CHAPTER XX.

Position and Description - Coal - Early Settlements - Sketch of Jamestown - In the Civil War - Capt. Spickard's Encounter with Joe Kirk - Pleasant Grove Church - City of Chillicothe - Laying Out of the Town - First and Second Sales of Lots - Appointed the County Seat - Incorporations - John Graves, The Founder of Chillicothe - First Newspaper in the County - Directory of 1855 - The "Thespians" - Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad - Seminary - During the Civil War - Condition of Chillicothe Since the War - The Sisters' Academy - Churches - Lodges - Biographical.

Chillicothe township is very irregular in form, comprising portions of three Congressional townships in two ranges, and in shape is something like the letter L. It is composed of the parts of township 57, range 23, and township 57, range 24, which lie north of Grand river, and of that part of township 58, range 24, lying east of the East fork of Grand river. The latter stream, or Grand river proper, forms its western and southern boundary, and in its windings and meanderings flows for about 30 miles around the township.

All kinds of land are to be found in the township. Along Grand river are bottom and swampy tracts, the haunts of bull frogs and turtles, and the resort of waterfowl. On the uplands are fine farms and magnificent manor lands, the abodes of comfort and even luxury.

In the northern part of the township (sec. 12-58-24), on the lands of Abel and Isom Cox, the vein of coal underlying this township has been opened, and is worked to some extent. It is of most excellent quality, containing no sulphuret of iron, or any other deleterious substances. The blacksmiths and iron workers of Chillicothe use this coal, and prefer it for their purposes to any other they can procure.

In 1870 J. T. Johnson & Co. sunk a shaft, 298 feet in depth, a little south and east of Chillicothe in a search for coal. At a depth of 155 feet from the surface a six-inch vein was passed, but this was the only stratum found. With the location of the St. Paul Railroad projects are broached to make search for coal in other parts of the township. There is but little room for doubting that it will be found in paying quantities at a reasonable depth from the surface. It is quite probable that the Caldwell county formation will be struck at no great depth, or the Linn county beds reached lower down.

Joseph Cox was the first settler in what is now Chillicothe township, on section 12-58-24, in 1833. As noted elsewhere, it was at his house where the first courts were held in the county. Wm. Linville came in 1834 to section 11. Brannock Wilkerson and Caleb A. Gibbons were very early settlers in this quarter. Elisha Hereford settled on Grand river, South of Chillicothe, near the site of Hereford's ferry in 1834; the previous year he had located on Medicine creek, eight miles east of Chillicothe. Brannock Wilkerson put up a horse mill, which Mr. Boyd's Atlas sketch says was the first in the county, but this is a mistake; Saml. E. Todd's was the first horse mill, antedating Wilkerson's by a year or two.

The land in the northern part of Chillicothe township was not opened to entry until 1839; that in the lower part, in ranges 28 and 24, township 57, was put in market in 1835. Consequently the first settlers, who lived in the northern portion, entered their lands two or three years after later comers, who selected claims in the southern portion.

Herewith is given a record of the first entries in the township, made prior to the year 1840, by persons who were actual residents of the county and in most instances actual residents on the tracts which they entered: -

 

Name.	Description.	Date.
Geo. Shriver, Sr.	e. 1/2 sec. 1 and nw. 1/4 sec. 2	Nov. 14, 1839
J. B. Shriver	w. 1/2 sw. sec. 3, and e. 1/2 se. sec. 4	Oct. 26, 1839 .
Wm. Moberly	w. 1/2 sw. and ne. sw. sec. 4	June 27, 1837
Elizabeth Munro	w. 1/2 ne. sec. 5	Oct. 22, 1838
Joseph Wolfskill	e. 1/2 se. sec. 5, April 2, 1836; se. sw. sec. 4	May 17, 1838
Drury Moberly	w. 1/2 sw. sec. 5	June 1, 1839
James Moberly	e. 1/2 ne. sec. 6	July 18, 1837
Wm. Yancey	nw. 1/4 sec. 7	Oct,. 25, 1836
Isaac N. Ryan	w. 1/2 sw. sec. 8, ne. se. and sw. se. sec. 7, Sept. 5, 1836; e. 1/2 sw. sec. 7	Aug. 8, 1837
John Ryan	nw. se. sec. 7	Feb. 17, 1836
Bartlett Collins	e. 1/2 ne. sec. 7	Sept. 5, 1836
David Curtis	ne. nw. sec. 8	Sept. 17, 1836
David Carlyle	ne. sw. sec. 12	June 3, 1839
Elisha Hereford	e. 1/2 se. sec. 17, July 14, 1835; e. 1/2 ne. and w. 1/2 se. sec. 17, Sept. 5, 1836; nw. 1/4 sec. 21, Aug. 4, 1835; ne. sec. 12	Aug. 16, 1837
John Graves	w. 1/2 se. and e. 1/2 sw. sec. 25	March 27, 1837

 

Name.	Description.	Date.
John Ryan	e. 1/2 se. sec. 1, Sept. 5, 1836; e. 1/2 ne. sec. 12, Aug. 10, 1836; w. 1/2 se. sec. 1	March 7, 1837
Jno. Graves and Caleb S. Stone (the latter of Boone county)	nw. 1/4 sec. 1, e. 1/2 ne. sec. 2	July 17, 1837
Asel F. Ball	ne. se. sec. 2	May 12, 1838
Matson and Van Zandt	e. 1/2 se. sec. 9	Oct. 6, 1836

 

Name.	Description.	Date.
Brannock Wilkerson.	s. 1/2 nw. and w. 1/2 sw. sec. 1	Sept. 10, 1839
Jesse Newlan	ne. 1/4 sec. 2	Nov. 27, 1839
Wm. Linville	se. 1/4 sec. 11	Nov. 23, 1839
Joseph Cox	w. 1/2 ne. and w. 1/2 se. sec. 12	Sept. 10, 1839
Caleb A. Gibbons	w. 1/2 ne. sec. 24	Nov. 23, 1839

On the 12th of August, 1836, three speculators, David S. Lamme, Caleb S. Stone and David M. Hickman, residents of Boone county, entered 160 acres of land on the north side of Grand river (sw. 1/4 sec. 21-57-23), about four miles southeast of Chillicothe. On the 24th of November following they laid out a town on about 25 acres of this tract, which they called Jamestown, but which was afterward well known as "Jimtown." This was before the organization of Livingston, and the plat is on file in the recorder's office of Carroll county.

The founders of "Jimtown" contemplated that upon the organization of the county their town would be selected as the county seat. It was centrally located, was a river town and had every convenience for shipping when steamboat navigation should begin. Its advantages were of some importance; but John Graves was an antagonist difficult to cope with when he was considerably interested, and in the end the county seat was placed where he wanted it.

A few lots were sold in Jamestown, and a store-house built at an early day. But with the upbuilding of Chillicothe its prospects were blasted. From time to time, however, even until the present, or recently, there have been brief seasons when it seemed that the town was performing that feat which is commonly described as "taking a start," when a few houses would be built and occupied, a ferry established, or some other improvement effected; but in time "Jimtown" settled back to something like its normal or primitive condition. It will always nevertheless possess the distinction of the first regularly laid out town in what is now Livingston county, but what was then northern Carroll county.

Chillicothe township was originally called Medicine Creek, and bore the latter name until in February, 1839. When first reorganized, and for many years, it comprised all the territory within the present boundaries of the county lying east of Grand river above the mouth of Parson's creek. Cream Ridge, Wheeling, Medicine and Rich Hill townships have all been formed out of the territory which originally composed Chillicothe.

In the fall of 1861 a number of Confederate partisans from Jackson township, led by Lewis Best, John Blackburn and Jim Rider, gathered near Graham's mill for the purpose of attacking and capturing Chillicothe, then held by a small Federal detachment, which was posted in a house surrounded by a breastwork in the southern part of town. A courier had brought the news of the defenseless condition of the place to Spring Hill, and a spy was sent back to thoroughly examine the situation. At the mill he returned with the information that the place could be captured, but that in doing so somebody would be killed; and that the Federal fortification could not be taken without the loss of a dozen men. The enterprise was abandoned instanter.

On another page (see chapter VII.) an account is given of the dispersion of a force of rebels under Joe Kirk by Col. Shanklin's militia. As there are some errors in this account it is deemed proper to correct them here; for since the account referred to has been put in type statements have been received from Capt. George Spickard, who commanded the militia, and from other parties conversant with the facts.

Capt. Spickard says that while in camp at Chillicothe, August 22, 1862, he received orders from Col. Shanklin to parade all the mounted men of his company he could find and report at his headquarters, the Ballew House. The other companies were absent on scouting expeditions. "I soon met the Colonel," says Capt. Spickard, "and he said he had been informed that there was a party of bushwhackers up the Trenton road two or three miles, and be ordered me to go in pursuit at once. I started off at a gallop, but when out of town halted and ordered my men to take the bayonets off their muskets; here I found that half of my company had been taken back by the Colonel to town. I then went on to the place designated."

Of the subsequent details of the incident Capt. Spickard says: -

Halting and putting out pickets we soon discovered men off to our left in the bush, crossing back and forth over a dim road. Going to this point we found where they had been feeding their horses. We struck their trail, but they soon commenced scattering; this bothered us a little, but we pursued at a double-quick, and just as we struck the bottom prairie we came in sight of them; they struck angling up the bottom some two miles and into the river timber; we fired a few shots at them at long range.

We soon struck the river where they went down the bank and found they had turned down the river about 200 yards. I swung my men around to the left and came up to the river in a thick bunch of willows opposite where they were crossing. There was a hole of water there fully ten feet deep. The first to cross got up the west bank very well, but the track soon got wet and slippery with the water that fell from the dripping horses, and the horses of those that followed would slip and slide back into the water. I saw some men slip over their horses' heads and climb the bank and then take to their heels.

Here we got some property. My book shows that we captured among other articles seven head of horses (some belonging to Union men), three saddles, a pair of holster pistols and a government coat. In the pockets of the latter was a list of names of men belonging to Kirk's company. The next day another party went out with an expert diver and got a number of guns and pistols and some clothing, quilts and shawls. One dead horse with the saddle still on was found hanging to a snag in under water. It was reported that one or two men were either killed by my men or drowned, and I believe this is true. I think one body was taken out of the river and identified. Five of the rebels crossed lower down, and these had Conklin's gun: my book shows that this gun was recaptured by Gen. Blunt's forces, at Cane Hill, Ark., in January, 1863. It was a six-shooter rifle.

After the "scrimmage" was over, it was about sundown. I started for the camp, and when I got out on the prairie bottom I drew my men up in line and counted them; they numbered exactly 32, all belonging to Co. C, 30th E. M. M., except one man from Co. B, same regiment. Kirk's roll that we found showed that he had 36, but they were badly scattered, and were not all at the crossing where we were. I did not have a man hurt by the rebels. One man was accidentally scratched by the bayonet of a comrade - a small scalp wound.

This church is located four miles southeast of Chillicothe and was built in 1870; it is a frame. The cost of the building was $1,200. The church was organized the same year. Joseph Wolfskill, B. Mumpower, Lucius Gilbert, David Mumpower, John W. Carr, John Cleveland, W. Keisler, M. L. Lyon, N. Thompson and Elmore Carlyle were among the first members. Rev. Carney was the first minister to the church. Rev. Gregory has since been pastor. The church has a membership of 100. B. Mumpower is superintendent of the Sabbath-school. The membership of the school is 50.

On the 7th of August, 1837, the county court, then in session at Joseph Cox's, took the first steps toward laying out and establishing the town of Chillicothe. On this day John Graves was appointed to "lay off into lots the county seat, where the commissioners appointed by the State Legislature shall locate it." It was also ordered that the county seat "shall be denominated and known by the name of Chilicothe." In the order the name was spelled with one l, but Mr. Pearl, the deputy county clerk who wrote the records, was not an expert at spelling. The town was named for Chillicothe, O., the county seat of Ross county.

