Mt

War of Secession Did Not Divide Community. First Church Built When Peace Was Declared.

From the arrival of the early pilgrims from Penn. In the year of 1833 the Barney-Mt. Olivet Community had its origin. Seeking greater opportunities and desire to build in the western states prompted the early settlers to come to Missouri and reside. Being devoute (sic) noble Christian men and women soon after their arrival they sought a place for their meeting to worship and hold communion with their God, and held their first meeting in a Forest, God’s First Temple. Later these meetings were held in a log school house located east of Barneyville in what was then known as the Barneyville Schoolhouse. Further than the sport on which the house stood can be found no traces of thee structure. From the most reliable source we are informed this congregation had its origin about 1835 or 1840, and was organized by Rev. Cyrus McDonald, grandfather of the Rev. S. E. McDonald, of Wellsville, Mo.

It was in these pioneer days the inhabitants found solace in their worship and which caused them to pass the awful catastrophe that rent the Union in twain and from the ashes of which led them to a higher desire to erect an edifice for the further dedication of the word of the Lord. Soon after the rebellion days were over and the peace protocol was singed they immediately set about to solicit funds for the erection of the old church. As in all matters of this kind there was a controversy over where it should be built, some liked the location close to the Barneyville school while others wanted it in another locality and at this juncture came forward one of the grandest men that had the pleasure to call this community his home and proffered the ground and also the heavy timbers to erect the build. Conrad Enslen was possibly the most influential man of this community and saw the congregation was about to become divided and for fear the matter would get to a point uncontrollable made the donation at one of their meetings which was accepted without a desenting vote and from that day to the present time here has always existed the amicable disposition of all the inhabitant to abide by the result of the majority. This attitude no doubt has struck a deeper and more responsive cord and has served to cement the friendly feeling of all who chanced to live there and who have gone from there to other parts. In soliciting these contributions for this new church the paper was handled and the finances were procured thru the agency of Mart Hudson with his able coterie of men and whose widow and sons we are glad to say will be present at the homecoming this year and are taking part in the program. In this enterprise there are many families that have done much toward the advancement of the community and whose ancestors are yet living in this locality.

Tim Barney, Ephram Pharr, Alex Middleton, Boone Middleton, Samuel Sox, Miles Price, Sherman Lee, Kirks, Straubes and many others have played an important part in the upbuilding of the Community and crystallizing the religious sentiment.

With them and many other men who we are unable to name were the good women whose influence and assistance did much to complete their first church. It was the custom of carpenters and laborers to work on the building and the women would board them free during their work. While this was of minor importance no lodging house was in the community and it served to relieve this situation very satisfactorily. In this we are able to give the names of a few omitting others not from any other motive than we were unable to obtain them. Mrs. Caroline Cox, Mrs. Geo. Enslen, Mrs. Polly Enslen, Mrs. High Enslen, Mrs. Kirk, Mrs. Straube, Mrs. Middleton and many others. These women were born at an age when chastity and virtue were not at a premium and evil was totally abhorred. By their acts they wielded an influence that has redowned to their glory in the following years and many of their efforts have been crowned with their children having dedicated their lives to the Master’ s Cause. The carpenters working on this church who were mostly donating their work and rejoicing as did Amos of Old in a work of the Lord. Under Contractor Perry Rutherford who was the general overseerer of the entire construction. Sherman Lee, Geo. Straube, Mont Straube, High Enslen, Henry Enslen, D. J. De Tienne, Jim Rutherford, Mart Hudson and many other skilled in this kind of work built the church.

It has been often questioned who hauled the first load of lumber to the present site but this honor might be jointly conferred on Wm. Sox and Gregory Douchant and were hauled with horses not oxens. Many names were suggest for the Church and it was finally suggested to leave the matter to the Presbytery and on this committee to name his place was Eprham Pharr and from the similarity of the location and the representation of the Mt. Olivet that was so often visited by our Saviour (sic) it was suggested to call it Mr. Olivet and to that sacred name it has always been true in religious ferver and attainments.

