USA > Missouri > Nodaway County > The history of Nodaway county, Missouri, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc., biographical sketches of its citizens > Part 31
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Union is justly considered one of the best townships in Nodaway County for agricultural purposes. The second terrace glides down gently to the first bottom without river bluffs, and the land can be cultivated. almost to the water's edge. The soil is a deep, rich loam, with the usual alluvium along the streams. All the cereals grow in abundance, and the cultivated grasses flourish. The people of Union Township can be said to live in one of the most favored portions of Missouri.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
The first settlers in Union Township were William and James Ingels. They came in the year 1841, and settled at White Oak Grove, about two miles below where the town of Xenia afterward stood. The attractions offered to them by the grove, in the way of protection from the winds, and timber and fuel for farm and household purposes, determined their location there.
Abraham Fletcher came next and settled in the grove, opening an adjoining farm, finding an additional attraction in having near neighbors.
Mr. Shurley, a son-in-law of Mr. Fletcher's, was next attracted to the grove for similar reasons, and by kindred ties, and opened an adjoin- ing farm to Mr. Fletcher's, on the south.
Mr. Martin and John Gray came next in order, and settled on the prairie, about two miles west of White Oak Grove, opening prairie farms near enough to the grove to avail themselves easily of all the advantages of native timber, so necessary to pioneers.
311
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Mr. Cromwell came next, and settled in the grove north of the others, but afterward sold out to Thomas Pistole.
About the same time came John Walden, a son-in-law of Mr. Crom- well, and settled at the grove. The White Oak Grove settlement thus takes precedence in the order of time over all others in what is now known as Union Township. It was a pleasant neighborhood, made up of congenial friends, living in and around the grove, a landmark in all that region in early times, where the traveler was glad to find himself at nightfall, to rest his weary limbs and enjoy the hospitality so gladly accorded by pioneers. Our modern civilization has given us many things, but it has lost somewhat of that old-fashioned hospitality that would not let the stranger pass by the door without a cordial welcome that warmed the heart, and prepared the traveler in body and mind for his onward journey.
The next settlement in Union Township was made by Dr. Josiah Coleman, who entered the land where Pickering is now located. This is a most delightful situation,on the rolling prairie as it rises out of the first terrace, some three-quarters of a mile from the One Hundred and Two River. Here Dr. Coleman opened a farm, and administered pro- fessionally to those who came and settled around him. He afterward sold his farm, disposing of the portion on which the town of Pickering now stands to Judge Andrew Royal, and went to Kansas.
After this, a settlement was commenced at Lower White Oak Grove, by John Ray. Alvin Sturgill came next and opened a farm on the south side of White Oak Grove. David Cooper took a claim a little north of Pickering, thus becoming a neighbor of Dr. Coleman. The settlement of Lower White Oak Grove received an addition in the per- son of Edward Ray, who located there and opened a farm. Valentine Ray soon followed, and took a claim in the same neighborhood. Mar- tin Van Buren took a claim about one mile and a half west of Pickering. Martin Fakes settled soon after on the west side of the township, on the divide west of White Oak Grove. About this time settlers began to come into Union Township more rapidly, so that it is difficult to note the settlement of each one in consecutive order.
OLD SETTLERS IN UNION TOWNSHIP.
William Ingels, 1841. Shurley, 1841.
Abraham Fletcher, 1841.
William Nash, 1842.
John Gray, 1842. Jacob Miller, 1842.
Martin Gray, 1842.
Samuel C. Nash, 1843.
Samuel Nash, 1843.
George Nash, 1843.
Thomas Pistole, 1843.
William Pistole, 1843.
George Pistole, 1843.
Andrew Pistole, 1843.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Stephen Pistole, 1843. Mr. Harris, 1846. E. Hatfield, 1850. Thomas Washburn, 1850. Edward Godsey, 1855.
Timothy Nash, 1843. Mr. Murphy, 1850.
James F. Williams, 1850.
Stephen Girard, 1853. Wm. R. Johnston.
PICKERING.
This pleasant little village, of about 200 inhabitants, is situated nearly midway between Maryville and Hopkins, on the Maryville Branch of the Kansas City, St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad. Dr. Josiah Coleman made an original survey of the town, and named it Pickering, in honor of Pickering Clark, who held a position on this railroad. It is a tradition of the town that when the first train came down the road and approached this point, this name was selected, and the place was chris- tened Pickering. Dr. Coleman's interests were bought out by Judge Andrew Royal who purchased the forty acres upon which the town is now located, for $3,000. Judge Royal re-surveyed and laid it out the second time in 1871. There was no public sale of lots, but lots were disposed of at private sale.
