USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 69
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
one hurt. The second raid occurred in September, 1864, in broad daylight, and the raiders numbered fifteen men and over, under the command of Lieutenant Howard Bragg. They robbed generally, and took two men named Edgar and Shreckhise prisoners. The former was paroled; the latter shot in retaliation, it was said, for the death of a Confederate by a company of Union men, of which Schreckhise was claimed to have been a member. He was buried by citizens at Corinth cemetery, in Chariton county. Edgar took an oath not to take up arms against the Confederate States of American Government, and he left the country soon after. In this last. raid James Baxter, a blacksmith, was shot in the leg, a boy carrying water seriously wounded with a rifle-ball, and Lafayette Brashears wounded in the left leg with buckshot. This ended the war history of St. Catharine. Of course there was local feeling excited, as there were two parties, but when peace spread her mantle, about everybody, except non-combatants, was tired of war and welcomed peace with open arms. There is no doubt at all that peace is a good thing to have around.
It was found after twelve years of corporate existence that the town of St. Catharine covered too much ground; that rival towns had somewhat in- terfered with its growth, and so on December 21st, 1869, all that part of St. Catharine north of Fifth Street and west of the mill, except Second and Third streets was declared vacated.
In 1874 the Elliott coal mine was opened, a shaft sunk, and at the depth of ninety feet a very fine vein of coal was struck with a width of twenty- six inches. This vein was worked for about two years when water broke through, completely filling it, and furnishing all the water needed for the mill and all the cattle in the vicinity in the dryest time. Matthew Johns, who had the work in charge, and his men had no time to gather their tools, but were anxious to get out of the trap and succeeded. In January, 1877, Mr. Johns, who was an old miner, started another shaft about a quarter of mile from the old one, and struck coal at the depth of one hundred and thirty-five feet. This shaft is also on section thirty-five, and is still in operation, and is not far from the town, which is on the same section, town- ship and range.
On December 28th, 1877, St. Catharine met with a serious loss in the death of William Elliott, the founder of the town. He had not only proved himself in social life a good citizen, but he had been the moving spirit, a man of great energy and progressiveness, which had made him a prominent man and a leader in the affairs of the town. He was buried in New Garden cemetery, mourned by all.
There was quite an excitement occasioned in the spring of 1878 by the fact that a large gray wolf had been seen near the residence of Captain Lewis, and a den of six was soon after found on the farm of W. P. Cran- dall by Mr. A. M. Kinney. Quite a number of sheep had been killed, and
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the innocent dog had been charged with the crime, but this discovery proved their innocence, and steps were taken to remove the wolves. A hunting party succeeded in driving them from the township and county, but they failed to bring in any of the animals as trophies.
In April, 1879, another serious fire occurred which burned out the store- of William Finson, resulting in a loss of some $2,500, with an insurance of $1,600.
The school of St. Catharine has been and is its pride. It has proved one- of the most successful public schools in the county, if not in the State. It is a handsome frame building two stories high, with everything furnished necessary for its perfect working. There have been one preacher, one lawyer,. one physician, one book-keeper, two professors, and ten telegraph operators who have graduated from the school, but not one drunkard or character of bad repute.
This record shows the character of the people of St Catharine in a most favorable light as a town of culture and refinement, and a temperance town, as no saloons are licensed within its corporate limits.
HER BUSINESS INTERESTS.
As before remarked St. Catharine has not grown so rapidly since Brook- field has become the commercial center of the county, but as the township. increases in population, so will the town grow and prosper, for her people. are blessed with local pride enough to sustain their own little capital.
Mr. C. L. Spaulding keeps a general store, which means that dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes, etc., can be purchased, and he also deals in agri- cultural implements, buys grain, and deals in shaved hoops. Joseph R. Crampton also runs a general store, and duplicates most of the above, be- sides adding drugs, and purchasing tobacco in the season for it. J. R. Scott looks after the hardware, stove, and tinware trade. Samuel Hayden runs a notion and confectionery store, and also has a shoe shop, J. W. Lambert,. a harness shop, and C. D. Turney, the St. Catharine Hotel. D. Decker, H. McCullum and J. D. Manpin, blacksmith shops; August Farmer, gunsmith; W. F. Steruke, carriage and wagon repairing and blacksmithing; S. H. Cary, wagon and carriage shop; Mrs. H. W. Finson, millinery; F. S. Beach, saw and custom mill and dealer in agricultural implements. These are the representative business men. Dr. J. C. Scott and Dr. Robert Haley are the physicians, and Thomas Oneill is the railroad and express agent.
