USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 10
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CHAPTER XIX.
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GREEN RIDGE TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-DRAINAGE-EARLY SETTLERS- INDUSTRY-PRICE OF LAND-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-FIRST HAPPENINGS.
Green Ridge Township .- The name Green Ridge, as applied to this township, is appropriate. In it is the watershed between the waters of the tributaries of the Missouri and the tributaries of the Osage rivers. It is a ridge covered with beautiful green prairie, interspersed with timber along the few water courses that break the monotony of the physical features of the township. Green Ridge was formerly a part of Elk Fork township as the county was subdivided, up to 1844. The sub- division of the county then made it a part of Washington township, and it remained thus until 1873, when in the township organization of that year it became the southwestern township in the county, with the name of Green Ridge. Its northern extremity touches Elk Fork township; its eastern, Washington; its southern, Benton County, and its western, Johnson and Henry counties. It contains 30,720 acres of land. The town- ship has the same style of configuration of land as that of the balance of Pettis County. The headquarters of Flat Creek and Elk Fork Creek are within its bounds.
The Missouri, Kansas & Texas railroad runs from section 1, south- west through the township, leaving it at section 31. The Rock Island railroad runs through sections 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10.
The early settlers of this and Washington township are the same, or nearly so. Both these townships were a part of Elk Fork and before the townships were divided the pioneers had opened up their homes and laid out their claims for future farms.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
The earliest settler of the section of county now occupied by Green Ridge township, was Robert Means, who came here in 1832. Mr. Means came from Christian County, Kentucky, to Howard County, Missouri, where a part of his family were born. He removed with his family in November, 1832, to what is now Green Ridge township, Pettis County. He died in 1844, and is buried in the southwest corner of the township. Squire Robert D. Means came with his father from Howard County, Missouri, to Pettis County, in 1832, and settled in the township. John L. Hawkins came between 1835 and 1838, from Howard County, Missouri. In 1857, Washington Starke came to the township from Pike County, Missouri. Daniel Ramey came in 1842, from Georgetown, Mo. During the war he was killed by guerrillas near Rose Hill, Johnson County. John S. Cole came between 1850 and 1855 from Illinois. W. H. Hammonds came in 1855 from Cooper County. During the Civil War he espoused the cause of the South, and died in defense of what he believed to be right at the battle of Little Rock, Ark., in 1862. William and Benjamin Hawkins came in 1856, from Cooper County, Missouri. Thomas Owens came from Georgia, and died in 1862. Hiram Richardson came about 1844 from Tennessee, and died at his home in 1866. Thomas Richardson, the former's father, came in the same year from Tennessee and resided in this county twenty years. Absalom and John Elliott came with their father in 1836, and settled in Washington township. James C. Hatton came at an early day and settled in this township, but died at his home in the spring of 1861. Nathaniel Parberry came from Virginia at an early date. Thomas N. Ireland came in 1858 from Illinois, and died in 1860. John D. Majors came from Callaway County in 1855. M. M. Lamp -. ton came from Christian County, Kentucky, in 1855. O. W. Withers came in 1854 from Kentucky. He was killed while serving under Price, in the Confederate Army, at Iron Mountain. Thomas F. Parazetle came in 1854 from Henry County. He was formerly from Virginia, and he died in this township in 1881. George Bell came in 1854 from Paris, Illinois. Lapsley Bell came in 1854 from Paris, Illinois. Henry Woodward came in 1854 from Henry County.
The principal industry in this township is farming and stock rais- ing. They raise the staple crops, corn, wheat and oats, some flax and considerable broom corn. Many of the farmers have fine flocks of graded sheep, cattle, hogs and mules. Land in this township sells from $60 to $100 per acre.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
The Congregational Church of Green Ridge was organized on the first day of January, 1871, by J. B. Turner and J. M. Bowers. J. M. Bowers was its first minister and served for two years. J. G. Bailey served as pastor then until 1881. The original members of the church were Geo. D. Hicks, Abigail Hicks, J. H. Knapp, Lydia S. Knapp, Harry C. Knapp, Thomas Ashton, Mrs. Thomas Ashton, Charles Ashton, Nellie Ashton, Mrs. Sarah Fowler, Mr. Labaw, Philip Williams, Mrs. Philip Williams, Miss Wilbur, Robert McCormick, Miss Amelia McCormick.
