Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 15: - Holden, 1918

Holden was built in anticipation of the Pacific railroad. Up to 1857, the present site of Holden was a wild, unbroken prairie, much still owned by the government. During that year the Pacific railroad had reached Jefl:'erson City from the east and the preliminary survey had been made through this section. Isaac Jacobs thought the present site of Holden would be a favorable location for a town on the new railroad line. He accordingly purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land from the original iKitentee. Sometime after this purchase he associated with him Sanford Cummings and they laid off and platted the original town of Holden. The town was laid out in lots 11 by 144 feet in dimensions and offered for sale at fifty dollars each. A plat of the town was recorded April 17 . 1858. by Isaac Jacobs.

Mr. Jacobs was enterprising and pushed the new town vigorously, and had a public sale of the lots. It was said that each lot was sold with a condition that no spirituous liquors should be made or sold upon the premises except for medicinal purposes, upon violation of which the lot was to be forfeited to the trustees of the town, by them sold and the proceeds applied to the support of the schools. Mr. Jacobs also agreed to expend in the building up and improvement of the town all proceeds derived from the sale of lots. Over thirty lots were sold in one day at public auction for prices ranging from twenty-five to eighty dollars.

Holden was named in honor of Maj. N. B. Holden. who was prominent in the early-day affairs of Johnson county. He was a member of the Legislature and a prominent factor in bringing the Pacific railroad through Johnson county, and was identified with the early-day growth and development of Holden.

First Buildings. - In 1858 Jacobs and Cummings erected a small building on the corner of Second and Olive streets and here opened a general store. They next built a small store building on the corner of Lexington and Market streets. About the same time Dr. C. L. Carter bought two lots on Second and Olive streets and erected the first frame residence in Holden. The following winter, Josepli T. Mason and son built a liotel, which was destroyed b}' fire during the war. Horatio Cox built the first blacksmith shop the same year. In the spring of 1859 the first school house was built on First and Livingston streets. This school house was also used as a church for a number of years and William Roop. of the Protestant Methodist church, preached here. In the summer of 1859, H. W. and H. H. Mize erected a building and engaged in the general mercantile business. Tlie first Masonic hall was over this store. W. C. Painter erected a 1)lacksmith shop here in 1860, and Doctor Bolton erected an oftice in 1860 and began the practice of medicine here. However, Dr. C. L. Carter was the first practicing physician. James Bradley built the first brick building in the town, which was a one-story structure, in 1860. This was burned in the early part of the Civil War.

When the Civil War iM-oke out the town had sixteen families, a population of about one hundred. During the Civil War some of the best buildings were burned and the town made no progress. In 1865 the railroad reached Holden and this, with the return of peace, gave the town new life. Soon a numljcr of important business houses were established here. Hubl)ard and Coventry established an extensive dry goods Inisiness. H. C. Bettes opened a liardware store. W. J. Lee engaged in the dry goods business and James S. Peel and W. B. Nichols also engaged in business here. I. Starkey and William Ciiristian established a lumber yard here, which at this writing is conducted by the son, C. E. Starkey. All these businesses were established in 1866. From that time on, Holden has made sul)stantial progress.

Organization. - The first town organization of Holden was perfected in 1S6S, with the following ofiicers; J. M. Huld)ard. mayor; George L. Wells. J. O. Parish, Abe Metzler and J. C. Richards, councilmen; Ed. Stearns, marshal: David Nation (husband of Carrie Xalion), attorney, and J. W. Mack, clerk. The town was lirst incorjioratcd in 1851 and the original charter was amended in lS7.v Since tlie original town of Holden was jilattcd several additions to tlie town have been officiallv recorded.

First Schools. - Tlie first school building was erected short!}- after the town was founded, in 1859. In 1867. the pubHc school system of Holden was established on a firm basis. In 1870, a brick school house was erected containing four rooms Init in a few \-ears this was found too small and another building, a frame one. was erected. Since that time tlie school accommodations ha\e kept pace with the requirements of the city and at present Holden has a modern high school building in addition to her grade schools and one school for the colored pupils.

A complete list of the early teachers who taught in the Holden schools from 1870 to 1881 are the following: .Mr. S. H. Hatch, Mrs. E. J. Dudley. JMiss M. H. Reed. Miss Kellogg, John A. Young, Sallie Brooks, Sallie Hubbard, M. H. Reed, Jennie Wise, Kate Humphreys, John H. Lea, M. K. Beatty, P. R. Carroll, Bettie Lewis, Sallie Hubbard, W. A. Smith, A. L. Clothier. Carrie Gloyd, Saidie Hubbard. George W. Sindlinger. Ida C. Clothier, Mary Brown, Julia McGrew, M. E. Lewis, M. C. Halbert, E. W. Stowell, M. E, Brown. Alice B. Cline. Anna E. Sharp, E. W. Stowell. Lizzie Hanishaw, Anna S. Carroll, George B. Longan, M. Brown, R. M. Cook. Eva Hengy. Mary C. Hank. Tillie Stephens, Mary Bobbs, Lutie Umstadt. W. D. Guttery, M. E. Hopkins, Anna P. Stark, A. C. Jones. Maggie Sparks and Clara Wise.

