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 51
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 51
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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EARLY HISTORY.
The first permanent settler in this township was Robert White, who came in 1834, or, as he states, the next year " after the stars fell." Mr. White is yet living and resides at Breckinridge. He is the oldest living settler in Caldwell county, except one - Mrs. Elizabeth Mann, of Lincoln township. The next year came Jacob Haun, from Green Bay, Wis. White was from King county, O. Both White and Haun built mills on Shoal creek, which are fully noted elsewhere. Haun's mill stood on the north bank of Shoal creek, on the nw. 1/4 ne. 1/4 section 17, and was the scene of the dreadful massacre described elsewhere. At least two of the Mormons killed in this massacre - John York and Josiah Fuller - were residents of what is now Fair- view township, as were four of the wounded - Jacob Potts, Jacob Haun, Jacob Myers and George Myers.
(476)
477
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
The " Shoal Creek Country," as it was called, was, however, known long before this township was settled by anybody, and many a trapper and many a bee hunter and elk hunter visited this township when it would have been foolhardiness to settle here. This was a fine hunting ground, and the game was loth to leave it. Mr. Charles Ross says there were a few elk here as late as in 1839.
The Mormons poured into this township in 1836-37, and made settlements up and down Shoal in considerable numbers. By October, 1838, there were as many as 75 families, all Mormons, living in this township, although some of these were newcomers and were living in tents and wagons, and in the houses of their brethren who had come before them.
Following are the first entries of land made in this township. It is safe to say that every entry in 1836 and 1837 was made by a Mormon : -
Name.
Description.
Date.
Austin Hammer
n. ¿ ne. sec. 1
Dec. 7, 1836
Wm. Fryer
se. ne. sec. 1
Nov. 2, 1836
David Norton
sw. ne. sec. 1
June 24, 1837
Johu York
ne. nw. sec. 1
Nov. 26, 1836
Isaac Ellison
nw. nw. sec.1
Aug. 5, 1837
Oliver Walker
e. ¿ se. sec. 1
Dec. 7, 1836
James Huntsman
e. ¿ nw. and nw. ne. sec. 2
June 7, 1837
Anthony Blackburn Henry H. Wilson James Sevier
sw. ne. sec. 3
Feb. 17, 1837
Gilman Merrill
w. ¿ se. sec. 3
Aug. 20, 1836
Wm. Wingate
n. ¿ nw. sec. 3
Aug. 27, 1836
Thos. Merrill
se. nw. sec. 3 Aug. 20, 1836 Aug. 20, 1836
June 7, 1837
Sardis Smith
ne. sw. sec. 7
June 10, 1837 June 10, 1837
Gilmon Merrill .
sw. se. sec. 7
Nov. 16, 1837
se. sec. S .
Aug. 10, 1836
Thos. McBride
se. sw. sec. 9
Aug. 2, 1836 Aug. 30, 1836
Jonathan Packet
sw. se. sec. 9
Sept. 17, 1836 Mar. 14, 1837
Geo. Meyers
w. ¿ se. sec. 10
July 21, 1837
Samuel Zemmer
se. ne. sec. 10
July 23, 1838
Jacob Meyers.
se. nw. e. } sw. sec. 11
July 21, 1837
Horace Alexander
s. ¿ ne. sec. 11
Aug. 16, 1836
Oliver Walker .
sw. ne. & e. ¿ ne., & nw. & e. ¿ se. sec. 12 Aug. 16, 1836
Nov 13, 1837
James Earl
ne. sw. sec. 12 w. ¿ ne. sec. 13 e. ¿ se. sec. 13
June 5, 1837
Jacob H. Potts
w. ¿ se. sec. 13 e. ¿ nw. sec. 13
June 16, 1837 June 7, 1837
David Lewis
e. ¿ ne. sec. 17 nw. ne. sec. 17
Dec. 7, 1835
Jacob Meyers
ne. nw.sec. 17
July 29, 1837
James Haun
se. nw. sec. 17
Nov. 16, 1837
Gilmon Merrill
nw. nw. sec. 17
Feb. 17, 1837
Robert White
sw. nw. sec. 17
June 16, 1837
se. se. sec. 3
Dec. 13, 1837
Jacob Foutz
e. ¿ sw. sec. 3
Lindsey Brady
nw. se. sec. 7 and nw. se. sec. 6
Geo. Miller
ne. se. sec. 7
Feb. 17, 1837
Lorenzo Warner Daniel Hopkins Robt. White
ne. sw. sec. 9
Robt. Rathbun .