Pickering is located about three-fourths of a mile from the One Hundred and Two River, on what is known as the second terrace. It is a beautiful site for a town,-the land rising gently with a fine roll from the lower terrace which gives the town a sufficient elevation to overlook all the valley for miles in both directions. Just above the town the river is deflected in its coure a little toward the east, and carries with it a belt of timber in a waving line through the valley, the trees partly hidden by the banks, appearing in the summer like a fringe to the green carpet beneath one's feet. Pickering is as cosy a little village as one can find, and there is a peaceful atmosphere about the place, to the observing traveler, that is quite delightful.
In 1871, D. N. Garten & Brother erected the first business house in Pickering, and opened a stock of mixed merchandise.
Dr. William M. Wallace and Judge Royal erected the second busi- ness house in 1871, and opened a drug store.
In the summer of 1871, A. Woods built a blacksmith shop.
Peter Behm put up a business house in 1873, and opened a stock of mixed merchandise.
About the same time Milton Anderson built a harness shop.
The next store was put up by Marion Ferrel, who opened a stock of mixed merchandise.
The Pickering House was built in 1873, by Royal & Garten.
A wagon shop was built in 1873, by Jacob Wagoner.
313
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
In 1874, the Pickering Manufacturing Company erected a building and carried on the manufacture of agricultural implements, wagons, etc. They continued business about two years, and had a thriving trade, but through mismanagement, concluded to make a change, and sold out to B. W. Kenny, who continued to do business on a less extended scale for about six years.
In 1874, a cheese factory was put up by Shoemaker Bros., of New York, who carried on the business for two years.
An institution for packing and preserving eggs was built in 1874, which was in activity for three or four years.
In 1877, Wallace Bros., erected a building and opened a drug store. In 1879, J. J. Van Buren built a blacksmith shop.
Dr. Josiah Colman owned the farm where Pickering now stands, and his farm house, located on the second roll from the river, fell within the village limits, and has since been used as a hotel. This was the first hotel opened in the village, and was kept by J. W. Harman.
David Van Zandt built the first residence after the town was first incorporated. D. N. Garten then moved a dwelling house from Xenia, which, being left by the railroad, was afterward abandoned. The next residence was put up by J. W. Harman. Several dwellings were erected about this time, as the town began to grow.
Mrs. David Van Zant was the first person who died in Pickering after it was first incorporated. This occurred in the fall of 187 !. Mr. David Van Zant's son was the first child born after the first incorpora- tion. Dr. Wm. M. Wallace was the first practicing physician in the incor- porated town of Pickering.
The first marriage in Pickering occurred at the house of J. W. Harman. Mr. L. L. Holbrook, of Maryville, was united in bonds of wedlock to Miss Lou D. Harman.
The Methodists built the first church edifice in the year 1875 .
In 1879, E. D. Nash put up a grain elevator, which he operated two years, when he sold it to Bariteau & Welch, of Maryville, who still own it. Pickering is a good point for the shipment of grain. In 1879, 370 car loads of grain were shipped, and in 1880, 400 car loads were shipped, mostly corn. When the railroad came to Pickering, J. W. Harman was appointed agent, and has continued to hold the position to the present time. Mr. Harman has made a model agent, being a care- ful and accurate business man, kind and obliging to the traveling public, and keeping the passenger house as neat and clean as a dwelling.
Pickering is considered a healthy point, the drainage of the village being good, and the roll on which the village is built lifting it above the malarious influences in the valley lands.
The town was incorporated February 4, 1879
314
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF PICKERING.
The Pickering circuit was detached from the Hopkins circuit and organized as a separate circuit in 1871. Rev. W. Cowley was the pastor, The membership of the circuit numbers about forty. The names of the pastors have been as follows : W. Cowley, E. V. Roof, William Shelley, Thomas Evans, W. B. Moody and W. Cowley, the present pastor. The church building was erected in 1874 at an expense of $2,000. Mr. Cowley has six other appointments outside of Pickering. There is another church building on the circuit near Sweet Home. There is a good Sabbath school and something of a library. The church is in a good condition. The church has just built a parsonage at a cost of $650.
PICKERING LODGE NO. 473, A. F. & A. M.
