History of Clay and Platte 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 Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens., Part 41

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156

USA > Missouri > Platte County > History of Clay and Platte 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 Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 41
USA > Missouri > Clay County > History of Clay and Platte 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 Clay and Platte Counties --their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens. > Part 41

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July 12, 1881, the town was incorporated under the law as a city of the fourth class. The first officers were: Mayor, E. Smith ; clerk, J. C. Dickey ; aldermen from the First ward, N. L. Rice and J. C. Dickey ; aldermen from the Second ward, Phil. G. Holt and L. W. Garrett ; marshal, J. D. Halferty ; attorney, John H. Dunn. These officers, with the exception of the attorney, served through 1882. J. L. Sheets was attorney in 1882.

In 1883 the officers were : Mayor, John H. Dunn; clerk, J. L. Sheets ; aldermen, first ward, J. W. Snapp and J. V. B. Flack ; alder- men, second ward, B. B. Clevenger and Thomas L. Hope ; marshal, Aaron Roberts ; attorney, E. Smith.

In 1884 the officers chosen were : Mayor, C. L. Cravens ; clerk and attorney, E. A. Benson ; aldermen, First ward, P. G. Holt and J. W. Snapp; aldermen, Second ward, H. C. Fish and D. O. McCray ; marshal, J. M. Odell ; treasurer, J. S. Prather.

The city has an indebtedness of $1,600 all funded. Its population in 1883 was given as 1,375, and is now estimated at 1,500. The school district contains 258 scholars. The school is at present taught in the Baptist Church; two teachers are employed. The district expects to build a new school-house 'the present season, costing $5,000. The town expects confidently to, within a year or a little more, become a point on the St. Joseph and Southeastern Railroad (narrow gauge), and has hopes of becoming a station on some other

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

railway coming from the East and connecting with the Hannibal and St. Joseph.

The springs are four in number -the Excelsior, the Saratoga, the Relief, and the Empire - and are situated in the three angles of the little valley forming the site of the town. The Excelsior is a clear, cold stream of water, strongly impregnated with gas, and issues with considerable power and volume from the rocks. The temperature of the water is about 52°, at all seasons, and the flow is computed at the rate of 100 barrels a day. Relief spring is strongly magnetic, so that a blade of steel immersed in it for some minutes becomes sufficiently charged to attract a needle. The Empire and Saratoga are similar to the others.

Chemical analysis has shown that these waters are strongly charged with iron, alumina, soluble silica, chlorides and carbonates of mag- nesia, lime and sodium, altogether about 25 grains to the gallon ; besides this there is a large volume of gas which has not yet been measured. The subtle laws of chemistry are, however, unable to explain the origin of the medical virtues, or unfold the secret of this wonder-working agent, which has restored to perfect health many sufferers who had been pronounced by the medical profession to be beyond all hope of recovery.

Experience has proven by hundreds of actual tests that, while the water is not a panacea for all the ills that flesh is heir to, it will benefit and cure many diseases that are both obstinate and prevalent. Rheumatism, scrofula, ulcers, gout, neuralgia, dyspepsia, liver com- plaints, kidney and bladder diseases, are acted upon by these waters as by magic, and often entirely cured in the short space of two or three weeks. Sore eyes, various diseases of the skin, piles, many forms of female diseases, chronic malaria, chronic diarrhea, general debility and nervous prostration, have all been treated with marvelous results. The leading qualities of the water are alterative, tonic, highly soothing, and anti-irritant. In cases of deranged liver its alterative properties are very marked, and in that form of dyspepsia attended with restless, sleepless nights, its soothing effects are simply marvelous. In cases of irritated membranes, whether of bowels or lungs, its anti-irritant action is also eminently conspicuous. The large proportion of iron in the water renders it especially useful as a tonic, all cases of great debility and prostration of the system, from whatever cause, being speedily benefited by these waters, which are so refreshing and restorative that a good appetite is proverbially one of the first acquisitions of the many who visit the springs.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

CHURCHES.

Christian Union Church - Located at Excelsior Springs, was or- ganized February 8, 1881. The names of a few of its original mem- bers were as follows : J. V. B. Flack, D. D., M. S. Flack, Rev. L. H. Worthington, Mary Worthington, Sampson Glasscock, L. Worth- ington, I. N. Williams, P. G. Holt, L. P. Garrett, Dr. S. T. Bassett, Laura Williams, Gideon Stein, O. Harris, P. Hedges, Lide Crowley, Bettie Shackelford and Annie Barger. One hundred and sixty com- municants compose the present membership. Rev. J. V. B. Flack is its pastor. The present frame church was built in 1881 at a cost of about $2,000. There are 100 scholars in the Sabbath-school, its sup- erintendent being Sampson Glasscock.

