History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 31

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 998

USA > Missouri > Cedar County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Barton County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Hickory County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 31
USA > Missouri > Polk County > History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri > Part 31

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).

Organization of School Townships .- Under the act of the General Assembly of Missouri, entitled " An act to provide for the organization, support and government of common schools," approved March 27, 1845, the several congressional townships in the county, as settlement advanced and schools were demanded, were duly organized for school purposes, upon petition of a majority of the qualified voters residing therein. Under the law of 1886, under which each congressional township was defined as a school district, school districts as they are now known were called sub-districts, and, where a sub-district extended over the congressional township line, the township in which the school- house was located controlled the entire sub-district for school purposes.

Under the municipal township organization, the schools

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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.

passed into the control of the municipal township organization, and its finances were managed in the same manner as other municipal township finances were controlled. By a repeal of the authority under which this was done, each congressional town- ship has been numbered into districts (as districts are now known) from No. I up to and inclusive of the last district organized.

School-houses .- The school-houses throughout Polk County are mostly small frame structures, such as are to be seen in the rural districts in all parts of the West, but occasionally the pioneer log school-house is noticed. The public school building in Bolivar is a handsome brick edifice, in a beautiful grove in the central part of the city. It is inadequate to the demands upon it, and rented rooms are used for primary classes in the south part of the city. It is contemplated to build additional wings to the school building, to accommodate the rapidly increasing demand for room. The school building in Humansville is a two- story structure, but has been found inadequate, and the erection of an expensive and commodious brick building in the near future is one of the most cherished plans of the citizens of that place. Morrisville has a sightly two-story frame school-house, and in some of the other villages, notably in Pleasant Hope, good buildings are to be seen, which would be creditable to towns of similar size in any part of the country.

Statistical .- At the close of the last school year, the county had 91 free schools, occupying 106 school-rooms, and placing the elements of a good English education at the disposal of more than 7,000 children of the school age. Schools were maintained with interest in most of the districts, the average number of months taught being about four. The number of male pupils was 3,686; female, 3,497; total, 7,253. Of this number 70 were colored. The amount of cash on hand, July 1, 1887, was $4,041.54; state moneys, $6,643.75; county moneys, $3,899. 12; township moneys, $1,015.45; fines, penalties, etc., $354.25. The amount of railroad tax was $1,096.70; direct tax, $10,663.22; total receipts, $27,359.69; total expenditures, $24, 161.55; cash on hand July 1, 1888, $6, 198. 14; county funds, $42,370.33; township funds, $10,582.43; total of all funds, $52,952.76. White pupils enrolled: Male, 2,994; female, 3,000;

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total, 5,994. Colored pupils enrolled: Male, 8; female, 9; total, 17. Total number pupils enrolled, 6,011. Total number of days' attendance, 307,846; average day's attendance, 51. Whole number of days schools were taught, 8,240; average number attending each day, 3,382. Number of teachers employed in the county: Male, 70; female, 65; total, 135. Average salary, $35. Number of white schools, 90; colored, I; total, 91. Lost per day, per pupil, .068. Value of school property, $42,284. Assessed valuation of property in county, $3,679,818. Average levy, in cents, .39. Amount on hand, July 1, 1887, $4,042.45. Received from public funds, $11,755.59; from rail- road taxation, $899.43. Local taxation, $10,599.68. Total receipts, $27,297.15. Paid teachers, $17,789.15; for incidentals, $2,402.47; district clerks, $450; for sites, buildings and furnish- ing, $1,470; repairs and rent, $402.17; total expenditures, $25- 061.79. Balance on hand, June 30, 1888, $2,235.36. Number of third-grade certificates, 78; number of second grade, 10; number of first grade, 2; number of State certificates, I.

