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 46
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CORDER.
Corder is a station on the Chicago & Alton Railroad in Dover town- ship, and was laid out in 187S and incorporated in 1881. The first mayor was G. W. Neithercut. The post office was established in 1878 with W. J . Leise as post master. He also built the first house, and owned the first store in the town. The first physician, was Dr. Lewis Carthrae, who had practiced in the county before [coming to this place. The first religious service was held in the school house by the Baptists. The first minister was Edward Roth, of the Baptist church. The present officers are Geo. Neithercut, mayor; Henry Leise, marshal; Dr. Lewis Cathrae, L. Am- bruster, H. F. Kleinmuck, J. W. Dean, council.
Neal's Chapel, Corder, was organized in 1870. The names of the orig- inal members were Lewis Neal, and family, W. Barley and some ten or fifteen others. The first church building was erected in 1870, and is of
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
frame, at a cost of $4,000. It was dedicated in 1871 by Bishop Marvin. Their pastors have been J. C. Shackleford, M. Atkinson, W. F. Camp, B. Margason, R. H. Laffer, W. T. Brown and W. B. McFarland. The number of the present membership about 100. The church since its organization has been situated about half mile from Corder, but is now being removed to Corder.
Corder Grange was instituted by Thomas Allen, in the year 1881. Nathan Corder, F. S. Burton, John Board, L. Frazier, S. B. Shrader, Chas. Burton, Wm. Corder, H. S. Huffman, Mack Avitt, F. M. Burton, Morton Hilliard, J. C. Board, Chas. Shrader, Mrs. F. S. Burton, Mrs. Geo. Corder, Miss Dora Frazier, Miss Zoah Avitt and Miss R. Corder were charter members, and the first officers, were Nathan Corder, W. M .: F. S. Burton, Overseer; John Board, Lecturer; S. B. Shrader, Chaplin; Wm. Corder, Treasurer; Chas. Shrader, Secretary; L. Frazier, Steward; Chas. Burton, Assistant Stewart; H. S. Huffman, Gate Keeper; Miss R. Corder, Pomona; Dora Frazier, Ceres; Mrs. Geo. Corder, Flora, Miss Zoah Avitt, Assistant Steward. The number of present membership is eighteen.
LONG GROVE SETTLEMENT. 1
From Joseph H. Page, son of Alexander H. Page, one of the early pio- neers of this township, the following information was obtained:
The earliest settlers in this neighborhood were Martin Warren and son, who arrived in 1824, and located on section 23, township 50, range 26. The next to appear were Samuel Walker, Adam Sensibaugh, John Ennis, Thomas Buckley, Richard Collins, and Mr. Welch, who were natives of Kentucky and came there in 1826, locating on or near section 26. Alex- ander H. Page, also of Kentucky, located there in 1827, upon section 23. The first marriage ceremony performed was that of William Johnson and Peggy Ennis, 1828, at the residence of the bride's father. The knot was tied by Duke Young. The usual custom of "running for the bottle " at weddings, was indulged in, and the prize was won by Granville Page. This curious custom is described as follows: A bottle of whisky, with a red ribbon tied around its neck and called " Black Betty" was the prize. The contestants would start on horseback from the house where the " infair" was to be held and run to meet the bride and groom. The one who first met them was declared the winner, and had the pleasure of pre- senting " Black Betty " to the parson, who took the first drink, then to the bride, then to the groom, etc. All drank from the same bottle. Whole settlements came without invitation and all were made welcome and had a merry time, usually terminating the proceedings with a dance.