Chillicothe, O. - or as it was originally spelled Chil-li-co-a-thee - was laid out in 1796, and named for an old Shawnee Indian town in the vicinity. The name is Shawnee, and signifies the big town where we live, or our big home. It seems that the Shawnees, or some of them, had a little town and a big town, and the latter was called Chillicoathee. This town existed as early as 1774. 1

1 For this information the writer is indebted to Col. William R. Gilmore, of Chillicothe, O., who for a few years after the war resided at Springfield, Greene county, in this State.

John Graves was appointed trustee for the county to lay off and sell the lots in the new town, which was ordered to be surveyed into 20 blocks before September 4, 1837; but on that day Graves resigned, and Nathan H. Gregory was appointed commissioner and trustee in his stead, giving a bond of $5,000. The work of surveying and platting was done by Mr. Gregory himself, as he was a practical surveyor.

The first sale of lots came off October 16 and 17, 1837. Previous notice had been given by posting five written notices in different portions of the country and by advertisements inserted three times in the Missouri Republican, of St. Louis, and the Boone's Lick Democrat, of Franklin, Howard county.1 Every third lot in each block was sold, except in the block reserved for the public square. The amount of all the sales was $1,082.62 1/2, on six, twelve and eighteen months' credit.

1 The Republican's bill for the advertising was $16.50; the Democrat's $17.

The second sale of lots came off May 4 and 5, 1838, when the aggregate sales amounted to $1,807. The expenses of the town up to this time, exclusive of advertising, had been $41.25, as follows: -

 

N. H. Gregory, to 4 days' work in surveying town, at $3	$12 00
N. H. Gregory, to drawing plat of town	3 00
Caleb Gibson, to delivering 620 stakes	5 00
Caleb Gibson, to 8 days' labor, at $1.25	10 00
Wm. Z. Pearl, to 4 days' labor, at $1:25	5 00
Martin Wilkinson, to 3 days' labor, at $1.25	3 75
Abel Cox, to 2 days' labor, at $1.25	2 50
Total	$41 25

Commissioner Gregory was at this time ordered to enter the land, the quarter section, on which the town was situated, but did not do so; and notwithstanding lots were sold and titles made by the county from October, 1837, the town site belonged to the United States and was not entered until August, 1839, when it was entered by Wm. E. Pearl, county seat commissioner.

In June, 1838, the county ordered a public well dug within ten feet of the southwest corner of the public square. Austin B. Prouty did the digging and Walter Wilson superintended the job. Plenty of water was struck at a depth of ninety feet.

Not until July 15, 1839, was Chillicothe selected and designated as the county seat of Livingston county, although it had been virtually the county's capital for some time. On the day named, however, the commissioners, who were E. W. Warren, Samuel Williams and Geo. W. Folger, all of Carroll county, selected the southwest quarter of section 36, township 58, range 24, as the county seat, as being "the most eligible location for said county seat," and its site according with the provisions of the organizing act, in lying "within three miles of the center of said county."

Chillicothe was first incorporated by the county court August 13, 1851, on petition of two-thirds of the inhabitants. The corporation comprised the southwest quarter of section 36 (58 - 24), which, says the record, in Mr. Pearl's orthography, "is heareby Declaired a boddy Polatic and corporate." It must be presumed that the incorporation was as a town, although the record is silent on this point. The first board of trustees was composed of W. Y. Slack, John H. T. Green, John Graves, J. H. B. Manning and W. C. Samuel.

The next incorporation was by act of the Legislature, approved March 1, 1855, which made the town a city.

The last incorporation was by the Legislature, February 26, 1869, declaring the original charter and all subsequent amendatory acts thereto amended. The town was constituted a corporation by the name and style of "the City of Chillicothe." The municipal government is vested in a mayor, one councilman at large and one councilman from each ward in the city. The metes and bounds of the city were declared to be as follows: -

All that district of country in Livingston county and State of Missouri contained in the following limits, to wit: Beginning 872 feet north of the southeast corner of the southeast one-fourth of the northeast one-fourth of section 36, township 58, range 24, in the range line dividing ranges 23 and 24; thence south along said range line to the southeast corner of the northeast quarter of section 1, township 57, range 24; thence west along the quarter section line to the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 2, township 57, range 24; thence north to a point 872 feet north of the southwest corner of the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 35, township 58, range 24; thence east to the place of beginning.

Until 1851 the town was not incorporated. It was merely a part of Chillicothe township, and did not differ materially from a thick settlement. There was no municipal government, no authority to compel the care of streets, the building of sidewalks and street crossings, the enforcement of sanitary measures, etc.; and so there were but few, if any, sidewalks, save in front of some of the stores on the public square; people waded to and fro in the mud, threw filth and slops into the street, and lived a life of liberty, if not of comfort.

There were no churches and no regular religious services. A private school was in existence, but was not largely patronized. Grand River College, at Edinburg, Grundy county, presided over by Rev. I. B. Allen, received a liberal patronage from this county. The business directory of the town in 1851 was made up as follows: Attorneys, W. Y. Slack, Henry Slack, W. C. Samuel; physician, Dr. J. H. Ellis; hotel, by John Graves; one newspaper, the North Grand River Chronicle, by James H. Darlington; a carding machine, by Joseph Miller; two blacksmith shops, by Elijah Hill and Joel Bargdoll, besides two or three general stores.

John Graves, the landlord referred to, is called, and perhaps justly so, the founder of Chillicothe. At least he was closely identified with its origin and growth, and with its general interests. He was a man of much public spirit, but it is said of him that he was really not a first-class landlord. Yet this opinion was not frequently expressed in his presence, for he would not tolerate it. On one occasion a guest found fault with the bill of fare because it was composed of fat bacon swimming in its own grease, corn-pone bread, potatoes in their jackets, and black coffee. Mr. Graves caught the fault-finder by the collar, lifted him out of his seat, led him to the door, and kicked him off the porch, explaining his conduct to the bystanders as follows: "The d----d skunk insulted my boarders and I won't stand it. My boarders eat my fare and like it, and when a man makes fun of my grub it's the same as saying they haven't sense enough to know good grub from bad. I am bound to protect my boarders!"

In the summer of 1851 Mr. Graves determined to dispose of his hotel, or "tavern," and under the heading, "Valuable Tavern Property for Sale," placed the following advertisement in the Grand River Chronicle: -

The undersigned, wishing to turn his attention exclusively to farming, offers for sale his tavern house in Chillicothe. The building is a substantial two-story frame, having three rooms on the first floor and four on the second. The dining-room, on the first floor, extends the whole length of the building. Attached to the main building is a family room, and two comfortable kitchens, with a fire-place in each also, two good wells in the yard, smoke-house and dairy. It is situated on the southwest corner, opposite the public square, and the ground attached embraces five lots, all of which is admirably situated for out-buildings and cultivation. Terms, one-third cash; balance in one, two and three years, and immediate possession given.

John Graves.

The first paper in the county, the Grand River Chronicle, was started at Chillicothe in June, 1843, by James H. Darlington. It was a four-page paper, with five wide columns to the page, 22x32 inches in size. Its terms of subscription were "$2 per volume of 52 numbers, payable on receipt of the first number, or $2.50 if payment be deferred till after the expiration of the year." The advertising rates were $1 per square of twelve lines for the first, and fifty cents for each subsequent insertion. A liberal discount made on yearly and half yearly advertisements."

During the first ten years of its existence the Chronicle suspended three or four,-times, so that in 1856 it had only reached its eighth volume, when it should have been in its thirteenth. Though Mr. Darlington was a Democrat, the Chronicle was neutral, or independent, in politics, as it required the support of all parties to sustain it. Even then the subscription list was small, and, though the paper received considerable patronage, in the shape of legal notices and the like, from other counties, yet the editor was uniformly "hard up." In 1850, and for some time subsequently, he sold it his office "Dr. Bragg's Celebrated Indian Queen Vegetable Sugar-coated Pills," and "Sappington's Pills," both noted specifics in their day for chills and fever; and he was also agent for a little medical work entitled "Sappington on Fevers," by Dr. John Sappington, of Saline county, a celebrated physician and prominent citizen in early days. But with all these sources of income Mr. Darlington never became rich. In 1855 his son, E. S. Darlington, took charge of the Chronicle and published it until about the outbreak of the war, when Col. L. J. Eastin became its editor and publisher.

Life in Chillicothe in the first twenty years of its existence was uneventful. The town was small and unimportant. Nothing but the fact that it was the county seat kept it alive for some years. Even Spring Hill was a place of more trade and importance at one time. It was on the State road from Hannibal to St. Joseph, and some time after the year 1850 a stage line was established between those two points. The eastern terminus of this line was gradually removed to the westward as the building of the railroad progressed. Nearly all the goods and merchandise brought to Chillicothe were hauled from Brunswick, and indeed large quantities were purchased there by the retail merchants of this county. Ballentine & Outcalt were leading wholesale merchants in Brunswick in the '50's, and sold everything from hardware to millinery, from school books to whisky. To be sure many invoices for this county were bought in St. Louis and shipped to Brunswick by water; the river was full of steamboats in the boating season.

With the certainty of the building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad by way of Chillicothe its trade and prospects increased, and its condition was largely improved. From 1852 to 1856 there were flush times. In 1855 the business directory of the place was about as follows: -

Lansing & Yager, dealers in dry goods, groceries, hardware, etc.

Jesse Hoge, dry goods, boots, shoes, etc.

L. & W. Humphry, drugs.

R. R. Mills, stoves and tinware.

T. J. Winn and J. J. Eberly, tailors.

A. & B. Small, shoemakers.

Carpenter & Clark, plowmakers.

John Garr, plowmaker.

Clark & Turner, livery stable.

J. Fitzmorris, Grand River Hotel.

G. W. Clarno, eating house.

Lawyers, W. Y. Slack, J. H. B. Manning, W. C. Samuel, E. Bell.

Physician, Dr. W. W. Woodward.

Grand River Chronicle, E. S. Darlington.

There were also two or three dram-shops, and the groceries kept whisky on hand. Mr. Clarno, in the advertisement of his eat house, said: "Crackers, cheese, cakes, bread, etc., always on hand. Also, ale and cider for persons opposed to strong drink." There were "persons opposed to strong drink" then as well as now; but there is also as much "strong drink" now as then.

In 1858 the Livingston County Agricultural and Mechanical Association was organized and held an exhibition on its grounds, near Chillicothe, on the first Wednesday, Thursday and Friday in October. The officers of the Association were R. C. Carr, president; Jere. Hutchison, vice-president; L. T. Collier, secretary; Benj. Berry, treasurer. Directors, R. E. Holland, B. B. Gill, James Hutchison, Geo. H. Liggett, Jere. Hutchison, Asa T. Kirtley, John Barnes, Spence A. Alexander, Benj. Edrington. Marshal, Ed. S. Darlington. Musicians, Chillicothe Brass Band.

The first cemetery was established in August, 1839, when the county clerk ordered that two acres in the northwest corner of the southwest block "be set aside for a Berrying Ground." This was in the southwest part of the original plat.

In March, 1841, the citizens were allowed to use the old log court house, the first one built, "for a publick school house," and the first school in the town was taught here.

