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 71
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elevated regions, and is the very best of corn land. The gray soil is found in the lowlands and by subsoiling yields an abundant crop of wheat. The sandy soils are found along the upland ravines and is the very best of fruit and sorghum land. The fertility of the soil is truly wonderful. Here the agricolist is well paid for his toils. The soil appears to be inex- haustible. There are fields which have been cultivated in corn continu- ously for upwards of fifty years, and yet yield from forty to seventy-five bushels to the acre.
The beautiful residence of James K. Tyler, " Summit Home," is on an elevated limestone ridge, in section 10, town 47, overlooking the lowlands. His land, at times, produces very good wheat. Here, the farmer and horticulturist may be well paid, and on account of the various soils on his land, which grades through all shades of very fair tillable land, his large crops of wheat, corn, and grasses, have amply rewarded him for his labors. A. J. Sparks was U. S. census ennumerator for 1880. In 1877 the popu- lation was 1,076, of that number 43 were negros. In the same year the census stood as follows: Number of voters, 219; horses, 669; mules, 250; cattle, 1,365; sheep, 1,050; hogs, 3,433; bushels of wheat, 50,548; corn, 223,680; oats, 9,236; rye, 532; pounds of tobacco, 6,064; wool, 2,621; tons of hay, 801, gallons of wine, 100; sorghum molasses, 2,775. The assessed personal property for the year 1881 was as follows: 591 horses at $20,395; 2 jacks, $125; 266 mules, $14,705; 1695 cattle, $18,787; 964 sheep, $1446; 3754 hogs, $5366; notes, $29,510; all other personal property, $54,473; total, $154,325.
Early Settlers .- The early settlers must have a place in the history of the country where they settle, above all else. To them we owe more than we are willing to give. They stood the fiery test and passed through the ordeal of hardships and a pioneer life, that their offspring might fondly remember. Many of those sturdy old men have lived to see a vast prairie teeming with waving golden grain, and instead of the elk, deer and buffalo, domestic animals roaming at large upon a thousand hills, and many of those worthy old settlers have realized with the poet Campbell, in " Pleasures of Hope:"
" 'Tis the sunset of life gives us mystical lore,
And coming events cast their shadows, before."
The Ingram family came to Missouri in the year 1852. Mrs. Malinda Ingram, a widow, with her five children, two boys and three girls in sec- tion 18, town 47, where Geo. W. P. Ingram and his two sisters now reside. Mrs. Malinda Ingram was born in Knox county, Tennesse, in 1805, and died November 6, 1875, and buried in Tebbs' cemetery. She was a noble and good woman, a consistent and devoted member of the Southern M. E. Church. Wm. T. Ingram, her son, was born in Knox county, Tennessee, August 31, 1843, and died at his home very suddenly
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
of heart disease, January 8, 1881. He was a man well liked. . He served in the confederate service during the late war, and when he returned home, gave his attention to farming. He was among the very best farmers of the township.
Larkin Hocker, Sr., was born in Lincoln county, Ky., near Standford, November 20, 1811, and came to Johnson county just after its foundation, and settled near where he now resides in the fall of 1835. On account of no house, he camped out for several weeks, until he could build. At first he put up a few shanties of round, rough logs. This sort of tenements was abandoned in about two years for a more commodious log house. The old house still stands, a relic to be prized, on his son's land. The logs were nicely hewn, and for that day presented the appearance of a hand- some dwelling. The old settlers spoke of it in the most flattering terms, and declared it the best house in the country. It was covered with walnut shingles, and although the pelting rain has beat upon that roof for forty- five years, yet it remains a good shelter. During the first winter fifty acres were enclosed, and the next spring he commenced farming. By industry and care he has owned upwards of 1,200 acres of choice land, all except 720 acres of that has been given to his children. He reared a family of three girls and one boy. His wife, Mrs. Eliza Jane Hocker, nee Miss Thornton, was born in the same neighborhood with her husband, May 29, 1813. They have both led a most happy, conjugal life, together, and are now living in easy circumstances, and enjoying moderate health. They now reside in a substantial brick dwelling, erected in 1848, (section 14, township 47,) ever since they left the old log cabin. Many recollec- tions of that once neat cottage, are fresh in the memory of this aged pair. In politics, Mr. Hocker is an unswerving democrat. In religion, the whole family are adherents to the Christian church.
Charles Thornton came here in 1835, in company with his son- in-law, Larkin Hocker, and improved, with the assistance of his negroes, a handsome farm. He died at the residence of L. Hocker, October 12, 1843. He was among the earliest members of the Christian church, and highly respected by all who knew him.
