USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 53
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Van Matre's addition to the town was recorded soon after January 15, 1868. This lies entirely between Cooke's and Mizes' additions, and is much smaller in extent. West Holden was added to the town, May 11, 1868. This now forms a large part of the town, embracing the tract extending from Lexington, to some distance beyond St. Charles street, and bounded on the north by Second, and on the south by Sixth streets. Mize and Coventry made an addition together, April 22, 1869. Wilder- man's first addition was made May 15, 1869. Wheeler's addition, Novem- ber 3, 1869. Kelley's addition, November 10, 1869. Coventry's second addition, February 17, 1870. Cheney's addition was made June 11, 1870. Sanders addition, May 31, 1870, and W. M. Coventry's third addition was made July 28, 1881. This latter is the last addition recorded. Many of these additions are small, but when they are all put together they make a large area for a town.
The rapidity with which additions were made shows how fast the town was growing at that time.
INCORPORATION.
The charter and ordinances of the town of Holden, as printed by Mit- tong & Cruce, Enterprise office, make up a good sized pamphlet of sixty- seven pages of close reading matter. As the charter and ordinances of a town are a good index of the business qualities of the town officials, as well as of the needs and wants of the town in general, and since they show the decided attitude which is taken against crime and the violation of law, it will be of importance to take a brief survey of this charter and the ordi- nances, touching only upon a few vital points. The charter contains eight articles which are composed of eighty-eight sections, while there are thirty- nine ordinances, and in these altogether are 304 sections. The town organization being completed in 1868, from that time forward we have a complete list of the officers of the town.
The following is a list of those officers for each year from 1868 to 1881 inclusive:
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
OFFICIAL DIRECTORY.
1868.
Mayor-J. M. Hubbard.
Council-Geo. L. Wells, J. O. Par-
ish, Abe Metzler, J. C. Richards. Council-I. Starkey, J. F. Tygard, Marshal-Ed. Stearns.
Attorney-D. Nation.
Clerk-J. W. Mack.
Attorney and Clerk-D. Nation.
1870.
Mayor-Geo. S. Walton.
Council-Chas. Bluhm, J. Wallace, Council-W. C. Smith, G.S. Young,
Jas. McMullin, Jno. Ellis. Marshal-J. F. Power.
Attorney-D. Nation.
Clerk-A. P. Espenscheid.
Clerk-H. Martin Williams.
Treasurer-D. Golladay.
1872.
Mayor-F. B. Hawes.
Council -- I. Nichols, J. C. Richards, Council-J. G. Cope, R. T. Leaver- I. Starkey, J. G. Cope. ton, I. Starkey, W. C. Taylor. Marshal-T. Dudly. Marshal-A. B. Sparks.
Attorney-A. Van Matre.
Clerk-J. H. Hewes.
Treasurer --- D. Golladay.
1874.
Mayor ---- W. C. Smith.
Council-M. V. Johnson, T. M. Mills, I. Starkey, John Ormsby. Marshal-H. D. Smithson.
Attorney-J. E. Johnston.
Clerk-J. H Hewes. Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1876.
Mayor-W. C. Smith. Council-M. V. Johnson, J. Orms- by, H. C. Conner, S. S. Metzler. Marshal-E. A. Lucas. Attorney-J. P. Orr. Clerk-George Patton. Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1875. Mayor-W. C. Smith. Council-M. V. Johnson, J. Orms- by, H. C. Conner, I. Starkey:
Marshal-J. M. Duke. Attorney-J. P. Orr.
Clerk-George Patton.
Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1877. Mayor-W. C. Smith.
Council-M. V. Johnson, J. Orms- by, H. C. Conner, S. S. Metzler. Marshal-H. H. Still. Attorney-J. P. Orr.
Clerk-John W. Mittong. Treasurer -- George V. Hall.
1869.
Mayor -- § J. C. Richards. W. G. Finley.
Geo. Young, Jno. Ellis.
Marshal-B. F. Metzler.
1871. Mayor-J. W. Mack.
Ed. Davis, Wm. Hill.
Marshal-T. Sharp.
Attorney-A. Van Matre.
1873. Mayor-W. B. Nichols.
Attorney-J. P. Orr.
Clerk-George N. Richards.
Treasurer-E. R. Stevens.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
1878.
Mayor-M. A. Powell.
Council-M.V. Johnson, J. H.Orms-
Council-I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby,
John Gibson, H. C. Conner.
Marshal-H. H. Still.
Attorney-A. VanMatre.
Clerk-J. W. Mittong.
Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1880.
Mayor-W. C. Smith.
Council-I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby,
John Gibson, H. C. Conner.
Marshal-H. H. Still.
Clerk-James Steele. Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1881. Mayor-A. Van Matre.
Council-I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby,
H. C. Connor, John Gibson.
Marshal-H. H. Still.
Attorney-A. H. Carpenter.
Clerk-J. H. Hewes.
Treasurer-George V. Hall; died April 26, 1881, and David Golla- day elected to fill the vacancy.
In the list of officials we see that W. C. Smith served as mayor seven years, while George V. Hall was serving his eighth year as treasurer, when the hand of death removed him from the post of duty.
We give below the initiatory sections of the charter of the town of Holden :
An act to amend and consolidate into one act, an act entitled, "an act to incorporate the town of Holden, in Johnson county," approved February 21, 1861, and amendments thereto approved March 19, 1873. Be it enacted by the general assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:
SECTION 1. All that district of country lying and being in the county of Johnson, embraced within the following description, according to the United States survey, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of section eleven, thence west to the northwest quarter of section ten, thence south to the south- west corner of the northeast quarter of section fifteen, thence east to the south- east corner of the northeast quarter of section fourteen, thence north to the place of beginning, in township forty-five, range twenty-eight, together with such additions outside of the above limits, as may hereafter be laid out, mapped and recorded according to law, is hereby declared to be within the corporate limits of the town of Holden.
SEC. 2. Tbat the inhabitants of said town of Holden be, and they are hereby constituted a body corporate and politic by the manner and style of the town of Holden, and by that name shall base perpetual succession, and may have and use a common seal, which they may change and alter at pleasure.
The charter provides that there shall be a mayor and four councilmen, who shall constitute a town council, of which the mayor shall be ex-officio president.
Be it ordained by the council of the town of Holden: General elections for town officers shall be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in April,
by, S. S. Metzler, H. C. Conner.
Marshal-H. H. Still.
Attorney-J. P. Orr.
Clerk-J. W. Mittong.
Treasurer-George V. Hall.
1879.
Mayor-W. C. Smith. .
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
in every year. The officers, besides the mayor and four councilmen, are town attorney, clerk, marshal, treasurer, and street commissioner, the duties of which are similar to those of any other town or city.
The thirty-nine ordinances of the town of Holden are thorough and complete. Most of them were passed in the year 1880, bearing the name of W. C. Smith, mayor, and attested by James Steele, clerk, but some of the ordinances bear date of 1870, and from that year up to 1880.
CHURCHES.
To a distant view of the city of Holden, nothing adds more to its beauty and attraction, than the many churches whose tall spires rise up in such simple grandeur and loveliness. The eye of the observer is pleased with the variety in their forms and sizes, and the mind is filled with thoughts of the fair flowers of youth and beauty that may be found within, thoughts of the mighty moral influence that is wielded within the sacred walls, and with thoughts of the immortal truths that are promulgated from the pul- pits. The churches of Holden are the great reservoir of all the moral influence exercised over its people. Her ministers are men of great dig- nity, of austere morals, and unapproachable in all the qualities that make up a citizen, and a minister of the word of God. Many of them have long been identified with the church work in this city, some of them young men of fervid zeal in the cause, and others have grown gray in the toils and labors of their Master.
