History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 20

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164

USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 20
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 20

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).

The next attorney was Moses H. Simonds, from Plattsburg, Clinton County, to Athens, and formerly from Ohio. Simonds was a graduate of Ohio University, and a man of excellent scholarship. He taught school and studied law at Plattsburg. He finally raised a company of volun- teers, for the Mexican War, and died on the way to Mexico.

Judge George W. Lewis arrived in Gentry County in October, 1846, and was the third attorney to practice his profession in Albany, and the third attorney in the county. The judge came from Greenbriar County, West Virginia.

Robert Evans, from Kentucky, was the first man in Albany who died a violent death. He was shot with a horse pistol, in the hands of Benja- min Allen, in the street. Both men were drinking. Evans had drawn his knife, when he was shot by Allen, who was arrested and confined in the

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jail in Andrew County, whence he succeeded in making his escape be- fore his trial.

James Lainhart, from Adair County, Kentucky, came in 1850.

Merrill, a Baptist preacher, was among the early settlers.

The parties above mentioned constitute some of the earliest pion- eers, among the business and professional men of Albany.

There was a post office in Clark County, Missouri, called Athens, and this being also the name of the county seat of Gentry County, the mail intended for Athens, Gentry County, was occasionally sent to Athens post office, Clark County. In order to obviate the difficulties which grew out of a similarity of names in these post offices, the name of Athens, Gentry County, was changed in 1857, by special act of the legislature, to Albany, which name the county seat has borne ever since.

The town of Albany was incorporated on the 5th day of February, 1851, by the county court, and again in 1857 by the legislature. The cor- porate limits of the town began at block number 70, running east to the east corner of the town quarter, and included 16 rods of John B. Hun- dley's land : thence north to the north line of R. C. Canaday's Addition ; thence west to the line running north of the first mentioned boundary ; thence south to the beginning.

John Handy, Walter Savage, Calvin B. Hartwell, F. B. Robinson and John Thompson were appointed the first trustees of the town.

The first private subscription school was taught in Albany by a man by the name of Poston, in the latter part of 1845.

The second teacher was Judge George W. Lewis, who opened a school in 1846, just north of town, and afterwards taught in the town.

The next teacher was Cyrus Hubbard, a physician and lawyer, from Clinton County, Missouri, in 1846, of whom we have already spoken.

There were many other teachers after these, among whom were William M. Albin, Gordon Ruby, Mrs. M. J. Hardesty and others.

The first school building, frame (common school) was erected in 1858 or '59.

The first grist and saw mill in Albany, was built by Redman Whit- ten and Alexander Patton, about the year 185 -.

The first (exclusively) saw mill, was erected by Charles Gilbert in 1854, which became also, afterward, a grist mill.

John Graham and George W. Stapleton built a grist mill.

Spainhouer, Twist & Co., built the next mill, (grist) near the de- pot.

The first carding machine was put up by Martha Culp; and Calla- han Spessard operated the second, and Jacob Newman the third and last.

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Charles Gilbert, from Ohio, came in 1848, and erected a foundry and machine shop in 1867. His moulding room is 18x66 feet; his main building, 24x52 feet, two stories high.

Fred Watson began operating a foundry and machine shop in 1880. A broom factory was operated from 1867 to 1871, by G. C. and W. T. Lainhart.

Charles G. Comstock, Esq., who came to Albany from New York, in 1859, was the pioneer banker of the town, and first operated a bank by himself, from January, 1870, to July, the same year, when was estab- lished the Exchange Bank of Comstock & Millen, Charles G. Comstock and M. L. Millen being the partners. This firm continued to do business until July 24, 1876, when it was succeeded by the Gentry County Bank, which was organized with a capital of $100,000.

Bank of Albany was established on the 9th day of April, 1877, by 27 stockholders, and reorganized June 1, 1878, with 25 stockholders.

The first newspaper ever published in the town of Albany was called the Albany Courier, edited by J. H. Brakey, about the year 1857, who continued its publication until 1858, when he was succeeded by George C. Deming and J. C. De Haven, as De Haven & Deming. De Haven sold in 1860 to a Mr. Fuller, and Deming also sold to him in 1861, and he moved the office and material to Dallas County, Iowa. The paper was neutral in politics.

The second newspaper was the Grand River News, established in 1864, by Comstock & Stewart, of which George C. Deming assumed edi- torial management. These parties, Comtsock & Stewart, sold to Deming & Matthewson the following year, Deming subsequently purchasing the interest of Matthewson. In the fall of 1868, Deming sold to Robert N. Traver, at present one of the editors of the St. Joseph Herald. He ran the News until March, 1873, when he sold to George W. Needels. The News was Republican in politics.

