The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc, Part 56

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Kansas City Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1056

USA > Missouri > Johnson County > The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc > Part 56

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).

The township in its physical features is similar to the remaining portions of the county, being alternately dotted with woods and prairie. The northern part of the township has most timber and it has the most water.

This was one of the first townships organized, being the last one of the four that included all the county in 1835, but it may be said it is about the latest township in the county, for, of all the improvements and general wealth, none, comparatively speaking, existed before the war. No set- tlers crossed the Blackwater previous to 1830, and the family of Fergu- sons were about the first to cross and settle in what is now the western part of Madison township.

In 1855 there were no settlements between the present site of Holden and Isaac Hanna's, which latter place is about fifty or a hundred yards south of the southern township line. Most of the settlers lived north of the present site of Holden and a few west. These settlers lived near the two branches of Pin Oak and were very few in number.

Among the early settlers may be mentioned: Samuel and Aaron Fergu- son, James Bradley, William Davidson, Squire A. B. Hamilton, P. H. Ray, Archy Ray, and their father Hugh Ray, Moses Tapscott, August Demasters, Squire J. G. Doyle, Matthew Cummings, William Cummings, Sanford Cummings, Joseph Mason, John Windsor, Reuben Fox, John Utt, Thomas Tapscott, G. Hays, Joseph Christian, Jacob Sahms, Jacob Beck, Charles S. Ferguson, Martin Ferguson, Pleasant R. Ferguson, Joseph Matthews, William Burden Sr. and Jr., Eldridge Burden, George Conley, John Miller, Wm. Miller, James Thompson, George Medlock; G. Cunningham, Barrett Duff, Squire Thompson, Williamson, G. K. Roberts, and Dr. Roberts.

In 1835 Johnson county was composed of four townships: Washing- ton, Jefferson, Jackson and Madison. Madison township included all of what is now Kingsville and Rose Hill townships and most of Chilhowee and Centerview for a number of years after the late civil war. Madison

481

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

township has had its boundaries changed a number of times both before and after the war.

The boundary lines of Madison township remained as they were estab- lished in 1836, until 1868, when Chilhowee was formed from it and Jef- ferson. In the following year this township was divided into two voting precincts by the order of the court.

In 1858, when Madison was still a very large township, containing all that part of the county on the west and south that forms Kingsville and Rose Hill, and a large tract of land on the north and east, the town of Rose Hill was the voting precinct of the township, as she was by far the oldest town in that part of the county.

In this year an election was held at this place, and below we furnish in full the poll-book of this election, which contains a list of all who voted, as well as the candidates for office and the number of votes each' received:

" A poll-book for a general election held at Rose Hill, in Madison town- ship, in Johnson county, Missouri, on the first Monday in August, A. D. 1858:

STATE OF MISSOURI, Johnson County.

We, Dennis Dunham, Alfred White, T. Drake, do solemnly swear that we will impartially discharge the duties of judges of the present election, according to law and the best of our ability, so help us God.

DENNIS DUNHAM. ALFRED WHITE. N. T. DRAKE.

Sworn and subscribed before me, this 2d day of August A. D. 1858.

WATSON W. HAM, J. P.

We, John Baker and John H. Baily, do solemnly swear that we will faithfully discharge the duties of clerks of the present election according to law and the best of our abilities, so help us God.

JOHN BAKER. JOHN H. BAILY.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2d day of August A. D. 1858.

WATSON W. HAM, J. P.

Voters' names: Jas. L. Chinn, Elijah Chinn, J. W. Smith, J. J. Arm- strong, S. J. Reed, Peyton D. Huff, C. C. Wheeler, H. S. Barksdale, Jas. H. McCarty, E. Hocketts. J. N. Mills, Wm. M. Bruce, Ambrose Eng- land, H. H. Hale, Sam'l Reed, Jas. L. Wilson, D. W. Skaggs, B. F. Fisher, Wm. Townsend, John V. McCarty, Squire Asburg, W. T. Roberts, Wm. J. Townsend, Wm. F. Long, Wm. M. Harris, Wm. C. Sharp, R. L. Jackson, Michael Baker, L. Jones, H. Isley, Philip Isley, Christy Gates, W. E. Templeton, John W. Ham, J. G. Hutson, Andrew Hinkle, Cary Elliot, Peter Campbell, Martin Burly, L. P. Lisk, Jas. M. Moore, W. W. Ham, G. W. Stranger, John Hinkle, G. H. Barnett, B. Wooldridge, W. A. Campbell, Thos. Moore, S. A. Duncan, G. W. L.

