The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 97

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 97

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).

CHAPTER XVII .- DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

Introduction-Name-Organization-Configuration-Physical Features-Early Settlers- Agriculture-Stock Raising-Some of the Notable Stock Farms-The Village of Dresden -- Its Advantages -- Incorporation -- Law Suits -- Schools -- Churches -- The Depot-Manufacture of Stoneware-Biographical.

In the following few pages we shall briefly trace the history of Dresden Township, and though briet, it is not without interest and value. It may be none of that tragic interest which centers in cities that have witnessed the fall of dynasties, and the institution of republics, or which have them- selves helped to shape the destinies of the world, but it is a phenomenal one in that it marks the peculiar and distinctive features of Western progress. Its rise is not of that character which bears upon its surface none of the marks of permanency, but has taken place in obedience to those laws which insure permanency, and are of themselves a sufficient guarantee of future growth and prosperity. When business interests and prosperity once become factors in the popular opinion, then there is the promise and potency of substantial development. Such has charac- terized the brief history of this township. Where twenty years ago was unbroken prairie and the stillness that only broad acres may know, stands a town of three hundred inhabitants, and a country teeming with life and activity and the busy cares of an active life, and moving amidst the hum of numerous industries. In no land except the great West could such a wonder be.

NAME-Dresden Township takes its name from the town situated near its center. This probably was named from the beautiful city of Dresden the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony, in the southern part of the Ger- man Empire. How this name came to be selected for this little western town is now hard to determine. The view that is obtained from its posi- tion is certainly fine. Looking to the east the "Queen City of the Prairies " is spread out in a splendid birds-eye view before one, and on the west and north a magnificent view of elegant farms stretches away as far as the eye can reach. Some one familiar with the brave little King- dom of Saxony, and wishing to remind the traveler of its beautiful capital, with its grand art galaries, the finest in all Europe, its great halls filled with a collection of gems equalled only by the famous vaults men-

908

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

tioned in the "Arabian Tales," and its magnificent churches and public buildings, gave the name Dresden to this little Missouri town, and by such it has since been known.

ORGANIZATION .- Dresden Township is one of the organizations of 1873. Until 1844 it had been part of Blackwater Township, but in that year when the lines were changed its territory was divided between Elk Fork and Mount Sterling. In the organization of 1873 it was laid out and given the name of Dresden, and the following boundaries describe its limits, includ- ing all of township forty-six, range twenty-two, bounded as follows: com- mencing at the northeast corner of said township forty-six, range twenty- two, running thence west on township line to the northwest corner of same township; thence running south on range line to the southwest corner of same township; running thence east on the township line to the southeast corner of same township; running thence north on range line to the place of beginning. Its area comprises an exact congressional township. It is bounded on the north by Houstonia Township, on the east by Cedar and Sedalia townships, on the south by Prairie Township, and on the west by Lamonte township. It has 23,040 square acres, nearly all tillable land and well improved.

CONFIGURATION OF LAND .- The town is situated principally on the divide between the two creeks, Big and Little Muddy, flowing respect- ively across its southern and northern portions. Along this divide is situated some of the most beautiful farming country in the county. It is high, rolling prairie, traversed nearly through its center by the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and contains some as desirable farms as there are to be found in Central Missouri. The southern portion of the township is crossed by the Muddy Creek and is, in consequence, more or less broken. Along this creek grows some of the finest timber in the county and its variety is varied, giving an abundant supply for all demands and uses. Also among the hills are valuable quarries of limestone and rock, which are worked for building purposes, and also in one or two places for the manufacture of lime. The Little Muddy finds its headwaters in the north- vestern part of the township and joins its larger branch in Cedar Town- ship. These two streams afford water sufficient for stock in the dryest seasons, and gives good drainage to the land. In no place is it low or flat, but everywhere the prairie presents that beautiful rolling aspect, indicating the choice land and desirable position so much sought after by the thrifty farmer of to-day.

EARLY SETTLERS .- As the present township was one of the latest formed in the county, and as it was part of three or four other townships before its own bounds were given, it is almost impossible to arrive at a correct list of its early settlers. Some of those given as settlers of Black-

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

909

water, Cedar and Houstonia were in the borders of this township, and the amalgamation which the townships went through from the year 1844 to 1873, render the obtaining of a detailed and correct list of the early set- tlers impossible. However, as the early history of this is so closely con- nected with its neighboring townships, its early history so closely identi- fied, and its growth so nearly like theirs that this is really immaterial. A few of its early settlers are, Mr. Benton Rees, who came to the township in 1840, and is a native of Missouri and still lives in the township; James H. Combs came from Kentucky in 1845; Jefferson DeJarnett is a native of Missouri, and is perhaps the oldest settler in the township, coming to it over fifty years ago; Peter Courtney came with his father in 1839 from Kentucky, and is at present living in the town of Dresden, conducting his farm near the town.

