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 67

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 67

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The Poor Farm, consisting of 255 acres, is in the northeast part of the township. The county judges made of late some improvements on the farm. It is under the excellent management of William P. Hisey. The land lies 180 acres in a square, ninety acres of which is under fence. The original price of the place, paid by the county court, was upward of $3,- 200. A good barn 47x50 is on the place, which cost $1,000. The place has a cistern which supplies good water for the inmates.

At present there are eight indigent and demented persons under charge. Charity Smith a blind white woman has been here for thirteen years. Lucy Wood, a blind negro woman, has been here about three years. She claims to be 110 years old but her statement cannot be relied on.

To visit this institution one would think it an insane asylum instead of a place of refuge for the poor.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

The following persons have had charge of this institution, but none have done so well as the present manager, Mr. W. Hisey: S. Y. Harris, Jas. A. Bridges, Daniel Marr, and Alfred McDonald. The present manager took charge March 18, 1878. He improves and keeps up the farm for what he can make from it, and the county allows him twenty cents per diem for each pauper and he is permitted to work them when able. The county furnishes bedding and medical attention. Dr. J. M. Ward is county physician and is allowed fifty dollars per month for his services. This is an institution that the people of this county ought to feel proud in · sustaining. The county court have wisely managed the poor farm dur- ing she past few years.

Robert Thompson came to this county in 1834. He was first appointed justice of the peace in 1844 and acted in that capacity for thirteen years. He was a native of Tennessee.

This township has never had a lawyer to reside here.

The Religion of Christ was kept sacred wherever his followers went. No more pious and devoted Christians are to be found than those old pio- neers. They trusted the Lord for his kindness and gave him their hearts. The first religious meeting was held at the residence of Thomas Cull, by a methodist minister in 1836. The first church building was erected by the C. P. Church in 1858 and known as "Pisgah." Camp-meeting began to be held as early as 1841. A noted camp-meeting ground was held near the noted Chalybeate spring, where the church purchased about 180. acres of land.

In September, 1844, while one of these camp-meetings was in progress, snow fell to the depth of three inches. On those camp-meeting grounds dozens of sheds and cabins were erected, for the people came a great dis- tance. Those sheds would shelter thousands of people. At the Chaly- beate spring the big shed was covered with boards. Revs. J. B. and Robert D. Morrow and Claib Davis were prominent revivalists. The Chilhowee Union chapel is owned by four denominations. It was erected in 1876 at a cost of $1,600. It is a large, neat frame building. The fol- lowing denominations worship here: M. E. Church (south), Cumberland Presbyterians, M. E. Church and Protestant Methodists.

The M. E. Church (South) was organized here in 1844. The follow- ing are some of the old members: John I. Culley, John Wright, Thos. Cull, Douglass Wright, Geo. Hackler, Wilson D. Carpenter, John Wilson and their families. The following circuit riders have preached here: T. M. Cobb, W. L. King, T. P. Cobb, J. B. H. Woolridge, W. M. Pitts, Thos. Wallace, J. W. Bond, B. Margson, J. D. Wood, and W. S. Wood- ard, the present preacher, in charge. The membership is about forty. A union Sunday school is conducted here with a large attendance. David N. Simons is superintendent; Sell Shoemaker, secretary. Rev.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Headley preached here prior to the war, but was killed by the militia during the war, in St. Clair county, Mo.

The Cumberlaud Presbyterians have a good organization here. Rev. Benton Farr, a distinguished minister, has charge of the congregation. The officers of the church have failed to give a sketeh of its history.

The M. E. Church was organized here in 1869, with two members- man and wife-E. Barnum and Mrs. Hannah T. Barnum, by Rev. Henry Threlfall. Now the organization numbers thirty-six. The following ministers have been in charge: J. Jones, J. H. Gilespie, J. S. Porter, G. V. Houts, A. Anderson and B. F. January. The future prospects of the church are bright.

The Protestant Methodists date back prior to the war, when they held camp-meetings. They have a small organization here, with the Rev. J. H. Young as preacher. Their leading members have furnished us no sketch of their church.