In the winter of 1857 - 58 some of the young men of Chillicothe organized an amateur dramatic association, which was called "The Chillicothe Thespian Society." The members were Charles H. Mansur, Tilton Davis, J. C. Barkley, Minor W. Yeager, Dr. E. T. Yeager, Levi Lingo, Ed. Lingo, J. B. Haight, Jourdan Graves, Jacob Eberly, and the orchestra (!), Dr. U. T. Greene, with his violin. At this time amusements were extremely rare, and diversions not numerous: there were no dramatic companies on the road in this quarter, and the Thespians gave the first theatrical representation in the city. In the warm season an occasional circus, or circus and menagerie made its appearance on its perambulating tour through the country, and gave an exhibition, and sometimes a ventriloquist, or "slight-of-hand performer" came along and held forth, always to a good audience.

It will be noticed that there were no lady members of the society. So circumspect were the daughters of Chillicothe that none of them could be found willing to become even an amateur "play actor." Female parts were taken and female characters assumed by Tilton Davis, G. B. Haight, and Ed. Lingo, and so well did they render their impersonations that they uniformly received great applause. The ladies of the town furnished them with wearing apparel, and gave them many hints in regard to making up, and much useful and perhaps surprising information respecting certain devices and contrivances, useful in the production of magnificent effect in the adornment of the human form divine. The result was that the boys were au fait in the matter of costume, and Tilton Davis, especially, seemed every inch a lady!

The Society gave its first entertainment in what is now known as the Lauderdale building, on the southeast corner of the square (or southeast corner of Locust and Jackson) upstairs. Very excellent appropriate scenery had been painted by Amos Bargdoll, and all the stage appointments were very good. The hall was narrow, and it was lucky there was no need of dressing rooms. The stage and wings extended entirely across the room, and the boys changed their wardrobes in the flies.

The admission was 25 cents, and the hall was crowded. The company opened with the old but ever popular farce of "Toodles," with J. C. Barkley in the title role, and Tilton Davis as Mrs. Toodles. The antics of the tipsy Toodles were admirably delineated by Mr. Barkley , while the vagaries of Mr. Toodles, her desire to have something "handy in the house," even if it were a second-hand coffin or a door plate inscribed with the name of Thompson, "with a p," were so well presented by Mr. Davis that the audience applauded again and again. Then followed "Slasher and Crasher," with C. H. Mansur as Slasher, and M. W. Yeager as Crasher. This was also a great success, and enthusiastically received. "Box and Pox" was a great favorite. Indeed, the repertoire of the society was made of farces and comedies.

The society gave regular entertainments during the first winter and also the next (1858 - 59). In the second season the theater was located in the upper story of the then new Craig House - now the Browning - and here the actors had more scope, and gave even better performances.

In the winter of 1860 - 61 some other young men of the place attempted a revival of the Thespians, using the same old scenery and properties, but by this time Chillicothe was somewhat accustomed to play acting, and demanded a better quality than the amateurs could give them, and the attempt was not a success.

As elsewhere noted, from time to time steamboats ascended Grand river as high as the forks or to Chillicothe Landing. In the fall of 1858 the Silver Lake and the St. Mary were two steamers that came to Chillicothe. Two families came to the town on the former, and the Chronicle of September 24 said: "The steamer St. Mary reached our wharf on Wednesday last with a large quantity of freight for our merchants."

The building of the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was of the greatest advantage to the town. All branches of business were stimulated and encouraged. Money was plenty and prices good during the construction of the road through the county, and those were flush times. The population increased from 800 to 1,200; many new houses were built, and those already constructed were crowded to their fullest capacity.

The progress of the town for two years thereafter was fairly rapid and substantial. From 1,200 in January, 1859, the population increased to 1,800 or 2,000 by January, 1861. Schools and churches were established, business enterprises were inaugurated, and a full tide of prosperity set in and was fast bearing the town on to permanent fortune. In 1858 a branch of the State Bank of Missouri was established, with John B. Leeper as president and Jas. A. Shirley cashier. This institution continued until 1866, when in November of that year it was succeeded by the People's Savings Bank.1

1 The first officers of this bank were Col. James McFerran, president; Sidney McWilliams, cashier; Spence H. Gregory, Preston H. Minor, Ed. Gudgell, J. D Sherman, J. A. Sherley, James McFerran, and Sidney McWilliams, directors.

Rev. W. Ellington opened a seminary for young ladies and girls in September, 1858. Boys were admitted up to the age of 16, when they were compelled to leave. The Chillicothe seminary was established in 1857. It had two departments, male and female. S. A. Beauchamp and Jenny Beauchamp were principals; J. H. Beauchamp was assistant male teacher; Miss E. R. Chandler, assistant female teacher; and Miss S. C. Dumm music teacher, and instructor in the primary department.

Upon the outbreak of the Civil War the population of the town was about 1,800 or perhaps 2,000. Its condition was excellent and flourishing generally and its prospects bright and promising. But the war came and struck down its prosperity as it struck down many a strong man armed. It laid its heavy hand upon the business interests, and they shrank and dwindled or perished entirely. Only the stoutest bore up through it all.

A majority of the citizens at first were Secessionists, and did not hesitate to speak and act in defense of their sentiments. Even the ladies were as strong partisans as their brothers and stitched secession flags and made up clothing for those who were going forth to do battle for "Southern rights." The Union citizens were at first quiet and undemonstrative, but kept the Federal authorities fully advised of the situation and the progress of events, and after the troops came fairly to the front.

After the 14th of June, 1861, when Slack and his troops left the town, and the 16th Illinois came in, Chillicothe was under complete Federal control, save for a few hours at a time. In the fall of 1861 - sometime in September - Capt. W. F. Peery came through with his Confederate recruits from Jackson township, and in the spring of 1862 some parties from "the forks" broke open the jail one night and rescued some rebel prisoners. These were the only "rebel raids" made on the town during the war.

From the fall of 1861 until the summer of 1865, there was not a day when Federal soldiers could not be seen on the streets in Chillicothe, with none to molest them or make them afraid. For a time the town was a base of supplies and operations for the militia commanders. Next to Macon it was regarded as the most important post on the Hannibal and St. Joseph between the initial and terminal points.

Of course under these circumstances the citizens did not regard the situation at all times as felicitous. The Confederate sympathizers, especially, found their lot an unpleasant one. Perhaps they were inclined to magnify their discomforts, but they certainly endured at times insult and something of injury. Union citizens in different parts of the country complained of Confederate occupation; the sympathizing Confederates of Chillicothe complained of the Federal military, and perhaps both complaints were grounded.

Yet Chillicothe came out of the conflict remarkably well. None of her citizens were ruthlessly murdered, only one building - the M. E. Church South - was said to have been burned by the Federal soldiers, and in this instance the charge was not proven; and even the little acts of foraging were the work of graceless scamps such as violate the law to-day. The town was fortunate in her post commanders. Cols. Jacob T. Tindall, John H. Shanklin, and John B. Hale were men of high character, incapable of dishonorable conduct either, in peace or war, and it is largely due to them that the lives and property of the citizens were so well preserved.

Immediately after the war a tide of prosperity set in. The population was largely increased, business interests were advanced, industrial enterprises were established, and the city nourished. It soon became the center of a large trade. Wholesale mercantile houses were opened and throve exceedingly. People came from off the Iowa line to buy goods. The public square was thronged with teams. Additions to the city were laid out and rapidly settled.

In 1870 the population was nearly 4,000 (3,978) while in 1865 it had been only about 1,500. But now a sort of paralysis struck the business affairs of the city and for years it stood still. The completion of the Brunswick Railroad, in 1871, was of advantage, but the ignominious failure of the Chillicothe and Des Moines counterbalanced this gain. The panic of 1873 added to the depreciation. Property sunk in value, and some enterprises were prostrated.

At the close of the war a system of graded schools was established under a special charter from the State, and in 1876 the present magnificent building was erected at a cost of $35,000. This was not effected without opposition, however, which all public enterprises must expect to meet. The bonds issued to build the school finally came into the hands of one Mr. Hazelton, of New York, who generously gave, in the settlement of a compromise, a considerable sum for the establishment of a library, which now comprises several hundred volumes. Many of these have been donated by citizens. One of the most efficient friends of the school and the library has been the Hon. C. H. Mansur. But in truth nearly every man in the city is their friend.

In 1869 a two-story brick building was erected to be used and occupied as a city hall, and to contain the city offices. This building cost about $20,000; in March, 1876, it was burned. Immediately afterward the erection of another building, larger, handsomer, more imposing, and much more convenient, was begun, and finished in less than a year, at a cost of $25,000. There were more buildings erected and improved in 1877 than in the six years preceding. The old court house, which stood in the centre of the square, was torn down in 1865, and the brick used in building the structure known as Bell & Moore's Hall, on the east side of the square.

The population of the city in 1870 was 3,978, but in 1876 it was only 3,499, a decrease in six years of nearly 500! And even in 1880 the census showed a total population of only 4,078, an increase over the census of 1870, ten years before, of but 100. After 1880, however, the population increased slowly, until it is now about 5,000.

In 1880 the city contained 9 dry goods and clothing stores, 11 groceries, 5 drug stores, 3 furniture stores, 3 stove and tinware stores, 3 queensware stores, 2 book stores, 2 hardware stores, 2 jewelry stores, 6 millinery stores, 3 printing offices, 2 banks, doing a flourishing business, 3 hotels, 3 merchant tailors, 3 restaurants, 3 agricultural implement houses, 1 planing mill, a Turkish bath establishment, 1 brewery, 3 photograph galleries, 4 wagon and carriage factories, 4 livery stables, 1 tobacco factory, 1 pork packing house, 1 woolen factory, 2 flouring mills, express office and two lumber yards, 8 physicians, 16 attorneys, 10 ministers, 9 churches, to wit: 2 Methodist, 1 Baptist, 1 Christian or Disciple, 1 Catholic, 1 Episcopal and 1 Presbyterian; also, 1 Baptist and 1 Methodist colored church. The Catholics had a large convent building in which they maintained a flourishing school.

Describing the town this year, a local writer said: "The boast of the city is the magnificent public school building, which was completed at a cost of $36,000. It contains 12 school rooms, besides basement and cloak rooms, and is fitted up in modern style with special regard to the comfort, health and convenience of pupils. It is, beyond doubt, the most elegant building of the kind in North Missouri, and is probably not excelled in all its appointments by any public school building in a city the size of Chillicothe, anywhere in the United States. The City Hall is a large and substantial two-story brick building that cost the city $25,000. The courts are held on the first floor, and on the second is a public hall that will seat 500 persons. Several business houses of the city do a large jobbing trade, and carry from $25,000 to $50,000 worth of goods. Chillicothe, having competing railroad lines, both to Chicago and St. Louis, enjoys the advantages of low freights, and consequently it is the principal shipping point for grain and stock in the Grand River Valley. Commercial travelers say more and better goods are sold here than at many places in Illinois, Iowa and Kansas of greater population and pretensions, and that the merchants here are remarkably prompt and honorable in their dealings."

In 1881 - 82 there was considerable excitement in the town and throughout the county over the proposed extension of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad (called the Burlington mid Southwestern), from Browning through the county via Chillicothe. A line was surveyed - that portion south of Grand River being that now substantially followed by the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul. Mr. Henry Hatch, a former citizen of the town, was at the head of the scheme and made many speeches and did much other work to induce the citizens to subscribe a certain amount in aid of the contemplated enterprise. But after a great deal of talk and what is called "work," it turned out that the entire scheme was a "sell," having its origin in a desire on the part of the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Road to frighten the owners of the Hannibal and St. Joseph into a sale of that road to the "Q." interest. It was never intended to build the road through Chillicothe. It was built from Laclede into Carroll county, via Sumner, or Cunningham, and now has its western terminus at Bogard.

