USA > Missouri > Pettis County > History of Pettis County, Missouri > Part 9
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For the following twenty years the Lodge and its environs called Stonyridge Farm were used by Mr. Bothwell and his friends as a retreat from city life and business cares, and the picturesque beauty and grand view of the place made it so attractive that visitors and sight-seers came from near and far to view and enjoy.
The Guest's Register, at Bothwell Lodge, contains the names of many hundreds of guests-registered from thirty-six states and some from foreign countries-who have been entertained there within the twenty years, from 1898 to 1918, and the simple hospitality extended to all friends and guests has made the social life there quite notable.
Since the years of first construction work there has been continuous improvement of the property. The roads and paths on the farm and the approaches to the Lodge have been continuously improved; new build- ings have been erected for the farmer's use; and in 1913 and 1914, there was constructed a fine, three-story, stone building as an addition to the Lodge located about seventy feet westward from the first building, with a connecting terrace and stone pergola.
In 1918 there has been erected a fine stone garage at the Lodge and other attractive structures have been erected at different times. The property has been equipped with water works, electric and gas sys-
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tems, and nearly a mile of rock roads and drives have been put down on the seventy-five acres of Stonyridge Farm.
The making of a good rock road from Sedalia and the construction of a concrete bridge across Cedar Creek, by the public, and the building of the fine little school house and teacher's cottage near the Lodge, by Mr. Bothwell, have made the valley and ridges about Stonyridge Farm most accessible and attractive, and all who visit or who drive through the valley are interested in the bold ridge, the dense green woods and the picturesque buildings on the edge of the bluff at Bothwell Lodge.
CHAPTER XVI.
DRESDEN TOWNSHIP
NAME -- BOUNDARIES-ORGANIZATION-DRAINAGE -- PHYSICAL FEATURES -- EARLY SETTLERS-EARLY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS-PRESENT DAY CHURCHES AND SCHOOLS.
Dresden township takes its name from the little town of Dresden, which, former historians tell us, was named after the City of Dresden, the capital of the Kingdom of Saxony. This township contains thirty-six sections and 23,040 acres of land. It is bounded on the north by Hughes- ville township, on the south by Prairie township, on the west by LaMonte township and on the east by Cedar and Sedalia townships. Its lands are most all fit for cultivation and excellently improved. Dresden township is one of the organizations of 1873. Until 1844 it had been part of Black- water township, but in that year when the lines were changed its ter- ritory was divided between Elk Fork and Mount Sterling. In the organi- zation of 1873 it was laid out and given the name of Dresden.
This township is drained by Big and Little Muddy Creeks, flowing across the northern and southern parts of the township. Along this divide are found some of the best and most beautiful farms in Pettis County. It is high, rolling prairie with the main line of the Missouri Pacific railway running almost through the township's center. The southern portion of the township is crossed by the Muddy Creek and is, in consequence, more or less broken. The Little Muddy finds its headwaters in the north- western part of the township and joins its larger branch in Cedar town- ship. In no place is it low or flat, but everywhere the prairie presents that beautiful rolling aspect, indicating the choice land and desirable position so much sought after by the thrifty farmers of today.
As the present township was one of the latest formed in the county,
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and as it was part of three or four other townships before its own bounds were given, it is almost impossible to arrive at a correct list of its early settlers. Some of those given as settlers of Blackwater, Cedar and Houstonia were in the borders of the township and the amalgamation which the townships went through from 1844 to 1873 render the outlining of a detailed and correct list of early settlers almost impossible.
One of the early settlers was Benton Rees, who was a native-born Missourian. He came to this township in 1840. James H. Combs came in 1845, from Kentucky; Jefferson DeJarnett, perhaps the oldest settler in the township, was a native-born Missourian, and came in 1832. Peter Courtney, who still lives in Sedalia, came to Dresden township and settled on a farm with his father. The Courtneys came here from Kentucky and engaged in farming and stock raising. In the early forties they had a herd of 300 thoroughbred Merino sheep. Henry Elliott, J. A. Persinger, Mentor Thompson and Joel B. Gentry came to the township later. Joel B. Gentry was one of the sons of Major William Gentry, one of the pio- neer farmers and thoroughbred stock raisers of Pettis County.
The first school house was built in the township, before the town of Dresden was laid out, by John W. Agee, in the year 1860. William Warren, James W. Bagby, a Mr. Summers and his wife were among the early teachers of this school. In 1881 there were five schools in the township.
