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 72
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SAMUEL WORKMAN KNOB NOSTER
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Benefield, J. S. Porter, J. M. Kelly, S. Jones, C. J. W. Jones, and S. Ing. The church is prospering, and although the membership is not large, nevertheless, the deep religious fervor holds this little society of worship- pers to their sacred duty. The present pastor, S. Ing, a circuit rider, visits his flock once a month, and with his native zeal for the cause of religion will do much to build up and perpetuate a religious spirit in Cal- vary M. E. church.
Union Chapel M. E. church was organized in 1870 by Rev. Stanford Ing. The building was erected in 1876, and dedicated in 1880, by Rev. J. N. Pierce. It is a frame building, 24x36 and 12 feet to ceiling, and cost $600. The following pastors have served: S. Ing, T. S. Benefield, J. S. Porter, S. Jones, C. J. W. Jones, and now J. S. Porter for the sec- 'ond time. Names of original members: A. Fisher, Martha Fisher, D. T. Fisher, Polly A. Fisher, Nathan Fishel, Eliabeth Fisher, John Maddox, Mahala Maddox, H. Brant, Lyda Brant. The present membership is 70, and the average Sunday school attendance is 60. D. T. Fisher is super intendent and Joseph Johnson, secretary of the school.
The German Baptist or Dunkard church is in section 32, township 47. It is a large.brick structure. It is not plastered and very plain. This sect of religionists make but little display.
Tebbs' cemetery is in the western part of the township on the old- Tebbs farm. John M. Tebbs, born, April, 1829; died, March 2, 1848, was the first one buried here. A plain marble slab marks his resting place. . His father and mother also sleep here. The following dates appear on their slabs: George Tebbs, born, October 17, 1787; died, August 8, 1854. Elizabeth Tebbs, wife of George Tebbs, born, Novem- ber 17, 1795; died, November 23, 1859. Near her father's grave, an affectionate daughter planted a wild cherry sprout, saying, " When these gravestones are stolen or have perished, that tree will tell where my father lies." How considerate and loving was that dear daughter! Soon she saw the twig she had planted growing, but it was not long till she had made her home in a distant state; the spot and the young tree, no doubt, lived in her memory to the last. This tree grew till the spring of 1881, when some hard-hearted man felled it to the ground. It had become a beautiful tree, with two bodies spreading out from the ground. If the man who dared to slay this tree had a conscience unseared, it would have said to him --
" Touch not a single bough."
Hocker cemetery is on the old Hocker farm, now owned by L. Hocker, Jr. The first person buried here was Harrison Hocker, May 1, 1840. Thomas Huff was the second. It contains about an acre, and is thickly set in graves, and many fond memories cling to this spot.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Robinson cemetery is in the southern part of the township, near Wal- nut creek. One-half acre is reserved by title, situated on a peculiar knoll, in a branch running through the Wampler farm. This farm was entered by Joseph Robinson, and improved by his son, Col. Jehu Robinson, at an early period. Joseph Robinson selected this odd burial ground, and was the first to occupy it, in 1839. "Old Dick," a colored slave, in his one hundredth year, was buried here. Ted. Houx, who committed sui- cide by cutting his throat lies here. In all, about one dozen sleep here among the dead.
Oglesby cemetery is on the J. F. Hull farm. It is in the field. The family, whose name it bears, commenced using it about 1838. Only about one dozen graves are numbered here.
Thornton cemetery is on the old Thornton farm. It is on a high ridge, and overlooks a large portion of the township. The graves have a sub- stantial stone wall surrounding them, built at considerable expense.
Rothwell cemetery is the family burying-ground of James C. Rothwell. It is in section 10, township 47, range 24, north of his residence. The first grave was made here in the fall of 1854, when James G. Rothwell, an infant son of J. C. Rothwell, was buried.
Payne cemetery is on the Payne farm, and was owned and started by Jesse Grice, who came here from Alabama, in 1832. Mrs. Martha Grice was the first to sleep in this spot, in 1857, and now quite a large number bear her company.
Wampler cemetery is on the place owned by Mrs. Wampler, in the western part of the township. A child of Isaac Coy was the first laid here. Now there are upwards of fifty graves.
Mt. Zion cemetery is within the inclosure of Mt. Zion Church. This was started just after the church was built. Several graves are here, mostly those who have affiliated with the church.
Marshall cemetery is on the old William Marshall place, on the east side of Walnut Creek. The first grave was that of Mrs. William Cheek, about 1843. There are several graves here.
Swope cemetery is a small burying-ground, on the farm belonging to Milton Swope.
