Clay County, Missouri - A'ii, 1885

A'ii

Location and Physical Features - Hamlets of Greenville and Claysville - Early History - Orgauizatiou - Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church - Biographical.

Location And Piitscal Features

Washington township tonus the northeastern portion of Clay county, and is composed of all of congressional township 53 and the lower tier of sections of township 54, in range 30. Much of the territor3' is very broken, rough, and rocky and worthless for agricultural purposes. Many small streams, all of which ultimately run into Fishing river and its forks, head in the township. In many places picturesque bluffs are found along these streams, and the scencr\' is beautiful to look upon, but hardh* appreciated by those owning the land.

The township contains but two small hamlets, Greenville and Claj'Sville. The St. Joe branch of the Wabash Railroad runs through the northeastern corner of the township, a distance of about two miles, and Lawson, in Kay county, is the nearest station and general shipping point. Kearnc}^ and Holt, on the Hannibal road, give the people something of competition in the matter of railroad facilities.

GreenviUe (Claytonville P. O.) is located in the southern part of the township, on Williams creek, 16 miles northeast of Liberty and about six east of Kearney. It contains a school-house, two churches (ilethodist and Christian), and about 75 inhabitants. It is one of the oldest villages in the county.

ClaysviUe (Prospect Hill P. O.) is about two niiles northeast of Greenville, within half a mile of the Riy county line, and four miles south of Lawson, the nearest railroad station. It contains perhaps 50 inhabitants, or less. .

Early History

As early as 1824 Travis Finley settled on section 2t> in this township, two miles southeast of Greenville. Archibald Mcllvaine, Stephen Baxter and othei-s were also early settlers. Ryland Shackelford located northwest of Greenville soon after Finley came, and Mr. Shackelford often declared that when he made his location, and for a year afterwards, there was not a white settler between him and the North Pole. (498)

At, the Miiy Loiii oCtlio county court,, IH.'iO, Wii.-sliingloii vvjib created iirt ii municipal township out of Platte iuitl Fi.sliing rivor. The boundiirioH were orif^inally the same, practically, as at present, the two western tiers of sections being takfsn off in 1H72 when Kearney was formed. 'I'ho boundaries as ordiwed by the county court when the township was organized were as follows : -

Heginning at the point oti the county line between Ray and Clay counties where the; line between townships 52 and 53 strikes the same, thence due west along said townshij) lin(! for eight miles to the section cornfsr (m said township line between sections 34 and 35, in range 31 ; thence due north along said Hectif)n line between sections 34 and 35, ir) range 31, to the northern bonntlary line of the county.

Sintrularly enough the court f)niitted to describe the northern and eastern boundaries f)f this township. They will be understood, however, to have been the northern l)onn(lary of the State, and tlie liijc between Ray and (Jlay extended to tiiat boundary.

It was certified to the Secretary of State that there were at least 95 taxable inhabitants in the township upon its creation. John P. Smith and Harlow Hinkston were the first justi(;es of the |)eace, John Wright the first constable, and Stephen Haxtci-, Archibald Mcllvain, and Richard Clark the first ehjction judg(!s. Tin; first election was held at the house of Steplien Baxter.

local (m1 on s(!ction 15, township 53, I'aiige 30, was organized in 1857 by Rev. William Barrett. Tlu; nam(!S of the original members were Waltus L. Watkins, Mary N. Watkins, Kate Watkins, Spencer Anderson, Kitty Anderson, Mary Anderson, Rev. William C. Barrett, Jackson Garrett, L. B. Garrett, Samuel Hollingsworth, T. W. Barrett, Louisa Barrett, Olivia Barrett and Nancy K. Barrett. The present membership is 'i4. The names of those who have served as pastors are Revs. William Barrett, who filled the pulpit for thre» years, Thomas Montgomery, Asa N. Bird, J. W. Luke, G. L. Black and J. J. Fetts, who is the present pastor. This l)rick edifice was erected in 1871 at a cost of $5,000, more than one-iialf of wiiicii was contributed by Waltus L. Watkins.

