History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri, Part 101

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166

USA > Missouri > St Charles County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 101
USA > Missouri > Montgomery County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 101
USA > Missouri > Warren County > History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri > Part 101

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).

946

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

CHARLES SPITZHIRN

(Dealer in Pure Drugs, School Books, Stationery, Fine Cigars, Confectionery, Etc., Wellsville, Mo.).

In 1867, when Mr. Spitzhirn was yet in early boyhood, only about eight years of age, his father, John Spitzhirn, emigrated from Baden, in Germany, his native country, to the United States and located at Chillicothe, (). . While there his (John's) wife and family, consisting of a daughter and son (Charles), also came over, and upon leaving Chillicothe they settled at Waverly, O., where the father was en- gaged in mercantile business until his death in 1879. Charles was born on the Rhine, April 7, 1858, but was reared at Waverly, O. He received a good common school education, and after attaining his majority came to St. Louis, where he remained for a short time. He then came to Wellsville in 1880, and clerked in a drug store for a few months. After this he entered a drug store to learn pharmacy and the drug business generally, and spent four years in the store. At the expiration of this time, having economized his means, he bought an established drug house at this place and began business on his own account, which he has ever since continued. He has a neat store and a first-class stock of good, pure drugs, and is doing an excellent business. He has a high reputation among physicians in this branch of the drug business, and his store is justly very popular with the public generally. August 1, 1883, Mr. Spitzhirn was married to Miss Mollie, a daughter of James Paxton (deceased ), late of this county. Mrs. S. is a member of the Baptist Church.

ENOCH M. STEERE, (Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Like not a few of the worthy and substantial citizens of Montgom- ery county, the subject of the present sketch is a New Englander by nativity and bringing up. He was born at Providence, R. I., August 28, 1825, and was a son of Anthony and Deborah ( Wade) Steere, both of old Rhode Island families. Mr. Steere's grandfather, Oliver Wade, was a fife-major in the American army during the War of 1812. Enoch M. Steere was reared at Providence, R. I., and received a good common-school education. When about nineteen years of age he received an injury in the left leg which resulted in making him a cripple for life. In 1845 he began to learn the machinist's trade at Burrillville, R. I., at which he worked for two years. He then learned the sash, door and blind business in a factory at Burrillville, at which he worked some five years. In 1854 he went to Tioga county, Penn- sylvania, where he carried on a factory in the above line until 1861. Selling out in 1861, however, he was occupied with miscellaneous business for nearly two years, when, in 1863, he enlisted in the Thir- ty-fifth Pennsylvania infantry, as a member of Co. G. This enlist- ment, however, was only for a short time, to resist the rebel raid in

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

the State at that time. After this he was honorably discharged, and he then bought a farm in Steuben county, N. Y., where he was en- gaged in farming for about three years. In 1868 he sold out in New York and came to Missouri, buying the land where he now resides, the following year. Mr. Steere has been engaged in farming ever since coming to Montgomery county, sixteen years ago, and has been satisfactorily successful. He has nearly 500 acres of fine land, 200 acres of which are in his homestead, and the balance in other farms .. On the 16th of May, 1849, Mr. Steere was married to Miss Abigail Clark, a daughter of Eleazer Clark, formerly of Pennsylvania, and an old soldier in the War of 1812. Also her grandfather Clark was a Revolutionary soldier. This wife survived, however, only four years after her marriage, leaving two children at her death - Charles, a prominent lawyer of Boston, Mass., and Allen, a successful farmer of Humboldt county, Ia. To his present wife Mr. Steere was married March 14, 1858. She was a Miss Emily J. Burlingame, a daughter of William Burlingame (deceased ), of Rhode Island. Three chil- dren are the fruits of this union : William A., educated at the State University of Missouri, where he took a three years' course, and he is now assisting to carry on the farm ; Abbie T., a young lady gradu- ate of Stephen College, Columbia ; and Emma D., who has taken a course of two and a half years at Stephen College, but has not yet graduated. Mrs. S. and her three children are members of the Bap- tist Church, and Mr. S. is a prominent member of the I. O. O. F. He is now serving his tenth year as school director of his district, and has at different times served on the grand and petit juries in Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, New York and Missouri.

