USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 81
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INTERESTING ITEMS.
Mrs. Catharine Goodman, familiarly called Aunt Katie, did the first weaving in Clay township, and not only did work for herself, but wove largely for her neighbors. Her residence was near Locust Creek, and she was a daughter of William Henry Bowyer, one of the old settlers.
The first blacksmith shop in Clay township was located on section twenty- eight, township fifty-nine, range twenty-one, and the first work done was in 1840.
The Indian town, of which mention was made in the early history, was located in this township. The Indians had quite a town there, they being a remnant of a tribe who had once roamed through the country as lords of
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
its soil. They lived there some time after the arrival of the whites, always peaceable and friendly. But the pale-faces at last became too numerous and they removed from their homes and journeyed toward the setting sun. Irvin Ogan was one of the early justices of the peace elected in 1837, one of the first in Parsons Creek township, which was then all of Clay and Jackson. One of his first acts was to try and marry John Ryan and Susan Botts, of which mention has been made, but as Parson Creek was so high he could not cross, they were married by Justice Nathan Gregory, of Livingston county, and Irvin lost his fee of deer skins and honey.
The greatest trouble of the early settlers was the distance to mill and to a trading point, which was on the Missouri River, and Clay was troubled like the rest. The Bott's mill, put up in 1840, afterward received their custom, and as it was on Locust Creek and on their side of it, might be called the first mill in their township, and the first in the county. Among the famous hunters of that day none ranked much higher than Irvin Ogan. He claimed to have killed over one thousand deer, and other game beyond computation, especially turkeys. James Ogan, his brother, was also a fa- mous shot, and there was a little rivalry between them, each claiming to be a trifle the best hunter. At last they concluded to try conclusions, and so a hunting contest to last one month was agreed upon, and the one who killed the most deer to liave all the hides of both. Irvin came out just three deer ahead, killing an even seventy to his brother's sixty-seven. The wolves being numerous, so that lambs and pigs were hard to raise on account of their depredations, the Ogans, made it a rule to hunt these animals also, and made it warm for them. They killed nearly a hundred, and with foxes, now and then a bear, and wild turkeys without number, the Ogan brothers stood high as hunters, skilled in wood-craft, and famous shots. If they drew a bead on an animal, and when their rifle cracked, if that animal didn't drop they would have been as astonished as the man who looked in his gun and didn't know that it was loaded. When Irvin Ogan was elected justice of the peace, it is said he received every vote polled; but as there were then only thirteen votes in Parsons Creek township, it did not require a very hot canvass, and besides, he had no opposition.
Clay township, like all agricultural ones, is devoid of any very exciting topic, and with the exception of a steady but not rapid growth, there is, outside of ordinary local events, little to record for a good many years.
The killing of Mulholland and Brown, cattle dealers, who were known to have money, was probably the most brutal and murderous act ever done in Clay township. A Captain Thomas and two men are said to have done the deed, and that they were robbed as well as murdered shows the animus of those who did the terrible work. They claimed that they were rebel bushwhackers; but this charge is known to have been false.
The first farmers' club formed in Clay township, was on February 22d,
i
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
1873. The meeting was held at the Strawberry school-house and there the organization took place, a large number of the farmers being present and joining the club. After perfecting the organization the following officers were elected: John Branson, president; R. N. West, vice-president; Alex- ander Brinkley, secretary; J. P. Witherow, corresponding secretary.
The only cyclone that ever visited the township occurred on the fifth day of September, 1876, passing over the southwest part of the township, and doing considerable damage to both life and property. William Harvey was killed and his wife crippled, she having an arm broken in two places and one finger entirely cut off. Their dwelling was a strong log house, yet not a timber was left or one log upon another. The Ogans, neighbors, soon came over and found the unfortunate couple, and removed them to another house about one-fourth of a mile away, but Mr. Harvey died of his injuries before they got him there. This cyclone also did damage in Parsons Creek township, and mention is made in the history of that township of part of the above, and the damage done in that section. In fact most of the damage was in that township.
CASUALTIES, ETC.
On January 4th, 1879, the residence of Harvey Callaway was burned. His. loss in building and furniture was some $1,200, and beside that $250 in money was devoured by the flames. There was, unfortunately, no insur- ance.