This is an unsectarian church adhering to the fundamental and es- sential truths of the Bible as their basis of operation. Any and every Christian can harmoniously co-operate with this church.

Excelsior Springs Baptist Church (Fishing River township) - Was organized in February, 1884, at the Opera House, its original members being Hiram Mathews and wife, Berryman Garrett, Mrs. Holt, William Dillon and wife, Robert Minter, Albert Campbell and wife, Austin Boone, L. Shipp and James Huey and wife. The pres- ent membership numbers about 60. This church was organized by Revs. W. A. Croach and S. J. Norton. Its present pastor is Rev. M. P. Hunt. This congregration is having a frame church building erected, which will soon be completed, its cost being about $11,000. There are 80 scholars in the Sabbath-school, its superintendent be- ing E. Messick.

Grand Army of the Republic-Post 211, Department of Missouri, G. A. R., was organized by C. N. Burnham, of Cameron, October 2, 1884. W. E. Benson, post commander ; C. N. Perkins, senior vice- commander ; - Clevinger, junior vice-commander ; - Killgrove, chaplain ; Austin Boone, quartermaster ; C. Overman, officer of the guard; - Odell, officer of the day; J. Combs, adjutant. The opera hall of Excelsior Springs is the place of meeting of this post.

PRATHERSVILLE.

The little hamlet of Prathersville was established about the year 1870. Rev. J. A. Prather, a Presbyterian minister, built a steam mill on Williams' branch, near where it empties into Fishing river, and soon after some stores and shops were put up. A church was built by the Presbyterians and Baptists, and in time the village came to have twenty or more houses. Its nick-name, " Shoo Fly," was given it in derision of its small size and general insignificance, but the

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

locality is a pleasant one, the country surrounding first-class, and it is not impossible that some day the village will be of considerable importance.

Fishing River Baptist Church- Situated at Prathersville, was organized in about 1868. Its constituent members were L. T. Pettz, P. G. Smith, N. H. King, Richard King, Thomas W. Wilson, Nancy Wilson, John McCracken and Martin Price. The present membership is about 85. The ministers who have served as pastors to this church are Revs. John Harmon, William Ferguson, .S. H. Carter, T. H. Graves, Dr. Rothwell, Asa N. Bird and S. J. Nor- ton. The present frame structure was erected in 1874, at a cost of $700. The number of scholars in the Sabbath-school is 60, H. H. Ring being the superintendent.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

ANDREW R. ALLCORN

(Dealer in Drugs, Books, Stationery, Etc., Missouri City).

Mr. Allcorn is a son of James M. Allcorn, well known to all, and was born in this county, August 1, 1850. He was principally reared at Missouri City, and received a good common school educa- tion. In youth he learned the carpenter's trade under his father, and afterwards followed it for about eight years. While engaged in that he worked for a time in the southern part of this State. Returning to Missouri City in the summer of 1870, he remained during the fall and then went to Colorado, spending about two years and a half after that in that Territory and in Arizona and Wyoming. In 1873 he came back to Missouri City and has been a resident of this city ever since, except during two years spent in business at Lawson, in Ray county. In December, 1878, he engaged in the drug business at Missouri City on his own account, having previously had nearly five years' experience as clerk or proprietor in this line of business. His experience as a druggist has been one of substantial success, and he has one of the prominent drug stores of the southern part of the county. During the last six or seven years, being a man of enter- prise and always disposed to turn an honest dollar by trade, he has made several changes in stores, stock, etc., but has continued in the business all the time. He has also handled some real estate and dealt in live stock, in both of which he has had good success. March 16, 1880, Mr. Allcorn was married to Miss Fannie E. Mitchell, daughter of W. B. Mitchell, of this county. They have one child, Nellie.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Mrs. A. is a member of the M. E. Church. He is a member of the Masonic Order.

THOMAS R. BALLARD

(Dealer in Groceries, Missouri City).

