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 96
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 96
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September 5, 1863. - E. C. Cockrill dangerously ill at St. Joseph. Howell Jenkins opens a drug store in Platte City.
1 For the war history of Platte City and the history of Kansas troubles, connected with the place, reference may be had to the chapters on these subjects.
918
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
August 10, 1863. - Little Willie Baldwin, son of Dr. Baldwin, died.
September 25, 1863. - John G. Rapp and Tip Green hung by Red- legs near Farley, and their houses robbed.
September 30, 1863. -- All able-bodied men ordered to report to Maj. J. M. Clark, at Platte City, before October 7th. Signed, Jas. H. Moss, by E. H. Norton, acting adjutant.
October 26, 1863. - A scouting party sent out by Capt. Johnston pursue and disperse a gang of Redlegs and recover their stolen stock. No further depredations by Redlegs.
September 1, 1863. - Gangs of men in Federal uniform go from house to house, disarming the people, and, under pretended orders, search the premises of a neighborhood. The same or the next night a squad of Redlegs follow, and rob the people.
October, 1863. - Rev. R. N. T. Holladay is preacher in charge of the Platte City Methodist circuit.
Business revives under the protection of the Paw-paw militia. Ste- phen Johnson John Zarn and Perry Keith open out their stores, and Howell Jenkins adds a dry goods department to his store.
Thomas Herndon publishes his little volume of poems, entitled " Leaves from a Lawyer's Note-Book."
The papers filled with sheriff's sales for the November term of cir- cuit court.
March 21, 1864. - Col. John H. Winston arrested by a squad of soldiers from St. Joseph. He was found concealed in his home, two miles east of Platte City, and was confined in the prison until the close of the war.
Gen. Guitar, Col. Williams and Col. Jacobson, of Gen. Rosecrans' staff, visited Platte City.
It is charged that Col. J. C. Thornton is recruiting for the Southern army, in Platte and other counties.
May 19, 1864. - The Sentinel can not contain the notices of sher- iff's sales for the May term of court, and has to issue a supplement.
February, 1864. - Great complaints against the Paw-paw militia on account of their disloyalty.
February 29. - Great sale of the personal property of the late W. T. Darnall, four miles south of Platte City.
January 28, 1864. - A. F. Cox purchases the office of the Platte City Atlas, and removes the Sentinel to Platte City.
January 20, 1864. - False and cruel hoax telegraphed from Jeffer- son City, announcing the death of H. J. Wolf, our representative.
919
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
January 30, 1864. - Last issue of the Platte City Atlas by Harry Hutchinson. Subscribers are furnished with the Sentinel.
January 23, 1864. - John Oliver accidentally shot by a friend carelessly handling a pistol. Though his wound was severe, yet he survived.
June 23, 1864. - Thompson and Ragdale, deserters, captured and sent under a guard to Weston, but rescued by bushwhackers at Bee creek.
June 22. - J. H. Linsley robbed by bushwhackers.
September 12, 1864. - Platte City Male and Female Academy opens, under Prof. W. C. McKinnis, with Dr. Jos. M. Holt and lady in charge of the boarding department.
October 3, 1864. - Democratic county convention at Platte City. Nominees : Woods for sheriff, Layton for county judge, Belt for cir- cuit clerk, Lewis for county clerk, Bonnell for treasurer, Wilson and Burnes for Legislature. Judge Norton spoke.
November-Circuit court held at the Baptist church, by Judge Heron ; 1,600 cases ; an immense amount of land sold.
December. - Judge Layton offers $200 bounty for volunteers to fill Platte county's quota of 160 men.
February 20, 1865. - A. G. Beller takes the place of H. Howard as editor of the Border Times, in Weston.
John Doniphan is Senator ; John Wilson and L. Guinn, Representa- tives, and Samuel A. Gilbert is member of the State Constitutional Convention.
October 6, 1865. - First number of the Standard appeared in Weston.
July 1, 1865. - The new Constitution of Missouri went into effect.
July, 1866. - The Reveille established at Platte City ; T. W. Park, editor.
