USA > Missouri > Boone County > The bench and bar of Boone County, Missouri; including the history of judges, lawyers, and courts, and an account of noted cases, slavery litigation, lawyers in war times, public addresses, political notes, etc > Part 5
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
Judge David H. Harris, Judge James Harris, Judge Geo. W. Trimble, Wm. J. Babb, and Wm. H. Truitt, Jr., have been trustees of Stephens College. And Judges Jesse A. Boulton, David Gordon, M. R. Arnold and Alexander Persinger, and Attorneys Wm. F. Switz- ler, Jas. S. Rollins, Boliver S. Head, Shannon C. Douglass and Frank G. Harris have been trustees of Christian College.
Charles H. Hardin, after he moved to Audrain county, endowed a school for girls in Mexico, now known as Hardin College.
And in 1873, when the Columbia public schools were organized, Thomas B. Gentry was the first president of the board; and E. C. More and Jno. M. Samuel were members. Since then, Francis T. Russell, Odon Guitar, L. T. Searcy and F. W. Niedermeyer have served as presidents of the school board.
Thos. S. Carter, of Sturgeon, Arthur Bruton and H. S. Booth, of Centralia, and Eli Penter, of Ashland, have been presidents of the school boards in their respective districts.
It should also be said in this connection that the present judge of the circuit court, the present judge of the probate court, and all of the practicing lawyers now living in Boone county, with three ex- ceptions, are graduates of the Missouri University Law School.
60
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BOONE COUNTY
LAWYERS FAVOR ROADS
In 1851, when the North Missouri Railroad was constructed, Jas. S. Rollins was elected one of its directors and served a number of years. When the Boone County & Jefferson City Railroad (now the Columbia branch of the Wabash) was constructed, Jas. S. Rollins, Wm. W. Tucker, Wm. F. Switzler and Francis T. Russell were among the promoters and directors. In 1878, when the C. & A. Rail- road was built through the northern part of the county, Thos. S. Carter, M. G. Singleton, J. T. Redmond, Jno. C. Richardson and perhaps other members of the bar were its active workers and sup- porters. When the Central Missouri Railroad was projected through the Southern part of Boone county in 1886 and 1887, Odon Guitar was the moving spirit. Although this road was never constructed, the M., K. & E. (now the M., K. & T.) was built a few years later and largely along the proposed line of the Central Missouri. And in 1899, when the Missouri Midland (now the Columbia branch of the M., K. & T.) was constructed, Odon Guitar, Squire Turner and Wellington Gordon made speeches, assisted in procuring the right-of- way and in securing the necessary bonus.
The bench and bar have also worked for better county roads. Judge John Hinton, Judge Jas. M. Gordon, Judge Joseph W. Hickam, Jno. M. Samuel, Judge E. W. Hinton, Judge James Arnold, Robert L. Todd and Francis T. Russell were directors of the Columbia and Rocheport gravel road. Judge Jesse A. Boulton and Judge Hiram Phillips were directors of the Columbia. and Black Foot gravel road. Judge David Gordon, Judge P. H. McBride, A. W. Turner, Judge M. R. Arnold and Carey H. Gordon were directors of the Columbia and Cedar Creek gravel road. Boyle Gordon, Odon Guitar, Judge James Harris and Eli Penter were directors of the Columbia and Ashland gravel road. And Judge Gilpin S. Tuttle, Jas. S. Rollins, J. B. Douglass, Judge Warren Woodson and Judge W. Porter Tuttle were directors of the Columbia and Providence plank road. Judge Jno. A. Stewart is now one of the commissioners of the Columbia special road district.
LAWYERS IN LITERARY AND DRAMATIC SOCIETIES
In 1841, the Columbia Lyceum, a debating club, was organized and held its meetings first in the Union Church in Columbia, and afterwards in the court house of 1847. The following lawyers were active in its organization : Jno. F. Stone, Wm. A. Robards, Lewis W. Robinson, Jno. R. Bedford, Francis T. Russell, Chas. H. Hardin,
JUDGE JNO. A. HOCKADAY
61
LAWYERS ACTIVE AND PROMINENT
Wm. F. Switzler and Saml. A. Young; and later Odon Guitar, Robert L. Todd, Thomas P. Giles and Squire Turner. Once a month lec- tures were delivered by members of the lyceum in the court house, to which the public was invited; and these lectures were equal to many of those now delivered on the chautauqua platform or in the college chapel. Jno. F. Stone delivered an address on "The Unfading Beauty of Knowledge Contrasted with the Mutability of Human Grandeur and Greatness"; and Jno. R. Bedford spoke on "The Su- periority of Moral and Intellectual Power to Arbitrary Sway".
