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 114
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HISTORY OF GREEN RIDGE TOWNSHIP.
Lieutenant, Company A, Third Regiment New Jersey Cavalry, and June 6th he was promoted to First Lieutenant, Company M, of the same regi- ment, and May 6, 1865, he was promoted to the Captaincy of Company E, and served till August 8, 1865, when he was mustered out. He participated in many engagements and campaigns during the war. He was in the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13 and 14, 1862; on the 14th he was wounded by a peice of shell. He was also in the battle of Suffolk, Va., May 3, 1863; the battle of the Wilderness, May 3, 1864; United States Ford, May 19, 1864; Ashland Station, June 1, 1864; North Anna, June 2, 1864, at which place he was put in command of Gen. A. E. Burnside's escort; the battle of Hawes Shop, June 3, 1864; Bottom's Bridge June 4, 1864; White Oak Swamp, June 13, 1864; Smith's Store, June 15, 1864; Warwick Bridge, July 5, 1864; before Petersburg, July 25, 1864; Lee's Mill, July 27, 1864; Winchester, August 17, 1864; Sum- mit Point, Sept. 21 and 22, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Sept. 22, 1864; Win- chester, Sept. 24, 1864; Bridgewater, Oct. 12, 1864; Mount Jackson, Nov. 22, 1864; Lacey Springs, Dec. 21, 1864; Morefield, Feb. 22, 1865; Waynesborough, March 2, 1865; Dinwiddie C. H., March 3, 1865; Five Forks, April 1, 1865; Petersburg, April 2, 1865; Deep Creek, April 3, 1865; Sailors Creek, April 6, 1865, where he commanded the battalion of Third New Jersey Cavalry, and while leading a charge on a Rebel Bat- tery he received two sabre cuts fracturing his skull, for which he now draws a pension. He was mustered out of service August S, 1865, at Trenton, N. J., and in the fall of the same year he went to Mason County, Ill., where he engaged in stock feeding. In the spring of 1866 he came to Pettis County, Mo., locating in Green Ridge Township, where he has since resided, following farming and stock raising. He owns a farm of three hundred and twenty-five acres, well watered and improved, fenced with barb wire; he being the first to introduce this kind of fence in this region. He has a handsome new brick residence, thirty-two by thirty- four, two stories and a basement, also a fine barn thirty-six by forty-four, twenty-two foot posts, together with all the modern improvements of the day. He was married March 7, 1866, to Miss Lou Morell, in Penn's Grove, Salem County, N. J. She was born in Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 1843, drughter of Rev. James Fletcher Morell and Sophia C. Morell. She was educated in Philadelphia and Pittsburg, finishing her education with a three years course at the College of Bordentown, N. J. She taught seven years in the public schools of New Jersey, and three years in those of Missouri. This union has blessed them with five children, of whom four are still living, viz: Edward, born April 20, 1867, and died May 28, 1875; Emma, born Sept. 13, 1868; Morell, born Dec. 19, 1870; John Francis, born Nov. 17, 1875, and Harold, born Oct. 18, 1877. Mr. Tomlin's father, John, was born in New Jersey, April 8, 1798, and there grew to manhood,
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HISTORY OF GREEN RIDGE TOWNSHIP.
following farming, marrying Judith Cresse in 1824, in Goshen, Cape May County, N. J. The Rev. James Fletcher Morell was born in Yorkshire, England, April 1, 1817, and at the age of fourteen emigrated with his parents to America, aud was educated in Philadelphia. Mr. Tomlin is a thorough business man, an ardent advocate of free schools, public roads, stock law, land and wire fences, very independent in the expression of his. opinions, thereby exciting the enmity of some opponents.
JOSEPH D. WADLEIGH.
The subject of this sketch, Joseph D. Wadleigh, was born in Rocking- ham County, N. H., in Exeter, the county seat, May 10, 1818, and lived in his native county for fifty years. He worked at the shoemaker's trade for fifteen years. He was afterwards a dealer in lumber, and still later making brick in Rockingham County, New Hampshire. He was. married May 24, 1843, to Miss Francis E. Prescott, a native of the same town and State. They have had three children: Geo. H., Carrie R., who died at Exeter, N. H., Aug. 13, 1866, and John B. who died at Point Burn- sides, Ky., in 1864, from a congestive chill brought on by a wound in the hand. He held the rank of sergeant in the Ninth Regiment New Hamp- shire Volunteers, Burnside's command, and was wounded at Antietam. He was present at the surrender of Vicksburg, June 2, 1868. Mr. Wad- leigh came to Missouri and located on his present farm in Green Ridge Township, Pettis County, Mo. His wife died Sept. 10, 1877. She was a member of the Congregational Church, having previously united with the Baptist Church, however, in the east. Mr. Wadleigh's farm comprises 160 acres, and has an orchard of 1,700 apple trees, 600 peach trees, and several other varieties of fruit. He is a jolly, good humored, contented, and much respected old gentleman.