Second Liberty Baptist Church meets at the Borthick school-house in the northwest part of the township, seven and one-half miles southeast of Holden. It was organized by Wm. Owsley in 1849. The following ministers have served: Wm. Owsley, F. M. West, Israel Tompkins, A. M. Cockrell, L. M. Horn and Henry Barton. The original members are not known. The present membership is sixty-four. The average attendance of the Sunday school is seventy; C. C. Little, superintendent ; and Edwin Little, secretary. This congregation formerly worshiped at Bear Creek Union Church, five miles southeast from here. They still hold an interest in that building, and worship on the first Sabbath in each month. W. W. Hall is clerk of the church.

Pisgah C. P. Church is in section 36, township 45, range 27. It is a commodious country frame building. We have failed to get a sketch of the church. Rev. S. Finis King is the preacher in charge. J. A. Bridges is superintendent of the Sunday school. Most of these churches were built in the last ten years. In August, 1881, Elder R. L. McHatten held a protracted meeting at Chilhowee, under the auspices of the Christian Missionary Society, of Johnson county, and organized a congregation of twenty-one members. Elders J. H. Hughes and J. A. Lord assisted in this work.

The cause of education was introduced by Joseph Cusick, who taught a subscription school, in an old house, in 1840. Richard Anderson, Abram Stout, James Blackburn, Messrs. Graham, White and others, are among the old teachers.

We have solicited a sketch of each school district; but few have replied.

Lone fack School, No. 71, is in section 29, township 44, range 27, in the southern part of Chilhowee township. The house, a neat frame

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

building, was erected in 1878, at a cost of $400. The following teachers have taught here: Miss Sarah Webster, C. M. McGirk, two terms; Wm. H. Cook, Rowena Gray, two terms; Miss Nancy Shivers, fall of 1881. During the summer of 1880 Miss Gray celebrated the closing of her school by a picnic in the grove. A. J. Sparks was invited to prepare an address on education, which he delivered here with high appreciation. The exercises were interspersed with music, and the occasion was quite pleasant to all.

The following is a further list of the schools: Mason Hall, No. 54; Elliott District, No. 67; Chilhowee, No. 70; Borthick, No. 75; School No. 47; School, No. 122; School, No. 68; School, No. 56; School, No. 51.

There are but few civic societies of the township.

A. F. and A. M., Lodge of Peace, No. 280, meets in the hall, in the village of Chilhowee. C. C. Morrow, now of Warrensburg, was the first W. M. The present officers are: C. R. Oglesby, W. M .; and J. M. Roberts, secretary. A grange hall is in section 31, where the farmers once had a good organization.

The following is a short sketch of the cemeteries of the township:

Walnut Grove, or Carpenter Cemetery, in section 27, is among the old- est burying places. It contains two acres, and is divided into two hundred lots. Isaac M. Carpenter was the first buried here. When the first grave was dug, hazel brush covered the spot. Since then walnut trees have grown up among the graves, which were cut away during the summer of 1881, large enough for house sills, for which purpose they have contrib- uted. Such is the rapid growth of timber.

Chilhowee Cemetery lies one and one-half miles south of the village, in section 24, township 44, range 27. It consists of one acre, reserved or left . by will of Hosea Young, for free burial purposes. Mrs. Sallie J. Young was buried here March 5, 1868, being the first to lie in the "city of the dead." She was born August 21, 1800, of Scotch-Irish extraction, in the state of Vermont. There are a few other graveyards in other parts of the township, whose history we have not gleaned.

The agricultural interests of Chilhowee township are by far the most prominent. Wheat and corn are the staples. Beautiful, substantial dwell- ings, with comfortable surroundings, are to be found in every part of this township. The wheat yield is here the best of the county. From several, we learn, the wheat has averaged from 30 to 40 bushels per acre. J. R. Carpenter owns an excellent small farm. The soil is of a deep black limestone, which produces wheat, 25 and 30 bushels per acre; corn, 50 to 70 bushels per acre. Fruits of all kinds generally raised in this locality, do well here.

A rural correspondent of the Holden Enterprise writes from here:

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

" The wheat harvest continues to be good each year. A few men have paid for small farms by raising wheat. The fine wheat harvest is about over, and the yield is good.

Now the reaper may sing a joyful song, For the future is bright and the time isn't long, When in any market the wheat may be sold For something less than a dollar in gold."

In the southwest part of the township, Capt. Wm. Ramey, a desperate, wild scout of a militia gang, captured four southern strangers, on their way home, to northern Missouri. After running them all day in the snow he shot them down in cold blood, " in pay," as he said, for the murder of his brother, Daniel Ramey, by the bushwhackers, in 1862. These south- ern men's bones lie buried on Wilie P. Carrington's farm.