A few years later, the Columbia Thespian Society was formed, gave entertainments in the court house of 1847 and Odon Guitar, Samuel A. Young and Francis K. Lynch were the leading performers. It is said that some of the costumes and many of the entertainments (mostly from Shakespeare) were equal to any to be seen on the stage in a modern play house.
HONORED AFTER LEAVING BOONE
Five Boone county lawyers became governors after they removed from Boone county. Austin A. King, Charles H. Hardin and Wm. J. Stone were governors of Missouri; John J. Jacob became governor of West Virginia ; and Benjamin J. Franklin was governor of Arizona. Henry B. Babb became assistant attorney general of Colorado; and James Cooney, Benjamin J. Franklin and Wm. J. Stone were elected to Congress; and Wm. J. Stone elected to the United States Senate. Priestley H. McBride, Thomas A. Russell, Chas. H. Mayer, Shannon C. Douglass and Jno. G. Slate became judges of the circuit courts ; Jno. A. Rich and Geo. L. Horine became judges of criminal courts ; Lewis W. Robinson became judge of superior court ; Henry F. Garey became judge of the Baltimore court of common pleas ; and Robert B. Todd and Priestley H. McBride became judges of the supreme courts of Louisi- ana and Missouri, respectively. After James R. Shields moved from Co- lumbia, he was appointed solicitor of treasury department by President Cleveland. Mention is made of these facts, not to encourage lawyers to leave Boone county, but to show how Boone county lawyers have been appreciated outside of Boone county.
Several Boone county lawyers became bankers, teachers, farmers and editors; several engaged in various pursuits of business; while Wm. H. Robinson, Saml. A. Riggs Wm. R. Jones and Walter E. Boulton gave up the law and became ministers. And Robert T. Haines is on the stage.
CHAPTER IV
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
CIRCUIT COURT
The first term of the Boone circuit court was held at Smithton on April 2, 1821, and, there being no court house and no building large enough where court could be held, Judge David Todd, the newly appointed judge of the first judicial circuit, convened court under the spreading boughs of a surgar tree .* This tree still stands, as a monu- ment to the bench and bar of that early time. Boone county has had three court houses, the court house of 1824, the court house of 1847 and the court house of 1909, and all three stood on the same public square in Columbia. Circuit court has also been held at Richard Gentry's tavern (which was the first house erected in Smithton), and at the old Todd house in Columbia. It is a matter of regret that there is no picture in existence of the court house of 1824.
JUDGES OF CIRCUIT COURT
1821-1837, Judge David Todd 1837-1840, Judge Thomas Reynolds 1840-1847, Judge Jno. D. Leland 1847-1862, Judge Wm. A. Hall 1862-1890, Judge Geo. H. Burckhartt 1890-1903, Judge Jno. A. Hockaday 1903-1909, Judge Alex. H. Waller
1909-1911, Judge N. D. Thurmond 1911- Judge David H. Harris
SPECIAL JUDGES
Judge Philemon Bliss, of Boone County Judge Nat M. Shelton, of Macon County Judge James D. Barnett, of Montgomery County
*This tree is now standing on ground owned by Edward Farley; and Mr. Farley says that General Odon Guitar told him that is the tree where circuit court was first held. And R. B. Price says that David M. Hickman and Jef- ferson Garth pointed out the same tree to him. A picture of that tree may be seen herein.
(62)
63
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
Judge William N. Evans, of Howell County
Judge Nick M. Bradley, of Johnson County. Judge Samuel Davis, of Saline County
Judge R. S. Ryors, of Osage County Judge A. D. Burnes, of Platte County Judge Fred Lamb, of Chariton County W. A. Martin, of Randolph County, Charles Martin, of Lincoln County Alexander Martin, of Boone County Lewis M. Switzler, of Boone County E. W. Hinton, of Boone County
N. T. Gentry, of Boone County
M. R. Conley, of Boone County
CIRCUIT CLERKS
Owing to the fact that the circuit clerks have been so closely associated with the bench and bar, and several of them have been members of the bar, a list of the clerks is herewith given, and their years of service.
