USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 24
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Modern education looks to the development of a healthy body along with a trained mind. Too often in the past we have ignored the health of the child in our endeavor to educate him, as a result the present genera- tion is only about sixty per cent. efficient physically. A large share of the blame for this condition must be assumed by the schools.
Statistics obtained by the army in the recent draft show that prac- tically one-third of the young men were physically inferior and that seventy-five per cent. of this inferiority could have been overcome had the right training been administered at the proper time. The schools, therefore, must wake up to the necessity for adequate physical training, which is of even more importance than mental training. Because the first requisite for a sound mind is a sound body. Mental development at the expense of physical well-being is not only undesirable but nonsensical. Physical training in the school need not interfere with mental training but should rather supplement it. The universal criticism of athletics in the past has been that it is administered to the five per cent. rather than the hundred per cent. In the modern school the health of the pupil is of first consideration and each is given the training best calculated to fit him for a vigorous, healthy, successful life.
Thus have the Boonville schools developed through the years, until today we have a system that ranks among the best in the state, and of
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which we are justly proud. It may be of interest to review the list of citizens who have served on the Board of Education, and the superin- tendents who have come and gone.
School Directors from 1867-1919 .- Jos. L. Stephens, 1867-1881; Jos. A. Eppstein, 1867-1870; C. W. Sombart, 1867-1895; John Bemard, 1867- 1882; H. A. Hutchison, 1867-1870; Franklin Swap, 1867-1881; John Fet- zer, 1870-1873; John O'Brien, 1870-1873; John B. Holman, 1871-1881; J. F. Gmelich, 1873-1876; George Sahm, 1876-1879; E. Roeschal, 1877-1895; D. D. Miles, 1880-1884; C. H. Brewster, 1881-1882; John N. Gott, 1881- 1882; Sam Acton, 1882-1885; W. W. Taliaferro, 1882-1894 ; John Cosgrove, 1882-1884; W. Speed Stephens, 1884-1917; Chas. J. Burger, 1884-1887; S. H. Stephens, 1885-1894; * R. W. Whitlow, 1887-1919; * Wm. Mittlebach, 1894-1919; W. A. Smiley, 1894-1897; J. T. McClanahan, 1895-1898 ; Richard Hadelich, 1895-1898; C. P. Gott, 1897-1903; R. L. Moore, 1898-1904; Wm. Gibbons, 1898-1901; C. C. Bell, 1901-1904; * Wm. F. Johnson, 1903-1919; F. R. Smiley, 1904-1913; John C. Pigott, 1904-1913; * M. E. Schmidt, 1913- 1919; T. F. Waltz, 1913-1916; John Cosgrove, 1916-1919; A. C. Jacobs, 1917-1918; * Wm. B. Talbott, 1918-1919.
*Still members of the board.
Superintendents, Boonville Public Schools From 1867-1919 .- J. C. Mason, 1867, 1868, 1870 ; E. A. Angell, 1869; R. P. Rider, 1871, 1872; Wm. A. Smiley, 1873; S. H. Blewett, 1874-1875; R. R. Rogers, 1876; D. A. McMillan, 1877-1883; H. T. Norton, 1883; G. W. Smith, 1884-1889; F. W. Ploger, 1889-1895; D. T. Gentry, 1895-1899; W. A. Annin, 1899-1903; M. A. O'Rear, 1903-1913; C. E. Chrane, 1913-1919.
The high school enrollment during the past year was 204. This is a 15 per cent. increase over the year previous. Sixty-four of these pupils were from the rural districts.
There were enumerated in the Boonville school district May 1, 1919, 795 white children and 194 colored-a total of 989, and the total enroll- ment during the school year was 728.
The Boonville Board of Education employs 23 teachers to run its schools. The faculty for the coming year 1919-20 is as follows:
High School Faculty .- C. E. Chrane, superintendent; E. H. Johnson, Principal High School, Science; Edna Ginn, History; Alberta Cowden, Home Economics; Helen Dauwalter, Latin, Mathematics; Grace Graves, teacher-training ; Pauline Holloway, English ; Leota Moser, French, Music ; Mildred Amick, Commercial.
