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 44
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 44
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of the battle of Pea Ridge. It afterward went to Springfield and Raleigh, and about the last of June took charge of a provision train en route for Curtis' army. After this service was completed it marched to Helena, Ark., where it remained about one year, en- gaged in scouting, etc. In August, 1863, it advanced with Gen. Steel to Little Rock, and took an active part in that campaign. It then went to Pine Bluff, where it remained until the next fall. It comprised a part of the 640 men, who, in the public square of that town, on October 25, 1863, repulsed Gen. Marmaduke with 3,400 men. The regiment was mustered out on September 10, 1864, at Leavenworth, Kas. Company C, of this regiment, was organized at Modena, in Madison Township, with Garrett Gibson as captain, James H. Summers, first lieutenant; C. G. Bridges, second lieutenant, and Wesley Beck, orderly sergeant. At the organization of the regiment Summers became a major, and was succeeded by Bridges, whose place was then filled by O. H. P. Cox. Cox and Bridges sub- sequently resigned, and were succeeded by Jerry Saunders and D. D. Daly, who became first and second lieutenants, respectively. Gibson re- signed in June, 1862, and was succeeded in the command of the com- pany by James Heading.
Third Cavalry, Missouri State Militia .- Three companies of the Third Cavalry, Missouri State Militia, were recruited mainly in Mercer County. Company E was organized on April 4, 1862, from recruits from the western portion of the county. The captain was Charles B. McAfee; first lieutenant, L. Cornwell; and second lieutenant, W. H. Bur- ris. Cornwell resigned in May, 1862, and was succeeded by William C. Frazier, who also resigned in September, following. The position was then filled by S. S. Clark. Lieut. Burris resigned in September, 1862, and was succeeded by Thomas Perkins. Upon the consolidation of the Third Regiment with the Sixth and Seventh Regiments, this company became Company M, of the Sixth. Company F was organized on April 4, 1862, with Squire Ballew as captain; George T. Prichard, first lieutenant; George T. Hamlin, second lieutenant, and Abraham Patton orderly sergeant. Prichard resigned in June, 1863, and was succeeded by George W. Calvin. On September 15, 1864, Hamlin became captain. Company G was also organized on the 5th of April, 1862. The officers elected were as follows: H. J. Stanley, captain; William B. Ballew, first lieutenant, and Isaac N. Clark, second lieutenant. On July 28, 1862, William B. Ballew became captain; Elisha Horne, first lieutenant, and William D. Wilson, second lieutenant.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
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The regiment was organized at Chillicothe, Mo., with Walter King as colonel, J. H. Shanklin, lieutenant-colonel, and H. O. Neville, major. Soon after the organization Neville was promoted to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and was succeeded as major by Abraham Allen. The regiment marched from Chillicothe to Sedalia, thence to Spring- field and to Cassville. It remained at the latter place about three weeks, and then scouted through the southern part of the State, also participating in the fight at Springfield. In May, 1863, it was broken up, and consolidated with the Sixth and Seventh Regiments. Company F became Company I, and Company G became Company K of the Seventh Regiment, of which John L. Phillips was colonel, T. T. Crit- tenden lieutenant-colonel, and Thomas Hensley, major. This regi- ment went from Springfield to Greenfield, through Southern Missouri and Arkansas, engaging in several encounters with guerrillas. On August 1, 1863, it was transferred from the Southwestern District to the Central District, where it remained the remainder of the year, and participated in the pursuit of Gen. Price and the capture of Mar- maduke. The remainder of the time it did guard duty in the Cen- tral District, and was mustered out of service at Warrensburg on April 7, 1865.
