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 114
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 114
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 114
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1075
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
000. The St. Louis and Belleville districts have passed resolutions requesting the conference to authorize the building of a new chapel, large enough to accommodate students and members of the society at Warrenton in their meetings for religious worship. This will require an $8,000 or a $10,000 building.
A committee has been at work planning a building for library and museum purposes, and the erection of the same will be undertaken at no distant day. The department of music, under Prof. W. A. Sauer, is fast making a conservatory of music a pressing necessity. At the commencement of 1884 there were six classical graduates, six in the scientific, one in the normal, two in the theological, and two in the musical course, besides about 20 in the commercial course. Some excellent work in crayon was done in the art department. The library now contains about 3,000 volumes, to which annual additions will be made. Prof. Henry Vosholl is librarian. The reading room contains some of the best daily and weekly newspapers, together with the best monthlies in both the German and English languages. There are four literary societies. The Goetheman Society, Germania Verein, Clio- nian Society, and Garfield Society, all in a flourishing condition. The third named is a society of young ladies, the other three of gentle- men. The first two have halls nicely fitted up and furnished with musical instruments. The Union Temperance Association is also a college society, and is doing much for that great cause.
MUSEUM APPARATUS AND COLLECTIONS.
The school is supplied with the necessary apparatus to illustrate and explain the subjects of chemistry and physics by means of experiments. Students in astronomy have the use of a six foot, five inch diameter refracting telescope. The museum contains a large number of speci- mens illustrating mineralogy, geology, zoology and applied sciences ; skeletons and charts for teaching physiology, and a herbarium for students in botany ; also an archæological collection from China and various parts of America.
By the liberality of Messrs. F. G. and W. F. Niedringhaus, of the St. Louis Stamping Company, the Niedringhaus-Professorship of His- torical and Practical Theology was established at the last meeting of the board of trustees (June, 1884), and Rev. E. F. Stroeter, of the North-western German Conference, was elected to fill the chair. Prof. Jno. P. Pfaff, principal of the preparatory department, after seven years' service, resigned last June, and A. W. Stuhrmann, A. B., and - have been elected to teach in this department.
1076
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
DISTINCTIVE FEATURE.
A characteristic feature of the college is the special attention it pays to German. The German language is indispensable to the business man, the lawyer and the physician. Young men and ladies who are able to speak, write, or teach German, are preferred in many vocations of life, and therefore command higher salaries. The facilities of the college for giving students not only a theoretical, but a practical mas- tery of the language are unequaled by any college in the West. The majority of the students, so far, are of German parentage. German is used as a medium of instruction in about one-fourth of the classes. One of the four literary societies, Germania Verein, conducts its ex- ercises entirely in the German language. All of the professors speak German, and four of them finished their education in Germany. Up to the year of 1881, none but German catalogues were published, since then catalogues are issued in both German and English. The officers of the Board of Trustees and members of the Faculty, as at present constituted, are given below. The numbers accompanying each name, signify the year of appointment.
Board of Trustees - Rev. William Koeneke, D. D., 1881, President ; A. H. Boothe, Esq., 1882, Secretary ; Rev. H. A. Koch, D. D., 1874, Treasurer. Faculty- Rev. H. A. Cook, D. D., 1857, President and Professor of Ancient Languages. Jno. H. Frick, A. M., 1870, Pro- fessor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences ; Wm. Albert Sauer, A. M., 1866-68, 1875, Professor of Music and French ; Henry Vosholl, A. M., 1871-76, 1878, Professor of English Language and History ; Jno. Louis Kessler, Phy. D., 1879, Schrader-Professor of Theology and Philosophy ; Jno. M. Rinkel, A. M., 1881, Kessler-Professor of German Language and Literature; Rev. Ernst F. Streter, 1884, Nie- dringhaus-Professor of Practical and Historical Theology ; Jno. H. Tiemann, 1884, Assistant Professor of Music ; Preparatory depart- ment ; Henry Vosholl, A. M., 1884, Principal, A. W. Stuhnman, A. B., assistant ; Henry Vosholl, A. M., Librarian ; Jno. H. Frick, A. M., Curator of Museum.
CENTRAL WESLYAN ORPHAN ASYLUM.
[Contributed].
