USA > Missouri > Polk County > The history of the Polk County Baptist Assciation : with history of churches, biographies, Southwest Baptist College, articles of faith, and church covenant > Part 19
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After his muster out at Davenport, Iowa, he returned to Springfield, Missouri, and clerked in post-office and dry goods stores until early in 1866, when he returned to Polk county, and, being in feeble health, he did not resume farm- ing, but tried canvassing for books, shipping apples to Kan- sas, and soon began teaching school. In this he succeeded for two and a half years, so far as rendering satisfaction to parents and pupils was concerned. It was in this avocation he began to acquire, and to realize the value of friends, and while all were his friends, the most valued and substantial was Uncle Andrew Turk, who died in March, 1870. To this noble friend Andy regrets he never had opportunity fully to pay in some way the debt of obligation and appreciation he owed him, death having intervened.
In February, 1869, he went to Bolivar and attended for five months the academic school of Prof. James A. Rice, who died suddenly about two years ago in Washington, D. C., while in the employ of the U. S. Pension Bureau. Bol- ivar has been his home ever since, and he has been merchant, county officer, and special examiner of the U. S. Pension Bureau. Those who have known him from boyhood know his struggles against adverse conditions, and can account for the great abundance of sympathy he has, in his busy life, al- ways manifested toward poor and struggling humanity; and if such cannot be a fault, this certainly is one of the extreme phases of his life. It is very doubtful that any one in distress or need ever went to him for comfort and was turned away by an unsympathetic heart or failed to receive a helping hand. He has been enterprising as well as charitable, and has aided
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in various ways in advancing the material interests of the county. The location and establishment at Bolivar of the Southwest Baptist College was one of the most earnest under- takings of his life.
In conjunction with Eld. Jehu Robinson and the la- mented Maupin, Andy began in December, IS78, to organ- ize Baptists and enterprising friends for the successful effort that was made during the following year. Through his ef- forts mass meetings were held in Bolivar, and a county com- mittee appointed, of which he was its chairman, and this committee and other enlisted friends, circulated subscriptions over Polk and adjoining counties, pledging means for con- struction of the college building at Bolivar. Bolivar ap- pointed a delegation consisting of Judge Dunnegan, O. D. Knox, Esq., now deceased, Major A. C. Lemmon, now of Dallas, Texas, H. Boone and brother Hunter to present her claims before Southwest Baptist convention at Strafford, Greene county, Missouri, in early part of the year 1879, be- fore whom Mr. Knox and Major Lemmon made special pleas for the citizens of Bolivar.
As soon as location was settled, the board of trustees appointed a building committee to take charge of the con- struction of the building. Brother Hunter was made chair- man of that committee and assisted Bros. Robinson and Maupin and Judge Donnegan in the completion of the build- ing. Bro. Maupin, whose labors in this connection can never be estimated, can not tell us the trials the committee had in the completion of the college building.
Those who casually look on that structure can not and never will realize the trials and struggles Bros. Maupin, Robinson and Hunter had to undergo in constructing it. With brother Hunter it was time and means. He was the
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most substantial contributor, and although in a few years thereafter he could have been temporally benefited by the . sum of his contributions to the institution, he not only never regretted his gifts to it, but the thoughts of it consoled him. He has continued to feel thankful for what he did for the cause of education and Christianity. He and others have lived to witness the glorious results of our school scattered over southwest Missouri. Brother Hunter was a member of the board of trustees of the college from 1879 to ISS7, and during most of that period was its secretary.
In politics as in any other cause in which he has enlisted his thought and energy, he has been an earnest and constant advocate of the principles of the Democratic party, but while he has been active and contributed much of his time and means to the organization and life of the party, he has avoided the offensive acts of the machine politician. This is evidenced by the fact that he never was defeated by the people when he appealed to them for support, and in a county predominated by a substantial opposition majority. He has been honored by his township, city, county and government, and most of his years of majority has held places of public trust. His first office was clerk of Marion Town- ship (Polk county) school board, and organized the first colored school taught in the county. At the fall election in 1870, he was elected to the office of Polk county's first re- corder of deeds, which he filled full term of four years, and in 1874 was elected clerk of the circuit court and served in that office from January, 1875, to January, 1879, and having been elected clerk of the county court at the fall election of IS78, he filled that office until January, 1883, making twelve continuous years in Polk county's court house. It is doubt- ful that any man was better known by the people of Polk
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county than was Andy Hunter, during his official career in the county.
