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 21
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In addition to the above, we have two other iron mechanic or black- smith shops. Goddard Brothers may be found on Main Street, opposite Scutt's wagon and carriage shops. These gentlemen make shoeing a
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
specialty and do a general repairing business, and are building up, though strangers, a lively trade.
J. Y. Hughart may be found on Maple Street, and is well known as a good mechanic in the blacksmithing line.
We have three mills in our town, which do more to give life and bring trade to it than all other institutions beside. At the extreme west end of Maple Street we have W. W. Scutt. This gentleman has been quite an important factor in promoting the interests of our town in the line of manufacturing farm wagons, spring wagons, fine carriages and doing a general blacksmithing and repairing business. His wagons and carriages have a fine reputation throughout the northwest, and have met a ready sale. The footing of his books will show, say $6,000.
City Mills, Mr. J. M. Graham, proprietor, is a fine merchant mill of the most approved pattern, and in its appliances for the manufacture of the very best grades of flour, embraces all the latest improvements in machinery. It ranks already with the very best mills in the northwest, and is doing a handsome paying business. It has three run of burrs, each with a grinding capacity of 100 bushels per day, or a total of 300 bushels. The aggregate transactions of this mill for 1880 sum up $20,000.
Down on Walnut Street we have A. Y. Robertson and his "Little Mill," with a carding factory attached. Mr. George Sell is in charge of the mill, and runs it exclusively for custom work. It has two run of burrs-one for wheat and one for corn. The capacity of the mill is about ninety bushels of corn and fifty bushels of wheat per day. The carding department is in charge of Mr. Robertson. The transactions of the mill during the past year amount to about $1,000; that of the carding department to about $600.
On Walnut Street, further west, may be found the saw mill, corn mill and machine shop of W. E. DeValle, who has a monopoly of the saw mill interests of the town. His transactions last year amounted to enough to enable him to purchase a complete set of second-hand wool cards, which he is dressing up preparatory to adding a wool-carding department next spring.
On the corner of Third and Locust Streets, we find that wide-awake, pushing business man, A. W. Stearns, who deals in lumber, sash, doors, blinds, lime, coal, furs, &c. His trade is quite extensive, and reaches out in every direction. His transactions reached the handsome figure of $63,000 last year, which shows that his business constitutes an import- ant factor in the make up of our list of transactions.
We have three harness shops in our town, and, as all know, they are very necessary institutions to the business thrift of any city. On the corner opposite the two hotels, on Main and Broadway, is E. S. Ran- dolph. This gentleman, his son David, and Richard Curd, are ever to be found and always busy stitching in the manufacture of harness and
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
saddles. During the past year his trade has been very good, amounting in the aggregate to about $4,000.
The next is the harness shop of B. F. Flack. His transactions for the year aggregate $1,500.
On Maple Street may be found the new firm of Steel & Peed, who have just opened a shop, and are doing, already, a lively business. Mr. Steel is an old harness maker, and finds himself perfectly at home with his stitching awl in hand. Mr. Peed will devote himself to the sewing machine trade.
We have four boot and shoe makers. On Maple Street we have Carl Weigler and Paul J. Myers ; on Locust Street, J. W. Champion, south of the court house, and Richard Walsh, up stairs, over Froman's store. These are all good mechanics, and are doing a thrifty business.
We have three tailor shops, and there is yet a good opening for a fashionable merchant tailor, as the shops we have are always crowded with business, and have more than they can do. On Maple Street, north of the court house, we have George Schott ; on Main Street, near the rail- road, we have Peter McGinnis, and on the same street, over Froman's store, may be found B. O. Bean.
We have two butcher shops. On Maple Street we have R. C. Smarr, who does a thriving business in this line. Their transactions last year show up at about $11,000.
On Third Street, we have Penoyer & Chabel, who opened out last spring and have been doing a very lively business. Their transactions show a footing of about $4,500 for the last year.
We have three hotels, which afford ample accommodations to the traveling public. On the corner of Main and Broadway, we have the Commercial, run by Dr. J. S. Baker ; on Main, we have the Clinton House, run by Mr. Willard, formerly of Trenton, Missouri ; and on the corner of Maple and Third Streets, we have the Planters', run by Henty Klein, an old restauranter. These gentlemen are doing a lively business.
We have three livery stables. On Maple we have Fry & Johnston ; on Broadway, we have James Stonum and Alfred Eaton. The former run a "bus " and baggage wagon from and to all trains.
