USA > Missouri > Grundy County > The History of Grundy County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 67
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
November 24, 1861; Caroline, born December 30, 1863; Mary, born Sep- tember 5, 1866; Rosa, born November 14, 1868; Richard, born February 7, 1871; and John E., who died in infancy. Mr. Trump owns a farm of two hundred and thirty acres, with fine buildings, orchard, etc., all of which have been gathered together by the united industry of himself and family. They are members of the Lutheran Church.
J. P. WARD
Was born in Monroe county, Ohio, March 3, 1836, and lived there until eighteen years of age and then moved to Boone county, Indiana, where he became a very successful school teacher during his residence there of four- teen years. At the expiration of that time he removed to Grundy county and engaged in farming for three years, since which time he has been in the employ of the Rock Island Railroad Company at Tindall, where he is also postmaster. He was married, November 8, 1857, to Eliza J. Maxfield, of Belmont county, Ohio. She was born April 5, 1838. They have had four children; viz., Sarah E., born February 14, 1859, now the wife of William Legg; Heury A., born April 4, 1860; Will. R., born December 18, 1861; and Eli C., born August 3, 1864. Mr. Ward has filled the offices of trustee, clerk and justice of the peace. He has also served as school director for eight years, and takes a deep interest in educational matters. Mr. and Mrs. Ward are both members of the Christian Church.
JACKSON WILSON
Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, July 21, 1828; son of James C. Wilson and Nellie Wilson, both natives of Virginia. They moved to Grundy county, Missouri, in 1836 and settled near Edinburg. His mother died in 1854 and his father in 1861. He attended school a short time in Virginia and in Missouri. Has always been engaged in farming and is a plasterer by trade. He lived at Edinburg fifteen years, then near Trenton seven years, and in Franklin township five years, when he removed to his present location in 1876. He was united in marriage, January 5, 1854, to Lon Emma J. Wilson, a native of Tazewell county, Virginia, born October 20, 1833, a daughter of Aaron and Sallie Wilson, both natives of Virginia, but who came to Missouri in 1834 and were among the very first settlers of this part of the State. They have had five children, four of whom are still living; viz., Frank, born November 28, 1854; William C., born October 2, 1856; Sallie, born June 20, 1865; John, born May 4, 1863; and Jessie, a daughter born July 1, 1876, and died when one year old. He enlisted in the Missonri State militia for three years, and then as a member of the Fifty-first regiment, Missouri cavalry, and served during the remainder of the war. He is one of those quiet men who think only of securing a comfortable home for his family and giving them a good education. His son Frank was educated at the Trenton high school and prepared himself for teaching, which profes- sion he has followed very successfully.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
JAMES C. WILSON
Was born in Tazewell county, Virginia, April 17, 1831; son of Aaron and Sarah Wilson, nee Maxwell. They were both natives of Virginia. When the subject of this sketch was about seven years of age his par- ents moved to Chariton county, Missouri, and there remained for about three years, then moved to Grundy county and located about one mile east of the present site of the city of Trenton. Here he lived till about nineteen years of age and then, on May 13th, 1850, started across the plains to Califor- nia, driving an ox team, and was five months, lacking one day, on the journey. He remained in California till 1857, and on the 11th day of June of that year arrived in Trenton township and has since remained in the county, engaged in farming. Mr. Wilson married, December 24, 1857, Miss Sarah A. Wisdom, who was born in Randolph county, Missouri, August 9, 1838, a daughter of Moses and Zilpah Wisdom; her father was a native of Kentucky, and her mother of Missouri. By this marriage eight children have been born, seven of whom are still living; viz., Lou Emma, born March 7, 1860; William T., born February 16, 1863; Lora F., born Feb- ruary 2, 1866; Martha M., born September 17, 1869; Edley C., born Janu- ary 24, 1871; Walter, born September 4, 1875; Lydia, born April 25, 1879; Augustus, born May 4, 1873, and died April 6, 1880. They had no help but their own strong hands and willing hearts, yet they have succeeded in rearing a large family and gathering together a large amount of property.
JARVIS WOODS.
