USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 36
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This county can boast of but few professional teachers. Many teach as a stepping to some other more lucrative avocation. One thing may be said for Pettis county, which shows the interest of her teachers over her
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sister county, Johnson, which lies under the shadow of a normal school, and that is she has never failed in sustaining county institutes. This coun- ty has good, live, whole-souled workers in the institute. In the teacher's profession, like many others, Pettis county, offers a place for those who are competent with honor and usefulness. The public schools of Sedalia are the very best. The course is thorough, fitting boys and girls for prac- tical life. This county denounces pretenders in teaching, and those who complain and are not alive to the grand opportunities of the school room and their profession. -
The county court of Pettis county, September 5, 1870, made efforts to secure the state normal school, then soon to be established. At a special session the 8th of the following month, the county court thought perhaps they might secure the location of the school if they would give the $50,- 000.00 instead of $75,000.00, which they proposed at the last session, and on the 7th of November, the court confirmed and approved this measure. At this time, E. W. Washburn was president of the county court. Accordingly, an election was held the 29th of this month, authorizing the county court to issue $50,000.00 bonds, which resulted in a vote of 914 for and 318 against, carried by more than two-thirds in favor of the prop- osition .. On the 6th of December following, Gen. Geo. R. Smith was appointed for the county on normal schools, and allowed $500.00 for law- yer's fees in case he needed it. Through fraud, men of Warrensburg, Johnson county, secured the state normal school for the second normal district of Missouri. However, before Pettis county would give it up, a lawsuit ensued and the matter was taken to the supreme court of the state, and on January 2, 1872, Pettis county court ordered the suit withdrawn, and on the 8th of the following month Gen. Smith was relieved of duties as agent for the county on normal schools.
Herewith is appended a brief sketch of the institutes from their incipiency, with proceedings and names of members, to the year 1882:
In response to a call by A. J. Sampson for the organization of a teach- ers' institute, a number of teachers and citizens met at the court house at 11 o'clock A. M., May 13, 1869.
The meeting was called to order by County Superintendent A. J. Sampson. After prayer by Rev. E. T. Brown, the following officers were elected, to-wit: A. J. Sampson, as chairman; B. F. Curnett, secre- tary; Mrs. M. J. Tucker, treasurer; and A. J. Sampson, G. W. Ready and T. J. Barton, executive committee. Held two days' session.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
WHEREAS, Our legislature has made it the duty of all public school teachers to become members of the teachers' institute in order the bet- ter to fit themselves to meet the responsibilities of instruction of the youth; and,
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WHEREAS, Teachers' institutes in other states have proved potent means in elevating the standard of education, be it,
Resolved, That the county superintendent of public schools, be requested to notify all teachers of public schools in the county that attend- ance at the next semi-annual session of the institute will be requested, and that a failure to comply without a reasonable excuse will forfeit their cer- tificate.
Resolved, That we regard the "Journal of Education," published by J. B. Merwin, 708 Chestnut street, St. Louis, Mo., as a powerful auxiliary in the promotion of the educational interests of the west, and in order that its sphere of usefulness be extended, we earnestly recommend that all teachers, school directors and other friends of education become subscrib- ers.
Resolved, That the thanks of the institute are tendered Maj. Merwin, editor of the "Journal of Education," for his valuable and efficient services during the institute.
Resolved, That the thanks of the institute are tendered the pastor of the Congregational Church for the use of the house for lectures.
Resolved, That the thanks of the institute are tendered the board of education of Sedalia, for the use of the school buildings during the insti- tute.
Resolved, That a vote of thanks be tendered Capt. A. J. Sampson, county superintendent of public schools, for his successful efforts in organ- izing and conducting this institute, and for the able and instructive address be requested for publication in the Sedalia papers and the "Journal of Education."
Resolved, That the proceedings of this institute be published in the Sedalia papers, and the "Journal of Education."
