SALT RIVER TOWNSHIP
Old
Settlers-Settlers In the Township and City In 1844-Salt River
Tigers-From the Industrial World - Mexico - First Business Men -
Biographical sketch of John B. Morris and Resolutions of Audrain County
Bar-Business Men, Continued- Report of Sale of Lots-Lots
Reserved-Additions to Mexico-City, when Incorporated - First Difficulty
- Mayors of Mexico - Banks and Bankers - Secret Orders - Mexico Hospital
- Audrain County Medical Society - Fires - Mexico Fire Company - Public
Schools of Mexico - Directors - Pay roll of Teachers and Janitor- Report
of Superintendent of the Graded Schools of Mexico - Mexico Mills -
Telephone Company - From the Industrial World - 1874 - Review of
Business-Business of 1881-Business Directory
John Strahan
was the son of Robert Strahan and Nancy Scott, of county Down, Ireland.
When John was three years old, his mother died, and in 1812
his father came to America, bringing his son with him, and settled in
Beaver county, Pa. His brother William and sister Nancy also came with
them. John lost his father
when he was only eleven years old, at which time he was bound out to
learn the carpenter’s trade. But that trade did not suit him, and he
left the man he was bound to and learned the boot and shoe business. He
also procured books and acquired such an education as he could by his
own efforts. He was naturalized in 1824, and settled in Lincoln county,
Ky., in 1832, where he married Celia Canterbury, by whom he had four
sons and four daughters. He came to Missouri in 1841, and settled first
in Platte county, but removed from there to Audrain county in 1844. In
1849 he went to California, and during his absence his wife died. He
returned home in 1854, and married Cynthia Eubank. he was elected
justice of the peace in 1846, but resigned his office when he went to
California. He was reelected upon his return, and continued to hold the
office for many years. He has been a great friend of public
improvements, and when the North Missouri Railroad was built he
subscribed largely to the capital stock, saying that if he could not pay
his railroad tax when it was due, he would take his spade and work it
out. The Esquire is now living on his farm in Audrain County, and is a
worthy and respectable citizen.
Mr. Russell, of North
Carolina, was a soldier of the Revolutionary War. He married in North
Carolina, and settled in Campbell county, Va. His children were Mark,
Henry, Daniel and Louis. Daniel married Lucy Lane, and settled in
Carroll county, Mo., in 1836. Louis
married Jane Davidson, and they had Frank, David, William, Eliza, Henry,
John and three others. Mr. Russell lived for many years on the Ohio
river in West Virginia, and made regular trips to New Orleans with flat
boats. He settled in Audrain County in 1835, and died in 1872, in the 84th
year of his age.
Barnard Spencer and his
wife, Mary Hampton, of Gallatin county, Ky., had Preston H., Sarah A.,
Joseph D., James H, Eliza, Rosa, Susannah, Henry H. and Barnard H.
Joseph D. married Elizabeth Bishop, and settled in Audrain county in
1839. Barnard H., Eliza and Susannah also settled in Audrain county.
Henry H. was married twice, and settled in Audrain county.
George Rose and his
wife, of Germany, had three children -Louis, Martin and Matthias. Louis
was colonel of a regiment in the battle of Blue Licks, Ky., and was
captured and taken to Detroit where he was exchanged, and returned home
in August, 1783. Matthias married Nancy Hickman, of Loudoun county, Vs.,
and settled in St. Louis county, Mo., in 1818. His children were Louis,
Elga H., Rolley F., Elizabeth, Sarah and Angeline. Louis married
Elizabeth Massey, and they had one soil, Frank E.
Elga H., better known as
Judge Rose, lives in Mexico, Mo. He married Ellen B. Sullivan, and they
had Matthias D. and Lucy E. Rolley F. was married first to Mary Clark,
by whom he had Louis, William, Franklin and Nancy. He was married the
second time to Adeline DeHare, a French lady. Elizabeth married James
McClure. Sarah married
Nicholas S.. Burckhardt, Angeline married Benjamin D. Ray.
Robert Mansfield and
Mourning Clark, his wife, of Virginia, had William H., James W., Thomas
M., Robert C., Joseph, Mildred, Elizabeth, Nancy H., Mary, Sarah and
Susannah. William H., James W. and Joseph were Baptist preachers. Thomas
M. was a Methodist preacher and Robert C. was a Presbyterian preacher.
The latter settled in Audrain county in 1836, and he and Mr. J. H. Smith
entered the land on which the city of Mexico now stands. Robert C. Mansfield
married Elizabeth S. Beatty, and they had Malinda, Mary, William,
Edward, Charles and Lelia. Mildred, Elizabeth, Nancy H. and Sarah,
daughters of Robert Mansfield, Sr., remained in Virginia. Mary married
and settled in Illinois; Susannah married and settled in Monroe county, Missouri.
Daniel McIntire and his
wife, who was a Miss Weaver, were natives of Virginia, but removed to
Kentucky, and settled near Lexington. They had Charles W., Roland,
Duskin, William, Catherine, Frances, Jane and Elizabeth. Charles W.
settled in Callaway county, Missouri, in 1819, and in Audrain in 1836.
He was married in July, 1829, to Margaret Harrison, of Callaway county,
and they had Donald, Thomas, William, Eliza, Cynthia and Nancy. Mr.
McIntire was very fond of a joke, and never let an opportunity pass to
indulge in one but he got badly sold on a certain occasion. The people
of Callaway county had been taunting the citizens of Audrain, and saying
they had no money, and in order to convince them that there was some
money in Audrain, he gave a man a $20 gold piece, and told him to go
into Callaway and show it to everybody he could see, and tell them it
was from Audrain. The fellow took the money and departed, and is
doubtless around yet, as he never returned it to its owner. On another
occasion Mr. McIntire endeavored to borrow the entire revenue of the
county from the sheriff, who was conveying it to Jefferson City. It
consisted of $32 in money and six wolf scalps. Roland McIntire was born
in Fleming county, Ky., in 1800. Ho married Maria Hunter, of Ohio, and
settled in Audrain county, Mo., in 1831. He hewed the logs to build his
house, and while they were lying in the woods some Indians set the woods
on fire, and the logs were burnt black, rendering them unfit, in that
condition, for use. Mr. McIntire and a party of his neighbors pursued
the Indians, and caught and whipped them, to teach them not to do so
another time. He then hewed his logs again and built his house. He had
eight children - Roland, Jr., Marvin, Amanda, Laura, Mary, Fleming,
Catherine and Redmon. Duskin and William McIntire remained in Kentucky.
Catherine married Lewis Day, who settled in Audrain county in 1830. The
widow of Frank McIntire lives in Fulton, Mo. Jane married James
McClannahan, of Callaway county. Elizabeth married Wiley Reynolds, of
the same county.
William Murray, of
Georgia, had five children - Nancy, Timothy, William, Douglas and
Samuel. The latter volunteered as a soldier in the War of 1812, when he
was only seventeen years of age. After he was grown he married Mary A.
Binns, and settled in Audrain county, Mo., where ho died in 1861, in the
65th year of his age, leaving a widow and five children.
Drury Mayes, of Ireland,
settled in Halifax county, Va. His children were Drury, William, Gardner
and Beverly. Drury married Nancy Douglass, who had seven brothers in the
American army during the Revolutionary War. They settled first in
Tennessee, and removed from there to Kentucky, where Mr. Mayes died in
1828. He had six children, and his widow and five of the children
settled in Boone county, Missouri, in 1832. The names of the children
were Sally, Drury D., Nancy, Beverly S. and William M.
Sally married Marion Pate, who settled in Audrain county in 1835.
Drury married Mary A. Barnes, and settled in Audrain county in 1833.
Nancy married Hiram G. Miller, who also settled in Audrain county.
Beverly S. was married first to Martha Ridgeway, and settled in Audrain
county in 1833. He was married the second time to Emelia E. Bladus.
William M. married Elizabeth H. Barnes, and settled in Audrain county in
1834.
Rev. William M. Jesse,
of Cumberland county, Va., was an Old School Baptist preacher. He
married Polly A. Parker, and they had sixteen children John P., Isham
T., Mary A., Susan, Sally 0., William J., Jesse S., Royal A., Paulina
E., Cyrus S., Maria H., Alexander and James M., several of whom died in
childhood. John P., Isham T., William J. and Royal A. are all Baptist
preachers, and live in Audrain county.
Jonathan Kilgore, of
Ireland, emigrated to America and settled in South Carolina. He removed
from there to Caldwell county, Ky., where he and his wife both died, the
latter being 81 years of age at the time of her death. Their children
were John, David, William, Hugh, Jane, Samuel, Mary and Jonathan. John
and Hugh came to Missouri, the former in 1827 and the latter in 1837.
John was married first to Polly Willingham, and they had, John,
Samuel, Polly, Jane, Elizabeth, Nancy and Margaret. He was married the
second time to Phoebe Tart, of North Carolina, by whom he had Permelia,
Amaretta, Lucinda, ,James B., Erretta, Nathan F. and Parthena. Nathan F.
married Margaret J. Eller. Permelia married John H. Kilgore. Amaretta
married Alfred Powell. Hugh, brother of John Kilgore, Sr., married
Phoebe Bowlin, and they had several children, all of whom are dead. John
Hampton, Casana and Isabella, children of David Kilgore, of Caldwell
county, Ky., settled in Missouri. John Hampton settled in Audrain county
in 1830, and married Margaret Willingham, who died, and he afterward
married Permelia Kilgore. He had eighteen children in all. Casana
married Isham Kilgore, who settled in Boone county in 1826, and in
Audrain in 1827. They had six sons and six daughters. Isabella married
William Wood, why settled in Callaway county in 1837, and in Audrain in
1838. Theo had two sons and four daughters.
The parents of George
and Jane McDonald were murdered by the Indians in the early settlement
of Virginia. George and his sister were in the lot, playing in a horse
trough, when the attack was made. They lay down in the trough and were
not discovered by the savages, but both of their parents, who were in
the house, were murdered. When George was grown he married Mary Murdock,
of Ireland, and they had John, Peter, Thomas, James, William, Elizabeth
and Ann. In 1795 they settled in Nicholas county, Ky., where Mr.
McDonald died, and his widow removed with her son William to Illinois,
where she died. Thomas McDonald married the Widow Gray, whose maiden
name was Sarah Franklin, and settled in Missouri in 1831. They had
Malinda, William H., Zerelda, Arthur, Margaret, George, Elizabeth,
Amanda and Nancy, all of whom, except Zerelda, settled in Missouri.
John McClure, of
Scotland, settled in Virginia, and afterward removed to Clark county,
Kentucky. He had John, Andrew, Samuel, and two daughters. John married
Polly Redmon, and settled in Missouri in 1832. They had John, William,
Louisa, Polly A., Lucinda, Sally, Mary and Margaret. Samuel McClure
married Emily Brown, and settled in Missouri in 1831. They had James,
David, John, Joseph, Clay, Elizabeth Mary and Sallie.
Loyd McIntosh, of Logan
county, Kentucky, married Catharine Harper, by whom he had John, George
L., Julia, Rachel and Jane. John married Elizabeth Gillum, and afterward
his widow settled in Missouri. George L. married Sarah Harper, and
settled in Missouri in 1838. Rachel married William McIntire, of Fulton,
Callaway county.
Abraham Levaugh, of
Woodford county, Kentucky, was of French descent. He had Rebecca, Sally,
Jane, William Isaac, James and Elizabeth. William married Polly Murphy,
of North Carolina, and settled in Montgomery county, Missouri, in 1823,
and in 1832 he settled in Audrain county. He had but one child, a son,
who married Elizabeth Hall, by whom he had three sons. He was married
again to Minerva Jones, and they had three sons and one daughter. Mr.
Levaugh was a partner of the first merchant in Mexico, Missouri.
James Lockridge was born
in Virginia, but removed to and lived in Nicholas county, Kentucky. His
children were James, Jr., Robert, Andrew, William and John. James and
John settled in Callaway county, Missouri, in 1828. The former married
Lavinia Hail, and they had Margaret, Martha, James, Cynthia, Elihu,
John, Elizabeth, Perlissa A., Robert and Melvina. John, son of James
Lockridge, Sr., married Mahala Brown, and they had John, Nancy, Martha,
James, William, Robert and Mary.
Samuel Mundy, of
Albemarle county, Virginia, married Mildred Croswhite. Two of their
sons, Logan and Isaac, settled in Missouri in 1846. Isaac afterward
removed to California, where he died. Logan married Lucinda Creed, and
lives in Audrain county. He came to Missouri poor, but has prospered and
is now possessed of a goodly supply of worldly effects.
John C. Martin, of
Lincoln county, North Carolina, married Phoebe Allen, and settled in
Audrain county, Missouri, in 1830. They had Allen, Thomas, Rufus,
Robert, Nelson, Polly, Nancy, Elizabeth and Patsey. Mr. Martin was a
devout Methodist, and held family prayers regularly, night and morning,
but no one could understand his prayers, as he used language which he
alone could interpret. One of his daughters married Henry Williams who,
at the time, was so poor he could not pay the minister, but gave him an
old spinning wheel for his trouble. Mr. Williams afterward represented
the county in the Legislature.
Yosty Myers was of
German descent, and lived in Maryland. His children were Louis, Jacob,
John, Mike, Benjamin, Rebecca and Mary. Louis married Elizabeth McKay,
of Virginia, and settled in Kentucky at a very early date. His children
were Isaac M., Silas, William, Lewis, Elias B., Meredith, Harvey S.,
Abishai M., Mary A., Elizabeth, Sally and Rebecca. Meredith married
Nancy P. Jennings, a daughter of Gen. William Jennings, of the War of
1812, and settled in Audrain county, Missouri, where his wife died. He
afterward married Emeline Blue. By his first wife he had two sons and
four daughters. Louis Myers came to Missouri and bought land, intending
to remove his family here, but he died on his way back to Kentucky.. His
family came to Missouri after his death.
John Eubank, of England,
came to America and settled in the State of Maryland. His children were
George, John, Thomas, Richard, William, Mary, Lamar and Sophia. George
married Rebecca Heringdon, of Maryland, and they had David, Martha,
George, Polly, Ellen, Rebecca and Rhoda. David was a soldier of the War
of 1812, and when the war was over he removed with his father to
Kentucky, and from thence to Ohio. He subsequently returned to
Kentucky and married Anna Wyatt, and settled in Audrain county,
Missouri, in 1837. His children were Cynthia, Julia, Lina, George,
Rebecca, Jonathan, David, Boyd and Ambrose.
Jacob, Joseph and Daniel
Eller were born and raised in Maryland.
Jacob married Margaret Willard, and they had Philip, George,
Daniel, John, Sally, Susan, Margaret, Jacob, Jr., and Elms.
Jacob, Jr., married Elizabeth Grimes, and settled in Callaway
county, Missouri, in 1837. His
children were Warner, Willard, John T., Ann
M., Martha and
Elizabeth. Elias Eller
settled in Audrain county in 1838. He married Mary Standerford of
Virginia, and they had Abraham, Lizzie, Eleanor H., Margaret J., Mary
A., Susan V., George E., Rachel and Joseph.
John Gilmer and Margaret
Berry, his wife, settled in Mercer county, Kentucky. They had Joseph,
James, William Alexander, Ann and Jane. James was the only one who came
to Missouri. He married Nancy Wilson, and settled in Monroe county in
1831, and in Audrain in 1842. His children were Mary A., Margaret L.,
Eliza J., Sallie A., Harriet M., Emma C. and John J.
Thomas Hook and Sally
Long, his wife, were natives of Maryland. They removed first to
Kentucky, and from there to Missouri in 1828. Their children were
Elizabeth, William, James, Samuel, Thomas, Patsey, Polly, Nancy and
Matilda. James married Cynthia Summit, and settled in Boone county,
Missouri, in 1826. Samuel married Mary Simms, and settled in Boone
county in 1828. He died in 1829, and his widow married Thomas Hook, who
died in 1850. The first husband’s children were Martha, Mary and
Samuel T., and the children of the second were Graham, Robert S.,
Lucullus, William H., Joseph and Martha E.
James Cauthorn, of
England, came to America, and settled in Virginia.
He had but one child, a son named Charles, who served seven years
in the American army during the Revolutionary War. He was married first
to Elizabeth Williams, and they had one son, whom they named Asa, and
who was a. soldier in the War of 1812. After the death of his first
wife, Mr. Cauthorn married Mary Sanders, of Virginia, and they had
seven sons and three daughters. Their names were Asa, Jr., David, Paul,
Silas, Richard, Stephen, Celia W., Elizabeth and Martha. David and Paul
married and settled in Andrew county, Mo. Peter married the widow of
George Eubanks, and settled in Andrew county in 1885. Silas married Mary
Jerman, and settled in Audrain county in 1835. Richard and Stephen and
their three sisters settled in Indiana. Peter and Patti Cauthorn were
twins, and very devoted to each other. They married widows of the same
name (Eubanks), but who were not related in any way, and the brothers
each had one daughter, which were of the same age.
Jonathan and Delilah
Cunningham were natives of the State of Massachusetts. They had a son
named Elliott P., who came to Missouri in 1840, and settled in Audrain
county. He obtained the contract for building the State University at
Columbia, and was afterward elected a member of the county court of
Audrain county. He married Cynthia Slocum, and they had Ellen, Clara,
Russell S., Earle C. and Emmett R., all of whom live in Audrain county.