The charter of this lodge was granted October 14, 1873. The names of the charter members are as follows : Edwin Van Buren, James H. Johnson, E. M. Groves, W. M. Wallace, M. B. Harman, H. H. Harman, J. W. Harman, William M. Pistole, Dr. A. D. Sargent and A. J. Woods. The present membership numbers thirty-one. The lodge is in good condition, out of debt, and own their lodge room.
The names of the present officers are as follows : James C. Pistole, W. M .; J. W. Harman, S. W .; Jacob Ashford, J. W .; Henry Dunn, Sec- retary ; George Nash, Treasurer ; H. H. Harman, Tyler.
NODAWAY LODGE NO. 347, I. O. O. F.
The charter of this lodge was granted May 19, 1876. The names of the charter members are as follows: Edwin Van Buren, Charles M. Whipple, Phillip Sellers, Newton Wray, O. H. Mitchell.
The present officers are : James K. Young, N. G .; John Burch, V. G .; James A. Lowery, Secretary.
The members of this lodge number twenty-eight. The lodge is in a flourishing condition.
CHAPTER XXII. WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
ITS BOUNDARY-PHYSICAL FEATURES-EARLY SETTLERS-CARTERVILLE-GUILFORD- SCHOOLS-CHURCHES-SECRET ORDERS-BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP.
Washington Township is bounded on the north by Jefferson Town- ship, on the east by Gentry County, on the south by Andrew County, and on the west by White Cloud Township. This is the southeast township in Nodaway County.
We find the following order of record for the April special term of court, for the year 1845, establishing Washington Township :
"All the territory within the following limits shall be called and known by the name of Washington Township, to wit :
" Beginning on One Hundred and Two, on the line dividing Nod- away and Andrew Counties ; thence north up said stream till it inter- sects White Cloud Township ; thence east and north with said town- ship line to the line dividing townships 63 and 64 ; thence east with said boundary to the eastern boundary of Nodaway County ; thence south with said county line to Andrew County ; thence west to the place of beginning."
On June 14, 1866, the court made the following order, defining the bounds of Washington Township :
Commencing at the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of sec- tions 15, 9 and 16, 8 and 17, 7 and 18, in township 63, range 34, [33 ?], and 12 and 13, 1I and 14, 10 and 15, 9 and 16, 8 and 17, 7 and 18, township 63, range 34, and 12 and 13, to the northwest corner of section 13, town- ship 63, range 35, thence south on the section line between sections 13 and 14, 23 and 24, 25 and 26, 35 and 36, township 63, range 35, and sec- tions I and 2, 1I and 12, 13 and 14, 23 and 24, 25 and 26, 35 and 36, to the south line of said county, to the southwest corner of section 36, township 62, range 35, thence east on the county line to the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section 34, township 62, range 35, [33 ?], thence north on the east line of said county to the northeast corner of the northwest quarter of section 15, township 63, range 33, to the place of beginning.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Subsequently, Jefferson and Grant Townships were formed out of territory belonging originally in part to Washington Township.
PHYSICAL FEATURES.
The Platte River flows through the extreme western portion of this township in a southerly direction, bending in its course a little toward the west, until it touches the western line, and then returning in a south- easterly direction it runs across the southwest corner of the township. Turkey Creek and Island Branch water the eastern portion of the town- ship, and, uniting near the county line, run easterly into Grand River. The western portion of the township consists of high upland prairie, more rolling as we approach the river, with a valley along the river of rich alluvium about a mile in width. The eastern portion of the town- ship is made up of gently rolling prairie lands with increased inequal- ities of surface as we approach the streams. All the water courses are fringed more or less with timber, one-tenth of the whole area of the township being estimated as timbered land. Springs are found in numerous places, and the whole township is well watered. The soil is a silicious loam, exceedingly fertile and well adapted to the cultivation of fruits. Horticulture would find its native home in this township, all the small fruits of this latitude growing in abundance. The cultivated grasses have been introduced and flourish, and stock raising is quite successful.
EARLY SETTLERS.
The first settlement in Washington Township is supposed to have been made about the year 1840. Among the earliest settlers was Thomas Gray, who took a claim in the southeast part of White Oak Grove, which is situated two miles north of the present town of Guilford. The grove is two miles long and one mile and a half wide.
Silas Groves came next from Indiana, and located two miles, north- west of the present site of Guilford, between White Oak Grove and the Platte River. Hugh Todd now owns this place.
Jesse Jones emigrated soon after from Pennsylvania, and settled half a mile south of where Guilford is now located.
Thomas Blakely came from Cooper County, Missouri, and located one mile south of the present town of Guilford.
James Irwin took a claim one half mile southwest of the present location of Guilford.
