USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 45
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Nodaway County, as we have already stated elsewhere in this work, is so well supplied with living streams of pure, good water, and they are so well distributed, that the people could not possibly make an improve- ment upon the arrangement if they were endowed with the power to make a readjustment of the system of streams and water-courses. In
445
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
fact, nature has so wisely and generously veined the entire surface of the county with living streams of water, as to make it convenient to almost every quarter section, and where it is not found upon the surface, it can be obtained at an average depth of twenty feet.
Notwithstanding the drouth of 1881, which prevailed to an almost unparalleled extent over the entire Union, the crops of Nodaway County averaged fully one-half, while the grass crop was as abundant and nutri- tious as in any preceding year.
Besides the terrible consequences resulting from the civil war, Nod- away County suffered its full share from the grasshopper scourge of 1866, and especially 1875, when the corn crop of two-thirds of the county was entirely destroyed.
Confident in the power of her grand resources, and ever hopeful of better days, her people scorned in the hour of their calamity, to solicit aid of their more fortunate neighbors, and ultimately triumphed proudly over the ills which were poured upon her by malignant fortune. Phoenix like, she has risen from the wreck of every calamity more beautiful and enduring than ever, and to-day Nodaway County presents to the world a spectacle of solid growth and substantial wealth, of which many an older and more fortunate county might be justly proud.
Nodaway County embraces nearly nine hundred square miles, or five hundred and fifty-three thousand nine hundred acres It is the largest county in the state, excepting Franklin, Howell, Shannon and Texas. It is more than two-thirds as large as Rhode Island, and nearly one-half the size of Delaware. It has a less number of acres of waste land in proportion to its area, and contains more fertile soil than any county in the state.
It is the fifth county in population, Jackson, Buchanan, Jasper and St. Louis each having a greater number of inhabitants than Nodaway.
When we consider the fact that the state is divided into one hundred and fourteen counties, and that ninety-five of these counties were organ- ized before Nodaway County had an existence, we are prepared to appreciate something of its greatness in all that pertains to its growth and wonderful prosperity.
Its agricultural resources can only be estimated by comparing it with other counties and other sections of the country. According to the United States report for 1880, Nodaway County produced 6,961,556 bushels of Indian corn, being, in round numbers, 1,300,000 bushels more than is accredited to any other county in the state, Johnson being the next.
Illinois, which has for many years enjoyed the reputation of being the banner state for the production of corn, has a few counties which raise more corn than Nodaway. They are as follows :
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Bushels.
Champaign
10, 132,525
La Salle .
11,148,779 Livingston
1 1,094,043
McLean
11,976,58I
Henry 8,774,002
Iroquois
8,394,776
Each of the counties named are older, and have more population than Nodaway, excepting Iroquois. Besides, each of these counties cultivated a greater number of acres of land in corn than did Nodaway, as may be seen in the statement below :
Acres.
Champaign
263,354
Livingston
309,315
Iroquois
262,178
La Salle
286,866
McLean
297,191
Henry
211,905
Nodaway
159,580
Although, not producing as many bushels in the aggregate, Noda- way County yielded more corn per acre than any one of these counties.
The average yield per acre of McLean, which produced 11,976,581 bushels, was a little more than forty bushels, while the average yield per acre of Nodaway County was a little more than forty-three bushels. The same number of acres, which were cultivated in corn in McLean County, would have produced here 12,779,213 bushels, or 802,632 bushels more than the McLean County crop.
With these figures before us, taken from the last census report of the United States, we may confidently assert that in the production of corn Nodaway County is the banner county of all the counties, of all the states of the Union, and this, too, without any effort on the part of her farmers, who have never made the raising of corn a specialty.
The census further discloses the fact that Nodaway County produced more corn than the following states and territories:
Bushels.
New Hampshire
1,350,248
Vermont .
2,014,271
Rhode Island .
California 372,967
1,993,325
Colorado
455,908
Utah . 163,342
Nevada
12,891
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Washington Territory
39,183
Oregon.
126,862
Idaho.
16,408
Montana
5,649
Arizona.
34,746
Aggregate .6,585,800
Nodaway County produced 6,961,556 bushels. Twelve states and territories produced 375,756 bushels less than Nodaway County.
We might add to the above list the District of Columbia, which pro- duced 29,750 bushels, and then have 346,006 bushels in favor of Nodaway County, or nearly as many bushels left over as the State of Rhode Island produced.
