Lafayette County, Missouri - The whole text, 1881 (part 12 of 19)

The present officers are Henry Winkler, President; C. G. Ludwigs, Vice-President; Edward W. H. Ahrens, Secretary, and J. F. E.Winkler, Treasurer.

This society occupies a hall 40x75 feet, on the third floor of Mr. John Kriehn's new building, situated near the corner of North and Cedar streets. The officers of this society are elected twice a year - at the regular meetings in February and August. The newly elected officers take their seats at the regular meetings of March and September. Those elected for the term commencing September 5, 1881, are as follows: H. J. E. Ahrens, President; C. G. Ludwigs, Vice-President; Henry Sinauer, Secretary, and J. F. E. Winkler, Treasurer.

The object of this society is the promotion of German song, customs, usages, etc. They keep up at the least, a completely organized " double quartette," which, under the leadership of one of the best teachers in the West - Prof. Gimbel, Jr., - sings once a week. At various times during the season they give concerts, soirees, balls and other amusements, which invariably meet with success.

JLexington Fire Cotnftany. - This company was organized January 25, 1844. B. H. Wilson was the first president, but we found no record of the first members. On September 17, 1850, they bought a lot of twenty feet on Laurel street, from Henry Flynt, at a cost of $315, and on June 28, 1852, bought from Wm. Boyce, nine inches fronting on Laurel street, at a cost of $67; and the engine house was built On these grounds. This building is now used as police headquarters and for city purposes generally, the engine having been removed to a small shed in the rear of the city calaboose.f In 1858 Elizabeth Aull bequeathed $100 to this company. January 4, 1866, the following officers were elected: President, J. W. Zeiler; vice-president, Jas. Hays; secretary, Sam '1 S. Earl; treasurer, John Cowie; first engineer, Benj. Marshall; second engineer, S. M. Maxey; hose captain, C. R. Clayton; first hose director, G. M. Clayton; second hose director, John Mullin; standing committee, B. H. Wilson, J. T. Goodbrake, B. T. John, and James McLaughlin. January 31, 1870, the following officers were elected: President, B. H. Wilson; vice-president, Jo. A. Wilson; secretary, Jack S. Williams; treasurer, Albert Boothman; first engineer, C. A. Morrison; second engineer, Ed. Kramer; hose captain, E. Turner; first director, J. T. Taylor; second director, Wm. Kramer; janitor, J. C. Clayton; standing committee, Benj. Marshall, John Cowie, J. W. Waddell.

* The asterisk signifies deceased; but by certain rules of the society the names are retained on the list of members, whether deceased or removed from the city.

fRobert Hale was the first president of thiscompany on its reorganization after the war. In 1872 attempts were made to sell the old hand engines and get a steam fire engine. The controversy in city council and elsewhere over this matter, resulted in breaking up the fire company; and there has been none since.

In the old town of Lexington there is an engine house on Clark, between Main and Washington streets. In now contains an old fashioned 12-man-power fire engine, a hose-reel and quantity of hose, all firstclass, in their day, but now in neglected condition. This house, it is said, was built in 1856, by the Sons of Temperance for their own use as a hall.

August 27, 1867, a board of immigration was organized in Lexington; its first officers v\ ere : N. Hearle, president; B. Meyer, vice-president; John Quandt, cashier; C. G. Ludwigs, secretary; H. Wilkening, and Louis Gillen, subscription committee. E. Quast, agent in Freedom township. The meeting was held in Turners' hall.

There have been in the city, lodges of the orders of Sons of Temperance, Knights of the Golden Circle, Good Templars, Knights of Pythias, and doubtless some others, but we could not get any authencic data in regard to them, as they died out years ago.

Lexington Guards Band. - Originally organized in October, 1876, under the name of the Lexington Cornet Band. Reorganized in July, 1881, since which time it has been known as the Lexington Guards Band. The original members were: Chas. F. Homer, Chas. M. Bennett, Carey Hipson, Henry H. Smith, Dan. B. Carroll, Luther Guard, Wm. L. Bullard, Millard F. Graham.

In October, 1878, the band purchased a set of Conn & Dupont's celebrated instruments, at a cost of six hundred and fifty ($650) dollars; making enough to pay for them the first season. Since June 1, 1881, they have purchased an elegant uniform, costing $400.

They secured the third floor of a building, known as Baehr's Cave, a room 40x65 feet, for an Armory Hall. The state furnished them with 65 Springfield rifled muskets, but the company furnished their own uniforms and other outfit, and had their armory provided with gun closets and other fixtures suitable tor its purpose. They wear the U. S. uniform, with the state buttons. They meet for drill every Thursday night, and have target practice twice a month.

In June, 1881, the Lexington Silver Cornet Band cast its fortunes with this military company, and changed their name to Lexington Guards Band, whereupon the military company furnished them with uniforms and helmets. The combined company and band, got up tor 1881 a genuine oldfashioned Fourth of July celebration. Speeches were made by X. Ryland, Esq., Judge Wm. Walker, A. J. Hall, and Col. McClelland. A sham battle and other amusements were also well carried out; and this celebration of the national holiday was more generally engaged in by the people of the county, than any other since the war. The military company cleared $300 by it, after paying $100 expenses, and the whole day's proceedings were voted a grand success.

The company had many difficulties to contend with during the first year, in perfecting its organization and securing proper discipline; but now their affairs are in good, healthy shape. They have 45 members, uniformed, in regular and good standing, thirty of whom were charter members. The following is a full list of the company, September 1, 1881:

Public Schools Of Lexington City

The new State constitution of 1865 established a school system new and untried in this State, and its beginnings are therefore historic. The first school meeting under the new plan held in Lexington was on September 8, 1866, and we here quote the official record:

" Pursuant to notice previously given, and by authority of an act of the General Assembly of the State of' Missouri, approved March 29th, 1866, the qualified voters of the sub-school district, No. 1, Township 51, Range 27, in Lafayette county, Missouri, assembled at the school house on Sat- urday, September 8th, 1866, and organized by appointment of Wm. Boyce as chairman and John W. Waddell as secretary. The following named persons were then put in nomination for the office of School Directors, viz: Jesse F. Atkison, Jacob A. Price, Robert Taylor, Edward Winsor. The polls were then opened and forty-one votes were cast. Jacob A. Price was declared duly elected director for three years, Robert Taylor for two years, and Edward Winsor for one year from this date September 8th, 1866. "

At a meeting of directors held Sept. 10th, 1866, "as authorized by law, Jacob A. Price adminstered the oath of loyalty to Edward Winsor and Edward Winsor administered the oath of loyalty to Robert Taylor and Jacob A. Price. " At a meeting held at the office of E. Winsor, Sept. 21, 1866, Mr. F. Ballingall was duly elected to take charge of the school as principal and Miss Anna M. Dowden as assistant. The pay of the principal was fixed at one hundred and twenty-five dollars per month and that of the assistant at forty dollars per month. Then at a meeting held May 30th, 1867, an estimate was made of the expenses necessary to sustain the public schools for four months in the year 1867 as follows:

For White Male And Female School Colored Male And Female School

At a meeting June 29th, 1867 an election was held, and the following persons were elected a board of directors: For one year, Ethan Allen and L. Davis; for two years, M. L. De Motte and John E. Ryland; for three years, Edward Winsor and A. H. McFadden. Mr. McFadden was made permanent president and E. Allen chosen permanent secretary. John E.

Lexington city district takes in a square of one mile each way beyond city limits, and this territory is divided into three sub-districts. Sub-district No. 1 has a two story brick school house which cost $6,000, on the corner of Forest and Boundary streets, in what is called Irish town. Subdistrict No. 2 has a school house on Ridgeway street, which was built before the war and cost about $5,000. The high school and second ward school of the city are both held in this building. It cost less than the others because built when labor and material were very much cheaper. Subdistrict No. 3 has a school houje on the corner of Mulberry and Franklin streets, which cost $6,000.

A large building on North street, between Main Cross and Franklin streets, is rented by the school board for the colored schools. The teachers of the several schools this year are: High school, principal, Prof. George M. Catron; assistant, Miss Nannie Shaw. First ward, principal, Miss Nettie B. Wallace; assistant, Miss Birdie Allen. Second ward, first assistant, Miss Gussie Keller; second assistant, Miss Jeanie Finley; third assistant, Miss Maggie Ryland. Third Ward, principal, Miss Mary H. Smith; first assistant, Miss Florence Arnold; second assistant, Miss Ida Morath. Colored school, principal, Prof. J. H.Cole; first assistant, Miss Nettie Steele; second assistant, Prof. E. G. Cole; third assistant, Mrs Fannie B. Cole.

Lexington German School Society. - Organized September 28, 1865. There were 34 of the original members. The first board of trustees were C. H. Schueneman, Fredrick Winkler and John Quandt. The school run for awhile till the experiment of teaching German in the public schools was taken up, when this school stopped. But the experiment was soon given up, as the English is the only language recognized by the American system of government. The German school was then started again, and in 1879 the society bought from the Cumberland Presbyterian congregation, their house of worship on Main Cross street, for $2,000; they spent $500 more for seats and other fixtures, and established the school here. (The school society rents Sunday use of their building to the German Evangelical church). The first teacher of the ^German school was Prof. C. Gruber. The present teacher is Prof. Doehring. Both German and English languages are taught; there have been usually 30 to 40 pupils.

The last will and testament of Miss Elizabeth Aull was the initial point of what has since won a state reputation as the " Elizabeth Aull Female Seminary;" but in addition to this, that will is one of the distinguishing historic incidents in the annals of the city of Lexington. The document comprises no less than forty-five distinct and numbered items of bequest. The specified sums in special bequests amounted to $67,700; but the entire estate was valued at $150,000, the largest yet recorded in this county, except that of Hyman G. Graham, recorded October 30, 1858, which was also valued at $150,000. The following list gives all the bequests made by Miss Aull, which have a historic or general public interest:

But the conditions of this last bequest were not carried out, and the seminary ultimately only obtained a lesser property than that described in the will, and $5,000 in money. (See history of "Elizabeth Aull Seminary," in another place.) «< S *<.

Lexington Artists And Connoisseurs

Prof. Charles Gimbel, of Lexington, is the author of over fifty pieces of sheet music, published by reputable houses, in St. Louis, Chicago, Philadelphia, New York, etc., and has a national reputation. He is connected with the Baptist Female college.