The Sixth Cavalry, Missouri State Militia .- Company H, of this regiment, was organized at Cameron, Mo., and contained about twenty- five men from Mercer County. The officers were H. V. Stahl, captain; James Overman, first lieutenant; J. H. Shelly, second lieutenant. On April 30, 1862, Company H, with seven other companies, was organized into a regiment with E. C. Catherwood as colonel. It served in Northwest Missouri until February, 1863, when it was joined by Com- panies A, B, C and E of the Third Regiment, which became Compa- nies I, K, L and M, respectively. The regiment was then stationed at Warrensburg until March, when it was divided into detachments, which were placed at Linn Creek, Warsaw and Osceola. These de- tachments were changed about some from time to time, and on July 1, 1863, were transferred from the Western District to the Southwest- ern District. A part was concentrated at Warsaw; Companies I, K and M went to Newtonia, and others went to Springfield, and reported to Col. John McNeill. Col. Catherwood, with Companies B, F, 'G and H, and detachments from A, C, E and L, marched in pursuit of the rebels under Coffee, by whom he was attacked at Pineville, Mo., on August 12, 1863. In a fight of a few minutes he routed Coffee, with a loss of from sixty to seventy-five men in killed and wounded. From Pineville he marched to Bentonville, thence to Fort Gibson, Ind. Ty.,
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and there joined Gen. Blunt, and participated in his campaign. He then marched back to Springfield, arriving on September 18, 1863. On October 4, 1863, Companies I, K and M, under Capt. McAfee, were attacked by Shelby, Hunter and Coffee, and captured and paroled. The latter being in violation of the cartel of exchange, the men were returned at once to duty. The remainder of the regiment started in pursuit of the rebels, who were overtaken, and attacked at Humansville, and routed. The remainder of the year was spent in scouting and escorting trains. In 1864 the regiment participated in the campaign against Price, and was engaged at Jefferson City, Russellville, Boonville, Dover, Independence, Big Blue, Osage and Newtonia. In the spring of 1864 several of Company H veteranized, among whom were J. H. Shelly and about a dozen others from Mercer County. They entered Company D, of the Thirteenth Missouri Cavalry Veteran Volunteers, of which J. H. Shelly became captain. By the time the regiment was fairly equipped it engaged in very active service in Central Mis- souri, and was then placed in Gen. Pleasanton's army, with which it participated in the operations against Gen. Price. It was stationed at Raleigh, Mo., during the winter of 1864-65. About May, 1865, it marched to Fort Dodge, Kas. It remained there and along the Santa Fe trail, doing guard duty, until the latter part of the summer. It then went to Fort Riley, and in October marched to Denver, Colo., where the regiment was broken up into detachments. Capt. Shelly's company was stationed at Fort Wardwell during the winter of 1865-66. In May, 1866, it was ordered to Fort Leavenworth, where it was mus- tered out.
The Forty-fourth Regiment of Enrolled Missouri Militia was organized in Mercer County, on October 24, 1862. William B. Rog- ers was commissioned colonel; W. H. Herrington, lieutenant-colonel; D. M. King, major; B. F. Cornwell, adjutant; James Stewart, quar- termaster; Ira Blakely, surgeon. The last named was succeeded by S. H. Perryman.
Company A of this regiment was organized from residents of Wash- ington and Madison Townships, on August 14, 1862, with James Bradley as captain; John Thogmartin, first lieutenant, and John McLaughlin as second lieutenant. Company B was also organized in Morgan Township, in August, 1862. The officers were John D. Ran- dall, captain; James Dykes, first lieutenant, and Green Wilson, sec- ond lieutenant. Randall resigned in May, 1864, and was succeeded by H. J. Herrick. Company C was organized in the vicinity of Mid- dlebury, in November, 1862, with Thomas J. Wyatt, captain; R. L. 29
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Williams, first lieutenant, and S. W. Reed, second lieutenant. Com- pany D was organized in Medicine Township, in September, 1862. Elijah Hunt was captain; J. C. Nichols, first lieutenant, and George S. Rhodes, second lieutenant. Company E was organized in Marion Township, about September '1, 1862, with H. J. Alley as captain; J. L. Perkins, first lieutenant, and J. G. Early, second lieutenant. Company F was organized in Madison Township, in November, 1862, with Adam O. Nigh as captain; Samuel Smith as first lieutenant and Robert Thogmartin, second lieutenant. Company G was organized in September, 1862, in Lindley Township. William Dykes was chosen captain; Ezekiel Sexton, first lieutenant, and Franklin Brogan, second lieutenant. Company H was organized in Harrison Township, in September, 1862, with Jackson Prichard as captain; Robert Pixler, first lieutenant, and S. E. Mickey, second lieutenant. Pixler resigned in September, 1864, and was succeeded by Mickey, whose place was then filled by M. V. Trapp. Company I was composed of men living in the vicinity of Ravanna, and was organized with J. A. Kennedy as captain; John Finn, first lieutenant, and Samuel S. Lowry, second lieutenant. Company K was organized with W. T. Browning, cap- tain; Marcellus Moss, first lieutenant, and William C. Reese, second lieutenant.
