USA > Missouri > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Missouri. An encyclopedia of useful information > Part 71
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91
TOPOGRAPHY.
The township is composed of both timber and prairie land, the former lying along the border of Locust Creek and on both sides of Parsons Creek, and Hickory Branch, which empties into Locust Creek on section thirty- three, township fifty-seven, of range twenty-one. There is no more beauti- ful body of prairie land in the State of Missouri than that which lies be- between Locust and Parsons creeks. Of a deep rich soil whose fertility is unsurpassed, gently sloping so as to give it a perfect drainage, it is in all respects a farmer's paradise. In some respect the central and southern por- tions of the township are considered a trifle better than the northern portion, but it would bother the uninitiated to tell where the superiority exists. Neither Clay nor Jackson townships on its northern border will admit this statement, and the writer is fain to believe that the superiority of soil or climate lies only with those who have made their home on those sections. There is no question but what Parsons Creek township comprises a very rich body of land, and that it has less broken or bad portions than most any other township in the county, only excepting the two above mentioned lying to the north. Its timber is of excellent quality of oak, hickory, elm,
696
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
etc., common to the latitude. Its coal area is large, being found under nearly the whole surface of the township. One shaft has been sunk some three miles northeast from Meadville on section thirty-three, township fifty- eight of range twenty-one, which opened on an eighteen-inch vein. A six inch vein was found at the depth of forty-five feet in the southwest part of Meadville, but of course would not pay to work; but that by going deep enough good paying veins can be found has been demonstrated, and is, there- fore, not a statement of a speculative character. Coal crops out all along the banks of Locust Creek, and the veins have been traced to a considerable dis- tance. In addition to the coal which underlies its surface, it has magnifi- cent quarries of sandstone. The following account is taken from the Mead- ville Messenger, of one of the finest quarries of stone found in north Mis- souri. It says :
" A most curious formation is what is commonly called the " Rock Quar. ry," situated on the land of George W. Stephens, some five miles southeast of Meadville. This is a mound of solid sandstone, of fine quality, which rises abruptly some two hundred feet above the surrounding surface. For miles on all sides stretches out Locust Creek bottoms, as level as a floor, and in many places are lakes and marshes. Isolated and alone has this Sphinx of the prairies stood for centuries, a sentinel on the march of time, in whose frozen embrace are locked forever the record of some stu- pendous war of the elements."
Such a quarry or mountain of rock is valuable, for there is enough to furnish building stone for the entire township. When you take the waters of Parsons Creek, of Hickory Branch, and Locust Creek combined, with the luxuriant crops of grapes which are indigenous to its soil, you have found one of the best stock-raising townships in the county. The largest sheep ranch is in this township. A few spring's are found in the township; one at or near Fountain Grove runs a pure crystal stream, but pure water can be found at the depth of from twenty to thirty feet. The cereals and vegeta- bles are on their native heath, while it is a garden spot for fruits of all kinds, and berries. This fruitfulness of soil has made Parsons Creek a wealthy and prosperous township, and her future is even more bright and promising.
THE OLD SETTLERS.
It is nearly forty years ago since the first white man built his cabin within the limits of Parsons Creek township .. There is nothing romantic in this early history. If a prehistoric race trod its fertile soil they left no memento of their being. Indians have traveled her flowery and grass-covered prairies and roamed its wooded hills and bottom-lands in search of game, but we find no burning of cabins, nor is there any record of the victims of the tomahawk and scalping-knife. When the white hunter trod these wilds on
.
697
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
the track of his game, the Indians were friendly, and they often hunted in company, but way back of that period when our grand old State arose from its waste of waters, who first traversed its broad expanse or when it became habitable to man has not come down to man's knowledge, of the present day. So it is only of a hundred years or so ago that memory clings and history shows an intelligible record.
ARRIVALS.
