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 63
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 63
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NATHAN WILLIAMS
(Farmer and Proprietor of Creamery, Kidder, Mo.)
Mr. Williams was born at Ashfield, Mass., June 11, 1829. At an early age he commenced to discharge some of the minor duties about the home farm, and worked on this place until reaching his majority. His education was received in the common schools - one sufficient for all practical business purposes. When little past the age of twenty-five, he was married in June, 1854, to Miss Mary Jane Baldwin, a native of New York State. One son born of this marriage, Moses B., departed this life when 14 years old. Mrs. Williams died in Daviess county, Mo., November 12, 1872. March 11, 1873, Mr. W. took for his second wife Miss Mary Ann B. Page, of Ashfield, Mass. Mr. Williams is the son of Apollos Williams, a prominent citizen of Ashfield, Mass. He died there October 15, 1854, leaving 10 chil- dren, all of whom survive but two sons. There were four daughters in this family. Ephraim Williams, Apollos' father, was one of the first settlers of Ashfield, and occupied the position of county commis- sioner and justice of the peace for many years. In 1878 the subject of this sketch attended at his old home a family reunion, where there were present 100 members of the Williams family, 40 members being absent. In 1869 Mr. W. removed to Daviess county, Mo., where he now owns a finely improved farm of 240 acres, on which are a
585
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
superior herd of thoroughbred Short-horns. He also owns a cream- ery and other town property in Kidder, where he at this time resides. He has accumulated all his property by his own efforts, and is recog- nized as a man of excellent business qualifications and liberal views. His wife is a lady of culture and refinement, and possessed also of decided business tact.
JAMES WILSON
(Stock Feeder and Shipper, Residence, Kidder).
Mr. Wilson has been a resident of Caldwell county for over 20 years, or since 1864, and during this time has been prominently identified with the county's interests in various capacities. As a farmer and stock-raiser he met with good success, but desiring to enter into more active business life engaged in selling goods for some time. At present he devotes his time to the feeding and shipping of stock, his natural qualifications for and thorough knowledge of the business rendering him a leading spirit in this calling, and the reputa- tion which he has gained in the vicinity is not merely a local one. Mr. Wilson is now in his forty-third year, having been born in Chautauqua county, N. Y., May 17, 1842. His father was William Wilson, a native of Scotland, and while in that country worked for years in the celebrated thread factory of Coates & Co. In 1840 he emigrated to the United States and settled in New York State, from whence, in 1845, he removed to Racine county, Wis., living there until his death in 1869. His wife was also of Scotch birth and parentage ; her maiden name was Anna Russell, born and reared in Paiseley, near Glasgow, Scotland. Six children were in their family, of whom James was the third child and second son. The father gave his attention to agricultural pursuits after coming to this country, an occupation which it was very natural for his son to learn. This the latter followed until the outbreak of the war, when he enlisted under the first call for volunteers in the 1st Wisconsin infantry, re-enlisting after his first term had expired in the same regiment, which had been re-organized. After serving for three and a half years he was honor- ably discharged, having participated in some of the most severe engagements of the war, among which might be mentioned Mill Spring, Fort Henry, Fort Donelson, Pittsburg Landing, Nashville, Chattanooga, with Buell on the grand retreat to Louisville, Perryville, Stone River, Hoover's Gap, Chickamauga and Mission Ridge. At the latter battle he received a gun-shot wound through the left lung and was left on the field for dead, five days elapsing before he was removed to a hospital. This closed his active military career, and he soon returned home, coming subsequently to this county. Mr. Wilson is now owner of a farm in DeKalb county. He was married April 8, 1865, to Miss Clara L. Fay, who was born and brought up in Racine county, Wis. They have two children : James and Robert.
.
586
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
ALEXANDER WILSON
(Farmer, Section 24, Post-office, Kidder).