SLEVYTYPE C8 CHE

RESIDENCE OF JOSHUA GENTRY, DRESDEN, MO.

AGRICULTURE AND STOCK-RAISING .- For the pursuit of farming, few parts of the State surpass the central. It has every advantage that could be wished, and that is sought after by the enlightened husbandman of the nineteenth century. In no part of the State can be found a more favor- able spot than Pettis County, and in no part of the county is there better advantages than in Dresden Township. Penetrated nearly through its center by one of the finest lines of railroad in the west, its advantages for shipping its surplus products are all that could be wished. Among the prominent farmers and stock-raisers is Joshua Gentry, owning a splendid farm just east of the town. On this farm he has a flock of 560 finely graded Merino and Southdown sheep. G. W. Ewers, in the southwest-

910

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

ern part of the township, has 300 fine Merino sheep on his farm. Peter Courtney keeps a flock of seventy-five of the finest blood Merinos, and there are greater or less numbers of sheep kept by nearly all the farmers. Henry Elliott has a splendid farm in the western part of the township; J. A. Per- singer and Mentor Thomson and Joel B. Gentry, in the northern part, each have splendid estates and fine stock. Mr. Gentry has on his farm the celebrated Denmark saddle and harness horses, and Short-horn and Rose of Sharon cattle. His stallions comprise Denmark Chief, Den- mark, Jr., and Kennett Chief, a two-year-old. Denmark Chief is one of the most celebrated horses in the State. He was formerly owned by N. Longworth, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and was purchased at a cost of $5,000. He is a dark bay, fifteen hands and three inches high. His pedigree runs back to some of the finest strains of horses in the old world. He has been exhibited in the rings of the States of Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, and has never left the ring without a ribbon, He was awarded the first premium in 1874, at the St. Louis Exposition, in a ring open to the world. Denmark, Jr., was sired by Denmark Chief, and is almost his complete counterpart. His pedigree by his dam runs to Messenger, and he is one of the fastest saddle horses in any gait in the State. He is seven years old, and when two years old he took first premium at the St. Louis Exposition, in a ring where there were thirty-two colts shown. Kennett Chief is a two-year-old full brother to Denmark, Jr. The herd of twenty-five full blood cattle kept on this farm is headed by Burnheart, a two-year-old bull, of the Rose of Sharon breeds, purchased of the Messrs. Leonards, of Saline County, at a cost of $500.

TOWN OF DRESDEN.

Dresden was laid out in the spring of 1863, by Agee and Thos. J. Les- ter. It comprises an eighty-acre lot, and was evenly divided between the two gentlemen, each taking forty acres. It is situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section twenty-one, and the northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section twenty-two, township number forty-six, range twenty-two. Mr. Agee came from Kentucky and Mr. Lester from Virginia. The former now lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the latter still resides in the village which he founded. The town is situated on the main line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad, and has consid- erable importance as a shipping and trading point. In the midst of a fertile agricultural and stock-raising region, it has but one drawback, that of being so near Sedalia, whose overshadowing business influence reaches into the country that should be tributary to this village, and draws the greater portion of the trade to herself. "While Dresden was the terminus of the railroad it was a business point of considerable importance, but when the railroad was extended, its business push and enterprise went

911

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

with it to a large extent. The Missouri Pacific Railway was finished to the town in 1863, and it remained the terminus for nearly a year. In its young days it enjoyed the reputation of being one of the largest shipping points on the road, but since it has been left behind by the larger towns around it, it has lost its prestige, and now ranks only third or fourth in point of shipping and trade in the county, and from a village of five hun- dred inhabitants, it has dwindled to 300. But at this it steadily holds its own. It is losing nothing, and as the country grows richer around it its business cannot fail to improve. At the time of its best days, some of the strongest firms that have done business in the county were interested here. Among them were Nussburg, Clony & Crawford, Sanfelter, and others. Bard & Miller also built a business house hcre, but did not move their stock, displaying their good judgment in putting their trust in Sedalia.

