USA > Missouri > Lafayette County > History of Lafayette county, Mo. , carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of its townships, cities, towns, and villages > Part 44
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THE TOWN OF GREENTON.
Greenton, situated on section 14, township 49, range 28, was founded by Joseph Green, from whom it derived its name, in about 1835. A post- office was established in same year with Mr. Green as postmaster. He also built the first house. Finis Ewing owned and operated the first store.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1858, size, 20x40, and cost about $1,200. No further particulars with reference to the school are given.
The first physician who settled here is reported to have been Dr. Bor- ing, of Kentucky, who died at Wellington.
A cemetery located on the same section with the town, was established in 1859, and is still used as such.
The business interests of the town are represented by one store and one blacksmith shop.
GREENTON VALLEY.
Mrs. Catharine B. Roberts, daughter of James H. and Matilda Hughes, who was born in Logan county, Kentucky, and came to Lafayette county in 1820, at the age of four years, furnishes the following information: The original settlers in this neighborhood were James, Moses, Joshua and Henry Campbell, John and Myron Helms, William Jones, and James H. Hughes, the latter from Kentucky. These appeared in 1820 and located on sections 22 and 28, township 49, range 28. Isam Manion and Athaliah Finch were the first to be united in marriage, the ceremony being per- formed by the Rev. Finch. The first male child born in the settlement was Rowland Hughes, son of Corbley and Jane Hughes, born in 1826. The first female child was Martha Hughes, born in same year, daughter of James M. and Matilda Hughes. The first death was that of John Hughes, who died in 1826, and was buried on section 22, a private burying ground. Dr. Buck was the first regular physician, who prac- ticed in the neighborhood. He died some years ago, as is elsewhere sta- ted. The first religious services were held at a settler's house, conducted
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
by the Rev. John Warder, Baptist, (old School). Mr. Bowman, who has since moved to Johnson county, taught the first school in 1828, on section 22. No further particulars in regard to the schools given. The first weaving is asserted to have been done by Mrs. Henry Campbell. In those early days, as has been stated with reference to almost every " first settlement," flouring mills were scarce and settlers were obliged to go fifteen, twenty and in their case, thirty miles in order to get corn and wheat ground. Indians were numerous but peaceable.
Cumberland Presbyterian Church .- The Cumberland Presbyterian. church, in Greenton, was organized in September, 1829, and is situated in the town of Greenton. The first church building was erected of brick in 1854, and is still in use, at a cost of $1,100. It was dedicated in 1854 by Rev. W. W. Suddeth. The names of the pastors have been: W. W. Suddeth, John A. Prather, James a Dalton, Mr. Van Ausdel, S. H. McEI- vain and S. D. Givens, the present pastor.
The number of its members is 80. Since its organization the church has received over 300 members. September 12, 1850, Jacob Gillespie and wife deeded to Givens, Masterson and others, as trustees, three acres of land for church purposes, but in 1854, when another site for the church was chosen, the gift of Gillespie reverted back.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, of Greenton .- Organized in 1848; is situated on the northeast quarter, section 14, township 49, range 28. The original members were J. G. Rush, Dr. M. M. Robinson, Mary J. Rob- inson, Landon Bates, Maria Bates, Wm. Swink, Martha E. Swink, Mr. Egan and wife. The first church building was erected in 1S51 or '52, at a cost of $2,500. Is built of brick and is still occupied for church purposes by this congregation and the Cumberland Presbyterian, who joined with the Methodists in its erection. Was dedicated in 1859. The successive pas- tors of this denomination were: Warren Pitts, J. A. Murphy, J. F. Trus- low and Thomas Cobb. Dr. M. M. Robinson is steward. Present mem- bership about 25. No further particulars reported.
The Greenton Baptist Church of Jesus Christ .- Located on section 14, township 49, range 28. Was organized September 13, 1866, by the Rev. Charles Whiting and about 30 original members, principally from Lex- ington, Mound Prairie, Concord and Mt. Zion. The first church building was a frame one, erected in 1869, at a cost of $3,500. It is still used by this congregation. It was dedicated December 5, 1869, by the Rev. Lan- sing Burrows, whose text was taken from 1st Corinthians, 3d chapter and the last clause of the 9th verse. The successive pastors are the Revs. Charles Whiting, George W. Smith, W. L. Robinson and Samuel Whiting, the present incumbent. The present membership is 9S. Since the organization of this church it has received 224 members; dismissed by letter 81; excluded from fellowship 22 and lost by death 7. The pres-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
ent trustees are J. E. Shotwell, D. J. Powell and George 'D. Duvall. Deacons: J. E. Shotwell, D. J. Powell, John S. Davis and John W. Fickle. John D. Duvall is clerk. Services are held the first Sunday in each month.