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Grade School Faculty .- Emma Stegner, principal, 7, 8 grades, Vergna Hopkins, Gladys Brown, Lilia Dritt, Emmorie Holtman, Hazel Moore, Helen Gantner, Elizabeth Hayden, Dora Hennicke, Elizabeth Varnum.
Sumner School, Boonville .- The Sumner school for colored children was established in 1868 and has been open continuously since that time at the corner of Fourth and Spruce streets.
The following statistics that are taken from the 1910 census of the United States will give some idea of the effectiveness of the work of this school.
The census of 1910 gives the colored population of Boonville, 910. The number of illiterate is given as 124, which shows that illiteracy among the colored people in our city has been reduced from 100 per cent. in 1869 to less than 12 per cent in 1910.
Following the same line of investigation, the Boonville colored people compare favorably with those of the other cities and towns of the state.
The motto of the school is "Grow or Go," and every one is so busy that the loafer or laggard so inbibes the spirit of work from the atmos- phere surrounding him, that sooner or later he takes up the work with a hearty good will.
All children old enough to help the family and themselves are encour- aged to work outside of school hours, because it is found that the child who is kept busy makes a better scholar than the loafer or idler. In other words, it is more of a help than a handicap to be forced to work.
The Sumner High School was established in 1884. The first pupil graduated in 1886. This pupil afterwards attended Oberlin College and is now one of the prominent teachers in the state. Since this time some thirty-eight classes have finished the two-year high school course.
More than 50 per cent. have gone to the higher institutions of learn- ing, where they finished courses in medicine, law, pharmacy, nurse-train- ing, teaching, theology, engineering, commercial business course, etc. But one of the greatest benefits has been received by the rank and file of the race, as shown by the improved conditions of the colored people of our city.
The number of taxpayers has increased from none in 1869 to 161 at present; besides, the colored people own two good churches, two parson- ages and one lodge hall valued at $5,000.
A new six-room building, modern in every respect, was completed in 1916. Courses in cooking, sewing and manual training have been added to the curriculum.
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Faculty of School .- C. G. Williams, principal; Ida Hill, Millie Proctor, Josie E. Williams.
Catholic Parochial School, Boonville, 1848 .- The Catholic church was built in Boonville in the year 1848, and the school was started soon there- after. It is an elementary school teaching only the first eight grades of school work. Examinations are given twice each year by the priest. There are at the present time two teachers and one housekeeper in charge of the school, and they have sixty-seven pupils enrolled.
Cooper County Institute, 1863 .- The Cooper County Institute was established at Boonville in 1863, by the Reverend X. X. Buckner, a Baptist minister. It was sold in 1865 to Q. W. Marston who had charge of it until the year 1868. It was discontinued from 1868 to 1870 at which time Professor Anthony Haynes took charge and moved it to a suite of rooms over the Stephen's Opera House. Later it was moved to the building now known as the Quinly apartments. In addition to the conducting of a suc- cessful day school Professor Haynes had a boarding department which proved very popular to the people of Cooper County who were at a distance from Boonville and out of touch with educational advantages. The school was maintained until the year 1877 when Professor Haynes was forced to give up his chosen work on account of ill health.
Prairie Home Institute was founded at Prairie Home in 1865 by Rev. A. H. Misseline. In the fall of 1869 it was sold to the public school dis- trict by Washington A. Johnston. In May, 1871, it was converted into a co-educational boarding school. The building with its contents was destroyed by fire in 1874. A new building was substituted for the old and school reopened April, 1875, and continued until 1880. After 1880 the school had a precarious existence, being alternately opened and closed, and was finally forced to close altogether a few years later.
The Otterville Academy was organized in the year 1891. Prof. Wm. Curlin was employed as the first principal. He stayed with the school two years. The school closed in 1907.
