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 46
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 46
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At a meeting of the board on April 1, 1867, it was resolved to purchase a site, and to proceed at once to the erection of a suitable building for the accommodation of the schools, and at a subsequent meeting it was decided to levy a tax of one-half of one per cent for school purposes. It was also determined to have a three months' school taught, and T. E. Evans and Miss Edna Bollinger were employed as teachers, the former at a salary of $40 per month, and the latter at $333. The schools were opened in September, Miss Bollinger occupying the Baptist Church. In May, 1868, a lot in the
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STATE OF MISSOURI.
southeast part of the town was purchased as a site for the new school- building, and a tax of one per cent was levied for school purposes. In December, 1868, the treasurer reported that he had received from the county collector during the year $1,278.56, and from the public fund, $287, a total of $1,565.56. He had paid out during the same time $568.95. In 1869 the tax levy was increased to one and one- fourth per cent.
The contract for the new school building, which was to be a brick, 34x36 feet in dimensions and two stories high, was let to John Broffett in June, 1869, and the building was erected during the following summer.
In January, 1870, to meet the indebtedness thus incurred, bonds of the district to the amount of $2,500 and bearing 10 per cent interest were issued.
Mr. Evans continued as principal of the schools until the fall of 1870, when he was succeeded by W. W. Murphy, but the next year, he was again elected. In 1872 C. E. Buren was elected superintendent, and in April following was succeeded by P. Stacey. At this time teachers were employed for terms of three months only. In Sep- tember, 1873, T. F. Carrady became principal, and continued one year. He was succeeded by F. E. Shuster, who, in about a month, resigned. His successor, J. V. Lirch, remained until 1876, when A. B. Warner succeeded to the position. The number of assistant teachers had been gradually increased until at this time there were four.
In 1877 T. B. Pratt was chosen principal, but the next year was succeeded by F. A. McGill. In 1879 W. W. Bristow, a very excellent teacher, was elected principal, and continued in that position until the spring of 1881. The school building had then become unsafe for occupancy, and a contract was let for the erection of a new build- ing upon the same site. The contractors were D. J. Hasselton and T. J. Hardesty, and the architect, C. A. Dunham, of Burlington, Iowa. The contract price was $13,800 and to meet this outlay bonds of the district to the amount of $13,000, bearing six per cent interest, were issued.
The building was completed in July, 1882. It is 72x84 feet, and two stories high, with a basement, which can also be converted into school-rooms. It now contains eight large school-rooms, with the necessary number of cloak, cabinet, and recitation rooms. It is a handsome building, and is well furnished.
The schools were opened in the new building in September, 1882, by D. K. Thomas, superintendent, and seven assistant teachers.
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HISTORY OF MERCER COUNTY.
Prof. Thomas continued as superintendent for one year, and was suc- ceeded by F. P. Sever, who also remained but one year. His successor was J. H. Roney, who served for two years. J. F. Stanley, the pres- ent superintendent, was installed in September, 1886.
The first graduates from the high school were Etta Hill, Lou Reddell, Ira D. Orton, and Coleman Stacey, who finished the course in 1884. The present school board consists of J. R. Hill, president; Ira B. Hyde, secretary; Eli Mullinax, treasurer; David Speer, J. C. Casteel and Jackson Cook.
BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
HARRISON COUNTY.
William Alexander is a native of Ireland, and was born September 11, 1811. His parents, John and Elizabeth (Booth) Alexander, were natives of North Ireland, and in 1822 immigrated to New York City. He was a man of good education, and from New York went to Pitts- burgh, Penn., where he taught school. After teaching school in Wayne County, Ohio, a few months, he went to Coshocton County, Ohio, and engaged in farming until his death. He served as justice of the peace in his township, and lived to be over eighty years of age. William Alexander is the eldest of a family of eight children, six of whom are supposed to be living. He was reared in his native country and in Ohio, but as his father was poor received but a limited educa- tion. After becoming eighteen years of age he engaged in boating for about three years, and then made his home with his father until his marriage to Miss Sarah Gardner, a native of Pennsylvania, by whom fourteen children have been born, nine of whom are living, and all married save McClelland. Mr. Alexander lived in Mason County, Ill., for sixteen years after his marriage, and then came to Harrison County, Mo., where, after giving liberally to his children, he now owns 105 acres of good land. He enlisted in the Mexican War, but was not engaged in active service. His son, John, was a soldier in the Rebellion, and for his services now receives a pension. Mr. Alexander is now over seventy-six years of age, and has been a life-long Demo- crat. Himself and wife are enterprising citizens, and highly respected.
