USA > Missouri > Howard County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 44
USA > Missouri > Chariton County > History of Howard and Chariton Counties, Missouri : written and compiled from the most official authentic and private sources, including a history of its townships, towns, and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 44
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
authorities he was subordinated to those who were greatly his in- feriors, and denied the prominence and position to which his talents and abilities entitled him, so far that the cause for which he suffered so much, was greatly the loser by the manner in which he was treated by those who had the authority over him, and who ought to have known better. Notwithstanding all this the patience with which he endured and the brilliant qualities exhibited whenever the occasion presented itself so endeared him to the people of the South that with the exception of Lee and possibly of Jackson, no name among their cherished heroes is remembered with a more ardent and sincere affec- tion, and in Missouri, especially, will the memory of his name and deeds be fresh and fragrant long after those of his maligners have faded and perished from the earth. After the surrender, with a num- ber of Missouri exiles, General Price made his way to the city of the Montezumas, with a view to the formation of a colony at Cordova, where a large grant of land had been made by the Emperor Maximi- lian. The unsettled condition of the country, the waning fortunes of the empire and more than all, the unfavorable action of the climate upon his shattered constitution, notwithstanding Mrs. Price and his children, with the exception of his eldest son, had joined him in Mexico, seemed to render his return to Missouri a necessity.
In the winter of 1866 they returned to St. Louis ; the General suť- fering with chronic disease of the bowels, first contracted in Mexico some twenty years previous. Here he engaged in business as a com- mission merchant, and established a prosperous house. His health continued to decline, and all efforts to restore it were unavailing, and on the 29th of September, 1867, he died at peace with all mankind. After the body had laiu in state in the church, at the corner of Eighth street and Washington avenue, for several days, where thousands took their farewell look at their beloved and honored chieftain, he was buried in Bellefontaine cemetery, on the 3d of October, the anniversary of one of his greatest battles, followed by one of the · largest funeral processions that had ever been known in St. Louis. Endowed with rare graces of person, and a presence full of dignity and benignity, General Price was a natural soldier ; capable of holding troops under fire, and of inspiring them with his own high courage. he had also the faculty of filling them with a love of his person. amounting almost to adoration. His were the qualities which befitted him for battle and the dizzy fascination of danger seemed to exalt him with
"The big thoughts that make ambition virtue,"
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
and he could diffuse his great soul into an army. He was not so much the general as the chieftain. He was the chivalrous leader of a gallant and adoring people. The magistrate and ruler, the statesman and citizen. Frugal without avarice, he was generous without prod- igality, and always just. At the battle of Lexington, Missouri, he captured from Colonel Mulligan, the federal commander of the post, a million dollars, belonging to the Farmers' . bank, every dollar of which he returned to the rightful owners. It was an aet of heroic justice, but " it was not war." On the 14th of May, 1833, General Price was married to Martha, daughter of Captain John Head, of Randolph county, Missouri, who had emigrated to Missouri from Orange county, Virginia, about the same time the Prices did from Prince Edward. and who settled in the corner of Randolph, near the lines of Howard aud Chariton. Mrs. Price, as before intimated, was
a most excellent lady, possessed of many amiable traits of character, which endeared her to all with whom she was associated. Only four of their children are living : General Edwin W. Price, Colonel Celsus Price, Martha Sterling Price ( now Mrs. Willis ), and Quintus Price.
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CHAPTER X.
TRIPLETT, BEE BRANCHI, CUNNINGHAM, MENDON, MISSOURI AND COCKRELL TOWNSHIPS.
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Triplett Township - Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlers - Triplett --- Stella Lodge, No. 386, I. O. O. F. - Friendship Lodge - Bee Branch Township- Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlers - School -- Bynumville - Mount St. Marys - Cuuuingham Township - Boundary - Physical Features - Early Set- tiers - Cunningham Secret Orders - Business - Sumner -Its Business - Mendon Township - Boundary - Physical Features - Mendon - Business- Seeret Or- ders- Missouri Towuship - Boundary - Physical Features - Early Settlers - Coekrell Township - Boundary - Physical {Features - School - Churches and Levees.