Following are the last published statistics of the school of Bolivar (June 30, 1888): Superintendent, Prof. S. A. Hoover. Number of children of school age, 449; number enrolled, 404. Average number of days attended by each pupil, 140. Number of days taught, 178. Total attendance by all pupils, 45,059. Average number attending each day, 253. Number of teachers, 6. Average salary of teachers, $45. Salary of principal, $675. Number of rooms occupied, 6. Number of pupils that may be seated, 450. Number white schools, I; colored, I. Daily cost per pupil on enrollment, .05301 ; daily cost per pupil on attendance, .06. Value of school property, $10,000; assessed valuation, $409.846. Levy for schools, .70. Receipts: cash on hand, July 1, 1887, $1,281.29. Public moneys, $854.73. Taxes, $2,701.34. Disbursements: For teachers, $2,250; district officers, $30.81; janitor, $81; incidentals, $234.58; repairs and rent, $130,50; bonded indebtedness, $1,000; interest on bonds, $150; on hand January 30, 1888, $1, 187.22.

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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.

CHURCH HISTORY.

First Meetings .- The first meetings in the county were held in school-houses or in private residences, by traveling preachers. The Methodists were early on the ground and " classes " of this denomination were organized here and there as settlement advanced, and existed for some time as such before they were consolidated into churches, as the term is now understood. Pioneer religious work was done also by the Baptists and the Cumberland Presby- terians in different localities, and in time the Christian church began to plant its congregations in favorable neighborhoods, where a few of the faith could be " gathered together in the name of the Lord."

Methodist Churches .- TheMethodist Episcopal Church'and the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, are both represented in Polk County, though the pioneer work for both bodies was done before the division by ministers of the old Methodist Episcopal Church.

Prior to 1836 Rev. H. G. Joplin preached at the settlers' houses in the vicinity of Morrisville, and in that year, through his instrumentality, a class was formed consisting of the follow- ing members: Aaron Ruyle and Elizabeth, his wife; Samuel A. Mackay and wife; Benjamin Hancock and wife; Mrs. Elizabeth Powell and B. C. Mitchell; and among those who united with the class soon afterward were George Mitchell and Mrs. B. C. Mitchell. The same year the brotherhood and neighbors united their efforts and built a hewed-log house about a mile east of Morrisville upon Pleasant Prairie. About a year later this build- ing was sold and transformed into a stable, and a new house was erected at Morrisville. In 1857 the latter was superseded by a frame church building, which was burned in 1880, since when the congregation has worshiped in the chapel of Morrisville College. This church is connected with the Methodist Episco- pal Church, South, and has a membership of more than 200.

This church was formerly connected with the Springfield cir- cuit, and now, in common with the other Methodist Episcopal Churches, South, in this vicinity, forms a part of the Bolivar cir- cuit, which numbers eight or ten appointments, some of them in school-houses.

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STATE OF MISSOURI.

The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Bolivar, is an off- shoot of the Morrisville church, and has always been more or less intimately connected with, though not dependent on it. Its organization was effected at Mitchell's camp ground, about eight miles west of Bolivar, early in the forties. In Bolivar the old log church was first used as a house of worship. In 1857 this congregation built a frame church, which was succeeded by the present building in 1884. Among the ablest ministers of this denomination in and near Bolivar have been Revs. Benjamin Johnson, T. T. Ashbury, David Leiper, William Prottsmall, A. C. Jones and S. A. Tillery. Rev. William Godbey, who was for a time president of the Morrisville College, did much to advance the interests of this church. Rev. Mr. Jared is the pastor at pres- ent located in Bolivar.

Lower Shady Grove Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized previous to 1840, and has had a more or less success- ful existence since. Its earlier and some of its later history is intimately connected with that of the present organization. The first class was Methodist Episcopal.

In Bolivar the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1840. Its first building was a log house about 20x24 feet square, which stood on lot No. 3, block No. 4, of " Old Town," as the original town plat is sometimes called. Courts were held in this building before the Polk County court house was erected, and, at the division of the church into its northern and southern branches, it was taken by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, For some time the other branch had a precarious or inactive existence. In 1865, when the troublous times incident to the war had passed away, Rev. Dr. L. M. Vernon, presiding elder of the Springfield district, sent Rev. J. J. Bentley to Bolivar to revive the interests of the church at that point, and at this time the Methodist Episcopal Church resumed its services in the old academy building, on the site of the present school-house. Sub- sequently it worshiped in the Baptist Church and in the Method- ist Episcopal Church, South, until, in 1877, its present frame house of worship was completed, at a cost of $2,500. The pas- tors of this church since 1865, with the dates at which they have begun to serve, are as follows: Revs. J. J. Bentley, 1865; C. L.