1821-1846, Roger North Todd 1846-1867, Robert L. Todd
1867-1875, Jno. M. Samuel
1875-1883, Walter W. Garth 1883-1891, Josiah W. Stone
1891-1899, Walter F. Hodge
1899-1907, Hugh M. Hall
1907- James E. Boggs
OFFICIAL STENOGRAPHERS
In 1887, the General Assembly passed an act, providing for "shorthand reporters" to be appointed by the circuit judge, and Judge Burckhartt appointed Miss Laura Matthews. The following have served in that capacity, though they have discarded the name "short- hand reporters", and are known as "official stenographers":
1887-1904, Miss Laura Matthews, Columbia
1904-1909, Arthur B. Chamier, Moberly, 1909- Howard B. Lang, Fulton
Before 1887, the lawyer or lawyers who lost in the circuit court prepared the bill of exceptions ; and usually did so one night during that term of court. Old lawyers say that it often took them all night
64
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BOONE COUNTY
to write out the testimony; and that no one thought of taking until the next term in which to prepare the bill. But the appointment of a stenographer almost revolutionized the practice. Prior to that, few lawyers practiced in the appellate courts and few cases were ap- pealed. But after Miss Matthews learned to prepare bills of ex- ceptions, appellate practice was simplified and Boone county lawyers soon became familiar with proceedings in the higher courts.
Mr. Chamier is now a practicing lawyer in Randolph county and a member of the firm of Hunter & Chamier.
Mr. Lang is a very useful man in this judicial circuit; he not only understands short-hand, but acts as interpreter for witnesses who are deaf and dumb.
JUDICIAL CIRCUITS
At the time of the appointment of Judge Todd to the circuit bench in 1821 by Governor Alexander McNair, the first judicial cir- cuit extended from Callaway county to Independence and from the Osage River north to the Iowa line.
On February 5, 1825, the first judicial circuit of Missouri was formed (see R. S. Mo. 1825, page 279), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Boone, Howard, Chariton, Ray, Clay, Lillard (now Lafayette), Saline, Cooper and Cole. At that time, Missouri had only four judicial circuits.
On March 17, 1835, the first judicial circuit was formed (see R. S. Mo. 1835, page 162), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Howard, Boone, Callaway, Randolph, Monroe, Cole, Saline and Cooper. At that time, Missouri had seven judicial circuits.
By Act approved January 31, 1839, the counties of Randolph, Callaway, Boone and Howard were placed in the second judicial circuit. See Session Acts of Missouri, 1839, page 34.
On March 27, 1845, the second judicial circuit was formed (see R. S. Mo. 1845, page 321), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Audrain, Boone, Callaway, Howard, Randolph and Macon. At that time, Missouri had fourteen judicial circuits.
On December 12, 1855, the second judicial circuit was formed (see R. S. Mo. 1855, page 545), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Boone, Callaway, Howard, Randolph and Macon. At that time, Missouri had sixteen judicial circuits.
On March 15, 1872, the second judicial circuit was formed (see Session Acts of Mo. 1872, page 31), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Boone, Howard, Randolph, and Callaway. At that time,
JUDGE ALEX H. WALLER
65
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
Missouri had twenty-nine judicial circuits. On April 7, 1892, the General Assembly passed an act placing Randolph, Howard, Boone and Callaway in a circuit known as the ninth judicial circuit (see Session Acts of Mo. 1892, page 9).
On April 13, 1909, the thirty-fourth judicial circuit was formed (see Sessions Acts Mo. 1909, page 416), and this circuit consisted of the counties of Boone and Callaway. At that time, Missouri had thirty-five judicial circuits.
COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
On January 10, 1860, the Sturgeon court of common pleas was established, and it was made a part of the second judicial circuit (see Session Acts of Mo. 1859-1860, page 17). It was given jurisdiction in civil cases over parts of four counties, viz., Boone, Audrain, Howard and Randolph. A two-story brick building in the eastern part of Sturgeon serves as a court house and also a city hall. This court continued to be presided over by the judge of the Boone circuit court till 1909, when Boone and Callaway were formed into a new circuit ; and the Sturgeon court of common pleas remained a part of old circuit . The lawyers who have practiced in this court are mostly the lawyers from the northern part of Boone county, and lawyers from Mexico and Moberly. After M. M. Jesse quit the practice, Thos. S. Carter was the only attorney who had more than one case during a term of this court. So when Judge Hockaday told the marshal (who was a new official) to open court, he went to the window and called out, "Oh, yes; oh, yes; oh, yes; Tom Carter's court of common pleas is now in session !"
