USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 4
USA > Missouri > Clinton County > History of Clinton and Caldwell Counties, Missouri > Part 4
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In 1858 the first hotel in the town, a frame building, was built, at the foot of Walnut street, near the railroad depot. It was first kept by Charles Marsh.
In 1859 the first lumber yard in Cameron was opened by A. T. Baubie, the father of the town.
The first mill built in Cameron stood on Walnut street, south of the railroad, was erected in 1868, at a cost of $12,000, by H. Lyon and R. C. Packard. It then operated two run of burrs.
Oliver Oleson started a foundry in Cameron in 1874. The enterprise proved a failure and was soon abandoned. In 1877 W. T. Richardson
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moved from Kidder a foundry which he had been operating there and established it in Cameron.
Howenstein & Tiley, who opened in 1869 the first furniture store in Cameron, established in the spring of 1880 a furniture factory in the town.
Adam Schlemmer established in 1875 a cooper shop, on Walnut street, south of the railroad.
In October, 1871, there were 45 buildings destroyed in the town of Cameron, Clinton County, by fire. The estimated loss at the time was about $150,000.
The first school building erected in the town was a small one-story frame structure, built by private subscription, in 1851. This stood on Third street, near the corner of Pine, and here was taught the first public school of Cameron. The first teacher was Thomas Harris, and the first session of the public school opened in the fall of 1859. Previous to this, however, Mrs. Dundan had taught a private school, the first in the town. She continued to teach several years in a frame building on the northwest corner of the public park.
The directors, at the period of the organization of the first public school in Cameron, were William G. McDaniel and Miles C. Bragg, and a third whose name is not available.
The public school of Cameron was organized under the village act, Dec. 4, 1871, with a board of trustees, of whom ex-Governor George Smith was president, Judge Thomas E. Turney was treasurer, and Dr. A. O. Risley secretary. The other directors were L. E. Burr, W. W. Perrine and Richard Riggs. W. Angelo Powell, of St. Joseph, was the architect who supplied the plans and specifications for the building. The contract was let to A. F. Ely, of Gallatin, Mo., for $22,500. The building was com- pleted early in the summer of 1873, and in September of the same year was opened with a full corps of teachers. These included the Rev. Carter Page, A. M., a minister of the Protestant Episcopal Church, principal, and Corydon F. Craig, assistant principal. The others were Mrs. Siler, Miss M. E. Bullock, Miss Inez Ward, Miss Lillie Page, Miss Roland and Prof. O. F. Allen. Miss Roland resigned in December, and was succeeded by Mrs. Allen. Over 300 pupils were enrolled during the term of the first session of this school.
Cameron now has one of the best school systems in the state. The
CITY PARK, CAMERON MO.
FOUNTAIN IN CITY PARK, CAMERON
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enrollment in 1922 was 930, and there were 26 teachers employed, the names of whom appear in another chapter of this volume.
The first sermon preached in Cameron was in 1857, by the Rev. W. C. Barrett, a minister of the Baptist Church. He preached at Keiffer's dwell- ing. It is probable, however, that Bishop Hogan, of St. Joseph, had, prior to this, preached at the section house to the railroad hands. For several years previous to the erection of a church building in Cameron different religious denominations held services in the town, at times in the old school house, and at others in the railroad depot. Up to May, 1865, how- ever, there had been but one resident minister in Cameron. He was a Baptist, by the name of Arterburn. He preached at stated intervals, laboring as a section hand on the railroad to provide the means of sup- port for his family.
