USA > Missouri > Pettis County > The History of Pettis County, Missouri, including an authentic history of Sedalia, other towns and townships, together with biographical sketches > Part 108
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The present Methodist Episcopal Church, of Smithton, was organized Nov. 26, 1866, by Rev. J. B. Stout. In the summer of 1868 a commodious frame house of worship was built, at a cost of $3,600, by Rev. Nathan Jewett. It was dedicated to the wor- ship of God on Nov. 28, 1868, by Revs. T. H. Hagerty and W. R. Mar- shall. The pastors to the present time have been Revs. J. B. Stout, G. McRea, N. Jewett, S. Alexander, W. A. Boucher, E. P. F. Wells, A. H. Heinlein, A. P. Sallaway, J. B. Daniel and W. G. Cowan. The original members of the class were T. Ellison, E. Ellison, N. Ellison, J. Silken, Mrs. Silken, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Norton, Mr. and Mrs. W. D. Norton, Mr. and Mrs. E. N. Norton, Mrs. Galbrath, C. Bohon, Susan Bohon, S. Martin,
1007
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
W. H. Mers, E. Mers, Lydia Heismeyer, P. Martin and Lucy Wilkinson. The class has increased until it now numbers one hundred and fifty mem- bers. In connection it has a large and flourishing Sunday School of over one hundred members, of which George Griffin is Superintendent and James Ringen is Secretary. The church is, as we have said, a frame building 38x56 feet, eighteen foot ceiling, with cupola and is comfortably furnished. A good revival of the Lord's work followed the dedication of the church, and fifty persons united with the church in December, 1868. Also in 1871 and 1872, and in 1878 and 1881 there were held good revival meetings. The aisles and pulpit are covored with carpet, the seats com- fortable, chandeliers, and the house is heated with wood stoves.
GERMAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH .- The German Methodist Episcopal Church of Smithton was organized by Rev. Charles Stneck- mann, in the year 1866, and they erected a frame house of worship in 1868, at a cost of $1,700. The building was dedicated by Rev. F. Stoffregen in May, 1868. The class have the following named Ministers in charge: Revs. C. Sha, J. A. Reitz, J. P. Miller, C. F. Fleiner, Charles Stneck- mann and J. H. Asling. The records of the organization show the fol- lowing names of original members: M. Monsees, Sen., G. Monsees, M. Monsees, Jr., H. Monsees, H. Alkin, H. Demand, J. H. Kruse, M. W. Wittlinger and F. Tangler. The present membership is sixty-five. A Sunday School, under the superintendency of H. Demand, has over forty regular attendants. J. A. Kruse is secretary. The minister first in charge preached also in Lake Creek, but the congregation is now strong enough to support its own pastor.
CHURCH OF CHRIST .- The Church of Christ was organized in Smith- ton by Elder Allen Wright in 1860, and in the fall of the same year the congregation had a commodious frame house of worship erected at a cost of $2,400. The congregation has had six pastors up to the present time. The first was Allen Wright, and then follow in the order named: Elder Donan, J. B. Wright, G. W. Sewber, S. Philips and Gentry Dorsey. The original members were Joseph Fowler and wife, John Fowler, Hannah Fowler, F. B. Taylor and wife, Job Harned and wife, James Major, wife and daughter, and B. P. Smith and wife. The present membership is fifty- five. There is a Sunday School of about forty scholars, of which B. P. Smith is Superintendent and Ida Wilson, Secretary. The house is com- fortably furnished, and each Sunday an attentive congregation greets the Elder.