Dr. J. B. Ballard, the father of Thomas R., removed to Missouri with his family from Albemarle county, Va., and settled in Carroll county, where he followed the practice of his profession for a number of years. In 1869 he removed to Clay county, and was engaged in the practice at Missouri City until 1878, when he located at Marshall, in Saline county. He died there in the fall of 1884. He was a very capable and skillful physician, and had a good practice at Missouri City, as he always had wherever he resided. During the war, on account of the war troubles, he went to Nebraska with his family, in 1864, but returned to Carroll county five years afterwards and removed thence to Missouri City, as stated above. His wife's maiden name was Annie M. Johnson. She died in 1872. The subject of this sketch was the third child in the family. He was born in Carroll county, December 17, 1847, and was principally reared there, being educated in the common schools. He accompanied his parents to Nebraska and afterwards to Missouri City. He began as a clerk in a store at the age of 20, under N. C. Maupin. In 1871 he engaged in the dry goods business with Mr. Maupin, which they continued together at Missouri City for about three years. Mr. B. then sold out and went West, to the mountains, returning, however, late in the fall of 1874. He then engaged in the grocery business at this place, and has continued in that line of business ever since. He commenced with a small capital, but now does a business of about $12,000 a year. He carries a full line of groceries, provisions, glassware, queensware, etc. April 29, 1875, he was married to Miss Alwilda George, daughter of the late William M. George; of this county. She was born in 1855. They have one child, Mattie Augusta Ballard, born in 1879.

WILLIAM BUXTON

(Farmer, Post-office, Missouri City).

Mr. Buxton was a young man in his twenty-seventh year when he came to Clay county with his parents in 1837. That was the time when the Mormon troubles were at their height, and he became a mem- ber of the militia for the expulsion of the polygamists from the State. He also engaged in farming about the same time, and in a short time in raising stock. He has ever since followed farming and stock-raising without material interruption. He has a good stock farm, and feeds annually about 50 head of cattle for the markets. Mr. Buxton was a son of William Buxton, Sr., and wife, nee Rachael Trail, both of Ken- tucky, and he was born there in Mason county, May 1, 1810. In 1836 the family removed to Missouri, and stopped the succeeding year at Lex- ington. The next spring they came up into Clay county. The father subsequently died here, but the mother survived until 1881. She

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

was a woman greatly beloved in her own family and by all who knew her. As a mother she was one of the most devoted of women. Such were her motherly affection and solicitude that her children thought and felt that there was no one else on earth so good and kind as she. Especially was this so with the subject of the present sketch. He thought and still thinks that there never was another woman equal in all the better qualities of the heart to her, and such was his affection for her that even when he was a youth he made a vow that he would never marry as long as she was spared to make home bright and happy. He kept his vow, and as his good mother survived until only a few years ago he has never married. Hence he has remained a bachelor until now, far unto the evening of life. On his farm Mr. Buxton has a quiet, tastily kept family burying ground, where sleep under the shadows of the tomb the remains of his sainted mother and venerated father. Handsome marble slabs mark the last resting place of each, and also of others of the family. Mr. Buxton has wisely anticipated his own final dissolution and has made proper provision for his inter- ment in the family burying ground among those of his loved ones who have gone before. Where he is to be buried he has had a hand- some marble monument erected to mark the place where his remains shall slumber until the radiant dawn of the resurrection morn.

DR. RICHARD CARTER (Physician, Missouri City).

Dr. Carter, who is now in his seventy-sixth year, has been engaged in the active practice of medicine for more than half a century. In the treatment of cases he has been remarkably successful, and in the accumulation of a comfortable property he has been fairly so, though he has never been considered, or desired to be, a money making man. His whole life rather has been centered in his profession - it has been the object of all his thoughts and labors. Dr. Carter came to Clay county in 1832, and since that time has passed through three epidem- ics of cholera, in all three of which his success was little less than astonishing. In but one case of this kind among all that he was called on to attend did the patient die, and in that instance she was in a dying condition when he reach her bedside. His specialty from the first has been that of chronic diseases. These he treats largely with non-mineral remedies, though he does not hesitate to resort to min- erals when they will best answer the purpose. For a generation his reputation has been recognized far and wide in this part of the State as a specialist in chronic diseases. In the general practice also he has long held a place among the leading physicians of the county. Dr. Carter comes of a long line of physicians, both in this country and in England. His ancestors, as far back as he can trace them on his father's side, have been men of reputation in the medical profession. His grandfather, Dr. Richard Carter, was a graduate of the British Academy of Medicine and Surgery in England, and came to this country prior to the Revolutionary War, settling in Virginia.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

