USA > Missouri > Vernon County > History of Vernon County, Missouri : past and present, including an account of the cities, towns and villages of the county Vol. II > Part 5
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51
SHELDON.
The town of Sheldon is in the southeastern part of Drywood township, on the northeast quarter of section 35, half a mile from the Barton county line. It was laid out by Hon. Sheldon A. Wight, of Nevada, who gave the place his Christian name. Mr. Wight was a large landholder in this quarter and founded the town on the completion of the railroad. The plat was regularly surveyed May 6 and 7, 1881; S. T. Emerson was the surveyor.
The first building was a storehouse, put up by William Hyder on Main street (lots 1 and 2 in block 12) and occupied for a time by his family, which was the first in the place. Probably the next store building was erected by Frank P. Anderson. C. P. Barnes was an early comer, as was Samuel Weld, the hotel pro- prietor, and Nicholas Wells. Adjoining the town lived John Croy, a farmer, who kept hotel when the town was first laid out and was Mr. Wight's agent for the sale of lots. Jerry McGrew and James Baker were among the first merchants. Dr. Pope was probably the first resident physician. The "Enterprise" news- paper was established in 1884; Harry Swan was the first editor and manager. R. G. Campbell was his successor.
In 1896 Mr. Howard C. Storrs purchased the "Enterprise" and has since conducted a bright and newsy newspaper in the interests of Sheldon and the southern part of Vernon county.
Nestling in the midst of a man-made forest, where but thirty years ago was wonderfully fertile but barren prairie, is Sheldon, the metropolis of south Vernon, and the county's third city. Those who builded Sheldon builded wisely, well, and for the future. The town is located but a short distance from the Ver- non-Barton line, on land of sufficient undulation to afford natural and ample drainage, but flat enough to present to the eye a practically unbroken plane. The streets are of unusual width and are lined in the residence districts with shade trees, many of which have assumed mammoth proportions. So many are the trees-shapely maples and stately elms predominating-that when approaching the city from any direction no cluster of ugly roofs and square-topped structures greet the eye, the mass of
578
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
foliage which is seen giving the appearance of a virgin forest with but a glimpse of well-turned cornice or church steeple to notify the traveler that he is approaching the "City of Trees."
Sheldon was founded in 1881, immediately following-or, rather, coincident with-the building of the Missouri Pacific railway through Vernon county, and so closely allied were the establishment of these two advance agents of civilization and prosperity that when material for the first house was unloaded here it was necessary for the prospective builder, "Col." W. B. Hyder, to handle the material himself, as there was no depot, agent, nor even a side track, and the switching facilities con- sisted of a car standing on the main line only between trips of a frequently moving construction train. In its early life Main street resembled in many respects the typical frontier town and, indeed, Sheldon was frontier at that time. The business houses consisted of one-story frame shacks, and the early residences were put up on much the same plan, tents frequently housing an enthusiastic citizen's family until material could be secured for the erection of a more permanent abode. Seemingly dis- astrous, but in the final results, wholly beneficial conflagrations swept Main street from First to the Missouri Pacific right-o'-way at frequent intervals of the town's early history, and in their wake came more commodious structures of brick, of improved appearance and of greater permanency.
While Sheldon never presented the lawlessness of the wild and woolly West, yet in her early day saloons were the scenes of frequent brawls, and upon more than one occasion the town was "shot up" by some bibulous and hilarious celebrant. Even at first this condition was frowned upon by the better class of citi- zens, many of whom were attracted here by the obvious advan- tages which Sheldon offered the homeseeker, and with the pass- ing of a few years a better state of affairs was established and Sheldon's growth along all lines which tend to good citizenship -religion, education, morality and sobriety-has been hand in hand with her development .on a commercial footing.
Sheldon, it might be mentioned, has long been known as the "dryest" spot in Vernon county, and it was here that the move originated in 1907 which put Vernon in the ranks of the "dry" counties of the state by means of a local option election. The story is yet told of the enthusiastic dry advocate who, during
579
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
the closing days of the strenuous campaign just previous to this election, arose in a temperance meeting in response to the speak- er's statement that he would be pleased to answer any question which any one in the audience might wish to ask, and said : "I would like to ask what the Bible says about temperance and drinking." "Well," responded the speaker, who was a well- known Nevada clergyman, "for one thing Habakuk says, 'Woe unto him that giveth his neighbor drink, that puttest thy bottle to him, and makest him drunken, also.'" "I don't car a pica- yune what Habakuk says; I want to know what the Bible says," was the dry man's quick and earnest response.