George W. Borland, a young man twenty-one years of age, was killed by the accidental discharge of his gun. This was on May 26th, 1880.
In November, 1880, John Austin shot and killed Frank Stephens. It was one of those pleasant episodes which is composed of an empty gun, an empty head, and a victim in front. It wasn't loaded, and he playfully snapped it, and the usual result followed, young Stephens was a corpse.
The Rev. R. E. Sidebottom, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, an old citizen, who had preached for forty-five years, died February 23, 1879, of apoplexy. He was born in Green county, Kentucky, in 1809.
Elder William Burt, of the Baptist Church, died at his residence Janu- ary 25, 1877, aged sixty-four years. He was interred in the Magnolia cem- etery.
Mr. John W. Brown, one of the pioneers of Linn county, and an upright man, died August 20, 1881, at his residence near Eversonville, at an ad- vanced age.
January 28, 1882, after seven weeks' illness, Rebecca Ogan, wife of Irvin Ogan, who survives her, died. She was born in Madison county, Ken- tucky, in 1816, and with her husband was one of the pioneers of Linn county.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church is known as the Bethel church and was organized May 11, 1873, by the Rev. Finley, of Brookfield, and the Rev. James Reid. The church building was located on section thirty-two, township fifty-nine, range twenty-one, and is a neat frame structure. . It was erected in the fall of 1877, at a cost, complete, of $1,000. Those who joined and formed the or- ganization were: John H. Burris, Elizabeth Benefiel, William H. Bene- fiel, Ell Torrance, Annie M. Torrance, Nancy P. Burris, Amanda Benefiel, B. F. Searight, Elizabeth Searight, and Sophia D. Milburn. It was dedi- cated in September, 1877, the dedication sermon being delivered by the Rev. Pinkerton, of Chillicothe, on the first Sunday in the month. The Rev. James Reid has been the only pastor to date, but the church has been without one since January 1, 1882. A call has been made and one is expected soon.
The seating capacity of the church is about two hundred and fifty, and it is entirely free from debt. The original elders were: John H. Burris and Ell Torrance. The former died May 1, 1881. The church was first organ- ized in Linneus, but by the action of the Presbytery was moved and name changed from Linneus to that of Bethel church. Of the original members four have been claimed by death. The present membership is twenty-seven.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
The Pleasant Point Christian Church was organized as early as 1869, by John M. Neal and wife, William Thomas and wife, Mrs. Kirk, Matthew Kirk, Robert Kirk, and T. G. Duncan and wife. In the summer of 1880 the congregation erected a pleasant house of worship, costing a little less than $1,000, many of the members contributed time and labor to pay their subscription. The church is located on section eight, township fifty- eight, range twenty-one, and was dedicated by the Rev. Abraham McIn- turf, in July, 1880. Those who have officiated as pastors up to date were as follows: Revs. William M. Downing, Henry Owens, John Carter and A. McInturf. The membership is now sixty.
Previous to the erection of this church the congregation were without a place of worship of their own, but held service at the residence of some of the members or at the school-house. The first elder was John M. Neal, and the first deacon T. G. Duncan. The church is now prosperous and its future one of promise.
EVERSONVILLE.
Eversonville, the only town or village in Clay township is principally lo- cated on section twenty-seven, township fifty-nine, range twenty-two. Main Street, running east and west through the village, is the section line dividing section twenty-seven and twenty-two. A small portion of the resident part
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
of the town lies in Livingston county, but the business and largest part of the town lies in Linn county. It is therefore divided both by a county line and a township line. The town was laid out on land owned by Joseph F. Hains and John Blodgett, and as there is no other village nearer than ten or twelve miles there is no reason to doubt the growth of Eversonville to become a respectable sized town. The country around is rich and the farmers in fair circumstances, fully able to sustain a population of at least one thousand, and it is somewhat strange that a town in that part of the country was not laid out sooner.