The following are the names of the members enrolled, to-wit:
Geo. W. Ready, W. S. Deardoff, B. F. Curnett, Wm. M. Barnhill, Jas. M. Caster, Joseph Kingsley, Geo. O. Brown, G. M. Colbert, M. V. B. Shattuck, A. J. Sampson, J. C. McCoy, T. J. Barton, J. M. Bigley, Edward Brown, Robert Reese, Wm. Hoffman, John Malone, William E. Strong, W. W. Snoddy, L. L. Bridges, J. M. Siglin, W. B. O'Bannon, Geo. W. Campbell, Milton Parish, Eva Griffon, S. J. Joplin, Mrs. W. J. Tucker, P. E. Sampson, E. Davidson, O. L. Ball, Mary A. Kidd, Mrs. L. Harrison, Mrs. M. A. Armes, Clara Kells, Julia Kells, J. B. Merwin, J. B. Brooks, M. Cotton, A. A. Neal, C. R. Griffon, J. R. Haviland, M. A. Nicholes, J. C. Grimes, T. M. Walker, T. J. Love, J. M. Bell, S. S. Evans, Geo. Rice, Henry Lamm, Sue Thompson, Miss S. J. Maltby, M. E. Grossbeck, Sallie Young, Thos. J. Gill, J. M. Duvall, J. M. Carter, M. C. Crawford, Mary Simons, Wm. Hansberger, Fannie Bard, Fannie C. Rothbon, Olivia J. Branham, Mary Ramey, Mrs. C. G. Delamater, Etta A. Phillips, O. G. Cooper, Prof. G. Beard, Miss O. Borrick, J. D. Brown, Alpheus Moore, Jas. Vangasken, Ewing Summers, J. S. Snead, S. M. Jackson, Mary A. Smith, Mary S. Thomas, N. E. Willer, Martha
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Woods, E. M. Amery, Wm. Cunningham, Chas. H. Hewit, Maud Zimmerman and John Osborne.
Institutes met as follows: Nov. 6, 1869, and continued four days; May 3, 1870, three days; Nov. 9, 1870, three days; May 9, 1871, four days; Oct. 24, 1871, four days; Nov. 14, 1872, two days; Nov. 5, 1873, four days; Oct. 22, 1877, three days; Aug. 28, 1878, three days; Aug. 29, 1879, three days; Aug. 24, 1880, three days; Dec. 29, 1881, two days.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS AND SUPERINTENDENTS.
A. J. Sampson, elected superintendent in 1868; A. A. Neal, elected superintendent in 1870; Prof. Westlake, elected superintendent in 1872; W. F. Hansberger, elected commissioner in 1875; Joseph Kingsley, elected commissioner in 1877; J. B. Van Petten, elected commissioner in 1879; R. M. Scotten, elected commissioner in 1881.
SCHOOL COMMISSIONER'S REPORT TO STATE SUPERINTENDENT FOR 1880 AND 1881:
Number of white children between six and twenty years of age: Male, 4,012; female, 3,960. Total, 7,972.
Number colored children between six and twenty years of age: Male, 414; female, 478. Total, 892.
Number of white scholars attending school during year: Male, 2,995; female, 2,817. Total, 5,812.
Number of colored scholars attending school during year: Male, 241; female, 294. Total, 535.
Total number days' attendance of all scholars, 578,414.
Average number days' attendance of each scholar, 77.
Number days school taught: Summer, 2,915; winter, 9,725.
Total, 12,640.
Average number scholars attending each day: Summer, 1,117; win- ter, 3,767. Total, 4,584.
Number of teachers employed in the county during year: Male, 80; female, 83. Total, 163.
Average salaries of teachers per month: Male, $36.90; female, $36.70. General average, $36.80.
Number of school houses in the county, 116.
Number of buildings rented for school purposes, 4.
Number of white schools in operation in the county, 100.
Number of colored schools in operation in the county, 20.
Value of school property in county,. $ 84,006.00. Assessed valuation of county, . 6,438,181.00.
Amount at beginning school year, .. 22,634.49.
Amount rec'd for tuition and other sources 627.50.
Amount rec'd of public fund, (state, county and tp., . ...
10,041.74.
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Amount realized from taxation. 42,600.67.
Amount paid for teachers' wages 33,226.20.
Amount paid for fuel. 1,959.23.
Amount paid for rents and repairs. 9,618.93.
Amount paid for incidentals and apparatus
6,253.65.
Amount paid for erecting school houses and purchas- ing sites 1,463.55.
Amount paid in defraying past indebtedness 2,253.05.
Amount paid as salaries of district clerks 337.00.
Amount of unexpended school funds at close of year .. . 20,840.65.
For the year 1880, Pettis county enumerated white children, between six and twenty years of age; male, 3,944, female, 3,813, total 7,757; of the colored children for the same year, male, 423, female, 456, total, 879, making a grand total of 8,636 school children of the county. For the beginning of the year (April, 1880), the county had the following funds: Cash on hands, $22,559.76; received from State, $5,892.56; county, $1,- 601.43; township, $2,223.54; district tax, $33,526.58; other sources, $3,- 297.26; total receipts, $69,101.23; total expenditures, $46,416.40; amount on hand at close of year $22,684.83. For that year (1880) the total attendance of all the pupils amounted to 802,920 days, and each pupil averaged eighty days, four school months. This great degree of non- attendance on the part of pupils in the public schools, indicates a lack of interest by the patrons of the schools. Out of the 8,636 children of school age, 6,692 were enrolled in the schools, leaving 1,944 out of the public schools. Perhaps one-third of this number attend private schools, leav- ing 1,276 children without instruction. During that year (1880) there were 136 teachers employed at an average salary of $40 per month. The average salaries were: for the males, $45 per month, and the females, $35 per month. The cost of tuition per day of each pupil was six cents, and the rate levied in the county to support the schools was sixty-five cents on the $100. The value of public school property for 1880 amounted to $115,000.
