USA > Missouri > Mercer County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 32
USA > Missouri > Harrison County > History of Harrison and Mercer Counties, Missouri : from the earliest times to the present : together with sundry personal, business, and professional sketches and family records : besides a condensed history of the State of Missouri, etc > Part 32
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Col. Walter A. King commanded the Third Cavalry, and the prin- cipal duty performed was operating against guerrillas and bush- whackers, and preserving the peace in various counties of the State.
Company G, Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, captain, John A. Page, was organized in the spring of 1862. William Newby was first lieutenant, and James C. Baker, second lieutenant. The former resigned his commission July 27, 1863, and was succeeded by Delivan Hannas, whose term of service expired in 1865. The com- mission of Lieut. Baker was vacated July 21, 1863, and on the 26th of that month David Gondier was promoted to the position. Under the command of Col. E. Catherwood, the Sixth Cavalry performed gallant service against guerrillas during the years 1862 and 1863; also operated in Arkansas and the Indian Nation, and participated in the attack and rout of Gens. Steele and Cooper, at Perryville, Choc- taw country, battle of Backbone Mountain and capture of Fort Smith. During the years 1864 and 1865 the Sixth participated in a
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number of engagements, and in the campaigns against the Confed- erate, Gen. Price, among which were the battles at Jefferson City, Russellville, Boonville, Dover, Independence, Big Blue, Osage, Newtonia, and others. During the latter part of 1865 it performed ordinary camp and escort duty.
Enrolled Missouri Militia. - In July, 1862, Gov. Gamble issued an order (No. 19) requiring the loyal men subject to military service to organize into companies and regiments. The material part of this order was as follows:
Every able bodied man capable of bearing arms and subject to military duty is hereby ordered to repair without delay to the nearest military post, and report for duty to the commanding officer. Every man will bring with him whatever arms he may have or can procure and a good horse if he has one.
All arms and ammunition of whatsoever kind and wherever found will be taken possession of, and used for the public defense. *
* The militia- men shall assemble at any post, will be immediately enrolled and organized into companies, elect their officers, and be sworn into service.
Six days after the date of this order are allowed for every man fit for military duty to report to the commanding officer of the nearest military post and be enrolled.
In pursuance of this order eleven companies were organized in Harrison County, and formed into what was known as the "Fifty- seventh Regiment Enrolled Militia." The first commissioned officers were D. J. Heaston, colonel; James M. Nevill, lieutenant-colonel; William G. Weldon, major. Col. Heaston resigned in a short time, and was succeeded by James Neville, and he in March, 1864, by Will- iam G. Lewis.
F. M. Jackson was promoted lieutenant-colonel in August, 1863, and served till expiration of term in 1865. The other regimental offi- cers were as follows: H. J. Skinner, adjutant; Howard T. Combs, adjutant, succeeded the former July, 1863; Elliott P. Bunch, quarter- master; R. H. Vandivert, surgeon; Jonathan U. Lewis, surgeon.
Company A. - F. M. Jackson, captain, succeeded subsequently by John S. Hall; A. J. Allen, first lieutenant; George Burris, Jr., second lieutenant.
Company B .- Simeon Sutton, captain; F. R. Quigly and Richard W. Handy, lieutenants.
Company C .- Benjamin S. Ramey, captain; Benton Salmon and L. G. Spurgin, first and second lieutenants, respectively.
Company D .- Captain, J. C. Frisby; first lieutenant, Daniel D. Boyce; second lieutenant, William H. Eades.
Company E .- William J. Prater, captain; David Wright and D. S. Miller, lieutenants.
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Company F .- Stephen C. Allen, captain. The lieutenants were Joseph Miller and H. R. Badger.
Company G .- Preston Sharp, captain; J. C. Anderson, first lieu- tenant, succeeded September, 1862, by Jacob Koontz. The second lieutenant was J. C. Anderson.
Company H .- William Canady, captain; John Canady, first lieu- tenant; Henry H. Nevill, second lieutenant.
Company I .- James H. Lynch, captain; Felix Randall and Ameri- cus Bunch, lieutenants.
Company K .- William W. Harper, captain; O. T. Graham, first lieutenant; William J. Nevill, second lieutenant.
Company L .- James P. Anderson, captain: James Stanbrough and George W. Nevill, lieutenants.