Stock Raising has, of late years, elicited several good farmers into the business. Blooded stock has been brought to the township, and the stock raiser is now realizing the benefits. W. P. Carrington, T. N. and J. R, Carpenter, and others keep fine stock. In the northern part of the town- ship sheep do well. Dr. J. B. McGirk keeps a handsome flock of sheep. Too many dogs have discouraged wool-growers in the past few years, so that the number of sheep in the township has not kept pace with other stock. The many fine blue grass pastures enable the farmer to keep good stock without any loss in the outlay.

CHAPTER VIII .- POST OAK TOWNSHIP.

Introduction - Name - Location -Physical Features -Creeks-Population-Statistics -- Pioneer Settlers-Roads-Fords-Fences -- Cornelia-Name and Incidents-Burnett Station - Postoffices - Aubrey - Churches - Shiloh - Providence - Christian - Dunkard-Harmony -- Mount Zion-M. E. Church (South) -- Cemeteries-Cornelia and Other Cemeteries-Educational Interests-First Teachers-Present Schools- Physicians-Agriculture-Stock Raising-Fallen Braves.

There Health, so wild and gay, with bosom bare, And rosy cheek, keen eye and flowing hair, Trips with a smile the breezy scene along, And pours the spirit of content in song.

-Peter Pindar.

The prominent position occupied by Post Oak township in Johnson county renders it important that we should give her a conspicuous place in the annals of the county. Its astonishing progress in population, wealth and intilligence, as well as its prospective importance, are such as fully justify recording the events that have become public since the first settle- ments were made.

It will be pleasant to those who are the offspring of the old settler to peruse these pages, for we shall endeavor to make the most striking fea-

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

tures of this treatise pertain principally to the pioneers and their settle- . ments. We shall attempt to give the reader narratives of pioneer life, descriptions of interesting localities, and personal reminiscences. The sta- ple products of the locality, the quality of the soil, the course and size of its principal streams, its educational advantages-all these items of inter- est, and many others, will be largely dwelt upon. We will give, as full as we have information, sketches of the rise, the progress and the present condition of the various religious denominations of the township. We will give short biographies of the leading men, living and dead, who have been prime factors in building up the township. The name will be briefly noticed as is most relevant. The location and physical features of the township will be given more in a general view, precluding technical points of minute and secluded nooks. The excellent coal beds of the town can- not receive more than a passing notice. Roads, fences, and the creeks will have a prominent place in the descriptive geography of the township in connection with the physical features.

Population of 1880, with such other statistics before and after that date, will be produced.

The town of Cornelia, with name' and such incidents as will remind the reader of its present and former glory. We shall speak of the postoffices, the churches, schools, cemeteries, agricultural and other interests, as we may have recourse to historical facts. No historian, however well versed in antiquities, can possibly give all the incidents relative to the many changes of a county or township. Public records and documents preserve correctly the dates. The memory of the pioneers has materially aided us in giving events. If all the dates are not correct, it is because the sketcher has failed to procure desired information. However, we trust we may interest the reader in the details of what may follow.

Name .- Names most common are frequently chosen to denominate particular objects. The ancients and many pagans of this age found in the hills, valleys, mountains and forests, ideas for appropriate names. Whatever impressed them most they applied as a distinctive name to the object. From the time that Abram took his rest under the "Oak of Mamre," the quercus family have been regarded of high value. Under the head of Hazel Hill township, will be found a limited description of the shrubs and trees belonging to the quercus family. Since the days of the famous "Charter Oak," the old oak that secreted the charter of Con- necticut colony during the troubles between England and America, very many objects have borne the name of "Charter Oak." Of late, Post Oak has achieved considerable notoriety in behalf of public display. And the pride of her chivalrous sons and daughters has been to win the prize at all exhibitions. Miss Mollie Booth, the handsome equestrian, has won the prize for being the most graceful lady on horseback.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

This township received the name of Post Oak by an order of the county court, February 14, 1849, about 33 years ago. Since then it has been reduced to its present size by the formation of townships in its immediate neighborhood. The name, Post Oak was applied to this section of the county on account of the creek by that name, and the creek took the name from the abundance of post oak woods bordering on the stream. Post oak timber covers the greater portion of the land in the western and northern parts of the township. In many places this post oak brush grows sufficiently large for fuel and fencing, but generally is just the requisite for rabbit hiding. The old leaves remain on this shrubbery all the year, and only drop off when the new ones begin to grow. In the distance, these bushes appear like a vast field of brown thickets. The leaves of these trees are pinated, and downy on the dorsal side. The growth is slow and the wood brittle and rough.

