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 72
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virtually President of the United States during the term of twenty-four hours. In referring to this accidental dignity, on being interrogated as to how he enjoyed his exalted position, the venerable senator good-humoredly replied that he could tell but little about it, as overcome with fatigue, consequent on several consecutive days and nights of official labor, he slept through nearly his whole term of service. To go back, however, in our history: When David R. Atchison entered the senate, he acted cordially with Colonel Benton, and, as late as 1848, claimed that he was the first to frame an act organizing the Territory of Oregon, with a clause prohibiting slavery. The next year he attached himself to the party of Mr. Calhoun, and, elected president pro tem of the senate, was received into favor and roused into prominence by his new party, and became the antagonist of Colonel Benton in his own state. The union of a few Democrats, under the lead of Mr. Atchison, with the Whigs, defeated Colonel Benton, in 1850. The former became especially prominent in the legislation for the organization of the territories of Kansas and Nebraska. The first bill, which was introduced into congress, to this end, was in the winter of 1851-2, and had no reference to the subject of slavery. This bill Mr. Atchison advocated by a speech in the senate, but, subsequently, on his return to Missouri, he became an opponent of the bill, and declared, in a public speech, that he would never vote for the measure unless the Mis- souri Compromise was repealed. The public sentiment at that time was such that his declaration was denounced by the papers of his own party ; but, within a month from the opening of the next congress, Mr. Douglas, from the Committee on Territories, reported a bill to organize these territories, containing a clause which, by strong implication, repealed the Missouri Compromise, although the report accompanying the bill expressly deprecated any such intent. This clause was assailed by Messrs. Chase and Sumner, and by others, in a printed circular, which led to vehement and personal debate. There was finally substituted another clause, drawn up by Archibald Dixon, senator from Kentucky, which repealed the Missouri Compromise, outright, and, in this shape, the bill passed. Gen. Atchison subsequently affirmed, in a speech made in the Territory of Kansas, that the clause repealing the Missouri Compromise originated with him, and that he had proposed it to Mr. Douglas, who, at first, declined to insert it in his bill, but, after a period of hesitation, consented to do so. This account tallies with public facts, and though it was published in the newspapers, was not denied by Mr. Douglas. On his retirement from the Senate, of which he was an honored mem- ber for the space of over twelve years, during the greater portion of which time he was its presiding officer, he continued to take a lively interest in the politics of the country, and was regarded as a leader and chief adviser of the pro-slavery party in Kansas, during the troubles
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which preceded the admission of that state. In 1856, we find him in command of 1,150 men, at a point called Santa Fe. On the 29th of August, of the same year, a detachment from General Atchison's army attacked Osawatomie, which was defended by about 50 men, who made a vigorous resistance, but were defeated with the loss of five wounded and seven prisoners. Five of the assailants were killed, and thirty buildings were burned. The next day, a body of Free State men marched from Lawrence to attack Atchison's army. On their approach the latter retired, and withdrew his forces into Missouri. The admission of Kan- sas as a free state, soon after, put an end to this much vexed question, and restored tranquility to the country. General Atchison then lived in retirement, on his magnificent estate, in Clinton County, till the break- ing out of the civil war, when he left for the South, and was present at the battle of Lexington. Governor Jackson sent him a commission as brigadier general at the commencement of the war. This General Atchison declined accepting, as his residence was in Clinton County, outside of the limits of the division. He, however, remained with the army, and assisted at its organization. He joined temporarily. for the pur- pose of making up the company, Eph. Kelley's artillery command, from St. Joseph, and remained with the army till after the battle of Elkhorn. At the close of the war General Atchison returned to his home in Clin- ton County, where he has since continued to reside in almost unbroken retirement. He was never married. His residence, a lofty and spacious brick mansion in the midst of a magnificent farm of 1,000 acres, about seven miles west of Plattsburg and about a mile and a half from Gower, was accidentally destroyed by fire on the 2d of February, 1870. The only persons in the house at the time were the general, a sister-in- law, and a little girl, a niece, who were resident with him, and a negro servant. The farm hands were all at work at some distance from the house. The neighbors attracted by the flames soon assembled in con- siderable number, but without the means of reaching the lofty roof, and too late to render any effective assistance. The entire building was con- sumed; with most of the contents. The general, in speaking of the loss, seemed less to regret the destruction of the spacious and elegant mansion than the burning of his extensive library and valuable records of his opinions and observations during the long period of his service in the Senate of the United States, in which he predicted the civil war, etc. The interest which a work of that character emanating from the pen of such a man would have been read by people of all parties, can readily be imagined. General Atchison, since the fire in which his mansion was destroyed, erected on its site an elegant frame cottage, but of much smaller area than the old building, shattered columns and other stone debris of which still appear on the ground to speak of the lofty edifice of which they