Silas Best settled three miles north of where Guilford now is, on the east side of White Oak Grove.
John S. Aldridge emigrated from Indiana and settled on the east side of White Oak Grove.
317
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
Guilford Richards came from Virginia and took a claim on the south side of the grove.
John Groves was born in Ohio, February 19, 1801. In 1823 he married Miss Susanna Vanpelt. Their marriage was congenial, and they have lived together in peace ever since. They are the parents of fifteen children, who are somewhat scattered, some being in Missouri, some in Kansas, and one in Iowa. In the year 1838 Mr. Groves moved to Indiana. He remained there two years, and then he came to Andrew County, Missouri, where he remained till 1842. He came to Nodaway County in the latter year, and settled on the farm where he has lived so long. When he came to Missouri, St. Joseph consisted of but two or three houses. His team hauled the logs for the first building that was erected in Savannah. He came to this region when it was but sparsely populated. At that time this township contained only about a dozen families, but soon after that number was augmented by the arrival of the families of Christopher Weatherman, Allen Gentry and Wiley Brittain. Little did these early settlers think that the country which then pre- sented such a rugged and forlorn appearance could be transformed into almost a paradise ; and little did they think that they would live to see the day when Nodaway County would contain 30,000 inhabitants.
In 1842 there were only about a dozen men in Washington Town- ship, all told ; but they were men of nerve and pluck, who forsook friends and came to a land where the track of the Indian was still vis- ible.
The nearest trading point at that time was Savannah, and Whites- ville was the nearest post office ; the nearest mill about fifteen miles off. The first settlers raised corn, wheat and hemp, principally ; they dressed in their homespun and very seldom were sick, excepting ague and chills, which they had occasionally.
Elliott owned the first store in the township. His chief clerk was William Weatherman, Esq. The latter gentleman carried the first mail bags that ever came to Washington Township.
Jesse Stingley settled one mile and a-half southeast of where Guil- ford is now located. He came from Indiana. In 1847 C. Weatherman emigrated from North Carolina and settled one-fourth of a mile south of the present site of Guilford.
W. J. Brittain came, in 1848, from North Carolina and took a claim one mile and a-half east of the present town of Guilford, on section 14, township 62, range 34.
John Pulley, a son-in-law of Thomas Blakely, emigrated from Cooper County, Missouri, and took a claim three-fourths of a mile southwest of the present site of Guilford ; and James T. Estes, another son-in-law, came from Cooper County, Missouri, and located one mile and a-fourth east of the present location of Guilford.
318
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
In the spring of 1850 Anthony Groves emigrated from Tennessee and located near the present site of Guilford, about one-fourth of a mile west.
In the same year B. S. Cook came from North Carolina and took a claim one and one-half miles northwest of where Guilford is now located.
I. Wilson emigrated from Buchanan County in 1851, and settled on Clear Creek. He has been in the Platte Purchase forty-four years, com- ing in October, 1837.
When W. J. Brittain immigrated to Washington Township, in the year 1848, he went sixteen miles to Hobson's Mill, on the One Hundred and Two River, four miles northeast of Savannah. When Mr. I. Wilson came he went to Waterville to mill, which was located on the Platte, nine miles south of the place where Guilford is located. Matthew White- ford emigrated from Indiana in 1864, and settled one mile southwest of the present town of Guilford, where he still lives. Mr. Whiteford owns about 1,300 acres of land, and he has been engaged quite extensively in handling live stock. His residence is elegant, and his surroundings are arranged with a view to comfort. His barn is well constructed, con- tains 50,000 feet of lumber, and cost $3,000.
The first school house in the township was erected in the year 1845. upon the southwest corner of the northeast quarter of section 22, town- ship 62, range 34. The first school teacher was a Miss Stockton. The second was B. L. Cook, who taught three terms of school in succession.
The township officers in the year 1876 were as follows : Trustee, Rufus McMackin ; Clerk, Elias Stout ; Assessor, B. L. Cook ; Collector. L. C. Brittain ; Constable, Eli Akers ; Justice of the Peace, P. J. Hainey and H. G. Richards.
GUILFORD.
This village, the voting precinct of Washington Township, is located one mile east of the west line of this township, and about fourteen miles southeast of Maryville. It lies on the east bluff of the Platte River, and the location is quite picturesque. At an early day there was a post office named Carterville, and also a store, a little north of the present site of Guilford. When the town of Guilford was laid off this post office was moved there and the name changed from Carterville to Guilford. The town was probably named from Guilford Court House, North Carolina, where a battle was fought during the Revolutionary War.