Mrs. Dr. Boulware is wonderfully skilled in worsted work, feather work, wax work, etc. Some of her historic pictures wrought in worsted almost rival the original oil paintings. She is the instructor in fancy work in all three of the female colleges of the city.

Charles Teubner's archaeological collection is one of the best (probably not below third), private collections of the kind in the United States.

All the above have given credit to Lexington by their talent and labors. There may be others entitled to similar mention but these are all we gained knowledge of in this particular line of intellectual and art work.

Of era House. - This building is built of brick, 40x100 feet, and located on the corner of Franklin and Laurel streets. The building was constructed by Mr. Henry Hagen, in the fall of 1879, at a cost of $5,000, inclusive of the ground upon which it was built, and the furnishing of the building with furniture and scenery was an additional cost of $1,000* The building is capable of seating S00 persons Comfortably. The receipts of the past year were about $700. This enterprise is solely that of Mr. Henry Hagen who is owner and proprietor.

Lexington Manufacturing Items. - The Morrison foundry at Lexington is said to have been the first iron foundry established west of the Mississippi river, but no statistics were furnished us concerning its history, capacity, etc.

In 1869, a pottery was started by Messrs. Macey & Morton, in the south part of the city, a bed of good pottery clay having been found about six miles out southward. The works were accidentally burned down, then rebuilt. But the proprietors could not make a financial success of the thing, and had to give it up.

In March, 1867, Schaefermeyer & Peck started a woolen factory, out toward the Missouri Pacific depot. It was burned down in August of the same year.

In 1866-7-8, G. W. Baker run a tobacco factory in Lexington, and did a good business in manufacturing for market the tobacco raised in Lafayette and surrounding counties.

and the old Morrison foundry, but no statistics were furnished us, after due solicitation on our part. Hence their omission is no fault of this historian.

The furniture factory of H. and F. Winkler, located on the corner of Elm and South streets, Lexington, was established by the above named gentlemen in 1856. Up to 1870, the work was principally done by hand, but during that year a building 25x50 feet was erected, and machinery introduced. Since then, additions have been made, and other buildings erected, so that at the present time, 1881 the firm is occupying two buildings for manufacturing purposes, one 130x45 feet, and the other 35x65 feet. These buildings with their lumber piles etc., occupy four lots 75x140 feet each. These gentlemen have invested $6,000, in grounds and buildings, $6,000 in machinery, and $12,000 in raw material, making a total investment of $24,000. The machinery is run by an engine of 20 horse power. Forty-five workmen are employed, and furniture to the amount of $50,000, was manufactured during the past year, 1880, and sold in the surrounding country. Their office, store and ware house is situated on Franklin street, between Cedar and Pine streets. The principal part of the lumber used is obtained in this vicinity, such as walnut, ash, bass-wood maple, etc. They manufacture all varieties of common household furniture, and also school desks.

The flouring mill of W. F. KerdofT, Sr., was established in 1848 by Henry Smith, Jesse Raper being miller, and Jim Tandy, engineer. Mr. W. F. KerdofT, Sr., is the present owner, and Thomas M. Dicken is the present miller, and W. H. Cullum, engineer. The mill is built of brick, 45x30 feet, and the engine room, 40x30, also of brick. The capital invested is, grounds, $5,000; warehouse, $15,000; machinery, $8,000; uumbe of hands employed, five; value of Product past year $57,600; market, Lexington and St. Louis.

Gas Works. - The Lexington Gaslight Company was incorporated, July 7,1875, by Tilton Davis, J. S. Ambrose, Charles H. Boyle. Davis was made president and Bovle, secretary and superintendent. Capital stock, $50,000. The works are located on the corner of Pine and Shawnee streets, opposite the end of Third street, and consist of the main building, brick, 35x35, one story, and containing the gas making machinery and apparatus; also the gasometer, 30 feet in diameter and 14 feet high, capable of holding 11,800 cubic feet of gas. Ambrose and Boyle built the works on contract, September 1, 1881; a new company bought and took charge of the works, consisting of A. D. Cressler, president; R. R. Dickey, secretary and treasurer and superintendent of the works; E. H. Dickey, A. C. Cressler and J. Longdon. The company has now about four miles of pipe laid; has 65 street lamps to serve, and on October 1, 1881, had about 90 private customers. The city pays $27.50 per lamp per year, one-half payable in city scrip; the colleges are furnished with gas at $3.00 per 1,000 feet, and to private consumers it is furnished at $4.00 per thousand feeL. The street lamps use 780,000 cubic feet of gas per year, and private consumers use about 840,000 feet. Five hands are employed in operating the works.

Marble Works were established by John Goehner, May 15, 1867, on the corner of Franklin and Laurel streets, where he built a brick building, 50x20 feet, at a cost of $2,500, inclusive of the grounds upon which the building stands; and has the best of tools which cost $100; also has in raw material, $500, and employs five hands. The. amount of products of the last year was $5,800, which have been chieflv sold in Lafayette, Saline and adjoining counties.

Brewery. - Mr. E. Hoffman established a brewery in the year 1875, which is located on Franklin street, numbers 80, 81 and 82. The building is of brick 80x65 feet, two stories high. The capital invested in grounds and building is, $8,000; in machinery, $200, and at the present time has to the value of $300 in raw material. Employs three hands steadily. The products of the last year was 1,300 barrels of beer, which was sold in Lexington, at $9 per barrel; the government revenue was $1 per barrel.

Wagon Manufacture. John E. Quandt established a blacksmith shop in 1863 and began the manufacture of wagons, manufacturing annually about twenty wagons, also doing all the repairing that comes to him, of which he has a large amount in that line. He employs from three to four hands. The capital invested in grounds is $4,000. The products of last year was twenty wagons, which he sold at $70 per wagon at the shop. The building is of brick, 40x25 feet. The blacksmith shop is a smaller building of wood, on the corner of Franklin and Poplar streets.

Manufactories in i8jo. - The Lexington Caucasian of September 10, 1870, contains a summary of the industrial enterprises of the city at that time, to-wit: Marshall & Easter, flour and meal; W. F. Kerdoff, the same; one woolen factory; Excelsior stove works, by Morrison; Jordan's foundry; D. Russell & Co., carriages; J. Cloudsley & Co., the same; Nicholson & Hall, wagons, plows, etc; Wilkening, wagons, etc; McFadden, wheat fans; J. S. Morton, earthenware; one soda factory; thiee lumber mills; one marble yard; three hemp hacklers; three large beer breweries - Clink & Co.'s not finished yet; three brick yards; ten boot and shoe makers; four tin and copper workers; six tailor shops; one furniture factory; three cabinet makers; all sorts of blacksmithing. Mr. Farrar is trying the experiment of making fire brick. Mr. Morton has made some fine terra cottaguttering and piping. Good pottery is made by Messrs. Morton &Taylor.

Coal Works. - The Lexington and Kansas City Coal Company was for many years under the presidency of Col. John Reid, of Lexington, and was the largest productive industry and business enterprise of the city; but we could not get any statistics of its operations. In September, 18S1, the business passed into new hands, A. A. Talmage becoming president and James C. McGrew superintendent and general business manager. The whole business was reconstructed, re-organized, enlarged and extended, so that Lexington is now perhaps the most extensive coal mining town in the state. This company owns the shaft mining works, operated by steam hoisting apparatus, in old town Lexington near the Missouri Pacific railroad depot, and six drift mines in west Lexington which open out upon the Lexington and Kansas City narrow gauge railroad. Mules are used in all the mines to haul the coal trucks. About 1000 men are employed in the mines, and more will be put in as fast as facilities can be provided for them to work and men obtained. Some of the miners are English, and some Irish, but the majority of them are colored men; they receive five cents per bushel for the coal tthey get out, and fifty bushels is considered a fair average day's work. This company does no retail business; its coal is all shipped to Sedalia, Independence, Kansas City, and other points, on contract in car-load lots. In addition to his extensive operations at his home town of Lexington, Mr. McGrew is also carrying on steam power coal works at Camden, in Ray county, on the St. Louis- Wabash line of railroad. There he has over 300 men at work, and has twenty coal cars of his own, of 500 bushels capacity each, to carry his coal from Camden to Kansas City.

Major Thomas B. Claggett is operating some coal mines about half a mile down the river from foot of Pine street. These works have been in operation about fifteen years. They are drift mines, of cource, starting into the coal vein where it outcrops at the foot of the bluff. From twelve to fifteen men are employed here, and their product is sold entirely in Lexington, to the colleges, and to private consumers. The vein is twentytwn inches, and the output last year was of market value about $3,500.

A Mr. Bell, and several others, are also operating coal mines for the local supply of Lexington, but no statistics were furnished us. And C. M. Pirner is sinking a shaft for local-supply coal works, a few rods west of the old Masonic College.

The Lafayette County Bank was established December 28, 1870, by Jas. Aull, John Aull, Geo. Wilson, Geo. Wilson, Jr., J. A. Wilson, Maria Pomroy and John C. Wood, who were the incorporators. The first officers were George Wilson, Sr., president; John Aull, vice president; James Aull, cashier, and Jo. A. Wilson, assistant cashier. The present officers are George Wilson, Jr., president; Robert A. Wilson, vice president, and Jo. A. Wilson, cashier. Capital invested, $28,000. This bank succeeded

There are also in the city the Morrison-Wentworth bank and the Lexington savings bank; but they either neglected or declined to furnish us with data for a sketch of their history.

City Finances. - In June, 1865, B. W. Wilson took his seat as mayor of Lexington, and in his inaugural address he makes the following statements: Outstanding debt against the city, $38,486; total revenue for the year ending June 1, 1865, $5,678; the city treasurer has paid on bonds, $3,756; on improvements and repairs, $715.50; incidental expenses, $969; Balance in city treasury, $175.

"On yesterday (Wednesday,) about two o'clock p. m., our city was visited by the most terrific hurricane ever known in this part of the country. The oldest inhabitants say that the like has never been seen. For a few minutes before the gale began, there was some appearance of rain, and the merchants had pretty generally taken the goods from their doors. With the first few drops of rain the hurricane began, and at the first onset sent the shingles and bricks flying through the streets. It came at the beginning squarely from the west, and went roaring through the length of Main street with frightful results.