The winter of 1885 - 86 brought three new enterprises to Chillicothe. In the latter part of December, 1885, the town was first lighted by electric lights now in complete and successful operation. December 22 the town voted to adopt a proposition from J. L. Mastin to put in waterworks, which are to be established by August next. In March, 1886, the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad was indefinitely located through the town and county. It is confidently expected that the town will be made a division station, with machine and repair shops, upon the completion of the latter road.

The Sisters' Academy in Chillicothe was first started as a day school in January, 1872, in the Redding House, on the east side of the public school. Mother Mary Herman was the Superior, and her assistant were Sisters Mary John Baptist, Mary Margaret, Macy Wilhelmina, and others. Early in the following spring a lot was bought from Thos. B. Bryan, in his second addition, and on this site the present academy building was completed the same year; the Sisters occupied it about Christmas Day. From the first they were liberally patronized by the public generally.

Mother Mary Herman was succeeded by Mother Mary Margaret, who was in turn succeeded by Mother Mary Wilhelmina, and she by the present Mother, Sister Mary Elizabeth.

The course of studies in the Academy is that in use in similar institutions. The academy building, which together with the site, etc., cost about $12,000, is in a healthy locality, situated on the most elevated site in the city. Its rooms are well ventilated and suitably arranged. Every facility is afforded students to make their progress thorough, successful and agreeable. The average number of pupils in attendance is 50. The terms are very reasonable and the advantages for obtaining an education are very superior.

The parochial school of the parish is taught by two of the Sisters.

In the year 1857, this church was instituted with about twelve families. It was the fourth church of the diocese of St. Joseph, in Missouri, having a resident priest. The first pastor in charge was Right Reverend John J. Hogan, now Bishop of Kansas City, and administrator of the diocese of St. Joseph, to the latter of which Livingston county belongs. Father Hogan was the founder of this church and was its resident pastor until his promotion to the newly erected see of St. Joseph, Mo., whose first bishop he became. This prelate erected the first Catholic church in Chillicothe, where he made his residence, and whence, from 1857 to 1868, he visited the scattered families in North Missouri, principally along the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad. Among the places visited by Father Hogan, as he was commonly called, were Breckinridge, Sturgeon, Huntsville, Hudson or Macon City, Brookfield, Cameron, Kidder, Milan, Unionville, Bethany, Princeton, Eagleville, Laclede and Clarence;

After Father Hogan there came as pastor to St. Columban's Revs. R. S. Tucker, -------- Gestach, A. J. Abel, J. J. Kennedy, E. J. Sheehey, and Francis Moenning. The latter came in October, 1878. He was a member of the Order of St. Francis, of the province of the Sacred Heart, whose headquarters are in St. Louis. He was sent out by his superiors at the invitation of Bishop Hogan, to make a reconnaissance of the diocese of St. Joseph in order to find a suitable location for a new settlement of a community of his order.

Of an energetic and enterprising disposition Father Francis established a home of the community at Bee Branch, Chariton county, (Wier P. O.); but realizing the great advantage that would result to the community, he desired to found a second house. Bishop Hogan as a particular friend of the order of St. Francis, offered him the parish of Chillicothe, from which there had to be attended several little missions along the railroads and in the country districts.

This calling of the Franciscan Order into the city of Chillicothe marks a new departure in the history of the Catholic population in the city. Father Francis held services at first in the old frame church in the southern part of the town. But his fervor and peculiar success in attracting people, soon made this church too small. He resolved, therefore, to build a new church, and bought for this purpose a whole block in the northern part of town, near the academy of the Sisters of St. Joseph. The corner-stone of the new church was laid in the following year in the presence of an immense concourse of people. The plans and specifications for the new brick church were drawn up by Brother Adrian, of the same order, and carried out so as to complete only so much as was needed for the present wants of the congregation; the rest is to be added when the increase of the congregation may demand it, which is likely to be very soon. The cost of buildings with premises was about $12,000. Father Francis was, however, not yet satisfied with what he had done. The next year he commenced to build a college which was completed very soon and opened, but soon after met with an accident. A storm damaged it greatly. The loss was estimated at $2,000. However, it was rebuilt with the aid of the good citizens of Chillicothe. Its original cost was about $5,000. The plans of the studies originally intended was not carried out, partly for want of scholars, partly for want of teachers and professors, the order having already several colleges to attend, and being very pressingly engaged in ministerial duties.

There are now three Franciscan Fathers stationed at Chillicothe, - and with them are three lay brothers who wait on them and attend to the church garden, household work, etc. The number of families of the congregation is estimated at $150.

The St. Joseph College, a parochial school, is conducted by the Sisters of St. Joseph. The pupils in attendance average 70. The St. Joseph hall has seating capacity for over 400. Father Francis was removed in August, 1882, to St. Louis, Mo., and succeeded by Clementinus Deymann who is here still, the well beloved pastor of the church, and the esteemed ecclesiastic and divine of the people generally.

Christian Church. - The Christian Church of Chillicothe was organized in 1850, with John Crawford and Benjamin Edrington as elders, James Hutchison and Stillman Mansur, deacons, and John Graves and perhaps a few others. The first church building was erected the same year, with John Crawford, James Hutchison, and Stillman Mansur as trustees. It was enlarged and repaired in 1869. The building, a frame, stands on the corner of Washington and Clay Streets, and has cost about $2,000. The pastors have been Elders Wm. Carter, T. P. Haley, J. M. Henry, R. M. Messick, W. F. Parker, A. C. McKeevin, C. Monroe, and A. Ellett. Resident preachers of Chillicothe who have served the church a part of the time have been D. T. Wright, editor of the old Christian Pioneer, now the Christian Evangelist, of St. Louis; Dr. W. D. Jordan, Prof. J. M. Long, and W. H. Gaunt. Among the visiting ministers who have preached to this congregation may be mentioned the distinguished divine, Alexander Campbell, who was here in 1859; Rev. Dr. Moses E. Lard, in 1869; Rev. Benj. Smith, of Canton University, in 1870, and Rev. Benj. Franklin, editor of the Christian Age and Review, of Cincinnati. The last named was here in the year 1860, and engaged in a debate with Rev. J. M. Rush, of the M. E. Church South, in the old M. E. S. church building on Locust Street, which - -- was in 1863. In Livingston county there are about 600 members the Christian Church of which number the Chillicothe organization comprises about one-half. The two oldest ministers of this denomination in the county reside in Chillicothe, and are Dr. W. D. Jordan, who is 87 years of age and has preached for 65 years; and; and Elder D. T. Wright, who is 65, and has been in the ministry for 40 years. W. C. Wood is the present very efficient clerk of the church.

First Baptist Church. - The present organization of the First Baptist Church, of Chillicothe, was formed November 5, 1869, by the union of two organizations known as the First Baptist and Vine Street Baptist Churches of Chillicothe. The committees appointed from the respective organizations to bring about this union were composed as follows: from the First Church, Rev. G. W. Rogers, Deacon J. M. Alnutt and Dr. E. S. Poindexter; from Vine Street, Deacon J. C. Barnard, A. J. Stewart and Z. N. Goldsby. The early records of each branch have been lost, and no complete history of either can be given. The First Church was in existence some time prior to 1858, for in that year the first church building, a brick structure, was erected. This was sold and in 1867 the present house, on lots 5 and 8, block 37, was built by the Vine Street organization, costing perhaps $2,000. The pastors of this church, so far as can now be learned, have been Revs. J. Hall, L. M. Berry, J. C. Maples, R. S. Johnson, B. F. Colwell, S. L. Cox, I. R. M. Beason, J. J. Feltz, R. M. Richardson, J. B. Stark, David Scott, R. H. Williamson and G. L. Talbott. Upon the consolidation, in 1869, the membership was 85; it is now 121. A very flourishing and efficient Sabbath-school of over 100 scholars is superintended by J. W. Botts. The church clerk is A. H. Onderdonk.

Friendship Lodge No. 89, A. F. and A. M., was the first Masonic lodge organized in Livingston county. The dispensation was issued prior to February, 1845, for in that month the county court made an order allowing the lodge the use of the grand jury room, in the second story of the court house "for fifteen years." The charter was issued October 12, 1847, to Wm. Hudgins, master; Geo. Munro, senior warden, and Dr. John Wolfskill, junior warden. Col. John Ralls, of Ralls county, was the grand toaster at the date of the issue of the charter. During the forty years of its existence Friendship lodge has had a most interesting history and prosperous career. Some of its members have been raised to positions of distinction in the order as well as to places of eminence in public affairs. Three of the members, John D. Vincil, D. D., James E. Cadle and Alex. M. Dockety, have been grand masters of Missouri. At present the membership numbers seventy, and the lodge meets on the east side of the public square. The officers are Saml. L. Harris, master; Arthur Henderson and A. F. Chapin, wardens; W. H. Couch and S. H. Price, deacons; S. England, treasurer; Fred. Hoppe, secretary; J. L. Smith, tyler. Friendship is the parent of nearly all of the other lodges of the upper Grand River valley.

Chillicothe Lodge, No. 333, was constituted out of Friendship lodge, by Dr. John D. Vincil, under dispensation issued December 16, 1868. The first officers were M. H. Smith, master; Edwin McKee and R. F. Dunn, wardens; Edwin Lyman, secretary; Smith Turner, treasurer; R. N. Eddy and J. R. Middleton, deacons; W. H. Hewitt, tyler. Under the charter, which is dated October 12, 1869, the first officers were Edwin McKee, master; Wm. S. Bird and Robt. N. Eddy, wardens; R. F. Dunn, treasurer; Ed. Lyman, secretary; T. R. May and W. H. Maine, deacons; J. A. Cooper and R. W. Goldsby, stewards; Geo. W. Rogers and W. E. Dockery, chaplains; John Bosworth, tyler. The present membership is 66; the lodge is out of debt and has some money at interest. The furniture is owned in partnership with Friendship lodge.

Knights Templar Commandery. - Right Eminent Sir Carroll J. Atkins, Grand Commander of Missouri, instituted Paschal Commandery, No. 32, K. T. The dispensation was issued August 11, 1869, and the charter bears date May 14, 1880 (A. O. 762). The charter members and first officers were Reuben Barney, E. C.; Stephen Norris, generalissimo.; Henry Kase, captain-general; Wm. E. Rhea, prelate; W. B. Leach, and James E. Cadle, wardens; August Hoppe, treasurer; J. R. Middleton, recorder; W. B. Stevens, standard bearer; R. F. Dunn, sword bearer; W. P. Monro, warder; I. L. Smith, guard; Thos. A. Brown, Albert Stephens, Jas. T. Brown, Carter Page, Willis K. Dockery, Campbell Crossan, and J. B. Ostrander. The commandery occupies a rented hall. The present membership is 40.

Chillicothe Lodge, No. 91, I. O. O. F., has at present 59 members in good standing. The dispensation was issued January 14, 1856, and the charter May 21, following. The lodge was instituted by H. T. Grill, district deputy grand master of District No. 31. The charter members and first officers were R. R. Mills, noble grand; Geo. Pace, vice grand; U. T. Green, recording secretary; H. W. Lansing, permanent secretary; B. F. Carpenter, treasurer; V. W. Kimball, Minor W. Yager, Geo. W. Call. The lodge meets in a rented hall. Its present officers are W. B. Coston and Robert Stewart, noble and vice grands; L. A. Chapman and H. J. Pringle, recording and permanent secretaries; N. J. Rensch, treasurer, and Wm. H. Missman, Grand Lodge representative.

