USA > Missouri > Jackson County > The History of Jackson county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens, Jackson county in the late warhistory of Missouri, map of Jackson county > Part 47
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Francis K. Cowherd was the father of Edmund and Charles, and one of the oldest citizens of Prairie township. He lived in the eastern part of the township.
John Shepherd was one of the early pioneers of this section. He lived about two miles northwest of Lee's Summit. He died a few years ago.
Thomas Constable lives about two miles northeast of Lee's Summit, where he has resided many years.
Nimrod Chrisman and Abraham Chrisman were pioneers. William Allen,
342
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Harry W. Younger, Daniel D. White, Samuel Caldwell, Richard Fisher, James R. Wood, Dr. P. J. G. Lee, Alfred Lee, Fountain F. Freeman, Samuel Parsons, William P. Cook, Jackson Cooper, James Cooper, David Talley, William Hagan, Samuel White and Judge Fristoe
Most of the early settlers were from the States of Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. In the year 1850 there were in the territory, now embraced in Prairie township, not over 100 inhabitants, but soon thereafter settlers flocked in, so that in 1853 every acre was taken up. The land on which the town of Lee's Summit now stands, including 160 acres, was bought for the sum of $140, that being the price of a Mexican war warrant, which called for that amount of land.
There are two good towns for supply points to the farmers of the township and surrounding country : Lee's Summit, the larger, and Greenwood, a beautiful little town in three quarters of a mile of the Cass county line. These two towns are situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and are supported by an agricultural district which surrounds them unsurpassed in the fertility of the soil. The central portion of the township was, in the pioneer days, a vast prairie, unbroken by tree or fence, but at the present time well-cultivated farms occupy the entire territory. It is elevated ground, and is thus described by an eloquent writer :
"From an elevated point within the limits of Lee's Summit, Jackson county, Missouri, a broad expanse of gently rolling prairie impresses one with utter aban- donment with which natural beauty has lavished her grandest gifts, and in the language of Charles P. Johnson, it can truthfully be said that the fabled produc- tiveness of the Orient, or the divinely blessed promised lands, pales `before this sublime and broad expanse.
" As far as the eye can reach a grand panorama of magnificent prairie, skirted with timber growing upon every rivulet and stream of water, enraptures the visi- tor. This point being recognized as the most favored locality from which, upon a clear day, the whole of Jackson county can be distinctly seen, has been very appropriately named Lee's Summit."
LEE'S SUMMIT.
This beautifully located town has, according to the United States census of 1880, a population of 900. It contains five church edifices, a large school build- ing, depot, hotel, bank, two restaurants, five physicians, two ministers and four lawyers. There are twenty-five business houses representing all kinds of mer- chandise found in towns of this size, their annual sales being from $150,000 to $200,000.
This town is centrally located in Prairie township, fourteen miles south of Independence upon the Missouri Pacific Railroad, giving it a direct communica- tion with St. Louis upon the east and Kansas City upon the west.
The town was laid out in October, 1865, by William B. Howard, Esq., one of the oldest, most highly respected and influential citizens of the township.
The original plat contained 70 acres, the additions now embrace 150 acres within the town limits.
There was an arrangement between Mr. Howard and the railroad company, by which the latter was to receive every alternate lot in four blocks, two on each side of the track, near the center of the town. The first sale of lots was on Octo- ber 29, 1865, and the first house put up on the present site of the town was by a man named Schmidt, who sold goods till he said "the town was grown too large for him and too many people had come," when he departed .. The next building was put up for a hotel by a man named Mounts.
That the reader may form a better and more correct estimate of Lee's Sum- mit at the present time, we give below what was said by one who visited the place in October, 1869 :
343
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
"We had the pleasure, a day or two since, of spending a few hours in the beautiful and growing young town of Lee's Summit. Although our stay was short, and we had but a limited opportunity of seeing the sights, our impressions of the town and surrounding country were of the most favorable character. This town is situated on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, about twelve miles south of Independence, and near the center of Jackson county, in a beautifully rolling prairie, abundantly supplied with water and convenient to timber. The location is delightful, and, we should judge, one of the most healthy and pleasant in the country. It was laid off into town lots only about three years ago. The signs of improvement are everywhere visible. New and substantial buildings are being constantly erected and speedily filled with the enterprising and industrious seek- ers of fortune in the west. The people are an energetic, moral and industrious class, and it requires no prophetic vision to foretell for Lee's Summit a bright and splendid future.
