USA > Missouri > Clinton County > The History of Clinton County, Missouri : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Clinton County in the late war, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 17
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In 1873, Mr. Barrett was succeeded at Plattsburg by Rev. W. A. Crouch, who is the present pastor in charge. Mr. Crouch is a native of Tennessee, and attended William Jewell College, Clay County, Missouri, where he was graduated in 1873. He is an earnest, logical, forcible speaker.
The present membership of the church is one hundred and fifty.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
PREPARED BY ELDER GEORGE W. LOUGAN.
The first preacher of this denomination that labored in Plattsburg was Elder Duke Young, of Andrew County, Missouri. He preached in 1842-3, and for several years afterwards. The church was organized under his ministry in 1843, or 1844, with a membership of not more than twenty-five or thirty persons. Elder Young was an earnest and success- ful preacher, of good natural gifts, but without a liberal education. He belonged to a class of men, of which there are not now many living rep- resentatives, but those indefatigable labors and successes in the gospel ministry entitle them to be held in honorable remembrance. The cause plead by these men, encountered in the beginning a most bitter opposi- tion, and every inch of ground gained was fiercely contested. It need not be affirmed that they were always wise in their methods, or that their spirit was in every instance to be commended. Amid the smoke and din of battle, the contestants must not be expected to make no mis- takes. It is enough if, when the smoke has cleared away, we can see that they were fighting for right principles, and that their aims were truly praiseworthy.
The early meetings of the church were held in the court house. After Elder Young, there was a succession of preachers, more or less
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IHISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
gifted in ministerial power and usefulness. Among these we may name as especially worthy of mention, Elder S. S. Trice, Elder W. D. Jourdan, Elder G. R. Hand and Elder A. H. F. Payne. Elder Rice was also at one time pastor of the church, and died here. His remains sleep in our city cemetery. Elders Jourdan and Hand are still living, in fine health for men of their age, and the latter is still toiling, with the zeal of a young man, in the Master's cause. Who that once listened to Samuel Trice can ever forget him ? A man of little polish, indeed, but his strength was herculean. He was cast by nature in the mold of a hero, and the grace of God made him a hero in the highest sense. He was honest in every fibre of his being. In the sphere possible to him as an uneducated man, he was a robust thinker. His faith in God, and in God's word, knew no limit. Doubtless he made mistakes of interpreta- tion-what preacher has not ?- but, for what he believed to be God's truth, he was not only ready to fight, but, if need had been, to die. Grand old man, with whatever faults he had, the world has never had too many such, and we miss him sadly now that he is gone.
Elder Payne is said to have been-for it was never the writer's good fortune to meet him-an accomplished gentleman, as well as a highly gifted and successful preacher. No man, it is safe to say, did so much as he to advance the cause which he plead in Northwest Missouri in the days before the sad civil war. Of the tragic fate which came to him in those dark days. it is not fitting here to speak. His memory is cherished wherever he was known, and for that memory's sake, as well as on account of their own moral and social worth, his family is held in the highest esteem. The Christian Church in Plattsburg has also enjoyed at different times the stated services of the late Elder J. J. Wyatt, of St. Joseph. To such a man as Elder Wyatt, the space at command will not allow us to do other than feeble justice. His was a great nature, made greater by the faith in Christ and the immortal hopes of Christ's Gospel. No man in Northwest Missouri carried with him so many admiring hearts. Commanding in presence, rich in endowment both of head and heart, gifted in utterance, he was a man of mark for a full quarter of a century throughout the region in which he moved. He is gone now', and alas! there is none left to bend his bow, or wear his mantle.