The organization, location and purposes of this institution have already been given in the history of the college. They both existed under the same corporate name and were under the control of the same board of trustees until the year 1882, when the conference ap-
1077
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
pointed a separate board for the asylum. At the first Revs. G. Boes- henz, H. Pfaff and F. W. Meyer, respectively, had charge of the insti- tution for a short time, and then followed the administration of Rev. Phil. Kuhl, or Papa Kuhl as he was and is stilled called. He was president of the corporation, pastor in charge for a time, and also presiding elder of the Warrenton district. President Kuhl was very active and enterprising and strove earnestly to build up the interests of both college and asylum, and also of the town and county.
Some of the plans for furthering the cause, however, proved failures, notably the organization of the Orphan's Benefit Insurance Company. Many of the friends of asylum and college invested their surplus funds in this enterprise in the hope of benefiting "the orphans. But the enterprise proved a total failure, and the orphans not only derived no benefit of the same, but the stockholders themselves lost more or less of the stock invested. This was indeed most unfortunate for the asylum as it caused a lukewarmness among its friends, and for a number of years the contributions for its support decreased. It is proper here to state that the asylum is supported by contributions from the members of the German M. E. Church and their friends. Another means of support was derived from the boarding department which was in connection with the asylum from the beginning until the year 1878. While the asylum thus derived assistance from the school, it at the same time furnished the means of support to many a poor student. These found work, and liberal wages, on the asylum farm and woods. Many acres of timber land have been cleared and thousands of cords of wood have been chopped by students who thus educated head, hand and heart together. The farm at first consisted of over 600 acres, the entire Truesdail estate, but over 200 acres have been sold in small tracts and town lots. At present the asylum has about 150 acres in cultivation and the balance in pasture. A large orchard of fruit trees has been planted and is at present producing large quantities of fruit. The crops raised are chiefly wheat, oats and hay. The farm is kept well stocked with horses, cattle and hogs. It has therefore been no small factor in the support of the orphan family, and in fact, during the administration of Dr. Koch from 1872 to 1878, the farm and boarding department were the chief reliance of the asylum. In 1878, Rev. Chas. Heidel succeeded Dr. Koch and not being encumbered with the many duties pertaining to the school, he could go out and solicit aid for the asylum among its friends. Again liberal contribu- tions began to come in, and the necessities of the institution have been receiving more attention ever since.
-
1078
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
In 1880, Rev. C. F. Schlinger was appointed superintendent of the asylum and farm and his administration is giving general satisfac- tion.
The boys are taught to work in the fields, gardens and orchards ; also the care of stock. The girls are taught to do cooking, house- work and sewing.
For some years the orphans received instructions in the primary department of the college, but since that department has been discon- tinued, they have had a separate school of their own in which they receive instructions in both the German and English in the elementary branches. Those more advanced receive free tuition in the college and may make a full course in any of the departments. The following persons have had charge of the orphan school : -
Mr. W. A. Sauer, Miss Amelia Heidel, Miss Lydia Geisinger, Miss Mary Witt and Miss Sophia Schlinger. The orphan children have organizad a literary society, and have given some very creditable public entertainments.
From first to last they have been instructed in the principles of the Christian religion and good morals.
It will thus be seen that these poor unfortunates may have received a good home and a sufficient training to assist them in becoming good citizens. At an early day more applications were received than the facilities of the asylum would admit of receiving. Additions to the buildings were made from time to time, and the average number of children have been about 30 to 35. The old buildings were fast be- coming dilapidated, and in the year 1881 the question of either build- ing a new building or uniting with the orphan asylum of the church at Berea, Ohio, was raised and discussed. A vote was ordered to be taken by the various societies of the church in the St. Louis and West- ern German Conferences, as to whether the orphans should be removed to Berea or a new building erected.
A majority of societies voting opposed the proposed union with Berea, and the conferences accordingly, in 1882, authorized the erec- tion of a new building here at Warrenton. The separation of college and orphan asylum was authorized, and the same was effected in 1884, the asylum retaining all the land except about 30 acres for college camping. Messrs. F. G. and Wm. F. Niedringhaus offered to donate 30 acres of land, worth $10,000, in the immediate vicinity of St. Louis, provided the conferences would build a $15,000 new orphan asylum upon it. On account of this provision and the great opposition to a removal the offer was not accepted, and the confer-
1079
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
ences again authorized the trustees to proceed with the erection of a new building.