Coming from a county noted for its superior agriculturists, perhaps it is not to be wondered at that Mr. Wilson is accorded a worthy place among the tillers of the soil in this vicinity. He was born in Clark county, Ill., February 15, 1846, the fourth child in his father's family of ten children. His parents were Reason and Sarah (Clapp ) Wilson, the former a Kentuckian by birth and the latter originally from North Carolina. The father was a farmer by occupation and after leaving his native State removed to Illinois from whence he came to Missouri in 1865, settling in Nodaway county. While a resident of that locality he died in 1874. The calling to which young Alexander was reared was that of farming, and this he has since continued with no ordinary success. Up to 1865 he made his home in Illinois, but from that time remained with his father until coming to this county. Here he has become well and favorably known. Mr. Wilson was married Decem- ber 1, 1875, to Miss Mollie Moffitt, daughter of M. J. Moffitt, Esq., of Nodaway county, Mo., though she was born in North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. W. have seven children : Daniel, Cora G., William Davis, Hettie M., Arthur, Ida M. and Ada. His estate embraces 120 acres, a comfortable, neat homestead.
CHAPTER XIX.
DAVIS TOWNSHIP.
Position and Description - Economic Geology -Coal -Early History, First Settle- ments, First Land Entries, etc. - Settlements by the Davises and Others After 1840 - Organization - Black Oak - Biographical.
Davis township comprises Congressional township 55, range 26 and is the southeastern township of Caldwell county, being bounded on the east by Carroll county and on the south by Ray. The general surface is rolling prairie. There are some large groves of native tim- ber in the township, the principal of which is the Black Oak grove, comprising portions of sections 19, 20 and 29.
Mud creek, which flows in a general direction northward through the eastern part of the township, and its tributaries - North Mud creek, which starts in the northwest corner of the township and flows southeast for five miles -and Willow branch, whose source is in the southeastern corner of the township and whose course is northwest and north - are the streams.
ECONOMIC GEOLOGY.
Exposures of limestone are to be seen in various parts of the town- ship, notably west of Black Oak, near the township line. Coal under- lies the township and is mined to a considerable extent and with some profit just across the county line, in Ray, at the renowned Sader and Thompson banks. The Sader mine is located three and a half miles southeast of Black Oak, and a 28-inch vein of excellent coal has been reached at a depth of 156 feet from the surface. Johnson's mine is three and a half miles southeast of Black Oak, and in this there are two strata or veins of coal. The first is a 28-inch vein, 139 feet from the surface, while the second is 174 feet from the surface, and it is claimed is nearly four feet in thickness !
EARLY HISTORY - FIRST SETTLEMENTS, ETC.
This township was first settled by Mormons in the spring of 1837. The first settlements were made along North Mud creek, in the north- western portion of the township. Some of the first inhabitants in that quarter were John Reynolds, David Norton and Merlin Plumb.
(587)
588
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
In 1837 Elias Benner, a Mormon, settled on the ne. 1/4 of the nw. 1/4 of section 21, and built a saw mill the following year on North Mud creek, a mile and a half northeast of Black Oak village. Benner had his mill built and all the machinery in, ready for running, when the troubles broke out between his people and the Gentiles. He repaired to Haun's Mill, and was one of the victims of the massacre there October 30, 1838. His body was buried in the old well, his family fled from the country, and his mill fell into decay and into the hands of the Gentiles.
The first entries of land in this township were the following : -
Name.
Description.
Date.
John Reynolds
sw. se. sec. 6
June 8, 1837
David Norton
se. se. sec. 6
June 16, 1837
John Reynolds .
w .¿ ne. sec. 7
May 29, 1837
David Norton
ne. ne. sec. 7 June 16, 1837
Merlin Plumb
sw. nw. & nw. sw. sec. 8
May 29, 1837
Merlin Plumb
e. ¿ sw. sec. 8
May 29, 1837
Martin Fishback
e. ¿ ne. & e. ¿ se. sec. 11
Mar. 19, 1841
David Edmons
sw. sw. scc. 13 .
