USA > Missouri > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Missouri > Part 12
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Holden College was an important educational institution located in Holden for a number of years. It was established here in 1881 by Prof. W. White, a native of Canada, and of wide experience in college work. This college was successfully conducted for a number of years when the building was sold to an order of Catholic nuns and by them conducted under the name of St. Celia Seminary. After being conducted by this order for a number of years as a successful educational insti- tution, the property passed into the hands of private ownership. Recently it has been purchased by the Latter Day Saints church and after elaborate improvements, it is now used as a home for aged mem- bers of that denomination.
First Postoffice .- The first postoffice in the vicinity of Holden was established here before the town was laid out. It was on the Jefferson- Independence stage route and kept by Isaac Jacobs. After Mr. Jacobs laid the town out and built a store here, the postoffice was moved to his store. The office remained there during the Civil War and Mr. Jacobs continued to serve as postmaster although very little mail was handled here during the war. In the spring of 1866, William Coventry, who started a store here, became postmaster. Two years later he was
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succeeded by T. J. Tygart, a real estate man, and in 1869 W. J. Mack became postmaster, and continued at least as long as 1881.
Early Cemetery .- For a number of years after Holden was built there was no regular cemetery laid out and established by law. The inhabitants buried their dead in what was known as the old burying ground, which is now occupied by the public school in the southern part of town.
The Holden cemetery was regularly laid out and platted by Luther Wagner, a civil engineer, and the plat recorded May 17, 1869, and at that time about one hundred and twenty-five graves were removed from the old burying ground to the new one. The new cemetery is under control and jurisdiction of the city of Holden and is located about one and one-fourth miles southwest of the Missouri Pacific depot and originally contained ten acres, but additions have since been made and a concrete sidewalk was built to it.
Early Churches .- The Methodist Episcopal church was organized by Rev. G. H. Reed in 1867. The erection of a church building was begun in 1869 and was completed and dedicated in August. 1871, by Rev. Doctor Dant. This was known as "Coventry" chapel. The first Sunday school was organized in connection with this denomination by Mrs. J. E. Gardner at her residence in 1869.
The Evangelical Association was organized at Holden in 1879 by Rev. Koepsell and Rev. Schaefer and a church edifice was erected the same year. The first members of this denomination here were William Kotch, Lizzie Kotch, Philip Ulrich, R. Ulrich, H. Hagemeyer. C. Hage- meyer, E. Henzy. J. Miller, Charles Hagemeyer, S. Hagemeyer, E. Scheer, F. and R. Witzell, F. Winkenhoeper. H. Rorman. M. Spath, R. Markley. J. Rorman. Among the early pastors of this denomination were Reverend Messrs. Falgeht, Emmell. Harter, Koepsell and Schafer. This congregation has since disbanded.
The first Baptist church was organized March 23. 1878, by C. N. Webster, and erected a building at the corner of Sixth and Market streets in 1879.
The first Christian church was organized here in 1865 by Elder Stout and erected a building shortly after the organization was effected.
The first Presbyterian church was organized November 4. 1866, by Rev. S. G. Clark.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
St. Patrick's Catholic church was organized by Father M. G. Mas- kin in May, 1869, and a church erected the same year.
The Methodist Episcopal church (colored) was organized in 1874 by Rev. William Wheeler and reorganized in 1879 by Rev. R. Bush.
The African Methodist church ( colored) was organized by the colored people in 1876 and two years later a church was built in the southern part of the town by Rev. P. D. Yocum.
For histories of each of the foregoing churches, refer to appropriate chapter on each denomination.
Banks .- The Bank of Holden was established May 15, 1872. by I. M. Smith and Louis Cheney. It is the oldest bank now in existence in the county.
The Farmers & Commercial Bank was organized March 17, 1881. William M. Steele was especially active in its early establishment.
Refer to chapter on Banks for details of these banks.
Holden Today .- Today, Holden has six white and two negro churches, sixteen civic and fraternal organizations, city-owned water- works, and light plant, a mill, three banks, two newspapers, first-class hotel, fine high school, good hospital and good streets, sidewalks and well-improved homes.
