by Mrs. Adella Breckenridge Moore of Caledonia, Missouri;1955

[If you use this information, you must give credit to Adella Breckenridge Moore who spent much time accumulating it in an era before computers. Any library or genealogical society may print this out as a hardcopy for reference use.]

Reverend John Cavitt Williams 1819-1896

John Cavitt Williams was born January 20, 1819, in Monroe County, Tennessee; converted at the age of twelve and joined the Methodist Episcopal Church; married Susan F. Watson, daughter of Spencer and Margaret (Holloway) Watson, August 3, 1842; licensed to preach in 1849; emigrated with his family to Ebenezer, Wright County, Missouri, in the early 1850s; moved about 1854 to Bellevue Valley which was his home until his death on January 20, 1896. He was admitted on trial to the St. Louis Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in 1854, and between 1866 and 1882, according to the records, served the Iron Mountain charge, the Marquand and Farmington circuits, and the Iron Mountain, Potosi, Salem and Poplar Bluff Districts. The church records, from 1854 to 1866, are not available. There were eight children:

1. Nancy, born May 19, 1843, in Tennessee. She became the second wife of John Yates, lived on Jane's Creek, and died November 9, 1915. The children were Floy, Lottie, and the twins, George and Cavitt.

2. William Graves, born July 9, 1846, in Monroe County, Tennessee married Elizabeth Catherine Breckenridge of Caledonia, Missouri, January 20, 1876, and lived the major portion of later years in Hazel Glen neighborhood three miles west of Irondale. The children were Francis Emmett, Charles, Mary Ellen, John Gamble, William Luther and George Breckenridge.

3. Martha Adkins, born January 20, 1848, in Tennessee, and married Marshall Smith Petty who was born in Roanoke County, Virginia, in 1845. They lived in the Belleview (Cross Roads) neighborhood. The children were Richard Baxter, Mary Angeline, Lottie Florence and Lucy Irene.

4. Emily Adeline, born March 22, 1850, died November 20, 1850.

5. Sarah Tennessee, born April 27, 1852, in Tennessee, married Columbus C. Bond of the Cedar Grove neighborhood in Iron County, Missouri. They lived in Belleview, Fredericktown, Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and in Alton, Illinois. Their children were Mary Eliza, Rosalie, Susan Sarah, John Stephen, and Grover Cleveland.

6. Mary Angeline, born June 12, 1856, married John C. Hornsey March 9, 1876, and died February 1, 1877, leaving one child, Leslie, now living [in 1955] in Piedmont, Missouri.

7. Thomas Ralston, born April 6, 1857. He married Miss Josephine White, daughter of Reverend E. H. White, a Presbyterian minister who resided two or three miles south of Caledonia. There was one child, Amelia, now Mrs. J. C. Schmucker of Brownsville, Pennsylvania.

8. Rufus Whaley, born near Cedar Grove April 24, 1861, and married Miss Carrie Henry, daughter of George and Angeline Henry of Caledonia, November 12, 1882. George Henry was the son of Andrew Henry, a famous fur trader. To Rufus and Carrie, eleven children were born � Roy, Alfred, Stella, George, Irl, Tom, Paul, Mary, Ralph, Levy and Carrie. The wife and mother departed this life January 2, 1905. In October 1915 Rufus was married to Mrs. Rachel Price Spence of Ironton who passed away May 17, 1925. Rufus, the last of his generation, died at Pontiac, Michigan, October 15, 1935, but was laid to rest in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Caledonia.

David Williams, the father of John Cavitt Williams, was born in North Carolina in

1787 or 1792. He married Nancy Cavitt who was born in Virginia about 1791. She is said to have been the only survivor of an Indian massacre of the Cavitt family at Cavitt Springs near Knoxville, Tennessee. She died in Monroe County, Tennessee, October 23, 1834. On October 4, 1838, David Williams married Louvisa Holloway of Monroe County.

About the time that John Cavitt Williams and his family came to Southwest Missouri, his father, David Williams, and other members of the family came to Williamson County, Illinois. David Williams was the father of five sons � Iredell Wright, John Cavitt, Russell, Martin V. and George W., and eight daughters � Mary, Mandy, Nancy Ann, Margaret, Sarah, Malinda, Susie E. and Eliza. Of the first marriage there were three sons and four daughters. David Williams was a Methodist preacher. Three sons followed him into the ministry: Iredell Wright (Christian), John Cavitt (Methodist), and George W. (Cumberland Presbyterian).

The obituary of Reverend John Cavitt Williams is found in the minutes of the St. Louis Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, which was held in Charleston, Missouri, September 30 to October 5, 1896, with Bishop Wilson presiding. It reads:

OBITUARY OF REV. JOHN C. WILLIAMS "Rev. John C. Williams was born in Tennessee January 20, 1819. At the age of twelve he was converted and united with our church. In 1849 he was licensed to preach and in 1854 admitted on trial to the St. Louis Conference, where he served the church faithfully as pastor and presiding elder for 47 years. During the troublous times incident to and succeeding the Civil War Bro. [Brother] Williams made full proof of his ministry. Unmoved by threats, undismayed, though at the mercy of men thirsting for his blood, he dared to preach when so to do was to court death. Under the famous, or rather infamous, law of the Drake Constitution, which made preaching the gospel without taking the oath of allegiance a high crime, he was arrested at Potosi in Washington County, at the pistol's point. This, however, failed to check his determination to be true to his convictions. When the war closed and our work in Southeast Missouri seemed hopeless and our cause lost, Brother Williams labored earnestly to organize the various pastoral charges. How much of exposure this demanded, how much of travel it required, what a tax it imposed on the physical as well as the mental and moral nature, we who have entered into and reaped the results of his toil can scarcely imagine. Through the wilderness, over mountains, through dense swamps, fording and oft times swimming swollen streams, his conveyor and sometimes his only companion was his faithful steed. It is not too much to say that he laid foundations for our present success.

"As a preacher Bro. Williams possessed average ability, as a pastor he was diligent and faithful, as a presiding elder painstaking and laborious; as a man he was characterized by integrity and uprightness. His piety was of the practical type; he was a man of prayer and of faith. His last days were spent peacefully at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Bond at Belleview, Missouri. Unmurmuringly he bore the ills incident to old age and infirmity. His thought and care to the very last was for the church to which he gave his life and to the Christ, whose he was and whom he served. His faith grew brighter and stronger, even unto the end. He fell on sleep January 20, 1896, aged seventy-seven years. So the anniversary of his Natal Day marked his entrance upon the heavenly life. �Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.' "

SERVICE RECORD OF REV. JOHN C. WILLIAMS Admitted on Trial 1854*

Years Appointments Years Appointments

1866-67 Presiding Elder Iron Mountain District 1877 Supernumerary

1868-70 Presiding Elder Potosi District 1878 Marquand Circuit

1871 Presiding Elder Iron Mountain District 1879-80 Presiding Elder Poplar Bluff Dis

1872 Iron Mountain Charge 1881 Presiding Elder Salem District

1873-74 Superannuated 1882 Farmington Circuit

1875 Presiding Elder Poplar Bluff District 1883-85 Supernumerary

1876 Superannuated 1886 Not listed

1886-95 Superannuated

*Record compiled from minutes of the St. Louis Annual Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, from 1866-1896. No records available between 1854 and 1866. F.E.W.

WATAUGA PIONEERS For an interesting point in the background of Rev. J.C. Williams we go to the "History of the Lost State of Franklin" by one Samuel C. Williams, formerly Justice of the Supreme Court of Tennessee. We quote: "Years before the Declaration of Independence was proclaimed, spontaneous migrations of restless pioneers of the western part of Virginia and North Carolina had formed the nucleus of a civilization in the secluded valley interposed between the Great Smoky Mountains on the East and the Cumberland Mountains on the West, through which flowed the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers. The community was destined to play an important part in the Revolutionary War and in the winning of the West. It was the germ cell of the colonization of the Upper Southwest.

"The earliest settlers supposed themselves to be within the jurisdiction of Virginia, but too far removed to have the benefits of protection of her government. The Watauga pioneers were equal to the emergency. They saw that in their isolation they must depend upon themselves. Accordingly in the Spring of 1772 they formed an Association and promulgated ideas and articles for the government of the settlement. This Agreement is known as �Articles of the Watauga Association' and notable that it was the first written constitution adopted by a community of American born freemen. Lord Dunmore in reporting to Lord Dartmouth May 9, 1774 said that they had, to all intents and purposes created themselves into�a separate state."

Quoting from McLaughlin the "Confederation and Constitution." "One can find no more striking fact in American history, nor one more typical, than the simple ease with which these frontiersmen on the banks of the western waters, on the threshold of the central valley of the Continent, finding themselves beyond the reach of eastern law, formed an Association and exercised the rights and privileges of self government."

Three of the four hundred and fifty-three signers of the "Articles of Confederation" were Alexander Cavitt, Moses Cavitt and John Williams.

In 1864, Tyro Lodge A. F. & A. M. No.12 at Caledonia, the oldest lodge working under its original charter in the Grand Lodge of Missouri, reported to Grand Lodge that John C. Williams and others had been affiliated with the local lodge during the year. -

A.B.M.

A KNIGHT OF THE "GOLDEN HORSESHOE" Rev. John C. Williams was a rider of circuits and of districts. Years ago Dr. S. A. Steele, a brilliant orator of the Southern Methodist Church, delivered on many occasions an eloquent lecture in which he pictured in grand review the Methodist circuit riders as "Knights of the Golden Horseshoe." A horse was John C's means of transportation.