Sheldon's pre-eminence in commercial life may in part be attributed to the good roads which center there from all direc- tions. Good roads have been a hobby with more than one of Sheldon's leading citizens in years past and the reward has been reaped in the gratifying business growth of the city. Upon no other call is the average business man of the city so willing to loosen his purse strings as for good roads, and much money has been spent for this purpose. The story is yet told of a Sheldon merchant, long since gone to his reward, who was always so willing to help the cause of good roads that it was only neces- sary to mention the subject to start him toward his cash drawer. To test his readiness to give to any good roads project two friends decided one day to play a joke upon him, and the plan they pursued was something like this: The two went into the mer- chant's place of business and extending a paper to him, one of the practical jokers said: "Here's a subscription paper to raise funds to do some work on the road out at the Willhite hills, and we'd like to have you head the list." "All right, boys," he replied, "I'll sign my name. Put me down for any amount you think proper," and for weeks after the jokers exhibited to ap- preciative friends a paper which read something like this: "In- asmuch as I realize that I am a general nuisance, and a detriment to the community, I respectfully request my friends to make away with me in any manner which seems fitting and proper, and for this purpose I contribute the amount set opposite my name," and here followed the victim's signature.
Viewed from the standpoint of educational facilities, religious life, and secret society organizations, Sheldon stands well in the front rank of cities of much larger population. The Baptist,
580
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
Methodist, M. E. church, South, and Christian churches have each live, enthusiastic organizations, and have ample and com- modious houses of worship. Congregations listen each Sunday to discourses in Sheldon's churches which are well worthy the listener's attention. Sheldon's schools are known for their thor- ough, conscientious work over a large contiguous territory, and many non-resident pupils attend each year for the benefit of the better educational facilities offered here. The various secret fraternities have large and growing memberships. The A. F. & A. M., the I. O. O. F., the M. W. A., the W. O. W. lodges and their auxiliaries are represented by flourishing lodges, and of those named, the Odd Fellows own a commodious and well- constructed lodge building, erected in 1910.
Particularly fortunate is Sheldon from the fact that only a block from the business section, and on the north side of Main street, the city's principal thoroughfare, is the beautiful Sheldon park. The park consists of about five acres and is surrounded by a double row of massive trees, affording ample shade and com- fort. The land composing the park was purchased in 1905 by a sextette of public spirited citizens, and has since been open to the public. Here is a base ball diamond, where many hard fought battles have been decided, and where the Sheldon In- vincibles have year after year demonstrated that ball players are one crop which south Drywood township grows to perfection. Here are tennis courts for the use of the devotees of that game, and here, also, is held annually Sheldon's old settlers' picnic- an affair which ranks high in the annals of such gatherings- really one of the biggest affairs of the kind in southwest Missouri, a picnic where the attendance is numbered by the thousands, and who come not only from this and adjoining counties, but many from far distant states, the picnic being in the nature of a home-coming for Sheldon folk who have wandered far. Here have been heard speeches by some of the brightest minds of the state, oratory being one of the leading features of the annual old settlers' picnic.
Sheldon has been called, and not unjustly, the "City of Side- walks." Miles of well-constructed concrete walks reach out through the residence districts and add not only to the value of the property but immeasurably to the comfort of the citizen- ship. A progressive city administration-and their names are
581
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
worthy of record as public benefactors: Mayor W. G. Jones and Aldermen F. G. Mccutchen, G. B. Beeny, S. M. Hickman and W. C. Shoemaker-along about 1904 started a reign of civic im- provement that has given Sheldon a much wider than local creditable reputation. In addition to the miles of concrete walks and street crossings by the score, this administration purchased for Sheldon a well-equipped chemical fire fighting apparatus, the like of which is perhaps not possessed by any town of Sheldon's population in the state.
Sheldon has behind it a well-spent past and before it looms a brilliant future. For her sturdy upbuilding thanks are due to many-a large number of those who contributed to the city's moral and commercial uplift have gone to their reward. Credit to all to whom credit is due would fill many pages of this work; an acknowledgment to a part only would be a manifest in- justice ; so suffice it to say that the reward of those who builded well in Sheldon's early development is the knowledge that her sturdy sons and comely daughters of the present generations are traveling a smoother path than did their forefathers.
SHELDON BUSINESS HOUSES.
The various businesses of Sheldon are of a prosperous and widely diversified nature, befitting, though, as is to be expected, a wholly agriculture district. With a trade radius extending far in every direction, Sheldon's commercial life is, naturally, a healthy one, and, generally speaking, her business men are thor- oughly awake, well qualified, keen and liberal.