Chester Bethel

Notwithstiinding the great hurnih and Imbbiib raised in this State over the James boys and Clay county as an awful robl)er-infested region by a few unscrupulous journals for political efl'ect, and more interested in partisan success and capturing the offices than in the welfare and good name of the State, intelligent Northern men, both Republicans and Democrats, are constantly pouring into Missouri and making their homes upon its rich and favored lands. Clay county is no exception in this resj^ect to the other counties of the State. Large numbers of Northern men have settled in this county since the war, and within the last four, six and twelve years. Among the many others that might be referred to is the subject of the j)resent sketch. Mr. Bethel came to this county in the winter of 1871 - 72, and is one of the substantial farmers of the county. He has a finely improved place situated near Lawson. Besides farming in a general way, he is also engaged in i-aising stock. He was born in Jersey county. 111., June 17, 1847, and was a son of Bluford Bethel and wife, 7iee Nancy Sevmour, the father originally from Tennessee, but reared in Illinois, and the mother born and reared in that State. His father was a substantial farmer of Macoupin county, and died there in August, 1875. His mother died July 28, 1858. She was a member of the Missionary Baptist Church. The father was a member of the A. F. and A. M. Mr. Bethel was reared in Jersey county, and was the fourth in his parents' family of eight children, five of whom are living. He was educated in Macoupin county, and after coming to Missouri in 1871, was married to Miss Emma Witt, Deceml)er 4, 1874, a daughter of Pryor and Eliza J. (Tunnel) Witt, of Greene county, 111. Mr. and Mrs. Bethel have two children : Nancy Alice and Mary Effie. Mr. B. belongs to the Order of the A. F. and A. M.

Robert A. Ford

Mr. Ford is one of the self-made men of Clay county. When he was in infancy, his father died, leaving his mother with a large family of children, and no means to speak of to go upon. The children, after they had struggled along through their earlier 3'ears, and come up old enough to work, had not only to look out for theuTseives, but to assist toward providing for the family. But the mother was a true and n()l)le woman, and kept her family together during her lifetime. She died in 1857, when the subject of this sketch was about

17 years of age. There were nine other children, and nine of the ten are still living. When the family came to Clay county, in 1851, Mr. F. was a lad about eleven years of age. He was here in 1861, when the war broke out, and entered the Confederate army or State Guard, under Gen. Price. After serving out his term of enlistment for six months, he returned tf) the county, and in 1863 went to Colorado. Three years later he came back, and has been a resident of the county ever since. He learned the occupation of farming as he grew up, and handling stock, and has made these his permanent pursuits. Starting out without anything but his industry, energy and intelligence, he has, nevertheless, become one of the substantial farmers and successful fine stock raisers of the county. He has a herd of 60 head of high grade cattle, and nine head of regular registered short horns. His farm is nearly all in blue grass, and is finely improved, his handsome brick residence alone costing $17,000. His place contains 220 acres of as fine land as there is in the county. Mr. Ford was born in Fauquier county, Virginia, March 13, 1840. His parents, Austin and Jane (Allison) Ford, were lioth i)orn and reared in that county, and after their marriage came to Missouri, in 1840, locating in Clark county, where the father died the following year. He had i)een a soldier in the War of 1812, and was a farmer by occupation. The mother, with her family of children, removed to Clay county in 1851, where she died in 1857, as stated above. October 6^ 1867, Mr. Ford, the subject of this sketch, was married Jto Miss Mary E. Story, a daughter of Thomas and Lucy A. (Baldwin) Story, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. F. have seven childi'en living, Oscar N., John T., Jesse J., Ella T., Walter N., Maggie L. and Robert A. Three others. Flora Belle, James T. and Arthur F., died at tender ages. The oldest, Oscar N., an exceptionally l)right youth, 14 3'ears of age, is already an unusually accomplished penman. His work in general penmanship, card writing, etc., equals that of manv professional penmen.