Retiring from public office early in 1883, he gave his attention to mercantile business in Bolivar, Polk and Fair Play, and in this, from an over-extension of credit and entry of period of hard times he did not succeed, and in a short space of two or three years, 1884 to 1886, he saw his ac- cumulations of years of toil swept from him and his family, as if by a cyclone. Although without health, income or property, he did not lose resolution or hope, and in this sort of adversity in which men younger and physically stronger had given up, he told his friends he would live to see sunnier days. His losses did not grieve him, except as they might affect those who had entrusted him.
In July, 1886, he passed a creditable and successful exam- ination before civil service commission in St. Louis for position of special examiner for United States Pension Bureau, and in November, 1887, he received appointment of clerk in said Bureau, and at a time when he was beginning to succeed in real estate business. He arranged his affairs and proceeded to Washington, D. C. He entered upon the duties of his office December 1, 1887, and performing his duty in a satis- factory manner at his desk in the Bureau, he was com- missioned on February 8, 1888, a special examiner and sent to the field, and with exception of a few months work in the department at Washington in 1891 and 1893, he has had charge of a district in the southeast part of Kansas with headquarters at Parsons ever since. During his nine years work as such officer he has handled many hundred pension claims, aiding many worthy claimants in securing their pen- sions. While at this work he has also developed and investi- gated many criminal cases and some of the most fraudulent
MRS. A. J. HUNTER,
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and noted cases of that time. He has not only recovered many thousand dollars fraudulently procured from the gov- ernment, but has seen many criminals brought to justice in the United States courts at Topeka, Leavenworth, Wichita, Kansas City, Springfield, Ft. Smith and Ft. Scott. For his efficient services he has been many times complimented by his superiors, as well as promoted.
In 1876 he attended the Centennial Exhibition at Phila- delphia as an honorary member of the board from Missouri, under the commission of the Governor, and since I874 he has attended every Democratic national convention but one. Few men have seen more of the political leaders of all parties and public men of the nation than he. In his younger days much of his reading and study were the biography and lives of lead- ing men of this and other countries, but his relish was for those of his own country.
June 5th, 1870, he was united in marriage with Miss Sallie Long, of Polk county, whose portrait accompanies this sketch. Mrs. Hunter is a daughter of Noah and Nancy (Selrel) Long, and was born in Mason county, now West Virginia, March 22, 1850. She is a representative of a large family of German extraction, who by their industry and fru- gality prospered at farming in the productive valleys of the Shenandoah and Kanawha. Her grandfather, Nathan Long, was born in what is now Page county, Virginia, September 12, 1784, and died in Mason county, West Virginia, May 2!, IS55. The grandmother, Maria Long, nee Kaufman, was born September 9, 1790, and died July 15, 1854.
Her father, Noah Long, was born in Page county, No- vember 20, ISog, and died July 3, 1863, the eldest of eight children, all of whom are dead except Mrs. Nancy Maxon Gilman, of Ohio, and Mrs. Maria Ayers, of West Virginia.
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Her mother was born in Indiana October 17, 1820; died April 15, 1872.
Her parents were married in Madison county, Indiana, in 1837, but resided in West Virginia until their removal to Polk county, Missouri, in 1855, and of that union twelve children were born, as follows: Mary, November 12, 1838; Margaret, May 18, 1840; George, February 24, 1842 ; Eliza, February 19, 1843; Catharine, December 14, 1845; Maria Ann, April 13, 1848; Sallie, March 22, 1850; Elizabeth, Au- gust 20, 1852 ; Reuben, December 11, 1854; Josephine, born February 10, 1841, and died January 26, 1842 ; Nathan, born May 8, 1856, died January 15, 1871 ; Johnnie, born January 10, 1863, died September 15, 1863.
Quite a representation of this large family are yet alive, five daughters and one son, thirty-four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Mary died December 26, 1855 ; Eliza, who had married Wayne Simpson, May 6, 1859, died February 10, 1860; George died in 1850, and Nathan died January 15, 1871. Margaret married Wm. G. Wainscott, March 22, 1860, and now has eight children living, and two grandchildren. She and her husband are living near Cross, Oklahoma territory. Catherine and John S. Looney were married March 5, 1863. Reside in Bolivar, Missouri, and have five children and one grandchild living. Maria A. married Chas. H. Hockenhull, September 27, 1874. Her husband died January 17, 1892, and she with her four chil- dren are residing in Bolivar. Elizabeth and James M. Zum- walt were married December 6, 1868, and for nearly twenty- seven years have lived on their farm at Polk. They have nine children living and one grandchild. Reuben Long first married Miss Zourie Turk, who lived only a short time, and November 22, 1879, he again married, and to Miss Emma
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Martin by whom he has four children living. He lives on . his farm near Polk.