FLAT CREEK BAPTIST CHURCH .- The following history is from the pen of Geo. W. Fletcher, Church Clerk: "The church is located south- west of Smithton five miles, and was organized at Johnston's school house, Sept. 23, 1846, by Elder J. G. Berkley and Elias George. The original
1008
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
members were Benijah Gentry and Mary, his wife; James Harvey and Nancy, his wife; J. G. Berkley and Cornelia, his wife; Mary A. Berkley, Nancy Berkley, Lucy Johnston, Sarah Carpenter and Nancy Carpenter. First officers, J. G. Berkley, Pastor and Moderator; J. E. Crawford, Dea- con, and James Harvey, Clerk. The same year the church united with the Saline Missionary Baptist Association, and remained a member of that body until the year 1871. Elder Berkley served as Pastor and Moder- ator until 1851; James Harvey served as Clerk until the year 1850, in which year he visited California, and John E. Crawford was chosen Clerk. During the year 1850 Elder Amos Horne visited the church and held a' protracted meeting, and preached some powerful sermons, and several joined the church. The church at this time, by the accession of members, had become strong, and in the year 1851, J. E. Crawford and wife, Nancy Harvey, C. C. Crawford and others withdrew by letter, and organized the church seven miles west of here, known as Bethlehem Baptist Church. It is situated south of Sedalia about six miles. Elder Berkley ceased to preach to the church in 1851. From that time until 1853 Elders G. W. Landes, Thompson Estes and S. Driskell preached regularly to the church as volunteers, but in the last mentioned year the church called Elder Samuel Drickell as regular Pastor every year until 1865. On the resignation of J. E. Crawford, in 1851, D. J. Shy was chosen Clerk pro tem, and in the same year A. N. Driskell, Clerk, and B. T. Thomas, Pas- tor and Moderator. In the same year A. N. Driskell, Alva Goodnight and John Adkins were ordained Deacons. A. N. Driskell still continued to act as Clerk until 1869, at which time, at his own request, he was relieved, and William B. Baugh chosen as Clerk, who served until 1878, at which time he and John T. Miller were ordained Deacons: the church having but one Deacon at that time, Jonathan Davis, who was transferred from Florence Church; the other Deacons having died or moved away. Baugh, Davis and Miller are the present acting Deacons. After Elder Thomas, Elders Samuel Driskell, J. K. Godby, W. V. Parsons, S. Adkins, William H. Rodgers (who was ordained by the church in 1871) and L. W. Whipple were pastors of the church at different times from 1866 to 1881. Elder David Horne is the present Pastor. In 1871 the church withdrew from the Saline Association and went into the Lamine, and in 1879, with others, formed a new association called the Pettis County Asso- ciation, which, after two years, was remodeled and called Harmony Baptist Association. From 187S until 1881 P. R. Anderson and T. B. Young served the church as clerks, when George W. Fletcher, the pres- ent Clerk, was chosen. The first church house was built on the north side of Flat Creek, about three miles southwest of the town of Smithton. It was built of wood, and cost about $450. This was in 1858, moved to Priceville, and in 1861 it was taken down by the Forty-second Illinois U.
1009
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
S. Volunteers and moved to Smithton and made into barracks. The church had no regular place of meeting from that time until 1872, when the members again built another house five miles southwest of Smithton, on the south side of Flat Creek, costing about $800, all of wood, capable of seating about 400 persons. The church has had many revivals, and a great many accessions to her numbers. Some have moved to other parts, but most of them have gone to meet their reward beyond the dark stream of death. The present number is seventy-five, who are still keeping up regular meetings on the second Sunday in each month, and church meet- ing the Saturday preceding. Sunday School during the summer and autumn months, with a fair attendance most of the time.
CEMETERIES .-- There are six cemeteries in the township. Some of these are private burying places for the dead, while two or three are used by the neighborhood, in which they are situated. The largest in the township is that situated just south of the town of Smithton. It is incor- porated and under the management of a board of directors, and is neatly kept and has ornamental trees planted in a number of places.
SCHOOLS .-- The schools of the township are five in number, outside of the Smithton Academy. The early schools were primitive affairs, the buildings and seats being made of hewn logs, and the teachers of that stern old type who taught "readin," "riten" and "rithmetic," and ruled by the use of the rod the few pupils that braved the winter weather to attend the two or three months school each year. The buildings of the township are mostly frame and five to seven months school is now taught. The present school building in Smithton was built in 1870. It is a frame struc- ture, two stories high. The contractor who erected the building was James L. Moore of Illinois. It cost $5,000. The first teachers in the building were Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Brundige. The teachers for the past year have been, Prof. W. P. Kelley, principal; D. J. Shy, Jr., first assist- ant ; Mrs. E. G. Haire, primary department. The colored school is under the supervision of W. J. Baucher. Prof. Kelley is a worthy and efficient teacher, and his services are in constant demand. The school now gives as good a common school course as can be obtained anywhere.