Holden College was an important educational institution located in Holden for a number of years. It was established here in 1881 by Prof. \\'. \\'hite. a native of Canada, and of wide experience in college work. This college was successfully conducted for a numl^er of years when the building was sold to an order of Catholic nuns and by them conducted under the name of St. Celia Seminary. After being conducted by this order for a number of years as a successful educational institution, the property passed into the hands of private ownership. Recently it has been purcliased by the Latter Day Saints church and after ela1)orate improvements, it is now used as a home for aged members of that denomination.

First Postoffice. - The first postofiice in the vicinity of Holden was established here before the town was laid out. It was on the Jefferson- Independence stage route and kept by Isaac Jacobs. After Mr. Jacobs laid the town out and built a store here, the postofiice was moved to his store. The othce remained there during the Civil War and Mr. Jacobs continued to serve as postmaster although very little mail was handled here during the war. In the spring of 1866. William Coventry, who started a store here, became postmaster. Two years later he was

Early Cemetery. - For a number of years after Holden was built there was no regular cemetery laid out and established bv law. The inhabitants buried tlieir dead in what was known as the old Inirving ground, whicli is now occupied by the pul)lic school in the southern part of town.

The Holden cemetery was regularly laid out and platted by Luther \\'agner. a civil engineer, and the plat recorded Alay 17, 1869, and at that time about one hundred and twenty-five graves were removed from the old burying ground to the new one. The new cemetery is under control and jurisdiction of the city of Holden and is located about one and one-fourth miles southwest of the Missouri Pacific depot and originally contained ten acres, but additions have since been made and a concrete sidewalk was built to it.

Early Churches. - The Methodist Episcopal church was organized by Rev. G. H. Reed in 1867. The erection of a church building was begun in 1869 and was completed and dedicated in August. 1871, by Rev. Doctor Dant. This was known as "Coventry" chapel. The first Sunday school was organized in connection with this denomination by Mrs. J. E. Gardner at her residence in 1869.

The Evangelical Association was organized at Holden in 1879 by Rev. Koepsell and Rev. Schaefer and a church edifice was erected the same year. The first meml^ers of tin's denomination here were William Kotch, Lizzie Kotch, Philip Ulrich, R. Ulrich. H. Hagemeyer. C. Hagemeyer, E. Henzy. J. ;\liller. Charles Hagemeyer. S. Hagemever, E. Scheer, F. and R. W'itzell, F. W'inkenhoeper. H. Rorman. M. Spatli. R. Markley, J. Rorman. Among the early pastors of this denomination were Reverend Messrs. Falgeht. Emmell, Harter, Koepsell and Schafer. This congregation has since disbanded.

The first Baptist church was organized March 23. 1878. by C. N. Webster, and erected a building at the corner of Sixth and Market streets in 1879.

The first Christian church was organized here in 186.^ by Elder Stout and erected a building shortly after the organization was effected. The first Presbyterian church was organized November 4, 1866, by Rev. S. G. Clark.'

The African Methodist church (colored) was organized by the colored people in 1876 and two years later a church was built in the southern part of the town by Rew P. D. Yocum.

Banks. - The Bank of Holden was estal)Iished May 15, 1872. by I. M. Smith and Louis Chene_\\ It is the oldest bank now in existence in the county.

Holden Today. - Today, Holden has six white and two negro churches, sixteen ci\ic and fraternal organizations, city-owned waterworks, and light plant, a mill, three banks, two newspapers, first-class hotel, fine high school, good hosjiital and good streets, sidewalks and well-improved homes.

The time was when Holden and W'arrensburg sought to Ijecome big towns. Tliis ambition has developed into the higher one of becoming good towns. In this Holden is achieving rapid and substantial success. For many years it held the largest and most successful country fair in Johnson county, and one of the best in the state. The old fair grounds still testify to the size and importance of these big gatherings. Today Holden in its place has the largest and best Chautauqua Association in the county. It not only has a fine high school building and equipment, but in that school is organized a cadet company, active and efficient, that is giving the students a practical and moral training they get nowdiere else, and this company is supported wholly by the voluntary work of the superintendent - Professor Robeson - and school board and students. In many other ways, the strong and valuable community spirit of Holden has produced, and is today producing, in peace and in the great war, results that make the world a better place for the men and women who live in it.

Lon Hank has served twenty-five years consecutively on the city council, from April. 1893. This is the longest service of any elected citv or countv ntticers. and he was elected by the people more times than any other city or county officer. City elections in Hnldeii are non-partisan.