On February 19, 1926, Rev. R. Walton of Fredericktown, Missouri, in recalling Rev. John C. Williams as his Presiding Elder for a total of twelve years (though not in succession), wrote a letter to Francis Emmett Williams, son of William Graves Williams and grandson of Rev. John C. Williams, in which he said in part:

"He was our big preacher at our camp meetings. He was with us at twelve of them. I remember at one a photographer got permission to put up his picture gallery with the understanding that it would be closed during services. At 11 a.m. on a Tuesday morning when Brother Williams was in the pulpit opening the services, he saw that the gallery was open with about as many people about it as were at the service. He called to Judge Eudley (Mrs. Walton's father) and said to him, �If you don't get that picture gallery closed, I will return you to the grand jury.' The gallery was closed.

"I think Brother Williams' religious zeal was kindled that day to its highest tension for he preached one of the best sermons I ever heard him preach, and I have heard a good many�I don't think the salary he received would go much over $400 a year�but he stuck to it till the last�" - F.E.W.

P 9 THE DAWN OF METHODISM IN BELLEVUE VALLEY

The dedication of the new electronic organ for the Caledonia Methodist Church, at the Sunday morning service, February 14, 1954, marked a step forward in the March of Methodism in Bellevue Valley since 1805.

We are told in the American State Papers that in 1799 William Murphy and William Reed Sr., both old men from East Tennessee, got permission from DeLuziere, commandant of New Bourbon (near Ste. Genevieve) to settle their families, friends and connections on vacant lands in the domain. William Murphy and tow or three sons chose their Grants where and around where Farmington was located in 1822. William Reed Sr. selected a Grant about one mile north of the present town of Caledonia, and owned now by the Arthur Reiffer family. Caledonia had been laid off, platted and the lots sold at public auction, May 15, 1818.

William Murphy started back to Grainger County and died at the home of his son, John Murphy, in Kentucky. William Reed brought from Greene County, Tennessee, in 1803, two sons, Robert and Joseph, and a daughter Helen. Four other Reeds came out then or soon after. From the Recorder of Deeds in Greene County, Tennessee, we learned that William Reed, William Woods, Miles Goforth, Joseph McMurtrey, seven Graggs of whom Elisha was one, owned land in that County at the beginning of 1800. Other relatives or friends who are known to have come west about the same time were Benjamin Walter and Robert Crow, William and Thomas McLaughlin, Curtis Morris, John Lewis and probably Edward Johnson.

The late Mrs. J. P. Holman, the mother of the late Miss Edith Holman, the last of the name to be a member of the Caledonia Methodist Church, has told us much of the people and traditions of Bellevue Valley. She was a granddaughter of William Woods, who rode west from Greene County in 1806, accompanied by two slaves, to the lead-mining region of upper Louisiana. He worked for two years for Mr. McIlvaine at Potosi. In 1808 he bought a part of the Miles Goforth Grant lying southwest of Caledonia. On June 13, 1809, he was married to the winsome, attractive Elizabeth McMurtrey (born November 19, 1791), who left Greene County with her family in 1804. It was not many months after their marriage when they and five other women were organized into a Methodist class here. Soon after, they must have set about the building of their meeting house.

After September 15, 1806, John Travis rode west from Greene County, Tennessee. He was born in Chester District, South Carolina, on November 3, 1773. The Western Conference had met at Ebenezer Meeting House (among the first Methodist meeting houses built on Tennessee soil) on the Nolichucky River and received him on trial and sent him to Missourie (note the spelling of the name of the River at that time) � a blanket appointment. On September 14, 1807, the Western Conference met at Chillicothe, Ohio, and he reported two circuits formed: The Missourie, which was north of the river of that name, and the Meramack which lay on both sides of the river of that name. William Woods handed the information down in his family that John Travis preached in Potosi. At Conference that year he reported 100 white and six colored members. Remember that there was no Protestant preaching allowed in Louisiana before March 10, 1804.

In June 1812, Upper Louisiana became the Territory of Missouri. The Territorial Legislature was composed of Representatives and Councilmen. During the first session of the Legislature the people living in Mine-a-Breton (now Potosi) and the surrounding country presented a petition asking that the townships of Breton, Belleview or Bellevue and part of Big River Township be erected into a County called Washington. This was done and the new county eight years older than the State of Missouri was ready for work by January 1, 1814.

The first Court met January 3, 1814. At this court a petition was presented asking for a road to be laid off from Mine-a-Breton, past the meeting house in Bellevue to John Lewis home, which was located near the present site of Belleview Post Office. His wife was a daughter of Joseph Reed, who was a brother of William Reed Sr., on whose ground the meeting house stood. It is now the east side of the Methodist Cemetery, one mile north of Caledonia on Highway 21. It was a hewed log house and was known to have been used also as a school house. The Ste. Genevieve County Records show that William Reed Sr. died in 1813 and left the farm to his son, Joseph Reed.

And now we pass on to you a partial copy which is the most interesting record to Bellevue Methodism I have ever found in Washington County, It is to be found in Deed Book A on pages 442 and 443. "Joseph and Lodema Reed of Belleview township deed to William Woods, Martin Ruggles, Gideon W. Treat, John Tulk and William Evans of the same township land described as follows: Beginning at a White oak 27 inches in diameter marked M. L. standing southeasterly 60 feet from a small house called the Preacher's house, in the lot a Shiloah Meeting house and running thence North to a stake 13 poles, thence west 13 poles to a stake, thence south 13 poles to at stake, thence east 13 poles to Beginning containing one acre and nine poles, together with all and singular the HOUSES (Note � Again it is handed down in the Woods family that there were little log houses built there for the people to occupy when they came to Camp Meeting and there were there sheds for the horses to be hitched in and fed), WOODS, FENCING WAYS, WATERS AND PRIVILEGES thereto belonging, or in any wise appertaining - - - with free privileges to the spring for the use of the congregation assembled for Divine Worship of the Methodist Episcopal Church in the United States of America." It was dated September 12, 1818. The claim has never been brought forth and record cited that any plot of ground west of the Mississippi was deeded to the Methodists before this date.

My Bible Concordance gives two spellings for the name of the church: Shiloh, meaning the tabernacle of the congregation as recorded in Joshua 18:1, and Shiloah, meaning a sending forth. I wonder if it is significant that the word is so spelled in the record, for sending forth was exactly what that church was doing at that time. In Bellevue Valley for the past three years there had been much talk of the Red River Country and a number of families had gone down there, crossing the Arkansas River at Little Rock where there were few houses at that time, and went on to the southwest.

Before Shiloah Meeting House was a dozen years old it had sent forth to the Red River Country which was then in Lawrence County, Missouri and then Hempstead County, Arkansas, enough Methodists to form the Mound Prairie Church, which is said to have been the first Methodist Church in the present state of Arkansas. Among those who went and were ministers were the same Joseph Reed, who deeded Shiloah Church; Salmon Ruggles, who was from New England, and whose grant took in the farm now known as the Hicks farm, and who married Miss Helen Reed, sister of Joseph. The Lemuel Wakely grant from the Spaniards lay about a mile north of the mouth of Cedar Creek. A preacher, Lemuel Wakely, also went to that part of Arkansas. And last but no least of the preachers mentioned who went to Mound Prairie was William Stevenson, the same who surveyed the road past the Meeting House to John Lewis' home.

In this short sketch of William Stevenson we find conflicting dates and confusion. Let me say here that before 1803 this area was known as Big River settlement and Big Lick by the miners of Mine-a-Breton, who came out to hunt. Mr. C. C. Farmer of Potosi has told us that his aunt who used to live there had reported as many as 100 deer in the lick at one time. In 1803 a Frenchman from the mines coming out to hunt said that it ought to be called Bellevue, meaning beautiful view. Somehow the beautiful view over the hills name stuck for when Ste. Genevieve District of Upper Louisiana was divided in 1807 into townships, and constables appointed, John Paul, whose grant lay about a mile southeast of Big River bridge on Highway 21 north of Caledonia, was appointed for Belleview or Bellevue. The long hand of that day is very hard to read after so many years. Also some of the Americans disliked the French and adopted the "view" spelling on that account.

William Stevenson was born in 1768 at Ninety Six in South Carolina. For the earliest date we have for his appearance in Bellevue Valley, we go to the little pocket note book of William Woods, and copy the following: "On Sunday, November 13, 1810, William Stevenson said at the house of McCoy (who was known to have lived not many feet north of the present Presbyterian Church in Caledonia), that Sam Cunningham had told a lye on an innocent person and that he believed that it could be proven and that he would publish it in the settlement of Big River."

As we have seen William Stevenson's name appears in the Court Record of January 3, 1814. On June 1, 1814, he was appointed a Justice of that Court by Edward Bates, Secretary of the Territory of Missouri. In an election held August 19, 1815, to elect a Representative from Washington County to the Territorial Legislature, he was defeated by more than 100 votes by Stephan F. Austin. Later Austin made the Stevenson home in Red River Country a stopping place on his way to Texas.

William Stevenson's first Conference connections appear in 1815, when the Conference met in Franklin, Tennessee. He was sent to his home circuit in Missouri. At the end of the year he reported 150 members. There were eight Districts in Missouri at that time and only Cold Water (between the Meramack and Missouri Rivers) reported more. W.S. Woodward in his "Annals of Missouri Methodism" page 16 says: "William Stevenson was appointed to Hot Springs in Arkansas in 1816 and reappointed there in 1817. In 1818 we find him presiding elder in Black River District, in Arkansas, although he had been a traveling preacher but three years. He was received into full connection and ordained elder in 1817." "He was 47 years old when admitted to the Conference. He did 39 years of most valuable service."

