History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences, Part 105

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260

USA > Missouri > Livingston County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 105
USA > Missouri > Caldwell County > History of Caldwell and Livingston counties, Missouri, written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources, including a history of their townships, towns and villages, together with a condensed history of Missouri; a reliable and detailed history of Caldwell and Livingston counties--their pioneer record, resources, biographical sketches of prominent citizens; general and local statistics of great value; incidents and reminiscences > Part 105

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Win. E. Gibbons

sw. sec. 14

Wm. Mansfield

ne. sec. 15

Henry H. Minnick

sw. sec. 17 . w. ¿ nw. sec. 17

Oct. 14, 1846

James M. Falkner

Levan Brookshier

w. ¿ sec. 7

Oct. 25, 1847

nw. 4 sec. 9

w. ¿ nw. sec. 11

se. sec. 11

nw. sec. 12

sw. 4 sec. 12.

Dr. Geo. L. Williams Dr. Geo. L. Williams John Cooper

se. se. sec. 5

A. G. Waddell

995

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Name.

Description.

Date.

David S. Breeze

w. ¿ nw. sec. 22

Oct. 9, 1847

. J. W. Mansfield

e. ¿ nw. and e. & sw. sec. 22

Sept. 13, 1849

Dr. Wm. Carlisle .

w. ¿ ne. and se. ne. sec. 22. Oct. 9, 1847

Amos Walker

sw. 4 sec. 23

Nov. 19, 1846

J. A. Dryden

se. and ne. ne. sec. 23

Nov. 11, 1846

R. D. Alnutt

nw. sec. 24

Nov. 10, 1846

Thos. J. Martin

sw. sec. 24

Sept. 23, 1846

Henry H. Simons.

w. ¿ se. sec. 24

Nov. 10, 1846

James Stockwell

w. ¿ ne. sec. 24

Nov. 10, 1846

John H. Clark .

w. ¿ nw. sec. 25, and e. ¿ ne. sec. 26

Oct. 16, 1848

Marcus White .

e .¿ nw. and nw. nw. sec. 26, w. ¿ nc., ne. ne. sec. 27

1848

In time religious services were held, first at the cabins of the set- tlers. The house of Isham Ware was a favorite resort for the Meth- odists, who held the first meetings in the township. Rev. Jesse Green, of Lexington, was the first presiding elder of this district, and the first Methodist preachers in Jackson were Revs. Reuben Aldridge, T. T. Ashley, Lorenzo Waugh, Dunlevey, Millice and Blaisdell. Dunlevy and Millice were residents of the township, but both back- slid afterward and went entirely to the bad.

As the country developed it became a point of importance to reach a market for produce. A great deal of bacon was cured every year, and corn, wheat, potatoes, hides, etc., were to be had very cheap. The nearest market was Brunswick, a long distance to haul wagon loads of produce over poor roads for low prices. Certain men built flat boats and keel boats in Grand river and loaded them with cargoes of provisions and articles of produce generally, and ran them down into the Missouri and on to St. Louis. This was kept up until the Hannibal Railroad was built, in 1859, and every year or so keel boat loads of the productions of the county were shipped out.

Mills were neither very scarce or very plentiful. Old Samuel E. Todd's mill, at Utica, was resorted to by the people of the southern portion of the township for many years. Horse mills were resorted to by many, and some went to Peniston's mill, up at Millport, in Daviess county. After some years John Gillaspy's mill was built on East Grand river. Hargrove's and C. H. Ashby's ferries were in existence as early as 1839 ; the latter was at the present site of Gra- ham's mill.

Jackson township bore her full part in the affairs of the county, and her full share of duties and responsibilities. She furnished quite a number of men for the Mormon War, who took part in the Haun's Mill massacre, and bore other parts. She furnished men for Slack's company in the Mexican War. She was largely represented in the

$996

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY,

California emigration. In the Kansas troubles she was especially interested and furnished men and money for the pro-slavery cause.