JUDGES OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
Judge Wm. A. Hall Judge Geo. H. Burckhartt
Judge Jno. A. Hockaday Judge Alex H. Waller
SPECIAL JUDGES
Wellington Gordon Arthur Bruton
E. C. Anderson Thos. S. Carter N. T. Gentry
5
66
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BOONE COUNTY
CLERKS OF COURT OF COMMON PLEAS
It is appropriate here to give a list of the clerks of this court, and their years of service :
1860-1864, Jackson T. Burnham 1864-1865, Samuel F. Cross 1865-1866, Benj. F. Croswhite 1866-1873, Marshall H. Harris 1873-1890, Thomas S. Carter 1890-1900, Jacob V. Kemper
1900-1902, Samuel N. Yeates
1902-1913, W. F. Keith
1913- W. Hunter Price
COUNTY COURT
The first term of the county court was also held at Smithton, and on February 19, 1821, and court was opened by Justices Lazarus Wilcox and Anderson Woods. They were later joined by Peter Wright, who was the first presiding justice. There being no public building in Smithton, court was convened at the tavern kept by Col. Richard Gentry. The first official act on that day was the appointment of Warren Woodson, as clerk of that court, which office he held continuously till 1860; and he was afterwards county clerk in 1867 and until his death in 1868.
JUDGES OF COUNTY COURT
1821-1822, Peter Wright, Anderson Woods, Lazarus Wilcox
1822-1826, William Lientz, Lawrence Bass, Silas Riggs
1826-1826, Priestly H. McBride, Jas. E. Fenton, Wm. Shields 1826-1827, Priestly H. McBride, Tyre Harris, John Henderson 1827-1827, Tyre Harris, William Shields, John Henderson 1827-1828, Priestly H. McBride, John Henderson, Young E. Hicks
1828-1829, Jas. W. Moss, Joseph Marshall, William Lientz
1829-1831, Jas. McClelland, Jas. W. Moss, William Lientz
1831-1833, Jas. McClelland, Tyre Harris (resigned in 1832), Jos. W. Hickam
1833-1834, Jas. McClelland (died in office in 1833), Jos. W. Hickam, Michael Woods
1834-1834, Jos. W. Hickam, Jas. W. Moss, Michael Woods
1834-1835, Michael Woods, James M. Gordon, Jesse Hart (died in office in 1835)
67
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
1835-1836, James M. Gordon, Michael Woods (resigned from office in 1836), Hiram Phillips
1836-1838, Jas. M. Gordon, Alexander Persinger, Hiram Phillips
1838-1840, Hiram Phillips (resigned from office in 1840), Matthew R. Arnold, Overton Harris
1840-1841, Matthew R. Arnold, R. H. Gentry, Overton Harris 1841-1842, Matthew R. Arnold, Jas. W. Daly, Overton Harris 1842-1846, Alexander Persinger, Jas. W. Daly, Gilpin S. Tuttle 1846-1858, Alexander Persinger, Jas. W. Daly, John Vanhorne 1858-1860, Alexander Persinger, Jas. W. Daly, John W. Hall 1860-1862, James W. Daly, John W. Hall, James Arnold
1862-1863, James W. Daly, James Arnold, Hiram Phillips 1863-1865, James W. Daly, David Gordon, James Arnold 1865-1867, James W. Daly, David Gordon, Jolın Berkebile 1867-1870, James Arnold, John W. Hall, James Harris 1870-1872, James Arnold, David Gordon, James Harris 1872-1874, James Harris, David Gordon, Jno. Y. Batterton 1874-1875, David Gordon (died in office in 1875), Boyle Gordon (re- signed in 1875), Jno. Y. Batterton, Jesse A. Boulton, Hail T. Wright