The progress of the church in Plattsburg has not been free from irregularities, but the movement has, on the whole, been a forward movement, in more ways than one. The church now numbers, accord- ing to the register, near 200 members, of whom perhaps a third reside in the country. In character, culture, and financial strength, its standing is of a high order. The present plain, but very comfortable house of wor- ship, capable of seating 400 persons, was erected in 1857 at a cost of about four thousand dollars. The present pastor, Elder George W. Lougan, has been with the church four years, to which may be added a
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year of work before he came to reside with them (1872-3) making, together, a ministry of five years.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
was organized April 5, 1861, with Mrs. C. M. Hooper, R. R. Turner, Mrs. Emily Turner, James W. Trimble, Esther S. Trimble, Mrs. M. Smith, Matilda Edgar, Mrs. R. S. Morgan, A. A. Morgan, W. P. Hooper, Mrs. L. L. Hooper, Mrs. M. E. Hughart, Ira Dunham, Mrs. H. E. Snowdon, Mrs. M. E. Smalley, Q. Q. Smalley, H. C. Smalley, N. H. Whitehead, James Burr, Mrs. J. L. Burr, and Cynthia Smalley. Rev. C. A. Wiley was the stated supply, and N. H. Whitehead, deacon, and James Burr and W. P. Hooper, elders. The minister officiating at its organization was as stated above, the Rev. C. A. Wiley. He was succeeded by the Rev. John G. Scott, Rev. William P. Dixon, Rev. John P. Fox, Rev. Charles W. Price, and the Rev. J. P. Foreman, who is the present minis- ter in charge. Mr. Foreman was born in Missouri, in the eastern portion of the state, and came to Plattsburg in 1877, where he has continued to reside. He also conducts religious services at Stewartsville, DeKalb County, Missouri, where he preaches twice a month. The church at Plattsburg, has a membership of about seventy members
The house of worship, a frame building, was erected in 1871, on Locust Street, at a cost of about three thousand dollars. It is one of the handsomest church edifices in the city. The building approximates the more modern style of architecture, both in its exterior and interior arrangement. The ceiling is rather lofty, the auditorium comparatively well lighted and ventilated, and the church, taken as a whole, with its graceful spire, ascending from its southeast corner, presents one of the most attractive features of the surrounding landscape.
ST. MARY'S PROTESTANT EPISCOPAL MISSION.
Bishop Hawks visited Plattsburg sometime in 1855, but there was no effort made to organize a church. In 1859, the Rev. Johnson preached in the district school house, but no effort was made at organization until the Rev. A. Batte came in 1870, and began to hold occasional services. The Right Rev. C. F. Robertson made his first visit in 1871, but there were no confirmations until his second visit, in 1872, when three persons came forward for the laying on of hands. The first person baptized by a clergyman of the church (the Rev. A. Batte) was Miss Florence May Turner, in 1872; the second was Mrs. E. Vallandigham. Bishop Rob- ertson again visited Plattsburg, in 1873, and four persons presented themselves for confirmation.
In that year, Rev. J. H. Waterman organized a Mission, and called it St. Mary's, and held the first stated services in the Methodist Church
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
South, but removed in a few months to the residence of Colonel James H. Birch.
In 1874, the Bishop made his fourth visit, services being held in the Christian Church, and a class of four persons presented themselves for confirmation. In the early winter, services were held in the law office of Colonel Birch ; and at Easter, in 1875, services were held in the county court room, in the court house, until the Rev. J. H. Waterman resigned his charge, in the spring of 1876.
In August, 1876, Rev. John Bennett held service in the Presbyterian Church, and arrangements were made with him for one service each month, and the Presbyterian Church was rented for one year.
In August, 1877, the members concluded to build a church, and through the liberality of the citizens of Plattsburg and Clinton County, and Joseph W. Branch, of St. Louis, and the united efforts of the mem- bers, the church edifice was completed, and on September 12th, A. D. 1881, the Right Rev. C. F. Robertson, D. D., in the presence of Rev's James Runcie, D. D., of St. Joseph, John Bennett, of Wyandotte, Kansas, and Sydney Smith, of Cameron, and a good congregation, consecrated it to the service and glory of God, and set it apart from all unhallowed purposes. The church edifice cost about $1,500, and although small it is neat and attractive.
The officers of the Mission at the present time (1881) are J. W. Campion, warden ; J. S. Turner, clerk ; Mrs. E. C. Birch, treasurer ; J. W. Campion, J. H. Birch and Ed. W. Turner, trustees.
MISSIONARY BAPTIST (AFRICAN).
This church was organized with a small membership, about the year 1870, but the house of worship, a good and substantial frame build- ing, was not erected until about 1873. The church was organized by Rev. Moses Dickson. The present pastor (1881) is the Rev. Hardin Morton. Present membership is sixty-five.
CATHOLIC CHURCH.
In 1866. Father Leonard Kemp, of St. Joseph, Missouri, came to Plattsburg at regular intervals, and held services at private houses, until 1867, when the present Catholic Church edifice was built. It is a frame building, 30 by 52 feet, and cost about $2,000.
Father Abell, another priest from St. Joseph, took charge of the church and remained one year, till 1868, at which time he was succeeded by Father O'Riley, who continued his pastoral relations with the church, until 1876, and then went to New York, where he still resides.