In 1858 a " vigilance committee " was appointed at a large public meeting at Chillicothe to look after the slaveholding interests of the country and in this meeting Jackson largely participated. The " vigilance committee " was composed of a number of men from each township, and among their duties they were required to examine every new comer into the country and see if he was " sound " on the slavery question. Maj. Wm. F. Miller was one of the com- mittee for Jackson, appointed without consultation, but he indig- nantly refused to serve and denounced the entire proceedings. When the war came on he served in the Southern army, but he had no sympathy with the proscriptive measures of 1858.

SAM THOMPSON,

Among the notable characters who once resided in this township was Samuel Thompson, who came in from Indiana at a very early date and lived and died here. Sam Thompson was a great practical joker, a rare humorist, a good story-teller and withal a man of good sense. He seemed to take a pleasure, however, in creating and main- taining an impression that he was altogether eccentric and " funny."

In early days the voters of Jackson elected a man to the office of justice of the peace, who began his career by treating the voters to a bucketful of honey taken from a bee tree. He was ignorant and unlettered and a good subject for a practical joke. Thompson soon singled out the magistrate for a laughing stock. Sam had a female dog that broke into Reub. Campbell's smoke house and stole some meat. Learning of this, Sam induced Campbell and some other wags to go before Esq. W. and demand that the aforesaid dog be arrested and punished !

The unsophisticated Dogberry was easily persuaded to make him- self ridiculous. He issued a warrant, delivered it to Sam Campbell, the constable, and the latter soon came into court, leading the canine culprit by a string and followed by Thompson, who assumed a serious demeanor, as if the occasion was one of real gravity. He asked to be allowed to appear as " next friend" for the dog and his request was granted.

The information alleged that " a certain bitch dog of the name of Queen " had stolen " a certain piece of midlin' meat," and so was guilty of larceny, " against the peace and dignity of the State," etc. Sam said he appeared to defend a valued " member of his household,"

997

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

and he entered a plea of " not guilty." Witnesses were sworn and examined, and then cross-examined very vigorously by Thompson, who contended as earnestly for the " rights" of his client as if she had been on trial for murder or high treason. The proceedings were conducted with decorum, for the magistrate was in earnest, and Thompson and the crowd affected to be. When the testimony was all in Thompson delivered a very eloquent and affecting speech for the defense, beseeching the magistrate as a last resort that if he should find " Queen " guilty, he should " consider the respect and deference due the female sex," and be merciful in the matter of punishment.

The magistrate was not to be driven from his duty by any senti- mental considerations, and as the proof was conclusive he found the animal guilty and sentenced her to receive " 39 lashes on the bare back, well laid on." Sam promptly gave notice of an appeal to the circuit court, offering to procure a bond for " Queen " in the sum of $100 if given a little time. The next morning the papers had to be made out in regular form, and the justice was on his way to consult a friend in the neigborhood in regard to the manner in which this was to be done, when Tom Martin, who thought the ridiculous business had gone far enough, informed Esq. W.'s brother of the real state of af- fairs. The brother set out at once and informed the magistrate that he had already made a fool of himself, " and for the Lord's sake stop whar you are and don't make it no wuss." Sam had meant that all the papers should be certified up in legal formality, and had arranged to have upon the dog's bond the signatures of some of the best men in the township, and he deeply regretted that his joke was stopped, though it had already proceeded far enough to furnish many a hearty laugh for years afterward.

Of his many other practical jokes there is not room here to speak. How he induced a spruce young Kentuckian to hold on to a log chain and allow himself to be drawn by a yoke of cattle through one of the deepest muddiest ponds in the Grand river bottom ; how he sold to a verdant Kansas City sportsman a worthless eur dog for $20 by repre- senting that the animal was a well trained and most valuable " all-pur- pose dog;" how he got a minister of the Gospel as drunk as a sailor, can only be mentioned.

His epigrams, odd but trite expressions, pithy sentences, and humorous sayings are even yet quoted. A candidate for a local office, he addressed his constituency in a grandiloquent speech informing them that though he had then attained to distinction ( ?) he had seen

998

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

worse days. " I was born and reared in poverty, gentlemen," he said. " I went bare-footed till I was of age, and I wore no other garment than a tow linen shirt until my arm was as big as an ear of corn !"