Dr. Grandison Thornton, son of Charles Thornton, was one of the ear- liest physicians of this part of the county. He had a very extensive prac- tice. At one time he kept an apothecary shop, ordering his drugs from St. Louis. During the war he went to Jasper county, and on his way to this county, he died near Ft. Scott.
Wm. Thornton came here in 1830, a native of Virginia, but subse- quently of Kentucky. He was a worthy member of the Baptist church, a charter member of the congregation, and a leader and supporter of the faith till his death, which occurred since the war.
Dr. B. F. Dunkley settled in section 1, township 47, where he now
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
resides, in the year 1846. He is of English extraction, born in England, but reared in Washington City, D. C. He commenced the regular prac- tice of medicine when the county was thinly settled, even so much so that it would often take him a whole day to visit a single patient. In that day there were no roads, and he traveled by course over the vast prairies and through the brush thickets.
At an early day the doctor entered land, and commenced to improve the prairie where the grass grew four feet high. His dwelling was one of the first houses in that section of country. His prairie was broken with four yoke of oxen. The doctor said, "I found malarial fever very prevalent, from the simplest chill to the most violent congestive forms of fever. As the county settled up the malarial fever became milder. I used to keep two good horses fat and in trim, for the malarial season, which generally began with August, and lasted through September and October. I would ride to see my patients on one side of the creek one day, and visit those on the other side, the next day." For much of the time the doctor had all the practice of the surrounding country. By slow, steady work, coupled by diligent practice and industry, upwards of 1,000 acres of choice land have fallen into his hands. As he did in his early practice, order his drugs from St. Louis, so he continues to keep his shop supplied with choice drugs. Drs. Joe Wheeler and R. S. Tyler were his students, both of them are doing well. He has always been a democrat, and the first vote he cast was in the city of Baltimore for Andrew Jackson, in 1832, when he ran the second time for president. He always stood prominent among the pioneers, and is a member of the State Medical Association. As a citizen and neighbor he has the esteem of all intelligent acquaintances. He married Miss Martha Jane Porter, in 1845, and he has brought up one child, Mrs. Mary Smith. The doctor and his wife are growing feeble with age and toil. They have about their home some beautiful and tasteful shrubbery and flowers, which make their home sweet and attractive. The doctor is a man of rare genius, intelligent and every way worthy to long be remembered among the early pioneers.
Solomon T. Taylor came here from Cooper county when twenty-two years of age, and was joined in wedlock with Elizabeth Marshall, and improved the farm in section 3, town 47, where his second wife, Elizabeth Zhan, now resides. He was a faithful and consistent member of the Christian church, and in politics a republican. He died February 7, 1870, and was buried in Mt. Zion cemetery. Wm. Cheek came here in 1829, in company with Mr. Lewis, from Saline county. Then the nearest set- tlement was Brownsville. Soon after the arrival of the families, Mrs. Lewis became dissatisfied and declared that she would not live in a country where there was nothing but howling wolves, deer and Indians. So to
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
gratify the wishes of his wife, Mr. Lewis sold his farm to Mr. Cheek, taking in exchange a milch cow, and moved back to Saline county. John Leeper came here at quite an eariy day and settled in section 21, town 47, just back and south of C. T. Tyler's farm, in what is now a nice young forest. Here in this forest was the field, and Mr. Joel Cox states that he cut wheat where those beautiful, slender saplings are standing. The fact is, where now stands a forest, once waved the golden grain.
James C. Rothwell came here in the fall of 1839, from Virginia, and built a small log house immediately and commenced improving the rich and beautiful farm he now owns. He was united in marriage with Mary S. Ramsey, in the spring of 1839. His wife died in the summer of 1875, and her remains sleep in the family graveyard. Mr. Rothwell has been a life long democrat; a gentleman loved and respected with a reputation worthy the highest type of piety. He and his family are members of the C. P. church. He owns a fine farm of the very best land of the township, and his excellent blue grass pasture "took " in grass without sowing a seed.
Charles M. Oglesby came here in 1834, from Kentucky, but formerly from Virginia. He was born August 17, 1801, and died on his farm Sep- tember 23, 1861. For many years he was a consistent member of the C. P. church.