482

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Bradley, J. S. Gilkey, Wm. M. Tutt, R. S. Wooldridge, Edward Welch, I. L. Dye, Jas. E. Summon, A. A. Doake, John M. Lurby, Joel P. Low- ing, Wm. Owsley, John A. Townsend, Wm. Smith, D. B. Rivis, E. Doman, B. F. Lewis, R. L. England, R. L. Elder, David Owsley, E. Welch, Thomas Hinkle, John Howard, Andrew Worth, A. C. Umstattd, A. H. Boggs, Noah Crual, Jas. Bones, P. H. Duncan, R. M. Anderson, W. F. Carpenter, Sidney Scott, B. F. Cross, Jas. Hinkle, Wm. Hutson, Wm. Harlow, David Bradshaw, G. W. Vowill, James Fox, Wm. H Fruners, A. G. Fulton, J. F. R. Turner, R. H. Atkins, Sam'l P. Rimsy, John H. Baily, John B. Baily, W. P. Day, B. S. Durrett, J. B. Pemberton, W. A. Givins, J. W. West, L. C. Camden, Wm. Welch, Henry Stumpff, Matthew Cummins, E. T. Peyton, Wm. Wiseman, John F. West, Jas. D. Smith, George M. Stange, Wm. G. King, Miles Bradshaw, W. L. Suart, Morris Hodges, R. L. Skillman, T. N. Carpenters, G. H. Duncan, B. F. Umstattd, Wm. Allen, John Umstattd, Jas. G. Atkins, Adam Thomas, Wm. Cummins, C. P. Smith, Josiah Holden, Martin Orr, S. W. Pember- ton, J. A. Turner, John Hughs, D. M. Holden, Sanford Vineen, Jas. Alexander, Brinkly Hornsby, John H. Priestly, G. A. Flowon, John A. Drake, George S. Hammon, Dennis Dunham, N. T. Doake, Jessie Coats, John Taggart, Alford White, J. Cooke, J. C. Parsons, G. J. Farrensworth, W. D. Turner, Sanford Cummins, Porter Magors, J. B. Andersen, Jas. Savage, Martin P. Foster, Wm. P. Foster, Wm. Hill, M. W. Fulton, John S. Graves, Benjamin Cross, D. S. W. Boston, J. G Cocke, R. S. Gilliland, F. R. Jackson, John Enirson, G. B. Summon, C. H. Harris, A. G. Beard, M. P. Fisher, Jas. Furgeson, W. J. Climont, Wm. Hodges, John Orr, H. H. Dobyns, W. S. Wood, John C. Gilbert, F. M. Scott, J. S. B. Strange, W. P. Carrington, A. M. Potts, Sam'l Smith, A. O. Faumhill, S. V. Tur- ner, Wm. H. Reese, Jas. Corkran, J. C. Rogers, W. H. Anderson, Sam'l Craig, Thos. Durrall, Thos. J. Jones, Isaac Jacobs, John W. Barsdale, George W. Gloyd, John Baker, John W. Tackitt, Daniel Gloyd, S. L. Smith, Jas. A. Wilson, Cyrus Plouman, B. E. McVey, Wm. Adams, Thos. A. Jennings, Wm. P. Hulso, A. H. Stout, Wm. T. Kennedy, Wm. Burden, S. A. Scott, W. C. Duncan Wm. H. Camden, Selbourn Nailor, David Davenport, Nathaniel Baker, A. J. Fulton, S. N. Copsland, W.m. Payne, R. Z. R. Wall, Wm. S. Hughs.