Besides the public schools of the county, Sedalia has two academies, a telegraph institute, and a commercial school, which are extensively noticed under the head of Sedalia schools.
The duties of the clerk of each district are to keep a correct record of the meetings, to contract with teachers, file teachers' certificates, compel teachers to make a complete report of their term of school, giving the time, wages, number scholars, ages, and attendance, with such other statistics as the board may require. The commissioner is elected in the spring at the same time as the directors (first Tuesday in April) of the odd years. He issues teachers' certificates of two classes. The " second
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class " embraces orthography, reading, penmanship, arithmetic, English grammar, modern geography, United States history, and civil govern- ment, good for a term of one year. A certificate of the "first-class " includes all the above with the addition of the natural sciences and physi- ology, and may be issued for a terin of two years. The commissioner does but little in a public capacity except examine teachers and grant cer- tificates, for which he receives $1.50 for each applicant, and $40.00 for making an annual statistical report to the state superintendent.
The future prospects of education in Pettis have a very encouraging outlook. The county already ranks among the foremost of the state in educational matters. Better teachers are coming to the front, and at no very distant day Pettis county will have better school facilities.
CHAPTER X .- THE MEDICAL PROFESSION.
The following pages of this chapter contain a sketch of physicians who, having practiced some time in Pettis county, have since deceased; also a short professional sketch of the present resident physicians, from whom the facts could be obtained. Dr. John W. Trader, of Sedalia, kindly arranged the facts he could collect in relation to those who have died. A letter was sent to each physician in Pettis county requesting facts about his professional career, and those who responded are noticed herein.
In making this necrological report of the physicians of Pettis county, we have been compelled to rely mainly upon the information furnished by old settlers, and especially upon that furnished by Major Wm. Gentry, who has been familliar, and personally acquainted, with all these families.
These reports are necessarily brief, as nothing is attempted beyond an effort to preserve the history of those persons who, in many instances, are important factors in the first settlement of our county.
DR. CHRISTIAN E. BIDSTRAP, a native of Denmark, settled near George- town, Pettis county, Mo., in the year 1833, on the farm known as the Craven's place; practiced medicine some six or eight years; died near Clifton, at his brother's. The doctor was never married, andh as no rela- tives in the county at present.
DR. MOSES A. FERRIS was a surgeon in the volunteer forces from Kentucky in the war of 1812; removed from Georgetown, Ky., and set- tled in Pettis county near, Longwood, in the year 1833 or 1834, on what was then known as the Baker farm. The doctor was a representative man; in addition to practicing medicine, he preached to the early settlers, and married the young folks; he being what was then known as a Reformed preacher. The first blooded cattle brought to Pettis county
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were imported by Dr. Ferris. The doctor practiced medicine some ten or twelve years in this vicinity, and died suddenly, while out hunting, by what was supposed to have been apoplexy; none of the family, except the widow of the eldest son, residing at Longwood, are residents of the county.
DR. WILLIAM J. WESTFIELD settled in Georgetown in the year 1834 or '35, from Kentucky. The doctor was what is generally known by the early settlers as a " root and yarb doctor." The doctor cultivated his own medical plants, and had quite a garden of herbs from which he supplied his armomentorium as occasion required. He left no family in the county, and no positive evidence of when and where he died.
DR. WILKINS WATKINS was born in Virginia in the year 1809, and set- tled in Georgetown, Missouri, in the year 1838. The doctor represented this county in the legislature in the year 1845 or '46, and was register of lands at one time, at Clinton, Missouri. He moved to Salem, Oregon, in 1863, and returned and settled in Sedalia, Missouri, in 1867, where he died December 6, 1872. He leaves a wife and daughter who are now living in Sedalia, and two grand children, residing at Ft. Scott, Kansas.