STATISTICAL .- The present population of Smithton Township is 1,237. This includes the village. It has large and valuable real estate, and a large amount of live stock, etc., and its land has advanced in price from $1.25 per acre in 1840 to from $40 to $50 per acre in 1882. Some tracts are held even higher than this, and we have no doubt that in a few years it will be a hard matter to purchase land for even $50 per acre.
INCIDENTS AND REMINISCENCES .- The experiences of the early set- tlers of this township and of all others, were they given in detail would fill a much larger space than is allotted to each township in a county history.
1010
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
As late as 1848 there was very little money in circulation, and the currency used in trade was such articles and commodities as were used in every day life. Taxes were light. Farmers received the pay for their produce in "store goods." In the year mentioned before, a gentleman who is now a prominent farmer in the township, took five hogs, averaging 220 pounds to market at Boonville. He received the then highest market price, one and one-quarter cents a pound for them. Of the amount they came to, the purchasers would pay him but $1.50 in cash, and the rest must be in trade. He returned home, and about the holidays paid his taxes, which were ninety cents, on 160 acres of land and a number of head of stock. The remaining sixty cents he was obliged to call his cash capital on hand for the next six months. About the same time Judge Wm. Boeker, o.vn- ing 120 acres of land, of which thirty-three were in cultivation, offered it with sixteen head of cattle, seven horses, fifty hogs and twenty-five sheep for $600.00. He could not sell at this extremely low figure. During the war, the troops of both Federals and Confederates overran this township, and men of both parties were frequently obliged to seek safety in hiding. In 1860, Governor Stuart's expedition passed through the town going west to fight the Kansas Jayhawkers. Gen. Frost came up with his command on the railroad to Smithson in 1860 or '61, and camped for two nights on Flat Creek, and then proceeded to Kansas City, but finding the Federals were prepared to receive him, returned and sought shelter further south. A number of Pettis county boys joined this expedition, and it cost the State of Missouri in round figures, $80,000.00. The brave Col. Mulligan came from St. Louis to Smithton by railroad, with his famous brigade, and from this point marched on to Lexington, which he so gallantly defended for five days against fearful odds. When Jeff. Thompson took Sedalia, the company of home guards of this and neighboring townships took to the brush. However, they kept pickets out, and it is related that a squad of the home guards passed within fifty yards of a line of these pickets and neither knew the other was in the neighborhood. There were a great many murders in those exciting times, a complete record of which would be too lengthy for our space. In the early part of the war excite- ment ran so high that elections could not be held.
The first May wheat brought into the township was imported from Iowa in 1856. Geo. Holland and Judge Baker brought ten bushels, and the Judge says that from three bushels sown on one piece of ground he threshed eighty-seven bushels. This he threshed by the old way of tread- ing out with horses, and at least one-third of the wheat remained in the straw. In 1875, on account of the drouth, there was a failure of crops, but in 1876 there was nearly a double crop.
In the north part of this township a creek called " Shave-Tail," takes its rise in section ten, and flows north into Muddy Creek. An amusing
1011
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
and interesting story worthy of repetition here is related of the manner in which this creek received its name. Sometime during the year 1840 a marriage occurred near this little stream, and while the guests enjoyed the festivities of the evening, Richard Johnson assembled a few of his youthful companions, proceeded to the place where the horses were hitched and closely shaved their tails. The creek on whose banks this amusing inci- dent transpired was ever after called "Shave-Tail" Creek. Some years after the creek was christened, Esquire Welch, of Lexington, was employed in a case against Mr. Johnson, and during his remarks before the court he said: "Ceclops founded Athens, Dido founded Carthage, Romulus founded Rome, Columbus discovered America, and last, though not least, Dick Johnson founded " Shave-Tail."