In May, 1865, Rev. Marvin Leffingwell, a Congregational minister, came to Cameron, under commission from the American -Home Missionary Society. At that time the old schoolhouse was so nearly destroyed as to afford poor shelter, and services were held in the passenger room of the old depot, at the foot of Walnut street. The only church which had an organization in the place was the Methodist Episcopal, and the Baptists were the only other which held religious services. There were, however, not only in the village, but in surrounding country, a number of religiously disposed persons of different denominations without any organization. These Mr. Leffingwell conceived the idea of persuading to unite in a union organization. He was so far successful as to induce several families to accept his suggestion, and, by a vote taken Aug. 18, 1865, the name "Union Congregationalist Church of Cameron" was adopted. The following named persons associated themselves in the organization: Mr. and Mrs. W. W. Howard, Charles E. Packard, Mrs. Nancy Shirts, Mr. and Mrs. Leffing- well, Miss Helena Leffingwell, Miss Sarah J. Saddler, Mr. and Mrs. C. S. Saddler, Mr. and Mrs. Nathan Evans, Mrs. Jane Hockenberry and Mrs. Mahala Kester. The several denominations represented in this organiza- tion were: Congregationalists 2, Presbyterians 1, Methodists 3, Camp- bellite Christians 8. September 5, 1876, occurred the death of Rev. Mr. Leffingwell. From this period till July 18, 1867, the church was without a pastor, and no regular services were held. Rev. W. A. Waterman then filled the pulpit till Nov. 27, 1875, when he preached his farewell sermon, in which he reviewed the history of the organization. Through the efforts
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of the pastor and members, with the liberal aid of outsiders, the means for building a church edifice were raised in the fall of 1867, and by the 25th of December following, the yet unfinished building was so far com- pleted as to permit the holding, within its walls, of a church festival, the first ever held in the town of Cameron.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in Cameron in 1865. The original members were Isaac Kirkpatrick and wife, D. B. Adams, M. D., and wife, Hugh Torbit and wife, W. D. Corn, Esq., and wife, S. S. Hare and wife, and Rev. M. T. Klepper, M. D., and wife. The first minister was Rev. B. C. Allen.
The First Baptist Church of Cameron was organized August, 1866, by Samuel Matthis. At the period of the organization of this church they held services in the dilapidated schoolhouse.
The Christian Church was one of those incorporated in the original Union Church organized in 1865. Its separate and distinct organization was effected in 1867, with 15 members, and J. G. Encell as pastor. These original members were Caleb Schreve and wife, W. Shutt, C. Saddler and wife, C. E. Packard, Mrs. Corbin, Joseph Kester, Miss Maggie Pepper, James W. Hockenberry, J. G. Encell and wife. The first permanent elders were R. W. Orvis, C. E. Packard and R. N. Williams.
The First Presbyterian Church of Cameron was organized Oct. 24, 1867, by Rev. N. H. Smith, stated supply. The first elders were Peter Fisher, Samuel Hall, Rebecca Fisher, Maria A. Hall, Mary Frame, Nancy Shutts, and Mary E. Harwood.
The first Roman Catholic Church of St. Munchen in Cameron was built in the fall of 1867. The first priest of the church who preached in Cameron was Rev. J. J. Hogan, afterwards bishop of St. Joseph.
St. John's Protestant Episcopal Church was organized in Cameron in 1869. The original members were: B. F. Bassett, and Mrs. S. B. Tiernan, Miss M. Bell, Mrs. George R. Willis, Mrs. Willis, Mrs. H. B. Stokes, Mrs. S. Barker, and S. Barker. The church edifice, a neat Gothic frame, on the corner of Eighth and Pine streets, was erected in 1876, at a cost of $1,850. Nov. 11, 1880, it was dedicated by Right Rev. C. F. Robertson, bishop of Missouri. The first Epsicopal service ever held in Cameron was conducted Nov. 28, 1868, by Bishop Robertson.
Vincil Lodge, No. 62, Ancient, Free and Accepted Masons, was organ- ized under dispensation from the Grand Lodge issued Oct. 20, 1866, and
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received its charter Oct. 19, 1867. The officers under that charter were Elias Parrot, W. M .; L. Forrest, S. W .; M. M. McPhetridge, J. W .; John Stokes, treasurer; A. T. Baubie, secretary; S. B. Lathrop, S. D .; Delany Flanders, J. D., and W. S. Reed, tyler. These included the original mem- bership of the lodge.