John Botts was the first settler of Parsons Creek township within its pres- ent domain. He first came in 1833, and his brother, Joshua, came with him, and they put up a cabin of poles. He settled on section one, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two, but it was nearly three years before he brought. his family. He was a Kentuckian born and raised, but came to Linn from Howard county. Meridith Brown came from the same State, but from Boone county to Linn, and settled on section four, township fifty-seven, of range twenty-one, the same year, that is in 1836, at the time or nearly so- that Mr. Botts brought his family. He also became one of the most prom- inent citizens of the county. Daniel Grant dropped in soon after, and staked his claim on section nine, township fifty-seven, range twenty-one. David, Joseph, and James Littrell all came together in 1837. David settled on section ten, township fifty seven, range twenty-two; Joseph, section thir- ty-five, township fifty-eight, range twenty-two; and James drove his stakes on section three, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two. They all came from Kentucky, and were true types of the " Hunters of Kentucky," and there you found John Botts a close relation. L. T. Foreman settled on sec- tion thirty-one, township fifty-seven, range twenty-one. Then followed Wil- liam Belsh, who started a clearing on section twelve, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two; Widow Norwood, near Wolf Grove, on section thirty-six, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two; Elizabeth Monroe, on section thir- ty-four, township fifty-eight, range twenty-one; and Seth Botts, on section twenty-seven, township fifty-eight, range twenty-two. A few years later, perhaps up to 1845, other settlers began to come in until Parsons Creek be- came a sort of a land of promise. Preston Mullin settled on section thirty- four, township fifty-eight, range twenty-two; Thomas Botts, on section twen- ty-seven, township fifty-eight, range twenty-two; Widow Fisher secured a. home on section twenty-four, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two; Alex- ander Ogan, on section twenty-five, township fifty-eight, range twenty-two; James Bolye and many others. These were the real pioneers of Parsons. Creek, and they have left their imprint so plainly marked upon the pages of time that eternity alone can efface it.
GAME.
These early settlers were many of them great hunters. Botts, Littrells, Foreman and others played havoc among the wolves and deer of the period.
.
698
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
Wolf Grove took its name from there being a wolf pen near the grove. Deer were plentiful and the hunters could count their slain by the hun- dreds. The wolves could be caught in traps, but the quick aim of the hunter and his true rifle are what brought the deer to bite the dust. Wolf Grove afterward took a more poetical name and was and is now known as "Fountain Grove," and this name was given it because of a large spring whose fountain-head was there, and whose refreshing waters was the resort for man and beast. Not only was game of all kinds plenty, but the wild bee made it his home, and honey was not only an article daily upon the table of the settler, but it was an article that gave inany other ar- ticles of necessity to the cabins of the pioneer. Venison hams, bear steaks, honey, deer, bear and wolf skins, and here and there a wild turkey, gave the old pioneer his winter supply of groceries.
THEY TRADED
principally at Brunswick, and with the load of honey and wild game, flour, coffee, tea, a few yards of calico, an iron wedge, etc., was brought back from the town on the river bank. Keytesville had a mill, and secured a portion of the trade, but as a general rule, Brunswick secured most of what it called the " up-country trade." Glasgow was a larger town than Brunswick, and was for many years the leading trading point, but Brunswick grew and finally, being much nearer and keeping large stocks, succeeded in stopping the trade to the north and west of them. It is very much to be doubted whether at this time Brunswick or Glasgow do a much larger business than they did thirty or forty years ago.
There were, of course, no bridges in those days, and going to mill or to the " River," as it was called, was no light job, especially if a heavy rain came and the streams rose too high for fording. It would sometimes be days in falling, and mnen would be camped waiting to cross. If alone it was a tedious time. Still hand-mills were used, and a burned hole in a log and a pestle did duty for many years, because they could not always go to mill just at the right time. When Bowyer's horse-mill started up it was looked upon as a God-send by those who had to go twenty to thirty miles to mnill or pound their " grab " out in a mortar.
The pioneers had little trouble with the Indians. The Heatherly War, so-called, created some alarm for a short time, but there was nothing se- rious excepting the prairie fires, which the early settlers much dreaded. Hunters would be sometimes a little too careless building their fires near the dry grass, and if a strong wind blew it was likely to take fire and spread. Fighting fire was sometimes terrible work, and then the settlers sometimes failed to save cabins or crops.
