USA > Missouri > Cooper County > History of Cooper County, Missouri > Part 26
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117
Farmyard Products: Poultry, live, pounds, 1,332,145; poultry, dressed, pounds, 933,924; eggs, dozen, 977,730; feathers, pounds, 21,233.
Stone and Clay Products : Brick, cars, 19; cement products, tons, 60. Packing House Products : Hides and pelts, pounds, 169,467; dressed meats, pounds, 10,540 ; tallow, pounds, 13,640; lard, pounds, 2,251.
Flowers and Nursery Products: Nursery stock, pounds, 184,425; cut flowers, pounds, 1,155.
Dairy Products : Butter, pounds, 44,299; ice cream, gallons, 35,232; milk and cream, gallons, 167,480.
Wool and Mohair: Wool, pounds, 63,948.
Liquid Products : Wine, gallons, 10; vinegar, gallons, 408 ; cider, gal- . lons, 232; natural mineral water, gal., 38; soda water, cases, 3,000.
Fish and Game Products: Game, pounds, 15,770; fish, pounds, 323; furs, pounds, 1,048.
Medicinal Products: Roots and herbs, pounds, 200.
Vegetables: Vegetables, pounds, 5,012; potatoes, bushels, 528; tomatoes, bushels, 26; onions, bushels, 15; canned vegetables and fruits, pounds, 1,387.
Fruits: Miscellaneous fresh fruits, lbs., 1,000; melon, pounds, 24,000;
281
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
strawberries, pounds, 95,575 ; apples, bbls., 9,312; grapes, pounds, 200; peaches, lbs., 88,245.
Apiary and Cane Products: Honey, pounds, 595 ; sorghum molasses, gal., 259.
Unclassified Products :- Washing compound, cases, 1,306; coke, tons, 40; junk cars, 42; ice ,tons, 4,100; coal tar, gallons, 5,000; pipe stems, 383,688 ; steel harrows, 313; bakery products, pounds, 35,000; corncobs, cars, 1; corncob pipes, gross, 57,653; wooden pipes, gross, 7,246.
Live Stock, January 1, 1919.
Number 24,742
Average Value Per Head
Cattle
Milch cows
$ 77.00
Under one year
1
26.00
1% years
60.00
2 and above
84.00
Hogs
76,770
19.20
Sheep
17,245
16.50
(ewes)
Horses
8,797
105.00
(above)
(two )
Mules
5,997
185.00
(year)
Cooper is easily the leading county in the state in breeding high class corn. This is evidenced by the premium list furnished us by Professor Hackleman, Secretary Corn Growers' Association of Missouri.
Winners of First Prizes From Cooper County, Missouri State Corn Growers' Association From 1907 to 1919, Inc.
Name.
Address.
1st prize won on
1907.
R. B. Johnson, Boonville,
Chris Ohlendorf, Boonville,
Albert Johnmeyer, Boonville, 1908.
Boys' contest.
Chris Ohlendorf, Boonville,
Wm. Johnmeyer, Boonville,
Martin Johnmeyer, Boonville,
1
1
1
1
I
I
Reid's Yellow Dent.
Cartner.
Bu. of shelled corn (Cartner Yellow). Boone County White (bu. shelled). 10 ears mixed corn south of river.
1
I
282
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
1909.
Highest scoring sample (10 ears) any variety exhibited by school district in any county, Sweepstakes awarded to Jefferson School District near Bunceton.
Young Men's class (yellow corn). Sweepstakes in Young Men's Class. 1st in Variety Class.
Chris Ohlendorf, Boonville,
1910.
Chris Ohlendorf, Boonville,
1st on Yellow Corn.
1911.
Chris Ohlendorf, Boonville,
1st on Yellow Corn.
1914.
Chris Smith, Bunceton,
1st Black Oats.
1916.
