1878. He was a member of the Order of St. Francis, of the province of the Sacred Heart, whose headquarters are in St. Louis. He was sent out by his superiors at the invitation of Bishop Hogan, to make a recon- noissance of the diocese of St. Joseph in order to find a suitable loca- tion for a new settlement of a community of his order.

Of an energetic and enterprising disposition Father Francis estab- lished a home of the community at Bee Branch, Chariton county, (Wier P. O.) ; but realizing the great advantage that would result to the community, he desired to found a second house. Bishop Hogan as a particular friend of the order of St. Francis, offered him the parish of Chillicothe, from which there had to be attended several little missions along the railroads and in the country districts.

This calling of the Franciscan Order into the city of Chillicothe marks a new departure in the history of the Catholic population in

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

the city. Father Francis held services at first in the old frame church in the southern part of the town. But his fervor and peculiar success in attracting people, soon made this church too small. He resolved, therefore, to build a new church, and bought for this purpose a whole block in the northern part of town, near the academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The corner-stone of the new church was laid in the following year in the presence of an immense concourse of people. The plans and specifications for the new brick church were drawn up by Brother Adrian, of the same order, and carried out so as to com- plete only so much as was needed for the present wants of the con- gregation ; the rest is to be added when the increase of the congregation may demand it, which is likely to be very soon. The cost of buildings with premises was about $12,000. Father Francis was, however, not yet satisfied with what he had done. The next year he commenced to build a college which was completed very soon and opened, but soon after met with an accident. A storm damaged it greatly. The loss was estimated at $2,000. However, it was re- built with the aid of the good citizens of Chillicothe. Its original cost was about $5,000. The plans of the studies originally intended was not carried out, partly for want of scholars, partly for want of teachers and professors, the order having already several colleges to attend, and being very pressingly engaged in ministerial dutics.

There are now three Franciscan Fathers stationed at Chillicothe, - and with them are three lay brothers who wait on them and attend to the church garden, household work, etc. The number of families of the congregation is estimated at $150.

The St. Joseph College, a parochial school, is conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The pupils in attendance average 70. The St. Joseph hall has seating capacity for over 400. Father Fran- cis was removed in August, 1882, to St. Louis, Mo., and succeeded by Clementinus Deymann who is here still, the well beloved pastor of the church, and the esteemed ecclesiastic and divine of the people gener- ally.

PROTESTANT CHURCHES.

Christian Church. - The Christian Church of Chillicothe was organized in 1850, with John Crawford and Benjamin Edrington as elders, James Hutchison and Stillman Mansur, deacons, and John Graves and perhaps a few others. The first church building was erceted the same year, with John Crawford, James Hutchison, and Stillman Mansur as trustees. It was enlarged and repaired in 1869. The building, a frame, stands on the corner of Washington and Clay

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Streets, and has cost about $2,000. The pastors have been Elders Wm. Carter, T. P. Haley, J. M. Henry, R. M. Messick, W. F. Parker, A. C. McKeevin, C. Monroe, and A. Ellett. Resident preachers of Chillicothe who have served the church a part of the time have been D. T. Wright, editor of the old Christian Pioneer, now the Christian Evangelist, of St. Louis ; Dr. W. D. Jordan, Prof. J. M. Long, and W. H. Gaunt. Among the visiting ministers who have preached to this congregation may be mentioned the distinguished divine, Alexander Campbell, who was here in 1859; Rev. Dr. Moses E. Lard, in 1869; Rev. Benj. Smith, of Canton University, in 1870, and .Rev. Benj. Franklin, editor of the Christian Age and Review, of Cincinnati. The last named was here in the year 1860, and engaged in a debate with Rev. J. M. Rush, of the M. E. Church South, in the old M. E. S. church building on Locust Street, which was in 1863. In Livingston county there are about 600 members of the Christian Church of which number the Chillicothe organiza- tion comprises about one-half. The two oldest ministers of this denomination in the county reside in Chillicothe, and are Dr. W. D. Jordan, who is 87 years of age and has preached for 65 years ; and Elder D. T. Wright, who is 65, and has been in the ministry for 40 years. W. C. Wood is the present very efficient clerk of the church.