The Christian Church of Dresden was the first organized in the township. Its organization was due to the efforts of Elder John De- Jarnett in 1849. The church was built about three miles southeast of where the town of Dresden now stands. After the Civil War the church was moved to Dresden.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by William R. McKee in 1866, and in 1869 the congregation, in conjunction with the Cumber- land Presbyterians, erected a church. Rev. L. B. Vernon dedicated this church. In 1879 the building was destroyed by a windstorm, and in that year the Methodists bought a lot in Dresden and rebuilt their church.
The Baptist Church of Dresden was built in 1872. The building was dedicated by Rev. G. J. Johnson.
Prairie Chapel Church was organized by Rev. W. W. Brawnin in 1876. In 1877 a church was built four miles northwest of Dresden and dedicated the following year by Rev. J. Logan. This church was of the Cumberland Presbyterian denomination. This church is closed now, but has a large, well-kept, cemetery in the church yard.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
The present-day churches are the Methodist Episcopal, of Dresden. It was organized there in 1873. The building is substantial frame thirty by forty feet, and is valued at $2,600. Ministers since 1882 have been, Revs. W. T. Gill, Elliotte, P. H. Trone, B. H. Gragg, E. G. Frazier, Pres- ton Phillips, C. P. Brewer, W. J. Snow, R. F. Campbell, F. M. Burton, W. H. Suddath, J. R. Strong, T. C. Puckett, W. B. Cobb, J. F. Caskey, E. Y. Ginn, S. G. Welborn, S. R. Payne, L. S. Nightwine, J. R. Brown, J. R. Hedges, W. W. Garrett, E. D. Hicks, and S. P. Cayton. The Sunday school was organized in 1886 with O. A. Stine superintendent, and has an enroll- ment ranging from fifty to seventy-five.
The Dresden Baptist Church has about twenty-five members. The present minister is Rev. Bryant. The church building is a substantial frame valued at $2,500.
The Dresden Methodist Episcopal Church, in the town of Dresden, is a frame building, in good condition, well equipped and cared for. Its ministers have been, Revs. B. F. Crissman, James W. Cool, George T. Ashley, L. E. Gower, J. W. Stwalley, C. C. Coones, G. M. Forster, Harvey Smith, Frank P. Reno, A. M. Crippen, E. Turntine, Toban Anderson, George T. Beard, F. M. Glumphy, R. O. Williams, E. D. Robb, H. A. Reid, O. W. Freeman. The present minister is Rev. J. Clifton Lee. Mem- bership is eighty, with a Sunday school attendance of sixty.
Dresden Christian Church, located in the town of Dresden, is one of the leading churches in this part of the county. The church has regu- lar services and Rev. Stevens, of Kansas City, is the present minister. Present membership is seventy-five, with a Sunday school attendance of eighty. This Sunday school won the banner in the contest this summer. Principal church officers are, Harry McCune, D. Bentley, John Shull, D. Barrow and William Hough.
Dresden is second to no other township in the county in its public schools. Each district has a good substantial frame building, which is well-kept. The schools are well taught and disciplined. The Oak Grove school enrolled forty-three this year, and Mary Ellis has charge as teacher. Brown school has an enrollment of twenty-five, and Gladys Smith is the teacher. Buckeye, or Jackson, school enrolled twenty this year, and Leah O'Daniels is teaching. Dresden school has forty-eight pupils this fall, and Jewel Davis is the teacher. Walnut Grove school has an en- rollment of thirty-seven, and Anna B. Taylor is teaching. Prairie Hill has forty pupils, and Nora Taylor is the teacher.
CHAPTER XVII.
ELK FORK TOWNSHIP
NAME-BOUNDARIES-LAND-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-DRAIN- AGE-FIRST BRICK HOUSE-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES- SCHOOLS-FIRST BURIAL AT HICKORY POINT CEMETERY.
Elk Fork township derives its name from the creek of that name which flows through it. The creek was named "Elk Fork" by the early trappers and hunters because of the abundance of elk, deer and other game along its banks. It is bounded on the south by Green Ridge town- ship, on the east by Prairie township, on the north by LaMonte town- ship and on the west by Johnson County. It was organized as a munici- pal township and on reorganization in the year 1872, it was given its old name. The township has thirty-six sections and 23,040 acres of land.
The first brick house built in this township was the home of Dr. T. B. Pemberton in 1862. The next one was the home of A. E. Mentzer, who made the brick himself, from his own land. Elk Fork has no rail- roads.
The physical features of the township are rolling prairie, with tim- ber along the streams. It is drained by the creek from which it takes its name. Crooked Creek, Long Branch, Walnut Branch and Muddy Creek are tributaries to the Muddy. The products of the township are such as are common to those of the county and the central part of Missouri, and its easy access to shipping points is one of its advantages which can not be overlooked.
