The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 85

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154

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 85

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HARRISON SICKLER.

Proprietor of the Peacock Coal Mine, section 28; post-office, Hughes- ville. This enterprising citizen is a native of Pennsylvania, and was born on the 11th day of October, 1825. His early youth was spent in learning the blacksmith trade, and when he was the at age of twenty he engaged in mining coal, and has since made it a study, and it can be truthfully said that no man in Pettis County has a better knowledge of that business than Mr. Sickler. In the autumn of 1877 he came to this county and soon purchased a farm of 160 acres, which he has brought under a high state of cultivation. It is among the most productive farms of this township, as well as being underlaid with an incalculable wealth of coal. In the spring of 1881 he opened his present mine, " The Peacock," which is now yielding large quantities of what is said by many to be the best coal in Pettis County. Mr. Sickler is fast gaining a large trade in this line as the superior quality of the product of his mine is being recognized by a large number of the citizens of the surrounding country. In fact he has now gained a business that brings him in a liberal revenue. He was the first to prospect for coal in this locality, and may be considered the pioneer miner of a district that a few years hence will equal the famous mines of his native State. The quality and price of the product of the 38

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Peacock mine is drawing the patronage of people from a great distance in all directions, and it is but a question of a short time when Mr. Sickler will find himself in possession of a handsome fortune should he continue to operate in the future as he has in the past.

METCALF SMITH.

Farmer and stock raiser. Residence, section thirty-five. Postoffice, Houstonia. A prominent enterprising farmer, is a native of Highland County, Ohio, was born on the 12th day of August, 1836. In his thir- teenth year his parents moved to Illinois, locating in Pike County. Here our subject spent his days in agricultural pursuits until 1868. He received a liberal education in the common schools of that county. In 1868 he came west, locating on his present farm, which he has since improved, and it can be truthfully said that it now ranks among the most desirable in the county. It consists of one hundred and ninety acres, all under a high state of cultivation, adorned with a beautiful and commodious dwelling. Situated on a high enimence overlooking a broad expanse of country in all directions, embellished with shade and ornamental trees, as well as a thrifty young orchard. His farm is well watered and drained, has a well sixty-five feet in depth, which gives a never failing supply of cold, crystal- like water. It is well fenced into four fields by neat well kept hedges, and is so arranged that it adds much to the utility of the farm. Mr. Smith is giving his entire attention to the duties of the farm and stock raising, and should be classed among the leading business farmers of his township. He was married in Pike County, Ills., in June, 1860, to Miss Catharine Kelly. She is also a native of Ohio, and moved to Illinois when very young. This union has brought them six children, five of whom are now living, Margaret, Cynthia, who died in Sept. 1879; Francis H., Mary, Oliver D. and George M. Mr. Smith is a man who has done much for the development of this part of the county, and has been closely identified with its interests. He has given his family the benefits of a liberal educa- tion and is raising them up in a commendable manner. As a citizen, Mr. Smith is highly esteemed, and as a business man his industry and prudent management are manifest in his surroundings.

HENRY C. SMITH.

Hughesville. He is a native of Ohio. Was born in New Carlisle, Clark County, on September 18, 1833. His youthful days were spent in farming, and acquiring an education. until he attained his majority. In October, 1862, he engaged in merchandising as a sutler with the One Hundred and Tenth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, in which duty he continued until the 14th day of June, 1863, when he was captured by the Confed- erate forces at Winchester, Va., losing his entire stock and train. He was