Hezekiah I. M. Doan, of
Harrison county, Ky., married Matilda Berry, and removed to Boone
county, Mo., in 1827, from whence they removed to Audrain county in
1831. Mr. Doan was appointed one of the first judges of the county court
of that county, and was justice of the peace for many years.
Edward Dingle, of
Maryland, settled in Scott county, Ky., where he married and had seven
children. Three of them, Richard, Winder C. and Julia, settled in Marion
county, Mo. Mr. Dingle settled in Audrain county in 1840. He was married
the second time to Frances Sallee, of Virginia, by whom he had Samuel,
Carter B., William S., John G., Polly S., Nancy C. and Mary A. Samuel
was killed in Mexico, and left a widow and five children. Mary A.
married Taswell Johnson. Carter B. married Nancy Ward, and died leaving
a widow and three children. William S. Dingle died in his youth. Polly
S. married Kinzey Hardister, and she is now a widow in California. Nancy
C. married a Mr. Landrum.
Hugh Crockett, of
Virginia, was a colonel in the Revolutionary War, and was distinguished
for gallantry. He married Rebecca Lorton, and they had Samuel, Walter,
Robert, Hugh, Nancy, Jane Mary and Rebecca. Samuel married Margaret
Rayborn, of Virginia by whom he had Hugh, Rebecca, James, Joseph, Jane,
William, Margaret, Walter, John D., Robert and Randall. Mr. Crockett
removed first to Williamson county, Tennessee, where he lived nine
years, and then came to Missouri, and settled in Boone county. His
eldest son, Hugh, now resides in Audrain county. He has been married
three times; first to Mary A. Wright, second to Rhoda B. Finley, and
third to the widow Turner, whose maiden name was Nancy Price. Rebecca
married Judge James Harrison, of Audrain county. Jamie married John B.
Morrow, and Margaret married James G. Morrow. Joseph married Nancy
Kright, and settled in Audrain county in 1840. John married Mary Pool,
and settled in that county the same year. The members of the Crockett
family are a jovial class of people, noted for their wit and humor and
cheerful dispositions. They also love the sport of hunting.
Robert Calhoun, of
Virginia, settled in Audrain county, Missouri, in 1838. He married
Elizabeth Bright, a sister of Judge Michael Bright, of Callaway county,
and they had Austin, Sarah, Margaret, Virginia, Samuel and William. Mr.
Calhoun was an industrious, energetic man, kind and affectionate in his
family, and highly respected by his neighbors. Like all the early
settlers, he was fond of hunting, and was one of the best marksmen in
the county.
Richard Cauthorn, of
Essex county, Virginia, was a school-teacher and silversmith. He married
a Miss Fisher, by whom he had Vinson, James. Reuben, Leroy, Godfrey,
Amos and Patsey. James married Leah Allen, and they had Allen, Carter,
James, Jr., Ross, Alfred, Nancy, Henrietta and Frances.. Allen settled
in Audrain county, Missouri, and married Elizabeth Harmon. At his death
he left two sons and two daughters. Carter married Elizabeth Calvin, and
settled in Audrain county in 1835. They had eleven sons and two
daughters. James, Jr., married Frances Calvin, and settled in Audrain
county in 1835. They had four sons and live daughters. Ross, Nancy and
Henrietta lived and died in Virginia. Alfred married Emily Brooks, mind
settled in Audrain county. They had seven sons and five daughters.
Frances married William Garrett., who settled in Mexico, Missouri. They
had three sons and three daughters.
John Charlton, of
Ireland, came to America and settled in Monroe county, Virginia. His
children were Joseph, Thomas, John, Isabella, Ella, Letitia and Polly,
all of whom, except John, lived and died in Virginia. John was a soldier
of the Ware of 1812. He married Isabella Humphreys, and came to Missouri
in 1820. The journey was made on a flat-boat as far as Shawneetown,
Illinois, where they disembarked and came by land to St. Charles county.
They settled first on Dardenne prairie, and removed from there to
Audrain county in 1830. Mr. Charlton built the first hewed log house in
that county, and had to go 25 miles to get hands to assist in raising
it.
James Beatty was born in
Maryland in 1742. He married Elizabeth Ramer, whose father fled from
Germany to avoid religious persecution by Charles V. Mr. Beatty settled
in Fayette county, Kentucky among the first white people who sought
homes in that State, and he experienced all the dangers and trials of
the long and bloody Indian war that followed. After the return of peace,
he gave his assistance to the development of the country, and was one of
the party who opened the first road to Ohio. His children were Mary,
Michael, James E., Lydia, Edward, Jonathan, Anti, Ruth, Amy and Barbara.
James E. married and lived in Mobile, Alabama. Edward married Malinda
Price, by whom he had Janice E., John P., Elizabeth S., and William. He
was married the. second time to Anna S. Smith, and they had Joseph and
Martha J. He was married the third time to Eliza J. Holmes, but they had
no children. Mr. Beatty settled in Audrain county in 1837. John P.
Beatty married Elizabeth J. Clarke, and they had Edward H., John W.,
Lycurgus, Mary E., Leonidas, Helen S., Lawrence, James and Oliver, all
of whom live in Missouri.
John Barnett, of
England, had a son named Hutchins, who married Polly Matthews, of
Virginia, and settled in Boone county, Missouri, in 1820. Their children
were John W., Thomas M., Jane W., Mildred A and Sarah R. John W.
married Arretta Willingham in 1822, and settled in Audrain county in
1831. They had Sarah J., Mary M.,
Mildred A., Martha E., William J., Napoleon B., Sanders, Hutchins,
Athanasis, John W., Thomas and Jesse E. Thomas, son of Hutchins Barnett,
Sr., settled in Audrain county in 1831. He never married. He possesses a
remarkable memory, and can relate past events with great accuracy.
Sarah R., daughter of Hutchins Barnett, Sr., married Daniel
Ellington, of Boone county, Missouri.
Thomas R. Cardwell, of
England, came to America and settled in Richmond, Virginia.
His children were John, Perrin and George. John married Keziah
Low, and they had John, .Jr., Thomas, William, James, Wiltshire, George,
Elizabeth, Nancy, Martha, Lucy and Mary. George, son of Thomas Cardwell,
Sr., married Anna Hamilton, and they had John, Elizabeth, William,
Keziah, Martha, Mary, George, Jr., Jane, Rebecca, Wyatt and James.
George, Jr., married Ida Vansdoll, and settled in Missouri in 1832.
Martha married William Shelley. Wyatt married May Woods and settled in
Audrain county in 1834. Jane
married William Woods. William married Barbara Sanford and settled in
Audrain county in 1837. He was married time second tune to Elizabeth
Watts.
Jacob Helper was of
German descent. He was born in Rockbridge county, Virginia, but married
and settled in Ohio, where his wife died. Their children were Obediah,
John, Elizabeth and Anna. Mr. Helper was married the second time to
Catharine Miller, of Ohio, by whom he had Joseph, Edward, William H.,
Mitchell, Rebecca, Eliza and Barbara. All of the children by his second
wife settled in .Audrain county.
James Hall, of Nicholas
county, Kentucky, had Elizabeth, Polly, Cynthia, Melvina, James, John,
Henry, Elihu and Moses. John and Elihu came to Missouri in 1835. The
former married Kitty Squires, and they had one son and ten daughters,
viz.: Cynthia, Margaret, Mary, Amanda, Robert, Ruth, Liney, Mildred A.,
Judith A., Sally and Caroline. Elihu Hall married Susan Bradshaw, and
settled in Callaway county, Missouri, in 1835, and in 1839 he settled in
Audrain county. His children were William, Rebecca,
Elizabeth, Polly, Robert, John, David and James. James, David and
Amanda died in Indiana. Mr. Hall died in 1850.
Stephen Pearson, of
Burch county North Carolina, married Mary Potts, and they had two sons,
John A. and Joseph, both of whom settled in Audrain county,
where the city of Mexico now stands, in 1835. When the town was laid off
the following year, Joseph donated three acres of land to help it along.
John A. married Nancy Canton, of North Carolina, by whom he had Rufus
S., Leander P., John V., Marshall C., Joseph W., Clinton P., Julia A.,
Mary E., Emily L. and Elizabeth L. He served eight years as a member of
the county court, and was an esteemed and influential citizen.
Thomas Powell and Nancy
Chancy, his wife, were natives of Maryland, but settled in Nicholas
county, Kentucky, in 1796. They had eleven children, nine of whom lived
to be grown: John, Charles, Jerry, Thomas, Isaac, William, Robert, Polly
and Nancy. John, Isaac and Nancy settled in Indiana. Charles, Thomas and
William lived in Kentucky. Polly married and she and her husband lived
in Illinois. Robert was a soldier of the War of 1812, and became an
early settler of Audrain county. He was married, first, to Celia Murphy,
of Kentucky, by whom he had Alvin, Alfred, Monroe, Jefferson,. Jameson,
Columbus, Jackson, Robert T., Julia A., Nancy and Grezella. Mr. Powell
was married twice beside, his last wife being the widow Hunt.
Jackson Thomas was born
and raised in Mercer county, Kentucky, but moved to Monroe county,
Missouri, in 1834, and to Audrain county in 1838. He married Sarah D.
McGee, and they had Ida C., James S., Mary J., Louisa A., Sarah E.,
Susan F., Martha E. and William J.
John Wayne, of Virginia,
had a son named Temple, who was of a roving disposition and passionately
fond of hunting. He settled in Audrain county, Missouri, in 1827, and
killed six deer the first day he stopped there. During the hunting
season no one killed more, deer and wolves than he did, and he lived for
years entirely on wild game. He was never satisfied except when he was
in the woods, where he spent nearly all of his time, night and day-
Sunday being like any other day to him. He was married first to Lorinda
Peyton, by whom he had William, Mary, Temple, Jr., Joseph, Lorinda, Jane
and James. He was married
the second time to Elizabeth Gregg, and they had Lucy A., George,
Elizabeth, Emily, Alfred, Franklin and Martha S.
Moses Wilson married
Mary Russell, of Virginia, and settled in Boone county, Kentucky. They
hind John H., Sarah, Martha, William, Elizabeth, Samuel, Susan and
Chrine. John H. was a soldier in the War of 1812. He married Susan
Simmons, and settled in Audrain county, Missouri, in 1834. They had
Sally, Martha A., Esther, William W., Mary, Joseph R., Susan C. and
Samuel M.
Cobb Williams was a
native of Virginia, but settled in Lincoln county, N. C., where he
married Patsey Brown. He settled in Audrain county,. Missouri, in 1830.
His children were Polly, Patsey, Delilah, Granderson, Caleb, John,
William L., Gideon and Absalom. John and Delilah died in North Carolina.
Polly married John Allen. Patsey married John Kilgore. Granderson and
Abraham live in Monroe county. Caleb is in California. William L. was
married first to Cordelia Kilgore, and second to Mary E. Evans. Gideon
married Elizabeth Gulley. Caleb Williams, Sr., died in 1832, and his
funeral was the first preached in Audrain county. The services were
conducted by Rev. Robert Younger, a Methodist minister of Boone county.
Franklin Armistead was a
soldier of the War of 1812. He married Hannah Rice, of Virginia, and
their children were William, Franklin, Jr., Hannah and Delpha. Franklin,
Jr., married Martha Faulkner, and settled in Audrain county in 1833.
They had Franklin W., Martha, Lucy, Mary, Joseph, John, Virginia, James
and Eliza.
James Bybee, of England,
came to America and settled in Clark county, Kentucky. His children were
Alfred, James, Thomas, Louis, John and two daughters. Alfred and John
came to Missouri. The former settled in Cass county, and the latter in
Howard. John was married six times; first to Polly Adams, of Kentucky,
by whom he had six children; second to Nancy Adams -two children; third
to Mary Myers - one child; fourth to Mary Kyle - four children; fifth to
Nannette Creed - nine children; sixth to the widow McGee. He had
twenty-two children in all, he settled in Audrain county in 1833, and
two of his sons, Martellus and John, are still living there. One of his
daughters, Mrs. Bloom, a widow, also lives in that county. Martellus is
a great wit and humorist. He was the principal witness for the defense
in the celebrated Boggs breach of promise suit that came off in Mexico,
Missouri, many years ago, and created a great deal of fun.
Samuel Watts, of Halifax
county, Va., was born in England. He married Sally Burchett, and they
had Rebecca, Daniel, Lizzie, Gillum, John, Roland, Joseph, Berry,
Brackett and Sally. Roland married Polly Lane, and settled in Audrain
county in 1833. Joseph was married first to Dorothea Corner of Virginia,
and second to the widow of Henry Burnes, whose maiden name was Narcissa
Johnson, daughter of Richard Johnson and Ann Withens, who came from
Bourbon county, Ky., to Callaway county, Mo., in 1824.
Andrew Woods, of Mercer
county, Ky., married Mary McGee, and they had John, James and William.
John and James settled in Monroe county, Mo. William married Jane
Cardwell, and settled in Audrain county in 1837. They had George A.,
David, James, William, Mary A., Joseph, John, Albert, Olivia, Martha J.
and Susan.
The parents of Archibald
Woods were Irish. He was married in Virginia, and removed to Kentucky
during the early settlement of that State, where we was killed by the
Indians during one of their attacks upon the fort where he and his
family were staying. He left a widow and four children - William,
Franklin, Nancy and Archibald. William was married in Kentucky, and
settled in Missouri in 1820. Frank died unmarried in Boone county, Mo.
Nancy married William Mullins, who settled in Howard county in 1820.
Archibald married Fannie Hill, and settled in Callaway county in 1826.
His children were David H., Elizabeth, John, Nellie, Nancy and Patsey.
David H. married Sarah Reynolds, and lives in Audrain county.
Joseph Slocum, of
England, settled in North Carolina, where he married Mary Riley, and
they had Riley, Nancy, Robert and Cynthia. Riley married the widow
Potts, whose maiden name was Nancy Crockett, of Tennessee, and settled
in Boone county, Mo., in 1819. They
had Nancy, Robert and Cynthia. Nancy, daughter of Riley Slocum, married
Joseph M. Gray, and they had two children. Cynthia married Elliott P.
Cunningham. Robert is a bachelor, and lives in Audrain county. Riley
Slocum was married the second time to Annie Herring, by whom he had
William, Alfred, Joseph, Susan, John C. and Amanda J. The first four
died young. Amanda J. was married first to Charles V. McWilliams, and
second to Oliver C. Cunningham. She had two children by her second
husband, Charles and Price.
Isham Bradley, of
Ireland, came to America and settled in Virginia. His wife was a Miss
McGee, by whom he had John, Thomas and William.
John was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. He married Martha
Mosbey, and they had David, Thomas, Edward, Isham, Nancy, Sally, Polly
and Martha. David and Thomas were both soldiers in the War of 1812, the
former serving in and near Norfolk, and the latter below Richmond.
Thomas became tired of the smell of gunpowder, and hired a
substitute at $100 per day. He married Frankey Winler, and they had nine
children. Mr. Bradley and family settled in Audrain county in 1838.
William West married a
Miss Bybee, and removed from Virginia to North Carolina, and in 1800 he
settled in East Tennessee. Mr. West was a soldier of the Revolutionary
War, and while he was in the army his wife kept all the pewter
ware, of which she had quite an amount, buried to keep the
soldiers from molding it into bullets. Their eldest son, Jolley H,
married Nancy Williams, of North Carolina, by whom he had James, John,
Emily, William, Elizabeth, Jeremiah J. and Louisa. After the death of
Mr. West his widow came to Missouri with three of her children, Jeremiah
J., William and Elizabeth, and settled in Audrain county in 1834. Mrs.
West afterward married Elias Gilpin, who removed to Texas. William West
married Polly Mullins, of Tennessee. Jeremiah J. married Jelpha Hatton,
of Kentucky, by whom he had ten children, nearly all of whom are named
for Methodist preachers. Louisa West married B. A. Frield, and died in
1856, leaving seven children.
The names of the old
settlers that have not already been mentioned above, as residents of
Salt River township at an early day, will be found below. The list
embraces the names of all the men who voted at an election, held at the
court-house in 1844, for President and Vice-President of the United
States. The entire township then, including Mexico, cast only 205 votes:
Isaac Black, J F. Miller, John McDonald, C. V. Williams, Presley
Davis, Chas. McIntyre, R. R. Lee, W. L. Williams, Newton Berry, Henry W.
DeJarnett, J. K. Malory, Edward Botey, John Green, Roland Watts, Thomas
Kilgore, G. F. Muldrow, W. James, Reuben Pulis, Isaac Kelsow, Joseph
Surber, Joseph Hepler, Caleb
Williams, Thomas Pate, Monrow Powell, J; F. McIntosh, J. P. P. Pearson,
Isham Willingham, E. R. Daniel, John Lockridge, W. C. Bug, Wm. Eubank,
W. P. Harrison, J. P. Beaty, Elijah Adams, Shelton Pearson, M. Myers,
William Joy, Granville Reed, G. W. Willingham, Thomas Buckley, Thomas
Keyton, W. M. Sims, W. R. Sims, A. M. Turner, G. P. Williams, William
Haynes, M. B. McMullen, Alfred Powell, T. B. Evans, William Sims, Thomas
Takin, Joseph Brown, Thomas Brown, George Cardwell, L. F. Canterberry,
John Creasey, G. F. Williams ,James Gilman, Wm. Stone, Henry Keyton,
James Harrison, Richard Dollins, Levi James, Peter Creasey, G. W.