When the paper was purchased by Mr. Needels, he changed its name to the American Freeman.

Gentry County Beacon was established in 1874, by Williams & Aus- tin, in the spring of that year, being discontinued after the fall election. Democratic. White & Hampton began the publication of the Gentry County Chronicle in 1875, which continued to exist until about 1877. Republican. The Sun was established on the 10th of January, 1880, by J. M. Davis, and has continued under the same management up to the present time. It is independent in politics, is an eight column folio, and has a circulation of about eight hundred.

J. W. Waldo and J. E. Mann began the publication of the Albany

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Ledger in May, 1868, and disposed of the same in July following, to C. H. S. Goodman. The Ledger has been Democratic in politics from the date of its establishment.

The Christian Church of Albany .- (Prepared by D. D. Kingsbor- ough .- The history of this church divides itself naturally into three dis- tinct periods : The period of pioneer work; the period of development; and the period of organized work.

The period of pioneer work was marked by intense sectarian prej- udice and opposition. The pioneers who blazed the way for the future church were pecularly fitted for the duties imposed upon them by the existing conditions; being well grounded in the Holy Scriptures, its pre- cepts and promises, its commands and doctrines; the duties it imposed and above all the Gospel plan of salvation from sin, and each one was ever ready to defend his position against every assault.

The first evangelist in this community was Elias Shortridge, who held a meeting in August, 1859, at the old Thompson place a few miles south of town, on what is now the Evona road. He preached a new gos- pel, or rather the old gospel in a new way, and men and women heard this earnest preacher and his simple story of a reasonable and under- standable salvation, with gladness, and entered into the service of Christ with a new joy and purpose. Among the body of those believers were the Sampsons, the Culps, the Smiths, the Spessards, the Thompsons, the Davidsons, the Hopkins, the Stephens, the Gotts, the Lainharts, and others.

Preacher Shortridge was a man of considerable ability, judged by the standards of his day; thoroughly versed in the scriptures, he was able to quote from memory whole chapters and even books of the Holy Bible, and was proficient in the use of the sword of the spirit, besides possessing wonderful pursuasive power. He was able to sway his audi- ence with the simple gospel story, eloquently delivered and with his log- ical reasoning bring his hearers to quick decisions for Christ. A single incident of this meeting will suffice to illustrate the character of the man and his message. As already intimated, the religious complexion of the people of the community was not friendly to Shortridge or the message he brought, and many were violently opposed to him in doc- trine and belief. One of these, Joseph Davidson, was especially bitter in denunciation of the man, and at first flatly refused to hear him preach, but finally at the urgent request of his friend and neighbor, Calahan F. Spessard, he went to the meeting, though in no mood to hear what was said much less accept the teaching. The meetings were held in a grove on a gently sloping hill-side, the preacher being located at the lower side

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of the slope; slabs supported on logs served as seats for the people, the people, the leafy boughs of the forest trees being the only roof. David- son took a seat on the very back row, fartherest from the speaker. After the preacher was fairly started on his sermon, Davidson was observed to move forward a bench or two and as his interest grew he moved forward seat after seat until at last, before the sermon was ended, he was sitting on the very first row of slabs, with wide-open mouth, gazing intently up into the face of the preacher, oblivious of all about him or how he came to that position. He never before heard the old, old story of Christ and his salvation so simply and forcefully told, and he was convinced on the spot. As soon as the invitation was given he immediately sprang to his feet, grabbed the preacher's hand in ecstacy of joy and gave himself over perfectly to the service of Christ. Following the Shortridge meetings evangelistic services were held by a preacher by the name of Cory and still later by Moses E. Lard, of revered memory, at the Thompson place.

The period of developement was initiated by Hiram Warriner, who shepherded the flock for many years. He was also a man peculiarly fitted for the work he was called upon to perform ; a man of iron nerve, of considerable natural ability, though unlettered and unlearned; he possessed a loveable and loving disposition and was devoted to the cause he espoused ; an unselfish lover of the truth, he knew the Book perfectly and how to use it to the glory of God. He preached Christ, the Saviour of Men, as a business and farmed to pay expenses. The period of de- velopment, without a meeting house, and in fact with no real church or- ganization, had its peculiarities of service. The brethren met more or less regularly, for prayer, exhortation and observance of the Lord's Sup- per, in groves, or in dwellings of the people and frequently in a large barn on the Chris Bartley farm. On these occasions as often as possible Warriner would come and preach to the people. Their communion was purely democratic, and deep piety characterized their every day life; every disciple was a student of the word and knew His Book. Nothing but a "Thus sayeth the Lord" was accepted in any question of faith or doctrine.