The subject of this brief sketch is entitled to all the honors belonging to the pioneers of Grundy county. He was born April 17, 1812, in Howard county, Missouri; his parents were Kentuckians by birth, but settled in the State of Missouri in 1808. When our subject was but seven days old, the Indians drove all the settlers, together with his father's family, into Cooper's Fort, in Howard county. The family remained there four years not daring to move outside of the fort on account of Indians. After this they moved back on the original claim and remained there until he was seventeen years of age, then sold out and moved to Keytesville, Chariton county, where he remained until the spring of 1837, when he engaged with Lisbon Applegate, United States surveyor, to assist in the original survey of what was then called the Indian territory, but the most of the work being done in what is now Grundy county. He continued this labor till February, 1838, and then returned to Keytesville, remained there a short time assist- ing his mother in caring for the farm, but soon returned to what is now the flourishing city of Trenton, where, during his arduous labors as assistant surveyor, he had not only found a delightful country for his future home, but the greater attraction of a beautiful and accomplished young lady by the
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
name of Amanda Devanl, the daughter of Daniel and Sarah Devaul, the first settlers in Trenton. She was born in Chariton county, Missouri, July 14, 1820, and came with her parents to this county in 1835. February 26, 1838, Mr. Woods led this fair maiden to the hymeneal .altar, and 'Squire Thrailkill (one of the first justices of the peace) united them as one, and for nearly half a century they have lived together in love and harmony, to- gether have toiled and endured all the privations of the pioneer life, and have seen the then unbroken wilderness converted into beautiful and fertile fields, and thickly settled with an intelligent and thrifty class of inhabitants; yet with all the luxuries and conveniences of an old settled and prosper- ous country surrounding them, they say that they are no happier to-day than when on that early spring morning in 1838, they commenced the journey of married life together; when their first shelter was erected by fell- ing a large tree and placing clapboards against it; this they occupied until Mr. Woods with his strong hands and the aid of his bride soon erected a commodious and convenient log cabin near what is known as the Paint Lick settlement; here they lived about one year, then he sold his claim for $100, and moved on what is now known as the Belshe farm; in 1874 he purchased land in Lincoln township where he has since lived, and owns eighty acres of fine and well improved land. Eight children were the fruits of this marriage, six of whom are still living; named, respectively, Eliza Jane, wife of John Rallston, of Spickardsville; Mary Ann, wife of Tyler Martin, of Lincoln township; Cemira, wife of Bourter Legg, of Lincoln township; Henry B., a railroad employé; B. F. and Jarvis G., both living at home. James C., a soldier in the Union army, died at Nashville, in 1865; and one babe died in infancy. This aged couple have been life-long and consistent members of the Baptist Church. Mr. Woods says he is, and always has been, a staunch Republican and is proud of it. He was never out of the State of Missouri but once in his life, and that under the following circum- stances, and for one night only: He had sold two pigs to a man on the edge of Iowa, by name of Jefferson Moore, and he was to pay for them with a barrel of honey. Mr. Moore came in the fall but did not bring the honey, and told Mr. Woods that as he had never been out of the State he would not pay him for the pigs till he went into the edge of Iowa, and so he went and got his honey and was one night out of the State. He is now in the seven- tieth year of his age and a man who with his entire family are highly re- spected by all.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIII. WILSON TOWNSHIP.
Early Settlement-Silken Bonds-Into the World, and Out-Schools and Churches-First Universalist Church-Organization-Population, etc .- Tragic Events-Town of Alpha- Petition to Incorporate-Present Officers -- Business Directory -- Biographies.
WILSON TOWNSHIP.