se. se. sec. 9
Mahlon Johnson John Pye
June 5, 1837
Dec. 9, 1836
David Norton
Jacob Haun
se. se. sec. 7 .
se. ne. and ne. se. sec. 3
July 13, 1837
478
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
Name.
Description. Date.
Thos. Merrill
e. ¿ ne. sec. 18
Sept. 14, 1836
John B. Woodberry
e. ¿ se. and nw. se. sec. 18
May 4, 1837
Robt. White
Se. sw. sec. 18
Aug. 2, 1836
Josiah Fuller
sw. sw. sec. 18
May 23, 1837
Wm. Hudgins & S. Arbuckle .
w. ¿ nw. sec. 34 .
April 4, 1839
In nearly every instance those whose names are recorded above - especially those whose names appear but once - settled on the lands they entered.
In 1838 James Hamilton, who was a Mormon at the time, settled on Shoal creek, nearly two miles northeast of where Procterville now stands, but in a short time he moved back to Indiana, the troubles and dangers being " too much for him."
After the Mormons were expelled from this county settlers came into this township with some rapidity and took up the deserted Mor- mon homes and farms. Haun sold his mill to the Fryer brothers, who placed their brother-in-law, C. R. Ross, in charge, and he conducted it for some years. Mr. Ross took charge of the mill in the winter of 1839. He afterwards bought land from the county in section 16, the school land section.
The first school-house in Fairview township was built in 1847 on the nw. 1/4 sw. 1/4 section 16, a little more than a mile north of Catawba. John G. Pierce was the first teacher, and he had 20 or more pupils. The house, of course, was built of logs. The second school building was also a log structure, but it was 50 feet square. It was built in 1852, and stood near the center of section 29, not far from the site of the present Fairview school-house.
The first religious services held in the township, aside from those conducted by the Mormons, were held at the residence of C. R. Ross, on section 16, in 1847. Rev. Oster, a Protestant Methodist, from Michigan, conducted the services, and opened the first Sabbath-school in the township. A few days later Mr. Oster was struck by lightning and instantly killed while standing in front of a fireplace in the first house in Kingston, still standing on the northeast corner of the square, immediately north of the jail building. Rev. James Witten, of the M. E. Church, was probably the next preacher in the township after Oster. The first church building in the township was the Methodist Episcopal, at Procterville. Of his experience as a Methodist preacher in this quarter in 1856, Rev. R. R. Witten, son of James Witten, in his little pamphlet, " Pioneer Methodism in Missouri," says: -
I was admitted on trial at the session of the conference in the city of Hannibal, in October, 1856, and was appointed to the Knoxville circuit. That work then included the territory now embraced in thir-
479
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
teen pastoral charges in the Chillicothe district. I had twenty-seven appointments which required three hundred miles' travel to make the round. The field was one vast spiritual wilderness - not a church, not a parsonage, and no part of the Methodist machinery was at work except the preacher, his horse, and a few scattered members ; but at this date we have in that same territory three thousand members, and $50,000 worth of church property. If I did the planting, others did the watering, and great is the increase.
I started one cold afternoon, when the sun was about an hour high, to go from Black Oak to the present site of Procterville. I had to face a dreadful wind storm all the way. There was but one house on the road, and that not a place where entertainment could be had. I soon found that it would be almost a miracle to avoid freezing to death. I was well wrapped, and exerted myself in every possible way, but suddenly a sense of drowsiness came over me, and I almost fell from my horse. I was alarmed at the sensation, and I instantly dismounted, and leaped and ran until the drowsiness left me. I reached the house of my good friend, Dr. Procter, with frozen toes, ears and fingers, but inexpressibly glad to have escaped such a shock- ing death.