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once formed part. Since the close of the civil war General Athison has lived a life of secluson on his farm, from which he has never suffered himself to be drawn but once, and that on the memorable occasion of the Old Settlers' meeting at the St. Joseph Exposition in Sep- tember, 1874. Here at least one hundred of the old gray haired sires and mothers who were among the early settlers of the Platte Purchase and neighboring country were gathered in front of the grand stand. At half past twelve o'clock, the meeting was called to order by James N. Burnes, who spoke as follows: "Ladies and gentlemen : You will not expect of me an extended speech. I am too full to express what I feel. You will allow me to nominate for chairman of this meeting, Hon. David R. Atchison. His name is the balance of my speech." General Atchison then took the floor, and thanked the audience for the honor conferred upon him. He had once presided over the United States Senate, but this was a prouder position than he ever before occupied. He referred in feeling terms to the early settlers of the Platte Purchase, their trials and hardships, and their courage and endurance under difficulties. On this occasion, General A. W. Doniphan spoke. Senator Bogy, of St. Louis, Judge Vories, and Judge Birch, of Clinton County, made eloquent and comparatively long speeches, which were listened to with marked attention ; but none were more affecting than the brief and pointed remarks of the venerable ex-President of the United States Senate. As a private citizen, no man was ever more highly esteemed, by all who knew him, than David R. Atchison. The deserving in misfortune was never known to go unre- lieved by his generous hand, and the princely hospitality, with which he entertained those who were honored by his friendship, will long be remembered by his cotemporaries and associates of other days, by whom he was ever recognized as one who reflected credited on the exalted positions which he occupied in the service of his country, (posi- tions, it must be observed, which were unsolicited and unexpectedly thrust upon him), a true type of that nobility of nature, which no heraldic blazonry can enhance, and which no hereditary rank or posses- sions can purchase.
DR. W. W. BLAND,
state senator, is a native of Nelson County, Kentucky, and was born August 10, 1819. His father, James Bland, was an agriculturist. His mother's maden name was Mary Wyatt, of Crab Orchard, Kentucky. In 1825, the father of the subject of this narrative, with his family, removed to Missouri, locating in Warren County, on a farm. Here W. W. spent his early days, and received his education. After becoming of a suit- able age, he commenced the study of medicine, under the tutorship of
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Dr. Elijah McClain, a prominent physician of Washington, Warren County, applying himself diligently to its consideration two years, after which he continued his studies at the Medical University (known as the McDowell College) in St. Louis. From this institution he was graduated. In later years, he attended medical lectures in St. Louis. After his graduation, he commenced to practice his profession in Warren County, Missouri, continuing one year, when in 1846, he moved to Maryville, Nodaway County, remaining three years. Physicians at that day were few in number in Northwestern Missouri, and Dr. Bland's practice was large, but his patients were scattered. His usual mode of traveling was on horse back, and his rides extended to the Iowa line, and an equal dis- tance either way from Maryville. . In the spring of 1850, California attracted his attention, and, for three years, he was engaged in merchan- dising and mining in that country. . After returning, he located tempo- rarily for a time in Clay County, and subsequently came to Clinton, pur- chasing the farm where he now resides, which is located on section 13. He was one of the first physicians in this part of the county, and his practice has been an extended and successful one. Although continuously prosecuting his profession, while at home, he has found ample time to devote a great amount of exertion to the cultivation of his farm, which embraces 600 acres. In stock raising, which he makes a specialty, he has in his herds graded cattle that will compare with any in the county. As a citizen, Dr. Bland is quiet and unostentatious, cordially indorsing and supporting any measure of real public benefit. Although past the meridian of life, he is a well preserved man. His career has been an active and successful one. He is a great reader, a brilliant conversa- tionalist, and in the domestic circle, and public walks of life, is one of the most companionable of men. In the autumn of 1880, Dr. Bland was the candidate for state senator, from the district embracing the counties of Clay, Platte and Clinton, and received the unanimous support of the people. He was married in 1854, to Miss Annie E. Payne, of Clinton County. Their family consists of seven children : Mary B., Serena E. (wife of J. C. Atchison), James A., Henry F., Luella, Annie Lee and Louis L.