Wilson, J. G. Muldrow, Hugh Crocket, Thomas Moore, David Norton, Harvey
McGee, Thomas Huddle, R. M. Canterberry, John Peery, John Gregg, David
Hatton, Z. J. Ridgway, W. D. Harrison, J. B. Smith, A. Cauthorn, John
Allen, Jones Glass, John Dobyns, William Keiser, Richmond Pearson, G. W.
Willingham, Alfred Howe, C. H. Carter, Milton Hatton, James Cauthorn, W.
W. Lee, Phillip Cline, Henry Shock, John Turner, Robert Calhoun, John
Jessey, L. B. Watts, Thomas Bradley, Edmund Hatton,
William White, Arthur McDonald., Beauford Wilson, Cornelius
Garner, J. W. Levaugh, T. T. Stone, John DeJarnett, Barnet McDonald,
Johnson Eubank, J. M. Price, W. W. Wilson, Solomon Shepherd, David
Eubank, H. J. M. Doan, John Canterberry, Thomas Stricklin, Edward Vanhoy,
Samuel Glass, Edward Bradley, Samuel Murry, W. B.. Evans, John Hasler,
Elihu Hail, Temple Wayne, B. Z. Offitt, James Reed, Joseph Crocket,
Isaac Johnson, Wm. Bradley, M. Davis, Henry Haynes, J. M. Dennis, J. W.
Newkirk, John Watts, Elihu Lockridge, Samuel Campbell, James Lockridge,
B. Canterberry, George Davidson, Thomas Jessey, Wm. Jones, Sr., John
Fosset, B. F. Mayes, Elias Elor, Joel Haynes, Delong Witheringham,
Thomas McDonald, Elijah Eubank, Augustus Damrell, R. McIntyre, J. W.
Barnett, W. Wood, J. Smith, George Bomer, J. Kilgore, J. Goatley, Thomas
Young, H. P. L. Shock, E. Goodnight, Thomas Hook, James Oslin, W. H.
McDonald, George Myers, J. Gant, Stephen Martheny, S. Jameson, J. J.
West, John Turner, David Woods, John Sterrett, James Cathren, R. L.
Thompson, Thomas Gauf, Minor Pate, H. Goodnight, Thomas Brashears,
Joseph Beaty, J. B, Morris, W. C. West, Lewis Day, J. H.. Fable, William
Byrn, S. B. Murry, Joseph Watts, Benjamin Myers, Lewis Russell, Joseph
Shepherd, William Pearson, William Cardwell, Richard Willingham, J. P.
Cardwell, John Bradley, Jerry Shepherd, Thomas Martin, John Willingham,
John Duckworth, Martin Oslin, Jackson Thomas, J. P. Clark, Richard Byrn,
Archibald Gregg, Thomas Jackson, William Brown ,Joseph DeJarnett, J.
A. Pearson, Robert Powell, G. W Turley, William Rock, McArthur Baldwin.
Thomas Boyd came to
Audrain county in 1830, from South Carolina. J. A. Y. Boyd, his son,
now resides in Callaway county.
SALT RIVER
TIGERS
The name “ Salt
River Tigers,” is said to have originated in this way: -
Just before the
organization of Audrain county there was an election held during the
month of August, 1836, in the counties surrounding the territory, which
was afterwards called Audrain. A number of men who were, at the date
mentioned, residing in this territory, and especially in that portion of
it now known as Salt River township (so named after a small stream which
enters it from the north-eastern part of the same), with Jack Willingham
at their head, desired to vote, and not having a chance to exercise this
prerogative at home, they went in a body to the neighboring county of
Boone. Having arrived at the precinct, they attempted to vote
for the men of their choice, but the judges refused them the
privilege, because they were not legitimate voters. The men, however,
insisted upon what they conceived to be their right, and were so
pertinacious, as well as imperative in their demand, that their votes
were recorded. After this
was done, the parties mounted their horses and left for their homes. As
they were riding away, one of the judges of the election remarked,
“Ain’t those men tigers?” Hence the sobriquet “Salt River
Tigers.”
We state the above
incident upon the authority of John Greg, who has been a resident of
Audrain county since 1830.
In 1831 an old fashioned
horse mill was built by John C. Martin, one and a quarter miles
north-west of Mexico. This was the pioneer mill of this part of the
county, and although it was inadequate to the demand, it was kept busy
many years, from early dawn until sometimes late at night, grinding
the small grists of corn which were ever in constant waiting.
About the year 1837, a
man by the name of Caleb Williams erected a mill in the northern suburbs
of Mexico. Williams now resides in California.
FIRST SCHOOL
Mr. John Gregg says:
About the year 1832, the few families that had located in what is now
the southern part of Audrain county and the northern portion of Callaway
county, concluded to build a school house. Matthew Scott, Temple Wayne,
Thomas Boyd, Mrs. Jane Gregg, Ackley Day and Lewis Day were the parties
who led off in this important enterprise, and by their united efforts a
house of small round logs was constructed on the north-east corner of
section 35, 2 township 50, range 9. It was covered with four-foot
clapboards, and had a dirt floor. Linn logs, split open and hewn on one
side, made the seats, and a piece hewn and laid on stout wooden pins or
pegs, driven into augur-holes bored into one of the logs, constituted
the writing bench. The teacher employed was Archibald Gregg. This was
the first school taught within the present limits of Audrain county. The
teacher was fond of his gun and dog. One day at noon (having his gun at
the school-house), he went into the woods and killed a wild-cat. It was
a great curiosity to the pupils. The first sermon ever preached in this
settlement was delivered by Rev. Hoxie, a Presbyterian minister, who was
at that time pastor of the Auxvasse church, in Callaway county. This was
in the fall of 1832. About the same period, Rev. Robert A. Younger and
Rev. Taze, of the M. E. church, commenced holding meetings at the house
of Madison Dysart, which is now known as the Calhoun place, and located
about eight miles south-west of Mexico.
Mr. Gregg says: It was
often the case that the settlers lived for days at a time on the meat of
wild game. In every family there was some one fond of hunting, and it
was amusing to hear a hunter tell of his exploits. A Mr. Davis, who took
much delight in hunting, told about his killing a large fine buck; said
he saw the buck in a patch of hazel brush and he quietly crept up until
he got within gun shot, when he shot and killed the buck, and continued
with a significant shake of his head: “That buck don’t know to
this day who killed him.” At an early day, there was a quarter race
track, the course of which ran south, beginning about where Promenade
street now is in Mexico. One day, at the race track, a difficulty
occurred between two men. An officer, who happened to be present,
commanded the parties in a loud voice to keep the peace, and then
stepped up to one of the “would be combatants,” and said in a low
voice: “But if he comes, John, d-n him, stretch him.”
In those days of the
early settlements, we were obliged to pen our hogs and sheep every night
to prevent the prowling wolf from killing them; large hogs could defend
themselves. The wolves have often been known to catch and kill pigs and
sheep in open day within a few hundred yards of the settlers’ cabins.
We have often been asked the question why the first settlers all located
at first in the timber near the creeks and streams. That was nothing
more than natural; our reason was that nearly all the first settlers
were comparatively poor people and did not have teams sufficient to
break the prairie, as it took from three to four good yoke of oxen to
draw the plow, and as the most of the settlers, came from timbered
countries they knew nothing about prairie land; another reason is, they
had to be near a creek or stream so as to have water. It appears that
the nature of the prairie soil has undergone a great change for the
better since the first settling of the county; it then appeared to be of
a cold, wet, clammy nature, and did not have the same
productive quality. As the country became settled, and the
prairies were grazed and tramped by stock, and its wild nature killed
out, the productive qualities improved, and with the much improved
agricultural implements, and the great improvement in the science of
farming, there is now no land that excels in producing all kinds of
grain, vegetables, and grasses the prairies of Audrain county.
From the
Industrial World:-
MEXICO
is a city of 5,000 souls
and the capital of the county. This brightest of all the towns of its
class in Central and North Missouri has a charming location upon the
crown of the “divide,” near the center of the county, at the
junction of the three railways, and covers a group of fine commanding
elevations, with pretty intervening valleys and ravines that give
admirable natural drainage. It abounds in graceful slopes mind
delightful natural groves, affording scores of elegant building sites,
most of which command fine, half-rural exposures. The delightful
suburban surroundings abound in the finest hues of grace and beauty.
Beyond them, to the eastward, is Salt creek with its accompanying
woodland and valley, while northward and southward roll long reaches
of graceful, billowy prairie to the timberfringed horizon. A dozen
elegant suburban farms and homes, each with its retinue of beautiful
orchards, vineyards, gardens, hedge-vows, groves and blue grass lawns,
lend practical and esthetic interest to the situation. The city itself
is regularly laid out and substantially built. The charming public
square, like the streets and avenues, is platted with mechanical
regularity on a scale that impresses the visitor with a sense of
amplitude and leisure. Upwards of 80 of the mercantile, banking and
hotel buildings surrounding and neighboring to the square, are solidly
built of brick, stone and iron. The public and private architecture of
the city is generally a decided improvement on that of the antique, old
river towns, much of it indicating the good taste and culture of the
builders. The court-house is one of the finest public buildings in North
Missouri and cost $50,000. The
High School building cost $25,000, and with several of the churches and
Hardin College indicates a high measure of public taste and enterprise.
The Ringo and Commercial hotels, and a dozen of the newer business
houses are built after modern and metropolitan styles, many of the
later and finer residences also expressing the later tendency to
effective style and elegance of finish. Among other characteristic
features of this live and progressive city are the enterprising and
influential daily and weekly newspapers, ten churches, three banks, two
flouring mills, the woolen mills and several fine hotels. The
fraternities are finely represented toe, by the two Masonic blue lodges,
a chapter and commandery, an Odd Fellows’ lodge and encampment,
flourishing lodges of the A. O. U. W., Knights of Honor and Sons of
Temperance.
The social order of the
city is rational and enjoyable. Here, as in the entire county, arc the
liberalizing forces of a composite population that give breadth and
frankness, with a good measure of freedom from the narrow and
meaningless social constraints that too often freeze all the naturalness
out of social life. The people are sensible, cordial and hospitable, and
accord a gracious and generous welcome to worthy newcomers from every
land. They have much more than the average of social and mental culture,
and with it a larger measure of public enterprise and unity than any
people of our acquaintance in Missouri. They are united on everything
that is likely to advance the material interests of the city, have a
laudable pride in its prosperity and are zealous workers for
their schools and churches. They are generous, too, in
alms-giving, many of the representative men having given in public and
private charities more than they are to-day worth
in worldly possessions. Mexico has, in grand measure, the two
elements of a successful city, viz., a group of splendid, active,
aggressive and enterprising business men, and a first-class location.
Without these, no town ever grew into commanding volume and influence.
The representative business men of Mexico have energy, faith and
persistence enough to build a city on the border of Sahara. If some of
them are wanting in large moneyed capital, most of them have a
splendid stock of the higher capital of brain and heart and muscle, with
the tact to bring it into the best possible use. They have sublime faith
in the future of their city, because they have faith in themselves. They
do not wait to be built up by extraneous forces, but they build
themselves up by such agencies as are at their command. There never
congregated, in a pioneer town, better and braver business men than they
who planted their commercial standards on this beautiful divide more
than a third of a century ago. Other men of kindred sympathies, impulses
and habits were attracted hither by sympathetic magnetism, until the
little pioneer village bus grown to a strong, commanding city. The
location of Mexico is a permanent good fortune. It has not only a fine
railway system bringing close commercial relations with St. Louis,
Chicago and the entire railway system of the State, but easily commands
the largest tributary country of any town in North and Central Missouri,
its trade extending over Audrain county and good portions of Monroe,
Ralls, Montgomery and Callaway counties. And the sagacious business
men of the city are making most of the situation. The pioneers were wise
enough to lay out a broad and comprehensive work and the men of to-day,
with characteristic spirit and energy, are carrying it to a splendid
issue. In the quiet undercurrent of “the life they live,” there is
doubtless much of the ideal, limit to the casual visitor the town is
thoroughly materialistic. They live by stern, practical, Roman methods,
and are creating facts instead of fancies. Their purpose is to build a
strong central inland city that shall worthily represent the best
material phases of our advancing civilization, and the observant visitor
is compelled to believe in their success. It is refreshing to pass a day
or a week in a city that gives no sign of halting or doubting. I confess
to a life set mainly in the minor key, and to a love of sentiment that
is sometimes all absorbing; but I am compelled to admire the bravery and
self-assertion of these men who live and labor and love in the stearnest
realism of a creative and progressive life. There is nothing stinted
or sordid in the make-up of a live commercial city. Commercial life is
pre-eminently liberal, progressive and humane. Commerce leads
civilization. It gives the true cosmopolitan type to thought and action
and begets a generous hospitality, such as I have an hundred times met
in the workshops, offices, banks and sales-rooms of this driving young
metropolis of the Grand Prairie. There is little hide-bound conservatism
among the business men of this city, and fortunately few or none of the
dead-and-alive capitalists who live upon the misfortunes of their
neighbors, and to whom “2 per cent a month” is a grander prerogative
than founding and building a noble city. Mexico is a growing and
prosperous city. Local
capital is mainly absorbed in bricks and mortar and merchandise, in
machinery and motive power and the manifold ways of material progress.
During the year 1879 and the last half of 1878, eight handsome brick
business houses and 150 residences, with many shops and outbuildings,
were constructed at an aggregate cost of $200,000.
Since then upwards of 100 new buildings, including stores,
residences, shops, hotels and outbuildings have been erected at an
aggregate cost of more than $140,000. And still the work goes bravely
on. Several elegant brick blocks and many fine residences, a city
hospital, and any number of minor buildings are now under construction,
rents are in good demand, real estate is steadily advancing, and there
are many indications of a prosperous future. These upward tendencies are
in no wise speculative, but represent a healthful growth predicated on
the steady development of the large and productive farm country that has
still undeveloped resource enough to give impulse to a town of 8,000
souls. Mexico is the banner commercial city of its class in North
Missouri and probably in the entire State. The trade of the city has
nearly doubled within the last two years, and in many departments has
still a strong upward tendency.
The original town of
Mexico was located in the central portion of the north-west quarter of
section 26, township 51, range 9, and was laid out in April, 1836, by
Robert C. Mansfield and James H. Smith, who entered the land at $1.25
per acre.
After laying out the
town, these gentlemen offered to give every alternate lot and a public
square to the county, provided the site was selected by the county as
its seat of justice. Cornelius Edwards, William R. Martin and Robert
Schooling were the commissioners appointed by the Legislature to locate
the county seat, and they selected the town of Mexico. The first sale of
lots by Mansfield and Smith occurred in the fall of 1836.
FIRST
BUSINESS MEN
The pioneer business men
of the town were Morris & White (J. B. Morris and William White).*
They commenced business (general merchandise) in 1836, and after
continuing until about the year 1840, they sold out to William Levaugh,
who was quite an old man. Levaugh operated his store until his death.
As John B. Morris was
the pioneer business man of the town we give in this connection a brief
biographical sketch of his life, as published by one of the county
papers, also the resolutions of respect of the Audrain County Bar.
Sold goods on lot 4,
block 21.
DIED
At his home, near
this city, on the morning of December 30, 1875, Judge John B. Morris.
Judge Morris was born in
Pendleton county, Ky., December 3, 1806. In 1830 he emigrated to
Missouri and settled near Millersburg, in Callaway county, where he
continued to reside until 1836, when he removed to this point and
erected the first house built upon the ground now included within the
limits of Mexico. He afterwards built a store-room and was, for several
years, engaged in mercantile pursuits; he also held the office of
postmaster for about fifteen years, - continuously from the time an
office was established at this place.
When Audrain county was
established, Judge Morris was appointed clerk of both county and circuit
court, and after the separation of these offices he continued to hold
the office of clerk of the county court until 1858, at which time he was
elected judge of the same court. In 1862 he was re-elected and served
until May 1, 1865, when his seat became vacant under the ousting
ordinance of the State Convention. In November, 1866. he was again
called to the county bench,
and again in 1870, and still again in 1874-being at the time of his
death presiding judge.
In all the long years
and varied experiences of his official life, he adhered tenaciously to
whatever he thought to be
right, and was equally determined in his opposition
whatever he thought inimical to the interests committed to his
charge. So outspoken and inflexible was he, that we doubt if his motives
were ever questioned by any who chanced to be brought in opposition to
his views.
Judge Morris was the
father of thirteen children, all of whom grew to manhood and womanhood,
and all of whom, save one, survive him, as also does his excellent wife.
The descendants of this couple now number seventy, of whom three
are great-grandchildren.
In social, as well as in
business and official life, the deceased was affable and pleasant, and
in all his relations he evinced that high type of manhood which always
attracts and retains
respect and esteem. His death is a public calamity, for he was, indeed,
“The noblest work of God, an honest man!”
COUNTY COURT ROOM,
December 31, 1875.
The members of the
Audrain County Bar and county officers met in the county
court room to take steps that might seem becoming to show their
respect for the virtues of Judge Morris, and their grief at his death..
Judge S. M.. Edwards was called to preside over the meeting.
On motion, a committee
was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the feelings of the
meeting, consisting of Messrs. W. H. Kennan, B. L. Locke, Judge G. B.
Macfarlane and Judge W. O. Forrist.