Mr. Thompson died some years after the war. He was a member of the Livingston county company in the Mexican War, and was a good soldier, and really a worthy citizen.

IN WAR TIMES.

During the Civil War Jackson township was the scene of more thrilling adventures and exciting and dangerous episodes than any other township in North Missouri. The complete war history of the township would fill a fair sized volume. It was here that Gen. Slack's troops rendezvoused preparatory to their departure for the army of Gen. Price. The township was largely Southern in sentiment, but the Union men were stanch and brave.

In the fall of 1861 Hon. William F. Peery, an early settler of the township, a leading Democratic politician, and who a few years before had been elected State Senator, took out a considerable company of Confederate recruits from the forks. He passed through Chillicothe, where his men supplied themselves with certain articles they needed, and then went on into Carroll county. Here, at Perry Todd's barn, the company had a skirmish with a small Federal force under Capt. W. R. Love, of Linn county. In the fall of 1864, while on his way back into this county with Lieut. Monroe Williams and two others, Maj. Peery was killed by some Carroll county militia ; Lieut. Will- iams was also killed. The major was commonly known as " Black Bill Peery."

In 1862 all Jackson township was in a state of war, Joe Kirk and his men were afield, and the Federals who entered the township had to be circumspect and wary, The Union men of the township armed themselves, and for weeks at a time both sides slept " with one eye open." Hardly a day passed without a skirmish. There was a great deal of bushwhacking. Men were shot at in the fields, on the high- ways and even at home.

The exploits and hair-breadth escapes of the partisans of both sides -of Joe Kirk, John Blackburn, Jim Rider, Bill Darr, Jim Nave, Dave Martin, Tom Crews, Henderson Wilborn and other prom- inent spirits on the Southern side, and of Lieut. Lemuel Hargrave, Marion Hicks, W. C. Wood, Newt. Hicks and other Union men of the militia were numerous and highly perilous.

On one occasion in the winter Henderson Wilborn was chased by

999

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

the Federal militia to West Grand river. The ground was covered with a thick sleet and was an iev sheet, while the river was swollen and running with floating ice. The house where Wilborn lay sleeping was surrounded by the militia, but he ran out and tumbled and rolled down a hill into the brush where his horse was hitched. Reaching Grand river, with his pursuers at his heels, he dismounted and leaping from one cake of ice to another (after the manner of " Eliza," the heroine of " Uncle Tom's Cabin"), he crossed the raging flood and climbed the opposite bank in safety, though the bullets of the militia were striking all about him.

How many times the Hieks boys, I. B. Weaver, Hargrave and other Union men were chased by the rebel partisans and narrowly escaped with their lives can not be enumerated. The reliable Union men, such as Esq. Moss, James Hicks, Styles, Stout, Dennis, Bevell and Lewis Clark, had their horses and other property taken from them, and some of them had their houses fired into. It is remarkable that in all of these hazardous experiences so few lives were lost.

PEACE.

But notwithstanding the many causes for long existing feuds which occurred during the days of strife, after the war was over the people generally, of both sides, accepted the situation, " buried the hatchet " and agreed to let by-gones be by-gones. Side by side dwell in peace and concord, the ex-Confederate and the ex-Federal, with their backs to the past and their faces to the future. There have been no politi- cal quarrels, but on the contrary there have been new political affilia- tions. A few years since Capt. Joe Kirk, the old rebel Rob Roy, was he candidate for a county office of the Republicans, and was as ardently supported by many of the old militiamen whom he had often fought as if he had been born and bred in Massachusetts and his name Jim Blaine. For Kirk himself long ago shut his eyes to dead issues, and closed his ears to the appeals of those who argue of ideas old and obsolete.