TRIPLETT TOWNSHIP -BOUNDARY.
Triplett township is located in the southwestern part of the county, and contains about forty square miles of territory. It is bounded on the north by Cunningham and Mendon townships; on the east by Meudon and Brunswick townships ; on the south by Brunswick town- ship and Carroll county, and on the west by Carroll county.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The only streams in the township are Salt and Brush creeks, which water the southeastern part of the same. This township comprises the large, high bottom known as Porche's prairie -the low bottom on Grand river and a strip of upland prairie and timber on the east. The Grand river bottom is subject to overflow, and is valuable chiefly for the timber. Porche's prairie is nearly all susceptible of cultiva- tion and is exceedingly productive. The upland is equal to any upland in the county. There are some large lakes in Grand river bottom. There are a few ledges of limestone and a little sandstone in the south part. No coal has been developed.
On Grand river bottom, in section 21, township 54, range 21, there is an Indian mound some ten or twelve feet high, nearly cirenlar in
(4 83)
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
shape, and about tifty feet in diameter. Its location is at a low point. Dear a lake, but its summit is considered above high water mark.
OLD SETTLERS.
Among the carly settlers of this township was Israel Porche, who came among the pioneers, and located on what is known as Porche's prairie, which was named for him. This prairie embraces an area of land, which is about six miles in width, and about eight miles in length. Porche settled near the banks of Salt creek, where he con- tinned to reside until his death, which occurred about the year 1844.
Alexander Banning, William Brown, George Jackson, John and James McFerrin, Samuel Leeper and his sons, John, Calvin, Samuel, Eisley, and three other sons; Wm. Lathram, William and Samuel Dean, Joseph and Abner Cloud, Levi Snow, and John and Lark Lathram, were all early settlers, some of whom came to the county before 1830.
Logan Il. Ballew, John Triplett, Andrew Crockett and E. Ramsher were also among the old settlers. Mr. Ramsher was an Enlishman, and, it is said, he came to the township under a cloud, seeking the location as a place of obscurity and safety. He was an accomplished business man, having had a large experience in one of the prominent banks of England, from which he embezzled several thousand pounds. Prior to his coming to Chariton county, he had travelled nearly all over the world, seeking an asylum of ease and quietude, and upon his arrival here, his ready money was about exhausted. He had, how- ever, a great abundance and variety of elegant clothes, and considerable jewelry, which was also elegant and costly. Soon after his com- ing, and in the fall of 1840, a man came from England, searching for him. He came up the river in a boat to Brunswick, and from that place went out to see Ramsher, who was living on his farm. Ile re- turned to Brunswick next day, and left for St. Louis without having. recovered any of the stolen money.
TRIPLETT.
The town of Triplett was laid out by A. H. Hooper and John E. M. Triplett, on the northwest northeast and northeast northwest section 19, township 54, range 20, on the Brunswick and Chillicothe Railroad,
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
now Omaha branch of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Raiload, in June, 1870. Mr. Triplett built the first house in the new town, and Jackson Alson and Johnson M. Reed were the first merchants. Wm. Usher was the first blacksmith, Doctor Ashbrew was the pioneer physician, and George Blake the first carpenter, in the town.
Triplett was incorporated May 4, 1881. The first town officers were : L. H. Ballew, president ; Doctor C. A. Jennings, George Harper, and Mat Clerkin, trustees ; B. F. Smith, clerk, and T. W. Sanders, treasurer.
Present town officers: George Harper, president of the board of trustees ; Mat Clerkin, W. D. Warden, D. L. Wood, C. H. Jef- fress, trustees ; L. J. Fleetwood, clerk; T. W. Sanders, treas- urer.