CHAS. E. WADLEIGH.
This prominent farmer of Green Ridge Township was born in Ken- sington, N. H., in 1843, where he also was raised to farming pursuits until his 13th year. He then went to La Salle County, Ill., where he lived until the breaking out of the civil war, when he enlisted in the United States army under Gen. Curtis. He belonged to the Thirty-third Illinois Infantry, Company B., which was organized at Bloomington, Ill., Aug. 20, 1861. He participated in the campaign through the Hatchie River country, in the engagements at the siege of Vicksburg, and below Vicks- burg; was at Grand Gulf and Jackson, the principal battles fought in Louisiana and during the opening of the coast of Texas, and in the last engagements against Mobile at the close of the war. His company was transferred to the Thirteenth Army Corps in 1863, and to the Sixteenth in 1864, and was mustered out Dec. 6, 1865, at Camp Butler, Ill. Mr.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Wadleigh then returned to Illinois. In 1871 he came to Missouri, and selected the farm on which he now lives, in Green Ridge Township, Pet- tis County, for his future home. Shortly after he went back to Illinois, and was married May 29, 1871, to Miss Hannah M. Brewster, a native of Grundy County, Illinois, where the ceremony took place. Through this marriage they have five children: David E., Walter L., Nettie F., Fred- erick A. and Fannie L. Mr. Wadleigh has a large, well improved farm. His horses are of the Morgan class, and he has one thoroughbred, Justine Morgan.
CHAPTER XXIV .- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Introduction-Name-Organization-Configuration-Early Settlers-Churches-Schools, past and present-Early Teachers -- The First Voting Place-The First Post-office -- Incidents -- Biographical.
Much of the history of this township belongs to and has been given in connection with the early history of the county and also the separate town- ships, therefore it would be tiresome to the reader to repeat it in this chap- ter. Its experience is that of other townships, and the laws in obedience to which it has developed are the same as obtained elsewhere. The inter- ests of the community have been carefully cared for all these years past, and that care has shown itself in advancing the moral and educational standing of the township.
The influx of population through the years from the time in which the township was settled until the close of the war was very slow. It would doubtless be a matter of extreme interest to trace the emotions and thoughts of the early residents, were such a thing possible. They came from the older and more populous east; left behind them all the advan- tages of a high civilization, the comforts of pleasant homes, friends and associations, made doubly dear by long and constant intercourse. They came to hardships and toil, but for these they cared little. There were hopes . to be realized, plans to be developed, farms to make and homes to build. Whatever of romance we may wish to attach to their lives, there was but little in reality. Their coming, it must be remembered, was not always a matter of election. They did not always come to a land, then a wilder- ness, altogether from choice, but because stern necessity made it impera- tive. They came, and opened the doors of a new world, and the print of their footsteps is imbedded in the sands of time, too soon to be entirely cov- ered by the ever-changing tide of life. They came and found that long ages anterior to their occupation of the land, there had lived and thrived another race-men who, in the far off times, had left their marks all over the face of our fair land. They found the red man in possession, but from
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
whence came he? Suppose he was the lineal descendant of the mound builder-what then? We have only moved the difficulty another step back, and still man was. They have left their works in some parts of this county-none that we know of in this township-but tell us more than habits and distribution, they do not.
NAME .- Since the day in which this township was christened in honor of the great patriot and statesman, the immortal George Washington, time has been at work. The wheels of progress have turned westward, and by skill and industry the intelligent sons of toil have developed the natural resources which the liberal hand of the Omnipotent has so freely distribu- ted among them. The township, as we have said, derives its name from the illustrious father of his country, and thus shows with what reverence and respect the pioneers regarded the great man by whose heroic efforts we are permitted to-day to enjoy the blessings of a free land, a free gov- ernment, a free church and school. Could too much honor be given him? Name towns, cities, townships, counties, State and children after him, and then we shall fail to give him enough veneration. Honor to those loyal citizens who, in their patriotism, gave the name they did to this town- ship.