INCORPORATION.
Herewith is given the order of the County Court incorporating the town :
"Commencing at a point 250 yards south of where sections five (5), six (6), seven (7) and eight (8), of Tp. 47, R. 31, corner ; running thence east 80 rods, thence north 250 yards to section line; thence north 160 rods, thence west 160 rods, thence south 160 rods to section line, thence south 250 yards, thence east to the place of beginning.
"Shall be a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of 'the inhabi- tants of the town of Lee's Summit,' and by that name they and their successors shall be known in law ; have perpetual succession unless dis-incorporated; sue and be sued; plead and be impleaded; defend and be defended; and in all courts and in all actions, pleas and matters whatever, may grant, purchase, hold and receive property, real and personal, within such town and no other (burial grounds and cemeteries excepted), and may lease, sell and dispose of the same for the benefit of the town, and may have a common seal, and break and alter the same at pleasure."
Below is given the proclamation of Mayor W. P. Anderson notifying the people that the town has been incorporated, also the division of the town into two wards :
WHEREAS, By an ordinance passed by the Board of Trustees for the town of Lee's Summit, County of Jackson, and State of Missouri, on the 5th day of November, 1877, submitting to the qualified votes of said town a proposition to become incorporated as a city of the fourth class, under and by virtue of an act passed by the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, and approved April the 2Ist, 1877; and
WHEREAS, On the first day of December, 1877, said proposition was sub- mitted to the qualified votes of said town, and from the returns thereof, said proposition was carried by a large majority of the qualified voters voting thereat, Now,
THEREFORE, I, W. P. Anderson, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, do hereby declare said town incorporated, under the act of the General Assembly of the State of Missouri, above recited, as a city of the fourth class.
Given under my hand this 3d day of December, A. D. 1877.
W. P. ANDERSON, Chairman.
Be it ordained by the Board of Aldermen, of the City of Lee's Summit, as follows :
The city of Lee's Summit shall be divided into two (2) wards, and shall be known and designated as the first and second wards, and divided as follows : Beginning at a point on Third street at the western limits of said city, and run-
344
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
ning in an easterly direction along said Third street to the east line of said city, thus dividing the city into two wards, to wit : All that part of the city south of the center of Third street to be the first ward, and all that part north of same to be the second ward.
Approved January 7th, 1878.
W. P. ANDERSON, Mayor.
W. H. C. DRYDEN, Clerk.
Below will be found a list of city officers from its first organization to the present time :
DECEMBER 11, 1868.
Chairman, W. H. C. Dryden; Marshal, J. J. Craft; Treasurer, H. O. Perry ; Register, J. A. Blair ; Aldermen, D. C. Wilson, R. S. Farnum.
APRIL, 1869.
Chairman, W. H. C. Dryden ; Marshal, J. J. Craft; Treasurer, H. Mc- Knight ; Register, J. A. Blair ; other Aldermen, D. C. Wilson, W. A. Gattrell, R. E. Bennett, R. S. Farnum.
APRIL, 1870.
Chairman, John Proudfit ; Marshal, J. J. Craft ; Treasurer, G. W. Hinkly, Register, O. F. Meyers.
APRIL, 187I.
Chairman, Josiah Collins; Marshal, J. H. Stinson; Treasurer, H. C. Miller ; Register, Milton Moore.
APRIL, 1872.
Chairman, Josiah Collins ; Marshal, J. H. Stinson; Treasurer, William D. L. Warren; Register, Thomas H. Best.
APRIL, 1873.