The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, of Green Ridge, was organ- ized January 9, 1876, by Rev. R. A. Cole, of Otterville, assisted by Rev. William House. The incumbents of the pulpit have been C. W. Weeden, George W. Mathis, Rev. McBride. In the organization on January 9, 1876, the elders elected and ordained were Dr. G. W. House, W. C. Wells and Benjamin Melvin ; deacons, Elijah Phillips and Tipton Edwards.
The Church of Christ of Green Ridge township at Green Ridge, was organized by Elder S. K. Hallam, April 25, 1880. In the spring of 1882, a commodious frame house twenty-eight by forty-eight was erected at a cost of $1,000, and was dedicated in the same year by Elder S. K. Hallam. The original members are: Thomas Close, Catherine Close, Sarah J. Martin, Nannie Martin, R. D. Rains, Lou J. Rains, Cassie Ed- wards, Aaron Dunfee and wife, R. H. Nelson, F. A. Logan, D. E. J. Logan, Melinda Rains, Wm. Dunfee and wife, Lecta Dunfee, Mariah Dunfee, G. W. Womach, Phoebe Womach, James Neal, John A. Logan, Mary Womach, Columbus Parks, Eliza Neal, Alice Womach, Mattie Womach, Emily D. Womach.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Green Ridge was organized in 1872 by the Rev. W. W. Powell, with George Anderson, James Anderson, Mary and Jane Anderson, S. Johnson and Mentezee, as members of the class. In 1878 the congregation erected a house of worship, at a cost of $700. In 1880 Rev. J. N. Pierce dedicated this building. The early ministers to this congregation were Revs. W. W. Powell, J. A. Little, E. H. Smith, J. H. Nelson, F. Oechsli, A. P. Salaway, J. H. Gillispie and John Lutz.
Green Ridge Baptist Church, located in the town of Green Ridge, is one of the older churches of the county. It was organized with only fourteen members in 1887. Its present membership is forty. The church building is a good, substantial wooden structure, thirty by sixty feet.
The Green Ridge Christian Church is located two blocks south of
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Railway Station, on Main street. The church building is a good substantial frame, thirty by forty feet. The building is well kept and nicely furnished. This church was organized in 1882 and erected on its present site. Church membership is seventy, with a Sunday school attendance of fifty.
Prairie View Methodist Church, South, is located four miles north of Green Ridge. The church building is a good substantial frame, thirty- six by forty feet. The church, at present, has eighty members and the Sunday school, for the past year, has averaged an attendance of forty. Rev. Samuel E. Brooks is the minister in charge.
The Green Ridge Methodist Church, South, in Green Ridge, is one of the growing churches of Pettis County. It was organized about the year 1884 and since that time has been presided over by some of the ablest ministers of the Conference. The present minister is Rev. Samuel Brooks. Present membership is sixty-four, with a Sunday school at- tendance of fifty. The building is a substantial frame in good condition.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, situated near the center of the town of Green Ridge, was organized in 1872, by Rev. W. W. Powell. Rev. Powell was killed by lightning a short time later. The first church building was erected in 1878 and dedicated in 1880. This building was destroyed by fire in 1898 and rebuilt in 1899. Building was again destroyed by fire in 1911 and the present building erected in 1912. The present building is a frame. Membership is 100, with an average Sunday school attendance of sixty. Rev. D. E. Fields is the present minister. The first members of this church were, George Anderson and wife, James Anderson and wife, Shed Johnson and wife and Alexander Mentzer and wife. Present trustees of the church are: Joseph Upton, chairman; L. B. Ream, secre- tary; F. A. Lowe, treasurer; D. S. Crissman and J. E. Helman.
The Green Ridge Congregational Church, located at Green Ridge, is one of the substantial churches of the county. It has a membership of 175, with a Sunday school attendance of eighty-five. The church build- ing is a good, substantial frame and this summer it was improved and added to until it now represents a property value of $5,000. It is heated with furnace, equipped with oak pews, lighted with acetelyn gas. Rev. L. R. Spooner is the present minister. S. D. Haight is senior deacon, and John B. Kyd is junior deacon. The following are trustees: E. R. Wilson, Wm. Baker and Mrs. Belle Evans.
