USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 82
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ALLEN G. MURRAY
was born in Onondaga county, New York, February 25, 1817. His par- ents were Allen S. and Isabel Murray, the latter formerly a Miss Cady. Allen G. lived in his native county till he was fifteen years old, and then went to Courtland county, and learned the trade of hatter at Courtland- ville. From there, he went to Pennsylvania and did journey work until 1836, when he went into partnership with his brother in hat-making in the same town. Dissolving this partnership, Mr. Murray came west to Wis-
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
consin, and settled in Rock county, where he engaged in farming. This occupation he has followed ever since. In December, 1868, he sold out in that State, came to Linn county, Missouri, and located on the farm where he now resides, the farm being known as the Joel Wilkinson place, Mr. Murray having purchased from him. The homestead now contains eighty acres; the original two hundred and seventy-two acres having been divided by Mr. Murray among his children. It is supplied with a good frame resi- dence, out-buildings and other improvements.
Mr. Murray was first married in 1843, to Miss Louisa Cheeseborough, of Courtlandville, New York, and daughter of William Cheeseborough. She was born August 13, 1815, and died July 15, 1874, having become the mother of four children, one daughter and three sons, the latter of whom still survive. Mr. Murray was again married March 18, 1875, to Mrs. Elizabeth Post, widow of Peter Post, deceased, and daughter of Lewis Baker, of Monroe county, New York, deceased, also. Mrs. Murray was born June 19, 1831, in Monroe county, New York.
Mr. Murray is not a member of any church or secret order. Politically, he is, and has always been, a Democrat. In Wisconsin, he was presiding justice of the Rock county court, member of the board of supervisors in 1846-47, and had served as constable and assessor while Wisconsin was a Territory.
Mr. Murray is an intelligent, active and progressive man, and a useful citizen.
GEORGE W. PHILLIPS.
This gentleman, one of the old settlers of Linn county, was born in Mer- cer county, Kentucky, December 20, 1813. His parents were George M. and Margaret Phillips, the latter a daughter of Stephen Johnson, of Vir- ginia. Mr. Phillips grew up in his native county, and received a common school education. His father was a farmer, and he himself was reared to that calling, and has been engaged in it all his life. In 1841 he came to Missouri, and first settled in Howard county, where he farmed for seven years. In 1848 he moved to this county and bought a place three and one- half miles southeast of Linneus, on which he resided for five years. He made several removals subsequent to this, and lived ten years of the time in Jackson township. Finally, in 1865, he made a permanent location on the place where he now resides in Clay township. It contains one hundred acres, and is situated in the north part of the township, five and one-half miles northwest of Linneus. At the time of his first coming to Linn, set- tlements were so sparse that Mr. Phillips could have named nearly every man in the county, at least those who were permanently located. He was married in October, 1837, to Miss Lucy Connelly, daughter of Rice Connelly, of Kentucky, deceased. His wife died in 1864, after leaving him
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twelve children, ten of whom lived to be grown, and eight of whom still survive. In politics, Mr. Phillips was formerly a Whig, but became a Dem- . ocrat on the death of Whiggery, and has continued to act with them ever since. He was defeated in 1854, for assessor, he running on the Whig ticket, and his successful opponent, J. E. Quick, on the Democratic ticket. In 1880 he was elected to the office of county assessor, on the Democratic ticket, but was prevented from filling the office by the adoption of the town- ship organization. He has served two terms as township assessor. Though he enjoyed but limited school privileges in youth, Mr. Phillips has ever been a man of close observation, and a great reader. His contact with men has developed his analytic powers, and given a maturity of judgment that better educated men might well envy.
JUDGE JOHN M. PRATT.
Prominent among the old settlers and one who deserves mention in this work is the gentleman whose name leads this sketch. He was born in Greene county, Tennessee, on the tenth day of April, 1827. Mr. Pratt lived in his native county until he was thirteen years of age, when he came to Missouri, where he has since lived, most of the time in Linn county. In 1846 he enlisted in the Mexican War, in Captain Barbee's company, and served until the fall of 1847. March 16, 1848, he was married to Miss Elizabeth Alexander, a native of Shelby county, Kentucky, born January 16, 1828. Mr. and Mrs. Pratt have been the parents of fifteen children, ten of whom are living, three sons and two daughters having died in infancy.