Among the first settlers of the township were Seth Botts, Arthur Patrick, William Embry, Martellus Embry, Mason Pemberton, Jesse Pem- berton, Geo. Pemberton, Capt. Geo. Glass, Reuben Harrell, Fielding Wolf and Samuel Powell. They came in 1832. It is difficult to determine who
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was the earliest settler, as there was so much changing among them at that early day.
The first church of which any record is found is the Walnut Branch of the Baptist Church, it being one of the old style churches in belief and practice. Of this association, whose first meeting was held seventy- eight years ago this church was organized, on the first Saturday in June, 1834, by Rev. Fielding Wolf and Rev. Martellus Embry, who was invited to assist in the organization of the church. Athel Wolf was elected clerk. and C. Kidd was made deacon at a regular meeting in December, 1848 ; a difference of opinion occurred on a doctrinal point and this differ- ence grew to a division of the society into two parties, each claiming to be the regular church.
Walnut Branch Baptist Church was organized in 1834. Rev. Mar- tellus Embree and Rev. Fielding Wolf were invited to organize a church, and Martellus Embree was pastor. Athel Wolf was clerk, and O. Kidd deacon. The church was prosperous and grew in numbers. It was served from time to time by Revs. J. Baker, J. D. Mercer, Daniel Raives, J. M. West and James Teague. The doctrines of the church were zealously proclaimed by these spiritual advisors, and in course of time a difference of opinion occurred on a doctrinal question. This difference of opinion caused a division of the society, and at a meeting of the Lamine River Association the difference was reported to them, and the association decided that the minority was holding the true doctrines of the church, and recognized them as the Walnut Branch Church. Rev. M. Embree was pastor for several years, and Rev. James Teague served the church for twenty-five years.
Old Hickory Point Church House was built by the Baptist, Methodist and Christian denominations about 1853. There was a cemetery attached, which was the only one in this part of the township. This church was used for union services until 1870, when the Methodists and Christians built a new church house. The church was built on land formerly owned by Miss Kendricks, on the northeast quarter of northwest quarter of section thirty-one. The house was dedicated by Rev. Wm. Brown, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Rev. Randall, of the Christian Church. Each church held services by themselves, one occupying the house in the forenoon and the other in the afternoon.
New Hickory Point Baptist Church congregation built for themselves a church one-half mile distant, and had a new cemetery attached. The
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
first postmaster in this section of the township was the first person buried in Old Hickory Point Cemetery. His name was Hawkins Bard. This was before the postoffice was moved to Green Ridge.
In the spring of 1870 Mrs. Mentzer, A. P. Britt, Dr. Franklin, Mr. and Mrs. Magley, of Elk Fork township; Mr. and Mrs. George Anderson, James Anderson, Mr. and Mrs. G. B. Koyle, of Green Ridge, met in an unfinished building in the village of Green Ridge, and organized a so- ciety under the discipline of the Methodist Episcopal Church, assisted by the Rev. George McKee and W. W. Powell. This became a part of the Windsor Circuit of the Methodist Episcopal Church, holding meetings in halls and school houses until 1878, when the membership decided to build a church building, and through the efforts of the members and friends of the church it was erected in the village of Green Ridge in 1880, and was dedicated by Rev. J. N. Pierce, assisted by J. H. Gilispie.
Churches of the present day are kept up by these people with pride. Walnut Branch, an "Old School," or "Hardshell," Baptist, ten miles west of Sedalia on the Sixteenth Street road, is the second church organized in the county. It was organized in 1837 and its first pastor Rev. Martelles Embree. The church building used at present was built in 1890. It is a thirty by forty frame and is well equipped. The cemetery in connec- tion is known as "The Botts Cemetery," and is located at the old church site, one mile northeast of the present church. Church membership is fifteen. Present minister is Rev. J. A. Teague.
Prairie View is a Southern Methodist Church. It is located twelve miles west of Sedalia. The church building is a good, substantial frame. This is an active church. The present minister is Rev. Brooks. Mem- bership of the church is seventy-five, with a growing Sunday school with an average attendance of thirty-five.
Bethel Church is west of Sedalia about fourteen miles on the Six- teenth Street road. The church building is frame, in good condition and is valued at about $2,000. This is a Union Church, being used by the congregations of the Missionary Baptists and the Methodists. Rev. Bess is the Methodist minister and the membership of this church is about fifty. Rev. J. D. Briggs is the Baptist minister, and the membership is about thirty. These denominations work in perfect harmony and have a union Sunday school with an attendance of thirty. There is a ceme- tery in the church yard, Bethel Cemetery.