Rev. Geo. Rice preached for the congregation for a number of years in the schoolhouse, the homes and under brush arbors and the Rev. Ephram Pharr was a product of his ministry and taught school in the community through the week and would preach on Sunday..

The Rev. Ephram Pharr was made pastor in a protracted meeting he was ably assisted by Rev. H. M. Boyd whose influence in this state has not only been felt in this community but who no doubt had a greater number of church organizations pum- any one living at his death which occurred in Ashville, South Carolina, some few years ago. He later succeeded Rev. Mr. Pharr and under his preaching many conversions were made, namely Stephen Ingram, A. G. Branstetter and wife, Jacob Crow and wife and Mrs. Kirklla of whom were past the age of 45 years with Thomas Straube, Eliza Parker (now Sox) Lous Kirk (now Lee) who united with the church in 1870.

The first Sunday school was organized by Stephen Paxton in the early fifties. Samuel Sox and Miles Price being Superintendents alternately. Their literature was small testaments, questions and story books to be taken home, read and returned each week. Many superintendents have followed and space or time will not permit us to name more than one and this is done from the length of service he rendered in this capacity. Truman Eichor, superintendent for 26 years.

…Furnishing the world with six ministers of the gospel in a feat that any community would be boastful. In name are as follows: Ephram Pharr, Alex Middleton, Phalander Ingram, Addison Saxe, Wm. Butts and Charles Cogenhour. Two of this sextet have completed their labors and have entered into the joys of the Lord. …

It is impossible to call all the names of the parties that have shaped the destiny of this community but it would be unjust if we failed to mention a few of the silent characters that did so much inostensibly. (sic) In the character of Stephen Ingram, we had a devout Christian gentleman, and no greater devotion to the community was ever given than that accorded by Jas. Heaton, Jacob Crow, A. G. Branstetter, Alex Sox, Oscar House and many of those whose memory we reveer today. … deaths of William and Jacob Saxe this community lost a silent influence that was ever …

Alexander, Gus, Henry and Fred deceased. Surviving member of Family: Mrs. Theresa Tuggle, Vandalia, Mo.

Barney, Chas., and wife, deceased. Surviving members: Chas. Barney, living on the home place, Geo., in Dolores, Colo.

Barney, Wm., died Dec. 1924. Surviving members of the family: His wife, his daughters. Mrs. John Cogenhour, ______ Mo., Mrs. Daisy Chandler, St. Louis, Mrs. Pearl Shannon, Mexico, Mrs. Wilson Potter, in Mt. Olivet neighborhood, Mrs. Emma Jerman, also in Mt. Olivet neighborhood.

Barnes, Wm., and wife deceased. Surviving members: John Barnes, Albert Barnes and William Barnes, of the home locality, Mrs. Pine, Mrs. Kelly.

Branstetter, A. G. And wife, deceased. Buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Surviving members: W. V. Branstetter, Wellsville, Mo., Mrs. Will Middleton, of Urich, Mo., Forest Branstetter living in Mexico, Priest Branstetter, deceased wife and children living in Washington.

Ben Branstetter, deceased. Children and wife now Mrs. Riney, living in Vandalia and near Middletown. Mrs. F. F. Fletcher (Orla) living on part of the old homestead, Mrs. Lizzie Kirk, living in the Mt. Olivet Community.

S. M. Branstetter, and wife, deceased A. O. Branstetter, deceased. Surviving member: Stonewall Branstetter, contractor in Little Rock, Ark.

Tom Branstetter, Emma (Crow) his wife, deceased, Mt. Olivet . Surviving members: Elster Branstetter and wife, residing in Vandalia.

Brown, Jim Bob and wife, deceased. Surviving members: Dr. Brown, Perry, Mo., Claud Brown, Wellsville Mo.

Butts Mr. And Mrs. A. G. Butts living on their home place, children living St. Louis, Independence, Iowa and other points.