The Methodist Episcopal Church .- The first society of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in Holden, Missouri, was organized in the summer of 1867, by Rev. G. H. Reed. The church known as "Coventry Chapel" was begun in June, 1869, and was completed and dedicated in August, 1871, by Rev. Dr. Dant, of Kansas. The church is a neat frame, with a fine sightly spire, by far the highest in town. It is well furnished, and has one of the best toned bells of the country. The church has had the fol- lowing pastors: G. H. Reed, M. Mitchell, J. E. Gardner, A. N. Fields, J. H. Lease, N. Jewett, R. R. Pierce, J. E. Tuttle, Wm. Stevens, S. H. Mortland and I. P. Patch. There is also a small but commodious parsonage attached to the church. The church is valued at $5,000, parsonage, $400. The first Sunday school of this church was organized by Mrs. J. E. Gard- ner in her own house in 1868. At this date the church membership is over 300. The average attendance at Sunday school is 153, with O. R. Roger, superintendent, and Thomas Long, secretary. Too much can hardly be said of the liberality and untiring efforts of Mr. William Cov- entry, in the erection of the church. Several revivals of considerable interest have marked the history of the church, but the revival under the labors of Rev. I. P. Patch, during the winter of 1880-81, has been, the most extensive and, perhaps, far-reaching in its influence. More
1
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
than 200 professed religion and united with the church. No church in the county has a more promising future than this one. Among the pas- tors of this church, Rev. W. Stevens has been the longest identified with the church work, and is, perhaps, the most widely known minister of his denomination in the county. He is a native of New York, born July 13, 1834, appointed to Holden in 1877, served two years as pastor. In 1879 he was appointed presiding elder of Kansas City district, which office he has filled three years. In 1880 he was chosen delegate to the general conference which met in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The Evangelical Association .- This church is situated on the corner of Fourth and Vine streets, and is a commodious frame building, 26x44; has a steeple on top, and in every respect is well seated. This church was organized, as it now stands, in the year 1879, by Rev. Koepsell and Rev. Schaefer, and in the same year the church was built by its members. The original members were: William Koch, Lizzie Koch, Philip Ulrich, R. Ulrich, H. Hagemeyer, C. Hagemeyer, E. Henzy, J. Miller, Chas. Hagemeyer, S. Hagemeyer, E. Scheer, F. and R. Witzell, F. Winken- hoepner, H. Rorman, M. Spath, R. Markley, J. Rorman, and several others whose names cannot now be obtained. In the following year, 1880, this church was dedicated by Rev. G. Pfeefer and Rev. Koepsell. The building cost, when complete, $1,800, and the following pastors have officiated in it since it was built: Reverends Falgeht, Emmell, Harter, Koepsell and Schaefer. Presiding elders being J. Wurth, G. Pheifer and H. Matill. The average number of attendance at Sunday-school during the present year (1881), is fifty, and the superintendent is H. Hagemeyer. Preaching commenced by the above association in the year 1872, with two ministers. In the year 1880 they had a very good serial meeting, conducted by Rev. F. Schaefer. Their present membership is 21, and their prospects for the future seem very good. When they first com- menced preaching they had to move from one place to another, but now they are blessed with the privilege of worshiping under their own "vine and fig tree." No power of darkness can hinder them from serving their Master. The character of their ministers stands very high, and they are loved by all their members. These people are very plain and simple in their worship, but at the same time very devout and highly respectable.
The First Baptist Church .- This church is situated on the corner of Sixth and Market streets. The church was organized March 23d, 1878, by C. N. Webster, and the building in which they now worship was built in the year 1879, by I. N. Newman. It is a large brick building, one of the best in town, and cost the church about $4,500. Rev. C. N. Wester served as pastor in 1878, and Rev. I. N. Newman in 1879 and
459
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
1880, but on the death of Rev. Newman, in March, 1881, Rev. Wester again succeeded him as pastor of this church. The original membership of this church consisted of the following members: C. N. Webster, Wil- lis Tefft, Sarah Tefft, Seth Cook, R. B. Johnson, Rebecca Lane, Jacob Parkhurst, T. J. Allison, Mecca Miller, Mary S. Johnson, Lizzie E. Mil- ler, T. H. Miller, Mamie Johnson, Mary Garnet and Millard Parkhurst. This church, starting with only fifteen members at its organization in 1878, has shown such zeal in the propagation of its faith, and given to the world such an example of a pure and spotless life, that its membership has been increased so rapidly until they now sum up a hundred and ten. Their average attendance at sunday-school is one hundred, which speaks in glowing terms of a church whose membership is only 110. Their present superintendent is Mr. M. W. Rodman, and their secretary Mr. Charles McClure. Here, as in all other countries of the world, simplicity in their manners and in their worship, and a pure, unaffected faith in the truth of their principles, animate them in all their daily life, and push them forward to the extension of their influence and their religious views, until now they stand the equal of any church in America.
The First Christian Church .- This church is situated on the corner of Main and Third streets. These faithful followers of Christ were organ- ized as a church at this place in 1865, by Elder Stout, and their church building was erected by order of the congregation by carpenters Wise & Andrews. The church is a large frame edifice, which cost the members $3,750. The church is painted white, has a large belfry and a spire on top, and presents to the eye a very attractive appearance-nothing gaudy, nothing superfluous; on the inside it is plainly, but neatly furnished. The following are the pastors wo have served in the church since its organi- zation: Elders Stout, Todd, Smart, Randall, and J. A. Lord, the present pastor. The original members who formed the organization are: J. W. C. Huls, L. U. Barnes, Mrs. B. A. Barnes, W. F. Flynn, Paul Huls, Mrs. E. M. Huls, Mrs. T. A. Huls, A. H. Stout, C. F. Wil- kerson, and Mrs. Maria Wilkerson. These devout Christians, starting with ten members in 1865, have now attained to a membership of about 150. Under the superintendence of their pastor, Elder J. A. Lord, they have a well conducted and popular Sunday school, having a regular attendance of eighty. The secretary of the Sunday school is W. P. Baker. The most successful revival ever held in this church was at a meeting held soon after its organization, by Elders Longan and Todd, when eighty members were added to the church. These zealous work- ers in the service of the Lord aim to restore religious worship to its for- mer simplicity and truth and pay homage to God with the same rites and in the same spirit as did the primitive Christian. They recognize no dis- .