Chairman, G. W. Hilton ; Marshal, Edd H. Smith; Treasurer, Wm. D. Warren ; Register, T. H. Best.
APRIL, 1874.
Chairman, James B. Campbell; Marshal, James A. Shaw; Treasurer, Josiah Collins ; Register, J. S. Cannon.
APRIL, 1875.
Chairman, J. B. Campbell ; Marshal, J. A. Shaw; Treasurer, Josiah Collins ; Register, J. S. Cannon.
APRIL, 1876.
Chairman, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, Josiah Collins ; Register, W. H. C. Dryden.
APRIL, 1877.
Chairman, W. P. Anderson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, Josiah Col- lins ; Register, W. H. C. Dryden.
APRIL, 1878.
Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Near ; Treasurer, A. Blackwell ; Clerk, Wm. Lewis.
APRIL, 1879.
Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, James Inskeep; Treasurer, A. Blackwell ; Clerk, William Lewis.
APRIL, 1880.
Mayor, J. H. Stinson ; Marshal, J. M. Short; Treasurer, O. H. Lewis ;
345
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Clerk, E. F. Jones ; Aldermen, J. G. Ocker, John Proudfit, John Boggs, R. S. Hall.
At an election held April, 5, 1881, Mayor and Aldermen were elected, and the city officers now are as follows :
Mayor, Joseph M. Cooper ; Marshal, J. M. Short; Treasurer, O. H. Lewis; Clerk, E. F. Jones; Aldermen, Robert Close, D. B. Park, Z. T. Lewis.
What James A. Shaw, Esq., says about Lee's Summit :
" Lee's Summit, the largest town in Prairie township, derived its name from Dr. Lee, and from the fact of its location being the highest point between Kansas City and St. Louis on the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
" Dr. Lee lived one-half mile north of the town. During the war he was taken from his house by unknown parties, to a place near where the depot now stands (then the open prairie), and shot to death. No cause is assigned for the act, as the doctor was highly respected by all. He was a non-combatant, taking no part in the war.
" After the close of the war this place (Lee's Summit) was considered a hard rendezvous. This was the headquarters of some of the worst bandits in the State. A great many of the old citizens were honest, and wished to have the laws enforced, but were too weak to have it done. New comers arriving, and being so well pleased with the country determined to make it their homes, and feeling that their own lives and the safety of their property was continually in danger, organized themselves into a vigilance committee, and many of the old citizens joined the organization. The result of it was the death of a few of the outlaws and the scat- tering of the rest, so that those who at that time ruled the country with the (to them) higher law, are now gone to that unknown country, or are serving their time in some state's prison. Now we have peace, and law is recognized."
This is the largest grain shipping point in Jackson county outside of Kansas City. During the past twelve months the entire grain shipments may be estimated at $250,000, and the shipment of cattle and hogs proportionately large.
CHURCHES.
The first house of worship in the town of Lee's Summit was built by the Methodists, and the Baptists built the second house. The M. E. Church, South followed, then the Cumberland Presbyterians and Christians. The Episco- palians hold services in the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and the Old School Presbyterians hold services in the M. E. Church, South.
Since 1870 the church going people have increased in numbers, and at pres- ent there is a good feeling between the different denominations, and a healthy religious influence. There are five Sunday-schools in active operation, and meet in their respective places each Sabbath. A remarkably charitable and liberal Christian spirit exists among the members of the different churches, union meet- ings are held, and each one works with untiring zeal wherever the greatest good may be accomplished.
BAPTIST CHURCH.
The Baptist church at Lee's Summit was organized April 14, 1860, and among the original members were: Robert S. Sanders, Adaline Sanders, William Jones, Jemima Jones, William Hagans, Elder David Miller. The church was originally called Big Cedar church but its name was changed to Lee's Summit church in August, 1869. The frame church building was erected in 1868, at a cost of $2,500. Some of the pastors names are Revs. Mitchell, Jeremiah Farmer, J. W. Sparks, J. L. Blitah, I. M. Beason, S. W. Swift and the present pastor A. C. Rafferty. The present membership is 145. A good Sunday-school is main- tained, with J. C. F. Boler as superintendent.