SMITHTON .- This little village of three hundred and twenty-five persons derives its name from the same source which the township does, viz: In honor of Geo. R. Smith. It is located in the eastern part of the township, and lies south of the Missouri Pacific Railroad. The first town in the township was Priceville, and was laid out by David Kernudle. In some way the purchasers of property were all swindled, and the village then fell into decay. The farmers in the township then laid out Farmers' City. The Missouri Pacific was then being built and the company proposed to get the road into Pettis County that year (1859), if the county would give them $30,000 more in addition to their already large donations. This was raised and the road came that fall to the point that is now Smithton, and the depot was built. Here it stopped for a while. Then the town of Smithton was laid out by Wm. E. Combs, and half the lots were given to the railroad company. Buildings began to spring up, and Farmers City rapidly sunk into decay. The mill and merchants removed to Smithton. The church had an internal disagreement, and it was moved to the future town. Mr. Combs built the hotel, now the Blandin House. Major Wm. Beck, now of Sedalia, put up the first store. Mr. Lambors was the first postmaster, and Clony & Crawford, commission merchants, who moved westward with the progress of the railroad, erected the first grain ware- house. From the time the railroad reached it until it was extended on to Sedalia, the town continued to grow, and it is still a shipping point of con- siderable importance, as shown by the average monthly business of the railroad for a few years past: Number of cars cattle shipped, 6; number of cars hogs shipped, 11; number of cars sheep shipped, 1; number of cars wheat shipped, +; average monthly receipts, $425; Tonnage freight forwarded, 684,000 pounds; freight received, 68,000 pounds. There is a good flouring mill run by steam power, capable of turning out from twenty to thirty barrels of flour every twenty-four hours. A saw mill near the town works up native logs into lumber. The merchants keep a stock of goods such as is needed for the country trade. The town is incorporated
1012
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
and has been for a number of years. Under date of March 4, 1869, we find the act of incorporation.
SECRET SOCIETIES .- Amity Lodge, No. 340, A. F. and A. M., of Smithton, was organized Dec. 30, 1869, by District Deputy Grand Master Wayan. The charter members were: E. J. Russell, Morgan Lyman, A. H. Heismeyer, F. L. Mintie, C. F. Watts, David Shy, H. M. Farner, Wm. E. Combs, T. Y. Cox, C. F. Gaylord. The first officers were: E. J. Russell, W. M .; Morgan Lyman, Sen. Warden; A. H. Heismeyer, Jun. Warden; Wm. E. Combs, Treasurer; F. L. Mintie, Secretary; C. T. Watts, Sen. Deacon; David Sly, Jun. Deacon; H. M. Farner, Tyler. The Worshipful Masters have been E. J. Russell, M. Lyman, E. J. Rus- sell, M. Lyman, M. Lyman, T. G. Cox, John V. Harris, N. H. Haire, John V. Harris, T. G. Cox, David Smith. The present officers are, David Smith, W. M .; David Sly, S. W .; Robt. Overstreet, J. W .; J . V. Harris, Sec .; Daniel Palmer, Treas .; N. H. Haire, S. D .; T. G. Cox, J. D .; H. M. Farner, T. The present membership is eighteen. The lodge occupies a fine hall in the second story of a brick building built at a cost of $4,000. It was the third Lodge organized in the county.
Smithton Lodge, No. 264, I. O. O. F., was instituted Sept. 28, 1871, by Deputy Grand Master, Elias Bixley, assisted by Q. B. Codding, Grand Warden; R. H. Moses, Grand Marshal; Wm. Inch, Grand Conductor; D. M. McKinzie, Grand Treasurer; Wm. Campbell, Grand Guardian; T. G. Taylor, Grand Secretary. J. H. Mellen, T. M. Seaton, J. T. Curd, W. F. Stuart and J. V. Harris were presented by the Grand Marshal for installation. The election of officers followed, and T. M. Seaton was elected N. G .; J. H. Mellen, V. G .; W. F. Stuart, Sec .; J. V. Harris, Treas. The membership was up to twenty-four at one time, but the Lodge does not now meet regularly, but still hold their charter.