There was but one bridge in all this territory, and that was at Kingston. On one occasion, after having traveled all day, the last four miles across Shoal Creek bottom I found to be almost impassable. I finally reached the stream, which was nearly bank full. I could not recross the bottom to find a shelter - the sun was almost down, and half a mile further was the place of my appointment, and I must reach it at all hazards. I was in a " straight betwixt two," but was not long in deciding which one I would accept. The path of duty led me forward, not backward, and in a moment my faithful horse was breasting the waves, and in due time brought me to the shore in safety. I soon reached my objective point, and found a good fire, and a chance to change my frozen clothes for dry ones. The Han- nibal and St. Joseph Railroad was that year being graded. There was a group of shanties at one place called Breckinridge. One building stood at another place, which was called Hamilton. Kidder was a city of stakes. A family near this place said to me : " When you come again, we will be living in Cameron ; stop and see us." There was nothing of Cameron then but stakes, but one month from that time I found a number of little box houses, in one of which lived the family referred to; that night I preached in their house, and organized the church in this city ; this was the day of small things, and was in the year 1857.
ITEMS.
When the Civil War broke out a majority of the people of Fairview township were for the Union, although there were some secessionists. The log school-house in section 29 was the rallying point for the Union men, and here they met in the spring of 1861, and organized a
480
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
home guard company, with G. W. Noblitt as captain. The township sent a hundred men or more into the Federal army. During the spring 1863, the Confederate guerrilla, Joe Hart, with three or four men, passed northward through this township into Livingston, and on the way shot and badly wounded a Union citizen.
After the war the township began to settle up with people from the Northern States, from whence many of the former citizens had come, and these brought with them their enterprise and industry. Fairview is now in an excellent state of improvement. Judge E. H. Craig, of this township, one of the county judges, is given much credit for the building of bridges in the eastern part of the county, as well as for his regard for the interests of the entire county.
Murphy's mill on Shoal creek, five miles south of Breckinridge, was built in the fall of 1869.
ORGANIZATION.
Fairview township was organized November 4, 1869, and named for Fairview school-house, a large two-story building on section 29, built in 1867, at the cost of $2,100. This school-house and the M. E. Church near by formed a noted locality, and were the origin of the village or hamlet of Catawba. The township officers since 1881 have been as follows : -
1881-Trustee, Eugene M. Procter; clerk, D. P. Stubblefield ; collector, John T. Stagner ; justices of the peace, Thos. Grice, Levi P. Bisell ; constable, Levi K. Tunks.
1883 - Trustee, E. M. Procter; clerk, J. G. Mackey ; collector, J. T. Stagner ; justices of the peace, L. P. Bisell, John Havens : con- stable, Jack McKenzie.
1885 - Trustee, E. M. Procter ; clerk, W, F. Blair ; collector, S. P. Stubblefield ; justices of the peace, J. M. Miller, A. Salsbury ; con- stable, H. J. Stephens.
VILLAGES.
The village of Procterville, on the northeast corner of section 14, was laid out by Daniel Procter, in 1867. It contains a church, school-house, stores, and shops, a good grist and saw mill, and a population of about 75. The village was laid out March 22, 1869, and named for Hon. Daniel Procter, its founder.
Catawba, on the southeast corner of section 20 (or at the corners of sections 20, 21, 28 and 29), has also a church and school-house, two general stores, a hotel, wagon and carriage shop, etc. It was laid out and platted December 3, 1884. Present population, 150; tri-weekly mail. Marshall's flour and saw mill, two miles west, on Shoal creek, is a valuable institution to the community.
1
481
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
CHURCHES.