Mr. James A. Trimble is the proprietor of the distillery down on Walnut Street. During the spring and fall runs of last year, no less than 160 barrels of whisky and brandy were manufactured and now go to make a part of the commercial transactions of the town. In dollars it amounts to about $12,800.
On the corner of Third and Maple Streets may be found G. W. Bryant's photo gallery.
We have three saloons. They are not of the doggery type, but are run under the rules of strict order.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
SYNOPTICAL VIEW.
The following is the business showing of our city in the aggregate, of the several branches thereof for 1880 ;
Dry Goods, clothing, boots and shoes
$215,000
Groceries, queensware, etc 87,800
Drugs, patent medicines, etc 19,000
Hardware, stoves, etc
43,000
Jewelry, watches, clocks
20,000
Confections, etc
6,000
Millinery and dressmaking
6,000
Manufacturers, etc
31,800
Furniture, wall paper, etc
10,000
Mills and factories
22,500
Butchers.
16,000
Total
$477,100
MEMORIAL SERVICES ON THE DEATH OF PRESIDENT GARFIELD.
On the 2d day of July, 1881, James A. Garfield, President of the United States, was shot in one of the railroad depots, in Washington City, by Charles J. Guiteau. He lingered for more than two months, suffering intensely at times from his wounds, and finally expired on the night of the 19th of September, 1881, in the fiftieth year of his age.
The announcement of his death was made by telegraph on the fol- lowing morning. The sad news cast a gloom over the entire nation. His tragic end, the circumstances attending it, and his long suffering had elicited the sympathy not only of the country over which he pre- sided as its distinguished head, but there was a genuine, universal expres- sion of sympathy upon the part of foreign nations, notably by Great Britain, through her beloved and noble Queen.
Upon the receipt of the painful intelligence of the President's death, the citizens of Plattsburg met at the court house, to take appropriate action in reference thereto. The following account of that meeting we take from the Purifier :
At an impromptu mass meeting of the citizens of Clinton County, held Tuesday morning, to take action on the sad news of the death of President Garfield, Captain J. H. Thomas was elected chairman and E. C. Hall secretary.
On motion, a committee composed of Colonel C. J. Nesbitt, James R. Gibbany and J. M. Lowe was appointed for the purpose of drafting resolutions of condolence upon the death of President Garfield.
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
While the committee was out, appropriate speeches by Colonel M. S. Allgaier and Colonel James H. Birch were listened to. The commit- tee reported the following resolutions, which were adopted :
WHEREAS, This community has received the sad intelligence of the death of President Garfield, and recognizing the great loss the country has sustained, therefore, be it
Resolved, That all the bells of the city be tolled from 9 o'clock until 9:30 this morning ; that all business houses be requested to close their doors during the tolling of the bells, and that we recommend that our citizens generally display such emblems of mourning as may show their heartfelt sorrow in this hour of the nation's great bereavement.
Resolved, That we tender our heartfelt sympathy to the stricken family of the illustrious dead.
C. J. NESBITT, JAMES R. GIBBANY, JOSEPH M. LOWE, Committee.
On the same day, and at the same hour, the pupils of Plattsburg College met, and passed the following resolutions :
WHEREAS, The sad tidings of the death of the President of the United States have been this day received, we, the pupils of the Platts- burg College, desire to express heartfelt respect for his memory and family, therefore,
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize with the family of the deceased, in this their time of deepest affliction, and commend them to the higher consolation and protection of Divine favor.
Resolved, That we recognize that the nation sustains a loss in the death of President Garfield of a valiant soldier, an erudite scholar and an exemplary statesman, under whose wise administration the whole country was buoyant and hopeful of continued peace and prosperity.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be sent to Mrs. Garfield, and that they be published in all the city papers.
L. McMICHAEL, J. PORTERFIELD, R. H. LINDSAY, C. B. CANBY, Committee.
PLATTSBURG, Missouri, September 20, 1881.