The town is rather handsomely located with extensive prairies surround- ing it, and in the distance rise the hills and low bluffs which line the banks of the East and West Yellow Creeks, which streams are, on the west about three miles, and on the east about one and a half miles from the town. These hills and bluffs are covered with timber, and her rolling prairies are. dotted here and there with fine residences and splendid orchards, and all around speaks of thrift and plenty.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
This church was organized some thirty years ago, and the names of a few of the original members were D. Bray, J. Deskins, and A. Harris. A church building was erected in 1852, at a cost of $1,050, a neat frame struc- ture plainly finished. This house of worship was never dedicated. The church is entirely out of debt, and the number of members connected with it now is thirty-five. The Rev. James Kelso, pastor. The above informa- tion was received from St. Catharine, February 2, 1882. Thomas Cramp- ton, Sr., is district recording steward.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The St. Catharine Congregational Church was organized December 31, 1866. The following names constituted the organization or original mem- bers: William R. Spafford, Eliza A. Spafford, Mrs. Julia McGuatters, Mrs. Cynthia Black, George Middleton, Clark Northup, George Hull, Mrs. Car- oline Hull, Mrs. Sarah Farr, Mrs. E. A. Parsons, Mrs. Middleton, and A. Knapp. A handsome frame church edifice was erected in 1869, at a cost of $3,000, with neat and substantial furniture. Its present membership is twen- ty-two. Those who have officiated as pastors are as follows: Revs. A. Knapp, John Allender, William C. Dickenson, W. H. Hicks, R. R. Davis, J. L. Caton, and Charles M. Schwarzaner.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
This church, known as Seely Chapel, was organized in February, 1880, and had some twenty members in the organization. The church is located on the southeast corner of the south half of the northeast quarter of section twenty-two, in township fifty-seven, range nineteen, some four miles south- east from St. Catharine. The church building was erected the same year at the cost of $890, and dedicated by the Rev. T. J. Ferril, November 13, 1880. The pastor is the Rev. James Kelso. They have at present a membership of thirty-five. There is connected with the church a union Sunday-school in a prosperous condition, with Duncan McGregor as superintendent. C. S. Huges is steward, and D. McGregor, class-leader.
LENHART CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The Lenhart Congregational Church was organized December 2, 1872 and the original members were: Abraham Lenhart, Mrs. Hester Lenhart, Mr. and Mrs. John Barber, Mr. and Mrs. J. Clark, Mr. and Mrs. D. C. Brakey, and Mrs. Ludicia Farlow. It is located on section fifteen, township fifty- eight, range ninteen. The church building once belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church denomination and was used by them for nine years. It was then sold at sheriff's sale and purchased November 12, 1872, for a Con-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
gregational church, for the sum of $450, and the following month, as above stated, the society was organized. Its service is quite largely attended, but its membership at this time numbers only ten. The Rev. Charles M. Schwar- zaner is the present pastor.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH SOUTH.
This church, called Alexander Chapel, was organized in August, 1843, and the names here given were original members of the church: John and Berthia Sights, Lucy Ann McDaniel, William J. and Melvina Hayes. They held meetings quite a number of times in a school-house. It is the oldest church in Yellow Creek township, and is located on the southeast quarter of section thirty one, township thirty-eight of range eighteen, some two miles north of east of St. Catharine. In 1862 the church was built, a neat and plainly furnished house of worship, at a cost of $600. The church was dedicated in 1873 by the Rev. William Jones. It has steadily ad- vanced until now it has a membership of eighty-seven. Its present pastor is the Rev. A. S. Doak, and its future in doing the Lord's work is bright with promise.
CHURCH OF THE UNITED BRETHEREN.
This church, the United Bretheren in Christ, was organized in January, 1874, with quite a large membership, some forty uniting with the church. The congregation held their meetings in the Methodist Episcopal Church, which is situated on the northeast quarter of section twenty-two, township fifty-seven, range nineteen. There are now but thirty members belonging to the church, although since its organization about one hundred members have been connected with it. Dismissals by letters, removals, deaths, etc., have reduced the membership to the above number. Revs. B. F. Miller, J. A. Haynes, David Armstrong, -Twitch, N. Baggerly, - Frantz, and W. M. Fields have officiated as pastors of the church in the order named. The presiding elder is the Rev. - Geisling.
KING SOLOMON LODGE NO. 91.