Hiram Warriner is entitled to credit in a large measure for the prog- ress of the church during this period; his pious and godly walk and conversation stamped its imprint indelibly upon the lives and character of the people and moulded a generation of moral heroes, and we today are reaping the fruits of his labors.

The period of organized work began about the year 1863, when, under the direction and leadership of Jasper H. Coffey, the first regular pastor, this church and congregation was formally organized, at the

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Smith school house which was located a few miles southeast of town, where they continued to worship some years. Among the charter mem- bers were Benjamin Sampson and George Hopkins, the first elders, and their wives, Kelse Culp and wife, Jacob M. Stephens and wife, Calahan F. Spessard and wife, Lewis B. Sampson and wife, James Lainhart and wife, George Smith and wife, and a number of others.

The records of this time are lost and we know but little of the strug- gles of the brethren during those troublous times of and immediately after the war, but the church continued its organization under the lead- ership of Brother Coffey and others. After a few years the place of meeting was moved to the old frame school house which stood on lot 3 block 16, the present site of the Presbyterian church, in Albany.

In May, 1869, the congregation purchased lot 6 block 21 (at the northwest corner of Jackson and Van Buren Streets), Albany, and erected thereon their first church building. That building was destroyed July 13, 1883, by a wind storm, which also wrecked the county court house and a number of other buildings. A new house was erected on the same site in 1884, and remained in use until 1915. The church was in- corporated under the laws of the State of Missouri, by decree of the cir- cuit court of Gentry County, Sept. 13, 1887, under the name of "The Christian Church of Albany, Mo." Its business affairs are in the care of a board composed of its elders and deacons, all of whom are chosen by the congregation.

During the pastorate of George W. Maxwell, in June, 1914, the church purchased the north half of block 1, in the City of Albany, on which they erected a new, modern church edifice, and equipped it thor- oughly for the purpose of a modern church plant. The building, with- out furniture, cost about $15,000.00. The dedication services were held Sunday, March 28, 1915, under the direction of George L. Snively, dedi- cator.

The church parsonage, a splendid two story frame building of ten rooms, located on North Hundley Street, one block north of the church building, was purchased Sept. 27, 1920, at a cost of $4,000.00.

Presbyterian Church .- The First Presbyterian Church of Albany, Mo., was organized on May 30, 1857, by a committee composed of Rev. Ralph Harris and Rev. J. N. Young, ministers, and S. Edmiston, elder, with seven members namely: A. G. McConkey, Mary McConkey, Mar- garet Miller, Harriet Rannels, Caroline S. Rannels, Sarah M. Rannels and Mary J. Young and A. G. McConkey was elected elder. Additions to the membership up to the date of the reunion with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church were about 250, but deaths, removals and other

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causes depleted the body to less than 40 at the date of the reunion in June, 1905.

Regular preaching services were conducted at intervals up to the last mentioned date at stated salaries, to-wit: Rev. John N. Young, C. M. McClain, N. H. Smith, Duncan McRuer, M. L. Anderson, John Hus- ton, W. A. Cravens, A. M. Tunner, T. M. Hillman, M. J. McLeod, J. C. Hanna, Arthur B. Herr, F. W. Crossman, C. C. McIntire, Archibald B. Wright, E. H. Bull and others. Ruling Elders serving before the re-union were A. G. McConkey, J. H. White, J. W. Virden, James W. Owens, S. F. Lucas, Thomas J. Smith, J. C. Power, C. M. Harrison, C. M. Gordon, Robert A. Patterson and Robert M. McCammon.

