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 78

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 78


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The following lots of hogs were driven from here last Monday: Mr. J. F. Pfantz, 51 head averaging 252 pounds, sold at five and one-fourth cents per pound; Mr. Hardin Long, 12 head averaging 272 pounds, sold at five cents: Mr. L. L. Tally, 10 head averaging 194 pounds, sold at five and one-tenth cents.


Mr. Hardin Long, who has been a citizen here for about twelve years, came from Alabama, and is an excellent farmer and citizen. He owns one of the hand- somest farms in the county. Of a clear evening, Warrensburg and many other points are visible, although twenty or thirty miles away. His location is also healthful. Mr. J. S. Pfantz, one of the most industrious men that we have met lately, showed us about his excellent farm. He owns 460 acres of the finest land in our estimation that exists in the county, nearly all tillable land. He has 160 acres of good timber, 80 acres of fine pasture and about 10 acres in orchard, all young trees and bearing well. He has one of the handsomest elevated loca- tions in western Johnson county, and his stock farm cannot be surpassed. His vineyard yields well, from which he manufactures choice native wine."


The following is the first order of the election of the township copied from the old court record:


"It is ordered by the county court of Johnson, that there be an election held in the township of Jackson, at Beatie's store, on Monday, the 31st day of August,


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


1835, for the purpose of electing justices of the peace to fill vacancies in said township."


The place of voting of Jackson township was changed to Pittsville in June, 1866. For a long time the voting precinct was known as Basin Knob neighborhood. This was long known as a strong democratic neigh- borhood, true to the principles of Andrew Jackson.


The following statistical reports have been carefully gathered from offi- cial authorities. Sam'l H. Sorency took the U. S. census for 1880, which gave a population of 2,168 souls, including the thirty inhabitants of the village of Pittsville. The state census of 1877 give the following: Voters, 364; white inhabitants, 1817, colored, 38; horses, 973; mules, 391; cattle, 2,101; sheep, 1,362; hogs, 4,795; bushels of wheat, 28,839; corn, 37,033; oats, 7,869; barley, 82; rye, 1,829; pounds of tobacco, 14,553; wool, 3,275; hay, 980; gallons of sorghum molasses, 7,017.


The following is the assessment list for the year 1881: 1,218 horses valued at $43,305; 17 asses at $900; 479 mules at $20,950; 3,489 cattle at $38,815; 1,807 sheep at $3,614; 6,661 hogs at $9,695; notes, bonds and other credits, $49,089; all other personal property, $77,623; total amount, $242,184.


BAKING JOHNNY CAKE.


Early Settlements .- The settlement, first known as " Basin Knob settle- ment " is co-existent with the old Columbus settlement. The diversified surface of the township was peculiarly attractive to the early pioneers who settled here before the smoke from the Indian camp-fires had curled away.


First the wild lands along the creeks were broken up into " patches," averaging from three to ten acres. This was the pioneer's farm for the first few years. The land produced an abundant supply and it required but little provender aside from the wild productions to keep stock. From a few hogs set at liberty, dozens grew up wild in the woods, and . the pioneers generally, claimed a sufficient number for their pork and


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


bacon. In the narrow vales the grass grew six feet tall, often hiding horses and cattle from view. In these early days fire swept from one end of the township to the other, stopping neither for creek, hill, nor woods, but like a vast enraged ocean wave it swept on, devouring all within its reach. Since then a powerful change has been wrought. The wild grasses are supplanted by the domestic grasses which do equally as well, but do not grow so tall. Timber has sprung up as by magic and where once the hunter could ride and see wild deer, now is a forest of fine young trees.