McGuire Seminary was established in Boonville, Mo., in 1892, by Mrs. Julia McGuire. This was a very select school for young ladies and offered an exceedingly fine course in music. Mrs. McGuire died in 1902. Mrs. Roller took charge of the school and attempted to keep it up to its former high standard of excellence and enrollment, and she suc- ceeded until 1905, when discouraged because of the lack of interest that was manifest in private schools and academies, generally, at this time, it was closed.
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Kemper Military Schools .- This large enterprise and distinguished school, like all other affairs worthy of growth and development, had a small and humble beginning. In 1844, Professor F. T. Kemper located in Boonville and started a private school which in the course of years became known as the Kemper Family School. This school opened with but five students, only one of whom, D. C. Mack, was a Boonville boy. The school was conducted in a humble frame building that stood on the corner of Morgan and Spring streets, on the present site of the Citizen's Trust Company building. A little frame house situated a little farther west was the residence of the school family and another small house served as an office to piece out the scanty accommodations.
Mr. Kemper did all the instructing himself and by the end of the year the enrollment of students had increased to 35 and a portion of the second story of the building now known as the Green Hotel was secured for the school. The next year a location for a permanent home for the school was secured where it and its famed successor, the Kemper Military School, has ever since remained. Professor Kemper was a ripe scholar, an elegant gentleman, and possessed of a strong personality which he impressed upon his pupils. During the years the Kemper Family School became noted for its discipline and thoroughness. Soon after founding the school, Kemper associated with himself the brothers Tyre C. and James B. Harris. This association, however, continued but a short time. In the early his- tory of the school there were also associated with Kemper, James and John Chandler, William and Roberdeau Allison and J. A. Quarrels ; and again during the Civil War the school was under the joint management of Mr. Kemper and Edwin Taylor, brother of Mrs. Kemper. During the years from 1867 to 1868, Mr. R. Allison was associated in the manage- ment. It was in the year 1867 that T. A. Johnston, now the superintendent of the Kemper Military School, entered this family school as a student and continued thus until 1871 when he entered the State University of Mis- souri where in 1872 he received the degree of Bachelor of Arts, later receiving the degree of Master of Arts, and at once returned to Boonville and became associate principal of the Kemper Family School. The man- agement of the school was thus continued until the death of Professor Kemper in 1881. The school then passed to the management and control of T. A. Johnston and continued under this management to prosper with an ever widening patronage. Yet its growth was not phenomenal as has
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been that of the Kemper Military School. From 1865 until 1890, 50 was the average enrollment. Col. T. A. Johnston with a far sighted vision realized the changing conditions, and gradually converted the institution into what now is known throughout the length and breadth of the land as the "Kemper Military School." It was not until 1904 that the enroll- ment of 100 was reached, and in 1909, 150 students appeared at Kemper while in 1916 saw an enrollment of 217; and this year, 1919, a total enroll- ment of 527. The Kemper Military School represents an investment of half a million dollars. It occupies 30 acres of ground and has five modern barracks, two study halls, an auditorium that will seat 500, a gymnasium, library, manuel training and machine shops and employs 29 teachers and officers. For the last five years it has been among the 10 Honor Military Schools of the United States and this year ranks second among the 10, and is the first in rank of the military schools west of the Mississippi River.
The Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute is but a memory, dear to the students and instructors who once occupied and spent pleasant and in- structive days within its walls. This institution had its beginning in the establishment of a private school by the Rev. Geo. Eichelberger, in 1878 in a two story frame building located where are now the residences of J. A. Thompson and R. A. Harriman, in the city of Pilot Grove, Missouri.
In 1879, Prof. Charles Newton Johnson organized a company and pur- chased this building from Mr. Eichelberger. He had associated with him his mother, Mrs. C. B. Johnson, and the school flourished from the begin- ning. It was chartered in 1881 as the Pilot Grove Collegiate Institute and during this year he had also associated with him W. F. Johnson, the author of this volume. Prof. Chas. N. Johnson died in the summer of 1882. The management of the school then fell into the hands of Prof. Chas. B. Johnson (the father of C. N. and W. F. Johnson) and W. F. John- son and under this management it was continued until 1887, or 1888 in- creasing in enrollment year by year.