Mrs. Emma Gatewood living on homestead, Mrs. Lizzie Barnes, living in the Community, Mrs. Maggie House, and Miss Katie, Fort Morgan, Colo.

Joe and Brose Culwell, deceased. Surviving members: Herman Culwell, Jake Culwell, Houston, Tex., Mrs. Alice Culwell, Vandalia.

Crow Jacob and wife deceased buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Surviving members: W. J. Crow, Farber, Mo., postmaster first wife Sallie (nee) Sparks, deceased, buried at Mt. Olivet, C. L. Crow, living at Davis, Okla., Mrs. Sarah Hudson, Deepwater, Mo., Mrs. G. B. Moore, living at Vandalia, John Crow, living at Oakdale, Calif.

Lewis Darnell, Mrs. Deceased. Surviving members: Chas. Darnell, in Ky., Oscar Darnell, Wash., Wm. P. Darnell, Curryville, Mrs. Sarah Langford, Nickerson, Kan., John, Jim, Fount, Henry, deceased. Nimrod, Shelbina, Mo.

DeTienne, Henry P., and wife, deceased, buried at Mt. Olivet and Edward F., deceased Elizabeth R., and Edward F., deceased. Surviving members: Dr. John A. DeTienne, Brooklyn, N. Y., Dr. Harry G. DeTienne, Pueblo, Colo., Mary Louise Ryan, Lottie J. Saxe and F. B. DeTienne, living in Vandalia, Cornelia Waterman, Brooklyn, N. Y., Lou Ryan, Lotte J. Saxe and F. B. DeTienne, living in Vandalia.

Constant DeTienne, Webster Groves. Mrs. Mattie, wife deceased buried at Saxe Cemetery. Ben and Susie deceased. Surviving members: Wm. E. DeTienne, living in Vandalia, Mo., Mrs. Hattie Elsbeck, Collinsville, Ill., Mrs. Lula, Webster Groves, Mo., Mrs. Pearl Gaskill, Collinsville, Ill.

DeTienne, D. J. (Desiré Joseph) and wife deceased. (Leona Brabant). Surviving members: D. J. DeTienne, Vandalia, Mo., Omer J. DeTienne, Norman, Okla., Albert DeTienne, Mt. Olivet Community, Eugene DeTienne, Martinsburg, Mo., Martious DeTienne, Wellsville, Mo., Leona Starks, Washington.

Enslen, Geo. And wife, deceased Lily, deceased. Surviving members Jim Enslen, Wellsville, John Enslen, Kansas City, Mrs. John Ingram, St. Louis, Mo.

Fouser, Dave, deceased. Surviving members: Ms. Dave Fouser, Laddonia, Fred Fouser, Mt. Olivet Community.

---- Gatewood, Dr. and Mrs. Gatewood, deceased. Jay Gatewood, deceased. Surviving members: Jesse Gatewood and Katie Gatewood living in Mt. Olivet Community.

Harmon, Rush, deceased. Mrs. Emma, wife, living in Vandalia, Hattie Jackson, Miss., Mrs. Myrtle Hale, Snabene, (?) Tex., Oscar, Pattseon (?) Penn., Chas. Harmon, Vandalia, Mo., Mrs. Grace Wright, Curryville, Mo.

Mrs. Hiram Herlinger, deceased. Mr. And Mrs. Hiram Herlinger, on farm, Jake Herlinger, living in Mt. Olivet Community. John Herlinger, St. Louis, Mo. Leon Herlinger, Detroit, Mich. Grace Morton, Readley, Calif.

Herlinger, Fant and wife, deceased. Surviving members: Mrs. John Caldwell, Jake Herlinger, living in ___________. Mrs. Ethel Edwards, Farber, Mo.

