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 54

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 54
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 54

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

shotgun, or the pistol or dirk, on the stakeless and lonely prairies of Kansas. Such were the unhappy times of that unhappy day. But through it all " Uncle John Mimms," as he was known far and wide, though a Southern man and a brave and fearless one, maintained an attitude as landlord of strict impartiality, and won the respect and affection of all who ever pulled his welcome latch-string. He was an ordained minister of the Missionary Baptist Church, and died at his home, in April, 1869, profoundly mourned by a wide circle of friends and acquaintances. His wife died eight years afterwards. Judge Mimms, who was the eldest in a family of twelve children, was reared in Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1847. He first resided in Cass county, but came to Clay county the following year. In 1850 he went to California and spent eight years in that State, mining, etc., with varying success. Returning home in 1858, he subsequently went to Colorado, in 1861, and was elected treasurer and collector in Park county in 1862. In 1863 he went to Montana, locating at Helena. He represented Helena in the Territorial Legislature two terms, and was the author of the Sunday and High License laws of the Territory. He was soon elected judge of the police court of that city, a position he held for two years. In that day at Helena, not only a good knowledge of the law was required of a criminal judge, but a full measure of personal courage. A judge who was suspected of having anything like fear about him would have been made the laughing stock of the place and every mining camp in the vicinity, and his court would have fallen into the most helpless and puerile contempt. His weapon of defense was the weapon of nforal suasion and good will toward all men. Consequently, he kept the peace and adminis- tered justice with even scales and without fear. As a judge and as a citizen he became one of the most widely known and popular men in the Territory. But in 1868 Judge Mimms, in whose heart some of the softer sentiments had begun to steal like the rays of the morning sun at early dawn, returned to Clay county, and in a little while after- wards was made the happy husband of one whom to him was fairer than the evening air clad in the beauty of a thousand stars, and much dearer than all the rest of the constellations, with the sun, moon and Mother Terra thrown in. The Judge's wife was a Miss Martha A. Thomason, to whom he was married September 8, 1870, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Lindsey ) Thomason. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Col. R. N. Johnson, of Kentucky. The Judge and Mrs. Mimms have three children : John R. L., Mary Lizzie and Lucy Ethel. Ruth died at a tender age. The Judge and wife are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. The Judge is an energetic farmer of Washington township, and owns a neat and comfort- able homestead.

JOHN W. SHOUSE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 29, Post-office, Kearney).

Mr. Shouse has had an extensive military career, in that he not only served gallantly for three years as a Confederate soldier in the War of

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

1861 under Gen. Price, but also for a time was under Gen. A. W. Doniphan in the war with Mexico. He came ordinarily from Ken- tucky, his parents, John and Sarah (Slaughter) Shouse, having also been born in that State, where they were subsequently married. In 1827, leaving the State of their birth, they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, where they made their home until their death ; the father died in August, 1863, and the mother in 1875. John W. Shouse, the fourth in a family of six children, was born in Franklin county, Ky., April 12, 1825, and was in infancy when his parents re- moved to Clay county. He was reared here to agricultural pursuits and received such educational advantages as the school opportunities of that early day afforded. One of the earliest settlers in the county, he has remained here ever since and his career as a tiller of the soil and private citizen has been not less creditable than his career as a soldier. His farm of 160 acres is one of the neatest places in Wash- ington township, is all under fence and has upon it good improvements. When the Civil War broke out Mr. S., imbued with patriotic enthu- siasm, organized a company for the Confederate army, of which he was made captain, which position he held until his health failing he was compelled to resign, and soon thereafter returned home. On the 1st of June, 1848, Capt. Shouse was married in Clay county to Miss Elizabeth Writsman, a daughter of Peter and Polly Writsman, née Officer. Mrs. S. was born, reared and educated in this county. To them have been born ten children, as follows : Thomas R., a farmer of this county, who married Miss Flora Lynn ; James O., who mar- ried the first time Miss' Bettie Dagley ; she died October 27, 1879, and he then married Martha Whorton ; he is also engaged in farming ; Florence R., wife of William I. Price; Lola A., now Mrs. James Moberly of Clinton county, Mo. ; Mary C., wife of William M. Riley ; and John N., Frances M., Sarah E., Richard and Edna, who are still at home with their parents.

WALTUS L. WATKINS (DECEASED ) (Lawson Vicinity).