The first building erected was by Charles H. Everson, of Boston, who erected a large two story frame store and placed in it a full stock of gen- eral merchandise. This was in 1876, and the place was known as Everson's Store until 1878. This store was built on the Joseph Harris farm. The next building was put up by John Blodgett in 1877, and he rented it to A. H. Allen for a drug store. Then came a blacksmith shop, erected by Morris L. Shour, which began to make the place look like business. In 1878 they succeeded in having a post-office established, with Martin E. Stansberry as postmaster. Since then J. T. Harris and W. B. Brinkley have been postmasters; the latter died in February last. The next move was the erection of a hotel, and this was done by Mr. Larkin, who com- pleted a very neat, and for the town, commodious structure, and christened it the St. Elmo. He keeps a good house. This was in 1879. Then a liv- ery stable was put up, and another blacksmithi shop ·was started, and all these people had houses to live in, so that Eversonville grew and prospered. The first physician who located was Dr. Trimble, and there was the law office of Long & Donovan. The "Four Corners," known as Everson's store, had grown large enough to be considered a village, and a very enter- prising one at that, and it began to feel as though it ought to have a corpo- rate existence. This was accomplished by presenting a petition to the County Court, which was granted and the town of Eversonville was incor- porated November 7, 1881, and the first board of trustees as appointed by the County Court was as follows: J. F. Hains, J. H. Thorp, John Blodg- ett, W. B. Brinkley, and J. A. Hudson. Mr. Hudson was elected chairman of the board, and holds the position at this writing. He is a thorough- going business man, and is proprietor of a custom mill and saw mill erected in 1879. The business interests of the town are represented by the follow- ing business houses, January 1, 1882:
General stores 2
Blacksmith and wagon repair Drug store 1
shops. 2
Hotel. 1
Practicing physicians 3
Grocery store 1 Livery stable
1 Billiard hall 1
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
The population of Eversonville is now about one hundred and twenty-five, and it is growing, with a strong probability that by the next census it will become a city of the fourth class, which requires five hundred in population.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES-CLAY TOWNSHIP.
GEORGE W. ALEXANDER, M. D.,
is a son of Milton and Martha A. Alexander, and was born in Cumber- land county, Kentucky, June 18, 1856. His father, who was a farmer, moved from that State to Texas, in 1859, remaining there one year. In March, 1860, the family moved to Linn county, Missouri, and located on a farm in Clay township, where the father still continues to reside. Here George grew up, and acquired the elementary part of his education. In 1874 he attended the State Normal School at Kirksville, this State, and re- mained three years. He taught two terms of school in Linn county, after quitting that institution, and then began reading medicine under Dr. J. W. Lane, of Linneus. In 1879 he attended lectures at Rush Medical College at Chicago, and subsequently took a course at the Louisville, Kentucky, Medical College, graduating from the latter with the degree of M. D., in 1881. Returning to his home in Linn county, Dr. Alexander soon after be- gan the practice of his profession at Eversonville. Though still a young man, he has thus far met with success in his practice. His character and genial disposition are such as to win him many warm friends, and to merit and retain the good opinion of all; and he has only to adhere to the course in which he has so nobly started, to achieve eminent success in life.
JOHN BRANSON.
Captain Branson is the son of Moses N. and Harriett (Nutt) Branson, and was born in Miami county, Ohio, May 24, 1834. The father is a native of New Jersey, born December 28, 1801, and the mother was born Janu- ary 28, 1807. She was married to Moses N. Branson, July 8, 1821, and both of them died in the county of John's birth. The latter (John) lived in Ohio till April, 1859, and then moved to Missouri, and settled near La- clede. In January, 1866, he moved into Clay township, this county, and has resided there ever since. When the war of the Rebellion broke out, Captain Branson's sentiments were wholly with the Union, and he was com- missioned captain of a company in the Eighty-third Regiment of Colored Infantry, troops of United States Regulars. His regiment was assigned to duty in the Seventh Army Corps, commanded by General Blunt, and sub- sequently under Gen. J. J. Reynolds. Captain Branson participated in
49
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
a number of battles and skirmishes in the west, the most important of which were Poison Springs and Saline River, Arkansas. He received his discharge in December, 1865.
Captain Branson was married January 4, 1855, to Miss Anna Maria Heckman, a native of the same county as himself, born May 7, 1836. They are the parents of four children, all sons, three of whom still survive. John F. Branson, the Captain's oldest son, and a merchant of Linneus, was mar- ried June 2, 1880, to Miss Katie H. Jones, and they reside in Linneus. Captain Branson is a farmer by vocation, and frequently handles live-stock as a buyer and shipper. He owns one of the largest and finest farms in the township, on which he has an elegant residence, large barn and other im- provements to correspond. He and wife belong to the Presbyterian Church of which he has been a member since 1878. Few citizens of the county are more actively interested in her growth and prosperity than Captain John Branson.