The large three-story warehouse on the levy at the foot of Pine street, occupied by Reinhard & Co. and Goodin Bros., was completely unroofed and the roof carried a considerable distance up the bluff. The walls are considerably damaged; further up, Winsor's hemp factory, partly unroofed; McGrew's hemp factory, unroofed. The chimneys to the saw-mills were blown oft and the buildings much injured. Up in the city the house that is not injured is an exception. Arcana hall is unroofed; Mr. Easter's residence, unroofed; Catholic church, partially unroofed and otherwise damaged; woolen factory of Schaefermeyer & Peck, wholly unroofed and walls injured. The south wall of the Virginia hotel was blown down and the roof torn off. Schwartz's grocery store, partially unroofed and front blown into the street. Residence of H. Turner, Sr., partially unroofed. Tevis' building on the corner of Main and Pine streets, occupied by Mr. Tevis, druggist, on the first floor, and by the Caucasian office on the third floor, was unroofed at the beginning and the roof deposited in the street in front of the court house; afterward the upper part of the wall on Pine street tumbled in on the Caucasian's type and cases. The hands and proprietors had made their escape. This, we are informed by the proprietors, will not deter the publication of that paper. It will appear on Saturday as usual. Eastwood's house was partially unroofed. Haberkorn's stable, blown down. A new frame house, near the colored M. E. church, belong, ing to a colored man, was blown down. The chimneys of the M. E. church, south, were blown off and the cupola partially twisted around. Adamson's and Benning's stables, blown down. A house across the ravine belonging to a colored man was blown down. Masonic college, partially unroofed; a frame house near by, wholly unroofed. John E. Ryland's house, considerably damaged. A timber was carried more than a hundred feet and driven through the brick wall of the house, striking Mrs. Findlay and breaking her shoulder blade, which, it is thought, will cripple her for life. Longdon's house, unroofed; Carroll's and Easter's house, partly unroofed; Mrs. Pomeroy's residence was wholly unroofed and otherwise damaged.

Over on Ridgeway street, Mr. Farrar's stable was blown down. John Cowie's house unroofed and otherwise seriously injured. Pat. Mitchell's house, knocked off its pins and slid down the hill. John Hagood's, twisted almost off its foundation. Add to these as many more, and then the outbuildings, the porches, the awnings, the chimneys, the signs, the windowglass and sash, which were tumbled over and scattered about, and some idea can be formed of the extent of the injury. We forgot to state that a piece of the roof of the Presbyterian church was blown off and carried over the Market house and dropped before Scott's grocery store. We think we are safe in saying that one-half of the large trees in the city are blown down. Singular though it may seem, fruit trees which in the morning were hanging full of fruit, were found, after the hurricane, to be entirely stripped of fruits and leaves.

The First Elected Governor Op Missouri

the smoke stack of Burn's saw mill to the hemp works of J. W. Waddell, setting fire to the tow and almost instantly the whole building was in flames. The wind drove the flames to the next building belonging to Mr. Wamsacus, and the fire being so fierce and rapid, they could save nothing. The fire next spread to the Lexington flouring mills owned by Messrs. Marshall & Easter, which was burned to the around."

River Events. - September 21-22, 18S0, a river improvement convention was held in Kansas City, in which Lexington was represented by Joseph Davis, Col. John Reid, George |S. Rathbun, W. V. L. McClelland, John E. Corder, J. O. Plattenburg. The government work to protect the north bank of the Missouri river, so as to throw the channel more to the south side, and again open the Lexington steamboat landing, is supposed to be partly an outcome of that convention.

July 2, 1881, the president of the United States, James A. Garfield, was assassinated by a wretch named Guiteau. The president lingered in great suffering until September 19, when he died. His funeral obsequies were observed throughout the United States and it was a historic day in Lexington. Arrangements had been made for a public procession and memorial services. The court house, city hall, post office, some of the churches and most of the business houses of the city were draped in mourning. National flags were suspended across Main street, looped at half mast and draped. R. Taubman and Capt. A. A. Lesueur were marshals of the day. The procession was headed by the Lexington Guards' brass band, of sixteen instruments all draped in mourning; the Lexington National Guards, state militia; followed by civil orders - the Odd Fellows' encampment and minor-degree lodges; the Lexington Turnvrein (German), Lexington Liederkranz (musical), the Lexington Land League (Irish), the negro orders of Masons, Knights of Tabor and Sons of Protection. After the procession memorial services were held in five of the city churches, and addresses delivered, as follows: At the Christian church by Rev. C. S. Lucas, Hon. Xenophon Ryland and Col. Rathbun. At the Baptist church, by Rev. George L. Leyburn, Hon. H. G. Wallace and Rev. Dr. Talburd. At the German Evangelical church by Rev. Mr. Johns, of Sedalia, and Revs. Klimpke and Demand, of Lexington. At the Catholic church by Rev. Father Lilly. At the Zion African M. E. church (colored) by Rev. J. A. Quarles, Judge John E. Ryland and Wm. Young, Esq. As the deceased president had been a life-long church member and a man of deep and fervent piety, the several choirs had taken

Colored People'S Organizations

St. "Johns M. E. Church, (colored). - Organized in 1865. The orig inal members were: Briston Ragsdale, Howard Inman, Dolly Ragsdale, L. Hagood, John Clady, Mary Inman, Neal Davis, Bartlet Martin, D« Smith, Fanny Buford, Z. Foster. In 1868 a brick edifice was built at a cost of $3,000. Since the organization of this church, the following pastors have been in charge: Revs. Crawford, J. Flamer, S. Taylor, R. H. Smith, A. Lee, H. H. Brown, H. Thompson, J. Dager, L. M. Hazard and R. Rush ; the latter being in charge at the present time. The church has a present membership of 75. A regular organized Sunday school is connected with the church, numbering 72 pupils; superintended by Mrs. Mary Turney, assisted by a corps of ten teachers.

Zion Cha-pel - The African M. E. Church, was organized October 13, 1867, on College street, in Lexington. The names of the members of the iirst organization were: Nelson Coleman, Bettie Langhorn, Edith Wilson, Dandrage Johnson, and Daniel Jenkins. The first church building was built of wood, in 1867. The building cost $2,000. A new building of brick was built in the year 1870, at a cost of $4,000, and was dedicated by Bishop T. M. D. Ward, of Anacostia, D. C, July 3, 1881. Their pastors have been Revs. S. Washington, James Madison, John M. Wilkerson, J. K. Triplette, W. L. Harroad, W. A. Dove, J. C. C. Owens; number of membership is 137. Nelson Coleman is the oldest member now alive, and is a local minister, and lead the way to the organization. Bettie Langhorn died March 29, 1880, at the age of 103 years. The church is clear of debt. They also have a Sabbath school organization, with an attendance of about 80 pupils, and a library of 260 volumes. The first superintendent was P. R. Coleman; its present superintendent is G. L. Hughs.

The charter members were as follows: James Madison, D. Jinkins, George May, George Washington, B. Jackson, C. R.Colman, P.Colman, J. Jackson, Albert Walker, Nelson Berry, B. Martin, Jackson Arnold, B. Arnold, A. Bailies, Thornton Doniphan, Lewis Johnson, J. McGee, Lafe Johnson, A Steele, Geo. Homes, P. Jackson.

The first officers were: Rev. James Madison, W. M.; D. Jinkins, S. W.; Martin May, J. W.; A. Steele, S. D.; Albert Walker, J. D.; Jessie McGee, Tyler; C. R. Colman, treasurer; George Washington, secretary.

The members at the present time number 36. The lodge meet in a frame building, rented for that pui pose. The following are Grand Lodge officers: Charles Colman, grand pursuivant; P. Colman, grand steward; Albert Walker, grand S. D.; James Madison, grand chaplain.

The following deaths have occurred among the members of this lodge since its organization, the funeral services have been conducted under its auspices: George Washington, Alexander Poindexter, Wm. Martin, and George Walker.

The colored people have several other organizations of their own, as -* Knights of Tabor," "United Sons of Protection," etc., but no reports were furnished.

A few years ago they had a fine brass band, well equipped and well drilled, but the members nearly all moved away. They started another band in September, 1881. They also have a musical institute.

The first public record found of the name of Middleton occurs under date of July 7, 1845, when James Pearman petitioned for a license to keep a dram shop in the town of Middleton, in Lafayette county, in the house owned by David K. Palmer. The county clerk was ordered to " issue a license authorizing the said James Pearman to keep a dramshop at the place aforesaid for six months from this date, upon the payment of the sum of $25.00 as a state tax and $18.75 county tax, and the ad valorem tax on the sum of $126.75, the amount of his stock subject to this tax." This item is of historic interest, as showing the liquor-license system in vogue at that time.

The next mention of Middleton is September 7, 1847, when it occurs incidentally in a petition for a road which was to " commence at the state road leading from Boonville to Lexington at or near where the said state road crosses the county line between Lafayette and Saline county, to run thence in a northwesterly direction to the town of Middleton, etc. But on July 1st, 1850, this town of Middleton had its name changed to Waverly; its boundaries were much enlarged, and it became an incorporated village. The petition for incorporation was signed by Charles M. Cowan and thirty four others, claiming to be more than two-thirds of the taxpaying inhabitants of the village. David Callahan, Lewis Fairchild, Elisha M. Edwards, Charles M. Cowan, and Alexander Skillen were appointed as the first board of trustees of the new corporation.

Middletonians are happy or not. The boundary lines of the new township were established as follows: " Commencing where the range line between Ranges No. 24 and 25 intersects the Missouri river, thence south with said range line to where the same intersects the township line July 4th, 1848: hence its birthday will always be celebrated, whether the But Middleton Township was born into this world of tribulation on between townships 49 and 50; thence east with said township line to Saline county; thence with the boundary line between Saline and Lafayette counties, north to the Missouri river; thence up said river with the meanders thereof to the place of beginning." And these boundaries have not since been changed.

Early Settlement

As far as reported, the first settlers who appeared in this neighborhood were Alexander Galbraith, from Kentucky, who purchased 200 acres of land on Sections 22 and 14, Township 51, Range 24; a Mr. Dustin who located on Section 24; John D. Thomas, from Kentucky, Littleberry Estes and Washington Shroyer, who settled near by. The first female child born in this settlement was Susan Estes, daughter of Littleberry Estes.

The first death which occurred was that of Mrs. Hugh Crawford, who was buried in the Estes grave yard. Dr. Buck, who died in Arkansas, was the first regular physician. The first minister, is reported to have been S. Bradley, of the Christian denomination.

