USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 47
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The school-building became the nucleus around which the business inter- ests of the town seemed to center, and for quite awhile all the trade was lo- cated in this portion of the town. . The town, which soon commenced to grow, demanded more territory than the restricted district which had first been surveyed, and in 1871 an addition to Curryville was set off from the land belonging to William K. Biggs. This addition is now partially built up, and no doubt in the near future numerous other and valuable buildings will be erected.
PROFESSIONS.
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Dr. H. P. Lewis was the first physician of Curryville, locating there in April, 1867, and controlling a constantly growing and extremely Incrative practice. Several other physicians have located in the town at different times, but after a short residence have again moved away. Recently, how- ever, another physician, Dr. W. E. Black, who is said to come highly rec- ommended, has located in the village. As among the professional men of the town, we suppose it would be eminently proper to mention Mr. J. B. Simpson, the young, able, and affable editor of the Curryville Courier. There is no lawyer in the town, and it is to be hoped that it will be long be- fore the services of one will be needed there.
THE PEOPLE.
There are no more generous, hospitable, and whole souled people to be found anywhere than those who reside in the town of Curryville. They are also industrious, enterprising, and moral. They attend closely to their own
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business, and live in peace and harmony with each other. They are courte- ous to the stranger, kind toward their acquaintances, and considerate of the wants or necessities of their neighbors.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
T. J. Ayres & Co., dry goods and groceries.
C. C. Davis, groceries. E. T. Edwards, dry goods and groceries.
E. K. Gates, dry goods and groceries.
G. A. Jones, hardware. Reed & Hnghlett, drugs.
J. C. Tinker, notions. J. L. Cooling, saddles and harness. Dr. H. P. Lewis, physician. Dr. W. E. Black, physician. J. B. Simpson. editor.
MASONIC FRATERNITY.
Pike Lodge No. 399, A. F. & A. M., was chartered October 13, 1871. The following were charter members: Thomas Reynolds, W. M .; Jacob Williams, S. W .; Geo. W. Smith, J. W .; John W. Caldwell, S. D .; Theron Ives, J. D .; R. A. Tribble, treasurer; T. A. Russell, secretary; F. A. Bratcher, tyler; A. A. Newland, Francis Reed, and William Watson. The lodge has grown until at this time it has more than doubled its original membership. The present officers are II. J. Sweet, W. M .; J. W. Haw- kins, S. W .; B. F. Barrett, J. W .; T. G. Edwards, secretary. The order here appears to be in a truly prosperous condition.
ANCIENT ORDER UNITED WORKMEN.
This order was organized in Curryville in October, 1879, with the follow- ing charter members: G. W. Smith, J. W. Caldwell, S. F. Sisson, J. C. Tinker, I. Williamson, J. J. Ingram, W. R. Brown, T. B. Brown, J. S. Ayres, T. J. Ayres, J. A. Gates, Dr. W. H. Clark, Dr. F. C. Lee, S. C. Reed, G. W. Clifton, E. T. Edwards, and J. W. Riggs. The following are the officers: G. W. Smith, P. M. W .; J. W. Caldwell, M. W .; L. F. Sis- son, F .; J. C. Tinker, O .; I. Williamson, G .; T. J. Ayres, recorder; A. J. Sweet, Fin .: S. C. Reed, Rec .; T. B. Brown, I. W .; J. J. Ingram, O. W. The present membership numbers thirty-four. One member, Dr. F. C. Lee, has died since the order was instituted. The insurance on his life was paid promptly. The order is said to be in a flourishing condition. 60
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
GOOD TEMPLARS.
The Cunyville division of this order was organized by Mrs. M. E. Geer, March 1, 1883. with the following members: J. C. Robinson, Amelia Rob- inson, Louella Robinson, Harry Steel. Harvey Mitchell, Miss Lutie Boyd, Miss Katie Hood. Georgie Henderson, Eddie Henderson, Percie Boyd, Ernest Lewis, E. Edwards. John Doolin, Benj. Burnett, James C. Robin- son, Heury Bower and wife, J. T. Reynolds, John Edwards, Miss Lelia Tally, Miss Ella Tally, Miss Laurena Robinson, Misses Lizzie and Alice Steel, Miss Emma Grant, Frank Reed, and Miss Belle Robins.
CURRYVILLE CHURCHES.