On the Monday following, at the hour of three o'clock, P. M., the time mentioned as the hour when the President's remains were to be interred at Cleveland, Ohio, touching memorial services were held in the Christian Church, in Plattsburg. The Lever, in speaking of that occasion, says :
"All our business houses, offices, banks, shops, and other public places, were closed on Monday. Crape hung from many doors, and the streets presented an appearance in keeping with the sorrow and gloom of the day. Services were held in the Christian Church, which was filled with an audience of people whose faces betokened the serious look of
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
mourning. Elder Longan read portions of scripture, and then Rev. Mr. Barrett offered prayer. Rev. Mr. Beggs, of St. Louis, then read the scriptures, and Rev. Mr. Crouch followed with a prayer. Elder Longan requested citizens to make remarks. Appropriate remarks were made by Colonel Birch, Major Lindsay, J. M. Lowe and others. We have seldom seen such a solemn meeting in Plattsburg. Every countenance showed sorrow and sympathy. The church was draped with mourning and pre- sented an aspect in keeping with the sadness of the day. All our peo- ple seemed to be in accord in relation to the great calamity and the irre- parable loss the country has sustained. After the singing of an appro- priate hymn, the meeting was adjourned."
POSTMASTERS OF PLATTSBURG.
Solomon Kimsey, Nathan M. Vance, Donald M. McDonald, J. F. Harrington, Hervey Whittington, Ira Dunham, W. L. Ferguson, W. P. Hooper, Moses Shoemaker, A. Musser, Robert Turner, W. A. Marsh, Anthony W. Palmer, James M. Forsee, F. D. Phillips.
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CHAPTER X.
SETTLEMENT OF CLINTON TOWNSHIP.
Clinton Township is the central of the three southern divisions of Clinton County. It extends six miles east and west, and five miles north and south. It is bounded on the north by Concord Township, on the east by Jackson Township, on the south by the County of Clay, and on the west by Hardin Township.
Being, generally, a prairie section of the county, it was not fully settled as early as some of the other townships of the same. A few set- tlements, however, were made, at a very early period of the county's history, within the limits of what is now known as Clinton Township- About the first of these was by William Livingston, from North Caro- lina. He settled, in 1826, on the west side of Smith's Fork of the Platte River. About two years after, came, from Kentucky, John Vesser. James Buckridge, from Virginia, settled in the township in 1829. In the following year, Pittman Hanks, also from Virginia, arrived, and made a settlement in the neighborhood in the fall of 1830. In 1831, Jefferson Fry, with several others, arrived from Shelby County, Kentucky. He recently moved to Colorado, where he now (1881) resides, and is the only one of the above named pioneers who yet survives. In 1850, E. B. Hall, a native of the State of Virginia, born in 1798, moved to Mis- souri and settled in what is now Clinton Township, where he still resides, and bids fair to see many more days. Mr. Hall often refers to the fact that he has lived to see the elections of all the presidents of the United States, save one.
Among the early settlers of Clinton Township, was Solomon Fry, a somewhat remarkable man. He was born in Frederick County, Virginia, November 24, 1797, and moved, with his parents, to Shelby County, Ken- tucky, in the year 1800. In 1820, he came to Missouri, settling in Clay County. In 1826, he visited Vincennes, Indiana, where he married Miss Susan Snapp, with whom he returned to his home in Clay County, Mis- souri. In 1827, Isaac Fry, the father of the pioneer, Solomon Fry, fol- lowed his son to Missouri, and settled in Clay County. Shortly after, he moved to what is now Hardin Township, near the village of Bainbridge, where he subsequently died, on the 7th of March, 1840, at the age of seventy-five years. Solomon Fry continued to reside in Clay County till the year 1840, when he moved north, and settled in Clinton Town-
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
ship, Clinton County, where he continued to reside up to the period of his death. Susan, wife of Solomon Fry, died in Clinton County, Novem- ber 12, 1855, aged fifty-one years. Mrs. Catherine Fry, the widow of Isaac Fry, and mother of Solomon Fry, also deceased, lived to the advanced age of eighty-three years, seven months and nine days, dying March 14, 1857. Mr. Fry built the first jail and the first bridge ever erected in Clay County. That was in 1821, an early period in the his- tory of Missouri, and there are few now living who can recall the scenes of those days. He was also the contractor and builder, in the town of Plattsburg, of the first court house ever erected in Clinton County, com- pleting, as per agreement, his job (a double, one story, hewed log house) .by the specified time-the first day of November, 1834. He was, in his day, recognized as a representative citizen, and the records of the county show that he was frequently appointed, by the court, as commis- sioner to transact important business for the county. He early appre- ciated the advantages of education, and in 1843, erected, on his farm, the first school building ever put up within the limits of Clinton Town- ship. This building, unlike many of its successors, which were generally log houses, was coustructed of plank sawed with a whip-saw. This is said to have been the first frame school house erected in the county. The first school taught in the same was conducted by Mrs. Margaret Jones, wife of Isaac Jones, a settler from Ohio. The house was built by Mr. Fry for the special accommodation of his own children, and those of his immediate neighbors.