CAPT. HENRY R. STETSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Among the very many patriotic young men of the North who bravely offered themselves as volunteers for the defense of the old flag when the war broke out, was the subject of the present sketch, who was then a young man early in his twenties. He came of a sturdy old New England family on his father's side-the Stetsons, of Vermont; and on his mother's side he was from the Ketchums, of New York. He was born in Franklin county, New York, January 21, 1838, a son of Clement Stetson and wife, nee Susan Ketchum; and when fifteen years of age his parents removed to Winnebago county, Wis. He had already taken a good course in the excellent schools of Franklin county, N. Y., and after the removal of the family to Wisconsin, he entered Milton College of Rock county, in the latter State, where he continued a student for three years. After graduating, he engaged in teaching, which he continued with increas- ing success and reputation until after the outbreak of the war. Then he promptly enlisted in Co. E, Twenty-second Wisconsin infantry, and served until peace was restored. He entered the army as a private, and by meritorious conduct as a soldier, rose by successive promotions to the

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

command of his company, which he held at the time his command was honorably mustered out of the service at the close of the war. He parti- cipated in the grand review at Washington City after the declaration of peace in 1865. Capt. Stetson was with Sherman on the famous march to the sea and in all the battles fought during that long and perilous campaign. At Resaca he was severely wounded, and at Brentwood the whole regiment of which he was a member, including himself, was captured. An exchange was effected, however, about thirty days afterwards, and he resumed his place in the army. After the war he returned to Wisconsin and engaged in merchandising at Milton. In 1869 Capt. Stetson removed to Missouri and engaged in farming and teaching school in St. Charles county. Two years later he removed to Warren county. In 1874 he came to Montgomery county and bought a tract of sixty acres of land, a part of the place where he now resides, and where he engaged in farming. Now he has a good homestead containing 220 acres and the balance of almost a quarter section is in a separate tract. On the 15th of July, 1862, Capt. Stetson was married in Wisconsin to Miss Emma C. Robbins, a daughter of Anthony Robbins formerly of New York. Mrs. Stet- son was a popular school teacher both before and after her marriage. They have lost three children - two in infancy, and one, a daughter, Miss Beulah, aged seventeen years, who died December 13,. 1883.

WILLIAM STEWART

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Wm. Stewart was born in Ireland, February 8, 1830, but is of English decent, and was a son of John Stewart and wife, nee Mary A. McCalbey. When he was 17 years of age the family immigrated to the United States and located at Warrensburg, N. Y., where the father died soon afterwards. William completed his adolescence at War- rensburg, and in 1857 went to the vicinity of Grand Rapids, Mich., where he followed farming for about two years. While there, Nov- ember 7, 1857, he was married to Miss Francis A., a daughter of Alex. Harper, also formerly of Ireland, but of English descent. In the fall of 1859, Mr. S. removed to St. Louis county and engaged in farm- ing. In the spring of 1862 he enlisted under Admiral Porter in the gunboat service, in which he continued until the close of the war. He was in nearly all the important engagements on the lower Missis- sippi and its navigable tributaries, including the siege of Vicksburg, the battles of Corinth, Arkansas Post, Ft. Donelson, Ft. Henry, Island No. 10, Alexander and others. He was taken sick at Arkansas Post and disabled three weeks, and, indeed, has never fully recovered from this disability. His wife was employed in the quartermaster's department, at St. Louis while he was absent in the naval service. After the war he was on the police force of St. Louis for about two years and then for two years was a street car conductor. In 1869 he removed to Aurora, Ill., and bought property and worked in the C., B. & Q. railway shops, where he continued for about six years. He

949

HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

then removed to Montgomery county and settled where he now re- sides. He had bought his land here in 1861, a tract of 175 acres, where he has improved his farm. Mr. S. has a good place and is an energetic farmer. He and wife have one child : Florence, aged nine years. They are members of the Congregational Church, and he is a member of the Masonic order at Wellsville.