JAMES L. BRADSHAW,
farmer and stock raiser, section 34, post office Gower. A well known, as well as an early settler of Northwestern Missouri, was Mr. Charles Bradshaw, who was a native of Virginia, and came to Platte County, locating near Weston, in 1839. He was a millwright by trade, but fol- lowed farming, principally, and eventually became a resident of Andrew County, where his death occurred, in 1847. His son, James L. Bradshaw, was born in Mercer County, Kentucky, October 1, 1837, and came to Missouri with his father, residing in Platte and Andrew Counties for
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some time. After the death of the father, the mother of the subject of this sketch located in St. Joseph, and there J. L. learned the blacksmith trade, and was conducting a shop on Messanie street, when the war broke out. He was among the first to espouse the Union cause, and enlisted, as a private, in the Twenty-fifth Missouri, under Colonel Pea- body. Later, the Twenty-fifth was attached to Colonel Fladd's engineer corps, and was under the command of General John A. Logan. Mr. B. was soon promoted to sergeant, and then to lieutenant. He participated at the engagements of Corinth, Shiloh, Raleigh, Chattanooga, and other notable battles, being honorably discharged July 25, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky. Returning to St. Joseph, he soon after opened a blacksmith shop at Matney's Miils, in Buchanan County, which he conducted for several years, and, subsequently, engaged in blacksmithing at Platts- burg. He has attained a wide and well merited reputation as a horse shoer, and has few equals in this important branch. In 1876, he com- menced farming where he now resides, and is the owner of eighty acres of fine land. Mr. B. is a gentleman well posted on the topics of the day, and, in a large degree, commands the respect of his fellow citizens. He has been twice married. First, in 1858, to Miss Mary Bradshaw. Her death occurred eight or nine months later. In 1867, Miss Mary Jor- dan became his wife. They have had five children, of whom, Jennie, Maud and Ralph are living, and two are deceased, Amy and Ida. Mr .. B. is a member of the Protective Association.
LUTHER CARTER,
section 33, post office Plattsburg. Prominent among the old settlers is. numbered the subject of this sketch, who, by faithful attention to his- calling and strict principles of honesty, has, step by step, worked his way to the elevated position he now occupies. He is a native of Vir- ginia and was born January 29, 1829. He was there raised in the occupa- tion he now follows, and is the present owner of 426 acres of good average land, a large portion of which is under cultivation. He has a nice residence on his farm, and his improvements are of the first order. Mr. C. was married, in 1851, to Martha J. Morgan. They have, from this union, four children : John W., Frank, Mary E., and Samuel L. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the Baptist Church, and contribute largely toward its support.
SAMUEL COX,
was born in Knox County, Kentucky, March 3, 1809. His father, Fred- erick, was a Virginian, and one of the first settlers in Southern Ken- tucky. The subject of this sketch was reared to manhood and educated in his native state, his early days being spent in farming. In 1830, he
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removed to Indiana, and located in Parke County, where he was engaged in farming, until 1860, when he moved to Iowa, locating in Harrison County. There he continued farming until 1873, at which time he became a resident of Buchanan County, Missouri, taking up his abode in Tremont Township. In 1879, he purchased a pleasant home in Gower, and retired from the active field of labor. Mr. Cox is past the meridian of life, but has been, and is still, an industrious, frugal, and public spirited citizen, always found on the side which tends to the advancement of the religious and moral sentiment. He has been twice married. First, in 1831, to Miss Sally Pruitt. They had ten chil- dren, five of whom are living : William, Louisiana, Elizabeth, Jane and James C .; lost five : John, Samuel, Martha, Mary M., and one died in infancy. Mrs. Cox departed this life in 1870. For his second wife, Mr. C. married Mrs. Charity Wright. Her maiden name was Stalker. She was born in Indiana, and is the daughter of George Stalker, a native of North Carolina. She had been twice married : first, to John B. Van- Cleave, who died in 1852, leaving two children, Mary Elizabeth and John B. In 1857, James Wright became her husband. He died in 1869. Mr. and Mrs. Cox are diligent and prominent workers in the Baptist Church.