The first school is asserted to have been taught in a church - (of which no other mention is made) by a Mr. Dillard, who now resides in Grain Valley. The tuition was $2.50 per scholar. The first weaving was done by Mrs. Alexander Galbraith.

is situated in the northern part of Middleton township, on the Missouri river, and was founded in 1845, by Washington W. Shroyer. It was originally known as " Middletown," and its present name was adopted in 1848. David Callahan was president of the first board of trustees. In 1854, a man named Thomas purchased some land adjoining the city on the east, and laid out a town, which he called St. Thomas. Mr. Thomas died shortly after the war, and St. Thomas was annexed to Waverly. It was incorporated July 1, 1850, and Judge Wm. Thomas was elected the first mayor. The petition for incorporation was signed by Charles M. Cowan and thirty-four others, tax-payers of the town. David Callahan, Lewis Fairchild, Elisha M. Edwards, Charles M. Cowan, and x^lexander Skillen were appointed as the first board of trustees of the new corporation. The first house was built by David K. Palmer, and has since been washed away by the angry waters of the Missouri. He also owned the first store. In 1S46, a frame school-house was built, at a cost of $140, which was also used for church purposes. The first religious services were held in this house, conducted by the Rev. Roth - Missionary Baptist. Mrs. Susan Shroyer taught the first school, which consisted of about twenty-two pupils, at a salary of $30 per month. The first wedding occurred in about i849, the high contracting parties being John Morrison and Miss Lucy Shroyer. In 1835, Jacob Shroyer, son of W. W. and Jane V« Shroyer, was born ; he being the first male child born within the city limits* Lucy Shroyer, born of the same parents, in 1833, was the first female child" The first death was that of an infant child of John Marshall. The first regular physician was Dr. P. H. Chambers, a native of Kentucky, who now resides in Lexington. The first cemetery, which is still in use, is located in the southeastern part of the town, on section 15. The present officers are as follows: Mayor, John E. Corder; councilmen, C. Krous, W. H. Landrum, A. S. Van Anglen, Judge W. H. Thomas, H. I. Chrisman, and John L. Oliver.

The Carriage Manufactory, of the Landrum Bros., is located on Washington street, and was established by them in 1873. The wood-work and blacksmithing department is 50x40; the painting and trimming department, 20x70, and the carriage repository, 26x75, is built of brick. Capital invested in grounds and buildings, $2,500; capital invested in machinery, $1,500; capital invested in incidentals, $1,920; total, $5,920; number of employees, 7.

In 1869 or 1870, a paper called the Waverly Express was published at Waverly, first by Chas. Patterson, then a Mr. Frazee, who was joined, in September, 1870, by W. H. Peters, from Illinois. It appears to have been democratic; but no further particulars were obtained.

Waverly Lodge, No. 114, was organized by Judge John F. Ryland, under dispensation dated June 15, 1849. The following were the first officers: Henry B. Harvey, W. M. ; Michael Stevenson, S. W.; G. W. Hereford, J. W.; W. W. Shroyer, treasurer; John S. Nowland, secretary; A. Franciscoe, S. D.; J. M. Lewis, J. D.; Joseph W. Cloudsley, tyler. Surrendered their charter January. 28, 1860, on account of war troubles, and were never rechartered.

Order Eastern Star. - Bethany chapter, No. 109, O. E. S., was instituted by H. G. Reynolds and G. W. Patron. The date of charter was July 28, 1875. The first officers were: J. B. Wood, W. P.; Mary Hawkins, W. M.; Willie A. Wood, Assistant M.

The present officers are: J. B. Wood, W. P.; A. E. Galbraith, W. M.; M. E. Gordon, secretary; M. E. Loper, treasurer; K. T. Kooper, Cond.; M. A. Wood, Ass't. Cond.; E. Smiley, Ada; E. P. Pelot, Ruth; R. Norfleet, Esther; Fanny Edwards, Martha; Bertie Thomas, Electa; Laura Landrum, Warden; R. C. Allen; sentinel. The present membership is seventy-two. Have a brick building in which they hold their lodges. M. A. Woods, M. E. Hawkins, and M. E. Galbraith are members of the grand lodge.

Middleton Local Aid Society was organized July 15, 1881, by Frank K. Doan. The names of the charter members are as follows: John S. Webb, L.J. Webb, Elder W. H. Blanks, B. F. McCord, A. McCord, Dr. Geo. O. Feagans, Davis S. Miller, Rev. J. M. Scott, J. M. Horler, M. E. Dethrige, John D. Masterson, William Blankinship, F. W. Pauling, J. W. Zook, and Moses Greenbaum. The officers are: J. T. Webb, president; J. M. Horler, vice-president; David S. Miller, secretary; A. McCord, treasurer; George O. Feagans, medical examiner; B. F. McCord, deputy; J. M. Scott, .

The town of Alma was founded by Captain Lysing and Jno. W. Woodson, on completion of the C. & A. Extension railroad in 1879, and incorporated in 1880. The first mayor was Dr. Thomas Field. The postoffice was established in 1879, the first postmaster being Perry Catron. Dr. Field built the first house and owned the first store. The first schoolhouse was built in the summer of 1880, at a cost of $750. The first school was taught by Miss Cassie Bascom, the number of pupils being thirtyfive, at a compensation of $45 per month. The first marriage was that of H. C. Clay to Miss Milburn, and was performed at Thomas Luke's, and by Thomas Luke, who was the first justice of the peace. The first male child born in the town of Alma was Mitchell, son of Geo Weston, and the first female child was Katie, daughter of William and Martha Buck, born in June 1879. Dr. Thomas Field was the first regular physician in Alma - since moved to Sedalia. The present town officers are: Stark, mayor; Martin Buck, Wm. Doblie, and Charles Mayviers, town board. The town is about equally divided between orignal Piatt & Corder's addition andjording's addition.

Three Groves Church was organized about the year 1871. The original members were Mrs. Boyd, Mrs. Hoard, Geo. Nethercutt, and some others. The church building was erected in 1880-81 ; it is of frame and cost $1,500. It was dedicated the first Sunday in May, 1881, by Rev. W. B. McFarland. Their pastors have been R. A. Shaffer, W. I. Brown, and W. B. McFarland. The present membership numbers forty. In connection with the church they have a fine Sunday-school.

The name Sinabar has a peculiar history. If any one will look at a map of Lafayette county, they will discover a large bay protruding into Clay township, making the eastern boundary of a peninsula about four miles deep. Tradition says: A trader or hunter named Herbert, in going up the river followed this bay clear to its head, supposing it to be the main body of the Missouri river, and he was greatly bewildered for awhile, and delayed in his trip by this misadventure. The incident becoming known, the early navigators and trappers had many a laugh at Herbert's expense; they called this bay Reviere cT Herbert, or "Herbert's river, " as a standing joke, and it became a waymark in designating places and distances on the great stream. But afterward a Pennsylvania Dutch word Schuyte, (English Shute, German Schnitt from Schneiden, to cut) was introduced here by keelboatmen from the region of Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. They mixed the Dutch and French words, and made Schuyte d7 Herbert, then Shuyte 'Eber, then Schuyte 7Aber, and finally Snyabar - each successive change or corruption being to shorten the name and make it easier to pronounce - in a word, to westernize it, and this culminates in the one easy syllable, Sni. The above is the etymological evolution of the name Sniabar, or Sni, as it stands to-day applied to the township of that name, and the two main creeks within the township. But historically, those streams have had other names.

The old French maps prior to the year 1800, mark the great bend or bay which protrudes into Clay township as Reviere d7 Herbert - Herbert's river .

In 1823, Dr. Beck's Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri calls it Chenal Ebert - Ebert's channel, a mere variation of Herbert's river as above.

In 1823, also, Lieut. Long, the explorer after whom Long's Peak in Colorado is named, calls our two streams little Cheny an Barre and great Cheny an Barre. This is manifestly only his attempt to spell the name as then pronounced - Sche-nye-an-Bair, the "Pennsylvania Dutch" leaven being then well at work in the long cooking of this name. In this same year (1823), the official records of Lillard - now Lafayette county, spell it Sny E. Bairre.

In 1835, Mitchell's geography map of Missouri marks it Chenal aux Herberts - the channel of Herbert, another mere variation of the original French name.

In 1872, Prof. Pumpelly's geological survey report spells it Sniabar \ so also Campbell's Gazetteer of Missouri, 1872; indeed, that is now the settled Anglicized orthography of the name, without any hyphens, apostrophes, periods, spaces or intermediate capital letters to give it an "awfully foreign" look. They are all mere affectation, without a spark of meaning that any body can swear by.

Two considerable creeks empty into the Schenye or false river, and so they were called Big Sni and Little Sni creeks; one of the earliest settlements in the original Cooper county, was on these creeks, and widely known as the Sniabar settlement, then Sniabar township, first in Cooper county, next in Lillard county, and lastly in Lafayette county.

May 4, 1824, Fort Osage township was set off from Sniabar township, which had prior to this extended to the west line of the state. The line then established between the new and the old township was the Big Sniabar. creek from its mouth to its source, near where Chapel Hill now stands, thence south in a straight line to the Osage river.

The first mention of Sinabar township in the old county records occurs under date of April 24, 1821, the county being still called Lillard. The record says: " It is ordered by the court that Markham Fristoe be appointed constable in and for the township ot Sinabar for the term of two years." He was placed under bonds "in the penal sum of $1,200, " and bondsmen were Benjamin Gooch and James Bounds, Jr. But prior to this, to-wit: November 22, 1820, the Governor had commissioned Henry Renick, St\, David McClellan and Abel Owen, as justices of the peace for Sniabar township then in Cooper county. January 21, 1821, 'Squire Renick swore in Abel Owen as a justice of the peace for Sniabar township, Lillard county; but just how he himself got bridged over from Cooper to Lillard county the record does not show. However, the next day he swore into office the justices of the first county court, which was held at Mount Vernon, near the mouth of Tabo creek.

July 24th, 1821, Abel Owen and Henry Renick were appointed to lay off the roads in Sinabar township into districts convenient for their proper care. And at the February term, 1822, of the county court, the following road district overseers were appointed for this township: 1st road district, Richard Fristoe, overseer. 2d road district, Jonathan Hicklin, overseer. 3d road district, Abner Graham, overseer.

The first mention of an election in Sinabar township is July 9, 1S22, when Julius Emmons, David Ward and Thos Swift were appointed by the county court to be judges of an election to be held at the place of preaching near Henry Renick's. This election took place in August, and Jesse Hitchcock was elected constable.