Jonathan Fine came in 1829, from Tennessee. He was the first to sleep in the cemetery in the woods near the present Blackwater church. After his wife's death he married Mrs. Rachel Houx, widow of the late Nicholas Houx, one of the most respected and wealthy pioneers of Colum- bus vicinity. The "Fine farm" is known all over the county. After Jonathan Fine's death the farm passed into the hands of Wm. Cox, and now it is owned by James B. Sorency. The farm is well supplied with plenty of water. The soil is deep and fertile. The timber on the creek is excellent. To show the strength of this land we state that this year (1881) an uncommon dry one too, the land yielded 40 bushels of corn per acre, the usual amount being 80 bushels per acre.


Baldwin H. Fine came here from Ray county, Tennessee, and settled in 1829. He was killed by a marauding militia band, headed by one Foster, who at the same time killed Henry Sheaffer, and Mr. Rogers, without provocation.


Squire John Winfrey, a respected old settler, came here in 1851. Relig- iously, he is a consistent member of the Baptist Church. In politics, he has always been, true and loyal to the government, and since the war a republican. In 1854 he was elected justice of the peace, and has served in that capacity for twenty-one years, and it is said that he has acknowl- edged as many deeds as any one man in the county. He resigned his office in 1875. He is known and respected far and near, for his liberality and charitable kindness toward poor orphan children, several of whom will never forget him and his devoted, good wife. He has no children of his own. He owns a beautiful, rolling farm, not far to the northeast of Basin Knob. Such was his popularity, that he became postmaster, and served for eleven years, at Basin Knob.


John Ferguson came here at an early day, and was among the pioneers who helped bear the hardships of a new country.


. Hon. Reuben Fulkerson came here from Virginia, about 1830, and soon became one of the prominent men of the township. He was a staunch Jackson democrat. He once served the county as representative. The following incident is related concerning his canvas: It is said that he made no speeches, but his opponent, who had a smooth tongue, made fine


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


addresses, which held the audiences almost spell-bound. He was, in brief, a wordy lawyer. On one occasion, it is said that "Uncle Rube," as he was frequently called, made one set speech, which completely offset and defeated his whig opponent. He would remain out doors, and, as the assembly were dispersing, utter the following pithy speech: “Gentlemen: -I'm a farmer. I don't go for lawyers', I go for farmers' interests.


Hon. Macklin White, the first county representative, resided here.


'Tompkins Bradley came here in 1836. He was an excellent man. His house was burnt by the Kansas red-legs, in 1863, and his family left out in the cold. He and his family are now living in the state of California.


Richard D. Bradley came from England when a boy. He was among the old pioneers. 1


The first voting precinct was at Mr. Lundy's, at Basin Knob. Many of the old settlers, who loved Andrew Jackson, say that the vote always stood "solid democratic." It is said that once a certain whig candidate was in the race, and remarked: "I could be elected if it was not for Basin Knob precinct." It is said that the old settlers, all over the county, would inquire, after an election: "Have you heard from Basin Knob? that'll tell how the vote goes."


Joseph Hopper, one of the respected old pioneers, settled the Cockrell farm in 1831, and while he lived there his brother owned a farm on the Sni creek. Once he went to that mill and was induced to stay over night and hear a Mormon preach. It is said that Mr. H. took a seat and lis- tened attentively to the new gospel. After the preacher got somewhat animated, he told his auditors that he and all the saints would soon have new revelations, and that " after awhile a fly would come, and the person on whom it would light would die." At this, Joseph Hopper said: " Preacher, that's a lie, take my chair and sit down.


Elias Lundy came here quite early from Virginia, and settled at Basin Knob. He died in 1863.