JACOB L. SWOPE

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Swope is of an old Pennsylvania German family, the founder of the family in this country having settled in the Keystone State from the old Fatherland prior to the American Revolution. As early as 1801 Mr. Swope's grandfather removed from Pennsylvania with his family and settled in Fairfield county, Ohio, where Thomas Swope, the father of the subject of this sketch, grew to manhood. About the time of attaining his majority Thomas Swope was married to Miss Rebecca L. Le Fevre, also formerly of Pennsylvania, and of the same family of which Hon. Benjamin Le Fevre, member of Congress from Ohio, is a representative. Thomas Swope commenced life for him- self a poor man, indeed, but succeeded in becoming a wealthy farmer. He was a large landholder in Ohio, and owned valuable real estate in other States. He entered land in Montgomery county in an early day, which included the tract on which Jacob L. now resides. He died at his homestead in Ohio, August 13, 1884, at the advanced age of 85. He and his good wife left a family of 10 children, five sons and the same number of daughters. Jacob L. Swope was born on the family homestead in Ohio, July 1, 1831, and grew to manhood in his native county. In 1852, at the age of 22, he came further West to Illinois on a prospecting tour, but shortly returned home to Ohio. In 1854 he came to Missouri and bought the land of his father which the latter had previously entered at an early day. He has nearly 700 acres of fine land, all in one body and improved, which is his homestead, and besides this he has another place a few miles dis- tant. During the war Mr. Swope served in the Union army the first year until the close of that long and unhappy struggle. He was first under Gen. Henderson and then under Gen. Guitar, and participated in all the engagements in which his commands took part. After the war he returned home and resumed farming, which he has since fol- lowed with good success. April 4, 1858, he was married to Miss Lucinda Sturgeon, a daughter of William A, and Margaret (Wolfley) Sturgeon, formerly of Marion county, Ohio. Mrs. S. is a member of the Missionary Baptist Church.

WILLIAM R. WAKELY

(Retired Farmer and Business Man, Wellsville).

Mr. Wakely has had an active career in industrial and business affairs, extending together over a period of nearly fifty years, and one that

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

has been rewarded with satisfactory and ample success. He was born in Washington county, N. Y., August 9, 1817. The Wakely family came originally from Massachusetts, and Mr. Wakely's grand- parents removed to New York while his father, Robert Wakely, was yet in his childhood. His father was reared in the latter State, and served as a volunteer from New York in the War of 1812. Mr. Wakely's mother was of an old family in the Empire State. His parents owned a farm in Washington county and were in comfortable circumstances. William R. was given a good common-school educa- tion, and at the age of 22 engaged in mercantile business at Kirksville, N. Y. About 10 years later he sold out and entered largely into the canal transportation business, bought nearly 20 canal boats, and for four years was heavily engaged in this line of business. In 1853 Mr. Wakely resumed merchandising, and continued it with success at Kirksville until his removal to Missouri in 1858. Here he bought land about three miles north of Wellsville and improved a farm, where he engaged in farming, and later along in dealing in and shipping stock. He continued on his farm for some 10 years, when he sold it and removed to Wellsville. Here he formed a partnership with Benj. Sharp in the grain business and built an elevator, doing for several years a large grain business. He and O. H. Wise, now deceased, also established a drug store, which they carried on for about three years. Mr. W. retired from the grain business in 1874. In 1876 he removed to California, locating at San Jose, where he remained for about six years operating in real estate and loaning money. But in 1882 he returned to Wellsville with the view of making it his permanent home. Here he has a handsome residence property, and is living in retire- ment from business pursuits. Mr. Wakely was married at Syracuse, N. Y., to Miss Halvania M. Peck some 30 odd years ago. She is a daughter of Myron B. Peck, of Syracuse, and was reared and educated in that city. Mr. and Mrs. W. have reared two children, but one of whom is now living - Mary, a young lady still at home with her parents. The other, Ione, died at the age of 17, in 1871. Mr. W. is a prominent member of the Masonic order.

MARSHALL WASHINGTON

(Dealer in and Shipper of Live-stock, Post-office, Wellsville).

For years Mr. Washington has been known and recognized as one of the leading stock traders throughout the north-western part of Montgomery county, and the neighboring parts of Callaway and Audrain counties, and there is probably no better judge of stock than- he in the country. He does a large business, and his standing as a buyer is most excellent as his principle is to succeed in business by legitimate trade only. Mr. Washington comes of a family that stands second to none in this country, or in history. He represents a branch of the same family from which Gen. Washington, "The Father of His Country," sprang. Mr. W.'s grandfather, Edward Washington, was a first cousin to Gen. Washington, the last two being the sons of