Father Ahern succeeded Father O'Riley, remaining in charge for one year, when the present pastor, Father Hanley, came.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Father Hanley has served his people, at Plattsburg, four years, in an acceptable manner, and has, by his energy and efficiency, materially advanced the interest of his church. The congregation having increased in membership, the church building has recently been enlarged and repainted, and now presents a handsome appearance.
PLATTSBURG LODGE NO. 113, A. F. AND A. M.
First meeting of the lodge, under dispensation, October 2, 1848. Officers: George W. Culver, W. M .; Winslow Turner, S. W,; Bela M. Hughes, J. W .; Noah F. Essig, Treasurer ; H. Whittington, Secretary ; A. McClintock, S. D .; F. C. Hughes, J. D .; John Steel, Tyler.
The first person initiated in the lodge was Martin L. Embree, November 6, 1848.
The charter was granted May 9, 1850, by John T. Reynolds, G. M., to George William Culver, Winslow Turner, John W. Harsel and others. The charter was attested by C. D. W. Johnson, G. S.
There were present at the first meeting under the charter, George W. Culver, W. M .; W. Turner, S. W .; John W. Harsel, J. W .; Noah L. Essig, Treasurer ; James H. Woodward, Assistant Secretary ; Martin L. Embree, S. D .; William Miller, J. D .; John P. Harsel, Tyler, pro tem. A letter was read from Hon. George W. Dunn, which accompanied the charter .. Master Masons present were Obidiah Clark, John Stone, and Nathan Miller.
Succeeded in June, 1850: George W. Culver, W. M .; John Harsel, S. W .; Martin L. Embree, J. W .; Noah F. Essig, Treasurer ; Winslow Turner, Secretary ; William Miller, S. D .; Benjamin Fry, J. D .; John T. Harsel, Tyler.
Succeeded in June, 1851 : Winslow Turner, W. M .; Samuel R. Bay, S. W .; Martin L. Embree, J. W .; N. F. Essig, Treasurer; Arch. Mat- tingly, Secretary ; John Harsel, S. D .; George W. Culver, J. D .; James P. Harsel, Tyler.
Succeeded in June 1852: Winslow Turner, W. M .; Samuel R. Bay, S. W .; H. Whittington, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; Arch. Maltingly, Secretary ; John Harsel, S. D .; Joseph Whorton, J. W .; O. H. P. Gib- son, Tyler.
In June, 1853 : Samuel R. Bay, W. M .; Winslow Turner, S. W .; H. Whittington, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; Arch. Maltingly, Secretary ; William Miller, S. D .; Joseph Whorton, J. D .; H. A. McClintock, Tyler.
In 1854: George W. Culver, W. M .; T. D. W. Yonley, S. W .; H. Whittington, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; H. Essig, Secretary ; Wil- liam Miller, S. D .; Joseph Whorton, J. D .; John P. Harsel, Tyler.
In 1855 : T. D. W. Yonley, W. M .; H. Whittington, S. W .; Cas. C. Birch, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer; W. Turner, Secretary; H. A. McClintock, S. D .; James L. Johnson, J. D .; Thomas F. Viglini, Tyler.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In 1856: George W. Culver, W. M .; T. D. W. Yonley, S. W .; H. A. McClintock, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; William J. Biggerstaff, Secre- tary ; William Knight, S. D .; John W. Westbrook, J. D .; T. F. Viglini, Tyler.
In 1857 : George W. Culver, W. M .; T. D. W. Vonley, S. W .; H. A. McClintock, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; William J. Biggerstaff, Secre- tary ; Isaac N. Hockaday, S. D .; J. W. Westbrook, J. D .; George Funk- houser, Tyler.
In 1858: W. Turner, W. M .; T. D. W. Yonley, S. W .; William Knight, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; A. K. Porter, Secretary ; George W. Culver, S. D .; N. Maupin, J. D .; R. Turner, Tyler.
In 1859: W. Turner, W. M .; W. J. Biggerstaff, S. W .; William Knight, J. W .; A. K. Porter, Secretary ; John Steel, Treasurer ; George W. Culver, S. D .; N. Maupin, J. D .; T. F. Viglini, Tyler.