Procterville M. E. Church. - This church was organized May 21, 1856, by the venerable pioneer and apostle of Methodism in Missouri, Rev. James Witten. The church was first called Shoal Creek. The original or constituent members were Daniel, Mary, Henrietta, Edgar and Belinda E. Procter; Druzilla, Lydia, and Missouri Welker ; Anthony and Jefferson Sharp ; W. M. and Eliza Story ; James Mur- phy, Sr., Jeremiah, James R., Mary E. and Hannah Murphy ; George and Malinda Clarmo ; Elmore, Francis, and Sarah A. Waters ; John and Martha Stubblefield ; Wm. McIntire, N. Kromsick and Jesse Givens. The first meetings were held at the house of Samuel Welker and old Father James Witten was the minister. Meetings were also held for some time in a building on the premises of Daniel Procter which was also used as a school-house. There were about twenty members in the organization then. At that day members of the M. E. Church, or " Northern Methodists " were not popular in Missouri and other slaveholding States. They were denounced as " Abolition- ists," " Free-Soilers," etc., and in some counties in the State were not tolerated. In the spring of 1856, Father Holland, a Northern Methodist, was murdered by a mob in Andrew county, and Rev. Wm. Sellers was tarred and feathered. Rev. Anthony Bewly was another martyr, and so was Rev. C. H. Kelly, to the cause of anti-slavery Methodism in Missouri. Rev. James Witten, the founder of this church, was waited on by a mob in Clay county, and ordered to stop preaching under the penalty of tar and feathers for the first offense and a " stout hemp rope " for the second. " Come on with your rope now," replied Mr. Witten, " for I will commit both offenses if I live." But the mob did not " come on." The pastors that have served Procterville Church from first to last have been JJames Witten and his son Robert R. Witten, Chas. Morris, J. P. Buren, J. E. Gardner, W. D. Fortune, J. McKnight, J. R. Chamberlain, H. G. Breed, O. Bruner, E. Roszell, H. B. Barnes, T. B. Bratton, J. Hays, J. T. Stones, J. W. Bovee, A. J. Anderson and E. D. Rathbun. The church build- ing which stands in Procterville was built in 1868. It is a fine large frame building and cost $1,500. The present membership of the church is twenty. The Sabbath school has 50 scholars ; Oscar Sutter, superintendent.
Catawba M. E. Church. - The M. E. Church at Catawba has been connected with the Black Oak and Procterville circuits, and its ministers have for the most part been those mentioned in the sketch
482
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
of the last named church. It was organized in 1857, by Rev. H. G. Breed, and some of the first members were Elmore Waters, H. B. Meffert, John M. Stubblefield, John P. Wright, Thos. Watt, James Evans, and their wives, besides John G. Ross, John L. Mowder, R. W. Easter, Henry Allsap, Nancy Wright, Sarah Lane and others. The following year the church building, a frame costing $1,200, was built at Catawba. The present membership is reported as small, numbering but 12 ; but the Sabbath-school numbers 50 scholars, and is reported as flourishing ; its superintendent is Geo. L. Hughson.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIARD F. BLAIR
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Breckinridge).
As is well known the family whose name is borne by the subject of this sketch are of Scotch ancestry, and many of their representatives early became located in this country and for many years were resi- dents of the Green Mountain State. George Blair, the grandfather of Williard F., moved to Genesee county, N. Y., with his family, and there later on his son, Freeman, a native of Vermont, grew to manhood. Subsequently the latter was married to Miss Malvina E. Shedd, of New York, and on her mother's side a descendant from the Brewers, who were among the first citizens of New Amsterdam, as a portion of New York was once called. Freeman Blair and wife had two children, Josephine, the wife of E. Humphrey, of this town- ship, and Williard F., whose natal day was January 26, 1846, and his birthplace Hillsdale county, Mich. The senior Blair in early manhood followed school teaching but later on in life gave his atten- tion to farming. He served in the State militia and held a number of positions of honor and trust up to the time of his death which occurred February 5, 1882, in Hillsdale county, Mich., whither he had gone with his family in 1834. As Williard grew up on the home farm he enjoyed common school advatages, but added to such instruc- tion a general knowledge of the sciences, which he gained by self- application and desultory reading and study. In this manner he has become one of the better informed men of this community. Upon reaching his majority Mr. Blair went to Lee county, Ill., but in about a year came to Caldwell county, which has since been his home. March 31, 1875, he was married to Miss Olive E. Waldo, who was born in Marquette county, Wis., April 13, 1853. Four children have been born to them : Malvina H., Angeline L., Vashti S. and Olive S.