On the 24th of January, 1884, died at his residence, in this county, near Lawson, Waltus Locket Watkins, the subject of the present sketch. The life of Mr. Watkins, as is well known to every one ac- quainted with the affairs of Clay county, was long and prominently identified with the best interests of the county. The record of his career presents his life pre-eminently in two aspects, -one as an active and useful citizen in the business and industrial affairs of the county, and the other as a man of the most generous and philanthro- pic impulses, laboring at all times, when an opportunity was presented, for the spiritual, moral and educational good of the community of which he was a member. Nor were his services unimportant in either respect. As a citizen of enterprise, he stood among the first in the county ; and in works for the social welfare of the community, he was second to none in private life. Mr. Watkins descended from a sterl-

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

ing race of men, with whom matters of principle were supreme to everything else ; who would stand by what they believed to be right though the world were against them and fidelity brought them ruin - the brave-hearted, honest, faithful Protestants of Catholic France, the French Huguenots. His first ancestor in this country, on his mother's side, Gen. Bartholomew Dupuy, was a distinguished representative of that fearless and true sect of Frenchmen. He had been a gallant officer in the French army, but on account of his Protestant faith and his refusal to forswear it, he was driven from the army and from France. Coming thence to this country in about 1700, he located in Virginia, where he became a prominent citizen and successful man of affairs, leaving at his death, a large family of children. To one of Gen. Dupuy's descendants, Miss Jane Minter, Mr. Watkins' father, Benjamin Watkins, was married, in Virginia. Of this union came the subject of the present sketch, and twelve other children. After their marriage they removed. to Kentucky and settled in Woodford county, where Waltus L. Watkins was born on the 30th of October, 1806. Reared in Kentucky, he remained there until he was about 25 years of age and then came to Missouri, in 1831, and settled in Liberty, Clay county. In the meantime he had learned the ma- chinist's trade in the East, and had also worked in cotton and woolen industries. It is a fact worthy of note, in passing, that he worked on the first railway locomotive ever built in the United States. After coming to Clay county he built the first cotton and woolen mill ever established in the county, and also introduced the first circular saw ever brought to the county. These were in connection with a grist mill, and his was one of the pioneer grist mills of this part of the country. It was patronized by people from a distance of seventy- five miles. In 1839 he moved to the land on which the family now reside, on which he improved a fine farm, erecting a handsome brick dwelling and making all of his other improvements of a superior class. He added to his lands from time to time by additional purchases and entry till they aggregated 5,000 acres, from which he sold several fine farms. On retiring from business he sold to his successors, John Watkins & Bros., 3,600 acres of fine lands, his milling property and live stock. The woolen, flouring and grist mills, now conducted by his sons, John Watkins & Bros., consisting of John H., A. Judson and Joe B. Watkins, he erected in 1860, at a cost of $30,000, the largest establishment of the kind in the State, outside of the large cities. The mills have a capacity of three sets of cards, 1,080 spindles, 25 looms and two sets of buhrs. He was also an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and dealt largely in stock. All these various lines of business his sons keep up. The " Watkins Mills " manufacture on an extensive scale cassimeres, flannels, jeans, blankets, yarns, etc. Jobn Watkins & Bros. also have a fine herd of 500 head of thorough- bred and high grade short horn cattle, from which they annually sell some of the best representatives of that breed to be met with in the country. Mr. Watkins, their father, was for many years an earnest- member of the Mt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, and one of its

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

most liberal supporters as well as a generous contributor to other churches, and the cause of education. Toward the erection of his own church building he contributed $1,200 in cash and spent the majority of two years working for the building and the completion of the church. He also built a comfortable and commodious brick school house near his farm, which was long used as a public school building. For the erection of other school houses and churches he contributed, from time to time, thousands of dollars. For a long time he was one of the trustees of William Jewell College, and con- tributed largely to that institution. Mr. Watkins was for many years an earnest advocate of temperance, and even in the time of the Wash- ington Temperance Society, when home-made whisky was more common than wild honey, he was a member of that society, and ever after held his pledge of temperance sacred and inviolate. He had a high sense of honor. His duties to society, morality, religion and his financial obligations were his supreme .law. On the 4th of March, 1834, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Mary Ann Holloway, of Jessamine county, Ky., a daughter of Spencer and Catherine (Reed) Holloway. Mrs. Watkins is still living, residing on the old family homestead with her children. Eight of her family of eleven children are living, namely : George S., John H., Martha A., Mary E., Waltus J., Jr., Caroline E., A. Judson and Joe Barry. John H., Alfred and Catherine J. are deceased, the first being the eldest of the family, and for him his brother John H., living, was named. Mrs. Watkins and several of her family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

CHAPTER XVIII.