John S. Allen, a pioneer citizen of Harrison County, was born in Overton County, Tenn., June 26, 1814, and is a son of William and Mary (Copeland) Allen, natives, respectively, of Shenandoah County, Va., and North Carolina. The mother is a sister to Col. Stephen Copeland, a great Indian fighter, under Gen. Jackson. The father was a farmer by occupation, and spent the greater part of his life in
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Overton County, Tenn., where he and his wife both died. To them seven sons and six daughters were born, all save one son living to maturity; Hiram M. was a farmer in Overton County, Tenn., a cap- tain in the militia under Gen. Jackson, and died in his ninetieth year; he was twice married, and reared a large family; Lydia, deceased wife of Beverly Treavis (also deceased), who left several children; Elizabeth, deceased wife of Benjamin Nichols and later of William Masters, both of whom are deceased. There is one living child by the first marriage: Josiah, who lived and died in Overton County and left a family; Nancy, deceased wife of Jefferson Goodpasture (deceased), who left a family; Isaac, who came to Illinois at an early day and there died in the decade of the forties; Rachel, deceased wife of J. W. Brown, both of whom died in Harrison County, leaving three sons and two daughters, now living; Sarah, deceased wife of James A. Dale, both of whom died in Harrison County, leaving sev- eral children, one son and two daughters of whom are now living; Christina, widow of William Fancher; John S .; William, who went to California, in 1850, and has not been heard of for many years; Stephen C., of Bethany; James, deceased at the age of fourteen. John S., left his native county in 1832 and went to Illinois where he married Nancy Childress, in 1835. Mrs. Allen is a native of Barren County, Ky., and the mother of five children: Emeline, wife of Will- iam A. Templeman; James R., deceased; Mary, wife of Dr. R. D. King; Elizabeth, wife of J. M. Roberts, and Willard C. Mr. Allen followed the shoemaker's trade in Illinois (which he learned during his youth), and in 1841 came to Missouri, and settled near Pole Cat Creek, one and one-half miles southeast of Bethany. He cultivated a small farm, and preached in Northern Missouri, having been ordained a minister in the Christian Church in Illinois, in 1838. He was the first minister in this vicinity and has always been an earnest supporter of religious enterprises. In 1851 he moved to Bethany, which place he assisted in laying off. Then in 1850 he engaged in the mercantile business, and by the exercise of energy and economy has amassed a handsome compe- tency and is now one of the enterprising business men of the town. He was a director of the branch, at Chillicothe, of the old State Bank, before the war, and is now and has been since its organization president and one of the largest stockholders of the Bethany Savings Bank. He has al- ways been a Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for Jackson. Mr. Allen has never been an aspirant for political honors, but was a dele- gate in the convention held in Missouri in 1861 to consider the relation of Missouri with the Union, and was a strong Union man; in fact was
A. S. Aword
HARRISON COUNTY.
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
the first man that publicly declared his attachment to the Union of the States in Harrison County in 1861, and has also held several local offices. During the early history of the county he was county and circuit clerk by appointment for a short time, and in 1845 was appointed county seat commissioner to lay out the town of Bethany. Mr. Allen is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and one of the most active members of the Christian Church in Bethany.
John S. Allen is the son of the late William Robertson Allen [see sketch of John S. Allen, Jr. ], and was born in Harrison County, Mo., September 7, 1852. Here he passed his boyhood and youth, and re- ceived a good common-school education. His first business venture was in February, 1884, when he engaged in the livery business, and has continued in the same ever since, now owning the largest stable in the city and county, and controlling the leading trade in this line. March 2, 1876, he married Joanna Grover, a native of Maine, who has borne him two children, both of whom are deceased. Both Mr. and Mrs. Allen are worthy and active members of the Christian Church, and are classed with Bethany's respected and esteemed citi- zens. Mr. Allen is a Democrat in his political views, and is an enter- prising and public-spirited citizen.