Many an old Confederate is now a Republican ; many, very many, old Federals are stalwart Democrats, and there is no inconsistency in the matter. It is this sensible view that obtains in old Jackson which, though Democratie to the core, and the core sound, tolerates without hindrance or restraint Republicans, Greenbackers, Prohibitionists, and even Belva Lockwood men !

The improvement and development of the country, the bettering of their condition generally, the maintenance of schools and churches, the

1000

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

common good and the general welfare - these matters for years have engaged the attention of the people of Jackson township. The people are as hospitable, as generous and as worthy generally as were their ancestors, or those who first settled the township.

SPRING HILL.

Jesse Nave is considered the founder of Spring Hill. He settled here, and in 1836 opened a small store. Not long afterwards a post- office was established and called Navestown, by which name the locality was long known. Sometimes parties addressed their letters to " Knave's Town," and this misspelling, with its unpleasant sugges- tion, would anger Uncle Jesse, who was postmaster. It is said that these annoying mistakes were so frequent as to cause him to petition the department for a change in the name to Spring Hill. The hill on which the town is situated had a number of springs at its base, and was called " the spring hill " at a very early date.

Spring Hill was regularly laid out and named in April, 1848, " on the northeast quarter of section 6, township 58, range 24." The plat is at an angle from a north and south line of 38 degrees. Before this, however, there had been stores and shops, and at one time a horse mill.

From 1850 to about 1859 Spring Hill was a place of considerable importance. At one time it was considered a bettertown than Chilli- cothe. It was indeed a good trading point. There were excellent stores, a tannery, a considerable pork-packing establishment, and a complement of shops. In the spring of 1851 the Methodist church was built. Of this church the eminent divine, Dr. John D. Vincil, now of St. Louis, was pastor in 1858, and rode this circuit here for a year or more.

The building of the Hannibal Railroad, which gave new life and prosperity to Chillicothe and Utica, greatly injured Spring Hill, and the Civil War, which came two years later, well nigh destroyed it. Since the war business has revived somewhat, but the prospects for the enlargement of the town are not brilliant.

During the war, in 1863, Capt. Barnes' company of militia was stationed here and built a sort of block house and stockade combined which they called " Fort Lumpkin." Here the militia, nearly all of whom were from Jackson township, were quartered for a time under he command of Lieuts. Gibbs and Hargrave.

At the time of Poindexter's raid the town was visited by both parties-by the Confederates first, and by their pursuers the follow-

1001

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

ing day. The latter took dinner and supper in the town, furnishing their own provisions and dividing their " store coffee " with some of the citizens. Their conduct was very commendable, and often com mented upon, even by the citizens of strong Confederate proclivities.

It was perhaps in 1859 when John Stewart, a merchant of Spring Hill, was shot and mortally wounded by a Mrs. Barlow, who lived in the village. Stewart was approaching the house of the woman for an improper purpose, and as he did not heed her warning to halt, she fired upon him with fatal effect. Though Mrs. Barlow was acquitted of all blame, it has often been alleged that the killing was the result of a plot. On his dying bed Stewart declared that he had often visited the woman's house and been welcomed, and that when she threatened him on the last occasion he thought she was not in earnest. Many persons believed that the woman was employed to kill Stewart by certain of his enemies.

COUNTRY CHURCHES.

Lilly Grove Christian Church .- The well known Lilly Grove Church stands on the southeast corner of section 15-59-25, about two miles southeast of Muddy Lane post-office. It is a frame, and was built in the year 1858, at a cost of $1,100. Mr. John W. Boyle furnished the greater portion of the inside work, and has since re- roofed it at his own expense. The church organization was effected in 1858, with about 50 members. Present membership, 75. The pastors who have ministered to the organization since its existence have been Revs. Thomas Thompson, I. S. Allen, George Flint, Wm. Herriman, W. B. A. Carter, M. Peterson, J. D. Willmot, B. Lock- hart, E. G. Duncan, C. A. Hedrick, W. D. Jordan, Jacob Creath, D. T. Bisset, Ben. Matchett, W. S. Trader, W. T. Parker, R. M. Messick.

