Cuivre Township

Cuivre Township

About the last of the seventeenth century, a small boy was found in Wales who could give no account of his parents or himself, except that his first name was George. George manifested a fondness for music, and his friends surnamed him Musick, as the word was then spelled. He emigrated to Virginia in the beginning of the eighteenth century, where he raised five sons, viz. : Daniel, George, Alexis, Ephraim and Abraham. He also raised some daughters, but of these we know neither the number nor names. Ephraim married a Miss Roy, and raised a family in Spottsylvania county. He raised two daughters, one of whom married a Jenkins, and one a Cauthorn. He raised four sons, viz. : Abraham, John, Thomas R. and Ephraim. Thomas R. Musick was born October 10,1757. He joined the Baptist church, and commenced preaching at about 17 years of age. He went to North Carolina during the Revolutionary War, where he married Mary-Nevel. Thomas served a part of the time in the American army. He removed to South Carolina in the year 1789, and in 1794, he removed to Barren county. He visited Missouri several times while it was under the Spanish government, and preached in St. Louis county as early as the year 1797. While preaching there he was frequently threatened with violence. In the spring of 1804 he removed with his family to Missouri and settled in St. Louis county, one mile north of the present town of Bridgeton. Shortly afterward he instituted Fee Fee Creek Baptist Church, which was doubtless the first Baptist church west of the Mississippi river, of which he was pastor for many years. In the year of 1823 or 1824 his wife Mary died at home in St. Louis county. Alter the death of his wife, he made his home at the house ol his nephew, Ury Musick, a son of Abraham Musick. He continued to preach in various parts of Missouri and

Illinois until a short time previous to his death, which occurred on the 2d of December, 1842, at the house of Ury Musick. The family of Thomas consisted of three sons and six daughters, viz. : William, Nancy, Lewis, Mary, Charlotte, Sarah, Drucilla, Joyce and Thomas. William died at seven or eight years of age, and Thomas at sixteen ; all the others lived to be grown and married. Lewis Musick was born the 1st day of February, 1784. He came with his father to Missouri in 1804, and married Nancy Martin, who died some years afterward, after which he married Mary Fitzwater. Lewis removed to Pike county in the fall of 1819, and from there to Audrain county in the spring of 1839. From Missouri he went to California, starting on the 15th of April, 1849. He died in Sacramento Valley, October 27, 1849. He was engaged in trading in live stock during the greater part of his life, and in the course of his business, was occupied in driving horses and cattle in various directions, all the way from Texas to Selkirk's colony on North Red river. Lewis raised ten children : Lawson T., Elvira, Lafreuier C., Mary Ann, Charlotte M., Sarah T., Thomas R., Ephraim L., James J., and Mandana A. Lafrenier was born in St. Louis county on the 29th day of July, 1815, and married Jane D. Hayden. He joined the Baptist church in March, 1833, commenced preaching immediately afterward, and was ordained in October, 1835.

John Fike, Sr., of Chatham county, N. C., had Aaron, James, John, Jr., and Nathan. John, Jr., married Mary Rowe, and settled in Ralls county, Mo., in 1817. They had Sally, Hastings, Eliza¬ beth, Aussy H., Nelson, Dillard, Robert, Martha A., and Lucy. Aussy H. married Mary Thompson, and they had a son named John, who married Virginia Fish. Aussy H. Fike was married the second time to Mary Tipton. Martha A. married William Powell, of Mont¬ gomery county, and after his death she married William H. Martin, of Audrain county. Lucy married Caleb Martin, of that county. Nelson, son of John Fike, Sr., married Mary J. Hughes, and settled in Montgomery county. Dillard, his brother, married the widow McConnell, whose maiden name was Ann Scott. Robert married Mecha Holmes, and was afterward killed by lightning.

Josiah Fuget, of Virginia, settled first in Kentucky, and removed from there to Missouri in 1836. He married Jane Musick, and they had Jonathan, Sally, Josiah, Elizabeth, Ellen, Hiram, Polly, Hattie, James, Louisiana, Virginia and Nancy.

Andrew, Janies and Rebecca. Joseph was drafted in the War of 1812, but obtained his exemption papers because he walked in his sleep. He married Nancy Murie, of Kentucky, and they had Thomas, Frank, Ellen and William, all of whom came with their parents to Missouri in 1823, and settled in Ralls county, where they remained 13 years, and then removed to Montgomery county. Thomas married Louisiana Fuget, and they had 10 children. He served as justice of the peace for 16 years. Frank married Nanoy J. Johnson. Ellen was married first to Hiram Fuget, and second to Samuel Davis. William was married first to Phoebe A. McDaniel, and second to Sally Lovelace. All of the above live in Audrain and Montgomery counties.