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
tinction of sects, and hence call themselves "Christians," giving to all other people the same right to be and to call themselves the followers of Christ. This church like its brethren all over the country, is steadily and surely gaining ground over all who hear their plain statement of gospel truths.
The First Presbyterian Church .- This church, situated on the corner of Fifteenth and Main streets, was built in the fall of 1867, by the mem- bers of that congregation. The following are the first minutes of the church at its organization in 1866:
" On the 4th of November, 1866, a meeting was held, at which the Rev. S. G. Clark presided. The meeting was opened with prayer, after which the following persons were examined by Mr. Clark: Jonas Houghton, Mary Jane Houghton, his wife; Wm. Powell, Anna C. Powell, his wife; Janett E. Powell, J. R. Peet and Nancy W. Peet, his wife; for the pur- pose of organizing a church, and calling it the First Presbyterian Church of Holden, Missouri. The next day, it being the first Sabbath in Novem- ber, (the above mentioned persons being found worthy) the church was duly organized. Rev. S. G. Clark preached an appropriate discourse, and the following persons were chosen officers of the church: Jonas Houghton, elder; William Powell, deacon; J. R. Peet, clerk; after which the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was celebrated with impressive exhortations by Mr. Clark. The above persons were all received by letter from other churches. J. R. PEET, Clerk.
December, 1866."
Their building is of wood, about 33x46 feet, and cost the church at the time very near $2,500. It will seat over three hundred people.
Their first minister, as we see from the above minutes, was S. G. Clark. Mr. Clark was at the time also engaged with a church at Warrensburg, but in April, 1868, Rev. Hiram Hill was employed in this church, and continued to devote his services to her cause till October, 1872, when he resigned. He was succeeded by Rev. William J. Lee, of Indianapolis. Mr. Lee is still minister of this church, and has served with them so long that it would be difficult to part with him. Their membership is at pres- ent 246, while their average Sunday school attendance is 133. Superin- tendent, W. J. Lee; assistant, Dr. M. V. Johnson. The church is so well known and so popular that nothing need be said in its praise.
This church has just commenced what will be the finest church edifice in central Missouri. The size of the building is 80x64 feet, facing the north and west. Its height is forty-five feet to the court, with a tower, eighty-five feet to the apex, on the northwest corner. On the outer corner of this tower is another octagon tower, 36 feet to the apex. This building has an ell on the south, divided into three rooms, and so arranged
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
with sliding doors, that they may all be opened into one vast room Behind the pulpit is a large, triple window, 18x12 feet, with stained glass. On each corner, and on each side of every entrance, connected with the main wall, are buttresses, thirty-six inches square, of brick, capped with Warrensburg sandstone. The building is lighted by three large cathe- dral windows, 12x20 feet. The large tower has six gothic windows, 7x3 feet. In the tower is the belfry, with a 1,500 pound bell. In the base- ment is a large furnace for heating the building. The pews, of walnut, are made and placed in a circle, with aisles on the side. The architect is Mr. J. H. Maurice, of St. Louis, a man of reputation for church building.
St. Patrick's Catholic Church .- This church is situated on the corner of Fifth and Olive streets, and was organized in May, 1869, by Father M. G. Maskin and in the same year the church edifice was erected. This church not being of brick or stone, has not been dedicated, but was simply blessed, by Rev. Philip Brady, of St. Louis, Missouri. This church, of frame, cost the members $2,400. The building is 60x30 feet, and contains forty-five pews, and also a gallery, for the use of the organ and for the choir. The following pastors have served in this church since its organ- ization: Revs. M. G. Mackin, M. S. Brennan, and James Phelan. The original members consisted of the following: John Churchill, T. E. Cole- man, A. Ward, T. A. Conrad, and others, whose names have not been given. Their present membership is 314. They have an average attend- ance at Sunday school of eighty-six. Miss Susan Hengy is the superin- tendent, and Miss Maggie McMullen, secretary. Like all other Catholic Churches, this church is very zealous and prosperous.
