USA > Missouri > Gentry County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 18
USA > Missouri > Daviess County > History of Daviess and Gentry counties, Missouri > Part 18
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Allen Meek, from Clay County, and at one time a soldier in the United States Regular Army, was an early settler. Daniel Spainhower came from Casey County, Kentucky, in 1884, settling about five miles northeast of Albany, on what was known as the Hardin farm, where he remained until 1852, when he moved onto a farm ten miles north of Albany, where he continued to reside until 1874, when he came to Albany.
Caleb S. Canaday emigrated from Casey County, Ky., in 1828 to Illi-
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nois to Morgan and Montgomery Counties, thence to Gentry County, Ath- ens Township, in 1844, locating six miles northeast of Albany, where he lived until 1872, when he became a resident of Albany. He was probate judge of the county in 1872.
Elisha Cameron came among the earliest. He was a prominent and influential citizen of the county, and filled numerous positions of honor and trust, among which were the offices of commissioner of the seat of justice, county commissioner and sheriff.
Among others, were Robert Carter, Walter Savage, William Childers. Peter Vesser, Jink Vesser, Jesse Martin, James Marrs, Jesse Gay, William G. Williams, who was the first representative from the County of Gentry in the legislature, and was probate judge of the county, Henry P. Miller, Miles Orton, George Brown, John Brown, John W. Canaday, James L. Can- aday, George W. Birch, Samuel Irvin, Charles W. Claggett, Mason Clag gett, Thomas E. Peery, Willian. A. Peery, John \' Hundley, Jacob New- man, James Thompson, Nathaniel Thompson, John Handy, Edward Mc- Cart, William McCart, George C. Needles, William Steel, Joseph Siddons, James B. Hunter, Eli P. Hardin, David O'Brien, Christopher Bartley, William Rice, David Prunty, Zachariah Spriggs, William Ward, Jr., Henry Ward, John Fox, Josiah Fox, William Fox, Charles F. Rund, Will- iam Brooks, John Riley, William Crants, Willis B. Sampson, Warren Leftwich, Hiram Warner and William Glendenning.
Bogle Township .- Beginning at the northwest corner of section two; thence east eight miles to the east fork of Grand River; then follow- ing the meanderings of the river to the south line of section 35, township 64, range 31; thence west to the southwest corner of section 35, township 64, range 32; thence north six miles to the place of beginning, containing 44 square miles.
Early settlers in this township were John Ross and his son, John who came from Nova Scotia about the year 1841 or 1842 and settled west of the Middle Fork of Grand River.
William Glendenning came from Ohio, about the year 1841, and set- tled west of the Middle Fork on the bank of the stream. The Rosses and William Glendenning were doubtless the first white men to locate per- manently in Bogle Township.
Alexander Newman emigrated from Tennessee about the year 1842, and located between the East and Middle Forks of Grand River. At the time of his death he was a citizen of St. Joseph, Mo.
William Allen came to Gentry County prior to 1844, and located on the west side of the East Fork of Grand River, where he continued to live
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until 1850, when he went to Oregon. A man by the name of Harris lo- cated about the same time, and in the same neighborhood. He left the country several years afterwards.
Thomas Martin came to the county about the year 1874, and settled what was called the Jack Ray farm, between the East and Middle Forks. Martin went to Oregon in 1863.
Jesse Martin, brother of Thomas Martin, located in Bogle Township prior to 1884, and settled in the same locality where his brother Thomas had lived. Jesse went to California in 1849.
James Dean came from Callaway County, Missouri, in an early day, first locating in Athens Township, where he remained until 1847, when he enlisted as a soldier for the Mexican War. He returned from the war in 1848, and settled between the East and Middle Forks of Grand River, in Bogle Township.
Alexander Guynn emigrated from Ohio prior to the year 1844, and located in the same locality.
Harris Green came from South Missouri in 1846 or 1847 and settled in the same neighborhood, where he died.
L. L. L. Shockley, from Gasconade County, Missouri, came in 1842,, and settled on section 27, township 64, range 31.
William and Thomas David, coming from Gasconade County, Mo., set- tled about three-quarters of a mile south of Mr. Shockley's farm. They finally moved to Iowa, near Red Oak Junction. James Murphey, and De- catur Murphey, his brother, came from Illinois about the year 1846 and settled west of the Middle Fork of Grand River. Frederick Summa lo- cated in the same neighborhood about 1846. Reuben Cox came from Gasconade County, Missouri, and settled in Bogle Township at an early day. He moved to the mountains in 1862 or 1863. A man by the name of Ingles and his son Coleman, also opened a farm between the Middle and East Forks of the Grand River.
