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 126

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 126
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 126

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).

1181

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

JOHN W. GRAVES

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

John W. Graves comes of a long line of historic ancestors, all of whom have become prominent and influential in the different locali- ties in which they have resided. John Graves, his grandfather, was the founder of Chillicothe, and a man to whom frequent mention is made in other parts of this volume. John's father, William B. Graves, was the most prominent man in the county in his day; the owner of large tracts of land, he was also the proprietor of an extensive mer- cantile business for a short time after his return from the Mexican War. An extended sketch of his life appears elsewhere in the present volume. John W. was the second child of three children in the family. His birth occurred in this county upon the old homestead and this has ever been his home, his long residence here and well known industrious habits and perseverance, as well as enterprise and progress, having contributed to place around him a host of friends and acquaintances. His opportunities for acquiring an education in youth were above the average for he supplemented his primary course of instruction by attendance at the Missouri State University under the presidency of Dr. Daniel Reed. Thus thoroughly prepared to enter into active business life, Mr. Graves after leaving college entered the mercantile establishment of Mr. James Leeper, at Chillicothe, with whom he remained three years, then engaging in farming on the old home place, one of the finest in the entire county, and here he has since remained. In connection with general farming he has long been interested in the stock business, the excellent short-horn cattle now seen upon his farm, together with other graded stock, indicating the position he occupies with reference to this branch of industry. On December 17, 1874, Mr. Graves was united in marriage with Miss Mina Davis, the sixth of 12 children of Temple H. and Francis ( Hendon ) Davis, the former a Kentuckian by birth and the latter of Virginia nativity. The father followed farming and stock raising until his death in 1884, his widow surviving until January 28, 1886, when she died at the residence of her daughter. Mrs. Graves was born at Hannibal, Mo., March 6, 1853, and was principally educated at the select female school of Dr. McElhaney, at Palmyra. She is the mother of four children : William T., Alice M., Ethel F. and Maggie. Mr. Graves and wife are members of the M. E. Church South at Chillicothe. He is also connected with Omga Lodge No. 61, K. of P., at Chillicothe.

MORGAN HOGE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 31, Post-office, Chillicothe).

The name that heads this sketch is one long and worthily iden- tified with Livingston county, and, indeed, no history of this imme- diate vicinity would be complete which failed to make proper mention of Mr. Hoge. Originally from Greene county, Pa., he

1182

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

was born there July 18, 1820, the fourth of 10 children who grew to manhood in the family of his parents, George and Sarah Hoge, whose maiden name was Moore. Both were also natives of the Keystone State, and there the father died at an advanced age. As he was an agriculturist by occupation it was but natural that Morgan should become thoroughly acquainted with every detail connected with that calling, and that, too, from an early date. He continued to remain in Pennsylvania until the age of 28 years, and in that year he came to Missouri, considering that the new country beyond the Mis- sissippi offered better advantages to young men than the East. And time has proven the wisdom of his decision in locating here. He has remained occupied in tilling the soil ever since that time, and his present place near Chillicothe indicates to a noticeable extent what years of industry and good management and superior knowledge will do towards the maintenance of a farm. By all he is considered to be the model farmer of the community ; neat, progressive and of decided views in conducting all his operations, he has met with the substantial success that all concede is well merited. Of sound judgment and upright in every action, he is a man of unquestioned integrity and a favorite with all who know him. And surely this is as it should be. Mr. Hoge was married November 20, 1845, to Miss Cassandra Bradford, originally from Pennsylvania, her father, James Bradford, having come to Missouri in 1848, where he sub- sequently died in 1861. The maiden name of her mother was Miss Mary Dye, of the same State. Thirteen children were in their family, of whom Mrs. Hoge was the fourth. Mr. and Mrs. H. now have three children living : John, Israel and James. Two daughters are deceased, Nancy and Mary A., and two children died in infancy.

SOLOMON HOGE

(Farmer, Section 35, Post-office, Chillicothe).