A plan of co-operation of the Presbyterian Church with the Cum- berland Presbyterian in Albany, Mo., was adopted in July, 1904, and a union of the churches was effected in June, 1905, in advance of the ac- tion of the General Assemblies, and Rev. M. B. Irvin accepted a call as pastor of the united church. July 11, 1907, following the resignation of all officers of both churches, the united church assembled as members of the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., and in a congregational meeting elected the following officers, to-wit: For eldership, R. M. McCommon, John Newman, R. J. N. Dorsey, J. P. McCommon, and H. M. Wayman; for deacons, Ben L. Peery, and F. M. Millen, and for trustees, W. F. Dal- bey, John Newman. R. M. McCommon, and Ben L. Peery.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church was organized March 12, 1884, by Rev. J. H. Tharp and others with 54 members and on March 22 following, six elders were eletced, to-wit: C. O. Patton, M. Cunningham, R. J. N. Dorsey, D. P. Wayman, H. M. Wayman, and Wallace Hubbard. At one time about 150 members were enrolled with many active mem- bers in all departments of church work. The C. P. Church was supplied during the term from its organization to the time of its reunion with the Presbyterian Church, U. S. A., with the following named ministers: J. H. Tharp, J. H. Norman, C. E. Hays, S. T. Divinia, M. Low, E. M. Wright, W. A. Woozencraft, George Woozencraft, R. J. Beard, M. B. Irvin, and others at intervals. Pastors employed since the union of the churches: M. B. Irvin, George A. Mitchell, A. M. Reynolds and J. W. Mays, the present pastor. The present elders are: J. P. McCammon, John New- man. George P. Adams, M. P. Whaley, R. M. Funk, R. M. McCammon, Clerk of Session at the time of his death, Jan. 23, 1922.

Methodist Episcopal Church and Methodist Episcopal Church, South .- These two churches served the community in Albany until 1916. In 1917, under Rev. C. I. Hoy, a tentative arrangement of union was put on trial. After two years' progress this arrangement was rendered per-

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manent by the formal withdrawal of the Methodist Episcopal church from this field.

The united church, M. E. S., is going forward very successfully.

There follows a list of pastors since 1879: C. W. Hurley, 1882; J. Y. Blakey, 1883; W. B. Johnsey, 1884; J. W. Keithley, 1885-86; C. W. Hurley, 1887; B. P. Searcy, 1888; W. A. Davis, 1889; G. M. Gibson, 1890; J. A. Wailes, 1891; J. M. Settle, 1892; J. H. Ledbetter, 1893-94; David McAllen, 1895-96; C. B. Campbell ; E. C. McVoy, 1897-98; W. H. Roper, 1899-1900; J. O. Edmonston, 1901; H. H. Johnson, 1902-03; J. A. Snarr, 1904-06; J. I. Sears, 1907-08; J. W. Budd, 1909-10; F. R. Poage, 1911; T. H. Swearingen, 1912-13; C. J. Chappell, 1914; G. C. Beery, 1915-16; C. I. Hoy, 1917; To be supplied, 1918-19; W. Ruther- ford, 1920-22.

The First Baptist Church of Albany .- The organization as it now exists has little or no connection with the early Baptists in Albany who from loss of members and lack of interest were compelled to sell their church building in 1881.

The present organization dates from June 17, 1891, when, under the leadership of Elder S. R. Dillon, the following named persons by mutual agreement constituted and organized the First Baptist Church of Albany : Mr. and Mrs. J. B. Kingsborough ; Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Albin ; Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Dorsey ; Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Cox; Mr. and Mrs. W. B. Caster; Mr. and Mrs. Bert Moullon; Mr. and Mrs. John Kingsbo- rough; Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Bray; Mr. and Mrs. H. W. Lockwood; T. R. Bray, Chas. Lockwood, E. J. Morris, Mrs. J. B. Thomas, Mrs. Wheeler and Miss Wheeler.

A lot was purchased and a suitable building was erected and dedi- cated in 1895. The membership at that time being 77.

A number of pastors served the congregation during the 25 years following and despite many obstacles the church gained in numbers and influence.

It having been decided that the work of the church could be better done in a larger building, in May, 1920, the building formerly occupied by the people of the M. E. Church was purchased from them. After this building had been remodeled to meet the present needs of the church, dedicatory services were held on October 1, 1921. The present pastor is E. F. Estes:

Carnegie Library at Albany .- On Feb. 28, 1885, the Albany Library, successor to the Centennial Library, was formally opened to the public. After a program of music, and of addresses by leading citizens, a gen-

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erous fund was raised and placed in the hands of the secretary ; 300 vol- umes of history, biography, travels and fiction were donated by the earlier association. With funds on hand and proper by-laws adopted, the prospects seemed fair for extended usefulness. Membership fees were a dollar each, and Tuesday and Saturday were borrowing days. Those not members could rent at 5c the volume. After a time, lack of interest apparently inherited from its predecessor, gradually overcame both management and patrons, and with scarcely life enough to make the transfer, the books, in 1890, were turned over to the public school li- brary.

In 1904 the question was revived and the citizens decided to re- quest a donation from Mr. Carnegie, who previous to that date had made possible the erection of 10 free public libraries in the state.

Correspondence secured the promise of $10,000 for the building conditioned on the presentation of a suitable site and a guarantee from the citizens to maintain a free public library in Albany at a minimum cost of $1,000 a year.