Chillicothe Encampment, No. 68, I. O. O. F., was instituted by Wm. McClelland, special deputy. The dispensation was issued March 12, 1872, and the charter is dated May 24, following. The first officers and charter members were David Burberry, chief patriarch; E. H. Bement, high priest; C. R. Berry, scribe; C. H. Mansur, treasurer; B. F. Berry and S. B. Thatcher, wardens; Joseph Huffman, H. E. Hunt, Stephen Norris, J. S. Weaver, T. R. May, C. P. Jones, W. R. G. Humphrey, S. England, J. H. Long, J. M. Cherry, C. J. Benson, W. T. Spears, R. M. Graham, Jas. Grubb, Alonzo Walker, Chas. W. Sloan, Jas. B. Tanner. The present membership is 29, and the officers are S. England, chief priest; H. J. Pringle, high priest: J. R. Tudor and N. J. Rensch, wardens; W. B. Coston, scribe, and Robt. Stewart, treasurer.

Not without justice, Mr. John H. Abshire is conceded to hold a representative position among the prominent and successful men of Livingston county, for he has rendered it valuable service in many different capacities, some of which are referred to in the previous sketch. On October 27, 1822, he was born in Franklin county, Va., the son of Nelson Abshire, also a Virginian, and a farmer by calling, and Mary Abshire, nee Wright, of the same State. John H. was the eldest of 10 children, and his experience in youth was like that of other farmers' boys, part of the time being passed in attending school and the remainder in working about the home place. After attaining his majority he commenced teaching school, and for quite a while was thus occupied. In 1847, taking up his location in Kentucky, Mr. A. engaged in mercantile pursuits, and remained in that State until coming to Chillicothe, Mo., in 1858, where he embarked in the manufacture of tobacco, the first in Livingston county to enter into this branch of what has since increased to a considerable trade. In 1861, however, he abandoned the manufacturing business, though up to the present time he has continued to deal extensively in tobacco. Formerly he shipped large quantities to European markets, but of late years he has principally disposed of his crops in St. Louis. Mr. Abshire has given much attention to farming and the stock business, and at this time he owns 575 acres of land, valuable and of superior quality, in close proximity to Chillicothe; this land is nearly all devoted to the stock industry, and is needed down to timothy, clover and blue grass. His career since his settlement in this county has been a successful and encouraging one, and not without good results, for to-day he is recognized as one of the substantial citizens of the county in a material point of view. In addition to his agricultural and tobacco interests, he has a large capital, and is one of the stockholders and a director in the People's Savings Bank, of this place. Well established in life, on a sound, firm basis, he has drawn about him many friends who esteem him most highly for his good judgment, plain and unassuming manner at all times, and his warm friendship. Mr. Abshire was married April 25, 1855, to Miss Elizabeth Cheatham, a Kentuckian by birth, and a daughter of Robert Cheatham, Esq. Five children are now in their family: James B., J. Henry, William C., Lena and Fannie.

For a period now of nearly 45 years Mr. Anderson has resided upon the same place that he now occupies, and, during this time he has made for himself an honorable name and secured a comfortable competence in which to pass the remainder of his days, when the mantle of old age commences to fill about him. His birthplace was in Lawrence county, Ind., and there he first saw the light April 2, 1818. When a boy he removed to St. Clair county, Ill., and later to Henry county, Mo., from whence, a year later, he went to Cass county. In 1840 he took up his location in Livingston county, and after the first year of his residence here he settled permanently upon his present homestead. Three hundred and twenty acres are now included in this tract, one of the comfortable, neat places of this portion of the county, and a lifetime of experience in agricultural pursuits has given Mr. Anderson a thorough knowledge of the proper management to be bestowed upon his farm. Everything about the farm is kept in excellent condition. Mr. A.'s father, Isaac Anderson, was a native of Tennessee and a soldier in the Mexican War, his death occurring two years after the close of that struggle, in Caldwell county, Mo., where he was visiting. His (Isaac's) wife was formerly Miss Elizabeth Hill, originally from East Tennessee. The grandfather of the subject of this sketch, James Anderson (for whom he was named), came primarily from Ireland to East Tennessee and later to Indiana. Young James continued to give his attention to farming in this State while growing up until the outbreak of the Mexican War, when with true courage and patriotism, he enlisted in Co. L, under command of Capt. W. R. Slack, the same company in which his father enlisted; a brother, Isaac, was also in the same war under Taylor, but remained ignorant of the presence of his brother in the service until after the close of the war. Mr. James Anderson was mustered in at Ft. Leavenworth and marched across the plains his first engagement being at Canada. Afterwards he participated in the battles of El Embudo and Taos. Subsequently he returned home and again resumed farming, which he has continued to follow. Mr. A. has been married three times. In 1837 Miss Emily Young became his wife, a native of Missouri; she died in 1839 in Cass county, leaving two children, Isaac M. and Jesse, the latter dying soon after. Mr. Anderson was again married, in 1841, to Mrs. Margaret Austin, nee Bryan. Her son, Col. Austin, was killed at Wilson's Creek during the late war, under Price. Mrs. A. died in 1861, and two of the three children born of this union survive, Thomas B. and James, now in California; one died in infancy. Her children by her first husband were Andrew Jackson, James Madison and Mary, now living, and John, deceased. May 23, 1863, Mr. Anderson found a third wife in the person of Miss Sarah Linville, who was born in this county April 12, 1837. To them 11 children have been born: John, Wiley, Robert, Elizabeth, Lulu, Julia, Adaline, Edward, Eva, Malinda and Franklin. He is a prominent member of the A. F. and A. M.

The Anderson family, or rather that branch to which the subject of this sketch belongs, were early settlers in the southwestern part of Missouri. In the sketch which immediately precedes this an outline in brief has been given of Mr. Anderson's father, James Anderson, one of the county's respected and worthy citizens, and as will be seen there Isaac's great-grandfather was an Irishman by nativity. His grandfather, father and an uncle were all participants in the Mexican War, and made for themselves honorable records as soldiers. Isaac's mother, formerly Emily Young, died in 1839, and he is now the only surviving child born of this marriage. In Cass county, Mo., his birth occurred on the 15th day of May, 1837, and in 1840 he accompanied. his father to this county, where he was reared. He grew to manhood on the old homestead still occupied by his father, was a student at the common schools for some time and in 1864 be took a trip to Montana, remaining in that country some three years. This time was partly spent in the mines, a portion of it in conducting a dairy, and for one year he was interested in farming. After his return, in 1867, Mr. Anderson was united in marriage with Miss Mary Jacobs, a daughter of Solomon Jacobs, of Tennessee, and to them have been given five children: Lizzie M., William Scott,, Joseph, John T. and Alta Belle. Mr. A.'s farm is 120 acres in extent, under good cultivation and improvement, and an especial feature of it is the promising young orchard to be seen. His operations are meeting with good success, which all will acknowledge he deserves. Personally he is social and agreeable.

From the time of his settlement in this county until his death in October, 1872, there was perhaps no man more widely known or more universally respected, or who wielded a greater influence in the public affairs of the community, than Mr. Asper's father, Hon. Joel F. Asper - a man of recognized ability and worth and one closely identified with the interests of Chillicothe and vicinity. A native of Adams county, Pa., he was the son of Abraham Asper, of the same county, who, after his removal to Trumbull county, O., opened up a farm on which Joel was brought up. The latter early made choice of the legal profession as the calling to which he would devote himself in life, soon entered upon his studies, and during this time worked in Warren to defray his collegiate studies. Going to Chardon, Geauga county, in the same State, he edited for some time the Chardon Democrat, subsequently disposing of this property and returning to Warren, where he was afterwards elected prosecuting attorney of the county. He was the first man to enlist in the Federal army from that county, becoming a member and being elected captain of Co. H, of the 7th Ohio volunteer infantry; later on he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and at the battle of Winchester he was severely wounded in the thigh. Afterwards Mr. Asper organized the 171st regiment of which he was commissioned colonel, and was ordered to Johnson Island to do guard duty, going thence to Kentucky to repel Morgan's raid, where the regiment was captured. He was paroled at Covington, Ky., and in 1864 came to Chillicothe, Mo., engaging at once in the practice of his profession, which he afterwards followed. He also published the Spectator, formerly called the Grand River Chronicle, the Tribune now being the successor of this journal. This paper was Republican in politics. In 1868 Mr. Asper was elected to Congress from the Seventh District of Missouri. It is a tract worthy of mention that he was the first man to advocate through the columns of his paper the enfranchisement of the rebels. His death was sincerely mourned by a host of friends and acquaintances. His wife's maiden name was Elizabeth F. Brown, of Ohio. She died January 21, 1884, leaving three children: Sarah F., Florence E. and Charles O. The latter, a worthy son of a respected and honored father, was born at Chardon, Geauga county, O., February 15, 1853. He accompanied his parents to this State, growing up in this county, and after receiving a primary education entered Cornell University, in New York. Owing to the death of his father he left this school when in his sophomore year in order to assist in the care of the family. Entering the recorder's office as deputy, he served until 1876, and in 1877 he was made deputy collector. In 1879 he was appointed by Gov. Phelps to fill the position of county recorder. In 1880 he was nominated on the Democratic ticket for this office, and though receiving a large vote, was defeated by a small majority. In 1881 he was appointed assistant swamp land agent for the State, continuing to act in this capacity for fifteen months. Mr. Asper then returned to Chillicothe and opened an abstract office, which he has since conducted. His set of abstract books are complete in every particular, and his business is proving highly satisfactory. He has proved up swamp lands as agent for various counties and always with perfect satisfaction to those most interested. As a business man Mr. Asper has but few superiors. June 24, 1884, he married Miss Mary Kunkel, of Hannibal, Mo., daughter of Col. Nat. Kunkel, of Confederate fame. They have one child, Charles Eastin.

The stock men of Livingston county, and particularly the younger ones, are justly classed among the most intelligent, progressive and successful in the State. One cause of this perhaps is a natural taste for the calling and such Mr. Ayres must have, for his father, Harmon D. Ayres, originally from Bourbon county, Ky., is now a large and prosperous breeder of short-horn cattle near Breckinridge. He came from his native State to his present place in 1878 and has since been closely identified with the interests of Caldwell county. His wife's maiden name was Sallie Turner, also a Kentuckian by birth. Will T., the third child and second son in a family of 5 children, was principally reared in Bourbon county, of the Blue Grass State, where his birth occurred May 31, 1861, and in 1878 he accompanied his parents to Caldwell county, Mo. He continued to make that locality his home until coming to his present residence in 1885 and here he has since remained. Mr. Ayres' stock interests have been in the direction of horses almost entirely and he it is who owns Ayres' Hamiltonian, the finest horse in North Missouri. In 1885 he started in eight races wand took six first and two second premiums; of seven roadster rings in which he has shown he has taken ten first and one second premium; in St. Louis he was in four shows, and here three first and one second premium were also given him, more than fell to any other horse in the exhibition. Pontiac, by Happy Medium, is another of Mr. Ayres' promising animals, an inbred Hamiltonian. Too much credit can not be given him for his efforts to improve the stock of this county, and if his endeavors in this direction are not now appreciated the time will come when they shall be.

In addition to the apprenticeship of six years which Mr. Barker served at his trade of jeweler, a long experience in this line has rendered him a most efficient and thorough master, and since his settlement here in 1867 he has become established on a sound basis. His native State is New York, his birth having occurred at Oriskany Falls, May 9, 1834, and his parents also came originally from the same locality. They were Laurens H. and Aseanith Barker, nee Thompson, the father being an agriculturist by calling which he followed until his death in 1869; his wife died in 1867. Two of the five children born to them are dead, Linas and Lucetta. Those living are Lester T., a jeweler at Minneapolis; Laurens M., a farmer on the old homestead, and the subject of this sketch. He obtained his education at Oriskany Falls and there passed his youth and early manhood, subsequently going to Lockport, N. Y., where he served a six years' apprenticeship in becoming perfectly familiar with every detail of the jeweler's trade. Sometime after this he removed westward and located at Eddyville, Wapello county, Ia., where he conducted a business until 1866. Going thence to St. Joseph, Mo., he remained there, however, but one year, coming to Chillicothe in 1867 and here he has since resided, intimately identified with the interests of this place, both socially and in a business capacity. Mr. Barker is a married man, Miss Emma C. Gangwer, daughter of Joseph Gangwer, of Pennsylvania, having become his wife in 1858. The following children have resulted from this union: Edward and Ella. The former is now engaged in a wholesale mercantile house at St. Paul, and Ella, a graduate of the Chillicothe High School, was married in October, 1885, to Nathan J. Swetland, a leading druggist of this place. Mr. Barker is a member of the Masonic fraternity, has held all the chairs and is now P. M. W. While in Eddyville, Ia., he served as councilman, and has also filled a like position in this city. The stock which he carries of watches, clocks, and, in fact, jewelry of all kinds, is very complete and selected with taste and care.