Greenton Grange, No. 559 .- Instituted by Lewis Neal, August 5, 1873. The charter members were: Martin Slaughter and wife, R. A. Hill, Wm. R. Beatty, A. G. McNeil, S. K. Beall, James A. Laughlin, C. T. Ford and wife, G. D. Duvall, James W. Hannah, Joseph H. Christy, Mrs. Sarah Campbell, Mrs. Elizabeth Lee. The first officers were: W. R. Beatty, master; R. A. Hill, overseer; M. Slaughter, lecturer; S. K. Beall, steward; A. G. McNeil, assistant steward; G. D. Duvall, chaplain; J. A. Laughlin, treasurer; C. T. Ford, secretary; J. W. Hannah, gate- keeper; Mrs. Slaughter, ceres; Mrs. Ford, pomona; Mrs. Laughlin, flora; Mrs. Lee, lady assistant steward. Present membership, 42; meet in Greenton school house. Present officers, C. T. Ford, master; J. H. Christy, secretary. This grange has had in all about 120 members (including the charter members) since its organization.
NAPOLEON.
Napoleon is situated in the Northwestern part of Lafayette county, twelve miles west of Lexington on the Missouri river and on the line of the Missouri Pacific Narrow Gauge railroad. The original plat was laid out in the year 1836, by Wm. Ish, Nathaniel Tucker and others. It was previously known as " Poston's Landing." Samuels & Ish opened the first business house, followed by John A. Poston in the dry-goods and grocery trade. During the money crisis in 1837 the town was abandoned. Then in the year 1854 Dr. James Belt went to the place and found the lines of the town obliterated. All that remained of the town was two houses, one log dwelling partly demolished, and one log store. Dr. Belt began to improve the town and called it Lisbon. However, the Post Office maintained the original name, Napoleon. Napoleon has a natural landing on the Missouri river for steamboats, and more wheat, stock and other merchandise are shipped from Napoleon than any other point on the Narrow Gauge Rail Road between Independence and Lexington.
The following statement shows the different branches of business repre- sented and the number of business houses: Dry-goods and groceries, 1; depot, 1; blacksmiths, 2; general merchandise, 1; physicians, 2; shoe- makers, 2; undertakers, 1; hominy mills, 2: Justices of the Peace, 1; dry-goods boots and shoes, 1.
Since the above was written the following additional information has been received from Dr. James Belt, now living in Freedom township:
After the panic in 1837 which resulted in the depopulation of Napoleon, the town was again laid out under the name of Lisbon. This was done
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
in 1856 by Dr. Belt, but the Post Office, which was still called Napoleon, was not revived until 1858, with D. K. Murphy, M. D., Postmaster. The first house was built by John R. Shepherdson and the first store was owned and kept by John S. Brown.
The first school house was built in 1858 at a cost of $250-frame build- ing. The school numbered about twenty pupils and was first taught by a Mr. Tyler at a salary of $20 per month. The firsi marriage was that of George Hopper and Susanna Simms, the ceremony being performed by the Rev. Dr. Love. Archibald Shepherdson, son of John R. and Mar- garet Shepherdson, was the first male child born in the town-born March 1, 1858. On the same day and date, - Harrison, daughter of O. and Susan Harrison, was born-the first female child. The first death to occur was that of John Everhart, who died in October, 1858, and was buried at Green Chapel. The first regular physician was Dr. D. K. Murphy, who came from North Carolina and now lives in Greenton, Layfayette county. The first religious services were held in a ware-house by the Cumberland Presbyterians. S. M. Carter, of the Baptist denomination, was the first minister.
Zion Church-The Methodist Episcopal church, of Napoleon, was organized in 1870. The original members are John H. Eckles, Frederick Kreutz, John H. Gable, B. C. Rabe, William Messersmith, Henry Œhl- sclaeger and others. The church was built in 1870-a frame-at a cost of $700, and was dedicated in the same year by the Rev. H. Fiegenbaum. The charge has been presided over by the Revs. J. J. Eichenberger, C. Mardorf, Peter Hener, J. Franz, A. H. Asling and John Demand. The present membership numbers 29. Congregation growing slowly. .
Evangelical St. Paul's Church, of Napoleon, was organized in 1875, and the following are the names of the original members: H. R. Ler- berg, Frederick Daling, Earnest Daling, H. H. Wortemeyer, William Westerholt, Frederick Leuhrman and Michael Bettin. The church was built about the year 1860-a frame building-costing $1,000 and was ded- icated in 1875 by the Rev. Fred. Drewell, the Rev. William Vehe offici- ating ever since. The number of present membership is 23.