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

brothers. The Washington family, even before the Revolution, as everyone knows, was one of the best families of Virginia - people of high character, superior culture and large wealth. So Mr. Washing- ton's grandfather was a man of large intelligence and abundant means ; and from him Mr. W.'s father, Edward S. Washington, in- herited considerable property. The latter, after his marriage in Vir- ginia, Miss Annie E. Elsea having become his wife, removed to Kentucky, where he bought a farm and resided, extensively engaged in farming, until 1849. He owned about 50 slaves and other large property interests. From Kentucky he removed to Missouri and set- tled in Callaway county. There he bought large tracts of land and improved an extensive farm. His place contained about 1,000 acres, which was devoted mainly to the stock business. His wife died in 1864, and some years after that he discontinued housekeeping, and for some time past has made his home with his son, A. O. Wash- ington, of Callaway county. Marshall Washington was born while his parents were residents of Kentucky, in Fayette county, May 10, 1839. He was principally reared, however, in Callaway county, Mo., and was educated at Central College, in Fayette, Mo. In 1859 he went to Pike's Peak, but returned in about eight months on account of ill-health. In 1861 he enlisted in the Southern service under Col. Riggins, in Harris's brigade, and afterwards took part in the battle of Lexington, going thence South with his command. Later along he returned home on furlough, but was soon taken prisoner. His health failing again, he was released on a $10,000 bond. Some time after Mr. Washington engaged in the stock business, and has ever since followed it. He removed to Wellsville in 1879, but had pre- viously bought stock in this vicinity and shipped from here for a number of years. In the fall of 1873 Mr. W .. was married to Miss Jennie Offutt, a daughter of 'Squire Eli Offutt, an early settler of Callaway county, from Virginia. She, however, was an invalid at the time of her marriage and survived only a year afterwards. Sep- tember 10, 1879, Mr. Washington was married to his present wife, formerly Miss Lizzie Arnold, a daughter of William Arnold, of Wells- ville. Mrs. W. is an accomplished lady, and quite pleasant and en- gaging in conversation. She was educated at the Danville High School, at Kansas City, and at the Convent in St. Charles. Mr. and Mrs. W. have one child, Marshall, Jr. An infant daughter, Jennie, is deceased. Mrs. W. is a member of the M. E. Church South, and Mr. Washington belongs to the A. O. U. W.

CHASTAIN W. WHITE

(Of Blattner & White, Dealers in and Shippers of Grain and Stock, Wellsville).

Mr. White, who is one of the prominent young business men of the north-western part of the county, a member of one of the leading grain and stock firms on the line of the Wabash in this section of the State, is a Virginian, or was until he came to Missouri in 1871. He was born in King George county, June 24, 1854, and was a son of John W.

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

White, of that county, who was an officer in the Confederate army during the war, and was twice wounded, once being shot through the body, at Gettysburg. He is still a resident of King George county. Chastain W. was reared to the age of 17 in that county, and received a good common and high-school education. In 1871 he came to Mis- souri, and resided in St. Charles county, on a farm, principally, for three years, or until he was 20 years of age. He then crossed over in Warren county, where he lived for six years, during three years of which he was farming and the rest of the time merchandising. By this time he had made a good start, and in 1880 he sold out in War- ren county and came to Wellsville, forming his present partnership with Mr. Blattner. They built a business house and engaged in mer- chandising, and followed it with success for four years. Meanwhile they had also engaged in the grain and stock business, and last spring they disposed of their store in order to give their whole time and at- tention to grain and stock. In 1880 they bought an elevator at this place, and have since been shipping grain in large quantities. This is Mr. Blattner's special branch of business. Messrs. Blattner & White handle about $300,000 worth of grain and stock annually, $160,000 of the former and $140,000 of the latter. November 22, 1883, Mr. White was married to Miss Addie Cottle, a daughter of Ora Cottle, Esq., a retired farmer residing in Wellsville.

ANDREW WICKLEIN

(Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Mr. Wicklein is a native of Germany, born Angust 6, 1828. When he was 10 years of age, in 1838, his parents, Henry and Margaret (Longhein ) Wicklein, immigrated to America and settled in Randolph county, Ill., where Andrew grew to manhood. October 15, 1861, he was married to Miss Caroline Stein, also formerly of Germany. After his marriage Mr. Wicklein settled on a farm in Randolph county, Ill., where he was engaged in farming until 1882, when he sold his place in that county and removed to Montgomery county, Mo., buying his present place, situated about a mile from Wellsville. Here he has continued to reside. His farm contains 200 acres, and he has 40 acres of good timber tributary to his place. He also has a neat farm of 80 acres two miles north of Wellsville. Mr. and Mrs. W. have five children, namely : Emily, who is now the wife of Charles Lohr- ing; Caroline, now the wife of Charle Huth ; Louise, now the wife of Charles Stock ; and Henry and Hermann. Mr. and Mrs. W. are members of the Lutheran Church. Mr. Wicklein is a man of untiring industry, frugal habits and sterling character, and has made all he possesses by his own exertions and personal worth.

