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 48

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 48
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 48

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).

Clear Creek Old School Baptist Church - Located in section 14, Kearney township, was organized August 6, 1840. Its original mem- bers were Benjamin and Nancy Soper, Joel and Rachel Estes, Annie Palmer, Charles Waller, Margaret Waller, Henry and Lucinda Estes, Robert and Sarah Thompson, Alvira Arnold, Arabella Arnold, Harriet Arnold, William and Nancy Yates, and Elizabeth Groomer. The present membership is about 31. The names of the pastors who have served this church are Revs. John Edwards and Wolverton Warren, who has been the pastor for about 20 years. The present frame church building was built in 1853 at a cost of about $1,000. The constitution was formed by the following body, of whom John Edwards was moderator: William Clark, Henry Hill, John Atkins and E. Fillery, none ofwhom survive.

Bethel German M. E. Church - In this township, now includes in its membership 47 persons. As originally constituted, in 1845, by the efforts of Heinrich Nuelson, the constituent members were Fred Hartel, Peter Hartel, John Suter, Conrad Hessel, Jacob Hessel, Louis Feigat, Charles Fowler, Nicholas Frick, and perhaps others. After Heinrich Neulson, the first pastor, the pulpit was filled by Heinrich Hogrefe, Rev. Neidermeier, John Raus, Joseph Zimmerman, William Shreck, Andreas Holz Beierlein, Henry Muehlenbrock, H. Dryer, Peter Hehner, Carl Steinmeier, P. Mayer, Rev. Priegal, Henry Bruene, H. Brinkmeier, J. J. Jung, H. Deiner, C. Bauer, H. M. Menger, H. Eorphage, J. J. Eichenberger, J. W. Buchholtz, George Koenig, F. Kaltenbach. Until the building of the present frame church in 1875 (costing $1,000), services were held at private houses. It s now in good condition both spiritually and financially, and is having steady growth. An important adjunct to the church is the

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Sunday-school of 40 pupils, the superintendent of which is Conrad Hessel.

THE TOWN OF KEARNEY.

What is now the southeastern portion of the town of Kearney was originally called Centerville, and was laid out by David T. Duncan and W. R. Cave in the spring of 1856. Duncan lived on and owned the north half of the site of Centerville. Cave purchased the south half from his father, Uriel Cave, the original owner. The first houses were built by Adam Pence and W. R. Cave, and theirs were the first families in the village.

Barney Spencer, a Kentuckian, owned the first store in Centerville, which was conducted for some time in the beginning by his brother- in-law, Sam Trabue. The second store was owned and run by John Wade, of Ohio. These stores were established in the spring of 1857. John Gilboe had the third store. A school-house was built in about 1858 by W. R. Cave.

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War Centerville contained about 20 families, but when it closed there were only two or three. During the war only two houses were destroyed, however, and these were burned by the Federals - Ford's and Jennison's men. They were owned by John Corum and John Gilboe, but at the time they were burned Dr. Cravens lived in Corum's house, and W. R. Cave had a small grocery in Gilboe's building. The Federals claim that they did the burning in retalliation for the killing of Mr. Bond by the bush- whackers.

The murder of John Julius, an old man and a reputable citizen, by Lysander Talbott, shortly after the war, was the only tragedy of note that ever occurred in Centerville. The killing was wholly unprovoked. Talbott was on the " war path " and " wanted to kill somebody." He was arrested, indicted, took a change of venue to Clinton county, escaped from jail, went to Texas, and was himself killed in a row.

April 12, 1869, Alfred Pyle shot and killed Charles Smith, in a difficulty in Kearney, but Esquire Corbin acquitted Pyle on the ground that he had acted in self-defense, and he was never after- wards indicted.

The town of Kearney was laid out upon the building of the Han- nibal and St. Joe Railroad in the spring of 1867, by John Lawrence. The first house was built by George H. Plitt, and is still standing on the southwest corner of Washington Avenue and Railroad street, fronting the depot on the east. It is now used as a hotel - the Oklahoma House. Plitt occupied it as a store room, but afterwards

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

conducted a hotel. The building was erected before the railroad depot. Plitt was proprietor of a lumber yard, and the leading spirit of the place for some time. Perhaps James Hightower had the second store.

The town was named by John Lawrence for Fort Kearney, Neb., and not for a certain worthy citizen of the community. It is under- stood that Lawrence was at one time a resident of Fort Kearney be- fore he came to Clay county. Soon after its establishment the village began to be peopled very rapidly. Stores and shops of all kinds were built, and in a little time Kearney and Centerville were practi- cally united.