Lafayette Collins, son of Richard and Katy Collins, born in 1827, is reported as being the first male child born in the settlement. He went to
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
Texas. The first death occurred in 1830, that of Sarah Page, wife of A. H. Page. She was buried in the Page family burying ground. The next was that of the wife of Martin Warren, occurring in 1830 or '31. Mrs. Dillingham died in 1832. The first regular physician who located there was Dr. Ward. He came from Lexington and died some years ago. The next was Dr. Buck, also now dead; and afterwards Drs. Flour- noy, Percival, and others. Among the first ministers was Finis Ewing, who conducted the first religious services in a neighbor's house. Servi- ces were held in private houses until 1825, when a church was erected, where Dover] now/ stands, by the Methodists and Reformers. It was constructed of logs and services were held in it by all of the different denominations. The first school numbered about eighteen pupils and was taught on the premises of John Ennis, by Mr. Gilliam, and others. Ses- sions were held during twenty-six days of the month aud the tuition was one dollar per pupil, per month. The first school house was built on sec- tion 26, (John Ennis' land). Was constructed of logs and built by the community, who contributed both labor and material. No money was expended. The settlers raised their own cotton, flax, wool, etc., and each family did its own weaving. Mr. Parkinson in Tabo Grove and Johnny Nelson, south of Lexington, each operated a cotton-gin. Supplies were procured at Lexington. Goods were hauled from Arrow Rock and Old Franklin to Lexington.
Indians were numerous in early days, of a peaceable character, how- ever, though given to theft. The following good joke is told on a party of settlers who were in pursuit of an Indian who had stolen a horse from one of them: They had succeeded in apprehending him and were bring- ing him back to the settlement. The red man professed to be very peni- tent, and so won upon the sympathy of his captors that they allowed him considerable liberty. One night while encamped on the Blackwater, as he was assisting them to gather firewood, he gave them the slip, and secreted himself, as they afterwards ascertained, in some drift-wood in the creek, just allowing his head to project above the water, where he remained until they had ceased hunting for him and the camp had become quiet. He then emerged from his hiding place, secured another and better horse from the camp, with which he succeeded in making his way to his tribe.
Game was plenty. Chris, Mulkey, in 1826, killed five deer before sun- rise, where Mr. Page now lives. Bears, panthers, catamounts and elk were plenty, and " wolves by the acre," as "Uncle " Joe Page says. A panther killed a hog weighing 150 pounds and covered it with grass, near Uncle Joe's residence. Hunters watched for it, but it did not return.
The old-fashioned flint-lock rifle was the weapon used at that time. On the 4th of July it was customary to organize a grand hunt, the proceeds of which went to furnish the barbecue which was invariably had after-
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
wards. Candidates and others would furnish funds to pay necessary expenses.
Flour and meal were procured at the mill of Solomon Cox, near Dover, also at Jonesboro, Saline county. In 1829 Dick Collins and John Ennis built a horse-mill on the farm of the latter. Sifters were made either of horse-hairs or deer-skins.
Company musters were held at Johnson's Grove, and general musters at Swift's place, five miles south of Lexington. Gen. Graham was in com- mand. The captains were Mock, Graham, Dowden, and others. Three hundred and six Shawnee Indians under a brother of that noted Indian chief, Tecumseh, were encamped for a short time on Tabo creek, in 1828. They were going west.
JOHNSON'S GROVE SETTLEMENT.
This settlement is situated on the line between Davis and Dover town- ships, and derives its name from the original settlers-the two William Johnsons, cousins-who located there in the years of 1827 and 1828. Up to the year 1835-according to information received from Mr. O. K. Burns -no other settlers appeared in the neighborhood. About that time Mr. Simpson, a native of Kentucky, settled there, and in 1841 William Burns, of Virginia, and Wm. Bell and Joseph Roberts, of Kentucky, located near there.
The first regular physician who came there was Dr. W. I. Seeber, who appeared in 1842 or '43. He died in April, 1872. The first church was built in 1844, under the united auspices of the different denominations rep- resented in the settlement, and was named "Oakland Church." It was torn down in 1880.
The first religious services were held in this church, conducted by Dr. J. L. Yantis, old school Presbyterian. Occasionally a Methodist circuit rider would pass that way and hold services. Prior to the building of this church the people worshiped at Dover village, ten miles away.