ROMULUS E. CULVER,
now deceased, was early identified with the public interests of North- west Missouri, and was a man whose name was a household word in the pioneer days of Clinton County. He was a native of Maryland, and was born in Montgomery County, in 1810. He afterwards moved to Kentucky, where he was married to Mary A. Lawson, a native of Vir- ginia, born in 1812. In the autumn of 1840, Mr. C. came to Clinton County and bought 300 acres of land. The following spring, he took up his abode in this county, having built a log cabin, and commenced the arduous task of opening a farm. His industry was rewarded, and in a few years he was regarded as one of the leading farmers in the county. In 1845, he was elected county judge, and, in the spring of 1846, he tendered his services to suppress the Mexican War, and, in the capacity of assistant quartermaster, served until the spring of 1847, when, with six others, he started for home. They stopped at a town called Moro, New Mexico, and, while at dinner, were captured, taken out and shot. The sympathy manifested by the officers of his regi- ment, in their letter of condolence to Mrs. Culver, was evidence of his bravery as a soldier. The Clinton County Court passed suitable resolu- tions in memorial of their departed associate, which displayed the fact, that, in his official capacity, he had been recognized as a substantial advocate of justice, and a man of excellent judgment. Judge Culver, politically, was a Henry Clay Whig. He was a Master Mason.
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WILLIAM L. CULVER,
farmer and stock raiser, section 27, post office Grayson, is a son of Romu- lus E. Culver, and was born in Greenup County, Kentucky, November 6, 1835. He came to Clinton County with his parents when young, and after his father's death, in 1847, he returned to Kentucky, where he attended school for a time at Lexington ; also St. Joseph, Missouri. He has long been recognized as one of the leading stock raisers and feeders in Clin- ton County, and his landed estate now consists of 1,229 acres, 749 of which comprise the home farm. His residence is attractively situated, and indicates comfort. Mr. Culver is a gentleman of broad and liberal views, and is known as one who endorses every enterprise for the advancement of the county and state. He was married in 1862, to Miss Virginia McMichael, daughter of the veteran citizen, Thomas McMichael. They have five children : Romulus E., Thomas McMichael, Charles Mor- gan, Paul Middleton and Josephine Augusta. Himself and family are members of the M. E. Church, South. Mrs. Mary A. Culver, mother of the subject of this sketch, an estimable lady, whose graces of mind and heart have endeared her to a large circle of acquaintances, lives with William.
N. G. CUMMINGS
is one' of the most sterling and live business men of Gower, and one who is widely known throughout the adjoining country. He is a native of North Carolina, and was born in Guilford County, March 31, 1839. His father, John, was an agriculturist, and, in 1844, came to Missouri with his family, locating in the southern part of Ray County. N. G. eventually became a resident of Clay County, and for a time was engaged in mer- chandising at Clayville, and afterwards at Greenville, being closely identified with the prominent business men of that county for a number of years. When Gower was founded he was among its first business men, engaging in mercantile pursuits; afterwards he turned his atten- tion to butchering and the stock trade, in connection with other lines. In 1869, he married Miss Amanda Williams, of Clay County. They have a family of six children by this union : Albert C., Annie V., Claudie E., Charles E., Robert C. and an infant. He is a Master Mason and a charter member of Gower Lodge, No. 397.
