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 95

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 95
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 95

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).

ELDER JOHN W. TATE

(Pastor of the Christian Church, Edgerton).

Rev. Mr. Tate was born in Harrison county, Ky., March 30, 1837, and was reared in Missouri. In 1857 he was married to Miss Nancy E., a daughter of Andrew and Mary Brown, formerly of Tennessee. In the meantime Mr. Tate was brought to Missouri by his father, who located in Jackson first and afterward removed to Clinton county. After his marriage he settled in Nodaway county and followed teach- ing and farming for about three years, during which time he prepared himself for the ministry, and for the succeeding 14 years he was principally engaged with the duties of the ministry of the Christian Church in Nodaway, Holt, Atchison and Andrew counties. In 1874 he went to Virginia, where he attended Bethany College, taking a regular course of four years and graduating with the degree of B. L., under the presidency of Rev. Dr. W. K. Pendleton. While he was attending college, however, he was also occupied with the active work of the ministry, and was very successful in his work, adding to the church during that time more than 200 persons. After his gradua- tion Rev. Mr. Tate returned to Missouri and took charge of the Christian Church at Mound City, in Holt county, but a year later was called to the pastorate of some churches of his denomination in Atchi- son county, Mo., where he remained about 18 months. While there he was also interested in farming. At the end of that time he sold his farm and afterwards taught school, organizing, in company with Prof. D. A. Quick, what was known as the Rock Port College and Normal School. In 1880 Mr. Tate took charge of the pastorate of the Christian Church at Gower, in Clinton county, and was also inter- ested in farming in the vicinity of Gower. He preached there and at the neighboring churches until early in 1883, and then came to Edgerton. Since he has been here he has had charge of the Christian Church at this place, and has also been acting pastor of the churches at Smith- ville, Camden Point and Gower. Beside discharging these duties he is carrying on farming quite extensively, and has control of the Breck-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

enridge or Walnut Grove farm of 320 acres near Edgerton. The place is well improved and well stocked, and Mr./Tate is making a specialty of breeding and raising fine short horn cattle for sale. He is also raising quite extensively the Poland-China breed of hogs. Mr. Tate was a son of Joseph and Rachel (Foster) Tate, both of old and respected Kentucky families. He is the only child living by their marriage, his mother having died when he was in the first year of his age, and an older sister having since died. After his mother's death the father removed to Lone Jack, Mo., and settled in Jackson county ; afterwards removed to Clinton county and settled near the little town of Haynesville, where he lived until his death. He died October 11, 1867. For many years Mr. Tate, Sr., had been a worthy and exemplary member of the Christian Church.

JOHN W. THOMAS

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Ridgely).

The subject of this sketch was born in Pike county, Ill., January 4, 1835, being the son of Samuel F. Thomas, a native of Alabama, who, after remaining there until grown to manhood, removed to Missouri. In 1834 he went to Illinois and thence to California, locating in Los Angeles, where he now makes his home. During his residence in Illinois he was township assessor in Pike county, serving in an accept- able manner for several years. His wife, to whom he was married in 1830, was formerly Miss Elizabeth Wells, of Kentucky, born in 1807. She died in 1874, and of the family of children which she left, six are now living: George W., in Los Angeles, Cal. ; Selina, the wife of Woodson Wilkinson, and now a resident of California; Mary Jane, living in the same State ; Samuel C., married to Elizabeth Turner, and a citizen of Pike county, Ill. ; Sarah M., now Mrs. Robert Gil- kerson, of Illinois. John W. Thomas was brought up to the occupa- tion of farming, and has made it his chosen calling during life. He came to this county in 1869, and has continued to reside here since that time, one of the respected citizens of the vicinity. He owns 160 acres of land, improved and stocked with cattle, hogs, etc. Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Mary J. Freeman, originally from Car- roll county, Tenn., where she was born March 20, 1834. Her family moved to Pike county, Ill., in 1844, where she remained until her marriage August 19, 1856. Her parents were Jordan L. and Sarah (Shipman ) Freeman, the former a Kentuckian by birth, and the lat- ter from Tennessee, who were married in 1829. To them were born three boys and five girls : W. C., living at Louisiana, Mo. ; John, in Pike county, Ill. ; Isaac F., in Wisconsin; Elizabeth, in Illinois, as is also Sarah, who makes her home in Marion county ; Martha S. and Eliza E. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have been blessed with two children, Mary Margaret, born October 25, 1860, and married in March, 1878, to Thomas Kennedy ; they now live in Platte county, and Isaac Free- man, born in March, 1863. In his political preferences Mr. T. is a Democrat. He is a member of the Masonic Order, and belongs to the Baptist Church. His parents were members of the M. E. Church, while Mrs. Thomas' parents are connectedwith the Old School Baptists.