The first school was taught in 1841, in the log cabin of Mr. O. K. Burns, in Davis township. It consisted of seventeen pupils, taught by Mr. Harris, now a lawyer of Brunswick, Chariton county, Mo., at a com- pensation of one dollar per pupil per month-it being a private enter- prise. The first school house was built of logs, near Oakland church, in 1842 or '43, and was built out of funds subscribed by the community. It cost about $40, exclusive of the labor contributed. About this time Oak- land postoffice was established in this neighborhood, with M. C. Burns as postmaster. This has since been discontinued. Prior to its establishment the nearest office was Dover.
The first regularly laid out roads in this section were the Salt Pond and Lexington, and the Lexington and Georgetown roads. Supplies were
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
procured at Lexington and Dover. The nearest flouring mills were "Brown's " mill in Saline county, and "Webb's" horse-mill at D)over. The settlers frequently had enough corn and wheat ground at a time to last them six months. A few Indians, of a peaceable character, however, were encamped near by, in that early day. Game was scarce-a few deer, turkeys, etc. In 1832 or '33 a traveler was attacked by a panther, eight miles east of Johnson's Grove, on the Salt Pond and Lexington road. He escaped to the settlement, and in company with the Johnsons and others returned and killed two. These were the last seen in that vicinity.
In 1863, a bushwhacker was caught by some militiamen-his horse having stumbled over a negroe's grave, thus enabling his pursuers to come up with him-tied to a tree in front of Oaklend church and shot. A few moments prior to the execution he rather irreverently remarked that "a d-d nigger, whether dead or alive, was always in the way."
Two Federal soldiers, belonging to Deitzler's Regt., Kansas, were killed in 1862 at Tabo bridge in the southern part of Dover township, on the Georgetown road, by Charles Petite and Thomas Paine. One other was severely wounded. The Federals were gathering up horses and other plunder and taking them to Kansas.
Bethel Church was organized sometime in 1871. The original mem- bers were Dr. Bull, Jackson Corder and wife, W. R. Finch and wife and about 10 others. The first church building was erected in 1878, of frame, at a cost of $800. It was dedicated in 1878 by M. M. Pugh. Their pastors have been R. H. Shaffer, W. T. Brown, W. B. McFarland. The present membership is about 30. There is a nice lot of ground included with this church.
Lafayette Grange No. 305 was instituted by Thomas Allen in 1873, which was the date of dispensation. The names of the charter members are Dr. W. C. Webb, J. G. Webb, Isaac Neale, E. Roth, G. K. Camp- bell and wife, and Jacob Zantameyer. The first officers were Dr. W. C. Webb, Master; Richard Barley, Secretary; J. G. Webb, Treasurer. Names of the present officers are Isaac Neal, Master; G. K. Campbell, Overseer; W. G. Neale, Secretary; J. G. Webb, Treasurer; Hon. W. H. Carter, Lecturer; N. J. Davis, Chaplain; Mrs. E. Roth, Ceres; Mrs. M. J. Campbell, Pomona; Mrs. Jacob Zantameyer, Flora. Number of present membership is 60; have no hall but lease the brick school house on the the nw ¿ of Sec. 15, 50, 25. Lodge in good condition
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
This township was first named and described at a session of the county court, June 11, 1832; but who proposed it does not appear. After deffn ing the boundaries, etc., the court ordered that the elections for this township should be held at the house of James Wilkinson; and that Samuel Scott, Thomas Mulky and Elisha Blevins should be judges. But for some reason or other this intended first township election was never held; and we find that on May 27th, 1833, the court appointed Livingston Wilkinson to be constable of Freedom township until the next general election.
At the next term of court, which was held in August, the boundary lines of Freedom township were changed a little from those first given, and we now copy the record: " Beginning where Davis' fork crosses the eastern county line, thence up the same (stream) to the line between Ranges 25 and 26; thence south to the middle of township 45; thence due east to the line between Saline and Lafayette counties; thence north with said line to the place of beginning. Supposed to contain about thirty taxable inhabitants."