At this time Prof. Chas. Foster and D. L. Roe purchased and became the proprietors of the school and conducted the same for several ycars when Prof. Foster retired and Prof. Roe continued the management. Prof. Roe was eventually succeeded by Prof. Taylor and he in turn by Prof. Buckmeister who conducted a private school in the college building for two or three years when he gave up teaching. The property has been
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recently wrecked and two residences built upon the site of the old institu- tion.
This school drew its patronage not only from many counties in the state but from other states especially Kentucky and Tennessee and had pupils from a distance varying from sixty-five to eighty and an enroll- ment in all averaging from 150 to 175 pupils.
CHAPTER XVII.
CHURCHES.
BAPTIST - METHODIST - PRESBYTERIAN- CHRISTIAN-GERMAN EVANGELICAL- LUTHERAN-EPISCOPAL-CATHOLIC.
Churches have ever been established coincident with settlement, and the pioneer considered his church of primary importance. In that early day,
"A church in every grove that spread A living roof above their heads,"
formed their only place of worship and to them,
"No temple built with hands could vie
In glory with its majesty." Thus in nature's magnificent cathedrals, and with hearts in tune with the simplicity of the Gospel, the early settlers worshipped their Creator, and felt the quickening power of duty done. They lived humble and devout lives and consistently prac- ticed the precepts, and tenets of their faith.
It was Alexander Pope who said,
"Honor and shame from no condition rise,
Act well your part, there all the honor lies." And it was the pioneer who, above all else, exemplified this truth. In rude cabins and huts the early preachers proclaimed the same gospel that is preached today in the magnificent palaces, that, under the name of church, decorate the cities of our fair land.
Since it was impossible to obtain information regarding each indi- vidual church in the county we thought it best to confine our discussion of churches to those of the early day. Not that a discussion of the more recent churches would not be profitable and interesting to a majority of
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our readers, but because it is almost an impossibility to get accurate information on such a subject.
The number of churches in Cooper County has increased with amazing rapidity during the past few years, until today there is probably not a community in the county that is not served by one or more church houses, and there is not a family in Cooper County who cannot, if they so desire, worship in the church of their choice any Sunday, with but little effort.
BAPTIST.
The Baptists were probably the first to become active in Cooper County.
Concord Church was organized May 10, 1817 by Elders Edward Tur- ner, William Thorp, and David McLain. The following were the first fourteen members: Luke Williams, Polly Williams, William Savage, Mary Savage, Delaney Bolen, Judith Williams, Absalom Huff, Susanna Savage, Joseph Baze, Lydia Turner, Charles Williams, Patsey Bolen, Sally Baze and Elizabeth Williams.
Concord Church was located in the settlement south of Boonville and was called Concord Association in 1823. Elder Luke Williams was pastor for six years, beginning in June, 1817. After his death which occurred at the end of his pastorate, Elder Kemp Scott was chosen pastor. The church had a membership of about 45. Dec. 26, 1846, Concord church united with a neighboring church known as "The Vine" which strength- ened materially the old church. The charter members of this church were Luke Williams, Polly Williams, William Savage, Mary Savage, Delaney Bolen, Judith Williams, Absalom Huff, Susanna Savage, Joseph Baze, Lydia Turner, Charles Williams, Patsey Bolen, Sally Baze and Elizabeth Williams.
Mount Nebo Church is located about one mile north of the present site of Bunceton and it was organized in 1820. An early list of members contains 63 names. Rev. A. P. Williams was the first pastor. The first church building was erected in 1838. The present building was erected in 1856.' Earliest members were, Lydia Corum, Jordan O'Bryan, Abra- ham and Nancy Woolery.