Then came John Lawrence from Ohio, in 1850, and improved a place west of the Middle Fork. William A. Snyder, from Indiana, came also in 1855, taking a claim in the same locality. Snyder is still living, but Lawrence is dead. John Patton was one of the settlers of this town- ship in 1850.
James Long and Reuben Long took a claim in the northwestern part of Bogle Township.
Uriah Wells, Jonothan Bogue and Grayble all located in the west part of the township.
Wright Stevens built the first grist mill (horse power) on Bear
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Creek in the northwestern part of the township. It was a primitive struc- ture, and rested upon four to eight forks, eight or ten feet above the ground. It had a pair of burrs made of lost rock, and turned out from three to five bushels per day. A son of Wright Stevens, who was about 16 years of age, committed suicide prior to 1850 by hanging, committing the deed with green bark, which he used instead of rope. About 1858, on the same farm, a man by the name of Timmons was waylaid, shot and killed by Milligan and Kestler. At a still later period, and on an adjoin- ing farm, Enwhistle killed Fightner.
Thomas Napier, familiarly known as "Father Napier," settled near the Worth County line, in the northwest part of the township. He came prior to 1850, and he is said to have been familiar with the Old and New Testa- ment scriptures that he could quote from memory almost any passage con- tained in either of them.
Joshua Cox and Reuben Cox were among the early settlers, locating in the eastern part of the township. Benjamin Dawson became a resident of the township about 1850. He was from Kentucky.
Luman Yates, son-in-law of Thomas Martin, settled near Martin, and later went to California. Beverly Mahoney came from Indiana prior to 1850, and settled in Bogle Township. Dr. Jabez Hunt, from Ohio, located near Union Grove postoffice. He died in the winter of 1881, in Gentry- ville. Noah and Alexander Hise, from Ohio, settled in this township prior to 1850.
J. J. Patton came from Indiana in 1856. Philip Hinote, who was also an Indianian, located in Bogle Township in 1850. Henry Ross emigrated from Ohio in the Spring of 1855. William Hough took up his line of march westward from North Carolina at a very early day.
The Protestant Episcopal organization built a house of worship in 1881. The constituent members were Wisley Lawrence and family, John J. Swank, Andrew Henderson and family, William Stebbins and family.
The Missionary Baptist, United Brethren and the Christian denomi- nations, each hold services in the different school houses of the township.
Probably the first school in Bogle Township, was taught by a man named Brison ; the school house was a log cabin, located in district number six, and was erected in 1855. The teacher was from Tennessee, and taught what was called a loud school, where each pupil studies his or her les- sons aloud.
The pioneer grist mill of Bogle Township was a horse mill, built prior to 1850, by John Armstrong, and located on Linn Creek. The mill was
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standing in 1855, but since that time both mill and owner have passed away.
William Jackson and brother built the next grist and saw mill and sold the same to Martin Mervin, who moved the machinery onto the land owned by John J. Patton.
Cooper Township .- Commencing at the northwest corner of the northeast quarter of section three, township 63, range 33; thence east to the West Fork of Grand River; then down said river to the south line of section 13, township 62, range 31; thence west to the Nodaway County line ; thence north to place of beginning, containing 76 square miles.
Early settlers in Cooper Township were: John Hussey, William R. James, James House, James H. Saunders, Dr. T. C. Hussey, Benjamin Floyd, John J. Stansbury, Green B. Cooper, William Hall, James House, Silas Houston, John N. Ross, Thomas W. Wilson, John J. Gish, Charles B. Newhall, Ephriam Shisler, Isreal Shisler, Thomas Irons, John Cooper, L. E. Shadduck, Lewis Christian, James Rouse, John T. Daniel, James R. Farriss, John H. Kay, J. L. Edster, Fred Cogdill, James Stockton, Sidney Wilson, George Wilson, William Harkrider, Enoch Liggett, I. N. Malson, Robert Webber, Elijah Hathaway, Sylvanus Hathaway, Wilson J. Wheeler, I. N. Morris, J. W. Boner, William McCurry, Anderson Red- ding, Joshua Cranor, Henry Cobb, Reuben Perkins, B. Steves, T. C. Hus- sey, H. H. Hussey.