The geographical position of Post Oak township is in the south central part of the county. Post Oak township is bounded on the north by War- rensburg, and Washington townships, on the east by Jefferson township, on the south by Henry county, and on the west by Chilhowee township, and contains about seventy-two square miles.

Physical Features .- The surface is gently rolling throughout, consisting of prairie and timber, and is underlaid with an abundance of the best coal. In the northern part the land is quite sandy and suitable for small fruits, sorghum and potatoes, while in the southeastern part the soil is of a deep black limestone loam, well adapted to wheat and corn raising. It is drained on the east by Clear Fork and tributaries, and on the west by the creek from which the township derived its name, Post Oak, the principal water course of the township. The following are the principal creeks and branches of the township: Mineral creek, in the southeast, runs north into Clear Fork; Elk creek rises in the center and runs northeast and empties into Clear Fork. Mark, Long, Penley, Lick, Johnson, Wash, Prai- rie and Shanghai, are small creeks. Most of the streams of the township are shallow, and during heavy rains overflow their banks. In a few places there are some rugged hills along these streams, generally covered with good timber. At one time prairies were covered with tall prairie blue stem grass. This prairie grass yielded excellent hay, which was put up by stock feeders. Wherever the prairie grasses have died out, blue grass is taking its place, making equally as good pasturage. White wal- nut, or butternut, is found on Clear Fork, all the way along its course till it unites with Blackwater. This is the only creek in the county on which it grows. Black walnut, several varieties of hickory, red and white elm, hackberry, blue ash, several varieties of oak, bass or linn, honey locust, cottonwood, sycamore, box elder, persimmon and wild cherry, grow on the creeks. On the sandy ridges one will find plenty of running post oak.

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

Several years ago the prairies were annually burnt over, frequently running into the woods, destroying much of the young timber. Since then beautiful young groves have come up, and by proper care, at no very distant day, this will be a timbered township. The population of every place indicates, in part, its prosperity. Men generally flock to healthy, enterprising communities. In places where the land is produc- tive, church and school privileges good, there we find prosperous com- munities. In Post Oak township, although quite young in point of devel- opment, the people are liberal in the support of educational and religious institutions. R. T. Moses was United States census enumerator for the year 1880, and he gave the town of Cornelia thirty-seven citizens, and the township, including the village, 1,858 inhabitants. This township is more densely populated than any other part of the county off the railroad, which is indeed an evident fact that it is ahead of other places in point of natural resources, prosperity and enterprise. A great deal of the southern portion of the township was a wild prairie until after the war (1861). Consider- able of this prairie has been settled by immigrants from St. Louis county, Missouri. Since then the prairie has been called " St. Louis Prairie," but latterly "Pennsylvania Prairie."

The state census of 1877 stood as follows: Voters, 289; population, white, 1,553, colored, 27; horses, 882; mules, 348; cattle, 2,314; sheep, 1,124; hogs, 3,412; bushels of wheat, 2,837; corn, 411,200; oats, 10,575; rye, 47; pounds of tobacco, 24,365; wool, 2,570; tons of hay, 2,124; gal- lons of wine, 5; sorghum molasses, 4,355. As will be closely noticed by the reckoner, this was the banner corn township for that year, leading ahead of Chilhowee, the next best corn township, 40,940 bushels.

The following is the assessment list of personal property for this year, 1881: 985 horses, valued at $33,920; 3 asses, $240; 396 mules, $19,140; 2,907 cattle, $32,516; 1,660 sheep, $2,320; 5,380 hogs, $8,902; money, notes, bonds, and other credits, $47,803; all other personal property, $48,- 308; total, $192,489.

Although settlements were not made here quite as early as in other parts of the county, yet the general enterprise of the pioneers of Post Oak bespeak for them a name worthy to be remembered. About 1830, settle- ments began to be formed, and, step by step, the township kept pace with other parts of the county, until the dreadful civil war, of 1861, broke up the peace and prosperity of the community, for an interval of about six years.