Mr. Pratt for eight years lived in Linneus, engaged in the mercantile business until 1855, when he removed on the farm where he now lives. His home farm contains one hundred and twenty acres, well improved. He also owns land in other parts of the county. After Judge Pratt's return from the Mexican War, under the laws of the State there was a company of militia raised in Linn county, of which Mr. Pratt was made first lieutenant. This position he retained until the company was abandoned. Soon after he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he held for four years. Judge Pratt did not take any active part during the late war, but his sympathies were with the South. He was arrested once in St. Louis for expressing an opinion.
In 1864 he joined the Enrolled Missouri Militia and was elected captain, and held that position until the company was disbanded. In 1873 he was elected county judge for one year, and in 1874 was reelected for the term of four years, but did not hardly serve out his time as the office was abol- ished before his term expired. In 1879 he was appointed road and bridge commissioner. In 1882 was again elected county judge, and at this writing still fills that position. As an officer Mr. Pratt has done credit to himself and has given entire satisfaction to the people. He and his wife are both
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members of the Methodist Episcopal Church South. Three sons and two. daughters are married and live in different parts of the State. In closing this sketch it may justly be said there is not a man in Linn county who is- held in higher esteem than Judge Pratt, and who has a larger circle of friends and acquaintances.
JOHN WARREN TRIMBLE.
Dr. Trimble is a native of Kentucky, and was born in Fleming county, August 30, 1851. His parents were Robert and Susan (Triplett) Trimble, and there were nine children in the family, John Warren being the young- est. His father died when John was about a year old, and his mother soon after moved to Flemingburg, where he continued to reside with her till her- death, which occurred when he was about eleven years of age. From that time forth he became the architect of his own fortunes, and is largely self- educated. His education was received almost entirely in his native county, chiefly at Flemingsburg College, till he attended the Military Institute at Lexington, it being his mother's dying request that he take a course at that school. When about twenty years old he graduated there, and spent the succeeding year in the Lexington College of Arts. On quitting the latter institution he came to Linneus, Linn county, Missouri, where he read med- icine under Dr. E. F. Perkins. Returning to Kentucky the following year he attended lectures at Louisville University, graduating in March, 1879, with the degree of M. D. He again came to Linneus, and at once began the practice of his profession, and has continued to do a successful practice- in Linn county ever since. In 1877 Dr. Trimble moved his office to Ever- sonville in Clay township, where he continues to reside at this writing. He- was married March 3, 1880, to Erie V. Vosburgh, of Livingston county .. Being a self-made man and highly educated, both professionally and gen- erally, Dr. Trimble has before him the opportunity of a life of great use- fulness and honor.
JOHN HENDERSON THARP.
This gentleman is a native of Linn county, and was born on his father's farm in Clay township, on the twenty-seventh of November, 1844. He is the son of Evan S. and Josephine F. Tharp, and grew up and received his elementary education in his native county, chiefly in the schools of Linneus. In 1863 he began reading medicine under Dr. B. F. Dillon, at Linnens, and studied under him and Dr. Stephenson for about a year. The following year he took his first course of lectures at the St. Louis (Pope's) Medical College. Returning at the end of the course to his home in Linn, he be- came a devoted private student, and also did considerable practice. Re- turning to the same institution in 1866 he took his final course in the suc- ceeding term, graduating with the degree of M. D., in the spring of 1867.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Again resuming the practice in his old neighborhood he continued there till 1879, when he went to Eversonville, and purchased the drug store of Henry Hutton, since which he has been engaged in the drug business in connection with his practice. Dr. Tharp was married March 16, 1870, to Miss Martha Idress Botts, daughter of Joshua Botts, deceased, one of the Linn county pioneers. Dr. and Mrs. Tharp are the parents of four children, two of each sex. He is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and his wife belongs to the Missionary Baptists. Dr. T. also belongs to the Masonic fraternity, membership in Jackson Lodge, of Linneus.