Mr. Woodward also tells us that the first session of the Missouri Conference (which then extended over the states of Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas) was held at Shiloh, Illinois Territory, on September 1816, with William McKendree as president and J.C. Harbison as secretary. Shiloh stood six miles northeast of Belleville, Illinois. The church had been founded through the efforts of William McKendree and Jesse Walker. The second session of Missouri Conference was held at Bethel Illinois Territory October 1817, with R. R. Roberts as president and John Scripps as secretary. The Bethel Church was in the Goshen Settlement two and one-half miles South of Edwardsville, Edwardsville is twenty-three miles north of Belleville). (William Stevenson was ordained Elder. Belleview Circuit and saline reported 197 whites and 19 colored). Of the ten Circuits reporting Belleview and Saline reported the most.

In the Washington County Deed records we find that on October 7, 1817, William Stevenson bought land from Martin Ruggles. The land was then a part of what is now known as the Martin Montgomery farm. On October 21, 1817, William Stevenson married Ellenor Morrison to James Donnelly. This marriage was not recorded until December 1, 1817. This would seem to indicate that there were confusion of dates in the Conference reports. His work extended over four states: Missouri, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

We find that the fourth Missouri Conference was the first one to be held on Missouri soil. This was at McKendree Chapel, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri Territory, September 1819, with Enoch George as president and John Scripps as secretary. [Could this be the donator of Scripps Institute??] The statement has been made that the reason that no other Missouri Conference had been held on Missouri soil was because the Methodists had no other meeting house in which to hold Conference before McKendree Chapel was built in 1818. Now we have found that our Shiloah had a hewed log meeting house, a preacher's house, small cabins for the people to occupy during camp meeting in 1816 west of the Mississippi River. We are forced to conclude that the first Methodist Conference held in 1816 was held on Missouri soil in our own Bellevue Valley, where J. C. Harbison, secretary, labored that year. [A question for the Internet to solve, perhaps.]

And now a thought as to the spelling of the name of the valley. We find it spelled two ways all down the years. The American State Papers, which have furnished me with many statements used in this study, almost always spelled the word BELLEVUE. Within less than two blocks of my home here stands two buildings erected in the early 1870's: Belleview Collegiate Institute (a Methodist Academy under the St. Louis Conference from 1869 to 1895), and Bellevue Presbyterian Church, which was the first Presbyterian organization west of the Mississippi. It would be just as inconsistant [sic] to make it a longer word by using the American spelling of view as for Belleville, Illinois, to spell the name of their town Bellevillage. Instead, Belleville has a sub-station Post Office named Bellevue. And in our Valley of Bellevue Cross Roads became Belleview.

P 13 THEY GATHERED THERE

For the first time that a number of Americans gathered in the immediate vicinity of the new valley high school in Consolidated District R-VI, located one and one-fourth miles northwest of Caledonia, we go to the Public Lands Volumes of American State Papers and on many pages. The time was more than 150 years ago.

On November 1, 1798, William Reed, Sr., a Presbyterian from Greene County, Tennessee, appeared in the office of Carlos DeHault DeLassus, Lieutenant Governor of Spanish Louisiana, who had charge of the granting of land to settlers, and asked for himself, connections and friends to locate settler's claims. He was granted the right to locate a claim in any part of the domain where it would not be prejudical [sic] to others.

With him that November 1, 1798 was William Murphy Sr., from Grainger County, Tennessee, who asked for the privilege of locating claims for himself, his connections and friends. He was granted the same privilege to locate claims in any part of the domain where it would not be prejudicial to any other settler. The Murphy claims were located around Farmington of the present day.

On December 27, 1799, nearly fourteen months after the appearance of Wm. Reed Sr. and William Murphy Sr. in the office of DeLassus, Paschal Detchmendy, a Frenchman, a resident for several years past of Ste. Genevieve, appeared before DeLassus and represented that he had succeeded with the help of the Government, in getting into operation the first saw-mill that ever was in the country, which mill has been of the greatest assistance to all of the undertakings of individuals; and wishing more than ever to turn his industry as much to his advantage as to that of his fellow citizens, he had in contemplation the establishing of a stock farm on a large scale, so as to enable him to have in the said Ste. Genevieve, a slaughter house, which will not fail to furnish meat all the year round, at a moderate price; having also the project to establish a tan-yard, when the sale of his property shall have secured a sufficient number of hides; he presumes, again, to hope in this circumstance for the protection and assistance of the authorities, in order to obtain the concession of an insulated tract of land suitable to the execution of his undertakings, giving the assurance that, in case the Government was to send troops into the Upper Part of Louisiana, he would furnish the rations of meat in a way to be relied upon, and at a lower price than anybody else. Therefore, he has the honor to supplicate you to have the goodness to condescend to grant him in a vacant part of the domain a square league in "superficia," or 7050 arpents, considering that this quantity has always been granted, without difficulty in other parts of the domain, to all of those who had means to establish stock-farms, and it being well known to you that I can comply with all that it requires in such a case; the petitioner has the honor to hope that will be pleased to do justice to the demand of a faithful subject, who is grateful for the bounties, which have been heaped upon him, in a country in the bosom of which he had forgotten his past adversities and misfortunes.

DeLassus answered him the next day that "we are assured that the petitioner possesses sufficient means, to improve the land which he solicits. Therefore, I do grant to him and his heirs the land, provided it is not prejudical [sic] to any other settler, and the Surveyor Don Antoine Soulard, shall put the party interested in the possession of the quantity of land he asks in the place designated; and that being executed; he shall make out a plot of his survey, delivering the same to said party with his certificate in order that it shall serve to him to b=obtain the concession and titale, and inform the Intendent General, to whom belongs by royal order, the distributing and granting all classes of lands of the royal domain."

By the end of 1803 William Reed Sr. was living on the farm now owned by Arthur reiffer and son and had become the first settler of Bellevue Valley according to the master Missouri Historian Louis Houck. Miles Goforth, a Revolutionary soldier from East Tennessee, had settled himself on the claim on which the west one-half of Caledonia is located. Ananias McCoy had settled on the grant now known as the Amonett Farm and on which the east one-half of Caledonia is located. The Curtis Morris land was across Cedar Creek from the Drew-Hoffman holdings and southwest of the bridge on Highway 21. Walter Crow was settled on a concession north and wst of Curtis Morris. Benjamin Crow located farther south on the tract now known as the "Buck Wyatt" Farm. Thomas McLaughlin could be found on the farm now known as the W. J. Dent farm, while James McLaughlin located on a tract lying directly west and south of Cedar Grove Church. John Lewis was living some two miles south of the present town of Belleview. North of John Lewis and closer to Belleview were living William Reed Jr., Joseph Reed Jr., Thomas Reed and Robert Reed. Joseph McMurtrey had his claim about five miles west of the present town of Caledonia, on the headwaters of Big River. The settlers named were the followers of William Reed Sr. It was reported in 1804 that there were twenty American settlers in Bellevue Valley.

Early in February, 1804, Thomas Maddin, a Deputy Surveyor, with his surveying implements and several men, and accompanied by Mr. Detchmendy, appeard on the William Reed Sr. claim and made preparations to begin the survey the next morning. Mr. Reed's household was known to consist of a wife, three children and four slaves. During the night, riders went out to notify the settlers that their homes were in danger and to meet at the Reed farm the next morning at sunrise with their firearms. The next morning ten men gathered there. Mr. William Reed Sr. took command and when the surveying party was sighted it was told in no uncertain langurage to leave and if it ever attempted to survey again within nine miles of that place that they could expect the worst. To be sure their trick had worked they followed the surveying party some distance away.

On February 14, 1804, Thomas Maddin wrote to Antoine soulard saying, "From the mines I went to survey Mr. Paschal Detchmendy's concession at Bellevue. On my arrival at William Reeds I found several armed men there, who without any provocation, behaved very insolent and declared themselves out of the possession of the Spanish government, and if I surveyed any land within nine miles of the place they would break, kill and slay all before them. I have been many times in the course of the night apprehensive for Mr. Detchmendy, myself and my compasses. The French people here are very much displeased at the rebellious and ungenerous proceedings of these people, who, I think, if ordered will be willing to assist in bringing them to punishment, the which, if Mr. Lasource does not order, I do not expect that we will be able to survey much more. It seems hard to see this rebellious crew have their intentions fulfilled in that manner, and go unpunished, and am, dear sir, with compliments to Madam Soulard, Your Humble Servant � Thomas Maddin.

I have made my complaint to Mr. Valle, who sends it to the Governor."

(Note � There is an area in the north part of Washington County known as "Maddin's Richwoods." In 1872 a Mr. Detchmendy had a Saddler's Shop in Caledonia.)

From 1804 to 1810 Bellevue Valley increased in population fast. Some settlers brought their entire families of twelve children and many brought slaves.

P 16 About 1810, we are told that William Woods, from east Tennessee, and five women were organized into a Methodist Class or Church. William Reed's community spirit is shown from the fact that the church building was built on his grant which is now described as the east side of the Methodist Cemetery, one mile north of Caledonia on Highway 21. We do not know how late the Indians roamed over Bellevue Valley but we do know that as late as 1808 a band of Osage Indians drove away nearly all of the horses in the Valley. So we do not know how early the schools were opened in Shiloh meeting house for the children to gather there during the week just as their parents did on Sunday. The Washington County Records poove to us that Shiloh Meeting House was there in 1814 and we know that there was a regular minister on the Belleview or Bellevue Circuit. So they were meeting there for Sunday services.