Pursuing the investigation of the cereals, we find that Nodaway County is not only the leading county in the state and country in the yielding of corn and in the average number of bushels per acre, but it produces more oats than any other, the county of Montgomery ranking second.
But a few of the farmers, however, if any, rely upon the oat crop as one of the staple products of the county. Its cultivation here may be considered as one of the necessary incidents of general and successful farming, without which the average, thrifty husbandman could not so well care for his herds and his flocks.
Having mentioned some of the cereals, we shall now take up the subject of live stock, and proceed to show by the facts that Nodaway County stands first among all her sister counties in the number of horses, hogs and cattle, and that it ranks fifth in sheep.
According to the annual report of the State Board of Agriculture for 1879, (the latest we could obtain), the two counties containing the greatest number of horses were Nodaway and Harrison :
Nodaway 14,229
Harrison 10,099
The counties producing the greatest number of hogs were Nodaway, Andrew, Ray, Harrison, Gentry, Jackson and Daviess, as follows :
Nodaway
85,606
Andrew
64,903
Ray .
. 58,462
Harrison 56,209
Gentry
55,000
Jackson
53,307
Daviess
ยท 53,291
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
The Berkshire and Poland China breeds predominate. The farmers claim that the Berkshire hog fattens and matures more rapidly than any other, and that the Poland China, while longer maturing, is larger after it does mature, than other breeds, and weighs more when ready for market.
The three leading counties in the production of cattle were Noda- way, Gentry and Harrison :
Nodaway . 55,249
Gentry 40,000
Harrison 34,636
Among the cattle above enumerated, are several hundred short horns, of the best blood, imported from Kentucky. The first importa- tion of these cattle dates as far back in the history of the county as 1841, when Colonel I. N. Prather brought with him six or eight head. He afterward brought others to the county, but for a period of many years, in fact, until 1865, there were but few short horns in the county. After that time a number of farmers turned their attention to raising this breed of cattle. They are now annually increasing in number, and but a few years will pass before Nodaway County will rank with the foremost in raising short horns.
The leading counties in the production of sheep were Livingston, Harrison, Linn, Boone, and Nodaway :
Livingston 32,268
Harrison
31,609
Linn
29,237
Boone
28,640
Nodaway
25,046
The raising of sheep in the county has never been made an object of special attention, by the farmer, until the past two or three years. With a little more care and attention in this direction, the number of sheep now raised may be more than doubled during the next three years, and the county be made to rank first in sheep, as well as first in horses, hogs, and cattle. The natural sheep-walks are unsurpassed by those of any other county in the state, and the climate is finely adapted to their well-being and healthful growth.
The Merino, Cotswold, and Southdown are all raised, the Merino being the most numerous, and the most highly prized for its luxuriant and most excellent wool. and the Southdown for its superior mutton.
It will be seen from the above figures that Nodaway County pro- duced 4,130 horses more than the county ranking second ; 20,703 hogs
449
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
more than the county ranking second; 15,249 cattle more than the county ranking second ; 7,222 sheep less than the county ranking first.
The facts here presented have been compiled from the most reliable and authentic sources, and should be carefully pondered by ever citizen of the county.
Such is the Nodaway County of to-day (1881), and such has been its wonderful growth and prosperity in material wealth during the past thirty-six years, the brief period of its political existence. To what it may attain during the next quarter of a century it is now difficult to imag- ine. When its population shall have trebled, and its thousands of acres of untilled lands shall have been turned by the plow-share to the sun- light of Heaven, then may we understand more fully its capabilities and possibilities ; then, indeed, will its cattle be found upon a thousand hills, and its valleys yield up their increase.
Agriculture is the oldest and most honorable vocation of civilized man, and the farmers of Nodaway have special reasons to be proud of their county ; proud, because of its vast and magnificent extent, being an empire within itself; proud, because of its natural resources and geographical position ; proud, because of its importance to the great state of which it forms an integral and conspicuous part ; proud, because of its thrift and enterprise, and proud to anticipate the glorious future, which will dawn brighter and brighter until Nodaway shall rank first amid the one hundred and fourteen counties, which constitute the grand old commonwealth of Missouri.
FRUIT AND GRAPES.
Twenty years ago it was thought that Nodaway County was unfit for the growth and culture of fruit, but the experience of fruit men has dem- onstrated the fact that the climate, elevation and soil of the county is as well adapted to the successful growing of fruit as other districts located in a more southern latitude. It is true that fruit of all varieties do not thrive here, nor do they elsewhere in Northwest Missouri, but all varie- ties of the hardy kind grow in great abundance and to perfection.
