USA > Kansas > Republic County > A history of Republic County, Kansas, embracing a full and complete account of all the leading events in its history, from its first settlement down to June 1, '01 > Part 12
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History of Republic County.
After carefully surveying this new addition to his audi- ence, the speaker in a meditative sort of way, resumed his discourse by saying, "Brethren and sisters, there's a better time coming." Probably alluding to the time when those chickens would be large enough for table use, as I have heard it frequently remarked that preachers gener- ally were quite partial to that kind of a diet.
The first church in the township was built by the Methodists at Ida in the summer of 1885, the first pastor being Rev. J. W. H. Williams. The first child born in the township was Violet M. Rickard, adopted daughter of J. B. and Nellie Rickard, June 28th, 1869.
The first marriage in the township was J. W. Ball and Martha Dooley February 14th, 1871. The township was organized June 5th, 1870, and the following officers ap- pointed: Frank T. Powell, trustee; Edwin E. Monroe, clerk; L. R. Dobyns, treasurer.
William Dooley built a substantial frame residence on the NW { of section twenty-one (21) in the fall of 1870. This house was for several years the best one in the township and at the time it was built was probably the best farm residence in the county. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad traverses the northern part of the town- ship, there being 5 31-100 miles of track valued at $6,259 per mile and the Chicago R. I. & Pacific 3.34 miles as- sessed in 1901 at $23,130. There are no stations in the township, but there are two of easy access, Hubbell on the B. & M., just across the north line in Nebraska, and Mun- den on the Chicago R. I. & Pacific, just across the south line of the township.
Among the first settlers, who are still residents of the township, are J. B. Rickard, now the oldest continuous resident, Robert Kyle, Wm. M. Moore, A. Steenblock, Wm. Bobenhouse, Wm. Lugenbeel, G. W. Dixon, Leander Wells and Mirza Skinner, all of whom claim more than thirty years residence.
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History of Republic County.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
Liberty, next west of Rose Creek, is well watered and has considerable timber. The first settlement was made by J. L. Neville on the SW} of section 13 in the spring of 1869, who built a small log house with dirt roof, but he did not do the first breaking. The first breaking was done by a man named Preston, about an acre in the bend of the creek on the SE { of section 14, now known as the Rose Creek stock farm, in the spring of 1869.
Preston made no permanent settlement, although it was his intention to do so, he having homesteaded the land. Soon after doing the breaking he went west on a buffalo hunt and never returned, having been killed by the Indians. Mrs. Preston planted a flower garden on the acre above referred to and among other seeds sown were some morning glories, which have bloomed there ever year since, having survived drouth, grasshoppers and the culti- vation of the land. Mrs. Preston sold her right for $75 to John Riley, who came on during the latter part of the year 1869, he being the second settler in the township. This same + section, with eighty acres additional, has recently been sold for $10,000. In the spring of 1869 Mr. Neville, thinking to get a start in poultry, made a trip to Nevras- ka for the purpose of buying a few fowls, but could find none until within a few miles of Fairbury, where he pur- chased a rooster for $1 and a pullet for $1.25, returning late at night considerably elated with his success. Next morning, hearing a considerable commotion in the poultry yard, went out to find that a wily coyote had captured, killed and carried away the pullet and was on his return for the rooster which, owing to the presence of Mr. Ne- ville, he failed to capture. During the summer Mr. Ne- ville bought another pullet in Washington county, paying $1.25, which seems to have been the established price. With this one he had better luck, as she laid during the summer and fall one egg.
Mr. Neville thought that at this rate it would be some
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History of Republic County.
time before he would be overstocked with chickens.
The next settlers were the colony from New York, all being English and Scotch and all mechanics, principally stone cutters. The colony consisted of J. J. Wilkes, An - drew Glenn, Thomas Benson, Sydney Pearce, Edward Thornton, Daniel Mckenzie, Burns and Munro. This col- ony left New York City Dec. 31st, 1869, and arrived at Belleville the first week in January, 1870. Selected eight quarter sections of land along Rose Creek, combin- ing timber and water. The claims selected were numbered from one to eight and the corresponding numbers placed in a hat, each man drawing a number, which decided the claim he should homestead. This entire party was con- veyed to the land office at Junction City by T. C. Reily, since sheriff of the county, where after declaring their in- tentions to become citizens of the United States, their homestead entries were made. The four first named are still prosperous and respected citizens of the county, all owning the land first selected; the last four never returned to occupy their claims.