This regiment acted merely as a home guard, the organization being maintained that it might be called out in the case of an emer- gency.
The Thirty-fifth Militia .- After the disbanding of the troops in 1865, several militia regiments were organized in the State to preserve order and quiet disturbance. The regiment in Mercer County was numbered the Thirty-fifth. It was organized on October 4, 1865, with D. M. King as colonel; C. H. Stewart, lieutenant-colonel; Thomas J. Wyatt, major; H. J. Alley, adjutant; Nathan Arnold, quartermaster, and Knight G. Smith, surgeon. Of Company A, E. R. Sexton was captain, and William S. Cardle a lieutenant; Company B, J. F. Stephens, captain, and Stephen Crouse, lieutenant; Com- pany C, J. H. Thogmartin, captain; Company D, David Loury, captain, and Jacob Loutzenhiser and S. S. Lowry, lieutenants; Company E, William Speer, captain and Jesse Trapp and F. M. Walker, lieuten- ants; Company F, William Power, lieutenant; Company G, James Nichols and R. G. Miller, lieutenants; Company H, Samuel L. Strong, captain, and A. R. Patton and George H. Calvin, lieutenants, and Company K, Eli Bruner, lieutenant.
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
RELIGIOUS HISTORY.
The Baptists .- The first regularly organized religious body in Mer- cer County was Salem Baptist Church, constituted about 1840 by Henry Henderson and James and Elijah Merrill, in the western part of Washington Township. Among the first members were John B. Howard and wife, Lewis Gibson and wife, Mrs. Nancy Gibson (wife of James Gibson), Henry and Patrick McKern and wives, Mrs. Hila Brown, and John Loe and wife. Soon after the organization of the church a schoolhouse was built in the neighborhood, and this was used for holding divine service. After a few years, through internal dissensions and dis- cord, the society was broken up. Subsequently an attempt was made to organize a Primitive Baptist congregation at the same place, which was partially successful, and regular services were held for a time.
The oldest Baptist Church in the county now in existence is Providence Church, located at Half Rock. It was organized in 1844 by Elder Henry Henderson, at the house of John Pemberton in Grundy County, with the following members: John V. Barnes, Susan- nah Barnes, Eliza Pemberton, Ira Blakely, R. D. Blakely, Matilda Crockett, and Rhoda Blakely. Among those who united with the church during the first years of its existence were Arthusia A. Keith, Aaron and Lydia Barnes, Jane Stanturff, Jane Barnes, James and Mary J. Boyles, Mary A. Chaffes, P. M. Hill, Anderson and Margaret Thomas, John M. Sutton, Polly Wasson, Melinda Roberts, John Swopes, Sarah McKern, William Cunningham, G. C. Hill, Sarah H. Devolve and James R. Devolve.
No regular place of worship was had until 1848, when it was agreed to meet one-half of the time at William Wyatt's near old Mid- dlebury, and the other half at the house of John V. Barnes on Honey Creek. From 1856 to 1858 meetings were held at Liberty schoolhouse. In the latter year a new schoolhouse was erected on the southwest quarter, Section 11, Township 63, Range 23, which was the meeting place until 1873, when the building was burned. The meetings were then transferred to Farmer's Valley schoolhouse, in Grundy County, but from 1874 the services were held a part of the time at what is known as Lyon's schoolhouse situated on Section 2 of the same range and township mentioned above. In 1878 a church building was erected at Half Rock, where the congregation has since worshiped.