August 24, 1866. - First grand tournament at the Platte City fair grounds.
The new court house was erected this year at a cost of $120,000.
Late in the fall grasshoppers appeared and deposited their eggs, which hatched out the next spring.
January 5, 1866. - Henry J. Freeland killed.
February 3, 1867. - Death of Judge J. H. Layton.
July, 1867. - Philander Lucas appointed circuit judge in place of Judge King.
Farmers' Saving Association formed ; Clint. Cockrill, president ;
53
920
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
And. Tribble, cashier ; Merryman, Miller, Chesnut and Paxton, directors.
Attorneys in Platte City. - Baker & Robertson, Merryman & Pax- ton, J. C. Greenawalt, H. A. B. Anderson and E. H. Norton.
July, 1867. - The committee to build the M. E. and Presbyterian Churches and Masonic Hall in Platte City advertise for bids.
September 24. - County fair commenced.
March, 1867. - Revival in the Methodist Church, under the preach- ings of Leftwich and Austin, and 50 additions.
April 13. - Death of Hon. D. D. Burnes.
May, 1867. - Reported county indebtedness, $359,317.13.
June, 1867. - The second visit of grasshoppers, and great damage done.
June 9, 1871. - The Landmark and Reveille consolidated, and thereafter the latter was issued at Platte City by T. W. Park.
July, 1871. - The Platform in Weston started, and died within the first year.
October 27, 1871 .- The Democrat started at Platte City by L. Shepard.
September 22, 1871. - Dr. Thos. Beaumont died.
August 12, 1871. - The fair ground meeting of the Reform De- mocracy, with A. Tribble chairman and Jas. Adkins secretary, which inaugurated the " sorehead " movement, which finally triumphed.
November 28, 1871. - Marriage of Henry Coleman and Mariam Myles.
November 23, 1871. - Marriage of Douglas George and Laura Brightwell.
The banking house of Merryman, Paxton & Cockrill opened.
January 8, 1872. - Large meeting at the court-house, J. H. Win- ston, chairman ; W. M. Paxton, secretary, The soreheads pass their resolutions.
September 1, 1878. - Platte county fair commenced.
POSTMASTERS OF PLATTE COUNTY.
James H. Johnston was the first postmaster. He was appointed postmaster of Martinsville about 1838. When the town took the name of Platte City, he still held the office and until about 1850.
The next probably was Thomas Metcalfe. He died about 1852, and was succeeded by Perry Keith. He continued in office until about the beginning of the war.
921
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
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Then Howell Jenkins held the office until 1869, and Charles B. Kurtz received the appointment in February, 1869, and is the present incumbent.
OTHER ITEMS.
Of the educational facilities of the place we have spoken elsewhere, and the several churches have received prominent mention in a por- tion of our work devoted especially to that matter.
PUBLIC SCHOOLS.
The public graded schools of the Platte City school district had in 1879 an enumeration of white persons of school age of 251, and of colored persons of 156; total, 407. The enrollment for both white (184) and colored (73) children for the same year was 257. We have given these figures as conveying some idea of the attendance at the public schools at the present day. We have deemed it unneces- sary to enter into any more of a tabular statement, as the figures would prove of no material interest. However, we would refer our readers to the report of the State Superintendent of Schools for the past year.
BUSINESS OF PLATTE CITY.
The fertility of the agricultural district tributary to Platte City makes it one of the best business points for a town of its size in the State, and its merchants have a high rating for character and integrity, as well as sound financial condition. They have pursued a safe, con- servati ve course in buying, and in selling they have been very liberal in the treatment of their customers. The business of the place is represented by two newspapers, two banks, about 30 stores, includ- ing general dealers, dry goods, groceries, drugs, boots and shoes, books and stationery, hardware, agricultural implements, etc.