There is one man within the limits of this township and county, whose name, it might be said, is a household word with the people in the vicinity, for his long residence here and his intimate association with its various material and official affairs have gained for him an extensive acquaintance. Such a one is Amos Bargdoll, of good old Virginia stock, the son of Solomon and Christina (Peterson) Bargdoll, both natives of that State, and where they were married. By calling the father was a blacksmith and gunsmith, and upon leaving the Old Dominion he became located in Greene county, O., near Xenia, in 1816. He lived there until removing to South Bend, Ind., in 1829, and in this connection it is worthy of remark that young Amos was present at the raising of the first house in that place after it had been laid out. In 1841 Mr. Bargdoll, Sr., came to Livingston county, continuing to follow his adopted occupation up to the time of his death, October 8, 1874, at the age of 8l years. Of the seven children in his family four now survive: Amos, Eliza, wife of Joseph G. Reeves; Lewis, in business on the same lot on which his father settled when he first came here, and Julia Ann is the widow of John Simpson. Amos grew up like other youths in the vicinity in which his home was made, naturally learning the trade of his father, and after his removal here he gave his attention to that vocation for a long period. From 1846 to 1850 he held the position of postmaster, but that year resigned to go to California, where he remained for a year and a half, with results quite satisfactory. Returning by water to this county, Mr. Bargdoll purchased a steam saw mill, brought the first engine to the town, and continued to be thus occupied for four years or until losing health. In 1856 he was elected clerk of the county, a position he held for eight years. In 1866 he removed upon his farm of 200 acres and here he has since remained, enjoying the respect of a host of acquaintances. He is naturally an adept in the use of tools and has done no little in this direction. June 2, 1846, Mr. B. married Miss Nancy Bradford, of Greene county, Pa., who died July 7, 1857, leaving three children: Tena, since deceased; Claude, in Denton county, Tex., and Pierce died in Colorado. In August, 1858, Mr. Bargdoll married Miss Sarah Jane West, of Boone county, Mo., who has borne him three children: Ida Belle, Laura J. and Anna E., now living, and one, Cora A., deceased (in August, 1885). Mr. B.'s sister, Matilda, married Samuel R. Jennings and died in St. Joseph county, Ind.; his brother Joel died in this county in February, 1875, and William died in Texas, whither he had gone in 1858.

Permanent success is always regulated by well known laws, dependent upon natural causes, and no one can hope to secure any lasting reputation, with a solid foundation of success, without merit. That Dr. Barney has made himself eminently successful in his profession, nearly twenty years' constant practice in Livingston county abundantly testifies - and this is amply corroborated by his professional brethren and by his splendid income. Reuben Barney was born at Arlington, Bennington county, Vt., April 20, 1843. His parents were also natives of the Green Mountain State, his father being Nathan F. Barney and his mother before her marriage a Miss Fannie Canfield. Only one other child besides Reuben was in their family, Dorrance G. The former grew up in the State of his birth and upon the old homestead, improving to the best advantage the academic education with which he was favored. Finally he commenced the study of medicine and after pursuing his studies under the preceptorship of Dr. I. G. Johnson, of Greenfield, N. Y., he attended medical lectures at Albany, N. Y., graduating from Albany Medical College in 1864. Subsequently be also took a course of lectures at the Bellevue Hospital Medical College of New York, his first field of practice being at Greenfield, N. Y. During the war Dr. Barney entered the United States' service as medical cadet, also performing the duties of assistant surgeon, together with filling the executive office of the Mason General Hospital Boston. After one year in the army he resumed the active practice of his profession at Van Vechten, N. Y., where he remained until coming to this county in 1868. Since that time he has closely adhered to his adopted calling, and with pleasing results, and he now enjoys the reputation of being an able physician and surgeon. His kind, agreeable manner and warm sympathetic nature, render him a welcome visitor to the sick room, and wherever known he is highly esteemed. For twelve years he served as President for the Board of Health and ever since coming to the county he held the position of United States Examining Surgeon of Pensions, and at this time he belongs to the Grand River Medical Society. November 15, 1866, Dr. Barney was united in marriage with Miss Martha Prindle, also originally from Vermont. They have four children: Reuben, Percy Canfield, Mortimer D. and Hawley N. The doctor is prominently connected with the Masonic Order; he has been district deputy of the Grand Lodge and is now grand king of the Royal Arch Chapter of the same body. Besides this he belongs to the Knights Templar, of which he served as eminent commander.

Mr. Bliss is one among the oldest justices of the peace in Livingston county, having served in that capacity during the past 22 years. He has been warmly interested in the growth of the Democratic party, to the principles of which he has ever adhered. An item worthy of mention in this connection is a miniature trunk which he owns and which has been an heirloom in the family during several generations, having passed in succession from the owner who brought it across the Atlantic in the Mayflower, in 1620. Mr. Bliss is of New York nativity. born in Delaware county, August 20, 1820, and the son of John and Lucinda (Townsend) Bliss, of the same State, but of German descent. The former followed farming in Delaware county until his death in 1870, his wife having preceded him by several years in 1853. The children were as follows: Eliza Ann, now Mrs. John Atkins, Mary Ann, wife of Floris Searles; Lucinda, married George Murray, of Delaware county, N. Y., who died in 1884; Clarinda, married John Beadle, also of Delaware county, N. Y., his death occurring in 1860; and Norman J. All but the latter now make their home in Delaware county, w. Y. Norman was reared at his birthplace, receiving a common school education, and in 1838 he emigrated to Susquehanna county, Pa., where he followed the tanning business for eight years. In 1846, upon removing to Ross county, O., he operated a tan-yard there until 1850 and then game to this county, but only remained a few months. Crossing the plains by means of an ox team, he finally reached California after many hardships and was occupied in mining for some time, with moderate success. On the homeward journey his company of 20 men suffered many privations, etc., from marauding bands of Indians, and at Rock Point, on Humboldt river, barely escaped massacre after a desperate encounter with a body of over 200 of these savages. Since his return he has been devoting himself to farming and stock raising. He owns 320 acres of valuable land and in his operations is meeting with good success. In 1853 Mr. Bliss was married to Miss Mary E. St. Clair, daughter of Chas. St. Clair, of Kentucky. Mr. and Mrs. Bliss have never had children of their own but have reared and educated nine orphans: Julia Lucy, Jennie, Ida and Arthur Gaines, and now have at their home Mary Hobbs, Elia and Charles Chektam, Arthur Fuqua and Florence Hull.

A sketch of Mr. Boehner's life, so far as Livingston county is concerned, covers a period of but a little over 10 years, yet he has become so thoroughly identified with the business interests of Chillicothe as to render necessary the insertion of his sketch at this place. Chris. and Christina (Schaffer) Boehner, his parents, were both natives of Germany, and there the father died in 1871. Six children were born to them: Chris., Carrie, Rickey, Katie, Gottlieb and Sophia. Chris., the eldest in the family, was born in that country April 10, 1856, and when 15 years of age came to the United States and settled in St. Joseph, Mo. After following the butchering business there for some time he came to this county in 1875 and established his present place, which has since been conducted with uniform success. Besides his interests in town he also owns 135 acres of farm lend. During the winter of 1884 - 85, Mr. Boehner packed over 2,000 hogs. In 1878 he was united in marriage with Miss Minnie Tuite, whose birth occurred in New York State. She died in 1884. On the 5th of January, 1886, Mr. B. took for his second wife Miss Mary Krouse, originally tram Pennsylvania. A fact worthy of mention in connection with this biography is, that Mr. Boehner has made all he now possesses himself, the result of earnest, hard labor.

Mr. Boyd is one of those men, too few in number, who fully recognizes the truth so often urged by the sages of the law, that, of all men, the reading and thought of a lawyer should be the most extended. Systematic reading gives a more comprehensive grasp to the mind, variety and richness to thought, and a cleaver perception of the motives of men and the principles of things, indeed of the very spirit of laws. This he has found most essential in the persecution of his professional practice. Born in Licking county, O., October 6, 1832, he was the son of William Boyd, a native of Pennsylvania, and whose father was Richard Boyd, of Maryland nativity. The latter was a pioneer in Greene county, Pa., and continued to till the soil there until his death. When about twenty-one years of age William Boyd went to Ohio, then regarded as the far West, there marrying Miss Mary Ann Nelson, the daughter of William Nelson, of Huntingdon county, Pa. William Nelson was a mechanic by occupation, and after remaining in Ohio until a short time following the birth of John N. both families returned to Washington county, Pa., William Boyd living there until his death in 1881. His wife had departed this life in 1854. In their family were the following named children: John N., Milton R., now deceased; Margaret, wife of Rev. Joel Wood, of Pennsylvania; Jennie, now Mrs. Joseph Smith, of Ohio; Scarab, wife of John P. Hunt, of this county; Herschel V., a physician at Piedmont, TV. Va. John N. Boyd was reared to a farm experience, obtaining an education at Waynesburg College, in Greene county, Pa., and subsequently he commented teaching school at $15 per month. After this he taught in village schools and in then graded schools, climbing rapidly in this profession until he became the principal of large graded schools in Monongahela City, Pa., Wheeling, Va., and finally in Alleghany City, Pa. In the latter city, in 1860 and 1861, he had the superintendency of 1,200 children and 18 assistant teachers, all in one building. The war having commenced, the subject of this sketch was anxious to enter the service of his country and might have gone in as captain of a volunteer company from Alleghany City, but at the time was physically disabled for the service in the fall of 1862 he removed to Fairmont, the county seat of Marion county, Va., - now West Virginia, - where for six years he published a newspaper and through which he so vigorously advocated the cause of the Union that his paper (the Fairmont Vedette)attained great popularity and wielded much influence among the Union people of that region. Mr. Boyd participated and was active in the stirring events which led to and resulted in the division of the State of Virginia and the organization of the new State of West Virginia. In June, 1864, he was a delegate large from the new State in the National Republican Convention at Baltimore, which nominated Abraham Lincoln for a second term. Mr. Boyd took a prominent part in the adoption of a free school system in the new State and for several years was county superintendent of the schools at Marion county. To obtain qualified teachers he established and conducted normal schools, and in 1866, by the aid of an appropriation from the State, he founded at Fairmont the present State Normal School.

In August, 1868, Mr. Boyd located with his family in Chillicothe, Mo., and engaged in the drug business for nearly two years. April 6, 1870, he and Rev. Samuel Sawyer began the publication of the Chillicothe Journal as a Liberal Republican paper. Mr. Boyd had control of the editorial department, and in a few months the Journal attained a wide circulation. In the first issue Mr. Boyd published an editorial strongly advocating the nomination of B. Gratz Brown as the Republican candidate for Governor of Missouri. This article was extensively covered by the press of the State, and is believed to have been the first suggestion of Gov. Brown's name for that office, and to have led to his nomination by the Liberal wing of the Republican party, and his election in the fall of 1870 by over 40,000 majority, on the issue of enfranchisement then before the people.