Barnett cemetery lies on the old Barnett farm, settled by Philip Barnett.
The Schools of this section, at an early day, were confined to the settle- ments, and it would often happen that a child went three or six miles to school. Here, besides the usual routine of school-room duties, "He learn'd the arts of riding, fencing, gunnery," and followed in the steps of his father. Highland school was one of the first. A little log hut stood on the highland, or an elevation, above C. T. Oglesby's. Later, a log cabin stood near S. T. Taylor's, and one in the western part of the town- ship. At an early day the people on the south of the highland took a
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY. 625
deep interest in schools, and they were closely followed by the citizens on Blackwater, whose school, by way of distinction, was named Lowland. At first teachers were paid about twenty dollars per month. The schools were mostly subscription. The following is a partial list of the early teachers: Mary Wingfield, Mary A. Ferrell, Jesse Trapp, Frank Payne, A. B. Harrison, L. Delihonte, George Furs, Andrew Ramsey, Lucy Tate, Rev. M. Scruggs, Doc. Moore, A. Featherman, J. Rogers, Miss L. D. Hull, Thomas Jones, N. Lowry, and William Bothwell.
Woodland School, No. 19, township 47, range 24, section 27, is one of the best in the township. The present was put up in the year 1876. It is a frame, 24x36; ceiling, twelve feet high. It is comfortably seated, and furnished with good school apparatus, all of which is well cared for. The building cost $900. A beautiful grove surrounds the house, enclosed by a wire fence. A deep interest in education is felt among the patrons, and they have generally employed good teachers, at wages ranging from $40 to $50 per month. The old Woodland school-house, built in 1866, at pri- vate expense, was 18x22. The present directors are: John E. Robinson, C. T. Oglesby, and J. T. Oglesby, and Mrs. E. D. McCormack, teacher. Upward of sixty pupils attend school.
The following is the list of teachers: J. Sparrowkawk, L. Hocker, Jr., J. P. Walker, R. W. Wade, Mary Hocker, J. F. Robinson, Joe Wheeler, J. C. Wheeler, H. F. Triplett, Jennie Stringfield, R. S. Tyler, L. D. Wil- son, Amanda Wheeler, Thomas J. Wheeler, Mrs. E. D. McCormack.
Lowlan School, No. 18. At an early day an old log school house stood near Brush Hill Creek, which bore this name. The present old house was erected by private purse in 1866, and sold to the district afterwards. It is a poorly ventilated cell 18x22, with low ceiling, and is very imposing on the health of the occupants. It is on James K. Tyler's land, in section 10, town 47, range 24. There is nothing very attractive about it, and yet the memory of the writer might draw a pen picture of many reminiscen- ces not common to every school house. The following teachers have taught here: James W. Selby, J. Buckmaster, D. Burch, L. Hocker, Jr., W. H. James, David Goode, F. Martin, G. W. Couch, two terms; A. J. Sparks, three terms; S. N. Wheeler, two terms; Dolly Stringfield, Jenny Leake, W. S. Wheeler, and Alice Langston.
Cana School is near Mr. J. C. Wheeler's beautiful farm on the Knob Noster road, just over the line in the northern part of section 34, township 47, range 24. The following teachers have taught here: Dolly String- field, W. L. Nelson, Henry Park, Joseph Terrington and Miss Mercer.
Hepsedam school house was built early after the war. It is in section 29, township 47, range 24. The following teachers have taught: Mrs. Lesh, W. L. Dixon, C. M. McGirk and Mary Budd.
Sunny Side school house is in section 8, town 47, range 24. It was built
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
soon after the war. It is quite small; W. E. Chester is the clerk of the district. The following teachers have taught: G. W. Couch, I. F. Tan- ner, Miss Mary Budd, two terms; Miss Josie Shryack, T. P. Reid, two terms.
Oak Ridge school district was organized in 1877, and a house built that summer at a cost of $600. The first directors were: Henry Ploger, Har- man Borgstadt, and Henry Kopenbrink. The following are the teachers: J. W. Branch, G. W. Couch, and Wm. Ploger. This school is in section 30, township 48, range 24, surrounded by an industrious class of Germans.
Brinkater school is partly in this and Lafayette counties. The house is in this county, section 26, township 48, range 24. It was built a few years after the war, and is in a thriving German settlement. The teachers were: T. J. Wheeler, S. Flory, and S. N. Wheeler.