The township organization, in which E. D. Bugby, then a citizen of the township, took an active and promi- nent part, was effected July 7th, 1871, and was christened Liberty by Mrs. Geo. A. Hovey. The officers appointed at that time were: Geo. A. Hovey, trustee; J. L. Neville, clerk; John Riley, treasurer.
The first child born in the township was Flora Neville February 2d, 1870. The first male child born was Pearl Brown, May 20th, 1871. These two after arriving at a suitable age, became man and wife, a coincidence without a parallel in the county and probably not in the state.
The first marriage was Menzo Churchill and Sarah V. Clark, March 3d, 1870. The first death in Liberty township was Arthur Hart, an infant, son of Frank and Katie Hart, who died in October, 1872.
This township has no railroad within its limits, there being only one other-White Rock-similarly situated,
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History of Republic County.
yet there is not a farm house in the township at a greater distance than seven miles from a railroad station.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
A. B. Turner made the first improvements in this township by breaking a few acres of prairie and com- mencing a sod house on the SW { section one the last of April, 1871. These improvements he abandoned on being notified from the land office that section one was within the limits of the St. Joe & Denver railroad land grant. Turner then homesteaded the SE of section 13, and commenced improving it about the 12th of May. Wm. R. Toll was the second person to make improvements, commencing to break prairie as early as May 10th. James Wilkins, Steve Madison and John Stevens all took homesteads about the same time and made settlement the same spring. W. A. Reeves took a homestead on the NE }, section 11, May 13, and commenced improving it the following week. John Rule, an Englishman, settled on section 2 soon after, he and members of his family homesteading the whole sec- tion. Other early settlers were N. W. Hayes and his son, William, and William Stewart, a son-in-law, J. W. Smith, Isaac B. Gaylord, Noah Miles and Ritchie Clark, all mak- ing settlement in the spring of 1871. Of all the above named, only three-Reeves, Smith and Clark-are living on the land first taken, the others having died or moved away. W. A. Reeves was the first justice of the peace in the township, being appointed by Governor Harvey in 1872.
The first marriage was Sam. Wilkins and Mary E. Turner. This marriage was solemnized by W. A. Reeves, Esquire, at his residence in Washington township, Febru- ary 12, 1873. The first gospel sermon was preached by Rev. J. L. Millard, a United Brethren preacher, then liv- ing in Liberty township, soon followed by Elder Marks and R. P. West, all pioneers in religious work.
The township was organized July 2d, 1872, and the following officers appointed: A. Watenpaugh, trustee:
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History of Republic County.
Spaulding Eddy, clerk; Rev. Milner, treasurer; A. B. Tur- ner, constable.
At the first election for township officers held in April, 1873, the following were chosen: Noah Miles, trustee; C. Foskett, clerk; A. B. Turner, treasurer; W. A. Reeves and H. C. Swartz, justices of the peace; A. B. Gilmore and J. D. Trimmer, constables.
This township has the largest area of land in cultiva- tion of any in the county. The railroad mileage, B. & M., is 2.42 miles, assessed in 1901 at $16,393.
BIG BEND TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the northwest corner of the county, is watered by the Republican river, which flows through it from the northwest to the southeast. The first settlement was made by Daniel Davis, who broke the first prairie and built the first cabin in the township in the summer of 1866, on the SE } of section 34. This township was the theater of many thrilling and exciting incidents of repeated outbreaks and attacks by Indians, hardships endured and heroic fortitude shown by the pioneer set- tlers, much of which is narrated in the chapter on Indian depredations. No part of the county suffered so severely and so long from Indian incursions as the townships of Big Bend and White Rock. Often in the early history of these two townships, while the pioneer settlers were rest- ing in fancied security and safety, the treacherous savage, with deadly intent, was lurking near. This is but the same old story of all new countries infested with Indians.
The first school district embraced all that part of the township lying west of the Republican river and the first school was taught by J. D. Leigh, a highly interesting ac- count of which will be found in the chapter on schools.
The first child born in the township was Myrtle, daughter of Oscar and Matilda Low, January, 1871. The first male child born was Tudor Charles, February 6th, 1871, and who is now living on the farm where born.