CHAPTER XXIII. CARROLL TOWNSHIP.

Location, Area and Boundary -Physical Features - Early Settlers - Who They Were and Where From -Platte City -Its Situation - Known as the Falls of Platte River - Originally called Martinsville, after Zadoc Martin-A Sketch of Him - First Court Held in Tavern of Mike Faylor1-First Sale of Lots After Town Was Laid Out-Charter Obtained - Sketches of a few Pioneers -Early Build- ings- Churches, Etc. - Schools Established - Chronological Annals from 1862 to 1878-Postmasters of Platte City - Other Items - Public Schools - Business of the City - Exchange Bank of Wells & Co. - Biographical.

LOCATION, AREA AND BOUNDARY.

Carroll township is the central municipal division of the county, and contains the county seat. Its area is larger than that of any other township in the county, excepting Green, and embraces 62 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Fair and Preston Town- ships, on the east by Clay county, on the south by May and Pettis townships, and on the west by Lee and Fair, from which it is sepa- rated by the Platte river.

PHYSICAL FEATURES.

Besides the stream mentioned ( Platte river), there are a number of smaller water courses which water the township in many different localities.

The land away from the river is generally high and rolling, and the larger part was originally covered with a dense forest, the greater portion of which has been cut to make room for the well cultivated farms which are now seen in every portion of the township. The township is well adapted to agricultural purposes, the soil, both bot- tom and upland, being excellent in quality and highly productive ; the chief cereal products are corn and wheat.

EARLY SETTLERS.

The early settlers of Carroll township were generally from Ken- tucky, and, in fact, that grand old State has contributed more to the settlement of this entire region than any other two States combined.

1 Has already been spoken of as Fayler.

(910)

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

Her sons and her daughters have been in the front rank of civiliza- tion. Wherever they located, lived and died, there may be found even to this day among the present generation many of the traits of char- acter which they possessed.

Of course it is not expected that we will or can give the names of all the early settlers of Carroll township or any other township in the county. This would at the present time be almost impossible, as almost a half century has intervened since the pioneers began to make settlements, and no record has been kept or preserved save the record of the personal tax list of 1839, which doubtless gave the names of the greater portion at that time, the complete list of which will be found in this work.

We should be glad to record the names of all the men who braved the dangers and difficulty of pioneer times and present a brief sketch of their lives, together with a few of their prominent characteristics, but time and space would preclude us from us entering into details which would doubtless prove to be of much interest to the reader, and consequently we must content ourselves with the names of a few : Jesse Morin, Mr. Compton, Michael Faylor, Lycurgus Shepard, Axiom Farmer, Thos. Woods,1 Thos. Flannery, Wm. M. Spratt, Ar- nold Chance, Turner Moore, Edward Brown, Col. John H. Winston, George P. Dorris, David Carson, Wm. Brindle, Benj. Morton, J. H. and Stephen Johnson, and Messrs. White, Adkins, Dyke, Riley, Dr. Marshall, Dr. McFall, Dr. Shrock and others.

The present population (or according to the census of 1880 ) of the township, including Platte City - which is 670 - is 2,782.

PLATTE CITY.

The following has been kindly furnished us by Wm. M. Paxton, Esq.

Platte City is situated at the falls of Platte river. The falls, as Nature formed them, were beautiful. The bed of the river was an immense flat rock forming a perfectly level floor, extending from one side to the other. This rock is about two feet thick, and is supported by a thick bed of soapstone. Originally, the waters, were, perhaps, precipitated at the lower extremity of the rock in a cascade of eight or ten feet. But by the wearing away of the soapstone, some two hun- dred feet of the stone were gradually let down, until from the top to the bottom there was an inclined plane over which an unbroken sheet

1 Still living, quite active and bright of memory and conversation, and celebrated his centennial birthday at his home, near Platte City, several years ago.