The population of the town in 1880 was 205; it is greater now (1883). There are now four stores, general assortment, one hard- ware and lumber store, two drug stores, one restaurant, one grocery, one blacksmith shop, one grist mill, three physicians and one dentist.
The postmasters of the town have been J. M. Reed, A. W. Sick- els, W. F. Tucker, J. M. Reed and W. F. Tucker.
SECRET LODGES.
Stella Lodge No. 386, I. O. O. F. : organized May 22, 1879, with the following officers : M. H. Maddock, N. G. ; J. D. Utley, V. G. ; Lawrence Mernaugh, secretary, and J. P. Hampton, treas- urer. The charter members were: M. II. Maddock, J. D. Utley, Lawrence Mernangh, Bently Hudson, - Dayhoff, and W. T. Irvin. Present officers : C. F. Bowman, N. G. ; J. L. Vanghan, V. G. ; J. M. Marsh, secretary, and J. P. Hampton, treasurer. Number of nembers, 32.
Friendship Lodge No. 2094, K. of H., was 'organized March 12, 1880. J. M. Marsh, M. H. Maddock, C. A. Jennings, J. S. Hack- ley, J. P. Hampton, Clark Harper, A. K. Cawthron, J. Mernaugh, G. Winters, J. J. Wockley, Wm. Hooper, Wm. T. Irvin, R. H. Falconer, Wm. Poland, W. D. Bowen, J. P. Adams, O. L. Hampton, L. T. Jennings, W. II. Riggin, G. E. Misner, J. J. Hartfield, D. L. Ward, James Shipp, and T. J. Dook, were the constituent members. Number of members, 30.
33
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
BEE BRANCH TOWNSHIP - BOUNDARY.
Bounded on the north by Macon county, on the east by Macon county and Wayland township, on the south by Wayland and Coek- rell townships, and on the west by Muscle Fork and Clark town- ships.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The township originally embraced about eighty-five square miles, but in 1880, another township was taken off, called Cockrell town- ship, which reduced it to nearly one-half its original size.
.The following streams are well distributed throughout the town- ship : Jones' branch, Bee branch, East and West Bee branches, Chariton river, and Puzzle ereek.
A vein of coal has been discovered at the fish-dam ford, on the Chariton, but is not worked.
Sandstone exists in abundance. About three-fourths of the town- ship is prairie.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The early settlers of Bee Branch township were not numerous, and, in fact, the township did not settle up very fast until after the war of 1861. Among the early pioneers, who came to the township about the year 1820, were Silas Thomas and John A. Thomas, who emigra- ted from the State of New York, and located in section 35. Silas Thomas died before the late war. He has three sons and one daughter now living in the township.
Asa Prewitt, from Kentucky, settled on what is called the " Island," or " Lone Hill." He now resides at Roanoke, Howard county.
David Morgan opened a farm on seetion 3, township 55, range 17, and was also from Kentucky. He was a great hunter, and died be- fore the late war. The members of his family are either all dead or gone to other parts of the country.
Wm. Hurt located on section 36, and raised a large family, a portion of which is still living in the county. Alexander and Isaae Smith emigrated from Kentucky about the year 1831, and settled on section 2, where he and his wife still live, at an advanced age. Mr. Smith was a justice of the peace of the county for twenty-five years.
Judge Berry Owens, who is a native of Kentucky, where he was
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
born in 1827, eame to Howard county with his father, when a mere child, and after remaining in Howard until he was abont grown, came to Chariton county, and settled in Bee Branch township in 1849, on section 3, township 55, range 17. His farm now embraces parts of sections 3 and 4.
John Noble came from Indiana at a very early day and opened a farm on section 10, township 55, range 17. Randolph Clark was one of the pioneers and settled in the southern part of the township, where he erected a mill on the Grand Chariton river. This was a grist and saw mill and the first one in that region of the country. The settlers for twenty miles around, came to this mill with their corn and wheat and continued to do so for many years. The old pioneer mill and its owner have long since passed away.