One important feature of the financial interests of Platte City is the
EXCHANGE BANK OF WELLS & CO.,
a private bank, organized July 1, 1879, by Wm. C. Wells and Stephen C. Woodson. On May 1, 1883, Archie R. Jack became a member of the firm, and August 21, 1883, Wm. F. Norton, was ad- mitted into the partnership, the firm being composed of Wm. C. Willis, S. C. Woodson, A. R. Jack and Wm. F. Norton and remain- ing so until January 1, 1885, when Mr. Woodson removed to St. Joseph, Mo. He then sold his interest to the other members of the firm. This is one of the firmly established institutions of the county.
922
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
WILLIAM R. ADAMS
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Smithville).
Among those in Platte county who are prominently identified with the stock industry, Mr. Adams is deserving of special mention ; for upon his place are to be found some excellent representative thorough- bred cattle, and his annual sales and shipments denote him to be one of the foremost in this line of industry hereabouts. He was born near Dover, Lafayette county, Mo., June 15, 1841 ; his father, Smith Adams, a farmer during his lifetime, having come originally from Garrard county, Ky. He remained there until 1836, when he came to this State, and until 1844 located in Ray county, not far from Rich- mond. In 1845 he went to Caldwell county, where he came into possession of 1,000 acres of land. Disposing of this subsequently, however, he took a trip to Texas for the benefit of his wife's health, but she died in 1852, and he then returned to Missouri - to Buchanan county - where farming occupied his attention until 1871. He now became a resident of St. Joseph and so continued until his death in 1883, at the age of 67, he having been born August 3, 1814. His marriage occurred in 1836 to Miss Talitha C. Ramsey, of Kentucky, and to them were born four children, that are now living: William R., Mary E., wife of J. D. Hubbard, of St. Joseph; K. R., wife of E. Penny, near that city, and Edward M. The latter went to Cali- fornia at the age of 25 and is farming there. Both parents were members of the Christian Church; and the father was a Mason. William R. Adams, at the age of 18 years, embarked in life on his own account and received quite a comfortable start from his father. He has attended closely to business ever since then, and now has a comfortable place. The short horn trade attracted his spare moments in 1870, and at this time he is a leading follower of this industry. On his place are about forty head of thoroughbred short horns, and recently he has become interested in the raising of Jersey cattle, the latter grade having proven a very profitable investment. His farm contains 200 acres, in addition to which he has 60 acres in Kentucky. Mr. Adams has been twice married ; first to Lavinia E. Bosely, who bore him two children: Martha A., born in February, 1862, and Montgomery, born April 29, 1866. His second marriage occurred August 29, 1865, when Miss Joe H. Hardy became his wife. She was born June 15, 1838, in Carroll county, Miss. They have had six children : Mary T., Olmstead, Jennie, Katie, Smith and William. Mrs. Adams was a daughter of Abraham Hardy, a Virginian by birth, and Mary A. Baker, also from that State. They moved to Mississippi in 1836 and came to Missouri in 1845, where Mr. H. died in 1854.
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1
923
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
He belonged to the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Adams is a member of the Knights Templar, of the Masonic Order, and in politics is a Democrat. He and wife are connected with the Christian Church.
ROBERT D. ASHER
(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Smithville).