The contract for building the same has been let, and it will be com- pleted in the spring of 1885 at a cost of $10,000. The building will be large enough to accommodate from 50 to 60 children. It is to be of brick, two stories high and a basement, and to be heated by steam. By wise and an economical management, a building fund has been accumulated, which now amounts to $7,000.
The present officers of the corporation are Rev. H. F. Koeneke, president ; Rev. J. A. Miller, vice-president; Rev. Henry Schuetz, secretary ; Rev. John H. Hilmer, A. M., treasurer; Rev. C. F. Schlinger, superintendent.
REMOVAL OF THE DEPOT. -
When the North Missouri Railway reached Truesdale a passenger and freight depot was erected, and this remained the station for War- renton proper until 1883. The many inconveniences to which resi- dents were subjected aroused them to make an effort to have the depots removed to a more central and desirable location, nearer the business and residence portion of the town. Leading citizens made every effort to accomplish that end, but for over twenty years the combined opposition of the railway authorities and the citizens of Truesdale prevented the removal.
The following account of the opening exercises attending the com- pletion of the new depot is taken from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of March 28, 1883 : -
Warrenton has at last been made a railroad town in the full mean- ing of the term, after a persistent struggle on the part of its citizens extending over a period of 26 years. The people are jubilant over this tardy recognition of their rights and gave vent to their feelings by celebrating their new depot victory Tuesday night with an illumin- ation, public presentations, fire-works and a ball and supper.
Warrenton is a thriving village on the Wabash Railroad, and peo- ple are noted for the genial hospitality, solid business houses, an im- posing court house and the Central Wesleyan College building.
Truesdale, the former stopping place on the railroad for Warren- ton, is a mile and a quarter east, and was made the stopping point in 1857, when the old North Missouri Railroad was first opened. The injustice of this is all the more apparent, when it is remembered that Warren county subscribed and paid $50,000 in cash to build the road. Protests loud and strong were entered at the time, but all to no avail. Stockholders of the road secured possession of the land, located the rival town of Truesdale, and the depot was located there.
63
1080
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
This new depot is within its city limits, at the foot of Market street, and in close proximity to the business portion of the town. The structure cost $2,800, of which amount $1,200 was paid by citizens. It is neatly finished with ladies' and gentlemen's waiting rooms, which are divided by the office of the agent, Mr. Sweeney. Great prepara- tions were made for a demonstration in honor of its completion, and a most enthusiastic celebration occurred.
BRASS BAND.
In June, 1868, the young men of Warrenton determined to organize a brass band. The instruments were purchased, and Prof. Roy Drake, of Chillicothe, was secured as teacher. During the summer the ladies of the town arranged for a strawberry festival at the court house for the benefit of the band. Quite a sum of money was real- ized, and the members united in the following letter to the ladies who had so cheerfully aided them : -
To Mrs. J. H. Pulliam, Mrs. L. J. Dryden, Mrs. Henry Parker, Mrs. C. E. Peers, Miss Ella Faulconer, Misses Tidswells, Miss Helen Morsey, Mrs. Middelkamp, Mrs. Chas. Prudhome, Mrs. Kuhle, Mrs. Morris, Mrs. Riddle and others : -
The members of the Warrenton Brass Band take this method of expressing to you their sincere thanks for your assistance in prepar- ing the eatables and decorating the house for the band festival on last Saturday evening. Be assured by your kindness you will ever be held in kind remembrance by Yours, thankfully,
JOHN MIDDELKAMP, JOHN CULLOM, W. A. JONES, JAMES H. RIDDLE, W. L. MORSEY, JAMES TEASSE, C. E. PEERS, W. H. DELVENTHAL, N. M. MCFADDEN, R. RITTER, JR., R. B. SPEED.
In the early days, Harold Sanders kept the " Warrenton Central Hotel," a portion of which is now the Central Hotel at Warrenton. Sanders was a famous landlord and renowned throughout the country for his eccentricities and oddity of character. His house was widely known and under its roof many of the most distinguished men of the State have been royally entertained by Sanders and his wife, who was said to have been a fine housekeeper and an excellent cook. Sanders was a genial character ; and in the early days of the Warren county
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
bar was especially popular with the attorneys who practiced there. He removed to Montgomery county and died at Danville.