346
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
M. E. CHURCH.
The Methodist Episcopal church of Lee's Summit was organized in 1867 and the church was built the same summer. The church edifice is about 40x24 feet and cost about $1,000. It was dedicated in the fall of the same year. Five of the original members are still living here. The present membership is 120 and may be said to be in a flourishing condition. The Sunday-school meets every Lord's Day with an average of about eighty. G. B. Fenn is superintendent of the school, and Rev. S. R. Reese is pastor of the church.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church of Lee's Summit was organized Jan. 12, 1873, with the following original members : W. T. Christmas, Minerva Christ- mas, Geo. W. Belcher, J. J. Moore, Maggie Moore, L. H. Berner, Aaron Botts, N. J. Botts, Stephen D. Hultz, Rebecca Hultz, Joseph H. Stinson, W. D. L. Warren, Lou E. Lewis, William C. Reed, M. E. Reed, Mollie Hylton, Jane Goshen, Nancy C. Burkley, Lillie Parkes, N. G. Hall, Sarah J. Harden, Mattie A. Thomas, Thomas F. Parker, Adelia Parker.
The present frame church was built in the fall of 1872, at a cost of $1, 700. It is about fifty feet long by thirty-six feet wide, containing a seating capacity of three hundred, an organ and other fixtures needful in a church. The church was dedicated by Rev. J. H. Houx, of Warresburg, assisted by Rev. Frank Russell. The pastors that have served the church are as follows : S. D. Givens, Frank Russell and Y. W. Whitsett.
A Sabbath-school meets here every Sabbath with J. B. Campbell, superin- tendent, and Miss Emma Lytle, assistant. The average attendance is forty.
A large revival was held in the church during the winter of 1873, conducted by Rev. S. D. Givens, assisted by Rev. Rush, when there were forty-two addi- tions to the church. There were many others who united with other churches in the town. The Lexington Presbytery was held with this church in the fall of 1874, when there were about 125 delegates and visitors in attendence. The ser- vices were held five days. There is a membership at present of 27, many hav- ing taken letters and removed elsewhere.
LEE'S SUMMIT PUBLIC SCHOOL.
The first graded school was taught in the winter of 1870-71, with - Rice as principal, and E. M. Hanlon first assistant, and two ladies also as assistants. In the spring prior to this there was a school taught in a frame building near the center of the village, with Mr. E. M. Hanlon as teacher. Before this, all the schools had been subscription schools. Among the teachers were Zachariah Davis, Rev. J. W. Wallace, Rev. Bright and others. The present brick build- ing was built in the year 1870 at a cost of about $10,000. There are four rooms, accommodating 225 pupils. The rooms are of the same size. There is a large bell which can be heard in any part of the village. The schools are in ses- sion at least seven months each year, and are well supported. The teachers are educated and well qualified for their positions. The present teachers are : J. H. Wilson, principal; E. M. Hanlon, Carrie Buxton, Elsie Adams, assistants.
The post-office was established in 1865, with a Mr. Schmidt as postmaster. Then followed Josiah Collins and J. B. Campbell, the present postmaster.
The Lee's Summit cemetery was laid out soon after the war ; a portion of the land was given by W. B. Howard. It includes at the present time four acres and contains over two hundred graves. There are several fine monuments among them, I. W. Adams, W. T. Christmas, Thomas Powell, W. H. Colburn. There is a board fence around the grounds and soft maple trees set in profusion.
347
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
HISTORY OF THE MASONIC ORDER AT LEE'S SUMMIT.
Summit Lodge No. 263 was first organized under dispensation on the 17th of December, 1869, and thus continued until the 13th of October, 1870, when their charter was granted.
The first officers were : A. H. Powell, W. M .; A. Hamilton, S. W .; J. W. Threlkeld, J. W .; C. J. Cowherd, Treas .; H. McKnight, Sec .; C. A. Goshen, S. D .; G. W. Scott, J. D .; D. E. Cornwell, T.