M. V. ELLIOTT.
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post office Gower. A prominent man among the early settlers of Clinton and Buchanan Counties was Mr. John Elliott. He was a native of Kentucky, and came to the Platte Pur- chase when it was first opened. He was recognized as a sterling, go-ahead
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citizen until the time of his demise, which occurred in February, 1846, His son, M. V. Elliott, was born in Clinton County, Missouri, December 7, 1839. Here he has been raised and educated, since making it his home, with the exception of several years spent in the far northwest in the government employ. His estate consists of 160 acres of choice land, seventy-four acres of which are in Atchison Township, Clinton County, and eighty-six acres in Platte Township, Buchanan County. His residence is one-half in Clinton and one-half in Buchanan. Mr. E. is a thorough agriculturist, combining the practical with the theoretical. and is a gentleman of good conversational powers. His mother, an estimable lady, and one of the pioneers of Clinton and Buchanan Coun- ties, resides with him ; she has been three times married ; her husbands are all deceased; her first husband, Mr. B. Cary ; the second John Elliott, whom she married, in 1832, and who died in 1846; her third husband was James Feget, who died in 1879. The subject of this sketch was married, in 1856, to Miss Alice Knight, of Clay County, Missouri. They have had six children : Wallula, Bertie, Annie and Thersa, twins, and Pearl Irene; lost one, Titus Ellen. Himself and family are members of the Christian Church.
REV. GEORGE W. EVERETT
is a native of Clinton County, and was born near Stewartsville, Novem- ber 24, 1838. His father, Mathew, was a native of Virginia, and he became a resident of the Territory of Missouri in 1818. He came to Clinton County in 1838, being among the pioneers, and was here identi- fed with the development of the county, and its general progress for some years. George W. was raised in Clinton County, following the pursuits of farming. His educational advantages were exceedingly lim- ited, but by perseverance, improving all his leisure moments, and being an apt student, he secured a fair share of the world's knowledge. In later years he attended the Pleasant Ridge Seminary, in Platte County. At the breaking out of the war, Mr. Everett tendered his services to the Confederate cause, enlisting in Shelby's Brigade. On account of infirm- ity, he was unsuited for the infantry, was discharged, and re-enlisted in the cavalry, remaining until the close of the war. After this, he was one year in Texas, and then returned to Clinton County, in 1866, engag- ing in agricultural pursuits. In 1874, he was ordained minister. Mr. Everett is well disciplined in expounding the scriptures, is an ardent worker, and a convincing speaker. He was married in 1868, to Miss Marietta Busey. By this union they have six children : Thomas, Maurie, Clarence, Elton, Jimmie Lyle and Mary Rebecca.
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JAMES GROOM,
farmer and stock raiser, section 22, post office Gower. There are but few people in Clinton and adjoining counties who have not heard of Uncle Jimmie, as he is asually called, he, who, in the pioneer days of this country, felled the giant oak and assisted in erecting the frontier cabin, and in the bee hunt was found among the foremost, and by whose hand many an agile buck has been slain. Now well advanced in years and past the meridian of life, he is still hale, and bids fair for years to come, to recount his numerous exploits of those halcyon days. He was born in Kentucky, September 3, 1810. His father, with his family, emigrated to Missouri at an early day, locating first in Montgomery County, and then in Clay County. William Groom, his brother, came to Clinton County in 1829, and the subject of this sketch accompanied him, and helped to erect his house, becoming a permanent resident in 1833. He took an active part as an early farm improver, and from that time to the present, has been one of Clinton County's most progressive citizens. He was at the first precinct election in 1833, and helped to carry the polls to Liberty. He was married in 1836, to Miss Rebecca Adams. They have had seventeen children, fourteen of whom are now (1881) liv- ing: Ann, Sarah, Archibald, Gabriel, Elizabeth, Larinda, Nancy, Cath- erine, Rebecca, Littleton, Elijah, Deborah, Mary, Rhoda. Three are deceased : Jacob, James and an infant.
THOMAS HALL,
well known in Northwestern Missouri, is a native of Kentucky, and was. born in Henry County, December 20, 1816. His father, John 1. Hall, was a blacksmith, and Thomas adopted and learned that trade, when fifteen years of age. Upon attaining his majority, he opened a shop at Pleas- ureville, which he operated a number of years. In 1859, he came to Missouri, locating in Tremont Township, Buchanan County, where he engaged in farming, continuing until 1874, when he removed to Gower, and opened a blacksmith shop. Not many men are more widely acquainted or more popularly known in the adjacent county than Mr. Hall. He was married, in 1838, to Miss Edna F. Fallis, of Kentucky. They have had seven children, four of whom are living : John W., David S., George T. and Erasmus C. ; lost three : William Henry, Jose- phene E. and Tillman.
JOHN W. HALL,
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