In 1860: H. A. McClintock, W. M .; Lloyd Leach, S. W .; D. A. Stout, J. W .; George W. Winn, Treasurer; T. D. Kelly, Secretary ; John Steel, S. D .; A. K. Porter, J. D .; T. F. Viglini, Tyler.
In 1861 there was no meeting of the lodge from April until August, and no election of officers for that year.
In 1862: Lloyd Leach, W. M .; William J. Biggerstaff, S. W .; T. F. Viglini, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; George Funkhouser, Secretary ; J. D. Vanhook, S. D .; S. S. Trice, J. D .; J. McClintock, Tyler.
In 1863: W. J. Biggerstaff, W. M .; T. F. Viglini, S. W .; S. S. Trice, J. W .; John Steel, Treasurer ; J. D. Vanhook, Secretary ; R. Turner, Tyler ; N. Maupin, S. D .; Lloyd Leach, J. D.
In 1864 : No meeting in June, and no election.
In 1865: George W. Culver, W. M .; William J. Biggerstaff, S. W .; Lloyd Leach, J. W .; A. K. Porter, Secretary ; George Funkhouser, Treasurer ; T. F. Viglini, S. D .; S. Waful, J. D .; N. Maupin, Tyler.
In 1866: W. J. Biggerstaff, W. M .; George W. Culver, S. W,; George Moore, J. W .; George Funkhouser, Treasurer ; Lysias Sims, Sec- retary.
In 1867: William Bennett, W. M .; Lysias Sims, S. W .; Lloyd Leach, J. W .; George Funkhouser, Treasurer ; H. S. Foree, Secretary.
In 1868 : J. O. Eaton, W. M .; T. F. Viglini, S. W; Lloyd Leach, J. W .; H. S. Foree, Secretary ; George Funkhouser, Treasurer.
In 1869: John O. Eaton, W. M .; Loson S. Moore, S. W .; J. H. Birch, Jr., S. W .; George Funkhouser, Treasurer ; A. K. Porter, Secretary.
In 1870 : J. O. Eaton, W. M .; D. S. Hall, S. W .; M. N. Jones, J. W .; George Moore, Treasurer : V. R. Porter. Secretary.
In 1871 : J. O. Eaton, W. M .; A. W. Eskridge, S. W .; M. N. Jones, J. W .; N. S. Ford, Treasurer ; V. R. Porter, Secretary.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In 1872: Winslow Turner, W. M .; N. F. Essig, S. W .; Moses Shoe- maker, J. W .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer ; E. C. Thomas, Secretary.
In 1873: N. F. Essig, W. M .; M. Shoemaker, S. W .; George R. Riley, J. W .; H. S. Foree, Treasurer ; E. C. Thomas, Secretary.
In 1874: Moses Shoemaker, W. M .; George R. Riley, S. W .; H. Essig, J. W .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer ; James N. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1875 : John O. Eaton, W. M .; J. M. Lowe, S. W .; Charles Ruch, J. W .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer ; Charles Ingles, Secretary.
In 1876: George R. Riley, W. M .; J. M. Lowe, S. W .; F. D. Phillips, J. W .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer ; J. N. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1877: George R. Riley, W. M .; F. D. Phillips, S. W .; Roland Hughes, J. W .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer ; J. N. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1878 : Charles Ruch, W. M .; Roland Hughes, S. W .; John Payne, J. W .; F. D. Phillips, Treasurer ; J. H. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1879: George R. Riley, W. M .; Chilton Allen, S. W .; J. N. Payne, J. W .; F. D. Phillips, Treasurer ; J. N. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1880: Roland Hughes, W. M .; W. T. Funkhouser, S. W .; James W. Porter, J. W .; F. D. Phillips, Treasurer ; J. N. Forsee, Secretary.
In 1881 : George R. Riley, W. M .; Charles Ruch, S. W .; Woodson Stonum, J. W .; W. T. Funkhouser, Treasurer ; J. N. Forsee, Secretary. The charter members were : Winslow Turner, Noah F. Essig, George W. Culver, A. McClintock, F. C. Hughes, John Steel, Bela M. Hughes, W. R. Powe, John Harsel.
Lodge now numbers 57 members.
PLATTSBURG LODGE NO. 64, I. O. O. F.
Organized August 30, 1853, by Thomas McCarty, District Deputy Grand Master, of Liberty, Missouri. The early records of the lodge were destroyed by fire, and no correct data could be obtained earlier than 1865.