Such were some of the trials of those who started out to lay the founda- tion of their future homes. They were never idle. The men cleared the
699
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
fields and planted the crops, while the women spun and wove, and not only made the linsey and flannel for their own wear, but also made the jeans which became the wearing apparel of their husband, father, and brothers. And thus passed nearly a score of years, the wild-wood and the open prai- ries giving -way to the woodman's ax and the plow, and where once roamed the deer and the wolves, and where perched the wild turkey in security, now blossoms with green fields and waving grain. Civil- ization held sway and the car of progress moved forward guided by the hands and energy of an energetic people. There were many incidents transpiring from day to day which are familiar to all who have read, or have been personal actors of the times, and of too common occurrence for repetition here. Now and then a fight with a bear, the tracking of wolves to their lair, or the shrill cry of the panther, all called forth the skill and the nerve of the hunter, and many were the narrow escapes, which, while of but little interest in print, were told with graphic fervor and force by the actors of the scene who would relate them at the evening fireside.
ITEMS OF PROGRESS.
Parsons Creek in all these years not only progressed in the cultivation of the soil, of making fruitful farms and pleasant homes, where once the red man held undisputed sway, but the car of progress was freighted with a strong desire for self-culture. Schools were easily started wherever a neigh- borhood had a dozen or so children who needed or felt the growing need of scholastic attainments. The first school was of course the familiar log school-house and the subscription school, with the teacher to receive his one dollar and fifty cents to two dollars and fifty cents per scholar per term, and to " board round." Just what time the first school was taught was hard to say. It was not long after the Morinon War. The Mormons, raided this section, stealing fodder by cutting the corn and packing it on their horses, and digging potatoes and carrying them away. Sometimes they traded some trinkets for it, but more generally took what they could lay their hands on and left. Among the volunteers to the Mormon War were .John and Joshua Botts.
Very little wheat was raised at first, corn being the chief product, with potatoes and garden vegetables. Hogs ran wild in the woods and grew fat on mast. Cattle ran the range over for miles, and the bell they wore, and the different sound of each, told each settler on the hunt for his stock whose cattle were in the sound of his ears. They not only knew their own bell but that of every neighbor for miles around.
The traveling preacher would sometimes come as often as once a month, and then again it would be two or three months between preaching time. A full turn out would always be had when it was known. When no preach- ing was had the men often went hunting and the women would find recre-
700
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
ation in fishing in the streams, or in the cat-holes on the prairies. There was little to break the monotony in the existence of a pioneer's life.
Among the first births in the township was that of Sarah Margaret Botts, born August 20, 1839. She died at the age of five years.
The first death was believed to be that of a child of Mrs. Parks, a little girl, and the mother dying soon after both were buried in one grave, in the graveyard near John Botts's on Parsons Creek.
The first preacher was William C. Benson, of the Baptist denomination. He held service at Seth Botts's and the first communion was at the cabin of James Littrell. Mr. Benson removed to Trenton, Grundy county, preach- ing, and kept hotel. He died a few years since, and his widow still keeps. the hotel in Trenton. Jesse Goins and others also held service in the town- ship.
Dr. Dryden was thought to have been the first physician. Dr. Keith, from Chillicothe, came next, and then Drs. Long and Wilcox had some practice in the township.
The first school-house built was in the year 1846 or 1847. There was a school taught near John Botts's in 1847, commencing in June, and was a short term of three months. It was built of logs, and quite a large number of pupils attended, Thomas Ryan being the teacher, and one dollar and fifty cents per scholar the price for the term. E. D. Harvey, the present representative for Linn county to the General Assembly, came that year. The Botts' families, Littrells, Grants, Belshe, Hollard, Miller, etc., all sent their children to this school, some twenty-five in all attending.
In other settlements schools were started, and when the school-houses. were put up, although of log, they also became houses of worship on Sun- day, and it was not long ere the work of the circuit rider became more fre- quent, and arrangements made for regular preaching at stated times. The township increased in population, and at the time of the civil war was one of the foremost townships in the county. During the struggle little progress was made, and it escaped many incidents, trials, and sufferings by being a purely agricultural community. There were troubles among neighbors of opposite belief, but with the exception of the killing of Frank Hart by L. T. Foreman, there is no record of any serious facts transpiring in the town- ship.
