USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 64
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 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77
610
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
A MEMORABLE TRAMP.
It would have been pleasant reading to those of this day if a full and complete account could have been given of a memorable tramp made by Wil- liam Dille and Jacob Bain, from their home to Burlington, Iowa. The nearest way was then through the Indian country. Young Bain was taken along because he could talk the Indian language. They walked the entire distance and camped several nights with the Indians. One night the Indians were suspicious of the honesty of their white guests, and coolly took away their saddle-bags in which they carried what changes they needed and other pro- visions, and examined them. It turned out they were looking to see if the white men had any bridles. They had taken them for horse-thieves and thought they were after their ponies. Finding them all right, they re- mained all night and parted good friends in the morning. It was a narrow escape.
A SOLID NOTE.
The old pioneer, among other things in those early days, was short in the articles of paper, pens and ink. To be sure there was but little demand for them, yet when they did want them, they wanted them bad. They were, however, generally equal to the emergency, and a substitute was secured in some way.
The first note given in Lincoln township was by John Rockhold, of Ken- tucky, and was made in favor of Capt. Jarvis Wood, of Grundy county, for the sum of ten dollars for value received. Mr. Rockhold wanted Mr. Wood's horse, there being something about the animal which seemed to take his eye. Whether the bones were less prominent, or the ribs less plainly to be seen on the Captain's horse than on his own Mazeppa, history, and especially this history, does not record; but Mr. John Rockhold was willing to swap horses. Capt. Woods seemed willing to trade, but decided, on a careful ex- amination of Rockhold's animal, that his had fifteen dollars more of limbs, bone and muscle than Rockhold's. He couldn't exactly tell where that extra fifteen dollars was located, but insinuated to Rockhold that it was scat- tered sort of promiscuously all over the animal. Anyway the Captain was sure it was there. To this Mr. Rockhold demurred, he couldn't find the fifteen dollars worth of extra horse-flesh on that animal to save his life, when he took a good square look at his own steed. In true jocky style, Mr. Rock- hold jumped on his Bucephalus and put him through his paces, and declared that that horse was a superior animal. But the Captain was firm. He saw more horse in his own animal, and less in Rockhold's, and the latter must make up the difference in some way or no trade.
Rockhold felt the force of these remarks, and also, that a crisis had come, and he met it bravely by offering ten dollars to boot, and no questions
.
611
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
asked. Well, there was nothing mean about the Captain, and feeling that Rockhold meant fair, the trade was made. And right here was where that "solid note" came in.
Mr. John Rockhold had not ten dollars just then, and Capt. Woods didn't have a scrap of paper, pen, ink or pencil. But Rockhold meant to ride that other horse, and as the Captain's house made of logs had been hewn flat on the inside, it was just the thing, and so Rockhold took a piece of coal out of the fire and wrote:
" Due Capt. Woods $10 on a horse trade, which I will pay when I come back.
[Signed] " JOHN ROCKHOLD."
There was no date to the note, and the length of time it was to run would seem, to the elose observer, as rather indefinite, but it was a solid, substan- tial note, and likely to stay till he got back, and it did. Rockhold came back, paid the note, and it was duly " wiped " out by him. And that was the first note given in Lincoln township, and no one will dispute the fact that it was a "solid " one.
In 1874 the assessed valuation of Lincoln township was $255,777, and was the second in wealth and population that year. The census of 1880 makes it the fourth in population-Marion, Jefferson and Trenton leading her-Jefferson, however, by only nineteen. The assessinent for 1881 was not returned by municipal, but by congressional townships.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS.
The following named gentlemen are the present township officers:
Trustee, C. D. Gass; Collector and Constable, H. A. H. Kelso; Clerk. R. W. Hossom; Justices of the Peace, Millard Bosworth and J. L. Lowen,
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SOLOMON ASHER
Was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, November 24, 1827. He is a son of J. S. Asher and Jane, nee Shoemaker. His parents were natives of Ohio, and now both deceased. He was reared on a farm and educated at the district school of the county of his birth and lived there till he was forty-two years of age, then moved to Missouri and located where he now lives. He was married on December 27, 1849, to Miss Elizabeth Ellen Birch who was born in Muskingum county, Ohio, on March 26, 1827. Her parents were also natives of Ohio, and both are now deceased.