The following were the officers in 1865: W. L. Ferguson, N. G .: John M. McMichael, V. G .; W S. Jordan, Secretary ; W. P. Hooper, P. S .; B. O. Bean, Treasurer.
In 1866: John M. McMichael, N. G .; James M. Riley, V. G .; James C. Dorser, Secretary ; F. Kennedy, P. S .; B. O. Bean, Treasurer.
In 1867 : James M. Riley, N. G .; E. M. Lyons, V. G .; M. Shoe- maker, Secretary ; F. Kennedy, P. S.
In 1868 : M. Shoemaker, N. G .; C. C. Scott, V. G .; James M. Riley, Secretary ; William L. Ferguson, P. S .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer.
In 1868 : James M. Riley, N. G .; B. D. Payne, V. G .; M. Shoemaker, Secretary ; F. D. Phillips, P. S .; John Nicol, Treasurer.
In 1869: F. Kennedy, N. G .; George Dunville, V. G .; James M. Riley, Secretary ; F. D. Phillips, P. S .; John Nicol, Treasurer.
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IHISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
In 1869: N. L. Ford, N. G .; Virgil R. Porter, V. G .: F. Kennedy Secretary ; John Nicols, Treasurer ; James M. Riley, P. S.
In 1870: F. D. Phillips, N. G .; Virgil R. Porter, V. G .; James M. Riley, Secretary ; W. L. Ferguson, P. S .; N. L. Ford, Treasurer.
In 1870: Virgil R. Porter, N. G .; C. G. Livingson, V. G .; F. D. Phillips, Secretary ; Thomas R. Livinston, P. S .; B. O. Bean, Treasurer. In 1871 : M. Shoemaker, N. G .; A. S. Hare. V. G .; F. Kennedy, Secretary ; V. R. Porter, P. S .; B. O. Bean, Treasurer.
1871 : A. J. Hill, N. G .; B. O. Bean. V. G .; F. Kennedy, Secretary ; F. Kennedy. P. S .; Stephen Collins, Treasurer.
The charter being arrested October, 1871, by the Grand Master, nothing was done until the 14th of August, 1877, when the lodge reopened and went to work as before. The lodge was suspended at the solicitation of its own members.
In 1877: C. C. Palmer, N. G .: B. O. Bean, V. G .; A. J. Hill, Secre- tary; F. D. Phillips, Treasurer; E. S. Randolph, Warden ; M. Shoe- maker, Sentinel.
In 1878: F. D. Phillips, N. G .; C. C. Palmer, V. G .; M. Shoemaker, Secretary; WV. L. Ferguson, P. S .; B. O. Bean, Treasurer.
In 1878: J. N. Forsee, N. G .; F. D. Phillips, V. G .; M. Shoemaker, Secretary; W. L. Ferguson, P. S .; C. Anderson, Treasurer.
In 1879: James M. Riley, N. G .; A. J. Hill, V. G .; M. Shoemaker, Secretary; W. L. Ferguson, P. S .; C. Anderson, Treasurer.
In 1880: Ed. S. Randolph, N. G .; Jasper S. Turner, V. G .; James N. Forsce, Secretary; James N. Forsee, P. S .; James M. Riley, Treasurer.
In 1880: Carl Wiegler, N. G .; Jasper S. Turner, V. G .; C. Anderson, Secretary; James M. Riley, Treasurer.
In 1881: Jasper S. Turner, N. G .; George W. Bryant, V. G .; C. Anderson, Secretary; James M. Riley, Treasurer.
Term commencing October 1, 1881 : George W. Bryant, N. G .; Carl Weigler, V. G .; David L. Frazier, Secretary ; James M. Riley, Treasurer.
Present membership, seventeen. The financial condition is good, and entire concord and harmony prevail among the members. Since its present organization the lodge has had two representatives to the Grand Lodge : F. D. Phillips for 1880, and C. Anderson for 1881.
KNIGHTS OF HONOR.
On the 22d day of June, 1881, Plattsburg Lodge No. 2245, Knights of Honor, was organized by Deputy W. A. Halstead.
The charter members were John O. K. Gant, Thomas J. Porter, David H. Lindsay, Francis D. Phillips, Virgil R. Porter, George R. Riley, Joseph M. Lowe, George W. Dawson, Thomas G. Barton, David L. Frazier, William A. Crouch, Milton M. McPhetridge, Jasper S. Turner,
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
William L. Trimble, James T. Brawner, Thomas W. Walker, Willis B. Greathouse, John T. Wrinkle, Roland Hughes, James R. Clark.