William Irwin entered the land on which the town of Guilford is located, in the year 1852. He disposed of his interest in it about the year 1856, to O. H. P. Craig, a merchant from Savannah. The town was surveyed and platted in the year 1856, Mr. Rowley being the surveyor. There was a public sale of lots soon after the town was surveyed.
319
HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
O. H. P. Craig put up the first building and opened a stock of gen- eral merchandise. He sold the first goods in the town. B. S. Cook and James R. Shepherd were the carpenters who did the work on Mr. Craig's building. B. L. Cook, Esq., put up the next building for a drug store. During the same time Wm. Irwin erected a store for general merchan- dise. In the year 1858 O. H. P. Craig sold his interest in the town to John Chandler, and quite a number of buildings were erected whose exact sequence it is hard to trace. Wm. Chandler put up a dwelling, Wm. Gibson erected a dwelling and a store, Caleb Richards built a dwelling, Willis Summers and Harvey M. Robinson put up dwellings. A steam saw mill was erected by Willis Summers and Harvey M. Rob- inson. In 1859 Hugh Groves built a store for general merchandise, which had a Masonic Hall in the second story. About this time there was also built a store for general merchandise by P. Hawk.
The Methodist Episcopal Church, South, erected a church edifice in 1873, and the Methodist Episcopal Church put up one a little later.
There has been a public school in Guilford since the town was located. There was first a log school house which was displaced by a good frame school house. The present teacher is Mr. T. J. Reznor, who has had twelve years experience in teaching. The school is well con- ducted. The present directors are John W. Ballard, president; B. L. Cook, secretary, and Matthew Whiteford.
The first marriage in Guilford was that of Mr. Charles Craig and Mrs. Mary Ann Landers, in the year 1858.
A son of Dr. J. S. McAdom died in the year 1857-the first death that occurred in Guilford.
The population of Guilford is estimated at 100.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Akers, Joseph, blacksmith.
Bellows, Frank, stock dealer.
Carver, James, nurseryman.
Gleaves, J. S., physician and surgeon.
Hawk, J. P., general merchandise.
McDonald, A., basket maker.
Reznor, Thomas J., teacher.
Roberts, E., wagon maker and undertaker.
Roberts, John D., carpenter.
Roberts, Miss Rachie, dressmaker.
Stewart, John, hotel keeper and harness maker.
Stewart, John, justice of the peace.
Stewart, O. A., dealer in fine hogs.
Whiteford, Matthew, stock dealer.
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HISTORY OF NODAWAY COUNTY.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
This church was organized several years ago, but the date does not seem to be of record. The names of the consecutive pastors are as fol- lows : Revs. Morton, Beggs, Breed, Ely, Cowden, Morton, Chivington, Roof, Moorhead, Edmunds, Moody and O. Bruner, the present pastor.
Eighteen members worship at the church in Guilford, and thirty-five at Pleasant View school house. The pastor reports the church in statu quo. The church property is valued at $800.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, SOUTH.
In the year 1858 the Methodist Episcopal Church, of Guilford, was organized, with the following named members : Amos McDaniel and wife, Sidney Smith and wife, J. Hugh McClanahan and wife, Elisha Carigo and wife, Isaac Sharp and wife, and Mrs. Catherine Edwards. The fol- lowing named ministers have been pastors of the church : Revs. William M. Robbins, W. W. McMurray, H. C. Dodd, T. Grimes, Mr. Parker and H. C. Bolen. Rev. Mr. Mylum is the present pastor of the church.
During the time of the war services were suspended in this church, many of the members being absent. The church property is valued at $1,500.
GUILFORD LODGE, NO. 474, A. F. & A. M.
Guilford Lodge was organized in the year 1874. The names of the charter members are as follows: I. Wilson, J. F. Davis, J. W. Brittain, R. Morris, W. H. Pope, S. Broderick, John Lanning, John S. Miller, T. A. Martin, J. B. Wilson, H. H. Snoderly, A. S. McClannahan and Alex- ander Floyd.
The names of the officers at the present time are as follows: I. Wilson, W. M .; T. J. Brittain, S. W .; Joseph Akers, J. W .; J. B. Wilson, Treasurer ; H. G. Richards, Secretary ; W. J. Beggs, S. D .; J. W. Brit- tain, J. D .; R. Morris, Tyler.
The present membership numbers twenty-two. The lodge own their hall. It meets on or before each full moon. The lodge is reported to be in a satisfactory condition.
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