Heaton, Jas, Deceased. Surviving members: Mrs. Jas. Heaton, living on farm. Isaac Heaton, Gamma, Mo., Jake Heaton, Montana. Mrs. T. S. (Sallie) Eichor, living in community, Mattie Brown, Wellsville, Mo., Mrs. Roxie Herlinger, St. Louis, Mo., Mathew Heaton, Vandalia, Mo., Emma Toliver, Little Rock, Ark., Mrs. (Anna) Doyle, Laddonia, Mo., Mrs. Lucy Lowry (Lucy) Wellsville, Mo., Mark Heaton and Edwin Heaton, living on homestead.

Hickerson, John and Manda. Children: Claud Hickerson, St. Louis, Leon Hickerson, Kansas, Madge, Ena and Dolph Hickerson.

House, O. F., deceased. Surviving members: Mrs. O. F. Saxe, Wellsville, Mo., Mrs. Izola Langford, Vandalia, Mo., Earl House, Fort Morgan, Colo., and Carl House, Middletown, Mo. Mrs. Helen Saxe, Wellsville, Mo.

Hamlett, Lem, and Mrs. Hamlett, living in Vandalia, Mo. Son, Leland Hamlett, living at home place.

Jerman, John , and daughter, Juanita, Fort Morgan, Colorado. Mrs. Sobolwski, Vandalia, Mo., Blythe Jerman, living in Mt. Olivet Community, Morris Jerman, Mid West Wyoming.

Kaylor, Mr. And Mrs. Nickolas, deceased. Surviving members: Lizzie, Nettie, Milt, Joe and Sank Ingram.

Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Ingram, deceased. John Ingram St. Louis, Ed. and Chas., Ingram on homestead, Phalander Ingram, California, Lizzie Mt. Olivet –

Galley Six. (Kirk), Harbord, Texas, Hay Bell Kirk, Detroit, Mich. Mrs. A. G. Butts, Mt. Carmel, Kirk, Butts McCoruel Kirk, Mr. And Mrs. Thos. Kirk, Mrs. Lelia Wilcox, Wichita, Kan., Lena (?) Kirk, Leman Kirk, Mt. Olivet Community. Ward Kirk and Lewis Kirk, Cottonwood Falls, Kan., Mary Kirk Kerry, Bowling Green, Mo., Mabel (Kirk) Harbord, Texas, Hay Dell Kirk, Detroit, Mich.. Addie Doty, Nickerson, Kan.

Mrs. Sarah Langford, Sarah Lee, Mrs. Dona Bridges and Langford, Jackson, deceased, Jess Langford, Hutchison, Kan.

Langford, Bedford and Mrs. Langford, living in Mt. Olivet Community, Frank, Vandalia, Mo., Claud, Kansas City, Mo., Vic Langford, Perry, Mo., Clyde, Joe, Wellsville, Andrew, Mrs. Maude Kniffel, Mrs. Edna Langford, Wellsville.

Middleton, Mr. And Mrs. Boone, deceased. Buried in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Deceased members: Joe, Frank and Fannie (Middleton) Stuart. Surviving members Mrs. Mary L. McCune, Vandalia, A. J. Middleton, living on homestead, Epraham, Sacramento, Calif., Will, Urich, Mo.

Middleton, Joe, and son Geo. Pasadena, Calif. Arch, deceased. Surviving members : His wife, Mrs. Edith Middleton Wright, Irvine, John, St. Louis, Geo. And Joe Hutchison, Kan., Mrs. Ruth Goodman, Hutchison, Kan., Manilla Abington, Vandalia, Mo., Mrs. Ruey Shaw, Vandalia, Mo., Leta Pearson, Denver, Colo. Music, Sheely, Boulder, Colo. Nettie deceased Maggie Surviving.

Pease, Chas., Mexico, John Pease, Vandalia, Mo., George, Joe, Washington, Sadie and Mary deceased.

Potter, Dave, and Mrs. Potter, Mrs. Herlinger, Wilson Potter, Mrs. Hall, all in community, Chas. Potter deceased.