First Baptist Church. - The present organization of the First Baptist Church, of Chillicothe, was formed November 5, 1869, by the union of two organizations known as the First Baptist and Vine Street Baptist Churches of Chillicothe. The committees appointed from the respective organizations to bring about this union were com- posed as follows : from the First Church, Rev. G. W. Rogers, Deacon J. M. Alnutt and Dr. E. S. Poindexter ; from Vine Street, Deacon J. C. Barnard, A. J. Stewart and Z. N. Goldsby. The early records of each branch have been lost, and no complete history of either can be given. The First Church was in existence some time prior to 1858, for in that year the first church building, a brick structure, was erected. This was sold and in 1867 the present house, on lots 5 and 8, block 37, was built by the Vine Street organization, costing per- haps $2,000. The pastors of this church, so far as can now be learned, have been Revs. J. Hall, L. M. Berry, J. C. Maples, R. S. Johnson, B. F. Colwell, S. L. Cox, I. R. M. Beason, J. J. Feltz, R. M. Richardson, J. B. Stark, David Scott, R. H. Williamson and G. L. Talbott. Upon the consolidation, in 1869, the membership was 85 ; it is now 121. A very flourishing and efficient Sabbath-school of

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

over 100 scholars is superintended by J. W. Botts. The church clerk is A. H. Ouderdonk.

SECRET ORDERS - MASONIC LODGES.

Friendship Lodge No. 89, A. F. and A. M., was the first Masonic lodge organized in Livingston county. The dispensation was issued prior to February, 1845, for in that month the county court made an order allowing the lodge the use of the grand jury room, in the second story of the court house " for fifteen years." . The charter was issued October 12, 1847, to Wm. Hudgins, master ; Geo. Munro, senior warden, and Dr. John Wolfskill, junior warden. Col. John Ralls, of Ralls county, was the grand master at the date of the issue of the charter. During the forty years of its existence Friendship lodge has had a most interesting history and prosperous career. Some of its members have been raised to positions of distinction in the order as well as to places of eminence in public affairs. Three of the members, John D. Vincil, D. D., James E. Cadle and Alex. M. Dockery, have been grand masters of Missouri. At present the membership numbers seventy, and the lodge meets on the east side of the public square. The officers are Saml. L. Harris, master ; Arthur Henderson and A. F. Chapin, wardens ; W. H. Couch and S. H. Price, deacons ; S. England, treasurer ; Fred. Hoppe, secretary ; J. L. Smith, tyler. Friendship is the parent of nearly all of the other lodges of the upper Grand River valley.

Chillicothe Lodge, No. 333, was constituted out of Friendship lodge, by Dr. John D. Vincil, under dispensation issued December 16, 1868. The first officers were M. H. Smith, master; Edwin McKee and R. F. Dunn, wardens ; Edwin Lyman, secretary ; Smith Turner, treasurer ; R. N. Eddy and J. R. Middleton, deacons ; W. H. Hewitt, tyler. Under the charter, which is dated October 12, 1869, the first officers were Edwin McKee, master; Wm. S. Bird and Robt. N. Eddy, wardens ; R. F. Dunn, treasurer ; Ed. Lyman, secretary ; T. R. May and W. H. Maine, deacons ; J. A. Cooper and R. W. Goldshy, stewards ; Geo. W. Rogers and W. E. Dockery, chap- lains ; John Bosworth, tyler. The present membership is 66; the lodge is out of debt and has some money at interest. The furniture is owned in partnership with Friendship lodge.

Knights Templar Commandery. - Right Eminent Sir Carroll J. Atkins, Grand Commander of Missouri, instituted Paschal Command- ery, No. 32, K. T. The dispensation was issued August 11, 1869, and the charter bears date May 14, 1880 (A. O. 762). The charter

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

members and first officers were Reuben Barney, E. C. ; Stephen Norris, generalissimo ; Henry Kase, captain-general; Wm. E. Rhea, prelate; W. B. Leach, and James E. Cadle, wardens ; August Hoppe, treas- urer ; J. R. Middleton, recorder ; W. B. Stevens, standard bearer ; R. F. Dunn, sword bearer; W. P. Monro, warder; I. L. Smith, guard ; Thos. A. Brown, Albert Stephens, Jas. T. Brown, Carter Page, Willis E. Dockery, Campbell Crossan, and J. B. Ostrander. The commandery occupies a rented hall. The present membership is 40.

ODD FELLOWS.

Chillicothe Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F., has at present 59 members in good standing. The dispensation was issued January 14, 1856, and the charter May 21, following. The lodge was instituted by H. T. Grill, district deputy grand master of District No. 31. The charter members and first officers were R. R. Mills, noble grand ; Geo. Pace, vice grand ; U. T. Green, recording secretary ; H. W. Lansing, per- manent secretary ; B. F. Carpenter, treasurer ; V. W. Kimball, Minor W. Yager, Geo. W. Call. The lodge meets in a rented hall. Its present officers are W. B. Coston and Robert Stewart, noble and vice grands; L. A. Chapman and H. J. Pringle, recording and per- manent secretaries ; N. J. Rensch, treasurer, and Wm. H. Missman, Grand Lodge representative.