Eight children have been born, all of whom are living: Milton C., born March 27, 1850; Howard B., born March 3, 1852; John A., born February
612
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
1
7, 1854; Alice J., born March 22, 1856; Edwin F., born February 24, 1858; Benjamin F., born February 5, 1860; W. A. E., born December 31, 1862; and Solomon S., born June 17, 1865. When Mr. Asher was fourteen years of age he joined the Baptist Church, and for over twenty years has been a deacon in the same, and does not want to be a cipher but an active and energetic member while he lives. The family are all members of the same church. He started in life poor and penniless, but his ambition was to make his mark in the world not only as to accumulating property but to make his life a useful one, and nobly has he fulfilled his purpose. He now is the owner of two hundred and eighty acres of one of the finest farms in the county, all under a high state of cultivation with fine improvements and well stocked; he makes a specialty of sheep husbandry, having now a choice flock of Spanish Merinos and native graded. He says that the Osage orange hedge is no longer an experiment with him, but a success, and on his farm is over four miles of as complete a fence and as finely a trimmed hedge as can be seen in the county. He is undoubtedly one of those useful men that will be sadly missed when he leaves his station on earth. Few enjoy so much of the public confidence and esteem as this worthy family.
ISAIAH BRAINERD,
Presiding judge of the county court of Grundy county, was born in Green- ville, Mercer county, Pennsylvania, March 5, 1822. He is the son of Isaiah and Jeannette Brainerd. His mother died when he was five years old, and his father one year later, and he was thus thrown upon relatives for support. He lived with his grandfather and relatives until he was eleven years old when he began to work as a farm hand and at brick-making for wages, thereby supporting himself. Although having but few opportunities to obtain an education he had acquired enough learning by the time he was eighteen to teach school. In 1840 he went to Brooke county, Virginia, where he made his home with a brother, and taught school one term, then was variously employed until 1842, when he went to La Grange, Jefferson county, Ohio, where he was employed in a steam flouring-mill until 1850 when he engaged in brick-making for one season. In 1852 he engaged in general merchandising at La Grange, and continued in the business until 1857. He next removed to and settled on a farm in Belmont county, Ohio, where he pursued farm- ing and milling until 1860. In this latter year he came to Missouri, and engaged in farming as a renter one season in Grundy county, and then went to Benton county, Iowa, in 1861, where he still pursued farming as a renter. In the year 1863 he returned to Grundy county and permanently settled, and engaged in dealing in stock on a small scale, with James Leaper and Cyrus Ramage, under the firm style of Leaper, Brainerd & Ramage. In 1864 Mr. Ramage retired from the firm, changing the firm to Leaper & Brainerd, who continued in business until 1837 when they discontinued,
613
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
and he has since that time engaged in farming exclusively. In 1878 he was elected county judge for Grundy county, and in 1880 was elected pre- siding justice of the county court, which position he still holds.
Judge Brainerd has been married five times. His first wife was Miss. Mary E. Chalphanst, of La Grange, Ohio, whom he married in March, 1844; she died at the same place in April, 1849. By this union he has one child living: Caroline, wife of Henry Montgomery, of Spickardsville. Miss Amy E. Cox, of La Grange, Ohio, became his second wife in April, 1851; she died in La Grange in 1853. He has one child living by this marriage, who is. now the wife of Samuel Gray, of Kansas City. In 1854 he was united in marriage to Miss Ann Amelia Cox, of Washington, Washington county, Pennsylvania; she died in Grundy county, Missouri, in 1862. Four chil- dren were the issue of this marriage, three of whom are now living; namely, Jennie D., wife of A. Johnson, M. D., of Watson, Missouri; Eva A., of Effingham, Kansas; and Lizzie C., a school teacher. His fourth wife was Mrs. Mary Sharp, of Trenton, whom he married in February, 1865; she died in October, 1876, leaving one child, Sallie, now living at home. Judge Brainerd married Mrs. Elizabeth Davis, nee Spaulding, his present wife, in August, 1877.
Judge Brainerd is one of the most energetic and progressive men in Grundy county, and his uprightness and integrity have won for him a large. circle of warm friends.
JESSE BAIN.