February 3, 1823, the name of Sniabar is spelled thus - Sny E. Bairre; and the following record occurs: "We this day allot the within named hands to cut out and keep in repair a road leading from Lexington to intersect the road leading from Jack's Ferry to the salt works, near Jacob Catron's.

John Nelson was appointed -overseer for this road and the above list of men who were required to work on it. The list seems to give some idea of the extent of the settlement at that time, and4to show who they were. Many of their descendants still live in the county.

Lexington township was organized May 4, 1824, and west of that was Sniabar township. On the 7th of November, 1825 Clay township was organized and its boundaries as then defined embraced all there was left of Sniabar township, so this name dropped out from the list of municipal townships of Lafayette county, and ,vas not heard of again until February 5, 1838 - a long sleep of thirteen years. But at that time it was ordered by the county court that a new township to be called Sniabar should be bounded thus: -'Beginning at the northwest corner of Washington township [This is a mistake*] thence west with the township line between townships 48 and 49 to the Jackson county line; thence south with said line to

is a mistake in the description of this new township's boundary line, and we could not find any record to show that it had ever been formally corrected. The township line between congressional townships 49 and 50 had been fixed as the boundary between Lexington and Washington townships - and therefore the "northwest corner of Washington township" would be on this line, and would leave for Clay township only the ragged edges of two fractional congressional townships; but the description should read thus: "Beginning at the west line of Washington township where it intersects the township line between townships Nos. 48 and 49: thence west," etc. This would give the true boundary of Sniabar township as it has been in practice ever since that township was recreated notwithstanding the verbal error in the record as above noted.

the northwest corner of Johnson county, thence east with the county line to the southwest corner of Washington township; thence north to the place of beginning.

Local Names. - A good many of the local names of things in Sniabar township were given by an old pioneer hunter, named Thomas Hopper. He killed an extra big buck elk on top of a high knob, and called it Buck Knob, which name it bears to this day. The name of Wagon Knob occurred in this way: Mr. Hopper and one or two others had obtained a wagon load of wild honey near the stream called Honey creek, in Washington township, which he named therefor, and on the road home the wagon broke down while they were crossing a knob; they packed as much of the honey on their horses as they could, and left the wagon there till it rotted away; and that place is called Wagon Knob to this day. The same man named "Texas Prairie," but just why is not known. He also named Peavine creek, in Freedom township it is said.

War Children. - Sergt. J. L. Leadbeater, of Capt. Simpson's company, in Gen. Jo. Shelby's command, says Sniabar township furnished 125 confederate soldiers; 38 were killed and 10 died of disease. All were married men except two, and in 1876 there were, in Sniabar township, 125 children of those confederate soldiers. Sergt. Leadbeater is blind and lives in the vicinity of Mt. Hope.

Chapel Hill

The school founded by A. W. Ridings, in the year 1843, was the beginning of Chapel Hill. He began with three scholars, but soon grew to a large boarding school, occupying a stone building, 40x60 feet, and two stories high. At the beginning of the war the school was nourishing, with 150 scholars. During the war, in 1862, it was burned by an unknown incendiary. In the fail of 1863 the village of Chapel Hill, consisting of about thirty houses, was burned by Quantrell's men, except two buildings, which were afterwards burned by accident. Up to that time there was no church organization except the Cumberland Presbyterian, who used the college building. The village has since been rebuilt, and consists of about thirteen residences, three stores, one blacksmith shop, three physicians, one church, one masonic lodge and a grange lodge. The village is situated on the Sni hills, which extend for a considerable distance to the north and northwest. The place was named by Mr. A. W. Riding after Chapel Hill, North Carolina, at which college he was educated. The first post office was kept by Mr. Shores in section 35, on the farm now owned by Mr. A. Wilkinson.

1870, and is situated in section 31, township 18, range 28. The names of the original members were: Wm. Rasdell, John Phillips, John Cobb, N. Wood, John Barnett, Wm. Barnett, Nat. Barnett, F. E. Barnett and B. R. Harmon. The church building is used by them in common with the Baptist and Methodist. The name of the pastor is the Rev. J. B. Dalton. At present it contains thirty-five members.

Chapel Hill Masonic Lodge, No. jjo, is in Sniabar township, and the date of its dispensation is 1870. The names of the charter members were: John McClure, John W. Wilkinson, Dr. F. M. Shore, R. Edmondson, D. G. Doty, F. E. McCormack, A. J. Lyon, B. E. Phillips and John W. Bledsoe. Names of the first officers: J. H. McClure, W. M.; F. M. Shore, S. W.; J. W. Wilkinson, J. W.; D. G. Doty, treasurer; J. W. Bledsoe, secretary; F. E. McCormack, S. D.; A. J. Lyon, J. D.; R. Edmondson, tyler. The present membership of the lodge is 18. The hall is a frame and was built in 1S69, at a cost of $500. There was a lodge at this point before the war, but during the war it was robbed of its charter and jewels by federal troops. The present lodge has been chartered since the war.

Chapel Hill Grange, was instituted on the 16th of August, 1873. The following are the names of the charter members: J. T. Leawell, J. C Cobb, F. E. Barnett, Isaac Wood, J. T. Dade, E. S. Garm, Wm. Harris, W. S. Leawell, J. F. Wood, J. H. Truell, A.J. McCauley, A. C. Green, T. B. Murray, J. H. Wood, Matt. Wood, R. H. Leawell, Bettie Leawell, L. J. Headrick, Adam Smith, and Lucretia A. Meadow.

The Town Of Odessa

(Named by T. B. Blackstone, president of the C. & A. R. R.) This city is located on the west side of the C. & A. R.R., IS miles west from Lexington, and 11 miles from Higginsville, surrounded by a good farming country. It was founded by A. R. Patterson, and John Kirkpatrick, July 15, 1878, and was incorporated February 3, 1880. The first mayor was H. B. Tunstall. The first postoffice was established July, 1879, with M. V. Powell as postmaster. The first house was built by Reid and Taylor. The first store was owned by Wm. F. McKinnev. The first school house was a frame building erected in September, 1880, at a cost of $900. The first school was taught by Miss Annie Anderson, in 1879, with 25 pupils; at the rate of $1.25 per capita, per month. The first male child was born September 19, 1878, Odessa L., son of George and Mary Cregger. First female born April 11, 1879, Mary M., daughter, of Wm. T. and Matilda J. Worley. The first death was that of David Lay, February 9, 1879, was killed while passing between cars and was buried in Greenton cemetery. The first regular physician was Dr. L. C. Nichols, of Mount Hope, formerly of Kentucky. The first religious service was held in Gibb's Hall, by the Christian denomination, and the first minister was Alex. Barton, of the Baptist church. The present officers of the city are: E. D. Rawlings, mayor; L. R. Smith, H. B. Tunstall,D. C. Baggerly, A. W. Stevens, councilmen ; Norborne Walton, marshal; Robert Broughton, treasurer; James Broughton, assessor; and D. C. McConnell, clerk. The official report of the census in 1880, gives the city 100 inhabitants, but now it is held as having about 800. The city contains the following business places:

Dry goods, 3; dry goods and groceries, 2; groceries, 4; hardware, 2; Hotels, 2; restaurants, 2; furniture stores, 2; milliner stores, 2; sewing machine dealer, 1 ; banks, 1 ; drug stores, 4; clothing store, 1 ; livery stables, 2; jewelry store, 1; shoe shops, 2; saddle shops, 2; barber shops, 2; elevator, 1 ; physicians, 6 ; newspaper, 1 ; lumber yard, 1 ; butcher shop, 1 ; blacksmith shop, 2; dentist, 1; saloons, 2; mills, 1; carding machine, 1.

Mr. E. H. Chapman, of Kansas City, has recently erected and placed in operation, a steam saw mill in the timber, about three and a half miles northeast of town, in the vicinity of Judge Prather's farm. Mr. I. N. Stanfield, formerly of Glasgow, Mo., does the sawing by contract. During the past month has cut over 4,000 feet per day; employs 15 men and 7 teams, and is making a pay roll of over $250 per week, most of which adds to the business of the town.

Bank of Odessa. - The Bank of Odessa was incorporated June 8, 1880, chartered July 19, and began business July 28th of same year. The following is a list of

The Hopewell O. S. Presbyterian Church, at Odessa, was organized September 14, 1850. The original members were: John H. Allison, Eliza Bledsoe, Sarah Bullard, C. D. Copp, S. S. Cornwell, Nancy Davidson, John Jackson, Clarinda Jackson, James M. Keith, Thomas Lee, Mary Lee, Elizabeth Lee, Ann Mary Lee, Elizabeth Keith, Nathaniel C. and Rebecca Maxwell, Mary M. Chesney,Jane Patterson, John B. and Adaline Taylor, H. and Lena Young.

The first church building was erected in 1854 at the village of Mt- Hope. During the late war it was burned, and was rebuilt in 1867. In 1880 the building was taken down and removed to Odessa.

The pastors who have been in charge are the Reverends Thomas A. Brachen, David Coulter, William A. Bagley, Joseph W. Wallace, James Morton, J. E. Latham, B. N. Hobson, and Samuel T. Kuffner, who occupies the pulpit at present. The present membership is fifty-one.

Odessa Baptist Church, originally Mt. Hope church, changed August, 1879. It was organized August 25, 1874. Original members: Ann Bird, Hannah Barker, J. B., Nancy, M. E., Thomas W., and Rev. James L. Carmichael; Winifred Burns, Virgil, Samantha, r.nd Mattie E. Halsell, Viola Hatch, Richard Y. Nichelsen, Milton, Mary, Ida B., and Dora M. Smith; Mary J. Starr, Lucinda McClure, Geo. W., and Elizabeth Wheeler. The chnrch is frame and was built in 1878, at a cost of $1,450. The church was dedicated August 29, 1880, by the late Rev. Isaac N. Newman. Their pastors have been: Geo. W. Smith, 1874; D. C. Bolton, 1875; J. B. Jackson, 1876; I. N. Newman, 1877; Henry Barton, a short time in 1878; J as. L. Carmichael, 1878; L. Ellege, 1879; Alex. Barton, 1879; W. T. Russell, 1881, the present pastor. Present members number eigty-seven. Revs. Newman and Barton were supplies only for a short timt each. The regular Baptists own a one-fourth interest in the building. Milton Smith, T, W. Carmichael, Thos. W. Gott, trustees, Thomas W. Carmichael, clerk. They have an interesting Sunday-school, organized in April, 1880; Thomas W. Carmichael, superintendant.