This regiment was organized ostensibly for home protection and police duty, subject to be called upon whenever needed. It was called out upon three occasions, and in all performed about two months' service.
There were perhaps from twenty-five to thirty men from Harrison in the army of the Confederacy, but no organized effort was made during the war toward raising troops for the Southern cause in the county.
It only remains to be said that the people of the county who remained at home, both Southern and Union, lived in compara- tive peace with each other. They strove rather to protect than to expose each other to military aggression or persecution. 'Tis true there were several transactions of a serious nature which grew out of the sectional troubles, but these were greatly deplored by the law- abiding citizens irrespective of political affiliation. Both sides, while disagreeing on matters of opinion, wisely left the fighting to the sol- diers in the field. Had other portions of the State been guided by the same wise counsels, they would have been spared on many occasions the bitterness and humiliation that fell with such a heavy hand upon person and property.
CITIES AND TOWNS.
He who attempts to present with unvarying accuracy the annals of a town or city whose history reaches back through a long period of years, imposes upon himself a task beset with many difficulties. These diffi- culties, manifold and perplexing in themselves, are often augmented by conflicting statements and varying data, furnished by well-meaning old residents and others as material from which to compile a true and
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faithful record of past events. To give facts, and facts only, should be the aim and ambition of him who professes to deal with the past, and in the pages which follow the chronicler inclines to those state- ments supported by the greater weight of testimony and the more rea- sonable air of probability.
Bethany .- The founding of the city of Bethany dates back nearly half a century. The earliest settlements in the vicinity were made without regard to the place ever becoming a town or city, and were more the force of accident than of any prearranged or definite plan. The beautiful site with the fertility of the surrounding country, plenty of timber and abundance of game arrested the attention of several pioneer families who saw in all these attractions an eligible place for homes. Accordingly they selected their location, and at once pro- ceeded to erect their humble cabins "afar from the busy haunts of men." This was not less than forty-eight years ago, from which time properly dates the history of that part of Harrison County known as Bethany Township.
As early as the year 1839 a pioneer by the name of Sharp Win- ningham moved from Ray County, Mo., and located a home about a mile and a half northeast of the present site of Bethany. From the best information Mr. Winningham was one of the first permanent settlers in the vicinity of the town. Philip Harris, about the same time, settled two miles southwest, where, in 1841, he erected a water mill on Big Creek, the first industry of the kind ever established in Harrison County, A man by the name of Williams made a temporary settlement a little over a mile west of the town 'site in 1838 or 1839, and in the latter year one Hiram Tinney moved to the locality, and made a few improvements a short distance east, on land purchased in 1841 by Elder John S. Allen. John Poynter and Joel Harris settled west of the town in 1840, and the next year witnessed the arrival of Thomas Tucker, W. R. Allen, William C. Allen, John S. Allen, A. W. Allen, Josiah Allen, Ephraim Stewart, C. L. Jennings, J. W. Brown, Thomas Brown and Levi Reeves, all of whom located within a radius of a few miles from the town site. These were all men of substantial worth, and did much toward encouraging immigration to this part of the county.
Among the other early settlers in the vicinity of Bethany were David Buck, Luther Collins, Thomas Geer, Dr. Robertson, Samuel Neal, Dennis Clancy and others, the majority of whom became resi- dents of the county early in the forties.
On the 14th of February, 1845, the Legislature of Missouri passed
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an act providing for the organization of Harrison County, and immedi- ately thereafter three commissioners were appointed to locate a site for the seat of justice. In due time these commissioners visited the county, and after due deliberation made a report of their proceedings to the court as follows:
STATE OF MISSOURI, ? - SS.
HARRISON COUNTY.
We, Edward Smith, John Gibson and Ebenezer H. Wood, the commission- ers appointed by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri to locate the seat of justice of Harrison County according to an act entitled "An act to provide for the organization of certain counties," approved February 14, 1845. There- fore, in obedience to said act, we, the said commissioners, met at the time and place by said act mentioned, and were severally sworn 'according to law by John W. Brown, justice of the peace in and for the township of North, in said county of Harrison, and State of Missouri aforesaid. Whereupon, we proceeded to examine the several points and places whereupon to locate said site, and after a full and faithful examination, we, the said commissioners, have selected the following place, to wit: The west half of the southeast quarter of Section No. 10, Range No. 28, Township No. 63; also the east half of the southwest quarter of Section No. 10, Range 28, Township 63. Given under our hands this 25th day of April, 1845.