In 1816 we ar told that the Missouri Conference met at Shiloa Meeting House near Belleville, Illinois. However, I believe that the Missouri Conference met on Missouri soil in Shiloh Meeting house in Bellevue Valley. Then on September 12, 1818, five men as Trustees met there to receive the deed from Joseph Reed and wife, Lodema, heirs of William Reed Sr., who had died in 1813, to one acre and nine poles, being the lot at Shiloh Meeting House , to the Methodists in the United States of America. These Trustees were William Woods, Martin Ruggles, Gideon W. Treat, John Tulk and William Evans. We believe that these five men had the honor of receiving the first Methodist deed made west of the Mississippi River.

And we do not know how early the annual Methodist camp meetings began here, but we do know that they were carried on from year to year. During the camp meeting of 1834 the preachers gathered there for another conference. The next date of interest was 1837, when Dr. John Gano Bryan, the first post master of Caledonia, and who had come into possession of the Reed farm, deeded one acre and nine poles lying across the road and west of the Shiloh Meeting House for a burial ground. Time marched on until 1852, when according to Mrs. Mary Rutledge, the mother of our fellow townsman, Joe Rutledge, another Methodist Church, an imposing brick building, was built on Lot 41 in the town of Caledonia.

In 1849, H.M. Long bought the brick house with wood additions on lot 44 in the town of Caledonia, now owned by Mrs. Ella White. He is spoken of as a tanner by trade and a preacher by profession. His tan yard was located north of Highway 32 and east of Highway 21. He is known to have been born in Kentucky as was his borhter, also a tanner by trade and who built a house in Farminton, which is now being restored by civic organizations as the oldest house there still standing.

We do not know if Mr. Long's moving to Caledonia had anything to do with bringing the Methodist Church to town but we do know that he was a man of purpose and had the will to work to carry out his purposes.

He died at the age of 60 in December 1874 and became the first of a quintet of Methodist ministers to be buried at the Methodist Cemetery, one mile north of Caledonia. The late Dr. George H. Eversole was authority for the statement that when the van of the horse drawn vehicles had reached the cemetery the rear had not yet got in line at the church. There is a memorial window to him and his wife, Harriet Tong Long, in the present Methodist Church on Lot 41 in the town of Caledonia.

Then on a dark, cold, bleak January day they gathered again on the west side of the cemetery to lay to rest in a long slumber, Rev. John Cavitt Williams, born in east Tennessee. He had joined the conference in 1854 and spent many years riding the circuits of Southeast Missouri. Most of the time his family of wife and three sons and four daughters lived in Bellevue Valley.

It was in May, 1906, that a large crowd gathered again on the west side of the cemetery to bid farewell to the mortal remains of Jerome C. Berryman, who had been born in Kentucky in 1810, the same year Shiloh Church was a reality. He joined the conference in 1828 and started his long career of doing what his hand found to do as a pioneer Methodist minister. He has written an Autobiography and much has been written about him.

Before 1900, it was realized by the church fathers that more burial ground was needed. Mr. O.G. Ronald again deeded the onec acre and nine poles first deeded by Joseph and Lodema Reed, to the Methodists in the United States of America. It was fenced and in January 1900, Rev John H. Headlee, who was born in Maury County, Tennessee, and joined the conference in 1841, was laid there. He was a member of the Board of Curators of Bellevue Collegiate Institute for many years. He and his wife kept the Girls' Dormitory and came to be known as Father and Mother Headlee. A son, Isaac Baker Headlee, closed his store here and moved to Potosi where he was a county officer fro several years. The Headlee daughter, Jennie, married Professor and Reverend E.B. Chappell and lived for many years in Nashville, Tennessee. He was a homely and brilliant man. The daughter, Allie, married Willard D. Vandiver from Virginia. He was a teacher and politician. Later he was sent to Congress while he was living at Cape Girardeau, Missouri. While there he is given credit for having coined the expression: "I am from Missouri. You will have to show me."

In April, 1914, we gathered there to say "Goodbye to my oldest sister, Elizabeth Catherine Williams. She had come in the past half dozen years, to take the place of sister, mother and precious friend. I loved her husband, William Graves Williams, as a father as well as a brother.

It was in the Maytime of 1935 that they gathered there to lay to rest the first Missouri born of the quintet of Methodist ministers, Rev Alex M. Robinson. He also joined the Conference at the age of eighteen years. He rode many circuits in Southeast Missouri but retained his residence on his father's old farm in the Hazel Glen Community. His father sired eighteen children and he sired nine children. He had one or more books published.

Time marched on. The Methodists of Bellevue Valley needed still more burial space, which was supplied by a son of the church, Virgil A. Smith. He made the fourth deed to the Methodists of an acreage which lies north of the west side of the cemetery.

From the activity of the present church and the happy location of Valley High School we think that it is safe prophesy that they will be gathering there for the next 150 years.

P 18 NOTES

I

When the town of Caledonia was platted and the lots sold at public auction on May 15, 1818, there were three Protestant (and no Catholic) churches located within a mile of the town: Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian. The city of St. Louis had no Protestant church building at that time.

II

Ananias McCoy obtained a grant of land on which the east side of Caledonia is located. Miles Goforth obtained the grant on which the west side is located, in 1803. He had a daughter, Sarah, who was born in Greene County, Tennessee, on November 12, 1799. She handed down in her family the following information. "There was no preaching here for two years after my father came. I heard the first sermon that was ever preached in Bellevue Valley. A Methodist preacher came and preached two nights in the woods near where the Caledonia High School now stands. The congregation was seated on logs cut down in the forest. The pulpit was a split log fitted between tow standing trees. Two years later two Methodist preachers came and preached two days in the woods near the present site of the Presbyterian Cemetery, which is the oldest Protestant Cemetery west of the Mississippi River."

III

Bellevue Valley � March 31, 1837, Mr. Lanius said: "My second Camp Meeting was held in connection with my second quarterly meeting at Bellevue camp grounds, that place so highly favored of the Lord and so remarkably blest during the year. Bro. Haw was the presiding elder; Smith, Bowman, Aldridge, Peery and McFarland were the ministers present."

IV

Bellevue Valley � 1844. A young man born in 1810 in Kentucky, a Methodist licenciate since he was 18 years old, and was well known in the valley: Jerome C. Berryman, who was a delegate from the Missouri Conference meeting in New York. Other delegates from Missouri to the General Conference were William Patton, W.W. Redman, and James W. Jamison. Jerome C. Berryman was destined to out live all other delegates to that historic conference. The Southern Church withdrew support.

V

1845 � Early in May about 100 members of the Methodist Conference of the South met in Louisville, Kentucky to set up the organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South. The delegates from the Missouri Conference were Andrew Monroe, Jesse Green, John Glanville, Wesley Browning, William Patton, John H. Linn, Joseph Boyle and Thomas Johnson. (The above paragraph was gleaned from a little book printed by the Mound City Press, St. Louis, 1939, entitled "Centenary Methodist Church" by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Emmett Williams.

VI

Time marched on. Joseph Orson and Green Woods, native sons, went into the itinerant Methodist rands. Also John Thomas who came from Virginia when he was seventeen years old.

VII

The late Mrs. J.P. Holman, who was a granddaughter of William Woods, who was the one male member of Caledonia Methodist Church when it was organized, once told me that one Uncle Green Woods was killed in the Civil War because he dared to preach. Before that he had been to California as a Methodist missionary. He returned to Missouri and recruited a company for the Southern Army. A few days later some men shot him and took his hand off and sent it to Rolla, Missouri, and it was stuck up on a pole for all to see.

VIII

From "History of Methodism in Missouri" by Rev. W.H. Lewis, D.D., Vol 3, 1860-1870, page 44.

"St. Louis Conference Church at Potosi. Rev. J. C. Williams. This good and useful minister and member of St. Louis Conference M.E. Church, South, was arrested by ruffians, with pistols in their hands, in the midst of his duties of a teacher, dragged from the schoolhouse and taken to Potosi, under an indictment for preaching. After giving bond for his appearance in court he went to preaching the gospel of the grace of God to dying men and was again indicted, arrested and put under bond."

IX

See same reference and page as above for the following:" Rev. H.M. Long. This faithful minister also of the M.E. Church, South, was indicted, arrested and put under bond for the same offense against the peace and dignity of the state: preaching and teaching, etc. He was often in imminent danger of mob violence of those whom he calls �Loyal Leaguers' who made two descents on the village in which he lived, well armed and with hostile intent. �But soon,' says he �and before our trial came off, the decision of the court was had, which released us from imprisonment. For this we felt very grateful to the Supreme Court of the United States, but more especially to our Heavenly Father.'"

X

1865 -- The Civil War is ended. Brave men surrendered to other brave men.

1867 � A joint stock company built a building on Lot 37 in the town of Caledonia to be called Academy or Seminary.

1869 � The St. Louis Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, voted to sponsor this school under the name of Bellevue Collegiate Institute.

1872 -- A much larger building was built in front of the Academy by the St. Louis Conference and the untiring efforts of many local people.

1895 � June five the Conference withdrew its support from Bellevue Collegiate Institute and gave it to Marvin Collegiate Institute (later Marvin College) at Fredericktown. Some higher branches were taught until 1902 when the building reverted to Caledonia Public School District. The Academy was torn down in 1907. High school subjects were taught in it until the new Reorganized District R-VI was completed two years ago. In September 1955, Bellevue Collegiate Institute was torn down. --A. B. M.

God's Acre poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

LIST OF PERSONS BURIED IN THE METHODIST CEMETERY AT CALEDONIA [Due to computers the arrangement of the information was one line rather than two columns. The months were spelled out, rather than abbreviated.]

P 21 Akers, Francis B. May 14, 1931 � July 31, 1951

Akers, John H. (W.W.I) August 14, 1888 � August 1, 1949

Akers, William L. October 8, 1947 � 45y. 7m. 12d.