The M. E. Church (colored) .- This church is situated on Seventh street, and was built by the colored people of Holden in the year 1879. Their minister at this time being Rev. R. Rush. The church had been previously organized in the year 1874, by Rev. William Wheeler. It is a frame building 28x34 feet, and has never been dedicated. The pastors who have served in the church are as follows: A. Abanatha, William Wheeler, William E. Wilson, J. J. Dyere, W. H. Sampson, A. Lee, A. Rush, and J. D. Evans. Its present membership amounts to fifty-five, while the average number attending Sunday school is forty-five. Their present Sunday school superintendent is Josey Larden, and their secretary is Alex. Jacobs. The church has had a building of its own but a few years, yet it has made substantial progress in religious worship.
The African Methodist .- This church is situated in the southwestern part of Holden, and, as its name indicates, belongs to the colored people of the town. It is a substantial frame structure, and cost the colored brethren about $500. This church was organized by C. R. Runyon, Sep- tember, 1876; but the building was not erected till September, 1878. It
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
was built by Rev. P. D. Yocum, but has never been dedicated. This church has an ample supply of comfortable seats, and two chairs for the ministers. The original members are as follows: Alice Bell, Maggie Stewart, George Bell, Laura Carter, William Ford, Minta Ford, Emily Hughes, Eliza Bony. The following have served as pastors in this church: Rev. A. R. Runyon, Rev. Peter North, Rev. P. D. Yocum, Rev. J. R. Loven, and Rev. Moses Dixon, present pastor. It has at pres- ent twenty-eight members, and has an average attendance at Sunday school of thirty-one. Present superintendent, Miss Maggie Stewart; sec- retary, Miss Emma J. Violett.
Holden College-This institution, which opened its first term September 12, 1881, is located in Holden, Johnson county, Missouri, and is the out- growth of the generosity of the citizens and private enterprise of Prof. W. White, a gentleman recently from Canada, of wide experience in col- lege work.
· · While we cannot give an account of past years' work, we can give great promise of future success. Two acres of ground were purchased for the college site in the most elevated part of town, overlooking a tract of coun- try twenty-five miles in extent. Each way the eye may view a country that is not excelled in any state of the Union. The town of Holden has 3,000 inhabitants. Few cities or towns have the same qualities for building up good society, known for its morality rather than untold wealth. Having good churches and plenty of them, good markets for agricultural products, live, energetic business men, it offers inducements, to those seek- ing new homes, seldom met with. The majority of its people are from the east, that left the ruts of a past generation to enter new fields of labor. They have come with the energy and pushness of youth; they have left behind them their prejudices, and replaced them with bright smiles. This determination to make oneself agreeable is the secret of good society in Holden.
The building is three stories high, with a good basement, is built of brick and sandstone, has sixty-five rooms, is heated by steam, well venti- lated, and has all modern improvements. Has three departments-col- legiate, art and musical. The collegiate department is under the super- vision of a live principal, Prof. J. N. Prince, of Jacksonville, Illinois, assisted by Miss E. Bush, of Montreal, Canada, and other assistants.
The preparatory department has Miss Sadie Crisp, of Santa Rosa, Cal- ifornia, as principal, and, under her kind and sympathetic treatment, will be a grand success.
The art department is ably represented by Miss G. Brandt, of Portland, Maine, and Miss Carrie Smith, of Jacksonville, Illinois. Here is taught oil painting on canvas, silk, satin; velvet, both cotton and silk; wood,
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
shell, etc .; drawing in crayon, pencil and perspective wax work; embalm- ing flowers; fancy needle-work, in silk and wool; hair work, lace work, silk and linen. The musical department is under the direction of Prof. C. H. Waterhouse, a graduate of the justly celebrated school at Leipsic, Ger- many, and Prof. White takes great pleasure in introducing such a master- musician to the people of the west. Mrs. Mertie H. White is teacher in voice culture. After having years of training by the best masters of the United States and Canada, she is well fitted for the position which she occupies.
Prof. White is the president of the college, and will also teach the class singing and theory of music. Students who desire to make music a special study will find here advantages equal to any west or east. The college is non-sectarian, open to both sexes (lady boarders only), with strict adherence to morality. We bespeak for Holden College a brilliant success and future.
Public Schools .- The public school of Holden was placed under its present organization in 1868, and since that time has continued its work up to the present with great acceptability to the people, the attendance con- stantly increasing with the growth of the town.
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