JOSEPH T. DICK.
The subject of this sketch was born in Marion county, this State, August 4, 1846. He is the son of William Dick, Esq., who was born in Maryland, in October, 1818, and came to Marion county, Missouri, in 1830, where he still resides. Mr. Dick moved to Linn county, in August, 1871, and has re- sided here ever since. He was married December 9, 1869, to Miss Clara Knox, by whom he has six children, all living at this writing. Mr. Dick is not a member of any church, but his wife belongs to the Methodist Epis- copal Church South, and their children are reared in that faith. He owns a piece of land in Clay township, on which his blacksmith shop is located, and he does all the business in his line for a large district of surrounding country. Mr. Dick's parents belong to the Southern Methodist Church. They had ten children, nine of whom still survive.
JOSEPH O. DAIL
was born in Anderson county, east Tennessee, February 21, 1826. His par- ents were William and Nancy Dail, the latter being a daughter of Joseph Overton, after whom the subject of this sketch was named. Mr. Dail was reared and educated in his native county, and did not leave there until after he was of age. His father was a farmer and the son was brought up to that calling. In the fall of 1848, he left his native State and came to Missouri, locating in Linn county, and engaging in farming. In 1850 he purchased the land where he now resides, and which he has improved from a nine- acre clearing into a large farin and comfortable home. There are 400 acres in a high state of cultivation, with a fine pasture. The improvements are su- perior, there being an excellent residence and a large barn. Mr. Dail was first married February 19, 1850, to Miss Nancy R. Phillips, daughter of
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Jeremiah Phillips, deceased. By this union there were nine children, eight of whom are still living. Mr. Dail was again married November 19, 1869, to Mrs. Elizabeth Wells, (nee Turner) widow of William Wells, who died in Douglas county, Missouri. By this union there were four children, two of whom are living. Three of the first set of children are married. Ches- tina is the wife of G. W. Kerby, Lilburn L. married Adaline Toler, and Mary E. married Joseph Billings. Mr. Dail "has eight grand-children liv- ing. He is a member of the Masonic and Odd Fellow fraternities, in the former of which he carries a life policy in tlie Masonic Mutual. Politically Mr. Dail was an old line Whig, of the Clay school, but when that great party ceased to exist he voted with the Democrats until the formation of the National Greenback Labor party, the principles and objects of which he so strongly believed in that he became an active and influential mem- ber and worker in the party, and fearlessly supports the cause. Mr. Dail is a highly esteemed citizen and is recognized as one of the best farmers in his section of the country.
CHARLES JAMES FORE
was born in Cumberland county, Virginia, September 16, 1823. His fath- er's name was Silas Fore, and his mother's name Sarah C. (Morse) Fore, the name and ancestry being of French origin. When Charles was one year old, his parents moved to Prince Edward county, and there continued till 1834, when the family numbering seven white members and three slaves, came to this State, and stopped in Chariton county, till the elder Fore had found a permanent location. The latter entered a tract of land two and a half miles north of the present site of Linneus, to which he moved his fam- ily in the fall of 1834. There Charles grew up and received such an educa- tion as those primitive days afforded. On starting in life for himself he be- came a farmer, and has followed that calling the greater part of his life. He was also possessed of considerable mechanical ability, and sometimes worked at the carpenter and wheelwright trades. In 1867 he moved on a farm he had bought in Clay township, and lived there till June, 1881, when he moved to Eversonville, having formed a mercantile partnership with Mr. Brinkley. Mr. Fore was married October 13, 1848, to Miss Ann Elizabeth Wills, daughter of Richard Wills, of Kentucky. They have had twelve children, nine of whom survive at this writing. Mr. Fore and wife belong to the Christain Church. Politically he was formerly a Whig, but is now an ardent Greenbacker. He is one of the oldest settlers still living in Linn, having spent nearly half a century in this county.
JOSEPH T. HARRIS.