In 1856, Mr. Fry united with the Old School Baptist Church, of which he remained through life a faithful and exemplary member. He. was a man of marked characteristics, displaying unmistakable firmness and generally superior intelligence. Somewhat peculiar in his ways, he was noted wherever known, for his rugged honesty and incorruptible integrity. In a day and locality in which wood-craft was an indispensa- ble accomplishment, Solomon Fry had no superior as a hunter in the county. In person he was of medium size, measuring five feet nine inches in height, and weighing not more than one hundred and forty-five pounds. Straight and active as an Indian, it is related by some of the cotemporaries of his earlier days who yet survive, that it was no unusual feat of his to stand on the back of his horse, and bring down with his unerring rifle, a deer at full run, which he was thus enabled to see above the tall prairie grass. Though, however, an active and enthusiastic, as well as an eminently successful hunter, he never permitted his field sports to interfere with the prompt and efficient discharge of more important duties; and, in all the various relations sustained by him through life, his conduct was eminently worthy of imitation-a true type of that noble race of generous-hearted pioneers now rapidly disappear- ing from the theater of life, and soon, but for this chronicle, to be
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
forgotten in the mighty rush of present and future progress. For several years immediately preceding his death, he had been practically an inva- lid. On the 22d of November, 1878, he breathed his last, at the old homestead in Clinton Township, now the property of his youngest son, Shelby Fry. He then lacked but two days of being eighty-one years of age. He left besides a numerous connection, a large family of children, all grown and well advanced in years. The religious services of his largely attended funeral were conducted by Elder Todd, a son-in-law of Mr. Fry. His children are Abraham S. Fry, born in Clay County, Mis- souri, January 29, 1829, a sketch of whose life appears in our biographical notices ; Mrs. Harriet Hockaday, now living in the town of Lathrop ; Lewis S. Fry, born in 1834; Mrs. India Todd and Shelby Fry, who now resides on the old homestead.
Among the enterprising farmers of Clinton Township are Abraham Fry, above referred to, a large breeder of superior live stock. George W. Dawson, originally from Kentucky, but subsequently from Clay County, Missouri, who settled in Clinton Township since the close of the civil war. He is largely engaged in the cattle business, and is also a pioneer in the township in the raising of short horn Durham cattle. William Pickett, formerly from Clay County, is an old settler in the township, a large farmer and representative stock man. He came from North Carolina in 1829, and settled in Clay County in 1830. He became a citizen of Clinton in 1852. Besides his short horn enterprises, he is extensively engaged in the culture of fine sheep. Judge Berryman Shaf- fer, formerly of the county bench, is a prominent feeder of superior live stock in the township.
The general aspect of Clinton Township is that of a beautiful plain, just sufficiently rolling to be perfectly drained by the natural inclination of the surface, while the banks of Clear Creek and tributaries are suffi- ciently clothed with timber for all the necessary purposes of fuel, fenc- ing, etc.
Clinton Township, with its beautiful natural features, contains improvements equal to, at least, the best in any other portion of the county. During the civil war this part of the country sustained, at the hands of demons in human shape, some of the vilest atrocities ever perpetrated in the name of loyalty to the Federal goverment. Promi- nent among these bloody and unprovoked murders was the cowardly and deliberate assassination of Elder A. H. F. Payne, against whom the only charge alleged was that of being a sympathizer with the rebellion. At the time of the murder, the officer in command of the squad who perpetrated the butchery, was fully apprized of the fact that Mr. Payne was amply provided by the Federal authorities with certificates of char- acter as a peaceable citizen and Christian minister, and was duly author- ized by them to pursue his calling. It remains a lasting reproach to
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
those then in power that, notwithstanding promises to that affect on their part, no effort was ever put forth to bring to justice the authors of this cold-blooded and inhuman butchery, a detailed account of which appears in the chapter on the civil war embraced in this volume.
George B. Duncan was also an early settler, and came about the time that Charles Sloan from Virginia did.
John K. Lincoln and Josiah Stoutimore, from Kentucky, were among the first settlers.
CHURCHES.