Rufus M. Majors

Rufus M. Majors was born in Clay county, September 7, 1841. His father was Elisha Majors, formerly of Burke county. North Carolina, and his mother's maiden name Catherine Huffaker, of Wayne county, Ky. Mr. Majors' grandfather, John Majors, a native of Maryland, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. Mr. Majoi's' parents were married in Wayne county, Ky., and remained there until 1837, when he removed with his family to Clay county. Mo. He made his home in this county until his death, which occurred October 24, 1878. He was a successful farmer and worthy citizen of the county. His wife died here April 27, 1876. But three of their family of eight children are living, Michael, a farmer of Vernon county, and Elizabeth, the wife of B F. Elston, a farmer of Clinton county, being the other two, i)esides the subject of this sketch. Rufus Marion Majors was the seventh in the familv of children, and was reared on the firm in this county. He received a district school education, and ou the 22d of August, 1880, was married to Miss Sarah M. Wilhoit, a daughter of Thomas and Mourning (Benton) Wilhoit, of this county. Mr. and Mrs. Majors are members of the Missionary Baptist Church. Mr. M. has a good farm of 270 acres, all under fence andin an excellent state of improvement.

Judge Robert W. Mimms

The Mimms family is one of pioueer ancestry in the history of the countrj', and one not altogether without note. One of the representatives of the famil}' rendered distinguished services in the Revolution in the South Atlantic States, and a remembrancer of his careei* stands to this day in the shape of the ruins of Old Ft. Mimms in Georgia. Another member of the family was a gallant officer in the Northwestei'u campaign under Gen. Harrison, and Ft. Mimms, iu ^liohigau, was named in honor of his services. The family is believed to have come to this country at about the tiiue of the first settlement of Jamestown or with some of the colonial immigrants to Virginia soon afterwards. From Virginia branches of the family dispersed themselves throughout most of the Southern and Western States. Judge Mimms conies of the Kentucky branch of the family. He was born in Logan county, K}'., March 20, 1830, and was a sou of John W. Mimms, whose father was one of the pioneer settlers of that State. The Judge's mother was a Miss ilary James before her marriage, originally of Goochland county, Va. The Judge's parents continued to reside iu Kentucky until 185G, when they came to Missouri and his father established Mimms' Hotel, at Kansas City, well known in the days of the l)order troubles as the stopping place of .thousands who passed that way going to or coming from " Bleeding Kansas." Mimms' hotel building, if it could talk, would be aide to tell many a stirring and thrilling incident of those trying and terrible times. There, under the same roof, the Red-leg and the Borderruffian, tiie Jawhawker and the Slave-driver, the emigrant sent out by the New England Aid Society, with nothing but his black carpet-sack, his Bible and his rifle, to colonize Kansas, and the adventurous, restless, fearless Down-Souther, with his long hair, piercing eyes, navy revolvers and douljle-barrol shotgun, who came out to see that Kansas was uot permitted to fail into the hands of " the sniveling, negroloving Yankee." as he always termed his New England brother, met :nid lefreshed themselves at the same board. Not unfrequently hot words of scorn and hatred were hissed at each other across the table, liut Mr. Mimms was a man of peace and without fear, and under his loof the hospitality of his house was made the protection of every guest, from wheresoever he came. North, South, East or West. The truth of history, however, compels the statement that many insulting words quietly spoken between partisans of the opposing factions who sto[)ped at Mimms' Hotel were afterwards avenged by the rifle or shotgiui, or tlie pi^^tol or dirk, on the stakcless and lonely (jrairios of Kansas. Such were the unhappy times of that unhappy day. But through it all " Uncle John Minims," as he was known far and wide, though a Southern man and a brave and fearless one, maintained an attitude as landlord of strict impartiality, and won the respcict and atlection of all who ever pulled his welcome latch-string. He was au ordained minister of the Missionary Ba[)tist Church, and died at his home, iu April, 18(J9, profoundly mourned hy a wide circle of friends and ac(inaintances. His wife died eight years afterwards. Judge Miinms, who was the eldest iu a family of twelve children, was reared in Kentucky, and came to Missouri in 1847. He iirst resided in Cass county, l)ut came to Clay county the following year. In 1850 he went to California and spent eight years in that State, mining, etc., with varying success. Returning home' in 1858, he subsequently went to Colorado, in 1861, and was elected treasurer and collector in Park county in 18(i2. In 18(i3 he went to Montana, locating at Helena. He re[)resonted Helena in the Teri'itorial Legislature two terms, and was the author of the Sunday and High Liciense laws of the Territory. He was soon elected judge of the jjolice court of that city, a position he held for two years. In that day at Helena, not only a good knowledge of the law was reipiired of a criminal judge, but a full measure of personal courage. A judge who was suspected of having anything like fear about him would have been made the laughing stock of the place and every mining camp in the vicinity, and his court would have fallen into the most helpless and puerile contempt. His weapon of defense was the weapon of moral suasion and good will toward all men. Consctjuently, he kept the peace and administeretl justice with even scall^s and without fear. As a judge and as a citizen he became one of the most wid(!ly known and [jopular men in the Territory. But in 1868 Judge Miinnis, in whose heart some of the softer sentiments had begun to steal like the rays of the morning sun at early dawn, returned to Clay county, and in a little while afterwards was made the happy husband of one whom to him was fairer than the evening air chid in the beauty of a thousand stars, and much dearer than all the rest of the constellations, with the sun, moon and Mother Terra thrown in. The Judge's wife was a Miss Martha A. Thoniason, to whom he was m;irried September 8, 1870, a daughter of Robert and Sarah (Lindsey) Thoniason. Her father was a soldier in the War of 1812, under Col. R. N. Johnson, of Kentucky. The Judge and Mrs. Minims have three children: John R. L., Mary Lizzie and Lucy Ethel. Ruth died at a tender age. The Judge and wife are members of the Missionarv Baptist Chnreli. The Judge is an energetic farmer of Washington township, and owns a neat and comfortal)li! homestead.