The first school in the township was in school District 2. Emma Wells
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
was the first teacher. Green Ridge township is second to none in the county in her schools. They have eight public schools and a second class high school, at Green Ridge, which would be a credit to most any city of 20,000 inhabitants. Lida Hale is superintendent, with Anna Hiatt as principal. Attendance this year is forty. The public schools are as follows: Elm Branch, with an enrollment of twenty-five pupils and Mil- dred Thomas is teaching this winter. Maple Grove has an enrollment of twenty-one pupils and Irene Kilburn is teaching. Swisher has an en- rollment of twelve, and M. Sue Clark is the teacher. Wadleigh has twenty-seven pupils, and Moro Anderson is the teacher. Rodelia has thirty-seven pupils, and Mrs. D. O. Herndon is the teacher. Hope Dale enrolled twenty-six this September, and Gertrude Ridsour is the teacher. Knapp has an enrollment of twelve, and Anna P. Funk is teaching. Green Ridge has an enrollment of forty, and Elizabeth Donaldson, Lena Shelley and Charlotte Kyd are the teachers.
The first marriage in the township was Josiah Nelson, from Lafayette County, to Miss Sarah Means, in the year 1840.
The first birth was in the winter of 1832, and was a colored child, who was named Julia Ann. Her mother belonged to Robert Means, Sr., and she still lives in the county north of Windsor. She has been married twice and had children and grandchildren.
The first death was that of a colored man named Solomon Cofer, in the family of Robert Means, Sr., in 1840.
The first minister: For years there was no resident minister. The first circuit rider was Rev. Jackson Whitsett, of the Cumberland Pres- byterian denomination, and his first visit was in 1833, with Rev. Dr. R. D. Morrow of the same church, who held their meetings in the house of neighbors.
The first camp meeting was held on the farm of Robert Means in 1838. It was continued yearly for four or five years. R. D. Morrow died at Columbus, Johnson County, Missouri.
The first physician was Dr. James Hogan, from Calhoun County. He came prior to 1840.
CHAPTER XX.
HEATH'S CREEK TOWNSHIP
NAME-ORGANIZATION-PHYSICAL FEATURES-INDUSTRIES-EARLY AND PRES- ENT DAY CHURCHES-SCHOOLS-FIRST HAPPENINGS.
Heath's Creek .- This township derives its name from its principal creek, Heath's Creek, which flows through it. The creek was named after two brothers, John and Robert Heath. In 1809 the Heaths built a plant, a kind of salt works, at the mouth of this creek where it empties into Lamine River in Cooper County. John Heath was a member of the first Constitutional Convention of Missouri. He was a delegate from Franklin County to the convention, which was called together in St. Louis on June 12, 1820, and continued in session until July 19, when the consti- tution was adopted.
The creeks and their branches were all named by the earliest settlers. Some were named from the settlers themselves, others again were named from some incident that occurred at that time. Cedar Creek was thus named from the large cedar tree which grew at its mouth, near Muddy Creek. Panther Creek was thus named because the first panther killed in this region was taken on that branch. Cold Neck derived its name from the fact that one William Bryant, an early settler of this county, while hunting a bear at this place became very cold and remarked to a companion that it was a "cold neck." Muddy Creek is said to have re- ceived its name from the following incident: Hiram Jenkins and John Heath, while on a hunting expedition, camped near what is now known as Farmer's City Ford, on a little island. During the night there came up a heavy rain, and in the morning they found that their horses were gone. They hung up their blankets and went in search of their horses. When they returned they found the island submerged in water. The remark was
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
made that "this is muddy," and the creek has since and from that incident retained the name Muddy.
Heath's Creek township is one of the oldest organizations of town- ships in Pettis county. It originally embraced its own present limits and also that of Longwood and part of Bowling Green, and continued by this name until 1844, when the townships were rearranged, and Bowl- ing Green was cut down and Heath's Creek given the northeastern part of the county, which contained the northern part of Longwood and its own township. In this shape it continued until 1873. In that year the county adopted the township organization, and Heath's Creek still re- tained the northeastern portion, but was separated from Longwood, and as it is now organized, it is nine miles north and south by six east and west, and contains 34,560 acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Saline County, on the east by Cooper County, on the south by Bowling Green township, and on the west by Longwood township, and is one of the two largest townships in Pettis County.
The township surface is diversified with rolling prairie and timber. The township is more abundantly supplied with water courses than any other in the county. Its largest stream is the Muddy Creek, flowing through the southern portion; the Lamine River touches its eastern border, and makes a detour into the township in section 1; Heath's Creek flows across the northern part of the township, and each of these have their smaller creeks and branches flowing into them from almost all directions. Still, with all of these creeks and streams flowing through it, it has large tracts of as fine farming lands as there is in the State. Nearly all of the branches are fed by springs, and many afford enough water to supply mills along their banks. There are two salt springs in the township, one in the northeastern section, and the other in the north- ern part of the township near the Saline County line, on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of section 21.