Alexander, Effie A. 1881 � 1948

Alexander, William N., 1870- 1947

Algier, Ernest June 2, 1918 � July 26, 1919

Algiere, Perry N. June 27, 1884 � September 27, 1947

Aubuchon, Leo D. April 21, 1863 � 1y. 9m. 27d.

Baker, Cyrus W. B. December 29, 1866 � Age 10m. 6d.

Barger, Thomas E. July 27, 188_ --September 11, 1911

Bartlow, Louie E., 1888 � 1938

Bays, Hallie 1914 � 1914

Bays, Ralph August 24, 1902 � May 8, 1925

Bays, Ramsey 1919 -- 1919

Bays, Roy A. 1916 � 1921

Bays, Wm. Isaac 1875 -- 1953

Bean, Artie May 20, 1893 � February 15, 1920

Bean, Carl Orvil (infant)

Bean, Charles Emmett 1893 � 1954 (W.W.I)

Bean, William Charles (son of C.E.) July 22, 1920 � May 10, 1944 (W.W.II)

Bean, Faye Johnston October 22, 1900 � January 11, 1934

Bean, James Edward (infant)

Bean, John M. February 22, 1837 � October 7, 1918

Bean, Joseph December 15, 1865 � July 29, 1931

Bean, Anna October 24, 1875 � June 9, 1915

Bean, L.L. January 31, 1860 � November 18, 1938

Bean, Angeline December 1, 1862 -- January 4, 1932

Beck, Bonnie August 1, 1904 � August 23, 1905

Beck, Everett R. 1906 � 1946

Beck, Pattie

Bennett, Charles J. August 2, 1870 � October 29, 1949

Bennett, Clara Lou Downard August 28, 1879 � February 1, 1941

Bennett, Helen 1844 � 1917

Bennett, James F. (C.W.)

Bennett, Sarah G. 3-19-1899 � 9-19-1902

Benton, John S. 1870-1952

Berryman, Rev. Jerome C. February 22, 1810 � May 8, 1906

Berryman, Margaret M. (wife of J.C.) August 14, 1814 � September 6, 1867

Berryman, Mary E. (wife of J.C.) November 10, 1826 � August 11, 1904

Berryman, Jesse

Berryman, T. N. November 6, 1807 � June 13, 1884

Berryman, G. D. (wife of T. N.) December 8, 1832 � December 15, 1915

Berryman, Thomas Helm (son of T.N.) October 18, 1852 � January 6, 1947

Bland, Charles C. February 18, 1812 � December 24, 1869

Bland, Vivian d. 1852

Bodimer, Nellie E. August 16, 1904 � April 9, 1936

Bouse, Myrtle November 17, 1913 � January 19, 1938

Boveri, Charles H. September 8, 1890 � August 17, 1953

Bowling, Hobert 1898 � 1948

P 22 Boyer, Joseph T. February 7, 1892 � August 14, 1947

Brooks, Charlotte Elvira April 24, 1867 � December 30, 1940

Brooks, Samuel D. 1862 � 1949

Brooks, E. Rosine 1874 � 1938

Brown, Emma L. 1866 � 1954

Bryan, George Robert 1869 � 1938

Bynum, Bennett W. 1862 � 1927

Bynum, Annie C. 1872 � 1937

Bynum, Robert W. 1898 � 1940

Cackley, Charles (C.W.)

Cackley, S.G.

Cackley, S. M. April 1, 1867 � September 22, 1919

Cain, Edward A. 1862 � 1949

Cain, Laura 1873 � 1953

Cain, Jesse 1894 � 1952

Cain, Jane February 19, 1820 -- July 10, 1868

Cain, Lettie 1870 � 1954

Cain, Mary C. December 5, 1843 � February 26, 1931

Cain, Robert

Cain, Jane, wife of Robert Cain and daughter of Andrew Henry � The Fur Trader

Cain, Robert A. (C.W.) September 25, 1835 � November 28, 1919

Cain, Lucinda February 3, 1833 � December 2, 1915

Callison, Lucy J. March 6, 1879 � June 7, 1939

Callison, Pauline May 5, 1906 � June 8, 1949

Callison, Rachel (Mrs. Paul) 1899 -- 1948

Campbell, Dellie C. (S.A.W.) d. June 7, 1935

Campbell, Dora December 27, 1879 � February 18, 1931

Campbell, Sarg. Eugene (W.W.I) d. 1951, aged 41 yrs

Campbell, Roscoe O. August 3, 1904 � August 29, 1948

Carl, Rev. Johnson M. 1818-

Chandler, Esther d September 4, 1856 � 20y. 5m. 2d.

Chappell, N.T. August 23, 1914 � November 6, 1921

Chrisco, Francis M. November 15, 1866 � February 20, 1938

Clark, Joseph D. December 13, 1897 � July 3, 1954

Cole, F.E. October 13, 1852 � November 22, 1916

Cole, Alice Carlyon October 30, 1852 � June 5, 1940

Cole, Percy C. 1881- 1952

Cole, Peter B. November 19, 1861 � January 16, 1933

Cole, Jemima R. December 17, 1861 � August 27, 1942

Cole, William E. 1910 � 1948

Collins, Mary G. d. May 24, 1821 � 23y. 7m. 11d.

Colman, Bertha L. January 14, 1895 � September 11, 1934

Colman, Walter 1897 � 1927

Corder, C.L. (C.W.)

Coursin, Delia Kathryn May 16, 1868 � August 25, 1933

Crawford, Glen (W.W.I) May 16, 1897 � September 13, 1946

Crommer, William F. d. October 26, 1954 � 86y. 2m. 5d.

Dahlke, Clyde D. (W.W.II) April 30, 1917 � March 22, 1944

Dahlke, John Paul

Dahlke, Lena V. February 10, 1892 � February 26, 1953

Dahlke, Teresa March 18, 1858 � February 14, 1941

Dauernheim, George W. (W.W.I) d. May 13, 1954 � 62y. 9m. 9d.

P 23 Davidson, Ben C. (C.W.) September 14, 1837 � July 28, 1923

Day, Mary C. March 6, 1832 � March 25, 1926

Dickinson, Glen W. (W.W.II) October 21, 1929 � July 21, 1954

Dickinson, Esther C. October 2, 1931 � September 15, 1944

Dickinson, Raymond July 5, 1925 � February 10, 1950

Dowdall, Henry

Drew, Elwin E. 1872 � 1933

Duckworth, Ella 1882 � 1926

Duty, Eaton 1877 � 1950

Duty, Paul (son of Eaton) (W.W.II) November 30, 1906 � June 8, 1952

Edgar, Archie C. February 3, 1883 �September 17, 1952

Edgar, Josephine December 5, 1887 � September 17, 1952

Edgar, Kenneth Carl June 12, 1912 � September 12, 1920

Engleman, Fred E. June 12, 1929 � July 8, 1943

Engleman, Mary September 14, 1862 � December 22, 1946

Evans, August 10, 1853

Evans, Elwin Elmo February 14, 1869 � May 9, 1877

Evans, Elizabeth February 9, 1783 � November 12, 1869

Evans, Guy Summerfield June 30, 1867 � November 9, 1871

Evans, Henry S. August 17, 1856 � November 15, 1904

Evans, James S. September 1, 1812 � May 29, 1899

Evans, James S. May 6, 1832 � April 21, 1901

Evans, James William May 20, 1853 � October 7, 1871

Evans, Jesse R. February 23, 1818 � January 12, 1863

Evans, John d. October 6, 1846 � 61y. 4d.

Evans, Rachel d. August 10, 1853 � Age 1y.

Farley, Gertrude 1896 � 1927

Finley, Thomas Milton January 23 1876 � January 31, 1951

Forrester, Dica 2yrs.

Forrester, Mary Ellen Queen

Forrester, McKinley infant

Foster 1901 � 1908

French 1900 � 1951

French, Earl 1909 � 1909

French, Eddie 1911 � 1915

French, Effie 1907 -- 1907

French, Ellen 1913 � 1913

French, Fannie L. April 28, 1861- March 14, 1931

French, Fern 1903 � 1916

French, Lawrence 1891 � 1947

French, Bertha 1893 � 1946

French, Ray

French, T. A. 1897 � 1927

French, T. J. October 1, 1863 � January 26, 1904

Furry, Bessie Mae 1884 � 1940

Furry, Glenn (W.W.II) 1916-1946

Furry, Shirley Ann 14d., September 10, 1942 � September 24, 1942

Garrett, Jesse

Garrett, Lou Bean

Gollaher, Lillie May April 2, 1924 � February 2, 1938

Goodykoontz, Father (George) 1812 � 1888

Goodykoontz, Mother 1822 � 1890

Goodykoontz, Brother 1852 � 1891

Goodykoontz, Thomas W. 1849 � 1930

Goodykoontz, Mary J. Knox 1859 � 1949

Grenia, Clarence

P 24 Grenia, Eliza September 14, 1846 � August 16, 1895

Grenia, Fale d. 1949

Grenia, Joseph October 3, 1852 � February 4, 1925

Grenia, Ellen 1862 � 1936

Grenia, Judith 1947 � 1949

Gunnett, William J. (U.S.C.) -- 1954

Hanson, Hazel May May 21, 1923 � May 22, 1924

Hanson, John 1855 � 1951

Hanson, Maggie 1897 � 1931

Harbison, Minnie

Harris, Rankin, b. in Rowan County, NC d. 1854

Harris Vicy (nee Breckenridge) wife of Rankin Harris. Both died of a strange disease � "Black Erysipelas." December 11, 1796 � 1854

Harrison, Martha A. August 18, 1840 � March 24, 1883

Hatridge, James January 12, 1866 � July 2, 1955

Headlee, Rev. John H. November 14, 1820 � January 20, 1900

Hedden, Abram May 12, 1825 � March 11, 1914

Hedden, Hannah November 28, 1833 � February 15, 1914

Hendrix, Roy April 14, 1933 � December 23, 1950

Hoffman, Charles G. October 29, 1853 � October 7, 1945

Hoffman, Ruth M. February 8, 1855 � March 30, 1937

Hoffman, Perry A. (W.W.I) September 27, 1881 � January 16, 1950

Holman, James P. 1858 � 1914

Holman, Bettie (wife of J.P.)1863 � 1946

Holman, Edith (dau. of J.P.) February 9, 1891 � October 27, 1954

Holman, Martha P. d. July 2, 1866 � 24y. 9m. 4d.