Mr. T. W. Gaunt, a nurseryman, who has resided near the city of Maryville for many years, says : "We planted our first small nursery on the farm of our late and much esteemed friend, Colonel Graham, in the south part of Maryville, in the spring of 1857, and since that time we have added many valuable acquisitions to our fruit list which have given great satisfaction by the hardihood and good bearing qualities of the trees. We shall continue in a line of progression by introducing from time to time the newer kinds of fruit, which, after duly testing, we shall have found them worthy of general culture. When we came to Nodaway County we were satisfied that if the flat prairies of Illinois would raise
29
450
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
an abundance of fruit, as we have seen produced there, the high, dry, rolling lands of Northwest Missouri were especially adapted to fruit rais- ing, and the many thousands of bushels of fine fruit raised every year on the trees we have sold throughout Northwest Missouri and Southern Iowa, that are bringing health and wealth to their owners, verify the belief we formed a quarter of a century ago."
There are now between three and five thousand acres in orchards, in the county, and these yield bountiful crops of apples, of as fine size, color and flavor as can be found almost anywhere. There are some varieties of cherries which do well, but the crop of pears, peaches and plums is very uncertain, the hard winters usually killing many of the peach trees.
The grape crop, in proportion to the number and extent of the vineyards, is very abundant. Many varieties are cultivated with great success, notably, the Concord, Isabella and Delaware. The Concord is found to be the most prolific and certain bearer, and is disposed of at a cost of one and two cents per pound.
NODAWAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL SOCIETY.
The people of Nodaway County, feeling the need of a county fair, affected a preliminary organization, and issued an eighth-sheet poster, announcing that on Saturday, September 30, 1871, an exhibition of stock would take place at the stock yards of the National Hotel. The poster mentions the following committees :
To award premiums on horses-S. K. Snively, Col. J. H. Davis and W. Snively.
On cattle-E. S. Stephenson, E. Powell and J. E. Alexander.
On hogs-Frank Bellows, Col. M. B. W. Harman and Wm. Leeper. On sheep-S. T. Kennedy, George Downing and Adelma Stingley. On miscellany-G. N. Paige, George Huebeck and John Dean.
On finance, to raise money for premiums-John Ham, William Anderson and A. P. Morehouse. The same committee was appointed to arrange premiums.
It was further determined to meet at the court house in Maryville, on Saturday, the 30th of September, at ten A. M., for the purpose of effecting a permanent organization, at which time all citizens of Noda- way County interested in the object and nature of an association of this kind, were requested to be present and participate in a permanent organ- ization. It was arranged that all stock for exhibition should be on the ground by one o'clock, P. M., on said day. Premiums were to be awarded at three o'clock of the same day. The total premiums offered amounted to $60.50. John Ham was president, M. G. Roseberry, treasuer, and A. C. Case, secretary.
451
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
At this preliminary fair the subject was thoroughly discussed in reference to effecting a permanent organization, and October 28, 1871, the present society was organized with the following officers : A. P. Morehouse, President ; William Anderson, Vice President ; I. K. Alder- man, Secretary, and John Ham, Treasurer.
The capital stock was fixed at $6,000, and divided into 300 shares of twenty dollars each, 200 shares of which were sold. The stock now amounts to about $3,500. The difference between these amounts of stock has been taken up by the company, who have issued family tickets in lieu thereof to the stockholders.
The directors for the first year were as follows : M. B. W. Harman, Joel Albright, A. P. Morehouse, W. R. McKenzie, G. N. Paige, A. Sting- ley, Samuel T. Ware, Thomas L. Marlin, John Ham, William Anderson, Samuel T. Kennedy and William Swinford.
The society started with an indebtedness of $2,500, which has been entirely liquidated, and at the close of the fair for 1881 they had a sur- plus in the treasury of $700. They have held ten fairs, every one of which has been a success. The first fair was held October 1, 1872, and continued four days, the premium's aggregating about $900. The pre- miums have been increased in amount from year to year, until they have now reached the handsome sum of $4,500. The society has laid out in improvements on the fair grounds every year from $800 to $1,500. When the society was organized there were no short horns or thorough- breds in the county. Nodaway, for all kinds of improved stock, is now the banner county of the state. All of this improvement is largely due directly or indirectly to the influence of the county fair.