King Solomon Lodge No. 91, of St. Catharine, was instituted by John D. Vincil and the date of dispensation was March 14, 1866. The lodge received its charter which was dated October 12, 1866, upon which was subscribed the names of the following members: Abner Hasbrock, C. A. Phillips, D. S. Betts, J. W. Huffaker, J. P. Phillips, George Purson, Andrew Baker, J. W. Maddox, Robert Baker, James Spoilsman, B. F. Parsons, and E. R. Lee.
The present membership is thirty-tive and they have a handsome frame hall built in 1872 at a cost of $800. Names of first officers: J. P. Phillips, W. M .; B. F. Parsons, S. W .; Abner Hartsock, J. W .; E. R. Lee, treas-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
urer; F. S. Betts, secretary. Names of present officers: L. B. Greer, W. M .; R. S. Anderson, S. W .; Abner Hartsock, J. W .; J. S. Williams, treas- urer, L. Crampton, Jr., secretary.
ACCIDENTS.
The first serious accident reported in Yellow Creek township is believed to have been the drowning of Overton White in trying to cross Yellow Creek when on a big rise. It was previous to the year 1840, and he was on his way. to Linnens to get married. While two young men who were with him went up the stream to try and find a crossing, he concluded to swim his horse. The horse failing him he could not get out and in the struggle of the horse to escape drowning, threw him. This was as early as 1836 or 1837.
John Fitzgerald was killed by being thrown from his horse in the year 1875. This happened about five miles south of St. Catharine.
On the fourth of July, 1877, a revolving swing gave way and a Miss Buckler had a leg broken and Miss Lowe an arm. Several others were seri- ously injured. The affair happened about one mile northwest of St. Catha- rine.
By the usual "didn't know it was loaded" James Bond instantly killed Thomas J. Morris, by playfully snapping a pistol at him. It was purely an accident.
James Smith, living on section ten, township fifty-eight, range nineteen, committed suicide by taking morphine, in the year 1879, and in September, 1881, Mrs. Susan Austin, living on section twenty-six, township fifty-eight, range nineteen, also committed suicide by hanging herself. The trials and troubles of life seem to have been too much for them, and so they ended their existence.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-YELLOW CREEK TOWNSHIP.
ABRAHAM BATCHELOR,
was born in Wiltshire county, England, September 22, 1820. His parents were James and Mary Batchelor. He received a common school education in England, and lived in Bradford until 1848, when he came to America and settled in Utica, New York, where he was engaged in the cabinet busi- ness. In July, 1856, he removed from New York to St. Catharine, Linn county, Missouri. Ten years previous to this he was married to Miss Mary Percy, of Bradford, England. By this union there have been born Mary,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
James, James Percy, John E., Charlotte, Abraham, Daniel, Frank, Charles, William and George. James died in 1854, and George in 1881. Mr. Batchelor enlisted in the Forty-second Missouri Infantry Volunteers August 4, 1864, and did active service in the Cumberland Mountains in Ten- nessee until the close of the war. Mr. Batchelor is now engaged in farm- ing, and also as a carpenter and builder. He has a nice residence in St. Catharine, and has about twenty two acres of land in that town. He has been justice of the peace for the past thirteen years, and is a leading mem- ber in the order of Good Templars.
C. G. BIGGER
was born in Marion county, Kentucky, and is the son of Harrison E. and Keziah Bigger, both native Kentuckians. His grandfather, William Bigger, came to Kentucky at an early age, and organized a regiment and went to New Orleans during the War of 1812. Upon his arrival, however, the war had terminated, and Colonel Bigger did not participate. He was an emi- nent surveyor, and before his death had begun a work on surveying, de- signed as a text-book on that subject. The manuscript bears date of 1797, and is still in the family as a relic. C. G. Bigger came with his parents to Missouri in 1844, and settled in this county, where he grew to manhood, and acquired his education, principally at Linneus. In May, 1862, Mr. Bigger was appointed by Governor Gamble to serve out the unexpired term of county surveyor Jacob L. Holland. In the fall of 1863 he was elected to that office on the Republican ticket without opposition. In 1864 he was reëlected to same office, still without opposition. Again in 1868 he was elected to same, and was tendered the nomination in 1872, but declined to accept. Once more, in 1880, was elected surveyor, and still serves in the same capacity. He has served as notary public for eight years. He filled out, by appointment, the unexpired part of county assessor Lewis' term in 1866. Mr. B's military experience is limited to five months' service in the Enrolled State Militia, in which he held the rank of orderly in 1864. He has taught several years in the schools of Linn county, and served as deputy sheriff under Sheriff Care in 1869-70.