Hickory Point is a Missionary Baptist Church and is located seven-
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
teen miles south and west of Sedalia. The church building is a good frame structure and is valued at about $1,800. Hickory Point Cemetery is in the church yard. Rev. Kennedy is the present minister.
Elk Fork has five public schools, as good as can be found in the county. Kendrick has an enrollment of five this year, and Gayle Ken- drick is in charge as teacher. Prairie View, enrolled forty-three this September, and Opal O'Daniels is teaching. Hickory Point has thirty pupils, with Mary E. Craig as teacher. Lone Elm has enrolled for this school year eighteen pupils, and Elizabeth Glenn is teaching. Bethel has an enrollment of thirty-four, and Bessie Powell is the teacher.
CHAPTER XVIII.
FLAT CREEK TOWNSHIP
NAME-PHYSICAL FEATURES-DRAINAGE-EARLY SETTLERS-FIRST MARRIAGE -FIRST SCHOOL-EARLY AND PRESENT DAY CHURCHES-SCHOOLS.
Flat Creek Township .- The writer has been unable to ascertain why this township was named Flat Creek. It is possible, but not certain, that it derives its name from the creek flowing across its northern bor- der and separating its territory from that of Sedalia township. The Sedalia, Warsaw and Southwestern railroad runs south through the center of the township.
This township was organized, when the question was voted on by the county in 1872, as a municipal township. When first formed it con- tained about thirty-six sections. Afterwards it was increased by taking from Sedalia township, on the north, several sections and making Flat Creek the dividing line between the two townships. Now Flat Creek contains about fifty sections or approximately 32,000 acres. The first township board was made up of the following citizens: J. C. Hatton, W. M. Devole, M. Parish. O. P. Hatton was first township trustee and Jacob A. Yankee was the first clerk.
In the west, south and east parts of the township the land is high, rolling prairie. The northern part is much more broken. The principal streams are Flat Creek, Spring Fork and Walnut Branch. The last two empty into Flat Creek.
The early settlers in this township came from Virginia, North Caro- lina and Kentucky. George Cathey came from North Carolina in 1827, settled and here made his home for many years. Joseph DeFord came from Kentucky in 1829. In 1830 John McFatrich came from Kentucky. David Holmes came in 1833 from South Carolina, and remained in the
MASONIC TEMPLE, SEDALIA,
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING.
A PETTIS COUNTY STOCK SCENE.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
township a number of years. John Brow came in 1833 from the same State, as did also George Marshall in the same year. Jolly Parish moved to this township in 1833, from Kentucky. Also in the same year came Benjamin Randall, from the same State, and in 1835, Pemberton Casin, and in 1839, Elias Hale. In 1835, Jacob Yankee came to this township from the "Blue Grass State." Col. John E. Crawford came to this town- ship in 1838. He came with his family when there were only seven or eight houses in the township, and those were on the south side of the creek, and were all made of logs with sticks and clay chimneys. Mathias Ray came into the county and settled in this township in 1840. Abram McCormick came in 1833 from Kentucky. James McCormick came from Kentucky in 1833. William R. Anderson came to the town- ship in 1833, from Virginia. Thomas Gibbs came in 1830 from Ken- tucky. Joseph Deusman came in 1833 from Kentucky. William Mosbey settled in this township in 1833. He came from Kentucky. Michael Goodnight came in 1835, and George May in 1836, both from Kentucky.
Flat Creek township was sectionized in 1832, the Government sur- veyor being Mr. Shields. The first school was taught by R. A. McFar- land, on his own farm. The first marriage in the township was Henry Small to Nancy Mosby in the year 1836, and the first death was that of Samuel Marshall in the year 1836. The first minister was Rev. Millice, who held services at Abram McCormick's and W. R. Anderson's houses. The first church was arected at what is called Brown's Springs. The first school house erected in the township was on Col. Crawford's farm. This was a rude structure built of logs, and had the uncovered ground for a floor. After a while another was erected and for years these were the only two school houses in the township and were also used for church worship. The first physician to locate in the township was Doctor Brown. The first postoffice was called Spring Fork, and J. E. Crawford was postmaster. In 1847, the township recorded its first suicide. In that year a man named Calvin Hall hung himself.