EDWARD SMITH, JOHN GIBSON, E. H. WOOD, Commissioners.
To the site thus selected the name of Dallas was given, and at the June term, 1845, the county court appointed John S. Allen commis- sioner to survey the town into lots and offer the same for sale. After entering into bond of $1,000 for the faithful discharge of his duty, Mr. Allen employed some workmen to cut off the brush and timber, and securing the services of John Plaster, surveyor, had the original plat of Dallas "laid out " on the 27th of June, 1845. This plat known as the first survey of Bethany is seventy-six rods east and west, and forty-two rods north and south, making an area of nineteen acres, three roods and thirty-three rods. The plat consists of fifteen blocks, each containing 144 square rods; the center lots, fronting the square, contain 4,603} square feet of ground; the remainder of the lots embrace 6,138 square feet. The alleys are all twelve feet wide. The following streets are shown on the plat: East, Water, Marion, and West, running north and south, and South and Main, running east and west.
It appears that the name Dallas did not meet the general approval of the people, quite a number of whom suggested that some other name be adopted. The nature of their objections is not now known,
-
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but so determined did they become that the matter was brought before the county court at the June term, 1845. It was then mutually agreed that the court and officers present, including the sheriff, clerk, treasurer, attorney and county seat commissioner, should select the name by ballot. The names Bethany and Carthage were proposed. The votes showed a majority in favor of adopting the former, accord- ingly the name Bethany was given to the town, and so entered as a matter of record.
From the best local authority it is ascertained that the first house on the present site of Bethany was a hewed-log building about 16x16 feet in size, erected northeast of the public square, as early as 1845, by William R. Allen. While built ostensibly for a residence it was not used as such, but answered the purpose of a busi- ness house, and served to give shelter to the first stock of goods ever brought to the town. It stood for a number of years, but subsequently with a number of other ancient landmarks was completely destroyed by fire in 1864.
During the fall and winter of 1845-46 several buildings were erected in the town, among which are remembered the log residence of Clement Oatman on North Street, and the dwelling of Martin Jennings west of the square, where Dascomb's butcher shop now stands. Mr. Jennings was the first man to extend his hospitalities to the traveling public, and it was in his building that the first grand jury of Harrison County convened for deliberation.
An early building was erected by Robert Bullington where the St. Joseph House now stands; and on the same lot Alston Allen built a hewed-log structure in which was kept one of the first groceries and restaurants in Bethany. Both houses were erected as early as 1846, and stood intact until comparatively very recent date. John W. Brown and W. R. Allen built a hewed-log house on the same street a little east of the Bullington building, and engaged in the mercantile business about the year 1847. The following year John W. Brown, W. R. and John S. Allen erected a frame business house on the corner of the same block, Lot 7, Block 3, where the Roberts' brick store-room now stands, and about the same time a frame building was erected on North Street, by Samuel Nelson.
The first courthouse was erected in 1846 on the southwest corner of Block 2, northeast of the public square, and by its presence added dignity to the town. It will be impossible at this late day to give anything approximating a full list of the earliest residents of Bethany, ยท but among those who came when the town was but a niche in the
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surrounding were Jacob Oxford, M. P. Wills Samuel Clark, Hardin Oatman, John Oatman, Dr. Long, and those whose names are already given. During the first three or four years the following persons became owners of real estate in the village: Thomas Taylor, William S. Brown, Thomas Foster, Ansel Terry, James L. Robinson, John W. Casebolt, Michael Ballew, Samuel Nelson, George W. Noah, John W. Brown, Samuel Edmiston, Amos Spurgin, E. S. Hughes, Benjamin T. Whedbee, J. M. Smith, Charles L. Jennings, Jesse Vail, Ezariah Hulse, Nathan B. Thompson, David Macey, John D. Enloe, E. M. Scott, Matthew B. Wilkinson and Joel H. Worthington, the majority of whom became residents.
