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 32

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 32
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 32

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).

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

the times and science of medicine and surgery, and being a liberal sub- scriber to the leading medical and surgical journals of the day. Both the A. F. and A. M. and I. O. O. F. fraternities have found in the Doctor one of their warmest advocates. He was the first W. M. of Kingston Lodge No. 118, of the Masonic order, and the first N. G. of Kingston Lodge No. 54, of the Odd Fellows. He is also a member of the Grand Army of the Republic. He is a charter member of the Grand River Medical Society, and ex-President of the Caldwell County Medical Society. Besides attending to his extensive practice he conducts a first-class drug store. Dr. Smith has three children : Willie is a lawyer in Denver, Col. ; Ada, wife of Jeff Davis ; and Stella, Charlie, Louie and Mary ( Mamie), the pet of the family, are still at homc.

JACOB H. SNIDER

(Farmer, Section 1, Post-office, Hamilton).

In endeavoring to trace the genealogy of Mr. Snider, we find that his ancestors came originally from Germany, the first mention of them in this country being at the time of their location in North Carolina. His father became a resident of Indiana in 1821, and it was in that State that Jacob was born January 13, 1835. He moved from there in 1836 to Caldwell county, Mo., and in 1838 went to Adams county, Ill., thence into Lee county, Ia., in 1845, and from thence to Andrew county, Mo., in 1847, then in 1851 to Caldwell county, Mo. From this time on until the breaking out of the war he passed his entire time in attending to the duties of carrying on a farm. But upon the call for troops to suppress the outbreak which had arisen in the country he laid down the implements of peace for the weapons of warfare, and in September, 1861, enlisted in Co. A, 1st battalion, for a six months' term ; in March, 1862, he entered the Enrolled Militia as first lieutenant, in which he remained until 1864, and on the 9th of August, of that year, he enlisted in the United States service in Co. H, 44th Missouri volunteer infantry, of which he was made second lieutenant. With this command he participated in the battles of Franklin, Tenn., Nashville, Spanish Fort, and others . of minor importance. His term of service expired September 15,.1865, at which time he was mustered out. Returning home in the full con- sciousness of having done his duty faithfully and well, he again resumed the occupation which he had previously followed, and since then has met with substantial success. Two hundred and forty acres comprise his place, a farm well adapted to the purposes of general farming, to which he attends principally. His improvements are of a good order. Mr. Snider was married on the 16th of November, 1879, to Miss Julia Gillett, whose birthplace was in New York. The two children which have been given them are named Alice Jane and Eli C. Mr. Snider has held the position of supervisor of registration.

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

JOHN W. SNYDER

(Farmer and Builder, Section 3, Post-office, Kingston) .

Were it necessary for us to include in the sketch of Mr. Snyder's life any items pertaining to his ability and skill as a mechanic or builder, perhaps the greatest compliment that could be paid him would be for us to point to those monuments of his handiwork which now grace so many of the homesteads in this portion of Missouri. He was brought up as a farmer but at the age of 23 commenced to learn the trade of builder, which has since been a principal source of work for him. Continuing to labor at his chosen calling in the State of his birth - Ohio -until 1864, he then went to California, where he remained some two years. Upon returning to Ohio he sold out there the same year and settled at Chillicothe, Mo., where he immediately identified himself with the building interests of that locality; and many buildings northeast of that place attest his efficiency as a me- chanic. In 1881 he moved to his present location where he has 80 acres of land under fine improvement. Some of the best barns and residences in this county were erected by him. Mr. Snyder was born January 9, 1836, in Ohio, where he was reared and educated. Feb- ruary 23, 1860, his marriage to Miss Elizabeth Tilton occurred, she also having been born in Ohio. The names of their eight children now living are Mabel, Francis M., Nancy J., Mary E., William T., Alburtis, Dora B. and Alledelpha. One son, Oliver Leadon, is de- ceased. Mr. S. now gives his attention to both his farming and build- ing interests, in which he is, as all will acknowledge, an adept of a high order.

LEVI M. SPIVEY

(Editor and Proprietor of the Kingston Times, Kingston).