The township which bears the above name is one of the finest rolling prairie townships in the county. Broad, well tilled farms are found on every hand, and the people are thrifty and industrious. Peace and plenty make happy homes in Wilson township, and contentment reigns, a joyons monarch. Belts of rugged timber, with wide-spreading branches, skirt the serpentine courses of the streams that flow through her territory.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
Wilson township was blessed with an earlier and more numerous and compact settlement than many of her neighbors. Her rich soil drew many early settlers, while others had bnt few. The first comers were from Ken- tucky-the Works family, consisting of a widow and six sons, who settled on section thirty, the southern part of the township, in the spring of 1838. These sons were all grown, and their names were James, Hopkins, Hender- son, Alexander, Fleming and Robert. The family afterward moved to Cal- ifornia, but are still remembered by the old settlers as industrious and kindly neighbors. In the fall of the same year quite a colony from Ohio came and cast their fortunes with the Works family in the sparsely settled region of what was then the southern part of Marion township. They were the families of William Castile and his two grown sons; also Alexander Car- roll and Meredith Blalock, and the same fall came Wilson G. Perkins, from Tennessee. The settlement was growing rapidly, and in the summer of the next year, 1839, new additions were made to the flourishing community in the families of William Anderson, Sr., and his son William Anderson, Jr., who settled near the Works on the 30th of July. The Andersons were from White county, Tennessee, and William Anderson, Jr., still resides in the township, a sturdy old gentleman with pleasant recollections of the pioneer days. In the fall of 1839 Richard Belshe, from Tazewell county, Virginia, made his home in the township, and Michael Chrisman, from Indiana, moved in, as did also the family of Joseph Rooks, from the same State. From this on there was an inflow of new-comers; the families of Thomas and James Clevenger, from Indiana, Thomas Kilburn from Ken- tucky, Renben Perkins from Tennessee, and the Bethard family from Ohio,
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
all came in the winter of 1840. The fall of 1841 brought the families of Henry Lyda and his son Henry W., from Tennessee, John and Eldridge Stucker from Indiana, and in 1842 the families of William, Henry, James and David Kilburn, from Kentucky, and John Wright from Howard county, Missouri, made their homes in the township. John H. and O. S. Merry- man from Kentucky staked off' claims in 1843, and the same year and later, the families of David Austin, Tilman Brooks, Andrew Beckner, Andrew G. and M. S. Dye, and William Warren became identified with the progress and interests of Wilson township. The above given names may be said to comprise the pioneers of the southern part of the township of Marion, which took the name of Wilson only in 1872. They mingled together in friendship, and endured the privations of their wild life away from the busy world in common. They each and all had the same trouble of getting their wheat and pork to market. Brunswick was the nearest trading-point, and that was forty-five miles. Some drove their hogs to Lexington, in Lafayette county, to sell them. Corn-fed hogs were curiosities in those days. The porkers were allowed to roam at will and fatten upon the mast that covered timbered land, and the greatest trouble was to drive the active droves when wanted. 'Twas easy to live in those days, when their wants were few, and the settler often killed his deer and wild turkey without leaving his door- yard. To kill two or three before breakfast was a very common occurrence, as the early crack of the rifle often and amply attested. Wild honey, too, was to be had in abundance, and the housewife reveled in a large supply of this toothsome dainty. It was considered right in the neighborhood when a post-office was located at Chillicothe, only twenty miles away. Deer-skin and homespun was the fashionable attire of the day, and did duty seven days in the week. Mrs. Wilson G. Perkins had the honor of weaving the first cloth in the township, in 1841. After that looms became more nu- merons. It was a very ordinary occurrence for those who had no looms to go to their neighbors to do their weaving.
THE SILKEN BONDS.
The first young couple to unite their hands and hearts for better or for worse, were Mr. Jesse N. Perkins and Miss Rhoda McClelland. Miss Rhoda lived in the northern part of Grundy county, now Mercer, and the wedding ceremony was performed at her father's home near where Prince- ton is now situated. Mr. Perkins, with his fair bride, returned to Wilson township to live. This was the earliest marriage in the township, and took place in 1843. The couple remained but a short time, forsook their home and friends, joined the Mormons and went to Salt Lake City, Utah, where Mr. Perkins became a preacher and high dignitary in the Mormon Church.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
INTO THE WORLD, AND OUT.
The first birth in the township was that of a pretty girl baby, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson G. Perkins, in 1840, and her name was Elizabeth Jane. She lived and married in the township of her birth. The first boy baby was a son born to Richard and Nancy Belshe on the 29th day of De- cember, 1843. H. G. Belshe, that son, is at present residing near the home of his birth, a respected citizen.
That fell reaper, Death, early visited Wilson township, and the first vic- tim to fall was Robert Work, the youngest of the Work brothers, who closed his eyes in his last long sleep in the days of 1839. He was buried in the forest shade on the farm now owned by Mr. H. H. Anderson, but the storms of years have destroyed all traces of the rude mound, and the site of that first-made grave is wrapped with the mysteries of things unknown. In 1841 James Clevenger died, after one year's stay in his new home, and next followed Henry Lyda, who peacefully passed away in the early days of September, 1842, to be joined in 1845 by his faithful helpmeet. In 1840 or 1841, died good Grandma Bolen, who had spanned life's river for over one hundred and fourteen years. She laid down the cares of a long existence seasoned with good deeds, and many were the relatives and friends who mourned her departure for the other world.