G. B. Beeny. Heading the list of local business men comes fittingly the name of G. B. Beeny, Sheldon's foremost business man. Mr. Beeny identified himself with Sheldon's business life at an early stage of her existence, coming here in the early eighties. His first business venture was a small grist mill, and from this comparatively modest beginning has grown what is one of Vernon county's chief industries. Mr. Beeny transacts a yearly business well in excess of $100,000, and his pay roll adds much to the circulating medium in Sheldon. Mr. Beeny is an ex- tensive farmer, usually caring for from 1,200 to 1,500 acres of hay land each year, and putting in from 200 to 300 acres of corn annually, to mention none of the minor crops which he harvests.
582
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
He adopts all of the latest labor saving machinery in his farm- ing operations, using traction engines and gang plows, duplex and automatic hay presses, and, in fact, every piece of machinery the use of which is calculated to cut down the cost of produc- tion or improve the output. His various business plants such as his harness shop, carriage and woodworking shop, blacksmith shop, grist and feed mill, and other of his enterprises are equipped with power and with the latest labor saving devices.
During the busy season when his haying operations are in full blast, Mr. Beeny employs something like sixty men and thirty teams, and his weekly pay roll runs close to $1,000. Personally, Mr. Beeny is progressive, clean in his business life, and scrupu- lously upright. He has served several terms as mayor of Sheldon, a like number as alderman, and is usually a valued member of the school board.
Campbell & Sons-the firm being composed of J. S. Campbell and his two sons. Robert and Clarence-conduct a general mer- chandise house widely known over south Vernon and north Bar- ton counties, and their yearly volume of business is usually large for an establishment in a town of similar conditions. The firm occupies two adjoining store buildings on Main street, and the lines which they carry are extensive and varied. The establish- ment is one of Sheldon's oldest business houses and the senior member of the firm has been connected with it since its founding in the early eighties.
C. T. Gathright conducts a drug store which has a large clientage of customers, many of whom have patronized it for more than a quarter century. But few men in south Vernon have a wider circle of friends and acquaintances than genial "Charley" Gathright. Mr. Gathright has seen Sheldon grow from a little country village, and his store and business has kept pace with the growing country.
"Hickman's" is one of Sheldon's newer business houses, but the stock carried is an excellent one of general merchandise, and the constantly growing trade of the establishment is proof that the policy of the house is a good one. S. M. Hickman is proprie- tor of the business.
The Farmers' Bank, of Sheldon, is one of Vernon county's solidest financial institutions-old, conservative and well estab- lished-and it has a clientage of customers of which any banking
583
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
house might well be proud. W. A. McCormick is the institution's president, and C. J. Donaldson has been for many years its ef- ficient cashier, and under his careful management the bank has prospered exceedingly.
The Sheldon State Bank is a new financial institution which opened its doors for the transaction of business on August 7, 1911. J. E. Couch is president of the bank, and Harold Pettibon its cashier.
In 1911 MeCutcheon & Correll succeeded F. G. Mccutcheon in the hardware and furniture business here, and since that date the new firm, composed of J. F. Mccutcheon and George Correll, has enjoyed an excellent and flattering trade. The business of which they took charge was one of Sheldon's oldest establish- ments, having been located here since the early eighties, and the house was a well known and well liked one. They have cus- tomers who have dealt with the house for more than a score of years, and who would feel at a loss trading elsewhere.
The Sheldon Opera House is owned by W. G. Jones, M. A. Hatch and H. C. Storrs, and is a well-equipped and comfortable play house, of which M. A. Hatch is manager.
The Burgner-Bowman Lumber Company carries a stock of building material second to none in the county, and managed for many years by W. C. Shoemaker, the yard annually disposes of an immense amount of lumber and kindred building material.
The Charley Jones Drug Company (and Charley Jones is the Charley Jones Drug Company) is an unusually neat and tasty appearing establishment, and while it is a comparatively new business house, being established here about 1905, it has built up an excellent trade. The Jones "Red Line" products put out by this firm, consisting of proprietary medicines, flavoring ex- tracts, and kindred articles, enjoy an excellent sale throughout southwest Missouri.
The Sheldon Roller Mills, which has been in the hands of its present owner since about 1897, is of the thoroughly up-to-date flouring mills of this part of the state. The machinery used in the mill is constantly kept abreast of the times, and no effort or expense is spared to turn out the best possible product. The mill's brands of flours of all grades are well known, and the demand for Sheldon Roller Mills flour is considerable. The mill, of course, turns out not only an excellent grade of meal, but all
584
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
the customary by-products. In 1910 a complete line of farming implements and machinery was added, and the mill now handles these in addition to its customary lines.