Wm. W. Sparks, a prominent early teacher and a farmer, came here about 1844, from North Carolina, where he was born of Irish-English ancestry. His father, Joel Sparks, was a native of Surry county, North Carolina, of English stock. The subject of this notice came here with his young wife and infant child. His wife, nee Lucretia Prior, was a very handsome southern lady, of rare accomplishments, and a native of Missis- sippi. She died while her babe was quite small, and her husband always remained a widower. The child grew to manhood, and is a practicing attorney in Warrensburg. Politically, Mr. S. was always a straight dem- ocrat up to the war. In religion, he was a consistent member of the Methodist church, and was temperate in his habits, using neither tobacco or intoxicating liquors. For several years he taught school, and acquired sufficient means to purchase large tracts of land, which he owned. His


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


residence was about three miles south of Chapel Hill, where he had a beautiful little farm and an excellent orchard. The following is a list of some of the early settlers: Jackson Longacre, John Longacre, Jerry James, Joseph Howard, Joel Ellis, Peter A. Hall, Chas. Hood, T. Franklin, W. Franklin, Greenville Crisp, M. Edwards, D. Edwards, Sam'l, Elias, and Amos Lundy, Amos, Robert, and James Givens, G. Colbern, Moses Fur- guson, Lee Furguson, Frank Bradley, Wm. Davidson. Squire Campbell, James Craig, Martin and Chas. Phillips, John Miller, Joseph Radsdale, Wm. Radsdale, Thos. Radsdale, Wm. Hopper, Calvin Shore, John Y. Martin, Daniel Shainhour, Jesse Howard, Wm. Hays, James Briggs, Samuel Shirley, W.m. Hill, Wm. P. Paul, Wm. P. Tucker, Wm. Dock, David Hogan, and John C. Sparks. Judge John Windsor, was once county judge. He came here at an early day. They brought Henry Colbern and paid his way, since he was a poor man. Mr. Colbern turned his attention to the saddler's trade, and soon become a prominent man. He was the father of George Colbern, the present banker in Warrens- burg. The old log cabins of the early settlers long ago, have given way to more commodious cottages.


The Village of Pittsville was laid out about 1858, and named in honor of the Rev. Warren M. Pitts, a prominent Methodist divine, who was born in Kentucky, of English stock, January 6, 1810, and came here in the year 1848. In 1830, he was married to Catharine Traughber. They are both living. The result of the union was two daughters, Mrs. R. G. S. Burks and Mrs. Mollie Newman, the latter is the widow of the late and lamented Rev. I. N. Newman, a prominent member of the Baptist church, and when he died was pastor of the Holden church. Mrs. Mollie New- man is now living on her farm left by her husband. She is a refined, elegant lady of rare attainments, and is at present Superintendent of Elm Spring Sabbath school. The village of Pittsville is on the Holden & Lex- ington road, and is the only village and postoffice in the township. The village has never grown much since the war. The following persons are doing business here: Holt Davis, merchant and postmaster; Joseph Danielson, blacksmith; Samuel Danielson, physician; Wm. Galbraith, carpenter; Levi Warford, physician. Part of the village was burnt during the war by guerrillas.


The postoffice was first established at Basin Knob, and called by that name for several years, and John Winfrey served as postmaster for eleven years. It is now kept in Pittsville by Holt Davis.


The cause of religion was not neglected by the pioneer settlers, who realized the power of Christian labor. For several years preaching was held in residences of pioneers. In warm weather the groves were used, and many of the early Christians date back the time and place of their conversion to the meetings in the groves, and many are the sweet reminis-


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


cences of those days. The first convert is said to be Mrs. B. H. Fine, who soon afterwards joined the first class. Thos. Wallace is said to be the first circuit rider of this township. Soon after him came Thos. Ashby, who had under him and in his care a young man preparing for the minis- try by the name of H. N. Watts, rather an unpromising youth, who wore an old wool hat with half the brim off. . We learn that he is now one of of the able men of the Methodist church. Rev. D. A. Leeper came about 1848 and continued about two years. Rev. Samuel S. Colbern served from 1852 to 1854. It is related that while he was preaching in an old log school house, with about seven for a congreation, that they all were sitting with heads forward near the puncheon floor, except one wily fellow who had got behind the door. The sermon was so monotonous and the old log seats had no backs, and the contented mind of the audience had gone into a stupor, and when the minister observed the benumbed state of his little congregation he exclaimed: " Arouse! heaven is not under the floor." Rev. Henry Farmer will long be remembered among the Baptists as one of the first preachers.