1875-1876, Jno. Y. Batterton, Jesse A. Boulton, Hail T. Wright 1876-1877, Jno. Y. Batterton, Jesse A. Boulton, Hail T. Wright 1877-1879, David Pipes, Jesse A. Boulton, Hail T. Wright 1879-1881, David Pipes, Wm. F. Roberts, James Harris 1881-1883, David Pipes, Wm. F. Roberts, W. Porter Tuttle 1883-1885, Wm. F. Roberts, Jas. M. Angell, W. Porter Tuttle 1885-1887, Wm. F. Roberts, Jas. M. Angell, Andrew F. Gentry 1887-1895, Wm. F. Roberts, Jas. M. Angell, Frank M. Smith 1895-1897, Ben M. Anderson, Geo. W. Trimble, Jno. A. Stewart 1897-1898, Ben M. Anderson, W. F. Robinson, Jno. A. Stewart 1898-1899, Geo. W. Trimble, W. F. Robinson, Jno. A. Stewart 1899-1901, Chas. C. Turner, W. F. Robinson, W. S. Wilson 1901-1905, Chas. C. Turner, S. N. Woods, W. S. Wilson 1905-1911, Chas. C. Turner, S. N. Woods, Jno. S. Bedford 1911- Wm. T. Johnson, Ben Tate, Joshua T. Rowland
Four county judges were lawyers, viz., P. H. McBride, Alexander Persinger, Jas. M. Gordon and Boyle Gordon; Ben M. Anderson, Jno. A. Stewart and Geo. W. Trimble were in the real estate business ; James W. Moss and Matthew R. Arnold were physicians; Gilpin S. Tuttle and W. Porter Tuttle (uncle and nephew) were merchants ; Peter Wright and William Shields were surveyors; Jesse A. Boulton was a teacher ; and Anderson Woods was a Columbia Baptist preacher. The remaining judges were farmers.
68
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BOONE COUNTY
COUNTY CLERKS
The county clerks, too, have constituted a part of the bench and bar of this county; so it is proper that their names should here be given, and their years in office :
1821-1860, Warren Woodson
1860-1867, Joseph B. Douglass
1867-1868, Warren Woodson
1868-1875, Henry N. Cook
1875-1891, Wallace W. Batterton
1891-1899, Jno. F. Murry
1899-1907, L. T. Searcy
1907-1915, Jno. L. Henry
1915- Chas. W. Davis
SHERIFFS
The sheriffs of Boone county are properly mentioned, as several of them have been prominent as lawyers and judges. The following have been our sheriffs :
1821-1822, Overton Harris 1868-1870, Frank D. Evans
1822-1826, James Barnes 1870-1872, James C. Orr
1826-1830, Harrison Jamison 1872-1877, Jas. C. Gillespy
1830-1834, Thos. C. Maupin 1877-1879, Jas. C. Orr
1834-1836, Wm. S. Burch
1879-1883, Josiah W. Stone
1836-1840, John Martin 1883-1887, Wm. A. Goodding
1840-1844, Fredrick A. Hamilton 1887-1891, Jno. G. Evans
1844-1848, Thos. C. Maupin 1891-1895, Wm. I. Roberts
1848-1850, Wm. T. Hickman
1895-1899, Jas. T. Stockton
1850-1854, Jos. B. Douglass
1899-1901, Wm. R. Baldwin
1854-1858, Jeremiah Orear
1901-1905, Frank C. Bradford
1858-1862, Jno. M. Samuel
1905-1909, Fount Rothwell
1862-1864, Jas. H. Waugh
1909-1913, Wilson Hall
1864-1866, Jno. F. Baker
1913- G. B. Sapp
1866-1868, James C. Orr
PROBATE COURT
As clerk of the county court, Warren Woodson was also probate judge, and discharged the duties pertaining to that office for many years. Afterwards, probate jurisdiction was given to the county court ; but at all times, the court deferred to the judgment of Judge Woodson in probate matters. In 1872, the general assembly separated the pro-
COURT HOUSE OF 1909
69
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
bate business from the county court, and created the probate court. Judge James A .. Henderson, of the Boone county bar, was first ap- pointed probate judge by the governor, and served till the next election ; when Judge John Hinton, a business man of Rocheport, and a farmer in Missouri township, was elected; and he served for nineteen years.