For 25 years of his residence in this county Mr. Hoge was much interested in the raising of tobacco, a business which brought him substantial returns ; but during the past few years he has turned his attention largely to the stock industry. In this calling his success has become quite encouraging, and indeed in all of his transactions he has had no reason to feel otherwise. Mr. Hoge is of Pennsylvania nativity, born July 26, 1828, in Greene county. His parents, Barrak and Experience Hoge, née Doty, were both born and brought up in Pennsylvania, the father moving from there in 1846 to Livingston county, Mo. To himself and wife nine children were given: Mary, wife of Lawrence Clark, still in the East; Jesse, died in Missouri ; Craven, died in his native State after returning there from this place ; Solomon John, died in 1851; Samuel, is living in Washington Terri- tory ; William, died in Arkansas; Elizabeth, married Cornelius Cald- well, now of Daviess county ; Experience, died in West Virginia, and Sarah Ellen, married G. Throckmorton in West Virginia. In 1849 the senior Hoge died, his worthy companion following him to the

1183

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

grave in 1854; the former had in his estate 280 acres of land. Solo- mon was reared in this county from the age of 16 years, and early in life was taught the rudiments of farm experience. This has since been his occupation, besides his connection with the interests above men- tioned, and at this time he owns 200 acres of land, well and neatly improved. Mr. Hoge was married December 29, 1852, to Miss Sarah Lyon, who was born in Greene county, Pa., the daughter of Mathias L. Lyon, who was himself native to the Keystone State. The union of Mr. and Mrs. Hoge has been a most happy one, and has resulted in 10 children, whose names are : John M., in Iowa ; Thomas J., George W., William B., Solomon S., Mariah E., Barrak L., Mary M., Mar- garet B. and Sarah Ellen. Mr. Hoge is a member of the A. F. and A. M. fraternity. He is one of the unassuming, intelligent agricultur- ists of this township, reliable beyond suspicion in all his operations, and to a great extent enjoys the esteem and confidence of those who know him.

CHARLES B. HURXTHAL

(Raiser of Fine Horses and Cattle and Proprietor of Dairy, Post-office, Chillicothe).

The career of the subject of this sketch has been as varied and ex- citing as that of any man of his age ; his numerous business ventures, while sometimes disastrous, have in the main been successful, and he is now in a position to enjoy the results of the many years of his active busy life. Originally from Karthaus, Pa., he was born Jan- uary 25, 1828, the son of Ferdinand G. Hurxthal, a native of Rem- scheid, Germany, who with a brother was an extensive manufacturer of cutlery. He spoke seven languages fluently. Owing to the un- certainty of trade caused by the French Revolution he was persuaded to dispose of his interests in the old country and come to America. He acted as a supercargo on a Baltimore vessel and was once cap- tured during the French occupation of the West Indies at Hayti ; but through the intercession of a German merchant at that place was subsequently released. After settling at Baltimore he was married March 8, 1808, to Miss Dorothea C. Karthaus, also of Remscheid, Germany, and following this event Mr. Hurxthal and his father-in-law, Peter Arnold Karthaus, became engaged in large mercantile opera- tions at Baltimore, fitting out many clippers, one of which under Capt. Sims, during the War of 1812, sailed into the English Channel and in a fit of bravado declared its ports under blockade. Mr. H. as a member of the Baltimore Huzzars participated in the repulse of Ross at the attack on Baltimore, when he fell after the burning of Washington. Mr. K. carly purchased the township of land on which the town of Karthaus, Pa., is now located (managing the furnace and property there) ; and in 1830 he went to Ohio and in connection with Capt. Duncan founded the town of Massillon, and there his death occurred in 1858 at the age of 80 years ; his wife was of the same age when she died in 1867. Charles B. Hurxthal, the youngest of 14 children, was educated at Massillon, O., his father having sunk a large fortune during the panic of 1830, but by after study and wide

1184

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

experience he has gained an extensive knowledge of men and books. He began life as a farmer and afterwards engaged in merchandising and manufacturing, the business of the firm with which he was con- nected reaching out over a vast territory, with branch houses at many places. He was partner at the Malvern, O., branch and foreman at Akron, O., and in other capacities with this house until purchasing a mill at Bolivar, O., except for four years while in merchandising and in flour and saw mills and the lumber business at Woodland, Pa. For 14 years Mr. H. conducted this mill at Bolivar, O .. and then in 1869, he settled on his present farm in this county. He has since con- tinued the breeding of fine trotting horses and also of imported Jer- sey and Ayershire cattle, establishing a dairy when he first came which has become of wide reputation. In addition to other fine horses Mr. Hurxthal has several fashionably bred trotting and draft animals, among which might be mentioned a magnificent trotting Sire, Bonny Clay, and Marshal Ney, the latter a magnificent and very popu- lar Norman. His sweeping challenges to all North Missouri on the trotting colts of his horses' get are well remembered. December 23, 1862, Mr. Hurxthal was married to Miss Emma Dickson, a native of Ohio, daughter of John Dickson, a merchant in Bolivar, O., who died in 1871, and Charlotte L. (Knaus) Dickson, who still survives. She was the third of 10 children. Mr. and Mrs. Hurxthal have six chil- dren : Charles D., now attending the State University, who will proba- bly fit himself for the legal profession ; Dora A., Hermes F., William Meade, Annie F. and Lottie L. In the few facts which have here been presented there is surely to be found much encouragement for the youth of the present day who desire to rise in the world. Mr. H. is now living in section 31, at the east end of Jackson street, Chilli- cothe, surrounded by all the necessities and comforts of life.