The following report of
the committee was adopted: “The members of the Bar and officers of
the county of Audrain, being shocked to learn of the sudden death at his
residence of the Hon. J. B. Morris, presiding justice of the county
court of Audrain county, a citizen of the county when organized; a man
of large and varied experience; of sound judgment, undoubted integrity,
large public spirit and enterprise, and who had, during a long life,
labored for the development, prosperity and happiness of his county and
fellow-citizens, -. in public meeting at the court-house in Mexico, to
consider of the public loss and private grief, so occasioned, do
resolve,
“1st. That
in the death of Judge Morris, the county has lost an honest, faithful
and valued servant; the community a kind, hospitable and precious
friend, and his family an example in every domestic virtue.
“2d. That, as a mark
of our sorrow for this public bereavement, we, the members of the bar
and officers of Audrain county, attend the funeral services in a body.
“3d. That we
tender our sincere sympathy to the family of the deceased.
“4th. That
a copy of the proceedings of this meeting be engrossed and delivered to
the family of deceased.
“5th. That
John M. Gordon be appointed to present the proceedings of the meeting
to the county court, and ask that they be made a part of the record.
“ W. H. KENNAN,
“B.L. LOCKE,
“G. B.
MACFARLANE,
“W. O. FORRIST,
Committee.”
On motion the meeting
adjourned.
S. M. EDWARDS,
Chairman.
J. McD. TRIMBLE, Sec’y.
Mansfield & Smith*
opened the first grocery in the town, beginning business soon after
Morris & White. A man by the name of Hickman was also one of the
early business men. James L. Stephens sold dry goods as early as 1840.
He purchased a great many hickory nuts during the fall of that year
-amounting to several hundred bushels - and the price fell to almost
nothing. Mr. J. B. Morris, of Mexico, purchased 100 bushels of these
nuts for one dollar, and fed them to his hogs.
George W. Turley was
among the first merchants. He was a large man physically, but possessed
of a kind and genial disposition. He did business for many years..
George Muldrow began business in 18-, and continued for a number of
years. Clark & Harrison were among the early and successful
merchants; as business men they were very popular. John Q. Pool, Thomas.
W. Gant & Co., Hord & Sander, McKee & Jeffreys. A. & C.
Cauthorn (succeeded by (Cauthorn & Pearson), Northcutt & Co.,
Henry Williams, Williams & Reed, Dyer & Fish, N. Lackland,
Increase Adams and John G. Coil were among the early merchants. Dr. L.
N. Hunter established the first drug store in 1850. Dr. Matthew Walton
was the first physician. One of the first blacksmiths in the town was C.
R. Ward, who made augurs a specialty. So excellent were they, that they
were sought after by a great many men, some of whom resided in other
parts of the country. L. L. Ramsey was the proprietor of the first
saloon; his house stood about where E. D. Graham now lives. Thomas Stone
was the first cabinet-maker. Fulcher, McGrue, Joseph Malory and Mrs.
Penny were the earliest school teachers in the town. McGrue died in the
town, while his school was in progress.
Sold goods on lot 1,
block 22.
REPORT
OF SALE OF LOTS
On the 5th
day of November, 1837, the commissioner for the sale of lots presented
his sale-book of the same. The record in reference thereto is as follows
: -
This day, Ackley Day,
town and county commissioner, presented his sale book of town lots,
which was examined by the court and ordered to be recorded.
Whereupon the number of lots sold, the amount they sold for, and
the purchaser’s name of each lot, read in the words and figures
following, to-wit: Eli Smith purchased lot No. 1, in block No. 1, and
Eli Smith purchased lot No. 8, in block No. 1, at the price and for the
sum of five dollars each.
Block
No. 2, and lots No. 8 and 1, Joel Haynes purchased for the sum of
$18 50
Block
No. 2, in lot No. 4, Mereto Violet
7 75
Block No. 3, in lot No. 8, Harrison Newell
20 00
Block No. 3, in lot No. 4, James B. Fenton
30 00
Block No. 8, in lot No. 6, Joseph Pearson
32 50
Block No. 3, in lot No. 6, Thomas Harrison
32 00
Block No. 3, in lot No. 7, I. M. Cunningham
20 50
Block No. 8, in lot No. 2, Henry B. Gale
17 00
Block No. 9, in lot No. 2, James H. McClear
7 50
Block No. 9, in lot No. 8, William L. Cave
6 00
Block No. l0 in lot No. 4, Jefferson Davis
5 00
Block No. 10, in lot No. 5, Franklin Burt
5 00
Block No. 4, in lot No. 8, James B. Fenton
30 00
Block No. 4, in lot No. 6, John Wood
5 25
Block No. 4, in lot No. 2, James Harrison
5 00
Block No. 4, in lot No. 4, James II. McClear
8 25
Block No. 5, in lots Nos. 1, 2, 8, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, John Rothwell
38 50
Block No. 7, in lot No. 1, James E. Fenton
30 00
Block No. 7, in lot No. 2, James E. Fenton
12 00
Block No. 7, in lot No. 4, James E. Fenton
12 00
Block No. 18, in lot No. 8, William S. Williams 60 00
Block No. 18, in lot No. 5, Edward Baltz
40 00
Block No. 17, in lot No. 4, Edward Baltz
63 50
Block No. 17, in lot No. 6, John M. Hicks
34 00
Block No. 12, in lot No. 4, Robert McGuire
12 00____
$552 26
Lots 6 and 7, in block
6, were reserved for a seminary; lot 2, in block 16, was reserved for
a market-house; lot 8, in block 21, for a school-house, and the block in
the north-west corner of the first addition for a cemetery.
ADDITIONS TO
MEXICO
Beatty’s addition,
1856; Roberts’ square, 1874; Rose’s square, 1874; Ruloff’s square,
1875; Landon D. Craigg’s, 1875; Benner’s, 1872; Clark’s, 1855; Dr.
L. N. Hunter’s, 1856; Pearson’s, 1856; Davis’, 1856; Jeffries’,
1857; Broadwater’s, 1857; Muldrow’s, 1857; Donated addition, 1856;
Morris’, 1857; Lander’s block, 1859; Dillard’s addition, 186;
Ladd’s addition, 1866; Addition Bank State of Missouri, 1867;
Wigginton’s square, 1858; Quisenberry’s, 1871 Hughes’, 1871;
Rawling’s, 1871; Galbreath’s square, 1871; Ladd’s second addition,
1872; Guthrie’s addition ; Barnes’, 1873; Muldrow’s sub-division,
1872 ; Arthur B. Barrett’s sub-division, 1874 ; John A. Pearson’s
addition, 1876; Fair Grounds addition 1875; W. D. H. Hunter’s
addition, 1875 ; Mrs. Sparks’, 1865 ; W. C. Barnes’ block, 1878;
Duncan’s addition, 1880; Hisey & Cassidy’s, 1881; Lakenan &
Barnes’, 1883; Rice’s sub-division, 1883.
The city was
incorporated February 17, 1857.
FIRST
DIFFICULTY
The first difficulty of
any note that occurred in the town, took place in March, 1841, on the
Tucker corner, where James Hall kept a tavern. During the night
preceding the difficulty several parties were drinking and playing cards
in the house ; among these were James Hall and Samuel Dingle. On the
following morning,. Hall and Dingle had a spirited altercation of words,
and finally struck at each other with chairs, which were demolished.
Hall threw down his chair, and drew his dirk and struck Dingle several
blows, one of them proving fatal - being a stab in the right breast in
the region of the nipple. The parties then went out of the house. Hall
got into the street. Dingle reached the edge of the porch and took hold
of a post and swung himself down to the ground, but in attempting to
rise, he sank upon his knees, and then fell forward on his face and
expired. Hall was then tried before an examining justice, who held him
over to be tried at the next term of the circuit court for murder. A
change of venue was granted to Boone county. The sheriff, in company
with the prisoner and several guards, started to Boone county, and while
on their way thither, the party stopped over at a farmer’s house for
the night. The night was very dark, and while they were at supper, the
prisoner stepped into an adjoining room, where there was an open door
leading in to the yard. Through this the prisoner swiftly passed, and
was never seen or heard of afterwards.
The names of the
following witnesses are endorsed upon the back of the old indictment:
Avery Hall, Levi Hall, E. B. Hall, B. G. Hall, James L. Stephens, J. B.
Hatton, M. Walton, A. Powell, G. W. Turley, D. T. Day.
MAYORS OF
MEXICO
Israel Landis, William
Cunningham, W. D. H. Hunter, Amos Ladd, George D. Travis, A. Ringo, R.
H. Fowler, three terms; W. Pollack, two terms; J. C. Bassford, two
terms; Joseph B. Botkin, present incumbent.
BANKS AND
BANKERS
The first hank that was
established in Mexico was the private bank of A. R. Ringo. A. R. Ringo
was the president, and J. E. Dearing was the cashier, He commenced
business in 1861, and continued until about the year 1867, when a joint
stock company was formed, called the Mexico National Savings Bank. The
word “National” was
immediately dropped, and the bank thereafter and since that time has
been known as the Mexico Savings Bank.
The Farmers’ and
Traders’ Bank - Was organized about the year 1870, with Henry
Williams as president and R. R. Arnold, cashier.
The Mexico Exchange
Bank - Was established. May 20, 1876, by R. W. Tureman, as
president, and R. R. Arnold as cashier. The directors were R. W. Tureman,
R. R. Arnold, Edward Rines, B. B. Tureman and James
M. Coons. After doing business for seven years, the bank was
changed into the First National Bank of Mexico, with thirteen directors,
and commenced business under this name February
13, 1883.
The names of the directors at this time are U. W. Tureman,
president; R. R. Arnold, cashier.
STATEMENT OF
THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
Assets.
-
Bills receivable
$97,894 77
Fixtures
1,232 60
In
other banks
51,593 64
U.
S. bonds
12,500 00
Premium
on bonds
2,445 62
Expense
account
381 01
Redemption
fund
562
00
Cash
on hand
10,621 71
$177,231 35
Liabilities.
-
Capital stock
$50,000 06
Due depositors
113,986 99
Bills payable
150 00
Interest and exchange
854 36
National bank notes outstanding
11,240 00
Surplus fund
1,000 00
$177,231 35
Mexico
Southern Bank
- Was organized in 1867. The directors are C. H. Hardin, W. M. Sims,
William Harper, James Callaway and H. A. Ricketts.
LAST OFFICIAL
STATEMENT
Resources.
-
Loans and disbursements
$187,978 29
Overdrafts
3,545 64
Due from other banks
93,661 59
Real estate
8,000 00
Office furniture
1,100 00
Cash
20,652 38
$814,937 90
Liabilities. -
Capital stock paid in
$l00,000 00
Surplus
funds
,196 52
Deposits
205,741 38
$314,937 90
Officers - C. H.
Hardin, president; H. A. Ricketts, cashier; R. Callaway, assistant
cashier.
Mexico Savings Bank
- Was organized in 1867, under the State banking law. First officers -
A. R. Ringo, president; John Dearing, cashier; S. M. Lock, assistant
cashier. Directors - A. R. Ringo, C.
T. Quisenberry, R. W. Bourne, M. D., James E. Ross, William
Stuart. Capital stock $100,000.00; 20 per cent paid
in. Present officers-William Stuart, president; J. M. Marmaduke,
cashier; S. M. Lock, assistant cashier. Directors-J. M. Marmaduke, J. E.
Ross, E. C. Cunningham, John Menefee, Thomas Harrison, Lewis Hord,
William Stuart.
Paid up capital stock
$75,000.00; with surplus of $20,000.00. This bank erected the block in
which they do business, upon the south-east corner of the square, in
1878, and do a general banking business.
LODGES
Crusade Commandry,
No. 23,-At Mexico, was organized April 19, 1873. The charter members
were James Carroll, T. A. Foreman, James P. Coil, W. A. Hall, S. S.
Craig, P. P. Parker, F. M. Doan, W. S. Clemens, John Sallee. First
officers - James Carroll, E. C.; T. A. Foreman, Gen.; J. P. Coil,
Capt.-Gen.; W. S. Clemens, prelate; W. A. Hall, S. W.; J. J. Steele, J.
W.; S. M. Edwards, Treas.; S. W. Brickley, Rec’d.; B. P. Bailey, S.
B.; J. D. Tucker, S. B.; J. M. Marmaduke, W.; J. M. Riley, guard. The
eminent commanders since 1873, were James Carroll, three terms; S. M.
Edwards, three terms; J. M.
Marmaduke, two terms. Present officers, elected December, 1882 - R. H.
Fowler, E. C.; George J. Tyrrell, Gen.; George A. Poteet, Capt.-Gen.; T.
J. Gooch, prelate; J. M. Riley, S. W.; J. J. Steele, Treas.; J. F.
Llewellyn, Rec’d.; Joseph Murray, Std. B.; M. Gorth, Swd. B.; J. M.
Marmaduke, W.; D. C. Wright, guard.
Knights of Honor,
Salt River Lodge No. 1886,-Was organized November 21, 1879. Charter
members - John A. Brooks, N. B. Burkhart, John R. Bragg, James Carroll,
R. Callaway, B. F. Dobyns, D. N. Evans, Pinckney French, Herman Franke,
John M. Gordon, H. Glasscock, A. M. Harrison, C. S. Houston, P. W.
Harding, J. H. Hayden, William Kemper, W. B. LaForce, J. C. Maple, W. W.
Macfarlane, Lee McConnell, S. L. McKean, T. A. Keeton, James Pollard,
C. T. Quisenberry, Edward Roth, W. J. Robinson, Jonet Tomlinson. First
officers -John A. Brooks, P. D.; J. C. Maple, D.; J. H. Haydon, V. D.;
H. Glasscock, A. D.; Jonet Tomlinson, reporter; W. B. LaForce, H. R. ;
John M. Gordon, Treas. ; S. L. McKean, Chap. ; Lee McConnell, G. ; W. J.
Robinson, I. G. ; H. Franke, S. ; Pinckney French, M. E. For term
commencing January 1st, 1880 - John A. Brooks, P. D. ; J. C.
Maple, D.; J. H. Haydon, V. D.; B. F. Dobyns, A. D.; Jonet Tomlinson,
reporter; W. B. LaForce, H. R. ; J. M. Gordon, Treas. ; S. L. McKean,
Chap. Edward Roth, G.; W. J. Robinson, I. G.; N. B. Burkhart, S.;
Pinckney French, M. E. Term commencing July 1, 1880: John A. Brooks, P.
D.; J. C. Maple, D. ; J. R. Pollard, V. D.; B. F. Dobyns, A. D.; Jonet
Tomlinson, R.; W. B. LaForce, F. R.; J. M. Gordon, Treas.; P. W.
Harding, Chap.; Edward Roth, G.; N. B. Burkhart, I. G. ; H. Franke, S. ;
W. W. Macfarlane, M. E. Term commencing January 1, 1881 -J. C. Maple, P.
D.; John M. Gordon, D.; J. H. Haydon, V. D.; W. O. Vandyke, A. D.; R.
Callaway, reporter; B. F. Dobyns, F. R. ; James Carroll, Treas. ; P. W.
Harding, Chap. ; H. A. Kattleman, G. ; J. T. Nelson, I. G. ; S. L.
McKean, S. ; W. W. Macfarlane, M. E. Term commencing July 1, 1881 - J.
C. Maple, P. D.; J. M. Gordon, D.; W. O. Vandyke, V. D. ; J. H. Haydon,
A. D. ; P. W. Harding, R. ; B. F. Dobyns, F. R. ; James Carroll, Treas.;
H. Franke, G. ; S. L. McKean, I. G. M. Gorth, S. ; W. W. Macfarlane, M.
E. Term commencing January 1, 1882- J. M. Gordon, P. D.; J. McD.
Trimble, E.; D. D. Woodward, V. D.; Edward Roth, A. D.; P. W. Harding,
R.; J. T. Nelson, F. R. ; James Carroll, Treas. ; S. L. McKean, G. ;
B. F. Dobyns, Chap. ; W. J. Robinson, I. G. ; Mike Gorth, S. ; W. W.
Macfarlane, M. E. Term commencing January 1, 1883 -J. M. Gordon, P. D.;
D. D. Woodward, V. D.; G. A. Poteet, A. D.; P. W. Harding, R.; J. T.
Nelson, F. R.; George Robertson, Treas.; B. F. Dobyns, Chap.; W. J.
Robinson, G.; J. H. Haydon, I. G.; Mike Gorth, S.; W. W. Macfarlane, M.
E.
Mexico Division No. 31,
8. 7.- Was organized April 18, 1883.
Charter members: - P. W. Harding, Mrs. M. J. Harding, C. A.
Keeton, Mrs. M. E. Keeton, Mrs. M. F. Gibbs, Charles O. Harding, Mrs. S.
A. Chase, Carrie Chase, J. B. Allen, George Garrett, William S. Barker,
Mrs. H. A. Bourne, S. H. Bell, Miss Kate Carr, L. B. Cudworth, Josie
Cudworth, Mrs. Willie Campbell, Mrs. A. Campbell, George M. Haskell,
Mrs. H. E. Kcrnan, Lida Kernan, Hettie Kernan, Mrs. S. A. Keath, W. H.
H. Lee, Dr. G. S. Murdock, Mrs. E. L. Murdock, Chas. W. Mitchell, Miss
Lucy Noell, W. H. Norris, J. W. Town, Miss Nannie Whisner, Miss Hattie
Whisner, Miss Eva White J. J. Winscott, Miss Alice N. Wales, G. N.
Wales. Officers-P. W. Harding, W. P. ; M. J. Harding, W. A.; C. A.
Keeton, R. S. ; Mrs. M. F Gibbs, A. S.; Chas. O. Harding, F. S. ; Mrs.
