USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 46
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SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
eldest son of John F. Wright. He was born October 5, 1838, on the old homestead. His early life was spent in assisting on the farm and attending school at Watson Seminary, this county. He was married to Miss Missouri Wilson, daughter of David and Mary Wilson. September 27, 1868. They are the parents of five children: Maggie, Georgia A., Birdie E., John F., and Joseph. Mr. Wright is the owner of nine hundred peres of land, which is well improved and under a high state of cultivation, and which he has well stocked with horses, mules, cattle, and hogs. Mr. Wright has a fine two-story frame residence erected on his farm, which is well furnished, and where he dispenses hospitality in a royal manner. He moved on his pres- ent farm in October, 1569, where he has since resided. He is a man of broad experience and a successful business man. His honorable dealing has won him many friends.
CHAPTER XXIII.
SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
Topography-Streams-Springs-Old Settlers-Churches. CURRYVILLE-Public Schools- Professions-The People-Business Directory-Citic Societies-Churches. SPENCER- BURG-Growth and Business-Churches-Biographies.
This is the extreme western township of the county. It is bounded on the north by l'eno township and Ralls county, on the east by Cuivre town- ship, on the south by Indian, and on the west by Audrian county. The ex- treine northern and northwestern portions of the township are broken tim- bered lands, for the most part hilly and exceedingly abrupt. The central, southern, and eastern portions are almost all prairie land, and the character similar to the other prairie in the county, most of which has already been described. Along the water-courses, however, some timber is found in every part of the township, and the growth such as hickory, ash, elm, oak, maple, etc., which is found on the hill lands, also abound here. There are no hills of any special elevation in the township, although there can be seen quite a number of irregular and ill-shapea bluff's near the margin of Spencer Creek, ranging from forty to sixty feet in height.
The soil of Spencer township will perhaps compare very favorably with other portions of the county, Calumet excepted, and for the production of grass and oats is but little inferior even to this magnificent township. In the timbered lands the soil is represented as a black loam, nader which is
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
a red clay, while the prairie soil, also black, is underlaid by a pale blue or slatish colored clay of an exceedingly tenacious or waxy nature. At an early day the prairie lands were extremely wet, and on this account, for a long time were regarded as entirely worthless. Within late years, however. from tramping and drainage, they have become much drier than before, and quite a revolution in public opinion bas ensued, for these lands are now e -- teemed of infinitely more value than the timbered districts. There can be no doubt but that in the near future, when the farmer shall have learned the true value of tile drainage, and the necessity of an alkali, such as comnon slacked lime, these lands will be as productive as the rich alluvial bottom's of the Mississippi. Nor is the time far distant when all the benefits of scientific farming will be reaped by the owners of these beautiful prairie homes.
STREAMS.
Spencer, like other portions of the county. abounds in streams, many of which are small and a number unnamed. The principal water-course in the township is Spencer Creek, which rises in the southeast, flows northwest through two-thirds of the township, when it bends its course to the north, and after traversing the northern portion. enters Ralls county, and finally falls into Salt River. This creek has several small tributaries of greater or less size, among them Clifty Fork, which supplies a considerable portion of the township with the requsite stock water during the greater portion of the year; and White Oak Fork heads in the southwestern part of the township, and flowing north finds its confluence with Spencer Creek.
SPRINGS.
There are quite a number of springs in the township whose flow is un- ceasing, and whose value to the farmer and husbandman is above all price. The Elk Lick Springs, a place of considerable resort for both invalids and pleasure seekers, is situated in the extreme northwestern part of the town- ship, and about three miles northwest of the little town of Spencerburg. The land upon which these springs are situated belonged to the govern- ment, and it was not less than ten or fifteen years after the first settlers had begun to locate in the township before any attempt was made to improve them. The land upon which these springs are located was first entered by a man named MeBride, who employed John HI. Shepard, late of Bowling Green. to erect a house upon a site at a short remove from where the hote! . now stands. This was in 1833, but no knowledge of the medicinal virtues.