Mr. Boyd was admitted to the Chillicothe bar in 1869, and since 1872 has ignored politics and devoted himself to law and the real estate business for four years, under Circuit Clerks Dunn and Wright, he kept the minutes and records of the Livingston County Circuit Court, and is familiar with the records of all the county offices. Careful, painstaking and searching in the points of the law, he has achieved to an honorable esteem among his fellow members at the bar. In 1884 he was elected to the position of public administrator for a four years' term. Mr. Boyd was married August 4, 1859, to Miss Isabella George, who was born and reared in wheeling, W. Va., the daughter of William George, of Scotch-Irish ancestry. They have four children, viz.: Jessie F., a music teacher; J. Nelson, for several years assistant postmaster in Chillicothe, and both graduates of the Chillicothe High School; Masters Charlie D. and William. Mr. Boyd is a member of Friendship Lodge No. 89, A. F. and A. M., and has been a member of the fraternity since 1858. He has always taken great interest in the historical matters of the county, and has prepared several articles relating to that subject, and which have proved of much value.

E. J. Broaddus, an esteemed member of the legal profession of Chillicothe, was born in Madison county, Ky., June 19, 1835, the son of Andrew and Grace Broaddus, nee Haskins, the latter a Kentuckian by nativity. The father's birth occurred in Virginia, but in early life he removed to Kentucky, and subsequently became a resident of Missouri. For a number of years he was actively engaged in the Santa Fe trade, as it was called. He died in 1872 in Madison county of the Blue Grass State, his wife surviving until 1876, when she, too, departed this life. Their family numbered eight children, of whom Elbridge was the youngest son and sixth child. At an early age he became well acquainted with the details of agricultural life, and during the time while occupied with farm duties attended also the common schools, acquiring an ordinary education. Later on, in casting about for some pursuit in life congenial to his tastes, he almost instinctively turned to the law, and soon after be commenced reading at Richmond, Ky., with Curtis F. Bunham, afterwards First Assistant Secretary of the Treasury under Gen. Bristow. In March, 1858, after a thorough preparation, he was admitted to the bar in his native State, and immediately he entered actively upon the practice of his chosen profession. In 1866 Mr. Broaddus came to Missouri, his destination being St. Joseph, but owing to tedious delays on the railroad he became weary and stopped off at this place. Forming favorable impressions of the outlook for this locality he concluded to remain here, and this has since been his home. In the pursuit of his practice he has shown himself to he possessed of those qualities which go far to win the respect and confidence of men. Unassuming, and, indeed, of a retiring disposition, his honesty has ever been apparent to all, whilst his manners are agreeable, and his conversation, never too voluble, is always pleasant. Personal popularity comes almost unavoidably to such men. In 1874 Mr. Broaddus was elected judge of the Seventeenth district of Missouri,. serving his constituents for one term. In 1861 his first marriage occurred, Miss Annie B. Chambers becoming his wife. She was born in Madison county, Ky. Her death transpired September 26, 1873. Three children born of this union are living: Joseph, Eleanor and Tempie. In May, 1874, Mr. Broaddus was married to Miss Emma Hollingsworth, of Paris, Mo. They have five children: Anna R., Frank H., Mattie, Elbridge and Emma.

Thomas B. Brookshier was born in Ray county, Mo., December 2, 1830, and since 1837, with but few interruptions here noted, he has made his home in this county. His father, Levan Brookshier, a native of North Carolina, accompanied his parents when seven years old to Franklin county, Tenn., being reared there on a farm. In 1829 he came to Missouri, removing to Daviess county in 1832 and to Livingston county in 1837, his settlement being made in Jackson (now Sampsel) township, where his death occurred in February, 1864. He had been twice married. His first wife, formerly Elizabeth Brown, died in 1840, leaving five children: Mary, wife of Thomas Litton; Thomas B., William M., in this county; James C., of Dade county, and Leander G., of Daviess county. In 1841, Mr. B. married Miss Martha Frith, a Virginian by birth, and there were four children born of this union: Sarah Ann married J. W. Minnick, who removed to Texas and there died; Mary Frances is now the wife of Nathan Broughton, of Arkansas; LeRoy T. is in Daviess county, as is also Lysander. The subject of this sketch continued to give his attention to agricultural pursuits in this county (attending the common schools) until 18 years of age, when, being attracted by the famous stories of gold so easily obtained in the far off coast of the Pacific, he went to California, remaining engaged in the mines for six years, and with substantial success. In 1855 he returned to Missouri, attended school and also taught until the outbreak of the war, and soon enlisted in the Confederate service in Hughes' regiment, 4th division, M. S. G. serving until his discharge some six months later. He participated in the battles of Carthage, Springfield, Dry Wood, Lexington, etc., and soon enlisted in Co. H, 2d Missouri infantry, C. S. A., this regiment afterwards being changed to the 8d Missouri infantry. With that command he took part in the engagements of Pea Ridge, Iuka, skirmishes about Corinth, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion's Hill, Big Black and Vicksburg. After the surrender he remained on detached service until the close of the war, then returning in June, 1865, to Livingston county. Up to 1870 he followed farming, then combining teaching with farming until 1882. Previous to this time, however, he had served as county assessor. In 1882, he was elected county clerk, and has since been the faithful incumbent of that position, his successful career in this capacity being heartily indorsed by all. He married, first, August 23, 1860, Miss Elizabeth Brooks, who was born in 1838 in Washington county, Mo. She died October 24, 1881, leaving six children, Jefferson D., John L., Rachel E., Margaret M., Thomas McFarland and Mary V. October 5, 1885, Mr. Brookshier was married to Miss Amanda J. Davis, who was born in Hendricks county, Ind., the daughter of Jno. and Anna Davis, nee Jones, the former a native of Kentucky, and the latter of Hendricks county Ind. Mr. R. is a member of the A. F. and A. M., and was made a Mason in California in 1855. Politically he is a Democrat. In his religious preferences he is a member of the M. E. Church South.

It was in 1848 that Mr. Brown accompanied his parents to Missouri and for over twenty-five years he has been a resident of Livingston county, his location in Chillicothe dating from the close of the war in 1865. His career since that time has been one well mid favorably known to the people of this community. For two years he was city marshall, and for four years he ran the mail line from here to Bethany and for a like period to Trenton. After this he engaged in the livery, 'bus and carriage business, carrying on this branch of trade until 1875, when he suffered the total destruction of his property by fire. Instead of being entirely discouraged by this misfortune, Phenix-like, he commenced to rise from these ashes, and has been rewarded for his perseverance, energy and toil. He now conducts one of the best equipped stables in Northwest Missouri and meets with a satisfactory patronage. Mr. Brown was born in Washington county, E. Tenn., April 25, 1833. His father, Gabriel Brown, a native of South Carolina, after going to Tennessee, married Miss Sarah Ann Bailees, of that State, and of the children born of this union one besides Gordon is living, Dr. T. J. Brown, of Batesville, Carroll county, Mo. In 1854 the father settled in Cooper county, Mo., and in 1858 event to Carroll county, coming thence to this county in 1860. Enlisting in Slack's command of the Confederate army soon after, he was killed at the battle of Lexington, September 12, 1861. Mrs. B. died in 1858. Gord. G. was reared on a farm, and from Carroll county he came here in 1859, settling in Fairview township. He entered the Federal army, in the 44th Missouri provisional troops, and served four years, part of the time as orderly in the provost marshal's office, and two years as quartermaster sergeant. His career since that time has been referred to. In February, 1859, Mr. Brown was married to Miss Rosanna F. Scott, daughter of the well known pioneer, Wesley Scott, the latter having been a charter member of Friendship Lodge No. 89, A. F. and A. M. Mrs. Brown was born in Jefferson county, O. They have three children: Gordie, a graduate of the Philadelphia Dental College; Minnie and Scott S. Three are deceased. Mr. B. is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order. His grandfather Bailess served in the Revolutionary War under Washington, and Mr. Brown now has in his possession a horse pistol taken from the belt of the English general, Ferguson, who was killed at the battle of King's Mountain.

It has only been since 1878 that Mr. Butner has been a citizen of Livingston county, Mo., but during his eight years' residence here he has become as well known as any man in the community; and certain it is that no one has done more in the same time for the agriculturists of the county, as an individual, in the fair and favored prices paid for stock, than has Mr. Butner. The proof of this statement is best evidenced by the esteem in which he is held. Annually he ships frown 125 to 150 car loads of stock and each year he feeds from 100 to 125 head of steers. Since coming here he has been very successful, for he commenced life without means, but by industry, economy and superior judgment has accumulated a comfortable competency. His popularity, too, has been attested by his call to occupy official positions; for three successive terms he was mayor of Chillicothe. Into whatever he undertakes he throws his whole soul, and weather or circumstances seem to be no obstacle to him. The results of his own experience more than justify his own judgment as a stockman of the advantages offered by Livingston county as a stock center; and smith his knowledge of this business and considering the success he has always achieved, it is certainly not too much to expect a more than ordinarily bright future for him in this line of trade. Mr. Butner was born in Madison county, Ky., April 4, 1831, his father being Wm. Butner, also a Kentuckian by birth, and a tiller of the soil. Margaret Belcher was the maiden name of his mother, she also having been born in the Blue Grass State. Her death occurred in Missouri but her husband died in his native State. For many years John W. followed the occupation to which he was reared - that of farming, not embarking in the stock business until his location in this county. Not only from a personal standpoint is he accorded a worthy place among those of this county, but as a citizen, progressive, enterprising, and liberal in everything he does; and he is always ready to contribute of his means when necessity makes known her wants. Politically he is a Democrat. Mr. Butner was married October 8, 1853, to Miss Hannah McWilliams, like himself of Kentucky. They have two children: Almira C., wife of S. R. Park; and Elizabeth J., now Mrs. J. L. Buford. Mr. B. has long been a member of the Masonic Order. His wife is a most estimable lady and is held in hardly less esteem than himself.

Born in Rappahannock county, Va., October 1, 1853, Lewis A. Chapman was the son of John Chapman, a Virginian by birth, who upon leaving his native State removed to Missouri, settling in Livingston county in 1856. After a few years' residence he removed to Pike county, Mo., where he died in August, 1867. His wife, formerly Miss Jemima Nolan, also came originally from the Old Dominion. She was the mother of four children, one of whom died in infancy. The others besides the subject of this sketch are Gustavus A., an attorney of Weston, Mo., and Oliver J., an attorney of Breckinridge. Lewis A. in growing up had access to the excellent schools of this county, his course as a student being marked by close application to his studies and by that clear and practical comprehension of the principles involved in the various branches which have marked his subsequent career as a lawyer. A determination to devote himself to the practice of the legal profession led him to commence the study of law under Mr. Ulrich Sloan, and after a thorough preparatory course he was admitted to the bar in February, 1870. For some four or five years following this Mr. Chapman was engaged in teaching school, but in 1876 he commenced the active practice of his profession, in which he has since been engaged. For some time he was connected with Hon. H. M. Pollard. Among other official positions which he has occupied might be mentioned those of councilman and also city attorney. In the conduct of his practice Mr. C. is faithful and laborious almost to a fault. He spares no pains in the preparation of his cases, thoroughly investigating the points in dispute, the law bearing upon the decisions of the courts, and the testimony adduced. Though a clear, forcible speaker, he depends less on the argument of a case than on the plain, practical, common-sense manner in which it is presented to the jury, and his eminent success at the bar is due mainly to his clear-headed, common-sense methods of practice. He relies, too, more on industry and a thorough understanding of the law and the facts involved in his cases than an flashy, brilliant coup d' etat as a practitioner, or eloquence as an advocate, though at the same time he is an advocate of no inferior rank. March 15, 1877, Mr. Chapman was married to Miss Luella F. Benson, who was born in this county, the daughter of Ira Benson, originally from Maryland. Her mother's maiden name was Sarah Munro, whose father, George Munro, was an early settler of the county. Mr. Chapman has been a member of the Baptist Church for 19 years. He belongs to the I. O. O. F. and the A. O. U. W., in which he is a Master Workman.