Christian Church, of Odessa, was organized in 1879. [Names of original membership not given.] The church was built in the spring of 1880, of brick, at a cost of $2,000. The church was never dedicated. Their pastor is now Elder W. R. Cunningham, the only pastor they have had. The membership is about 100. The Odessa congregation was organized by the union of a portion of the Mt. Hope and Greenton congregations; about 100 members went into the organization.

The Odessa Class, M. E. Church South, was organized in February, 1880. The original members were: Mr. J. McDonald, J. W. Wood, N. W. Todd, E. D. Rawlings and wife, Mrs. Hillock, Mrs. Cynthia Reid, Rob't. T. Russell, and Mrs. Rebecca J. Russell.

The Rev. John D. Wood was the first pastor, and the Rev. John B. H. Woolridge is in charge at present. The class numbers thirteen members It has no house of worship as yet, but being in a prosperous condition, expects to build one soon.

The present officers are W. B. Couchman, W. M.; J. W. Holman, S. W.; Wm. Thomas, J. W.; L. R. Smith, Treasurer; W. T. Anderson, Secretary; J. W.McBurney, S. D.;T. W. Carmichael, J. D.; L.F.Clemens, Chaplain; W. B. Roberts and S. W. Creasy, Stewards; J. F. Wood, Tyler. The present membership of this lodge is 47. It was originally located at Mt. Hope, but by permission of the G. M. it was removed to Odessa, still retaining its original name.

the names of the original members: Morris Cobb, Rebecca Cobb, Ephraim Waggoner, Sr., Sarah Wood, Isaac Wood, Isham Reese, Malinda Reese, Elizabeth Reese, Nancy Reese, I. M. Cobb, Sarah Cobb, Mrs. Cox, Mrs. Gatterfield, Sarah Sparks and others. The first church building, a frame, was erected in 1857 - the present, also frame, in 1858 at a cost of $1,100. It was dedicated by the Rev. William Hulks. The

Colborn. The present pastor in charge is Rev. J. B. Woodridge. The number of its present membership is ninety-four, and it's Sunday school was .fifty members. The church owns one acre and a half of ground - one acre of which is occupied by the grave-yard, in which James Waggoner, son of Rev. Ephraim Waggoner, was the first person buried.

The following items of early history were furnished by Mr. Stephen S. White. The first settlers in Sniabar township, were Chas. Hopper, William Helm, Allen Helm and Joseph Cox. The first marriage was that of William White to Nancy Bowers, by Elder Joseph White, about the year 1834. The first male child was James B. White, son of William and Nancy White; and the first female child was Frances White, daughter of John White, who married Miss Cox, in Tennessee, about the year 1832 and came to this county the same year. The first death was that of John White, in 1835, and was burried in the grave yard of Joseph White. Doctors Flournoy and Barren were thefirs>t regular physicians in the township. Rev's. John Warder of Kentucky, and Joseph White, of Tennessee, both Baptists, were the first ministers; preaching first in private houses, and then in the school houses. The first school was taught by David White, who taught for years at $200 per year, and died in 1842. Hopper, the Helms, Coxes, and all the early settlers wove cloth for their own use, or wore buckskin.

Old Concord Church, was built of logs, in the year 1842, on the north end of northeast quarter of southwest quarter of section 24. It was built as a church free for all denominations; has 10 acres appropriated for the use of the church, including a grave yard of one acre and a half. The first person buried there was Spencer Adams. The first preachers were Henry Palmer and Jacob Powell, missionary Baptist; John Warder, O. S. Baptist; the Methodist circuit riders; and J. Gillespie, Cumberland Presbyterian.

Dr. D. M. Reed states that on the old Helm farm in the northeast corner of section 11, a party of Anderson's men were surprised in the spring of 1863, by a portion of Col. Crittenden's command, 7th regiment, M. S. M., and four of the former were killed, and two of the latter wounded.

The Tobacco Factory, of Johnson Williamson, manufactures about 4,000 lbs. of tobacco annually, and is the principal tobacco market for Lafayette county.

Point Lookout, a point on one of the Sni Hills, gives a commanding view of the surrounding country. From it the city of Lexington can be seen to the northeast, and the church steeples of Odessa, also to the northeast. It obtained its name from the bushwhackers, having been used by them as a post of observation. It is located in section 13, township 48, range 29.

Washington was struck off from Lexington township August 2, 1836, and erected into a new township, with the following boundaries: "Beginning at the east line of Clay municipal township, on the township line between the congressional townships 19 and 50, thence south with the said Clay township line to Jackson county; thence east with the county line between Jackson and Lafayette counties to the Freedom township line; thence north with the west line of Freedom township to Davis township, thence with the west line of Davis township to the line between the congressional townships 19 and 50; thence west with said line to the beginning." Wm. Robinett's was appointed as the place of holding an election, October 29th, for two justices of the peace.

The above boundaries are just as they stand to this day; but the south part of what was then Clay township has since been reorganized into Sniabar township. Washington township contains 102 full sections, and is the largest township in the county.

First Settlements

As near as can be ascertained Richard Powell appears to be the earliest' settler in Washington township, having located there as early as 1820. His sons, David and Thomas J. and a son-in-law, named Eli Adams, occupied the farm - upon which he settled- -after his death.

Among the other more prominent citizens who early located in the limits of this township, mention is also made of John Jennings, Bently Barton, Nimrod Scott, Norman Pool, James S. Whitsett, Ephraim Pool, John McNeal, James Barker, Thos. Hutchison, Levi Whitsett, Henry James, Morgan Cockrell, John Ingram, Charles Smith, Judge Julius Emmons and Rev. John R. Whitsett, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister. These settled principally in the eastern, southern and northern portions of the township.

John Whitsett, the father of William Whitsett (who came to this township in 1834,) settled near Dover in 1819, and three years later moved to the Slaughter farm. Chatham S. Ewing settled where his son now resides, in 1836.

The following items of early history were furnished by Mr. William Whitsett, whose father, John Whitsett settled near Dover, in this county, as early as 1819. The first settlers in the region of Mt. Hebron Church, were John Ingram, of Tennessee, Charles Smith, of Tennessee, William Whitsett, of Kentucky, Richard Powell and John R. Whitsett, of Kentucky, and Chatham Ewing, of Kentucky. The children of John R. Whitsett were the first born there, both male and female. The first death were Mary, daughter of Chatham Ewing, and was buried at the old brick church south of Lexington. Dr. M. W. Flournoy, of Kentucky, and Dr. J. M. Kieth were the first physicians. Rev. Robert Renick was the first Christian minister, and preached in the old Lebanon log school house. He was a Cumberland Presbyterian. The first school house was built in section 29, township 49, range 27, of logs by the neighbors. The first cloth was weaved by Mrs. Chas. Smith. In February, 1835, a negro woman belonging to Nimrod Scott, lost her way, and was frozen to death. She was buried on the roadside by the neighbors.

Mr. Eli Adams furnishes the following items of the early history of Washington township: The first settlers were Richard Powell, Charles Smith, Stephen Barker, Sr., James Barker, Elias Barker, John Barker, 'Wm. Barker, John Ingram, Juliu s Emmons, Wm. M. Whitsett, C. S. Ewing and Eli Adams. The first death was that of Mrs. Julius Emmons, which occurred in the spring of 1837. The first preachers were Revs. Finis

This village has a commanding location, on Heth's Mound* situated on section 18, township 49, range 26, and section 13, same township, and range 27, and was laid out in 1866, by John P. Herr, George Houx, Stephen G. Wentworth, and William Morrison. The name of "Mayview" was suggested to Mr. Herr, and subsequently adopted, by the excellent view which could be obtained from its cite, of the surrounding country, which presented a beautiful appearance during the month of May.

*Uncle George Houx related at the " Old Men's Club" meeting, how Heth's Mound got its name. In 1812 the british brought to bear every influence they could, to have the Indians engage in hostilities against the Americans, and bands of the Osage and Kaw took the war path. Capt. Helh an old settler of Cooper countjr, was out with a scouting party from Boonville, or old Franklin, and encountered a body of these hostile Indians a few miles west of this mound, but then fell back to it and there made a determined stand. A sharp and bloody battle then took place, and " the Injins got licked " This place was thereafter known as Heth's Mound. We have the above from Gen. Graham, an old intimate friend of Mr. Houx. R

A postoffice was established in 1868, with Mr. John P. Herr postmaster, Mr. Herr built the first house, and also owned and operated the first store. Mr. George Houx built a dwelling house about the same time. The first school house was a frame building, built in 1866, at a cost of $600. The first school was taught by the Rev. William Gordon, and numbered fifty pupils, each of whom paid a tuition of $2.00 per month. The first marriage reported was that of John McAllister and Jennie West, who were united in the bonds of wedlock, by the Rev. M. Roth, in 1868, at the house of the bride's parents. The first male child born was Oscar, son of Thos. T. and S. Belle Puckett, born July 6, 1870. Agnes Lee, daughter of Dr. David H. and Katie Bradley, was the first female child born in the village. (Date of birth not reported). The first death to occur was that of Young Ewing, who died in 1869, and was buried at Mount Hebron Cemetery.

Dr. Bouton is asserted to have been the first regular physician, formerly of Kentucky, and who recently went to Colorado. The first religious services were held in a schoolhouse, by the Christian denomination, with Elder G. R. Hand, pastor.

In 1878, Messrs. Waterhouse and Ridings made an addition to the original town, on the west side. May view is a flourishing village of about 250 inhabitants, located on the Chicago & Alton railroad, and also on the main thoroughfare between Lexington and Warrensburg. The following is a partial list of the business houses:

General merchandise, 3; grocery, 1; drugs, 1; blacksmiths, 2; physi-' cians, 2; mill, 1; hardware, 1 ; grain dealer, 1 ; hotels, 2; justice of peace, 1; lumber yard, 1; drug and grocer, 1; livery, 2; furniture, 1.

The Christian Church, of Mayview, was organized December 2, 1852. The first members were: W. H. Stone, E. J. Stone, M. E. Stone, Jane Conn, F. M. Small, E. E. Small, J. M. Small, W. Small, Thomas Proctor, S. Proctor, M. A. Proctor, Easter, (colored woman). The church building is a frame, and was erected in October, 1875, at a cost of about $3,000. It was dedicated as soon as completed by Elder D. M. Grandfield. Their pastors have been: D. M. Grandfield, W. R. Cunningham, W. P. Dorsey, Geo. Plattenburg, J. A. Lord, H. W. Williams, the present pastor. The church has 87 active members. The original name of this church was the Union, and was located three miles south of Mayview. Their church building was burnt down during the war, and the church was then moved to Mayview in 1875, and the name changed to Christian Church of Mayview.