John W. Shouse

Mr. Sliouse has had an extensive military career, in that he not only served gallantly for three years as a Confederate soldier in the War of

1861 under Gen. Price, but also for a time was under Gen. A. W. Doniphan in the war with Mexico. He came ordinarily from Kentucky, his parents, John and Sarah (Slaughter) Shouse, having also been born in that State, where they were subsequently married. In 1827, leaving the State of their ijirth, they came to Missouri and located in Clay county, where they made their home until their death; the father died in August, 1863, and the mother in 1875. John W. Shouse, the fourth in a family of six children, was born in Franklin county, Ky., April 12, 1825, and was in infancy when his parents re-» moved to Clay county. He was reared here to agricultural pursuits and received such educational advantages as the school opportunities of that early day afforded. One of the earliest settlers in the county, he has remained here ever since and his career as a tiller of the soil and private citizen has been not less creditable than his career as a soldier. His farm of 160 acres is one of the neatest places in Washington township, is all under fence and has upon it good improvements. When the Civil War broke out Mr. S., imbued with patriotic enthusiasm, organized a company for the Confederate army, of which he was made captain, which position he held until his health failing he was compelled to resign, and soon thereafter returned home. On the 1st of June, 1848, Capt. Shouse was married in Clay county to Miss Elizabeth Writsman, a daughter of Peter and Polly Writsman, nee Officer. Mrs. S. was born, reared and educated in this county. To tiiein have been born ten children, as follows : Thomas R., a farmer of this county, who married Miss Flora Lynn ; James O., who married the first time Miss Bettie Dagley ; she died October 27, 1879, and he then married Martha Whorton ; he is also engaged in farming ; Florence R., wife of William I. Price; Lola A., now Mrs. James Mo!)erly of Clinton county, Mo. ; Mary C, wife of William M. Riley ; and Jolin N., Frances M., Sarali E., Richard and Edna, who are still at home with their parents.