The benefits of such an organization, when rightly conducted, are varied and manifold. The society placed right ideals before the people, and by various incentives, calls them to a higher plane of thought and action. The best thoughts of the world, the results of much study, exper- iment and investigation are transferred from all lands and brought into the homes of the people. The premium list covers the whole circle of human industries, and every family in the county feels the benefits inci- dent to emulation. The gathering of people in masses, and the annual display of the best products for examination, comparison and study car- ries higher ideals and new thoughts to every home. Farmers discuss these matters around the fireside, and their farms begin to show improve- ment in every way. Improved breeds of stock are introduced, better seed is sown and new cereals tried, improved implements are bought, farm houses are constructed on better plans, and the home is furnished with many comforts and luxuries which would never have been thought of without the fair.
It may be conceded that conductors of fairs have fallen below the true ideals, and have not used all the forces placed in their hands by
452
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
these organizations for human improvement, but Nodaway County Fair has not fallen below the average. It has, on the contrary, been a pow- erful means in Nodaway County for the dissemination of those improve- ments in agriculture, and new methods of living, which cause the American farmer to be admired by the people of many lands.
Officers for 1872 .- Albert P. Morehouse, President ; M. B. W. Har- mon, Vice President; F. C. French, Treasurer ; I. K. Alderman, Secre- tary. Directors-Albert P. Morehouse, Joel Albright. F. C. French, John Grigsby, Thomas L. Marlin, Edward M. Gardner, George N. Paige, Frank Bellows, Adelma Stingley, Samuel P. Kennedy, M. B. W. Harmon and John H. Davis.
1873 .- Albert P. Morehouse, President ; M. B. W. Harmon, Vice President ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer ; C. A. Anthony, Recording Secretary ; Knox Jones, Corresponding Secretary. Directors-A. P. Morehouse, M. B. W. Harmon, Thomas Marlin, Joel Albright, John Grigsby, George N. Paige, Frank Bellows, S. T. Kennedy, Adelma Stingley, Thomas H. Brown, John H. Davis, and William Patterson.
1874 .- Same officers. Directors-A. P. Morehouse, Joel Albright, Adelma Stingley, Thomas Marlin, Simeon Wright, John H. Davis, Henry C. Linnville, Frank Bellows, Samuel T. Kennedy, Martney Skid- mire, John Lamar, and Lycurgus Miller.
1875 and 1876, no record kept.
1877 .- Simeon Wright, President; S. P. Kennedy, Vice President ; A. P. Morehouse, Secretary ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer. Direc- tors-A. P. Morehouse, A. Stingley, Frank Bellows, Henry Linnville, John Lamar, Simeon Wright, Lycurgus Miller, S. T. Kennedy, Thos. H. Brown, I. N. Wray, and Thomas L. Marlin.
1878 .- Same officers. Directors-A. P. Morehouse, A. Stingley, Frank Bellows, Henry Linnville, John Lamar, Simeon Wright, Lycurgus Miller, S. T. Kennedy, Thomas H. Brown, I. N. Wray, Henry Fleming, and John Ham.
1879, same officers and same directors.
1880 .- Simeon Wright, President ; H. C. Linnville, Vice President ; A. P. Morehouse, Secretary ; Thomas H. Brown, Treasurer. Directors -Simeon Wright, S. T. Kennedy, I. N. Wray, Lycurgus Miller, Henry Linnville, A. P. Morehouse, M. B. W. Harmon, Adelma Stingley, Thomas H. Brown, Thomas H. Marlin, Frank Bellows and John Ham.
THE LAST FAIR.
The last fair was opened September 26, 1881, under the most favor- able auspices, and continued four days. It was estimated that from twelve to fifteen thousand people were in attendance. We give below a list of the premiums awarded, and the names of the persons to whom
453
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
they were given, believing that they will be read with interest by the farmers and citizens of the county in the years to come :
Premiums Awarded .- Stallion four years old and over, J. B. Prather first premium, and James Creek, second.
Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller first premium, and B. W. Trullinger, second.
Stallion two years old and under three, Perry Wilson, first, and Z. F. Antrim, second premium.
Stallion one year old and under two, Thomas Trotter, first premium.
Mare or gelding four years old or over, to be shown in buggy, J. B. Prather, first, and W. G. Johnson, second premium.
Thoroughbred Horses .- Stallion four years old and over, J. B. Prather, first and second premiums.
Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller, first premium.
Stallion colt under one year old, B. Farris, first, and J. B. Prather, second premium.