The first pastor of the church was Elder Henry M. Henderson, who was succeeded by Ira Blakely. The latter was ordained in August, 1845, was chosen pastor in 1848, and ended his service in May, 1854. His successor was Jesse Goins, who continued for three years, when
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
Newton Halsey was chosen. The following is a list of the subsequent pastors with the date of election: Ira Blakely, April, 1859; John B. Murphy, May, 1864; Hiram Casteel, August, 1865; Andrew M. Green, September, 1866; James R. Nordyke, December, 1870; Joseph E. Bondurant, May, 1872; Paul McCollum, September, 1873; James R. Nordyke, December, 1874; P. W. Noles, October, 1876; J. L. Cole, September, 1877; J. R. Nordyke, November, 1878; George W. Herren, November, 1879; W. W. Gillespie, October, 1880; J. R. Nordyke, December, 1881, and James Brassfield, the present pastor, January, 1883.
Of the revival meetings held by this church, one of the most suc- cessful was begun on November 13, 1879, by Elder G. A. Crouch. It continued for one month, during which time over twenty were added to the church. Another successful revival was conducted by the pas- tor in February, 1885. The conversions were numerous. Over thirty- five united with Providence Church, while several joined the Meth- odists and Christians. The present membership is 113.
In December, 1883, a Sunday-school was organized by J. A. Kenneday, of Ravanna, with N. S. Smith as superintendent. The present superintendent is Samuel Murray. The enrollment is 114. The following have been the clerks of Providence Church since its organization : Robert D. Blakely, 1844-49; Pleasant M. Hill, 1849-57; Daniel N. Hill, 1857-63; Pleasant M. Hill, 1863-70; Samuel Cun- ningham, 1870-77; Lewis C. Hill, 1877-78; James G. Brittian, 1878.
The next oldest Baptist Church in the county is at Princeton. It was organized on the second Saturday in March, 1848, with Elder Edward Benson as moderator; R. D. Blakely, clerk, and the following constituent members, all formerly attached to Zoar Church at Caines- ville, Harrison County: Israel Nordyke and wife, Almira, Thomas J. Harper, John Harper, Sarah Harper, Wiley Cook and wife, Lucinda, Sylvia J. Harper, J. M. Smith and wife, Rosanna, Eliza A. Harper, Simon Adamson, Jesse Adamson, Priscilla Adamson, Mary Boxley, James Herriford and wife, Rosanna, Robert Campbell, Catharine Girdner.
Services were first held in the log courthouse. About 1857 a frame structure was erected, which served as a house of worship until 1874, when the present neat church 30x50 feet was built. The first pastor was John Woodward, who served the church for eleven years. He was succeeded by Ira Blakely, but in a short time was reinstated, serving again for several years. Since that time the pastors have been S. L. Strong, J. W. Luke, J. C. Midyett, Rev. Moody and J. L. Carmichael. The present membership of the church is 150.
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
In September, 1886, the North Grand River Association held its annual meeting with this church, at which time the following constit- uent members were present: Sarah Harper, aged ninety-six; Wiley Cook, aged seventy; Mrs. Cook, aged seventy-two; Rosanna Herri- ford, aged seventy-two, and Catharine Girdner, aged sixty-nine.
East Fork Baptist Church, in the northern part of Morgan Town- ship, is an offshoot from the Princeton Church. Prior to its organ- ization as a separate body, services had been held at a log school- house, near the present church building. It was organized by Ches- ley Woodward and his son, John, in 1858, and among its first mem- bers were Henry Lewis and wife, Sarah; James Ruth and wife, Ellen; Preston Young and family; Isaac Foster and wife; Henry Hickman and wife; James Mulvaney and wife, Nancy; and Abner George and wife, Sarah. The old log building was occupied until just prior to the war, when a church house was erected, and partly completed. It was used as a church, and was also leased for a school- house, until the erection of the present building in 1874. It is a frame, 32x40 feet.
John Woodward, who assisted to organize the church, ministered ** to it for many years. Some of his successors have been Israel Nor- dyke, William Goodale, James M. Woodward, Samuel Strong, J. R. Nordyke, and the present pastor, J. W. B. Cox. At one time this society was the largest in the county, numbering nearly 200 members, but it has since somewhat decreased.