ORGANIZATION .- This is among the townships organized at the second arrangement of townships in 1844. Up to that year it was a part of Elk Fork and Flat Creek Townships. In 1844, by a petition of the settlers then in the southwestern part of the county, these two townships were divided, and the township of Washington created, embracing what is now Green Ridge and Washington Townships. In this arrangement it stood until 1873, when the county adopted township organization, and Wash- ington Township was made the western half. As it now stands it is bordered on the north by Prairie Township, on the east by Flat Creek Township and Benton County, and on the west by Green Ridge Town- ship. Its bounds as described by the County Court are as follows: To include all of congressional township forty-four, range twenty-two, and all of that portion of township forty-three, range twenty-two, that belongs to Pettis County, bound as follows: Commencing at the northeast corner of township forty-four, range twenty-two, running thence west on the town- ship line to the northwest corner of same township, thence south on the range line to the southwest corner of section seven, township forty-three, range twenty-two, running thence east on the county line to the southeast corner of section two, same township and range, thence north on the range line to place of beginning. The population of the township as given in 1880 is 890, including the little village of Ionia.
CONFIGURATION .--- The surface of the township is more broken than its neighbors on the east or north. Flat Creek runs nearly diagonally across
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
the township, and is the principal stream of water in its bounds. The other small streams all tributary to the one mentioned above are South Fork and Basin Fork. The surface of the land is beautiful, rolling prai- ries on the uplands and heavy timber along the bottoms. . Some very desirable agricultural lands lie in the divides between the streams, while the bottom lands are rich and produce immense crops. The timber is of that class common to the rest of the county. Of its neighbor, Flat Creek Township, on the east, there has been given an extended physical review and the characteristics of this is much the same as that.
EARLY SETTLERS .- In early years from the time of the settlement of the county, where the early settlers' history properly commences, until the organization of the county, where it properly ends, we find little trace of settlement in Washington Township. The few early men who ventured here prior to 1830 found, as everywhere, an unbroken plain and forest, inhabited only by the Indian, deer, elk, buffalo and wolf. These held sway over the territory that under the hand of skilled labor is now yielding an abundance of fruitage. Among the earliest settlers of the township was I. Elliott, who came from Woodford County, Ky., in 1836. When he settled in the township there was but one family between him and the headwaters of Flat Creek, that of Wm. Miller. W. Anderson, of Flat Creek Township, came at the same time as Mr. Elliott. Wm. Brown came in 1834. There were also living in the surrounding country Wm. Davis, who resides on Bason Fork ; Pittman on Camp Branch, and one or two others. John Elliott, who still resides in the township, came with his father in 1836. When these families settled here the land was not subject to entry, but was settled under what was known as the settlers' rights. The early men laid out what farms they thought they could manage, and these cost them from twelve and one-half cents to $1.25 per acre. Now, in less than two decades, the values have increased to from $20 to $35 per acre, and the wonderful change that has been wrought makes those who were here at an early day almost long for the free and joyous early times again. Among these early settlers are some who exerted a powerful influ- ence in directing the course of events in the county. They were men sterling and true, whose contact with men and things made them self reliant and energetic. Nothing so much as pioneer life serves to develop real manhood; nothing so much leads to self-independence, nothing is so effective for discipline.
FIRST VOTING PLACE .-- The first place in the bounds of the township where the voters exercised their right as American citizens was at the house of Ira Durrell. Mr. Durrell died in 1852, and is buried in Flat Creek Township. The voting place of the township is now at the little town of Ionia.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
CHURCHES .- There is but one church in the township, that of the Flat Creek Protestant Methodist denomination, situated in the southwest part of the township, on section four, township forty-three, range twenty- two. It is adframe structure, erected by the members of the congregation in 1882, at a cost of $850.00. It was dedicated in the fall of 1882, by Rev. J. T. Shepherd. The building is comfortably furnished, and is twenty-four by thirty-six in size, and twelve foot ceiling. The pastors who have been in charge of the congregation are T. J. Shepherd, J. W. Baldwin, assisted by Mrs. Baldwin, D. T. Forduy, A. T. Johnson, M. W. Wells and John D. Cruse. The original members of the congregation were James M. Purcell, Lucinda J. Purcell, A. McNett, Lewis Tompkins, and wife, Cyrus Furguson, John Martin and wife, and others. The pres- ent membership is forty. The congregation keep up a Sunday-school of fifty scholars, of which J. F. Howe is superintendent, and Mrs. M. J. Leffler is secretary. The society from its organization has been very prosperous, holding its prayermeetings once and twice a week and has never had to hold church sociables or any other kind of entertainment in order to support itself. Its growth has been healthy and it is now on a firm foundation and is each month increasing in strength and moral influ- ence.