In the year 1868 John F. Roberts established a mill at Napoleon, twelve miles west of Lexington on the Narrow Guage railroad, It is a frame building and has been operated and owned by Mr. Roberts ever since its establishment.
A stave and heading factory with saw mill combined was established by Crary Bros. in 1876, in Napoleon, twelve miles west of Lexington and thirty miles east of Kansas City on the Narrow Gauge railroad. The building is a frame, 70x35, with engine room containing engine of 80 horse power, 25x35, and a kiln connected built of brick. The capital invested in buildings is $1,500; in machinery, $8,000; in raw material,
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
$5,000. Total, $14,500. Employs twenty hands. The amount of pro- ducts the past year was $20,000, this being its market, value, and was chiefly sold in Kansas City. The mill also manufactures a large amount of lumber.
Ewing Cemetery was located on Section 30, Township 50, Range 28, one-half acre of land being donated by Mr. Mosby Arnold for that pur- pose. The first burials in this cemetery were those of Mrs. Sally D. Ewing, Col. Wm. Y. C. Ewing, Major Bryant Sanders, Richard Lee, Mrs. Polly Sanders, Miss Nancy Dunn, Miss Kizzie Renick, Mr. Cornelius Mabry and wife, Mary J. Mabry, Mrs. Pamelia S. Fishback, Mrs. Mar- garet M. More, the last two being daughters of Col. Wm. Y. C. Ewing.
Pleasant Prairie Cemetery was first used for burial ground on Sept. 1st, 1879. The ground was given by G. W. Grubb, he giving one acre of land for that purpose which is nicely laid off in lots 18 feet square and nicely arranged. The first interment was Miss Sadie Guy, daughter of Wm. Guy.
Pleasant Prairie Church-The Pleasant Prairie congregation of the Cumberland Presbyterian church is located in Sec. 2, Tp. 49, Range 29, and is a frame building, and was erected about the close of the war, it is not now known at what cost. It was dedicated by the Rev. J. D. Murphy, who is also its present pastor. The present number of member- ship is eighty. The house was first built in Jackson county-but at the close of the war, it was moved down into this county, and fixed where it now is. They then joined with the M. E. Church South in building a house, which is now used by them jointly.
The elders of the congregation are T. A. Pallett, W. P. Fishback, R. C. Gillespie, A. G. Campbell, Solomon Everhart, Reuben Mayberry and Robert Fishback.
The Mount Zion (Regular Baptist) Church was organized July 27, 1839, and is situated in Clay Tp., Sec. 27, T. 49, R. 28. The names of the original members were Thos. Proctor, John C. Proctor, Isaac Whit- sett, Cynthia Whitsett, Caleb Summers, Henry Finch, Elizabeth Finch, Jesse Roberts, K. Roberts, Joseph Mathews, Nancy Campbell, Thos. Creasey, Elizabeth Creasey, Paschal A. Gibbs and C. A. Gibbs. The church, a frame, was erected in 1879 at a cost of $1,350. It was dedi- cated by the Rev. Isaac Newman. The names of the pastors, succes- sively, Elder John Warder, Henry Bowers, Hiram Bowman, John Harvey, Jno. Warder, again, Joseph Warder and Lucian B. Wright, the present pastor. There are twenty-nine members at present. It has numbered, since its constitution as high as one hundred members-which, by dis- missals-letters and death, has been reduced to the present number of twenty-nine. It is now on the increase. The building is owned by the Regular Baptist one-fourth, and the Missionary Baptist three-fourths.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
BATES CITY.
Mr. Theodore.Bates laid out the town of Bates City, on the Chicago & Alton railroad, in 1878, and in January, 1879, it was established as a post office, with J. F. Eneberg, first postmaster. Mr. L. B. Kelley built the first house, and the first store was owned by J. F. Eneberg. The first school house, a frame, was built in 1881, at a cost of $800-the number of pupils being twenty-three, and the compen- sation of teacher $25 per month. David Aulobaugh to Mattie Early, Rev. Noel officiating, was the first marriage in the town and occurred in 1879. Theodore Alexander Bates, son of Geo. W. and Jemima Bates, August, 1879, was the first male, and a daughter to R. E. and Ann Casey was the first female child born in Bates City. The first death was that of Mrs. Casey, which occurred in April, 1880,-she was buried at Missouri City. Dr. M. W. Flournoy, of this county, was the first regular physician. The first religious service was performed by Rev. P. T. Cobb, of the Methodist Church South.