H. G. Windsor, Boonville,
Ewd. Schwalfeldt, Boonville, 1917. H. G. Windsor, Boonville,
1st 10 ears Yellow Corn. Sweepstakes on 10 ears. Championship best 10 ears entire show. Boy's Class (10 ears Yellow Corn).
1st 10 ears Yellow.
Sweepstakes (10 ears Yellow Corn).
Championship (10 ears Yellow Corn). Grand Champion (10 ears Yellow Corn). 1st Men's Five Acre Yield.
Sweepstakes on Five Acre Yield. 1st Men's One Acre Yield.
Sweepstakes on One Acre Yield.
Grand Champion on One Acre Yield.
1st Single Ear of Yellow Corn.
Sweepstakes. Championship. Grand Champion. 1st bu. of Yellow Corn. 1st best peck of Red Clover Seed.
1st bu. Yellow Corn. Grand Champion bu.
Ben Smith, Bunceton, 1918. H. G. Windsor, Boonville,
283
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
Orchards and Vineyards .- Contributed by C. C. Bell .- Cooper County and central Missouri was early recognized by the pioneer settlers as a fruit and grape growing country, and among those who had orchards were Henry M. Myers, Isaac N. Bernard, Benjamin F. Hickox, David Lilly, Isaac Lionberger, Wesley Wyan, David Smith, William Gibson, John G. Miller, C. H. F. Greenlease, Robert D. Perry, Jacob Newman, Jesy G. New- . man, Edmund Elliott, William E. Beard, George and Nicholas Vollrath and some others. The apple varieties in those days were mostly Jenetin, Bell- flowers, Winesap, Limbertwig, Russets and often some very good seedlings, mostly brought here by early settlers from Virginia and Kentucky.
Boonville and surrounding country became specially noted as a grape growing section after 1848, when some leading Germans from the fruit and wine growing country of the Rhine settled here. Many of them had taken part in the German Revolution against monarchy, and had fled to America; and recognizing in the soil and hills of the Missouri River Val- ley soil equal and superior to the soils of the famous Rhine wine vineyards, located in Cooper County. I can well remember George Husman, in that day recognized as the best authority on grape growing, who would often visit here to advise with those who had started vineyards; there were many planted about Boonville which gave it the name of the "Vine Clad City."
The Boonville Wine Company had the largest vineyard and it adjoined the city on the west. It was organized by William Haas, Dr. E. Roeschel, M. J. Wertheimer, Maj. William Harley, Capt. C. H. Brewster and Judge Christian Keill. Other vineyards were planted by George Vollrath, Ignatius Deringer, Rochus Knaup, Henry Weiland, George Rippley, Fritz Schacht and others. Several miles west were John Henry Boller, J. G. Neef, Frederick Demffel, Charles Fiedler and George and Peter Walther. East of Boonville in the Squire Herman Schmidt neighborhood were Louis Gsell, Martin Bonward, Jacob Kramer, Blasious Effinger, Franz Joseph Sady, and others.
My father, John Adam Bell, planted the first vineyard, peach and apple orchard in the Mount Sinai School neighborhood, and was followed by John Wilpret and others. I can well remember how those veterans of the 1848 German Revolution, at times would discuss the narrow escapes some had coming to America. They were all loyal patriots of this their adopted country, true to the cause of the Union and their sons answered the call of Abraham Lincoln, in defense of our flag, and many of their grand-sons have done good service in the World War, fighting Prussian-
284
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
ism and Kaiserism, against which their grandfathers had fought in 1848, but lost. In this connection we should remember that large numbers (especially southern Germans), are not and never have been in sympathy with Kaiserism, Prussianism and Militarism.
The leading grape varieties were Isabella, Catawba and Virginia Seed- ling, later on varieties such as Concord, Delaware, Elvire, Goethe and others were planted. However, on account of California extensive grape production and wine making, and some other influences the vineyards of Cooper County have disappeared, and the large rock-arched wine cellars are all there is left of what once was a very promising industry.