During the year 1875 the Missionary Baptists, Regular Baptists, and Cumberland Presbyterians, mited in the project of erecting a church-build- ing for the use of all denominations. As the result a fine and comuriodious, frame church was built, and still remains, the only building of the kind in the village. Since the organization of. the first three societies the Metho- dist Episcopal Church has effected an organization. Thus the religious in- terests of the town are provided for by four denominations. Recently, however, the Regular Baptists have sold their interest in the building to the Missionary Baptists and contemplate making Spencerburg their place of worship, where they have an interest in a church edifice. At this time Rev. J. W. Patrick preaches for the Regular Baptists, Rev. E. P. Pharr for the Presbyterians, and Dr. N. Shumate for the Methodists.
MISSIONARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized in November, 1865, by a presbytery composed of S. A. Beauchamp, of Huntsville, H. M. King, of Fayette, A. P. Rogers and E. Jennings, of Bowling Green, and J. T. Williams, of Louisiana. The fol- lowing were enrolled as constituent members: Luke Lewis, Benj. King, W. K. Biggs. Rachel King, Martha A. Biggs, Emma Biggs, Anna Biggs, James W. Riggs, Lucretia Riggs, M. J. Trabne, W. Brandon, Anna Brandon, J. E. McPike, H. P. Lewis, L. Lewis, G. W. Wylie, T. J. Ayres, and Mollie E. Ayres. The organization was completed by the election of Luke Lewis and Benj. King as deacons, and T. J. Ayres, clerk. An interesting series of meetings followed this organization under the leadership of H. M. King. Eller S. A. Beauchamp had been preaching for some time and was now called to the pastoral care of the church. He remained but a few months, when Elder W. J. Patrick was called, who has ever since been in charge, and is rendering efficient services. The first two deacons becoming super-
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annated, J. S. Ayres, R. Il. Ronton, and J. C. Biggs became additional deacons. One of the deacons elected at the organization, Benj. King, died recently. The other is bending under the weight of years. At this time the congre- gation has a half interest in the church building, while the Cumberland Presbyterians own the other half, the value of the house being $1,500.
M. E. CHURCH.
The M. E. Church was organized at Curryville in April, 1876, with the following members: J. C. Robinson, Amelia Robinson, William Frankum and wife, William Williamson and wife, Thomas Reynolds and wife, and Miss Amelia Frankum. Revs. John Wilson, T. J. Enyart, and Dr. N. Shn- mate, have been the ministers in charge, the last named still officiating as pas- tor. The church is not very strong numerically, but is probably doing a work that the other and larger denominations might have failed to accomplish.
CUMBERLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Previous to 1875 the major portion of the congregation of the Curryville Cmberland Presbyterian Church held their membership with the Mount Ayr Church, several miles north of the village, where the Curryville con- gregation now worships. In September of this year a part of the Mount Air people petitioned the presbytery, at its regular session, held with the Union Valley Church, in Marion county, to permit a division of the congrega- tion, and to allow a part of those members to hold their services in the town of Curryville. The petition was promptly aceeded to by the presbytery, and Rev. James W. Campbell was appointed to organize the church at Curry- ville, which was accordingly done October 17, 1875, and in a new church which the Presbyterians, with the Missionary and the Regular Baptists had just completed in the village. The following named officers were elected and ordained the same day on which the church was organized; viz., Har- rison J. Mackey. W. H. Tinker, John W. Caldwell, Perry A. Curry, and William Burnett, elders, and Joseph W. Reed and William S. Coou, dea- cons. The following was adopted as the constitution or basis of organization : "We, whose names are hereunto subscribed, believing ourselves to be followers of Christ, and desirous of advancing his canse in this community, do agree to forin ourselves into a congregation, to be known by the name of the Cur- ryville Cumberland Presbyterian Church, hereby adopting the confession of faith and discipline of said church, and being under the care of the Salt River Presbytery." This constitution or agreement was signed by the following persons: Anson Bradbury, William Burnett, James Burnett ,
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
Eliza Anderson, Maggie Brown, Harmon Caldwell, John W. Caldwell. Mol- lie Bradbury, Mary Caldwell, James II. Caldwell, I. Belle Caldwell. Perry A. Curry, Fanny Curry, Sarah M. Curry, Milton D. Curry, Benjamin Bur- nett, Isabella Burnett, W. L. Crow, C. F. Crow, Cornelia Edwards, Lydia Brown, Mollie Ayres, Maria Mackey, Mollie MeMillen, Eliza . A. Roberts, Mattie Reed, America Smith. Perry Scroggin, May Stone, Mary E. Tinker, E. H. Crow, E. T. Edwards, I. G. Mackey, John J. MeMillen, Matilda Pool, Francis M. Reed. Geo. W. Smith, Lillie Seroggen, William Stone, William H. Tinker, Ralph Tinker, and Mary M. Wylie. Thus the church at Curryville started out with a strong membership, and under the most favorable auspices. The following ministers have served this church: Revs. H. M. Boyd, James W. Duvall, and E. P. Pharr, the present pastor. The church is represented as being in a healthy and prosperous condition, as it is being used as the instrument of great good in the community where it is established.