At the time of Poindexter's defeat it is said he passed through Meadville and took some five hundred dollars from the citizens, but at that time Mead- ville was composed of a few straggling houses, and there was little to excite- the cupidity of the raiders. The war ceased, and with peace came a hope. of prosperity. Parsons Creek was made a separate voting precinct June. 5, 1866, and quite a number of her citizens have been prominent in the- political affairs of the country ever since its organization. With increase- of population came more churches and schools; lands were taken up by ac-
701
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
tual settlers and fine farms and well cultivated fields took the place of the open prairies and the timbered bottoms. At this time sheep raising is one of the leading industries of the township, and it is well adapted for the purpose. Schools are all in a flourishing condition, and there are no less than twelve within the township. The school-houses are paid for, princi- pally frame buildings, with all the appliances necessary for a thorough com- mon school education. In 1849 E. D. Harvey taught a school on section one, township fifty-seven, range twenty-two. This was the first school-house built in that section, and was about sixteen by sixteen feet, composed en - tirely of logs. There were not over three schools at that time in the whole township.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION.
In 1880-81, at the winter session of the General Assembly, the township organization law was passed and the township organized under its provision. Mr. Abram Marks was elected clerk and assessor; other officers are L. N. Goodale, A. D. Black, G. T. Williams and H. C. Barger; and the represen- tative of the county is E. D. Harvey. The future of Parsons Creek township, with its rich soil and fine stock ranges, is destined to be one of the leading townships of the county in the future, as it has been in the past, and the immigrant will find no better bargains for a home than here. It is in real- ity a poor man's paradise.
HAPPENINGS.
It is not always best for two families to live in the same house, unless that house is very large. Two families by the name of Sibert and Phillips occupied one house some four miles west of Laclede, and it proved that they could not agree. Phillips got angry, January 24, 1868, and shot Sibert's dog. Mrs. S. went to the field and told her husband, who at once started for the house to settle the matter with Phillips, Mrs. Sibert following closely. Phillips knowing there would be a row, loaded his shot-gun and waited Sibert's coming. When Sibert got near enough Phillips fired, kill- ing Sibert, and two stray shot struck the child, one in the head, in its moth- er's arms, killing it also, without injuring Mrs. S .; and not only that but a cow just on a line a few feet from Mr. Sibert was also struck and died of her wound. It proved a terribly fatal shot. Phillips jumped upon a mule and left at once for parts unknown, although Montana was supposed to have been the place of his refuge. He was tracked to the north part of the county, where he had traded his mnule for a horse and then continued his flight. A few months afterwards his wife and family departed, presumably to join the erring husband and father, but nothing further has been heard of him.
In February, 1872, the first farmer's club in Parsons Creek township was
702
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
organized at Meadville. A. Lippert was made president and G. W. Mat- thews, secretary. A large number of farmers were in attendance and no less than fifty joined the club. It flourished for a year when many of its mem- bers joined the new order of the Patrons of Husbandry, that grew so pros- perously for a few years.
In July, 1872, Ransom Collumwood got on a drunken spree, and it ended in his being run over by a passing train. It was near the town of Mead- ville. .
While digging a well, August 1, 1874, on a farm about two miles east of Meadville, two men, Mike Crantz and William Home, were walling it up. Home was in the well and Crantz bringing the rock. On bringing one large rock to the well, he slipped at the edge of the opening and the stone fell out of his arms and struck Home on the head, killing him in- stantly. It was purely an accident as the men were like brothers, and Crantz did not get over it for months.
August 20, 1875, the little three-year old daughter of Isaac Warner, a bright active child, fell into the well and before she could be reached, drowned. It was a terrible blow to its parents.
The fast mail train going west from Meadville May 11, 1875, ran over and killed the son of J. A. Bell. The boy was deaf but otherwise a bright and active lad. His father sued the railroad company and got judgment in the sum of $5,000. The company appealed the case, and it is still unsettled, showing a good example of law's delay, which is generally the refuge of rich corporations when the poor demand justice of them.