Mare four years old and over, Samuel Williams, first, and James B. Prather, second premium.
Filly three years old and under four, James Craig, Atchison County, first premium.
Filly one year old and under two, B. Farris, first and second premiums.
Filly under one year old, J. B. Prather, first and second premiums.
Horses for all purposes .- Stallion four years old and over, J. B. Prather, first and second premiums.
Stallion three years old and under four, L. Miller, first, and J. Hunt, second premium.
Stallion two years old and under three, Perry Wilson, first, and H. N. Kennedy, second premium.
Stallion one year old and under two, S. M. Trussell, first, and Thomas Trotter, second premium.
Stallion colt under one year old, J. W. Shelton, first, and J. Ever- hart, second premium.
Mare or gelding four years old and over, J. B. Prather, first, and J. A. Alexander, second premium.
Mare or gelding three years old and under four, R. Craven, first, and M. S. Hughes, second premium.
Mare or gelding two years old and under three, S. T. Kennedy, first, and John Asher, second premium.
Mare or gelding one year old and under two, D. W. Kelley, first, and L. Miller, second premium.
Mare colt under one year old, W. H. Bell, first, and James M. Ste- phenson, second premium.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Short Horn Cattle, Sweepstakes .- Bull, any age, L. Miller, first, and J. H. Williams, second premium.
Cow, any age, L. Miller, first, and Peter Forcade, second premium.
Herd of cattle, owned by one person, not less than five in number, including bull, L: Miller, first premium.
Herd of cattle owned by one person, not less than five in number, under two years old, including bull, W. M. Wright, first, and L. Miller, second premium.
Bull, with five of his calves under one year old, L. Miller, first premium.
Swine .- Berkshire boar, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first, and L. E. Shattuck, second premium.
Berkshire boar one year old and under two, T. F. Miller, first, and J. B. Prather, second premium.
Berkshire boar, under one year, L. E. Shattuck, first, and T. F. Miller, second premium.
Berkshire sow, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first, and T. F. Miller, second premium.
Berkshire sow, one year old and under two, L. E. Shattuck, first, and T. F. Miller, second premium.
Berkshire sow, under one year old, L. E. Shattuck, first, and D. C. Hurley, second premium.
Poland China boar, one year old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first premium.
Poland China boar, under one year old, L. F. Miller, first, and D. D. Bollinger, second premium.
Poland China sow, two years old and over, W. P. Hayzlett, first premium.
Poland China sow, one year old and under two, W. P. Hayzlett, first and second premiums.
Poland China sow, under one year old, W. P. Hayzlett, first, and T. F. Miller, second premium.
Sweepstakes .- Berkshire boar, any age, L. E. Shattuck, premium.
Berkshire sow, any age, W. P. Hayzlett, premium.
Poland China sow, any age, T. F. Miller, premium.
General Sweepstakes .- Boar, any age or breed, James B. Prather, premium.
Sow any age or breed, with five of her pigs, under six months old, D. C. Hurley, first premium.
Sheep .- James Caster, of Gentry County, seven ewes, three buck lambs, three yearling bucks and one three-year-old buck.
W. B. Caster, of Gentry County, one yearling Merino buck.
G. S. E. Vaughn, twelve head of imported Cotswolds, imported from Canada ; also two thoroughbred imported Southdown bucks ; also his well known Cotswold buck David.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
L. E. Shattuck, twenty head of thoroughbred Spanish Merino sheep, six ram lambs, eight yearling ewes, one two-year-old ewe, three spring lambs.
M. L. Stewart & Bros., of Camp Point, Illinois, twenty-five head of imported Cotswold sheep, two head of imported Southdowns and eigh- teen head of American Merinos.
Curg Miller, eight thoroughbred Southdown sheep.
D. D. Bollinger, of Hopkins, one imported Cotswold ewe, Kate, and two Leicester lambs, five months of age.
F. M. Wallace, of Hopkins, one Cotswold ewe, Daisy, two ewe lambs, four months old, two rams four months old, and one ram, three months old.
B. G. Eaton, of Hopkins, eight thoroughbred Cotswold, registered sheep, with the famous buck Comet at their head. Comet is three years old and his fleece weighed thirty pounds, sheared at the public shearing last spring.
Sheep, fine wools .- Best ram, two years old and over, M. L. Stew- art & Brothers, first, and L. E. Shattuck second premiums.
Best ram, one year old and under two, William Caster, first, and L. E. Shattuck second premiums.
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