Howard Township .- Howard Township is bounded as follows: Beginning at the northeast corner of section one, township 64, range 30; thence west six miles to the East Fork of Grand River; thence down said river to the south line of section 36, township 64, range 31; thence east seven miles to the west line of Harrison County; thence north six miles to the place of beginning, 39 square miles.
Samuel and Asa Howard, after whom Howard Township takes its name, came about 1840 from Ohio, and located near the southwest cor- ner of the township, near the East Fork of Grand River. Samuel went to Iowa.
William Bently, Sr., from West Virginia, but came from Illinois here, in 1838, and settled in the southwest corner of the township. He was sheriff of the county whence he came to Illinois, and ran for that office here, but was defeated. He served as one of the justices of the peace of Howard Township in an early day. He was a soldier in the Mexican War, and was in some of the most sanguinary battles of that struggle, being present at the Battle of Monterey and at the capture of
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
the City of Mexico. He returned to Gentry County after the Mexican War, and in 1850 went to California, where he died.
David Rhudy emigrated from Tazewell County, Virginia, about the year 1842, and located on Muddy Creek, in the northwest part of the township. He moved away and has been dead for many years.
John Finley came from Tennessee in 1838, settling in Daviess County, Missouri. He was in the Mormon War of that year, and located in Gentry County, on Muddy Creek, in.1841 or 1842. Inseparably asso- ciated with the name of John Finley is that of Sicamac, the name of a horse prized very highly by him.
William Smith settled in Daviess County, Missouri, prior to 1838, and was in the Mormon difficulties at Far West. He located in Howard Township in 1844, and afterwards moved to Worth County, where he died. He was a native of Tennessee.
James and Nathaniel Blakely came from Tennessee to Daviess County, Missouri, in 1844. These men were exceedingly fond of frontier life, spending the greater portion of their time in hunting game, wild honey, and in fishing. Jesse Blakely, another brother, who came in 1845, was killed in New Mexico.
Old man Blakely and his wife were also early settlers of Gentry County. They were taken sick on the same day, and died about the same time, and were buried in the same coffin.
Charles Roe came in 1840, remained two or three years, and went to Iowa.
Edward Nance arrived in 1842, and was about the first blacksmith to ply his trade in Howard Township.
John Handy, a native of Kentucky, but from Illinois to Gentry County, pitched his tent near Muddy Creek, on the 16th section. He afterwards moved to Athens Township, and upon the organization of the county, moved to the town of Athens, now Albany, and kept the first tavern that was ever opened to the public in the town.
John Plaster came from Indiana at an early day, lived in Miller and Athens, and moved to Howard Township about 1850. He filled various offices in the county, among which was that of surveyor, assessor and justice of the peace.
Madison Marrs, formerly from Virginia, but came from Illinois to this county, in 1840, and located on Panther Creek. This creek takes its name from the fact of a panther being killed upon its banks by some hunters who were passing through the country several years before the permanent settlement of Gentry County.
Elijah Vincent, John and Samuel Carter, together with big and
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little John and Richard Glendenning, came to the township in the fall of 1841, and settled on the south bank of Panther Creek, three-quarters of a mile north of the line of Athens Township. From these two families and their relations sprang the M. E. Church of Gentry County. They were great friends of Methodism, being prominent and active members of that church, their homes being headquarters for the entertainment of the ministers of that church.
The first camp meeting that was held in Gentry County was on the farm of the Carters, above named, which took place about the year 1842 or 1843. It began on Thursday and continued over Sunday. There were about 200 persons in attendance, coming from Daviess, DeKalb, Noda- way, Gentry and other counties, and they came generally in ox wagons and were well supplied with provisions, which they cooked and ate upon the ground. Among the ministers officiating upon that occasion were Isaac Burns and Noah Richardson, both of whom were devoted and earn- est servants of God. It was an occasion characterized by a manifesta- tion of genuine Christian piety.
Sampson Caster settled near the Rosses in an early day, where he continued to reside until his death, which occurred in the winter of 1881. He was from Pennsylvania. Iri Hewlett came from Ohio about 1846.
Lace Carter, was also among the early pioneers to Howard Town- ship. He was said to have excelled as a bee hunter; he was also fond of hunting and trapping wild game. After remaining here a few years, he left for Iowa, where he continued to live until his death, which occurred many years ago; being inseparably connected with his two most faithful companions-his gun and his dog.
John C. Williams, Thomas Williams, Evan D. Williams, William H. Williams and James Williams were also among the early settlers of the township.