Bethel Church, M. E. South .- Some of the first members of this organization were J. B. Francis, A. Ramsey, Robt. Lauderdale, An- drew Anderson, John A. Davidson, Wm. Rains, E. M. Ware, Win. Kennedy, J. S. Frith, John Hurshey, and their wives ; there were 48 members in all. The church building stands on the se. 1/4, section 10- 59-25 ; it is a frame and was built in 1872 at a cost of $1,300. The pastors have been Revs. S. W. Cope, J. Y. Blakey, D. Penny, J. A. Hider, J. W. Peery, S. S. Hardin, A. S. Doke, W. Sorter, B. F. Stilwell, J. B. Hunt, and - Dameron. There are 25 names now on the roll of members. The number of scholars in the Sabbath- school is 40 ; the superintendent is J. F. Anderson. The church or- ganization was constituted in 1867.

1002

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

SAMPSEL TOWNSHIP.

The township of Sampsel was organized out of Jackson July 22, 1874, on petition of Joseph Clark and others. It embraced what had been the southwest portion of Jackson, or township 58-25, and the northeast corner of 57-25, and this is its present area. It was named for the town of Sampsel.

Although there is a great deal of bottom land in the township there are many fine farms, and an intelligent, enterprising people. The township contains three churches and as many school-houses. The Wabash Railroad runs through in a general direction from southeast to northwest, and has a station here.

THE TOWN OF SAMPSEL.

The town of Sampsel was laid out in July, 1871, on the land of John C. and Elizabeth Whitaker, Wm. and Emily J. Whitaker and James H. Britton, the latter of St. Louis. It was named for J. F. B. Sampsel, who was prominently connected with the old Chillicothe and Omaha Railroad Company. The building of the road caused the lay- ing out of the town. The depot was built in 1871, since which time the station has made but little further progress.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church. - On May 10, 1873, this church was organized with the following members: Abraham Gann, Jane Gann, Agnes Boucher, Thomas Boucher, Sarah L. Clark, Edward Gibbons, Sarah Ewen, Jane Hughes, Martha Breeze, Isabella Hughes, John Hughes, Elizabeth Yates, A. J. Boucher, Elizabeth Boucher, John Boucher, Sarah Boucher and others. A frame church building was erected in 1877, which cost $900. The pastors that have served this church have been Peter Booth, Barton Robinson, F. M. Wadley, W. W. Walden and David Scott. There have been ten deaths in the church since its organization. The present membership is 38. The present number of Sabbath-school scholars is 50. Thomas Boucher is superintendent of the school. The church building stands on the ne. 1/4 of section 21.

1003

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

BIOGRAPHICAL -JACKSON TOWNSHIP.

JAMES F. ANDERSON

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Section 14, Post-office, Muddy Lane).

The farm which Mr. Anderson now owns and cultivates upon the above named section is an excellent one over 250 acres in extent and so arranged as to be admirably adapted to the purposes of general farming and stock raising. While he is an agriculturist of advanced ideas and tendencies, he does not lose sight of the stock interests and in this industry he is gaining quite a local reputation. The improvements on his place are of a good order and kept in neat con- dition. Mr. Anderson was born on the 6th day of March, 1844, and is a native Missourian. However he is of Kentucky parentage, for both his father and mother came from the Blue Grass State to Mis- souri in 1841. Andy Anderson, the father, now a resident of Arkan- sas, has been twice married ; December 8, 1842, in Grundy county, Mo., Miss Mary J. Bone became his wife, but she died April 20, 1855, leaving five children, of whom James F. was the eldest ; Thomas S. was born March 20, 1850; Susan A. was born October 22, 1845, and died April 26, 1855 ; Joannah E. was born May 3, 1848, and died April 17, 1855 ; and Addie E. was born August 10, 1853, and died April 20, 1855. Mr. A.'s second marriage was to Mrs. Catherine Ware, née McHaney. James F. Anderson, after reaching manhood, made some two or three trips across the plains in 1865 occupied in freighting. April 9, 1867, he was united in marriage with Miss Leti- tia Crews, daughter of Joseph and Letitia Crews ; the latter were formerly from Kentucky and removed to this State in 1845, here rear- ing their family of 11 children : Eliza J., wife of John S. Venable ; Mary A., Mrs. R. D. Thompson ; William H. and six that died in infancy : Mary E., Joseph, Williamson, Elisabeth C. and two infants. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson have had seven children : Williamson H., born February 4, 1868 ; Drury, born March 12, 1870 ; Mary C., born November 26, 1872; Edward F., born July 24, 1875; Joseph A., born February 1, 1878; Bessie B., born November 26, 1880, and Oran G., born October 21, 1883. Mr. Anderson and his estimable wife are members of the M. E. Church South.