Under the efficient policy and management of Mr. Spivey, the Times has come to be regarded as one of the representative country journals for a wide scope of country in this part of the county. Though it has been established only since January, 1885, he has proven himself to be a man of good judgment in directing the editorial policy of his paper. He has ever been an earnest advocate of all public enterprises calculated to benefit Caldwell county, and through the columns of this journal has wielded no slight influence in directing the proper steps to be taken for a worthy movement. Born in Han- cock county, Va. (now West Virginia ), October 5, 1852, he was the son of William Spivey, also a Virginian by birth and a millwright by trade. The latter emigrated to Missouri in 1857, locating in Caldwell county, where he was successfully occupied in milling. His wife was formerly Sophronia MeCaskey. Levi M. Spivey early commenced to acquaint himself with the printing business, after which, in 1872, in con-

HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY. 309

nection with Mr. Mills, he began the publication of the Sentinel. This he continued to conduct until selling out in 1882. In 1885, as stated above, he started the Times. Mr. S. belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the Encampment of that order. He has held the position of Noble Grand. June 15, 1880, he was united in marriage with Miss Mary C. Kautz, a native of Rising Sun, Ind., and daughter of Jacob Kautz of this place. They have two children, Flora Colleen and Edward Bruce. One son, Harry, died in 1881.

MILTON A. SWITZER

(Proprietor of Livery, Feed and Sale Stables, Kingston).

Milton A. Switzer was born in Hancock county, O., March 19, 1840. His father, Samuel Switzer, was a Pennsylvanian by birth, born in 1811. By occupation he is a farmer and is now living in Johnson county, Kas. The mother of Milton, a native of Ohio, was Julia A. Royce before marriage. The subject of this sketch, the eldest son and fourth child in a family of eight children, was reared to the experience of farm life near Fort Finley, O., and continued to make his home there until 1866, when he came to Caldwell county, Mo. He at once became engaged in the livery business and farming, and stock breeding, which he has since continued to follow, and at this time he has a good stable fitted with a complete line of carriages and horses. He is especially popular with commercial men, for his charges are reasonable and good rigs are provided for transportation. As a man no one doubts the reliability and rare personal characteristics of honor and integrity which Mr. Switzer possesses. He is quite prominently connected with the I. O. O. F. lodge at this place, and indeed all things of a public nature which point to the ma- terial benfit of the county receive his support. June 5, 1862, occurred his marriage to Miss Amanda Essex, who came originally from Ohio. Of the five children born to them but three survive, Amos R., Effie M. and Otho. Two are deceased, Ola and Russell.

PERRY TANTLINGER

(Farmer, Section 28, Post-office, Kingston).

A gallant soldier for four years in the Federal army during the late war, and a man whose life has been an active one, and one not without the substantial reward of years of toil, Mr. Tantlinger is now occu- pied in cultivating his farm of 140 acres, located in this township. He has only resided here since 1876, but more than sufficient time has elapsed since then to determine the character of the agriculturist that he is. His present homestead is among the best small farms in the county, and upon it is a fine spring, and one that is unsurpassed in the State. While living in Livingston county, Ill., he was married to Miss Laura V. Downing, a Kentuckian by birth, though brought up in Illinois, and to them have been born two sons, Thomas Edwin and George Perry. In tracing the history of the family, of which the sub-

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

ject of this sketch is a representative, we find that they came origin- ally from Scotland to this country, and members of the family have participated in every struggle from the Revolutionary War down to the present. Mr. Tantlinger was born in Somerset county, Pa., May 7, 1840, being the son of John and Caroline (Canady ) Tantlinger, who, in 1843, removed from Pennsylvania to Iowa City, Ia., where the father was engaged in the harness business for a few years. In 1845 he commenced farming, and in 1848 his death occurred, caused by overwork in the harvest field. Young Perry went to Woodford county, Ill., in 1854, and began life for himself as a farm laborer. By economy, industry and close adherence to this occupation he was fortunate enough to become possessed of some means. When the Civil War broke out he at once offered himself as a soldier and en- listed in Co. I, 47th Illinois volunteer infantry, with which regiment he served until the close of the war. He was a participant in the bat- tles of Jackson, Miss., Vicksburg, Mechanicsburg, Richmond, Hen- derson Hill, Pleasant Hill, Nashville, Siege of Spanish Fort, besides numerous other battles and skirmishes. He was wounded at Spanish Fort in the left ankle and this still troubles him to some extent. In July, 1865, he returned to Woodford county, Ill., and remained there about 18 months before recovering sufficiently to resume his chosen calling. However, in 1867 he went to Livingston county, in the same State, partially improved a farm there and then came to the place which he now occupies. He is indeed a prominent agriculturist in this township.