Miles Price, deceased, W. A. Price, deceased. Surviving members: Widow, Mrs. W. A., Vandalia, Mo. Surviving children: John, Kaid, Mrs. Galloway of Vandalia, Mrs. Carrie Priest, Cando, North Dakota, Geo. Price, Hannibal, Mo., Mrs. Tate Hesse.

Percy, Arthur and wife, deceased. Surviving members: Dave, Indianapolis, Ind., Isaac, Buell, Mo., Lizzie Cox and Katie, St. Louis, Mo., Clarence, St. Charles, Gilmore deceased.

Rezner, Mr. And Mrs., deceased. Surviving members: Mrs. Ann Sturgeon, Kan., Bob, Canada, Scuyler, Wellsville, Grant, Calif., Mrs. Carrie Sturgeon, deceased, Wellsville, Grant, Calf., Grace deceased.

Mrs. Rector, deceased. Surviving members: John Rector, St. Louis, Tom, Vandalia, Ollie, Nebraska, Ida Ogden, Moberly, Grace, Mexico. Ollie, Nebraska, Ida Ogden, Moberly, Miss Grace, St. Louis, Mrs. Della Maiden, Vandalia, Oscar, New Mexico, Mrs. Lena Lamme, Mexico, Mrs. Gertie Kely, St. Louis, Earl, St. Louis.

Saxe, Wm. And Jacob, deceased. Surviving members: Geo., Vandalia, Ruth and Eliza, Wellsville, Cora, Wellsville.

Addison Saxe, Edith, deceased. Surviving members: Susie, Rollie and Katie, Sturgeon, Robert, deceased. Alice drowned in Colorado River, Chas., deceased, John, Eureka, Kan., Mrs. Lou May, Manhattan, Kan., Mrs. Robert Sturgeon and Mrs. May Dunford, Prosser, Wash. Mrs. Sturgeon is 92 years old and in good health.

Sobolewski, Rich and Mrs. Sobolewski, deceased. Surviving children: Arthur, Vandalia, Robert, Mt. Olivet Community.

Shannon, R. M. and wife, Vandalia, Mo., Anna, deceased. Surviving children: Judge E. A. Shannon, Mexico, Mac, Perry, Richard, Grand Pass, Mont., Minister, Lena, Vandalia, Mo., Edward, Texas.

Tuggle, G. D. deceased, Mary and Edward, deceased. Betty, his wife and daughter, Alice living on homestead.

French, Wm., Middletown, Mo., Mrs. Laura French, deceased, Mrs. Ram_ry, Kansas.

Oakes, Isaac and wife deceased. Chas., deceased. Surviving : Annie, Benton City, Jennie, Wellsville, Henry, Wellsville, Ida, Wellsville.

Parkers, John and wife, deceased. Surviving members: Milan, Timothy, Laddonia, Geo. Parker, J. F. Parker, Laddonia, Arthur Parker, Gertrude, Laddonia.

Kelly, Mr. And Mrs. Deceased. Surviving member: Harrison L. Kelly, Vandalia, Mo.

Northcut, Mr. And Mrs. Deceased. Surviving: Ida, Darneyll, Ky., Emma Middleton, Vandalia, Mo., Ed., Vandalia, Mo.

Daughtery, Mr. And Mrs. Deceased. Surviving members: Mrs. Maggie Crow, Farber, Mrs. Lula Oaks, Wellsville, Mrs. Grace Maupin, Wellsville, Mo., Fannie Tom Daughtery, Benton City.