Oct. 28, 1839
Lewis D. Wilson
se. sec. 14 & e. ¿ sw. 14
Oct. 24, 1837
Wm. Casper
w. ¿ ne. & se. nw. sec. 23.
Oct. 27, 1837
W. G. Wilson
ne. nw. sec. 23 w. ¿ nw. 26
Oct. 25, 1837
David McBee
se. nw. sec. 22
July 14, 1837
Elias Benner
ne. nw. sec. 21
July 7, 1837
James T. Stephenson
e. ¿ se. scc. 18
May 5, 1840
James Moad
w. ¿ ne. sec. 19
Jan. 6. 1841 Oct. 31, 1840
Samuel D). Davis
nw. ne. sec. 20 .
June 20, 1842
John T. Davis .
e. ¿ sw. sec. 29 .
March 9, 1842
Wm. Casper
e. ¿ ne. sec. 27
Oct. 27, 1837
John Jamison
w. ¿ ne. sec. 34
Sept. 19, 1837
James McBee
W. ¿ sw. sec. 23
Sept. 15, 1837
Samuel D. Davis
w. ¿ se. sec. 29
After the Mormon expulsion perhaps the first settlers in what is now Davis township were John T. Davis and his brother, Samuel D. Davis, brothers, who came from Adams county, Ill., in the summer of 1839, to the southern portion of the Black Oak grove, on section 29. John T. Davis came first, settling a little southwest of the present village of Black Oak (e. 1/2 sw. 1/4 sec. 29), and his brother first lo- cated a quarter of a mile east. The Davis brothers became prominent citizens of the county, and were well known and universally esteemed. It was for them, and especially for Judge S. D. Davis, that the town- ship was named.
A man named Oster came in from Ohio to the Elk Grove in 1842. James Moad, from Campbell county, Tenn., was an early settler in this township. He bought a Mormon cabin on Mud creek, north of Black Oak, and finally entered 80 acres on section 19, two miles west of Black Oak. The first school house in this township was a little log building put up on Mr. Moad's land in about 1849. The next
589
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
was near John T. Davis' residence, and the next a frame in the southwest part of Black Oak.
The settlers from 1840 to 1850 bought the most of their supplies at Richmond. Their principal physician was Dr. Tucker, of Utica, and sometimes Dr. Bassett, of Kingston, came to minister to their ills.
During the Civil War this township was visited by Taylor and Thrailkill's rebel raiders, whose outriders and scouts scattered them- selves pretty generally over the township. Joseph Cain and John Phillips, who were murdered by Taylor's guerrillas, were residents of this township. Several citizens of the township were made prisoners by the raiders.
ORGANIZATION.
Davis was organized as a municipal township November 4, 1869, and named for Samuel D. and John T. Davis. It had formerly been a part of Grand River township. Following have been the officers of the township since the last organization : -
1881 - Trustee, H. B. Meffert ; collector, S. D. Davis ; clerk, Wm. McKim ; justices of the peace, D. C. Feese, James Moad, Jr. ; con- stable, J. J. Lane.
1883 - Trustee, W. S. Thomson ; collector, Wilson S. Deam ; clerk, Wm. McKim ; justices of the peace, Saml. Rathbun, James W. Moad ; constable, James J. Lane.
1885 - Trustee, Robt. Steinrod ; collector, W. S. Deam ; clerk, David Stucke ; justices of the peace, Thos. Plummer, and Wm. Mc- Kim (resigned ) ; constable, Danl. Severns.
BLACK OAK.
The village of Black Oak is situated in the southwestern part of Davis township, on the se. 1/4 ne. 1/4 of section 29. Its origin dates fron the year 1872, when Joseph Owens established a general store here. Owens sold to Dennis Davis, and he to Luellen, the present proprietor. The village was laid out by Saml. D. Davis, February 1, 1871. It now contains a population of perhaps 125, has in all half a dozen stores and shops, a hotel kept by the old pioneer, Charles R. Ross, a church, school-house, etc.