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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.

Howell, 1866; F. C. Chapman, 1868; J. Sinclair, 1870; Nathan Jewett, 1872 (died); J. Sinclair, 1872; James Powers, 1873; J. H. Dimmitt, 1874; R. W. McMasters, 1875; B. F. Poole, 1878; William R. Russell, 1880; J. W. Finley, 1881; Oscar Lunbeck, 1882; Frank Lenig, 1883; James Pine, 1884; J. B. Brewington, 1885; C. S. Revelle, 1886; P. A. Crow, 1887; T. C. Sparkman, 1889. This church has a good membership and is in a pros- perous condition.

A Methodist Episcopal class at Humansville worship in the Baptist Church at that place. The pastor is Rev. J. W. Cowden, of the Shady Grove church.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Fair Play was organized as a class about 1864, by Rev. Isaac Routh and William Denby. Soon after the close of the war, a frame church was built in " Old Town." The present house of worship, in the newer part of the village, was built in 1888, at a cost of $1,500. The membership is about 60. The successive pastors since 1867 have been Revs. C. L. House, T. C. Chapman, Nathan Jewett, Joseph Sinclair, Rev. Powell, J. H. Dimmitt, R. W. McMasters, B. F. Poole, William Russell, J. W. Finley, Frank Lenig, J. W. Brewington, Oscar Lunbeck and L. H. Oldfield, A. Burris, J. W. Cowden, J. H. Hartrick and L. H. Trimble.

Hood's New Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in 1868, and the meetings were held in a school-house until 1885, when its house of worship was built. This church is located in Greene Township, and has 125 members. Star Ridge Methodist Episcopal Church, also in Greene Township, was organized in the spring of 1884, by Rev. Mr. Dunnaway. Its membership is about 25.

According to tradition, the first Methodist preaching in the county was done by Rev. Dr. Slavens, in Looney Township, sometime in the early thirties .* This pioneer preacher died a few years since in Buffalo, Dallas County.

Baptist Churches .- The First Missionary Church of Baptist Bolivar was organized in December, 1859. Prominent among the constituent members were : Andrew Akard, Dr. Lindsey, William Boren, Mrs. Peters, Miss Knowles, and others. The

* See chapter on " Settlement."

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war period saw disaster fall upon this church, as it fell upon others, and it was reorganized in 1863, and has been so success- ful that its present membership is 225. The first pastor was Rev. William B. Center, who served until the war began. The next was Rev. D. R. Murphey, who remained until 1867. Rev. D. M. Lappin succeeded him, and was pastor two years, after which Rev. George Mitchell was pastor four years. Rev. John Robertson followed, and was in charge a short time. Rev. B. McCord Roberts came next, and remained three years. Rev. T. S. Lewis was pastor a year. ' Rev. A. S. Ingman, two years; W. A. Wilson, two years; Rev. J. M. Wheeler, nearly a year; the last having been Rev. Mr. Ingman, whose year's service was not in one unbroken term. The erection of the church building was begun in 1860, but, on account of the intervening war troubles, was not finished until 1867. Money is being raised, and other necessary steps are being taken to remodel and enlarge this structure. Among the prominent members of this church at different periods, may be mentioned William Cary, Capt. W. M. Delaplaine, Rev. J. R. Maupin, N. T. Allison, Prof. A. S. Ingman, C. T. Robertson and Prof. Julius M. Leavitt, some of whom have been conspicuously and helpfully connected with the Southwest Baptist College. The present officers are: D. B. Gray, William Cary, James Wilson, Samuel Eitson, Thomas Cousins, deacons; and C. T. Robertson, clerk.