SPENCERBURG.
The town of Spencerburg is the oldest, and until the building of Curry- ville, was the only town in Spencer township. There is nothing about it that the stranger would regard as especially attractive; neither is it un- sightly. It is only a village of less than 200 inhabitants, very irregularly built up, and somewhat scattered over one of the many hills that abound in this portion of the township. The country around Spencerburg was set- tled at a very early day by immigrants mostly from Kentucky, and it is their descendants who make up the mass of the population at this time. The town itself was settled by the same people, and as early as 1818 or 1819 some business was done in the place. John W. McQuie is said to have kept the first store in the town, while Aaron Hendrick was the village shoe- maker, and also kept in the same shop a small stock of family groceries. W. Doyle was the first blacksmith in the town, and Dr. F. B. Leach the first praetieing physician. Joel M. Weatherford came in 1844 and built the first carding machine in that portion of the county, and also conducted the first factory. At this time Mr. Weatherford thinks there were not more than four houses in the place, which belonged respectively to Aaron IIen- drick. F. B. Leach, Powhatan Bryant and John McQuie. Mr. Weather- ford further states that people came twenty-five and thirty miles to his carding mill, and for about eight years he carded not less than 1,600 pounds of wool annually. The first horse-mill, or, indeed, a mill of any kind, was built by John Onstott near the site of this little town, as far back as 1817
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SPENCERBURG.
or 1518. This became the business center of the town-hip, and on grinding days the census of the adult male population could have been very correctly taken here. Onstott had also built a distillery not far from the mill, and it was not unusual for a few of the neighbors to drop in and talk a little polities here, though no account of either drunkenness or brawls has ever been reported as having occurred. Mr. Onstott was a very estimable and deserving man, and although he owned and operated a distillery, neither his honesty nor moral character were ever called in question. It is probable that sixty years may have brought about some change in the tastes of the people or the character of the liquor. Just when the town of Spencer- burg was first laid ont cannot with accuracy be ascertained, though several have stated that it was done as early as 1819. by John McQnie and a Mr. Lewis. The records do not confirm these statements, but that the town was settled this early, and that there was some character of survey made of the place about the same time. there can be but little doubt. The orig- inal town site contained twelve blocks, or ninety-six lots, to which has since been added, ou the north, Bondurant's addition, four blocks, or thirty-two lots, and on the west what is known as the Western addition, containing the same area as Bondurant's addition named above. There has evidently been a survey subsequent to the time of the laying out of the original town, as the maps show that in 1866, either all or a part of the town was laid out by J. M. McQme, on section 30, township 5: N., R. + west.
Spencerbarg has never grown very rapidly nor was it to be expected that it should, since it has neither railroad nor river, nor even a macadam or gravel road. It is, however, an important factor in the list of material in- terests of northern Spencer. It supplies the residents of this portion of the township with their dry goods and groceries, with their blacksmithing and carpenter work, with their notions and millinery, and all things else so needful to an industrious community who live at a considerable remove from larger and better towns. The business interests of this little village may be summed up as follows:
1 Woolen mill.
2 Dry goods stores.
1 Drug and grocery stores.
1 Blacksmith shop.
1 Millinery store.
1 Wagoninaker's shop.
1 Cabinet shop.
1 Grist and saw-mill.
Among the professional ,gentlemen of the place may be mentioned two physicians and the village school-master. No lawyer is reported as living here. which speaks well for the upright citizens of the town and vicinity.
The schools of Spencerburg are the public schools common in all parts of
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
the county. They are said to be very well conducted and to give general satisfaction to the people of the district. There is but one church building in the village, a large substantial frame structure, which is owned in com- mon by the Cumberland Presbyterians, Southern Methodists, and Mission ary and Regular Baptists. Each of these denominations has a one-fourth interest in the church and furniture, although but two of them, the Metho. dists and Missionary Baptists have any organization here. The Christian denomination, who have no church property of their own, also worship in this house.
SPENCERBURG BAPTIST CHURCH.