I well recall when Gen. Joseph Shelby made his raid into Boonville in Sept. 1863, coming from the south along the Bell Air road, passed father's vineyard, which was heavy loaded with ripe grapes. It seemed to me that a large part of his men hurriedly stopped off to get all the grapes they could handle. Some of them were very polite and expressed their thanks, while others offered to pay in Confederate money; but most of them (in war-time soldier style) had nothing to say but took all they wanted ; yet there were grapes left, as the crop was very heavy.
Apple growing has also diminished on account of insect and other pests of the orchard. In my boyhood days, we knew nothing of those orchard enemies, but now we must fight them by spraying with various chemicals, and do it at the proper time. Thirty to 50 years ago when I bought apples in Central Missouri, most farmers had a surplus to sell from their family orchards; those orchards however, have died out, and many farmers from whom I bought apples years ago, now conie to my orchard for apples for their home use, saying that they can buy their apples cheaper than they can fight the insects.
While this is true, yet when I think of the splendid fruit soils and ideal locations along the Missouri River, in convenient reach of large markets, I can consistently recommend fruit-growing, provided it is done right, and in quantity large enough to make it worth while to equip with the best machinery. I would advise planting the best known varieties, which are suitable to our soils and localities with work and proper atten- tion you can make fruit-growing a great success in Cooper County, and in the Missouri River valley. Much of our Missouri soils are the very best in the world. We are also well located as to markets with big de- mands, and have many advantages over the fruit-growers of the far west and other localities. But it requires work, economy and personal prac -.
285
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
tical application. Avoid Waste-"Get Busy and Stay Busy", and you can soon have a home and plenty in Cooper County, or in Missouri.
Live Stock .- Cooper easily ranks among the first live stock counties in Missouri. It is now almost 100 years since the first herd of registered animals was established in the county. Today, there are perhaps approxi- mately 100 herds of pure bred live stock and this number is constantly increasing. At one time this county was credited with having more reg- istered Shorthorns than any other county in the United States. While this is not true today, the number being somewhat less than at that time owing to the weeding-out and greater attention to quality, it is a fact that no county in the state excels Cooper. Here have been owned many world- famous animals, and from this county has gone the seed stock to estab- lish or replenish herds throughout the Mississippi Valley, the great West and Southwest, and to South America and other foreign territories. It was on a Cooper County farm that young Abbottsburn, grand champion Shorthorn bull of the Chicago World's Fair (Louisiana Purchase Expo- sition), spent his last days. On another farm only a short distance away was Lavender Viscount, champion and grand champion at leading Amer- ican shows. On yet another farm was the great Goday, famous in Canada and America. So might the list be continued at length. What is true of Shorthorns is true in large part of practically all other kinds of live stock.
The location of Cooper County in the very center of the agricultural universe, the central county of a great central state, could not be improved upon. Here is the center of the bluegrass belt; here, the aristocratic animals in the great herds find their happy habitat; here, too, are the homes of people who appreciate and love good animals. In these state- ments we have the secret of the success that has so long attended this county in live stock production.
One hundred years is a long span of time in the history of a west- ern state. During this period of time, the people of Cooper County have not been swayed by passing fads or fancies, but have, with commendable conservatism and singleness of purpose, adhered to the well-defined policy of maintaining on their farms none but good live stock. As a result the county has acquired a national reputation, not only as a producer of choice, pure-bred animals but year after year hogs and cattle from this county have topped the St. Louis and Kansas City markets.
As a result of live stock farming as it is here being carried on, the soil of the county has been built up rather than depleted. The fields
286
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
have retained their fertility, as will always be the case where the crops are marketed "on foot". The effect of live stock farming as here prac- ticed is reflected in the large yields of corn, wheat, oats and other staple crops, as well as of many minor crops with which the county is credited.