Sheldon has two telephone systems. The Home phone is owned and controlled by M. A. Hatch, who put in the system in 1903. This and the Mutual company, which installed its board in 1909, cares not only for the local systems, but switch the large number of farmers' mutual and country lines which center here.
"The Sheldon Enterprise" is Sheldon's oldest business estab- lishment and since its founding in 1881, coincident with the birth of the town, it has, with never the failure of a single issue, told the story of the town in weekly installments. Many persons whose birth it recorded are now themselves parents, and "The Enterprise" is read with equal pleasure by the grandchildren of those who knew it in its early days. From the time of its founding in 1881 by Robert Campbell it lived a precarious life for many years, and numerous names appeared in its subhead as owners and editors. The present proprietor, H. C. Storrs, came into possession in 1895, and the publication since that date has prospered and grown. The paper is relied upon and beloved in a majority of the homes in South Vernon and North Barton for its strict adherence to the right, and it is always to be found behind any move or plan for the good of the community.
"The Record" is a newer weekly publication, established in July, 1911, by B. F. Lusk, and as its motto it announces that it proposes to be "For Sheldon and vicinity all the time."
W. D. Hughes conducts one of Sheldon's older business estab- lishments, carrying a stock of general merchandise. J. W. Stouf- fer & Son is a younger house here, dealing in the same lines, as is John King, who succeeded H. B. Gordon in August, 1911. M. A. Hatch has an excellently well-stocked grocery store and in connection with it a meat market.
J. W. Harbert has a large double building filled to its utmost capacity with a stock of general merchandise and drugs. W. J. Taylor has a racket store and C. B. Masters a grocery and feed store. B. F. Hanes, the undertaker, deals in furniture as well as undertaking goods.
In addition to these lines mentioned Sheldon has her usual quota of insurance men, real estate and loan agents of the legiti- mate as well as the curbstone variety, restaurants and barber
585
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
shops, and various businesses and avocations which go to make up the successful town.
EARLY CHURCHES.
Sheldon M. E. Church South. A class belonging to this church was organized in 1881, with about twenty members. The church was built in 1882 at a cost of some $1,600. Rev. Sevier was pas- tor and Rev. Joseph King presiding elder. The church has since " had the following pastors and presiding elders: 1883-4, Rev. H. S. Shangle, P. C .; 1884, Rev. E. H. Morrison, P. C .; 1885-6, Rev. C. A. Emmons, P. C .; 1886-7, Rev. C. A. Emmons, P. C .; 1888-9, Rev. B. H. Gragg, P. C .; 1889-90, Rev. J. T. Loyal, P. C. Up to this time Rev. Joseph King was the presiding elder. 1890-91 and 1891-2, Rev. T. C. Pucket, P. C .; M. M. Pugh, presiding elder. 1892-93, Rev. J. F. Robb, P. C .; M. M. Pugh, presiding elder. 1893-4, Rev. Barrett, P. C .; R. S. Hunter, presiding elder. 1894-5 and 1895-6, Rev. L. M. Phillips, P. C .; R. S. Hunter, presiding elder. 1896-7 and 1897-8, Rev. S. G. Welborn, P. C .; J. M. Clark, presiding elder. 1897-8, 1898-9 and 1900, Rev. J. J. Reed, P. C .; T. M. Cobb, presiding elder. 1900-1-2 and 1903, Rev. F. E. Gor- don, P. C., and Rev. F. M. Burton, presiding elder, who also served as presiding elder up to and including 1906. 1903-4, L. F. Shook, P. C. 1904-5, R. J. Kale, P. C. 1905-6, Rev. Bushby, P. C. (deceased February, 1906), supplied by Joseph King. 1906-7, Rev. L. F. Stauffer, P. C .; Rev. W. A. Mcclanahan, presiding elder. 1907-8, Rev. Joseph King and I. F. Ailer, W. G. Beasley. presiding elder. 1908-9, Rev. Joseph Randolph and Joseph King; Rev. E. K. Woolf, presiding elder. 1909-10, Joseph Randolph and Joseph King. 1910-11, Rev. T. C. Pucket, P. C., and Rev. W. G. Beasley presiding elder. For the past eighteen years F. G. Mccutchen has been superintendent of the Sunday school.
M. E. Church, Sheldon. This class was organized in 1882, some of the original members being R. K. Holland and wife, B. F. St. John and wife, G. M. Shanton and wife, J. P. Jones and wife.