Though scarcely in the prime of life, the measure of success already achieved by Dr. Tharp gives assurance to his family and friends of a suc- cessful and useful career in the future.
CHAPTER XXIX.
ENTERPRISE TOWNSHIP.
Metes and Bounds- Timber and Streams-Area and Valuation-When Organized- Growth of the Baby-The Pioneers-Who They Were and Where They Came from- The Natural Course of Events-Churches and Schools-Ministers, Physicians, and Teachers-Population-Gain-Village of Enterprise-Its Buildings-Cemetery-Busi- ness-Accidents and Incidents-Biographies.
This can be considered the baby township of Linn county. It was next to the last one organized, and like the last baby there never was any good reason why it should ever have been born. But among the chap- ter of accidents we have Enterprise township, the smallest of the munici- pal divisions which constitute Linn county. It was made out of Benton and a portion of Baker, and like most of the townships in this county, no general rule was observed, and it not only lies in two ranges, but even. divides sections to make its boundary lines. It was organized August 13, 1860, and enlarged February 20, 1870. For a wonder the township line dividing sections fifty-nine and sixty is its southern boundary, but to com- pensate this unheard of good sense, its western boundary divides the section from its south to its north line. Sections ten, fifteen, twenty-two, twenty- seven, and thirty-four, are divided, one-half being in Benton township and the other half in Enterprise. North, is Sullivan county; south, Grants- ville township, and this last township was the last organized, though there was really no use for either. Enterprise township is one of the northern tier, is four and one-half miles square, and has 12,960 acres of land. It is well watered by Long Branch, which, with numerous streams emptying into it like branches of a tree, passes nearly through the center of the township
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from north to south. Timber can be found in abundance along its borders and that of its branches, and the soil is rich and deep. Some two-thirds of the township is rolling prairie, with a good drainage, sloping to the east and west.
Like the rest of the county it is a good fruit, cereal, and stock-raising township, and all these are successfully cultivated and grown. Being the smallest in size it is also the least in valuation, but it leads in wealth, when size and towns are taken into consideration, Yellow Creek, Nortlı Salem, Baker, and Benton townships. This is a pretty good showing for the " baby." The assessed valuation in 1881 was $161,807.
THE PIONEERS.
Enterprise township was settled about the same time that other portions of the north part of the county were settled, which was in 1838, 1839, and and 1840. Among the first pioneers who made it their homes was Green- berry Summers, who came from Indiana in October, 1839, and settled on section twenty-four, of township sixty, range twenty. He struck the tim- ber on Long Branch, and about one mile south of the village of Enterprise. Mr. Summers was the earliest arrival in the township, and was monarch of all he surveyed for nearly a year. He had occasional calls from the Indians who, in hunting parties from Iowa, used to roam the woods at will, and made friendly calls on the white settlers who had made homes on what was once their exclusive hunting-grounds. The following year James Reed moved on to section twenty-six, township sixty, range twenty. He came from Boone county, and his claim was only about one mile southwest from Mr. Summers, which made them near neighbors. Benjamin Phillips came in 1842, but after building a house, sold out to Edmond P. Wells, who came from Illinois. This location was on section twenty-three, which was in the same neighborhood, only about one mile west of Mr. Summers. Then came Francis Kelley, from Kentucky, but direct from the kingdom of Callaway, or Callaway county, and Lockhart S. Nevans, from the same county. The former staked his claim on section thirty, township sixty, range nineteen, and the latter located on section thirty-five, township sixty, range twenty. A. J. Buler, from Germany, settled on section eighteen, township sixty, range twenty. In fact, from 1838 until 1845, the settling of Enterprise township continued very steadily, and although now but four and one-half miles square, as before stated, the settlement seems to center on Long Branch, which nearly equally divides the township east and west, and spreads out up and down on both sides of it. Farms increased in size, and it seemed as if the pioneers who had gathered there were gaining more rapidly in wealth than in other sections of the county.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
THE NATURAL COURSE OF EVENTS.
The first marriage of record in the township was that of John Bunch to Miss Cynthia Ann Summers, which happy event took place in December, 1842. Judge Rooker, now a resident of Sullivan county, but at one time one of the county judges of Linn county, performed the ceremony at the residence of the bride's parents.