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conveyed to Libby prison, where he was kept until the 3d day of July, of that year, when he was paroled. His experience in prison life was like that of many others, receiving the usual harsh and inhuman treatment which characterized the discipline of Confederate prisons. Soon after his deliverance from the loathsome place he set about to endeavor to once more retrieve his losses. He immediately began the organization and equipment of another train, and in a few weeks was again launched in mer- cantile life with a large and fully equipped train. He joined his command on the 9th of Sept., 1863, and again took up his former duties, in which he continued until the close of the war, in July, 1865. He then returned to his home in Ohio, and in February, 1866, came to Pettis County, locating in Sedalia, where he was engaged in mercantile pursuits until, in 1868, he moved to where is now the station of Hughesville. In December, 1867, he was married to Miss Mattie E. Mockbee, who was a native of Mis- souri. She died on the 7th day of February, 1877, and Mr. Smith has since remained a widower. He is the father of two bright lovable children, by this union, whom he is educating with care, David C. and Harrison. Mr. Smith is now engaged in farming, owns a valuable farm of one hundred and eighty-eight acres of well improved land; he is a man of liberal education, and a diversity of knowledge; has seen many of the urs and down of life, has travelled extensively amid war and pestilence, as well as peace and prosperity. Has tasted the bitter of army prisons, and is yet scarcely past the meridian of life, although he has experienced many of its vicissitudes.

THOMAS A. SMITH.

Physician and surgeon, Houstonia. Doctor Smith stands at the head of his profession as a skillful and competent practitioner. He is a native of Mercer County, Ky., was born on the 13th day of March, 1852. His early youth was spent in attending school and assisting his father in a mercantile business. His father, J. D. Smith, came to Pettis County in 1873, locating with his family near Georgetown, on a farm which he purchased soon after his arrival in the county. Our subject, Dr. T. A. Smith, having had in view the medical profession from his youth, here com- menced the study of "the healing art" under the tuition of Dr. James Allen of that place. He applied himself studiously to the teachings and study laid out by his preceptor until the autumn of 1878, when he entered the Hospital Medical College of Louisville Ky., and was a continuous student, until in the spring of 1881 he graduated with high honors. Dur- ing his attendance at that institution the doctor was a close student, missing but two days' attendance during his entire course. While there he enjoyed a large and instructive practice among the inmates of the hospital as well ,as the poor throughout the city, where he obtained a knowledge of the

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various diseases and the most successful methods of treatment, besides the gratification of knowing that he was laboring to alleviate the sufferings of his fellow beings. Soon after the completion of his studies, the Doctor located in Houstonia, where he is now enjoying a large and successful practice, and is fast building up a reputation for skill and honesty, which insures for him the confidence and patronage of the people of this locality.

WILLIAM WEATHERS.

Post-office, Lamonte. Among the many pioneers of this county no man has been more closely associated with the social and religious inter- ests of this locality than the subject of this brief sketch, who is a native of Lewis County, Ky. He was born on the 22d day of May, 1807. His father, John Weathers, was a native of Virginia and moved to Kentucky at an early day, and was there married to Miss Henrietta Carrington, who was born Feb. 15, 1785, and lived until October 27, 1864. When our sub- ject, Mr. Wm. Weathers, was about 14 years of age, he engaged in the shoe-making trade and followed its pursuits in connection with farm duties until a few years ago. He was married in Caldwell County, Ky., in 1826, to Miss Sally Storms. She was a native of Indiana. She died in 1839, and in the same year he was again married; this time to Miss Susan Goodwin, a native of Kentucky, who was born in what was then Chris- tian County. In the spring of 1842 Mr. Weathers started west with his family and arrived in Pettis County on the first day of May of that year. His first settlement was made near the old Pin Hook Mill, where he raised a crop of nine acres of corn. The next year was spent on the old Reese farm, and in the spring of 1844 he moved to his present location. A few years were spent in a small log cabin which formed his mansion until he erected his present residence, which is comfortable. Since his coming to this county Mr. W. has done much for the upbuilding of religion, educa- tion and morality. He was among the early workers and organizers of the Regular Baptist Society, with which organization Mr. W. has been closely associated until the present time. He has been a member of that denomination since 1830. He has raised a large family of children and has given them all an education and a start in life. He yet retains a nice farm of 304 acres of desirable land.

FREDERICK WILSON.

Postmaster. Among the many enterprising citizens of Houstonia, no one has been more closely identified with the interests of the town than has Mr. Frederick Wilson. He is a native of Wetterburg, Waldeck Province, Germany, and was born on the 28th day of April, 1845. When · he was about fifteen years of age he apprenticed himself to a wagon maker, and served about two years at that trade. His early youth, pre- .