Sheldon Baptist church was organized in 1883 with the follow- ing constituent members: J. E. Anderson and wife, Charles Seaver and wife, Jerry McGrew and wife, Jeptha Rathbun and wife, Amos Brown and wife, F. F. Sears and wife, J. T. Suelson and wife and James McClanahan.
Union Baptist Church. This organization dates from the year
586
HISTORY OF VERNON COUNTY
1871, when the following named persons, perhaps with others, formed themselves into a religious body of Baptists, meeting at Raftown schoolhouse in Moundville township: A. Meadows and wife, Isaac Franks and wife, Jesse Stiff and wife, Levi Stiff and wife, George Ray, Ambrose and James Ray. The deacons were A. Meadows and Jesse Stiff.
Avola Baptist Church. In October, 1879, the organization of this church was effected with E. King and wife and Martha Davis, with others, as original members. The first pastor was G. M. Lankin.
M. E. Church South, Avola. There was a class organized in this vicinity before the war and after the war it was reorganized. Among the original members were the family of W. F. Hoppen- brock and Samuel Simpson and wife and A. W. Baker and wife. In 1884 a neat frame church was built at a cost of about $1,500.
United Presbyterian Church at Milo. In 1884, largely through the efforts of Rev. J. W. McNary, this organization was started at Milo,, with Gavin Bickett and wife, James M. Brown and fam- ily, Alexander Bickett and wife, W. C. Taylor and wife, John Coonrod and wife and W. B. Taylor, wife and daughter, as con- stituent members.
Milo M. E. Church. In 1883 a class under the direction of the M. E. church was started at Milo by Rev. Smith, with Allen Shouse and wife, J. M. Chandler and wife and Mr. and Mrs. Lafevre some of the first members. Rev. David Keeton is pastor for 1911.
Milo Baptist Church was organized December 5, 1885. Many of the original members had been connected with West Fork Baptist church. Among them were J. H. Sheets, Rufus W. Sheets, Mrs. Frances Sheets, W. B. Sheets, Ella M. Thornton, Ella J. Thornton, Susan Slow, Addie Baskett, O. G. B. Cline, Melissa Cline, Mary E. Cline, Bettie Guthrie, John T. Hill, Mary E. Hill, Martha A. Leeper, Matt Webb, Adela Webb, Edith Webb, Mary Webb, John and Martha Fields. The following were additional constituent members of Milo church : J. H. Lloyd and wife, R. J. Dale and wife, Mary Brownwell, John W. Curtis, Dr. John Ford and wife, Joseph Ford, Thomas J. Shouse. Mary F. Shouse, Emma Shouse, Mary Smith, William Northcroft and wife and Emma Northcroft. Present pastor, 1911, Rev. S. B. Moon.
587
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS
The Avola Christian Church was first organized in 1883 by Rev. John Stark, with about twenty members. John Stevens and Groves were elders. Burdett Tuttle and George Thomas were deacons. This organization worshiped for three years in the old Avola schoolhouse, which was built before the war. Dur- ing this period the organization increased so rapidly that they found it necessary to erect a church and dedicated it in June, 1887. Here they continued to worship. The pastors of this church through all these years were Revs. Stark, George, De Jarnette, Sterling, Adcock, Price, Crank, Carpenter, Wait and Willis. The present officers are Hover, Misner and Bare, elders ; Williams, Holland, Gilkey, deacons.
SHELDON HIGH SCHOOL.
The Sheldon school district was organized as a village school district in the year 1895, and consists of eight sections of land in the southeast corner of Drywood township, in Vernon county, Missouri, including the city of Sheldon. The first board of edu- cation was C. T. Seaver, J. W. Sharp, W. G. Wilson, J. I. Clark, F. M. Dejarnett and J. A. Roberts. C. T. Seaver was president of the board and J. G. Campbell secretary. Since its organization the school has been presided over by the following principals : Professors Brandon, Hale, Leedy, Keeling, Brown, Marquis and Martin. Four teachers are employed. At present the principal receives $75 per month and the other teachers $45 per month each. The enumeration list at present is something over 200, while the school enrollment is about 165. The high school has a two-year course, covering the subjects as outlined by the state superintendent of schools. Since its organization over 100 grad- uates have completed this course. A large portion of these graduates are engaged in teaching and the rest in other useful avocations. While Sheldon High School has served a good pur- pose, there is yet in store for it better and greater things. The district is out of debt and has a valuation of some $200,000, from which it derives its revenue to meet its various expenses. The patrons of Sheldon public school have always stood loyally by the board of education in providing ways and means for the good of the school. Two vital questions are now before us-a new school building and a four-year high school course.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.