The subject of this sketch is entitled to the honor of being the first white settler that had a family and located in Lincoln township, Grundy county, Missouri, and now, in 1881, is still living. His birth-place was in Mus- kingum county, Ohio, and the date June 21, 1812. He was the eldest son of Riason and Ellender Bain. His father was born upon the present site of Wheeling, West Virginia, April 19, 1791. His mother was also a native of Virginia, born in 1797. Our subject lived in Muskingum county till about twenty-two years of age, and then moved to Rush county, Indiana, and remained there till the spring of 1837, then in company with his father and his only full brother, Jacob, started to find a home in the then far West .. They crossed the Mississippi River at St. Louis on April 9, 1837, and trav- eled one hundred and fifty miles in a southwest course to Pulaski county, Missouri, and there the families remained and raised one erop, but in the meantime the father and Jesse Bain were continually prospecting. Acci- dently falling in with Lisbon Applegate, United States surveyor, who had just returned from surveying the Grand River country, he told them that the only way he could make his report as to that country was "better than first rate." They therefore explored the county and being perfectly satisfied returned to Pulaski county and gathering up their families and personal
614
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
effects started, September 10, 1837, for the Grand River country, and on the 12th day of November, 1837, located in what is now the township of Lin- coln, Grundy county. While in Pulaski county, Mr. Jesse Bain was mar- ried, on the 10th of August, 1837, to Miss Catharine Ogletree, who was a native of Overton county, Tennessee, and born November 1, 1818. Four children were the fruits of this marriage, two of whom are still living; viz., P. W. Bain and O. G. Bain. Mrs. Bain died in the fall of 1857, and he was again united in marriage, on November 10, 1858, to Miss Mary Rock, a native of Barren county, Kentucky, and born January 12, 1834. By this marriage there are four children; viz., Walter G., Anna, Jesse D. and Hal- lie May.
Mr. Bain started in this township a poor boy not worth $20, but now, by industry and good management has accumulated a nice property, owning three hundred and twenty acres of the choicest land in Lincoln township, all improved and stocked, and two very fine orchards. During the civil war he was a member of company E, Seventh Missouri State militia. In 1849 he crossed the plains to California, where he remained for some time, and then returned by water, and during the voyage home was shipwrecked but man- aged to escape.
P. W. BAIN
Was born on April 27th, 1845, in Overton county, Tennessee. His father, Jesse Bain, was a native of Ohio, and his mother, Catharine, a native of Tennessee. When an infant he was brought by his parents to Grundy county, that being the place of their residence, but, at the time of his birth they were visiting in Tennessee. He received his education in the district schools of Trenton, and lived on a farm until the age of sixteen years, and then, at the beginning of the civil war, enlisted as a member of the Mis- sonri State militia and served for one year. Then became a member, as a non-commissioned officer, of company A, Forty-fourth Missouri volunteer infantry, and with this regiment served faithfully till the close of the war. On August 15th, 1865, he received an honorable discharge. He thus served over four years as an active Union soldier while yet a minor. After the close of the war he devoted himself to acquiring an education and soon be- came a very successful teacher, and followed this profession for five years in the public schools of the county. He was then elected to the office of county collector, which office he filled for two years with credit to himself and profit to the county. For, as others say, he worked harder and col- lected more money than any of his predecessors. After this he engaged in farming in Lincoln township, where he has built for himself a beautiful home, owning one hundred and twenty acres of well cultivated land with a fine residence and an excellent orchard. He was united in marriage, April 6, 1869, to Miss Angeline Linney, a native of Grundy county, and who was
.
615
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
born September 15, 1850. By this marriage they have three children: William W., born April 1, 1870; Claude J., born October 7, 1872; and Estella, born March 16, 1878. Mr. Bain takes more than an ordinary inter- est in having good schools, and believes the best legacy he can leave his children is a good education. He is, politically, a staunch Republican. His accumulations have all been made by his own earnest labors and the aid of his worthy wife. They are both consistent members of the Baptist Church and active workers in the sabbath-school.
JAMES BLOW
Is a native of Tioga county, New York, and was born November 27, 1839. He is a son of Henry and Catharine Blow, both natives of New York, and who are still (in 1881) residents of Tioga county. He lived there until twenty-four years of age, and there received his education. In 1863 he moved to Lapeer county, Michigan, resided there six years, and was there married to Miss Margaret Hodges, May 24, 1864. She was born in Lapeer county, Michigan, May 2, 1841. In 1868 he moved to Grundy county and located where he now and has ever since lived, engaged in farm- ing. He started in life poor, but by hard labor and the assistance of a noble companion has secured a beautiful and pleasant home. They have six children: Charles Henry, born September 1, 1865; Maroey, born April 11, 1867; Frank, born October 5, 1870; Minard, born January 30, 1873; Merritt, born May 24, 1874; and James, born December 16, 1879. While in Michigan he was an active member of the A. F. & A. M. His farm is located near Tindall Station on the Rock Island road. He also owns a large interest in a saw-mill in Mercer county, to the attention of which he devotes a great deal of his time.