STATE OF MISSOURI,

Johnson County. SS.

We, the undersigned judges of an election begun and held at the town of Rose Hill, in Madison township, in the county of Johnson, on the 2d of August, 1858, do hereby certify that the following candidates held and received the number of votes attached to the name of each as follows, (viz .:

For Congress, Samuel H. Woodson 78 votes, John W. Reed 92 votes, George R. Smith, 40 votes; for State Superintendent, Wm. B. Starks 106 votes, J. G, Province 36 votes; for State Senate, M. G. Goodlett 126, S. L. Cornwell 58; for Representative, Robert Shaw 115, Aikman Welch 78; forCounty Court Judge,

483

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Morton Thompson 9, W. C. Baker 49; Samuel Craig 116; for Sheriff, G. W. Houts, 188; for County Treasurer, Wm. S. Hume 70, W. H. Anderson 110; for County School Commissioner, Alexander Mars 40, John Gibbons 130; for Coro- ner, Henry H. Dobyns 42, A. Morgan, 112, Ruee Brown 8. for Justice of the Peace of Madison township to fill the vacancy of Wm. Dishager, Samuel S. Smith 81, Wm. C. Duncan 34, Silas N. Copeland 37; for Constable of Madison township, Wm. H. Camden 49, Wm. Payne 53, Wm. S. Hughes 79, David Dav- enport 9.

Given under our hands this 2d day of August, A. D., 1858.

Attest.

JOHN BAKER,

JOHN H. BAILY. Clerks. DENNIS DUNHAM, - Judges.

N. L. DOAKE,

The reader will pardon us for giving this document in full, but it con- tains a rather complete list of the voters that lived in this township before the war, and also affords some important political history. Many of the men whose names are found in this list, are now living, and, in many cases, the most respected citizens in the county. In many cases, their children and their grandchildren are men and women now, engaged in the various pursuits they then followed, and living it may be, on and around the same old homestead. These, then, cannot fail to be proud to see their fore- fathers names recorded in this history, and to also. see with what great political leaders their names were enrolled.

The population of this township in 1876, according to census, was 2,170, and in 1881 it had increased to 2,931. Since then the population has increased still more rapidly, especially in Holden, giving to this town a population nearly equal to the whole town in 1880.

We give below some statistical reports in regard to stock in this town- ship in the year 1880, and the reader must bear in mind that Madison is a very small territory, containing as we have said only 42 square miles of land. In Madison township there were 719 horses, valued at $25,100, 2 asses valued at $50, 191 mules valued at $8,590, 2,539 cattle valued at $17,093, 849 sheep valued at $849, 2,833 hogs valued $4,096. Money notes, bonds, and other credits, $114,582. All other personal property . $83,794, making a total of $254,254. This is a very large sum of money to be owned by the inhabitants of 42 square miles of land, very little of which being occupied by a town.

The Missouri Pacific railroad passes very nearly through the center of the township. After crossing the township line it passes in a southwestern direction, until it gets to the suburbs of Holden, when it turns and passes through this place, a little north of west, and thence continues in its general course, unchanged, till it runs into Kingsville township.

The most southern point on the railroad is about two and a half miles from the southern township line. The Arizona and Kansas division runs northeast through a small part of the township on the west, and makes

484

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Holden its eastern terminus. These two roads have done, perhaps, more than anything else to build up the township and its only city, Holden.

The wagon roads in the township are among the best to be found in the county. Bridges or good fords are found at all points where the roads cross the streams. In many cases the roads are shaded partly by good hedge fences, and in all places the fences found in this part of the county are made of the very best material and kept in the best possible condition. All the roads are very largely traveled, especially in the seasons of grain delivery. Roads pass through the county in all directions and little or no difficulty is experienced by the people in going from one place to another. The roads in general lead toward Holden, though there are plenty of roads leading through the country. A large part of the history of this township belongs to the town of Holden, and hence much that would be given in an ordinary township history is here reserved for the history of Holden, it being a place of so much importance as to require a separate history.