The time was when Holden and Warrensburg sought to become big towns. This ambition has developed into the higher one of becom- ing good towns. In this Holden is achieving rapid and substantial suc- cess. For many years it held the largest and most successful country fair in Johnson county, and one of the best in the state. The old fair grounds still testify to the size and importance of these big gatherings. Today Holden in its place has the largest and best Chautauqua Association in the county. It not only has a fine high school building and equip- ment, but in that school is organized a cadet company, active and efficient. that is giving the students a practical and moral training they get nowhere else, and this company is supported wholly by the volun- tary work of the superintendent-Professor Robeson-and school board and students. In many other ways, the strong and valuable community spirit of Holden has produced, and is today producing, in peace and in the great war, results that make the world a better place for the men and women who live in it.
City Officers .- The following is a complete list of the officers of Holden from its organization to the present time:
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Mayors .- 1868, J. M. Hubbard ; 1869, J. C. Richards, W. G. Finley ; 1870, Geo. S. Walton: 1871, J. W. Mack: 1872, F. B. Hawes; 1873, W. B. Nichols: 1874-1877, W. C. Smith : 1878. M. A. Powell: 1879-1880, WV. C. Smith: 1881, A. Van Matre; 1882, B. F. Metzler; 1883-1884, J. W. Kyger : 1885-1889, J. H. Hawes; 1890-1891, G. S. Young ; 1892-1893, J. H. Hawes: 1893, F. C. Borden ; 1894-95, J. H. Hawes : 1896-1899, T. J. Hal- sey : 1898-1899, J. Z. Brothers: 1901-1903. W. D. Gray: 1904-1909, O. G. Boisseau : 1910-1913, W. G. Thompson : 1914-1917. Emery G. Thompson.
Councilmen .- 1868, George L. Wells, J. O. Parish, Abe Metzler, J. C. Richards: 1869, I. Starkey. J. F. Tygard, George Young, John Ellis; 1870, Charles Bluhm, J. Wallace, James McMullin, John Ellis; 1871, W. C. Smith, G. S. Young, Edward Davis, William Hill; 1872, I. Nichols, J. C. Richards, I. Starkey, J. G. Cope; 1873. J. G. Cope, R. T. Leaverton, I. Starkey, W. C. Taylor: 1874, M. V. Johnson, T. M. Mills, I. Starkey, John Ormsby : 1875, M. V. Johnson. J. Ormsby, H. C. Conner. I. Starkey; 1876, M. V. Johnson, J. Ormsby, H. C. Conner, S. S. Metzler; 1877, M. V. Johnson, J. Ormsby, H. C. Conner, S. S. Metzler: 1878, M. V. Johnson, J. H. Ormsby, S. S. Metzler, H. C. Con- ner: 1879, I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby, John Gibson, H. C. Conner ; 1880, I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby : John Gibson, H. C. Conner : 1881. I. Starkey, J. H. Ormsby, H. C. Conner, John Gibson: 1882. I. Starkey. J. H. Ormsby, H. C. Conner, John Gibson : 1883, H. C. Conner, J. H. Ormsby, John Gibson, M. T. Robinson: 1884, J. W. Scott. J. H. Ormsby, John Gibson, M. T. Robinson : 1885, J. W. Scott, J. M. Taylor, J. H. Blewitt, W. P. Baker: 1886, E. P. Tompkins, J. M. Taylor, H. M. Garnett, W. P. Baker, Joseph Huber; 1887, Joseph Huber, J. M. Taylor, C. W. Etter, T. A. Hoffman : 1888, Joseph Huber, J. M. Taylor, T. J. Wolf, C. W. Etter, WV. P. Baker: 1889, Joseph Huber, J. V. Murray. C. W. Etter, W. P. Baker: 1890, J. F. Rittner, J. V. Murray, C. W. Etter. T. J. Wolf ; 1891, J. F. Rittner, J. V. Murray, W. P. Baker, T. J. Wolf; 1892, J. L. Burris, J. V. Murray, W. P. Baker, G. S. Young: 1893, O. . \. Bettes, Lon Hank, J. F. Rittner, G. S. Young: 1894. O. A. Bettes, Lon Hank. J. F. Rittner, J. C. Stalzner: 1896, J. Z. Brothers, Lon Hank. J. F. Rittner. Marion Grubb, J. W. Page. W. F. Shields, C. H. Hartzell. J. H. Ormsby ; 1897, J. Brothers, Lon Hank, J. F. Rittner. C. H. Hartzell, B. Stern, W. F. Shields, T. McMullen, J. W. Page: 1898, B. Stern, W. F. Shields, F. .A. Tesch. G. C. Scheer. J. H. Smith, Lon Hank. J. S. Arnold. J. WV. Page: 1899, J. S. Phillips, Lon Hank, J. S. Arnold. G. C. Scheer. W. D.