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

of water smoothly descended. At an ordinary stage of the river the water on this inclined plane was only a few inches deep. It was the only ford on the lower Platte, and when Fort Leavenworth was located in 1828, the officers and soldiers used it on their way to and from Liberty, in Clay county. But at times the water was too high, and the soldiers had to swim the river. The following year, 1829, a mili- tary road was cut out from Fort Leavenworth to Barry, in Clay county, passing by the falls, and Zadoc Martin, a farmer of Clay county, was stationed on the east bank of Platte river to keep a government ferry. Up to that time the men of Fort Leavenworth had used an old Macanac boat for crossing the Missouri, but in 1829 the ferry at the fort, as well as that at the falls was placed in charge of Zadoc Martin. He was a stout, muscular man, and com- manded all about him with despotic power. His family, besides several negro men, consisted of his five sons, Green, Hardin D., Will- iam, Gill E. and James B. Martin, and three daughters, Millie, Jane and Josephine. His house was of lynn logs, and stood near the pre- sent residence of Ambrose Hewlett. He cleared out a field where the Catholic and A. M. E. Churches now stand ; and another where the City of Tracy is now built. He also had some thirty or forty acres in what is called the sand prairie, opposite the fort. He took a con- tract in 1830 to furnish beef for the garrison. His cattle were pur- chased in Clay county. The work at Fort Leavenworth required the employment of great numbers of laborers, carpenters and masons, and Mr. Martin did a large business at his two ferries. The boats for the ferries were made of hewed gunwales, and boards sawed by hand.

Until 1837, Mr. Martin lived a laborious life in a vast solitude. There were no Indians settled in the county, aud the nearest white was at Fort Leavenworth. In 1835, Robert Cain got liberty to settle at Todd's Creek, and Joseph Todd three miles west of the falls. In 1836 many from Clay county made claim, but were driven off by the soldiers, and their cabins in some cases were burned. The lands were the hunting grounds of the Sacs and Fox tribe of Indians. The nearest settlement of these Indians was at St. Joseph. Their right was extinguished by a contract made with them by Gen. Hughes. The land was then thrown open for settlement. Vast numbers of pioneers hastened to the new and fertile grounds. Much controversy prevailed. The pre-emption law of 1838 did much to quiet titles. The succeeding laws of 1840 and 1841 quieted controversy. Martin wanted to hold the whole country. He stalked around like a giant. He always carried a huge staff, and was not slow to use it. The falls

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

were regarded as the most valuable property in the county. A dam was built, mill stones were hewed out from the lost rock, so abundant in the State, and a flouring mill was erected. The business done was immense. Mr. Martin was in his glory ; he had the people as com- pletely under his heel as Pharaoh had in the days of Joseph. They had to come to him for bread. There was no other mill nearer than Smithville.

His next step was to lay out the town of Martinsville. The original road from Barry passed through what is now Judge Norton's field, and passing by the African M. E. Church struck the river below the falls. He sold out permits, and failed to put the contracts in writing. Had he done so it would have forfeited his pre-emption. He claimed possession of the spring, and no enemy dare raise water from it. We can name but a few of the early inhabitants. Michael D. Faylor built a hotel of two rooms ; Morin & Compton had a store. Some- what later Hope & Irwin built a saddler's shop, and George P. Dorris, Warren Samuel and S. & J. H. Johnston opened general stores. Dr. F. Marshall built a shop. Still later Alexander E. Cannon and W. M. Paxton opened lawyers' offices. Dr. J. W. Gibson and John D. Murray had cabins. In 1839 McCausland & Branham brought on merchandise.

As yet Platte county had been attached to Clay for military and civil purposes, but on the 25th of March, 1839, the first court was held by Judge A. A. King, at the old log tavern of M. D. Faylor, in Martinsville, as mentioned elsewhere. Mr. Martin did not 'want his lands taken from him, but just over the hollow, on the present site of Platte City, there was a poor old man named George McAfee, who had a pre-emption on the quarter upon which the falls were situated. The poor man's (lamb) land was therefore selected, and a trade made whereby the county was to enter so much of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 53, range 35, as lay east of Platte river, and that portion of it that embraced the falls was to be exchanged for 19 acres in the northwest quarter of section 36, upon which Martinsville was situated. This trade was afterwards literally carried out. Mr. McAfee never secured a cent for his property. His widow died a year ago at an advanced age, after having been in poverty. The land was entered according to law for the county.

At the January term, 1840, of the county court, all necessary orders were made for the survey and sale of town lots. Stephen Johnston was appointed commissioner of the seat of justice ; the sur- veying was done by S. L. Leonard, and the first sale made of alter-

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

nate lots the 3d of February, 1840. Lots on Main street brought from $200 to $700 each. The highest price was paid by G. P. Dorris for lot 1, block 39, now owned by Baker & Zarn. The town site was heavily timbered, but in a few weeks scarcely a tree was left stand- ing. It is believed, at this day, there is no tree of the native forest left standing in the town.