Officers .- James M. Lowe, Past Dictator ; D. H. Lindsay, Dictator ; Thomas J. Porter, Vice Dictator; Virgil R. Porter, District Deputy ; Roland Hughes, Assistant Dictator ; James T. Brawner, Financial Sec- retary ; James R. Clark, Treasurer ; John T. Trimble, Reporter ; Jesse S. Turner, Guide ; Willis B. Greathouse, Guardian ; Thomas W. Walker, Sentinel ; Wilson H. Crouch, Chaplain ; J. O. K. Gant, Medical Examiner.
Trustees .- Francis D. Phillips, George R. Riley, George W. Dawson.
A. O. OF U. W.
Star Lodge No. 93, Ancient Order of United Workmen, was instituted December 17, 1878, by District Deputy G. M. W., William R. Shaw. There were ten charter members whose names are as follows : Charles Ruch, William C. Martin, J. S. Baker, W. E. Steck, W. W. Scutt, George N. Harrison, Joseph H. Bennett, A. A. Bostick, J. O. K. Gant, and John Vallandingham. Charles Ruch was elected Master, and A. A. Bostick, Recorder. Present officers : Joseph H. Bennett, Master, and John T. Wrinkle, Recorder. The present membership of the lodge is twenty- seven.
NEWSPAPERS.
The pioneer newspaper in Plattsburg was established in 1859, by George W. Hendley, and called the Clinton County News. In 1860, this paper, a weekly, was changed to the Northwest Reporter, and continued its existence until the civil war, under the control of John Bourne.
In 1861, Turner & Young, continued the publication of the same paper until 1862, when it was destroyed by fire.
After Turner & Young, W. J. Marion started the -- , which lived about one year, the press and type being thrown into the street by soldiers.
William L. Birney then commenced the publication of the New Constitution, Republican in politics, which was sold in 1866. at which time the Clinton County Register, Democratic, was established by Judge James H. Birch.
In 1870, James A. Millan, now of St. Joseph, Missouri, started the Reflector, Democratic. In 1873, John M. McMichael began the publica- tion of the Lever, Democratic. In 1878, M. P. Cassity established the Defender, a Greenback paper, which lived through that campaign. In 1880, the Purifier came into existence, under the management of C. J. Nesbitt and Thomas G. Barton. During the summer of 1881, the Daily Evening Register was issued for about three months by Captain E. C.
.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
Thomas. This was the first and last daily that was ever published in the town. Of the papers above named, the Clinton County Register, the Lever and the Purifier are still in existence, Democratic in politics, and the fact that they do exist, and have existed, (at least two of them for a number of years), is sufficient evidence that the people of Plattsburg and vicinity are a reading and reflecting people.
BANKS AND BANKERS.
CLINTON COUNTY LIFE AND GENERAL INSURANCE COMPANY.
The first that did a banking business in the town of Plattsburg was the Clinton County Life and General Insurance Company in 1857, with a capital stock of fifteen thousand dollars. Its original stockholders were; H. Whittington, Isaac N. Hockaday, and G. W. Culver. It con- tinued to do business until 1861, or until the breaking out of the civil war, when the stockholders, deeming it unsafe, discontinued their busi- ness.
CLINTON COUNTY SAVINGS BANK.
In 1860, Charles W. Porter and Isaac N. Hockaday organized the Clinton County Savings bank, under a special charter, with a capital stock of five thousand dollars, and operated it until 1863, when the bank was incorporated under a law more general in its character. In Novem- ber, 1864, the charter was transferred to Joel Funkhouser, who con- tinued the busines until January 1, 1878, when James M. Clay became a partner, the firm thereafter being called
CLAY & FUNKHOUSER.
The capital stock of the bank was increased to fifteen thousand dollars in 1876. This bank is still in operation, and is considered to be one of the most solid institutions of the country.
PLATTSBURG SAVINGS BANK
was established in 1866 by Charles W. Porter, who continued alone until 1871, when George P. Funkhouser became a partner. At this date the name of the bank was changed to the Plattsburg Bank. This bank is still in existence, with a capital stock of ten thousand dollars, and is ranked among the safest and most substantial business houses of North- west Missouri.
PATRONS BANK.
In April, 1874, the Patrons of Husbandry attempted to establish a bank, and went so far as to draft articles of incorporation and by-laws.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
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