Cameron Lodge No. 296, A. F. & A. M., was instituted under dis- pensation Nov. 10, 1874, and set to work by James Y. Whitset, D. D. G. M. of the Thirteenth Masonic District of Missouri, with the following officers : Milton Helwig, W. M .; William McCullum, S. W .; E. T. Walker, J. W. The following officers were then chosen: Solon Hyde, treasurer; Jarvis S. Rogers, secretary ; Chester D. Combs, S. D .; Alvan Harriman, J. D., and. James McKee, tyler.
Cameron Royal Arch Chapter, No. 67, was set to work U. D. Aug. I, 1870, by M. A. Lowe, D. G. H. P. The officers under this dispensation were Homer Dunn, H. P .; Dr. J. H. Snyder, K .; E. Parrott, S .; Milton Helwig, P. S .; S. E. Johnson, C. of H .; L. Forrest, treasurer; G. B. Salmon, secretary ; J. M. Nelson, R. A. C .; J. E. Goldsmith, G. M. third V .; Jacob Taylor, G. M. second V .; A. Hostadter, G. M. first V .; W. H. Stafford, guard. They were granted a charter Oct. 6, 1870.
Signet Council No. 19 of Royal and Select Masters was set to work, under dispensation, Oct. 12, 1872, with the following officers: James Thompson, Th. Ill. G. M .; John M. Lindsay, deputy T. I. G. M .; Robert Hall, P. C. W .; Fred Henshaw, treasurer; E. Fist, recorder; Joseph Truex, C. of G .; John L. Nelson, C. of C .; T. W. Moore, steward; I. G. Willis, guard. On the granting of a charter by the Grand Council, Oct. 9, 1874, the same officers were retained.
Kadosh Commandry No. 21, Knights Templar, was organized in Ham- ilton, Mo., under a dispensation granted by the Grand Commandry, April 25, 1872.
Adah Chapter No. 17, of the Eastern Star, was chartered in the winter of 1874, with the following officers: Mrs. Sarah Snyder, W. M .; George A. Willis, W. P .; Mrs. McCullom, treasurer, and Miss Fannie Reid, secre- tary. The original membership was sixteen.
The Independent Order of Odd Fellows are, in order of time, the sec- ond secret benevolent body instituted in Cameron. Star of Hope Lodge No. 182, I. O. O. F., was organized by them under authority of N. M. Smith, D. D. G. M., Feb. 20, 1868. The first officers were E. R. Saulsberry,
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N. G .; E. T. Walker, V. G .; J. G. Encel, secretary ; J. J. Tipton, treasurer ; J. F. Harwood, permanent secretary.
Cameron Encampment No. 62, I. O. O. F., was instituted in Cameron June 19, 1871. The following were its first officers: N. S. Goodrich, C. P .; William Hollington, H. P .; J. J. Tipton, S. W .; J. F. Harwood, scribe, and H. S. Beery, treasurer.
Temple Lodge No. 38, A. O. U. W., was organized Dec. 7, 1877, with the following officers: R. R. Daviess, past master workman; J. N. Mun- sell, master workman; W. D. Corn, grand foreman ; G. W. Stoner, overseer ; C. N. Burnham, recorder; L. E. Burr, financier; E. M. Nusbaum, guide; M. L. Walker, receiver; A. L. Spore, inside, and E. J. Smith, outside watch- man.
One of the attractive features of the town of Cameron is its public park. This elegantly improved spot occupies the square bounded on the north by Fourth street, on the south by Third, on the east by Chestnut, and on the west by Cherry street. It was set apart on the laying out of the town for the special purpose to which it is now devoted. Though for a long period remaining unimproved, in subsequent years it was planted in shade trees and otherwise improved and embellished. Its present appear- ance is eminently attractive. On the north side of this park the stately structure of the Cameron public school rears its elegant proportions.