The story of the Belgian Reunion
at Mt. Olive Presbyterian Church, Vandalia Leader, June 26, 1930

More Belgian descendants were gathered together Thursday at Mt. Olive at their reunion than had been gathered at one time in many years. From Oklahoma, St. Louis, Illinois and many of the immediate places of the state many gathered there to renew their acquaintance and learn their kin. A bountiful basket dinner was spread at high noon and a _______ was administered
The welcome address of Squire G. B. Moore, a life long friend of many Belgians which will be found in another column was the basis of all the comments.
R.M. Shannon, an old neighber and aquaintance greeted them cordially on their celebration.
A.G. Butts of Springfield, who recited many of the incidents of their association and especially of Mary Antoyne Detienne who was possibly the first one present at the entry of their family as well as the Belgians over whom she yielded a potent influence.
A brief history was given by F.B. Detienne which will likewise be found in another column.
Judge E.A. Shannon of Mexico made an address on the responsibility of one generation living for the suceeding generation. W.W. Crow in his comic way spoke on the subject as I know them and his address though short was punctuated with some wit and humor and kept them in high spirits.
Featuring some worn tokens of the occasion delivered by their foreign land, Gregory Bouchant, Constant B. Detienne, Mary Jackson, of Lebanon, MO., and Mrs. Josephine Miles, St. Louis and John Brabant of Wellsville.
This was a scroll under the Belgian and American Flag, as the honored guests of the occasion.
The address of Prof. Wm. Schulze of Maplewood was another one of the features that was worthy of special mention.
Messages were read from Dr. J.A. Detienne who was expected and unable to be present on account of pressing business and also a letter from Dr. H.G. Detienne of Pueblo as well as a letter from Mrs. Odele Lusk of Lakeman, Texas.
Distinguished attendants were honored guests, the youngest descendant, Joseph Gregory Bouchant, three weeks old and the twins Eugene and Ailene Moss of Mr. and Mrs. Hiter Moss.
The address of Gregory Bouchant was not well understood only by a few but his graphic description of his address of the Post Masters Convention at Jefferson City and the voyage which took forty four days was one of the outstanding features. He was applauded when he was completed. He was the oldest person on the grounds, another distinction. The "skitling" by young Chandler was a rare treat for those assembled.

The first Belgian to ever enter this part of the country; John Joseph Godgrey was known far and wide for his culinary accomplishments and was dubbed "Cook John" by which name he was known to all of the descendants of this colony. He came to this part of the country about the year 1854. His glowing description of the land of promise and the spirit of adventure which had became injected into the minds of the younger men led Antoyne Detienne, Christue Hoffman commonly known as Buck, and DeSire Detienne to make the journey. After they arrived, they likewise wrote of the vast prairies and the possibilities and the comfort and the ease of life which had much of hunting and trapping and fishing and of the wonderful land for vineyards which was one of the greatest assets to a Belgian who loves his wine and was considered one of the renown when he owned a vineyard. In 1856 Antoyne Detienne and wife Elizabeth with their three sons, Constant B., Tony and Henry came to America and were joined here by their son Desire who met them at Middletown. Joe and Teresa Detienne arrived in 1870. From there they were provided with a mule team by the late J.J. Moss and made their way toward Mr. Hoffman's who was known in the Middletown territory as the Lone Belgian where the splendid grasses and the excellent vineyards he had grown and the culture he had given this place

In the spring of 1856, the Alexanders came. Joseph, Gustave, Henry and Ford. They likewise became a part of the rapidly growing colony and the sympathy of their fatherland was so extended at this time they were heartily welcomed and provided for and aided in their start to build a home. In the fall of 1857 John Bouchant and his wife Rosalie came to America, landing in New York from thence they came to St. Louis where the colony had formerly started their homes. Here by incident they encountered a french woman whose sympathies were as boundless as the time and whose friendship was one of the crowning features of their new found home. Mrs. Belot (Beloit) , whose memory is still cherished for her kindly deeds and motherly care of the entire colony whom she regarded as one of her family has long passed to her reward.

