Harrisburg, Missouri

Harrisburg, situated on the northwest quarter of section 11, township 50, range 14, in the northwest corner of the township, was named in honor of John W. Harris, deceased, late proprietor of the Model Farm. It was laid off soon after the survey of the Chicago and Alton railroad, and gave promise of soon becoming a town of considerable importance. Work was actively going on all along the line of the proposed railroad, which was actually graded and made ready for the mils. The town prospered in anticipation of the early completion of the road ; but, to the surprise and disappointment of the people of Harrisburg and Perche township, the road was suddenly abandoned^ but afterwards completed on a line farther north. This proved almost a death-blow to the ambitious hopes of Harrisburg. With better facilities this village would have been a place of no little importance. It is beautifully located on the divide between the Perche and the Moniteau, six miles north of the Model Farm, on the main road leading from Eocheport to Sturgeon. The Callaham, which flows into tie Perche, heads in this vicinity. Prairie Fork, named from Thrairs prairie, also heads in this vicinity, and flows west into the Moniteau. Harrisburg contains three stores, a confectionery shop, church, mill, blacksmith and repair shop, a fine public school building, with Masonic hall above. Dr. Haller, a practicing physician, Hersman, a justice of the peace, and S. O. Puller, constable, reside in the village. The post-oflSce is in Gentry's saddler-shop. Rev. Green Carey, of rfear Harrisburg, came to the neighborhood in 1834, and had preached for the i^eople since 1836. He was a member of the first church organized in this portion of the county, Bethlehem by name, which he served for thirty-one years. He has joined in marriage more than five hundred couples. Revs. Thomas Fristoe, Fielding Wilhite and Green <Jarey dedicated the last Bethlehem church building.

Passage source: History of Boone County, Missouri, published 1882.

The Blakemores are of English origin. From England to Virginia, from Virginia to Kentucky, and thence westward. William Edward Blakemore is a grandson of James Blakemore, of Virginia, and a son of Wm. G. Blakemore, also a native of that State. He was born in Clark county, Kentucky, March 12th, 1837. He lived on the farm until he was sixteen years old, then entered a store, remaining in this business for six years. Quitting the store at the age of twenty-two, he embarked in the live stock trade which he followed for nine years. In 1853 he again entered the mercantile business, but once more abandoned the store to engage in the stock trade, this time dealing in mules and horses for the Southern market. He came to Missouri in November, 1865, and settled on the '*oldWiggam farm," in the vicinity of Harrisburg, where he remained till 1875. In 1880 he came to Harrisburg and engaged in the mercantile business with John W. Hersman. Mr. Blakemore was married to Miss Nancy J. Doyle, daughter of Dennis Doyle. By this marriage they have had eight children, six sons and two daughters, one of whom died in infancy. Their names are: Mary V., George W., Dennis A., Richard E., Sarah E., Claudius P., Thomas C, and Shelton L. They are members of the Christian Church at Harrisburg.

Passage source: History of Boone County, Missouri, published 1882.

^th, 1828. His father was a Kentuckian, his grandfather a native of Virginia. His mother was a daughter of Sanford Payne, of Kentucky. Mr. Blakemore was educated in the common schools of his native State and assumed the active duties of life at an early age. His father died when he was but seven years old, and being the second son of a family of six children, five sons and one daughter, he had, ^ven in boyhood, many of the cares and responsibilities of manhood resting upon him. He commenced active business at the age of fourteen. From clerking in a store he soon passed to the more active duties of a stock trader, buying in Kentucky and selling in Cincinnati. He followed this business very successfully for fifteen years. In 1863 he removed to Boone county, Missouri, having purchased part of the Newton Short farm and the Harris interest in the town of Harrisburg. Mr. Blakemore was married November 15th, 1864, to Miss Ruth Young, daughter of David Young, of Howard county, Missouri. Mrs. Blakemore was born January 27th, 1836. ^ Her grandfather was Major Edward Young, of Boone county. By this union are five children, three daughters and two sons, all of whom are now living. Their names are: Cordelia A., Robert L., James N., Nora and Edna. Mr. Blakemore was previously iparried in Kentucky to Miss Marion Oldham, daughter of Wm. Oldham, of Madison ijounty. There was one child, John, by this marriage. He is now maiTied and is living in Howard county, Missouri. His wife's maiden name was Stacia Gillum, daughter of Nathan Gillum. In 1880 Thomas Blakemore removed to his property in Harrisburg, but did not remain in business there but eighteen months. He is now on his farm looking after his fine stock. He is largely interested in the Glenco stock of horses, noted for their speed and other excellent qualities. Mr. Blakemore and his family are members of the Christian church at Harrisburg, and are highly honored and respected for their liberal support of all public enterprises calculated to benefit the -community in which they reside.

Passage source: History of Boone County, Missouri, published 1882.

Machine-read from a century-old scan, so expect the errors a machine makes: misspelled names, dropped words, stray characters.

Read the whole chapter on Perche Township.