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 98

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 98
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 98

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).

932

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY,

ingston county, was elected and served with credit for two years. In 1880 such was his popularity that he was elected to the Legislature by a handsome majority and in 1884 he was again re-elected. His services in this capacity were most marked and a volume of no mean propor- tions might be written of the influence which he exerted while in the House. Had we the space we would review the many measures of which he was the author, but a few can not be passed by without mention. In his first term he opposed the refunding of State, county, city and municipal bonded indebtedness in an 8-20 non-taxable bond, a bill adverse to the interest of tax-payers in Missouri, he successfully opposed and defeated. the bill declaring barbed wire an unlawful fence, and opposed and defeated the bill regulating the practice of medicine. His second term in the House was rather of a negative than affirma- tive character, but nevertheless he served on several important com- mittees, that of agriculture, of township organization, and many others. By his efforts the appropriation of $70,000 for the State militia was defeated. And then, too, his first act was to put in nomi- nation for the United States Senate, Hon. Nicholas Ford, a man about whom it is unnecessary to add any words of commendation.

Such is a synopsis of what Mr. Donovan has done for this county and State, and surely such concern for those whose suffrages called him to this honorable position can not go unrewarded. He enjoys to an unlimited extent the esteem and respect of all who are favored with his acquaintance.

CLAUS F. GOOS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 9, Post-office, Eversonville).

Mr. Goos is of sturdy German ancestry and birth, having been born in Germany, in 1858, his parents also being natives of that country. The father, Claus Goos, was born in 1817 and in 1838 married Miss Catherine Wolf, whose birth occurred in 1823. For eight or ten years after this event Mr. Goos followed the mercantile business, but moving his place of residence he entered into the manufacture of cloth. In 1870 he emigrated to America, subsequently commeneed farming and bas since continued it. He is still living. In 1848 and 1849 he was a member of an infantry company in the German army. Mrs. Goos died in Missouri in 1881; her father during his life was a tailor by trade. Claus F. is one of six children in his parents' family : Joseph, the oldest son, is deceased ; Anna is now Mrs. Peter Jacobs ; Lizzie married Robert Bartholomew; Katie and Dorothy are unmar- ried. The subject of this sketch in growing up enjoyed the advan- tages of the excellent schools of Prussia, and after coming to America attended the schools of this country. It was in 1870 that he became a citizen of this county, and it may almost be said that he was reared here. He is now living on the home place with his father, actively and successfully occupied in tilling the soil, conducting all his labors according to advanced methods. He is now serving as road overseer and in other ways is identified with the interests of this township and

933

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

county. He is a member of the Lutheran Church. Quite a consid- erable stock is found upon his place, an industry to which he gives no little attention.

JUDGE JACOB IBERG

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 21, Post-office, Eversonville).

There is probably no man within the limits of Livingston county who is deserving of more credit for the interest he has taken in its be- half than Judge Iberg ; and the brief facts here presented indicate to more than an ordinary degree the relations which he has borne to the county's development. He is of foreign birth, born June 30, 1819, in Switzerland, his parents also being natives of that country. Until about twenty years of age young Jacob remained in the vicinity of his birthplace and finally upon deciding to come to America did so and landed at New Orleans October 28, 1839, soon being fol- lowed by his parents. After living in Madison, Ill., for some time he settled in Madison county and 19 years later he went to Wisconsin, which was his home for 9 years. In 1868 he came to Missouri and has since remained here ; his present place is a superior one containing 720 acres, the homestead embracing 520 acres, all under a good state of cultivation, and 16 acres of this are included in a good bearing orchard. He gives no little attention to the stock industry, excellent blooded stock being found here, and, in fact, everything about the place indicates prosperity and thrift. Judge Iberg is now in a position to retire from the active and laborious efforts of a life well spent and pass his time in the enjoyment of his comfortable competence. In June, 1847, he was married to Miss Catharine Bleisch, originally from the Canton of St. Gallan, Switzerland, born in 1825. By this union there have been four children: Jacob A., Robert, in Kansas ; Mary and Hannah, widow of Jas. H. Gibson, now residing with her father. From an early peried of his settlement here Mr. Iberg has been prominently identified with various official positions of trust and responsibility. First one of the county supervisors, he was also president of the town- ship board and also a member of the county court, from which latter office he was compelled to resign on account of ill health. In 1873 he was elected judge of the eastern district of Livingston county for the long term and his service in this capacity is well known. The county's indebtedness at the time he entered upon his judicial duties was about $250,000, and when his term expired only the railroad debt remained unpaid. By his endeavors a tax was levied after considera- ble opposition of 25 cents on the dollar, $12,500 thus being raised and thus was a heavy incumbrance cleared. The Judge was formerly a man of established reputation as a target shooter and in his posses- sion at this time are numerous medals and testimonials of his ability in this direction, space only preventing an account of these different shooting occurrences. He is a man of thorough business qualifica- tions, well postedin the affairs of every-day life, and a man of true worth and influence in this community.