The church history of this township extends back as far as its organi- zation, but reliable records have been very difficult to obtain, and hence, only a few meagre facts are given. There are only two church organiza- tions outside of Holden, that worship in the township, and only one of these have a building set apart for the sole use of the congregation.

The Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Rock Spring, Madison town- ship. This is probably the oldest church in the township. It was organ- ized May 21, 1835, by Rev. R. D. Morrow. The exact time is not known when the church was built, but it was made many years before the war. The church was built of stone and was the common place of worship for all the farmers for miles around, before the war. During the war it was burned but as the walls were made of stone, they remained standing. In 1870 this building was repaired, while the church was under the care of Rev. J: Cal. Littrell with a cost to the church of about $1,200. This was ded- icated in the same year by Rev. J. A. Prather. But the first congrega- tion of the church was called New Hope, and this remained their name till 1843, when it was changed to Rock Spring. The pastors that have served in this church since the war are; Rev. J. Cal. Littrell, Rev. S. D. Givens, Rev. John A. Prather and Rev. Frank Russell. The original members are as follows: Lazarus Masterson, Elizabeth Masterson, Deborah Masterson, Samuel E. Rowden, Nancy Rowden, William Big- ham, Sr., Lydia Bigham, Jane Bigham, James Givens, Joanna Givens, Martin Forgeson, Mary Ann Forgeson, Robert M. White, Jane White, Jane Brooks, Elizabeth Bigham, and Samuel L. White. The first session was composed of Robert M. White, Lazarus Masterson and Samuel E. Rowden. The present session is composed of Milas Russell, John Por- ter, B. S. Hiatt, S. G. Bigham and David Hogan. , J. B. Chapman, who

485

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

was killed by a train in Texas, was an elder. This church has now 130 resident members; has a large Sunday school with an average attendance of 543. This Sunday school is conducted by Rev. Frank Russell, with J. C. Gilliam as secretary. Rev. Russell has been in charge of this church since 1876 and has now the highest respect and love of his congregation.

M. E. Church South-Round Grove .- This church is situated in the northeast corner of Madison township. It was organized May 16, 1879, by Rev. S. P. Cobb. They have no church building but worship regu- larly in Round Grove school house. The pastor of this church for the first two years of its existence was Rev. S. P. Cobb; and the pastor for the present year is Rev. W. S. Woodard. The names of the original members are Silas Ellisten, J. P. Lowrey, F. Lowrey, O. W. Strange, V. Strange, V. K. Shepherd, J. V. Tapscott, M. A. Tapscott, Sr., M. A. Tapscott, Jr., F. L. Tapscott, C. L. Woolfolk and D. P. Woodruff, J. D. Ellisten, P. R. Ferguson. They have a present membership of twenty- five; have an average attendance at Sunday-school of forty-five. This Sunday-school is under the superintendence of D. B. Woodruff, and has B. F. Wineland as its secretary. These few followers of Christ have proved themselves earnest workers in the cause of Truth and in the ser- vice of their Master.

The school districts of the county, which are laid out irrespective of township lines, are mostly found to include part of two or more townships, so that probably the schools of Holden are the only schools entirely within the township lines. These schools, like most country schools in the county, are taught from four to seven months in a year, and a very large per cent of the teachers are supplied from the State Normal at Warrensburg. Many young ladies are employed to teach in these schools, and are pre- ferred by many to male teachers. The salaries of these teachers vary from $30 to $60 a month, owing largely to the wants of the public. No difficulty is experienced in obtaining teachers to supply the wants of these schools. The attendance at these schools range from fifteen to forty schol- ars, or even more, varying in age from six to twenty years. C

This township has soil as rich as any in the county. Large crops of wheat and corn are annually brought forth and these all find a ready and convenient market in Holden. Many of the farmers find it more profita- ble to raise stock and feed their crops out to them.