H. A. Chase, Treas. J. Wright, Chap.; J. B. Allen, conductor ; Carrie
Chase, A. C. ; George Garrett, I. S. ; W. S. Barker, O. S.; Mrs. H. A.
Bourne, P. W. P. Quarter beginning July 1, 1883-P. W. Harding, W. R..;
Mrs. M. E. Keeton, W. A.; C. A. Keeton, R. S.; Mrs. S. A. Keath, A. R.
S. ; Miss Hattie Whisner, F. S.; Mrs. S. A. Chase, Treas.; Thos. S.
Murdock, Chap. ; R. H. Kernan, C. ; Nannie Whisner, A. C. ; Cora
Campbell, I. S.; Clarence Boyd, O. S.; Mrs. H. A. Bourne, P. W. P.
Quarter beginning October 1, 1883- C. A. Keeton, W. P. Mrs. M. E.
Keeton, W. A. ; R. H. Kernan, R. S. ; Miss Mary Gorth, A. R. S. ; J. H.
Haydon, F. S. ; Mrs. Sallie Keath, Treas.; Dr. T. S. Murdock, Chap. ;
Walter Murray, Con. ; Miss Mary Bonnie, A. C.; Miss Mollie Hablutzel, I.
S. J. Wright, O. S.; P. W. Harding, P. W. P.
MEXICO
HOSPITAL
Mexico Hospital,
established in 1881, is located on South Jefferson street. It is an
institution under the auspices and personal direction of resident
physicians of Mexico.
The medical staff is
composed of: Consulting gynecologists-George J. Engleman, A. M., M. D.,
St. Louis, Mo.; W. L. Barrett, A. M, M. D., St. Louis, Mo. Attending
surgeons-Pinckney French, M. D., Mexico, Mo.; W. V. Walker, M. D.,
Mexico, Mo. Consulting surgeons -Wesley Humphrey, M. D., Moberly, Mo. ;
I. P. Vaughn, A. M., M. D., Glasgow, Mo.; A. M. McAllister, A. M., M.
D., Columbia, Mo.; F. J. Lutz, A. M., M. D., St. Louis, Mo. Attending
physicians-S. M. Dodson, A. M., M. D., Mexico, Mo.; John W. Hamilton, M.
D., Mexico, Mo. Consulting physicians -Thomas P. Rothwell, A. M., M. D.,
Mexico, Mo.; John S. Pearson, A. M.,
M. D., Louisiana, Mo.;
John H. Duncan, A. M., M. D., Columbia, Mo.; H. H. Middlekamp, M. D.,
Warrenton, Mo.; W. W. Moss, A. M., M. D., Columbia, Mo. Surgeon-dentist
- John W. Reed, D. D. S.
AUDRAIN
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY
This society was
organized in December, 1872, as a branch of the Union District Medical
Society.
Article 11 of the
constitution of the society defines the objects of the organization as
follows: -
The
objects of the society shall be to constitute a representative
body of the regular medical profession of the district, which may advance
the interests and encourage the unity and harmonious action of the
entire profession throughout the district; to suppress empiricism as
much as practicable; to restrict the practice of medicine to regularly
qualified graduates; to develop talent, stimulate medical inventions and
discoveries, and to maintain their rights and immunities as medical men.
At the organization of
the society, the following gentlemen composed the officers and members:
Dr. W. H. Lee, president; Dr. J. H. Crawford, vice-president; Dr. A. M.
Vandeventer, treasurer; Dr. W. W. Macfarlane,
secretary; Drs. John Bryan, J. W. Lanius, C. B. Fetter, G. P.
Rothwell, S. N. Russell, Wesley Humphrey. Present officers and members :
-Dr. W. L. Read, president; Dr. S. N. Russell, vice-president; Dr. S. M.
Dodson, treasurer.; Dr. Pinckney French, secretary; Drs. W. H. Lee, F.
M. Moore, T. P. Rothwell, W. B. Rhodes, T. J. Baskett, W. V. Walker,
Thomas S. Murdock, A. M. Patterson, W. W. Macfarlane, B. W. Bourne, M.
Allison, A. M. Vandeventer, W; R.. Blankenship, W. H. Vandeventer,
Samuel Welch, J. H. Terrill, J. P. Scholl, M. M. Scott, M. E. Crawford,
J. J. Halley, John McDearmon.
The following is the
notice and programme of the last annual meeting of the society: -
[From Daily
Intelligencer of January 14, 1888.]
The Audrain County
Medical Society will celebrate its eleventh anniversary at the
Central-Ringo Hotel, Thursday evening, January 17, 1884.
PROGRAMME. - The society
and invited guests will meet at the parlors of the hotel at
7:3O o’clock P. M.
TOASTS AND RESPONSES.-
lst. Audrain County Medical Society - Response by newly elected
president, Dr. W. L. Reed.
2d.
The Doctor and Minister - Response by Dr. T. J. Gooch.
3d.
The Press, the Great Educator of the People - Response by J. N.
Cross (Cal. Hutton not present).
4th. Pioneer
Practice in Audrain County as Contrasted with the Practice of
Today-Response by Mexico’s oldest physician, Dr. W. H. Lee.
5th. The
Druggist (or, if preferred, the Cyclone) - Response by J. F. Llewellyn
and Dr. A. M. Patterson.
6th.
Progress of the Medical Science - Response by Drs. Russell and French.
7th. The
Learned Professions -Response by Judge W. O. Forrist.
8th.
Professional Success-Response by Prosecuting Attorney T. B. Buckner.
9th. Some of
the Achievements and Successes of the Last Century, and What may be
Expected in the Next Response - by
Rev. Dr. Stoddert.
10th. The
Dentist - Response by Dr. W. L, Reed, D. D. S.
11th. The
Written History of Audrain County -Response by Judge J. L. Berry.
12th.
Doctor Hornbrook -Response by Judge J. M. Edwards.
13th. The
Physician as a Visitor - Response by Rev. J. C. Armstrong.
Parties present on the.
evening of January 17, 1884, and invited guests: Rev Drs. T. J. Gooch,
A. Stoddert. Revs. John Wayman, J. C. Armstrong, J. E. Lee. Elders A. C.
Walker, J. F. Llewellyn, Renfro Gibbs, S. S. Craig, L. P. Smothers, C.
C. Keoppen. Drs. W. L. Reed, James L. McWilliams, J. T. Neale, Pinckney
French, W. H. Lee, S. N. Russell, T. P. Rothwell, W. R Rhodes, T. J
Baskett, W. V. Walker, A. M. Patterson, S. M. Dodson, J. H. Terrill, W.
R. Blankenship, Samuel Welch. Judges
W. O. Forrist, S. M.
Edwards. T. B. Buckner, prosecuting attorney. J. N. Cross, editor Press; R. M. White, editor Ledger.
Judge J. L. Berry.
FIRES
Mexico, like all other
cities, has had some fires. The two largest and most destructive
occurred in the same year; the first on June 6, 1873, and
the second September 7, 1873. The fire of June 16th destroyed
eight business houses. Among these were the buildings of George Kunkle,
John Schumacher, J. L. Llewellyn, Daniel Leonard, Mark Roberts and
others. The fire in
September was the more destructive, consuming some nine or ten
business houses with their contents. The damage to buildings and their
contents aggregated (both fires) fully $200,000, three fourths of which
was covered by insurance.
MEXICO FIRE
COMPANY
met on the 24th
day of June, 1878, and elected the following persons as members of the
Phoenix Fire Company No. 1: J.
T. Jones, T. J. Reed, P. W. Harding, Al. Towson, Harry Day, Charles Day,
James J. Brophey, W. Lander, S. L. McKean, S. M. Locke, Thomas Isaacs,
John T. Brooks, D. Leonard, John Ricketts, S. A. Dunn, J. P. Dobyns, R.
M. Gill, D. E. Shea, B. F. Dobyns, G. Blum, George Robertson, Pomp
Plunkett, Clayton Lipton, Smith Spence, George Gill, F. Coatsworth, R.
M. White. Officers of Department George Robertson, president; S. M.
Locke, vice-president; Dick Gill, secretary ; B. F. Dobyns, treasurer.
PUBLIC
SCHOOLS OF MEXICO
We. should have been
pleased to have written more of the history of the public schools of
Mexico, but could not get the records of the same further back than
September, 1870.
The schools were
organized soon after the Civil War, and were taught in the old seminary
building, which occupied the site of the present Hardin College, until
the erection and completion of the present beautiful and superb building
which was finished in 1874.
The school board sold
the seminary and grounds to Ex-Gov. Charles C. Hardin, in May, 1873, for
$3,500. Although the old site of the seminary was a handsome one, the
location was considered too far away from the main portion of the city
to be convenient for the great majority of the pupils who attended.
The lots 1, 2, 3 and 4,
in block 3, county addition, were purchased of B. R. Cauthorn for
$1,200, and during the month of September, 1873, the contract for
building the new school-house was awarded to George H. Ribbles &
Co., for $19,240. The building is three stories in height, and contains
twelve rooms beside the basement, all of which are heated by a furnace.
The first superintendent
employed by the board, after the school opened in the new building, was
Prof. J. C. Davis. The schools have prospered from the beginning, and
are growing more and more in favor with the people as they have become
convinced of their immeasurable utility. The prejudice which at first
existed among a few persons against the public school system has
gradually died out, until at this time the entire community, and
especially that portion of it that has witnessed its practical workings,
speak of it in glowing terms of praise.
Below will be found the
school directors from 1870 to 1884:
School directors for 1870 - Samuel A. Craddock, William Harper,
Dr. W.
Humphrey, Dr. R. W. Bowen, C. T. Quisenberry, John M. Gordon.
1871 - F. A. Leavitt, Lewis Hord, Samuel H. Craddock, Dr. W. Humphrey,
C. T. Quisenberry, John M. Gordon. 1872-Samuel A. Craddock, Dr. W.
Humphrey, C. T. Quisenberry, Lewis Hord, W. Harper, G. D. Ferris. 1873
-Lewis Hord, G. D. Ferris, W. Harper, James Pasqueth, J. D. Tucker, C.
T. Quisenberry. 1874- C. T. Quisenberry, J. D. Tucker, L. C. Swerer,
James Pasqueth, J. D. Morris, William Harper. 1875-James Pasqueth, J. D.
Morris, C. T. Quisenberry, J. D. Tucker, L. C. Swerer, J. J. Steele.
1876-Benjamin L. Locke, John W. Reed, James Pasqueth, J. D. Morris, John
J. Steele, L. C. Swerer. 1877 - Benjamin L. Locke, John W. Reed, G. B.
Macfarlane, John J. Steele, James Pasqueth, J. D. Morris. 1878- Benjamin
L. Locke, J. D. Morris, James Pasqueth, John J. Steele, John W. Reed, G.
B. Macfarlane. 1879- J. M. Menifee, G. B. Macfarlane, James Pasqueth, S.
P. Emmons, John J. Steele, Benjamin L. Locke. 1880-Benjamin L. Locke, G.
B. Macfarlane, James Pasqueth, J. M. Menifee, S. P. Emmons, John J.
Steele. 1881 -B. R.. Cauthorn, S. P. Emmons, James Pasqueth, G. B.
Macfarlane, John J. Steele, J. M. Menifee. 1882-D. E.
Shea, S. P. Emmons, G. B. Macfarlane, John J. Steele, J. M.
Menifee, B. R.. Cauthorn. 1883 - D. E. Shea, S. P. Emmons, G. B.
Macfarlane, P. W. Harding, J. M. Menifee, B. R.. Cauthorn.
PAYROLL OF
TEACHERS AND JANITOR
Superintendent,
D. A. McMillan
$144 44 per month.
F.
C. Bryan
50 00“
O. A. Harding
40 00
“
Miss Lizzie Grantham
55 00
“
Miss Bessie Towles
45 00
“
Miss Lizzie Mathews
30 00
“
Miss Willie Woodward
30 00
“
Miss Mary Hooton
30 00
“
Miss Annie
30 00
“
Miss Mattie Sullinger
45 00
“
Miss Lizzie Talbott
45 00
“
Miss Josie Hamilton
35 00
“
Miss Lottie May
47 50
“
Prof. W. M. Treloar (music)
17 50
“
Ephraim McGee
32
50 “
COLORED
SCHOOL
I. J. Hicks
$40 00 per month.
Mrs. Lillie B. Mason
25 00
“
Miss Maggie Booket
25 00
“
John Eubanks (janitor)
6 00
“
REPORT OF THE
PUBLIC GRADED SCHOOLS OF MEXICO
Number of white persons
in the district between 6 and 20 years of age,
male,
527; female, 552 1,079
Number
of colored persons in the district between 6 and 20 years of age,
male, 148; female, 173
321
Total
enumeration white and colored, male, 675; female, 725
1,400
Total
enrollment of white pupils, male, 397; female, 420
807
Total
enrollment of colored pupils, male, 9l; female, 117
208
Total
enrollment of white and colored, male, 478; female, 537
1,015
Number
of pupils enrolled between 6 and 16 years of age
973
Number
of pupils enrolled between 16 and 20 years of age
42
Average
number of days’ attendance by each pupil enrolled
116
Number
of days school has been taught 180
Total
number of days’ attendance by all pupils
117,961
Average
number of pupils attending each day
656
Number
of teachers employed in the district during the year
16
Average
salaries of teachers per month $53
71
Highest
salary paid teachers 122 20
Lowest
salary paid teachers 15 00
Total
salaries paid district officers, teachers and janitors per month 906 09
Number
of school houses in the district 2
Number
of buildings rented for school purposes
1
Number
of pupils that may be seated In the various schools
750
Number
of white schools 1
Number
of colored schools 1
Average
cost per day for tuition on enrollment
05
Average
cost per day on average number belonging 07
Average
cost per day on daily attendance
08
Value
of school property in the district 26,000
00
Average
rate per $100 levied for school purposes in the district
75
Assessed
value of property in the district 1,103,405
00
Amount
on hand at beginning of school year 949
52
Amount
received for tuition fees 98
50
Amount
received from public funds (State, County and Township)
3,897 75
Amount
realized from taxation 9,719 43
Amount
paid for teacher’s wages in the district during the year
,734 30
Amount
paid for fuel in the district during the year
646 43
Amount
paid for repairs or rent of school houses during the year
368 08
Amount
paid for apparatus and incidental expenses in the district for the year
621 33
Amount
expended in defraying past indebtedness
2,850 00
Balance
in hands of treasurer at close of year
2,024 56
MEXICO CITY
MILLS
This mill, owned by
Pollock & Co., was erected in 1879. It is a brick structure, four
stories high above basement, with mansard roof. The building is 60x75
feet. Its machinery is propelled by a 60-horse power engine, built by L.
& E. Greenwood, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They use a shell boiler water
purifier. Rave four French burs, made at St. Louis; double set of
Stephens’ rolls, manufactured at Buffalo, N. Y., by the John T. Noye
Manufacturing Company; one corrugated roll for bran, three purifiers,
one dollman, one Great Western bran duster, one Vaudegriff smut mill,
one grain separator, one centrifugal flour dressing machine, one
Richmond grain cleaner, one pair scales and conveyancer in mansard room,
corn-sheller in basement and conveyancer to garret, thence to cars. The
smoke stack of the mill contains 135,000 brick and is 112 feet high.
Work ten men running 12 hours year round; six months of year run day and
night, doing strictly jobing business. Their mill is complete in all its
parts. They have corn warehouse and dumper separate from mill, and coin
is conveyed to the mill by means of belt.
They also have a
large mill at Slater, Saline county, which is doing a good business.
MISSOURI AND
KANSAS CITY TELEPHONE COMPANY
general office, Kansas
City. The office in Mexico was granted by American Telephone Company in
the autumn of 1881. A franchise was granted to J. A. Glandon, who
commenced with 32 subscribers. The office was opened December 1, 1881,
with 50 subscribers. in less than 30 days there were 68 subscribers. In
June, 1882, this: was sold out to the Missouri and Kansas City Telephone
Company. Mr. Glandon managed business for them until December, 1882.
Rev. Charles E. McClintock is their manager at present.
Below we present a
review of the business of Mexico for the year 1874. It is important,
because it shows the names of the parties who were doing business in
Mexico at that time, how long they had been in business, and what their
sales amounted to that year. It also gives something of an insight into
the character of the men who were then the merchants and tradesmen of
Mexico. We copy from the Messenger of December, 1874 -
We lay before our
readers and the general public a very extended report of the business of
Mexico, “The Prairie City,” for the year just closing It embraces
every mercantile house and
every manufactory, together with industrial agencies, but of course does
not touch upon the. business done by any in the learned professions. The
aggregate of sales, including the incomes to banks, and a fair percentage
to agents, but not including the amount paid to railroads, express
companies and post-office, amounts to $1,546,600.
We are certain
these statistics will be examined with much interest.
GROCERS
Essler & Co.
-The members of this firm are A. S. Essler, Charles Essler and George W.
Chase. The Messrs. Essler have been in business in our city but a few
weeks, having come here from Macon, Mo. Mr. George Chase is well known
as salesman for the last three years for P. W. Harding and H. W.
VanGalder. The firm may be said to have already established itself, and
is doing a business of $100 a day. They are successors to the popular
house of Harding & Humphrey, and retain most of their customers
while gaining many new ones. Harding & Humphrey were partners in
business for only a year, and during that time did a leading grocery
trade, their aggregate sales amounting to a full $30,000. Mr. Harding
had been in business about two years and half in all, and no merchant in
Mexico ever made more friends in the same length of time, or built up by
energy and integrity a better trade. He will remain with Essler &
Co. for a few months, till he reduces his books to order and collects
numerous outstanding accounts, and then may be expected again in the
marts of trade over his own proper cognomen. Mr. Humphrey’s future is
unsettled, but he will likely form another “partnership” soon.