The old cemetery still remains in a good state of preservation upon the farm of Mr. William Anderson. Near the town of Alpha is the neatly- kept burial-ground now in use.
Among the first ministers to officiate in the township was the Rev. James Robinson, a Methodist circuit rider, who held services in the neigh- borhood at different times from 1840 to 1843. The Rev. William W. Wal- den was among the earliest Baptist divines. The early physicians who practiced in the township were Dr. William P. Thompson, of Madison township, and Dr. Isaac Ralph, of Linneus, Linn county.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The first school-house was erected in 1843 on the land of Reuben Perkins. It was put up by the neighbors, was constructed of hewn logs, was about sixteen feet square, and had a stick and clay chimney. The clapboard roof was kept in place by weight-poles. The seats were made of split logs. The school was conducted on the subscription plan and had an attendance of about seventeen. Mr. C. I. Wood was the first teacher. This old log school- house remained until it rotted down under its burden of years. There are at present six school-houses in the limits of Wilson township.
The first church organization was formed on the 2d of August, 1846, and was known as the Liberty Missionary Baptist Church. The members of the first organization were Thomas and Jane Kilburn, John H. and Jemima
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Merryman, and Martha St. Clear. The membership increased and in Sep- tember, 1856, a house of worship was erected, the Rev. William W. Walden probably being the first pastor. In 1875 a new church building was erected, The church is a neat frame and cost $1,200. The dedication sermon was preached on the 14th of June 1875 by the Rev. J. R. Shanafelt. The pas- tors who officiated are the Rev. Edward Benson, Rev. Jesse Going, Rev. Isham Owen, Rev. Paul MeCollum, and the present pastor. Rev. H. H. Turner. Services are conducted once a month, and the edifice is then at the disposal of other denominations. The organization is in a flourishing con- dition and the present membership numbers one hundred and thirty-two.
The Marion Center Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the spring of 1875, the following being the original members: Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Casebur, Mr. and Mrs William Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Smith, Mr. and Mrs. John Imhoff, and Mrs. Brown. The minister conducting the organization was Rev. Mr. Anderson. The membership now numbers about twenty-five, under the guidance of Rev. Mr. Taylor. Services are held in the Marion Center school-house.
FIRST UNIVERSALIST CHURCH.
The first Universalist Church in Grundy county was organized in Wilson township and known as the First Universalist Church of Marion Center, in the year 1874. The organization was perfected under the direction of Rev. Stephen Hull, who was the first pastor, with the following persons on the roll of original members: Jacob W. Morris, Daniel R. Baker, James Barr, Libbie Barr, Samuel Barr, James Reed, John Smith and wife, Eldrige Stucker, Joseph Robertson and wife, Mrs. Robertson, Sr., and daughter, William Morris, David Weigle and wife, Elisha Robertson, Wesley MeGuire, William C. Fenner, Samuel Newton and wife, Jane Miller, John Chrisman, and Mr. Hamphill. In the summer of 1877 a neat frame church was erected at cost of $1,500, and was dedieated in November, 1877, the Rev. F. Hathaway officiating. He was succeeded as pastor by Rev. C. Dodge, and Rev. Daniel R. Cheney. At present the congregation have no regular minister.
ORGANIZATION, POPULATION, ETC.
Previous to 1872 Wilson composed the southern part of Marion town. ship, but under the new organization law of that year the County Court promulgated the following:
" It is ordered by the court that all that part of congressional township No. 60, of range No. 22, lying in Grundy county, Missouri, and all that part of township No. 60, of range No. 23, lying east of sections 8, 17, 20, 29, and 32, be a municipal township and named and known as Wilson township."
Under this order, a board of trustees was organized April 16, 1873, with the following members: E. A. Cook, chairman; William Welty; J. H.
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
Merryman, assessor; T. M. Lawhead, clerk. The meetings of the board were held at Alpha. This board continued in office until May, 1878. The present board was elected under the new law, and their names are William Bales and Nathan Cravens, justices of the peace; Henry Anderson, trustee; W. H. Robertson, clerk and assessor; and J. H. Rinker, collector.