Stock dealing is one of the most profitable trades in the county when properly understood. Farmers sometimes go out to other counties in the south and west and buy up a large number of cattle or sheep and bring them home to feed. Nearly all farms of any size have good well bearing orchards on them, so that the people are supplied with fruits nearly all seasons of the year. All kinds of apples, pears, peaches, cherries and damsons are raised on these farms, The farm houses are mostly frame,

486

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

but neat and commodious, ornamented with much taste, yet simple and unostentatious.

CHAPTER III .- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.

Introduction-Name-Location-Physical Features-Old Settlers-Election Notice of

1858-Gallaher Mill-Old Entries -- Knob Noster-Civic Societies -- Knob Noster Cem- etery-Knob Noster Public Schools-Churches-Cemeteries-Schools-Knob Noster and the Press-Depot-Mills-Banks-Post Offices-Directory-Town Officers-Coal Fields-Census-Statistics-Township Officers-Health -- Agriculture -- Horticulture Stock Raising-Incidents.

God provides the good things of the world to serve the needs of nature, by the labors of the plowman, the skill and pains of the artisan, and the dangers and traffic of the merchant. *

* * The idle person is like one that is dead, unconcerned in the changes and necessities of the world; and he only lives to spend his time, and eat the fruits of the earth; like a vermin or a wolf, when their time comes, they die and perish, and in the meantime, do no good.

JEREMY TAYLOR.

Room for wealth and enjoyment brought the pioneers to this new coun- try full fifty years ago; but when they came their attention, in many instances was turned more to the latter than the former. Here wealth could only be obtained through the slow process of hard and enduring toil. The trees were to fell, roots to dig up, and the prairies to break before the pioneer could even realize a stinted livelihood. It required a strong man to meet all the hardships that surrounded these old settlers. On the other hand the enjoyment of the chase was quite enticing every day. At that time wild game was here in abundance. Deer, turkey, elk, antelope, and bear, could be found at any time on the wooded streams or in the tall grass of the prairies.

The early settlers were plain in dress, devoted in religion, and honest in their ways. In the school-room and the church service they gave alike praise to both teacher and preacher for their work in mental and moral improvements. The excellent citizens of to-day are the offspring of those honest old pioneers. The praying men and women in the several churches of this township tell the story of their early training and the character of their fathers and mothers. The Cross of Christ is a light burden to the devoted Christian who loves-

" To steal awhile away From every cumbering care, And spend the hours of setting day In humble, grateful prayer."

The early pioneers were not careless in their family devotions, as some may suppose. In those rude old log cabins, the kind-hearted Christian

487

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY

mother never renounced the idea of bringing up her children in prayer and purity of heart to serve God and love their fellows.

In our sketch of Washington township, we shall endeavor to give the reader such facts as have come within the scope of the historian. The name, location, physical features, and sketchs of old settlers will be briefly touched. The towns will be noticed in connection with the township details. The. religious history of the township is one of which the people should be proud, and which we will give as elaborately as we can gather facts in rela- tion to their origin and growth.

Name .- Washington township was created by an order of the county court, and named in honor of Gen. George Washington, general-in-chief of the American's during the revolutionary war, and the first president of the United States, May 4, 1835. The first four townships of the county were named for presidents whom the people at that day regarded as model statesmen.

It is due that we should give a short sketch of him who was "first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his countrymen," but space forbids.

George Washington, an illustrious American patriot, general, and states- man, and first president of the United States, was born in Westmoreland county, Virginia, February 22, 1732, and died at Mt. Vernon, Virginia, December 14, 1799.

Washington township, of Johnson county, Missouri, is bounded on the north by Simpson and Grover townships, on the east by Pettis county, on the south by Jefferson and Post Oak townships, and on the west by War- rensburg township, and contains an area of eighty-one square miles. It is the same size of Jackson township. These are the two largest townships in the county.

This township was established by an order of the court, May 4, 1835. And is well situated in the eastern part of the county, midway north and south. Its western boundary is three miles from the county seat, while the eastern boundary is upwards of twelve miles.