Miss Nancy Summers was born June 8, 1842, and was the first child born in Enterprise township. She was the daughter of Jesse and Margaret A. Summers. This child married Brice P. Collins, and the latter was killed at Fort Donelson, during the late unpleasantness. His widow and the child above spoken of are now residents of Sullivan county. The infant son of James Reed, born in 1843, is believed to have been the first male child born, but it lived but a short time and was buried on the home farm.
Among those who practiced the healing art and who is claimed as the first resident physician, was Dr. Stephenson. But probably the first one to prescribe for the sick in the township was Mrs. Nancy Summers, the wife, we believe, of Greenberry Summers, the first resident of the township. This old lady had considerable medical skill, and she exercised it for quite a number of years for the benefit of her neighbors and with great success.
The earliest teachers of the gospel of Christ in this township were the Rev. Thompson, of the Christian Church, and the Rev. John Means, of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. Services were held by these ministers as early as 1844, sometimes at private residences and again at school-houses, but at these latter places not sooner than 1848, which was about the time of the first erection of any kind of a schoool-house in the township.
The first school was taught in an abandoned log house in 1847 or 1848, but only continued one month. This school was on section twenty-four, township sixty, range twenty, and was taught by Adoniram Robinson. Pri- vate schools were kept here and there as the pioneers could afford, but the first school-house built in the township was about 1852, and on section twenty-five, township sixty, range twenty. Still there is very little known or remembered of this school, but is remembered by William T. Gooch and his father and several other persons.
The next school-house erected in the township was on section eighteen, township sixty, range nineteen, northeast of Enterprise village, and on the northeast quarter of the section, something like a mile, or a little more, from the village. It is now known as the Dickerson school-house, and is in district number two. The building was of hewn logs. Jesse Summers, George Long, and Mr. Dickerson contributed the material, Ranson Gent gave the land, and other neighbors did the work. It has flourished to this day and last winter Mr. William Poster taught a six months' school.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
District number five school-house, on section twenty-six, township sixty, range twenty, known as the Gooch school-house, was erected some ten years ago. This is a frame, costing some $400, with a term or terms of six to seven months of schooling. Its present school board, or directors, are John Gooch, George Dodge, and William J. Gibson. The school is a large one as there are about sixty children of school age within its limits, and about forty in regular attendance. Miss L. J. Joyce, an educated young lady and an accomplished teacher, taught the past winter, 1881 and 1882.
The first school-house built in the vicinity of Enterprise village was but three years ago; but school was kept many years previous in an old log school-house. One of the incidents of this school was in the winter of 1864 and 1865. The school that winter was kept by Mr. William T. Gooch, and one morning, soon after arriving at the school-house, the weather took one of its sudden changes, the mercury dropping until it seemed to be going out of sight. Mr. Gooch found it necessary to do something else be- sides teaching; in fact wood was brought into the old log house and Mr. Gooch commenced cutting wood and piling it on the fire to keep the chil- dren from freezing. It didn't take long for the farmers to find out that it. was terribly cold, and anxious mothers hurried off to the school-house with extra wraps to bring their loved ones home before they froze to death. Mr. Gooch was not sorry, and before noon the last one had left. For two hours he had swung the ax and the children had huddled together, but the cracks were wide and badly chinked, and old Jack Frost walked in without hin- drance. Mr. Gooch received the thanks of all, when they found that he had been equal to the occasion, and had protected his scholars so well from cold, as well as teaching a successful school.
Among those who spun and wove in those days were Miss Nancy Sum- mers, Mrs. Philip Wells, and others, and in fact the wives of the pioneers were all at home with the spinning wheel, and most of them with the loom as well.
THEY TRAVELED.
For the first three years of pioneer life, it was, so far as the necessaries of the kitchen were concerned, rather slow work. Brunswick and Glasgow were the principal markets, and also for their grinding until 1841, when Bowyer's horse-mill was erected. Supplies of every description were pur- chased at the above named places, and it was no small job to take a trip of sixty to eighty miles and back with an ox team. Still it had to be done and the load was corn, skins of all kinds, venison hams, honey, etc., and the re- turns were a little tea and coffee, a few yards of calico, perhaps a log chain, a wedge, and some medicine in a jug. These things were the winter sup- plies which were necessary. But time soon changed all of this, and when the years of 1841 and 1842 came along Linneus had grown to the size of a
.