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SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
of the waters appears to have been had until quite a number of years after- wards. Like the Buffalo Springs, in Buffalo township, the ground for quite a distance about these springs appears to have been licked or caten away, and hence the surface was entirely destitute of any sign of vegetation. This was done by the great unmbers of wild animals, which at an early day, even before the country was settled, frequented this spot, doubtless on account of the salt which they found here. Since 1850 these springs have been con- siderably improved, a good hotel and several cottages have been erected, and other preparations necessary to the comfort of guests having from time to time been provided. The waters are perhaps as fine and health-restoring as those of any other springs in the whole country, but unfortunately the enterprise necessary to make the springs a financial snecess has been sadly wanting. The hope is still entertained, however, that time will effect such changes as may yet lead to the improvement of this sanitarium of nature, and that Elk Lick. like Eureka, and the White Sulphur, may have its guests from the mountainous regions of the east, the gulf states of the south, and the territories of the west.
OLD SETTLERS.
Spencer township was early settled. From Virginia, Kentucky, South Carolina and other southern states came the hardy pioneers, leading the vanguard of western civilization. From the best information to be had John Onstott was the first white man who ever entered Spencer township. He came in the fall of 1816, from the state of South Carolina: crossed the Mis- sissippi at St. Louis, then a mere village, and where he met Thomas H. Ben- ton, just fairly entering upon his life work; followed the Salt River trail north- ward; camped at the head of the Bowling Green prairie, and finally built his house, a log structure, twenty-four by thirty-six feet, on the old Salt River road, and not far from the present town of Spencerburg. Ihis house be- came the home of the early settlers. Men knew as much of their neighbors then as now, and the citizen of St. Charles bad no trouble in directing the immigrant to the home of Onstott. All were kindly received and hospita. bly entertained, and such assistance rendered in selecting a home as was felt to be necessary. Fielden Gentle, the father of Jarvis J. Gentle, and Elinor- -. the latter now residing in Texas, also came in 1816, but some time after the coming of Onstott. Mr. Gentle settled just south of where Henry Burch afterwards lived. Zachariah Burch, a soklier of the Revolu- tion. and John Tally, said to be a half Cherokee, came in 119, Burch ad- dressed himself to farming. Tally engaged in hunting and trapping. Wil-
946
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
liam Brown, one of the first settlers, came at a very early day, probably not later than 1820 or 1821. Of all who came before or for some time after him, Mr. Brown is the only survivor. He resides three miles north of Spencer- burg, and is eighty-six years of age. This venerable man has always been a good citizen, and has to-day, as he has ever had, the esteem and affce- tion of all who know him. About the same time with William Brown came George Seeley from St. Charles county and Harold Sanders from Virginia. Among those who came about this time were George Mock, who settled near William Brown's; John Sutton, Amos Sutton, Henry Burch, and Wil- liam Roberts. All of these settled in the same neighborhood and near the present residence of William Brown. It is said that Stephen and Burt Lockhart, two surveyors. sectionized the county in 1818, and spent much of their time among the early settlers of Spencer. John Bowles is also re- ported as an early settler, but facts seem to point to his having come not earlier than 1839 or 1832. There are others, the exact dates of whose coming cannot be definitely ascertaincd. that settled in the township prior to 1830. Among these were some members of the Caldwell, MePike, McCune, Reading, Biggs, Woodson, Tapley, Ware, Weatherford, Tribble, Crow, Whitlege, and other families, whose descendants still reside in the township, and assist in making up the present energetic, law abiding, and moral com- munity of which Spencer township is almost entirely composed.
Adrian Ogle is mentioned as having come to Spencer township from Ken- tneky as early as 1829 and to have settled near the present site of Spencer- burg, where he entered land at 123 cents per acre, and upon which he con- tinued to reside until his death in 1866. He was a good citizen, highly esteemed by his neighbors, and has left many descendants in the township who have the confidence and respect of the community in which they reside.