Thomas S. MeCart, father-in-law of Judge Berry Owens, came in 1846. David and William MeCollum, brothers, were among the early settlers, and located near Clark's mill. These men were great hunters. They and their families, are either all dead or gone else- where. Nathaniel Bunch, from Kentucky, was one of the first settlers in Bee Branch township. He is still living on the place originally settled by him, near Clark's mill above mentioned.
The old settlers of this township, were nearly all from Kentucky, and were fond of hunting and fishing, which they kept up until the breaking out of the late war. This they could do to their hearts de- light, as the woods and prairies were full of game and the streams swarmed with fishes of many varieties. The trees along the banks of these streams, afforded also a great abundance of the richest and most delicious honey.
SCHOOL.
There was no school-house in the township until 1848, and, per- haps, no school taught until that period. Judge Berry Owen's father and a few of his neighbors, got together and erected a log building on seetion 9, during the summer of 1848, and employed Rev. James Bell, a missionary Baptist preacher to teach a school. Benjamin Smith, Isaac W. Smith, Lilburn A. Smith, A. J. MeCart, F. M. Me- Cart, Joseph Thomas and Alfred Thomas were among the pupils.
BYNUMVILLE.
Many years ago Doetor Joseph Bynum, who was one of the early settlers, lived one mile north of the present town of Bynumville.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
The doctor went to California among the gold seekers of 1849. A. post-office was established here and called Bynumville post-office. The original house erected on the spot where the town now stands was put up by JJohn T. Brockman in 1859. Brockman sold his place to Robert Carman, who was the first postmaster. The town, how- ever, was not laid out until 1878, when Baldwin and Davis had it sur- veyed and filed a plat, which shows that the town site covers a portion of the west half of section 20, township 56, range 19.
The town contains two stores, one drug store, which is an attachment to the general store of Judge Berry Owen's, one blacksmith and wagonmaker, one physician, one shoemaker and one church.
Wm. Howell is the postmaster.
MOUNT ST. MARY'S ( OR WIEN. )
This town was laid out in 18-on the west-half of section 14, town- ship 56, range 17, by Francis Moenning, Leonard Holzle, and Anton Heuber, in June, 1877. It contains a post-office, two general stores, a blacksmith's and wagon shop and a large Catholic Church edifice.
CHURCH AND CONVENT.
Historical items concerning the German Catholic congregation and the Franciscan Convent at Wien, Chariton County, Missouri : -
The congregation was organized in 1872 by the Rev. Fr. Kearful. It then numbered 22 families, and was attended once a month from Brunswick during 1872, divine service being performed in private houses. -
In 1873 a block church was built, and from 1873-74 service was held twice a month.
From 1874 to 1876 Rev. Fr. Tuite administered to the wants of the congregation.
In 1876 Fathers of the Franciscan Order took charge of the con- gregation.
In 1877 a brick church (40x 32) and convent (60 x 36) were erected, and dedicated to Our Lady of Angels.
Names of Pastors - Rev. Fr. Francis Moenning, 1876-79 ; Rev. Fr. Pancratius Schulte, 1879-80; Rev. Fr. Raynerius Diekneite, 1880-82 ; Rev. Fr. Pacificus Kohnen, since February 11th, 1882.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
The congregation numbers seventy families at present. An addition (54 x 32) will be made to the church next year.
Stations attended from the Convent - Kelley's Settlement, Immaeu- late Conception church, fifteen families, visited once a month.
Hurricane Branch, St. Joseph's church, thirty families, attended once a month.
New Cambria ( Macon county), St. Peter's church, twenty families, attended twice a month.
Hager's Grove ( Shelby county), St. Michael's church, twenty families, attended once a month.
N.B. - Each of these stations has a frame church ( 40 x 24 ).