The centennial year, 1876, was pretty generally celebrated all over the country, and Meadville made history by inaugurating a centennial party. The men and women dressed themselves in colonial style, and Gen. I. V. Pratt made a speech. This was early in February, and was the opening ceremony of the centennial year by the Meadvillians.
One of the strange freaks in human nature, which always has and always will astonish the world when they happen, took place at Fountain Grove, in the south part of the township in the fall of 1877. It was no less than a married woman, the mother of five children, with no known reason for her action, suddenly deserting husband and children and leaving with another inan for parts unknown. The husband followed as far as Chillicothe to re- claim the erring woman, but failed to overtake the truant couple. She has never been heard from to date.
It is believed that the best wheat crop ever raised in Linn county was on the farm of Joshua Botts in Parsons Creek township, one of the old pioneer stock. If not the best, it will do to tell. On thirty-nine acres of ground Mr. Botts threshed and cleaned 982 bushels of wheat. Mr. Botts died at an advanced age, December 16, 1878, and was sincerely mourned by a large circle of friends, having lived over forty years in the county.
703
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
A SUICIDE.
From the Chillicothe Constitution of date January 26, 1878, the follow- ing tragic death of a good man and citizen is taken. It says:
"Daniel Gooch, a highly respected citizen living on Parsons Creek, in Par- sons Creek township, Linn county, committed suicide by shooting himself. The circumstances show that the awful act was a cool and deliberate case of self-destruction, the result, it is believed, of mental despondency in long brooding over financial misfortunes. On Saturday morning he went to a neighbor, Mr. Kennedy, and borrowed a shot-gun, saying he wanted it to kill an owl that was troubling his poultry. On his way home, when near Mr. Jonathan Pearman's field he was seen by that gentleman, but did not particularly attract his attention at the time. Within a few minutes after- wards, Mr. Pearman heard the report of a gun, and looking in the direction of the sound he saw a horse standing tied to his field fence, near where he had last seen Mr. Gooch, but he could not see any person in sight, though the view was clear. He thought it best to investigate the matter, and see if any evil had befallen his neighbor, and on reaching the vicinity was hor- rified to find Mr. Gooch lying stone dead in his (Pearman's) field, with the upper rear portion of his head blown away! Mr. Pearman immediately noti- fied the relatives and neighbors of the deceased, and after an examination of the surroundings and being perfectly satisfied as to the manner of his death, his relatives removed his body to his late home. An investigation showed that he had placed the muzzle of the gun in his mouth and had with the ramrod sprung the trigger. On the outside of his mouth there was not the slightest wound nor even indication of powder, so that he certainly must have put the muzzle of the gun as far in his mouth as he could with con- venience. The deceased was about thirty-five years of age, and was born and raised in the neighborhood where he died. A few years ago he became financially involved and lost his farm, and has since lived on rented land. A short time since, after trying to rent a farm, and failing to find one hav- ing better accommodations than a log house, he was greatly dissatisfied, and remarked that he " would soon find a better place." Mr. Gooch leaves a wife and three little sons, and a large circle of relatives and friends to mourn his death.
DEATH BY LIGHTNING.
April 13, 1880, a heart-rending accident took place at Meadville which called forth deep expressions of sorrow for the afflicted parents. Two children of George Gibson, aged six and eight years, on returning home from school during a storm, were both struck by lightning and the oldest instantly killed and the younger one badly injured. When the lightning left the boy and passed into the ground it made a hole ten inches deep.
Mrs. Maria L. Botts, wife of Seth Botts, died July 9, 1880. Mrs. Botts
704
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.
came with her husband to Linn county in the year 1836, and was one of the pioneer women of that day, of strong mind and energetic action. She had the heart to feel, a judgment to guide, and belonged to that class who stamp the impress of their greatness upon all surrounding them.
In 1881 a fire at Meadville destroyed the house of Enoch Shore. This is not remarkable in itself, but Mr. Shore was a poor man; lost his all, and was generally respected. The result of this good character was a sympathy of the people of his town that showed itself in deeds as well as words, and Mr. Shore, in one mouth and a day after his loss, was again enabled to move into his own house, work and money being donated to a deserving man. The citizens did their duty, for the exhibition of charity is a Godlike act.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.