The first goods sold in the township was by John Rus-
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History of Republic County.
sel, at the mouth of White Rock Creek, at which point Dan. Davis sought to start a town, and where James and John A. Clark had located a steam saw and shingle mill which they brought with them from Ohio, and had it in operation early in the fall of 1870, doing a good business until the following April, when they sold out to old Mr. Whitney, of Haddam, who soon after moved the mill to that place. This was the second saw mill in the county, the one owned by the Scandinavian Colony being the first. James R. Clark homesteaded the SE + and J. A., the NE} of section 10, in Freedom township. John A. sold out in 1874, and pre-empted a quarter in section 3, in the same township. James R. afterwards bought the Capt. School- ey farm in Grant township, where he lived for several years. The grocery store above referred to was built of cottonwood manufactured by the saw mill aforesaid. The stock in trade at this grocery was principally nails, to- bacco and whiskey. The institution was short lived, re- maining only a few months. The next store was kept by Jack Galbraith on the claim of W. R. Charles, in the win- ter of 1870 and 1871. Galbraith was in business there for a few months only, when he removed to White Rock. The next business established was a general store by William Walton, in the northwest corner of the township, close to the state line in the summer of 1871.
The first postoffice was established in 1871, was named Gomeria, and W. R. Charles appointed postmaster.
The township was organized July 19th, 1872, at which time the following officers were appointed: A. B. Young, trustee; S. G. Stover, treasurer; H. C. Waffle, clerk; and the first election ordered to be held at the residence of Andrew Low.
This township has three lines of railroad:
Missouri Pacific
7.62 miles Assessed in 1901 $32347
Rep. Valley, ( B. & M. ). .4.98 miles Assessed in 1901 33735
Pacific Ry in Nebraska. 1.00 mile Assessed in 1901 4245
Total
13.60 miles
$70327
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History of Republic County.
This township having the greatest mileage of any township in the county, but not the largest assessed rail- road valuation. As shown in another chapter, this town- ship has the most tax able property of any in the county.
WHITE ROCK TOWNSHIP
Is so called from a creek of the same name which flows across a portion of the western and northern por- tions of the township. This part of Republic county is one of great historic interest, and was on account of its richness and beauty, a region of attraction, years before the most venturesome pioneer sought to establish a home here. And long before prudence warranted the under- taking, a few more daring than others, endeavored to build a home in this beautiful valley, some with the loss of their lives, and all living in constant dread of Indian incursions.
The first settlement in the township was made by Philip Keyser, on the NW } of section 4, in the spring of 1862, who made the first improvements and broke the . first sod in this part of the county. His settlement was not permanent, as he remained here only a little more than two months. Settlers came and went and it was not until 1866 that a few determined men-among whom I mention Thomas Lovewell as a leading spirit-came to stay, but all subject to an annual scare from an Indian in- vasion.
The first school was taught in the summer of 1871, by Mrs. Emanuel Maudlin, in what was known as Crown's blacksmith shop, a large and roomy building, the upper story being used for general public purposes. This was a subscription school. The first gospel sermon was preached by R. P. West in 1870. The first church build- ing was erected in 1873, not purely denominational, but was known as a union church, its construction being con- tributed to by parties of all religious beliefs-and sinners as well-but later passed under the control of the Bap-
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History of Republic County.
tists. In the fall of 1871, a commodious and comfortable school house was built of rock, Thomas Lovewell being the architect and builder, and a term of school taught therein the following summer by Miss Ida Kirkpatrick.
White Rock post office was established in May, 1871, and Chester L. Babcock appointed postmaster. The boundaries of the township were defined August 20th, 1870, and embraced a territory of twelve miles north and south, by six miles east and west, the voting place to be at the house of Joseph Kohl, but no township officers were appointed at that time. The first officers elected were: W. H. Leigh, trustee; A. B. Young, clerk; S. R. Morlan, treasurer: A. B. Warner, justice of the peace; Andrew Low, justice of the peace; W. Malory, constable; D. Rice, constable.
The township has no railroad.
UNION TOWNSHIP.
The first settlement in this township was made by S. Sherdahl, April 10th, 1870. Mr. Sherdahl had his only team of horses stolen by the Indians May 18th, 1870. The township was organized July 7th, 1871 and the following officers appointed:
E. K. Mahan, Trustee; David Rockhold, Clerk; J. R. Bowersox, Treasurer; J. M. Rockhold, Justice of the Peace; S. A. Mckay, Constable.