There are two dry goods stores in Bates City, one drug store, one blacksmith and wagon shop, one mill, two hotels, one church, one school house, one physician, one millinery shop, one butcher, and one boot and shoe shop. The town is located in the southern part of Clay township, and is beautifully situated upon the open prairie.
The Bates City class of the M. E. Church South, of Bates City was organized in May, 1881, with twenty-three members. The present build- ing, frame, was erected in 1881, at a cost of $1,200, and has not yet been dedicated. The pastors have been Rev. P. T. Cobb, and Mr. Woodward, the present pastor. Its present membership is twenty-seven.
INCIDENTS.
James Johnson was killed near the south edge of Saline county, by the Kan- sas troops, supposed to be at the instigation of a negro, whom he had once whipped while acting as constable; the act of whipping was forced upon Mr. Johnson, by the law, and the negro, to satiate dire revenge, had called upon this troop, who took Mr. Johnson, and hung him in a barn till he was dead. Mr. Johnson resided at Bates City, and had acted as constable for some years previous.
The whipping of a white man for the offence of hiding a runaway negro, under some sheaf oats, occurred 1858. The man was tried by a jury of 12 men, and a sentence of 40 lashes, save one, was the decision of the jury. Robert Stowall, the man who executed the sentence, was killed in the year 1863, under the following circumstances: A troop of Kansas soldiers came through the town, and one of the soldiers recognized a citizen of the town saying, "how are you, John?" when the troop went to Stowall's, and called him out and shot him. Although no one recog-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
nized any of the soldiers, it is supposed that the killing was at the instiga- tion of the man who secreted the negro in the oats.
DAVIS TOWNSHIP.
Davis township was formed May 3, 1830, and included the present Davis township, besides all of Freedom, and portions of Middleton and Dover townships. Its first boundaries were thus defined: "Beginning on the county line between Saline and Lafayette counties, at the section corner between 2 and 3, township 50, of range 24, thence west to the middle of range 26, in township 50; thence south to the section corner of 12 and 13 in township 48; thence east to the range line between 25 and 26; thence south to the southern boundary of Lafayette county, which is the middle of the main channel of the osage river; thence down the middle of said river to the range line between 23 and 24; thence north with said line to the place of beginning."
These lines do not exactly correspond with any township lines now in the county, except the east line which now forms the boundary between Lafayette and Saline counties. It was estimated that there were forty- eight taxable families within the above defined territory at that time. The first township election was ordered to be held at the house of Benjamin Johnson: and Martin Warren, Sr., Axel H. Page, and John Smeltser, were appointed as judges.
But on July 4, 1848, the new township of Middleton was established, and also the boundaries of Dover township fixed in their present places. These two changes cut off some of the territory of Davis township, and its new boundaries were thus defined: "Commencing at the township line, between townships 49 and 50, where said line crosses the boundary line between the counties of Lafayette and Saline, thence with said township line west to where the same crosses the main branch of Tabo creek; thence with the main channel of said creek in a southern direction, to where said creek crosses the section line between section No. 9 and 10, in range No. 26, of township No. 49; thence with said section line south to where the same crosses the main branch of Davis creek; thence with the main channel of said Davis creek, to the boundary line between the counties of Saline and Lafayette; thence with said line north to the beginning." Thus Davis township received its final boundaries, which remain the same to this day.
Among the original settlers of the territory which constitutes the pres- ent Davis township, were Joseph Collins, who located at a place since called "Bear's Grove," situated near section 13, township 49, and range 26, sometime between the years of 1825 and 1830. Alexander P. Hogan,
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
Wm. Anderson and Uriah Gladdish, natives of Kentucky, who settled on sections 35 and 36, same township and range, and Captain William Beatty, Major S. G. Neal, Wm. Collins, Madison Taylor, Thomas and James Smith, Wm. and Menona Dyer, and William Hickman, who settled in that neighborhood previous to 1840. The first marriage ceremony was performed at the house of Mr. Anderson, the high contracting parties being his daughter and William Still. The first male child born in the township was Henry Anderson, son of Ira and Columbia Anderson, born in 1841. The first death on record is that of a Miss Davenport, who died in about 1843, and was buried at the Couch grave yard. Among the first physicians was Dr. W. W. Higgins, who now resides in Mon- tana. The Rev. George Crawford, (new school Presbyterian) and Rev. Peter Williams (Baptist) were the first ministers reported. The first religious services, as far as can be ascertained, were held in Beatty school house, near "Bear's Grove," prior to 1840. In about 1841, the "Tebo Presbyterian church" was organized at the same place. The first school was taught in Beatty school house, built in about 1838. George Rhoades and Judge Lucien Cary, were among the first teachers. The school numbered from fifteen to twenty-five pupils, and teacher's salary ranged from $35 to $40 per month. This house was constructed of logs, and built out of funds raised by subscription. In about the year 1843, a log building for school purposes was erected by Elijah Gladdish, upon his farm on section 36. This school numbered from twelve to fifteen scholars, and was first taught by Miss Elizabeth Martin, (now disceased) at a sal- ary of $10 and board per month. At this time the custom of teachers "boarding around" was in vogue-the teacher boarding with each patron a stated length of time for each pupil in attendance. This Bohemian proclivity, however, is among the relics of the past. Mrs. Elizabeth Glad- dish is reported as the first weaver of cloth, she having brought the wool with her from Kentucky.