Holman, William October 20, 1813 � June 11, 1886

Holman, Zelia Ann April 7, 1822 � July 2, 1910

Honey, Louie March 21, 1849 � October 2, 1904

Hornsey, Mary E. June 12, 1854 � February 11, 1887

Horton, Isaac H. March 3, 1871 � February 5, 1955

Horton, Leslie B. 1881 � 1952

Horton, Minnie April 12, 1874 � May 31, 1936

Howard, William S. 1895 � 1934

Hughes, Effie July 25, 1880 � November 23, 1901

Hughes, Frank November 28, 1852 � February 2, 1912

Hughes, Ella September 23, 1857 � September 2, 1932

Huitt, Clifton 1904 � 1917

Huitt, Jessie 1912 � 1931

Huitt, Webb 1866 � 1945

Huitt, Alice 1868 � 1932

Hutchings, Luther F. 1884 � 1951

Iston, May October 13, 1851

Jamieson, Alex. 1845 � 1932

Jamieson, Mattie Settle

Jamieson, Hannah d. August 17, 1853

Jamieson, John March 8, 1808 � April 1, 1876

Jamieson, Mortimer 1849 � 1929

Johnson, Andrew W. October 21, 1817 � April 1, 1844

Johnson, B. F. April 27, 1819 � September 3, 1907

Johnson, Rev. Gaile M. April 17, 1818 � March 24, 1901

Johnson, Henry Edward 1866 � 1948

Johnson, Alice Ivia 1866 � 1951

P 25 Johnson, James March 21, 1794 � December 25, 1870

Johnson, Susanna (nee Hunter) August 19, 1797 � June 21, 1872

Johnson, James (C.W.) 1851 � 1897

Johnson, Mollie L. (wife of James) 1853 � 1933

Johnson, Luther P. (son of James) May 5, 1876 � October 7, 1913

Johnson, Jennie T. July 9, 1877 � May 30, 1926

Johnson, John T. 1853 � 1936

Johnson, Julia 1857 � 1944

Johnson, Lucy J. April 26, 1864 � February 5, 1936

Johnson, William C. May 21, 1848 � December 31, 1935

Johnson, George C. April 25, 1866 � October 6, 1902

Johnson, Lloyd February 6, 1893

Johnson, Floyd February 6, 1892 � February 25, 1993

Johnston, Monroe October 24, 1857 � March 22, 1925

Johnston, Ella S. (wife of M.) March 30, 1863 � November 2, 1923

Johnston, Earnest A. (son of M.) b. August 4, 1888 d. May 27, 1955

Johnston, William 1861 � 1945

Johnston, Emma 1869 � 1948

Keeton, Mary Lucy Robinson June 13, 1885 � 69y. 6m. 29d.

Key, Levi June 28, 1882 �

Key, Bertha M. (wife of Levi) April 4, 1887 � May 13, 1948

King, Effie Ronald June 3, 1874 � April 13, 1955

Kirkpatrick, Rev. David March 2, 1806 � January 25, 1874

Kirkpatrick, Jane Hughes (dau. of Mark Hughes and Ellen Campbell, dau. of William Campbell and Nancy Robinson) Kirkpatrick, Martin (son of Rev. David) Kirkpatrick, Lucian (son of Martin) Kitchell, Augustus C. 1857 � 1951 Kitchell, Lizzie M. (wife of A.C.) 1867 � 1928 Kitchell, Blanche (dau. of A.C.) April 7, 1900 � April 25, 1924 Kitchell, John R. (son of A.C.) October 8, 1906 � January 7, 1943 Kitchell, Dr. R. C. (son of A.C.) (W.W.I) July 25, 1891 � January 4, 1940 Klages, Dorothy Marie Cole (d. of Percy Cole) February 3, 1913 � October 27, 1952 Koch, Henry Lambert, Chas. (W.W.I) September 14, 1886 Lambert, Rebecca March 16, 1888 Lashley, Daisy March 5, 1889 � January 13, 1908 Lashley, James February 4, 1860 � September 5, 1899 Long, Cyrus H. d. August 21, 1865 � 26y. 3m. 13d. Long, Rev. H. M. March 4, 1814 � December 11, 1874 Long, Kennett 1903 � 1905 Logan, Rich July 21, 1945 � 41y. 5m. 12d. Lowery, John T. March 3, 1874 � November 21, 1950 Madsen, Mrs. Mahn, Mildred H. January 22, 1902 � January 24, 1902 Marr, John W. October 4, 1821 � June 16, 1888 Marr, Amanda A. September 10, 1835 � April 4, 1895 Mason, Cleo A. 1901 � 1904 Mason, Francis 1910 � 1911 Maxwell, E.B. 1863 � 1917 P 26 Maxwell, Firman 1857 � 1920 Maxwell, R. B. 1847 � 192_ McCall, George H. September 17, 1865 � December 16, 1933 McCarty, Mary October 1861 � December 1941 McClurg, Elbert A. 1921 � 1934 McClurg, Jacob L. 1865 � 1947 McClurg,, Julia E. 1867 � 1934 McClurg, William N. 1855 � 1932 McClurg, Louise 1859 � 1933 McFarland, Joseph d. January 19, 1881 � 41y. 2m. 5d. McFarland, Letta 1824 � 1895 McFarland, Mattie November 3, 1865 � March 20, 1881 McFarland, Nellie July 20, 1897 � September 6, 1898 McFarland, Sarah J. July 6, 1865 McFarland, Sylvan September 11, 1899 � July 25, 1900 McIntyre, Chas. A. May 14, 1878 � September 30, 1949 McIntyre, Clara L. February 3, 1875 � May 11, 1932 McIntyre, George W. October 3, 1869 � June 7, 1940 McMurtrey, Alice L. 1911 � 1928 McSween, Daniel March 10, 1812 � July 12, 1875 McSween, Justine J. January 27, 1828 � September 13, 1869 Meinhardt, Nettie August 28, 1876 � January 26, 1941 Milander, Karen Kay b. January 11, 1953 6mons. Missey, Howard H. July 19, 1909 � January 24, 1944 Mitchell, Alma Lorene June 25, 1933 � June 28, 1935 Mitchell, Luther E. March 1, 1885 � November 30, 1915 Mitchell, Winfield F. 1855 � 1924 Montgomery, Eva Marie September 8, 1923 � February 9, 1925 Montgomery, Martin January 31, 1872 � July 6, 1953 Montgomery, Rachel Ida December 17, 1897 � April 22, 1917 Montgomery, Viny December 3, 1843 � February 14, 1923 Moore, John L. 1855 � 1928 Moore, Mary Birch January 14, 1864 -- March 28, 1955 Moore, Robert H. (C.W.) 1841 � 1918 Moore, Mildred Jane (wife of R.H.) 1855 � 1896 Moore, Robert A. (son of R.H.) 1873 � 1878 Moore, Emmon L. (son of R.H.) 1875 -- 1878 Moore, Charles H. (son of R.H.) 1878 � 1898

Moore, Thomas H. (son of R.H.) 1880 � 1901

Moore, Bessie M. (dau. of R.H.) 1884 � 1904

Moyers, Richard Amon July 24, 1878 � February 12, 1955

Nall, Julien January 31, 1862 � March 15, 1867

Nall, William September 15, 1863 � September 3, 1864

Neel, Lucy May 24, 1816 � October 12, 1901

Newcomb, John F. (W.W.I) 1894 � 1951

Newcomb, Levi 1868 � 1947

Newcomb, Milford E. 1931 � 1932

O'Bryan, A. M. November 8, 1867 � May 17, 1936

O'Neal, Malvina C. 1850 � 1937

Page, Norma April 2, 1908 � October 30, 1933

Pejett, Catherine d. May 3, 1955 � 79y. 5m. 29d.

P 27 Perryman, John B. H. d. 1850

Phelps, Arthur E. August 12, 1950

Phelps, Edward W. November 24, 1951

Phelps, George H. d. November 16, 1952 � 72y. 1m. 25 d.

Phillips, Lloyd Wesley May 14, 1912 � October 28, 1914

Phillips, G.W. December 6, 1832 � April 11, 1918

Phillips, Louisa Jane November 20, 1842 � April 6, 1904

Phillips, George B. March 28, 1873 � October 12, 1951

Phillips, Bertha M. (wife of Geo.B.) September 27, 1875 � October 25, 1942

Pierce, Artie Age 58y. 2m. 5d.