The first sermon was preached by Rev. Albert Odell, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, about May 1st, 1871, in a board shanty located on the SW}of section 23 the same being occupied by J. R. Bowersox as a residence. School district No. 39, one of the leading school districts of the county, was organized May 23d, 1871, and the first school meeting was held on the third day of June follow- ing. The first school district officers were Andrew Engle, S. A. Mckay and John R. Bowersox. The first three months of school in this district was taught by Miss Zu- retta Rockhold in a dugout on the SE corner of section 22
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History of Republic County.
the site of the present school building. The names of the pupils who held down slab seats that term were: Frank Cooper, Calvin Gant, Benjamin Gant, Charles Gant, David Hall, J. Householder, Daniel Householder, Geo. Page, Van Rockhold, Fred Rockhold, Arthur Rockhold, Eddy Sims, Rose B. Woods, Racena Cooper, Albina Gant, Caroline Gant, Mary G. Householder, Clem Landreth, Esther Page, Lefa Robbins, Loretta Rockhold, Orpha Rockhold, Anna F. Small, Rachel Small, Irene Woods, Sarah E. Woods. This has been a graded school, employing two teachers since 1891.
This township embraces a larger area than any other in the county, the Republican river forming its western boundary. Has a railroad mileage of 6.12 miles assessed in 1901 at $26629.
FREEDOM TOWNSHIP.
This township lies in the center of the county, east and west, is well settled and well improved, the third ward of the city of Belleville being located within its boun- daries.
The first settlement was made on the southwest quar- ter of section 35 in the spring of 1870, by Dr. A. B. Tut- ton, who built a small log dwelling where the residence of J. P. Talmadge now stands. This was thefirst building of any kind erected in the township. The first prairie broken was on the claim taken by Dr. J. C. Griffith, the SE , section 35, in the spring of 1870. This breaking was done by T. C. Reily, afterwards sheriff of the county. Dr. Griffith built a comfortable stone house in the summer of 1870, recently occupied by T. M. Childs as a residence. Dr. Columbus Taylor, the same summer built a good frame house on his homestead, the NW # of section 29. Among others who made settlement in this township in 1870, I name James Taylor, J. D. and S. L. Black, George and Ezra Couchman, J. F. Walker, Amos Moree, Robert M. Edgecomb, John Bodine, W. P. Weeks, D. M. Howard, Albert Myers. William H. Boyes, Ezra Powell, David Van
2. W.
Residence and Farm Buildings of H. J. Slutts, NE} Sec. 15, Freedom Township.
-
Residence of F. M. Johnson, Freedom Township.
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History of Republic County.
Aken, Aaron Bond, R. P. Cheney, P. L. Peck, Fredrick Collins, J. J. and P. F. Scofield.
The first school was taught by Mrs. Albert Odell, at her residence on the southwest quarter, section 29, in the winter of 1870-1. This was prior to the district organiza- tion and was a three-months subscription school. The school house was a combination of a dugout and sod, sim - ilar to others described elsewhere in this history. The first school taught after the organization of District No. 17, the first one to organize in the township, was by the Rev. Albert Odell.
The township was organized July 7th, 1871, and was christened "Freedom" by William Hughes. The following were the officers appointed: Adam Dixon, trustee: Rob- ert M. Edgecomb, clerk; Philander L. Peck, treasurer; A. O. Kindy, constable. The first election was ordered to be held at the residence of R. M. Edgecomb, on the NE +, section 21. The first child born in the township was Ira W. Walker, December 9th, 1870. The first marriage was E. M. Bailey and M. E. Personett, February 3d, 1871. The first death was Maria E. Howard, wife of D. M. How- ard, who died January 18th, 1872. The township has a railroad mileage of 2.02 miles, assessed in 1901 at $15483.
FAIRVIEW TOWNSHIP
Lies next east of Freedom and is a most excellent township of land for agricultural purposes, nearly its en- tire area being susceptible of cultivation. The first settle- ment was made in 1870 and the whole township was practi- cally settled up that and the following year. It was named by Joseph Northrup, one of the first settlers and the first township trustee being appointed January 4th, 1871, at which time the township was organized. The other officers appointed were Filer S. See, Clerk; Joseph B. See, Treas. The first election was held at the residence of Joseph Northrup.
The population of the township is about equally di-
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History of Republic County.
vided between native and foreign born, the foreigners be- ing principally Bohemians. The first school in the town- ship was taught by Mary Dixon, in a dugout, on the SE of section 30, the farm now being owned by J. N. Snyder. This was a three months' subscription school taught in the spring of 1872, which was prior to the organization of any school district in the township. The following is a partial list of the pupils who attended this school, none of whom were advanced beyond the first reader during the term:
William Ryan, Rosetta Ryan, Lincoln Hill, Mary Hill, Nancy Guthrie, Mary Guthrie, William Guthrie, John Hawkins.