DR. THOMAS EVANS was born in Washington City, D. C., October 27, 1805; educated at "Columbia College," D. C., graduating in both literary and medical departments. Came to Missouri in 1832, and moved to Pettis county in 1840, and located on the eastern border of the county on a farm which he improved himself, where he lived and practiced medicine until he sold his farm and located in the town of Smithton in the year 1872, where he resided until his death, which occurred on the 10th of September, 1874. The remains are buried at the Smithton cemetery. Dr. Evans was no ordinary man. Deeply imbued with the greatness of his calling, he never, by word or deed, lowered the standard of his profes- sion. His reputation extended over Cooper, Saline, Pettis, Morgan and Benton counties, and for thirty odd years he served this people with a fidelity that will not soon be forgotten. The doctor never held a public office. He leaves three sons resident of this county, two of whom, Drs. E. C. and W. H. Evans, are leading physicians of Sedalia, Mo.
DR. EDWARD SPEDDEN settled in Georgetown in the year of 1841 or '42; was born and raised on the eastern shore of Maryland. Died in Georgetown about the year 1856. Dr. Spedden was an eminent physi- cian, and of more than ordinary acquirements; was charitable to the poor, and modest and retired in his deportment. The doctor was twice married; had six children by his first, and one son by his last wife. None of the family live in Pettis county at present.
DR. Moss came to Georgetown, from one of the New England
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states, about the year 1840 or '42. He was what is generally known by " Thompsonian." He first settled near where Longwood now is; was married to a Miss McGill, of Heath's Creek, and moved from Pettis county in the year 1856 or'57, and died somewhere in the Indian Territory during the year of 1879.
DR. J. K. McKABE settled in Georgetown in the year 1846, from Pittsylvania county, Va. Married a Miss McBride, of North Missouri, in 1850, where he died in the year 1851. Nothing further is known of the family.
DR. WILLIAM TURLEY was born in Cooper county, and settled in Pettis county, near Thornleigh, in 1854 or '55. Dr. Turley raised a company and was mustered into the Seventh Cavalry M. S. M., Col. J. F. Philips commanding, in the year 1862. The doctor accidentally shot himself fatally, while dismounting, soon after. Quite a large family of children remain, some still residents of the county.
DRS. THORNTON & LOWRY settled in Georgetown at an early day, about 1844 or '45. They practiced medicine together, but left in 1854, and both soon after died. Nothing further is known of their history.
DR. BENJAMIN FRANKLIN HUGHES was born in Cooper county, Mo., near Pilot Grove, Nov. 20, 1830; graduated at the Mo. Med. College, (McDowel's) in the year 1855, at which time he came to Pettis county, and settled in Georgetown, engaging in the practice of his profession. At the breaking out of the late civil war he was commissioned surgeon in the Federal Army, which post he filled until elected as a delegate from this district to the convention to form what is known as the Drake Con- stitution of Missouri. The doctor, after the close of the war, resumed the practice of his profession in Sedalia, Mo., where he died August 26, 1879, and is buried in the Georgetown cemetery. Two brothers, three sisters, and five children survive him and are residents of the county.
DR. THOMAS JOHNSON MONTGOMERY, born in Danville, Boyle county Kentucky, August 9, 1812. Moved to Pettis county in the year 1858, and settled near Longwood, Missouri. Afterward moved to Georgetown. In 1864 he was oppointed surgeon of the Seventh Cavalry M. S. M., and in 1865 assumed the duties of medical director, central district of Mis- souri, until the close of the war. The same year he settled in Sedalia, and resumed the practice of his profession. The doctor was twice mar- ried. Three sons and three daughters survive him, and are residents of the county. His widow also resides in Sedalia. Dr. Montgomery was an extraordinary man. Endowed with a fine mind by nature, he had, by industry and an indomitable will, overcome all obstacles and towered as a 9
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Nestor among the members of his profession; was granted an ad eundem from the Starling Medical College in 1855, and a life honor was conferred upon him by the St. Louis Medical College in 1858. He filled many places of honor and trust among men. He died in Sedalia, Missouri, May 17, 1877, and was buried in the Sedalia cemetery, with church and Masonic honors.
DR. WILLIAM A. MAYFIELD moved from Kentucky, and settled in Sedalia, Missouri, in the year 1866, where he lived and practiced his pro- fession up to the time of his death. The doctor was eminent in his pro- fession, and during the war served on the medical staff of the United States army, and had charge of United States hospitals at various places in Kentucky. The doctor was twice married, leaving a widow and one son. His widow resides in St. Louis, and the son, by his first wife, is a soldier in the United States army stationed out west. The doctor died at his brother-in-law's in Henry county, Missouri, and was buried in the Sedalia cemetery in the spring of 1882.
PERSONAL MENTION.
Name, where born, where studied medicine, when came to Pettis county, etc., of all the present resident physicians from whom data could be obtained.