The settlers were obliged to go from twelve to eighteen miles to mill, and frequently would be cut of from their homes by high water, and be obliged to camp out for several days, until the water had subsided. The trading point and post office up to 1846, was Lexington. At that date a post office was established at the residence of Major Neal, called the Hempland P. O.
Major Geo. P. Gordon, who lives on section 18, township 49, range 24, says that Simon Bradley and Jesse Cox came into that neighborhood as early as 1820, and settled on sections 17 and 18, respectively. He also says that Mesdames Bradley and Cox did the first weaving in that neigh- borhood.
The necessities of these early settlers were few, and supplied princi- pally by their own exertions. Occasionally when they desired a little
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
.
store sugar, tea, coffee, etc., they were obliged to go to Dover, in Dover township, several miles distant.
In 1844, this township polled sixty-three votes, of which number, sixty were whig. A premium having been previously offered for the banner Whig township, Davis won the laurels.
The Osage, Kickapoo, and Kaw Indians came through until about 1848. They were peaceably disposed, but given to begging and pilfering. An Osage chief, 75 years of age, came to the residence of Harvey Hig- gins and endeavored to acquaint him by signs, with the number of scalps which he had taken, and begged for a shirt. Mr. H. responded liberally to the savage's desires, giving him not only the shirt he asked for, butª a pair of pants as well, and the "noble red man" went on his way rejoicing.
Game of all kinds was abundant. In going a few rods from his house, Mr. Higgins would sometimes start four of five deer. Col. Mulky started four black bears within 150 yards of his house and succeeded in cap- turing two of them. In early days buffalo and elk were abuadant and cat- amounts were often killed. Panthers were not numerous.
This township is well watered. Its entire southern boundary, fifteen miles in length, borders on Davis Creek, which receives numerous brooks and rivulets that traverse its diversified surface.
Its population, according to the official report of the United States cen- sus, taken June 1, 1880, is 2,944. It has, however, increased considerably during the past year.
Mr. Ira D. Anderson furnishes the following items of early history of Davis township:
Wm. Collins, Senior, a soldier of the revolutionary war from Carolina, also his son and son-in-law and their families, amounting to eight persons, were among the first settlers of this township, settling here in 1825. The first marriage in the township was that of Martin D. Warren to Miss Dil- lingham. The first male child born here was James Anderson, son of Wm. H. and D- Anderson; the first female child was Nancy, daugh- ter of Larkin and Sarah Graham. The first death occurred in the town- ship in the latter part ot 1837, and was buried at Johnson's Grove, near Higginsville. The first Christian minister in this township was Rev. Thomas McBride, of the Christian church, in a log cabin south of where Higginsville now stands. "We had no roads in the early times of Davis township, but traveled by courses-our principal market place was Lexington. The boys would often have a big deer hunt, kill as many as eight deer, and get home to dinner."
HIGGINSVILLE.
The city of Higginsville is located at the junction of the Chicago & Alton and Missouri & Pacific railways on sections one and six and township
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
forty-nine, ranges 25 and twenty-six, and was founded in 1869 by Harvey J. Higgins, in whose honor it was named. A postoffice was established here in 1870, with A. B. E. Lehman as postmaster, who also built the first house and kept, in partnership with his son, the first store in the town. the firm was styled "Lehman & Son." In 1876 the town was incorporated and Abram Wade was elected the first mayor. The first school-house was built in 1879, a frame building, at a cost of $1,200. The first school numbered about thirty-five pupils and was taught by Miss Anna Reese, at a compensation of fifty dollars per month. The first marriage reported is that of Lewis Henke, the name of his bride not being given, in the spring of 1870. The ceremony was peformed at the home of the bride, by George Osborne, a justice of the peace. It is asserted that Michael Kelley was the first male child born within the limits of the town, and - Hughes, daughter of John Hughes the first female. The first death that occurred within the corporation was that of an infant son of Lewis Henke, which lies buried in the Evangelical burial grounds.
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