The first school in Washington Township was a subscription one, in 1852 or '53. The district school system was organized in 1854, and the first one was taught by B. T. Matthews. He afterwards taught several terms of school in the township. The first school building used was the same that John Elliott first went to housekeeping in. There are at pres- ent six school districts in the township, all have commodious houses and all supplied with the best appurtenances. Nearly all support subscription schools in the summer months. A Mr. Baker was one of the early teachers in the township, but when the gold fever of Pike's Peak was at its height he went to the "far west."
FIRST POST-OFFICE .- Spring Fork was the first post-office in the township; it was discontinued and the office at Ionia established.
IONIA .- This little villiage in the southern part of the township is the only town within its borders. It has two stores, a blacksmith shop or two, and the post-office, and this comprises its business. It was at an early day called Peel Tree.
INCIDENTS .- John Godfray was taken out in the fall of 1861, when excitement ran high, by the home guards, and shot. This is the only murder that has been committed in the bounds of said township. In an early day, after the settlement of the township had become quite extended, the Indians frequently made hunting expeditions into the territory of the township, but never did any damage to the settlers' stock.
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
JOHN Q. ADAMS.
Post-office, Green Ridge. One of the worthy bachelors of Washington is the subject of this sketch. He is the son of William M. Adams of Cooper County, Mo. John Q. was born in Cooper County, Mo., Dec. 10, 1839, and is the second child in a family of four children. He received . a liberal education from the schools of his native county. When he was sixteen years of age he took an overland trip to California, and in the fall of 1859 he returned to his home in Cooper County, remaining a short time, when he took a business trip to Ohio, and bought a large number of sheep, and brought them to Missouri to winter, and was here when the war began. He was in the first battle that was fought in Missouri. This battle was fought about five miles below Boonville. After this he took his sheep to Texas, where he disposed of them. From Texas he went to Arkansas; here he enlisted as a soldier in the Southern army and con- tinued in its service until the close of the war. Mr. Adams participated in some of the hard fought battles of the war. His regiment under Col- McCullough was in the following battles: Corinth, Guntown, Baldwin, Middleburg, Memphis and Ft. Pillow, and a number of smailer engage- ments. Mr. Adams received one slight wound while in the service. When peace was declared Mr. A. returned to his Missouri home, in Cooper County, where he remained one year. He then moved to Pettis County, bought himself a farm, and has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock ever since. He feeds upon his farm from fifty to one hundred and fifty head of cattle and about 150 head of sheep. He owns a fine farm of 468 acres, well adapted to farming and grazing. Mr. Adams is a man of considerable business capacity, and is held in high esteem by his friends.
JOHN N. ANSPAUGH.
Post-office, Ionia City, merchant of this place. He is the son of John Anspaugh, who was a native of Pennsylvania. The grandfather, George Anspaugh, was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. The subject of this sketch was born in Coshocton County, O., March 28, 1839, and is the sixth child in a family of eleven children. He received his education from the schools of his native county. In the spring of 1861 Mr. Anspaugh moved to Missouri, settling in Benton County, where he lived until the fall of 1879, when he moved to Pettis County, locating at Ionia City, where he has since resided. Mr. Anspaugh was married April 17, 1864, to Miss Jane Houser, a native of Missouri. From this union there were four children, only one of whom is now living, viz: Alfred L. Mrs. Anspaugh dying, Mr. Anspaugh was again married in May, 1873, to Miss Elizabeth Miller, a daughter of Thomas Miller, a native of Pittsburg, Penn. From this marriage there are five children, viz: Nancy J., Lillie
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
J., Hattie L., Nellie A. and Lewis. Since Mr. Anspaugh has been a resident of Pettis County, he has been engaged in the mercantile business at Ionia City. He is the ow :. . f and proprietor of the principal store in this village. He carries a large stock of dry goods, clothing, boots, shoes, etc. His business runs from $8,000 to $10,000 per year. Mr. Anspaugh owns the store-building where he is located. It is a large and commodi- ous building. He also owns a small tract of land near Sedalia.