Dr. C. A. Goshen was the first Master under the charter, elected on the 17th of Nov., 1870, and served until the first general election, which occurred on the 15th of Dec. 1870.
At this election, G. W. Scott was elected W. M .; C. A. Moore, S. W .; John J. Moore, J. W .; H. C. Miller, Treas., and Thos. R. Thornton, Sec.
On the 27th of Dec., 1871, the following officers were installed : A. Hamil- ton, W. M .; J. A. Shaw, S. W .; W. D. Warren, J. W .; H. C. Miller, Treas .; E. M. Hamilton, Sec.
On the 27th of Dec., 1872, the following officers were installed : James A. Shaw, W. M .; W. D. Warren, S. W .; Thos. R. Thornton, J. W .; U. Nieder- auer, Treas .; Dr. C. A. Goshen, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1873-James A. Shaw, W. M .; W. D. Warren, S. W .; W. C. Reed, J. W .; A. Hamilton, Treas., J. B. Campbell, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1874-James A. Shaw, W. M .; J. B. Campbell, S. W .; W. C. Reed, J. W .; A. J. Childs, Treas .; C. A. Goshen, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1875-J. B. Campbell, W. M .; H. F. Cowherd, S. W .; U. Nieder. auer, J. W .; A. J. Childs, Treas .; J. N. Shrout, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1876-James A. Shaw, W. M .; P. H. Grinter, S. W .; D. G. Dine, J. W .; J. B. Campbell, Treas .; T. R. Thornton, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1877-J. A. Shaw, W. M .. D. G. Dine, S. W .; A. Blackwell, J. W .; J. B. Campbell, Treas .; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1878-D. G. Dine, W. M .; A. Blackwell, S. W .; G. L. Smith, J. W .; J. B. Campbell, Treas .; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1879-James A. Shaw, W. M .; James Demott, S. W .; John H. Sheriff, J. W .; A. Blackwell, Treas .; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec.
Dec. 27, 1880-James A. Shaw, W. M .; John H. Sheriff, S. W .; G. L. Smith, J. W .; J. B. Campbell, Treas .; Thos. R. Thornton, Sec.
The last report of this lodge to the Grand Lodge shows a membership of 50 members in good and regular standing. The lodge under the present and past officers for the past ten years has been most prosperous, peace and harmony al- ways prevailing. The lodge is on a solid financial basis ; and, aside from bearing all expenses, has a nice sum of money on which to draw in case of necessity. They have a very comfortable hall in which to meet, and are the owners of their own furniture and owe no debts. Taken all in all, Summit Lodge is in a prosperous condition.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Mayor, J. H. Stinson.
Marshal, J. M. Short.
Episcopalian, Rev. Dunn, pastor.
M. E. church, Rev. S. R. Reese, pas- tor.
Baptist church, Rev. A. C. Rafferty, pastor.
Presbyterian church, Rev. J. W. Wallace.
Christian church, EIder Shanklin.
Ancient Order United Workmen.
Books and stationery, E. P. Hulbert. Furniture store, John G. Ocker.
Martin Axam. Millinery store, Mrs. J. A. Shaw. the Latham Sisters.
Lumber yard, J. G. Ocker.
J. Collins and W. P. Anderson. Coal yard, Daniel Whiting. '
Grain elevator, Daniel Whiting. Livery stable, W. F. Crane.
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HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Masonic Lodge, Jas. A. Shaw, W. M. Odd Fellows Lodge, Matthew Irvin, N. G.
Knights Pythias, John Nichols, C. C. Banking house, A. H. Powell & Son. Pacific Express, W. P. Anderson, agent.
Saw's hotel, Nancy A. Walworth.
Hotel and boarding house, John C. Norvill.
Missouri Pacific depot, A. H. Price, agent.
Night operator, James Murphy.
Public school, John Wilson, principal. General store, H. C. Williamson.
W. F. Lewis.
W. A. Gattrell.
J. B. Sampson.
Physicians, W. W. Miller.