The Baptist Church at Ravanna was constituted on March 1, 1859, by Elders James Turner and Newton J. Halsey. The members were James Ellis, Thomas J. Lieuallen, Samuel Gray, Mary Gray and Mary A. Stockton, to whom were added J. A. Ken- nedy, Joshua and Nancy Combs, Elizabeth Herriman, Mabel Stockton, Sarah Hannah, Samuel L. Strong and Ellen and Mary A. Cross, who adopted the Bible "as our only guide and rule of action in all things." The members were so badly scattered during the war, that, at its close, but two, J. A. Kennedy and Elizabeth Herriman, remained. It was therefore resolved to dissolve the old organization, and on September 30, 1867, a new society was constituted by Elders A. M. Green and H. H. Turner. It consisted of the two old members and Thomas Cooper, W. B. Rogers, M. Summers, Reuben Walker, W. T. Beachem, Elizabeth Beachem and James Herriman. Elder A. M. Green was chosen pastor, and W. B. Rogers, clerk. During the first year twenty- five members were added, several of whom were brought in during a two-weeks' meeting held by Elders J. H. Burrows and D. O. Harri-
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
son. The same year the church resolved to build a house of worship, meetings having been held up to this time in a schoolhouse used by several other denominations. The undertaking was a difficult one owing to the paucity of the membership, and the fact that two other societies were trying to build in Ravanna at the same time. A neat brick building, however, was erected, and is still occupied by the church. In October, 1868, Elder C. Woodward was called to the pastorate, and with the exception of one year, when the pulpit was filled by J. M. Woodward, continued until his death, on February 18, 1877. The members then numbered twenty-one. No pastor was called during that year, but in January, 1878, Elder R. Livingston held a two- weeks' meeting. In November of the same year J. C. Midyett was installed as pastor, and continued in that capacity until 1880, when he was succeeded by W. W. Gillespie. The remaining pastors have been Revs. Mr. Kincaid, J. L. Carmichael and I. S. Lowry, recently re- signed. The present membership is forty-six. From its organization until the present it has belonged to North Grand River Association, with the exception of four years, from 1871 to 1875, when it was a member of the North Central Association.
One of the first Sabbath-schools in the county was organized in the spring of 1859 by J. A. Kennedy, of this church, and with the excep- tion of about one year during the war, it has been maintained to the present time. During the past fifteen years the school has missed holding a meeting on but one Sunday.
Mill Grove Baptist Church was constituted on January 26, 1881, by Elder P. M. McCullom with the following members: John Rus- sell and wife, William Gose and wife, Warren Casey, W. P. Monnet, David Gose, N. Y. Rogers and wife, Mrs. Elizabeth Blakely, Mrs. Carrie Pratt, Mrs. Virginia Larimore, Laura Hill, G. V. Rogers and wife. During the next fall a good frame house was erected at a cost of $1,200. In 1881 W. W. Gillespie became pastor of the church, and continued for one year. His successor was James Woodward, who also remained one year. The pulpit has since been filled by David Scott, J. R. Nordyke and P. McCullom. The church is now without a pastor.
A Sabbath-school was organized in 1880, and maintained as a Bap- tist school until 1886, since which time it has been known as a Union school. The present superintendent is Joshua Canady.
Antioch Baptist Church was organized on April 3, 1884, with the following constituent members: J. R. Nordyke, B. S. Nordyke, D. F. Covey, George Laws, M. H. Abrams, Sarah Nordyke, Catharine
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
Thomas, Elizabeth Collier, M. A. Nordyke, E. L. Nordyke, M. F. Nor- dyke, M. E. Covey, L. C. Laws, and Margaret Applegate. J. L. Carmichael was the first pastor, and was succeeded by I. S. Lowry, who served two years. The members now number twenty-nine.
Mt. Carmel Baptist Church was organized by J. W. B. Cox, on September 9, 1884, with J. M. Fugit, clerk; Levi Lose and W. F. Crews, deacons; W. F. Lose, Rachel, Jane and Clara Lose, Mary Rutherford, Nancy Ekiss, Mary A. Fugit, and Sarah J. Curtis. J. W. B. Cox was chosen pastor and ministered to the church for one year. He was succeeded by I. S. Lowry, but after eighteen months was recalled, and now fills the pulpit. The members now number twenty. Services are held in the district schoolhouse, where a Union Sabbath-school is maintained during the summer.