Elm Spring Baptist Church is prominent among the religious socie- ties of the township. It was organized about 1859 by Revs. Geo. Minton and J. Gott. No building was erected till 1870, when a neat frame struc- ture was put up at a cost of $1000, and dedicated by I. L. Crow. The building stands in section 30, town 47, range 28, near Elk Spring, on a north prong of Blackwater. The following pastors have served: Revs. Geo. Minton, Harry Farmer, I. L. Crow, J. W. Williams, I. N. Newman, J. Gott, F. M. West and J. B. Jackson. The present pastor is doing good work for the church. The following are some of the old members: John Winfrey, Jane A. Winfrey, W. F. Snow and wife, Dorcas Hunter, David Hunter, Josephus Martin and wife, N. Williams, and Richard T. Martin and wife. The church now numbers upwards of ninety members, and is prospering. The Sunday school numbers on an average sixty in attend- ance. Mrs. Mollie Newman is superintendent, Wm. Sparks secretary and Miss Alice Newman librarian. The first Sunday school was organized here in 1866, and superintended by John Winfrey, and the following fall Mr. Winfrey had the pleasure of seeing thirteen of his scholars become members of the church, and they were immersed by Rev. Henry Farmer.


Blackwater M. E. Church, South, is in the eastern part of the town- ship, near the old "Fine farm," in the "old Columbus circuit." Rev. W. Redman was the first presiding elder. This was the ablest church society in the township. In 1840 John Furguson, an old, worthy pioneer of Meth- odism, felled the trees and hewed the logs for the old church building. The building cost the people nothing, since they all set in and did what they could for it. The pulpit was an oak plank placed across two upright planks. The names of pastors are: Thos. Wallace, Thos. T. Ashley, G.


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


W. Bewley, Daniel A. Leeper, Jesse Green, D. S. Capell, E. E. Degge, Silas Williams, J. Chase, T. C. James, W. M. Pitts, James A. Cumming, R. A. Foster, H. W. Webster, R. Minshall, H. N. Watts, M. Duren, W. J. Brown, T. P. Cobb, J. C. Daily, E. W. Woodard, John D. Wood and J. D. H. Wooldridge. Names of original members are: Thos. Wind- son and family, James Bradley and family, Richard Bradley and wife, John Furguson, Henry Shaffer, Baldwin H. Fine and wife, Jester Cox and family, and Wm: Smith (who was one of the sheriffs of the county). The present membership is eighty. The Sunday school has an attendance of fifty members. R. T. Bradley is the present superintendent. The present church building was erected since the war, and cost about $800. About this old church the early Christians held a big campmeeting every year for a period of thirty years. People came here from Independence, Grand Pass and Lexington to attend campmeeting. The church had large sheds provided for people and stock, besides large quantities of provisions which lasted eight to ten days ..


Enon Baptist Church is in Pittsville and was organized July 25, 1868, by Abram Weaver, and a neat frame building was put up in 1868-9 at a cost of $1,000. It is 48x36 and comfortably seated. The following is the list of pastors: Abram Weaver, G. Smith, I. N. Newman, J. B. Jackson, and A. Barton. The first members were: Levi Warford, Louis Warford, Wm. A. Warford, Martha J. Warford, Osborn Warford, Margaret War- ford, David Warford, Matilda Warford, Mitchel Warford, Elizabeth Warford, William Warford, Mary E. Warford, Juda E. Ryan, James M. Noble, James E. McClure, Martin J. McClure, Joseph Crow, C. K. Crow, Lewis A. Crow, Osevith Crow, Wm, J. Crow, and Martha J. Crow. The present membership is ninety-eight. The Sunday-school averages fifty members. C. C. Tackett is superintendent and Simon Stucler sec- retary.