Chillicothe Encampment, No. 68, I. O. O. F., was instituted by Wm. McClelland, special deputy. The dispensation was issued March 12, 1872, and the charter is dated May 24, following. The first offi- cers and charter members were David Burberry, chief patriarch ; E. H. Bement, high priest ; C. R. Berry, scribe ; C. H. Mansur, treas- urer ; B. F. Berry and S. B. Thatcher, wardens ; Joseph Huffman, H. E. Hunt, Stephen Norris, J. S. Weaver, T. R. May, C. P. Jones, W. R. G. Humphrey, S. England, J. H. Long, J. M. Cherry, C. J. Benson, W. T. Spears, R. M. Graham, Jas. Grubb, Alonzo Walker, Chas. W. Sloan, Jas. B. Tanner. The present membership is 29, and the officers are S. England, chief priest ; H. J. Pringle, high priest : J. R. Tudor and N. J. Rensch, wardens ; W. B. Coston, scribe, and Robt. Stewart, treasurer.

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN H. ABSHIRE

(Farmer, Stock-raiser and Tobacco Dealer, Chillicothe).

Not without justice, Mr. John H. Abshire is conceded to hold a representative position among the prominent and successful men of Livingston county, for he has rendered it valuable service in many different capacities, some of which are referred to in the present sketch. Ou October 27, 1822, he was born in Franklin county, Va., the son of Nelson Abshire, also a Virginian, and a farmer by calling, and Mary Abshire, nee Wright, of the same State. John H. was the eldest of 10 children, and his experience in youth was like that of other farmers' boys, part of the time being passed in attending school and the remainder in working about the home place. After attaining his majority he commenced teaching school, and for quite a while was thus occupied. In 1847, taking up his location in Kentucky, Mr. A. engaged in mercantile pursuits, and remained in that State until com- ing to Chillicothe, Mo., in 1858, where he embarked in the manu- facure of tobacco, the first in Livingston county to enter into this branch of what has since increased to a considerable trade. In 1861, however, he abandoned the manufacturing business, though up to the present time he has continued to deal extensively in tobacco. Formerly he shipped large quantities to European markets, but of late years he has principally disposed of his crops in St. Louis. Mr. Abshire has given much attention to farming and the stock business, and at this time he owns 575 acres of land, valuable and of superior quality, in close proximity to Chillicothe ; this land is nearly all devoted to the stock industry, and is seeded down to timothy, clover and blue grass. His career since his settlement in this county has been a successful and encouraging one, and not without good results, for to-day he is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the county in a material point of view. In addition to his agricultural and tobacco interests, he has a large capital, and is one of the stock- holders and a director in the People's Savings Bank, of this place. Well established in life, on a sound, firm basis, he has drawn about him many friends who esteem him most highly for his good judgment, plain and unassuming manner at all times, and his warm friendship. Mr. Abshire was married April 25, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Cheatham, a Kentuckian by birth, and a daughter of Robert Cheatham, Esq. Five children are now in their family : James B., J. Henry, William C., Lena and Fannie.

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

JAMES ANDERSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 15, Post-office, Chillicothe).

For a period now of nearly 45 years Mr. Anderson has resided upon the same place that he now occupies, and, during this time he has made for himself an honorable name and secured a comfortable competence in which to pass the remainder of his days, when the mantle of old age commences to fall about him. His birthplace was in Lawrence county, Ind., and there he first saw the light April 2, 1818. When a boy he removed to St. Clair county, Ill., and later to Henry county, Mo., from whence, a year later, he went to Cass county. In 1840 he took up his location in Livingston county, and after the first year of his residence here he settled permanently upon his present homestead. Three hundred and twenty acres are now included in this tract, one of the comfortable, neat places of this por- tion of the county, and a lifetime of experience in agricultural pur- suits has given Mr. Anderson a thorough knowledge of the proper management to be bestowed upon his farm. Everything about the farm is kept in excellent condition. Mr. A.'s father, Isaac Anderson, was a native of Tennessee and a soldier in the Mexican War, his death occurring two years after the close of that struggle, in Cald- well county, Mo., where he was visiting. His (Isaac's) wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Hill, originally from East Tennessee. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, James Anderson ( for whom he was named), came primarily from Ireland to East Tennessee and later to Indiana. Young James continued to give his attention to farming in this State while growing up until the outbreak of the Mex- ican War, when with true couarge and patriotism, he enlisted in Co. L, under command of Capt. W. R. Slack, the same company in which his father enlisted ; a brother, Isaac, was also in the same war under Taylor, but remained ignorant of the presence of his brother in the service until after the close of the war. Mr. James Anderson was mustered in at Ft. Leavenworth and marched across the plains, his first engagement being at Canada. Afterwards he particpated in the battles of El Embudo and Taos. Subsequently he returned home and again resumed farming, which he has continued to follow. Mr. A. has been married three times. In 1837 Miss Emily Young became his wife, a native of Missouri ; she died in 1839 in Cass county, leaving two children, Isaac M. and Jesse, the latter dying soon after. Mr. Ander-