Among other elements of enterprise, the citizens of Cameron deserve especial credit for the inauguration and subsequent maintenance, for sev- eral successive seasons, of fairs, which were held on a piece of ground directly north of and adjoining the town site of Cameron, and, conse- quently, in DeKalb County. From the circumstances of this ground being and lying within the limits of that county, its charter was derived there- from; and, though to all intents and purposes a Cameron enterprise, it was styled the "DeKalb County Agricultural and Mechanical Association." Commonly known everywhere, however (as it properly was), as the Cam- eron Fair. The first president of this association was Judge Thomas E. Turney, and the first secretary, W. D. Corn, esq. This was in 1867.
Plattsburg, the county seat of Clinton County, has a population of 1,719 and dates its beginning with the organization of the county when that loca- tion was selected by the commissioners delegated for that purpose.
The commissioners charged with the important duty of locating the seat of justice were Gen. David R. Atchison, John Long and Howard
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Everett. This they did, in the spring of 1833, the town being named Con- cord. In January, 1834, the name was changed, by order of the county court, to Springfield, and, in January, 1835, it being ascertained that there was another town in the state bearing the same name, by act of the Legislature, the town was called Plattsburg, taking its name after Platts- burg, in Clinton County, New York.
In November, 1833, the county court appointed Henry F. Mitchell commissioner of the seat of justice, and at the same term made the fol- lowing order.
"Ordered, that the commissioner of the seat of justice proceed as soon as practicable to lay off the said seat of justice into lots, streets, alleys, squares, etc., upon the same plan as the town of Liberty is laid off."
Mr. Mitchell gave bond as commissioner and immediately began his labors. Associated with him, as co-worker in this important undertaking, were Orval H. Searcy, who surveyed the town site, Bartholomew Thatcher, Daniel Thatcher John Livingston and Littleton Roberts, assistants and chain-bearers. For their services in thus localizing and defining the spot whereon was to be reared the future town and seat of justice, these gentlemen received from the county treasury the following sums:
Henry F. Mitchell, $20.50; Orval H. Searcy, $24.00; Bartholomew Thatcher, $10.75; Daniel Thatcher, $3.00; John Livingston, $4.50; Little- ton Roberts, $0.75.
Mr. Mitchell, having finished the work of laying off the town, he pre- sented a plat of the same to the county court on Jan. 13, 1834, which was received and approved by that body. The court thereupon "Ordered, that lot No. 110 be, and the same is hereby reserved for the purpose of erect- ing a court house thereon; and further, it is ordered, that all those lots on the blocks round the public square, except the one reserved as above in No. 47, on the plat aforesaid, be offered for sale by the said commis- sioner, on the following terms, to-wit: To be sold to the highest bidder, on the days of sale, payments to be made as follows: one-fourth of the purchase money to be paid at the time of sale, and one-half of the residue to be paid on or before the expiration of twelve months from the day of sale, and the balance to be due eighteen months after date. Bond and approved security required of purchasers. The sale to commence on the premises, on Monday, April 7, 1834, and to continue for three days."
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The commissioner was ordered to publish the sale of lots in the Liberty Enquirer, a weekly newspaper, published in Liberty, Clay County, by giv- ing six insertions, and also by five written handbills, put up in different portions of the county.
On July 13, 1835, there were sold in the town of Plattsburg the follow- ing lots: Nos. 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 44, 45, 46, 47, 55, 59, 63, 86, 87, 90, 91, 100, 101, 104, 105, 108, 119, 122 and 123, each of which contained one-sixth of an acre, and also the following two acre lots: Nos. 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, and 14. The court ordered that the first lots should not be sold for less than $5, and the remainder for not less than $10. During the same month there were also sold lots Nos. 28, 29, 44, 45, 46 and 47.