Brush Hill school is in section 12, township 47, range 24. The old house that was built about ten years ago has passed into ruins. It was 18x20 in size. A new house, 24x30, was erected at a cost of $480, in the summer of 1881. The directors are: J. P. Hughes, S. G. Feagans, and John Park. The following is a list of the teachers: Erastus Porter, Mrs. S. Bobbitt, G. W. Couch, Miss Mary Hocker, J. R. Wade, R. A. S. Wade, R. S. Tyler, Wm. Park and Henry Park.
Dunksburg school is partly in Pettis county. The building is in Pettis county. The old house was first a neighborhood house, built before the district was formed. School was taught for a few years in that house. The following teachers have taught here: Miss McFarland, R. Ward, E. Ross, W. Bobbitt, Mrs. Sislef, I. F. Tanner, Miss Julia Lutz and Wm. Park.
Agriculture and Stock-raising is the leading and most profitable busi- ness of the township. The deep limestone soils are inexhaustible. Wheat has always done well, and from 1870 to 1881, Grover was the leading township. Even of dry seasons by stirring the land a sufficiency of mois- ture is produced to raise fair crops. Timothy and clover yields well. Hemp and flax can be raised in the northern part with a fair yield. The township contains a good area of sorghum and tobacco land, especially in Brush Hills. The average yield of wheat is twenty bushels per acre, and timothy, two tons per acre. The township contains several fine blue grass pasture. Larkin Hocker has a pasture of upwards of 100 acres of fine Virginia blue grass which "took " without sowing a seed. He has kept horses, cows, and sheep in his pasture all seasons of the year without injury to the grass. Vineyards do well wherever cultivated. Dr. B. F. Dunkley and J. K. Tyler have choice vineyards. Several farmers have small grape and other fruit patches. Apples, peaches and small fruits grow abundantly on most farms.
The following illustrates the distance that neighbors lived apart in pio-
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
neer times. Dr. Dunkley states: "When I went to Clinton to enter land, on my way home I stopped all night with a Mr. Draper, about twenty- five miles away just on this side of the Henry county line. The next morning, I asked my bill, and Mr. Draper replied, 'O, nothing! I don't think of charging neighbors. '."
In 1832, Isaac Coy and Richard Combs, two pioneer hunters settled here.
John Jackson was drowned in Blackwater, near Jerome Greer's mill, about 1848.
In 1872, Lon Carter was found dead in the backwater from Black- water on Brush creek. It was supposed that some fiend had murdered him, and threw the body in the water. In 1879, three Germans were accidently drowned while attempting to cross Blackwater near Dunks- burg.
In the gold excitement of 1850, the following persons left for the " dig- gins:" Thomas, Richard and James Marshall, James Cook, Presley S. Moore and Samuel S. Senor.
John Fisher came here in 1840, from Kentucky, and died in 1855 near Dunksburg. John Phillip came here in 1839, from Tennessee, and died near Dunksburg in 1855. David Seignor came here in 1845, from Ten- nessee, and died in 1857. Philip Barnett came here in 1847 from North Carolina, and died in 1877. M. E. Huff came here in 1832, from Ken- tucky, and is living in Cass county.
The early bear-hunter was John Phillip. He killed several bears. At the time when all the country between the Missouri and Osage rivers was called Lafayette, the pioneers did more hunting than farming. The corn crop consisted of from 10 to 20 acres, and the wheat from three to four acres. Oxen plowed the corn usually with a half yoke and a muzzle. Wheat was cut with a reap hook. The corn blades were stripped for fodder. Mr. N. Fisher relates the following: "At one time father went out before breakfast and killed two deer; got his breakfast and started for his game, and before he got a quarter of a mile from the house he killed another. He killed twenty deer at twenty-one shots, and shot one twice. Wm. Marshall's hogs ranged five or six miles away, and would raise large lots of hogs which ran wild in the woods. Wm. Marshall was a great raccoon hunter. One dark night he went out 'coon-hunting, his hounds started a 'coon as he thought, and had quite a chase, and finally treed him but could not see him in the dark. Hitched and unsad- dled his horse and lay down till daylight. When it was light enough he looked up in the tree, and there sat the largest kind of a male panther, he raised his rifle and at the fire of the gun the panther leaped from the tree, and his dogs seized him. The pioneer had fun as the old fellows always said. The dogs managed to kill the panther since he had received a
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
deadly shot in the tree. In 1828, when I was a baby, a panther slipped up to the cradle and was just in the act of taking me out when mother saw him and ran him off with the dogs. Wm. Cheek settled on Walnut creek in a very early day. He would often leave Mrs. Cheek alone with not a neighbor for ten miles around. The Indians would come and guard her home by camping near her cabin, when they happened in that section. The Indians were very kind to her. The first house with a shingle roof was covered by a man named Wm. Crocker. He commenced at the top and covered down. Most of the houses were made of logs covered with boards split of logs four feet long. The first brick chimney put up was about the year 1846."