PRESTON H. MINOR

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

Probably there is no man within the limits of this portion of the. country who is as extensively engaged in the breeding of fine short- horn cattle as Mr. Minor, for he has 10 distinct families of thoroughbred animals, which are known throughout a wide section; among these might be mentioned Rose of Sharon, Goodness, Phyllis, Agatha, Ada- laid and Mrs. Motte. Experience and observation have led him to be- lieve that no locality is as well adapted to the purposes of general stock culture as Livingston county. As early as 1859 he had become an ex- tensive shipper of stock, but it was in 1864 and 1865 that he began bringing in fine thoroughbreds of all kinds, and he is conceded the honor of being the introducer of thoroughbred animals in this county. The example thus set served as an impulse for others to follow him in this industry, and to Mr. Minor, therefore, is largely due the credit for so many exceptionally fine classes of stock in this county to-day. He came originally from a stoek-raising community, Fayette county, Ky., having been born near Lexington December 4, 1826, the fourth of

1185

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

six children given his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth ( Vance ) Minor, both Virginians by birth, the former of Bedford county and of English descent ; he was a planter, and upon going to Kentucky when a young man followed farming there. He died in his eighty-fourth year in 1881, his wife's death occurring in 1853, when she was 60 years old. Preston was educated in his native State, and when about 26 years of age came to Missouri, here commencing life for himself, buying and improving lands in this county. February 14, 1856, he was married to Miss Lydia A. Pace, daughter of George Pace, formerly from Kentucky, but who became prominently identified with the interests of Living- ston county, Mo., in subsequent years, both in merchandising and stock dealing. He was also county judge, and after going to California in 1862 he represented his adopted county in the State Legislature, his death occurring while filling that position. January 2, 1841, was the date of his daughter's birth. Mr. and Mrs. Minor have 12 children : Mary J., Elizabeth, George D., John, William, Susan, Preston, Ellen, Dessie, Ann and Rachel. For nearly 30 years Mr. Minor and wife have been members of the Christian Church, and to the Masonic Order he has belonged since a young man. It is unnecessary to add that Mr. Minor is recognized as a man of energy, progressive spirit and clear perception, and his fellow-citizens owe him a debt of gratitude for the advanced state of the agricultural and stock-raising facilities of this community. Both he and his wife are estimable, hospitable citizens, alive to all issues of the day.

JARVIS POSTLEWAIT

(Farmer and Raiser of Fine Stock, Post-office, Chillicothe)

Though Mr. Postlewait has been located in this county but some four years his career has thus soon proven of value to the community, especially in the direction of fine stock interests. Already well established as an extensive short-horn breeder, he is also known as an importer of Clydesdale horses, and besides these he has a fine Morgan stallion ; fashionably bred Poland-China hogs are found on his place, these being preferred to the Berkshires. His farm is an exceptionally fine one for stock purposes, the conveniences, etc., being unsurpassed, and the home tract ineludes 680 acres, well improved. Mr. P. claims Virginia as his native State, his birth having occurred in Monongalia county April 3, 1834. William Postlewait, his father, also a Virgin- ian by birth, and of English ancestry, was a planter up to the time of his death in 1838, then being 34 years of age. His worthy wife before her marriage was Miss Sarah Hague, born in Pennsylvania, and she is still a resident of that State and in her seventy-fifth year. Jarvis, the eldest of three children, was quite young when he left Virginia for Ohio and consequently attended school there but three months, but after removing to the latter State he received a good education. He gave his attention to agricultural pursuits in Ohio until 1882 and in that year, as stated, he became identified with Livingston county, Mo., which has since found in him a citizen of whom she may well feel

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

proud. On September 23, 1866, Mr. Postlewait was married to Miss Mary J. Kidd, daughter of Ezra Kidd, a substantial farmer of Putnam county, O., who died in 1864. Mrs. P. was born April 7, 1844. By this union there are five children : Joseph, William, Mark M., Sallie May and Harry J. A glance at the above facts will show that Mr. Postlewait's life has been an active and successful one.

CHAPTER XXII.