The Baptist Church of Humansville, known as the " Center " Church, was organized before the war by Rev. William B. Cen- ter, and reorganized in 1866. Among the earliest members were Dr. and Mrs. L. C. Frazer, Archibald Hopper and wife, Frank Tillary and wife, Jesse Groner and wife, W. B. B. George and wife, Roland Frost, Thomas Tillary and wife, Mrs. Isabella Goodson, Mrs. William Black, John Mills. The successive pastors since the war have been Revs. L. J. Tatum, Mr. Bur- gess, L. J. Collins, George Mitchell, John Robinson, L. J. Tatum, J. R. Maupin, T. J. Akins, John T. Metcalf, Mr. Root, George Hunt, L. H. Hardy, R. E. Burk. The present house of worship was built in 1884. One formerly in use was destroyed by fire during the war.

The Oak Grove Baptist Church was organized in 1867, and

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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.

has a membership of about 125. The following have been pastors : Revs. G. M. Alexander, L. J. Tatum, Daniel Jones, W. W. Palmer, David Hitson and Jehu Robinson.

The Hopewell Baptist Church, on Ingall's Creek, was organ- ized about 1855 by Rev. William Spillman, who was its pastor for a long time. Another early pastor was Rev. G. D. Mitchell. Prominent among the pastors since the war have been Rev. Mr. Manes, Rev. David Hitson and Rev. David Jones. Rev. Mr. Hitson is the present pastor.

The Lindley Creek Baptist Church was organized in 1884 by Rev. W. W. Palmer, and its house of worship was built in 1885. Since Rev. Mr. Palmer, its pastors have been Revs. E. Sears and David Hitson.

The Baptist Church of Fair Play was organized in April, 1888, with the following among its leading members: J. H. Hop- kins, J. O. McGee, B. F. Holmes, J. T. Bronaugh, J. C. Smith, J. H. Crane, Eula Williams, Addie Williams, S. J. Blair. The pastor is Rev. J. F. Hampton.

Christian Churches .- It is believed that the first Christian Church in the county was organized, about 1842, at the residence of Jeremiah Sloan, near the boundary line between Jackson and Mooney Townships. At a later date (probably about 1847 or 1848), Joel Hayden and Joseph Rose, two Christian preachers, came, once a month, from Springfield, and preached at the resi- dence of David West, who lived on Bear Creek, four miles south- west from Bolivar. In 1852, Peter Wright, a Christian preacher of Lawrence County, Kansas, came three or four times a year, remaining from two to four weeks, preaching at the dwelling houses in different neighborhoods. These meetings were con- tinued for two or three years, during which time several congre- gations were organized, one of them at the residence of David West, which afterward worshiped in the old West school-house. One of the early preachers was a Mr. Mckinney.

The Bolivar Christian Church was organized about 1852 by Rev. Mr. Elgin. Among the constituent or early members were Jesse Toler and wife, Israel W. Davis and wife, Dr. Jewett's wife and daughter. The pastors before the war were Revs. Elgin and Langdon, Joseph Rose, B. D. Smith, Leonard York. The

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STATE OF MISSOURI.

church had no active existence during the greater part of the internecine struggle. It was subsequently reorganized, as the result of a revival, by Rev. Kirk Baxter, from Springfield. It has 180 members, and Rev. F. M. Hooton is the pastor.

The Christian Church of Polktown was organized about twenty years ago, and reorganized in 1888, when its house of worship was erected. Rev. Isaac Bridges is its pastor, and its member- ship is about 60.

The Christian Church of Humansville was organized about 1877, and its church building was erected in 1878. Among its pastors may be mentioned Revs. William Warren, B. D. Smith, Isaac Bridges and D. M. Cotton.