Mrs. Jane Gilbert came here with her son-in-law, C. M. Oglesby, and died in October, 1836, and was buried on the homestead now owned by J. T. Oglesby. A thrifty white elm tree which has grown up by the grave, marks the spot where grandma Oglesby sleeps, and to the axman we would say, "spare that tree." Tarlton W. Oglesby, brother of C. M. Oglesby, came here in 1834, and entered land, and the following year brought his family. He was a faithful member of the Baptist church. William Gillum, brother-in-law of C. M. and T. W. Oglesby, came here with them. In politics he was a whig; in religion, a Cumberland Presbyterian.
Thomas Marshall came here in 1832, when there were but three little huts anywhere near, respectively owned by Wm. Cheep, John Leeper, and Wm. Marshall. The last came here in 1830. He was forty odd years of age when he came here from Orange county, Virginia. In the spring of 1850, with Richard, and James, his sons and Thornton Harrison, his son- in-law, he went to join the gold diggers in California, via the plains in ox wagons, and died in the little mining village of Jacksonville, on the McCalama river, fifty-five miles east of Sacramento city, where his remains now sleep. He was a man of energy, kind and generous from his youth, one of the early members of the Christian church. In politics he was a democrat. When he came here he settled in the brush on Walnut creek, and improved ten acres of land the first year. His family consisted, at
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
that time, of six girls and one boy, who was in his twelfth year, and is now the successful farmer, Richard Marshall.
Jacob Cox came to this part of Johnson county (then Lafayette), in March, 1833, from Boonville, Cooper county, where he had moved in 1831. He was born in Virginia, of English extraction, January 20, 1806 and came here a young man, twenty-five years of age, and united in the bonds of matrimony with Miss Malinda Senor, January 13, 1835. The result of that union was eleven children, four now living. He felled the first tree used in this vicinity to aid in improving a farm. In those days he would go forty miles away to Salt Fork, in Saline county, to mill. He brought with him his blacksmith tools, and opened the first shop within a radius of fifty miles. In 1834 he entered the land in section 28, town 47, near Big Walnut creek, where he now resides with his son-in-law, C. G. Oglesby. He has long been a democrat, and of late has cast his religious lot with the Christians.
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The war record forms an important part in the history of this section. Like all parts of the county this was very much divided in regard to the issues of the war. Often relatives were antagonists, and neighbors were forgotten and treated the more as enemies because of past affiliations. In 1861 the cloud of war had settled over the neighborhood, and although near a score of years have flitted by, yet the stain and sting of that bitter contest is still left, and only age and the effect of public sentiment will be able to dismiss the bitter feelings that have long rankled in the hearts of neighbors. The intensity of both secession and union parties was wrought to the highest pitch. They were so excited by eagerness after the object in view that they were "all agog to dash through thick and thin." A sort of agrarianism sprang up among the lower classes who seized prop- erty wherever found, regardless of party or principle. These circumstan- ces developed what were in the hearts of men. Here, as it were, men's souls were tried; and it may be said that but few passed this ordeal with a spotless reputation. Here was realized the language of Shakespeare:
" Be thou as chaste as ice, as pure as snow, Thou shalt not escape calumny."
We give below the names of two of those who fell fighting for " south- ern rights." John W. Rothwell, son of J. C. Rothwell, a valiant and noble volunteer soldier of Company H., fell in the battle of Corinth, Mississippi, Oct. 4, 1862, at his post. Capt. James W. Selby, who was at one time teacher of Lowland school, became an active soldier in Company H, and died at Iuka, Miss., Oct., 18, 1862, of wounds received at Corinth.
Grover Township was laid off February 9, 1869, and was changed Jan- uary 23, 1875, by cutting off that part of the township west of range 24 and adding it to Simpson township.
The township system that came into vogue in 1873, and was discarded
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
in 1877, was liked by the people very much; especially on account of its bringing the official business home to the people, instead of traveling twen- ty-five or thirty miles to the county seat. The following are some of the officers:
James C. Rothwell, trustee; Chas. T. Tyler, clerk; P. Stringfield, asses- sor; Johnson Wheeler and C. G. Oglesby, justices of the peace; L. Hocker, Jr., collector; M. W. Tyler, supervisor. All of the above officers were efficient good men, and have the praise of their constituents. At present the feeling of the citizens is: " Give us back the township system."
Joel Cox entered land in section 28, where he now lives, in 1835, when Andrew Jackson was president.
The township has no railroad. The first wagon road was located in 1852, from Knob Noster to Kirkpatrick's mill. Now there are some good roads, but it will take some time before the people will have good roads over the township. The township has two iron bridges, one across Clear Fork, on the Warrensburg road, and the othera cross Blackwater, on the Knob Noster and Concordia road. Walnut Creek has two wooden bridges. A ferry was kept till the close of the war on Blackwater, near , Dunksburg. Few fords, even on the small streams, are good. The fences, at present, are mostly Osage orange hedge. . In general, but little attention has been given to good, substantial fences.