The enstoms and habits of these old settlers differed but little from those of others who first led the way into a new and strange country. The were largely dependent upon each other for assistance, which was always cheerfully contributed, and the fact that they were necessary to each other's comfort tended to draw them nearer together and to strengthen the ties of friendship and affection. Their wants were comparatively few, for they sought the necessities and not the luxuries of life, and they were not only contented with their situation but even made happy by their surroundings. They sought not innnediate wealth for themselves, but future homes for their children, and the consciousness of seeking to act more for the good of others than the aggrandizement of self. led to peace of mind and self-satis faction. Nor have their efforts on behalf of their children been unavailing
947
SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
for the generations which have succeeded them have reaped the advantages of their persistent endeavors. The old settlers were comparatively poor; ,their successors are generally in good circumstances and many of them are actually wealthy. They prepared the way for those who were to come after them, and their children enjoy to-day the advantages purchased by their in- dustry and self-denial. The Spencer township of the present is far different from the same district of the past. At that time but little of this vast re- gion had been brought into cultivation. and that only the woodlands of the township, for the prairies were thought to be utterly worthless. Now, how- ever, immense farms have succeeded the scattering patches, and the prai- ries, which the carly settlers both despised and ignored, have indeed been made to " blossom as the rose." The township is at this time rather thickly settled and with a class of citizens noted for their energy and enterprise. Large tracts are carefully cultivated. and the field of corn, wheat, oats, and hay, richly compensate the farmer for his persistent labor. In portions of the township considerable attention is devoted to stock-raising, to which the country is admirably adapted. The houses of the farmers are generally of a very substantial character, and their surroundings nsnally indicate much taste and careful attention. The people are hospitable and intelligent and have devoted inch care to the intellectual and moral training of their chil- dren. The township is well supplied with good and commodions school- buildings, and churches of every name and order are within easy reach of almost every home. There are no gravel or macadam roads in the township, but the prairie roads are, excepting a short time in the early spring. gener- ally in splendid condition for light driving or heavy hauling.
There is one railroad passing from east to west through Spencer town- ship, the Kansas City branch of the Chicago & Alton, which furnishes suitable facilities for reaching the great markets of the country. In point of beauty we doubt if there is any part of the country that can excel this township. Neither is there any locality in which there has been a more rapid development of the material interests of the county. One thing which must long continue to give Spencer a very decided advantage. and especially in the way of immigration. over Buffalo, Calumet. Peno, and Cuivre townships, is the fact that there is no township debt oppressing the people and hampering their energies. To this fact can be added another of no small import-the grass-producing quality of her splendid prairie lands -- which must long make this one of the finest grazing countries in the county or the state. There are no manufacturing interests worthy of note to be found in Spencer township, but the facilities for converting the raw
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HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
material into the manufactured article are so numerous and good that doubtless at no distant day some enterprising capitalist will seek here a profitable investmen' for his surplus means.
Below is given as complete a history as could be secured of the several churches in the township, omitting those of Curryville and Spencerburg. which will appear in their proper places in the history of these two towne.
MOUNT AYR
This church was built about the year 1853, at a cost of about fifteen hun- dred dollars, by three denominations -- the Cumberland Presbyterians, Mis- sionary Baptists, and Southern Methodists. The church-house is a sub. stantial frame structure abent 33x40 feet, and with sittings for about 400 persons. From some canse the Methodists appear never to have organized here, and the Baptists and Presbyterians have at this time entire control of the church. While the house is generally known as Mt. Ayr by the gen- eral people, and while the Presbyterians recognize their part of the church by the same name, the Baptists, who have an organization here, are known as the Providence congregation, and call the house by the same name. Hence we have worshiping in the same building the Mount Ayr Presby- terians and the Providence Baptists.
The Baptist congregation, as shown by their records, was organized as early as July 10, 1852, by Elders D. F. Inlow and T. T. Johnson. But as this organization antedates the building of the church the inference is that they worshiped elsewhere previous to the time when they organized here. There were nine constituting members as follows: D. V. Inlow, E. H. Da- vis, T. Burks, Milleta A. Bowles, Agnes Ayres, Catharine Lacy, Martha Lacy, Naney Harper, and Eliza Matthews. Rev. D. V. Inlow was the first minister. and continued to serve the church until 1856. when he was suc- ceeded by Rev. John M. Johnson, who was pastor for one year. Mr. John- sou was followed by Lefrenier C. Musick, who remained until 1860, when Rev. Johnson again became the pastor. Elder M. M. Modisett was called in 1862, and remained in charge until 1866, when Elder William Kidd suc- ceeded to the pastorate and preached to the church for one year. After Mr. Kidd came the Rev. S. Noel, who served from 1867 until 1869, when Rev. J. B. Hawkins accepted the call of the church. and continued to act as pas- tor for about twelve months. Mr. Modisett succeeded Rev. Hawkins and remained until 1872. when Elder T. N. Sanderson was chosen pastor, which position he continued to occupy until IST5. Rev. S. G. Givens was in charge from 1875 until 1881, when Eller G. B. Smith was called. and re-
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949
SPENCER TOWNSHIP.
mained until the year 1859. Elder A. P. Rogers, of near Bowling Green. is the present pastor. J. J. Gentle, an old citizen and most estimable Christian gentleman, has been clerk since the organization of the congrega- tion. Thomas P. Woodson. N. B. Lewellen, John F. Gentle, and W. W. Bondurant, who died about a year ago, have long served the church as its deacons. The present deacons are J. J. Gentle and his son, J. F. Gentle. This church, while perhaps as strong spiritually as before, has sustained the loss of almost half its members by the organization of churches of like faith and order at the towns of Curryville and Spencerburg. The present membership aggregates fifty communicants in good standing.