son was again married, in 1841, to Mrs. Margaret Austin, nee Bryan. Her son, Col. Austin, was killed at Wilson's Creek during the late war, under Price. Mrs. A. died in 1861, and two of the three chil- dren born of this union survive, Thomas B. and James, now in Cali- fornia ; one died in infancy. Her children by her first husband were Andrew Jackson, James Madison and Mary, now living, and John, deceased. May 23, 1863, Mr. Anderson found a third wife in the person of Miss Sarah Linville, who was born in this county April 12, 1837. To them 11 children have been born : John, Wiley, Robert

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Elizabeth, Lulu, Julia, Adaline, Edward, Eva, Malinda and Franklin. He is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M.

ISAAC M. ANDERSON

(Farmer, Section 11, Post-office, Chillicothe) .

The Anderson family, or rather that branch to which the subject of this sketch belongs, were early settlers in the southwestern part of Missouri. In the sketch which immediately precedes this an outline in brief has been given of Mr. Anderson's father, James Anderson, one of the county's respected and worthy citizens, and as will be seen there Isaac's great-grandfather was an Irishman by nativity. His grandfather, father and an uncle were all participants in the Mexican War, and made for themselves honorable records as soldiers. Isaac's mother, formerly Emily Young, died in 1839, and he is now the only surviving child born of this marriage. In Cass county, Mo., his birth occurred on the 15th day of May, 1837, and in 1840 he accompa- nied his father to this county, where he was reared. He grew to manhood on the old homestead still occupied by his father, was a stu- dent at the common schools for some time and in 1864 he took a trip to Montana, remaining in that country some three years. This time was partly spent in the mines, a portion of it in conducting a dairy, and for one year he was interested in farming. After his return, in 1867, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jacobs, a daughter.of Solomon Jacobs, of Tennessee, and to them have been given five children : Lizzie M., William Scott, Joseph, John T. and Alta Belle. Mr. A.'s farm is 120 acres in extent, under good cultiva- tion and improvement, and an especial feature of it is the promising young orehard to be seen. His operations are meeting with good success, which all will acknowledge he deserves. Personally he is social and agreeable.

CHARLES W. ASPER (Conveyancer and Abstracter of Titles).

From the time of his settlement in this county until his death in October, 1872, there was perhaps no man more widely known or more universally respected, or who wielded a greater influence in the pub- lic affairs of the community, than Mr. Asper's father, Hon. Joel F. Asper -a man of recognized ability and worth and one closely iden- tified with the interests of Chillicothe and vicinity. A native of Adams county, Pa., he was the son of Abraham Asper, of the same county, who, after his removal to Trumbull county, O., opened up a farm on which Joel was brought up. The latter early made choice of the legal profession as the calling to which he would devote himself in life, soon entered upon his studies, and during this time worked in Warren to defray his collegiate studies. Going to Chardon, Geauga county, in the same State, he edited for some time the Chardon Demo- crat, subsequently disposing of this property and returning to War- ren, where he was afterwards elected prosecuting attorney of the