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Gray, H. S. Gooch, Charles Bluhm, J. W. Page: 1900, J. S. Phillips, Lon Hank, Charles Bluhm, G. C. Scheer, W. D. Gray, H. S. Gooch, F. A. Tesch, I. Roby ; 1901, J. S. Phillips, Lon Hank, Charles Bluhm, G. C. Scheer, W. D. Gray. H. S. Gooch. F. A. Tesch. I. Roby; 1902, J. S. Phillips, Lon Hank, Charles Bluhm, G. C. Scheer, W. D. Gray, H. S. Gooch, F. A. Tesch, R. D. Bailey; 1903, Harry Hebel, Lon Hank, F. A. Tesch, G. C. Scheer, Charles Gibson. C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, I. Roby: 1904, Harry Hebel. Lon Hank, F. A. Tesch, H. W. Higgins, J. W. Pierce, C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, W. A. Caldwell; 1905, Harry Hebel, Lon Hank, F. A. Tesch, Brad Harmon, J. W. Pierce, C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm. W. A. Caldwell: 1906, Harry Hebel, Lon Hank, F. A. Tesch. W. A. Caldwell, W. D. Gray, C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, Joseph Riley: 1907. Harry Hebel. Lon Hank, F. A. Tesch, W. A. Caldwell, W. D. Gray. C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, Joseph Riley. H. E. Tesch; 1908. Harry Hebel, Lon Hank, H. E. Tesch, Joseph Riley. Joseph Rowell, C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, E. H. Golladay: 1909, L. L. Bierly, Lon Hank, H. E. Tesch. J. W. Riley, G. B. Kirk, C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, E. H. Golladay : 1910. L. L. Bierly. Lon Hank. F. R. Huber, J. W. Riley, G. B. Kirk. C. M. Baldwin, Charles Bluhm, E. H. Golladay: 1911. R. W. Conrad, Lon Hank, F. R. Huber, J. W. Riley. G. B. Kirk, Brad Harmon, O. W. White, E. H. Golladay : 1912. R. W. Conrad. Lon Hank, F. R. Huber. J. W. Riley, Dr. E. Thompson. Brad Harmon, O. W. White, E. H. Golladay : 1913. R. W. Conrad. Lon Hank, H. E. Tesch, E. H. Golladay. E. Thompson, E. K. Steele. A. G. Anderson, F. R. Huber: 1914, R. W. Conrad. Lon Hank. H. E. Tesch, E. H. Golladay, G. B. Raker. E. K. Steele. A. G. Anderson, J. F. Baker: 1915. R. W. Conrad, Lon Hank, H. E. Tesch. E. H. Golladay. G. B. Raker. E. K. Steele. A. G. Ander- son, J. F. Baker, Dr. A. B. Newland to succeed Tesch: 1916. R. W. Conrad, Lon Hank, O. G. Boisseau. E. H. Golladay. W. A. Caldwell, E. K. Steele. O. W. White, J. F. Baker: 1917, W. A. Caldwell. Lon Hank, O. G. Boisseau, E. H. Golladay, George Bleich, E. K. Steele, Dr. O. J. Phillips, J. F. Baker.
Lon Hank has served twenty-five years consecutively on the city council. from April, 1893. This is the longest service of any elected city or county officers, and he was elected by the people more times than any other city or county officer. City elections in Hollen are non-partisan.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Attorneys .- 1868, D. Nation: 1869, D. Nation: 1870, D. Nation; 1871-72, A. Van Matre; 1873, J. P. Orr; 1874. J. E. Johnston : 1875-78, J. P. Orr: 1879, A. Van Matre; 1881. A. H. Carpenter: 1884, S. T. Allen: 1886, Joseph January : 1887, R. O. McLin: 1888. A. Van Matre; 1889-1890. R. O. McLin; 1891-94, J. H. January; 1895, C. C. Christian ; 1896. F. B. Fulkerson and D. T. Boisseau; 1897-98, D. T. Boisseau ; 1900, T. C. Hornbuckle; 1902, J. P. Orr: 1904, M. D. Aber; 1905-08, W. L. Chaney: 1909. H. A. Schoenwetter; 1910, J. P. Orr: 1912, H. A. Schoenwetter: 1914. S. T. White.