JUDGES OF PROBATE COURT
1821-1826, Judge Warren Woodson 1872-1873, Judge Jas. A. Henderson 1873-1891, Judge John Hinton 1891-1892, Judge Walter W. Garth
1892-1907, Judge Lewis M. Switzler
1907- Judge John F. Murry
JUVENILE COURT
In 1913, the General Assembly passed an act, providing for a juvenile court in counties like Boone, and giving jurisdiction over juvenile offenders to the probate court. Miss Laura Searcy, daughter of L. T. Searcy, was appointed probation officer for Boone county. After a few cases had been presented to the Boone probate court, the question of the constitutionality of the legislative act was raised; and the court took the matter under advisement. Then a similar case arose in Callaway county, and the circuit court of that county held that the state constitution fixed the jurisdiction of the probate court, and that it had no jurisdiction in criminal cases, and this decision was affirmed by the supreme court (see State ex rel. v. Tincher, 258 Mo. 1).
JUSTICE'S COURT
As far as our records show, the first civil case ever tried before a justice of the peace in this county was the case of Henry Elliott & Son against Robert Hinkson, which was a suit on a judgement ren- dered by a justice of the peace of Ste. Genevieve county. This suit was filed on January 22, 1821, and John Slack (the grandfather of Miss Pearle Mitchell) was the justice. Mr. Slack then lived on a farm about three miles southwest of the present postoffice of Hinton, and on a stream known as "Slack's Branch." The summons com- manded the constable to notify the defendant to appear before the justice at the dwelling house of said justice in Smithton township. The words of "Roche Perche township" were first written in this sum- mons, and then a line was drawn through them, and the words
70
THE BENCH AND BAR OF BOONE COUNTY
"Smithton township" added. In this summons, the words "Territory of Missouri" were first written, and then the word "Territory" erased and the word "State" was interlined. The justice also forgot that Boone county was no longer a part of Howard, for he wrote "County of Howard", and then scratched Howard and wrote Boone. Robert Hinkson was the man for whom Hinkson Creek was named. He lived on a farm east of Columbia, near that stream. At the trial of this case before the magistrate, Hinkson lost; but he was successful on appeal to the circuit court.
In November, 1820, Governor McNair commissioned the first justices of the peace of Boone county; they were John Slack and John Henderson, of Smithton township; Tyre G. Harris and John Gray of Monitor township; Tyre Martin, of Cedar township; and John Anderson, of Roche Perche township. In 1821, Governor McNair commissioned Richard Cave and Harrison Jamison, of Columbia town- ship; James Cunningham, of Cedar township; and Silas Riggs, of Rocky Fork township. The commission of each justice recites that he had been appointed by the general assembly of the state. In 1822, Governor McNair commissioned Jas. R. Abanathy and William Shields justices for Rocky Fork and Cedar townships respectively ; and their commissions recite that they had been appointed by the county court. In 1821, there were only five townships in Boone county, Smithton, Monitor, Rocky Fork, Cedar and Roche Perche. Smithton township consisted of the present township of Columbia and two miles off of the east part of the present township of Missouri, and four sections of land in the southeast corner of the present township of Perche. Monitor township consisted of what is now Missouri township, except two miles off of the east part thereof. Roche Perche township con- sisted of the present township of Perche, less the four sections in the southeast corner thereof. Rocky Fork township consisted of the present townships of Rocky Fork, Centralia and Bourbon. Later, in the year 1821, the name of Smithton township was changed to Colum- bia, and the name of Monitor township was changed to Missouri; and the lines between Columbia, Missouri and Perche townships were es- tablished as they are now. In June, 1854, Bourbon township was organized by an order of the county court, and it included what is now Bourbon and Centralia townships, and a small part of Perche township. In July, 1874, Centralia township was organized by an order of the county court. Hence some of the justices of Rocky Fork township were afterwards justices of Bourbon township, and two of the justices of Bourbon township were afterwards justices of Cen- tralia township.
71
COURTS OF BOONE COUNTY
By referring to the list of justices, it will be seen that Boone county has been singularly fortunate in the selection of them. One justice became county clerk, three circuit clerk, three prosecuting at- torney, one circuit attorney, two county surveyor, and three state sena- tors. Dr. T. S. Sneed was a physician, while Dr. A. J. Harris and Dr. Paul Hubbard were dentists. Walter C. Maupin, R. H. Bullard, M. P. Baldwin, Jackson T. Burnham and Wm. H. Jeffries were min- isters. Eight justices were merchants, three real estate agents and thirty-nine were lawyers. Frank D. Evans was a banker, John T. McCauley a miller, Fenton P. Griffin an editor, and C. V. Bicknell a carpenter. The others were farmers.
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.