George W. Needels came from Ohio prior to 1845, and located in this township. He was one of the county judges of Gentry County in 1864 and '66. He was a farmer and also the proprietor of the American Freeman, an anti-monoply, anti-secret-society weekly newspaper.
David Culp and Thomas Cook, William Stevenson and George Smith were also early settlers.
Hugh Ross was, perhaps, the pioneer school teacher of the town- ship. Peter Wilson emigrated from Old Virginia, near Richmond, and located south of Muddy Creek, in the north part of the township, on the Rhudy farm. He was an active member of the M. E. Church, South.
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Giles and Henry Parman emigrated from Tennessee and settled in Howard Township quite early. Henry Parman went to California shortly after the gold excitement of 1850, where he died.
John Munger, who was also from Tennessee, came in 1842, and was the first blacksmith in Howard Township. A man by the name of Hixon and his brother-in-law, Saylee, came to the township prior to 1850 Hixon afterwards killed Saylee, which was one of the earliest murders in Gentry County. Charles McNeece came from Clay County, Missouri, formerly from Tennessee, settled east of a town known as Elenora.
Solomon Yates, Abram Yates, Henry Sourds, Aaron Allen and Sam- uel Colvin, were also early settlers of the township.
About 1841, a family named Robinson, consisting of two or three brothers and as many sisters, came from Clay County, Missouria, and located near Muddy Creek, or in the forks of Muddy Creek. Potter Har- rington, from Clay County, who resided near the Robinsons, went to visit them one afternoon, remaining till dark before attempting to return home. In the meantime a heavy shower of rain had fallen, and the creek had risen rapidly. Harrington mounted his horse, being some- what intoxicated, it is said, and started for home. He rode into the creek; his horse came out upon the opposite shore, riderless. Harring- ton was drowned ; his body, however, was never afterwards indentified. Some boys who were fishing in the creek the following spring discovered the bones of a human skeleton; this skeleton was supposed to be the remains of Potter Harrington. The bones were collected and carefully interred on the banks of the stream, near the place where they were found. Harrington drowning at night, or being last seen at night, when he left Robinson's cabin-the Robinsons being a rough, drinking indecent, and immoral people, were arrested, charged with the murder of Harrington, and taken before 'Squire Tip Brown, of Gentryville, but for want of sufficient testimony, authorizing the justice to hold them for trial till the succeeding term of the circuit court, they were discharged.
As early, perhaps, as 1855, a brick church edifice was erected by George W. Needels and others near the former's residence and called Needel's Church. The denomination known as the Methodist Episcopal worshipped there for many years. Among the early members of this church were George W. Needels, Sr., and wife, George W. Needels, Jr., and wife, Thomas Needels and wife and Barrett Needels, who was a preacher. The old brick church was taken down, and near it was erected a frame building.
The Cumberland Presbyterians built a house of worship on John Wayman's land. It was built prior to 1860. Wayman and family,
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HISTORY OF DAVIESS AND GENTRY COUNTIES
Archibald Ross, James Castor and wife, Mayhew Harris and wife, Rob- ert Reddy and wife, and -Wiley and wife were among the organiz- ing members. Rev. John Wayman was the first pastor. The building is still standing. The Christian M. E. Church and M. E. Church, South, not having any houses of worship of their own, hold services either in other houses or in the different township school houses.
Jackson Township .- The boundaries of Jackson Township are: Beginning at the northeast corner of section 24, township 62, range 32, thence west eight and a half miles; thence south nine miles; thence east eight and a half miles ; thence north nine miles to place of beginning. There are 76.5 square miles in the township.
Among the early settlers of Jackson Township were J.J. Taylor and his brother, G. P. Taylor, from Scott County, Illinois; the latter came in 1855 and the former in 1856, and located about three miles northeast of King City. Ithra Todd settled four miles east of town, prior to 1856. William Ring, - Allison, Elijah Hull and Manlove Cranor were all residents of the township at an early day.
Porter Hardin, Rufus Brown, Love Millen, John G. Millen, Oscar Griswold, Samuel Millen, Harvey White and Thomas Payne were all in the township prior to 1860, and located near the present site of King City.
William Currel, from the southern part of Missouri, came also prior to 1855, but left soon after. Levi Wood located west of the town, was from Boone County, Missouri, but afterwards removed to Worth County.
R. M. Brown came with his father. E. K. Wood, settled about four miles northwest. Andrew Tomlinson came at a later date from Indiana.