Clerks .- 1868, J. W. Mack; 1869, David Nation: 1870, A. P. Espen- scheid; 1871, H. Martin Williams: 1872, J. H. Hawes; 1873, George N. Richards; 1874, J. H. Hawes; 1875-76, George Patton; 1877-79, John W. Mittong; 1880, James Steele: 1881, J. H. Hawes: 1882. R. L. Narron : 1883-84, John M. Taylor; 1885-87. P. C. Van Matre : 1889, W. G. Braddy ; 1890, G. R. Johnson; 1893, J. H. Tevis : 1894-1917. Jesse Bower.
Marshals .- 1868, Edward Stearns; 1869. B. F. Metzler: 1870. J. F. Power: 1871, T. Sharp: 1872, T. Dudley: 1873. A. B. Sparks; 1874. H. D. Smithson; 1875, J. M. Duke: 1876. E. A. Lucas: 1877-1881, H. H. Still: 1882, T. H. Moore: 1883-85. H. H. Still: 1886, Joe Hessler; 1887, H. H. Still: 1888-1890, D. S. Child; 1891-94, W. S. Dunham; 1895. James H. Nay ; 1896, H. H. Still; 1898-1909, H. H. Roop: 1910, L. W. Grimes; 1912, H. E. Burton: 1914-16. L. W. Grimes.
Treasurers .- 1871-72, D. Golladay: 1873, E. R. Stevens: 1874-1881. George V. Hall: 1881, George V. Hall, died April 26, 1881. and David Golladay elected to fill vacancy: 1883-1891, Z. T. Miller: 1896, G. R. Johnson: 1898-1902. D. L. Eves: 1904-1906, G. C. Batsell: 1908-1916. C. E. Starkey.
Street Commissioners .- 1880, R. A. Snead: 1881-1884. D. J. Har- lan: 1886-1890, John Wallace: 1892. Richard Watson: 1893, J. Wallace : 1894. R. Watson; 1899, A. C. Hartman: 1900-1903, B. F. Elliott ; 1904-1909, J. M. Haggard: 1910-1911. L. W. Grimes: 1912-1913, H. E. Burton: 1914-1917, L. W. Grimes.
Police Judges .- 1896-1909, J. W. Greenwood: 1910, E. B. White ; 1912-1917. J. W. Greenwood.
Assessors .- 1896, W. L. Christian: 1898-1904, O. C. Byler: 1905- 1906. J. A. Wilkerson: 1908, O. C. Byler: 1910-1912. Thomas N. Crib- bins: 1916, O. C. Byler; 1917, George F. Mullen.
Collectors .- 1896, G. W. Estes: 1897. A. M. Sankey: 1898-1902, C. E. Starkey: 1904-1917, Jesse Bower.
CHAPTER XVI .- JACKSON TOWNSHIP.
DESCRIPTION, LOCATION, ORGANIZATION-NAMING-GEOGRAPHY-SOIL-EARLY SETTLEMENTS-EARLY CHURCHES-EARLY CEMETERIES-EARLY SCHOOLS -EARLY TEACHERS-FIRST POSTOFFICE -- OFFICIAL RECORDS AND STA- TISTICS, JUSTICES-COUNTY OFFICERS-PERSONAL PROPERTY AND PROD- UCTS-ROAD IMPROVEMENTS- POPULATION-ORGANIZATIONS-PITTSVILLE.
In the original organization of Johnson county it consisted of four townships of nearly the same area. Jackson was one and occupied the northwestern corner of the county. It was organized May 4, 1835, at the first county court.
Jackson township was named in honor of President Andrew Jack- son. The organization of subsequent townships in the county has taken considerable territory from the original Jackson township, yet it still remains the largest township in Johnson county.
Geography .- Area, 81 square miles, or 51,840 acres. Geographically, the east four-fifths of Jackson township lie between the two upper main forks of Blackwater creek, and the west one-fifth lies on a ridge between the west fork of Blackwater and the headwaters of Big creek. This ridge constitutes a watershed running north and south between the tributaries of the Missouri river on the east and the Osage river on the west.
Soil .- According to the Soil Survey of the United States Depart- ment of Agriculture for 1914, the chief soils of the township consist of (1) a large body of "black limestone" soil (Summit silt loam) consti- tuting the main upland between the two Blackwater forks and (2) of the ridge already described of "mulatto" soil ( Pettis silt loam ). three-quarters to one mile wide and about eight miles long, between the west fork of Blackwater and Big creek. Along the banks of these streams are the ordinary bottom soils, chiefly Osage silt loam in narrow strips varying from one-eighth to one-quarter of a mile wide: next to the bottom soil. and between it and the main bodies of the Summit and Pettis silt loam uplands lies an irregular strip one-eighth to one mile wide of a thinner. lighter soil, the Boone silt loam ("sandy" soil).