Mrs. Hunter's father was murdered July 4, 1863, thus taking away one of Polk county's most substantial citizens. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter lost their fathers under like circum- stances and in the same year. The mother of Mrs. Hunter died April 24, 1872. Five children have been born as fruit of the union of brother and sister Hunter, and dates of birth are: Edgar Fenimore, April 3, 1871 ; Annie, February II, 1873, and died October 30th same year; Jessie Maude, born January 18, 1876; Andrew Jackson, January 28, 1878, and Frederick Ray, October 27, 1881. Their eldest child, Edgar F., was united in marriage with Miss Ida Mae Bigbie, Oc- tober 10, 1894, at Cameron, Texas, at which place they now reside, and have one child.
Mrs. Sallie (Long) Hunter, whose womanly and Chris- tian character has not only fitted her for a kind and affection- ate wife and mother, but a faithful, charitable Christian worker, amidst her duties and devotion to her family, is faith- ful, prompt and devoted to her church duties, and always ready to assist in the removal of burdens from the distressed.
The husband and children can the more realize the great worth of such a wife and mother, but those of church and society who have been her co-laborers fully appreciate the as- sistance of such a constant and earnest worker. She prefers to see the results of good work, rather than talk of them.
Professing the Christian faith in June, 1871, she joined Mt. View Baptist church, and on December 3, 1876, her husband became a member of the same church, and in the fall of 1877, they placed their letters with the Baptist church at Bolivar, of which they are still members, although they have attended Baptist church at Parsons, Kansas, almost
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.regularly for eight years, and sister Hunter has been an ac- tive member of ladies aid society, besides assisting at all times in general charitable work. These two persons have been liberal with their means, giving to church, charity, and laudable enterprises, and aiding in building churches of all denominations.
...*
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ELD. J. R. MAUPIN.
BOOK IV.
COLLEGE HISTORY.
MOENGCO
SOUTHWEST BAPTIST COLLEGE.
Southwest Baptist col- lege was instituted in the year 1878, in the city of Lebanon, La- clede county, Missouri. Beginning its work Sep- tember 17th, ending its first year in June, 1879. Let us notice the steps that led to its erection. LaGrange college is sit- uated in Lewis county, Missouri. Presided over by Dr. J. F. Cook. In
this seat of learning were two young men, Jas. R. Maupin, of Schuyler county, Missouri, and A. S. Ingman, of Marion county, Missouri. They roomed together and their hearts were knit together in the strongest bonds of Christian fellowship. It oc- curred to them that it would be a great achievement to establish a college somewhere, at some future time; but where? In their search, they found Lebanon to be the most available location. Here they began their work. Secured a charter March 19, 1878, with the name and style, Southwest Baptist college. Meanwhile a convention, composed of delegates from the churches, had been
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organized in 1876, aud had met often together to discuss Bible subjects at different churches, were now meeting annually. This convention took upon it the care of the college. Elected the trustees. The trustees elected the President and with his advice the remaining faculty was chosen. Eld. J. R. Maupin was chosen president for five years beginning November 8, 1878, and ending June, 1883. Prof. A. S. Ingman was chosen professor of Latin and Literature; Mrs. A. Maupin principal of female department and teacher of instrumental music; Miss Lydia Hansbrough, pro- fessor of mathematics; Eld. T. L. Lewis, professor of history and English literature; Eld. R. K. Maiden, tutor.
We will go back a moment and notice again some of the steps. Eld. Ingman arrived at Lebanon July 23, 1878. Eld. Maupin had been there some days. On the 24th they started out to canvass the field in the interest of Southwest Baptist college. They rode on horseback over several counties. Let Prof. Ingman speak: "We rode thousands of miles on horseback this summer and the summer following, preaching the gospel and working for the college. I remember to have been in my saddle every day for four full weeks together, and that other thing of blessed memory I recall, that at the end of two as hard years of work as I have ever done I had no more money than at the beginning. Many times did Bro. Maupin and I, at the noon hour, turn our jaded steeds upon the rich roadside pastures of the Ozarks and lay us down in the shade of some kindly tree, our saddles serving as restful pillows. For dinner-well, we had a retrospect of the past, a prophecy of the future, and the goodness of God. To dig, we hadn't time; to beg, we were ashamed; money, we had none, and no man gave unto us. These noonings were sometimes quite pleasant when we were together, but when one poor fellow had to 'noon' by himself-ah! memory desires to come away."