David Cranor, William and Moses Cranor were among the early settlers.
Tiney Helton, from Kentucky, settled in the northwest corner of the township in 1840. He was a man of decided characteristics, and was exceedingly fond of frontier life. He spent much of his time in the woods and on the banks of the neighboring streams in search of bees, honey and wild game. His cabin stood near Wild Cat Branch, where he lived a number of years, finally going to Arkansas and locating among the Ozark Mountains. It is said by those who know him, that wild cats and coons were among his favorite meats. His cabin was without a floor, other than the ground. His pigs and lambs were raised in the cabin, where they shared with his family about the same fare.
Harrison Ballard, Israel Cook, Edwin Winchester, Daniel Raridan, Thomas Stegall, Adam Combs. Lewis Russell, Coleman Fugate and Will- iam Cogdill, all came before 1845.
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Huggins Township .- Huggins Township is bounded as follows: Beginning at the West Fork of Grand River, where the same crosses the south line of section 32, township 64, range 32; thence down said river to the southwest corner of section 36, township 63, range 32; thence following the meanderings of said river to where the same inter- sects the Middle Fork of Grand River; thence up the Middle Fork to the north line of section 21, township 63, range 31; thence east to the East Fork of Grand River; thence up said river to the south line of sec- tion 35, township 64, range 31; thence west to the place of beginning. Containing 37 square miles.
The pioneers who first settled Huggins Township, or that territory now known as Huggins Township (it being once a part of Athens Town- ship) located near, or in the timber on the banks of the streams. Grand River, eighty five years ago contained a much larger volume of water than it does now. Its native timber belts were larger, darker, and more dense, abounding in a variety of game, and its waters teemed with fish, all of which constituted incentives that were not easily resisted by the old settler.
One of the first to locate in this township was Samuel Collins, who came from Indiana about the year 1842, and settled on the southwest side of the township, near the West Fork of Grand River. He was one of the three county judges, the first that the county had in 1845, his associates being Michael Moltsberger and William Steele. They were commissioned as judges by the governor of the state. Prior to the Kan- sas and Nebraska troubles, Judge Collins moved to Buchanan County and built a brick residence within a few miles of St. Joseph. He finally about the time of the breaking out of the civil war moved to Kansas. He is said to have been a rough, overbearing man, and constantly at war with his neighbors. He was killed in a difficulty in Kansas.
Frank Alexander came from Ohio prior to 1884, and settled near the West Fork of Grand River. He built the first stream saw and grist mill erected in Huggins Township.
Peter Vesser came from Tennessee in a very early day, as did John and George Brown, and settled in the Forks of Grand River; they were Indian traders, and possessed but little refinement, either in dress or manners. John Brown died here and George moved to Texas.
Lemuel Lyle came from Kentucky prior to 1844, and located between the East and Middle Forks of Grand River.
Strother Ball came from Clay County, Missouri, to Gentry County, and located near the Middle Fork of Grand River, in 1844. He was a
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native of Kentucky; went to Texas where he died. He was a minister of the Hard Shell Baptist denomination.
Wright Stephens from Kentucky, settled near the forks of Grand River. He erected a saw mill in Worth County, in which he lost one of his arms. He went to Texas before the war.
Hiram Warner, from Kentucky, came in 1845, and located in the forks of Grand River. Mr. Warner was a minister of the Christian church and lived and died an exemplary Christian life.
William J. Canaday, Sr., originally from Kentucky, but came from Illinois to Gentry County, in 1845 and located between the forks of the river.
Lewis David, from South Missouri, came in 1845, and settled on Caleb S. Canaday's farm, where he died.
Thomas and Calvin David, who were also from South Missouri, set- tled on the Middle Fork of Grand River.
George O. Carlock came in 1842, from Tennessee, and settled west of the Middle Fork of Grand River. He died in 1881, at the age of 83 years. His son, Henry Carlock, who settled with his father, at the same date, was a soldier in the Union army and died at Jefferson City, in 1862.
In 1842, Uriah Wells came from Indiana and settled west of the Middle Fork of Grand River. He afterwards went to Iowa, where he died.
Jonathan Bogue was also an early settler, from Indiana, settled west of the East Fork of Grand River.
William Cox, from South Missouri, came in 1845, and settled west of the Middle Fork of Grand River. He went to Oregon before the Civil War.
Meredith Shockley was also from South Missouri, and settled west of the Middle Fork, where he died. He was a Methodist preacher.
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