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
score of houses, stores were on hand, and Bowyer's mill under way, and the ten or twelve miles of travel was a decided improvement over the trips to Brunswick and Glasgow.
Enterprise township all this time was mostly Benton township, with the ·exception of a mile on its eastern border which belonged to Baker, but within the territory here described, is and was the ground of which Enter- prise township is composed. The township grew until it became large enough in population to seek for an independent municipal division, but as before remarked, just why this " baby " was born has never been satis- factorily explained. The population of the township in 1870 was 322, and notwithstanding a portion of the south part of the township was set off to Grantsville in 1871. Enterprise township, in the past decade, just exactly donbled its population, it being, according to the census of 1880, 644, against 322, in 1870. This shows the largest gain of any township in the county, the next to it being Jackson township, which gained during the same time nearly eighty-five per cent. This gain of Enterprise township, when its lo- ·cation and size is considered, is something wonderful.
VILLAGE OF ENTERPRISE.
This is rather an old village, and being only about four miles from the railroad and also from Browning, an important station on the Chicago, Bur- lington & Kansas City Railroad, has not many chances to become a village of size and note. In fact Browning has very perceptibly interfered with the growth of the village, as all its merchants have left for that thriving town and railroad communication with the outside world.
The village of Enterprise was first laid off in the year 1857 or 1858, on land owned by B. F. Northcott, and he and A. D. Christy were the found- ers. The post-office was named at the time "Northcott," after one of the founders. The village grew until it reached near the population of a hun- dred souls, and has remained somewhere in that neighborhood for a good many years. On December 21st, 1869, a portion of the town was vacated as it became evident that the town plat was larger than was ever likely to become necessary. There is not much improvement going on, and its future is not a very promising one. There is no doubt but that it will be a con- venience to the farmers in the immediate vicinity, and it will always equal :a cross-roads town, which is composed of a country store and a blacksmith shop; but beyond this, or a population of a hundred or two, Enterprise vil- lage will not in this generation have a greater future.
There is a small congregation of Methodists who have preaching once a month. They have no church, but use a school-house for services. The Rev. Henry Crampton officiates. B. F. Northcott, J. T. Fleming, and George Crump were among the first members of the organization. Mr. Northcott is now a resident of Browning, while Judge Fleming proposes to
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HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
assume the role of the only merchant of Enterprise, he having commenced arrangements to that effect. At present there is no general store at Enter- prise, the last one having a few months since removed to Browning. As the Judge is an old settler, and a popular citizen he is likely to prove suc- cessful.
SCHOOL-HOUSE AND CEMETERY.
The school-house of the village is a good frame building and well fur- nished with all the appliances necessary for a thorough common school education. It cost about $900, and is located on the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section thirteen, township sixty, range twenty, just on the edge of the town, and has an average attendance of from fifty to sixty pupils. The last session was one of seven months, and the teachers were Chas. W. Northcott, principal, and Miss Maggie Kinman, assistant, the former having a salary of $40 per month and the latter $20. The house was completed in 1878. The present directors are J. W. Thompson, president, J. P. Hardy and J. A. Anderson, the latter acting as treasurer.
The Enterprise cemetery contains an acre of ground and joins the school lot. It was laid out in 1869 by Mr. Swisegood, and the first interment was the remains of Mr. Ira Porter.
BUSINESS.
Elwood Doane is justice of the peace, and Charles Van Wye, phy- sician and surgeon. The hoop-pole business is carried on by Samuel P. Bailey, who does a large business, and Judge Fleming has his store about completed to commence business. There are no lawyers there and no saloons, and a case of litigation of any kind has not appeared within the past three years. When it is added that this village is strong in its tem- perance views, it is not to be wondered that it is a place of quiet, and that law-breakers are few, and their exploits, if any, unheralded. On the east side of the township a Mr. Thomas Standifer owns and runs the only saw- mill in the township.
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