Daniel S. Alvord was born in Warren County, Penn., January 30, 1835, and is a son of Samuel and Ursula (Smith) Alvord, natives re- spectively of Massachusetts and New Hampshire. The father was a Baptist minister, and a soldier in the War of 1812. In 1846 he emi- grated west with his family, and passed the remainder of his life in Illinois. He died in Hamilton, Ill., in 1872, aged eighty-eight, and the mother died in 1864. They were the parents of ten children: Susan- nah, widow of Butler B. Gates; Mary, deceased wife of Theron Bly; Sallie, widow of Daniel Jaquay; Ursula, wife of Theodore P. Jaquay; Harriet, deceased wife of Philip Kessler, the daughter of whom, Mrs. R. H. Vandivert, is a resident of Bethany; Rodolphus W .; Ro- villa, deceased wife of George T. Montague; Ruby, deceased wife of James D. Barnes; Permelia, wife of Samuel Gordon, and Daniel S. The subject of this sketch spent his early life upon the home farm, and received a good literary education, which he completed in Shurtleff College, Upper Alton, Ill. At the age of twenty he decided to adopt the profession of law, and accordingly read with Scofield, Ferris & Manier, of Carthage, Ill., and in 1858 was admitted to the bar in that State, after which he began to practice at Hamilton, Ill. During the war he served in Company E, One Hundred and Fifty-sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry for one year, and in 1865 came to Missouri, at
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first remaining a short time at Chillicothe. Soon after he located at Bethany, where he has since practiced his profession with more than ordinary success. He was the county and prosecuting attorney from 1867 until 1877, and was the Republican candidate for judge of the Twenty-eighth Judicial Circuit in 1880 and also in 1882, but although he ran ahead of his ticket the latter time, was both times defeated, owing to the minority of his party in this circuit. His first presiden- tial vote was cast for John C. Fremont in 1856. August 18, 1861, he married Anna H. Lloyd, a native of Wheeling, W. Va., by whom he has had two children: Grace, wife of William H. Sigler, and Raymond. Mr. Alvord is a member of the I. O. O. F. and G. A. R., and himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mr. Alvord is one of the able, legal practitioners of Bethany, and is an enterprising and public-spirited citizen.
James T. Anderson, attorney at law, of Ridgeway, Mo., was born June 2, 1844, in Greencastle, Ind., and when nine years old accom- panied his parents to Owen County, Ind., and from there went to Mercer County, Mo., in the autumn of 1857. It being a new country and his parents being limited in means, many were the hardships they had to pass through, and though young he was compelled to labor by the day at whatever amount he could secure to assist his parents in securing a livelihood for the family, which consisted of five children, two older and two younger than himself. The father was a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and received but a small amount for his services, and being absent from his home the most of his time, all had to use their efforts to secure a living for the family. In a short time the great Rebellion broke out, and James T. considered it his duty to take a part in the war. Having been reared by Chris- tian parents, and taught to read the Bible, it was but natural for him to take sides with the Government that he had learned to love. He enlisted in Company D, Twenty-third Missouri Infantry, at Caines- ville, Mo., and went with them as far as Chillicothe, Mo., where all passed an examination, but he was rejected, and then returned to the home of his parents, and went to work on a farm in Harrison County, Mo., where he continued until August, 1862. He then again enlisted in the army, and was assigned to Company D, Merrill's Horse (later in the war named Second Missouri Cavalry), in which he served until August, 1865, when he was mustered out at Nashville, Tenn. Re- turning home, he soon entered the high school conducted by Prof. Nor- ton, in order to obtain an education, of which he had been deprived be- fore the war. Owing to limited means he was compelled to leave his
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
studies, and teach a term of school to secure funds to again enter school, and advance. This he continued for a number of years with other stu- dents, and in the meantime made up his mind to enter the law practice. While teaching he took up the reading of law, and in the fall of 1869 was admitted to the bar by Judge Jonas J. Clark, at Gallatin, Daviess County, Mo. He entered the law office of Col. Louis C. Pase, at Hamilton, and commenced the practice with him for a short time, when he secured himself an office, and conducted the practice alone until 1873. Then he removed to Breckenridge, Caldwell Co., Mo., and later to Eagleville, Harrison Co., Mo., where he opened an office and contin- ued the practice until 1880. Then he removed to Ridgeway, Mo., but in 1886, his health having so far failed, he was advised to retire from his profession, which he did. January 13, 1869, Mr. Anderson was married to Miss Hattie B. McClelland, at Hamilton, Caldwell Co., Mo., a native of Missouri, by whom he had nine children, of whom five are now living. Mrs. Anderson is a member of the Methodist Episco- pal Church. Mr. Anderson is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R. and commander of Elwell Post, No. 140, Department of Missouri. He is the fourth of six children born to Stephen G. An- derson and Elmira (Burton) Anderson, natives of Kentucky and Indiana respectively, and son of Daniel Anderson and Elizabeth (Burk) Ander- son, natives of Kentucky and Tennessee, respectively. Daniel Ander- son served in several Indian wars, and was a minister for a number of years before his death, living to the ripe old age of about eighty-five.