Smithton Lodge, No. 221, A. O. U. W., was organized July 16, 1881, with the following officers: C. H. Baker, M. W .; R. S. Overstreet, P. M. W .; A. B. Cook, Foreman; Fred. Gallup, Overseer; G. Rudy, Guide; James Ringen, Recorder; N. H. Harris, Financier; J. C. Williams, Receiver; R. E. Muller, I. W .; Hy. Kohrs, O. W .; Trustees: R. Taylor, Joe. Kohrs, W. C. Overstreet, Jr. The Lodge is in a flourishing condition and has a large and increasing membership.
The business directory of the town includes: J. A. Blandin, post- master; J. M. Meek, physician; John V. Harris, justice of the peace; Wm. D. Weiler, agent M. P. R. R .; W. A. Smith, agent Pacific Express Co .; W. C. & W. C. Overstreet, physicians and druggists; J. A. Blandin, . proprietor Blandin House: Cook & Ringen, general merchants; Kullman & Schupp, blacksmiths; R. Muller, wheelwright; W. A. Smith, general store; H. M. Farner, carpenter; Wm. Kruschen, wheelwright; Gehlken & White, general merchandise; Prof. W. P. Kelley, principal of schools;
1013
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
N. H. Hair, grain and stock merchant: J. Warren, grain dealer; Albert Taylor, stock dealer: C. H. Baker, grain merchant; A. W. Smith, den- tist; Smithton Mill Co., millers.
J. A. BLANDIN.
Residence, Smithton. Proprietor of Blandin House, and Postmaster. The subject of this sketch is a native of Windham County, Vt., and was born May 26, 1829. He there grew to manhood, or until he was twenty years of age. He then moved to Marshall County, Ill., in 1849. He was there married in 1853 to Miss Martha Jane Jones; she was a native of Illinois. This union has blessed with seven children, five of whom are now living: Sarah, Walker, Mary, Lucy B. and Charles; deceased, John and Elmo. In 1867 Mr. Blandin came to Pettis County, Mo., locating in Smithton, and in 1868 he was one of the M. E. Church building committee, and in January, 1880, he opened out the Blandin Hotel. He was appointed postmaster at this place in January, 1880, and is now the present postmaster. He and his family are consistent members of the M. E. Church.
JUDGE WILLIAM BŒKER.
Residence, Smithton. Retired farmer. One of the pioneers of town- ship forty-four, range twenty, was born Dec. 20, 1820, at Hanover, Ger- many. His father, Frederick, died in 1828, and his mother, Lucinda, died in 1831. The subject of this sketch was put in the care of a guardian, and when he was fourteen years of age he was put out as apprentice under Mr. Hecter, to learn the trade of wagon-making, and where he served for three years. He then traveled for three years more, and in 1842 he emi- grated to America, landed at New Orlearns, Nov. 13, 1842, on Sunday. On Monday he began to search for a job, and found one the same day: he worked out for two years, and then he run a shop of his own. He was married in 1844 to Miss Tibke Mahnken, a native of Germany, and this union has blessed them with two children. His health failing him, he was obliged to change his business, and in 1845 he came to Pettis County, Mo., locating in township forty-four, range twenty, section twelve, where he bought one hundred acres of land, which he improved. While living on section twelve Mr. Bæker experienced many things the pioneer had to contend with in those early days, one of which he relates thus: He him- self went out one day to drive up the horses to go to the quarterly meeting, and on his return to the house he found his wife crying, and when he inquired, he found out that the reason of her trouble was that they did not have any money to help pay the expenses at the meeting. So Mr. Bæker was about to abandon the idea of going to church, when one of his neighbors rode up and asked him if he had any seed potatoes, and the answer was,
1014
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