Barnes & Winegard.
- This firm, as successors to Nelson & Quisenberry- east of the
square - have claimed the attention of the mercantile community for only
the last three weeks. Mr. Barnes is an old hand at the bellows, however;
knows what good groceries are and how to sell them. They have a full
stock of groceries - staple and fancy - provisions, grain, feed, etc.,
buy all that comes, pay liberal prices, sell as low as possible, and
have encouragement for a large trade. Since they have been in business
their sales for a single day have amounted to as much as $200. The firm
which they succeed did during the last year a business of fully $30,000.
Null & Reily.
- These gentlemen have recently opened a new stock of groceries and
queensware on the north side of the square. They carry a full stock, are
selling carefully to a cash standard, and buy at fair prices all kinds
of grain and farming produce. Messrs. Null & Reily are both skillful
traders, have a large circle of acquaintances, and are certain to
control their proportionate share of business. For the four weeks that
they have been engaged in business their sales have averaged $50 per
day-an annual trade of about $17,000.
Wilson & Co.-This
firm is successor to Null & Wilson, who purchased of S. W. Bickly
last spring. Silas Wilson is the head of the house, and is an old and
valuable citizen of Mexico, has hosts of friends, and though previously
inexperienced in mercantile pursuits, readily takes to the grocery
business and is doing well. He carries a well selected stock, sells
reasonably, and is putting out at the rate of $15,000 ? ?.
Casey & Billings.-
Mr. T. J. Casey came to our city about a year ago and engaged in
business with Mr. Hausdorf. After a few months, becoming dissatisfied,
he tried Moberly as a point of trade, but soon becoming still more
dissatisfied with that place, returned to Mexico as the El Dorado after
all, and resumed the grocery business with Mr. William Billings. They
have since been doing a really pleasant business, which is steadily
increasing. They keep a full stock of groceries, provisions, grain,
etc., and evince much industry and energy. They have attained a
reputation for strict integrity, and have many warm friends. Their sales
for the last five months they have been in business amount to $9,600,
and they fairly estimate $25,000 worth of business in the year.
J. D. Tucker. -
Mr. Tucker has been one of Mexico’s foremost grocers for seven years
past. He now is comfortably ensconced in his handsome new building,
south-west corner of the square, occupying both the first and basement
stories. He has always done a careful kind of business, selling
discreetly to men of undoubted responsibility only, buying for cash and
discounting his own bills, and priding himself not only on doing a
liberal share of the business but on having an excellent class of
customers. His sagacious business habits have, of course, brought their
due reward to Mr. Tucker, and a well filled exchequer places him
considerably above want. He boasts of being steadily in the business
longer than any other present firm, and his trade for the last year
amounts to a snug $20,000.
D. Leonard. -
This name is a familiar one in Mexico, he having resided here 18 years
and being well known in business circles for the last ten years. Always
successful, the fire of June, 1878, swept away the honest earnings of
many years, and left him simply a good name and a stout heart. For the
last year he has been in the grocery trade, and has done a fair
business. In the past three months it has vastly increased, and has more
than doubled on what it was previously. He is now doing his full
share, and the prospects for the next year are second to no other house
in the city. His sales for 1874 amount to a net $12,000.
Bush. -James M.
Bush, east side of the square, leads in his line of business, groceries
and provisions. He also deals in grain and seeds, and farmers at his
store find a certain market for all the kinds of produce they raise. Mr.
Bush has been in business in our city for the past seven years, and no
merchant has made a more creditable record for integrity and fair
dealing. His sales for 1874 foot up between $30,000 and $35,000.
Bassford & Co.
- Mr. Bassford has been in the grocery business in Mexico, with
interruptions, for nine years. He has a faithful line of tried and true
customers, who furnish him a steady and remunerative trade. The store of
this firm on the south aide of the square is well filled with groceries,
queensware, willow and wooden ware, and other goods appropriate to their
line, making this one of the largest stocks of the kind in town. They
estimate their sales for the year at $27,000.
Morris. - T. T.
Morris - the “Dollar Man “- has lately moved into his new building
on Jefferson street, south of the square, and added to his stock of
dollar goods a handsome stock of family groceries. He is now doing a
thriving trade, and while in business only about ten months in the year,
his sales have amounted to
$8,000.
Morris. - W. A.
Morris was severely, scorched by the fire of last June and thrown out of
business till a week or two ago. He has resumed the grocery trade now
in Dr. Rothwell’s new store on Jefferson street, and has a small but
select lot of staple groceries and provisions.
During the six months of the year that he has been. in business
his sales. have summed up about $11,000.
H.. W. VanGalder.
- This individual manages the
oldest grocery house in Mexico, having been in business for the last
eight years. His trade has always been fair, as he is considered a good
judge of goods, a close buyer and a careful seller. He has warm friends
and devoted customers who have adhered to him during all these years. We
estimate his yearly trade at $18,000.
John Bickley.
-This gentleman has been engaged in the grocery trade here for the last
six years, and by integrity and straight-forward dealing has;
established a remunerative business. He keeps one of the largest grocery
stocks in he city, and deals in grains, seeds, provisions, and, in fact,
everything the farmers have to sell or the people want. His sales for
the year 1874 amount to between $20,000 and $25,000.
Fowler & Coon..
-This firm has been in business in this city for only about seven months
They are pleasantly located on the south side of the, square, keep a
general stock of staple and fancy groceries, and control a large trade
from both Audrain and Callaway counties. Their trade for, the
length of time they have been in business figures up to the
flattering sum, of $18,000 worth, promising a yearly aggregate of more
than $25,000.
Rawlings & Bourne
were engaged in the grocery business, opposite the Ringo House, until
the June fire, their business in 1874 till that time amounting to about
$8,000.
DRY GOODS
Williams & Reed.
- This firm conducts the largest business of any house in the city. It
occupies a mammoth store on the north side of the square, and has two
stories well filled with dry goods, millinery, notions, boots and shoes,
ready-made clothing, etc. Mr. Williams is next to the oldest merchant in
Mexico, having come here when Mexico was but a cross-roads post-office,
and having been in business for more than twenty years. Their
establishment now gives employment to eight hands.
Their sales in the briskest seasons often amount to from five to
seven hundred dollars a day, and their cash sales during the year
amount, in round numbers, to $80,000.
Johnson & Maddox.
- One of the best stocks of goods and one of the best arranged stores in
Mexico is that of Johnson & Maddox, now in West & Kabrich’s
new building. They keep an elegant stock of dry goods, notions, boots
and shoes, hats, etc., and make piece goods and ladies’ fine dress
goods a specialty. Their business has very much
increased during the year. The
house is becoming widely known and very popular, and promises to do
its equitable proportion of the business in future. Its sales for 1874
sum up from $23,000 to $25,000.
Woodward.-Mr.
William H. Woodward has been in the dry goods business in our city since
1866. During the last year he
has kept a reduced stock and has not crowded the business as in former
years, his sales amounting to only $25,000, while heretofore they have
reached $40,000. His stock
now consists of dry goods, clothing, notions, millinery and boots and
shoes. He keeps an excellent class of goods, and has always proved
himself a discriminating buyer as well as a liberal and fair dealer. He
is so much encouraged with the future outlook that he will be on hand
for 1875 with an increased stock, claiming his equal share of all the
business done.
Martin. -
Septimus Martin commenced the dry goods trade in this city last spring.
After a few months the fire reduced his store to ashes, but within 60 days he
had resumed business in a new and solid brick structure, and for the
last three months has driven a brisk and pleasant business. His
assortment consists of dry goods, boots and shoes, notions, hats and
caps, queen’s-ware and a limited stock of family groceries. He
is well liked and is building up a handsome trade. During the five
months that he has been in business his sales will aggregate $10,000.
H. Jacobson. -
This gentleman has been in the dry goods business in this city only
since the 15th of October last. His store has generally
been thronged with customers, and he may be said already to have
established himself in a good business. He keeps dry goods, notions,
boots and shoes and furnishing goods, has enterprise and plenty of push,
and his business since opening amounts to $3,500, or an estimated yearly
business of more than $17,000.
West & Kabrich.
- These gentlemen have lately taken possession of the handsome
store-room in their new building, south-west corner of the square - one
of the largest and best dry goods rooms in the State, outside of St.
Louis. They keep an extensive assortment of dry goods, notions, hats and
caps, boots and shoes, and a small but select stock of groceries. The
firm has been engaged in business in Mexico for the last five years, and
has done a liberal share of business. During the last year their
business has amounted to $30,000.
W. W. Harper & Co.-This
firm keeps a full stock of miscellaneous wares-dry goods, clothing,
boots, hats, etc., on the northeast corner of the square. They deal
largely in wool and trade for all kinds of country produce. During the
eleven months that they have been in business their cash sales have
amounted to $36,000. They do a careful business, sell cheap, and employ
in all about six hands. Their trade promises to be much larger next
year.
J. E. Stewart. -
Mr. J. E. Stewart, north-east corner of the square, keeps a
miscellaneous stock of dry goods, notions, boots and shoes, huts and
caps, clothing, queen’s-ware and groceries. He does a careful and
conservative business and does a fair amount of trade, his sales
amounting to some $28,000 or $30,000 in the past year. He has been in
business in this city for the last eight years, is widely known and has
warm friends.
Ricketts & Co.
-This firm, on the east side of the square, has a stock of miscellaneous
goods - dry goods, boots and shoes, hats and caps, queen’s-ware, etc.
They have done a smooth and steady business, doing it quietly and
unostentatiously, and their annual trade has been about eighteen or
twenty thousand dollars. They have been in continuous business under the
firm name since 1868. The death of Mr. Joseph Ricketts, a few months
ago, led to the closing up of the estate and the discontinuance of
business.
J. D. Morris &
Co. - This firm occupies a spacious store-room on the east side of
the square, built during the last season, and keeps a general line of
dry goods, boots and shoes, groceries and queen’s-ware. They take in
exchange all kinds of country produce, and their customers come from all
over Audrain and many portions of the adjoining counties. They have been
in business in Mexico for the last nine years, and their trade is
gradually on the increase. They give employment to four men regularly,
and their sales for the year crowd hard on $40,000.
Ricketts &
Emmons. - A very popular dry goods firm, commanding one of the
largest trades in the city, is that of Ricketts & Emmons, south side
of the square. Their assortment includes boots and shoes, lists, gloves,
queen’s-ware and groceries. They buy large quantities of farming
produce, and estimate the year’s business at $40,000 to $50,000.
DRUGGISTS
Scharlach & Hall.
- The firm keeps one of the largest and neatest drug stores in
North-east Missouri. They are located on the west side of the square, do
a large retail trade with many of our best physicians and families, and
have been engaged somewhat during the year in wholesaling to smaller
towns. Mr. Scharlach is a skillful druggist, having been educated to
that and the profession of physician in Germany, his native land. He has
been in his present occupation for the last score and more of years, and
for three years in this city. Mr. Hall has been long a resident of
Mexico, and for the last year a member of this firm; by intelligent
attention to the details of the business he has become proficient. The
house is doing, an annual business of $10,000 to $12,000. Their trade is
chiefly confined to prescriptions, drugs and toilet articles.
J. F. Llewellyn.
- One of the squarest dealers, one of the politest business men of
Mexico, is J. F. Llewellyn, druggist - west of the court-house. He has
been in the business in this place during the last six years. Twice a
sufferer by fire, he was nothing daunted by disaster, and his good
nature and popularity never forsook him during those dark days. He is
thoroughly educated in his profession. To a full stock of drugs and
medicines he adds paints,
oils and window glass, which he makes an important branch of his trade.
His business for 1874 will fall not short of $12,000.
White & Craig.
- This firm occupies a prominent store-room on “the Ringo corner” ?
? ? amounting to about $10,000 a year. Mr. White is a graduate of a
pharmaceutical institution, and an adept in his profession.
The firm will soon remove to more spacious quarters in Fowles’
new building and make arrangements to increase the extent of its
business.
Patterson. - A.
M. Patterson, south-east corner public square, keeps a general drug
store and deals in paints, oils, glass, etc. He is an experienced
physician and druggist and understands his business well. He now owns
the proprietary of Reed’s hair dye, and is manufacturing and shipping
it quite widely. His sales for 1874 will foot up between $12,000 and
$14,000.
P. M. Morris. -
This gentleman occupies a neat and commodious store-room slightly away
from the business center, on the corner of Promenade and Jefferson
streets, and has a mixed stock of drugs, medicines, books, stationery,
groceries and fruits. Mr. Morris is familiar with the business wants of
Mexico, having been engaged in business here for the last ten years, and
is, therefore, one of the oldest merchants in the city. He is a man of
scrupulous honesty, exact in his dealings and favorably esteemed. His
sales for the past year amount to about $15,000.
E. S. Frost
Co. - This firm keeps a general stock of drugs and medicines
on the south-west corner of the square. Mr. Frost was not born in a drug
store, but has been in business for the last eleven years (since a mere
lad), and understands it thoroughly. The firm is composed of courteous
gentlemen, who always greet their customers with
smile and make them happy by selling them goods cheap. Their
business for 1874 tallies about $6,000 worth.
HARDWARE
Gleason. - Mexico
has two excellent hardware stores. That of H. W. Gleason, on the west
side of the square, is well filled with stoves, tin-ware, hardware,
cutlery, and such like, as well as the smaller kinds of agricultural
implements. The house has dealt but little during the last year in the
heavier class of farming implements. It has sold about 250 stoves and
has done 29,924 square feet of tin roofing and 2,000 feet of guttering.
Indeed, Mr. Gleason makes roofing, guttering and tin-work a specialty,
and keeps the best of mechanics and. builder’s tools. He has supplied
most of the builders of Mexico with builder’s hardware, and keeps none
but the best of goods in all departments. His sales for the year amount
to an even $30,000.
Thomas Gill & Co.
- The largest hardware house in any rural city of the West, is
undoubtedly this of Thomas Gill & Co., successors to G. D. Ferris.
They have a four-story building with large basement, on the east side of
the square, filled from the ground to the highest loft with hardware,
tin-ware, stoves, queen’s-ware, and agricultural implements. They deal
quite largely in the latter class of goods, selling more plows,
cultivators, corn planters, reapers, etc., than all other houses in
town. They have done considerable wholesaling during the year, having
wholesaled in a single month $3,000. worth of goods. They buy their
goods largely by car load. They have been occupied in business in our
city for the last ten months, but during that time have laid broad and
deep the foundation for a large future business. Their average stock on
hand is about $18,000, and their sales, wholesale and retail, aggregate
the grand total for 1874 of $60,000.
M’Kean. - S. L.
M’Kean is the gentlemanly proprietor of a gun-smith shop, on Jefferson
street, north of the square. He repairs all kinds of fire-arms and
sewing machines, and keeps on sale guns, pistols and ammunition. He does
a small but comfortable business, amounting to $2,000 in the past twelve
months.
FURNITURE
Lupton & Potts.
- These gentlemen have a large stock of furniture and cabinet ware, and
occupy a handsome store-room on the north-west corner of the square.
They buy largely and sell on favorable terms at only a moderate advance.
Mr. Lupton has been in business in
Mexico for the last seventeen years, and is widely known and
respected. Mr. Potts is a native of Missouri, and one of the first
residents of Mexico. They deserve a liberal support in business, and are
receiving it to the extent of $12,000 or. $15,000 annually.
W. T. Cardwell. -
“ Buck” is a capital fellow, and knows what good furniture is, for
he has been all his life a “ workman in wood.” He occupies a large
store-room north side of the square, and keeps a full line of
upholstery, cabinet ware, coffins, etc. Anything in
his line can be had of him, for he is enterprising, and if he
hasn’t got it, will send after it to accommodate a customer. He
business is gradually gaining and extending, and aggregates some $12,000
to $15,000 during the year 1874.
BANKS
Farmers &
Traders. -This bank occupies its own building on north side of the
square. It has been in business but little over two years. During the
last six months the business has increased a full 50 per cent, and its
deposits now amount to about $60,000 per month. Its paid up capital is
$50,000 and its outstanding loans about $80,000. The bank may now be
said to be well established, and doing a profitable and daily
increasing business.
Southern Bank.
-This bank was organized in 1869, and the stock-holders have built a
handsome bank building east of the courthouse. Its capital stock all
paid in is $100,000; its average deposits for the past year amount to
something over $40,000 per month, and its loans to $120,000. Its
interest and exchange account for 1874 will be $15,000. The taxes paid
by this bank this year are $8,200- quite a revenue to the county. The
institution is doing a good business, but making little money.
Savings Bank. -
This is the oldest banking institution in Mexico, being the
legitimate successor of the old Exchange Bank, and under its present
name has done business since the 1st of July, 1869. It now
has a capital and surplus of $85,000, and its deposits now are $80,000,
but this is somewhat above the average. Its loans amount to about
$120,000 The bank is well established in the hearts and on the
substantial pocket-books of a host of friends, and is promised its due
share of future business.
CLOTHING
Frank. -Mr. I.