He became a leading physician in Central Virginia and quite wealthy. His university knowledge of medicine he united with a vast fund of knowledge obtained by a special study of Indian medicines in Vir- ginia, and of the botany and geology of this country. Indeed, he became one of the most reputable physicians in the State. His son, Richard Carter, the father of the subject of this sketch, followed his father's example and studied medicine. He, too, made a specialty of Indian remedies, and visited among them for months at a time, prac- ticing with Indian doctors in order to obtain a thorough knowledge of their practice. The science of medicine and surgery he studied under his father. In an early day Dr. Richard Carter (the second) re- moved to Kentucky, in about 1810, and settled in what afterwards became Shelby county. He practiced medicine there for a number of years, and had an immense practice. For the treatment of chronic diseases he was often called a distance of 50 and 100 miles. Hundreds and hundreds of people lived to testify to his remarkable skill and ability as a physician. He died in Shelby county, Ky., in 1825. His wife was a Miss Catherine Bell before her marriage, originally from Virginia. Dr. Richard Carter (the third), the subject of this sketch, was born on the south branch of the Potomac river July 4, 1809, the day that James Madison was the first time inaugur- ated President of the United States. He was reared, however, in Kentucky, and educated at Georgetown College. Even when a youth he began the study of medicine under his father. He continued to study under his father for about five years, when he and a brother went to Southern Kentucky, and began to practice as partners. They practiced there together until 1829, when Dr. Richard Carter, the sub- ject of this sketch, came to Missouri. He settled in Clay county, near Missouri City, where he practiced medicine until 1832, when he located at Liberty. There he practiced for a number of years and then re- moved to the vicinity of Missouri City, where he has ever since con- tinued to practice. Dr. Carter is still quite active, considering his age, and his powers as a physician and man of thought are unimpaired. In a property point of view, as otherwise, he is comfortably situated. February 18, 1830, he was married to Miss Dorotha A. Norvell, a daughter of Robert Norvell, formerly of Sumner county, Tenn. Mrs. Carter died in 1882. She had borne him three children, all of whom grew to mature years : George, now deceased; Christopher C., of Missouri City, and Sarah J., widow of James Henshaw. Dr. Carter's grandmother, in the agnate line, or the wife of the original Dr. Carter of Virginia, was partly of Indian descent, being in fact one-fourth Indian. This fact entitles the doctor and his descendants to as much land in the Indian Territory as they choose to fence in, and then all the land around the fence for half a mile away.

ELZA P. DONOVAN

(Dealer in Lumber, and other Building Materials, Missouri City).

Mr. Donovan is a native of Kentucky, born in Mason county, Jan- uary 30, 1836. His father was James Donovan, and his mother's

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

maiden name, Mary West. They were from Virginia. In 1855 they removed to Missouri and settled in Clay county. Elza P. was then in his tweny-first year and had been reared on a farm, although he had also learned the carpenter's trade. After coming to this county he fol- lowed his trade exclusively and became a prominent contractor and builder, his business extending across into Ray and Jackson counties. Mr. Donovan continued in that line of business for over 20 years, or until 1876, when he bought the lumber yard and stock of which he is now proprietor. He has ever since done a good business, though not a large one, but his customers are generally substantial, reliable men and he has few losses to bear for that reason. His business amounts to about $10,000 a year. October 15, 1857, he was married to Miss Saran E. Allcorn, a daughter of James M. Allcorn, an early settler of this county, originally from North Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Donovan have seven children : Minnie, now teaching in the public schools of Missouri City ; Lena, a young lady just completing her education ; James, Charles, Edwin, Fannie and Edna. Mr. and Mrs. D. and their two daughters are members of the M. E. Church South. Mr. D. is a member of the I. O. O. F.

JOSEPH E. FIELD (Farmer, Post-office, Liberty).