GALLATIN TOWNSHIP.

Boundary and Physical Features-Villages in this Township-Barry-Harlem- Moscow-Arnold's Station-Minaville-Churches-Biographical.

BOUNDARY AND PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Gallatin township comprises the southwestern portion of Clay county, and is bounded on the east by Liberty township and the Mis- souri river, on the south by the river, on the west by Platte county, and on the north by Platte township. It contains some excellent lands and fine farms, but there is also a great deal of rough and un- productive tracts in the township. Big Shoal creek and its branches drain the greater portion of the township.

Gallatin was one of the original townships of Clay county, com- prising in 1822 the western half of the county. Settlements were made along Big Shoal in 1822. David Manchester's mill was a noted point in 1825. It is alleged that a few French families lived on Ran- dolph] Bluffs in. 1800.1 In the neighborhood of Barry settlements were made about 1830, and there was a post-office at Barry in 1836, with P. Flemming as postmaster.

Gallatin township boasts of the enterprising and public spirit of its citizens, and is noted for its fine horses, cattle and live stock gener- ally. The horse shows at Barry in their season are occasions of note and are attended by farmers from all parts of the country.

The villages of Gallatin township are five in number, viz : Barry, Harlem, Moscow, Arnold (or Blue Eagle), and Minaville, or North Missouri Junction.

Barry was established first as an Indian trading post about the year 1830, before the Platte Purchase, when what is now Platte county belonged to the red men. Its location immediately on the boundary line (west half of center section 10 and east half of center of section . 11, township 51, range 33) puts half the town in Clay and half in Platte. It has a population of about 200, contains two churches, Cumberland Presbyterian and Christian, a good school, stores, shops, etc. It is 10 miles west of Liberty, and about the same distance

1 Vide Campbell's Gazetteer.

(507)

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

north of Kansas City. Some of the citizens are now moving to con- nect the village with Kansas City by a macadamized road.

Harlem lies in the extreme southwestern part of the township, on the north bank of the Missouri, immediately across the river from Kansas City. It dates its origin from the completion of the railroad through it to Kansas City. Prior to 1880 the location was subject to complete overflow by every "June rise" in the Missouri, but in that year the United States Government built a strong levee to the north- west, and large additional appropriations have since been made from time to time to strengthen this work so as to prevent future serious overflow. The great flood of 1881, however, nearly drowned out the village. The following lines of railroad pass through Harlem : The Hannibal and St. Joseph, the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs, and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific - the latter running over the track of the H. & St. Jo. At present the population of Harlem is about 200.

Moscow is located on the northeast quarter of section 7, township 50, range 32, eleven miles southwest of Liberty and five and one-half miles from Kansas City. The nearest station is Arnold's, two and a half miles away. It contains two churches, Baptist and Christian, a good mill, general stores, shops, etc., and has a population of about 150.

Arnold's Station, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph (sect. 1/4 of 9- 50-32), seven miles northeast of Kansas City, was founded upon the completion of the railroad by M. S. Arnold, Esq., for whom the place was named. From its earliest history it has been quite a shipping point. It is reported that the average shipments of hogs, cattle, wood, ties, grain, etc., per month is about 25 cars. March 4, 1880, the western portion of the town was destroyed by fire, involving a loss of $2,800. The buildings destroyed were soon replaced by better struc- tures, costing in the aggregate over $5,000. It is claimed that the present population of Arnold's Station is 200. The post-office is called Blue Eagle.

Minaville, or North Missouri Junction, is located on the northeast quarter of section 11, township 50, range 32, eight miles from Kansas City and six miles from Liberty. It is the point where the Hannibal and St. Joseph and the Wabash Railroad tracks formerly connected, and dates its existence from about 1868. It contains perhaps 125 in- habitants.

CHURCHES.

Barry Cumberland Presbyterian Church - At Barry, on the county line, between Clay and Platte counties, was organized June 3, 1826,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

by R. D. Morrow, with 27 members, among whom were Henry J. Weeden, Jonathan English, Jeremiah Burns, Benjamin Craig, Herman Davis, Easter (or Esther) Davis, John English, Jane Burns, Polly English, David P. Gill, William Hulott, Thomas Adams, Matilda Simrall and Hugh Brown. The present membership numbers about 102. Some of the pastors who have served this church are Revs. Robert D. Morrow, O. D. Allen, A. D. Miller, W. Schenk, W. O. H. Perry, and J. H. Norman. The present frame church was built in 1859, costing about $2,000. The Sunday school has about 45 scholars, its superintendent being Dan Carpenter.