Kearney was incorporated " as a town or village " by the county court, April 5, 1869. The first board of trustees was composed of George H. Plitt, Peter Rhinehart, R. B. Elliott, D. T. Dunkin and George Harris. As the location of the town is very attractive, and as the buildings are all comparatively new, the town itself presents a handsome appearance. Washington avenue, the principal street, is well lined with stores and shops, and the business done is consider- able.

The present school-house was built a dozen years ago, and the Clipper newspaper, a five-column sheet, was established by Thos. H. Frame, in July, 1883. The first church was the Missionary Baptist, which was at first called Mount Olive. It is worthy of note that John S. Majors, Esq., took an active and prominent part in the build- ing of this church, contributing to it from first to last $1,000. It is a fine brick structure and still standing.

CHURCHES AT KEARNEY.

Kearney Christian Church. - On the 25th of August, 1868, Lucy E. Coryell, Elizabeth Petterfield, Eliza Netherton, Hannah Pollock, Abraham Netherton, Shelton Brown and wife, William H. Hawkins, D. T. Duncan, John S. Groom, James Reed and wife, Alfred Arnold and wife, George S. Harris, William Hall, G. D. Hall, Mrs. A. Rod- gers, R. H. Burden and wife, Emily Craven, Nancy E. Pile, J. S. Sirpan, Elizabeth Rodgers, Alida Harris and Robert Morris formed themselves into an organization now known as the above church. This original membership has been added to from time to time until it now numbers 100. Among those who have filled the pulpit here are Pres- ton Akers, J. D. Wilmot, Joseph Davis, T. J. Williamson, Rev. Martz, Preston Akers a second time, James W. Waller, J. W. Per- kins, B. C. Stephens and William S. Trader. The church building, which they occupy is a frame structure, built for about $2,000, in 1869. M. W. Sullivan is superintendent of the Sabbath-school of 40 pupils.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Baptist Church. - No report has been received, though promised, from this organization, originally called Mt. Olive, and briefly men- tioned elsewhere.

THE TOWN OF HOLT.

The village of Holt, situated on the Clinton county line, on the northeastern half of section 35, township 54, range 31, has been in existence only since the completion of the Cameron branch of the H. and St. Joe Railroad. It was formerly the site of a heavy body of timber in a little bottom on a branch of Clear creek. The land was owned by Jerry A. Holt, an old North Carolinian, whose residence is just across in Clinton county, and who came to Missouri in about 1835. There are many other families of North Carolinians in this re- gion.

Holt was laid out in the fall of 1867, and named for Uncle Jerry Holt, the owner of the land. Timothy R. Dale was the surveyor. The first house was built on lot 5, in East Holt, by J. C. Dever, and the building was occupied by Mr. Dever first as a store. It was burned down in 1873. Soon after Mr. Dever built a hotel called the Dever House which still stands on lot 10 in West Holt. The second store was built by Samuel Garrison on lot 11 in East Holt. In the spring of 1869 Capt. Joab Lamb built the third store on lot 8 in Holt East. The second house in Holt West was built by Richard Fitzger- ald, in the spring of 1869.

The railroad depot was built in the spring of 1868; but previous to its construction the section house was used as a freight depot. The first station agent was Hiram Towne, and his brother, D. W. C. Towne, succeeded him. The public school building was erected in the summer of 1873. The mill was completed in the spring of 1883, by A. P. Cutler, S. L. Cutler, J. K. Morgan and J. F. Lampson, who composed the firm of Cutler, Morgan & Co. The first church, the M. E. South, was completed in the spring of 1883.

In 1868 the post-office was established. Capt. Joab Lamb secured the office, and was the first postmaster, but in a short time he was superseded by D. W. C. Towne. Prior to its establishment Haynes- ville, Clinton county, was the nearest post-office. The first practic- ing physician in the place was Dr. J. M. Brown, of whose abilities many of the old citizens speak disparagingly, but yet it is admitted that he had fair success.

Holt was incorporated February 4, 1878. The first board of trustees was composed of Boston L. McGee, A. P. Cutler, Adam Eby, J. C. Dever, Wm. H. McIntyre. Upon the organization of the board A.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

P. Cutler was made chairman ; Boston L. McGee, clerk; D. W. C. Towne, treasurer, and Wm. M. Troxler, collector and marshal.