"Yes," and when he measured out two bushels for him, the neighbor asked Mr. Bæker what they were worth. As there was no market in this part of the country, the neighbor asked him if fifty cents would do, and Mr. Bæker said, "Yes." When he received the money he went to the house and gave it to his wife, and she clapped her hands with joy, and said, "now they could pay the minister." But Mr. B. said they could get it changed and give half, and buy coffee with the balance, which they finally did. He also tells the historian that in 1851 he took some hogs to Boonville, and they averaged one hundred and ninety-five pounds each, and he sold them for $1.25 per hundred, and when he got a few things for himself and family, he had $1.50 in money; in a short time the Sheriff came to collect the tax on one hundred and twenty acres and personal property, and it amounted to ninety cents, leaving sixty cents after paying his taxes. Such were the trials of the pioneers of Pettis County. In 1852 he moved to section one of the same township, where he improved three hundred acres of fine land. In 1872 he moved to Smithton and erected a fine grist mill, in partnership with Preuss & Co .; remained there until the year 1880. He then dissolved and retired. He was elected County Judge May, 1873, and served four years, and was re-elected. He has been a consistent member of the German M. E. Church for upward of thirty-nine years. He was the first Sunday School Superintendent in his township, and retained that position for nine years, and bought books with his own money.
HENRY BOHLING.
Watch and clock-maker and farmer. The subject of this sketch is a native of Morgan County, Mo., and was born in August, 1847. He was there educated and developed to manhood. He came to Pettis County in 1871, and was married, Sept. 1, 1871, to Miss Mary Ann Rogers. By this union they have two children living, Emma and Anna. They have lost two, Anna M. and Sopha. His wife died Feb. 22, 1879. He was again married, June 2, 1879, to Miss Annie Neunger. By this union they have one child, Cordelia M. Jan. 1, 1876, he began in the watch and clock business, and since that time he has built up quite an extensive trade, and is doing first-class work. His father and three brothers are watch and clock-makers. He now owns a farm of 140 acres, and is in a well- to-do way.
GARRETT BOHON.
Farmer. Post-office, Smithton. One of the oldest settlers of this part of the county is Mr. Bohon, who was born April 15, 1825, in Mercer County, Ky. He remained there until 1838, when his parents emigrated to Pettis County, Mo., where he has since lived. His father still survives,
1015
HISTORY OF SMITHTON TOWNSHIP.
at the ripe old age of ninety-two years. The county was a mere wil- derness when Mr. Bohon came here, and he now tells many stories of the pioneer life. He was married, in 1850, to Miss Lucy A. Higgans. She was a native of Kentucky. This union has blessed them with three chil- dren: George, William and Mary A., now Mrs. Cook. Mrs. Bohon was called to her long home about 1855, leaving a young family and kind husband to mourn her loss. But Mr. Bohon raised the family. He owned 200 acres, but has given his children a portion of the land, and now owns a farm of 100 acres.
J. J. BOHON.
Farmer. Post-office, Smithton. The subject of this sketch was born Jan. 12, 1846, on the farm where he now lives. He is a son of W. R. Bohon, who was born, March 10, 1790, in Mercer County, Ky. His father, John Bohon, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War, under George Washington, and served seven years. W. R. Bohon came to Pettis County, Mo., Oct. 15, 1838, and located where he now lives. He was married, in 1826, to Miss Martha Jane Jones. She was born, March 2, 1808, in Kentucky, and died Jan. 12, 1859, leaving many friends to mourn her loss. Mr. Bohon is, at this date, able to go about and help himself. He is the oldest settler now living in the township. He owns a farm of 200 acres. The subject of this sketch was first married, in 1867, to Miss Sarah E. J. Elliott. This union was blessed with one child, Mary E., who died Aug. 5, 1872. Mrs. Bohon died June 5, 1872. He was again married, March, 1878, to Miss Carrie Kastens. This union has blessed them with two children, Albert and Addie. Mr. Bolion is a man of perseverance and industry, and as his reward he owns a farm of 100 acres of good land. His father, W. R. Bohon, is now living with him.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.