The lot was duly presented and a special tax voted to produce the $1,000 annually.

The contract was let for $9,071.00 to cover everything complete, except shelving for books. The fine building was completed in 1905 and is a permanent source of comfort and pride to the city.

The following items are from state report for 1921 :

Librarian-Miss Vera Erskine.

Books added 1921, 136; total number, 4,692.

Open 48 hours each week. Borrowers registered, 350.

Total receipts, $1,438.87.

CHAPTER X.

CITIES AND TOWNS-CONTINUED.

STANBERRY-KING CITY-GENTRYVILLE-MeFALL-FORD CITY-ALANTHUS-ISLAND CITY-DARLINGTON -- BERLIN-GENTRY-EVONA -- OTHER TOWNS.

Stanberry .- Stanberry was organized as a village, in February 1880, with five trustees: W. H. Reynolds, President; M. F. Brown, Clerk; L. G. Sweat, L. M. Chilton, James Brown; George P. Rush, City Attorney; W. A. Forcade, Treasurer; George L. Shelly, Marshal; Isaac Meek, Collector; A. C. Frisbie, Assessor.

In May, 1881, the town was organized into a city of the fourth class : W. H. Reynolds, Mayor; J. S. Weaver, D. T. Miller, E. Fisher, A. P. Am- brose, S. B. Hinkley, J. B. Sawhill, Z. F. Kestler, F. A. Weimer, Alder- men; George P. Rush, City Attorney; W. A. Forcade, Treasurer; V. T. Williams, Clerk; W. F. Miller, Collector; J. F. Smith, Marshal; Isaac Meek, Street Commissioner ; L. M. Chilton, City Physician.

The land upon which the original town was located was owned by R. E. Morand and William Harkrider, each of whom were living on the land when the town was laid out. Harkrider's house stood where Alan- thus Avenue intersects Main Street. Morand's residence occupied the present site of the Wabash House, and was torn down to make room for that building. The pioneer merchants of the town were Messimer, Gavin & Co., who built a small box house on the south side of the railroad, where they kept a general stock. Several buildings were commenced within a few days of each other, but Kimball & Forcade, druggists, en- closed and got into their business house, probably, before any other per- son on the north side of the railroad. Smith Brothers and Houston, and D. T. Miller's were the first exclusive dry goods stores in the town. Wea- ver & Fry built the first house for groceries, on the north side of the railroad, and at the same time erected an elevator. L. G. Sweat erected the first hotel. James Brown the second hotel. Bunker & Reynolds were the first hardware merchants. Fred Mauer was the first shoemaker. Shackelford was the first blacksmith. W. W. Brooks was the first phy-

N. W. View of Public School, Stanberry, Mo.

PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS, STANBERRY

VIEW OF FIRST STREET. STANBERRY

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sician. Ed. E. Aleshire was the first attorney. Frank Albright was the first saloon keeper. The first marriage that occurred in the town was solemnized between Henry Newell and Mary Morand. The first child born was a son of F. M. Linn.

Stanberry has maintained herself with steadfast and permanent progress. For nearly 25 years the Stanberry Normal School continued to be a leading factor in the education of Northwest Missouri; for years it was under the efficient management of Prof. Charles Morris and later under Prof. John Taylor of Springfield, Mo.

Large numbers of youth from Gentry County and adjoining counties attended. The yearly roll usually included from 300 to 400, but on account of temporary lapses of similar near by institutions, the attend- ance some years was nearly 500. The second fire, in 1906, proved the death of this admirable school.

There is now a 'state normal school at Maryville, and the county and city schools have so far advanced, that much of the work once so well undertaken by Stanberry Normal is now achieved in the various high schools of the county. Yet still we say, "all honor to the old Normal."

Of the churches of 1882, one, the Presbyterian, after varying strug- gles, has been disbanded. The others have kept pace with the needs and opportunities of the city and cummunity. The Methodist, Baptist and Christian, Advent and Catholic are all in active work. Each in its own substantial home.

The Advent Publishing House is established in Stanberry, impor- tant and valuable among the city's assets.

Stanberry has a population of 1864, census of 1920, and a splendid farming county is tributary to its business activity. The city is the larg- est in the county and its public interests are well advertised in its two weekly papers, "The Owl Headlight," and "The Stanberry Herald." Also the official organ of the Advent Church is published here.

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.

History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri, Part 20

Author: Leopard, John C Publication date: 1922 Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co. Number of Pages: 1164

Author: Leopard, John C
Publication date: 1922
Publisher: Topeka : Historical Pub. Co.
Number of Pages: 1164