On the 24th of January, 1884, died at his residence, in this count}', near Lawson, Waltus Locket Watkins, the subject of the j)resent sketch. The life of Mr. Watkins, as is well known to every one acquainted with the affairs of Clay count}', was long and prominently identified with the best interests of the county. The record of his career presents his life pre-eminently in two aspects, - one as an active and useful citizen in the business and industrial aff"airs of the county, and the other as a man of the most generous and philanthropic impulses, laboring at all times, when an opportunity was presented, for the spiritual, moral and educational good of the community of which he was a nuMuber. Nor were his services unimportant in either respect. As a citizen of enterprise, he stood among the first in the countv ; and in works for the social welfare of the community, he was second to none in private life. Mr. Watkins descended from a sterl- ing race of men, with whom matters of principle were supreme to everything else ; who would stand by what they l)elieved to he right though the world were against them and fidelity brought them ruin - the brave-hearted, honest, faithful Protestants of Catholic France, the French Huguenots. His first ancestor in this country, on his mother's side. Gen. Bartholomew Dupu}', was a distinguished representative of that fearless and true sect of Frenchmen. He had been a gallant ofBcer in the French army, but on account of his Protestant faith aud his refusal to forswear it, he was driven from the army and from France. Coming thence to this country in about 1700, he located in Virginia, where ho became a prominent citizen and successful man of affairs, leaving at his death, a large family of ciiildren. To one of Gen. Dui)uy's descendants. Miss Jane Minter, Mr. Watkins' father, Benjamin Watkins, was married, in Virginia. Of this union came the subject of the present sketch, and twelve other children. After their marriage they removed to Kentnckv and settled in Woodford county, whei-e Waltus L. Watkins was born on the 30th of Octolier, 180*5. Reared in Kentucky, he remained there until he was about 25 years of age and then came to Missouri, in 1831, and settled in Liberty, Clay county. In the meantime he had learned the machinist's trade in the East, and had also worked in cotton and woolen industries. It is a fact worthy of note, in passing, that he worked on the first railway locomotive ever built in the United States. After coming to Clay county he built the first cotton and woolen mill ever estal)lished in the county, and also introduced the first circular saw ever brought to the county. These were in connection with a grist mill, and his was one of the pioneer grist mills of this part of the countrj'. It was patronized by people from a distance of seventyfive miles. In 1839 he moved to the land on which the family now reside, on which he improved a fine farm, erecting a iiandsome brick dwelling and making all of his other impi'ovements of a superior class. He added to his lands from time to time by additional purchases and entry till they aggregated 5,000 acres, from which he sold several fine farms. On retiring from business he sold to his successoi's, John Watkins & Bros., 3,600 acres of fine lands, his milling property and live stock. The woolen, flouring and grist mills, now conducted by his sons, John Watkins & Bros., consisting of John H., A. Judson and Joe B. Watkins, he erected in 18(;0,"at a cost of $30,000, the largest establishment of the kind in the State, outside of the large cities. The mills have a cai)acity of three sets of cards, 1,080 spindles, 25 looms and two sets of buhrs. He was also an extensive farmer and stock-raiser, and dealt largely in stock. All these various lines of business his sons keep up. The " Watkins Mills " manufacture on an extensive scale cassimeres, flannels, jeans, blankets, yarns, etc. John Watkins & Bros, also have a fine herd of 500 head of thoroughbred and high grade short horn cattle, from which they annually sell some of the l)est representatives of that breed to be met with in the C(uintry. Mr. Watkins, their father, was for many years an earnest member of the ilt. Vernon Missionary Baptist Church, and one of its most liberal supporters as well as a generous contributor to other churches, and the cause of education. Toward the erection of his own church Iniilding he contributed $1,200 in cash and spent the majority ot" two years working for the building and the completion of the church. He also built a comfortable and commodious brick school house near his farm, which was long used as a public school building. For the erection of other school houses and churches he contributed, from time to time, thousands of dollars. For a long time he was one of the trvistees of William Jewell College, and contributed largely to that institution. Mr. Watkins was for many years un earnest advocate of temperance, and even in the time of the Washington Temperance Society, when home-made whisky was more common than wild honey, he was a member of that society, and ever after held his pledge of temperance sacred and inviolate. He had a high sense of honor. His duties to society, morality, religion and his fiuancial obligations were his supreme law. On the 4th of March, 1834, Mr. Watkins was married to Miss Mary Ann Holloway, of Jessamine county, Ky., a daughter of Spencer and Catherine (Reed) Holloway. Mrs. Watkins is still living, residing on the old family homestead with her children. Eight of her family of eleven children are living, namely: George S., John H., Martha A., Mary E., Waltus J., Jr., Caroline E., A. Judson and Joe Barry. John H., Alfred and Catherine J. are deceased, the first being the eldest of the family, and for him his brother John H., living, was named. Mrs. Watkins and several of her family are members of the Missionary Baptist Church.