Barry Christian Church. - In the winter of 1840 a frame house of worship was built at Barry for a congregation which had been formed as a church organization on the 26th of April of that year. Among the original members were Thomas Chisis, Annie Chisis, William Beal, John Callerman, Bass Callerman, Archibald Woods, Jane Woods, Adam Woods, Mary Woods, James and Catherine Cerry, Ann Ham, and Catherine Endicott. Some of those who have filled the pulpit of the church are John Callerman, Bayard Waller, Josiah Wal- ler, G. R. Hand, Preston Aker, A. E. Higgason, J. A. Lord, S. G. Clay, W. S. Ramey, William C. Rodgers, and others whose names are not now recalled. In 1859 a second church edifice was erected ; it is also a frame one. The present membership is 120. The Sabbath school of 81 members is superintended by Samuel Dooley.

Ebenezer Christian Church at Minaville - Was organized in 1865, with John Foster, Thomas and Betsy Stevens, John Tipton, Lucinda Tipton, John J. and Mary Brost, Elizabeth Lindenman, Thomas and Dinah Gibbons, John F. and Susan Foster, Eleanor Foster, and James and Lucinda Stevens as constituent members. This membership has been increased until it now numbers 40. The pastors in charge have been Richard Morton, Bro. Pickerall, Joseph Wollery and Bayard Waller. They occupy a frame house of worship, built at a cost of $1,500 in the same year of the organization.

Big Shoal O. S. Baptist Church - Located eight miles southwest from Liberty, was organized May 21, 1823, by Rev. William Thorp. The number of the present membership is 46. This church building is of brick, erected in 1854 at a cost of $2,200.

Bethel Baptist Church -Located on the Barry road, five miles west of Liberty, was organized in Pleasant Valley school-house, in 1872, by Elder James Rouse. Their present house of worship, a frame building, was erected in 1883, at a cost of $1,500. The present membership is 26.

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

Antioch Christian Church - Located five miles northeast of Kan- sas City, was organized in 1854. The number of the present member- ship is 75. This church building is frame, erected in 1858 at a cost of $1,800.

Faurbion Chapel M. E. Church South -Located eight miles southwest of Liberty, was organized in 1837. The number of the present membership is 60. Their present house of worship, a frame structure, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $2,150.

MASONIC.

Rising Sun Lodge No. 13, A. F. & A. M. - May 6, 1852, this lodge was organized. Of the first officers and members there were but two names furnished, Wm. Conway, master and James W. Smith, senior warden. The membership now numbers 51. The present officers are C. M. Crouse, master ; E. F. Knighton, senior warden ; J. R. Funk, junior warden; G. W. Thompson, treasurer ; Wm. Samuel, secretary ; Lon Darby, senior warden ; J. C. Woods, junior warden ; G. W. Elzea, tyler.

BIOGRAPHICAL.

JOHN ALLEN

(Farmer, Post-office, Harlem).

Mr. Allen, besides being an energetic farmer, takes a warm inter- est in the cause of temperance, which he believes to be a movement fraught with more good to humanity than any great reformatory meas- ure that has challenged the consideration of men for centuries. He is thoroughly persuaded that intemperance has been the cause of more crime and sorrow, more sadness and affliction in the world than all other causes combined. Thus believing, it is but natural that being a man of large sympathies and warm philanthropic impulses, he should actively interest himself in the temperance movement. He is a promi- nent member of the Christian Temperance Union at St. Joseph, and contributes much in the way of counsel, work and actual means when necessary for the good of the cause. Mr. Allen is also a magistrate and administers justice for his neighbors and all in his township. During the war he served with credit in the enrolled militia for a period of about twelve months. He is a Kentuckian and came to Mis- souri some years ago, settling in Clay county. He was married in Casey

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

county, Ky., to Miss Mahala P. Mills in 1854, but she died in 1856. She left him three children, two of whom are living : Nimrod D. and Mary E. Susan is deceased. Mr. Allen's second wife was a Miss Mary D. Bradhurt, daughter of Jacob and Sallie Bradhurt of this county. His marriage to her occurred January 14, 1869. Four of their five children are living: James O., John E., George and Sa- rah E. Mr. Allen has a farm of 121 acres, which is well improved. He was born in Casey county, Ky., February 11, 1834. He was one in a family of thirteen children of James and Samuel ( Bromson) Al- len. Six of the children are living and both the parents, the latter still residents of Casey county, Ky.