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vious to this, was spent in attending school and acquiring an education. On the 5th day of December, 1862, he took passage on board a ship, in company with his father, and in February, 1863, arrived in Sedalia. Soon after this he engaged in mercantile business at Lamonte, in partnership with Mr. Busch, and continued in trade at that point for about one year, when Mr. Wilson disposed of his interests there and came to this place, where he soon erected the first store building in the town. The great storm of February 23, 1875, an account of which will be found in another part of this work, destroyed his stock, building, etc., and left him to begin anew his efforts to build a town. The loss was severely felt by Mr. Wilson, but he was again started in a few weeks, in his present build- ing, which he erected, and since then has done a large and profitable business. He is now having a good business in grain, as well as general merchandise. He occupies a commodious frame building, with a twenty feet front, and seventy-two feet in depth, which is completely filled with a selected stock of general merchandise; and is also doing an insurance business for the old time-tried company, the German, of Freeport, Ill. Soon after his coming to Houstonia, Mr. Wilson was appointed assistant post-master, and on April 1, 1875, was appointed post-master, and has since filled the office to the entire satisfaction of the Department and pub- lic. Since his first connection with the office, Mr. Wilson has constantly added to its popularity and convenience, and has raised its income from a business that paid but twelve dollars per year, to a business that now pays him $300 per annum. Mr. Wilson is a man who has done much for the up-building of the town and its institutions. He was married here in February, 1874, to Miss Martha Elizabeth Porter, sister of Mr. Wm. H. Porter, who was killed in the tornado. Since his coming to the place, Mr. Wilson has seen many changes come to this part of the county, and has witnessed the growth of a community, of which he was among the founders. He is now comfortably situated in a neat home, and is num- bered among the substantial business men of the county.

CHAPTER XIII .- BLACKWATER TOWNSHIP.

Introduction-Name .- Organization-Order of Court-Boundaries in 1833, 1844 and 1873. Configuration-Physical Features-Soils, Woodland, Elm and Bottom Lands -- Ancient Mining-Who Were the People that Made the Excavations ?- Early Settlers-Agricul- tural Interests - Stock Raising- Prominent Farmers -Fine Farms- Churches- Schools-Political-Incidents-Biographical.

Many years ago the hardy and ambitious sons and daughters, who first came to this township, left their parental roofs and sought homes in the untamed wilderness of what was then the West. They were not the effeminate sons and languid daughters of wealthy parents, who had been

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reared in the lap of luxury, for such never dare the perils of a frontier life. They had from their infancy been taught, by precept and example, that industry and economy which had enabled their fathers to thrive among the rocks and hills of Kentucky. Some of them started alone, with knapsacks on their backs, rifles on their shouiders and axes in their hands. Thus accoutered they bade adieu for a time to loved ones at home, and turned their faces westward to seek their future homes and fortunes in the wilderness.

For a time they followed the trail of previous emigration, but soon they left the borders of civilization, and struck out into the forest of the New World. Having made their selection of suitable locations, and secured titles, if the latter were needed, they began preparations for the future. Temporary shelters were constructed, and clearing was begun, if in the timber, and if on the prairie, a small plot of ground was broken. While this work was in progress, these solitary laborers procured what scanty supplies they needed from Boonville or Lexington. Their near- est neighbors were sometimes a score of miles away, and with these they occasionally exchanged visits and planned for the future. By night they lay in their rude shelters on beds of grass, or even upon boards hewn from the logs they had felled, to dream of the homes they had left, or those their fancy pictured; or in their intervals of wakefulness, listened to the distant howling of the wolf, or were startled by the nearer hooting of the owl.' Day after day they toiled on, sustained solely by the hopes and plans for the future.

The work of the adventurer completed, he turned his face homeward, and with light heart came again to the scenes of his childhood. Here were parents, brothers and sisters, to welcome him warmly, and listen to the recital of his experience in the western wilds. He received a still more hearty welcome from another, who, during his long absence, had not ceased to think of him by day, and to dream of him by night. She listened to the story of his doings with a deeper interest, for to her and him they were matters of equal importance.