In 1840, Mr. Martin had attached an upright saw to his mill, and was turning out a large amount of lumber. Carpenters and masons came from all quarters. The shanties were removed over from Mar- tinsville. Nearly all of the houses were of wood ; but James H. John- ston built the first brick house in the county, on lot 9, block 28, now occupied by Hewlett. Hope & Irwin built the frame on the east half of lot 8 ; David Hunt built on the west half of 8, and Stephen John- ston built the house, now owned by Clemings, on lot 7 - all in block 25. These four are the only houses now standing which were built on Main street in 1840.

There were several sales of lots in 1840. The receipts amounted to about $20,000. With this sum it was determined to build a court- house and jail. At the May term, 1840, Jesse Morin, D. A. Sutton and Elijah Moore were appointed commissioners for this purpose. Lots 10, 11 and 12, block 25, were selected for the court-house, and lots 7 and 8, block 23, for the jail. A handsome plan and specifica- tions were prepared by D. A. Sutton, who was a fine architect and excellent draughtsman. The picture of the old court-house, drawn by Mr. Sutton, may be found in the county clerk's office, well preserved. The county court about the same time established a free ferry across Platte river, at the foot of Main street. This incensed Mr. Martin, as it broke up his business in that line, and he talked of suing the county. Courts were held in a double log cabin, in the southwestern part of town, during the year 1840. In 1841, the spring term was held in a booth on G. P. Dorris' lot No. 1, block 31, and the fall term in Hope & Irwin's shop, on lot 8, block 25. Subsequent sessions were held in the court-house. A new circuit, embracing the five counties of the Platte Purchase, was formed, and Gen. D. R. Atchison was appointed judge. John Lewis took the contract for the log jail. The court-house was let out to David Hunt, Elijah Moore and other con- tractors. Hitherto preaching had been done in the open air or in private houses. But the court set aside the upper hall of the court- house for religious worship. It was supplied with seats by subscrip- tion. It was often used as a public hall.

In 1845 a charter was obtained from the Legislature for Platte City,

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

and an enterprising set of trustees was appointed. Main street was graded and sidewalks laid. About the same time, or a little earlier, a lattice bridge was constructed by the county court and declared free for all passengers. It originally spanned from one abutment to the other, but it commenced swaying up stream and the middle pier was added. When the Mexican War broke out J. W. Denver was a dep- uty in the clerk's office under his uncle, Ira Norris. He had mani- fested no warlike spirit until he heard the clash of arms. He became excited and went to work with ardor to raise a company for service in the war. Such was his enthusiasm, eloquence and intrepidity that a company was soon led by him to the seat of war. The quiet, un- assuming boy became the heroic Gen. Denver. Still later many of our citizens volunteered to follow the renowned Gen. A. W. Doni- phan in his celebrated march to Santa Fe and the gulf. Zadoc Mar- tin and all of his family, except James, had by this time become dis- gusted with civilized life and had shaken off the dust of their feet and emigrated to Oregon.

Elisha Green came to Platte county about 1838 and settled in the Missouri bottom above Farley, and opened a large farm. About 1845 he came to Platte City and became one of its most enterprising citizens. He erected the Green Hotel and the fine residence opposite ; entered into every scheme of public improvement, and labored for the advancement of the town until his death in 1855.

Dr. Frederick Marshall came to Martinsville in 1838, and by his professional skill accumulated a moderate fortune. He built a fine brick residence on the hill overlooking the town, laid off the Marshall Cemetery, and lent a helping hand to every laudable enterprise. He died in 1861 and only heard the reveille of war.

Howell Jenkins, a native of Wales, came to Platte City about 1845. He was a stonemason, and all the early tombs in our cemetery were the work of his hands. He built the fine and spacious stone building on lot 5, block 28, and the corner store occupied by Mrs. Beaumont. . He subscribed liberally to every public enterprise.

William C. Remington was a genial and kind-hearted gentleman. He was well educated and rose by his merits. He was elected asses- sor of the county and subsequently chosen circuit clerk. He built a fine brick house on lot 9, block 30, which was burned by Federal soldiers in 1864. He died young and much lamented.

James B. Martin owned the water mills. He rebuilt the dam and mills, and constructed a spacious mansion on the hill between the

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

African M. E. Church and Abram Hewett's. His genial compan- ionship and festive disposition brought him to an early death.