ISAAC ASHBY

(Farmer and Stock-raiser, Post-office, Jamesport).

Among the old residents of this township who are accorded a worthy place in the respect of her citizens is Isaac Ashby, originally from the Blue Grass State, and a man now in his sixty-eighth year, his birth having occurred in Ohio county, January 11, 1819. His parents were

1004

HISTORY OF LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

Virginians by nativity, but early made their home in Kentucky, where they died. In their family were 10 children : Isaac, Rebecca, now Mrs. Warden Williams; Martha A., wife of A. G. Brown ; Lucinda, wife of Robert Brown ; Jared T., John R., William, Sanford R. and Edmund R. All of these were reared in their native State and all were taught the rudiments and later experience of farm labor, a call- ing in which the subject of this sketch seems to excel. The brothers, with the exception of Jared, are connected with the Masonic Order. Sanford R. Ashby was a resident of this county for several years, but finally he went to Texas and from there returned to Kentucky. It was on November 25, 1845, that Isaac Ashby was united in marriage with Miss Judith Anderson, daughter of Thomas and Anna Anderson, the former originally from Ireland and the latter of Virginia ; they were both reared in Kentucky and in that State passed away. Mr. and Mrs. Ashby are the parents of two children : Nancy A., wife of Jobn A. Mastries, and Emma C., now Mrs. Louis Rice. Mr. Ashby and wife are consistent upright members of the Baptist Church. It was in 1869 that he became located in this county and here he has since closely applied himself to farming and stock-raising, and with what success may be inferred from a glance at his present place. This con- tains 160 acres well improved and in good cultivation and nicely situ- ated. Besides this he still possesses a 50-acre tract in the Blue Grass State. He is connected with Jamesport Lodge No. 201, of the A. F. and A. M.

ADAM BLACK

(Farmer, Post-office, Spring Hill).

This honored and respected old resident of Jackson township is accorded a worthy place in this volume, for he is one of the oldest living residents of the county. His occupation during life has been that of a farmer, and he is now living in retirement on his place of . 56 acres, surrounded by many comforts and all the necessities of life, enjoying the respect of those who know him. Born in Henderson county, Ky., September 11, 1801, he came to this State with his pa- rents in 1819, locating near Boonville, Cooper county, from whence they soon went to Ray county, which at that time included Carroll, Livingston, Grundy, Mercer, Harrison, Daviess and Caldwell coun- ties. In 1833 he settled near the present site of Jameson, in Daviess county. In 1824 he was elected sheriff of the territory above men- tioned, and during his term of office he took the census and was also assessor in 1826, 24 days being all the time necessary for him to do his work and make returns. September 6, 1825, Mr. Black was first married in Ray county to Miss Mary W. Morgan, the daugh- ter of Ira and Abigail Morgan, by whom he had nine children : E. M., Jane, now Mrs. Preston Cadell ; William C., Robert, Charles, Henry, Sarah A., wife of Jasper Seats, Anderson and Adam R. Mr. Black's second wife was formerly Margaret Grooms, but there was no issue of that marriage. October 15, 1857, his third marriage occurred to Miss Sallie Kelley, daughter of Edward Kelley, and there

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Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890- Publication date: 1886 Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company Number of Pages: 1260

Author: Pease, Ora Merle Hawk, 1890-
Publication date: 1886
Publisher: St. Louis, National Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1260