Early Business Men .- John and Clem Oatman were the first mer- chants in Bethany. They bought a stock of goods soon after the town was surveyed, and sold the same in the little log building erected by W. R. Allen. They did a fair business for the time, and remained in the town until about the year 1847 or 1848, when their stock was purchased by Samuel Nelson. The latter continued the trade with fair success until 1849, at which time he sold out and went to California. Jesse Vail erected a log building about the year 1848, and for one year carried on a fairly successful trade with a miscella- neous assortment of merchandise. Conspicuous among the early mer- chants was John S. Allen, who engaged in the goods business in the spring of 1848. In 1851 he erected a frame store building on North Street, and subsequently put up the brick business house which he still occupies. This was the first brick business house in the town. Mr. Allen has been prominently identified with Bethany ever since it was founded, and has done as much, if not more, than any other man toward promoting its business interests. Among other early mer- chants were Bell, Buck & Hodge, Mr. Cleveland, Benjamin Whed- bee, J. P. Devers, Dr. Ford, Brady & Wills.
Mechanics .- One of the first mechanics in Bethany was John W. Casebolt. He moved to the village shortly after the survey, and erected a blacksmith shop on the present site of Smith's lumber yard, North Street, where for a number of years he plied his vocation of smithing and wagon-making. He appears to have been a good workman, and found abundant opportunities for the exercise of his skill during the early days of the town. A Mr. Tisdale engaged in the business of making and repairing wagons in an early day, as did also James Sevier and Patrick Maxey, all of whom earned the reputation of skillful mechanics. William Gale was the first cabinet-maker and wood-workman.
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Professional Men. - Dr. Hardin Oatman began the practice of medicine in Bethany in the fall of 1845, and continued for several years. J. C. Blackburn, William Fallis, Dr. Ford, Dr. Sanders, Dr. Burton, Dr. Trower, Dr. Tennis, D. Macy and John D. Enloe were other early physicians.
In addition to the above professional celebrities, the legal frater- nity was early represented in Bethany by not a few intellectually able men, prominent among whom was William G. Lewis, the peer of any lawyer of his time in Northern Missouri. Among other resident attorneys may be mentioned the following: John R. Morledge, John H. Phillibaum, H. P. Edmiston, Orrin Lee Abbott, and later, Will- iam F. Miller, D. J. Heaston, John Wyatt, Thomas D. Neal, John C. Howell, D. S. Alvord, and others.
The Postoffice. - There were very limited mail facilities here when the postoffice was established, forty-two years ago. We learn that an office was started in Bethany in 1845. David Buck was the post- master, and no doubt his duties were light, particularly when but few papers were then published, and letters from the old home cost much more than the present reduced rates of postage. No better illustration of growth and development and of the changes wrought is needed than is seen in the modern postoffice. At one time the pony mails passed through the country weekly or semi-monthly, when they were per- mitted by the streams to go through at all. There are no records by which it can be ascertained how much mail matter now comes daily into the town of Bethany, but an approximation might be reached by contrasting the large bags of papers and letters received by every train with the old fashioned horseback mail. This increase in mail matter, however, is not merely the mark of growth or population of the town, or a measure to the spread of intelligence or education, but it is a mark of the age, and an index to the change and habits of the people, and applies to the whole country. The first postoffice here was called Bethpage. The name was subsequently changed to Bethany, and the office has been held from time to time by John W. Brown, T. H. Templeman, Miss Frances Collier, J. W. Wion and James Simms. The present incumbent is George Phillips.
Manufactories. - Bethany has never been noted as a manufacturing town. The early enterprises of this kind have been confined to saw and flouring-mills, carding-mills, tanneries, brickyards, wagon and furniture factories, none of which were ever conducted upon a very extensive scale. Why the city has not been more of a manufacturing center is a problem. With the finest timber in easy reach, excellent
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railroad facilities and the close proximity of good markets, what more is needed ? Only energy and enterprise. The geographical posi- tion of the town, its advantage as the center of a fertile region possess- ing various resources demanded by an advancing civilization, warrant the belief that a safe exercise of enterprise and industry on the part of its citizen manufacturers will greatly increase the present popula- tion and wealth in a few years. Nearly every competent manufact- urer or mechanic who has given strict attention to his trade in Bethany has prospered. This fact of itself is sufficient to warrant the belief that the city could, with proper degree of energy, be made a prominent manufacturing center.
The honor of establishing the first manufacturing enterprise in Bethany belongs to Col. C. L. Jennings, who, about the year 1854 or 1855, erected a steam mill in the northwest part of the town. This was a combination mill, manufactured both lumber and flour, and for a num- ber of years was extensively patronized by the citizens of the city and adjacent country. It was afterward sold and moved to the east part of the county.