Big Lick Church was a constituent of the Concord Association and was organized Aug. 24, 1822, under an arbor, one mile north of where the present church now stands. John B. Longan and Jacob Chism com- posed the council. There were sixteen in the original membership. John
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
B. Longan (822-845), Tyre C. Harris (1845-1851) were followed as pastors by Robert H. Harris, D. G. Tutt, J. B. Box, J. D. Murphy and J. S. Palmer. In 1847, the membership was 350.
Pisgah Baptist Church was organized at a meeting held at the resi- dence of Lewis Shelton on June 19, 1819, with the following charter mem- bers: The Rev. William Jennings, Rev. Jacob Chism, Priscilla Chism, David Jones, Tabitha Jones, James Maxey, William Howard, Leven Savage, ' Pollie Savage, Joseph McClure, Elizabeth McClure, John Bivian, Mary Bivian, Rhoda Stephens, Isabella Pontan, Sarah Woods, the Rev. John B. Longan, John Apperson, Sela Apperson, Jesse Martin, Mary Martin and Pollie Longan. The first meeting house was erected not long after the congregation had effected an organization and was situated at a point a half mile east of the present edifice. This somewhat primitive church building was in time supplanted by a brick building, which in 1871 gave way to the much larger frame building which has since then supplied the needs of the congregation. Mrs. Jane York, who died on March 15, 1919, joined this church in 1849 and at the time of her death was the oldest continuous member of the church. her connection with the same having covered the long span of 70 years.
Providence Baptist Church was organized in Nov., 1879, at Prairie Home by Rev. B. T. Taylor. The church building was erected in 1881 at a cost of $1,000 by Rev. J. B. Box, the first pastor. Charter members were Miss E., Miss R. and Miss J. McLane, A. Slaughter, Mrs. L. W. Slaughter, Mrs. M. Simmons, W. E. Watt, Mrs. L. F. Watt, William Sim- mons, Mrs. Lizzie Simmons, Mrs. Saline Smith, A. J. Hornbeck, Jeremiah Hornbeck, Mrs. E. Hornbeck, Mrs. Josie, Miss Sallie, Miss Nevada, Miss Fannie, Miss Minerva, Miss Nannie, Miss Henrietta and C. C. Don Carlos, Miss M. J. and Mrs. Mary Adair, Mrs. Mary, Miss Laura, Miss Lillie and Miss Mattie Taylor, Thomas F. and Mrs. Sallie B. Hall, Gabriel, Miss Sarah Stemmons, Miss Sudie and Miss Nannie Stemmons, George W., Mrs. Mary and Clara Carey, Mrs. Melinda Dungan, Miss Jennie and Amanda Max- well and Bettie Hudson.
First Baptist Church, Boonville, was organized Dec. 30, 1843, by Rev. A. M. Lewis and A. B. Hardy. A brick building was erected in the sum- mer of 1847. Some of the early pastors were Tyra C. Harris, Robert Harris, John W. Mitchell, Spencer H. Olmstead, X. X. Buckner, M. M. Paderford, Charles Whitting, J. L. Blitch. Original members were, Reuben E. McDaniel, Alfred Simmons, David Lilly, Lawrence B. Lewis, Jordan O'Bryan, Elizabeth Dow, Sarah Gates, Maria Elliott, Eliza Ann
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Hickman, Susan D. Conner, Delia McDaniel, Elizabeth N. Richardson, Jane E. Richardson and Francis B. Major. The present pastor is C. Rus- sell Sorrell.
First Baptist Church, Otterville, was organized in 1866, by J. W. Williams and Brother Parish. The church building was bought in 1874 from the Cumberland Presbyterians for $360. Some of the early pastors of this church were William Pastors, John K. Godby, T. V. Greer, W. N. Phillips, E. F. Shelton. Original members were George I. Key, James Shackelford, Samuel Swearingen, William H. Bowdin, Martha L. Key, Sarah Willard, Catherine L. Key, Angeline Cook, Mary C. Golladay, Josephine Butler, Mahala Price, Jane Trimble, Margaret A. Shackelford, Temperance E. Swearingen, Mary A. Bowdin, Sophia Cook and Sarah Ellixon.