The Baptist Church was completed in February, 1885, and is an imposing, capacious structure, neatly furnished and equipped. The present population of the village is about 250. In 1880 it was 162. The average attendance at the public school is 54.

CHURCHES AT HOLT.

M. E. Church South - Located at Holt, in Kearney township, was organized in 1837 at Pleasant Grove, but was afterwards moved to Haynesville, and from there to the present place. The membership now is about 91. The pastors who have served this church are Revs. B. C. Owens, T. H. Swearingen and J. T. Winstead. This is a frame church and was built in 1883 at a cost of about $1,650. There are 50 scholars in the Sabbath-school and its superintendent is Wm. Laken.

Christian Union Church - Located at Holt, in Kearney township, was organized in November, 1879. Its constituent members were B. L. McGee, Adam Ebly and wife, W. O. Greason, Jerry Holt and wife, G. M. Isley and wife, William Holt and wife, William Albright and wife, M. M. Albright and wife, and many others. The present membership numbers about 85. G. W. Mitchell is the present pas- tor and he was the organizer of the church. There are 50 scholars in the Sunday-school, which is superintended by B. L. McGee.

Holt Baptist Church. - Among the more recent acquisitions to the ecclesiastical element of Clay county is the Baptist Church at Holt, which was organized in 1884. The same year a frame house of wor -. ship was erected which cost $1,700. Among the first members were W. P. Garrett and daughter Bettie, John L. Clark and wife, Byron Allnut, L. P. Garrett, Joseph Downing, Mrs. Emsley Whitsell, A. S. Garrett and wife. The membership now numbers 60 persons. Prof. A. J. Emerson organized the church and Rev. M. P. Hunt is the present pastor.

HOLT LODGE NO. 49, A. F. & A. M.

Was first organized at Haynesville, May 19, 1854, but was removed to Holt in 1877, where it still is. Some of the first officers were Henry B. Hamilton, worshipful master; John R. Ling, senior war- den, David W. Reynolds, junior warden. David L. Willhoit is the present worshipful master. The hall was erected the same year of the removal of the lodge to Holt, and cost about $600. The number of membership is 52. The lodge is without incumbrance, has money at interest and is in a flourishing condition generally. 1

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

PRESLEY D. ANDERSON

(Of Anderson & Bros., Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Kearney).

Mr. Anderson is a native of Kentucky, born in Woodford county, April 14, 1835. His father was Spencer Anderson, and his mother's maiden name, Catherine Hicks. Both were of early Kentucky fam- ilies. Mrs. Anderson inherited her father's homestead in Kentucky, where she made her home after marriage, and where all her children were born. But in 1852 they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, purchasing a farm near Kearney the following year. They resided there until the breaking out of the war, and the father became a prosperous farmer. He was also a contractor and builder, and a very capable carpenter by trade. He completed William Jewell College, which had previously been put under contract, but had not been com- pleted. Before coming to this State he had erected a large number of important buildings, public and otherwise. He died in this county January 8, 1881. His wife preceded him to the grave in 1872. Of their family of children only five are now living, namely : Mary E., wife of Thomas M. Gasney, president of the Kearney bank ; Dr. Joseph Anderson, of Colorado; Rachel A., wife of William D. Wright, of Denver, Colorado; R. S. Anderson and the subject of this sketch, partners in business. Presley D. Anderson was reared on the farm near Kearney and educated principally at select schools in Kentucky and Missouri. He also attended William Jewell College, at Liberty. In 1861 Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Helen M. Almy, a daughter of Hiram and Rebecca Almy, formerly of New York, but who came to St. Louis in an early day and to Liberty in 1852. In 1860 Mr. Almy removed to Saline county and engaged in farming and in trading in stock. He died at Palmyra in 1865. His wife is still living and making her home with the subject of this sketch. In the first of the war Mr. Anderson served a short time in the Southern army, but was compelled to retire from the army on account of ill health. In 1862 he went to Kentucky, but returned to Clay county in 1864. He was in the battle at Lexington. After the war he en- gaged in farming and stock raising, but in 1872 came to Kearney and for two years kept a hotel. He then followed bridge building, and in 1883 engaged in his present business at Kearney. Mr. and Mrs. A. have had seven children : Fannie, wife of Samuel A. Pence ; Katie; Allie, David, Ella Eva, Willie and Ida. The last two died in child- hood. Mr. Anderson is a prominent member of the Masonic Order, and he and wife are members of the Baptist Church.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

ROBERT S. ANDERSON

(Of Anderson Bros., Dealers in Groceries, Etc., Kearney).