934

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

FREDERICK OLENHOUSE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 31, T. 58, R. 23, Post-office, Eversonville).

Mr. Olenhouse came to Livingston county, Mo., from Chicago, where he had moved after the close of the war, and it is worthy of mention in this connection that he was a gallant soldier in that con- flict. Leaving the home farm (on which he had been reared ) at the breaking out of the Rebellion, he enlisted in the 3d New York infantry, raised in Albany county and city, under Col. Fred. Townsend, and took part in the battle of Big Bethel, and was on garrison duty at Ft. McHenry, going thence to Fortress Monroe. At the close of his two years' term of enlistment he re-enlisted until the close of the war, and was sent to Morris Island, under Gilmore, and to Bermuda Hundred, in the army of the James, under Gen. Butler. After- wards, he was in the Ist brigade, 2d division, 10th army corps, under Grant, and was present at the mine explosion in front of Petersburg. Upon going to Ft. Fisher the expedition was sent back to Bermuda, thence again to Ft. Fisher, meeting with success this time, on to Wilmington, N. C., and from there to Raleigh, where, his time having expired, he was mustered out after a career of four years of military experience. Mr. Olenhouse now has a well improved farm where he lives, under a good state of cultivation. This he knows how to con- duct, for his natural characteristics aid him greatly in this. Origin- ally from Wurtemburg, Germany, he was born, in 1843, of the union of Christopher and Sophia Olenhouse, nee Rudolph. In 1854 they emigrated to the United States and settled in Albany county, N. Y., where the father acquired excellent success in his operations. The mother was born in 1815, and her uncle accompanied Napoleon Bona- parte to Moscow. Frederick was the eldest son of seven children : Charles, John, George, Henry, Christine and Elizabeth. All the family belonged to the Lutheran Church. Frederick enjoyed good educational opportunities in youth which have been of great benefit to him in later life. He was united in marriage to Miss Adaline M. Cramer, in 1871, her native place being Orleans county, N. Y., where she was born in 1847. His wife has borne him three children : Char- lotte and Leonard are living, and Frederick died in 1876. Mr. C. belongs to H. C. Gilbert Post of the G. A. R., at Wheeling, and he is also a member of the M. E. Church.

FRANCIS S. STEWART

(Post-office, Eversonville).

The subject of this sketch is recognized as one of the promising young men of this township, though but about 24 years of age. His father, Dr. Charles R. Stewart, a Kentuckian by birth, was born Decem- ber 18, 1830, and had he lived to the present time would have been in his fifty-sixth year. Francis enjoyed a common school education, and remained on the home farm until 16 years of age, when he took a trip across the plains to California. After traveling extensively, he

935.

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

finally settled in Sullivan county, Mo., moving thence to Mercer county, where he met and subsequently married Miss Delilah Bales on March 4, 1860. Eight children blessed this union, four of whom are living : Robert H., Walter M., Maria E., wife of W. W. Donovan, of this township, and Francis S. Daniel P. died February 9, 1867 ; Florence R. died September 7, 1870 ; Martha Ellen died August 20,. 1872, and John S. died February 7, 1874. Chas. R. Stewart imme- diately after his marriage enlisted in Co. C, 23d Missouri infantry, as a private, and served for three years, participating in the battle of Shiloh ; he was under the command of Capt. Trumbo, and once received a musket ball in his left thigh, which he carried until his death, June 2, 1885. Soon after the close of the war he had com- menced the study of medicine, became well qualified for practice, and after living five years at Miresville, Grundy county, moved to Johnson county, Mo., and in a year to Cass county. He afterwards made his home in that county one year, in Bates county two years, in Henry county for some time, and then in Benton county, where he died. His wife is still living in this township. She was born April 29, 1842, in Dent county, O. Her parents were Daniel and Elizabeth ( Sinclair ) Bales, the former born in Ohio in 1815 and died in 1877, and the lat- ter, also of Ohio, born in 1817; she still survives. Four of the 11 children which were born to them are living : Delilah A., Martha J. ,. James W. and John H. Elizabeth Sinclair had a brother in the Mexi- can War, and when last heard from he.owned 1,800 acres of land in. Texas. Francis S. Stewart was born in Grundy county, Mo., in 1862, and has grown up in this State. He has spent his life in attending: school and farming, and at this time he is living on the farm of Mrs. Boyer, elsewhere referred to, which he is working, his mother and youngest brother also living there. He is a member of the Christian Church, his mother belonging to the Holiness Association.