The township has no railroad. The wagon roads are good, and the streams are crossed by substantial bridges. The physical condition of the land makes it quite easy to keep good roads, and these conditions are used to the best advantage.
Hiram Jenkins, John Bowles and Thomas Martin were the first perma- nent settlers of this township and in fact, the first settlers of the county. With their families they crossed the Missouri River in February, 1817, and located near the mouth of Heath's Creek. Their place of stopping
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
was about three miles from the present Saline County line, and about the same distance from the Cooper County line. Hiram Jenkins had charge of the boat that brought up the metal fixtures belonging to John and Robert Heath for their salt works, located near the mouth of Heath's Creek. They continued to manufacture salt in Cooper County until the War of 1812, when the Indians made a raid on their works and one of the two negro men there employed escaped to St. Louis and the other was never heard from. The War of 1812 deterred Hiram Jenkins from com- ing to this section. He had been over the ground two or three times on hunting expeditions, and in that way had become familiar with the beauties and advantages of this country. Hiram Jenkins started from Murfreesborough, Tennessee, in October, 1816, and came overland, cross- ing the Mississippi River a few miles above the mouth of the Missouri. He was the leader of the party. The three families mentioned above all came from Tennessee, and Thomas Marlin's family consisted of eleven persons, Mr. Jenkins' seven, and Bowles' eight. Hiram Jenkins lived here for years and then went back to Tennessee, where he died. Marlin and Bowles both died and are buried in the township. William Anderson came in 1829 from Louisiana. Aaron Jenkins came in 1817 with his father from Tennessee. Baldwin Jenkins, a brother of the former, came from Tennessee. James Smily came in 1827 from Kentucky. C. H. Hieronymus came to the county from Howard County, in 1826. He was a native of Clark County, Ky., but came to Missouri with his father's family in 1822. Sylvester Hall came to the township in 1828 from Ken- tucky. He is buried in this township. Henry Raines came in 1828 from North Carolina. Jesse Swope came to the township in 1826 from Ken- tucky, lived here a number of years and is buried in the township.
The farming land of this township is that belt of rich, black loam which traverses Saline, Lafayette and the northern part of this county, and from the standpoint of a farmer, can not be surpassed. Every ad- vantage is offered, soil, water, timber, and drainage. Anything that can be raised in Missouri can be raised in this township. Mules, cattle, hogs and sheep are successfully and profitably raised here.
The oldest church organization in the township is the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, and this is one of the first congregations organized in the county. It was organized by the members of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination about 1831, and the church was built by John Ridde. Some time after its erection, it was dedicated by Rev. Peter Ray. It was a frame structure and was erected at a cost of $900. The names
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
of the pastors who have preached to the congregation are, James Wear and L. Burns (organizers of the congregation), W. B. Wear, Finis Wither- spoon, Jonas Martin, John Jopling, Rev. Arnick, and for the last three years James Martin. Among the early members were Baldwin Jenkins, Thomas Marlin and wife, Thomas Marlin, Jr., and wife, Hiram Jenkins, Mrs. Hall, Alfred Brock and wife.
Wharton Chapel, M. E. Church, South is one of the oldest organiza- tions of the township. It was built in 1878 by John Thompson, and was dedicated in the fall of 1878, by C. C. Woods. It was a frame build- ing, and was erected at a cost of $1,200. Early pastors were J. L. D. Blevens, M. Duran, Josiah Godby, W. B. McFarland, L. M. Phillips, A. M. Rader, G. P. Smith, and E. G. Frazier.
The Christian Church (formerly the old Union Church), was organ- ized by four denominations, the M. E. Church, Cumberland Presbyterian, Reformed and M. P. Churches, in 1852. The building was of brick and was erected under the supervision of Mr. C. R. Hieronymous by these four denominations at a cost of about $1,000. Among the first pastors of the church were Rev. Allen Wright and Rev. Wilkes. J. B. Wright, Jiles Phillips, Rev. Chapple, R. W. Gentry and Samuel McDaniels. During the war there was a large revival conducted by Elder Peter Donan, and one after the war conducted by Elder Robinson.
Hopewell Baptist Church organization was effected August 1, 1867, by Elder E. H. Burchfield and E. T. Brown, and a house of worship twelve miles northeast of Sedalia, was built in 1868 by Z. J. Thomas. The build- ing was dedicated in 1868 by Elder E. H. Burchfield. The early pastors were, E. H. Burchfield, J. K. Godby, L. Whipple, W. V. Parsons, J. T. Corwin. This church is still called Hopewell, and is in a flourishing con- dition.