DAVID D. TEMPLE (Attorney at Law, Kingston).

To show what industry, perseverance and good management can do in following the legal profession as a calling in life, it is only necessary to record the facts of Mr. Temple's career at Kingston. He came here from Livingston county, Mo., in 1882, having been engaged in farming in connection with the practice of law for some time in that locality, and not without substantial success. But since his residence here he has worked hard, studied closely, and by living an upright life has won the esteem and confidence of the community. He is now about 35 years of age, having been born on the 8th of September, 1850, in Washington county, Pa. His parents were both natives of the Keystone State. His father, William Temple, has during life pursued the peaceful career of a farmer. His wife's maiden name was Lydia Devore. In 1864 the family removed from their old home in Knox county, Ill., where they continued to reside for some four years, coming thence to Livingston county, Mo., and from there David transferred his residence to Kingston, as before mentioned. His early life was passed in agricultural pursuits, and his education was received in Pennsylvania, Illinois and Missouri, his advantages for attending school being above the ordinary. Determining to enter upon the practice of law as his occupation, he began reading with Judge Davis, of Utica, Livingston county, and after thorough prepar-

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

atory training was admitted to the bar in 1876. He is now enjoying a good practice. Mr. Temple was united in marriage November 23, 1882, to Miss Minnie Mohler, a native of Indiana. By this union there is one child, Nevada. Mr. T. belongs to the I. O. O. F.

JOSEPH O. WALTERS

(Farmer, Section 19, Post-office, Kingston).

Nowhere in Caldwell county is there to be found a young man of more energy or determined will or force of character than Mr. Walters possesses, and no young agriculturist is deserving of greater success in the conduct and management of a farm than he. Born in Holmes county, O., November 2, 1860, he is only little more than 25 years of age. His father, Isaac Walters, came originally from Pennsylvania, but when a youth was taken to Ohio, where he gave his attention to the blacksmithing business. This he followed until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted in Co. A, 102d Ohio volunteer infantry, with which he was identified until the cessation of hostilities. Re- ceiving his discharge at Nashville in May, 1865, he came the same year to this county and at once entered upon the career of a farmer. Young Walters was, of course, very young when brought to this county, so that really his entire life almost has been passed within the neighborhood of his present home. His education was acquired here in the common schools. He is now actively and assiduously occupied with farming, and can not fail of soon taking a place in the front rank of the prominent men of the county. The farm which he cultivates includes 100 acres of choice and well improved land. In another portion of this volume is mentioned the name of Mr. Walters' mother, who was formerly Miss Rebecca Orr, a daughter of John Orr, a leading citizen of the county. Maud Walters, a sister of J. O. Walters, was born in Caldwell county, Mo., March 20, 1871.

JUDGE WILLIAM A. WOOD

(Attorney at Law, Kingston).

Judge Wood, an attorney of some eight years' experience in the practice, and a lawyer of thorough preparatory training, both literary and professional, as well as a gentleman of good ability and excellent business habits, is a native of Missouri, having been born at Weston, Platte county, July 19, 1855. He comes of two families well known, not only in this State, but, indeed, over the entire country - the Woods and Loveladys. His father, James Wood, a Kentuckian by birth, was born in Owen county, and by occupation was a farmer, though he also gave some time and attention to merchandising. His wife was formerly Miss Margaret Lovelady, daughter of James Love- lady ; both parents are still living. William A. Wood was reared in Platte county, living there until 22 years of age, and he was given a well grounded and thorough common English and classical education. He was for a long time engaged in the store of B. J. Woodson,