Mr Anderson is a brother to Presley D. Anderson, whose sketch precedes this, in which something of a history of the family has been given. Robert S. was born in Woodford county, Ky., April 25, 1842, and was the second in the family of children. He was reared on the farm and educated principally at private schools and at William Jewell College. In 1868, having come to Missouri with the family when a mere boy, as stated in his brother's sketch, he engaged in the saw mill business, which he followed for eight years. He then became clerk in a general store and continued clerking until 1882, when he purchased a stock of goods at Holt, in Clay county, and began mer- chandising on his own account. Mr. Anderson continued at Holt until the spring of 1883, when he sold out on account of the ill health of his family at that place. He then went to Colorado for their health and remained until the winter of 1883-84, when he became a partner with his brother in his present business. In 1880 he was married to Miss Emma J. Clause, daughter of George and Elizabeth Clause, of this county ; but formerly of Mason county, Ky. They came to Mis- souri in about 1864 and settled in Platte county, but afterwards came to Clay county in about 1858. Mr. Clause died here in 1868. He left his widow with seven children, two of whom have since died. Mrs. Anderson died October 1, 1883. She was an earnest and con- sistent member of the Baptist Church. Mr. A. also lost a child, who died in infancy. Mr. Anderson is a member of the Baptist Church. He has a good farm of about 100 acres near Kearney. He is a member of Kearney Lodge No. 311, A. F. and A. M., at Kearney.

HENRY D. ANDERSON

(Farmer and Fine Stock Raiser, Post-office, Kearney).

Mr. Anderson was born in Clay county in 1847, and was the second of six children, five of whom are now living, of Joseph D. and Mary (Young) Anderson, both parents natives of Kentucky. The Ander- sons, however, were originally from New Jersey and the Youngs from Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson's parents on either side have long been deceased. Mrs. Anderson's parents died over 30 years ago, but since their decease there has not been a death in the family, and there are now living nine children and 42 grandchildren. On the 10th of June, 1884, a family reunion was held, at which all the children were present, together with sons-in-law and daughters-in-law, and it was a most enjoyable affair. To the outsiders present it was quite an in- teresting sight, somewhat different from the illustration of the Logan family presented in Puck a few months ago, but even more pleas- ant to look upon. Henry D. Anderson was reared on his father's farm in this county, the family having settled here in 1834. Mr. Anderson, Sr., died in 1858, and the mother now makes her home with

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

her children and rents the old family homestead. Henry D. in young manhood attended the commercial school of Buffalo, N. Y., and also the Toronto (Canada ) Business College. In 1874, having returned to Clay county, he was married to Miss Bettie Gosney, a daughter to Thomas M. and Susan Gosney, of this county, from Kentucky. In the meantime Mr. Anderson had engaged in farming and stock rais- ing, which he has ever since followed. He makes a specialty of stock, and has on hand a handsome herd of fine, thoroughbred short horn cattle ; his farm is set in blue grass, and is one of the choice stock farms of the vicinity and contains 212 acres, and is well improved. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson are members of the Christian Church. They have one child, Thomas J., but three others have died in infancy.

W. H. ARNOLD

(Owner and Proprietor of the Kearney Elevator).

Mr. Arnold's father, Fauntleroy Arnold, was one of the first settlers of what is now Kearney township, in Clay county. He was from Ken- tucky, born in Woodford county, in 1807, and came here when he was in his twenty-first year, in 1828. His father, Lewis Arnold, was a native of Virginia, but early settled in Kentucky, and served from that State in the Northwestern campaign under Gen. Harrison. Fauntleroy Arnold served in the Mormon War under Capt. Shackleford. Shortly after coming out to Clay county he entered and pre-empted 280 acres of land, all of which but forty acres are still in possession of the family. He died here in 1857, after being an invalid for some years, resulting from exposures undergone while in, and going to and coming from, California during the gold excitement. He was a mem- ber of the Primitive Baptist Church. His widow is still living. She was a daughter of Mr. Carter, of Lexington, Ky., and was born in 1812. She resides on the family homestead near Kearney with two of her children. She is also a member of the Primitive Baptist Church, and has been for many years. W. H. Arnold was born near Kearney on the 25th of July, 1832, and was reared on a farm. At the age of 22, in 1854, he went to Leavenworth, Kan., and thence to Harrison county, Mo., two years later. In 1871 he returned to Clay county and followed farming here, where he has a good farm of 160 acres, for eight years. In 1879 he removed from his farm to Liberty, for the purpose of educating his children. After sending them to school there for two years he returned to the farm and in 1883 came to Kearney and built the elevator, which he now owns and con- ducts. His elevator has a capacity of 10,000 bushels and the past year he handled 35,000 bushels of grain. It is the only elevator at Kearney and has proved an entirely successful enterprise. Mr. Arnold has served as deputy assessor of the county and in other positions of public trust. In 1856 he was married to Miss Mary Jane Brawner, daughter of David O. and Sarah ( Uttinger ) Brawner, who came from Jessamine county, Ky., in 1835. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have five children : Charles F. D., a graduate of William Jewell College, now