Henry C. Clem, the senior representative of this well established house, was born in Fairfield county, O., April 2, 1838, his parents being Joseph G. and Josina T. (Pierce) Clem. In the fall of 1856 they left the Buckeye State and settled in Adair county, Mo., from whence they came to Caldwell county, locating near Breckinridge the following spring. From that point the father enlisted as a soldier in the 2d Missouri State militia under McNeill, and during this time was assistant quartermaster, taking part in engagements at various places in Missouri, among others that of Cape Girardeau. Five children besides Henry C. were in the parents' family and all of the boys joined the Union army. Harry was a member of the 2d Ohio infantry, took part in several important battles and was killed at Cheat Mountain; Van P. and James G. were in the E. M. M., and the latter narrowly escaped an attack from three of Bill Anderson's men, being slightly wounded near Breckinridge. Henry C. has two sisters, Kate and Fannie. Upon the call for troops to assist in the defense of the country, he was prompt in entering the service, becoming a member of the 7th Missouri cavalry volunteers, commanded by Col. Dan. Houston, a nephew of the well known general, Sam. Houston, and was engaged in the battles at Prairie Grove, Van Buren, Brownsville, Little Rook end Princeton, Ark., and at Spring Hill he was wounded October 26, 1861. Until his discharge, in 1864, Mr. Clem made an honorable career as a soldier, ever being found at his post of duty, ready for action. Upon leaving the army he returned to Caldwell county, and up to 1869 gave his attention to farming, an occupation which he continued after his removal to Livingston county until 1878. In that year he came to Chillicothe and engaged in his present business, which, owing largely to his able management, has been greatly increased in extent. The establishment of which he is a member is located on South Locust street, and here Messrs. Clem & Corwin are doing a prosperous business. Mr. C. is a member of the I. O. O. F. and also belongs to Tyndall, Post No. 29, G. A. R.

Luther T. Collier, for some 34 years a resident, of Livingston county and long identified with its professional affairs, is numbered among the most thorough and successful practitioners in this vicinity. A native-born citizen of Missouri, his birth occurred December 16, 1825, in Howard county, his parents being Lewis and Judith Collier, nee Cornelius, the latter a daughter of Abner Cornelius, of Jessamine county, Ky. Lewis Collier first saw the light in Madison county, Ky., in 1802, end he continued to remain in the Blue Grass State until after reaching his majority, then coming to Howard county, Mo. During his lifetime he gave his attention to agricultural pursuits, the growing of tobacco and the conduct of a tanyard. About the year 1851 he purchased land in Livingston county and in 1853 removed upon it, erecting a mill soon after on Medicine creek, which was known as Collier's Mill. Up to the time of his demise in March, 1881, Mr. Collier, Sr., resided in the vicinity of this mill. Besides Luther there were two other children in the family: Abner A. is now a practicing physician of Gentryville, Mo., and Mary E., who married Dr. H. P. Benning, lives at Callao, Macon county, Mo. Luther accompanied his father from Howard to Randolph county when young and there it was that he spent his youth, the time being passed to good advantage in farm employment and in the local schools. He was favored with excellent opportunities to cultivate and improve his mind and these he did not fail to improve, supplementing his primary course of instruction by attendance at the State University at Columbia, commencing in 1842, from which he was graduated in 1846, being valedictorian of his class. At an early age Mr. Collier manifested a marked taste and preference for information in the direction of the legal profession and therefore it was not strange that he should carry out this purpose in a systematic manner. Reading first under the instruction of Judge Wm. T. Wood, of Lexington, Mo., he afterwards went to St. Louis and entered the office of Gamble & Bates, with whom he continued until his admission to the bar in 1850. In the spring of 1851 he located at Huntsville, but since 1852 be has been engaged in the active practice of his profession at Chillicothe, where his career has been characterized by substantial success. He has followed his practice with that industry, energy and integrity that could not fail of commanding for him the respect and confidence of the courts and the public, a matter of the first importance to a lawyer. Mr. Collier has been much interested in educational matters and has served as a member of the school board and under Gov. Hardin was one of the board of curators of the State University. In 1882 he was elected to the Thirty-second General Assembly, serving his constituents and the people generally with great credit and to the satisfaction of all. June 13, 1856, Mr. Collier was married to Miss Lizzie A. Fuqua, a daughter of Capt. Samuel Fuqua, of Logan county, Ky. For many years she was an invalid until death relieved her suffering October 17, 1884. Mr. C. owns besides city property a farm of 250 acres and also a portion of the old homestead.

As might naturally be expected, mention is made in the present work of many citizens of Livingston county now prominent in their different calling who were born in the county and whose homes have always been here. Mr. Cooper is one of these, and his experience refers to the agricultural interests of the county. Born on the 19th of December, 1841, he was the son of John and Sarah Cooper, nee Boucher, the former a Kentuckian by birth, and the latter originally from Tennessee. Twelve children were born of their marriage. Subsequently the father, who was a farmer by calling, married a second time, this wife bearing him three children. He was a very early settler in Missouri, and upon conning to this State took up a location in Ray county, from whence he soon after moved to Livingston. This was in a primitive period of the county's history, and few of the pioneer settlers of this vicinity are now living who do not remember John Cooper. His son, John Y., has ever given farming his time and attention. It is the calling to which he was reared, and in which his father achieved success, and it is but to be supposed that he would meet with substantial results in the same capacity. His farm now contains 80 acres of well improved land. In 1867 Mr. Cooper was married to Miss Amanda Lile, also of this county, whose death occurred in 1870; she left two children, Joseph and William. In 1876 Mr. C. took for his second wife Miss Armilda Burns, originally from Ohio, a daughter of C. Burns, Esq. By this union they have four children: Calvary, LeRoy, Sultana and Nancy. One exception should have been made concerning Mr. Cooper's continuous residence in this county. In 1864 he took a trip to Montana and spent nearly three years in that country occupied principally in his chosen avocation.

Mr. Cooper, still less than 32 years of age, but holding, nevertheless, one of the most important and responsible offices in the county, is discharging the duties of this position with an energy, efficiency and ability surpassed by few, if any, public officials. Since the age of 19 he has been in public life, for then he became deputy county clerk and continued to serve as such until the first of January, 1883; in the meantime, however, he had been elected county recorder in November, 1882, and this position he has continued to occupy to the present time. Mr. Cooper was born July 20, 1854, in Grundy county, Mo., his parents being Kentuckians by birth. Thomas W. Cooper, the father, early removed to Missouri; his death occurred in the mining districts of Montana. The mother, whose maiden name was Margaret Rochester, is also deceased, her death having taken place when Net was young. There were three children in the family: Richard O. is now in Idaho Territory; Lucy is the wife of Peter Basche, of Baker City, Ore. The subject of this sketch was brought up by his grandparents, James H. and Jane Cooper, and at an early period in life he began clerking in a store, where he remained until 19 years old. His career since that time has been noted above. April 27, 1882, Mr. Cooper quarried Miss Nannie Poindexter, daughter at Dr. E. S. Poindexter. She was born in Tennessee. Mr. and Mrs. C. have one child, Virgil. Mr. Cooper is among the most active young Democrats in Livingston county. Personally he is held in the highest esteem. Everybody has a good word for him, and his obliging and courteous manners have made for him many friends.

Like his present partner in business, Mr. H. C. Clem, a brief outline of whose life precedes this, Mr. Corwin has also had a military experience, and one to which he can refer with reasonable pride, for it was attended with many difficulties, hardships and privations, and, indeed, of unusual severity. A mere boy when he offered his services to his country, he enlisted when 17 years of age in Co. D, 52d Illinois infantry, participating in the battles of Shiloh, first and second Corinth, Kenesaw Mountain, Peach Tree Creek, Atlanta, Jonesboro, with Sherman on his march to the sea, and witnessed the surrender of the last leading Confederate general, Johnston. His father, Geo. E. Corwin, was also in the United States service during the war, entering the 8th Illinois cavalry in 1862, of which he was veterinary surgeon, and remaining with that command until 1865. The senior Corwin was a native of the Empire State and a cousin of the celebrated Thomas Corwin, of Ohio fame. He emigrated to Illinois in the spring of 1845, followed his trade of brick mason with success and became quite prominent in politics, serving as sheriff of. Kane county, that State, for many years. He was twice married, his first wife, formerly Miss Mary Smith, of New York, who died about 1839, having borne him three children, only one of whom survives, Mary A., wife of E. B. Rorick, of Morenci, Mich. Mr. C. was afterwards married to Miss Olive L. Smith, and by this union they had the following children: Sevellon A., Patience K., now Mrs. Harry Moore, of Brookfield, Mo.; George F., a resident of Richfield, Kan.; Emma and Elliott, both died in infancy; and Minnie, who become the wife of Rev. M. H. Butler, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, but died in Brookfield, Mo., in 1884, leaving one child, Lilly. Sevellon A. Corwin owes his nativity to Jefferson, Tompkins county, N. Y., where he was born October 9, 1843, and consequently he was but an infant when taken by his father to Illinois. There he remained until joining the army, and after leaving that he took up his residence in this county, devoting himself to farming until embarking in his present business in December, 1883. The results in this line have more than justified his expectations, for a substantial and growing custom has already been built up, and every month gives additional proof that the business is secure from all doubts as to its success. Mr. C. was married in September, 1867, to Miss Angeline Rudolph, daughter of Peter Rudolph, an old settler here, and three children have been given them, Frank R., Mattie M. and Adelbert E. Mr. Corwin belongs to the Masonic Order, Tyndall Post of the G. A. R. and the Good Templars. He is a strong advocate of temperance, and politically a Republican, having held several offices.

It would hardly be possible to write a history of this portion of Missouri without mentioning on its pages the Cox family, for it is a widely distributed family, and its representatives wherever they reside are generally people of more or less consideration or prominence. Indeed some of its members have been so closely associated with Livingston county from a pioneer day that their mention necessitates a history of the county. Abel Cox, a worthy descendant of honored ancestors, was born in Ross county, O., March 19, 1818. His father, Joseph Cox, came originally from North Carolina, as did also his mother, whose maiden name was Amy Baker. The former was one of the early settlers in Ohio, having left his native State to remove to Virginia, from whence he went to Kentucky and subsequently to the Buckeye State, where his attention was directed to farming, In 1818 he took up his location in Ray county, Mo., and from there came to Livingston county in 1833, this continuing to be his home for many years. In 1851 he went to Texas, and continued to reside in that State until his death in 1864. He was a worthy man and by all highly esteemed. His estimable wife died in 1858, leaving nine children living: Solomon B., in Texas; John, since deceased; Mary, wife of Allen P. Lile; Isom, Abel, William, in Caldwell county; Malinda, now Mrs. Isaac Shriver; Jane, who married a Mr. Cox of Texas, and Andrew B., also now deceased. Mr. Cox owned a section of land in this county and was actively engaged in farming. His son John built the first water mill in the county, and the first county court was held in his (Joseph's) barn. Young Abel has resided in this community since boyhood, and has become well and favorably known to many citizens here. Up to the age of 25 years he followed farming, and then was elected county clerk after the office was separated from that of circuit clerk, the first incumbent of the position here. For 12 years he discharged his official duties in a creditable manner, and besides this he has also filled other offices. During the years 1852 - 55 he was occupied in merchandising, but not with very good success. He afterwards served on the judicial bench of the co