Boundary aad Physical Features - Villages in this Township - Barry - Harlem - Moscow - ^Arnold's Station - Minaville - Churches - Biographical.

Boundary And Physical Features

Galliitin township compri.ses the southwestern portion of Clay county, and is hounded on the. east by Liberty township and the Missouri river, on the south by the river, on the west by Platte county, and on the north by Platte township. It contains some excellent lands and fine farms, but there is also a great deal of rough and unproductive tracts in the township. Big Shoal creek and its branches drain the greater portion of the township.

Gallatin was one of the original townships of Clay county, comprising in 1822 the western half of the county. Settlements were made along Big Shoal in 1822. David Manchester's mill was a noted point in 1825. It is alleged that a few French families lived on Randolph] Blutt's in 1800.' In the neighborhood of Barry settlements were made about 1830, and there was a post-office at Barry in 1836, with P. Flemming as postmaster.

Gallatin township boasts of the enterprising and public spirit of its citizens, and is noted for its fine horses, cattle and live stock generally. The horse shows at Barry in their season are occasions of note and are attended by farmers from all parts of the country.

The villages of Gallatin township are five in number, viz : Barry, Harlem, Moscow, Arnold (or Blue Eagle), and Minaville, or North Missouri Junction.

Barry was establishe<l first as an Indian ti'ading post about the year 1830, before the Platte Purchase, when what is now Platte county belonged to the red men. Its location immediately on the boundary line (west half of center section 10 and east half of center of section 11, township 51, range 33) puts half the town in Clay and half in Platte. It has a population of about 200, contains two churches, Cnml^erland Presbyterian and Christian, a good school, stores, shops, etc. It is 10 miles west of Liberty, and ai)ont the same distance

Harlem lies in the extreme southwestern part of the township, on the north bank of the Missouri, immediately across the river from Kansas City. It dates its origin from the completion of the raikoad through it to Kansas City. Prior to 1880 the location was subject to complete overflow by every "June rise" in the Missouri, but in that year the United States Government built a strong levee to the northwest, and large additional appropriations have since been made from time to time to strengthen this work so as to prevent future serious overflow. The great flood of 1881, however, nearly drowned out the village. The following lines of railroad pass through Harlem : The Hannibal and St. Joseph, the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific, the Kansas City, St. Joseph and Council Bluffs, and the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific - the latter running over the track of the H. & St. Jo. At present the population of Harlem is about 200.

Moscoio is located on the northeast quarter of section 7, township 50, range 32, eleven miles southwest of Liberty and five and one-half miles from Kansas City. The nearest station is Arnold's, two and a half miles away. It contains two churches. Baptist and Christian, a good mill, general stores, shops, etc., and has a population of about 150.

Arnold's Station, on the Hannibal and St. Joseph (sect. I/4 of 9 - 50-32), seven miles northeast of Kansas City, was founded upon the completion of the railroad by M. S. Arnold, Esq., for whom the place was named. From its earliest history it has been quite a shipping point. It is reported that the average shipments of hogs, cattle, wood, ties, grain, etc., per month is about 25 cars. March 4, 1880, the western portion of the town was destroyed l)y fire, involving a loss of $2,800. The buildings destroyed were soon replaced by better structures, costing in the aggregate over $5,000. It is claimed that the present population of Arnold's Station is 200. The post-office is called Blue Eagle.