Names of priests who have attended these stations : - Rev. Fr. Bonaventura Faulhaber, 1876-79: Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Riemann, 1879-81; Rev. Fr. Maximilian Klein, 1881-83; Rev. Fr. Fidelis Kaercher, since August, 1883.
CUNNINGHAM TOWNSHIP -BOUNDARY.
Cunningham township occupies the northwest corner of the county, and is bounded on the north by Linn county, on the east by Yellow Creek township, on the south by Mendon and Triplett townships, and on the west by Carroll county.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The township embraces nearly eighty square miles, partly bottom land and partly very gently rolling upland. The bottom lands over- flow, excepting the ridges, which are in the bottoms. One of these ridges, called Hog ridge, contains 1,000 acres. The township is watered by Elk, Yellow and Turkey creeks, which flow through the western part of the township and empty into Grand river. Swan Lake is in this township, and is located partly in sections 34, 35, and 36, township 56, range 21. Hog Lake covers about as much land as Swan Lake, but is more irregular in shape. The upper portion of the township is mainly prairie, and of the very finest quality of soil. The area of timber is not more than one-fifth of the township. But little coal is developed, and but little stone is found in the township.
EARLY SETTTERS.
Thomas Stanley was the pioneer settler of Cunningham township, and made a settlement as early as 1828. He built a cabin and lo-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
eated on the land where Sumner now stands, for the purpose of trad- ing with the Indians, and remained there until his death, which occurred November 15, 1859.
Robert Stanley came two years after in company with his brothers Coleman and Duncan. They were mere boys at the time, and are now all living except Coleman, who died in 1867. Robert lives in Grand River township, Livingston county, Missouri, and is seventy- four years of age. Robert lives near St. Catherine, Linn county, Missouri. They came to Cooper county, Missouri, in 1818.
The next settler in the township was Jack, a free negro, who located on Jack's ridge, one mile north of Sumner. Benjamin Full, a white man, lived on the place that Jack settled about the year 1835 or 1836. John Ridgeway came to the county after Full, and now sleeps on Jack's ridge. His boys reside in Randolph county. A family by the name of Cooper settled on the same ridge.
Henry Wheelbarger, from Ohio, came about 1830, and settled on Hog ridge, south of Cunningham about three miles, and cleared an old field, which may be seen now. He first located on the bank of Grand river, a mile and a half west of Cunningham. Wheelbarger had quite a family of boys, whose names were Samuel, John, Charley, Allen and Harry. Samuel is in Texas ; Harry was killed in the Union army, in McBride's command ; John died at home ; Allen, Harry and Charley live in the township. John Lamb settled about one mile south of Wheelbarger. He left the county a few years afterwards ; his present location is not known. Jake Cronsaw opened a farm on the north bank of Swan Lake ; his old farm joins the corporate limits of Cunningham. He came about 1842, and left the county before the war of 1861. The next settler east of him and on the adjoining farm was a man by the name of Ramshire. Then came Jack Young, who settled on Elk creek about six miles from Cunningham. He went through the army in the Eighteenth Missouri Volunteers, and became blind with small-pox. He afterwards left the county. James Joues came in 1838, and entered land where Yellow creek bridge now stands. Edward Stewart and Thomas Stewart came in 1845, Edward was at one time county surveyor. Thomas Stewart had three boys - Char- ley, James and Elias. Charley lives at Cunningham, Elias died in Memphis, Tennessee, and James in Arkansas.
CUNNINGHAM.
Cunuingham was laid out by Eziah MeLilly in June, 1870, on the
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
northeast quarter section 27, T. 56, R. 21, on the Omaha branch of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway. The first building in the town was intended for a dwelling house, but after being occupied a while as such, it was converted into a boarding-house. The first business honse was a saloon, erected in 1870. Then followed in rapid succession the business houses of M. O. Cunningham, William Harner, Samuel Winfrey, J. Gould, Thomas Abrams, and others. A school house was built in 1872, and is two stories in height. The upper story was erected by the Free Masons for a hall. It is now occupied by the I. O. O. F. and A. O. U. W. A Masonic lodge was organized in the town about the year 1875 ; the charter was arrested in 1878. The Union Christian church is now in process of erection.