The leading and most profitable business of the township is agricul- ture and stock raising. The deep limestone soils are practicably inex- haustible. Wheat has nearly always done well here. Timothy and clover yield well. Vineyards do well wherever cultivated and proper care is taken of them. There are some fine orchards in the township. Some farmers are paying attention to small fruit, with marked success.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1840, the
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
class leaders being George Marshall and wife, Mrs. D. Anderson and others. The original members of the class were George Marshall and wife, W. R. Anderson and wife, Jacob Yankee, W. H. and W. P. Anderson and families, and Absalom Elliott and family. The early preachers were: Revs. Josiah Godby, Robert A. Allen, A. C. Briggs, John N. Anthony, Preston Philips, presiding elder.
Bethlehem Baptist Church was organized June 7, 1851, by Elder G. W. Sands and Deacon J. E. Crawford. The first house of worship was erected in 1860, at a cost of $1,000, by Henry Ebiling, and was dedicated on the 27th of May, the same year, by Elder C. J. Teas. The second house was erected in 1870 by Mr. Smith, and cost when completed $1,800. It was dedicated the fourth Sunday in November, 1870, by Elder R. H. Harris.
Aikins Mackey was murdered in this township shortly after the war by parties unknown. The same fate befell his son, A. M. Mackey, in November, 1911, in the city of Sedalia. Mackey was engaged in running a hack and carriage line. He was standing at the Missouri, Kansas & Texas Depot waiting for a passenger train to arrive from the South shortly after noon. While standing near his carriage a man by the name of John L. Jones rushed up to Mackey and stabbed him to death. Jones was tried the January following his crime. William Dillard O'Ban- non was the prosecuting 'attorney. He was assisted in the trial by W. D. Steele and Mark A. McGruder. Jones was defended by William G. Lynch, afterward Assistant United States District Attorney for West- ern Missouri, and by Claude Wilkerson. After a three days' trial the jury rendered a verdict imposing the death penalty. The case was ap- pealed to the Supreme Court and Jones given a new trial. New trial was held in Boonville, on change of venue, and a penitentiary sentence given Jones by the jury.
In 1882 there were five schools in the township. Teacher's wages ranged from thirty to forty dollars per month.
Flat Creek township has one Catholic Church, known as St. Patrick's Church, located at Spring Fork. The church edifice is a new brick veneer, thirty-four by sixty-four, and cost $10,000. It is of Gothic style. Rev. Father F. J. Knoebbler is in charge of the church. Early priests have been Revs. Fathers Geth, Schmidt, Haeckler, Koaemer. Membership of the church is twenty families. Cemetery is known as St. Patrick's Ceme- tery.
Bethlehem Baptist, six miles south of Sedalia, was organized in 1854.
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HISTORY OF PETTIS COUNTY
Its early ministers were Revs. J. K. Godby, W. H. Roger, I. B. Dotson, T. B. White. More recent ministers were, Revs. Zeb Thomas and D. M. Trout. Present minister is Rev. Joseph DeWitt. The building is a good, substantial frame. There is a cemetery in connection with the church.
Point Pleasant, a Methodist Episcopal Church, is two miles west and eight miles south of Sedalia. Church building is a one-room frame in good condition and has a seating capacity of 200. Present minister is Rev. J. Clifton Lee. Membership numbers twenty-five, with a Sunday school attendance of thirty. Point Pleasant Cemetery is just north of the church building.
New Bethel Methodist Episcopal Church, South, located six and a half miles south of Sedalia, is an organization well kept and attended. The building is a large, substantial frame in good condition. Member- ship is forty, with a Sunday school attendance of twenty-five. Rev. Samuel Brooks is the present minister. Trustees are, Isaac Elliott, B. F. Elliott, W. H. Elliott, J. A. Elliott and Vest Elliott. Stewards are, H. A. Elliott, A. P. Elliott and Vest Elliott. Vest Elliott is the superin- tendent of the Sunday school.
Pleasant Hill, a Southern Methodist Church, six miles southeast of Sedalia, has a nice frame building valued at $2,000 and well furnished. The membership numbers seventy-five, with Sunday school attendance of fifty-five. Services are held here twice each month, on the second and fourth Sundays. Rev. Cayton is the present minister. Pleasant Hill Cemetery is used in connection with the church and is well kept.
This township has six public schools, all well attended and disciplined. Prairie Grove has an enrollment of nineteen, and Mary Gehringer is teach- ing. South Side enrolled forty-six this year, and Orma Teter is the teacher. Walnut has twenty pupils, and Eunice Smith is teaching them. Anderson has an enrollment of forty-five, and Lynn E. Callison is the teacher. Pleasant Valley has twenty pupils, with Hazel Thompson as teacher. Liberty school enrolled eighteen this September, and Mrs. Libbie Silsby is teaching.
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