Gay Aufricht was born in Burlington, Iowa, March 31, 1855, and is a son of Ferdinand Aufricht, of Princeton, Mo. [see sketch.] He was reared to manhood in Princeton, and for a number of years was in business there for himself, meeting with well deserved success. In March, 1882, he came to Bethany, and established a bakery and restaurant. In the spring of 1885 he embarked in the grocery busi- ness in which he has since continued. He carries at his store on the south side of the square a full and select stock of staple and fancy groceries, queensware, lamps, produce and provisions, and, doing a strictly cash business, is meeting with success, and controls a large share of the patronage of the city in his line. June 4, 1884, he was united in marriage with Miss Lettie Dunn, daughter of Dr. A. L. Dunn, of Bethany. To Mr. Aufricht and wife, one son, Irwin R., has been born. Mr. Aufricht is a Democrat in politics, and is General- issimo of the Knights Templar Lodge at Bethany. He is one of the successful business men of the city, and merits the success he is enjoy- ing.
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HARRISON COUNTY.
Albert L. Dunn, M. D., was born in New Jersey, January 21, 1827, and is a son of Squire and Experience (Lennox) Dunn, both natives of the same State. The father moved to Western New York with his family in 1830, and in 1844 went to Wisconsin, and from thence to Minnesota, in 1856, where he died. The mother is still liv- ing. Albert L. lived with his parents during his youth, and having begun the study of medicine early in life graduated from the Eclectic College of Medicine at Cincinnati in 1851. He first began to practice in Iowa, and then spent a few years in Colorado. In 1865 he came to Missouri, and made his home in Mercer County for three years. In 1868 he came to Harrison County, practicing at Mount Moriah until 1879, when he came to Bethany, where he has been principally engaged in merchandising and the hotel business. In 1855 he mar- ried Nancy E. Parnell, a native of St. Joseph, Ind., by whom he has four children: Minnie L., wife of William W. Storms; Edwin L., Lettie D. and Hattie E. Dr. Dunn is a Democrat.
John Bain is the only child of William and Mary (Bain) Bain, natives of Randolph County, N. C., and was born in that county and State, October 1, 1831. The parents emigrated from their native county to Tennessee, and from there went to Morgan County, Ind., where the father died. He was a farmer by occupation. In October, 1850, the mother accompanied her son to Missouri, making her home with him until her death. Previous to coming to Missouri, John Bain was united in marriage with Miss Nancy Bryant, a native of Adair County, Ky. He located in Madison Township, in 1859, being one of the early settlers of Harrison County, and the first man to engage in farming and stock raising in the township. In 1881 he built the first hotel in Cainesville, which he has since successfully conducted. To himself and wife eleven children have been born, all of whom are living, three in Nebraska, and the remainder in Harrison County. His youngest child is married and has one child, and the sum total of his living grandchildren is twenty-four. Besides his hotel, which is commodious and well furnished, Mr. Bain owns twenty acres of land in the township, and four town lots. While in Morgan County, Ind., Mr. Bain served as deputy sheriff and road overseer, and in Harrison County he has filled the office of justice of the peace.
Manlove Bain was born September 21, 1829, in North Carolina, and is a son of John and Rebecca (Russell) Bain, both natives of North Carolina, and of Irish and English descent, respectively. The father was a shoemaker by trade, at which he worked all his life, the greater part of the time in North Carolina. He was a victim of con-
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
sumption, and suffered with that disease over twenty years. To him- self and wife thirteen children were born, of whom six are living and married. In politics he was a Whig, and in religion a Presbyterian. After his death his widow went to Tennessee, where she lived until her death at the advanced age of eighty. She was a member of the Methodist Church. Manlove Bain spent his youth in his native county, and at the age of eighteen began life for himself. He settled in Morgan County, Ind., when twenty-two years old, and was there married to Miss Margaret McDonald, a native of North Carolina, and daughter of John and Margaret McDonald. This union was blessed with eight children, five now living: Rebecca (married), John, Eli S., Oliver P., and Charles. Mr. Bain lost his first wife after immigrating to Harrison County, and after remaining a widower two years married Mrs. Pitezel, widow of Dr. Joseph Pitezel, by whom she had one child, now deceased. Mrs. Bain's maiden name was Sarah C. Roberts, and she has borne our subject three children: Walter A., Charlotte and Guy. Mr. Bain is a self-made man, and his property of 150 acres is the result of his own labor and economy.