The subject of this sketch is a man well known to the people of this portion of Missouri, for his whole life has been passed within the boundaries of this and Clay counties. He was born in the latter county September 14, 1831, and in early youth worked upon the home farm. His father, William Asher, a Virginian by birth, was born in Culpeper county, October 17, 1771, and in 1815 moved to Madison county, Ky., where he followed the cooperage business. Coming to Clay county, Mo., in 1828, he remained there until 1836, when Platte county became his home. At the time of his death, in 1845, he was farming. His wife, Lucinda Clayton, to whom he was married in 1813, was born in Spottsylvania county, Va., in 1772. The father was a gallant soldier in the War of 1812, and in his farming operations met with average success. His wife was a member of the Christian Church. Robert D. Asher was one of three children, the others being Eliza, who died in infancy, and William C., born December 16, 1816. He went to California in 1849, and engaged in the hotel business. Robert D. grew to manhood here, and on January 18, 1857, was mar- ried to Miss Mary E. Russell, a native of Henry county, Ky., born April 15, 1836. He was a member of the Christian Church. Mrs. Asher's parents are connected with the M. E. Church. She died June 25, 1881, leaving six children living and four deceased. Those living are: William C., in Clay county ; James R., in Platte ; John R., in Clay ; Nan P., born November 7, 1868 ; Anna V., born April 20, 1872, and Thomas J., born May 15, 1875. Mr. Asher's second marriage occurred December 15, 1882, to Lydia A. Hinton, of this county, born May 15, 1848. They have two children, Willie and Louis E. Mrs. Asher's father, John Hinton, originally from Fleming . county, Ky., moved to Platte county, Mo., in 1844. Shortly before leaving his native place he had been married to Miss Eliza Cox, of that locality. The former was in the Mexican War, and also in the late civil strife on the side of the Union. Mr. Asher is a member of the Christian Church. He commenced in life for himself in 1859, and since that time has been actively and successfully engaged in tilling the soil. He owns 120 acres of land, well improved and stocked, and is in a comfortable condition, notwithstanding he has met with reverses. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Asher's parents are connected with the M. E. Church.
JAMES ANDREW BALDWIN, M. D. (Physician and Surgeon, Platte City).
Dr. Baldwin's father, Dr. William Baldwin, was one of the early and prominent physicians of Platte county. He now makes his
924
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
home at St. Paul, Minn., where he is living in comfortable retirement. Dr. William Baldwin was a native of Mason county, Ky., born at the town of Washington, March 4, 1813. His general education was received at the University of Ohio. Subsequently he studied medi- cine and attended both the Medical College of Ohio and the University of Pennsylvania (Medical Department ) at Philadelphia, from which latter he graduated with honor. Dr. Baldwin, pere, then located at We- tumpka, Ala., but three years later, removed to Martinsville, Platte county, and afterwards practiced medicine in this county for nearly thirty years, becoming one of the leading physicians of the county. He went to St. Paul in 1868. In 1845 he was married in Platte county to Miss Ann L. Johnson, a daughter of Capt. Andrew John- son, of the regular U. S. army. Dr. James A. Baldwin; born of this union in Platte county, April 12, 1847, was reared in this county. In early youth he attended the common schools and then took a course at Gaylord's Academy, in Platte City. At the age of 18, Dr. Baldwin began the regular study of medicine under his father and continued to study under him for three years. He then matriculated at the University of Louisville (Medical Department ) at Louisville, Ky., where he took a regular course of two terms and graduated with credit in the class of 1869. Dr. Baldwin, our subject, then located at Minneapolis, Minn., where he practiced for a short time, removing thence to Spring Hill, Johnson county, Kan. At the latter place he built up a large practice, and continued there for about seven years. But in 1878 he returned to Platte county, and located at Platte City, where he has ever since been engaged in the practice of his profession. He has built up a good practice and is assuming a leading place in the medical profession of this part of the State. For several years he was secretary of the Johnson and Miama County Medical Societies, of Kansas, and a member of the State Medical Society of that State.
He is now a member of the Platte County Medical Society, and is commissioner of health for Platte City, an office he has held for the last four years. In the fall of 1878 Dr. Baldwin was married to Miss Minnie R., a daughter of Dr. E. C. Redman, an early and prominent physician of Platte county. Mrs. Baldwin is a graduate of Gaylord's Academy at Platte City. The Dr. and Mrs. B. have two children : Florence Dixie and William Redman. The Doctor is a member of the Old School Presbyterian Church, and his wife is a member of the Christian Denomination. The Doctor is also a prominent Mason and a leading member of the Masonic Order - also Nebraska Lodge, No. 12, I. O. O. F.
WALTER R. BLEDSOE
(Of the firm of Meyer & Bledsoe, Merchants, Hampton, Mo.).