Powell, Albert J. 1872 -- 1954

Powell, Ben January 1, 1846 � January 5, 1930

Powell, Mary March 10, 1855 � March 5, 1929

Powell, Georgie E. December 19, 1905 � August 1, 1906

Powell, Harry V. March 14, 1900 � January 24, 1902

Price, Alice O. February 7, 1900 � May 6, 1926

Price, Hester R.L. January 28, 1895 � October 15, 1919

Price, James H. April 7, 1862 � April 27, 1945

Price, Nannie M. April 7, 1867 � March 6, 1919

Province, baby d. August 25, 1953

Province, Edna E. October 23, 1837 � September 7, 1870

Province, Edw. (inf.son of G.S. & H.O.) February 14, 1917 � February 21, 1917

Province, J.C. April 11, 1898 � October 21, 1898

Province, Maria Means d. June 11, 1943 � 91y. 7m. 23d.

Province, William (C.W.) May 9, 1838 � February 4, 1917

Province, William Henry 1865- 1944

Pycht, baby 1951 � 1951

Rainey, inf. Dau.

Rainey, Geneva Hatridge June 12, 1904 � May 12, 1937

Randolph, Anita Mae d. June 4, 1955 � 21y. 1m. 1d.

Randolph, James D. (S.A.W.) January 21, 1865 � March 27, 1952

Ransdell, James F. d. October 3, 1950 � 91y. 9m. 14d.

Ransdell, Eliza d. January 17, 1955 � 87y. 8m. 21d.

Ransdell, W. Luther March 5, 1858 � July 3, 1923

Ransdell, M. Lettie October 23, 1862 � August 26, 1931

Ransdell, Mary E. January 4, 1871 � December 1, 1882

Ransdell, Sarah E. March 24, 1829 � April 12, 1903

Reed, Ed (W.W.I) December 15, 1886 � October 14, 1929

Reed, Lethada E. January 31, 1922 � February 3, 1922

Relfe, James Duff September 11, 1820 � December 29, 1858

Relfe, James H. September 14, 1863 � 72 y.

Relfe, Mildred October 7, 1797 � March 22, 1855

Relfe, Jane September 13, 1765 � September 17, 1844

Relfe, Jane d. May 1836 � 9y.

Relfe, John d. April 1836 � 7y. 5m.

Rhodes, Ida Davidson February 14, 1877 � May 10, 1952

Richards, Andrew T. December 15, 1859 � September 1, 1952

Richards, Mary E. January 9, 1860 � February 19, 1940

P 28 Richards, Jessie Marie August 11, 1906 � November 4, 1921

Richards, Mary E. October 11, 1934 � December 11, 1934

Richards, Noel M. (W.W.II) May 26, 1923 � July 14, 1942

Rickman, Druzilla September 1, 1867 � August 10, 1947

Rieffer, Betty Lou September 2, 1931 � July 2, 1943

Rieffer, Charles 1917 � 1926

Rieffer, Chas. F. 1898 � 1922

Rieffer, Edward S. September 2, 1917 � September 4, 1950

Rieffer, Harold R. May 1, 1930 � December 25, 1951

Rieffer, Lena Leanor 1919

Rieffer, William Jean b. April 30, 1933

Robinson, Rev. A. M. 1848 � 1935

Robinson, Josephine E. 1851 � 1935

Robinson, Albert E. 1902 � 1950

Robinson, Charles S. November 5, 1874 � November 18, 1899

Robinson, Effie October 14, 1873 � January 12, 1900

Robinson, George February 16, 1873 � February 24, 1873

Robinson, Eliza July 7, 1880 � February 28, 188_

Robinson, James 1863 � 1948

Robinson, James F. 1837 � 1923

Robinson, John d. February 9, 1864 � Age 63 yrs.

Robinson, Levinia March 30, 1816 � June 26, 1858

Robinson, Alonzo W. b. June 7, 1875

Robinson, John Richard d. November 30, 1954 � 79y. 11m. 27d.

Robinson, John L. November 7, 1868 � December 16, 1868

Robinson, Leslie 1881- 1952

Robinson, Marvin R. September 27, 1894 � September 27, 1900

Robinson, Oliver H. October 18, 1872 � July 20, 1920

Robinson, Robert T. (C.W.) 1846 � 1926

Robinson, Julia A. 1848 � 1926

Robinson, Robert E. September 28, 1878 � August 16, 1891

Robinson, William T. September 19, 1875 � December 5, 1916

Robinson, William T. April 20, 1838 � July 20, 1915

Robinson, Margaret E. February 2, 1840 � June 2, 1917

Robinson, Maggie Inez June 23, 1893 � November 1, 1895

Robinson, Z.M. August 24, 1850 � June 2, 1877

Ronald, Robin July 2, 1895 � March 3, 1903

Sadler, Raymond Lee April 6, 1926 � March 3, 1929

Salmon, Lucy R. May 18, 1849 � June 6, 1892

Schour, Lester Wayne October 4, 1954 � 4m. 11d.

Schriver, William A. October 12, 1888 � December 22, 1890

Scott, Eliza October 18, 1919 � April 8, 1931

Scott, Laura Elizabeth d. 1940 � Age 24

Scott, Mae Goodykoontz 1886 � 1940

Shelton, Dabney C. October 19, 1862 � June 15, 1931

Shelton, Minnie B. (wife of D.C.) June 17, 1872 � March 23, 1947

Shelton, Marion Mildred d. October 19, 1952 � 31y. 11m. 21d.

Showalter, George W. August 7, 1858 � December 10, 1944

P 29 Showalter, Harriet K. March 10, 1867 � October 28, 1951

Showalter, Clarence March 2, 1902 � February 28, 1903

Simpson, Sabylan July 28, 1859 � August 26, 1887

Sloan, Edward November 29, 1878 � February 19, 1912

Sloan, Francis B. 1875 � 1947

Sloan, George 1855 � 1936

Sloan, Henry December 2, 1871 � September 12, 1907

Sloan, Martha d. May 25, 1890 � 14y. 1m. 14d.

Smary, George (infant) May 14, 1870

Smith, Arthur 1892 � 1950

Smith, Edmund F. September 30, 1819 � July 21, 1882

Smith, Mary E. September 8, 1822 � December 28, 1869

Smith, Glenn 1877 � 1938

Smith, Maude (wife of Glenn) 1877 � ___

Smith, infant son of Glenn 1910 � 1910

Smith, Hunter I. 1893 � 1944

Smith, James C. b. April 8, 1851, d. May 18 1935

Smith, Glendora (wife of J.C.) April 24, 1852 � January 18, 1923

Smith, Jesse Earl November 17, 1890 � August 1, 1894

Smith, Laura September 10, 1873 � May 12, 1885

Smith, Mary Gaynell August 8, 1948 � August 20, 1948

Smith, McKinley b. June 19, 1925

Smith, William H. August 1940 � February 1841 [sic]

Smith, son of Virgil and Edith b. and d. September 9, 1817

Smith, W. B. (C.W.)

Snyder, Bernice E. 1882 � 1938

Sohn, Annie D. August 2, 1879 � September 2, 1892

Southall, Cyrus Long May 27, 1868 � April 19, 1899

Southall, Deacon E.E. d. July 13, 1889 � 56 yrs.

Southall, Mrs. E.E. February 5, 1841 � March 31, 1905

Southern, Minnie August 16, 1866 � June 17, 1888

Spoar, Linda D. 1946 � 1952

Stamper infant October 13, 1927 � October 13, 1927

Stepp, Asa G. 1892 � 1939

Stepp, Luna G. 1871 � 1951

Stuart, Sarah 1838 � 1921

Studdard, Frank J. (W.W.I) November 28, 1895 � March 28, 1949

Studdard, John July 3, 1853 � August 22, 1936

Studdard, Theodore d. October 4, 1952 � 42y. 3m. 11d.

Sullivan, Daniel 1869 � 1933

Sullivan, Martha M. 1871 � 19__

Sutton baby d. February 26, 1864 � 13 da.

Sutton, Charles William 1939 � 1945

Sutton, John R. May 14, 1848 � December 12, 1901

Sutton, Arrenia February 15, 1846 � September 7, 1939

Sutton, Lewis February 22, 1874 � September 13, 1899

Sutton, R. Frank (C.W.)

Sutton, Robert E. January 21, 1806 � December 25, 1852

Sutton, William J. (C.W.) July 10, 1831 � August 4, 1910

Sutton, Malinda J. (wife of Wm. J.) October 11, 1837 � June 30, 1929

Taylor, A.W. (C.W.)

Taylor, Margaret February 21, 1839 � November 10, 1908

P 30 Tetley, Lillie January 1, 1860 � September 14, 1860

Thomas infant b. and d. August 30, 1904

Thomas, Clyde

Thomas, Frank

Thomas, Patrick November 12, 1866 � March 22, 1892

Thompson, John W. March 26, 1877 � May 23, 1941

Townsend, Lawrence B. 1896 � 1953

Townsend, William B. 1872 � 1937

Trask, Joseph E. 1853 � 1933

Trask, Parlia 1858 � 1942

Trask, Samuel A. 1884 � 1944

Trask, Mary E. 1881 � 1942

Turner, Margie d. December 25, 1954 � 57y. 10m. 11d.

Tillson, William L. November 30, 1855 � August 13, 1933

Tullock, Carl b. June 8, 1913, d. February 22, 1947

Vandiver 1885 -- ____

Vineyard, Clyde A. October 12, 1921 � December 12, 1947

Vineyard, Frank 1861 � 19__

Vineyard, Nevada A. 1864 � 19__

Vineyard, Orin R. (W.W.I) 1891 � 1949

Vineyard, Verna December 17, 1892 � November 29, 1947

Vivian, Austin K. 1833 � 1904

Vivian, Mary 1835 � 1913

Wallen, Lillie M. (wife of Elisha Wallen) b. March 18, 1867, d. January 17, 1890

Wallen, Wilson W., son of Elisha and Lillia Wallen, b. 1858 [1888??], d. 1890

Walton, James E. August 1, 1867 � May 21, 1932

Walton, Mary E. March 1, 1869 � January 31, 1921

Weeks, Eva Lee d. December 27, 1954 � 68y. 9m. 8d.