CHAPTER XI .- SIMPSON TOWNSHIP.
The Name-Physical Features-Location and Boundary -- Statistics-Population-Early Settlers-Some of the Officers-Roads-Village of Grover-Churches-Schools-Cem- eteries-Agriculture-Stock-Raising-Growth and Further Development of the Town- . ship.
From the beauties and grandeur of nature to the curiosities and won- ders of art, we see everywhere that the tooth of time has torn away some fragment of what some one has admired. Many a splint from a curious noted tree that stands no longer, is preserved in some cabinets. The wild grasses that once supplied the deer, buffalo, antelope and elk as they fed and wandered over nature's unmolested pasture, have changed, and per- haps nevermore to take the form of its wild nature. The animals that once grazed on these boundless prairies have given place to those of a domestic nature. Where once the tall grass grew and the fiery flames annually visited, now is the dense groves of beautiful slim saplings whose bark shines like silver. The sturdy pioneers who first set their tent- stakes here, silently sleep where their sons and daughters breathe above them a different atmosphere. A change in politics, religion, and the gov- ernment of the home circle now pervades their homes. Perhaps there be but few who live half a century but that they note great changes; and often the spirit of the age is in advance of the individual. To keep pace with progress requires considerable diligence.
In the following sketch of this township we shall endeavor, as best we can, to present facts rather than formulated theories. We shall devote an ample space to the name which the township bears, giving the worthy bachelor, whose name honors the township, credit for his liberal and phi- lanthropic spirit and his forward moves in the advancement of the peo- ple's interests. In the physical features of the township we shall endeavor to present a fair synopsis of what nature has done here.
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
In statistics and population we shall record such important changes as we think best and most suitable to the place and most important to the farmer. Under the head of old settlers we shall give all that is access- ible and pertinent, and justly due those who stood the trials and turmoils of a pioneer home. Those who have made history deserve a name in this volume, that generations hence may know who they were who first tilled the soil and opened up a way for the prosperity that they now enjoy.
Such historical events and data as are preserved will be given on roads, post-offices, the village of Milford or Grover, and an elaborate notice of the churches and schools, from the pioneer days down to the present. Agriculture, stock-raising, and future outlook of the township will not be carelessly noticed. In giving what we have diligently pro- cured, to the public, we are aware that there are yet historical facts untouched that were not within our reach. Enough, however, are given to preserve in the memory of those yet to live the noble founders of this township.
Name .- There are but few places that have no historical connection with their names. The name Simpson is common in Kentucky, and a southern county adjoining Tennessee bears the name, Franklin is the county seat; also, a south-central county of Mississippi, with Westville the county seat. The name among prominent individuals dates back more than a century. Thomas Simpson, an eminent mathematician, was born in 1710, at Market Bosworth, in Leicestershire, and was the son of a weaver, who brought him up to his own trade, and, perceiving his incli- nation for reading, took away his books. He in consequence left his father, and after many vicissitudes, one of which was his becoming a for- tune-teller, he acquired a perfect knowledge of mathematics, and rose to be a mathematical professor at the Royal Academy, Woolwich, and a member of the Royal Society. He wrote " Treatises on Fluxions, Annu- ities, and Algebra," " Elements of Geometry," and other scientific works, and died in the year 1761.
James Simpson, Esq., from whom this township derived its name, was a native of Virginia. He was one among the number of a family of five boys and seven girls .. He came here in 1832 with his mother, Mrs. Sarah Simpson, a widow, her own children, and a large family of negroes. James Simpson was for a long time the most prominent man of the vicin- ity. He entered and improved a handsome farm of 680 acres, which was sold after his death, to Mrs. Hannah Lynn, 600 acres, and John H. Davis, eighty acres. Mrs. Hannah Lynn now owns and resides on the old farm. Mrs. Lynn paid $6,000 for the 600 acres in 1866. James Simpson and his affectionate mother both departed this life in the year 1861. Mrs. Simp- son had long been a faithful member of the Southern M. E. Church, and
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
the circuit-rider made her home one of the preaching points before churches were built. James Simpson remained a bachelor till the day of his death. In habits he was strictly temperate. In politics he always affiliated with the Democrats and when the war of secession broke out in 1861 he was a warm southern sympathizer, and on account of his declin- ing years he never lived to see the Union restored. The only society to which he belonged was the Good Templars. He was a man of consider- ble means and fair education and always enjoyed his bachelorhood either in hunting or reading. Although peculiar, yet dignified and self-pos- sessed as old bachelors generally are, he was kind and liberal towards his fellow creatures, and truly felt with Pope:
"Good nature and good sense must ever join; · To err is human, to forgive divine."