The soils in detail are:
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Summit silt loam upland, about 60 per cent. of the township. It lies in a fairly solid body between the two Blackwater forks as indi- cated and also on the west side of the west fork of Blackwater between the Boone silt loam, that adjoins the bottom land, and the Pettis silt loam that occupies the ridge on the west.
Boone silt loam, upland, about 20 per cent. This lies next to the bottom soil, as indicated, the largest area consisting of about six square miles in the northeast.
Pettis silt loam, upland, about 15 per cent. It consists of the eight- mile strip already described on the west side, and is not found elsewhere in the township.
Crawford silt loam, upland, "red limestone" soil, about 3 per cent. It is found in irregularly shaped patches of one square mile and less over the southwest three-fourths of the township.
Miscellaneous, narrow strips of first and second bottom soil along the creeks, Osage, Chariton and Robertsville silt loams.
Of the foregoing, the Summit, Pettis and Crawford silt loams are ranked the best three common upland soils in the county.
For further soil details, see chapters on Agriculture and Soils.
Early Settlements .- The first settlement in this township was what was known as "Basin Knob Settlement" and was nearly as early as the old Columbus Settlement. Jonathan Fine came from Tennessee and settled here in 1829. He was the first to be buried in the old cemetery near Blackwater church. Baldwin H. Fine, from Ray county. Tennessee settled here in 1829. He was killed by a maraudering militia band during the Civil War, who at the same time killed Henry Shaffer and a Mr. Rogers. John Ferguson was also among the first pioneer settlers. Hon. Reuben B. Fulkerson came here from Virginia about 1830. He was a staunch Democrat and was prominent in the affairs of the county at an early day and represented Johnson county in the state Legislature at one time. Macklin White, the first to repre- sent Johnson county in the state Legislature, was also a resident of Jackson township. Joseph Hooper came here in 1831 and settled on the Cockrell farm. A brother of his also settled on Sni creek about the same time. Elias Lundy, a Virginian, also joined the settlement at Basin Knob at a very early day. Tompkins Bradley came here in 1836. Ilis house was burned by Kansas invaders during the Civil War and in 1863, he removed with his family to California.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
The following is a list of some of the early settlers many of whose descendants now reside in the county and the names are familiar to the present generation: Jackson Longacre, John Longacre, Jerry James, Joseph Howard, Jowell Ellis, Peter A. Hall, Charles Hood, T. Franklin, W. Franklin, Greenville Crisp, M. Edwards, D. Edwards, Samuel, Elias and Amos Lundy, Amos Roberts, James Givens, G. Colbern, Henry Colbern, Moses Ferguson, Lee Ferguson, Frank Bradley, William Davidson, Squire Campbell, James Craig. Martin and Charles Phillips, John Miller, Joseph Ragsdale, William Ragsdale, Thomas Ragsdale, William Hopper, Calvin Shore, John Y. Martin, Daniel Spainhower, Jesse Howard, William Hays, James Briggs, Samuel Shirley, William Hill, William P. Paul, William P. Tucker, William Doak, David Hogan, John C. Sparks and Judge John Windsor. The latter served as county judge in an early day.
Early Churches .- The early settlers of this section early provided for divine worship. Like most pioneer communities, preaching was held in the private residences during the first few years. In warm weather religious services were held in the groves. The first convert in the township is said to be Mrs. B. F. Fine. Thomas Wallace was the first circuit rider to visit the township. Soon after him came Thomas Ashby, who was assisted by a young man named H. N. Watts, who was pre- paring for the ministry. Some of the early settlers declared that he was not a very promising youth, although contrary to expectations, he developed into a very prominent minister in later life. Rev. D. A. Leeper came about 1848 and remained about two years. Rev. Samuel S. Colbern ministered to the spiritual wants of the community from 1852 to 1854. He was a strong, capable, conscientious man. Rev. Henry Farmer was prominent among the first preachers of the Baptist denomi- nation.