Frank, on the west side of the square, keeps a large stock of ready-made
clothing, hats and caps and gentlemen’s furnishing goods. He has been
in the business circles of Mexico for nearly seven years, and
distinguished himself as a fair and honorable dealer. He is a modest
man, makes little noise in the world, but has a reputation for keeping a
good article of clothing and selling it at fair and just rates. His
business for 1874 amounts to a round $15,000.
Phillip. - One of
the livest merchants of Mexico is Louis Phillip, the clothier. He is a
close buyer and a shrewd salesman, keeps a good stock of excellent
goods, and does a large trade. His sales for 1874 amount to between
$23,000 and $24,000. He has
been in Mexico for the last half dozen years.
HARNESS AND
SADDLES
Ryerson. - A. F.
Ryerson has a handsome and excellent stock at his sales-room, north side
of the square, second story. He manufactures largely and uses none but
the very best material. His goods have attained a favorable reputation
in all parts of Audrain and adjoining counties; the Ryerson horse
collar, especially, has given the best of satisfaction and is in
universal demand. Mr. Ryerson has been in business here for about five
years, and his sales amount to some $6,000 or $8,000 per annum.
Pasqueth. - The
oldest business house in Mexico is James Pasqueth - dealer in harness,
saddles, trunks, whips, etc. - on east side of the square, he having
been in business here for the last 25 years. It may with truth be said
that he has made most of the sets of harness ever used within a circuit
of 25 miles of Mexico, and scarcely a complaint was ever made of
inferior quality or deception in any particular. He is an industrious,
frugal, reliable mechanic and merchant, employs about four men
continually, and has sold $10,000 worth during the last year.
MILLINERY
Mrs. Shootman -
On north-east corner of the square, does the leading millinery and
dress-making business in the city. She has spacious rooms and a fine
stock of all kinds of notions for ladies’ and children’s wear, from
a necktie to a pattern for a baby’s bib. She is also agent for Madame
Demorest’s patterns, and does a thriving business in the line of
stylish dress-making. Mrs. Shootman has been engaged in this department
of business for the last eleven years, and her annual sales amount to
$3,000.
Mrs. Harding - Is
an experienced milliner, one of the tastiest and most fashionable in
Mexico, and occupies a modest suite of rooms on north side of public
square. She has been occupied in the business in this city for the last
seven years, has built up a handsome trade, and always gives the highest
degree of satisfaction to her customers. She keeps a select stock of
millinery goods, notions, hair goods and ladies toilet articles, and
estimates her trade at $2,500 for the past year.
Mrs. Scott, Guy and
Mountfort - Do a millinery business in the West & Kabrich
building, second story, but have been engaged in it only a few weeks.
Their prospects for trade are fair.
Mrs. Rodman - Has
millinery rooms over Mr. Martin’s store, and has been in business
since last spring. She employs one assistant, and her trade will fall
not far short of $1,500 a year.
Mrs. Maupin -
Over Ricketts & Emmons’, does a general millinery business, keeps
a small but select stock of goods, employs one assistant, and her
business amounts to about $1,000 in the year.
Mrs. Carroll -Has
a neat millinery and dress-making establishment near the north-east
corner of the square, is admitted to be a lady of excellent taste, and
does a fair proportion of the trade in her line; without definite
figures, we presume it does not fall short of $2,000 a year.
BOOKS AND
STATIONERY
Mexico boasts of one
good book and stationery store - that of Sallee & Brooks, south side
of the square. They keep a full line of school books, blank books,
stationery, wall paper, picture frames and a fine circulating library.
The proprietors are affable young gentlemen, and they do a pleasant
trade, aggregating about $10,000 or $12,000 in the year just closing.
JEWELRY
Beck. - The
handsomest, gaudiest jewelry store in Mexico. is the old and popular one
of James H. Beck, in the Morris & Cauthorn building. Mr. Beck has
been in business here for thirteen successive years, and has all this
time done a prosperous trade. He keeps a large assortment of goods in
his line, and his recommendations as to quality are always to be
depended on. His sales during 1874 amount to $9,000.
M‘Intyre. - Mr.
W. B. McIntyre occupies cosy quarters in the elegant store-room at the
“Ringo-corner,” and keeps a full assortment of jewelry, clocks,
watches and silver ware. He employs none but competent workmen, is said
to sell goods cheap, and is doing a fair share of the business in his
line. He has been in our city for only 5 year, but has laid the basis of
a large future trade.
Pilcher. - Mark
Pilcher, south side of the square, keeps a large varied assortment of
jewelry, silver ware, clocks, watches, etc., and has lately been adding
a stock of chromos. He is a good mechanic, a young man of much business
energy, and is bound to succeed. His sales for the year just closing are
$9,000.
WAGON-MAKING
Dearing. - Mr. J.
W. Dearing has been engaged in the business of making and repairing
wagons in Mexico for the last fourteen
years. During 1874 he has done little new work, his time being
more profitably employed on repairs. He moderately estimates his
income from this source at $25 a week, about $1,200 per year. He is
known to be a most faithful gentleman and entitled to the fullest
confidence as a man and mechanic.
Nelson &
Quisenberry. - This firm were engaged in the manufacture of lumber
wagons at the Tincher shops, in this city, for about four months during
the last half year. They employed principally hand-power, and made fifty
wagons, worth $3,000. Tincher & Co. were engaged in making and
repairing prior to that, and the total value of work done during 1874 is
estimated to be $5,000.
Reily & Burkhart - Are engaged exclusively in the manufacture of buggies and
spring wagons. They have made about fifty during the year, at a value of
$8,000. They do nothing but good work, and are making a good reputation
for it.
LUMBER
William Lee & Son
- Near the depots, sell on an average a car load of lumber a week; this,
sold at an estimated price of $160 per load, would make their trade for
1874 amount to a round $8,000. These gentlemen have been in the lumber
business in Mexico for the last ten years, and prior to the days when
mechanics went to St. Louis and Louisiana to purchase their material for
building purposes, did a much larger and more remunerative business than
now.
Coatsworth & Co.
- This firm does the most extensive lumber business in Mexico, and
carries the heaviest stock of any yard between St. Louis and Kansas
City. Their aggregate sales for the last year amount to $47,000. Their
trade extends for a large distance in all directions from Mexico, and
their sales this year have been chiefly for country improvements.
Josiah Wright
-Does a very pleasant and comfortable trade in lumber and lime, at his
yards south of the railroad. A careful and neat calculation of his
business foots up sales for 1874 to a little over $16,000.
BARBER SHOPS
Woodroof & Dunn
-Have a neat shop on the corner of Jefferson and Promenade streets. They
have been here since May, and are doing a fair business. The income from
their trade will aggregate at least $3,000 during the year.
Watkins. - The
most fashionable, barber shops in the city are those of S. Watkins, on
Washington street, south of the square. Watkins has cut the hair and
shaved the faces of our people for the last five years, and has done it
in such a familiar and genteel way that they have come to like him, and
his services are in great demand. He employs two or three other skilled
mechanics and as many lackeys, and does a business amounting to $5,000 a
year.
BAKERY AND
CONFECTIONERY
Mr. John Sontag -
On the west side of the square, keeps the largest assortment of candies,
confectionery, toys, etc., in the city. He also runs a bakery and
restaurant, the latter conducted on the European plan. He has been in
business in Mexico for the last three years, bus been liberally
patronized by all classes, and is recognized as a sagacious business
man. His sales amount, by actual calculation, to $25 per day on the
average, amounting to the gross sum of $9,125 per year.
Weinant. - The
oldest bakery and confectionery in the town is Charles Weinant’s,
south side of the square. He occupies a relic of the earlier times, what
thirty years ago was the old log court-house and jail of Audrain county,
but by dint of economy has succeeded in amassing means in this
unpretentious though romantic business house, and now does a trade of
about $5,000 per annum.
Dr. McSchooler. -
This gentleman keeps a small confectionery and notion store south of the
court-house. He manufactures many of his candies and they find a ready
sale. He modestly estimates his business for the year at $1,500.
SOAP FACTORY
Kellogg & Goodell
- Have been engaged for something more than a year in the manufacture of
family soaps. Already their trade extends throughout North Missouri, and
in the year past their business amounted to $10,000, which might readily
be extended to three or five times that sum.
SEWING
MACHINES
John R. Luckie
- Has sold during the year about 25 of the Howe machines, worth $2,000.
J. B. Campbell
- Has sold. of the Singer machines about 100, amounting to $8,000.
INSURANCE AND
REAL ESTATE
C. W. Baker -
Over the Farmers and Traders Bank, does the leading insurance business.
He represents twelve sterling fire and two substantial life companies.
He has been in business in Mexico for over three years, and he annually
collects the sum of about $10,000 for premiums on insurance done
throughout the county. His business is in every way prosperous and
satisfactory to his patrons. Mr. Baker also does considerable in .the
real estate line, having negotiated quite a number of sales in the past
year, notwithstanding the exceedingly slow times.
John P Clark. -
The oldest real estate agency in Mexico and North-east Missouri is that
of John P. Clark. It is widely known and bears an excellent reputation.
This review will not permit us to speak as fully as it deserves of its
merits and advantages to Audrain county. The last year has been a dull
one in this line, but his sales have amounted to $65,000; he has paid
taxes for 200 non-residents, amounting to $10,000, and has made
collections amounting to $7,500.
John P. Clark &
Bro. - Loan agents and commission dealers, have negotiated loans of
Eastern and local funds, in the sum of $80,000, and their Saturday stock
sales have aggregated $65,000.
Shea
Melbourne - Represent a strong list of fire and life
insurance companies, and do an extensive business in this and adjoining
counties. Their premiums on fire risks amount to about $8,500, and
they have done a large life business as well as effected quite a number
of real estate sales.
BOOTS AND
SHOES
Mitchell. - P. S.
Mitchell, east side of the square, conducts the duly regular boot and
shoe store in the city. He keeps a large assortment of goods in his
line, as also a fine stock of hats, caps and gloves. He employs half a
dozen men constantly in his manufactory and repair shops, uses none but
reliable material, and sends out a No. 1 class of work. He has been in
business in our city for more than three years, has encountered unusual
opposition, but by great energy and determination has succeeded in
building up a trade which, in the year just closing, amounts to $30,000.
Hablutzel. -
George Hablutzel is one of the most honest and faithful shoe-makers
ever born. He may he relied on in all his recommendations, and is
punctual to an engagement - and this is not what all shoe-makers get
credit for. He does a good business with one assistant, his work
amounting to $2,000 this year.
George Runkler
-Practical boot and shoe-maker, over Frost & Co.’s store, makes
good boots, and does a business amounting to $1,500 a year.
Corder Bros.
-Have lately closed, but their manufactures and sales during the year
would reach $5,000.
MEAT MARKETS
Woodland &
Kemper. - These gentlemen occupy a good brick meat market on the
west of the square, where everything is kept in neat and tidy order,
both winter and summer. They average about one beef a day, besides the
hogs and sheep which they slaughter. They have been in business for
eight months, and at the corresponding rate for the whole year their
income would amount to $8,000.
Holt & Co. -
These men, at their meat market on Jefferson street, fairly divide with
other butchers of the city the trade in this line. They make a practice
of buying the very best animals the country affords, and not only supply
the local want for fresh meats, but ship considerable on the railroads
to other country towns. Their sales for the year foot up $8,000.
RESTAURANTS
Schuhmacher. -Mr.
John Schuhmacher keeps, on the west side of the square, one of the first
restaurants started in Mexico. He has now been engaged in the business
over seven years, and has always been favored by a liberal patronage. He
supplies meals to order, and keeps a limited number of regular boarders
and lodgers. He also deals in candies, nuts, tobacco and cigars, and his
income for the last year has been $3,000.
Hickerson. - Mr.
S. L. Hickerson keeps a restaurant and boarding-house near the depot,
and estimates the income from his business at $8,000 a year.
Mrs. McSchooler -
Is the proprietress of a dining hall, at “Reed’s corner;” she has
a considerable list of regular boarders and many transient guests,
sets a satisfactory table, and has an income of about $100 a week, or
$5,000 a year.
DeJarnett - At
the depot, keeps a restaurant and beer and wine saloon, and does
considerable transient trade, estimated at $8,000 during the
year.
SALOONS
Mexico has but two
saloons, and if fewness in number is any criterion of a city’s
morality; Mexico occupies a praisworthy position in comparison with most
other cities of Missouri. We have reason, also, to be proud of the more
than usually respectable character of these saloons.
Robert S. Steele
- Is the proprietor of a small saloon on Jefferson street, south of the
Ringo House; he keeps good order, allows no broils, and does a traffic
amounting to $175 per week, or $8,000 a year.
Mr. Ed. Rines -
Is the proprietor of a well-ordered and rather fashionable saloon and
billiard hall in the Ringo building. H is himself a man of strictly
temperate habits, permits no drunken loungers about his place does not
allow excessive drinking by any classes, and never sells to minors. His
trade will not fall short of 9,000 this year.
CIGARS
Mexico has only one
cigar manufactory - that of George Sutter - near south-west corner
square. He manufactures on quite a liberal scale, employing three men,
makes an excellent quality of cigar and his sales extend to all
surrounding towns. During
1874 he has made 77,000 cigars - of the value of $3,000.
PLOW WORKS
.Dillard & Field.
- This firm has made 500 plows during the year, and done other work,
such as repairing machines, blacksmithing, and so forth, amounting to
$10,000.
BLACKSMITHING
Thomas Hughes &
Co.- Occupy a shop at the corner of Promenade and Washington
streets, and do a lively business in horse shoeing, repairing of wagons,
and so forth. They have made but few new wagons during the year. Mr.
Hughes is recognized as a skillful smith and has all the work he and one
man can well manage. Their business has amounted to about sixty dollars
per week during the last year-in the aggregate, $3,000.
Armstrong & Co.
- R. N. Armstrong, on Jefferson street, north of the square, is
acknowledged to be a good blacksmith and horse-shoer, and is generally
crowded with customers. He employs one assistant, and his business for
the year just closing sums up $2,500.
MERCHANT
TAILORS
Hunt & Co. -
Have lately moved to this city and opened a merchant tailoring
establishment on the post-office corner. They appear to be gentlemen who
well understand their business and will doubtless do well, though their
sales do not justify any present prediction as to amount.
One of the best and most
approved tailors in the city is T. J. Mildred. He is located with
Johnson & Maddox, has been giving employment to five hands much of
the time and his income for the year will be $2,000.
Jones & Locke
-Are doing the largest merchant tailoring business in Mexico, their
trade for the three months they have been in business amounting to
$4,500. The firm of Coil & Locke, in the six months prior to that,
did a business of $5,000.
NURSERYMEN
AND FLORISTS
L. D. Shippee -
Of this city, is engaged more extensively than any one else in the
nursery business, growing most of his own trees and vines. He is also
the proprietor of a handsome greenhouse where ho propagates most of the
popular plants and flowers. His sales for the past year, under the
financial pressure, have not been as large as usual, but amount to
$5,000.
B.
D. Alexander -Owns a small nursery and green-house in the
west part of the city, and gives careful and intelligent attention to
his business. His sales of trees, plants and flowers, must amount to
about $2,000 in a year.
PRODUCE
Mr. T. Carter
-Keeps the only legitimate produce store in the city. He buys strictly
for cash, and deals in hides, furs, butter, eggs, poultry, etc. He has
shipped about 40,000 dozen eggs this fall, 6,000 pounds of butter and
40,000 pounds of poultry. He pays the express company, for shipping
poultry alone, an average of $500 a month for the winter. His total
sales since the 1st of June last amount to $39,800.
PHOTOGRAPHING
Mr. E. D. Graham
- Has, for the last eight years, conducted the only photographic
establishment in this city. And he has really met all demands, for he
has made first-class pictures and always pleased the people. His
business has always been good, and in the last year amounts to $3,000.
WHOLESALE
LIQUORS
C.
A. Samuel - Keeps the only wholesale liquor house in the
city. He is a very polite and affable gentleman, and does a considerable
trade throughout the north part of the State. His liquors are admitted
to be pure and his brands reliable. His sales amount to $12,000 for
1874.
DAIRYING
Rock Spring Dairy
- Owned by John P. Clark and under the superintendency of L. H.
Hightshee, has been gaining in public favor, and the sales of milk for
the past year foot up $2,000.
Henry Kunkle - Conducts a small dairy in East Mexico, his sales of milk
amounting to $1,200.
MARBLE
John H. Martin -
Has for some time kept the only marble shop in Mexico. He is usually
kept very busy, employs one assistant, and his trade for the past year
has amounted to a little less than $2,000. He is an experienced workman
and turns out a very satisfactory job.
LIME AND HAIR
Ribble & Poteet -
Keep the only store doing trade in this material, though plasterers and
lumbermen engage somewhat in its sale. During the year they have sold
500 barrels of lime and 200 bushels of hair, amounting to $1,000.
FLOURING
MILLS
Time and space will not
permit an extended boast of Mexico’s merchant flouring mills. Suffice
it to say, they are appreciated, do a prosperous business, and their
sales for the year foot up $80,000.
WOOLEN MILLS
We boast of one woolen
mill - and that is as good as a dozen of some other kinds. It is popular
with the masses, is wonderfully accommodating in its manner of business,
and though idle four months for want of water, has done from $25,000 to
$30,000 worth of trade in the year.
HIDES, FUR
AND WOOL
The largest, and, in
fact, the only regular hide, fur and wool house in Mexico, is that of S.
Simpson, on Washington street, south of the square. He is a large buyer
and very successful dealer, his business for the year amounting to
$45,000.
LIVERY
STABLES
White’s livery
and feed stables have done a business during the year amounting to
$8,000.