At an election held in Cuivre township in 1840, the following per¬ sons voted for President and Vice-President of the United States. They were the early settlers of the township: -

Twenty-three miles east of Mexico, and 27 miles west of Louisiana and the Mississippi river, on the Chicago and Alton Railway, is Vandalia, a town of 800 souls, and the most important trading and ship¬ ping point between the cities named. It is 30 miles distant from

Hannibal, on the north, the same distance from Montgomery City on the south, and has in all directions a splendid farming country, rich in grasses, grain fields, herds and farm improvements; and abundantly capable of giving impulse to a city of 4,000 people. The town was laid out in 1870 by Aaron McPike, Judge Caldwell, Amos Ladd and Col. Haden, is substantially and tastefully built and besides a fortu¬ nate location, has two newspapers, three pretty churches, a substan¬ tial and attractive school building, a steam flouring mill and two steam grain elevators, an encampment and lodge of Odd Fellows, a Masonic lodge, and flourishing organizations of the A. O. U. W. and Good Templars. Vandalia is a strong commercial town, the trade in general merchandise, lumber, hardware and farming machinery being very heavy for a town of this class. From 300,000 to 400,000 bushels of grain are annually shipped by the Alton road from this point, the yearly export of live stock closely approximating 275 car loads, and it is probably within the bounds to estimate the total yearly trade of the city, in all lines, at $600,000. Vandalia enjoys a high measure of prosperity in all departments. The municipality is out of debt, with a surplus in the treasury. The merchants are generally substantial men of prime ability and credit, carry large stocks, discount their bills of credit and do business by the best modern methods. The trade of the town is annually increasing by about 25 per cent, and everything about the city indicates solid and permanent thrift.

The first three houses in the town were erected by Aaron McPike, and constructed of lumber hauled from Louisiana, a distance of 36 miles. The first building completed was used as a business house - general store - by King & Bros., who were the pioneer merchants. The next general stock was opened by Pearson & Jeffries. Riney & Bro., operated the first drug store. Charles Hart was the first black¬ smith. Martin Collins opened the first hotel, and was the first car¬ penter in the town. John Keisel was the first shoemaker and Dr. H. S. Walrath, the first physician. Dr. "Walrath's wife taught the first school. The first death was that of Charles Hart, the blacksmith. Judge Foster preached the first sermon. The town has been improv¬ ing rapidly since 1878. It was incorporated in 1874, and was organ¬ ized in 1880, as a city of the fourth class. Among the early business men of the town were : Pearson & Jeffries, Rose & Parker, B. J. Riney, C. P. Pearson, Canter & Co., K. A. Laird, Worsham & John¬ son, Beshears & Hart, Purse, Parker & McPike, J. P. Ladd, Rice Bros.

There are two newspapers in Vandalia. This fact is sufficient of itself to show that the people of the town and vicinity are a reading, reflecting people, and that they believe in supporting and encourag¬ ing newspapers.

One of these papers - the Vandalia Leader - was established in 1875, by J. Linn Ladd, who ran it till April, 1876, when he sold to R. W. Morrow. In the spring of 1877, Mr. Ladd repurchased the paper, and continued to be its proprietor until the winter of 1881, when he sold to White & Simpson. White & Emmons succeeded White & Simpson ; White & Emmons were succeeded by Mr. Emmons, and in May, 1883, Emmons sold to Thos. R. Dodge & Son, who are now the proprietors.

The Argus was started in May, 1883, by Port. A. Emmons, the first issue appearing on the 24th day of that month. They are both excellent country papers, and are Democratic in politics.*

Official statement of the financial condition of Daniel's Bank, at Vandalia, State of Missouri, at the close of business on the of August, 1883.

I, C. G. Daniel, owner of said banking business, do solemnly swear that the above statement is true to the best of my knowledge and belief. C. G. Daniel.

The growth of a town is indicated by the nature of the country sur¬ rounding it, and it is not the town, usually, that springs up like a mushroom, that developes into a point of commercial interest. The town that grows gradually as the country progresses is the place that grows into prominence.

Vandalia was laid out as a town in 1872 and incorporated in 1875, containing 640 acres, since which time it has sustained a gradual growth - a growth which has been a pride to its founders. Taking into consideration the absence of manufactories and other matters which excite the attention of capital, its advancement has been mar¬ velous. Being of this character, it of course has had to depend upon the development and success of agriculture, which, so far, has proved to be equal to the occasion ; and for the past eight years the advance¬ ment in agricultural interests has, indeed, been wonderful ; and to-day these interests indicate far greater gains for the future. With an enter¬ prising class of farmers who push their business with their own hands, own their lands and promptly pay their taxes, the community is bound to prosper.

The prosperity of the past two years has doubled the population of the town and brought thousands of dollars into the community ; and the present season is yet more encouraging. Property in that time has advanced 15 per cent, while taxes have decreased. No town in the State with the same advantages can begin to compare with it, as the shipments and receipts will plainly show : -

Grain Stock

We find that about 50 buildings were erected in 1883, at a cost of about $20,000, as near as it could be calculated, a large portion going to pay the mechanics of our city, who are an excellent class of hard work¬ ing citizens, and yet there is a great cry for residences, and at least 25 dwellings could be rented at a fair price in the next three months.

The above is the sum total of the mercantile trade with the exception of a grocery firm, furniture house, two hotels and two printing offices, which would probably swell the sum to $245,437.00.