Mr. Bledsoe, a young business man of thorough-going enterprise, established his present business at this place in the summer of 1881. His father, Dr. Wills Bledsoe, a native of Boyle county, Ky., at- tended medical lectures at Danville and graduated with honor in his profession there, after which, while still comparatively a young man,
925
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
he came to Missouri and located at Franklin, in Howard county, where he practiced his chosen calling, and also farmed to some extent. He was married at Fayette to Miss Nannie Burckhartt, daughter of Nicholas S. Burckhartt, also one of the pioneer settlers from Kentucky. In the spring of 1861 Dr. Bledsoe entered the Confederate army, and as surgeon served under Price and Shelby until the close of the war. Removing to the city of St. Louis, he was employed by Gen. Rose- crans as a member of the secret service order in the service of the United States. In 1869 he removed to Farley, in Platte county, and was engaged in following his chosen occupation until his death, which occurred October 1, 1876. At this time he had also been interested in the drug business, and Walter R. was engaged in the drug store with his father until the latter died. Walter R. Bledsoe had been born in Jackson county, Mo., on the 15th of September, 1860. His youth was passed in Howard and Platte counties, but his education was received mostly by self-culture. Now, however, of somewhat advanced education and already with a neat start in life, for all he has and has accomplished he is very largely, if not mainly, indebted to his own resolution, spirit and industry. He continued to be occupied in the drug business for about three years, or until 1879, when, dis- posing of his drug interests, he engaged in clerking in a general store with H. G. S. Meyer, his present partner in business. Subsequently he purchased an interest in the firm on the 13th of June, 1881, as stated above. Mr. Bledsoe then took charge of the store at Hamp- ton, and has continued it from that time. The firm carry a full stock in the general merchandise line, occupy their own excellent new build- ing, are men of energy and enterprise, and with the aid of their per- sonal popularity can not fail of retaining their present excellent patronage. Mr. B. was appointed postmaster in 1881, which position he still holds. September 25, 1881, he was married, at Farley, to Miss Angie Moss, a native of Platte county, a daughter of Mr. H. H. Moss. She is a member of the M. E. Church. The mother of Walter R. Bledsoe now finds a pleasant and comfortable. home in the family of her son, and also with her daughter, Mrs. W. H. Waldron, residing at Waldron, Platte county, Mo. Mrs. Nannie Bledsoe, mother of W. R. Bledsoe, is a member of the Christian Church.
JUDGE JOHN STRODE BRASFIELD
(Retired Farmer, Post-office, Platte City).
Like many and perhaps most of the citizens of Platte county who are representatives of early families here, Judge Brasfield descends from Virginia ancestry. His father was Maj. James Brasfield, a gal- lant officer in the American army during the War of 1812, rising by his own merits and bravery to the rank of major. He lost an eye in the service, and on account of this subsequently drew a pension until his death, which occurred in Missouri, September 22, 1839. Maj. Brasfield's father was Capt. Wiley Roy Brasfield, a native of Virginia, and also an American officer in the second war with Great Britain.
926
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
The Brasfields were of English origin, and settled in Virginia in the days of the Colonies. From there Capt. Brasfield removed to Ken- tucky with his family, where he became a farmer of large fortune, and at one time owned over 40 negroes. He was a man of splendid physique, six feet, an inch and a half high, and weighing about 200 pounds. He died June 10, 1839, at the age of 73 years. His wife's father, Thomas Berry, was a pioneer settler of Kentucky, a man of great force of character, and lived to the age of 100 years.
Maj. Brasfield, the Judge's father, was born September 25, 1790. In 1816 he was married to Miss Jane Lafferty, a granddaughter of Capt. John Strode. He was a man of fine mental attainments and recognized business ability and filled several important offices in Kentucky, in- cluding that of sheriff of the county in which he served for eight years. Always taking an active interest in political affairs, he was one of the recognized leaders of popular sentiment. By profession he was a sur- veyor and was a man of good education. His regular occupation, however, was that of farming, which he followed with excellent suc- cess. No man among all around him was more universally beloved for generosity of heart and kind, neighborly hospitality.