Mr. Harris is a native of this State and was born in Franklin county, July 29, 1839. His parents were William M. and Emily Harris, the latter
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
being a daughter of John McIntyre, of Franklin county. Joseph was reared on a farm, living for the first ten years in his native county, then moving with his parents to Monroe county, where he received his educa- tion, and continued to serve till the civil war. When the civil troubles be- gan Mr. Harris, being a warm southern sympathizer, enlisted in 1861, in Company C of the Second Missouri State Guards, under Colonel Congrave Jackson, and served six months, that being the period for which he had en- listed. He then entered the regular Confederate service under Colonel Vard Cockerill, afterwards mustered in as the Sixteenth Missouri Infantry, Mr. H. being in Company A, Commanded by Captain L. M. Lewis. He served through the entire four years of the war, and was in a number of hard battles of the Trans-Mississippi Department, including Lexington, Dry Wood, Elk Horn, Helena, Mansfield, and Jenkins' Ferry, besides mi- nor engagements and skirmishes. He was surrendered at Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1865, and soon afterwards returned to Monroe county. Re- maining but a short time, he came on to Linn county, where his father's family resided, and has been a citizen of this county ever since. He began farming in Clay township, continuing that vocation till the summer of 1879, when he began merchandizing in Eversonville. Mr. Harris was mar- ried in February, 1866, to Miss Jane Tharp, daughter of James Tharp, de- ceased. Six children have been born of this marriage, five of whom still sur- vive. Sarah Emma, a daughter aged fourteen, died January 23, 1881. Those living are Levin L., Frances E., Nora E., Mary E., and Martha. Mr. H. is a member of the Christian Church, and also belongs to the Masonic order. The firm of which Mr. Harris is the senior partner is the general merchan- dise house of Harris and Company, William Edwards being his partner. They are doing a good business at Eversonville, and aim so to deal as to merit the confidence and good will of their patrons.
JOHN ALLEN HUDSON
was born in Oneida county, New York, October 23, 1828, and is the son of Charles Hudson, who moved to Genessee county, same State, when John was about five years old. His mother had died shortly before, and John was reared by his stepmother, whom his father married at Rochester. His father, in 1838, removed to Wayne county, and there John received the principal part of his education. In the fall of 1855, the whole family moved to Indiana, from whence John, after a short stop, went to Wisconsin, where he was for three years engaged in farming. Returning to Indiana in the fall of 1859, he engaged in the saw-mill business, and continued till his coming to this State in 1870. He brought a steam saw- mill with him on coming to Linn county, and has operated it ever since. In 1879 he moved to Eversonville, in Clay township, and added a corn grist attachment to his mill, which is operated "on shares " by his son-in-law,
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Aaron B. Holden. Mr. Hudson was married in 1856, to Miss Emily Eddy, a daughter of Myron Eddy, of Noble county, Indiana. Three daughters, still living, were born of this union. Mr. Hudson is both a Freemason and an Odd Fellow, though he has not renewed his fellowship with the latter since leaving New York. Politically, Mr. Hudson is a Republican, and adheres strictly to the doctrines of his party.
LEVI LAKE,
one of the substantial citizens of Clay township, was born in Marion county, Missouri, September 15, 1828. His parents were Enoch and Nancy Lake, the latter a daughter of Charles Scofield, of Kentucky, deceased. Mr. Lake was reared and educated in his native county, and there followed the peaceful vocation of farming. He moved to Linn county in 1856, and first settled on the Macklin farm, three miles north of Linneus, having rented land the first year of his residence in the county. This farm he con- tinued to operate till 1862, when, leaving his family in charge of it, he went to Linnens and opened a grocery store, which he conducted three years. He then went back to his farm and cultivated it successfully till 1867, when he sold out. The same spring, he purchased the place on which he still resides, one and three-quarter miles east of Eversonville, on the Linneus road. His farm contains one hundred and forty acres of good cultivating land.
Mr. Lake was married in Marion county, in March, 1843, to Miss Eliza- beth Haley, formerly of Kentucky. They have had ten children, eight of whom are still living.
Mr. Lake does not belong to any church, and his wife is a member of the Baptist Church. Mr. Lake is a great trader, and is considered a good judge of all kinds of property, especially of horses, mules and cattle, in which he trades most. Politically, he is a Democrat, having been reared to the principles of that party since early boyhood. He has, however, re- fused to vote for any president since Buchanan was elected in 1856. Mr. Lake is a thrifty, energetic citizen, and is frequently called on to assist his neighbors in untying some Gordian knot of business life, which tact and judgment always enable him successfully to do.
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