J. C. Rogers.
T. R. Thornton.
66 Thomas Warren.
Drug store, A. Blackwell.
John C. Erk.
Groceries and hardware, Collins & Anderson.
Hardware and agricultural implement store, John Proudfit.
Hardware and agricultural implement store, George B. Fenn.
Flour mill, J. N. White & Co. Tailor shop, J. G. Miller. Blacksmith shop, R. S. Hall.
Edgar Whiting.
Henry Ferrh. Carpenter shop, J. G. Ocker. Martin Axam.
M. Sechler. Barber shop, J. E. Hough.
Harness store, D. B. Hicks.
G. N. Jones.
Meat market, J. H. Boggs. Tin and stove store, O. H. Lewis. Attorneys at law, James A. Shaw.
James A. Blair.
66 N. C. Scoville.
66 John Wilson.
C. A. Goshen. Samuel Ellis.
Post-office, James B. Campbell.
Justices of Peace, John Boggs.
Peter Mason.
Constable, Sam. G. Miller.
Road overseers, W. H. Mayhew.
66
Robert G. Wilson.
James A. Berry.
GREENWOOD.
The town of Greenwood was laid out in four sections, in sections 27, 28, 33 and 34, Tp. 47, R. 31, and the plat was filed for record on the 25th day of June, 1867. It is located very near the southern limits of Jackson county, on the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad.
Alfred Hanscom, R. W. Price, Frank Brooks and Rev. S. G. Clark were among those who laid out the town of Greenwood. The first store was kept by a man named Wise, at present living in Holden, Johnson county. Soon after R. W. Price put up a building for business and residence. Then Thos. Hinton built an hotel, but Mr. Hinton soon after died, and the building was rented to different parties.
The public school-house was built in the year 1870, contains three rooms and will seat 175 children. The building cost $2,500. The first church was the Congregational, since which time the Christian denomination has purchased the building. The Congregational church was built in 1867.
The lands surrounding the town and tributary thereto are very similar to those of Lee's Summit, being settled up by an enterprising farming com- munity. The principal attraction of Greenwood is Lincoln College, founded by the Rev. Randall Ross, under the auspices of the United Presbyterian Church.
Five acres of ground was donated by the town company. A building was erected at a cost of $5,000, and the first session was opened by Mr. Ross in 1870. From various causes this institution failed to meet the most sanguine anticipations of its warmest friends. Fortunately, however, within the past year Prof. J. A. McKirahan, a ripe scholar and educator, accepted the presidency, which has opened a new era for Lincoln College. The vim, energy and enterprise which
Grocery store, D. B. Park.
J. H. Stinson.
J. N. Shrout.
349
HISTORY OF JACKSON COUNTY.
Prof. McKirahan has developed, will, in due time, make Lincoln College one among the prominent institutions of learning in Jackson county.
The curriculum of this institution embraces all the branches taught in the oldest and most noted colleges in the East, and with the encouragement it de- serves, will prove a very important factor in the great educational work now so successfully inaugurated in Jackson county. A move has already been inaugu- rated to raise a sufficient fund to replace the present building with one more commodious and better adapted to the wants of the institution. Every man of enterprise and liberality in Jackson county, should, in a most practical manner, give encouragement to the erection of a suitable building that will in the near future create an institution of learning under its present able management that will be a pride, not only to Greenwood, but the county as well, if not the State.
UNION BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized in the fall of 1836. There were seven persons who constituted the first organization but their names cannot now be obtained. The church was located four miles south of the present site of Greenwood, in Cass county. It was removed to Jackson county in the spring of 1872. The present brick edifice was built in 1872, at a cost of about $2, 700. It was dedicated in 1873 by Rev. Joseph L. Blitch. The first pastor was a Rev. Jackson. Rev. Henry Farmer was pastor for twenty years ; Rev. N. M. Longfellow two years, and the present pastor is Rev. A. C. Rafferty. A Sunday school in connection with the church meets every Sabbath with deacon D. F. Belcher superintendent.
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