We find nothing more from Freedom township until May 7th, 1834, when it is "Ordered, that Thomas Mulky, Amos Horn and John M. Walker be appointed judges of the elections in Freedom township for two years."
In this year, 1834, Johnson county was erected, thus fixing the present southern boundary line of Lafayette county, which is also the south line of Freedom township. And about the same time nine more sections were added on to the west end, thus completing the territorial area of the township as it now stands.
SETTLEMENT.
It appears that the first settler in the territory which now constitutes Freedom township, was Patrick Henry, who located in the eastern part, about the year 1825. Shortly after Samuel and John Scott appeared and settled in the western part. James and Chris Mulkey also at an early day, located in Mulkey's Grove, two and a half miles south of the present site of Aullville. Among others who may be considered as early settlers, were: Dr. Davis, Nat. Davis, William Davis, David Mock, Jacob Phillip, George and David Welborn, Brooks Wellington, John Walker, James Atterberry, and Daniel Greenwood. These settled principally on and around the site of the old town of Freedom, a short sketch of which is given elsewhere.
Scott Grave Yard, consisting of one acre of ground is located on the
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
southwest quarter of section 22, township 48, range 25. Jesse Scott was among the first who were buried there.
Mr. Wm. Bright of Freedom township, furnishes the following items of early history:
Joseph Johnson, of Indiana, but a native of Kentucky, was one of the first settlers of the township where he came in 1829. Noah Rigg in the same year settled on the same section 13, township 48, range 24. Then Wm. Bright bought Noah Rigg's farm, and entered balance of the section 13, township 48, range 24. The first marriage was of Noah Rigg to Elizabeth Johnson, by Joseph Johnson. Joseph Rigg was the first male child -son of Noah Rigg, and Elizabeth, his wife. The first female child was Ellen Bright, daughter of William and Artimesia Bright. Ellen Bright's was also the first death in the township, buried at the old Johnson grave yard. Dr. Thornton was the first regular physician, who came to Missouri from Kentucky. The first school was in an old school house on Wm. Bright's farm, and James Campbell was the first teacher. He is now living in Brownsville, in Saline county. This old school house, on the Wm. Bright farm, was built of logs, by the neighbors, and did not cost much. In these early times there were no regular roads, and all obtained supplies from Lexington.
CONCORDIA.
The city of Concordia is situated on the Lexington and St. Louis R. R., twenty-five miles southeast of Lexington, on section 4, township 48, range 24. In 1856, before the town was laid out, a grist mill was built upon its present site, by Henry Flandermeyer and Lewis Bergmann, costing $3,000. This was burned in 1859. The next building erected was a blacksmith shop, built and operated by Frederick Henricks, in 1858, which is still standing, (1881). During the same year, Henry and August Brockhoff put up the first dry goods and grocery store, consisting of a frame building 25x40 feet and one and a half stories in height.
Messrs. Hackman and Detert built the second general merchandise store, a large two story frame building, now occupied by the Widow Detert. Henry Meinecke put up and operated the first hotel, on what is now the corner of St. Louis and Bogg streets.
These were the principal business houses built upon the town site, before the town was organized.
The town plat was surveyed and laid out in 1868, by a joint stock com- pany, consisting of Major G. P. Gordon, Henry Detert, Col. Geo. S. Rathburn, Peter and Harmon Uphouse, and Henry Westerhouse.
A post office was established here in 1870, of which August Heckman was first post master.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
The town was incorporated Jan. 3, 1877, with John Smith as its first mayor.
The first school house was built of brick, in 1874, at a cost of $1,300. The school consisted of about fifty pupils, and was first taught by Mr. Wm. F. Walkenhorst, at a salary of $50 per month.
Dr. F. L. Flanders was the first resident physician. He came from" Illinois, and is now (1881) located in Kansas City.