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

county. He was the first man to enlist in the Federal army from that county, becoming a member and being elected captain of Co. H, of the 7th Ohio volunteer infantry ; later on he was promoted lieuten- ant-colonel, and at the battle of Winchester he was severely wounded in the thigh. Afterwards Mr Asper organized the 171st regiment of which he was commissioned colonel, and was ordered to Johnson Island to do guard duty, going thence to Kentucky to repel Morgan's raid, where the regiment was captured. He was paroled at Coving- ton, Ky., and in 1864 came to Chillicothe, Mo., engaging at once in the practice of his profession, which he afterwards followed. He also published the Spectator, formerly called the Grand River Chronicle, the Tribune now being the successor of this journal. This paper was Republican in politics. In 1868 Mr. Asper was elected to Congress from the Seventh District of Missouri. It is a fact worthy of mention that he was the first man to advocate through the columns of his paper the enfranchisement of the rebels. His death was sincerely mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth F. Brown, of Ohio. She died January 21, 1884, leaving three children : Sarah F., Florence E. and Charles W. The latter, a worthy son of a respected and honored father, was born at Char- don, Geauga county, O., February 15, 1853. He accompanied his parents to this State, growing up in this county, and after receiving a primary education entered Cornell University, in New York. Owing to the death of his father he left this school when in his sophomore year in order to assist in the care of the family. Entering the recorder's office as deputy, he served until 1876, and in 1877 he was made deputy collector. In 1879 he was appointed by Gov. Phelps to fill the position of county recorder. In 1880 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for this office, and though receiving a large vote, was defeated by a small majority. In 1881 he was appointed assist- ant swamp land agent for the State, continuing to act in this capacity for fifteen months. Mr. Asper then returned to Chillicothe and opened an abstract office, which he has since conducted. His set of abstract books are complete in every particular, and his business is proving highly satisfactory. He has proved up swamp lands as agent for various counties and always with perfect satisfaction to those most interested. As a business man Mr. Asper has but few superiors. June 24, 1884, he married Miss Mary Kunkel, of Hanni- bal, Mo., daughter of Col. Nat. Kunkel, of Confederate fame. They have one child, Charles Eastin.

WILL T. AYRES

(Breeder and Handler of Hamiltonian Horses, Chillicothe, Mo.)

The stock men of Livingston county, and particularly the younger ones, are justly classed among the most intelligent, progressive and successful in the State. One cause of this perhaps is a natural taste for the calling and such Mr. Ayres must have, for his father, Harmon D. Ayres, originally from Bourbon county, Ky., is now a large and

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

prosperous breeder of short-horn cattle near Breckinridge. He came from his native State to his present place in 1878 and has since been closely identified with the interests of Caldwell county. His wife's maiden name was Sallie Turner, also a Kentuckian by birth. Will T., the third child and second son in a family of 5 children, was princi- pally reared in Bourbon county, of the Blue Grass State, where his birth occurred May 31, 1861, and in 1878 he accompanied his parents to Caldwell county, Mo. He continued to make that locality his home until coming to his present residence in 1885 and here he has since remained. Mr. Ayres' stock interests have been in the direc- tion of horses almost entirely and he it is who owns Ayres' Hamil- tonian, the finest horse in North Missouri. In 1885 he started in eight races and took six first and two second premiums; of seven roadster rings in which he has shown he has taken ten first and one second premium ; in St. Louis he was in four shows, and here three first and one second premium were also given him, more than fell to any other horse in the exhibition. Pontiac, by Happy Medium, is another of Mr. Ayres' promising animals, an inbred Hamiltonian. Too much credit can not be given him for his efforts to improve the stock of this county, and if his endeavors in this direction are not now appreciated the time will come when they shall be.

LEVERETTA N. BARKER (Manufacturer of and Dealer in Jewelery, Chillicothe).

In addition to the apprenticeship of six years which Mr. Barker served at his trade of jeweler, a long experience in this line has ren- dered him a most efficient and thorough master, and since his settle- ment here in 1867 he has become established on a sound basis. His native State is New York, his birth having occurred at Oriskany Falls, May 9, 1834, and his parents also came originally from the same locality. They were Laurens H. and Aseanith Barker, nie Thompson, the father being an agriculturist by calling which he followed until his death in 1869 ; his wife died in 1867. Two of the five children born to them are dead, Linas and Lucetta. Those living are Lester T., a jeweler at Minneapolis ; Laurens M., a farmer on the old home- stead, and the subject of this sketch. He obtained his education at Oriskany Falls and there passed his youth and early manhood, sub- quently going to Lockport, N. Y., where he served a six years' appren- ticeship in becoming perfectly familiar with every detail of the jeweler's trade. Sometime after this he removed westward and located at Eddyville, Wapello county, Ia., where he conducted a busi- ness until 1866. Going thence to St. Joseph, Mo., he remained there, however, but one year, coming to Chillicothe in 1867 and here he has since resided, intimately identified with the interests of this place, both socially and in a business capacity. Mr. Barker is a married man, Miss Emma C. Gangwer, daughter of Joseph Gangwer, of Penn- sylvania, having become his wife in 1858. The following children have resulted from this union : Edward and Ella. The former is now

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Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890- Publication date: 1886 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1260

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260