Brief reference has been made to the importance of the Shorthorn industry in the county. Not only was this the first branch of pure-bred live stock to be established, but it is today the most important. Some of the herds now owned in Cooper County are as follows: Ashwood, C. P. Tutt & Sons; Ravenswood, now owned by N. Nelson Leonard but still conducted under the name of C. E. Leonard & Son with Ed. Patterson as manager; Eminence, A. J. and C. T. Nelson; Prairie View Stock Farm, G. A. Betteridge; Idlewild, W. P. Harned; Crestmead, W. A. Betteridge; Mt. Vernon Park, Harriman Bros .; Wayside Valley, P. F. Smith; Walnut Dale Farm, Ben N. Smith ; Buena Vista, Wm. Meyer & Son; Geo. W. Lowe, Glasgow Bros., and many others are also breeding Shorthorns at the pres- ent time.
Many herds have from time to time because of the death or retire- ment of their owners or otherwise been dispersed. One of the most famous of these was the old Ellerslie herd of Shorthorns established by the late T. J. Wallace and by him maintained at a high-water mark for a number of years. Following the great show yard triumph of young Abbottsburn at Chicago, Mr. Wallace purchased this great roan bull to head his own herd. Here, too, was owned Alice's Prince and other famous animals. For a number of years Geo. A. Carpenter maintained the Ideal Herd of Shorthorns. At the same time John R. Hepler was breeding Shorthorns at his Vermont stock farm.
Two other names that will live long in Cooper County Shorthorn history are those of Sam W. Roberts, who had a large herd of Bates cat- tle on his farm near Pleasant Green, and F. M. Marshall, who successfully bred both Bates and Scotch Shorthorns near Blackwater. Both Messrs. Roberts and Marshall have passed to the Great Beyond. For many years E. H. Rodgers, now retired and living in Boonville, was a successful breeder of Shorthorns as well as horses, jacks and jennets, and other live stock on his Cedar Lawn stock farm near Bunceton. Harris and McMahan, the latter now deceased, formerly bred Shorthorns at Sunnyside near La Mine. The late W. B. Cully, proprietor of the Sunnybrook stock farm, was a breeder of Shorthorns as well as Poland China hogs. For many years W. H. H. Stephens maintained a good herd of Shorthorns on his Clover Leaf Stock Farm near Bunceton.
Owing to the fact that it is necessary to condense this chapter, only
287
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
a very brief history can be given of the active Shorthorn herds of the county at this time. These individual references follow:
The oldest herd of Shorthorn cattle west of the Mississippi River and one of the oldest in the entire nation, is the Ravenswood herd. Estab- lished in 1839, when Nathaniel Leonard purchased the white bull, Comet Star for $600 and the Red Heifer Queen, for $500, from George Renick, a Kentucky breeder. These were the first registered Shorthorns west of the Mississippi River. This was the beginning of the Ravenswood herd that has done so much for the upbuilding of the live stock industry in Cooper County and the middle west the herd passing in time from Nathaniel Leonard to his son, C. E. Leonard, and later to Nelson Leonard, the present owner.
At different times the Leonards have added some of the best speci- mens to their herd that money could buy, but they have always been con- sidered breeders of, instead of buyers of high class Shorthorn cattle; and some of their stock have frequently won prizes at the live stock shows over the country. Lavender Viscount was the Grand Champion Short- horn bull of America for two years.
One of the notable sales from Ravenswood was that of Merry Ravens- wood 3rd, sold to Walter L. Miller, of Peru, Ind., and shipped by him to South America, where one of the calves, "Americus," at the conclusion of a successful career in the show ring, was sold for the sum of 80,000 peos, or a little less than $40,000 in American gold.
The following are among the famous families represented in the Ravenswood herd: Lavenders, Duchess of Glosters, Victorias, Campbell bred Wimples, Violets, Fancys, Miss Ramsdens, Charming Roses and Rosa- monds.
Some ten years ago A. J. and C. T. Nelson-the latter now located on Eminence Farm, two miles east of Bunceton, and the former living three miles southwest of Bunceton-established a select herd of Shorthorns which is now being maintained under the name of the Eminence herd. From time to time new blood is being added so that the herd is each year being increased in size and improved in quality.