The first deed upon record of the sale of lots in Plattsburg, was made by Henry F. Mitchell, commissioner, as grantor, to John M. Evans, grantee, conveying lot 28 for $24.25, and recorded November 18, 1835.
On May 4, 1835, the county court made the following order:
"This day, the citizens of the town of Plattsburg presented to the court a petition, praying to have the tract, lying within the following bounds, incorporated, and a police established for their local government, to-wit: Beginning at the southwest corner of the town tract, and running thence east 80 rods; thence north 80 rods; thence west 80 rods; thence south 80 rods, to the beginning. And it is thereupon ordered by the court, that all the tract of country contained within the bounds aforesaid be, and it is, hereby incorporated, and the inhabitants are hereby constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the inhabitants of Plattsburg, and by that name they and their successors shall be known in law, have perfect real succession, and do and perform all and every- thing which a body politic and corporation may of right do by the laws of the land; and it is further ordered that John M. Evans, James M. Long, Shadrach B. Taylor, Elijah P. Howell and James Smith, be and they are hereby appointed a board of trustees, for the government and manage- ment of the same, and are hereby vested with all the powers and author- ity to which they and there successors are by law entitled."
The city obtained a charter under an act of incorporation passed by the general assembly in 1861, approved February 8th of that year, and also approved March 24, 1870, under which the city government was
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organized by the election of mayor and councilmen, which occurred in 1869.
The town had previously been governed by a board of trustees and the township justice and constable.
The following were the first officers:
Charles Ingles, Mayor; William Dunagan, Councilman; Edward S. Randolph, Councilman; A. Q. Hill, Councilman; John H. Mooreland, Coun- cilman; Thomas R. Livingston, Marshal; William L. Ferguson, Assessor ; Orbison P. Riley, Treasurer; James M. Riley, City Attorney; James M. Riley Clerk.
Among the early settlers of Plattsburg, was Richard R. Rees, who was appointed the first circuit and county clerk in 1833. Mr. Rees was originally from Kentucky, but came from Clay County to Plattsburg. He continued his clerical labors, as an officer of the courts until 1836, when, obtaning a license from the Supreme Court of the state, he resigned and began the practice of law. In about 1836, he moved to Leavenworth, Kan., where he continued the practice of his profession, filling in the mean- time many prominent offices, among which was that of probate judge of Leavenworth County. He died in 1879.
John Livingston came about the same time from Kentucky (1833), and had the honor of building the first house in Plattsburg (then called Concord). This building was a pole cabin, and was used for a court house and clerk's office. It was located southeast of where the court house now stands. Mr. Livingston was fond of hunting, and during his first winter here, he killed 48 black bears; 22 of these were killed on a large elm tree, which stood upon the present site of the court house. Mr. Livingston died in Plattsburg in 1867.
The first business house was that of Edward M. and George W. Samuels, who began business as early as July, 1834. The Samuel brothers were from Kentucky, but came from Clay County to this place. They had business houses at that time at several other points in Clay, and afterwards in Platte, Buchanan and Andrew counties, of this state. Ed- ward M. was at one time Receiver in the United States Land Office, in Plattsburg. The next business firm, general merchandise, was J. and J. Long, who caine in 1835, from Woodford County, Kenutcky, and opened their store in June. Anthony Miller located here in July, 1835, and
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operated a grocery store. Shadrack B. Taylor, came also in 1835, and opened a grocery store. Mr. Taylor was afterwards sheriff of the county.
In 1836, E. P. Howell located here, and commenced business. He was from Clay County, and remained in Plattsburg till 1849, when he went, with others, to California. Solomon Kinsey began business in 1836. He was some four years a prominent man. Besides being a merchant, he was a minister of the Gospel, and was one of the first sheriffs of the county. In 1836, W. J. Moss & Company, from Liberty, Mo., opened a store, which was operated by Nathan M. Vance, who afterwards became the sole owner. Mr. Vance was from Garrett County, Ky. James Smith, the first blacksmith, came during this year, also Anthony Miller, who was the first tailor. The first hotel in the town, was opened and operated in 1836, by Joseph Hunter, a Kenutckian. The hotel was a log building. Willis Long, brother of James Long, came in 1835. He died in California. During the same year, Hiram Smith, and A. S. Gunter, began business here.