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

a Baptist minister ; F. G., a hardware merchant at Holt ; John T., a farmer by occupation; Willie J., wife of S. B. Wilhoit, and James M., a graduate of the St. Joe Commercial College, and now clerk and book-keeper for the elevator.

WILLIAM B. ARNOLD

(Farmer, Post-office, Kearney).

In about 1825 Mr. Arnold's parents, Lewis and Arabella Arnold, came to Missouri from Garrard county, Ky., and made their home in the then wilderness of Clay county. Here the father improved a farm. At an early date he went to the Rocky mountains for his health and died while absent. He left five children, four of whom are now living : John, William, Henry, and Lucy, the wife of William Grooms. Mary F., the wife of Henry Shaver, died some years ago. The mother subsequently married Rev. William Warren, formerly of Kentucky, and of the Primitive Baptist Church. Five children are the fruits of her last union, all living except the youngest. William B. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county in April, 1833, and was reared with farming experience. In 1856 he was married to Elizabeth Collins, and then located on a farm as a house- holder in the township of Kearney. He has ever since been engaged in farming and also handles some stock. His farm is mainly a grass and stock farm. Mrs. Arnold was a daughter of S. N. and Jane (Tilford) Collins, originally of Virginia, but came to this county by way of Kentucky. Her (Mrs. Collins' ) father was a pioneer of this county, and made the first clearing on the site of the present town of Liberty, away back when the Indians circulated the superstitious and ridiculous story that the Missouri river rose out of the earth in the distant West, where the sun sinks to rest behind the shadows of the mountains. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold had five children, two of whom are living : Alice, wife of Herman Davis, and Claude. Three are deceased, having closed their infant eyes in the sleep of death before looking on to understand the wrong and sin of the world. In 1872 Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Cleopatra Ann Hurt, daughter of Joel and Sallie Hurt, formerly of Virginia. Her father is now deceased. By the last union there have been two children, both of whom are deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

FRANKLIN G. ARNOLD

(Post-office, Holt).

Franklin Grimes Arnold was born in Harrison county, Mo., on the 24th of February, 1859. His father, W. H. Arnold, was the son of Fauntleroy Arnold, originally from Kentucky, but who came to this State and here made his permanent home. W. H. Arnold, who was a native of Missouri, was married in Clay county to Mary Jane Browner, a Kentuckian by birth, though she had been reared in this State. Her. parents were Mr. and Mrs., David O. Browner. The

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

parents of the subject of this sketch were denied the benefits of even a common school education such as could now be obtained. The father, a farmer by occupation, was very successful as such, industri- ous, energetic and possessed of good characteristics. He is still living (as is also his worthy wife) and takes a deep interest in the current affairs of the day. Politically he is a Democrat, and has a high regard for religion. He has been active in the Grange movement, and has also served as justice of the peace. After having lived in Clay county for 13 years he made his home in Harrison county some ten years, then returning to Clay county in March, 1872. To them were born five children : C. L. F. Arnold, Franklin J., J. T., W. J. and J. M., all of whom have reached mature years and three of whom are mar- ried. Two are in the mercantile business, one is a farmer, one a min- ister and one daughter is the wife of S. B. Wilhoit, a farmer. Franklin J. was brought up in the county of his birth to the life of a farmer, not being very well favored with educational advantages. For three years he has been occupied in the hardware business, but has recently disposed of his interests in this branch of business, desiring to resume agricultural pursuits in the coming spring. The present position in pecuniary affairs to which he has achieved, has been acquired only through his own efforts, as no assistance was given him with which to start in life. Like his parents, he has divided his life between Harrison and Clay counties - 13 years in the former and 15 in the latter. He is now connected with the Masonic fraternity. November 14, 1883, Mr. Arnold was married at Holt to Miss Mary Jane Holt, a most estimable lady. She was born in Clinton county, Mo. Mr. A. is one of the highly esteemed residents of this community.

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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