Mayview Lodge, No. 318. I. O. G. T., was organized by O. Hutchison in November, 1879. The charter members were J. B. Jones, Thos. T. Puckett, Reuben Puckett, E. S. Butt, Jas. Waterhouse, John C.

The Mound Prairie Baptist Church, situated on the northeast qr. of northeast qr. of section 30, township 49, range 26, was organized Oct. 26, 1842. Its first members were Milton and Isabella Perry, Wm. Lankford, and Julius Burton, of the Lexington congregation, and fifty others, the result of a meeting in the neighborhood. The first building was log, 18x24 feet, and was erected in 1844. The present building is a frame one, 36x58, and was erected in 1858, at a cost of about $2,000. The church was never dedicated. Their pastors have been Elders A. P. Williams, Joseph White, Wm. C. Ligon, I. T. Williams, W. P. C. Caldwell, Amos Horn, Edward Roth, E. S. Dulin, J. A. Hollis, J. Farmer, C. Whiting, G. W. Smith, D. C. Bolton, S. Whiting, A. Barton and Wm. Russell, present pastor. The present membership numbers about 175. The church since its organization has received about 500 members. Trustees and deacons, Wm. Lankford and Elijah Gladdish; clerk, Robt. Lankford; moderator, Wm. Lankford; treasurer, B. F. Vicars.

The Mt. Hebron, Cumberland Presbyterian Church, situated on two acres of northwest qr. of northwest qr., section 22, township 49, range 27, was organized July 11, 1852, by Rev. C. A. Davis. The original members were Geo. Houx, Eliza A. Houx, Mary A. Houx, Young Ewing, Sam'l T. Whitsett, Absolom Marshall, L. A. Renick, Pruda Ingram, Eveline Woods, Ann Renick, Nancy Powell, Martha Whitsett, Mary Ingram, Mahala Whitsett, Elizabeth Whitsett, Nancy Marshall, Mary E. Marshall, Hezekiah Waterhouse, Lucinda Waterhouse, Chas. L. Ewing, W. A. Ewing, Jas. Wood, Oliver Houx, Pamela M. Lytton, Verlinder Small, Jane S. Renick, John T. Renick, David Ewing, (col.) The first church building was of brick, and was erected in 1851. *This building was burnt down, and another brick one built in 1873. Their pastors have been Rev's. C. A. Davis, W. W. Sudath, J. A. Prather, D.

Houx, Col. Thompson Ewing, Chatham Ewing and William Whitsett, of Lexington congregation, originated and carried out the plan of building this church. Mr. Houx was the superintendent and principal aider in the enterprise. The building cost $2,385.14, and the name " Mt. Hebron " was adopted by the congregation.

M. K. Barnett, Jas. H. Drennan, S. Finis King, L. F. Clemens, present pastor. The present membership is 98. The first house was burned on the 16th of March, 1873, and was rebuilt the same year at a cost of about $1,000. The walls of the first building were not destroyed. Ruling Elders, Wm. M. Whitsett, E. M. Harrelson, Hezekiah Waterhouse, Hi C. Ewing, Wm. Houx, Joseph A. Pather, Sam'l Smith; clerk, deacon Jas. Waterhouse; trustees, Sam'l Smith, H. C. Ewing. Since its organization this congregation has received 267 members, including the original ones, and has lost by death 24.

The following is given by Mr. Eli Adams: In the spring of 1841, Mrs. Mary Scott and her son, King B. Scott, were murdered in this township. Mrs. Scott's body was found in the fire in the house. In the spring of 1843, two years afterward, the body of King B. Scott was found in a branch of the Sni. Suspicion rested upon John C. Lester, a son-in-law of Mrs. Scott, and John Horton. Horton was arrested on a charge of passing counterfeit money, was sent to the penitentiary for a term of two years. While there he declared that Lester had committed the murder of the Scotts - mother and son. The governor was petitioned for a reprieve. Horton returned and Lester was arrested and indicted for the murders, but owing to a technicality, the indictment was dismissed. He was again indicted, took a change of venue, to Henry county; was there tried, found guilty, and hung at Clinton, in 1844.

Some two or three years before the war, a murder occurred on the farm of Mr. Early, on the line between Lexington and Washington townships. Two negroes secreted themselves behind a gate post, and as Mr. Nance, Mr. Early's overseer, was passing through the gate, the negroes struck him with a club, killing him instantly. This happened about daybreak. The negroes were taken to Lexington, tried regularly, and hung.

The War Time

About June 20, 1864, " Bill " Anderson, with twenty-two or twentythree men, met a detachment of Captain Burroughs' company of militia, on the farm of Mr. Wm. Whitsett, near Mt. Hebron church; said detachment consisting of thirty-seven men and three wagons, of five mules each, being on its way from Lexington to its camp in Washington township with provisions. A short and bloody conflict ensued, in which nine of Burroughs' men were killed outright and four or five mortally wounded, the remainder succeeding in making their escape. The attack was sudden and the militia were taken at a disadvantage. Only one of Anderson's men was injured. The bushwhackers shot the mules and burned the wagons.

In 1862 Capt. LeffenwelPs company of militia surrounded a Mr. Sutherlin and his son, Samuel McMahan and Zenith Redd, on Mr. Sutherlin's place, and a short skirmish took place, in which McMahan, Redd and three or four militia men were killed. Mr. Sutherlin and his son succeeded in making their escape. The latter two had served in the confederate army for six months, then engaged in bushwhacking for some time, and finally returned to the confederate service.

In September of 1862, " Bill " Anderson, with thirteen men, met four of Col. Henry Neill's men, named: Evan Phillips, Wm. Iddings, Wm. King and Meyers, on the Lexington road east of Big Sni. The bushwhackers took them into Washington township, in the Vicinity of Mayview and there shot them. Their remains were found about four weeks after.

Maurice G. Jacobs

merchant and real estate, P. O. Napoleon. Is a native of Trenton, Grundy county, Missouri, where he lived until eleven years of age, when he moved to Wellington this county. Was educated there and at the St. Louis commercial college. In 1865 he commenced business in Wellington, remaining there two years, at the expiration of which he moved to Napoleon, where he is still living engaged in a thriving business. In 1866 he was united in marriage to Miss Ella V. Thorp, daughter of Col. Thorp, of this county. The period of their[wedded happiness was of short duration, the young husband being called upon to mourn the loss of his companion, ere one year had rolled around. October 3, 1871, he was again married to Miss Marie E. Kidd, daughter of A. F. Kidd, of Jackson county. By this latter union he has had three children, one only now living, born January 20, 1876. Mr. Jacobs is an active, energetic, thrifty business man, who looks sharply after his own interests and at the same time is not unfaithful to public affairs, in which he is quite influential. He is the owner of 1,500 acres of very fine improved farming land in Jackson, Lafayette and Ray counties.

firm of Joseph H. Lightner & J. W. Lightner, M. D., dry goods, groceries, drugs, etc., P. O., Napoleon. Was born at Sibley, Jackson county, Missouri, February 12, 1851. Was reared in this county and attended high school at Greenton, Missouri. Was an assistant teacher in the Howard High school, in Vernon county. He read medicine with L. M. Dixon, M. D., of Walker, Missouri; afterwards attended lectun-s at the Louisville medical college, and graduated in 1876. In the same year he also attended the " Kentucky School of Medicine." In June, of same year, he commencd the practice of medicine at Napoleon. September 19, 1879, he was married to Miss Dora A. Sams, of Carrollton, Kentucky. The doctor is a genial, affable gentleman, held in high estimation by his fellow citizens, for his profound knowledge of medical science and social qualities. His whole time and attention are required in his large and lucrative practice, in the town and surrounding country.

Henry H. Waestemeyer

farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Napoleon. Was born in Warren county, Missouri, September 7, 1842. His parents were natives of Prussia. Was reared and educated in his native county. September 7, 1865, he was united in marriage to Miss Louisa A. Kallmeyer. They became parents of eight children, six of whom are now living - three sons and three daughters. The eldest, Mary L., was born August 23, 1866. After his marriage he lived in his native county, engaged in general merchandising until 1869, when he moved to Lincoln county, and continued in the same business. In 1S71 he took a stock of goods to Carrollton, Carroll county, where he carried on business for one year, at the expiration of which time he sold out his stock and abandoned the mercantile trade. He then moved to Napoleon, and located on a fine farm of 130 acres, where he now resides, engaged in its cultivation. He also pays considerable attention to the raising of fine stock, bees, etc. He has a fine frame residence with a brick basement, beautifully located on the bank of the Missouri river, at a point which commands a fine view of the surrounding country. His farm contains about twenty-five acres of good tirnber, and an orchard of about 175 bearing trees, besides several others not yet arrived at that stage. Mr. Waestemeyer is an industrious, enterprising business man, possessing the unlimited confidence of the community in which he resides, as indexed to a certain extent by his election to the office of justice of the peace for Clay township, in which capacity he is serving with credit to himself and satisfaction to all.

Strother Renick

farmer and stock-raiser, P. O. Napoleon. The subject of this sketch is a native of Barren county, Kentucky; born near Glasgow, January 19,1804. His boyhood was passed in his native county, where he was educated. At the age of sixteen years he came to this state and county, and in 1821 settled on the farm upon which he now resides. In 1824 he went to New Mexico, where he spent one }rear and then returned. In 1829 he took the second trip to New Mexico and spent another year there - trading. He then returned to his farm and built the fine residence which he now occupies, comprised of a large frame building, containing nine comfortable and airy rooms, with wide halls between, and fitted up with all of the appurtenances necessary for comfort and convenience. His place is known far and near, as the "Plum Orchard Farm." It is beautifully located on the divide between Sniabar Creek and the Missouri river; it contains 421 acres, all under cultivation. He has a fine, large orchard of 1,200 apple trees, and a smaller one of peaches, pears, etc. A fine .grove of locust trees, planted by himself in 1830, ornament the lawn in front of the house. The outhouses, consisting of two barns, a double carriage house, ice-house, etc., are fine specimens of architecture and complete in their appointments. During the past six months he has sold three farms, one of 245 acres, one of ninety-three acres, and one of forty acres, all well improved. Besides the home farm Mr. R. owns six others, all under cultivation, aggregating 800 or 900 acres of land. November 18, 1839, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca H. Livesay, a native of Greenbriar county, Virginia. Mr. Renick has been a resident of this county for over half a century. He is a man of broad and liberal views, quick to discover the true inwardness of any enterprise, either public or private, and ready to assist in the active prosecution of any which meets the approbation of his sound and well matured judgment.