Capt. Strode, the grandfather of Maj. Brasfield's wife, was a pion- eer settler of Kentucky, and was greatly distinguished among the early settlers of that State for his active enterprise and daring courage. He invariably made himself conspicuous in the numerous encounters had with the Indians by his gallantry and intrepidity. The eventful experiences of this honored old pioneer hero, who died at an advanced age, would alone fill an interesting volume.
In 1834 Maj. Brasfield and family removed to Missouri and four years later settled in Platte county, where he improved a large farm. At his death, however, it was found that his characteristic generosity had involved him heavily as surety on the obligations of his friends, so that it required the strictest economy and self-denial, and the best of management on the part of his widow and her mother, Mrs. Laf- ferty, who was also a widow, to save the family homestead. By their industry and good management, however, the debts were all liqui- dated, and the homestead saved to the family.
Mrs. Lafferty, it is worthy of remark in this connection, was a woman of remarkable strength of mind and. character. Though a woman well advanced in old age, in 1834 she nevertheless pushed resolutely out as an emigrant from Kentucky to Missouri. She fearlessly located on a tract of raw land in Platte county, which she purchased from the Government, and now the property of her grandson, the subject of this sketch, and with him and three negroes she began the improvement of her farm. In due time a cabin was built, land was cleared and fenced, and a valuable farm opened, one of the com- fortable homesteads of the county. She died here April 17, 1868, at the age of 85 years.
On first coming to this State Maj. Brasfield settled in what is now Clinton county, but four years later, as stated above, made his per- manent home in this county.
927
HISTORY OF PLATTE COUNTY.
Judge John S. Brasfield was born in Clark county, Ky., April 5, 1825. He was the youngest of five children, three of whom were sons. Of the five only two are living, himself and Mrs. Fry. Judge Brasfield was 13 years of age when the family settled in Platte county in 1838. In 1842, having by that time made a little money, he went to Santa Fe with a train of traders. On this trip in that early day he had many thrilling experiences. Being a skilled marksman, and for that reason made the hunter of the expedition, he supplied game for food. He had several interesting adventures with the Comanche Indians while alone in the solitudes of the West, or rather with no.com- panions but his trusted rifle and the festive Comanche brave, who was ever on the alert to skillfully raise the scalp of a hated pale-face. Arriving at Santa Fe, the party disposed of their goods and he was left without employment in a strange country. He soon, however, acquired a sufficient knowledge of the Spanish language to make him- self understood and was employed by an Irish trader named Skulley, to take charge of a train to St. Magil. There he was successfully engaged in trading for about six months. He then returned home. Subsequently to this Judge Brasfield became interested in a whisky dis- tillery, but naturally disinclined to follow that business, he withdrew from it and engaged in clerking in a store. In 1849 he and his brother William, in company with John Hayden and a negro driver, went to California, crossing the plains with a wagon and six yoke of oxen. They fell in with a number of emigrants from Clay and Clinton coun- ties and reached Sacramento in safety. Soon after arriving there he was attracted to a crowd of Spanish customers and American traders who were going through all sorts of vocal gymnastics and a perfect confusion of gestures to make each other understood. He went up and acted as interpreter and was at once offered a salary of $350 a month by one of the American traders. That was a time when talk- ing paid. But determined to try his fortune in the mines, he declined the offer and he and his brother went to digging for gold. They re- mained in the mines until spring and cleared about $1,500. But on account of constant rains they were wet and in the water nearly all the time, and becoming disgusted with aquatic life quit mining and engaged in the stock business. Judge Brasfield, L. J. Wood and James M. Clay went to San Francisco and thence by sea to San Diego, visiting Los Angeles, Santa Barbara and many other places in South- ern California, where they bought a large number of mules, horses, cattle, etc. Returning with these to Sacramento, undergoing many severe experiences on the way, they sold them at a handsome profit. But at Sacramento he learned for the first time of the death of his brother, which occurred January 29, 1850. This sad event greatly depressed him, and being urged by his mother to return home he yielded to her solicitations, notwithstanding he was in the midst of a prosperous business career and rapidly accumulating a fortune. He returned by way of Panama and New Orleans and coming thence up the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, reached Weston July 18, 1850.
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