JOHN BENNETT.
Post-office, Green Ridge. An old and respected citizen, and a man who has been prominently represented in the business circles of southern- Pettis County is the subject of this sketch, John Bennett. He is the son of William P nnett, who was a native of Kentucky, and a soldier in the War of 1812,; The grandfather on the mother's side, John Ham, was a soldier in the , polutionary War. The subject of this sketch was born in Logan Coun. Ky., Nov. 14, 1822, and is the second child in a family of eight children. ™, His advantages for an education were somewhat limited, there being but few schools at that early day. In the fall of 1843 Mr. Bennett emigrated to Missouri, settling in Henry County, where he remained about one year, when he moved to Benton County, where he lived until the summer of 1856, when he moved to Bates County. Then in the spring of 1861 he removed to Henry County, where he remained until the spring of 1863, when he moved to Pettis County, settling in the southern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. Bennett was married Feb. 22, 1843, to Miss Martha M. Ham, a daughter of Wm. Ham. From this union there were ten children, all of whom are now liv- ing, viz .: William T., Greenup L., James E., Susan C., John M., Martha J., Lillie M., Harrison A., Walter L. and Edward A. Mr. Bennett has always been a farmer and stock-raiser. He has dealt extensively in the shipping of live stock. He owns a fine farm of 700 acres, well adapted to farming and stock-raising.
CHARLES H. BOOTH.
Post-office, Ionia City. Is the son of the Rev. Henry A. Booth, of St. Louis County, Mo. The grandfather on the mother's side, Ira Barbee. was a soldier in the War of 1812. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Louis County, Mo., Oct. 13, 1853, and is the second child in a family of six children. He was educated in the schools of his native county. In the spring of 1879, Mr. Booth moved from St. Louis County, to Pettis County, settling in the southern part of the county, where he has since resided. Mr. Booth was married Dec. 19, 1880, to Miss Laura Ross, a daughter of Washington Ross, a native of Kentucky. Miss Ross was a native of St. Louis County, Mo. From this union there is one child, viz:
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HISTORY OF WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Henry M. ! Since Mr. Booth has lived in Pettis County, he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. He keeps on his farm from forty to fifty head of cattle, and other stockin proportion. Mr. Booth, though a young man yet, is the proud owner of 480 acres of excellent land, situated on the beautiful rolling prairie of southern Pettis County.
JOHN W. CANADAY.
Post-office, Ionia City. Farmer and stock man. Is the son of Emmanuel Canaday, who was a native of South Carolina, but emigrated to Illinois at an early day. Here he took a prominent position as a citizen, holding offices of honor and trust. At one time he was elected sheriff of Jackson County. The subject of this sketch was born in Jackson County, Ill., March 31, 1836, and was the eldest child by his father's"second wife. He received as good an education as the school of that day fforded. In the spring of 1873 Mr. C. moved his family to Missour .ttling in the southwestern part of Pettis County, where he has since sided. Mr. Canaday was married Nov. 18, 1858, to Miss Nancy M. Stround, a most estimable lady, the daughter of Isaac Stround, who was a resident of St. Clair County, Ill. From this marriage there were five children, four of whom are living and at home with the father, viz: Thomas I., Mary E., George W. and Joseph F. Since Mr. Canaday's residence in Pettis County he has been engaged in farming and the raising of stock. In the latter he has dealt extensively, and has had upon his land at one time as many as 100 head of cattle. Mr. Canaday owns a beautiful farm of 120 acres, well improved. He has under his control large tracts of land owned by Eastern firms, which lands he uses for grazing purposes. Mr. Canaday is a man of good business qualities, and for integrity and honesty stands high among the business men of Pettis County.
CHARLES W. DENNY.
Post-office, Green Ridge. Is the son of Raphael Denny, who is a native of Missouri. He was born in St. Charles County, Mo., about the year 1821, and received his education from the common subscription schools of his native county. In the fall of 1856 he sold his farm and moved to the city of St. Charles, where he lived two years, when, in the fall of 1868, he moved to Pettis County, settling in the southern part, where he still resides. The subject of this sketch was born in St. Charles County, Mo., Oct. 27, 1850, and is the eldest child in a family of two children. He received his primary education from the com- mon schools of his native county, completing his education at the St. Charles College, and at a college in St. Louis. After completing his education he returned to Pettis County, where the father
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