"I remember one time up in Hickory county, as we were about to part, to be separated some weeks, that I said to Brother Maupin that I did not see how I could go on but a few days more, without stopping to dig for a while, as my pants were worn out, and I did not have a whole dollar left. A 'collection' was in order. We gave liberally. We gave all we had. $2.50 was found in the 'hat.' The pants were bought, 'God bless you' was said
ELD. A. S. INGMAN.
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by each to the other, the parting hand was given, and each went his way 'dead broke,' out into the wide, wide world, of which, to us, Southwest Baptist college was the center and hub."
"God was always good to us. We had great opposition on the part of open enemies, and of good but misguided brethren. The wise and kindly counsel of the brethren was always appreciated by us. The hearty welcome to the hearts and homes of the peo- ple was to us an unspeakable blessing. Our trust was in God. Our watchword in times of trial and adversity was, 'By the grace of God we will succeed.' Almost every hill and valley in the southwest heard our prayers. Best of all, God heard them! The college walls were cemented by prayer. If it be God's will, may they stand till thrown down by the earthquake of the resurrec- tion."
A proposition was submitted to the Baptist communities in the southwest for the permanent establishment of the college, to be decided in favor of the most liberal donations. The lot fell upon Bolivar, and the second year the college was opened, in the fall of 1879, occupying an old building on the northeast corner of the public square, in Bolivar, Mo. The college building was in process of erection, the corner stone having been laid April 18, 1879.
The second year, 1879-80 .- The closing exercises were witness- ed in the new building. To the faculty of last year was added Eld. B. McCord Roberts, leeturer in moral philosophy and evi- dences of Christianity; Dr. J. E. Loafman, lecturer in anatomy, physiology and hygiene; E. E. Ayres, B. M., professor of vocal and instrumental music; N. T. Allison, principal preparatory de- partment; J. M. Yarbrough, assistant in preparatory department and librarian and secretary of faculty. There were two societies, the Philomatheans and Mathetropheans. The laws for the gov- ernment of the students were strict, but parental. The college had a small library of about 200 volumes, contributed by Elds. R. J. Terrell, T. L. Lewis and I. Ingram, and Drs. H. L. Green and L. C. Frazier; also the editor of the Bolivar Herald and others added valuable works.
Third year, 1880-81 .- The school is divided into three terms. The additions to the faculty this year are Prof. W. A. Wilson, A.
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M., professor of Latin, and was elected vice-president; H. A. In- gram, principal of commercial department; Miss Georgia Bond, teacher of music; Mrs. Carrie Wilson, principal of preparatory department. Thos. O. Cary and Miss Sallie Maupin, of the Ger- man class, the first to recite in the new building.
Fourth year, 1881-82 .- Additions to the faculty this year were Mrs. Nannette M. Cook, A. B., belles-lettres and history; Eld. J. F. Suter, A. B., pedagogics and assistant in mathematics. Five graduates in literary course and two in commercial. Brief sketches are given of each. Five states and 20 counties are re- presented in the college besides the Indian Territory.
Fifth year, 1882-83 .- The additions to the faculty this year are Prof. J. M. Leavitt, A. B., higher mathematics, book-keeping, commercial law and normal methods; Mrs. Florence Leavitt, vocal and instrumental music; Mrs. D. E. Schofield, primary department; Prof. J. M. Willard, secretary of faculty; Alonzo Shriner, librarian. Four graduates this year. Sketches in another part.
Sixth year, 1883-84. - The faculty the same as last year except that Miss May E. Mitchell was chosen to the chair of English literature and elementary mathematics. This was a prosperous and successful year.
Seventh year, 1884-85 .- Eld. A. S. Ingman is president. The additions to the faculty are C. S. Taylor, jr., A. B., tutor in mathematics and English language; Miss Belle Hansbrough, principal of primary department, and Prof. R. M. Parks. One graduate, Arthur S. Dunn.
Eighth year, 1885-86 .- Prof. J. M. Leavitt is president. New members of the faculty, Lawrence Johnson, A. M., professor of Greek, Latin and elocution; Eld. C. W. Alexander, B. S., pro- fessor mental and moral philosophy, evidences of Christianity and assistant in mathematics; Miss E. M. Sanford, A. B., normal methods, phonography and assistant in natural science; A. H. Schofield, librarian. Library has about 600 volumes.
Ninth year, 1886-87 .- Eld. Wilmot J. Hunter, A. M., professor Greek, Latin and elocution, and Prof. S. L. Webb, A. B., pro- fesssor natural sciences and assistant in mathematics and Miss
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Annie Allen were added to the faculty. Ten graduates recorded elsewhere.