The Physical Features .- The surface of the township is quite rolling, and in some places very abrupt and hilly. The surface is well drained by Clear Fork, Long Branch, Walnut Creek, and Bear Creek, the principal streams of the township. Limestone and sandstone rocks are found in different parts of the township, and the soil generally partakes of the nature of the rocks in that locality. Clear Fork, the principal stream, has its source in the southern part of Post Oak township, and flows northeast, cutting off the northwest corner or Jefferson township, i. e., section 24, and entering this township in section 13, township 45, range 25; thence nine miles almost due north, leaving the township in section 6, township 46, range 25; passing through the southwest corner of section 31, township

488

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

47, range 25, of Grover township, it runs three miles northwest, in Simp- son township, to the place where it unites with the Blackwater. In an early day, water-mills were successfully run on this stream. In section six, near the Drinkwater ford, stood the old Gallaher mills, once so well known to the pioneers. In those days, this stream contained abundance of fish. This is the only stream in the county which has in its forests butternut, or white walnut, timber. The white walnut of this stream grows luxuriantly, and there are some large trees of it. These trees yield heavy loads of mast every year, from one of a dozen years to the one of a century's growth. This stream, although it does not vary a mile, either to the right or left, in its course, is very crooked, forming many short turns and angles, as it descends from the broken and hilly section of Bristle Ridge. Fine peacock coal is found in drift beds in many places on this stream, near the northern brow of Bristle Ridge.

Bear Creek is the next stream in size of the township. It is formed by rills from Bristle Ridge, of Warrensburg township, entering this town- ship at the southeast corner of section 15, township 46, range 25, at the bridge on the Warrensburg and Montserrat public road, forming a deep channel though rich alluvial soils; keeping close to the western part of the township, it leaves it at the northwest corner, and runs one-fourth of a mile and unites with Blackwater in Simpson township. The channel of this stream is deep and the bottoms are swampy, malarial-producing land. Walnut Creek, in the eastern part of the township is the third stream in size. It has its source in the prairie east of Knob Noster, leav- ing the township in the eastern part of section 4, township 46, range 25. This stream furnishes abundance of stock water through the whole year. In some places the water is quite deep, and the stream is required to be bridged. Long Branch is in the southern part of the township and flows just south of the beautiful country residence of L. C. Littlefield. Huff branch has its source on the summit of Bristle Ridge and flows west into Clear Fork. Wolf Branch heads near Montserrat, and flows northwest.

The soils of this township, although quite various, are all productive. In an early day hemp and flax did well here. At present corn and wheat are the staple productions. The soil of Bristle Ridge is quite thin, but by proper cultivation, potatoes and sorghum do well. The soil on the knolls is of an ash or mulatto hue, considerably mixed with a tough clay. The whole surface is underlaid with coal. From the rich, fine land on which Montserrat stands the soil is very fertile over the whole rolling sur- face, including about all the land north of the excellent stock farm of Capt. E. W. Dawson, east of Bear Creek, south and west of Clear Fork. A few miles east of Clear Fork the land is of a deep, rich loam, on the prairies, and a light sandy soil in the timber, especially on Walnut Creek. North of Walnut Creek around the beautiful stock farms owned

489

HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

by W. D. Carpenter and Simeon Blackburn, the land borders on black limestone soil, and is very productive. All of the prairie land north of Knob Noster varies in its composition; however, it is all fair farming land. In the southern part of the township, principally on Long Branch, the land is underlaid with marl, which is very valuable for subsoiling. In the future, it will be worth hundreds of dollars to farmers. In the vicinity of Knob Noster the land is made up of sandstone ridges on the southwest, and on the east it constitutes a beautiful rolling prairie of fertile farms.

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.

The history of Johnson County, Missouri : including a reliable history of the townships, cities, and towns, together with a map of the county; a condensed history of Missouri; the state constitution; an abstract of the most important laws etc, Part 56

Author: Publication date: 1881 Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Kansas City Historical Company Number of Pages: 1056

Author:
Publication date: 1881
Publisher: Kansas City, Mo. : Kansas City Historical Company
Number of Pages: 1056