The town was incorporated about 1866, and the first Board of Trustees were Dr. T. P. McCluney, D. D. Armes, now of Sedalia, and Wm. Bar- rett, also a resident of Sedalia at this time. The city government was run about two years, when some parties resisted the taxes. A law-suit was the result, and the town government was, in consequence, abandoned. The following is a copy of a receipt for poll tax given under the govern- ment as it was organized:

"TOWN OF DRESDEN:

This is to certify that T. P. McCluney has paid in cash road-tax in the town of Dresden, Mo., for the year 1868, and is entitled to a credit in poll tax, $1.50, this day of February 11, 1868. D. D. ARMES, Town Supervisor."

SCHOOLS .- It is a proud feature of the village of Dresden that it has a good school and able teachers. It can be made far more effective by an enthusiastic working together of both Board of Education and teachers. Either, without the co-operation of the other, will always be ineffective, and to secure the best results neither labor nor money should be spared.

The first school building was a frame one, and was erected by John and W. Agee, about 1860, before any town of Dresden had been located. The same building is now used for school purposes, but it has been enlarged to accommodate the increasing demands made upon it. William Warren was an able teacher of the place, and he now resides at Iona, in this county. James M. Bigby, a Mr. Summers and wife were also among the early teachers. The building now used is a one-story house with two departments. Some of the recent teachers were Prof. A. A. Neal and wife. Prof. Neal was formerly principal of the Georgetown Academy, and now resides on his farm at Lincoln, Benton County. Also, of late years, there have been employed Mr. Ross, Mrs. T. P. McCluney and Mrs. J. M. Lee. The last year (1881-2) the school has been under the supervision of Miss Olive Wharton, of Sedalia, and Mrs. J. H. Cook, of Dresden.

912

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

There are in all five schools in the township, all in a flourishing condition, paying from thirty-five to forty-five dollars per month wages, and holding school from four to seven months in the year. The school houses are frame and comfortably furnished.

CHURCHES .- In the township there are six church organizations. Of these, perhaps the oldest organized one is that of the Christian denomina- tion, which has had a continuous organization for thirty-three years. The Christian Church of Dresden was organized in 1849, by Elder John De Jarnett, about three miles southeast of the place where Dresden now stands. After the late war the church was moved to the town of Dresden, and for a number of years the congregation held worship in the school house. In 1880 they erected a commodious frame house of worship on the corner of Agee and Third streets, at a cost of $1,000. In 1881 it was dediacted by S. K. Hallam, of Windsor, Missouri. The building is twenty-five by forty feet, with fifteen foot ceiling, and has seats so arranged as to comfortably contain about 400 persons. The aisles and pulpit are carpeted. The pastors who have had charge of the congrega- tion are, Elders John De Jarnett, George W. Longan, Thomas Handcock, O. Spencer, J. B. Wright, Banjamin Stephens, W. J. Frost, S. K. Hallam, E. M. Berry and George Plattenburg. The original members were, A. Haggard and wife, A. Shobe and wife, J. C. Donahue and wife, H. P. Gray and wife, A. J. Courtney and wife, Henry Anderson and wife, Thos. Parks and wife, Mrs. Combs, Peter Courtney and wife, B. McVoy and wife, Mrs. S. B. Hass, Wm. Agee and wife, Wm. Dodson and wife and Mrs. Carrington. The present membership is seventy-five, and they sup- port a flourishing Sunday School, of which Peter Courtney is Superin- tendent and Miss Mollie B. Oppertt is Secretary. There have been large additions to the church since it was first organized, many, however, going into new organizations as the country settled up.

The Methodist Episcopal Church of Dresden was organized in January, 1866, by William R. McKee, and in 1869 the congregation had grown sufficiently strong to erect a house of worship in connection with the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The building was dedicated by L. M. Vernon. In this building the congregation continued to worship until 1879, when it was partially destroyed by a storm, and was taken down, the Presbyterians taking their share of the material and the Meth- odists theirs, the latter purchasing the former's interest in the lot, and pro- ceeded to erect thereon their present commodious church, which was finished in 1879, and dedicated on November 9th of that year by Benjamin St. James Fry, D. D., Editor of the Central Christian Advocate, at St. Louis. Rev. L. M. Vernon, who dedicated the first building, is now Superintendent of Missions at Rome, Italy. The present house of worship

913

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

is finished on the inside in Gothic style, is comfortably seated and lighted, and has a good organ. The building was erected under the supervision of Rev. J. K. Tuttle, and is a frame, costing $1,200. It is twenty-five by forty-two feet, with seventeen-fout ceiling. The pastors who have filled its pulpit are, Revs. Wm. R. McKee, W. W. Powell, Jas. K. Sassen, S. Ing, A. P. Colton, J. H. Leese, J. F. Corrington, Wm. Stephens, Wm. Demott, C. J. W. Jones, F. Oechsli, R. H. Hanson, and at present J. K. Tuttle. The original members were John Shriver, Nancy Shriver, Libbie Shriver, Wm. M. Shriver, James H. Conner and T. P. McCluney. The present membership of the church is fifty, and in connection they have an interesting Sunday School numbering over sixty scholars, under the super- vision of T. P. McCheney, and of which J. H. Cook is Secretary. The church is now in a flourishing condition, and has had a steady growth from the time of its organization, although at times the opposition seemed about to succeed, yet they have never succumbed for a single Sabbath, and the congregation is on a better footing now than it has been since it was organized.