The first religious services were held by the Methodists, conducted by the Rev. C. Bruegger. The municipal officers for the present year (1881), are as follows: Henry Ficken, mayor; Chas. Bergman, Henry Meyer, A. E. Brunes and M. Brunes, councilmen; E. F. Ninas, marshal; and F. H. Bartman, treasurer and collector. The inhabitants are principally of German descent and numbered according to an official bulletin of the U. S. census of June 1, 1880, three hundred and ninety-one (391). Actual residents, however, give the population at the present time, Aug. 1, 1881, between six and seven hundred.
The following is a statement of the different branches of business repre- sented, as complete as can be made from the data in our possession:
Dry goods, 5; groceries, 5; lumber dealers, 2; blacksmiths, 3; shoemak- ers, 2; harness and saddlery, 1; bank, 1; boot and shoe, 2; furniture dealers, 2; flouring mills, 2; saloons, 4; butchers, 2; barber, 1; livery stable 1; drug, 2; hardware and agricultural implements, 3; hotels, 3; physicians, 4; millinery, 1.
The German Baptist Church at Concordia, was organized in the year 1851. The names of the original members were: C. Kresse and wife, Henriette Kresse, A. Schlaemann and wife, Maria Schlaemann, P. Brand and wife, Anna M. Brand, Henry Uphaus and wife, Mary Uphaus, Cas- per Holtcamp and wife, Mary Holtcamp. The first church building was erected in 1865, of frame, at a cost of $1,000. It was dedicated in 1865 by Rev. A. Hausler, A. Hoffman, and C. Werner. The pastors' names were: C. Kresse, C. Werner, A. Hausler, and C. Schoemaker. The present number of membership is 112. This church has two meeting houses, this one, and one in Concordia, the last erected in 1873. Preach- ing and sunday school at both places every Sunday. Of the original mem- bers, six persons are still living, one is 101 years old.
The Evangelical Lutheran, Cross Church, under the care of Rev. H. P. Wille, is located about four miles east of Concordia, in Freedom town- ship, and was organized in the year 1864. The names of all the original members could not be obtained. The number, however, in all was twenty-eight, among whom were, Frederick Beermann and family, Diet- rich Oetting and family, Henry Rotenburg and family, Henry Heermann, John Fuchsing, and Phil. Pinkfawk. The first house was built in 1865 of logs. The present building was erected in 1868, is a frame, and cost
4
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
$2,000. It was dedicated by the Rev. J. F. Biltz. The names of the successive pastors of the church were, J. F. Biltz, H. Bartens, and H. P. Wille. The number of members is about four hundred, with seventy- six voting male members. The congregation owns and sustains a paro- chial school, with a permanent teacher, and owns the necessary buildings for school purposes, and dwelling house for teacher. It also owns and keeps up a parsonage and graveyard; owning in all forty acres of land.
The Evangelical Bethel Church, of Concordia was organized in 1872. The original members were H. H. Klingenberg, Wm. Sodemann, Henry Meyer, F. C. Cook, J. P. Lohoefeuer, P. Steimman, H. Droege, and P. Esselmann. The building now occupied by this congregation is a frame one built in 1872, and costing $1,000. It was dedicated in same year by the Rev. H. Hoefer. The following named pastors have officiated since the organization: H. Hoefer, F. Frankenfeld, H. Torbitzky, Rev .. Haenelt and C. Kantz, who is the present incumbent. Present member- ship is thirty.
The Concordia Library Society was organized in 1880, and is composed of eighteen members, of whom the following are the present officers: W. F. Walkenhorst, president; D. H. Smith, librarian; F. H. Bartman, treasurer. The object of this society, a very laudable one, is to prepare a resort for the youth of the city, and to place before them suitable books for their perusal, which will tend to keep them from frequenting grog shops, saloons, and other disreputable places. They have already pur- chased, as a nucleus, fifty volumes of miscellaneous literature, consisting of books of travel, biographies, histories, first-class novels, etc. The inten- tion is to increase their collection as fast as possible.