Liberty Baptist Church was organized in the southeast part of Madison Township, in March, 1885, by Elder O. E. Newman, who served as pastor for two years. Among the original members were William Campbell and wife, Amanda Campbell, William Vanderford and wife, James Vanderford, Rebecca Roberts, Christina Brummitt, Celia Wilbern, Nancy Rector, Jesse Arney and wife, Laura Cook, Henry Campbell, Elizabeth Vanderpool, John Barnes and wife, Jane Barnes. The present membership is about thirty. Services are held in a building erected as a Union Church in 1883. The present pastor is Rev. Mr. Withered.
Friendship Baptist Church, now located in Grundy County, was organized in the south part of Madison Township as early as 1845. It held services at Chestnut schoolhouse.
A small congregation of Baptists was organized at Ilia in the win- ter of 1887. The members are W. H. Lowry and wife, James Ship- ley, Burton Cox and wife, Mrs. Nancy Thompson.
Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church was organized in Morgan Town- ship in February, 1885, by Elders James M. Woodward, J. R. Nor- dyke, and James Ruth. The original members were Urias Brogan, clerk; George and Urias Brogan, deacons; James George and wife, Margaret, J. H. Cate, P. A. Hickman, Elizabeth Leachman, Nancy E. Abrams, Marie, Elizabeth and Sarah Hickman, Eliza Constable, L. E. George, Jane George, Mary Brogan, R. C. Mulvaney and John Leachman and wife, Elizabeth. Services are held once a month in Liberty schoolhouse, on Section 18, Township 65, Range 24. The members now number fifty-four, and a Sabbath-school of forty mem- bers is maintained. The pastor is James M. Woodward.
Zion Baptist Church was organized at Hickory Grove schoolhouse
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
on September 15, 1878, by Elder V. M. Harper, assisted by Elders William Baldwin, J. H. Burrows and John Woodward. The original members were Perry Robertson and George Thomas, deacons; Amanda Harper, clerk, and Emily and Martha Thomas, Margaret Robertson, Nancy Robertson, Elizabeth Robertson, Sarah M. Hutchison, H. Moss and Melissa Moss. The church building, which was erected in 1887, is situated in District No. 2, of Township 65, Range 25.
This church has been very prosperous since its organization, and now has a membership numbering 122. Elder Harper has been the pastor with the exception of one year, when the pulpit was filled by Elder J. R. Nordyke. A Sunday-school numbering seventy-five scholars and seven teachers is maintained under the superintendency of W. H. Johnson.
The remaining Baptist Churches in the county are Freedom and Concord, both of comparatively recent origin.
The Protestant Methodists .- The first Protestant Methodist Church in Mercer County was organized at the house of William Yates, in Madi- son Township, in May, 1845, by Rev. Nathan Winters, assisted by Rev. Joab Halloway. Among the early members were William Yates and wife, John Loe and wife, Joseph Pickett and wife, and Benjamin Colonel and wife. * Services were held at private houses at first, then at the Salem schoolhouse, Wiggin's schoolhouse, and the schoolhouse at Modena, successively. In 1881 a neat frame church was erected at Modena. Solomon Evans was pastor of the church for several years. He was a man, eminent for his goodness and piety. He re- moved to Ravanna, where he died in the summer of 1858. William Yates was a local preacher, and is still living. W. A. Loe, a son of John Loe, has for many years been a preacher in this church. He began preaching in 1860, when only nineteen years of age, and was ordained about 1867. He is now a resident of Princeton. Prior to 1863 the societies in Mercer County were included in what was known as East Grand River circuit, but since that time there have been two circuits-Modena, including the following appointments: Modena Church, Centennial schoolhouse, Salem schoolhouse, and Liberty church in Harrison Township; and Ravanna, including appointments at Lebanon church, Somerset church, Boatman schoolhouse, Oak schoolhouse, Painter's schoolhouse and Middleton's schoolhouse. The society at Lebanon church is one of the oldest and largest in the county. It was organized by Rev. Gabriel Williams, now stationed
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