Mr. Bigger was married August 24, 1876, to Miss Leah J. Powers, by whom he has five children, named: Guy W., Mabel, Edwin M., Isaac Ray, and Ida. He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and his general popu- larity may be easily surmised from the long service he has had in positions of public trust in the county.
MAJOR WATSON E. CRANDALL
was born in Erie county, New York, December 22, 1822. His parents were William and Betsey (nee Harrington) Crandall. He received the rudiments of a common school education at Collins, Erie county, New York; lived in
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
that county until 1850, and removed to Marquette county, Wisconsin. "There he engaged in farming, and in 1852 removed to Ripon, Fond du Lac county, same State, where he followed brick and stone laying and plastering. Major Crandall was married to Anna Olivia Knapp, September 24, 1846. She was born in Windsor county, Vermont, February 22, 1821. They have had born the following children: Egbert, Duane, Adell, Arabella and Mon- terville M. Arabella died November 11, 1861, at St. Catharine, Missouri, to which place Major Crandall had removed in June 1859, where he was engaged in general mason work. He was elected justice of the peace in August, 1860, and held that office until the breaking ont of the civil war. He raised the first company of Union soldiers in the county, enlisting them for three months. He was elected captain of the same, and did valuable service for north Missouri and the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Com- pany. At the expiration of their term Captain Crandall and the most of his company enlisted in the Twenty-third Missouri Infantry Volunteers, when he was immediately sent by Colonel Tindall to north Missouri as a recruiting officer. In this he succeeded in securing seventy fresh men, with whom he reported to his commanding officer at Chillicothe, Missouri. He was then elected captain of Company G, Twenty-third Missouri Vol- unteers, and commissioned as such January 25, 1862. Captain Crandall was captured with General Prentiss at the battle of Shiloh, and was held a prisoner of war for nine months, seven of which he was in close confine- ment, and two on parole; was exchanged and ordered on duty January 1, 1863; joined his regiment and served with Sherman in his Atlanta cam- paign up to August 27, 1864, when owing to diseases contracted while a prisoner of war, he tendered his resignation and returned to his home in Linn county. To be safe from bushwhackers he was obliged to go to Brook- field, where he was soon elected major and ordered to take command of the Sixty-second Enrolled Missouri Militia, in which capacity he served un- til January 25, 1865, when he was relieved at his own request, the militia having been previously discharged, and he held on special duty by the pro- vost-marshal. Major Crandall owns one hundred and sixty acres of land in Linn county under a high state of cultivation, and provided with a fine residence and barn. He is at present engaged in farming and stock- raising, making a specialty of mules. He is a member of King Solomon Lodge, A. F. & A. M., at St. Catharine, Missouri.
JOSEPH R. CRAMPTON
was born in Sheffield, England, March 14, 1846. He is a son of Thomas and Elizabeth (nee Shales) Crampton. He lived in Sheffield until 1857; came to America, settled in the State of New York, received a common school educa- tion there, and removing from Utica, New York, with his parents, located at St. Catharine, Linn county, Missouri, in 1859. There he was employed in
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
woolen mills until 1860. Two years later he worked at the cabinet trade. From 1862 to 1864 he was employed in W. T. Snow's drug store. In the latter year, in company with his father, he purchased the drug store there, and continued the drug, hardware, and grocery trade until 1872, when he bought out his father's interest, and four years later added a stock of boots and shoes, and in 1877 put in a stock of dry goods. From 1872 to 1876 dealt in leaf tobacco, annually shipping large amounts of the same. Mr. Crampton was married in February, 1872, to Miss Alice Park. By this union two children have been born: Walter, February 14, 1873, and Ralph February 9, 1874. Walter died April 16, 1873. Mr. Crampton is a mem- ber of King Solomon Lodge No. 90, A. F. & A. M. He is also a Royal Arch Mason, Chapter No. 81; is also a Knight Templar, of Cœur de Leon Commandery No. 14, located at Brookfield, Missouri. Mr. Crampton is at present dealing in dry goods, groceries, hardware, and a general line of merchandise. He has a handsome residence on Jefferson Street, St. Catha- rine.