J. C. Baker was born in Morgan County, Ohio, in 1834, and when two years old was taken by his parents to McLean County, Ill., where he resided and engaged in farming until the spring of 1860, when he moved to Harrison County, Mo. In the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the Union army for six months, at the expiration of which (April 21, 1862) he re-enlisted in Company G, Sixth Missouri Cavalry, and upon the reorganization of the company was elected second lieutenant, in which capacity he served until October, 1863, when he resigned his commission and returned to farm life. In 1868 he was elected clerk of the circuit court, and in 1870, elected sheriff and collector of Harrison County, Mo., in which capacity he served two years. He afterward was elected to the office of collector, and served two years. He then re-engaged in farming and stock shipping until 1886, when he established himself in the general mercantile business at Ridgeway, where he now controls a lucrative patronage. He began life poor, but now has a stock of goods valued at $4,000. When of age he was married to Miss Sarah J. Smoot, by whom thirteen children have been born: Adeline, Christina, Albert, John A., Benjamin B., James L., Mason, Mary E., Ida, Charles, Maude, Minnie and Bettie. Mr. Baker is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the G. A. R. He is the third child of James and Christina (Roberts) Baker, natives of Ohio and Pennsylvania, respectively. The father served as justice of the peace about fifteen years, and was a son of Samuel and Margaret
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HARRISON COUNTY.
Baker, natives of Morgan County, Ohio. Mr. James Baker was mar- ried twice, his first wife having been Miss Alman, by whom three children were born. After her death he married the mother of our subject, who was a widow of Robert Stansberry.
W. C. Baker was born in Van Buren County, Iowa, April 20, 1845. His father, Jacob Baker, was born in Maryland and was there married to Miss Hall, a native of the same State, who died leaving three children: Joseph H., Eliza A. and Sarah Jane. He was a mason and plasterer by trade, and from Maryland went to Indiana, where he married Miss Mary A. Hite, by whom he had seven children, only two of whom are living: W. C. Baker and Charles G., who live in Harri- son County, Mo. Mr. Baker went to Iowa after his marriage but soon returned to Indiana, where he spent his last days. W. C. Baker was reared in Monroe County, Ind., where he attended the district schools. He lost his father when but five years old, and mother when twelve, and the following year worked for his board and clothes. He then returned home, and assisted his brother upon the home place, a year after which they both came west. During war time he served six months in Company E, Third Missouri State Militia, Cavalry, and was then discharged on account of sickness. He returned home, and in 1864 enlisted in the Forty-eighth Iowa Infantry, as a one-hundred-day man, under Capt. John H. Summers, and upon the expiration of his en- listment received an honorable discharge. He is a plasterer by trade, but upon his return home engaged in farming, which occupation he has since followed, with the exception of about five years, when he was interested in milling. November 24, 1867, he married Miss Sarah A. Glaze, by whom six children have been born: Annie M., Samuel H., Charles W., Harvey N., Coy and Mary C. Mr. Baker is a Republican, has served as township clerk, and is a member of the G. A. R., Post No. 216, at Cainesville. Himself and wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church. He is also a zealous temperance worker, regarding intemperance as one of the greatest evils of the times. He assists in conducting a Christian Temperance Union at Mount Pleasant Methodist Episcopal Church, and has been a class-leader in said church for years. He is a Well-to-do man, and owns 700 acres of well- stocked and improved land. The grandfather of Mr. Baker was a soldier in the War of 1812, and is now living near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, at the advanced age of about one hundred.
Charles G. Baker was born in Monroe County, Ind., September 9, 1840, and is a son of Jacob and Mary H. L. (Hite) Baker, natives of Maryland and Tennessee, and born October 20, 1798 and August 11,
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BIOGRAPHICAL APPENDIX.
1811, respectively. After their marriage in Indiana, March 5, 1835, they located upon a farm in Monroe County, where they lived until their deaths, with the exception of three years, 1840-42, spent in Iowa. The father was a plasterer by trade, and died May 1, 1850, and his wife in September, 1856. Both were members of the Methodist Church, and the father was a Whig in politics. Charles G. is one of a large family of children, and during his youth received a common-school edu- cation. In the spring of 1860, with two brothers and one sister, he came to Harrison County, Mo., where he engaged in farming. In 1862 he enlisted in Company H, Third Missouri Cavalry, and served until dis- charged at Springfield, Mo., in the spring of 1865. August 10, 1864, he wedded Miss Harriet Kinkead, a native of Scott County, Ill., and at the close of hostilities resumed agricultural pursuits in Harrison Co. In the fall of 1878, he located where he now resides, the place now containing 240 acres. His marriage has been blessed with seven children-two sons and five daughters-all living save one daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Baker are worthy and active members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Baker has been a deacon many years.
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