He took considerable interest in the introduction of fine stock from Ken- tucky to his neighborhood, and was one of the leading men in the agri- cultural and county fair interests. At an early day before railroad facili- ties were available he went to Kentucky and brought back a large lot of the best blooded cattle and horses. One of his fondest enjoyments was the chase. Very different from the early hunters, in the respect that he would not keep any noisy dogs about him, and instead of the common yelping hounds he kept his pack of favorite gray hounds, which afforded him great pleasure. Although his hunting had not the picturesqueness of a Walter Scott Chase, yet the lovliness of the beautiful prairies, stretch- ing away unbounded over which in perfect freedom gamboled the wild deer, was to him a " happy hunting-ground." His fleet gray hounds took in a deer almost at his desire, and his table was always spread with veni- son and the delicacies of that day. Since we can not say he had a wife and family upon whom to bestow affection, it may be truly said of 'Squire Simpson that he loved his gun and dog. For some time he was justice of the peace and hence the title 'Squire. Several years ago there were but three families of the dense settlement but what were intimately related to the Simpsons. The following families belong to the Simpson extraction: Browns, Ramseys, Youngs, Shepherds, Collins, Fosters, Herndons, Rob- erts, Roaches, Hamleys, Cheathams, Offutts, Profitts, Mulkeys, and Col- berns. Strange as it seems, there is not one living to perpetuate the name Simpson. Wm. Simpson, a brother, was a negro slave dealer and was murdered for his money by a man named Hoe in Kentucky. The last one that lived was James B. Simpson, a nephew and a captain in the rebel army during the war of 1861. He returned after the war, kept hotel a short time in Warrensburg and afterwards died near Columbus in this county. With his death the family name became extinct.
Simpson township is bounded on the north by Lafayette county, on the east by Grover township, on the south by Washington and Warrensburg
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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
townships, and on the west by Hazel Hill township. It contains all of town 47, range 25, and two tiers of sections of town 48, which on account of the survey line extends three-eights of a mile further west. This town- · ship is the same size as Grover and contains forty-eight square miles. It is about three miles the nearest and twelve miles the farthest from the county seat; on the roads the distance may be doubled. Concordia and Warrensburg are the nearest trading points. Grover and Fayetteville are the postoffices. The former is in Hazel Hill township and the latter is in the eastern part of this township.
Physical Features .- A bird's eye view of the surface would present a variety of knolls and indentions. The surface is rolling throughout, and is favorable for a variety of farming. On account of the many knolls, ravines, and brush land, a very great extent of the township is not in cul- tivation. The township is well drained. Flagstaff has its source in Hazel Hill township and flows through the entire township, entering Grover and flowing into the Blackwater. Cottonwood flows through the central part and Blackwater flows through the southeastern part. These creeks divide the township into three water-sheds. The timber is scattered along these creeks, and on the sandy hills are found the chinquapin and black jack shrubs. In many parts the soil is very deep, 'ranging from twenty to fifty inches in depth. A deep black fertile limestone soil is found on the head of Haw Branch in sections twenty and twenty-nine. Here are the excellent farms of Mr. R. H. Wood and Mrs. Agnes J. Foster. Mr. Wood has some very fine springs on his farm, which with his fertile farming land make his home one of the most desirable stock farms in the township. Clear Fork flows in from the southwest corner of Grover, and is the only stream on which white walnut or butternut tim- ber grows. The land on this stream is low and somewhat swampy. Several small ponds during the rainy seasons are scattered along the banks of this creek. The soil is here of gray-red appearance, growing of deeper hue as the ridge is approached. In many places near Kirkpat- rick's old mill, only a few years ago, the creek bottoms contained small lakes the year round where now are beautiful corn fields. On Black Jack branch the rough land is very productive for sorghum and tobacco. Mulky Creek is in the northeast part of the township and drains an excel- lent farming section. In the northwest part of the township J. H. Parker and others have very productive black soils, and some good springs abound. The western strip of sections are composed of very rough land; however, there are a few good farms in this area. The soil varies from gray in the north to black loam in the centre, and mellow sandy soil in the southwest. The very best of coal is found in many parts of the township and it is generally believed that it exists in paying quantities over the township. None of the creeks except Blackwater afford plenty of water
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