Black Oak was incorporated as a village September 6, 1880. The first board of trustees was composed of Joshua Orem, Wm. McKim, Wm. Milne, J. A. Rogers and Saml. D. Davis.
CHURCHES OF DAVIS TOWNSHIP.
Black Oak M. E. Church South. - The original organization of this church was effected not far from the year 1845, and James Moad,
590
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY'.
Betsey Moad, Robert Smith, Anna Smith, Saml. D. Davis and Mar- garet Davis were among some of the first members. The organiza- tion has not been continuous, however, since 1845, but has frequently been suspended since that time. The church building, which is owned in common by this church and the Methodist Episcopal (" Northern " Methodist ), was built at Black Oak 'in 1874, and cost about $800. Both organizations use it, and their relations are most friendly. A flourishing union Sabbath school is held by them. The present pastor of the M. E. South is Rev. John H. Hubbard, and the membership numbers twenty.
Elk Grove M. E. Church. - This church was organized in 1863, by John Moorehead and that stanch old Methodist, Daniel Procter. The original members were Enoch Rathbun, class-leader ; Elizabeth Rathbun, Conrad Oster, Mary C. Oster, V. C. Noffsinger and wife, W. Fortune, wife and others. Revs. McKnight, Chamberlain, Pace, Phillips, Stone, Bovee, Rozzell, Anderson, Bratton, Hayes, Hawley, Butler, Betner, Mosher, Sellers, Witten and Norris have been the ministers who have exercised pastoral charge over the church. The church at Elk Grove was built in 1877; it is a frame and cost $800. Present membership, 50. The Sabbath-school was organized in 1867, by D. C. Feese, who, together with A. R. Bay and S. S. Kester, have been its most faithful supporters. It now has about fifty scholars, and is superintended by Daniel Braymer.
United Brethren. - The church of the United Brethren of Christ in Davis township was organized in 1869, the first members being T. R. Shiner, M. Shiner, J. Weir, H. Weir, S. Strine, E. Strine, Eliza Gordon, David Creswell and M. A. Creswell. Since the first organiza- tion five members have died and fifteen have removed elsewhere. The present membership is forty-four. The church building, which stands on the southwest corner of section 3, was completed in August, 1880. It is a frame and cost $741. It was dedicated free from debt and has remained so. The pastors have been Revs. N. E. Gardner, W. T. Tricket,, John Esteb, J. H. Brundige, W. Beauchamp, B. W. Bowman, E. Carpenter, J. T. Alleman, A. W. Gosling, A. W. Bishop, Lee Fisher, D. Beauchamp and H. Hoffman.
591
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
DANIEL BRAYMER
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Elk Grove).
Mr. Braymer is recognized as one of the largest land-owners in this vicinity and a person of superior financial ability - one whose integ- rity and honesty of purpose is unquestioned. From youth he has been acquainted with the details of fari life, his father giving him an excellent chance on the home farm when 17 years of age. About a year after reaching his majority he went to Kansas and a year later came to Missouri, making his home in both Clinton and De Kalb counties until coming to Caldwell county, where he has since resided. His first purchase of land embraced 440 acres, but to this he has added from time to time until now he owns 1,720 acres, situated in Carroll, Livingston and Caldwell counties, and the greater part of this magnificent estate is improved. Considerable of it is devoted to the grazing of stock, for upon it he has some 300 head of cattle, 200 hogs, and other animals. His three full blooded Norman horses are not excelled, while he owns 55 head of this class of stock of a good grade. A great deal has been done by him in the interest of the stock industry, and much credit is due him for the advanced position which he has ever occupied in this direction. He has two deer, probably the only ones in the county, upon his place. His cattle are Short-horn, Poland-Angus and Gallaway stock. Mr. Braymer was born in Wash- ington county, N. Y., March 17, 1844, his father, also Daniel Bray- mer, having been a native of the same locality. This family is descended from Frederick Braymer, who emigrated from Germany before the Revolution and settled in New York, where he entered the army as a physician. Daniel Braymer, Sr., married Miss Lucinda Woodell, and they now reside in Washington county, N. Y. They had six children : Jenette, Jacob, Alfred, Daniel, Rosalinda and George. The father was a farmer and stock-raiser by calling and a thorough business man in every sense of the term. He is substan- tially situated in life and well thought of. The subject of this sketch is a Republican politically, and once filled in a worthy manner the position of county judge. He is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church and belongs to the Masonic Order. Mr. B. married, December 30, 1869, Miss Nancy A. Woodard, of Washington county, N. Y., born December 5, 1844. They have four children: George V., Stella, Frank W. and Annie L. Mr. Braymer, in connection with a brother-in-law, owns a ranch in New Mexico, upon which are over 1,000 cattle. He is among the most highly esteemed residents of this county, favoring every good movement.