LODGES.
Cunningham Lodge, No. 227, A. O. U. W., date of charter Sep- tember, 1881, organized by Deputy P. P. Ellis. Charter members are R. McAllister, J. B. Stockton, JJ. II. Parker, W. G. Stewart, Dr. H. Suits, F. M. Johnson, F. F. Hamilton, L. Anderson, D. H. Ballew, B. D. Grimsley. Present membership sixteen.
Cunningham Lodge, No. 414, I. O. O. F., organized, January 5, 1881, with the following persons: J. B. Stockton. N. G. ; John HI. Shaw, V. G. ; E. G. Warden, treasurer : S. J. Ponting, conductor ; Christopher Roth, warden. Present officers : J. H. Toppass, N. G. ; S. M. Davenport, V. G. ; F. M. Johnson, secretary; A. Fry, P. S. ; Lew Matthews, treasurer; S. W. Gould, warden.
BANKS AND BANKERS.
There has never been but one bank at Cunningham, which is the Bank of Cunningham. That was established in August, 1883. Pres- ident, I. N. Long; vice-president, James M. Riddle; cashier, A. Johnson. Directors : 1. N. Long, James M. Riddle, A. Johnson, William Fulbright, J. H. Parker, Harvey Batts, of Battsville, Car- roll county, and S. II. Bangh, of Bedford, Livingston county. The bank commenced business in its new building under the most favor- able auspiees. It has a cash capital of $15,000, all paid up, and its representative capital is $500.000. The officers of the bank and the directors are men who stand high as leading business men and capitalists of Chariton, Carroll and Livingston counties.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
BUSINESS.
4. stores -- general stock.
2 grain dealers.
3 drug stores.
2 grain warehouses.
2 hardware stores.
2 blacksmith shops.
1 restaurant.
1 wagon shop.
2 hotels.
1 livery stable.
1 lumber yard.
2 saloons.
J. Gould was the first and is the present postmaster.
SUMNER
was laid out by Joel H. Wilkerson and the Chicago, Burlington and Kansas City Railroad Company on north half section 22, township 56, range 21. at the junction with the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway ( Omaha Branch ) in June, 1882.
The first building in the place was put up by J. M. Vance in the fall of 1882. Among the early builders of houses was Professor Willett, who erected the Commercial Hotel. The first board of trus- tees was composed of William W. Knickerbocker, chairman ; Samuel Flommerfelt, Dr. A. C. Aull, F. P. Southerland, W. H. Willett, clerk ; N. A. Bailey, marshal. A union Sabbath school was organ- ized, June 17, 1883, with Howard Woodward, superintendent ; Mrs. W. B. Perkins, assistant, and Professor Willett, secretary and treas- urer.
BUSINESS.
4 general stores.
2 lumber yards.
1 exclusive hardware store.
1 saddle and harness shop.
2 drug stores.
1 blacksmith and wagon shop.
1 restaurant.
1 livery stable.
3 hotels. 1 bakery.
MENDON TOWNSHIP - BOUNDARY.
It is bounded on the north by Cunningham township, on the east by Salt Creek township, on the south by Brunswick and Triplett ownships, and on the west by Triplett and Cunningham townships.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD AND CHARITON COUNTIES.
PHYSICAL, FEATURES.
The township is watered by Elk, Yellow and Salt ereeks and Hick- ory branch, and is mainly prairie. The eastern part is well cultivated and thickly populated. Much of the western portion is fenced in for pastures, it being generally too low and wet for cultivation. About one-fourth of the township is timbered. Coal has been worked in some places, supplying considerable local trade. Sandstone is found in some portions of the township. It embraces an area of thirty-six square miles.
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