AMOS SYLVESTER CLARK.
was born in Allegany county, New York, May 1, 1848. His parents- were Jerod and Olive (nee Holliday) Clark. Was educated at the common schools, partly in New York, but principally in Linn county, Missouri, to which he removed in 1859, and has since been engaged in farming. Mr. Clark was married November 19, 1874, to Miss Caroline Nicolay, who was born September 8, 1855. Four children have been born by this union: Florence, August 4, 1875; Alvah C., May 22, 1877; Bertha M., August 9, 1880. They lost an infant daughter October 26, 1878. Mr. Clark has one. hundred and twenty acres of land all under cultivation and well improved. He deals extensively in stock, having forty-five head of cattle, and about four hundred head of sheep.
J. WESLEY CLARK
was born in Allegany county, New York, January 6, 1838. His parents. were Jerod and Olive (nee Holliday) Clark. Received a common school education in New York, and removed to Ogle county, Illinois; lived there. one year, and in 1859 removed to Linn county, Missouri. Mr. Clark en- listed in the Seventh Missouri Cavalry in 1862, served one year and was. discharged on account of disability. He was also a member of the Brook- field Home Gnards, commanded by Captain W. E. Crandall. Mr. Clark was married to Miss Emma C. Guthrie, August 10, 1864. She was born in Pike county, Illinois, August 5, 1845. By this union nine children were. born: George W., January 23, 1865; Fanny M., July 15, 1867; Eva D., July 19, 1869; May E., January 10, 1871; Dora B., March 4, 1873; Alfreta J., April 29, 1875; Olive, May 3, 1877; Gertie E., May 23, 1878; Columbus
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America, April 4, 1881. George W. died September 15, 1869; May E. died October 8, 1873, and Olive died July 6, 1877. Mr. Clark was con- stable of Baker township for four years, having been elected in 1866. He owns about four hundred and twenty-five acres of land, is an extensive farmer and general stock-raiser and dealer, handling cattle, sheep, and mules.
DR. ROBERT HALEY
was born in Ontario county, Canada, April 12, 1859. The names of his parents were David and Mary. The son came with his father to Linn county, Missouri, in the fall of 1868. Having received a common school education, he entered the Hospital Medical College at St. Joseph, Missouri, and took one course of lectures in the winter of 1879-80. In 1880-81 he graduated from the Northwestern Medical College, having previously applied himself a while to the study of dentistry, and also to that of medicine under Dr. E. J. Cantwell. Up to the time of his entrance into the above named College he remained in the office of Dr. J. D. Smith, at St. Joseph, Missouri. Dr. Haley is now located in St. Catharine, Linn county, where he has built a handsome office and has established himself in a large and lucrative prac- tice. He owns an undivided interest in a four hundred and twenty acre tract of land located near that town.
CHARLES JACOBI
was born in Saxon, Prussia, October 4, 1836, his parents being Crestlieb and Christiana Jacobi. He was educated at the common schools in Prus- sia. Emigrating to America when quite young he landed at Castle Garden September 1, 1861. He was married September 6, 1862, to Elizabeth Nef- fenger, who was born May 15, 1845, at Canton Berne, Switzerland. By this union there have been born eight children: John, Herman, Adelaid, Leona, Charles, Laon, Mada, and Albert. John died August 21, 1863; Herman died in 1865. Mr. Jacobi lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, until he came to Mis- souri, being engaged in trunk-making. He came to Linn county in 1871, has two hundred and seventy acres of land, a comfortable home, and plenty of stock of various kinds.
GEORGE F. LEWIS,
son of Charles and Elizabeth (nee Moore) Lewis, was born May 9, 1845, in Linn county, Missouri. He was educated at a common school, has lived in Linn county since infancy, and has been engaged in farming. Mr. Lewis first volunteered in the Missouri State Militia; served about thirty days; in July, 1864, enlisted in Company A, Forty-second Missouri Infantry Volun- teers, and was elected sergeant. In this capacity he served in the Cumber- land Mountains, scouting and doing much toward driving out numerous bands of mountain guerrillas that infested that region. He was discharged
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
at Nashville, Tennessee, and reached home July 7, 1865, since which time he has been engaged in farming and stock-raising on his farm of eighty acres. Mr. Lewis was married March 17, 1870, to Nancy J. Burwell, who was born in Berkley county, Virginia, September 24, 1847. By this mar- riage one child, James B., was born. Mrs. Lewis died October 24, 1872, and Mr. Lewis was again married, December 15, 1873, to Martha C. Bur- well, who was born in Berkley county, Virginia, November 8, 1843. Of this union there were three children, May E., Lena V., and Charles L. For the past eight years Mr. Lewis has been a zealous Greenbacker.
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