Ben N. Smith established some three years ago a small but select herd of Shorthorns on the Walnut Dale Farm, which he owns east of Bunceton. This herd is being well managed and bids fair to become one of the good herds of the county.
Walter N. Harness has recently established a small but good herd of Shorthorns on his farm northeast of Bunceton.
"Ellerslie" is a name that stands out prominently in the live stock
288
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
history of Cooper County. Several years ago this farm was owned by T. J. Wallace and later became the property of W. B. Wallace, who two years ago sold it to W. L. Clay, the present owner. This farm has always been known as the home of good live stock, specializing on Shorthorn cattle and high class saddle horses. Here for a time was the home of Young Abbotsburn, Grand Champion of the Chicago World's Fair.
This review would not be complete without a reference to the beauti- ful old stock farm, Clover Leaf, where a number of years ago W. H. H. Stephens founded one of the well known Shorthorn herds. This farm was in the Stephens family for almost a 100 years, having only recently been disposed of to George Burger of Moniteau County.
A pretty 200 acre farm, lying just within the edge of Bunceton, is the Ashwood farm, owned by C. P. Tutt. Here will be found a fine herd of Shorthorns and Berkshires. Mr. Tutt is one of the well informed men on Shorthorn cattle.
In the Mt. Vernon Park Herd of Shorthorns are many choice Scotch and Scotch topped cattle, the property of Col. R. L. and Bert Harriman. Several years ago the Messrs. Harriman began the assemblying of a great lot of cattle. They bought freely and bred as well as they had bought. It is the proud boast of the owners of this herd that every cow has paid for herself twice over.
The old idea was that the breeding of Shorthorns was a rich man's game, but it remained for G. A. Betteridge, of the Prairie View Herd to prove that it was a good game for a poor man to play provided he wanted to get on his feet. In the past thirty years Mr. Betteridge has acquired a 200 acre farm and has as fine abunch of Shorthorns as one would care to see.
The Crestmead Herd of Scotch Shorthorns, owned by W. A. Bet- teridge, eight miles west of Bunceton, consists of over a hundred head of some of the very best breeds. Many of these cattle are Cruickshank Orange Blossoms and the remainder are of other leading Scotch families. Incidentally it may be said that Mr. Betteridge is one of the best posted men on Shorthorn pedigrees in the entire country.
The history of the Idlewild Shorthorn herd dates back to the year 1865, when the late George Harned, father of the present owner, W. P. Harned, began its establishment. This herd has a strain of blood from one of the original members of the herd, "Sally Washington", purchased in Kentucky just after the close of the Civil War, and the farm boasts of this strain which is more than half a century old. Mr. Harned is
THE RAVENSWOOD FARM, NEAR BUNCETON
FROM A PRIZE HERD
"ELROD OF GREENBUSH." NO. 43338, OWNED BY JOHN A. BRANDES
289
.
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
especially proud of his "Double Marys", long in the herd. Bates, Booth and Cruickshank blood have been represented and much attention is paid to the development of milking Shorthorns.
While Shorthorns, early known to many of the pioneer people as Dur- hams, were the first registered cattle to be brought to Cooper County, other breeds notably the Herefords, are now represented by some well established herds of high quality. Blank & Spieler, in the eastern part of the county are extensive and progressive breeders. D. E. McArthur, of near Billingsville, has also for many years maintained a good herd of Herefords. Other beef breeds are also represented, but the number of
registered animals are limited. Wear, of Prairie Home, and Chris Rasmus who owns a fine farm on the Boonville and Lone Elm road, are breeding Angus cattle. Both have well established herds.