In 1837, there were nine licenses issued to business men, among which was a peddler's license, granted to Alvin L. Howell, who was the first peddler in the county. George Funkhouser came in 1837, from Virginia, and soon began merchandising. Dr. Henry Essig settled here in 1837, coming from Center County, Pa. He immediately began the practice of his profession, to which he devoted himself exclusively until 1866, when he retired from practice. Reuben Randolph and his son, William, located here in 1837. They were the first carpenters in the town, and constructed some of the earliest residences. They were from Clay County. Dr. Noah F. Essig came, in 1837, from Center County, Pa. He was the father of Dr. Henry Essig, above mentioned. The doctor was one of the first treas- urers in the county, which office he filled for many years. He died here in 1859.
In 1838, Thomas McMichael, from Ohio, settled in Plattsburg. Shortly after coming, he engaged in the mercantile business, and continued therein at different intervals until 1863, when he retired from business. In 1838, Judge Charles Young, from Bath County, Ky., located here. Judge Young built the first house in Kansas City, Mo. Nelson O. Hopkins, David R. Gallaway, and William Hughes came in 1838. The latter was a merchant, and was the first man buried in the Plattsburg cemetery. W. P. Gibson, a tailor, located here in 1839; John Patton and Joseph Young, both shoe-
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makers, about the same year, Young preceding Patton. Hervey Whitting- ton came from Woodford County, Ky., in 1840 and was the pioneer saddler and harness maker of Plattsburg. He followed this business for some years, and then engaged in other pursuits. Winslow Turner came in 1840, from Liberty, Clay County. He was formerly from Massachusetts, and came to Clay County from Fort Leavenworth. Colonel Turner was, for many years, circuit and county court clerk. John Steel came in 1840, and began work with Hervey Whittington as a saddler. He was from Pennsylvania, and made the first saddle that was manufactured in Clinton County. The above named parties, who settled in Plattsburg between 1833 and 1840, were among the very earliest pioneers of the town.
Soon after the year 1840, came Judge James H. Birch, a Virginian by birth and education, who moved to Missouri in 1826, and located in Platts- burg, Clinton County, in 1841. Judge Birch was for many years register of the land office in Plattsburg. In 1848, he was appointed a judge of the Supreme Court of the state, and in 1866, began the publication of the Clinton County Register, a weekly newspaper. The Judge was a leading politician in this portion of the state, and was one of the best informed men of his day.
Gen. James W. Denver, was also an old citizen, and resided here several years, engaged in teaching school and the practice of law. He went to California from Plattsburg, and was afterwards appointed gov- ernor of Kansas; was a representative in Congress, and filled other im- portant positions both civil and military. The city of Denver, Colo., was named after him. Thomas E. Birch, brother of Judge Birch, came after 1840, and was appointed register in the land office here, under General Taylor's administration.
Among other prominent men who resided here at an early day, were Gen. Bela M. Hughes, who later lived in Denver, Colo., and practiced law, and Allen McLane, register of the land office. Then came B. O. Bean, from New Hampshire; Dr. William Evans, from Ohio; Joel Funkhouser, from Virginia ; Charles W. Porter, from Vermont; Joseph B. Biggerstaff, from Kenutcky; Moses Shoemaker, from Pennsylvania; Isaac N. Hocka- day, Benjamin Craig and James M. Craig, from Kenutcky; Charles Ingles and W. W. Scutt, from New York, and Andrew Meininger, from Germany. At a later day came Judge T. D. Phillips, W. P. Hooper, J. H. Bennett, A. Doniphan, E. M. Lyons, W. H. Conner, James Stonum, D. H. Lindsay,
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