WILLIAM J. WALLACE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 13, Post-office, Alpha, Mo.)

For a period now closely approaching half a century, this highly hon- ored resident of Medicine township has been identified with the interests of Livingston county, his settlement here dating from the spring of 1839. Many have been the changes which he has seen since that time and in the growth and development of this community he has been a worthy participant. The wild animals that were here when he first came long ago disappeared ; Chillicothe was then his nearest trading point. As might be inferred, Mr. Wallace is a Kentuckian by birth born in Madison county in 1812. Samuel Wallace, his father, moved to Howard county in 1819 and farmed on the same place which he settled until his death in 1851 ; this place was 12 miles north of Fay- ette and seven miles northeast of Glasgow. The maiden name of William's mother was Anna Snoddy, who died in 1861, the daughter of John Snoddy, an early settler of the Blue Grass State. The latter was a participant in the early Indian wars of that State and once suc-

936

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

ceeded in capturing a red-skin. Samuel Wallace was a son of Andrew Wallace, of Virginia nativity, who was a captain in the Revolutionary , War. William J. was the fourth son of five boys and five girls in his parents' family, of whom three boys and two girls are still living. He enjoyed such facilities for acquiring an education as were common to the community in his youth and after reaching manhood, in 1839, was married to Miss Mary J. Birch, of Chariton county, Mo., who died in 1859, leaving six children. In 1860 Mr. Wallace was again married, Miss Lizzie Williams of this county becoming his wife. Her death occurred in 1860 and four children were thus left motherless. In the spring of 1839 he located on the place which has since been his home, actively occupied in farming and stock raising, and numbered among the progressive agriculturists of the county. Formerly Mr. W. was a Mason. He now owns some 400 acres of land and at this time is feeding about a car-load of cattle. He is nearly 74 years of age. His three youngest children live with him, enjoying the compe- tence which he has gained by years of strict integrity and industry.

JACOB B. WAYDELICK

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 32, Post-office, Eversonville).

Mr. Waydelick was born in Knox county, O., in 1838, the son of Philip Waydelick of Wurtemburg, whose birth occurred in 1790. In 1822 he married Miss Mary Mast, also of Germany, and by this union there were born eight children, three boys and five girls : Fred F., who came to Platte county, Mo., in 1855, went to California in 1860, and has never been heard from since; John W., now a missionary in the Lutheran Church located at Sitka, Alaska ; Christina, died in in- fancy ; Christina, second, now a widow; Elizabeth, also a widow ; Mary J. and Matilda M., both married. The senior Waydelick emi- grated to America in 1835 and settled on a small farm of 11 acres in Knox county, O., land which subsequently sold for $1,000 per acre for city purposes. Upon leaving there he went to DeKalb county, Ind., thence coming to Missouri in 1865 ; he was in the Prussian army under Napoleon and was with the command on its campaign to Moscow. His voyage to this country was a most marked one, for besides being nearly shipwrecked the vessel on which he had taken passage was pursued by pirates ; three months and three days were passed in mak- ing this trip. Of young Jacob it might be said that he was educated to agricultural pursuits, for he was reared as a farmer, and upon settling in Grundy county, Mo., in October, 1864, he continued that calling. In 1866 he located where he now resides, on his excellent homestead of 240 acres, which he is controlling and improving in an unexceptional manner. In June, 1863, Mr. W. was married to Miss Lucinda Bell, daughter of Joseph D. Bell, a native of New Jersey, but of English descent. Mrs. Waydeliek was born in Stark county, O., in 1841. She and her husband have two children, JJ. Sheridan, born in 1867, and Martha M., born in 1876. Mr. W. has been school director in his district for twelve years, and is much interested in educational matters. He is a member of the Methodist Church.

CHAPTER XVI.

CREAM RIDGE TOWNSHIP.

Position - Early History- Original Land Entries - Organization - Some Incidents of the War Period - Country Churches - Farmersville - Miscellaneous Notes -- Bio- graphical.