The present churches are well attended and kept. Miller's Chapel is a Presbyterian Church and is one of the oldest churches in Pettis County, being organized in 1852. It was a camp meeting place many years before a church was organized there. The present building is a frame forty by sixty feet. Miller's Chapel Cemetery is a part of the church property, being fenced in with the church by a nice 48-inch wire fence with a large iron gate on the west side. No services are being held at Miller's Chapel at the present time.
Hopewell Baptist, situated in the southwestern part of the township, is one of the older churches of the county, having been organized in 1867. It now has a membership of 132, with a Sunday school attendance
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
of sixty. The church property is well kept and the estimated value is $1,200.
Memorial Baptist Church, situated near the center of the township, has a membership of about 100, with a Sunday school attendance of fifty. The church property is in a good state of preservation and represents a money value of about $1,100.
Gillead Christian Church, is located ten miles northeast of Hughes- ville and about six miles north of Beaman. Rev. Kratzer is the present minister. Membership is 100, with Sunday school attendance of about eighty. The principal church officers are, O. D. Jenkins, Thomas Raines, Judge Leftwich and A. M. Leftwich.
Union Church, eighteen miles northeast of Sedalia, is a Union church, being used by both Baptist and Methodist denominations. Rev. Zebb Thomas held a successful revival in this church in August of this year. The building is a good, substantial frame and is well furnished. The Union Sunday school is well attended.
There were many early schools in this township. School No. 1 was taught in 1881 and 1882 by Miss Minnie Parish. She received $35 per month for her services. School No. 2 was taught by Miss Ruth Settles in 1881. School No. 3 was taught in 1882 by Miss Ruth Settles and Miss Ada Finley. School District No. 1 was taught by Miss Liva Parish, of Cooper County, in 1881. School District No. 2 was taught by Miss Lucy Noble. Miss Emma Mose taught School District No. 3, and Miss Parish taught District No. 4 in 1881. The present-day schools of this township compare favorably with any other in the county and are well equipped and taught. They are as follows: Hopewell, with fifty-three pupils, and Helen Nash teaching. Woodland, with thirty-eight pupils, and Selma Leisher teaching. Lookout, with fifty pupils, and H. B. Payne teaching. Science Hill, with twenty-seven pupils, and Zula McMullen teaching. Scott, with forty-six pupils, and Blanche Hood teaching. Anderson, with thirty-eight pupils, and Mae Alexander teaching, and Postal, with an enrollment of thirty-two, and Nellie Price as teacher.
The first court held in the county was held at Judge James Ramey's, and the second at Pin Hook, or St. Helena. The first marriage in the county occurred in this township. It was Nathanie Newball to Miss Sarah Swope, a daughter of Jesse Swope. The first birth in the county was in the Bowles or Marlin families, it is not certain which. The first death in the township was that of Robert Ellison, aged 109 years. He was grandfather of Aaron Jenkins.
CHAPTER XXI.
HOUSTONIA TOWNSHIP
NAME-SKETCH OF COL. HOUSTON-LAND, THEN AND NOW-PHYSICAL FEATURES EARLY SETTLERS-CHURCHES THEN AND NOW-SCHOOLS.
Houstonia Township .- This township derives its name from its prin- cipal town. Thomas F. Houston laid out the town of Houstonia, which was named in honor of its founder. Land in this township was sold by the Government from 121/2 cents to $1.25 per acre. Now little, if any, of the land can be bought for less than $125 per acre. The Lexington Branch of the Missouri Pacific railway traverses this township from sec- tion 10 northwest to section 19. Thomas F. Houston was born July 30, 1818, at Houstonville-named in honor of his grandfather-Iredell County, North Carolina; received a collegiate education under the instruction of Marshal Ney; adopted the profession of law; admitted to the bar June, 1840, and located at Statesville, in his native county. In 1845 he married Miss Mary M. Hampton, a relative of the Hampton families of Virginia and South Carolina. He emigrated from Alabama to near the present site of Bunceton, Cooper County, Mo., in 1846, and devoted his whole energies to agricultural pursuits and stock raising. In 1851 he removed to the northern portion of Pettis County, near where he subsequently located the town of Houstonia, named in his honor.
Houstonia is one of the later townships organized in the county. It was originally the eastern half of Blackwater township and remained thus until 1844, when it became in the new arrangement part of Black- water, Mt. Sterling and Elk Fork. It remained parts of these three town- ships until 1873, when in the new organization Houstonia was organized out of parts of these three townships. As it is now organized it is situated in the northern part of the county, and is bounded on the north by Saline
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