A wedding soon occurred, and the last winter of the pair in their native State was a season of busy preparation for removal to their western home, interspersed with social gatherings and merry-makings among the scenes and companions of their childhood. They sat down to their last Thanks- giving dinner, attended their last Christmas and New Year's festivals with former playmates and school-fellows, and on the approach of spring bid adieu to all their old friends and scenes, and departed for their new home. At length the last settlement was reached. Then they entered at once upon the realities of pioneer life, for now there were no roads to guide them; behind were the last vestages of civilization; ahead was a strange land and deep privation. The stopping place of the summer before is at

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length reached, and the busy cares of a frontier life begun. They gener- ally made these first settlements on the borders of the woods, for the early settlers always avoided the open prairie. The sound of the husband's axe echoed through the forest by day, and the wife plied her evening care in the cheerful glow of the blazing hearth at night. Their simple fare and active exercise insured them robust health, and though their surroundings were quite different from those in the midst of which they had been reared, this was the home which they had made for themselves, and they were happy in the enjoyment of it. During the summer other settlers had come in, some singly, others with their families, and neighbors were less distant, and the monotony of their life was buried by an occasional visit from or among them. This social intercourse among the pioneers had none of the bad features which characterizes that of later times. There were among them no conventionalities, no unmeaning expressions of civility, no rivalries, no jealousies, and no hypocritical manifestations of each other's welfare. Each rejoiced in his neighbor's prosperity, or sym- pathized with him in his adversity. These visits were anticipated with pleasure, and remembered without regret.

Another summer and winter passed, and changes indicative of increasing prosperity were visible. The clearings had become enlarged and fenced, glass had replaced the greased paper in the window of the cabin, a plank door swing on wooden hinges where formerly had hung a blanket, and some flowering shrubbery was growing beside it. The solitude of the wife was enlivened by the prattle of her first-born. Immigrants had continued to come, and what was a pioneer residence had become part of a pioneer settlement. Faster and faster they came flocking in, taking possession of the lands, or pushing into still unbroken tracts brought new farms into cultivation.

Now pioneer life was lived on a larger scale. The settlers' log cabins dotted more thickly the wilderness, and the little farms about them encroached more rapidly on the surrounding prairie and forest. Every- where was heard the busy hum of life. A variety of work went on in doors, as well as out, which long ago ceased to be done in private homes. Households in those days were widely different from the comfortable and roomy mansion of to-day. Every good mother (and there were none others) taught her daughters a broad range of domestic duties, from washing dishes and log cabin floors, to weaving and making up fine linen, for the house was also the factory and to none of the multifarious duties did her industrious spirit and proper ambition incline here more strongly than to the making from flax and wool of the fabrics which she and hers might need.

An interval of two decades passes; 1882 is at hand. An elegant man- sion stands on the site of the old log cabin, and all its surroundings show

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that it is the abode of wealth and refinement. Spacious fields and farm houses are seen upon every landscape. A gray haired man is busy with the cattle in the farm yard; a portly woman sits by the stove-which has superceded the fire place-busy with her knitting, while some of the grand children are playing on the floor, and others engaged in various kinds of work. Another of their children has been added to the group in the cemetery, another has settled in an adjoining town, and two have gone to seek their fortunes in the mountains. Thrice honored, thrice exalted family. The toils of years have brought a rich harvest; the consciousness of a well spent-life brings peace to your whitened locks; and the memory of the trials of other days, adds zest to the enjoyment of the present.

In wealth and improvement, Blackwater Township ranks second to none in the county. In productiveness it takes front rank. Its soil is its " chief stock in trade" in the permanent work of production. In Pettis County and in Blackwater Township, as in nearly everywhere in North and Central Missouri, the soils are the marvel of all critical and practical visitors from east and north. Here in Pettis County the prairie soils of the surface are generally friable alluvial, with here and there a district of grayish alluvial, are from fifteen to forty inches deep, and yield heavy crops of grain, grass and vegetables.