592
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
DAVID CRESWELL
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Catawba).
·
Mr. Creswell came originally from Ireland, having been born near Londonderry June 30, 1842. He is one of a family of seven children born to Thomas and Catherine ( White ) Creswell, both of whom were born near the place mentioned, though the Creswells are of Scotch ancestry and trace their descent from William Wallace. Thomas Creswell was a farmer by occupation, and young David as he grew up attended school until he was 14 years of age and then assisted in the duties of the home farm. When 20 years old, in 1862, he emi- grated with a married sister to Canada West, locating near Toronto, and in that country he remained about two and a half years, working on a farm and in the pineries. Upon coming into the United States he settled in Tama county, Ia., and resided there for three years, in the meantime being married October 1, 1867, to Miss Martha A. Shiner, daughter of Tobias R. and Mary ( Antrim ) Shiner, elsewhere referred to. She was born in Whiteside county, Ill., January 19, 1852. Their five children are named Thomas (now deceased ), Mary, Elizabeth, Cassie W. and an infant, now deceased. In 1867 Mr. Cres- well and wife came to this county, and after a year's residence cast of Breckinridge moved to the place which he now cultivates. At the time of his marriage he had but little property and the 330 acres which he now owns has been obtained only by hard work and good management. He takes active part in developing the stock interests of the county, especially in sheep, of which he has many valuable specimens. He owns three thoroughbred Norman horses, and is a member of the Caldwell Norman Horse Co .; besides this he has other fine stock. Though his political preferences are Republican, in local affairs he supports men and measures, not party. He is a member of the U. B. Church, and is prominent in all moral and educational enterprises.
THE DAVIS FAMILY
(Davis Township).
Were we to omit an outline of this family's history in the present volume we should feel our work incomplete, for in this portion, at least, of the county there is not a more prominent or influential family to be found, and certainly none who command more respect than this one. Originally of Welsh origin, they early became settled in Amer- ica, " Uncle Dennis " Davis, as he was familiarly called and known to the people of Caldwell and adjoining counties, having been born on the Chesapeake bay in Maryland. When a boy he ran away from home and went to the Blue Grass State, where in the fall of 1811 he was married to Miss Joannah Thomas. They continued to reside in Caldwell county, Ky., until 1813, then moving to Madison county, Ill., near the present city of Alton, coming the entire distance on horseback and carrying their effects in packs. Until 1845 they con-
593
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
tinued to make their home in and about Madison county and at that date settled in the township which now bears their name, in this county. Of the eight children born to himself and wife John T. was the oldest, his birth occurring October 31, 1812, in Caldwell county, Ky., the only one of the children born there. He was brought up on a farm in Illinois, receiving but limited educational advantages, and on Feb- ruary 3, 1831, was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Moore, whose birth occurred in Madison county, Ill., November 22, 1817, her parents having been among the first permanent settlers in the Missis- sippi Valley. In 1840 John T. Davis came to this county, pre-empted land and by hard work made for himself and family a comfortable home. He was well known to early settlers here, enjoying unlimited esteem and respect. He died June 25, 1882, but his widow still sur- vives. Their children were Rosa V., Mary A., Elizabeth, George W., Dennis J. T., Joannah, John T., Margaret H., Hannah P. and Walter S.