Minaville, or North Missouri Junction, is located on the northeast quarter of section 11, township 50, range 32, eight miles from Kansas City and six miles from Liberty. It is the i)oint where the Hannil)al and St. Joseph and the Wabash Railroad tracks formerly connected, and dates its existence from about 1868. It contains perhaps 125 inhabitants.

')y R. D. Morrow, with 27 members, jimong whom were Heiny J. Weedeii, Jonatliun English, Jeroiiiiah Burns, Benjamin Craig, Herman Davis, Easter (or Esther) Davis, John English, Jane Burns, Polly English, David P. Gill, William Hulott, Thomas Adams, Matilda Simrall and Hugh Brown. The present membership numbers about 102. Some of the pastors who have served this church ai"e Rovs. Robert D. Morrow, O. D. Allen, A. D. Miller. AV. Schenk, W. O. H. Perry, and J. H. Norman. The present frame church was built in 1859, costing about $2,000. The Sunda}' school has about 45 scholars, its superintendent being Dan Carpenter.

Barry Christian Church. - In the winter of 1840 a frame house of worship was built at Barry for a congregation which had been formed as a church organization on the 26th of April of that year. Among the original members were Thomas Chisis, Annie Chisis, William Beal, John Callerman, Bass Callerman, Archibald Woods, Jane Woods, Adam Woods, Mary Woods, Jan^es and Catherine Cerry, Ann Ham, and Catherine Endicott. Some of those who have filled the pulpit of the church are John Callerman, Bayard Waller, Josiah Waller, G. R. Hand, Preston Aker, A. E. Higgason, J. A. Lord, S. G. Clay, W. S. Ramey, William C. Rodgers, and others whose names are not now recalled. In 1859 a second church edifice was erected ; it is also a frame one. The present membership is 120. The Sal)bath school of 81 members is su|)eriutended by Samuel Dooley.

Ebenezer Christian Church at Minaville - Was organized in 1865, with John Foster, Thomas and Betsy Stevens, John Tipton, Lucinda Tipton, John J. and Mary Brost, Elizabeth Lindenman, Thomas and Dinah Gibbons, John F. and Susan Foster, Eleanor Foster, and James and Lucinda Stevens as constituent members. This membershij) has been increased until it now numbers 40. The pastors in charge have been Richard Morton, Bro. Pickerall, Joseph Wollery and Bayard AYaller. They occupy a frame house of worship, built at a cost of $1,500 in the same year of the organization.

Big Shoal 0. S. Baptist Church - Located eight miles southwest from Lil)erty, was organized May 21, 1823, b}^ Rev. William Thorp. The number of the present membership is 46. This church building is of brick, erected in 1854 at a cost of $2,200.

Bethel Baptist Church - Located on the Barry road, five miles west of Liberty, was organized in Pleasant Valley school-house, in 1872, by Elder James Rouse. Their present house of worship, a frame building, was erected in 1883, at a cost of $1,500. The present membership is 26.

Antioch Christian Church - Located five miles northeast of Kansas City, was organized in 1854. The number of the present membership is 75. This church building is frame, erected in 1858 at a cost of $1,800.

Faurbion Chapel M. E. Church South - Located eight miles southwest of Liberty, was organized in 1837. The number of the present membership is 60. Their present house of worship, a frame structure, was erected in 1870, at a cost of $2,150.

Rising Sun Lodge JSTo. 13, A. F. & A. i¥. - May 6, 1852, this lodge was organized. Of the first officers and members there were but two names furnished, Wm. Conway, master and James W. Smith, senior warden. The membership now numbers 51. The present officers are C. M. Grouse, master ; E. F. Knighton, senior warden ; J. R. Funk, junior warden; G. W. Thompson, treasurer; Wm. Samuel, secretary ; Lon Darby, senior warden ; J. C. Woods, junior warden ; G. W. Elzea, tyler.