Among the well known landlords at Warrenton in the early times was Maj. J. H. Faulconer, who at one time kept the Olive House, a popular resort, now a portion of the Faulconer residence and store. In the early days of the North Missouri Railroad, the Olive House was headquarters for the pioneer contractors and officers, who occu- pied a portion of the building for office purposes, when Warrenton was the terminus of the line.
The first physician who located in Warrenton was Dr. Thos. Bate- man, who practiced there before the county was organized. Dr. Samuel Gregory, a Virginian ; Dr. C. H. Hughes, who now resides in St. Louis ; Dr. C. M. Johnson, now living in St. Charles ; Dr. C. W. Pringle, Dr. John Stewart and Dr. Robert Brascher, are all re- membered by the older citizens of Warrenton as among the early practitioners.
In the medical history of Warren county no name is more generally referred to with pride than that of Churchill G. Strother. Dr. Strother was a highly educated gentleman, and exceptionally fine phy- sician and withal an enterprising and public-spirited citizen, entering heartily into all schemes having for their aim the growth and pros- perity of the town. He died in Warrenton lamented by every one with whom he had associated during a useful and honorable life.
The ranks of the medical profession are now represented in Warren- ton by Dr. H. H. Middelkamp, who enjoys an extensive practice ; Dr. Werner Kamlah and Dr. J. C. Hoech.
In the winter of 1865 a debating society was formed in Warrenton, which at once became the center of attraction to both the young and old people of the town. Discussions were regularly held, the ques- tions at issue being argued with marked ability by professional and business men who worked diligently to make the society popular as a medium of education and to afford amusement for the people. The first officers of the society were J. S. Moody, president; E. J. Slater, vice-president ; Chas. E. Peers, secretary ; T. J. Tidswell, treasurer.
At one time during the history of the society a moot congress was organized, where, amid the forms of legislative proceeding, were ably discussed the public measures of the day. These debates were very popular and interesting, much interest being manifested by the people of the town who attended in crowds to hear the forensic efforts of the gentlemen who took part. The society continued in existence for several years but was finally discontinued.
1082
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The presence of an excellent quality of fire clay was known to exist in the vicinity of Warrenton, but no effort was made to develop this industry until 1879, when an association was formed to mine the clay for shipment. Messrs. C. E. Peers, W. L. Morsey and L. J. Dryden leased a tract of land, about one mile south of Warrenton, and the venture, although successful, was abandoned after a season or two, during which large quantities of clay were forwarded to St. Louis. The association is still in existence, but they are not operating the clay pits.
In 1870, the present court house was completed, giving to Warren county one of the most commodious public buildings in the State. It is located upon the public square; where was erected the first frame seat of justice in 1839, and occupieds the exact site of the first brick court house. Its beautiful outlines and imposing appearance add much to the attractions of Warrenton. The court rooms and offices are large, airy, well lighted and conveniently arranged for the trans- action of public business.
The business directory of Warrenton includes eight general stores, two blacksmiths, one hardware store, two hotels, one meat market, two tailors, two harness shops, one drug store, one shoemaker, one restaurant, two livery stables, two insurance agents, five physicians, two grist and saw mills, three wagon-makers, five lawyers, four saloons, three carpenters, one brick-maker and one cabinet-maker.
TRUESDALE.
The village of Truesdale derives its name from Mr. William Trues- dale, who was a civil engineer in the employ of the North Missouri Railroad. When the line reached the vicinity of the town Mr. Trues- dale purchased a large tract of land there from John Woodlan, one of the oldest residents of Elkhorn township, upon which he platted and laid out the village.
The railroad company erected a depot, engine house and coal sheds here, and Truesdale for a year or more was the western terminus of the line.
The earliest settlers were James Pate, who came from Virginia ; Stephen Austin, who came in 1857; Edward Wheeler, Alfred John- son, a very prominent business man in the early time ; Michael Kelly, an Irishman, who for years was a contractor on the line, and F. G. Meinersbagan.