The Baptist Church of Dresden was organized by J. Letts, J. Q. Bridges, D. P. Morris, S. Bradbury, E. H. Burchfield, John Kingston, J. H. Denton, with the following original members : L. W. Whipple, John M. Agee; R. E. Walker, M. F. Whipple, Mrs. Agee, Mrs. Thompson. The congregation in 1871-72 erected a commodious frame house of wor- ship, at a cost of $1,671.26, which was dedicated May 4, 1872, by Rev. G. J. Johnson. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit have been, Revs. L. W. Whipple, E. T. Brown, J. Gott, B. T. Thomas, Rev. Webb, J. Box and J. K. Godby. The present membership numbers thirty-eight. The church membership has fluctuated considerably, owing to the fact that many members have not been permanently located in the vicinity. They have had some very interesting revivals, and the ministers have been men always zealous in the cause of Christ.

Prairie Chapel Church is located about four miles northwest of the village of Dresden, and the congregaion was organized in 1876, by Rev. W. W. Brawnin. In 1877 the present house of worship was erected at a cost of $850.00, and was dedicated in 1878 by Rev. J. Longan. The church is of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. The pastors who have occupied the pulpit are Revs. James Longan and G. W. Mat- thias. The original members of the church were E. E. and Louisa J. Shacklett, Lucy J. Shacklett, Wm. A. Kells, Robert Kells, Ann J. Kells, Julia Kells, James Winningar, Catharine Winningar, Robert Armstrong, Nancy Armstrong and Lorenzo Starkey. The present membership is thirty-two. In connection there is a live Sunday-School with forty-two scholars. J. R. Shacklett is Superintendent. The elders of the church are J. R. Shacklett and M. F. Shacklett. Wm. A. Kells, Clerk.

914

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

THE RAILROAD BUSINESS .- Dresden derives its principal business importance from it being the shipping point of a rich agricultural and stock-raising region. Its average annual shipments by car loads are : Cattle forty-five, hogs twenty-two, horses one, wheat twenty-five, oats seven, corn forty-two, rye one, flax seed two, fence posts one, walnut logs one. Total 147. Average receipts per year of freight in tons, fifty. Cash receipts, $8,250.00. The agents who have been stationed here are, Mr. Smith, W. Morrow, Mr. Levins, W. Longan, Thos. Mitchum, F. Winters, E. Johnson, Mr. Barney, J. O. Jones, Geo. Imhoff, W. D. Wade, R. A. S. Wade.

POTTERIES .- Of these there are two in the town and they are the most important manufacturing industry of the village. Thomas Ebey estab- lished the first one in 1866 and has run it continuously since. Cook & . Lane established about three years ago and by the quality of ware they produce are building up a nice trade. They each produce about the same amount of stoneware, 20,000 gallons per annum, and ship it to Sedalia and to the west. The clay is found on what is known as the Richmond farm, three miles north of Dresden. It is first-class stoneware clay, and the ware finds a ready sale. Mr. Ebey also manufactures a superior article of drain tile which ranks in the market superior to the St. Louis article.

J. T. ARNOLD.

The subject of this sketch was born in Howard County, Mo., in 1836. His grand-father, Price Arnold, came to Howard County, Mo., from Ken- tucky in 1811. He had to cut his way through the wilderness from St. Charles to where he laid his claim in the eastern part of Howard County. He returned to Kentucky and brought his family out, and cleared eleven acres that fall. His family consisted of his wife and three children. His wife was Elizabeth Pipes, and the children John, Mark and Polly. He died when about fifty-five years of age. Mr. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, had an old family Bible, containing the record of the family, but had the misfortune to lose his house by fire, and the Bible was destroyed. Therefore, it is impossible to get the dates exactly. John, the father of J. T. Arnold, was born in Kentucky, three miles from Danville, on Christ- mas day, 1796, and came to Missouri with his family in the fall before he was fifteen years old. In the summer time the family had to live in the fort on account of the Indians. They garrisoned at Fort Hemstead, and they could only muster thirty men, and when they were gone the women and the old men had to guard the fort. He lived on the farm where his father settled until his death, which occurred January 30, 1870. He mar- ried Katie Head, of Howard County, daughter of John Head, who also came from Kentucky. She died about 1840, leaving nine children, Mat- thew, Mark, Milton, Wm., Finis S., John, Price, J. T. and Annie E. He