Hogs .- Cooper County has many good herds of hogs, including Duroc Jerseys, Poland Chinas, Berkshires, O. I. C's., Hampshires, Mule-Foots and other breeds. In an early day, Essex and other breeds, then popular, were to be found on many Cooper County farms. The late Judge Baker and Thomas Tucker were among the early breeders of pure-bred hogs. To attempt to give the names of all who are interested in hog breeding in the county would be an utter impossibility, but reference is here niade to some of the well-established herds.
Prominent among the breeders of Poland Chinas are: Bert Harri- man, of the Mount Vernon Park stock farm, near Pilot Grove; Webb L. Clay, who secured a part of the Ellerslie herd of Poland Chinas at the time it was dispersed by W. B. Wallace-the herd having been sold at auction after Mr. Wallace disposed of the farm which had been owned by his father, the late T. J. Wallace.
In this connection it might be said that some of the highest-priced Poland Chinas in the United States have been owned in Cooper County, prices of $1,000 or more being not uncommon for a single individual while more than $5,000, has been paid for one hog. Seed stock from this county has gone to practically every state in the Mississippi valley as well as to Central and South America.
Duroc Jerseys have long been bred in this county, S. Y. Thornton hav- ing established the Rose Hill herd near Blackwater many years ago. This was one of the early herds to be established west of the Mississippi. Today Cooper County has a large number of herds of unusual quality. Among these might be mentioned the Fountain Valley herd of Richard Rothgeb;
(19)
290
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
the Eminence herd owned by C. T. Nelson and containing hogs of good individuality and choice breeding.
Berkshires are extensively bred by T. A. Harris and Sons at their Sunnyside Farm near La Mine. This is one of the best herds of Berk- shires to be found in the United States, representatives having been winners in leading national and state shows.
A good herd of O. I. C. hogs is maintained by John H. Neff at River- side Farm near Boonville.
Richard Rothgeb is the proprietor of the Fountain Valley Herd of Duroc Jerseys, which he started in the year 1911. Mr. Rothgeb has popularized the Duroc Jersey in Cooper County and has succeeded in developing a very fine type of the breed.
The good Blue Ribbon Herd of Duroc Jersey hogs is owned by Paul Winders and wife, near Boonville.
The late W. B. Cully established the Spring Brook Herd of Poland Chinas in 1892, when he bought a choice thoroughbred sow from the herd of David Finch, a noted Ohio breeder. From time to time additions were made to the herd and in 1906 the entire Cedar Lawn herd of E. H. Rodgers was added. In this purchase was the first prize six months boar at the St. Louis Worlds Fair, Tecumseh Perfection.
One of the earliest breeders of Duroc Jersey hogs in all the Mississippi valley is S. Y. Thornton, of near Blackwater, proprietor of the Rose Hill Duroc Jerseys. This herd was established in the early eighties. Mr. Thornton has often been called the original "Red Hog Man" in Missouri.
Chris Ohlendorf is breeding Mule-Foot hogs on his farm southeast of Boonville.
Hampshires are being bred in a limited way by a number of farmers and this market is becoming fairly well established in the county ..
Horses .- Cooper County has long been justly famous for its good horses, especially saddle horses and light harness horses. In many cases the pioneer brought with him favorite animals from Virginia or Kentucky, and the same blood lines have been continued until the present time. An example of this may be found in the Ashby "Whips", widely known sad- dle horses bred in Virginia, and descendants from the original stock of which are still to be seen on the farm of Chas. P. Tutt, of Bunceton.
In an early day and even up to a few years ago the "nodding" running- walker, the best real riding horse the world has ever known, was common on every Cooper County road. Some of these horses are still to be seen here, but with the growing use of the automobile they are rapidly disap-
291
HISTORY OF COOPER COUNTY
pearing. The five-gaited saddle horse, with his beauty, grace and marked show-yard qualities, has here reached a degree of perfection not often attained. The truth of this statement is borne out at local fairs, notably still at the Bunceton fair, which has been an incentive toward the breed- ing of good live stock and especially good horses, for almost a quarter of a century.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.