The first store was opened in 1857 by Williams & Truesdale. James Woolsey operated a steam saw mill, and was known as an en-
1083
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
terprising citizen. In 1859 a commodious brick hotel was built near the depot, the supposition being that Truesdale was destined to become a large town. The house passed through many vissicitudes, and was finally burned to the ground in 1879.
For many years great rivalry existed between Warrenton and Truesdale regarding the location of depot facilities. The towns are but a mile apart, and Truesdale, having the depot, its citizens made a desperate effort to retain it, but were finally forced to succumb to their larger and more influential neighbor. The history of the change by which Warrenton secured the prize is given elsewhere in this work. The public school at Warrenton accommodates the children of Trues- dale. There are one or two stores here and a hotel, but since the days of the railroad extension the business of Truesdale has gradually been absorbed by Warrenton.
PENDLETON.
Pendleton is situated on the line of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway, six miles west of Warrenton, and 65 miles from St. Louis. Among the early settlers who located in the vicinity, years before the town was laid out, were Job Price, 1834; Capt. J. W . McFadden, 1848. Capt. McFadden is one of the best known men in the county, having been sheriff, judge of the county court, mem- ber of the Legislature, and at the present time is county surveyor. George Pitzer, 1818; George Wright, 1853; A. S. Wood, 1851. Mr. Wood was at one time judge of the county court. Robert D. Allen located here in 1848, and was a prominent citizen, having rep- resented Warren county in the Legislature. Pendleton was laid out by the railroad authorities in 1858, and has since enjoyed a thriving trade. A vast amount of hard wood lumber is annually shipped from this point. There are three general stores here, and the town is rapidly improving.
Among the old pioneer families of Warren county were the Skin- ners, who came into the county shortly after the year 1800, and set- tled in what is now Elkhorn township. John Skinner was a soldier in the British army, and was captured at the surrender of Yorktown. Shortly after he was taken sick, and was cared for by an old Virginia farmer who took him to his house and nursed him back to health.
Skinner raised a large family in this county and died here, and is buried near Pendleton.
1084
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
JUDGE CREED T. ARCHER
(Judge of the County Court and Retired Farmer, Post-office, Warrenton).
Identified with Warren county from its first settlement, Judge Archer is, perhaps, as well qualified as any old resident of the county to give an outline of its history, from personal observation and par- ticipation in its affairs. He came here a grown man in the pioneer days of the country, away back when the few people who were here dressed in a very primitive fashion - the men wearing buckskin clothes and the women homespun dresses. Wheat had not then been introduced, corn supplying material for breadstuff, and game being mainly relied upon for meat. The judge was from North Carolina, being born in Rockingham county, in 1809. His father, Charles Archer, was an Englishman by nativity and in early life a tailor by trade. When a young man he was drafted into the army in England and sent to Canada, where he deserted from the service, and fled thence to the United States. He subsequently married, in Bucking- ham county, Va., Miss Elizabeth Pryor, a daughter of David Pryor, of that State, becoming his wife. From Virginia he removed to Rockingham county, N. C., where he engaged in farming and reared a family of eight children, most of whom lived to reach mature years and marry. The judge is the only one, however, now living. After he grew up he came to Warren county, as stated above, and settled three miles north-east of Warrenton, where he still resides. In 1837 he was married to Miss Annie Taggart, a daughter of James Taggart, one of the first settlers of St. Charles county, having located in that county when the people were compelled to fort themselves, or to congre- gate in forts, for protection against the Indians. Their farming was done only when they felt assured that no roving bands of Indians were in the vicinity, or by one man plowing while two guarded him with rifles to protect him from assassination. In Warren county Judge Archer soon became a successful farmer, and as the years came and went he also became a large land-holder. But in late years he has divided up his lands among his children, so that now he has only his home- stead left, an excellent farm of nearly 300 acres. He has also risen to enviable prominence in the affairs of the county. In 1850 he was elected coroner and served six years. As early as 1858 he was ap- pointed sheriff, vice P. Giles, deceased. Two years later he was elected to that office, serving in all four years. For many years he was justice of the peace, and in 1880 he was elected a member of the county court. At the following election he was again chosen for this office, and is still filling it. The Judge and Mrs. Archer have reared eight children : Amanda F., married ; James F., William P., Padorah
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