The second mill was erected by Dr. Ford about the year 1854, and stood not far from the spot occupied by the former structure. It was a combination mill also operated by steam power, and did a fair busi- ness for a short time. The building was afterward sold and moved from the city.
One of the best flouring-mills of Northwest Missouri is the Bethany mills, owned and operated at this time by the McClure Brothers. This establishment dates back to about 1860 or 1861, and stands in the west part of the city on Big Creek. It was erected by Henry Laney, who for some time operated it as a flouring-mill and woolen factory. It subsequently passed into the hands of James C. Baker, who after operating it a short time sold out to Mr. Laney, and he in turn dis- posed of the business in 1878 to the McClures. The present firm, McClure Bros., remodeled the mill in 1887, supplying the latest improved machinery for the manufacture of flour by the full roller process, and are now doing a large merchant and custom business, mak- ing upon an average of fifty barrels per day, the greater part of which finds ready market in the county. Seven men find steady employ- ' ment in the mill, and the business of the firm is constantly increasing. The brands of flour are the " first patent" "Primrose" and "Nixie," all of which have gained a wide reputation on account of their supe- rior quality. The mill building is a large two story and a half frame structure, 55x90 feet in size exclusive of the engine and boiler rooms,
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and contains in addition to the flouring-mill, machinery for the manu- facture of woolen goods, carding, spinning, etc., which is kept in operation about six months of the year.
About the year 1861 or 1862 Messrs. Collier and Dean brought a steam sawmill to the town, which was in operation for a period of two or three years. It stood near the western limits of the city, and during the time it was in operation did a fairly successful business. Considerable attention has been given in Bethany to the manufacture of wagons and carriages. One of the first persons to engage in this enterprise was John F. Pitt who, about the year 1876, erected a large factory on North Street, in which he carried on the business in con- nection with general blacksmithing until 1887. The buildings were then leased by J. A. Cushman who, by his energy and perseverance as well as a thorough knowledge of all details of the business, has suc- ceeded in building up a wide-spread trade, second to no other enter- prise of the kind in Harrison or adjoining counties. He employs none but first class mechanics, and manufactures from 150 to 200 wagons per year, besides doing a general repair and blacksmithing business.
A wagon and carriage factory was started about the year 1869 or 1870 by J. H. Curry, who was succeeded in 1884 by W. S. Eades. The building is situated on North Street, and the enterprise is one of the leading industries of the city. Mr. Eades employs four hands, and makes a specialty of manufacturing and repairing wagons and carriages, besides doing a large blacksmithing business.
The Cooper Furniture Factory on North Street was erected in the year 1886 by W.T. Cooper, who engaged in the business in 1885 in part- nership with J. W. Lehr. The first building was burned in the latter year, since which time Mr. Cooper has carried on the business by him- self. The present building is 27x50 feet in size, supplied with good machinery operated by steam power. Employment is furnished to from four to six men, and the furniture manufactured has already gained more than a local reputation. There are several establishments and shops where manufacturing and repairing are conducted upon a limited scale, but the above constitutes the leading manufacturing enterprises of the city.
Banks .- The first bank in Harrison County was established by Campbell Crossan in the year 1872, with a capital of $10,000. Mr. Crossan has since continued the business as sole proprietor, and has met with the most encouraging success, his bank being one of the best known establishments of the kind in this section of the State. The
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present neat building on Water Street was erected in 1883. G. C. Crossan is the efficient cashier, and Ed. M. Crossan, assistant.
Bethany Savings Bank was established in August, 1872, incor- porated as a State bank with John S. Allen, president; M. McCollum, cashier, and A. F. Woodruff, secretary. The capital stock is $22,000; deposits subject to draft, $65,280, and total resources, by the financial statement of August, 1887, $88,769.94. The reputation of this bank is second to no other in Northern Missouri, and the vast amount of business done yearly shows that the people have unlimited confidence in its management. The proprietors are among the most substantial business men of the city, while the officials are noted for their popu- larity and efficiency. The directors at this time are J. P. Slatten, V. Price, D. S. Alvord, J. F. Bryant, J. P. Hamilton, A. F. Woodruff and H. A. Moulton.
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