Richard M. Chinn

farmer and stockraiser, P. O. Napoleon. Born in Bourbon county, Kentucky, March 28, 1825. His parents were natives of Kentucky also. His early life was passed in his native State, where he received a liberal education. On the 7th of January, 1858; he was married to Miss Sallie B. Barton. By this union they have had eight children, six of whom are living. Moved to Lafayette county, Missouri, in 1S66, and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 228 acres of excellent land. He occupies a substantial two-story house, containing five rooms, finely located on the watershed between the Sniabar creek and the Missouri river and two miles south of Napoleon. In October, 1873, Mr. Chinn was married for the second time to Mrs. Magdalen Johnson, nee Regan, his first wife died during the previous year. He is a man of strict integrity and high principle, admired by all who know him.

Dr. Edward H. Smith

physician and surgeon, P. O. Napoleon. Son of Richard Smith; was born in Montreal, Canada, March 16, 1857, where he was raised and educated. After taking an academic course at Montreal College and graduating, he entered the McGill Medical University, established in 1812, where he completed one of the most thorough courses of medical science to be found in the curriculum of any college in the country, receiving his diploma in March, 1881. After graduating, he went to Kansas City and engaged in the practice of medicine. He, however, remained there but a short time going to Napoleon in June of the same year. Having a thorough and complete theoretical knowledge of the " art of healing," the doctor hopes by close application and strict attention to business, to build up a large and lucrative practice in the town and surrounding country. Few men have begun life under more favorable auspices - with youth, health and energy on his side, he is sure to succeed.

Charles E. Stone

merchant and druggist, P. O. Napoleon. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, June 2,1831. His parents died during his infancy. During his minority he was educated in Wilmington, North Carolina, and at the " University of North Carolina," graduating from the latter institution in 1849. During vacations he sailed south on his uncle's ship, in capacity of super cargo, going as far south as Rio Janeiro. He visited the West Indies, Nova Scotia, Central America, and various other places of interest. After graduating he spent 11 years in the northwestern States trading. In I860 he went to San Francisco via. Newr York, spending six years in California and Nevada, engaged in mining during the first three years. While in, California he enlisted in the Federal service, company E. 1st California regiment. Was mustered out of service in February 1866, when he returned to this state and located in Ray county, where he led to the marriage altar, Miss Willie Thornton, daughter of Dr. Thornton, on the 27th day of March, 1866. While living in Ray county he was engaged in teaching school. In 1874 he moved to Jackson county, where he lived for one year engaged in the manufacture of tobacco, having built a factory for that purpose at Lone Jack. In 1876 he came to Napoleon, this county, where he is engaged in the drug and general merchandise business. Mr. Stone has a family of six children, three sons and three daughters.

Thomas B. Fishback

merchant, P. O. Napoleon. The subject of this sketch is the son of F. L. Fishback, and the youngest of nine children ; born in Lafayette county, October 18, 1861. Was reared on his father's farm, located four miles south of Napoleon. Attended the public schools, at intervals; deriving his education, principally, however, through his own unaided efforts. In 1881, February 27, he was united in the bonds of wedlock, to Miss Elizabeth Hudnall, daughter of R. A. Hudnall. Having previously established himself in the mercantile business, at Napoleon, Mr. F. commences life with flattering prospects. Having vouth, health, energy, and good pratical judgment; aided and assisted by the wise couasel and co-operation of an estimable wife; both promising the esteem and confidence of all who know them, there is no reason why the happy couple should not pass their lives in peace and prosperity.

Robert A. Hudnall

farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. The subject of the following is the son of Jabez Hudnall; born in Pittsylvania county, Virginia, December 6, 1834. Lived there until 1849, when he went to Bedford county, and engaged in clerking for different parties until 1852. The first year, he received for compensation, the munificent sum of $11, and his clothes; the second year, $24; the third year, $50, and the fourth year, $100. Verily, money was scarce - with him. In 1852, he made a loan of $250, with which he entered into partnership with two other men, in a business in which they were experienced and he was not. At the end of a year and a half, he had the experience, and they the money. This unfortunate transaction left him $250 in debt. In 1855, he went back to one of his former employees, and engaged with him again, at the old salary of $100 per year. In 1857, he came to this state locating in Jackson county, having, at the time he arrived, only twenty-five cents in his pocket. He engaged in his old occupation - that of clerking - which he followed until 1861, when he commenced business for himself, at Napoleon. He had but little money, but had good credit. He purchased hemp, but, on account of the war, was not allowed to ship it without a permit. He, however, succeeded in shipping a cargo, upon which he realized the snug little profit of $5,500. Continued in this business, with a moderate degree of success, until the 31st of July, I860, when the federals set fire to his warehouse, which, with its contents, was entirely consumed, leaving him. not only penniless, but $700 in debt. Nothing daunted, however, he next went to Carroll county, and dealt in hogs; realizing enough by this venture to pay oft' his indebtedness, thereby re-establishing his credit. Furnished with what money he needtd by a St. Louis commission house, he continued in the hemp trade, in which he realized $20,000, in the short space of four months. He then purchased a fourth interest in the steamer "Shreveport/' plying on the Missouri river. This proved to be a "white elephant," which coupled with his losses in gold speculation, left him with only $4,500 in his exchequer. In 1865, he entered into partnership with Capt. John Reiser, and William M. McPherson, of St. Louis, and purchased a stock of goods to take to Montana. The stock, at Helena, Montana, ccst them $34,200. In twenty days after arriving there, he sold the entire stock for $52,000 in gold. After paying out $16,000, for transporting goods, he sold the remainder, $36,000 in gold, at 40 per cent, premium. In 1866, he started from St. Louis, en route to Fort Benton, with a steamboat load of merchandise. The boat sunk seven miles below Sioux City; he, however, sustaining no loss. In the same year, he went to Montana, where he engaged in trading and freighting. In 1868, he went to Bedford county, Virginia, and in 1869, came to

Lafayette county, Missouri, and purchased the fine farm of 300 acres, upon which he now resides, pleasantly located upon the divide between theSniabar creek and the Missouri river. His residence and outhouses are models of neatness and convenience. In November, 1861, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary Brown, of Jackson county. They have five children living - four daughters and one son. The eldest daughter married Mr. T. B. Fishback, of Napoleon. The second is attending Central College, of Lexington. Few men, indeed, have experienced the vicissitudes of such an eventful life, as that of the subject of the foregoing sketch; who, now surrounded by a loving family, is reaping in comfort the fruits of a life of toil and trial.

George W. Grubb

In 1852, in company with John W. Conard, (afterwards his brother-inlaw), he came to this state and county, and in the following year, returned and was united in marriage, February 23, 1854, to Miss Jane A. Conard. In same year, returned to this county with his bride, and located on the farm where he now resides. Five children were born to them; four now living, viz: Mary Lizzie, Lucelia J, (married R. E. Fishback), Sterling Lee, Alina B. The farm upon which Mr. Grubb is living consists of 221 acres of well improved land, upon which there is a fine orchard, which furnishes plenty of all kinds of fruit. He also devotes some attention to bee culture, cultivating the Italian species, which are thought to be the best adapted to this climate. Has a fine, large, commodious residence and good substantial barns and outhouses, all in good repair.

Mr. Grubb is one of the substantial citizens of the county of his adoption; the interests of which he guards with a vigilant eye. He also owns considerable land in Johnson county.

John G. Strothman

farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. Is a native of Hanover, Germany, born May 31, 1811. Was raised and educated in the country of his birth. He immigated to the United States in 1836, landing at Baltimore on the 11th of June. In 1839, he went to Kentucky, and engaged work in a hemp factory. In 1842, he moved to Lafayette county, Mo., locating upon the farm, where he now resides, situated one mile east of Napoleon. It consists of 160 acres, nearly all improved. Has a fine residence and all. of the outhouses and appurtenances, necessary to the cultivation of a stock farm. Has a fine orchard of seventy-five apple trees, and also several pear and peach trees, all bearing. In 1844, he was married, in St. Louis, to Sophia M. Denter, a native of Prussia. Five child- ren are the fruits of this marriage, named as follows: Sophia, (Mrs. Isaac Summers), Louisa, John, James and William; all married. They all live in this vicinity except the eldest. Mr. S. is a steady, industrious, enterprising citizen, of the kind and quality which go to make up the backbone of the community.

Stephen Gates

farmer and stock-raiser, P. O., Napoleon. Is a native of Baden, Germany, born in 1839. Immigated with his parents to the United States in 1844; locating in Wisconsin, where he grew to manhood and acquired his education. In 1859, he left Wisconsin and went to Leavenworth, Kansas, where he remained until 1865, when he came to this state and county and purchased the farm upon which he now resides, consisting of 300 acres of fine bottom land, located one and a half miles east of Napoleon ; all but seventy acres is under cultivation. The present year, (1881), he has 140 acres of corn planted, which now give promise of an abundant crop. Along the Missouri river on this farm are some trees of very large growth - monarchs of the forest - one sycamore measuring 18£ feet in circumference. Walnuts have been cut measuring thirteen and fourteen feet. In 1868, Mr. Gates was united in marriage to Miss Angeline McFarland. Their union is blessed with five daughters. Mr. G. is a thrifty, stirring business man and a model farmer.

Joseph H. Lightner

firm of Lightner Bros., dry goods, medicines and general merchandise, P. O. Napoleon., was born in this state and county, June 8th, 1849, where he has since resided. Was educated, primarily, in this county, and during the years of '68 and '69, he attended Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College at Cincinnati. After leaving school, he was engaged in farming up to the year 1880, when he entered the mercantile firm of which he is now a member. He married Miss Anna Handly, Jan. 21st, 1875. They have two daughters, viz.: Florence R., born Oct. 23d, 1878, and Kittie R., born Oct. 27th, 1880.

The firm of Lightner Bros, is the leading one of the town of Napoleon Although but recently established, being comprised of men of ability and experience, it has already taken its place in the front rank.