483
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
Mr. B. has always been engaged in farming except for some eight years that he taught school during the winter seasons. He owns 214 acres of well improved land, and handles and raises stock of all kinds. As a Republican, he labors zealously for the success of that party. At this time he is assessor for this township, a position to which he has been elected four times. Caldwell county has in him a useful and progressive citizen.
HON. EDWARD H. CRAIG (Farmer, Stock-raiser and Shipper) .
Not only in Fairview township but throughout the length and breadth of Caldwell county Judge Craig is known and regarded as a leading, intelligent and influential citizen, and a man whose official career has been marked with a desire and personal effort to serve the people of the county in an impartial and upright manner. His first capacity as a judge of the county court was when he was appointed by Gov. Phelps in 1878; the ability and decided fitness for the position there manifested caused him to be elected in 1882 and also in 1884, and he is now serving as such. His landed estate is extensive in area and he has done much in the line of raising and shipping stock. Judge Craig is of Scotch descent and has inherited the marked traits of char- acter peculiar to that people. His father, John Craig, left Scotland when 8 years old and came to the United States, locating in Vermont. In after years he married Miss Mary Dickey, who was born in Orange county, N. Y. She died in 1854. The father became familiar with the milling business and followed it for many years. Edward H. Craig is one of two children who survive the family born to their parents - six in number. The other is Susan. Edward was born in Orange county, N. Y., July 1, 1823, but his youth and early manhood were passed in Vermont, where he devoted himself to the pursuit of farming and also other occupations. In 1854 he removed to Massa- chusetts and made his home in that State until 1872. Two years later he came to Caldwell county, Mo., and embarked in farming and the stock business. This received his attention until his appointment to the official bench. The Judge has been twice married. First, in 1849, to Miss Maila Tabor, who was a native of the same place as her husband. She died in 1853 leaving two children : Daphine M. and Fannie Lola, who died March 15, 1880. To his present wife, formerly Miss Irene Laton, Judge Craig was married in November, 1877. She was born in Michigan.
CHARLES S. CRANE
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Breckinridge).
C. S. Crane, a representative and progressive citizen of this town- ship, was born in Bethlehem, Litchfield county, Conn., January 29, 1826, his father and grandfather also having been natives of that State. This family of Cranes are descended from one of that name who came to America from England over two hundred years ago. The
484
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
genealogy of the family is as follows: Henry Crane, a son of the first settler, married Concurrence Meigs in 1663; he died in 1711, leaving nine children, the eighth of whom, Henry, born in 1677, mar- ried Abagail Flood in 1703. Silas, the eldest of their four children, took to wife, in 1729, Mercy Griswold, who bore him 11 children. The fifth one, Robert, born in 1737, became the husband of Mary Camp; they had nine children, the seventh being Phineas, who was born in 1777, and married Irene Nichols in 1800. John N. was the eldest of 11 children born to them. His birth occurred in 1801 in Litchfield county, and subsequently he married Betsey Rodgers, of Woodbury, Conn. They had five children : Mary, Charles S., Har- . vey, Elizabeth and Sarah. Generally speaking, the family have been agriculturists by calling, holding also to the tenets of the Congrega- tional Church; as a rule they have voted in opposition to the Democratic party. Prominently identified from time to time with various civil and military movements, they have occupied a number of positions of responsibility and consideration, ever being held in high esteem. Charles S. Crane from the very first was taught farming by his father, a shrewd, practical agriculturist. He succeeded in acquiring a common school education, and when 19 years of age was employed by a woolen mill company as finisher, continuing to be thus engaged for some time. Afterwards, until 1864, he was occupied in purchas- ing wool for several large concerns in the East, obtaining quite a reputation in this direction. In 1864 he moved to Michigan, carried on a grist and merchant milling business, and in 1875 bought 960 acres of land where he now resides. This has been increased gradu- ally, until he now owns about twelve hundred acres, the greater portion of which is in grass. This makes an admirable pasture for the stock of all kinds which he raises, special attention being given to Percheon horses, Hereford cattle, Merino sheep and Poland-China hogs, and in this business he is meeting with the same success which has seemed to characterize other transactions. Mr. Crane married February 16, 1847, Miss Imogene J. Morris, daughter of Judson Morris, a descendant of one of the oldest and most respected families of Woodbury, Conn., where she also was born March 20, 1826. In their family are the following children: Robert L., Arthur J., Eliza- beth I. and Hobart M. Mr. Crane has been either a Whig or Repub- lican in politics.