BLUE MOUND TOWNSHIP.

Position and Description - Early History -First Land Entries - Items - The Cy- clone of 1883 - County Churches - General Historical and Descriptive Sketch of the Town of Dawn - Church -Secret Orders, Etc. - Biographical.

Blue Mound township comprises all of Congressional township 56, range 24, that portion of township 57, range 24, lying south of Shoal Creek, and a tract of about 600 acres lying in the angle between Clear creek and Shoal creek.

Mound is one of the best townships of land in Missouri, taken as a whole. Along Shoal creek is some low swampy land, subject to occasional overflows, but it affords rich and luxuriant pasturage in the summer and fall, and is of great value in that particular. Hun- dreds of cattle are annually raised in and shipped from this township, and grazing lands are necessary. The uplands in the northern, east- ern, and southeastern portions are the most fertile in the county. It is acknowledged that the country between Dawn and Avalon, on the north of Blue Mound, and on the Mound, is one of the richest and most productive tracts in this portion of Missouri.

The greater portion of the township is settled by Welshmen and their descendants, and people from the Northern and Eastern States, thrifty, intelligent and enterprising. It seems strange in the present condition of affairs that the first settlers of the county, who had the whole country to choose from, should have passed by the beautiful prairie lands in this township and selected homes for themselves among the heavily timbered lands, where the soil was inferior even after it had been made ready for cultivation. But it was left for the " Yankees" to make the most of the best natural advantages. It seems to have been, and in some cases yet to be, the disposition of Southerners to follow in the old ways and beaten paths of their ances- tors -to " do as daddy did," and so they settled in the heavy tim- ber, because that was the kind of location he made in Kentucky or Tennessee ; while the Northerners are constantly investigating and experimenting, discarding old ways and trying new ones. Coming chiefly from old timbered localities they chose from preference the wild prairies of Missouri and the West and had them under cultiva-

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

tion in one-fourth of the time required to subdue the old timbered lands first settled.

Sometimes the explanation is made that upon the first settlement of the country there were no plows in vogue sufficiently strong to cut, break and turn the tough stubborn sod of the prairies ; and that the soil in the timbered lands, when the ground had been cleared and grubbed, was soft and mellow, and often needed but little ploughing. This is true; but why were the timbered tracts preferred twenty years after the first settlements? Much of the prairie land in this county was not entered until after the year 1850, long after stout, strong " prairie breakers " had come in use, and some settlements had been made on the prairies and the value of their soil fully demon- strated.

Shoal creek, which runs through Blue Mound township, and forms a part of the northern boundary, rises in the southeast portion of Clinton county, and empties into Grand river at the northeast corner of this township in the nw. 1/4 section 19-57-23. Brush creek and Clear creek are the other leading streams of this township.

EARLY HISTORY.

Settlements were made in this township as early as in 1835. The land came into market the following year when the first entries were made. Prior to the year 1840, entries were made by the following actual settlers in what is now Blue Mound township : -

IN TOWNSHIP 56, RANGE 24.

Name.

Description.

Date.

Jacob Stauffer

sw. se. sec. 4

May 4, 1839

Henry Walker

sw. ¿ sec. 4

May 4, 1839

Henry Walker

e. ¿ se. sec. 5

May 4, 1839

Wm. McCarty

se. nw. and ne. sw. sec. 7

July 3, 1837

Wm. McCarty

w. ¿ sw. sec. 8 .

June 14, 1837

Alfred Reeves

e. ¿ ne. sec. 13 .

April 13, 1839

Nathan McCarty

nw. nw. sec. 17

Sept. 7, 1837

Wm. Mann, Josiah

e. } nw. sec. 18.

Sept. 16, 1836

Josiah Whitney

sw. nw. sec. 18.

Sept. 16, 1836

B. F. Baker .

nw. sw. sec. 18

Sept. 16, 1836

Jesse Reeves

e. ¿ ne. sec. 25 Oct. 25, 1839

Joseph Knox

nw. 4 sec. 25

April 13, 1839

Orlando H. Clifford

sw. se. sec. 25

Oct. 25, 1839

M. S. Reeves

e. ¿ ne. sec. 26

April 13, 1839

Elijah Preston

w. ¿ se. sec. 27

Aug. 3, 1838

TOWNSHIP 56, RANGE 25.

Wm. F. Whitney

se. ne. sec. 24

April 27, 1839

TOWNSHIP 57, RANGE 24.