The first fruit of the enterprise of the citizens was, perhaps, the Methodist Church, situated on lot 3, block 33. This was a frame 25x 30 feet. It was built about 1847 by general subscription, and used by all denominations. It was burned by Federal troops in 1864.

The Presbyterian Church and Masonic lodge was built about 1853. There is now before us the original subscription upon which the house was built. The lower story was to belong one-half to the Old School and the other half to the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. The upper story was the property of the Masonic Lodge. Lot 6, block 31, valued at $200, was given by S. A. Jack and M. N. Owen. J. B. Martin, L. C. Jack and William Jack. each subscribed $50. H. B. Wallace and Alfred Jack each $30. E. H. Norton, $25; William Christian, $20 ; John Ferrier, Amos Rees and P. Lutes, $10; J. R. Daniel, R. M. Johnston, W. D. Bonnell, R. L. Waller, G. Mais, W. S. Almond, J. H. Stringfellow, L. F. Hollingsworth, P. R. Wag- gonner, J. A. Headley, R. D. Johnston, John Bane and B. Pollard, $5 each. These sums were for the Cumberland Church. The Old School Church raised no subscription, but Elisha Green and D. R. Atchison gave each $50; and Wm. B. Almond and W. M. Paxton guaranteed the remainder of $1,000. This house was burned by Federal soldiers in 1864.

In 1855 the Christian and Baptist churches were built; the first on lot 1, block 32, and the other on lot 10, block 29. We do not know the subscribers. These houses were not burned with the others in 1864. The other churches were built after the war ..

About the year 1854 the enterprise of Elisha Green set on foot a project of building a Male Academy on lots 11 and 12, block 30. The leading citizens responded liberally to Mr. Green's call, and three thousand dollars were raised. Among other subscribers were Dr. F. Marshall, Judge Norton, Dr. Wm. Baldwin, W. M. Paxton, H. B. Callahan, James Adkins, H. J. Freeland, H. Jenkins, Philip Lutes, Amos Rees, W. B. Almond, J. B: Martin, Capt. A. Johnson and John Ferrier. A handsome and commodious brick house was built and a school opened. A year later Prof. F. G. Gaylord commenced his educational labors in Platte City. The Male Academy was burned by Ford and Jennison's men in 1864.

In 1857 Prof. H. B. Todd, having determined to leave Camden Point, undertook to erect, by subscription, a large frame college on the hill south of town. The people of both the city and county took

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HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.

hold of the enterprise with enthusiasm. Seven thousand dollars were soon raised. The house was erected and filled with young ladies. For three years Prof. Todd and his school were objects of great in- terest. All he demanded was freely given. But the war came on, and Mrs. Todd died, so that Prof. Todd retired and Prof. A. B. Jones took the school.1 He gave it up and Prof. McKinnis taught a year. At the end of his term Prof. F. G. Gaylord took charge, and a fine school is still taught by him. It is now known by the appropriate name of Daughters' College.

CHRONOLOGICAL ANNALS.

July 1, 1862. - The Platte County Conservator was established at Platte City by Clark & Bourne.

July 16, 1862. - Three men apprehended for robbery, were un- dergoing examination at Platte City when a squad of Redlegs entered the court and, through their leader, demanded the release of the pris- oners. One of the prisoners leaves with them, but the others remain for trial. Col. J. A. Price, commanding at Weston, sends a squad of soldiers to attend the trial.

July 10, 1862. - Death of W. T. Darnall.

November, 1862. - Preachers in Platte City : Rev. G. S. Wood- ward, Presbyterian ; Rev. S. W. Cosse, M. E .; Rev. G. L. Moad, Cumberland Presbyterian ; Elder A. B. Jones, Christian.

November 15, 1862. - Elder Moses E. Lard commences a pro- tracted meeting in Platte City. A revival progressing in the M. E. and Presbyterian Churches.

January 7, 1863. - Marriage of R. P. C. Wilson and Miss Carrie Murray.

March 10, 1863. - William Morin, while aiding his father, John B. Morin, to apprehend a desperado named Basom, is shot by the latter, inflicting a dangerous but not fatal wound.

March 17, 1863 .- Draft of 500,000 men ordered, which causes uneasiness in Platte county.

September 5, 1863. - The Platte City Atlas-first number issued by Henry Hutchison ; Democratic. !

September 14, 1863. - Platte City Female Academy opened by Jones & Vinyard.

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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