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

brother of ex-Gov. Woodson, after which he commenced school teach- ing, and in this he was interested until beginning the study of law under two able and influential lawyers of Platte county - Judge E. H. Norton and Hon. R. P. C. Wilson. Continuing the study of law for some time, he was admitted to the bar in 1877, and soon there- after he opened a law office in Platte City, where he followed the practice. Upon leaving that place he went to Maysville, DeKalb county, in the winter of 1877, and in the spring of 1879 he came to this county. Since that time his success in the practice of his chosen profession has been something almost phenomenal. In 1881, when Judge Orr resigned his position as presiding judge of the county court, Mr. Wood was appointed by Gov. Crittenden to fill out that term, and sincere commendation was the opinion expressed everywhere of his career as an official judge. Judge Wood's wife was formerly Miss Anna M. John, a daughter of Dr. John, of this place, and they have one son, William A., and one daughter is deceased, Mary Edith. For several years, besides attending to his professional duties, he served as adjuster for the American Insurance Company, of Philadel- phia, for the States of Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska. Various local positions have been held by him, in all of which he has proven him- self competent to discharge his official duties. He has served six terms as city attorney, and has been a member of the town board and school board several terms. His library is among the very best in the State, containing the choicest volumes on all subjects of interest and information, together with about 1,000 volumes of law books. Per- sonally he is a man of pleasing appearance, energetic and thorough in all his undertakings, and as a lawyer possesses solid, substantial tal- ents. His future points to a successful career in his profession. Mr. Wood belongs to the A. F. and A. M., also to the I. O. O. F., and in the Encampment of the latter order he has taken all the degrees.

JOHN WRIGHT

(Retired, Kingston).

John Wright, the subject of this sketch, was born on the 28th of May, 1817, in County Chester, England, being the son of John Wright, of the same county. The latter was a shoemaker by trade and was very successful in the management of a large business. He was mar- ried in England to Miss Hannah Sharret, also of that vicinity, and to them eight children were born, of whom John was the eldest. Young John was reared and educated in his native county, spending his youth and early manhood on a farm until 19 years of age, when he met with a severe accident. This disabled him from manual labor, and he therefore entered the employ of a gentleman with whom he remained until emigrating to the United States in 1844. For the following two years Mr. Wright made his home in either St. Louis, Mo., or the State of Illinois, but in August, 1846, he came to Caldwell county and engaged in farming in what now constitutes Mirabile township. The settlers in this community were very limited in numbers in that 1

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

day and he can well be considered one of the county's pioneers. Removing into Kingston in November, 1865, he was appointed by the county court to fill the unexpired term of George W. Buckingham as judge of the probate court, and again in 1866 he was re-elected, to discharge the duties of another unexpired term. The same honor was conferred upon him in 1868 and also in 1870, when the office was declared vacant. His ability and peculiar fitness for this position were only too apparent, for in 1874 and again in 1878 he was called upon to occupy the chair as probate judge. Further nominations he was compelled to firmly but kindly decline. To attempt to pass upon the career of Judge Wright while on the official bench would be an undertaking which we feel ourselves incapable of doing. His constant re-elections to the position and the manner in which the people of the county sanctioned his course while in office speak more for him as a man than any remarks we might make. Indeed his entire life has been one without a shadow of reproach. Closely identified with the county's progress and development from almost the very first, he has done as much as any man for its material advancement and prosperity. In an early day he did a successful business in land sales, and since that time has not failed to be numbered among the foremost citizens of Caldwell county in every worthy movement calculated to benefit her. He enjoys to an unlimited extent the confidence of the com- munity and is widely respected. Judge Wright was married December 16, 1843, to Miss Elizabeth Jackson, who was born in England. Their three children are now deceased, one son, Thomas John, having given up his life for his country during the war ; he was a member of the 44th Missouri, and was 19 years of age. The Judge and Mrs. Wright are members of the Christian Church.

CHAPTER XI.

MIRABILE TOWNSHIP.

Position and General Description - Early History - First Land Owners Before the Mormons -The Mormon Settlements - Early Gentile Settlers - Items - Official History - The Village of Mirabile - General Historical Sketch - Churches - Secret Orders -Cornet Band - Biographical.

POSITION AND DESCRIPTION.

This township comprises Congressional township 56, range 29, and lies midway from north to south in the western tier of townships in the county. There is nothing in its natural features to distinguish it from the other townships of the county, containing as it does prairie and timbered tracts in beautiful proportions, with the prevailing roll- ing character of the land. Good soil, timber, stone and water are here.

Shoal creek runs from east to west through the northern part of the township, and Goose creek, which heads in the southern portion, tra- verses the southeastern. Steer creek empties into Shoal creek in section 1, in the northeastern corner. There are numerous small branches.