From St. Louis they came to Herman by rail and were met by some of the early settlers who piloted them to Middletown by wagon and team and then on Sandy Creek where Buck had started his colony and where a welcome that was only equal to a people whose love and affection were expressed in this nationality. Their journey like all the others their home and that longing for their native land and friends which had gained a stronghold on those making the journey came near causing them to return when they lost one of the children who was buried at sea under the most pathetic scenes ever held. The members of this family were John Bouchant and wife Rosalie, John Bouchant son by first marriage, Gregory Bouchant and Mary Jane Bouchant who afterwards became the wife of Henry Detienne.
Brambants who came from a providence which bears their name also were among the early settlers in this country. In that family John Brabant their only survivor. All of the early settlers were reared near Brussel, Belgian and Harve yet the communities there were not adjoining but were in such close proximity that they knew each other and their acquaintance in foreign field was but a matter of meeting. The battlefield of Waterloo, to them was not revered as it is today as they looked upon it as a very commonplace and not as one of the International historic places and the deciding factor of civilization.

Their means of transportation was by ox team and afoot. Most of them were carrying their small bundle of holdings in their handbags or possibly across their shoulders on the end of a stick. Poor in wealth bu rich in apprenticeship each of the men were equipped with a trade that would give them labor without having to seek employment. such trades were the salvation of the colony. After wandering up Desota's trail along the Mississippi they finally landed in a French settlement near St. Louis and remained there a brief time when later they decided to go further to the interior of Missouri in search of this man Buck who through his ingenuity and skill had gained renoun and was known as the Lone Frenchman of Sandy. Starting with their ox teams and wagons ans most of the colony walking they arrived one Sunday evening at the home of Jas. Mosby in rain that was short of a downpour to inquire the direction to the place of the Lone Frenchman. So pitiful were they through his generosity they were given freedom of a small tenant house where they were provided with a stove and some wood to dry their clothes and be sheltered from the rain and sleet. Early the following day after having spent the night lodging as best they could they were given the direction to the home of the Lone Frenchman. Here they found a welcome that was hearening and homelike and from this splendid reception they began their lives anew and dug from the soil the wooded plains their existance. The friendships received on the journey was climaxed by the courtesies of the late Jas. Mosby who aided them with his wagons and teams instead of having the ply all hands on a wagon to get their wood from the nearby timber. This friendship and courtesy was never forgotten and to this day it has brought its fruition in the friendship that exists among the descendants of the noble and generous man and the colony.
Logs were hewed from the timber and rude huts first their abodes yet in those thatched roofed huts was that ever conquering spirit of being able to care for themselves and at all times to make their own existance. From their crudly constructed homes they began to prosper and give retribution feeling for their new found friendship which proved to be great and fullsome. Toiling and laboring always for themselves in the pain they never at any time would permit any of their neighbors to want for anything of any assistance without a desire to accumulate and many of the habits and traditions and ease of life were expressed in their families. they however placed honor and integrity as their standard and though never attained any great wealth were known for their independance and standard of mortality.
Among those who compose this colony were Alexanders: Joseph, Ford, Henry and Gustave whose ancestors are now represented as follows. Mrs. Thresa Tyggle, and daughter, Mrs. Elsworth Fry. of Detroit, George Alexander, Mrs. Am. Lovelass,
Wm. Belot (Beloit) , whose ancestors were represented in Mrs. Charles Day of Montgomery City, Mrs. Z.---- of St. Louis, Alva Belot (Beloit) ,
Desire Detienne, Mary Brabant, John Brabant only living members of the Brabant family who came from Brabant, Belgium. D Washington N, Eugene Detienne, Marcous Detienne and descendants---- C.B. Detienne, W.E. Detienne, Ben Detienne, Lula Detienne, Hattie Detienne, Tonie Detienne, wife Charlotte in hospital, Granite City, Mrs. Mollie Ibbotson, Mrs. Viola Bradley, Springfield and Ernest Detienne of Vandalia.

This article and ( "permission to use" from the Vandalia Leader accompanied the article) was first submitted several years ago to Audrain County by Cheryl Oberhaus. Due to a computer crash, the article was not published. The newspaper permission was also lost in the crash, but the article was found again on the Belgium website, and is used here for educational purposes only. Some of the obvious errors in spelling have been corrected, others have not. Copyright still remains with the Vandalia Leader, not this or any other website.