Herman Lodge No. 380, I. O. O. F., at Concordia, was instituted Janu- ary 1, 1878, by H. Sinaner, D. D. G. M. The date of the charter is May 23, 1878. The following are the names of the charter members: E. F. Ninas, Henry Meyer, William Lodeman, Gustave Wohrenbrock, Henry Ficken, H. W. Thieman, W. F. Walkenhorst, J. H. Powell, J. W. Wal- kenhorst. Names of the first officers: E. F. Ninas, N. G .; H. W. Thie- man, V. G .; H. Ficken, secretary; Gustave Walkenbrock, treasurer. The present officers are E. A. Taylor, N. G .; C. W. Kernerly, V. G .; A. Nelgner, secretary; J. H. Powell, treasurer. The number of mem- bers is twenty-seven. There are no grand lodge members. The house is a frame.
A flouring mill was built by Henry Baepler & Sons, in 1877; two and one-half stories high, with basement; costing $10,300. Amount of pro- ducts last year was 4000 bbl flour, which was principally sold in markets of St. Louis at $5.00 per barrel. This mill was shipped from California, Missouri, at a cost of $2,500.
A flouring mill was built in Concordia, by Mr. John Q. Klingenbrog.
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HISTORY OF LAFAYETTE COUNTY.
A frame cased with brick, three stories high, with basement, and the capi- tal invested in the mill and grounds, machinery, etc., is $10,000. Employs three hands. The products of the past year was 4000 barrels flour, the market value of which was $5.25 per barrel; partly sold at home and partly at St. Louis. Also manufactures corn meal and shipstuff.
ROBBERY OF THE CONCORDIA BANK.
One of the most daring of the numerous robberies which have occurred in various localities during the last few years, was that of the bank at Con- cordia, of which the following is a brief statement: On the 29th of August, 1878, at one and a half o'clock, while the cashier, Mr. Henry Ficken, was seated at his desk engaged in writing, two men presented themselves at the counter and one of them asked for change for a bill which he threw down. Mr. F. turned to the money drawer to accommo- date him, and while his back was turned, the robber, a powerful fellow, jumped over the counter, seized Mr. Ficken in such a manner as to render him powerless to move or cry out. Robber number two then presented a pistol at his head and demanded the money. They compelled him to open the safe, took out the contents, which amounted to about $4,000, placed them in a flour sack, and with a confederate who had been guard- ing the entrance, on the outside, succeeded in making their escape with their booty, upon horses which had been previously hitched a short dis- tance from the bank.
In July, 1863, a party of about thirty-five bushwhackers came across Davis creek, to where Concordia now stands, and killed Lewis Fiene, Wm. Schornhorst, D. Karston, and Conrad Brunes. They were made to stand up in a row, and when the shooting at them commenced some started to run, but they were all killed.
On the 10th of October, 1864, the citizens of Concordia were thrown into consternation, bythe report that a party of bushwhackers were in the neighborhood. The alarm was given by the blowing of a horn. The citizens gathered at the Lutheran Church, and a company, numbering about 100 men, was rapidly organized, under the command of Capt. . Pepper and Lieut. Stunkle. About fifty were mounted. They started in pursuit of the bushwhackers, the mounted men dividing into two parties, of about twenty-five each, the one going east, and the other north- east, in order to head them off before crossing Davis creek. The party which went east encountered the enemy, about 100 strong, and observing the inequality of numbers, immediately turned, and fled toward the settle- ment, closely pursued by the bushwhackers, who shot them down along the way. Only five or six escaped. The following is an incomplete list of the murdered: Capt. George Pepper, Lieut. Lewis Stunkle, F. Walk- enhorst, Fritz Brunes, Henry Brunes, Fritz Meyer, C. Wahrenbrock, H.
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