North of Far West, in section 11, coal was found many years ago in a natural exposure, and James Swartz, an old time blacksmith, of Kingston, used it in his forge. The coal was obtained by merely digging it out from near the top of the ground without much trouble of stripping the earth. Near by, on land belonging to Mr. Stoner, coal has been discovered, but no mines have as yet been opened.

EARLY HISTORY.

Perhaps the first settler in what is now Mirabile township was David Gwynn (the name is also spelled Guinn ), who came in the fall of 1834 to the southeastern part, and January 10, 1835, entered land two miles northeast of where Mirabile town now is (w. 1/2 se. section 25), and there lived for some years. Jesse Clevenger came up from Ray county in the spring of 1835, and August 27th following entered 80 acres near Goose creek, on section 23 (w. 1/2 sw. 1/4). These are known to be the first owners of land in the township.

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

Following were the entries made in this township prior to the com- ing of the Mormons : -

Name.

Description.

Date.

David Guinn

w. ¿ se. 4 sec. 25

Jan. 10, 1835

David Guinn

sw. nw.and nw. sw. sec. 34

Aug. 5, 1835

Jesse Clevenger

w. ¿ sw. ¿ sec. 23 .

Aug. 27, 1835

Hannah Errickson

se. sw. sec. 33

Sept. 17, 1835

Thomas Huntsucker .

se. nw. sec. 25

Sept. 19, 1835

Samuel Kimball

sw. se. sec. 26

Mar. 3, 1836

It was in this township where the Mormon settlement was made, and the Mormons are the next white settlers known to have come in after Gywnn and Clevenger, though there may have been others who were squatters, and did not enter the land on which they lived.

THE MORMON SETTLEMENTS.

After John Whitmer and W. W. Phelps had selected this county as a location for " the Saints," the Mormons, as elsewhere stated, came in rapidly, and in 1836 and 1837 nearly every quarter section in what is now Mirabile township was entered and settled upon. A majority of the entries were made in the latter year. To give the names of

- all the Mormons who located here would require too much space.

June 22, 1836, the west half of section 27 was entered in the name of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and soon after many other tracts in this township were entered in his name. Other tracts in different portions of the township were located in the name of Bishop Edward Partridge, W. W. Phelps, Hiram Smith, Thomas B. Marsh, and others. It is understood that these lands were held in trust by the Prophet and his associates for the general benefit of the church, and especially for the benefit of indigent Mormons unable to buy lands of their own. Among the many others who came in with the Mormons were the Bozarths ( sometimes pronounced Bozier ), of whom Squire, John and Abner became well known citizens of the county. In June, 1837, John Bozarth settled upon and entered the e. 1/2 of the se. 1/4 of section 29, and moved a house upon it from Far West. He had lived in Far West and near Fugitt's mill. Abner Bozarth entered the w. 1/2 of the s. 1/2 of section 18 in 1837.

In October, 1837, the sw. 1/4 of section 30 was settled by Ezekiel Billington and another Mormon named Sanders. The north half of this section was also settled by Mormons about the same time.

The town, or city, of Far West, the first county seat of Caldwell county, and the headquarters of Mormonism for more than two years, was in the northeastern portion of this township. Its history and description are detailed in preceding pages of this volume.

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HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.

EARLY "GENTILE" SETTLERS.

After the Mormons were expelled from this township Gentile settlers, in considerable numbers, came in and settled upon their lands, many of which had been improved to a greater or less extent.

Wm. H. Cross came in October, 1839, from Ohio and settled on the n. 1/2 sw. 1/4 of section 29. This tract was entered in May, 1837, by the Mormon Gen. Geo. M. Hinkle and Thos. King. It is said that Mr. Cross improved five other farms, and finally located on sec- tion 28, a mile east of his first location.

George Strope, an ex-veteran of the War of 1812, came from New York in July, 1838, and settled on section 31, in the southwestern part of the township. The land was then owned by Roswell Prindle, a Mormon, who entered it in 1836. In 1842 Mr. Strope moved two miles northeast, on the sw. 1/4 of section 28, where Mr. Cross had once lived. This tract was entered in June, 1837, by James Durfey, who laid the foundation of a mill here, but never completed it.

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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