Wilson township occupies the southeastern corner of Grundy county, and is bounded on the north by Marion township, on the east by Linn county, on the south by Livingston county, and on the west by Jackson township. Within these boundary lines lie 20,480 acres of as rich farming lands as are within the limits of the county. The population of Wilson has kept apace with the times and by the United States census taken June, 1880, the town- ship shows a total population of nine hundred and forty-one, or seventh on the list of thirteen townships in the county.
RATHER CORPULENT.
The heaviest hog ever raised in Grundy county belonged to David Kil- burn, of Wilson township. At the age of two years it weighed eight hun- dred and thirty-six pounds. The aforesaid swine was of the Poland-China and Chester White breeds, and was killed in 1872.
TRAGIC EVENTS.
On the 2d day of November, 1860, occurred a death, the sad circum- stances of which left their impress on the surrounding community for many years afterward. At the date given Mrs. Sarah S. Boyers, a very estimable lady, committed suicide by drowning. Domestic troubles caused unhap- piness in her home, and without saying a word to any one of her terri- ble purpose she hurried away and threw herself into the murky waters of Medicine River, near the south line of Marion township. There she had drowned all her sorrows, dissipated all her troubles, and there the lifeless clay was found, while the spirit had taken its flight to commune with its Maker. She gave no reason for the hasty act, but behind she left a letter bearing these gloomy words: "My heart is almost broken, my mind is almost gone, and my happiness in this world has gone forever," and with these anguished words the letter rambled on in a confused and incoherent style, as though the brain had at last yielded to the strain of bitterness, and she knew not what she did. So be it. The remains were placed under the sod in a silent grave upon the old homestead of her father, John H. Merry- man.
James L. Birdrow was the victim of a sad mishap which deprived him of his life on the 24th of November, 1870. He was in the thirtieth year of his age, strong and healthy, and on the morning in question took his wagon and went to the field intending to husk corn. Thinking he might kill a few prairie chickens before his return at noon his shot-gun was placed in the
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HISTORY OF GRUNDY COUNTY.
wagon and he drove off briskly, feeling the invigorating influence of the cool morning air, and little dreaming that he was viewing familiar scenes for the last time. He arrived at the field and after husking awhile pro- ceeded to throw the corn into the wagon. The gun remained in the wagon with the muzzle pointing toward the rear, and the first handful of corn struck the hammer, discharging the weapon, the entire load passing through. the " tailboard" of the wagon into the abdomen of Mr. Birdrow, making a terrible wound, which proved mortal. He lingered in intense agony long enough to explain how the accident occurred, when the angel of death re- lieved his misery. He was buried in the same cemetery as Mrs. Boyers.
A sudden end to a young life was the suicide of Miss Baxby Kern, a much esteemed and devout young lady, who resided with the family of Mr. William Anderson. She left home about three o'clock on the afternoon of the 26th of June, 1876, and the morning of the 27th her lifeless remains were found in the creek near the farm. No reason for the deed could be found, as hitherto her life had seemed pleasant and her mind contented. She had with her own hand loosed the golden cord that wafted her soul into eternity. Afterward, pinned to the sleeve of one of her dresses, was found this letter, seeming a piteous wail from another world: "Friends and rela- tives I have not. Not very old, I have seen very little pleasure in my life. I have studied worldly matters more than any one of my age, and the more I study, the worse I get. As this world seems to be a wilderness of woe and no pleasure to be found, I have made up my mind to bid this world farewell and try the realities of another. All that has kept me alive is the hope of my future home, and as I am prepared to go, I think it a sin to try to live longer. So I bid you all a long farewell. My last request to you, my friends, is to send all my clothing to my dear sister, whom I love dearly, for she will never see me more. I bid her a long-a long farewell." That was all. She had sacrificed her life on the altar of her belief. Kind friends performed the last sad rites and she was left to the rest she had sought in the grave.
TOWN OF ALPIIA.
The town of Alpha is situated on the east bank of Medicine Creek, about one and a half miles north of the Livingston county line, twenty miles from Chillicothe and fifteen miles from Trenton. The town is surrounded by a rich and fertile country and is therefore a convenient trading-point for a thrifty class of farmers.
The present town site covers eleven acres, and was originally the property of Samuel Barr. In 1850 Samuel Dunham opened a store on the ground now occupied by the residence of Dr. J. P. Thomas. General merchandise was kept, along with a good quality of whisky. This store was made the general headquarters of the township for news and general information, and most any time could be found a few settlers there congregated discussing
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