Both branches of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad traverse this township with a total mileage of 10.22 miles, assessed in 1901 at $72,423.
FARMINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Z. P. Rowe and Jacob Hull were the first settlers in Farmington Township, making settlement on section 35, in May, 1866. Wm. McBride and Calvin Mapes came in the spring of 1867, and John Harris, Sr., and Thomas Maxfield came in the fall of the same year. George Hard- enberg and William Herman came in May, 1868. Jacob Hull homesteaded the land where H. H. Hoffman now lives. This was the first township organized in Republic county as shown elsewhere. The second postoffice in the county was established in this township in the spring of 1868, and Z. P. Rowe, a pioneer settler and later County Commis- cioner, was the postmaster. A school was started in the summer of 1868, taught by Miss McBride, in what is now school Dist. No. 4. The territory embraced in this dis- trict was 9x15 miles and had a school population of 18 at the time the school was taught.
The first marriage was John H. Oliver and Rhoda Spillman, June 3d, 1869. They were married on the open prairie by Rev. R. P. West in the presence of witnesses.
Residence of Hugh Colville, Fairview Township.
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History of Republic County.
The B. & M. Railroad had a mileage of 3.24 miles in the township with an assessed valuation in 1901 of $14556.
RICHLAND TOWNSHIP.
John Harris and James Swan were the first to make settlement in this township, Harris taking a homestead on the N & of NW+ of section 4, and Swan pre-empting the NE { of the same section on the 5th day of March, 1866. Edwin Enoch came in April, Z. P. Rowe and Jacob Hull in the summer of the same year. Henry Willoughby, Wm. Oliver and Samuel Elder came in the fall, settling in the south part of the township. This township is well watered, has considerable timber, and an abundance of building stone.
Ida Harris, now Mrs. George Sissel, was the first child born in Richland township, July 12th, 1867. The first marriage was West Union Spillman and Amelia John- son in May, 1866. The township was organized July 7th, 1871, and the following officers were appointed: J. S. Bates, Trustee; Jacob Baird, Treasurer.
The first election was ordered held at the house of Mr. Carpenter. The township has railroad mileage as follows: Chicago R. I. and Pacific .... 5.60 miles, assessed 1901. $ 40495
B. & M.
3.92
16993
Total 9.52 Total $ 57488
JEFFERSON TOWNSHIP.
This township is one of great historic interest as it was here that the temporary county seat was located; the first law-suit in the county was tried, the first school taught, the first political convention held and the first gos- pel sermon preached, all of which are mentioned in pre- ceding chapters. The first settlement made was by J. E. VanNatta and William Harshberger, May 10th 1862, David Corey coming soon after, and still later, R. P. West, Henry Mead, J. H. Frint, Noah Kunkel, John Robbins, Hiram Jackson and Geo. Wilcox, all taking claims along the creeks. It was not until 1870 and 1871 that settlements
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History of Republic County.
on the high prairie were made and at the close of the year '71 all the desirable land in the township had been taken. This township is centrally located and possesses many natural advantages.
It was organized Feburary 24th, 1872, and T. J. Baird appointed trustee, the first election to be held at the res- idence of Andrew Pfaff, a central location, and where the elections were held for many years. The township has two lines of railroad, namely:
B. & M.
4.34 miles, assessed 1901 $18814
Chicago, R. I. & Pacific .2.53 17520
Total 6.87 Total valuation $36334
BELLEVILLE TOWNSHIP.
So called from Belleville, the county seat. The first settlers were J. C. Reily and T. C. and W. H. H. Reily, his sons, in 1866. They, like all the other carly settlers, took land along a creek and named it Reily Creek, no one believing at that time that the high prairie land would ever be settled upon, but would always remain grazing land.
J. C. Reily was the first assessor in Republic county being elected in the spring of 1868, which was prior to the organization of the county, and while it was attached to Washington county as a voting precinct. The whole number of votes cast was thirteen, of which Mr. Reily received eight, and Captain I. M. Schooley five, although it is probable that there were at the time, fifty or sixty voters in the county. Mr. Reily is remembered by the early settlers and by all who knew him intimately, as a man of mature judgment and conscientious and upright, both in public and private life. He died at his home in Belleville. September 7th, 1895, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years, five months and twenty days. T. C. Reily, for nearly a third of a century a citizen of Republic county, now lives in Woodward county, Oklahoma. W. H. H. Reily is still living on Reily Creek, where he first settled.
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