Mt. Herman Church is located in Clark's Fork township. It was or- ganized Jan. 3, 1868, by Jehe Robinson who was its first pastor. The church building was erected in 1879 at a cost of $1,800. Charter mem- bers were Mrs. Margaret Reid, Sarah Cartner, Lucy Brown, Margaret Cartner.
Pilot Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1876 by Rev. N. T. Alli- son. A frame church building costing $1,000 was built in the same year. Original members, Rev. N. T. Allison and wife, J. R. Jeffress, A. N. Spencer, J. Tomlinson, B. F. Chamberlain and wife, L. L. Chamberlain and wife, Miss Rebecca Massie, Miss Millie White and Mrs. Sarah Kaley.
Second Baptist Church, Colored, is located on Morgan Street, Boon- ville. It was organized in 1865 by Rev. W. P. Brooks. A building was erected in 1870 at a cost of $1,600. There were 216 members in 1883. Original members were: Richard Taylor and wife, William Jackson and wife, Dilcey Thomas, Rebecca Sharp, Hannah Alexander, Washington Whittleton, Minerva Smith, Jane Smith, Duke Diggs and wife, G. Fowler and wife, Jane Douglass, Ellen Woods, Abbey Smith, Green Smith, Cynthia Nelson, P. Watkins, P. Wilson.
Sixth Baptist Church, Colored, is located in Boonville and was organ- ized in 1874 by Rev. S. Bryan. A building was erected in 1876 at a cost of $1,000. This church had a membership of one hundred in 1883. Orig- inal members were: Green Wilson, William Jackson, David Watson, Paul Donaldson, Smith Barnes, Rebecca Sharp, Martha Tibbs, Clacy Waller, Esther Rollins, Clara Johnson, Dilcey Thomas, Sarah Jackson, Arrena Watson.
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HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
METHODIST.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South .- The first religious service ever held in Boonville of which we have any record was held in a private house by Reb. John Scripps, a pioneer preacher in 1817. A church was organized by Rev. Justinian Williams who was a brother of Marcus Wil- liams, the first mayor of Boonville and who was a great uncle of the late Judge W. M. Williams. The charter members were Justinian Williams and wife, Frederick Houx and wife, and Allen and Louisa Porter. From 1818 to 1834 the church was a part of the Lamine circuit, but in 1844, it was called the Boonville circuit. In 1840 it was made a station and was the first station outside of St. Louis made in the state. The first church building was begun in 1832, and dedicated by Bishop Soul in 1838. The second building was erected in 1880 during the last year of the four years pastorate of C. H. Briggs, and was dedicated by C. C. Wood. A modern church edifice was erected in 1917, at a cost of $40,000, and is known as the Nelson Memorial Church. Rev. O. E. Vivian is the present pastor.
The Bell Air Methodist Church, South, was organized in 1850. James Bell and wife, Thornton Bell and wife, and Jacob G. Shutler and wife, were among the oldest members. The building was erected in 1870, and was dedicated by D. K. McAnally.
Prairie Home Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1881, by Rev. Vandiver. The church building was dedicated and organized in 1881 by Rev. Phillip. The original members were Sarah Tompkins and Eleanor Huff.
Pilot Grove M. E. Church, South, was organized in 1826. Samuel Roe was one of the original members of this church. A building was erected in 1850 and rebuilt in 1879.
Methodist Episcopal Church, South, Bunceton, was organized in April, 1879. by Rev. C. H. Briggs, who was then stationed at Boonville. A church building was erected in 1880 on a plot of ground contributed by Dr. H. C. Gibson, of Boonville. The original members were: Mrs. Marie Stephens, Capt. S. P. Tevis, George Dorsey, James Moon, Mrs. Jane Moon, George Dameron, Mrs. Lucy Dameron, O. F. Arnold and Mrs. M. E. Arnold.
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