Basin Knob M. E. Church (South) was organized in 1858. A. J. Longacre, James Sanders, Moses Mullens, and Wm. Hayes with their families, G. Crisp, and Polly A. Fulkerson were the first members. The old church building was burnt in 1869, and the present frame structure cost $700. The membership is now about fifty. The Sunday-school will average about forty scholars. Kenly Phillips is superintendent.


Pleasant Grove M. E. Church was organized in 1867, with Newton Cobb, J. C. Sparks, and Wm. Hopper and their families as members. The membership now numbers about forty. The Sunday-school is doing well.


Wesley Chapel M. E. Church is in the southern part of the township and was organized about 1870, erected a handsome frame edifice in 1880, at a cost of $700. They have a respectable membership and a good Sun- day-school Mr. Long is superintendent ..


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


Seventh Day Adventists have a good organization in this township. The doctrine of this denomination was first taught in Johnson county by Eld. R. J. Lawrence, of Battle Creek, Michigan, in the year 1870, and in 1873 a church of thirty six menbers was organized in this township by Elders J. D. Roberts and J. Cook. Since that time the church has had several additions. All the ministers of this order are traveling evangelists. Their name is derived from the peculiarity of their faith. They believe and. teach that the seventh day (Saturday) is the Sabbath; also that the time is drawing near when the Lord Jesus Christ will come and save his fol- lowers. They hold to the literal interpretation of the scriptures. They teach temperance in all things, and are total abstainers from the vices of tobacco, whiskey, oily meats, and stimulating food of all kinds. In regard to the unchaste conversation we quote: "Out the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." "By thy words thou shalt be condemned." Matt. XII: 34, 36, 37. In these three brief sentences Christ presents the whole moral aspect of the subject of chastity, and to. any one who will ponder well his weighty words, no further remark is necessary. The people have no hesitancy in pronouncing flirtations as pernicious in the extreme. They hold to the sensible idea that gossip- ing and flirtations exert a malign influence alike upon the mental, the- moral, and the physical constitution of the youth of our country. They keep aloof and warn society to shun the many lecherous villains who are properly called pleasure seekers. These denominations are purely Chris- tians in the scriptural sense. They teach and practice repentance towards God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and immersion as the only mode of baptism. They have no creed or confession of faith except the Bible.


The Cemeteries of the township are well kept, and show that respect due to those who sleep beneath the sod. In every clime and among all' nations, some sort of burial rite has been observed from time immemorial. Taste and customs differ as national views differ. Not having time to dis- cuss the various practices of the world, we proceed to name some of the old graveyards, commenced and set apart by the old settlers:


Lundy Cemetery is in section 31. This is a beautiful graveyard and contains several graves. Louisa Edwards was the first interred, and that was in the year 1855.


Pittsville Cemetery is, comparatively, a new burying place. The first one. laid to rest here was J. A. McClure.


Blackwater Cemetery is in section 36, and the church is in section 1. The section line divides them. This is one of the very oldest cemeteries of the township. Here are several graves which are enclosed by a stone wall.


In section 4, on T. B. Cobb's land, there is a graveyard. In section 15, 1


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


in the woods on M. Allenbaugh's land, there is an old graveyard. In sec- tion 30, near the Basin Knob church, is one of the old burying places.


There are but few civic societies in this township. Elm Spring Grange is in a thrifty condition. Butler Newman is master. The grange has built a nice hall, and some of the best and most enterprising farmers are members. A Masonic lodge was organized here after the close of the war and continued till 1874.


Pittsville lodge, No. 595, I. O. O. F., was organized May 3, 1873. Officers for ensuing term: Wm. Galbraith, N. G .; J. M. Miller, V. G .; W. T. Miller, secretary; Wm. Saddler, treasurer; M. H. Davis, con .; . Geo. Gohn, warden; J. E. Tapscot, jan. The charter members are: S. M. Logan, N. G .; M. Rice, V. G .; J. H. Dean, secretary; W. H. Mills- paugh, treasurer .; W. H. Olum, guard.