VALENTINE BRIEGEL,
A native of Bavaria, Germany, was born January 14, 1828, and lived there until 1841, when he immigrated to America and located in Monroe county, Illinois, where he remained for twenty-seven years, and on the eve of the general election, in 1868, after staying long enough to vote for Grant for president, started for Missouri and located in Lincoln township, Grundy connty. Mr. Briegel was educated in Germany, and at the MeKendree College, in Illinois. While in Illinois he was engaged in farming and mer- chant-milling, and since living in Missouri his business has been farming, stock-raising and horticulture. His farm, of three hundred and twenty acres, is called one of the finest in the county; and is well improved and stocked, with fine buildings, two splendid orchards and six acres of vine- yard; he is one of the most extensive grape-growers and wine-makers in this part of the State.
He was united in marriage on November 19, 1853, to Miss R. A. Neu-
ยท616
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
barth, a native of Saxony, Germany, born May 13, 1832, and who came to America in 1834. By this union ten children have been born, seven of whom are still living; named, respectively, G. A. Briegel, born February 26, 1854; Louisa E., born October 20, 1855; Herman R. and Maggie A. (twins), born October 6, 1860; Albert F., born April 1, 1863; Pauline F., born February 23, 1865; and Karl F., born June 13, 1871. Valentine F. died at the age of twenty-two years, a very intelligent and promising young man, who, at the time of his death, was principal of the high school at Belleville, St. Clair county, Illinois. They lost two children in infancy.
Mr. Briegel has almost continuously filled the office of school director, and is a strong advocate of good schools. In May, 1873, he was elected president of the county court, which office he filled for four years with great credit and ability. The aged parents of our subject live with him. Adam Briegel, his father, was born in 1799, and his mother in 1804. They are both in fine health and spirits, and enjoy their Missouri home with their kind son and his excellent and highly respected family.
C. K. BROWN,
Native of Somerset county, Maine, was born October 2, 1833, and lived there till he was about twenty-four years of age, when he moved to Wiscon- .sin. In the year 1857 he removed to Adams county, Illinois, where he fol- lowed school-teaching, farming and surveying; was one of the leading edu- cators of Somerset county, Maine, and Adams county, Illinois. He was united in marriage, on March 17, 1861, to Miss Martha Morgan, a native of Morgan county, Indiana, but mostly reared in Adams county, Illinois. She was born April 12, 1840. Her parents moved to Iowa in 1865, but subsequently to Grundy county, where they now reside-her father in the seventy-fifth year of his age and the mother in her seventieth year. Six children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, five of whom are still living; viz., Oliver K., born August 10, 1862; Clarence, born June 28, 1866; Chester, born January 8, 1868; Lena, born May 30, 1871; and Andrew, born September 9, 1879. Laura, born February 25, 1878, died December 18, 1879. In the spring of 1876 Mr. Brown moved to Grundy county, and located on the farm now occupied by him in Lincoln township. In 1880 he was elected to the office of county surveyor, which position he is now filling. He takes an active interest in educational matters; owns a fine farm of two hundred acres of valuable land, well improved and stocked. Most of this was accumulated by his own industry and the aid of his worthy companion. He secured a fine education in the best schools in his native State, and became quite proficient in the languages and higher mathematics.
JOIN O. BUREN,
Son of John J. and Cosby Buren, nee Peery, was born in St. Louis county, Missouri, October 21, 1851. His father was a native of Tennessee. When
617
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
the subject of this sketeh was only one year old his parents moved to Grundy county and located in Edinburg, but his father only lived about three weeks after settling there, and died December 25, 1852; he was pre- siding elder in the Methodist Episcopal Church, and just prior to his death had been stationed for four years at St. Louis; he was possessed of fine ability, and was a zealous laborer in the Master's vineyard. His mother was a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, and one of twelve children, all of whom lived to be over seventy years of age, and is now the only surviv- ing member of the family, in the seventy-third year of her age. She is a lady of remarkable vigor of mind and body for her advanced age. She is now living with her son.