The presbytery that organized this congregation met March 3, 1863. It was composed of Elder G. W. Roby and Messrs. John Ford, John S. Ford, and John Ferrill. Rev. Roby delivered a discourse after which the follow- ing persons who had been regularly baptized and had made the requsite profession of faith, were admitted, and formed the original or constituting members; viz., Joel M. Weatherford, Mary B. Weatherford, H. M. King, Fannie King, John A. Rose, Eliza Rose, W. T. Fuqua, Mary Phears, Mar- tha Bondurant, and others to the number of twelve. Rev. II. M. King was elected pastor and K. A. Laird was chosen clerk. The church was named the United Baptist Church of Spencerburg. The following ministers have had charge of the church since its organization: II. M. King, from 1864 until 1866; Rev. Wheeler, from 1866 until 1868; Rev. J. B. Hawkins from 1865 until 1870; and Rev. Sheldon, from 1870 until 1872. In this last year Rev. S. G. Givens accepted a call and continued to serve the congregation for six years, or until 1878, when he was succeeded by Rev. M. L. Bibb, who re- mained but one year. Rev. J. D. Biggs became pastor of the church in 1879 and remained until 1881, when W. J. Patrick was elected by the church and remained until 1882, when he was followed by Rev. James Reid. the present pastor.
At the organization of the church John A. Rose and W. F. Fuqua were chosen deacons. Since then James Moore, Joel M. Weatherford, Joseph Bondurant and Bethel Rose have acted in this capacity. Weatherford and Rose are the deacons at this time.
From twelve members in 1864 the church has grown to sixty-five com- municats in 1883, and with an earnest and faithful pastor, and a pious and devoted membership it is altogether probable that it will continue to grow until many who know not the way of life shall have been brought into the knowledge of the truth as it is in Christ Jesus.
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SPENCERBURG.
SPENCERBURG M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.
This church was organized in 1837. and before there was any church- house in the village. The first preaching was at the house of Dr. F. B. Leach, and without any data to positively establish the fact it is neverthe- less probable that the congregation or church was also organized there. The constituting members were Dr. F. B. Leach, Matilda S. Leach. Eliza MeQnie, John Spencer, Davenport Nally and wife, William Spencer and wife. Martha, Nancy, and Matilda Robinson, Harvey Mitchell and wife, Matilda Houston, John Pritchett and wife, Rebecca MeQnie, Sarah Me- Quie, and Mrs. A. Frances. The first preacher was Rev. Drayden For- syth, who was followed in regular order by Revs. John Ellis, Gray Wilson, Jesse Sutton, and Alexander Spencer. In 1875, after the church had been completed, the church was re-organized, with but thirteen members. among whom were the following: Agnes C. Tribble, Joseph Bently, W. T. Cleaver and wife, Harriet Bentley, Mary Rose, and W. C. Wylie and wife. Since the re-organization the following preachers have officiated here: Revs. Heury Kay, Alexander Spencer, H. M. Myers, Sherman, and Babcock. Rev. Mr. Hepler is the pastor at this time. The church is said to in a fairly prosperous condition, with considerable Christian zeal, and numeric- ally stronger than for quite a long time before.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
This church was first. organized at Spencerburg in 1871, by Elder Wil- liam Patterson, with the following constituting members: J. M. Johnson and wife, Rebecca Johnson, Maria Johnson, Lucinda Laird, Henry Laird, T. C. Saffell, Annie Evins, Louisa Hutcherson, Julia A. Saffell, Lucinda Evins, Joseph Keithley, and Lucy O. Satfell. Joseph Keithley and J. M. Johnson were the first elders, and T. C. Saffell and Henry Laird the first deacons. On the 17th day of February, 1878, the church was re-organized by Elder J. B. Corwine, with the following meinbers: T. C. Saffell, II. M: Laird, Jack Cash, Brice Wheeler, Lney Saffell, Cora Evins, Freeman Laird, J. B. Brashear. Dixie Brashear, F. M. Wicks, Louisa Hutcherson, Joseph Keithley, William Saffell, Thomas M. Guthrie, George Foreman, Laura Al- lison, deceased, Annie Bening, Lucinda Laird. Margaret Brashear, Emma Wicks, and Joseph Lewis. After this second organization was effected Joseph Keithley and William Saffell were chosen elders, and T. C. Saffell and H. M. Laird were again selected to act as deacons. F. M. Wicks was made church clerk. About this time quite a number of additions were made to the church, among thein A. P. James, Victoria James, J. C. Briggs,
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
William A. Davis, and Clara B. Weatherford. Besides the ministers al- ready named the following gentlemen have officiated as pastors of this church: Elders William Meloan, Jacob Hugly, and W. T. Sallee. This Christian organization owns no church property in the town, but have the privilege of holding their services in the union church, owned by the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