The first religious organization was Fairview Christian Church. This congregation was organized in 1858, by Elder Preston Aker. The church edifice, a neat frame structure, was erected immediately after the war. It stands on section 24, township 32, range 54. The present 1881) min- ister is Elder Longan.
Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, a large and well constructed frame building, which stands on the northeast quarter of section 3Q, township 54, range 31, was built in 1873. The congregation was organ- ized by Rev. W. C. Barrett, at the time of the erection of the church edifice. Elder Black, of Liberty, in Clay County, is 1881) minister.
The second religious organization in the township was the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ, organized March 16, 1866, with the fol- lowing named persons: J. D. Lewis, Susan A. Lewis, C. Sloan, Eliza Sloan, D. Lamb, Mrs. E. Lamb, William S. Marsh, D. H. Marsh, John Marr, Eliza C. Marr, Frances Marsh, Miss E. M. Marsh, William Pritch- ard, Melvina Pritchard, Martha F. Ruple, Lucy L. Bagley and S. B. North. Church was built in 1874, and cost $1,600. It was dedicated April 1, 1874, by the Rev. W. P. Yeaman. The pastors have been : William McFarland and A. N. Block : G. L. Block, clerk. Present mem- bership, 71.
SETTLEMENT OF HARDIN TOWNSHIP.
Hardin Township is bounded on the north by Atchison and Concord Townships, on the east by Concord and Clinton Townships, on the south by Clay County, and on the west by Platte County. It is located in the southwest corner of Clinton County, and compares favorably, as a pro- ducing district, with any section of the county. It is well watered, by Robert's Branch and Linn Branch, the latter stream flowing in a south- easterly direction and uniting with the former, while the former flows south, near the central portion of the township, and empties into Smith's Fork of the Platte River.
Something more than one-half of this township is prairie, and the balance is timber, which skirts the banks of the two streams mentioned, besides it is found in abundance upon other smaller water courses, which
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HISTORY OF CLINTON COUNTY.
form the tributaries of Robert's and Linn Branches. Hardin Township, lying contiguous to Clay County (Clay being just south of it), settle- ments were made in it, and near the line of Clay, at an early day.
Among the early pioneers to locate in this township was Lorenzo J. Froman, originally from Hardin County, Kentucky, but from Clay County to Clinton County. Mr. Froman settled in Hardin Township in 1828, on section 6, township 54, range 32, and continued to reside there until the date of his death, which occurred on the 2d day of October, 1877. His widow still survives him. At the time of Mr. Froman's arrival there was but one family living in the township, some half a mile from where he settled. Mr. Froman was one of the leading citizens of his township and of the county, and was one of the county court judges from 1839 to 1846.
Joel Burnham built the first house in the township.
James, Joseph and Archibald Elliott located in the township before Mr. Froman did, and were from Kentucky. Archibald Elliott was one of the first county judges, serving from 1833 to 1834.
Among the earliest settlers of this township were Solomon Fry, of whom we have spoken elsewhere in this history, Benjamin and Elijah Fry, from Kentucky.
Then came Isaac Baker, James Winn, John Faddis, James M. Creed, Wm. L. Creed, John Pulliam, Joseph and Samuel Gist, all from Ken- tucky.
About the same time James, Myra, and Elisha Hall located in the township from Tennessee. Then came Jeremiah and James Newby from Kentucky, and J. W. Pulliam from Clay County.
All of the above mentioned are dead. Another old settler in the township was William Carpenter, from Lawrence County, Ohio. Mr. Carpenter opened the first store that was operated in the township, in the northwest corner of the same. Samuel M. Froman, son of Lorenzo J. Froman, succeeded Mr. Carpenter in the mercantile business, and at the same place. Here was also established the first post office in the township. Beverly Martin was also an old settler, but after remaning a short time in this and Concord Townships, moved to Southwest Missouri, where he still lives. Dr. William Miller, who is still living, was the first physician to locate in the township. Captain John Reed, located in the township among the first, coming originally from Kentucky to Missouri, but came from Clay County to Hardin Township. Captain Reed was a man of considerable wealth and a very intelligent as well as a very . influential citizen. Like a vast majority of the people of Clinton County at the breaking out of the late civil war, his feelings and sym- pathy were on the side of the south, but being an old man, he took no part against the government of his country. He was, however, the victim of a wanton butchery, being killed in 1862 by Federal soldiers,
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