Dunksburg, the only village or hamlet in the township, is on the line of this county and Pettis, in section 1, of township 47. In the year 1858 Dr. B. F. Dunkley opened a store at this place, which was commonly called Dunkley's store. The common chat among the neighbors "are you going to the burg?" was answered by the person who put the question, " What burg?" "Dunkleysburg." Finally, through the joke, the name was con- tracted Dunksburg, rather by accident. Soon after this the village began to build up rapidly, so that by 1860 it contained two stores, blacksmith shop, tailor, shoemaker, and a school house. Before the railroad was built the regular stage-route passed through here from Georgetown to Lexington, and also a telegraph line, both of which were discontinued when the railroad was built from Sedalia to Lexington. The following are the business and professional men of the village: James A. Bobbitt, post- master; B. F. Dunkley, M. D., physician and surgeon; R. Puckett, gen- eral merchandise; L. Perine, blacksmith; Dr. B. F. Dunkley, proprietor flour mills; R. Seaton Tyler, M. D,, physician and surgeon; and James Taylor, wagon shop.
The Post-Office was not established in the township until the pioneers felt a deeper anxiety to hear from their relatives and friends. Grover township never contained but one post-office, and that on the Pettis county line part of the time in the adjoining county. The first postal route was secured through the influence of Dr. B. F. Dunkley. At the
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
time (1857) Hon. Thos. H. Benton was in the U. S. senate, and ex-Gov. John S. Phelps represented this district in congress. They favored Mr. Dunkley, and the postal route was established from Georgetown to Lex- ington. The first post-office was named Bee Branch, from the little creek near by, and Benjamin Prigmore was the first post-master. The office was moved to the village in 1858; and took the name of the village, Dunksburg, by which it is generally known. During the times of high political excitement the name was changed to Sigel, in honor of the " fly- ing Dutchman." The latter name, however, has never been accepted and popularized, and matter will continue to be addressed "Dunksburg " for years to come. Dr. B. F. Dunkley was the second post-master, and was followed in succession by L. S. Taylor, John Carmach, Joseph Bobbitt, and James A. Bobbitt. Mail twice a week, carried in a hack.
The Churches of the township, although few in number, are well attended and cared for. To some extent religion belongs to mankind by nature. The good of all ages have sought a better life, here and in the world to come. With the poet Rowe they have felt-
" Then to be good is to be happy; angels Are happier than mankind, because they're better."
The recollections of the past grow dearer as age ripens upon them. Memory, without the aid of written records, is not always to be depended upon. The Hebrews were taught to keep their records on stone, and to this day specimens of their art are to be found in many ancient ruins. But few among the early Christians pretended to keep records, and those that have come down to us are events rich in facts without dates. Dates are of great importance in every avenue of life. Strip all our business and documents of dates, and they become a complete jargon of sounds. The church, the society of the best on earth, carries with it a nucleus of sacred history which will be read with intense interest, if not with tearful eyes.' The early religious societies of this township were composed of the best citizens, who, in coming to a wild country, sought the " communion of saints " as one of the prime factors of their associations for worthy citi- zenship. However rude the tenements, they spent their Sabbaths in wor- ship, and sought a " tabernacle not made with hands."
Mount Zion Church of Christ is the oldest and most prominent of the religious societies of the township. The following is a verbatim et liter- atim report of the first two meetings:
" May 31, 1840.
" The Church of Christ, on Walnut creek, Johnson county, Missouri, was this day constituted, on the bible alone, believing it to be a sufficient rule of faith and practice."
"July 4, 1840.
" The church met, and after worship proceeded to business, and chose
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
brother James W. Jones elder, and George Thornton deacon."
The following were the original members, as they appeared on the book:
" Charles Thornton, George Thornton, James W. Jones, Grandison Thornton, Larkin Hocker, Mary Thornton, Martha G. Thornton, Amanda W. Huff, Eliza Jane Hocker, Theodocia Thornton, Nancy L. Thornton, Lucy B. Fugua, Ann Eastham, Sarah Eastham, Nancy Vigus, Margaret Jones, Elizabeth Tebbs; colored brethren: Charles Thornton's Andrew Shepherd, James W. Jones' Joseph."