The woodland soils are a shade lighter in color, have a liberal admix- ture of red and chocolate colored clay, and are among the most valuable and productive wheat, tobacco, fruit, clover and blue grass soils in the country ; especially is this true of the oak and hickory lands of this town- ship. The elm lands whose surface soil is deep, rich, flexible and " mulatto" colored are found in good sized districts throughout the town- ship, and for wide range of production, fertility and availability under all conditions, are equal to any lands in the world.

The bottom lands which embrace several thousand acres, are generally a black alluvial, from four to ten feet deep, enormously rich in the best elements of fertility, grow heavy crops of wheat, corn, grass and vegeta- bles, and are practicably inexhaustible.

The sub-soils of the township, whose rich treasures have scarcely been disturbed by the loose cultivation of the past and present, will prove a mine of wealth to the more thorough cultivators of the future. The sub- soils of the entire county are well mixed with strong silicious clays and marls, rich in all those materials which contribute to the wealth of all soils.

NAME .- Blackwater township derives its name from the principal stream running through its borders, the Blackwater River. Why it is thus called cannot be ascertained. It is supposed that it was given to the river by the Indians from some tradition, but what that tradition is none

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now living can tell. It has had this name as far back as the memory of "the oldest inhabitant" goes, and with it they were satisfied and with it we shall be.

ORGAINZATION .- Blackwater township is one of the early organizations of the county. It occupies as now organized the northwestern portion of Pettis County, and has for its boundary on the north Saline County, on the east Houstonia township, on the south Lamonte township, and on the west Johnson and Lafayette Counties. It embraces as now organized fifty-four sections of land, being one of the four largest townships in Pettis County.

When the county was organized in 1833, Blackwater was one of the original five townships laid out. It occupied not only its own present territory but also that of Houstonia and parts of Lamonte and Dresden each. East of it was Bowling Green, south Elk Fork, and west and north the counties above spoken of. In this organization it continued until 1844, when its boundaries were changed and Washington township was added to the southern party of the county, and Elk Fork was given a position further north, and embracing the townships of Elk Fork, Prairie, Lamonte and Dresden, and Blackwater was given the territory now occu- pied by Houstonia and itself. In this shape it continued until 1873, when the county adopted township organization, and it was given its present territory, (see maps of township lines of 1844 and 1873), and its boundaries were defined as follows: To include all that portion of township 48, range 23, that belongs to Pettis County, and all of township 47, range 23, bounded as follows:

Commencing at the northeast corner of section 24, township 48, range 23; running thence west on the county line to the northwest corner of Pettis County; running thence south on the county line to the southwest corner of section 31, township 47, range 23; running thence east on the township line, to the southeast corner of section 36, township 47, range 23; running thence north on the range line to place of beginning.

Such then is the township of which we have to write. With an area of 34,560 acres, containing some of the most magnificent homesteads in not only the county, but in the State. Of these homes we shall have occasion to refer further on in this chapter.

CONFIGURATION .- The eastern part of the township is more or less broken, while the western and central parts present as lovely a view of high rolling prairie land as is ever seen in any part of the country.

In shape Blackwater is a parallelogram, being nine miles north and south by six east and west. Its surface is drained by several streams and creeks, the largest of which is Blackwater River. This enters the town- ship at section 30 and flows across the northwest corner of the township,

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through sections 30, 19, 20 and 21. The south fork of Blackwater finds its headwaters in Lamonte township. Following these two streams in size come Elk Fork Creek, Beaver Dam Creek, Wolf Creek, and numer- ous other small branches, each of which has its local name and importance. Along all of these water courses a fine growth of timber exists, and in the driest season the springs along their banks afford a never failing supply of water for stock.

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The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 85

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald Publication date: 1882] Publisher: [n.p. Number of Pages: 1154

Author: Demuth, I. MacDonald
Publication date: 1882]
Publisher: [n.p.
Number of Pages: 1154