Cream Ridge township comprises all that portion of Livingston county lying between Medicine township and East Grand river, and the line between Congressional townships 58 and 59, and Grundy county. It includes, therefore, a portion of ranges 23 and 24.

The township is well supplied with water-courses. Grand river runs along the western boundary, then a few miles to the eastward are Honey creek and its tributaries, while in the eastern part of the town- ship runs Medicine creek, all flowing in a general direction from north to south. Crooked and Grassy creeks flow into Honey creek, and the latter empties into Grand river in the southwestern corner of the township.

EARLY HISTORY.

The first settler in what is now Cream Ridge township was Francis Preston, who, in February, 1838, located on Crooked creek, in the southwestern portion of the township (sw. sec. 19-59-23), about eight miles north of Chillicothe. Josiah Austin settled about a mile north of Preston in 1839. Gabriel May and Solomon R. Hooker came to the same locality in 1840 or 1841.

The land here did not come into market until about 1840, and the greater portion of the first entries were made in January and February of that year. A great deal was taken up by non-residents for specu- lation. The first entries made by actual citizens of the county, are here given, with descriptions and dates of entry and names of those entering the lands: -

IN TOWNSHIP 59, RANGE 23.

Name.

Description. Date.

Nova Zembla Johnson .

sw. sec. 6, w. ¿ ne. sec. 7, and pt.

of sec. 8 .

1840

Josiah Austin

e. ¿ sw. 4 sec. 18

Jan. 16, 1840

Francis Preston

sw. sec. 19 and nw. sec. 30 Jan. 16, 1840 Francis Preston

Jan. 16, 1840

C. H. Ashby & S. T. Crews

w. ¿ nw. ¿ sec. 32 sw. # and w. ¿ se. sec. 31 Jan. 16, 1840

(937)

938

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

TOWNSHIP 59, RANGE 24.

Name.

Description

Date.

John F. Austin

sw. sec. 1

Jan. 28, 1840

M. F. Tredway

n. ¿ ne. sec. 2

Aug. 31, 1840

James Leeper

ne. ¿ ne. and e. ¿ sw. sec. 00 Dec. 8, 1841

Elizabeth Crawford

s. ¿ nw. sec. 3

Jan. 29, 1842

Willis Atkinson

w. ¿ sw. sec. 3

Jan. 28, 1840

Lyman Dayton

ne. se. sec. 4

Feb. 14, 1840

Richard Dicken

se ne. sec. 11

Joseph Hughes

e. ¿ ne. sec. 35

Mar. 11, 1842 Jan. 28, 1840

Jesse Newlin

w. ¿ se. sec. 35, w. ¿ and se. 36 Jan. 28, 1840

C. H. Ashley

e .¿ se. sec. 35

Jan. 28, 1840

J. M. Newlin

sw. ne. sec. 36

Feb. 10, 1840

The James Leeper mentioned actually resided in what is now Grundy county, but in 1841 there was no Grundy county; all its territory was embraced in Livingston. This Mr. Leeper came to be known as " Grundy Jim," as distinguished from the old sheriff and clerk of Livingston.

The first marriage ceremony in the township was performed at the residence of Francis Preston on the occasion of the marriage of his daughter Margaret to Geo. P. Pullian. The first death was that of an old slave woman, named Susan, or, as she was commonly called, "Sookey," who belonged to Mr. Preston. The well known pioneer circuit rider, Rev. Reuben Aldridge, preached the first sermon in the township, at the residence of Mr. Preston, whose house was a place of general resort in early days. David Wright was the first school teacher in the neigborhood.

ORGANIZATION.

Cream Ridge township was organized as a municipal township May 13, 1857, on petition of Thos. Crooks and others. The territory was taken off of the northeast corner of Chillicothe township. The original township comprised all of township 59, range 23, and that part of township 59, range 22, lying in this county. In other words the western boundary was the line between ranges 23 and 24; the eastern was the Linn county line; the southern, the line between townships 58 and 59, and the northern was the Grundy county line. Subse- quently changes were made in these boundaries until now they are as heretofore stated.

IN WAR TIMES.

It was on section 30-59-23, in the southeast portion of this town- ship, where the two Federal soldiers were shot and their throats cut by Lewis M. Best in the fall of 1861. Since the matter was referred

939

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

to elsewhere, evidence has been received that these two soldiers had enlisted from Southern Iowa in Col. Peabody's Missouri regiment (afterward called the 25th Missouri infantry ) and had been taken pris- oners at Lexington and paroled by Gen. Price. It is also asserted that they belonged to the 1st Kansas, to the 3d Iowa, to the 2d Iowa, and it is impossible at this time to fix their identity.