The church was organized at the residence of L. Hocker, and for sev- eral years worshiped in his house or the grove near by. Thomas Mulky was the first pastor, and visited the congregation monthly. He died on his way to Oregon. A log church building 18x20 was put up in the brush hills, near where Stanton S. Feagans now resides, at an early day. From the association of the surrounding country the church took the name "Brush Hill," instead of "Walnut Creek." The church continued to pros- per, and in. 1845 it had upwards of one hundred communicants. Prior to 1850 the old log cabin became unsuitable for use, and this congregation and the Baptists worshiped in a house, partly log and partly frame, known as the "County Line Baptist Church," till in 1858, when the pres- ent Mount Zion church building was erected. The material was mostly of native lumber. The finishing lumber was hauled from Lexington. The house is about 40x60 in size, and cost about $1200. It is well seated and carpeted, and supplied with pulpit stand, chandeliers, tables, and silver communion set. In winter the room is heated by a large coal stove. The building and about one acre of ground are enclosed by a pine board fence. Once a beautiful grove jutted up in the background, which now grows corn. The enclosed land contains the cemetery, which is covered by a velvety coat of blue grass.
The following pastors have filled the pulpit: Thos. Mulky, Dr. Thos. McBride, Duke Young, Elder Price, Allen Wright, Thos. Hancock, Jas. Randall, Joseph Wright, C. A. Hedrick, B. C. Stephens, and Samuel McDaniel.
The building was considerably abused during the war, by being used as a sort of fortress by soldiers. It is related that the house got an uncom- mon volley of shot at one time, from a squad of southern soldiers, who fired on the house, supposing the militia had sought refuge in the house. The militia band, fortunately, had just made their escape from the house. The bullet holes are to be seen in the walls.
A reorganization of the church was effected after the war as follows: " The Church of Christ, organized at Walnut creek on the 31st of May, 1840, having nothing but the Bible alone for the constitution, or rule of
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faith and practice, and believing it to be a sufficiency to said church for government, and the said church becoming somewhat disorganized by the fratricidal war, the members have on the 4th Lord's day in March, 1866, reorganized at Mt. Zion, in Johnson county, Missouri, by enrolling their names, and appointing John Babbitt, John Park, and Benjamin Prig- more, elders, with John Fisher, Solomon T. Taylor, and G. W. Lee, dea- cons." In 1867 Larkin Hocker, Sr., was elected elder and has faithfully served his post ever since. The church has received some additions annually and the whole number of communicants enrolled is 337, but on account of death or removal, the present membership will not exceed 130 communicants. For the last few years the pastors have received $400 for ministerial labors twice a month. The most noted religious awaken- ing was conducted by Eld. Henry Earl in August, 1860, when the church received thirty additions. During the war the members were scattered and there was no regular service. The house was often used by the Methodists.
A Sunday school was organized and conducted by Dr. Ross in 1875, but when the leader left the county it ceased to be evergreen. The school was reorganized in 1881. Mrs. Sam'l Shanks is secretary. L. Hocker, Jr., is clerk of the church and assistant superintendent of the Sunday school. The present pastor, Sam'l McDaniel, has entered his second year of pastoral labors and, with his clear, concise, practical preaching, will add much to the future interest and welfare of the Church of Christ at Mount Zion.
Calvary M. E. Church, in Dunksburg, was built in the fall of 1873. It is a frame building, 24x32, and cost $700. It is seated, supplied with pulpit and tables. The house is surrounded by a beautiful grove. The house was dedicated by J. K. Tuttle. Rev. T. S. Benefield organized the society with the following original members, in 1873, before the house was built: John Current, Martha Current, S. A. Current, Annie A. Cur- rent, Albert Current, A. L. Porter, J. S. Porter, Ruth Porter, S. P. Por- ter, Nannie E. Porter, Lou. E. Carter, Lewis Hayworth, Elizabeth Hay- worth, J. P. Hughes, Mollie Hughes, Mattie Hughes, Wm. Hughes, Noah Briles, Mary Briles, Martha Briles, Ann Lear, Mary Lear, Rob't Lear, W. W. Sitton, Jane Sitton, Philip Wheeler, Frances Wheeler, Sarah Wheeler, Riley Wheeler, James Taylor, L. T. Current, Sallie Current, Delia Current, and A. M. Current. In the following spring, 1874, the first M. E. Sunday school of the township was organized at Calvary church with Lewis Hayworth, superintendent. The school has continued to be evergreen. J. P. Hughes, Wm. W. Sitton, and N. L. Porter have served as superintendents of this school. At present Lewis Hayworth is superintendent, and Mollie Hughes, secretary. The school has four teachers and forty scholars. The following is the list of pastors: T. S.
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