The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with ... biograhical sketches ..

Front matter

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Preface

After nearly a year from the beginning of the enterprise, with much labor and expense, the History of Pettis County is now ready lor the public. Embracing the early and more recent history of one of the most populous and wealthy counties of Missouri, it is not be expected that a work of this magnitude could be compiled and issued without the expenditure of much time, labor and money. Most of the material comprising this volume was never before collected in any form ; no pains or outlay having been spared to make it worthy of so noble a County and State, and it will assuredly be a welcome guest in the intelligent families of Pettis County, and although its value is material and immediate yet posterity will more highly prize this book and rely upon it as the basis of all subsequent history.

The task of the historians has been performed conscientiously, free from partiality and prejudice, and with a view of recording such facts as will be most valuable. To a great extent the history is what the people have been pleased to make it. If the people had furnished less information, there would have been less in the book, and if the information had been of a different character, its pages would also have reflected that fact. The style of composition has aimed at purity and precision, rather than periods and highly wrought figures. In some cases the same fact may appear more than once, and if a difference in detail is observed, it should be remembered as bearing the authority of the one who furnished it.

The mechanical work shows skill and finish, comparing favorably with the best in this and other States. The map, electrotype views, lithograph and steel portraits, together with the typography, have all received that artistic, touch which renders the work highly satisfactory to the publishers, and no doubt will meet the hearty approval of all patrons who are capable of judging.

The volume has greatly exceeded the limits originally intended. In the prospectus it was promised that the book should contain from 700 to 900 pages, but it has been found impossible to comprise the material in less than 1,120 pages. The history of Sedalia has been written and prepared complete in itself, expressly for this volume, chiefly from the able pen of Mr. I. Mac D. Demuth, who has long lived amid the scenes he describes, and to whom, with two other prominent, well-informed citizens, the proof-sheets were all submitted for corrections.

The history of the different townships has been collected and compiled

PREFACE.

with great care and accuracy by those specially adapted to that laborious' task, and although it is not assumed to be in all cases absolutely free from errors, it can be relied upon as substantially correct in facts, names and dates.

The biographical department is an important feature, and remarkably free from errors, when taking into consideration the numberless mistakes and incorrect statements often given by the subject of the sketch. Until comparatively of recent date only persons of national or world-wide renown were thought worthy a biographical notice, while the humblest walks furnish not a name for the pages of enduring histbry. These sketches will be of value not only to the family and friends but also to the community at large.

Many difficulties were encountered in the early part of the undertaking. Not the least was the prejudice of the people against book and map enterprises of every description, partly occasioned by the fault of people themselves, and partly by the swarms of canvassers, seeking to inveigle the citizens into some worthless project,, and take away their money without rendering any equivalent or fulfilling their promises. Thus it was some stood aloof, remained inaccessible, not lending their aid and encouragement. The cost in time and money has been much greater than those unaccustomed to such work are apt at first to realize, but the publishers, perceiving the growing favor with which county histories are . received all over the country, confidently expect to meet with the anticipated amount of sales.

Among the many worth)' advocates of progress and enterprises in Pettis County, the publishers desire to express their grateful acklowledgments to F. A. Sampson, Esq., for the chapter on Natural History and correcting the proof-sheets of Sedalia history; to I. Mac D. Demuth for much ot Sedalia's history; to Rev. Dr. John Montgomery for the history of the Presbyterian Church; to Rev. John Letts for the history of the Baptist Church; to Rev. A. H. Stevens for the history of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church; to Elder J. H. Duncan for the history of '. the Christian Church; to Rev. J. B. Fuller, Rev. G. A. Beattie, Rev. H. R. Miller, Rev. R. A. Johns and others for church history; Mr. C. A. Leach for the chapter on Courts and Bar, also the chapter on Pettis County Live Stock; to Col. A. D. Jaynes, Col. Thomas F. Houston, Maj. William Gentry, R. W. Gentry, Dr. J. W. Trader, O. A. Crandall, the custodians of the county records, to the editors of the several newspapers and to many others, by whose liberal support and material aid the work has been carried foward to a successful completion, to all and singular much credit is due, and many thanks are tendered by

THE PUBLISHERS.