WILLIS P. KING, born December 21st, 1839, in Mason county, Mis- souri, graduated at St. Louis Medical College in the spring of 1866, and at Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York, 1871. Came to Pettis county, 1859, was president of Pettis County Medical Association in 1876, and now occupies the chair of diseases of women in medical department in the State University, and also the same position in the University of Kansas City. He was president of the State Medical Associaton for the year 1881, was public administrator of Vernon county from 1868 to 1872, and coroner of Pettis county from 1880 to 1882.
THOMAS SOLLIS was born in England, June 23d, 1839, graduated at Clevelend Medical College in 1869, practiced medicine in Illinois for eleven years. Came to Pettis county in 1879.
JOHN W. TRADER was born in Xenia, Ohio, March 6th, 1837. Began the study of medicine with Dr. Alex. S. Hughes of Lindley, Grundy county, this State; graduated at the Missouri Medical College in 1859, was commissioned assistant surgeon in 1862 by Governor Gamble, and mustered in the 1st Cavalry, 1st Battalion M. S. M. In 1863 he was promoted sur- geon of the same regiment. In 1864 he was made, by special order, sur- geon of the 1st brigade of General Pleasanton's cavalry corps. In April, 1865, he was mustered out of the volunteer service and immediately took service in the U. S. medical corps as a surgeon and did duty at Jefferson
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Barracks and New Orleans. In May, 1865, he resigned his commission and commenced practicing his profession in Lexington, Missouri, where he continued until 1866, when he came to Sedalia. In 1867 he was appointed by the Governor as honorary commissioner from Missouri to the Paris Exposition, where he spent some time utilizing the superior advantages offered him for the further pursuit of his professional studies. Was presi - dent of the State Medical Association in 1876-77. In 1877 appointed a delegate to the American Medical Association, which met at Chicago. In the same year he was appointed surgeon for the M. K. & T. railroad, which position he filled for three years. In 1878 he was appointed as a member of the examining board of the medical department of the State University, which position he still holds. At present he is also president of the Pettis County American Bible Society. Dr. Trader has written several essays on different branches of his profession, which have been published; among them, "Diabetes Melitus, " " Bronchotomy and its after treatment, " "Criminal Abortion, " etc.
E. C. EVANS is a native of Washington, D. C., born October 29th, 1828. His father located in Pettis county in 1832; he graduated at the St. Louis Medical College in the spring of 1854; located first at Otterville and made a specialty of diseases of the eye; he took a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, at Philadelphia, in 1857-58, on this special topic, and received the ad cundum degree; he also graduated in 1865, at the Oph- thalmic College, New York; he moved to Sedalia in 1873. In 1880 he was elected mayor of Sedalia.
THOS. B. MEMMINGER was born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1837, graduated at Charleston Medical College in 1859; studied surgery in Bell- vue Hospital, New York, spent two years in Europe; in 1861 he was appointed by Jefferson Davis as surgeon in the Confederate army and served in that capacity until the close of the war; practiced in Charleston, South Carolina, Kansas City and St. Louis, Missouri; in 1881 he located in Sedalia, where he is now practicing.
W. H. EVANS was born in Cooper county, Missouri, in 1840. Studied medicine with his father, who was also a physician. Attended St. Louis Medical College and Bellevue Hospital Medical College, graduating from the latter place in 1867. During the war Dr. Evans was assistant surgeon in state militia, serving until its close. In 1873 he began prac- ticing with his brother, (E. C.,). in Sedalia, and has since resided here. He has been coroner of Pettis county several terms.
IRA T. BRONSON was born in Watertown, New York, in 1840, and was educated at Newbury, Vermont, and the University of that State, where he received his medical education, studying also at Burlington and
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Dartmouth College, at Hanover, New Hampshire, graduating from the latter place in 1869. He began practicing at Newbury, Vermont, where he remained until 1873. Coming to Sedalia that year, and has since been in practice and engaged in the drug business.
R. WILSON CARR is a native of Maryland, born in 1831. He was educated at St. John's College, at Annapolis, Md., but graduated at Dick- erson College, at Carlisle, Indiana, in 1849. He immediately began the study of medicine, graduating from the medical department of the Uni- versity of Maryland in 1852. He then went to California and practiced his profession until 1857, when he returned to Baltimore city, and con- tinued there until 1861. In that year he was appointed surgeon-general of Maryland, by Gov. T. Hicks. He served as volunteer surgeon at An- tietam and Gettysburg. In 1868. he was appointed chief coroner of Bal- timore city. The doctor came to Sedalia, in 1877, and has since been located here.
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