Thomas J. Ayres (deceased). Among the prominent pioneers of Pike county there are none more worthy of notice in history than the subject of this sketch. He was the son of John and Agnes Ayres, who were descend- ants of some of the old families of Buckingham county, Virginia. He was born in Woodford county, Kentucky. September 29, 1800. When a child his parents moved with him to Shelby county of that state, where he was reared. He received a limited education in the subscription schools of that county. He was married November 20, 1521, to Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Jesse and Rhoda Lewis. She was born in Shelby county, Kentucky, September 5, 1806. Mr. A. continued farming in that county until the fall of 1830, when he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, arriving here with limited means, purchasing eighty acres of unimproved land, for which he was obliged to go in debt for a portion. However, being a man of good judgment, and by hard work and strict economy he soon discharged his obligations, and from time to time added to until at his death he had a landed estate of 500 acres of as good land as Pike county affords, and a large portion of it is under a high state of cultivation. They were the parents of ten children, all of whom are living and occupying prominent positions in soci- ety: Martha J., Rebecca B., Agnes R., John II., Elizabeth A., Eliza A., Joseph S., Salathiel B., Amos B., and Thomas J. Mr. Ayres obtained a hope in Christ in his eighteenth year, uniting with the Regular Baptist Church, and was an ardent worker in the cause of Christianity until his death, which ocenrred on the 27th of June, 1871. He was highly esteemed by all who knew him, and left a large circle of friends to mourn bis loss.
T. J. Ayres, marchant, Curryville, is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Ayres, who were prominent among the pioneers of Pike county, and was born March 15, 1845. Ilis youth was spent in assisting his father on the
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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
farm and attending school. He finished his education at Bethel College. Palmyra. His vacations were spent in teaching. In the spring of 1870 he engaged in the mercantile business at Spencerburg, where he remained for three years, with marked success. In 1873 he sold out his business at Spencerburg and came to Curryville, where he has since been engaged in: the same busine-s. He occupies a mannoth brick building. 76x44 feet in size, and carries a stock of general merchandise, which in quality and quan- tity is seldom seen in larger cities. By his honorable and upright dealings with his patrons he has won their confidence and respect, and, in fact, as a business man, although young in years, he stands among the foremost in the county. His social life is not behind his business qualifications. HIe was married April 29. 1569, to Miss Mary E. Briddell, who was born in Pike county May 13, 1846, daughter of E. J. and Elizabeth Briddell. When little more than an infant she was left an orphan. She, however, found a home with her step-grandfather, who reared her with a tenderness seldom bestowed on a child by a father. He also gave her an education which has fitted her as a leading member in society, and at his der'h she shared equally with his children in his estate. She is a lady of refinement and culture, and is loved and honored by all who know her. Mr. A. and wife are mem- bers of the Baptist Church. Ile holds the position of clerk. In 1870 he was elected to the office of superintendent of the public schools, in which capacity he served for two years, with honor to himself and his constituents. By their union they have one child, Bettie B., born February 13, 1870.
James I. C. Bondurant, farmer and stock-raiser, post-office Curryville. He is a son of Ephraim Bondurant, whose sketch appears elsewhere. He was born in Pike county, Missouri, February 18, 1830; where he was reared and educated, living at home until he was twenty-one years of age. He then worked out by the month and rented land until be was married. December 1, 1862, to Miss Ellen R. They, a daughter of Johnson and Lydia Lacy, pioneers of Pike county. He then purchased the farm where he has since lived. It contains 160 acres of good land. under a high state of cultivation, , and forty acres of woodland pasture. They are the parents of two children. Alice J. and Ollie B. Mr. B. is a member of the Baptist Church. His wife is a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.
Ephraim Bondurant. farmer, is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Woodford county, January 16, 1800, where he lived until he was seven years of age, when his parents moved to Shelby county of that state. He was reared on a farm, living at home until he grew to manhood. He was married November 29, 1826, to Miss Jane West, a native of Shelby
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
county, Kentucky. In 1880 he immigrated to Pike county, Missouri, at which place, with the exception of two years, he has since lived. In 1847 he went to Hendrick county, Indiana, where he remained until 1549, when he re. turned to Pike county, where he has since lived. He entered eighty acre . of unimproved land, which he improved, and from time to time he added to it until he had 'a fine farm of abont 200 acres under a high state of culti- vation. In 1874 he retired from business. They were the parents of twelve children: Joseph, Mary S., Jane, George, Benjamin, Jeffrey, and James II. C .; and William, Marion, Sarah, Rebecca, and Susan A., deceased. He and his wife were members of the Baptist Church for many years, he having been a member for over sixty years.
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