John O. Buren was educated at Trenton and at Grand River College. In Trenton he learned the shoemaker's trade. Shortly after his father's death his mother moved on her farm in Daviess county, and here he remained till 1869, then came to Trenton and lived about eleven years, and for the last four years has been engaged in farming. While in Trenton he filled the position of deputy postmaster, and kept a confectionery store. He was united in marriage, September 8, 1874, to Miss Mary H. McCollum, a native of Guernsey county, Ohio, born May 14, 1855. By this union they have one little daughter, named Dora May, born August 31, 1875.
G. D. CARPENTER,
Son of Christian B. and Elizabeth Carpenter, was born in Garrard county, Kentucky, October 1, 1853. His parents moved to Missouri in the fall of 1854, and settled in Grundy county, near where the subject of this sketch now lives. His father died February 1, 1865, and his mother February 4, 1865. Thus at an early age he was suddenly bereft of his parents and their counsel, and left to fight the battles of life alone. He was reared on the farm which he now occupies, and had but little opportunity of getting an education. He has worked diligently and saved the proceeds of his labor, and now owns a home of eighty-six acres of choice land. January 15, 1873, Mr. Carpenter married Miss Johanna Scott, a native of Mahaska county, Iowa, born October 23, 1850. Her parents were natives of Ohio, but moved to Iowa and from there to Missouri, in 1851. Her father died about fourteen years ago, and her mother is still living. They have one child, a bright little girl named Ora May, born February 25, 1876. Although he had but little chance of receiving an education, he is a well informed man. His wife is a lady of taste and refinement, and knows how to make home happy.
B. B. CORNWELL
Is a native of Smith county, Tennessee, born December 6, 1827, and a son of W. T. Cornwell, who was born in Prince William county, Virginia, March 12, 1800. W. T. Cornwell moved to Tennessee and married Miss Jane
618
HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Payne, November 21, 1824. She was born in Tennessee, October 25, 1799., They moved to Grundy county, in 1838, and lived here until 1868, then moved to Chillicothe, where he died, March 10, 1874, and his wife died at her son, B. B. Cornwell's, February, 25, 1880. W. T. Cornwell and his family were very early settlers in Grundy county and with but little means, yet by indomitable energy he overcome all the difficulties that environ the new settler and in a short time converted the wilderness into a beautiful home and gathered around him many of the comforts of life. He was a fine type of the old Virginia gentleman and died leaving a host of warm friends. B. B. Cornwell married Miss Ellen B. Cochran, November 28, 1850. She was a native of Daviess county, Missouri, born February 13, 1834. Her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Missouri. Eight chil- dren have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Cornwell; namely, William W., born October 4, 1851; Minerva, July 18, 1854; Abel C., March 9, 1858; Aurelius D., January 21, 1860; Samuel T., January 27, 1862; Lawrence P., November 17, 1863; Robert N., June 5, 1866; and David B., born June 6, 1856, and died February 24, 1857. Mr. Cornwell owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres. He served as postmaster at Tindall for ten years; is an active worker in educational matters, and is highly respected and esteemed as a worthy citizen.
ALFRED T. CORNWELL.
The subject of this sketch is one of the bright and intelligent young men of our county. He was born in this county on November 26th, 1862, and is a son of J. P. Cornwell, and Martha A. Cornwell his wife, her maiden name being Martha A. Linney. His father was a native of Smith county, Tennes- see, and was born February 14, 1832, and was one of the early settlers of Grundy county. Mr. J. P. Cornwell married Martha A. Linney, February 1, 1860. She was a native of Bath county, Kentucky, born June 6, 1834, but came to Missouri when but an infant, her parents being among the first settlers of Grundy county; J. P. Cornwell died March 26, 1875 and left an estate of two hundred and eighty acres of fine land all well improved and stocked. He was a kind and loving husband and father. He left three children, Virginia, born November 2, 1860; Alfred T., the subject of this sketch; and Ida M, born December 21, 1864. Mrs. Cornwell, with the assistance of her son Alfred, carries on the farm. Alfred has spent several years at the Kirksville Normal School, qualifying himself for the profession of teaching and is a young man of more than ordinary intelligence and one highly spoken of by all who know him.
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.