915

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

was married in 1842 to Mrs. Margaret Head. They had one child, Jesse H. Mr. Arnold's second wife is still alive, and is living with her son Jesse in California. Four of the brothers are dead, Matthew, Milton, Wm. and John. There was at one time in the Arnold family persons named after the four writers of the Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John Luke was the son of a colored woman, owned by the family. J. T. Arnold, the subject of this sketch, was the youngest of the boys by his father's first wife. He went to Linn County in 1859 and lived about a year. He then came to Pettis County, being at that time twenty-four years of age. He was married on the 5th of January, 1861, to Miss Sarah E. Donnohue, of Pettis County, daughter of J. C. and Ellen Donnohue. She was born on Christmas day 1840, and died Dec. 27, 1880. There are seven children, three boys and four girls, Mary Ella, Wm. F., John H., Sarah Ada, Joseph D., Emma K. and Lulu Gertrude. Mary Ella was married in Jan., 1881, to James L. Brown. The rest of the children live at home, except Lulu Gertrude, who died in infancy. Mr. Arnold has 185 acres of fine limestone land, 150 acres in cultivation, lying south of Big Muddy, and six miles west of Sedalia. His post-office is Dresden. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Christian Church, and his wife was also a member of the same church.

DR. DAVID F. BROWN.

He was born in Davidson County, N. C., Oct. 22, 1845, and at the age of fourteen left his native county, and with his parents lived in different parts of the country. In 1865 he came to Missouri, and after one year's resi- dence, returned to his native State, where he remained till 1870, when he returned to Missouri and settled in the beautiful little town of Dresden, and engaged in business with his brother, Dr. J. A. C. Brown, now of Sedalia. The subject of this sketch attended medical lectures at St. Louis and graduated in the spring of 1873, commencing the practice of his pro- fession at Dresden, where he has since received a large partronage. He was married in 1874 to Virginia E. Shultz, daughter of R. A. Shultz, Esq. She is a native of North Carolina, though principally raised in this State. The Doctor engaged in the mercantile business in 1874 with Jacob Thomas, and continued till 1879, when Mr. Brown opened a general store for himself. He also owns a farm of 320 acres, dealing quite extensively in stock, and growing corn and wheat. Mr. and Mrs. Brown are worthy members of the M. E. Church, South.

JAMES BROWN.

Was born in Clark County, Indiana, on the 26th day of December, 1823. He was the son of John D. Brown and Eleanor Brown. His father was born in New York, and his mother was a native of Kentucky. When

916

HISTORY OF DRESDEN TOWNSHIP.

James was about sixteen years of age his parents moved to Howard County, Indiana, where they lived until their death. His mother died at the age of eighty-three years. His father was killed many years before by a team running away with him. James Brown was married on the 10th of April, 1850, to Miss Phœbe Odell, of Carroll County, Indiana. She was born, Nov. 26, 1826, and was the daughter of Wm. Odell and Mary Odell. Mr. Odell was a native of North Carolina, and Mrs. Odell was born in Virginia. In 1856 Mr. Brown moved to Minnesota and settled in that State. He lived there until 1865, when he moved to Missouri and bought a farm five miles west of Sedalia. He lived on this farm until his death, which occurred on the 1st day of May, 1880. His widow stil lives on the farm. Her youngest son, Milo H. Brown, is still at home, and is managing the farm. He was born, March 19, 1856. The other children, four in number, were born as follows: John D., Dec. 25, 1846. He is living in Sedalia. Richard, July 17, 1848. He lives in Lyon County, Kansas. Wm. Henry, Feb. 19, 1852. He died while the family were moving to Minnesota. James L. Brown, June 11, 1854. He lives near Green Ridge, in this county. John D. and Richard are the children of Mr. Brown's first wife, Mrs. Sarah Brown. All the children are mar- ried. Milo, who lives on the old homestead was married on the 26th day December, 1878, to Miss Mollie Quisenberry, of this county. They have two children, Walter and Ray. Mr. Brown was a member of the Christian Church for twenty years before his death. His widow is a mem- ber of the same church.

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.

The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches, Part 97

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