Tenth year, 1887-8 .- Board of curators assume control of the college. Prof. J. M. Leavitt president pro tem., Hunter and Webb teachers. Prof. Webb resigned and Prof. J. C. Pike elected to fill his place, and Miss Lillie Sanford, professor of history and assist- ant in natural science, elected January 25, 1888. Six graduates. Full sketches given.
Eleventh year, 1888-9 .- The board of curators still in control. The same faculty at work until April 1, 1889, when a new faculty was chosen in the persons of Eld. W. H. Burnham, A. M., D. D., president, Prof. J. R. Downer, R. E. Burks and J. R. Lightfoot. There were eight graduates.
Twelfth year, 1889-90 .- Eld. W. H. Burnham, D. D., president, professor of mental and moral science; Jas. A. Beauchamp, A. B., professor of mathematics; Prof. R. E. L. Burks, A. B., professor of ancient languages; Prof. J. R. Lightfoot, B. L., professor of natural sciences; Miss Ella Prather, B. M., teacher instrumental and vocal music; Miss Ida O. Post, principal preparatory depart- ment.
Thirteenth year, 1890-91 .- Faculty as last year with following additions: Jas. T. Johnson, A. B., L. I., professor of mathematics " and modern languages; Miss Pearl Burnham, A. M., principal pre- paratory department; B. H. Parrish, B. C., principal commercial department; Miss Sue Duncan, B. M., musical department. Nine ministerial students. Six graduates, one post-graduate. Library has about 1,000 volumes. Some apparatus for scientific demon- stration.
Fourteenth year, 1891-2 .- Eld. R. E. L. Burks, 'A. M., presi- dent, professor of Latin, Greek and moral science; Prof. A. B. Bush, A. M., professor mathematics and modern languages; other teachers were J. R. Lightfoot, Mrs. D. E. Schofield, Miss Ella C. Prather, J. L. Leonard, librarian. Seven ministerial students. Three graduates.
Fifteenth year, 1892-3 .- The same faculty as last year, except Mrs. E. M. (Sanford) Lovelace, A. B., English and assistant in ancient lauguages; Miss Lena Simmons, A. B., assistant in science and language. Two graduates, one literary, one musical.
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Sixteenth year, 1893-4 .- The same faculty as last year. There are three departments of instruction, collegiate, preparatory and musical. In the collegiate department there are seven schools, viz: Moral philosophy, mathematics and astronomy, Greek, natural science, Latin, English and modern languages.
Seventeenth year, 1894-95 .- Asa B. Bush, A. M., president, (West Virginia University), professor metaphysics and mathe- matics. The teachers added this year are Clarence C. Lewis, A. M., (Ohio University and University of Glasgow, Scotland), pro- fessor of ancient languages; Dr. J. E. Loafman, M. D., lecturer in anatomy, physiology and hygine; C. E. Higgins, B. S. (Southwest Baptist college), instructor in preparatory department; Miss Emma P. Van Hooser, (Shurtleff college) professor vocal and instrumental music, delsarte and elocution. Seven graduates in literary and one in musical.
Eighteenth year, 1895-96 .- Faculty as last year except that Clarence C. Lewis resigned a little before the expiration of last year. Miss Gertrude Hockenhull was chosen to assist in the preparatory department.
TRUSTEES.
Eld. Jehu Robinson, Glensted, 1878 to 1884.
S. Bass, Strafford, 1878 to 1880. 1882 to 1884.
H. Boone, Bolivar, 1878 to 1885.
*Eld. A. C. Bradley, Ash Grove, 1878 to 1880.
Levi F. Beckner, Conway, 1878 to 1879.
Eld. G. L. Burke, Dennis, 1878 to 1879.
W. J. Frazier, Springfield, 1878 to 1879. Eld. Jacob Good, Marshfield, 1878 to 1879. J. B. Henslee, Springfield, 1879 to 1879. *Eld. Chas. Ingram, Montevallo, 1878 to 1882. Eld. T. L. Lewis, Bolivar, 1878 to 1880. *Eld. B. McCord Roberts, Bolivar, 1878 to 1883. *Eld. Jas. Schofield, Buffalo, 1878 to 1883. *Jno. B. Thurman, Greenfield, 1878 to 1880. G. A. Howerton, Long Lane, 1878 to 1893. Capt. Thos. Higginbotham, Bolivar, 1879 to 1884. Dr. J. E. Loafman, Bolivar, 1879 to 1892. *Deceased.
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