Blackwater Methodist Episcopal Church, South. in the eastern part of the township was the first church organized in the county, and is the oldest Methodist church west of Marshall, south of the Arkansas line (according to Rev. Thomas Cobb, of Lexington). Mr. Cobb states that the church was organized in the Christmas holidays in 1829, and a log church built in 1834. The early pastors here were Thomas Wal- lace, Thomas T. Ashby, G. W. Beuley Daniel A. Lapeer, Jesse Green D. F. Capell, E. E. Degg, Silas Williams, J. A. Chase. T. C. James, W. M. Pitts. James A. Cumming. R. A. Foster, H. W. Webster, R. Min-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
shaw, H. N. Watts, M. Duren, W. J. Brown, T. P. Cobb, J. C. Daily, E. W. Woodward, John B. Wood and J. D. H. Wooldridge. Among the early members of this church we find the names of Thomas Winsor and family, James Bradley and family, Richard Bradley and family, John Ferguson, Henry Shaffer, Rev and Mrs. J. Fine, Baldwin H. Fine and wife, Jester Cox and family, William Smith and J. T. and E. E. Davis. Camp meetings were held annually near this church for a period of over thirty years and people came from as far as Lexington and Independence to attend them.
Basin Knob Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1858. A. J. Longacre, James Sanders, Moses Mullens and William Hayes, with their families, and G. Christ and Polly A. Fulkerson were the first members. Their first building was burned in 1869 and later they erected another.
Elm Spring Baptist church was organized in 1859 by Rev. George Minton and Rev. J. Gott. However, this congregation erected no building until 1870, the war having interfered with the carrying out of the original plans. In 1870, a neat frame structure was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars, in section 30, township 47. range 48, near Elk Springs on the north branch of the Blackwater. Among the early pastors who served here were the Reverends George Minton, Harry Farmer, I. L. Crow, J. W. Williams, I. N. Newman, J. Gott, F. M. West and J. B. Jackson. Among the early members of this con- gregation were John Winfrey, Jane Winfrey, W. F. Snow and wife, Dorcas Hunter, David Hunter, Josephus Martin and wife, N. Williams and Richard T. Martin and wife. The first Sunday school was organized in 1866 and John Winfrey was the first superintendent.
Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1867. Newton Cobb. J. C. Sparks and William Harper and their families were the first members. Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the southern part of the township in 1870. Ten years later they erected a building at a cost of seven hundred dollars.
Enon Baptist church was organized at Pittsville July 25, 1868, by Abraham Weaver and they erected a building in 1869 at a cost of one thousand dollars. The early pastors here were Abram Weaver, G. Smith, I. N. Newman, J. B. Jackson and \. Barton. The first members were Levy Warford, Louis Warford, William A. Warford, Martha J. Warford, Osborn Warford, Margaret Warford, David Warford. Matilda
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
Warford, Michael Warford, Elizabeth Warford, William Warford. Mary Warford, Juda E. Ryan, James M. Noble, James E. McClure, Martin J. McClure, Joseph Crow, C. K. Crow, Louis A. Crow, Osevith Crow, William J. Crow and Martha Crow.
Early Cemeteries .- The early cemeteries of the township were Lundy cemetery in section 31. a well-kept plat containing several graves. Louis Edwards was the first to be interred here in 1855. The oldest cemetery in the township is Blackwater cemetery at Blackwater church, located in section 36. There are many graves here. The cemetery lot is enclosed by a stone wall and kept up and used today. There is also a cemetery in section 4 and one in section 15, and also in section 30, near the old Basin Knob church. Pittsville cemetery was established subsequent to the Civil War and J. A. McClure was the first to be buried here.
Early Schools .- Prior to the establishment of the public school system, the early settlers of Jackson township, like the average pioneers of the various sections of the state, had their subscription schools and the first log school houses were built by the co-operation of the pioneers of each neighborhood. However, the first schools were held in private residences until provisions were made for regular school buildings such as they were at that time. Among the old log school houses the Tucker school house was one of the last.
Early Teachers .- Many of the early-day teachers of this vicinity were capable and possessed of much common sense. Among the pio- neer teachers appear the names of Jasper N. Ferguson. B. McCoy, C. Huff, James Briggs, Mr. Tarpley, Mr. Devasier. Mr. Slocum, Mrs. Catherine Craig. Miss Lizzie Emmons, Michael E. Newman, W. W. Sparks, Louis H. Schivington, Miss Nannie P. Pitts, A. Van Ausdol, New- ton Cobb and S. P. Sparks. In the early times there were few women teachers.
The first voting precinct was at Mr. Lundy's, at Basin Knob. Basin Knob at that time was strongly Democratic and seemed to control the political destinies of the county.
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