Wallace’s
stables under him and his predecessors, $6,000 a year.
MISCELLANEOUS
W. W. Rodgers, adjoining
P. M. Morris’ store, deals in fresh fish, oysters, tobacco and cigars,
his trade amounting to $2,500.
M. Goode, dealer
in reapers and mowers, has sold during the year about $6,000 worth.
Mexico has three
newspapers and job offices; doing an average business of about $5,000
each.
No inland city has
hotels superior to ours. The Martin House and the Ringo House are both
kept in a first-class manner, and the business of both must amount to
near $25,000 annually.
FREIGHTS
The freight business of
Mexico for the last year is really enormous, and a brief summing up of
the same gives a conclusive view of our importance as a commercial and
shipping center.
There has been forwarded
from here, by the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern Railway, 240 cars
of live stock, 150 cars of hay, and 1,500,000 pounds of mixed freights -
say 75 car loads; by the Chicago and Alton Railroad, 850 cars of live
stock for Mexico proper, and 5,461,814 pounds of mixed freight -280 car
loads.
There has been received
by the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern, from the Chicago and
Alton, 70,100,000 pounds of merchandise, chiefly lumber, or 8,500 car
loads, and 165 cars of live stock.
There has been received
by the St. Louis, Kansas City and Northern, for Mexico proper,
5,500,000 pounds of merchandise, equal to 275 car loads, and it has
delivered to the Chicago and Alton 2,250 cars of live stock, 100 cars of
barreled pork, and 9,000,000 pounds -450 oar loads- of miscellaneous
freights. The Chicago and Alton has received for Mexico 7,471,698 pounds
of mixed freights -equal to 380 car loads.
HAY
The bay trade of Mexico,
for the past year, is no inconsiderable item; not less than 150 car
loads have been shipped to St. Louis, and at an average of twelve tons
to a load, the amount is 1,800 tons. Of this, Hayden & Bliven have
shipped 1,500 tons, James H. Shell 150 tons, John Armstead 75 tons and
J. N. Allen 100 tons. The cost of bailing, added to the purchase price,
makes this hay coat at least $14 per ton on the cars - an aggregate
value of $25,000.
BRICK
Messrs. Mills
& Jenkins made at their yard this year 587,000 brick.
Mr. Andrew Harrison made
about 1,000,000, S. W. Bickley 600,000, and Warren Fowles 400,000,
making a grand total of 2,587,000 brick, worth over $18,000.
COAL
An approximate
calculation of the amount of coal sold in this town during the last year
places it at 55,000 bushels, worth at least $8,000. Most of this is
brought in from the country about Mexico.
PORK PACKING
There has been but one
packing house doing business in Mexico for the past season, that of
Jones, Price & Co. They have slaughtered about 1,000 head of hogs,
worth about $13,000.
Of the business firms
above named, which at that time numbered about one hundred, about 40 per
cent have gone out of business, including the deaths, and quite a number
have changed into other lines of trade. And yet there have been but five
failures - five persons were closed up by their creditors - while two
or three have sold out to prevent failures, and one or two have
compromised with their creditors at less than their original debt.
BUSINESS OF
1881
The following business
exhibit, prepared with much care in 1881, and showing the number of men
and firms in each line of local business, with the total amount of
their yearly transactions, will very closely approximate the value of
annual traffic and industry in this driving city, now (January 1, 1884.)
Aggregate
Sales.
Ten
dry goods
$334,000
Twenty-one
groceries and provisions
357,500
Four
clothing and furnishing
120,000
One
boot and shoe
25,000
Four
hardware, stoves, tin-ware, farm machinery, wagons, etc.
165,000
Six
drugs and sundries
68,500
Eleven
millinery and fancy goods
41,000
Three
notions
24,500
Two
merchant tailoring
14,600
Two
furniture
36,000
Three
jewelry, silver ware, musical merchandise
20,000
Four
sewing machines
8,300
Seven
confectioneries, bakeries and restaurants
16,000
Two
photographs .
3,500
Three
marble works
11,000
Three
grain, hay and seed 345,000
Aggregate
Sales.
One
butter, egg and poultry
25,000
Three
hides, pelts, furs, wool, etc.
25,000
One
woolen factory, 20,000 lbs wool consumed
90,000
One
pottery, output 75,000 gallons
5,250
One
broom factory
2,500
Three
meat markets
60,000
Three
brick yards, output, 2,750,000
22,000
Seven
blacksmithing, carriage making, etc.
20,400
Three
milk dealers
8,500
Four
harness and saddlery
29,000
One
book and stationery
10,000
Three
cigar factories and tobacconists
27,000
Five
boot and shoe shops
5,500
Two
flouring mills
160,000
Three
lumber dealers
135,000
Five
livery, feed and sale stables, 62 horses
28,500
One
soap factory
3,000
Three
green-houses, market gardens, etc.
4,500
Ten
stock dealers and shippers (550 car loads shipped)
660,000
Two
ice dealers
12,000
Four
coal dealers
15,000
Two
oil merchants
7,500
Total value of sales
$2,945,550
The
amount paid for mechanical labor by builders and contractors of the city
is about as follows: -
Yearly
No. firms.
Men Employed.
salaries.
Contractors
and builders
8
30
$15,000
Jobbing
painters
2
7
3,200
Master
masons
3
6
3,600
Master
bricklayers
1
8
4,000
Total yearly salaries
$25,800
There are a half dozen
minor interests not included in the above statement. Besides these are
the pork-packing, printing, hotel and other important local interests,
upon which we have too little data to base an estimate.
BUSINESS
DIRECTORY
John
Allen, carpenter; Nathaniel Allison, physician; Samuel Apgar,
proprietor Metropolitan hotel; Rev. J. C. Armstrong, D. D. (Baptist);
Robert N. Armstrong, blacksmith; Audrain County Press, J. N.
Cross, publisher; Charles W. Baker, real estate, loan and insurance
agency; First National Bank, Robert W. Tureman, president, Robert R.
Arnold, cashier; Baker & Howell (Charles W. Baker, John W. Howell,
abstracts; Rev. W. G. Barger (Christian); Bassford & Tucker (J. C.
Bassford and J. D. Tucker), real estate; J. & V. Barth (Joseph and
Victor), clothing; Thomas J. Baskett, physician; John W. Beatty, county
assessor; Mrs. Annie E. Beck, dress-maker; James H. Beck, watch-maker;
William R. Beck, jeweler; Samuel W. Bickley, brick manufacturer, lawyer,
real estate and insurance agent; Bickley & Moore (John H. Bickley,
Joseph E. Moore), grocers; G. Blum & Co. (Gabriel Blum, Julius
David), clothing; Morris Blum, dry goods; Thomas Board & Co. (Thomas
Board, Austin B. Smith), grocers; Joseph B. Botkin, mayor; J. C. Botts,
fancy dry goods; Mrs. Hattie A. Bourne, notions; John R. Brigg,
harness-maker; Charles Brandiff, billiards; Patrick Brophy, cigar
manufacturer; Thomas B. Buckner, lawyer and prosecuting attorney; Jonas
Burk, poultry; Lizzie Burnett, agent Western Union Telegraph Company;
James M. Bush, grocer; Mrs. G. Carroll, millinery; R. C. Carter, judge
western district county; Central Ringo Hotel, Thorne & Buckner,
proprietors; David H. Chase, proprietor saw-mill, manufacturer of broom
and ax handles and tent pins; Clacher & Ruloff (James Clacher, Jacob
Ruloff), hardware; J. P. Clark & Son (John P. and John M.), real
estate, loans and insurance; George H. Clark, auctioneer; Augustus B.
Cluster, lawyer; T. D. Coates, livery; Coatsworth & Co. (Ralph and
Frank Coatsworth), lumber; Bayless Collins,. saloon; Milton M. Conger,
flour mill; S. S. Craig & Co. (Samuel S. Craig, Charles J. Craig),
drugs; J. H. Crawford & Co., grocers
J. Newton Cross, publisher Audrain County Press; William
W. Culbertson, grocer; Emmet R. Cunningham, livery, feed and sale
stable, and stock yard; James W. Daniel, lawyer and real estate; Mrs.
Henry W. DeJarnett, milliner; Presley L. DeJarnett, restaurant; Frank
Delaplane, railroad agent; Joseph R. Dewitt, Star restaurant; Dobyns
& Gibbs (Ben. Dobyns and Renfro Gibbs), drugs; Shelby M. Dodson,
physician; A. J. Douglass, presiding justice of county court; .Wm. R.
Drake, restaurant ; M. Y. Duncan, lawyer ; Dunn & Woodroof (Samuel
A. Dunn, Edmond T. Woodroof),barbers; Samuel M. Edwards, judge of
probate court; A. B. Elliott, saddle-maker; Mrs. Carrie B. Ferguson,
milliner; Ferris House, E. L. ford, proprietor; Lyman B. Fetter,
jeweler; First National Bank, R.. W. Tureman, president, J. M. Coon,
vice-president, R.. B. Arnold, cashier, H. B. Cauthorn, assistant
cashier; Forrist & Fry (William O. Forrist, William W. Fry), lawyers;
Richard H. Fowler, grocer; Washington Fowles, saw mill, three miles
east; Isaac Frank, clothing; Herman Franke, shoe-maker; Pinckney French,
physician; French & McDearmon (Pinckney French, James B. McDearmon),
drugs; French & Walker (Pinckney French, Wellington V. Walker),
physicians; William L. Frost, grocer; John M. Fullington, proprietor
Jones Hotel; Mrs. L. C. Galloway, proprietor Summit House; Mrs. Louisa
Gardner, music teacher; A. E. Garrett, painter; Garrett & Bro.
(Thomas O. and Ernest), restaurant; H. A. Gass, school superintendent;
David T. Gentry, lawyer;. Gill & Garrett (Thomas M. and Richard W.
Gill, James Garrett), hardware; Joseph A. Glandon, express agent; Rev.
T. J. Gooch (Methodist S.); Alexander Goode, proprietor Goode House;
John M. Gordon, lawyer; M. Gorth, harness-maker; John Gough, merchant
tailor; Richard Graham, photographer; Greenamyer Bros. (Charles B. and
Joseph A.), cigars and tobacco; Gregg & Tomlinson (William Gregg, E.
Tomlinson), restaurant; H. L. Greer & Co., lumber; Griffer Bros.
(James, Frank, Charles R.), boots and shoes; Joseph Griffen,
manufacturer of hosiery; Miss Eva Griffin, dress-maker; Stockton L.
Griffin, manager Mutual Union Telegraph Company; E. L. Grigsby, judge;
George Hablutzel, shoe-maker; Hamilton Hall, druggist; Ira Hall, lawyer;
Mrs. Mary J. Harding, milliner; Pyrrhus W. Harding, grocer; Andrew M.
Harrison, brick yard; Harper Turner (Warren W. Harper, Albert G.
Turner), dry goods; Hayden Gregg (J. H. Hayden and John Gregg), real
estate; James G. Head, photographer; Mrs. Joseph A. Henderson, milliner;
John H. Hill, school teacher; Mrs. W. F. Hinze, furniture and undertaker;
Hisey & James (Rufus Hisey, John B. James), grain and produce; Hisey,
James & Gregory, Mexico pork-packing house; Orlando Hitt, lawyer;
Rev. W. H. Hook, Christian church; Enoch Hooten, ex-justice of the
peace; Houston .& Trimble (Algernon S. Houston, Joseph W. Trimble),
lumber; John C. Huff, general store; Hurd Brothers (Arnold E. and
Dauphin B.), livery and feed stable; John E. Hutton, editor and
proprietor Mexico Intelligencer; A. D. Jackson & Co.,
grocers; Jacobson & Blum (Herman Jacobson, Jacob Blum), proprietors
Windsor Hotel; Rev. John Jeffries, colored Methodist; F. M. Johns,
building contractor; Jones Hotel, J. M. Fullington, proprietor; George
Kabrich, dry goods; Gustav Keen, harness-maker; P. F. Kelly, county
sexton; William Kemper, meat market; Kennan, William H., lawyer; J. M.
Koontz &Co., “Our
Electric Wonder;” C. C. Koeppen, jewelry; Lakenan & Barnes (Joseph
G. Lakenan, Adam C. Barnes), real estate; John H. Lane, meat market;
Rev. J. E. Lee, Baptist; Dr. William H. Lee, physician and county
coroner; William J. Lemp, Herbert Schmidt, manager, lager beer; Rev. W.
H. Lewis, M. E. Church South; John F.: Llewellyn, drugs; Benjamin L.
Locke, county clerk; S M. Locke, treasurer; Andrew K. Luckie, marble;
Mrs. Bettie Luckie, dress-maker; Luckie & Nettle, (Joseph W. Luckie,
John T. Neal, dentists; H. C. McFall, physician; D. H. McIntyre,
attorney-general; Warren B. McIntyre, lawyer and surveyor; McIntyre
& Harrison, billiards; Samuel L. McKean, gun-smith; John McKinley,
baker and restaurant; McLaren & McKinley (Alexander McLaren, John
McKinley)., bakers; James F. McWilliams, dentist; Macfarlane &
Trimble, (George B. Macfarlane, John McD. Trimble), lawyers; John M.
Menefee, furniture; Metropolitan Hotel, Samuel Apgar, proprietor; Mexico
City Flouring Mills, William Pollack & Co., proprietors; Mexico Intelligencer,
John E. Hutton, editor and proprietor; Mexico Iron Foundry,
incorporated; Mexico Ledger, R. M. White, proprietor; Mexico
Savings Batik, William Stuart, president, John M. Marmaduke, cashier;
Mexico Southern Bank, Ex-Governor Charles H. Hardin, president; Hiram
A. Ricketts, cashier, B. Callaway, assistant cashier; Thomas F. Roden,
grocer; Joseph P. Morris, dry goods; Samuel Morris, hides; William A.
Morris, grocer; Charles B. Morris, jewelry; Edward Murdock, barber;
Joseph Murray, city marshal; Murray & Son, (Joseph Murray &
Son), tailors; J. T. Nelson, collector county taxes; Philip P. Nicholas,
wagon-maker; Garret B. Null, grocer; Opera House, George Kabrick,
proprietor, A. G. Armstrong, manager; Dennis O’Callagham, saloon;
Ogle & Rolling, boots and shoes; John W. Pallard, colored, barber;
James Pasqueth, harness-maker; R. I. Patterson, bakery; Andrew M.
Patterson, drugs; William I. Paul & Co., grocers; Paul & Jackson
(Robert C. Paul, Abram P. Jackson), grocers; Luther M. Pease, general
store; Louis Phillip, clothing; Rev. J. E. Pierce (Baptist); Mark
Pilcher, jeweler; William C. Pipino, physician; William Pollock, miller;
William Pollock & Co. (William Pollock and Thomas B. Hitt),flour
mill; Warner K. Potts, ice business; Henry Precht, upholsterer; James W.
Pratt, horse-shoer; Colby T. Quisenberry, horses and mules; Joseph W.
Ragsdale, harness-maker; William L. Reed, dentist; William F. Reed, dry
goods; Ricketts & Emmons (Hiram A. Ricketts, St. Clair P. Emmons),
general store; Edward Rines, saloon; Ringo Bros. (Burt and - Ringo),
hardware; George Robertson, lawyer and public administrator; Robinson
& Spence (R. M. Robinson and J. A. Spence), grocers; William R..
Rhodes, physician; William W. Rodgers, grocer and fish market; C. D.
Rogers, county surveyor; Mrs. Harriet L. Rodman, milliner; William W.
Rodman, physician; Thomas
P. Rothwell, physician; John H. Runkel, meat market; George M. Runkle,
shoe-maker; Samuel N. Russell, physician; Sallee & Brooks (James N.
Sallee, Henry T. Brooks), book-sellers; John Saunders, postmaster;
Michael W. Schefftel, confectioner; John Schuhmacher, restaurant; Daniel
E. Shea, real estate; Lorenzo D. Shippee, florist and nurseryman; E. A.
Shootman & Co. (Eliza A. Shootman, Mrs. Chalmers H. Green),
milliners; T. B. Shootman, weigher; Isaac Sinclair, physician; Daniel
Sinnott, sewing machines; Rev. J. F. Smith (Baptist); Logan P. Smothers,
drugs; John Sontag, dry goods; A. J. Stacey, night watchman; John J.
Steele, circuit clerk; R. S. Steele, insurance; Rev. Wm. Stoddert,
(Presbyterian); Summit House, L. C. Galloway, proprietor; Thomas &
Gamble, carriage factory; B. F. Tomlinson, clerk and recorder; David
Tomlinson, shoe-maker; James Tomlinson, constable; Thomas E. Torreyson,
recorder of deeds; A. G. Turner, county treasurer; Orange R.. Waite,
agent Chicago and Alton Railroad; Rev. A. C. Walker (Christian); Samuel
W. Watkins (colored), barber; T. B. Warford, street commissioner; Rev.
John Wayman (Methodist Episcopal); - Weimer, cigars; Robert M. White,
proprietor Mexico Ledger; A. A. White, proprietor Perry hack
line; Silas Wilson, abstracts of title; Windsor Hotel, Jacobson &
Blum, proprietors; Winegard & Willis (David Winegard and - Willis),
grocers; D. D. Woodward, sheriff; W. H. Woodward & Son (William H.
and Henry F.), real estate; Josiah Wright, lumber; J. J. Winscott,
justice of the peace; C. F. Yerger, grocer. |
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