COOPER DAY
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Catawba).
The family of which the subject of this sketch is a representative belongs to good old English stock, the Days having resided for centuries in England, and it is very probable that they are descended from the ancient Britains. The father of Cooper Day was Joseph Day, who took for his wife Ann Adams, and they had eleven children, seven of whom are living. The father was a hard working man and followed farming as his occupation. In 1854 he left his native country and in company with his family emigrated to the United States and
485
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
located in Niagara county, N. Y., which continued to be their home for five years. Coming thence to Delavan, Tazewell county, Ill., they settled on a farm and improved it up to the time of the father's death in April, 1879. The mother still survives and resides at Lock- port, N. Y. Cooper Day, an illustrious son of such a father, was born in Cambridgeshire, Eng., November 5, 1848. It was natural that he should be reared to a farm experience, and in attending the common schools he obtained a practical English education. January 18, 1872, he was united in marriage with Miss Lizzie Boucher, who was born in McLean county, Ill., August 30, 1853. Her parents, Davis and Mary J. (Douglass ) Boucher, were natives of Harrison county, O., but at an early day became located in McLean county. A glance at the life of Mr. Day shows that he commenced for himself without means and has only obtained what he now possesses through his individual efforts. He has 160 acres of land well improved and stocked. It was in 1873 that he came to this county, having remained up to that time in Tazewell county, III. His first location here was at Black Oak, from whence he removed two years later to his present homestead. His family consists of three bright children : Mary A., Jennie J. and Eva J. In politics Mr. Day is a Republican; socially he is well respected.
THOMAS GRICE
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Catawba).
Perhaps it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Grice should devote himself to agricultural pursuits, for in looking back over the records of his ancestors in England, we find that their life occupations were those of farming. However, it has only been within comparatively recent years that Thomas has given his exclusive attention to this calling, for when young he learned the carpenter's trade, commencing his apprenticeship when 15 years old. Two years after he went to Chicago, Ill., and from there to Cedar county, Ia., where he worked at his trade for some time. Subsequently he remained for about a year in Michigan, later on following his trade in Illinois and Iowa until coming to Caldwell county in 1868. His first settlement was near his present home, where he divided his time between carpentering and farming, finally becoming occupied only in farming and stock raising. At this time he owns 166 acres of well improved land, and is inter- ested to a considerable extent in raising good graded stock. In the management of his estate he displays practical, shrewd ability and through familiarity with the details of farm labor. Mr. Grice is a native of Canada, born near Toronto, July 31, 1839. His father was William Grice, of Yorkshire, Eng., who was married to a lady of the same nativity in Canada - Miss Sarah Roodhouse. The former was a butcher by trade, though in later years was a tiller of the soil. He died in Canada and afterwards his widow married and removed to the United States. She now lives with her children. Thomas was the fifth child in the family of nine children. His education in youth was a common school one.
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