At one time several granges existed in the township, but at present all are defunct except Elm Spring grange.


Among the old log school-houses is the Tucker school-house, which stands on the excellent farm of J. S. Pfantz, in the last stages of decay. The old house has crumbled in and will soon be among the things of the past. In this old valley school-house, the election was held up to the war of 1861. Many of the early teachers of this vicinity possessed a full store of common sense and a fair skill and ability to teach. The principal pio_ neer teachers were, Jasper N. Furguson, B. McCoy, C. Huff, James Briggs, Mr. Tarpley, Mr. Devasier, Mr. Slocum, Mrs. Catharine Craig, Miss Lizzie Emons, Michael E. Newman, W. W. Sparks, Lewis H. Chiv- ington, Miss Nannie P. Pitts, A. Vanausdol, Newton Cobb, and S. P. Sparks. In early times women did not teach much. The domestic circles of the family and fireside imposed on her all the burdens that she was capa- ble of bearing. Many of the first schools were kept in private dwellings.


The township now has ten flourishing public schools, which are kept open over half of the year.


Washington school, No. 106, is near Elm spring. This is among the best schools of the township. The teachers are, J. Milo Martin, Isaac N. Newman, four terms; Sue R. Easley, Marcella F. Burks, Virginia Easley, Dora Hill, M. Cornelia Keene, Wm. Proctor, Josiah Lundy, J. P. Burks, and Miss L. Alice Newman, three terms.


Pittsville school, No. 107, is a neat little frame building on the east half of section 26. The following teachers have taught here: Miss Lizzie Emons, Mrs. Catharine Craig, W. Foster, Calvin Brown, D. T. Boisseau, Mr. Miller, Mr. Cook, N. Williams, Rice, Mr. Slaughter, Mrs. Julia Violett, Julia Warford, Joseph Miller, Abner Starkey.


Burk school No. 120, is in section 25, located on the ridge.


Longacre school is in section 26, on the upland.


Hays School, No. 119 is on rocky ridge in the western part of the town-


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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.


ship in section eleven. Pleasant Grove school, No. 105, is located in a beautiful rich rolling prairie district, in section eight. The present teacher is Wm. Sparks. Rockford school, No. 104, is the brush land of section fourteen. Grant school, No. 99, is in the eastern part of section fifteen. Douglas school, No. 103, is in section two, township 46, range 28.


Valley View school, No. 118, is a little frame in a fertile small valley in section thirteen, and is close to the southern line of the township. C. M. McGirk taught here last. Lincoln school, No. 100, is in section eight. Henry Williams taught here last. Howard school, No. 116, is in the southwestern part of the township, in section fifteen, in a district of fine farming land.


Maloney school, No. 117, is on Devil's Ridge, near the northen line of section eleven. The beautiful surrounding country makes this an attrac- tive place.


In relation to the schools of this township we clip the following from a county paper bearing the date, July 22, 1881:


"On Friday the 18th inst. occurred an interesting event, long to be remembered especially by the children. It was a school picnic given con- jointly by four teachers and their schools, and held four miles northwest of Pittsville, in Hopper's grove: Henry Williams of the Lincoln district, Willie Sparks of the Pleasant Grove district, Geo. Williams of the Rock- ford district, and Miss Juriah Lundy of the Washington district. The welcome address was delivered by Rev. T. P. Cobb. Then began the regular exercises which consisted of recitations by the girls, and declama- tions by the boys. Miss Florence Porter recited 'Curfew shall not ring to-night.' The vocal, gesticulate and emotional parts were brought out almost perfectly. A combination of all these rare arts of delivery secured to her the prize awarded by three judges for the best speech delivered on the occasion. This prize, a volume of poems, was offered by outside parties independent of the teacher's knowledge.




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