They had stolen a horse a piece, one belonging to-James Anderson and one to John Lucas, some miles below, and were riding toward Iowa. Best was hidden behind a trec near the road with a double barreled shot gun, a revolver, and a large bowie knife. He knew the two men were soldiers, but he did not know they had stolen the horses they were riding ; it was enough for him that they wore the Federal blue. After shooting them from their horses, he cut their throats and plunged his knife into their bodies repeatedly. He allowed the blood to dry upon his knife blade, and showed it to many persons. The bodies of the soldiers were not given any sort of burial. Dogs and hogs devoured them, and more than a week afterward a dog was found a mile away with a portion of an arm bone. The skulls were stuck on poles, it is by said some of Best's children, and knocked about afterwards, until finally they were lost.

Lewis M. Best was a negro trader, the only one in the county. He kept on hand and at all times a few slaves for sale or trade. He was harsh and brutal by nature, a cruel master, a violent and dangerous man. In California he murdered Dr. Lenox, a former citizen of this county, most wantonly, and made a narrow escape with this life. To be sure the men he killed were horse thieves as well as Federal sol- diers, but Best bushwhacked them, because they were soldiers, and seemed to delight at what he had done more on that account, than because they had taken the two horses.

In 1862 the Federal militia perpetrated outrages upon some citizens of Southern proclivities in this township. The old pioneer Solomon R. Hooker was shot and wounded by some unscrupulous fellows, and then carried out of doors and his house burned. Mr. Marlow's house was also burned. Both were accused of feeding and giving aid to bushwhackers, but even if this charge was true, it would seem that some other punishment might have been inflicted.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

New Providence Cumberland Presbyterian Church .- Was organ- ized February 17, 1855, with the following members : Elisha Francis, Polly Francis, Wm. F. McGee, Sarah McGee, Mary K. McGee,

940

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Elizabeth Ward, C. W. Ward, Orpheus Ward, Caroline Ward and others. The church building was constructed in 1876 at a cost of $1,300. It is a frame and is situated near Cream Ridge Center, in Cream Ridge township. The pastors have been Revs. John E. Nevins, Wiley Clark, Robert Speer, J. W. French, Henry Tharp, R. Crichfield, E. S. Riggins, J. N. Riggins, Thomas Montgomery and P. W. Wynne. The church has always been remarkably prosperous ; even during the Civil War it missed but one appointed meeting. There are about 75 members. The Sabbath-school attached to the church has 84 members, Henry Ward being the superintendent.

St. Paul M. E. Church South. - The exact date of the organiza- tion of this church has not been obtained, but it was either in the year 1868 or 1869, and was effected by Rev. Hatfield. It labored un- many disadvantages until the year 1881, when Rev. Marshall Gregory came on the circuit ; it then became more prosperous. The original members were Sarah McGee, Isabella Austin, Louisa Austin, Eliza- beth Mace, Mrs. Lilley, Mary Hill and A. C. Hill, who was the only male member in the organization. In the summer of 1874 a frame building, with stone foundation, was erected, which cost $1,850. The building committee was composed of A. C. Hill, J. T. Selby, E. L. Treadway and A. Turner; W. Snyder was the contractor. The pastors have served as follows : 'A. J. Worley, W. E. Dockery, Henry Bolin, R. H. G. Charman, H. H. Craig, Ward Maggard and Rev. Mr. Carney. Present membership, 44. The Sunday-school has an aver- age attendance of 40; Michael Broyle, superintendent. The church building stands on the se. cor. of the se. 1/4 of section 18-59-23.

Union Church ( Baptist). - The organization of this church is one of the oldest in the county, dating from the year 1840. It was orig- inally called Chillicothe Church, and the first members were Isaiah Austin, Francis Preston, James Peniston, Elizabeth Peniston, Elijah Merrell, James Merrell, Wm. Garwood, Thos. Williams, Nancy Will- iams and Z. Williams, they having received letters from the Wash- ington Baptist Church. At first meetings were held at the houses of the members, but in 1844 a log church was built, and the name changed from Chillicothe to Macedonia. In 1858 the name was changed to Union. The present house of worship, a frame, costing $1,400, was built in 1874; it stands on the southwest corner of the se. 1/4 section 30-59-23, about seven miles north of Chillicothe. Some of the pastors have been Elijah Merrell, Henry M. Henderson, Edward Benson, James Black, W. W. Walden, C. Martin, and James Turner.

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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