Insurance

Our public school has been wonderfully increased in the meantime, necessitating the addition of a fourth room. The number of pupils enrolled are as follows : -

The school, we are pleased to say, is in splendid working order and reflects great credit upon the excellent corps of teachers in charge. The grain and stock shipments for December, 1883, areas follows : -

Vandalia Triple Alliance, Camp No. 79 - Was organized November 10, 1883. The charter members were P. A. Emmons, J. K. Mateer, G. W.Pigg, E. D. Harrison, W. P. Layne, R. T. Seltzer, W. H. Bland, A.

Vandalia Lodge , A. O. XJ. W. - Was organized August 29, 1878, with the following charter members: Geo. H. Smith, J. Linn Ladd, J. W. Balthrope, Jno. Pence, Jno. Schultz, H. H. Zumwalt, J. H. Thole, Jno. Hughes, J. C. Parrish, H. C. Hufhines, A. I. Satterlee, M. C. Pearson, C. P. Pearson, A. W. Robinson, W. H. McFarland, R. H. Johnson. Officers for 1878 - Jno. H. Thole, P. M. W. ; R.

Public Schools

The Vandalia Public School was organized under the village act in April, 1880. The following gentlemen were elected as members of the Board of Education : Mr. S. D. Ely, Pres. ; Hon. C. G. Daniel, clerk; J. F. Crawford, Treas. ; D. L. S. Bland, M. D., Capt. R. S. Alcoke and B. F. Warford. A fine brick school-house, costing about $5,000, was erected, and H. A. Gass and Geo. D. Bowman were employed to take charge of the school.

The next term, beginning September, 1881, was given to IT. A. Gass and Misses Nannie Pulis and Maggy Torreyson. The enrollment this year was 180.

In September, 1882, H. A. Gass again took charge of the school, with Misses Maggy Torreyson and Mamie Clark as assistants. Miss Clark resigned at Christmas, and Mr. L. P. Crigler was employed for the remainder of the term. Enrollment for the year, 206.

September, 1883, H. A. Gass, with Mr. R. T. Martin and Miss Tor¬ reyson, again took charge of the school. So far the enrollment is 190, and the school has become so crowded that it was necessary to have another teacher. The board, therefore, selected Miss Anna Rodney to take charge of the fourth room.

There have been but two changes made in the board since its or¬ ganization under the village act - 'Mr. B. F. Warford moved away, and his place was filled by Mr. Cash Blackburn, who has since been clerk of the board ; Mr. J. F. Crawford also moved away, and Mr. J. M. Culbertson was appointed in his place.

This Ave believe to be one of the best school boards in the State. Under their management the school has grown rapidly, and in a year or two it will be necessary to build an addition to the house. They are liberal with their teachers, and give them all the assistance in their power.

Business Directory

The Argus (weekly), Port. A. Emmons, proprietor; J. W. Balthrope, saloon ; C. Blackburn & Bro., druggists ; Dalzell L. S. Bland, physician; Thomas Binkley, shoe-maker; J. M. Culbertson, grain elevator; Charles G. Daniel, lawyer and banker; Ely & Utteback, hardware; L. M. Burgess, barber; J. H. Thole, blacksmith; R. O. Neeley, contractor; J. H. Terrill, physician; Mrs. G. D. Martin, millinery; J. M. Evans, furniture; I. Roland, produce; S. U. Branstetter, grocer ; Bratton, grocer ; W. E. Riney, livery ; Jesse Barnett, livery; J. D. Hanna, live stock dealer; W. R. Gwillim, har¬ ness and saddlery ; Jno. V. Kisel, shoe-maker ; Geo. W. Daniel, grain dealer; Pearson & Bro., general store ; Lewellyn & Coontz, lumber ; Riney, Roberts & Co., general store ; Alfred W. Robinson, druggist; Jno. A. Smith, general store ;C. E. Blain, saloon and billiards ; Dan¬ iel & To wler, dry goods; Yandalia House, Abraham L. Liter, pro¬ prietor ; Win. W. Watkins, justice of the peace, notary public, real estate agent and lawyer ; Whittaker & Hendrix, blacksmith ; Mrs. L. E. Pigg, millinery store; A. Eddleman, grocer; A. Sickles, blacksmith ; J. R. Pitzer, grocer ; Mrs. D. E. Barnett, millinery ; Iv.

proprietors ; F. Leigle, Central Hotel ; Jno. K. Mateer, hardware ; A. Merged, baker; Hisey & James, grain elevator; John C. Parrish, physician.

T. K. Gilliland, postmaster; Day & Gilliland, general store; Minor, Crow & Lee, general store ; Martin & Llewellyn, drugs ; Crow & Sutton, drugs ; Isaac Kilby, furniture; A. W. Thomas, black¬ smith ; Win. Kinker, blacksmith ; W. Riney, blacksmith ; Mrs. Earhart, Farber Hotel ; J. A. Elzea, hotel ; S. C. Adams, physician ; W. E. White, physician ; - - Blount, physician.