F. A. North, Manager.

Contents

HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MISSOURI.

_. PAGE

Historical and Political- 9

Chapter I. Introduction and Name. — Object of the Work ; Task of the Historian

By Whom Collected and Compiled; Criticisms; The Name; Hon. Spencer Petlis.205, 210 Chapter II. Early Settlements and Pioneers. — Habits and Characteristics of the Pioneers; Pin Hook; Flat Creek; Georgetown; Names of Early Settlers 210, 221

Chapter III. Natural History. — Geological Formations ; Paleontology ; Conchology ; Botany, etc., with partial lists of distribution ot Species 221, 240

Chapter IV. Organization.— County Organizations in general ; Act incorporating Pettis County; Names of Commissioners locating the County Seat; Organization of Townships 240, 254

Chapter V. Political History. — Whigs and Democrats ; Parties in 1860 ; Test Oath of 1865; Incidents of the War; Official Election Returns; Official Directory. . .254, 267

Chapter VI. Finances. — First Records; Exhibit of County Revenue; Treasurer's Report for 1850; Railroad Bonds; Assessment of 1881 and 1882 267, 275

Chapter VII. The Courts and Bar. — Origin and Authority of Law ; Seat of Justice of Pettis County; Early Courts; List of Judges; Roll of Attorneys from organization to the present time ; Personal mention . . . ■. 275, 298

Chapter VIII. Religious History. — Baptists of Pettis County; Presbyterians; The M. E. Church South; The Christian Church; The Cumberland Presbyterian Church 298, 319

Chapter IX. Educational History. — Early Schools; Georgetown Schools; Commissioners and Superintendents ; Teachers' Institutes , . 319, 331

Chapter X. The Medical Profession 331, 342

6 CONTENTS.

Chapter XI. Agriculture 84S5» 350

Chapter XII. Horticulture •••.■:•••'.'• vr1?r ' d

Chapter XIII. Pettis County Live Stock.— History of Stack Raising in Pettis

County; Men engaged in Stock Raising; Natural Advantages of Pettis County, 355, 3b9

Chapter XIV. Railroad History • •.• •3<j9> 375

Chapter XV. Martial History.— Roster of Officers and Soldiers, enlisted in the

Civil War, and many other important facts connected therewith 375, 390

Chapter XVI. Newspapers of Pettis County 390, 396

HISTORY OF CITIES, TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS.

Chapter I. Introduction, and Foundation op the City 399, 405

Chapter XXVI. Lake Creek Township 1097, 1108 Capture op Sedalia by the Confederates 434, 458

Sedalia after the War 458, 496

The City Government 496, 504

Public Enterprises , 504, 511

' 540 572 592 602 604

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Map of Pettis County 7

Post-Office, Kansas City 204

Baking Johnny Cake 215

School of Mines and Metallurgy 235

State University 325

United States Coat of Arms 341

State Agricultural College 347

Printing Press 396

Missouri Coat of Arms 398

J. M. Offleld's Block 423

J. M. Clute's Business House 431

Jay Gould Hotel 431

Residence of J. R. Barrett 447

Residence of S. T. Lupe 459

Residence of Cyrus Newkirk 475

Residence of Thos. B. Price 491

J. W. Truxel's Music House 495

Residence of Wra. Gentry 507

W. J. Bagby's Grocery Store 523

D. I. Holcomb's China Store 533

Baptist Church, East Sedalia 561

Story's Block 579

Residence of John Montgomery, Jr. . . 581

Sedalia Business College 588

Bazoo Printing House 590

Democrat Office 591

Portrait— Thos. H. Benton 604

Kruse & Frederick's Block . .opposite 604

First Baptist Church opposite 605

Residence of J. D. Crawford 635

Residence of J. N. Dalby 639

Residence of J. C. Thompson 743

Residence of J. C. Higgins 819

Residence of J. G. Senior 826

Residence of Samuel Shanks '. 828

Residence Of J. L. Cartwright 867

Residence of Joshua Gentry 909

5TNT0K COUNTY

MAP OF PETTIS COUNTY, MISSOURI.

History of the State of Missouri.