Presbyterian Churches .- Shiloh congregation of the Cum- berland Presbyterian Church, was organized July 15, 1837, by the election of William A. Allen and J. P. Alsup, elders, Rev. Jonathan Blair being moderator, and William Allen, clerk. John Buns and Robert L. Fullerton were ordained ruling elders by Rev. F. M. Johnson, who had become pastor in charge, August 3, 1837, and at the same time John Buns was made clerk. Feb- ruary 27, 1840, Rev. J. D. Montgomery, who now lives in Dade County, became pastor, and by petition the name of the congre- · gation was changed from Shiloh to Pomme de Terre congrega- tion. In 1841, Rev. A. A. Young was moderator of the session, and had charge of the congregation in connection with Rev. J. D. Montgomery. In the fall of the same year, Rev. J. Carthel was moderator. Rev. S. Hindman had charge of the church most of the time from 1845 to 1849, Rev. R. D. Smith took charge September 22, 1849; and remained until 1853. The church was for a time without a pastor. September 22, 1855, J. P. Fullerton and G. B. Fullerton were elected ruling elders, and William Patterson and S. H. Fullerton, September 13, 1857. Rev. J. N. Barr had charge of the church for a time in connection with Rev. J. P. Alsup, the latter continuing as moderator most of the time until 1856, when Rev. W. E. Mckenzie was employed, remaining until September 16, 1861, when the last camp meeting was held half a mile north of Pleasant Hope, on land now occu- pied by W. B. Patterson. The Civil War intervened, and the next meeting of the session was held February 18, 1864. Rev.

HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY. 349

W. F. Albright was moderator, and served until December 29, 1867, when Rev. R. J. Sims took charge of the church. In September, 1868, the old shed was removed from the camp ground and placed west of the old academy, and a great revival was soon after held. Rev. D. W. Amos took charge in 187 3, and the church was again revived under his preaching. He was succeeded by Rev. B. P. Fullerton, now of Kansas City, Mo., who remained until 1878. Next came Rev. A. L. Barr, who served until 1881. December 10, 1879, W. B. Patterson, C. W. Cowan, E. E. Emerson and W. E. Armon were elected and ordained deacons. November 23, 1881, Rev. B. F. Logan, from Greenfield, Mo., took charge of the congregation. He resigned in March, 1883, and was succeeded by Rev. R. T. Phillips, who resigned in July, 1884. Rev. T. J. Buchanan (from Peirce City) was the next pastor. He resigned in March, 1885. January 4, 1885, J. B. Alsup and F. Byersdorff were elected ruling elders, and J. P. Prock and J. S. Cowan, deacons, and all four were ordained. April II, 1885, Rev. B. F. Logan again took charge of the church, and served until the following September. During this short pastorate a fruitful revival was held. October 31, 1885, Rev. J. C. Sheppard became pastor, and the name of the organization was changed to Pleasant Hope congregation. In October, 1888, Rev. J. B. Fly took charge of the church, and has enjoyed a successful pastorate to this time. J. P. Fullerton was elected session clerk September 24, 1855, and has served continuously since.

The Bolivar Presbyterian Church was organized May 27, 1883, by Rev. J. J. Marks, D. D. It is connected with the North- ern organization of the Presbyterian Church. Nineteen members participated in the organization, and the first elders chosen were W. G. Drake, S. D. Strain, T. J. Poage and C. D. Lyman. In the fall of 1883 the society began the erection of a house of wor- ship, of two stories, brick and stone. The building was com- pleted in the fall of 1885 at a cost of $5,000, and in December of that year was dedicated, free of debt.

In November, 1886, Rev. James Safferty became the first pastor, continuing one year. He was succeeded in April, 1888, by Rev. J. F. Martin, the present pastor. A Sabbath-school of

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100 members is maintained, and weekly prayer meetings, besides Sabbath services. Connected with the church are organizations of Children's Mission Band, Woman's Missionary Society, and King's Daughters. The number of communicants at present is 64. The church is incorporated under the laws of the State, and its business affairs are conducted by a board of trustees. The present trustees are J. D. Abbe, J. G. Simpson, R. B. Viles, A. H. Lewis and C. D. Lyman. The officers of the board are: Chairman, J. D. Abbe; secretary, J. G. Simpson; treasurer, A. H. Lewis.

HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY.

BOUNDARY AND GEOLOGICAL CHARACTER.

*Cedar County, in the heart of Southwest Missouri, is one of the second tier of counties east of Kansas and of the fourth north of the Arkansas line, and has an area of about 480 square miles. The Government survey of public lands shows that it comprises, in whole or in part, Congressional Townships, 33, Range 25; 33, Range 26; 33, Range 27; 33, Range 28; 33, Range 29; 34, Range 25; 34, Range 26; 34, Range 27; 34, Range 28; 34, Range 29; 35, Range 25; 35, Range 26; 35, Range 27; 35, Range 28; 36, Range 26; 36, Range 27, and 36, Range 28, north of the base line and west of the fifth principal meridian.+ It is bounded north by St. Clair County, east by Polk County, south by Dade County, and west by Barton and Vernon Counties. Something more than one-third of the county is under cultiva- tion; the balance is railroad, unconfined swamp and agricultural college lands, homesteads, unsold school lands, and Government lands not yet entered. The mean elevation is about 1,300 feet above the sea-level.

Natural Features, Streams, Etc .- Lying on the northwest- ern slope of the Ozark Mountains, the surface of Cedar County is charmingly diversified. The alluvial Sac River bottom lands are worthy of attention, while south and west are broad and pro- ductive prairies, highly improved. North and east the country is principally woods, but the cleared portions of the wooded uplands produce as fine wheat as is grown anywhere.

* Credit is due to the county press, the county officials, and Messrs. J. E. Hartley, F. H. Babbs and others, for valuable aid in the compilation of this part of the work.

t See first page of History of Polk County for definitions of these lines.

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STATE OF MISSOURI.

Water is found in hundreds of never-failing springs, and can be procured almost anywhere in the county by digging from fifteen to forty feet deep. The county is traversed by Big and Little Sac Rivers, Spring, Bear, Cedar, Horse and Alder Creeks, all flowing in a northerly course, and sufficient to furnish, when necessary, motor power to many mills and other manufacturing establishments.

The measurements of the highest bluffs in the county show those of the Sac River to be from 130 to 165 feet high; the hills of the northern part 135 feet, and those on Childer Branch, in the northeast, to be 200 feet. The elevation of the highest ridges above the valley of Sac River is about 250 feet. Most of the western half of the county includes a somewhat hilly and rolling region, rising by long and gentle slopes from the lower valleys.

Geological Character, Building Stone, Minerals .- The geo- logical formation of Cedar is substantially the same as that described at length in the history of Polk County, which adjoins this county on the east. Like Polk County, Cedar has numerous caves, large and small, the most considerable and probably most remarkable of which is the large, never-fully-explored cavern under the town of Stockton, which, if opened to the public, would soon make Stockton as popular a resort as El Dorado Springs.

The district occupied by coal measures often contains sand- stone-capped mounds with Keokuk limestone at their base. A number of such mounds appear in Township 35, Range 27, between Alder and Horse Creeks, and are generally from sixty to seventy-five feet high. On the county line, near Clear Creek, are found long slopes extending to a high elevation. Ferruginous sandstone is scarcely recognized west of Stockton, but east of Sac River it forms the principal top rocks from the south to the north line of the county. There is considerable rock bordering on the rivers and large streams which traverse the county, and some on the highlands. Flint, lime and sandstone are the most common, though quantities of white and yellow cotton rock, excellent for building purposes, are found, being soft when taken from the quarries, and continually hardening under atmospheric exposure. The equivalent of the Clear Creek sandstone of Vernon County

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History of Hickory, Polk, Cedar, Dade, and Barton counties, Missouri, Part 31

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.) Publication date: 1889 Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co. Number of Pages: 998

Author: Goodspeed, firm, publishers, Chicago (1886-1891, Goodspeed Publishing Co.)
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Chicago, The Goodspeed publishing co.
Number of Pages: 998