WILLIAM M. BELLEW

(Farmer, Post-office, Acme Springs).

Mr. Bellew was a son of John Bellew, who went originally from Ala- bama to Kentucky, then coming to Missouri. The father first settled in Mercer county away back in 1837. He was married there in 1840 to Miss Cincinnati Dunkerson, formerly of Kentucky. He was a farmer and stock-raiser by occupation, and made his home in Mercer county for nearly thirty years. But in 1864 he removed to Pottawatomie county, and four years afterwards to Cass county. Later along he removed to Bates county, and thence to Clay county in 1872. He died here in the spring of 1882. He was an energetic and respected farmer, and a worthy member of the A. F. and A. M. The mother is still living. They were blessed with a family of fourteen children, six of whom are living. Both parents were members of the Missionary Baptist Church. William M. Bellew was born in Mercer county March 3, 1842, and was reared in that county. In 1862 he enlisted in the Union service, Co. F, Twenty-seventh Missouri infantry, under Col. Thomas Kerley, of St. Louis, and Capt. Clark. Mr. Bellew served for about 14 months, and during that time participated in the siege of Vicksburg and a number of engagements. Meantime, on the 26th of June, 1860, he was married to Miss Mary F. Smith, a daugh- ter of Albert and Hester Smith, formerly of Kentucky. Mr. Bellew's first wife died in 1864, leaving two children, John and Charles. His present wife was previously a Miss Mary Allen, a daughter of William J. and Patsey Munson. By his present wife there are three children : William T., Minnie M. and Fannie H. Mrs. Bellew is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Bellew is engaged in farming, and came to Clay county in 1885. He is an industrious, energetic man, and is well respected by his friends.

JOHN T. BARBOUR (Farmer, Post-office, Barry).

Robert Barbour, the father of the subject of this sketch, came from England in 1836, and settled in Clay county the following year. He was a farmer by occupation and resided in the county for many years,

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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY.

but was accidently killed at Leavenworth, Kan., in 1862, by a runaway team. He had been married in the county in 1842, when Miss Isabella McGuire became his wife. She was from Ireland. Eight of their family of children are living, as is also the mother. She is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The father was an Episcopalian. John T. Barbour, the subject of this sketch, was born July 27, 1844, and was reared in the county to a farm life. He traveled consider- ably in the Western States and Territories and in 1861 enlisted under Col. Thompson in the Confederate army, where he served a term of six months, taking part during that time in the battle of Lexington. He was married in Clinton county to Miss Mollie E., a daughter of Thomas and Eliza Arnold, formerly of Kentucky, in December, 1882. Since then he has been engaged in farming in the county. He and wife are members of the Christian Church.

William H. Barbour, brother to John T., was born July 2, 1848, and was married in Cass county, December 9, 1877. His wife was a Miss Mary Cooper, a daughter of Benjamin and Mary Cooper, of that county. William H. and John T. are engaged in stock feeding and dealing in stock. They are good stock-men, understand their business thor- oughly and are full of energy and enterprise.

RICHARD S. BARNES (Farmer, Post-office, Blue Eagle) .

Richard Barnes, Sr., the father of the subject of this sketch, was a lieutenant under Col. Johnson in the War of 1812 and afterwards drew a pension from the Government in recognition of his services. He was a Virginian by nativity and a mechanic by trade, but after- wards devoted his time and attention largely to farming. In an early day he removed to Kentucky and then, in 1823, to Boone county, Mo. Two years later he came to Clay county, where he made his permanent home. He died here in 1861, at an advanced age. His wife, who was previously a Miss Elizabeth Adkins, of Woodford county, Ky., died in this county, November 23, 1876. Both were members of the Baptist Church, and took a prominent part in religious matters. They had a family of eight children, six of whom are living. Richard S. Barnes, the subject of this sketch, was born in this county Decem- ber 27, 1826. Reared here, in 1853 he went to Oregon and a year later dropped down into California, where he was engaged in mining, ship building, etc., for about two years. Returning thence to Mis- souri, the following year he went back to California, and was in that State and Nevada until 1865. Previous to going West he had enlisted for service in the Mexican War, but his company was never ordered out. Mr. Barnes was married in this county, February 6, 1868, to Miss Fannie, a daughter of Henry and Sarah Nall. Mr. and Mrs. B. have five children : Lewis H., Edward T., Charles G., Earl N. and Willie E. Mr. Barnes has been one of the active and energetic farmers of Clay county ever since the war, and has had good success. He owns an excellent farm of 370 acres, all choice land and well im-

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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