CAPT. WILLIAM A. WOODS (Farmer, Post-office, Wellsville).

Capt. Woods, a substantial farmer of this township and well known among the Democrats of Montgomery county as one of their most ac-

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HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY.

tive and valued party workers, was a young man when the California gold excitement broke out about the close of 1848, and was very naturally drawn into the current of emigration westward to the Pacific coast. He and a large number of others in Lincoln county, this State, organized a company to cross the plains and engage in min- ing in California, he being made captain of the company, whence comes his proenomen, as given above. He was absent in California about a year and returned by way of New Orleans and Panama. November 12, 1857, he was married to Miss Taresa Sanford, a daughter of Calisthenes E. Sanford, of Lincoln county, but for- merly of Kentucky. The same year of his marriage he came to Montgomery county and bought the land where he now resides, on which he improved his present farm. He has a good place of over 160 acres, and is comfortably situated. Capt. Woods takes an active interest in local politics and is almost invariably a delegate to differ- ent conventions held in his township and county. For himself he has never sought for any office of prominence, but has held various local positions, such as road overseer, school director, etc. The Captain and Mrs. Woods have nine children : Alexander, Mary H., wife of Charles Bassard ; Bettie, Sanford C., Sallie, John, George, Samuel and Mattie. The Captain and his wife and two daughters are members of the Christian Church and he has been a member of the Masonic order for nearly 35 years. He was born in Augusta county, Va., November 25, 1825, and was a son of Alexander and Hannah (Thompson) Woods, his father originally from Ireland, but his mother from Scotland. In 1829 they removed to Kentucky and settled in Fayette county, where both parents lived until their death. William A. Woods came to Missouri in 1840, being then a youth only 15 years of age. He came out with some friends and located in Lincoln county, where he lived, barring the time he went to California, until his removal to Montgomery county in 1857.

WARREN COUNTY, MO.

HISTORY

WARREN COUNTY, MISSOURI.

CHAPTER I.

Introduction -The Organization of Warren County - Original French Settlers - Ar- rival of Daniel Boone - Kennedy's Fort -The Massaere of the Ramsey Family -- Death of Capt. Callaway - The Boone's Lick Road -- Geological and Physical Feat- ures.

The duties of the writer who compiles historical facts and whose work, in its completeness, must be subjected to the varying criticisms of people living in his own age, and who are conversant with and inter- ested in the facts which he presents, are indeed of a difficult nature. Three great attributes are imperatively demanded of him who under- takes such a task. He must be truthful in his statements, accurate as to data and as terse as intelligent and lucid description or explanation will permit. A vivid imagination can not be relied upon, or even per- mitted to assist in literary work of this character, neither can a pro- pensity for fine descriptive writing be indulged. In this review of the events that make up the history of Warren county, no efforts will be made to clothe the narrative in the beautiful and enchanting language of an Irving, or the ponderous and elegant paragraphs of a McCaul- ley. The publishers assume, that, when they have given to their readers the result of their researches, and placed before them the chief events that constitute the past history of the county, they have per- formed the full measure of their duty.

The lapse of time, the advance of civilization, the wonderful scien- tific discoveries, that within the past 40 years have added so much to the comfort and pleasure of the world, have had the effect to make life so roseate with the hue of an easy-going and tranquil existence,

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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.

that the privations, hardships and dangers of the pioneer settlers are overlooked, undervalued and forgotten.

Eighty-three years have elapsed since the first intrepid and adven- turous settlers discovered the boundless advantages in soil and climate, and the geographical beauties of the country, now so richly blessed with all that creates peace, plenty and prosperity. At that time this region was the home of the predatory savage, and life to the settler was a constant struggle to protect his property, maintain a home, and rear the children, who became the bone and sinew of a happy and contented community, and whose descendants to-day enjoy the rewards which have followed these sacrifices.

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History of St. Charles, Montgomery, and Warren counties, Missouri, written and comp. from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri, Part 101

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.) Publication date: 1885 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1166

Author: National Historical Company (St. Louis, Mo.)
Publication date: 1885
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1166