George W., the eldest son, is probably the best known member of the Davis family now living. He was born in this county March 15, 1844, and was reared to manhood upon his father's farm. In 1861 he became a member of the State militia and like his father took a decided stand for the Union. While in the State service he saw con- siderable duty and in 1864 he joined the 44th Missouri volunteer infantry, Co. H, participating in the battles of Franklin, Nashville, Cedar Point, etc., and at Spanish Fort, his health becoming consider- ably impaired by sickness and exposure. Since the war he has followed farming and stock raising, in which he is recognized as successful and thoroughly informed. His marriage to Miss Paulina G. Noffzinger was consummated October 5, 1865, she having been born at Tinney's Point, Mo., May 1, 1849. Their family consists of Rosetta, Mary E., Ara, Isom, Laura, Emon, Ola M., Lute, Joshna, Clyde and Charley. Politically Mr. Davis votes with the Greenback party, supporting men best qualified to serve in official positions. He considers the county's interests his interests, and to-day is esteemed one of Caldwell's best citizens.
John T. Davis, Jr., son of John T. and Margaret M. Davis, is numbered among the progressive and enterprising young agriculturists of this township. He was born upon the homestead place September 19, 1852, there passing his youthful days and attending the neighbor- hood schools, and February 2, 1882, he was united in matrimony with Mary A., daughter of Michael Twomy, a prominent and well known farmer of Ray county, where Mrs. Davis was born December 4, 1858. Four children have blessed this union : Clarence and Claude ( twins ), Walter and Michael. Mr. Davis is liberal in his political views, aiding measures and not party, and in the intellectual and moral develop- ment of the county he is among the foremost.
Another son of Dennis Davis was Judge Samuel Davis, a man whose memory is cherished by a host of acquaintances in this vicinity. Born in Madison county, Ill., February 10, 1819, he married November 25, 1838, Miss Margaret S. Owen, originally from Owen county, Ind.,
594
HISTORY OF CALDWELL COUNTY.
born December 6, 1821. In 1839 they came to Caldwell county, the first among the Davis family to locate here, and among the very fore- most in the present township of Davis. Mr. Davis was a person of much natural ability, of decided and pronounced views regarding poli- tics and religion, and held during his lifetime many positions of honor and trust, the confidence and respect of all who knew him following him to the grave. He died May 23, 1882, universally mourned ; his widow now resides upon the old homestead. To himself and worthy companion nine children had been born : Lucinda, Dennis W., Paul- ina, Payton L., Thomas B., John H., Margaret, Rachel and Samuel P. Most of these children are married. Dennis W. is a leading agriculturist of Lincoln township, this county ; Thomas B. and Samuel P. reside in Ford county, Kan. ; Payton L. lives here.
Payton L. Davis has always made his home within this township, for he was born here April 22, 1848. His youthful days were divided between discharging duties about his father's farm and attending school, where he received a common English education, and he has continued to adhere strictly to farming and stock raising. His estate is one well improved, having upon it excellent graded stock of all kinds. January 17, 1869, Miss Sarah L. Shaffer, of Pennsylvania, became his wife. She was born January 10, 1850, her parents, Daniel F. and Rebecca M. (Seitzinger ) Shaffer, having located in Ray county, Mo., in 1854, and in Caldwell county in 1861. Mr. and Mrs. Davis are the parents of three boys: Edward W., Ola T. and Amos S. Mr. Davis is a warm advocate and active worker in the ranks of Democracy.
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