Harvey White

e. ¿ se. sec. 27 . Sept. 27, 1838

Whitney B. F. Baker

1189

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

· Mann, Whitney and Baker were prominently known throughout the county. Mr. Mann was captain of a militia company and a leading citizen ; Josiah Whitney was a Yankee and the well known operator of the mill which bore his name ; Baker was a prominent citizen.

In 1838, during the Mormon War, Mr. Mann's company of militia was stationed at Whitney's mill and operated throughout the sur- rounding country to prevent any further emigration into Caldwell county (see Chap. IV., History Caldwell County ). Some of the company were at Haun's Mill.

The township was first organized and called Blue Mound in August, 1843. The first election was held at John Green's. At first the area was larger than at present, but by the creation of Fairview and the changes in other townships it has been reduced to the limits hereto- fore described. It took its name from the great elevated plateau or mound, which, at a distance outlined against the horizon, resembles a mammoth pile of cerulean.

THE CYCLONE OF JUNE, 1883.

The most notable event in the history of Blue Mound township since its organization was the visit of a cyclone on the night of June 20, 1883. Happily the appearance of the storm had been threatened for some hours, and many persons had left their houses and taken refuge in cellars when it broke upon them ; otherwise many persons would have lost their lives that escaped. As it was only four persons were killed and about twenty-five wounded, or badly injured.

The cyclone seemed to originate east of Catawba, in Caldwell county. It entered Livingston near the southwest corner of the county at about 9 : 30 at night, going due east, and rose or lifted in the southeast corner of this township (sec. 36-56-24) a few minutes later, having traveled with frightful velocity. Its track varied from one-third to half a mile in width, and was swept clean of buildings, fences, etc. At Charles Glick's, eight miles from the point of entrance into the county, it veered to the northward a little, but soon dropped back to its former track and passed on ; and at last, after thoroughly destroying Blue Mound post-office, which at that time was the residence of Charles McAlear, it went east to the northwest corner of section 36, then turned southeast, swept away the building on the farm of J. C. Mead, and then rose.

During its progress through this township it killed four persons : Edward D. James, Mrs. John Glick and Jack Wilson and wife. Those most severely wounded were John Glick and child, Jack

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HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Wilson's child, William Barrett and wife and three children, Mrs. .J. B. Dusenbury, Jack and Susie Dusenbury, William Pugh, John E. Hughes and his wife and child, William J. Hughes and wife, Mrs. Cunningham, Bert. Snyder, Rev. Robert Evans, a son of Morris Davis, Mrs. Morgan Hughes, M. J. Williams, of Utica.

The, total number of dwelling-houses destroyed was 37; the num- ber of buildings worth more than $100 each destroyed was 72; number injured, not counted ; there were 141 head of stock killed. Some of the houses blown away were fine large mansions, well furnished, and the abodes of people of refinement and intelligence. Henry Glick's, in the southwest section of the township, was one of these and was the first destroyed. The Hosier school-house was badly injured. A fair appraisement of the property destroyed showed its value to be $54,150. There was about $2,000 collected and expended for the relief of the needy and destitute victims of the storm.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

Welsh Congregational Church. - This church was organized Feb- ruary 14, 1868, at the Dawn school-house, by the Rev. Thomas Pugh. Daniel Williams and wife, L. D. Jones and wife, Joshua Williams, D. P. Williams and wife, Thomas Pugh and wife, Sophia Davis, John W. Thomas, Robert R. Roberts, John J. Davis, John H. Davis, David D. Owens, Thomas H. Lewis and David Lewis were the first men- bers. In 1869 the present church building, a frame, was constructed at a cost of $1,000. The pastors have been Revs. Thomas Pugh, Thomas W. Davis, Hugh X. Hughes, M. E. Davis and Griffith Rob- erts. The present membership is about sixty. The Sabbath-school has a membership of 50. The present superintendent of the school is John E. Harper. The church building stands on the sw. 1/4, nw. 1/4, section 16-56-24.

Mount Hope Christian Church - Was organized in the fall of 1884, with the following members : J. R. Davis and wife, R. L. Knox and wife, H. M. Knox and wife, John Burton and wife, Wm. Shields and wife, Wm. Marker and wife, Porter Minnis and wife, P. Knox and wife, B. F. Knox and wife, George Carr and wife, John Sullivan and wife and Susan Knox. Rev. Robert Knox has ministered to the spiritual needs of the church ever since its organization. At a cost of $800 a neat frame church building was erected in 1885. The present number of members is 60. The Sabbath-school has about thirty scholars. H. N. Knox is superintendent of the school. The church building is located on section 35-56-24.

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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