Many old settlers entered the arena of war. Some wore the blue and some the gray. Now it may be well said of them in Longfellow's words:

We spake of many a vanished scene, Of what we once had thought and said, Of what had been, and might have. been,

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

And who was changed, and who was dead; And all that fills the heart of friends,

When first they feel, with secret pain,

Their lives hence forth have separate ends, And never can be one again.

From the beginning, this township was noted, as it is now, for the strict morality which characterized the members of society, showing that truly the lives of parents were stamped on their children. In the early days of the settlement " bolts and bars" were not needed, and but few families thought it necessary to lock their doors, even when absent for several weeks.

We are under many obligations for material information from R. N. Warnick, one of the worthy citizens of the township.

James Harris and his son, John M. Harris, came here in the year 1830,

PRIMITIVE HARVESTING.

from Tennessee. J. M. is now living in the township. Revs. Samuel King and R. D. King came also in 1830, and R. D. King is now in the state of Texas. Rev. Samuel King is dead. Maj. James Warnick came here from Tennessee, in the year 1833, and is still living in the township. Robert Thompson came here in 1832, and is dead. Abner Stewart came here in 1834, and is dead. John Marr came here in 1834, and is dead. Daniel Marr came here in 1834, and is living in the township. Samuel Evans came here from Kentucky, in the year 1837, and is living here.

In the settlement of this section, the greatest hardship which this band of pioneers had to encounter was their great distance from mills. The nearest mill was at Lexington, forty miles away to the north, on the Mis- souri river. The general place of trade was Boonville, sixty-five miles away to the northeast, on the Missouri river.

Maj. James Warnick is now living here, eighty-two years of age, and

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

enjoying good health. He is one of the kind-hearted, noble pioneers who always took an interest in building up the county. If a new settler came in, Maj. Warnick was sure to make him welcome. Preaching was held at his house for fifteen years, prior to the building of churches and school houses.

John M. Harris, seventy-four years of age, is living with T. P. War- nick, his son-in-law. He has been a useful man in his day, having assisted in building up several neighborhoods. He can now see that his early labors were not futile.

B. F. Wall, coming from North Carolina, settled here in 1839. He has a beautiful residence, and is one of the enterprising men of the township. His father, B. F. W.all, Sr., was born, November 11, 1803, in North Car- olina, of Irish ancestry, his wife, nee Miss Susan Fewell, was born Sep- tember 30, 1806, and departed this life February 25, 1868. They were united in marriage June 19, 1827, he at the age of twenty-four, and she in her twenty-first year. In politics, he was an "old line whig." Religiously, they were Baptists.

We give a few additional names of old settlers, who settled here at or before 1840: Thomas Irwin, Thomas J. Young, S. Stone, Samuel Hous- ton, Edward Nichols, Philip Stone, John Stone, William Strong, Joseph Stewart, B. F. Thomas, J. L. Glazebrook, John Marr, Alman Marr, Owen Cooper, James Hackler, Thomas Iimes, James Bone, Col. William Johnson, Addison McSpadden, and Frank Dwer.

Among the prominent citizens and ministers of the county, we mention the name of Rev. William P. C. Caldwell, of this township. He was named in honor of William Philpot Curren. He was born in Logan county, Kentucky, August 12, 1810, of Scotch-Irish stock. Samuel Cald- well, his father, was a native of Virginia, and belonged to the "F. F. V's." He was a lawyer, and of Irish ancestry, and of the "Old Presbyterian faith." He was a brigadier-general, under Andrew Jackson, in the war of 1812, and did good service. His wife was of Scotch extraction, and died at a good age, in Russellville, Kentucky. He had the following chil- dren besides the subject of this sketch, who was a minister: Robert, Samuel, A. B., James-one a physician. Samuel was a C. P. minister, who lived in Macon, Missouri, Julia A. married Jonathan Keedy, and Polly Ann, J. C. Morgan.

Elder Wm. P. C. Caldwell, of whom we are writing, was first educated in Russellville academy. He subsequently moved to Caldwell county, where January 12, 1832, he was married to Miss Jane S. Jackson; he at the age of twenty-one, and she about one year his senior. She was born November 29, 1808. Elder James Mansfield was the officiating clergy- man. L. C. Littlefield, of Washington township, married Elder James Mansfield's youngest daughter.

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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 67

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