Joseph E. is a nephew to Thomas Field, whose sketch appears in this volume and a son of Joseph T. Field, who came to this county from Virginia in 1838. Joseph Field, Sr., became a prominent farmer of the county and served two terms as a judge of the county court. He was also quite successful in stock-raising. Judge Field's wife was a Miss Amanda Brasfield before her marriage. Her parents were natives of Virginia. Judge Field died here in 1881. His wife, Joseph E.'s mother, is still living. Joseph E., the fourth of their family of five children, was born in this county May, 6, 1855. His education when he was a youth was concluded at William Jewell College. Having been reared on a farm he very naturally chose an agricultural life as his favorite and permanent calling. Mr. Field has continued at the occupation of farming and also been engaged in raising and dealing in stock for some years. Although still quite a young man, he is rapidly coming to the front as one of the successful farmers of Fishing River township. He has a handsome farm, more than ordinarily well im- proved. His residence alone was erected at a cost of $6,000. His other improvements correspond with his dwelling. June 30, 1881, he was married to Miss Annie M. Griffith, a daughter of James A. and Mary Griffith. Mrs. F. is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. and Mrs. F. have two children, May L. and Amanda J.

H. C. FISH

(General Manager of the Relief Springs and Land Company, and of the firm of Fish & Henry, Owners and Proprietors of the Excelsior House, Excelsior Springs).

Mr. Fish, one of the prominent and leading citizens of Excelsior Springs, is a representative of the old and well known Fish family of

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

New York, of which Hon. Hamilton Fish is a distinguished member. The Fish family came originally from Kent, England, and one of its early and prominent representatives there was Simon Fish, Esq., a distinguished lawyer, who died in about 1531. He is remembered in history not only as a great lawyer, but for having written a satirical play on Cardinal Wolsey, on account of which he was banished from the country for a time. While absent he wrote another satirical work known as the Supplication of the Beggars on the Catholic clergy. Mr. Fish, the subject of this sketch, was a son of Capt. Sam- uel C. Fish, of New York, a somewhat noted sea captain in his day, and who died in 1840, then only at the middle age of life. Capt. Fish was married at Baltimore to Miss Mary A. Williams, who sur- vived him nearly 40 years. She died in Ohio at the age of 75, in 1882. H. C. Fish, the subject of this sketch, was born in Beverly, Ohio, and was the youngest of eight children in the family, four of whom are living. He was reared at Beverly and educated at the col- lege in that place. At the age of 20 he began to learn the plasterer's trade which he acquired and followed for four years. The next four years he was in the milling business, in connection with steamboating, which latter he followed altogether for a period of about seven years. In 1868 Mr. Fish came to Kansas City and was appointed to the position of general western freight agent for the North Missouri Rail- road. In 1872 he engaged in the omnibus transfer business at Kansas City, carrying on that business in connection with the Coates' House, of which he was proprietor for some two years. At about the expiration of this time Mr. Fish was appointed general eastern traveling freight agent for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Rail- road, and went East in the discharge of the duties of that position. Finally, he became largely interested at Excelsior Springs, buying, in connection with others, the Springs and large amounts of contig- uous lands. Thereupon the Relief Springs and Land Company was organized, of which he became the general manager. He and Mr. John W. Henry, formerly of Cincinnati, Ohio, took charge of the Excelsior House, which they have ever since been conducting. Mr. Fish has very naturally taken an active and public-spirited interest in the growth and prosperity of the Springs, and has been a very useful and liberal-minded citizen in promoting all movements bene- ficial to the place. The Relief Springs and Land Company own about 600 acres of fine land contiguous to the Springs and have made an addition to the place of 250 handsome lots, properly intersected with streets, alleys, etc. In 1856 Mr. Fish was married to Miss Annie E. Sales, a daughter of Joel Sales, formerly of Rhode Island. Mr. and Mrs. Fish have two children, Frank C. and Charles W. Frank is a cashier in the office of a large cattle commission house at Kansas City, and Charles W. is assistant ticket agent there at the Union depot. An only daughter, Cora Etta, is deceased. She died at the age of 16. She was a gentle and queenly-hearted girl, a favorite among all her associates, and hardly less than idolized in her own family. Life to her seemed fraught with a future of much happiness, for her dis-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

position was one to make kind and true friends wherever she went, and her presence was always a pleasure to those around her. Though still quite young, she was possessed of rare graces of form and features, and, above all, was favored with a bright and cheerful mind, one in which the light of cheerfulness seemed never to fade. A dutiful daughter, devotedly attached to her parents and brothers, she was at the same time a pleasant and true friend as a playmate, and as a student at school was ever faithful in her studies, bright and quick to learn and obedient to her teachers. Cora Fish is remembered by all who knew her as a rare good girl, one who seemed too dear to her acquaintances to lose. Her death has left a void in the hearts of her loved ones that can never be filled on this side the grave.

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Author: Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1156

Author:
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis : National Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1156