Weeks, William A. July 4, 1873 � January 23, 1953

Wilcox, Mary B. November 12, 1870 � March 13, 1953

Williams, Clarence October 21, 1886 � July 23, 1899

Williams, Ethel J. 1886 � 1945

Williams, George E. December 4, 1889 � May 10, 1915

Williams, Mary E. June 18, 1881 � July 5, 1897

Williams, Rev. J.C. January 28, 1820 � January 20, 1896

Williams, Susan F. November 30, 1822 � December 8, 1888

Williams, James F. November 5, 1853 � February 12, 1935

Williams, Sarah Emma (wife of J.F.) May 8, 1865 � February 25, 1947

Williams, Mortimer F. January 28, 1809 � December 1, 1889

Williams, Jane T. May 31, 1821 � January 16, 1895

Williams, W.G. 1846 � 1919

Williams, Elizabeth 1848 � 1915

Woods, Mike M. (C.W.) February 17, 1830 � January 11, 1918

Woods, Jennie September 20, 1845 � January 6, 1919

Woods, William May 21, 1777 � April 11, 1856

Woods, Elizabeth November 19, 1796 � June 2, 1864

Woolford, Pat

Wortham, Marvin R, (W.W.II) August 16, 1908 � August 10, 1948

Wortham, Robert A. 1867 � 1945

Wortham, Amanda J. 1869 � 1946

Wright, Ada Mae November 16, 1916 � December 16, 1933

P 31 Wright, Lona Lee d. October 15, 1954 � 52y. 6m. 17d.

Wright, Peggy Ann 1937 � 1938

Wright, Theodore

Wright, Thomas September 28, 1867 � April 18, 1947

Yates, Nancy E. 1843 � 1915

VETERANS BURIED IN THE METHODIST CEMETERY AT CALEDONIA

I. Civil War

James F. Bennett Benjamin C. Davidson R.F. Sutton

Charles Cackley James Johnson William J. Sutton

Robert A. Cain Robert F. Moore A. W. Taylor

Charles Corder Robert T. Robinson Mike M. Woods

W. B. Smith

II. Spanish-American War

Dellie C. Campbell James F. Randolph

III. World War I

John H. Akers George W. Dauerheim John F. Newcomb

Charles Emmett Bean Perry A. Hoffman Edward Reed

Eugene Campbell Roy Mitchell Frank T. Studdard

Glen Crawford Charlie Lambert Orin R. Vineyard

IV. U. S. Calvary Service

William J. Gunnett � 1919-1921

V. World War II

Charles William Bean Paul Duty John K. Kitchell

Clyde Dahlke Glen Furry Noel Richards

Glen W. Dickenson Marvin R. Wortham

IN APPRECIATION

Thanks for taking the names from the grave markers in the cemetery are due the Kum Joinus Class of the Caledonia Methodist Church led by the pastor, Rev. J. Wesley Thomas. This work was followed by an adbertisement for names of others known to be buried here. The indexing of names was done by Joe L. Haw, postmaster, and owner of the "Golden Rule Store." Joe's geniality goes back to his father, Rev. Martin T. Haw, who attended school, preached, and married in Bellevue Valley, and to his grandfather, Stewart McSpaden, who formerly owned the "Golden Rule Store," served as Sunday school superintendent 64 years, and was Caledonia postmaster longer than any other person.

Thanks are also due Iva H. Queen and James R. Moore, veterans of World War II, for furnishing the five lists of veterans.

Thanks also to all others whose cooperation and assistance have in any manner contributed to the booklet.

P 32 [Photos of:]

The Caledonia Methodist Church Built about 1852 on Lot 31 in Caledonia. Building faced west. Destroyed by fire in 1909.

[and another of]

The Caledonia Methodist Church Present Building [when published in 1955.]

P 33 [And a photo of:]

Thomas Chapel

The ground for the church and cemetery was donated by Rev. John Thomas ("Uncle Johnny Thomas"). A log school house and church originally stood here. This building was erected about 1873. "Uncle Johnny" preached in the present church building as long as he was able to preach.

Thomas Chapel Cemetery

[Dates converted from - - style to fully written.]

Carney, Annie October 30, 1863 -- July 2, 1889

Carney, James W. February 9, 1862 -- June 4, 1887

Carney, Jesse F. September 4, 1871 � May 15, 1872

Carney, Justine J.(Thomas) wife of W.L. Carney March 18, 1834 � August 22, 1888

Carney, Nellie December 22, 1876 � July 17, 1898

Carney, T. E. April 5, 1868 � September 7, 1902

Carney, W.L. February 1 1833 � November 21, 1909

Carney, Willie February 7, 1870 � July 27, 1879

Duty, Elizabeth 1848 � 1920

Duty, James M. Mexican War soldier 1825 � 1904

Duty, John W. 1848 � 1937

Gibson, Augusta (Thomas) wife of Rev. W.P. Gibson

Goforth, Allen, Civil War soldier March 29, 1833 � December 13, 1900

Goforth, Andrew Major in War of 1812 1791 � 1854

Goforth, Joseph M. December 20, 1866 � May 16, 1936

Goforth, Lydia 1802 � 1880

Goforth, Mary E. February 4, 1852 � February 28, 1894

Goforth, Mart December 27, 1848 � January 14, 1911

Goforth, Miles, a Revolutionary soldier

Goforth, Permelia, wife of Allen Goforth October 13, 1840 � May 7, 1921

Kirkpatrick, D.W. Civil War veteran

Moore, Edna A. August 2, 1906 � September 18, 1914

McMurtrey, Eunice February 1, 1838 � January 30, 1917

McMurtrey, James November 21, 1792 � June 7, 1867

McMurtrey, Joseph

McMurtrey, Mary October 16, 1808 � August 24, 1896

McMurtrey, William September 28, 1838 �October 23, 1925

McSpaden, Elizabeth May 22, 1800 � June 5, 1883

McSpaden, Joseph (Rev.) July 19, 1795 � October 10, 1884

McSwain, Nel

McSwain, Woods September 29, 1859 � 1929

Reyborn, Laura April 25, 1850 �1937

Townsend, Oscar 1878 � 1894

Thomas, Anna November 2, 1802 � July 8, 1886

Thomas, Ellis December 25, 1858 � June 26, 1901

Thomas, I. B. October 7, 1840 � June 17, 1877

Thomas, John (Rev.) November 10, 1801 � December 24, 1888

Thomas, R. E. February 28, 1832 � January 20, 1905

P 34 Thomas, William September 14, 1825 � July 11, 1891

Vineyard, James Addison May 22, 1858 � 1953

Vineyard, James B. December 3, 1829 � August 15, 1909

Vineyard, Jane October 13, 1848 � December 22, 1943

Vineyard, Samanthy January 3, 1832 � November 8, 1928

Vineyard, T.E. July 10, 1855 � June 18, 1922

Walker, B.F. December 12, 1831 � February 8, 1905

Walker, Letty August 6, 1828 � April 2, 1908

Williamson, George (cpl)

The Alum Cave Cemetery

This church was closed and sold a number of years ago. Those who sleep in its burial place are:

Elizabeth White Davis September 25, 1884 � May 20, 1891

Nathan Davis December 19, 1825 � September 2, 1906, a Civil War veteran

A son, Samuel Dewitt Davis May 13, 1891 � July 26, 1891

Mrs. Susan Hopper Davis January 1, 1802 � November 27, 1889

Henry Dennis

Mrs. Henry Dennis

Baby Dennis

Cedar Grove Methodist Church Iron County, Missouri

[Photo] (Insert C.C. Farmer, Potosi, Mo.)

This building was constructed about 1880.

The present congregation is strong and active.

P 35 [Photos]

Belleview Methodist Church

About 1825 there was a Methodist Church south of Belleview (Crossroads) called Smyrna. The building was torn down and moved to town in 1893. In 1951 this building was replaced with the present building. � Data furnished by Mrs. J.A. Townsend and Mr. Houston McCall of Belleview.

Belgrade Methodist Church

The first Methodist Church in Belgrade was destroyed during the Civil War. Later there were two churches � one built by the Methodist Episcopal Church, and one by the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.

Following the merger of the two branches of Methodism in 1939, the Methodist Episcopal Church was retained by the united congregation, and the Southern church was sold to the Baptists. � Data furnished by Mattie Johnson Cole.

P 36 [Photo] Hazel Glen Church

About 3 miles west of Irondale in Washington County, Missouri.

Unused since 1935.

[Sketch] Belleview Collegiate Institute

In 1867, Bellevue Academy was built on Lot 37 in the town of Caledonia, Washington County, Missouri, by a stock company. The trustees were William G. Eversole, George Goodykoontz, James A. Carson, John Amonett and Albert Carr.

In 1868 the St. Louis Conference of the M. E. Church, South, voted to sponsor the school. The building shown here was erected in 1872 in front of the Academy and was known as Belleview Collegiate Institute.

In 1895 the St. Louis Conference withdrew its support of Belleview Collegiate Institute and transferred it to the Marvin Collegiate Institute at Fredericktown, Madison County, Missouri. This school later became Marvin College.

The building at Caledonia then reverted to the Caledonia Public School District and was used for public school purposes until recent years. Later it was condemned. It was razed in 1955.

Note: The accompanying picture of the building of 1872 is from a copy of the 29th Annual Catalogue of Belleview Collegiate Institute which was preserved by the late Rosena Altheuser. That year (1896-97) the school was listed as non-denominational and J.V. Curlin was the President and manager.