MOUNT AYR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
This church was organized by the Cumberland Presbyterians on May 22, 1854. It was in the same house mentioned before as Mount Avr, and in which the Missionary Baptists had organized the Providence congregation. The constituting members were Harvey G. McCune, William Reading. Jr., Jacob Lemon, Ann W. Lemon, Margaret B. Wilson, Mary J. Lemon, Mary McCune, and Elisha Almond. Harvey G. McOnne and Wil- liam Reading, Jr., were the first elders. Prior to 1869 the records appear to have been badly kept, and no data can be found as to those who have served as pastors of the church or in other official ca- pacities. In the latter year, however, Perry A. Curry was chosen church clerk, and from that time forward a more intelligible and reliable statement can be found. Rev. E. P. Pharr was the preacher in charge during 1869. In 1870 Guy MeCune, Perry A. Curry, Harmon and J. W. Caldwell, were the elders, and Harrison G. Mackey and Elisha T. Edwards were the dea- cons. In 1872 Rev. James W. Duval was elected pastor, and served until 1875, when Rev. H. M. Boyd was chosen and remained in charge until 1877. From 1877 until 1881 Rev. E. P. Pharr was the preacher, having been called the second time to the care of the church. In 1881 Rev. R. O. Elmore accepted a call and served one year. when Rev. Alonzo Pearson, the present preacher, became his successor. The membership of this church could not be ascertained, but from members and others it is learned that it is a strong and prosperous organization, and is now doing, and indeed has long been doing, a great and noble work in the cause of genuine Chris- tianity.
PLEASANT HILL BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church is situated in the extreme northern part of Spencer town- ship, on the road from Spencerburg to New London and three and a half
950
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
miles north of the former place. It is a neat one-story frame building and was erected with means contributed in part by the Baptists and in part by the general public. The church is almost new, having been built within the last three or four years. The house was originally built upon a piece of land which had been donated for cemetery purposes, but the trustees who controlled the cemetery property refused to give the Baptists the exclusive control of the church, which resulted in the removal to an acre of land pur- chased for this purpose just sonth of the cemetery mentioned. When this church was first built the society or congregation was supported by the Board of Missions and a regular pastor was not called until the spring of 1852. The congregation was organized by Revs. W. J. Patrick and James Reid in 1878 with ten members, among whom are found the names of a part as fol. lows: Gideon Ardry, William Ardry. Robert Weldy, Mrs. Weldy, and George Jeffries. Rev. James Biggs, was the first missionary, succceded by Rev. W. J. Patrick. The first regular pastor, who is still in charge, was Rev. S. G. Givens, who was called in 1882. There are at this time twelve mem- bers in good standing. Services are held here regularly once every month. The church is by no means a strong one, but they have the nucleus for a future Christian growth and the hope that they may continue to extend its borders and gain annually new accessions of strength is by no means with- out some prospect of realization.
ELM GROVE BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church was organized about one year ago by Revs. E. Jennings and W. J. Patrick, with about twelve constituting members. There is no church- house, but the congregation meets and worships at the Elin Grove school- house, which is situated about three and a half miles southwest of Mount Ayr Church and a little northwest of Curryville. Richard Tribble is one of the deacons. This congregation is but a weak one and is only occasion- ally supplied with ministerial labor.
CURRYVILLE.
The town of Curryville is situated in the southeastern portion of Spencer township and in the western part of Pike county. It is nineteen miles from the Mississippi River and eight miles west of Bowling Green, the county seat of Pike. The Kansas City division of the Chicago & Alton Railroad passes through the town and farnishes to its citizens the requisite facilities for transportation. The location of the town is all that could be desired by either the industrious tradesinan or the lover of the beautiful.
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951
CURRYVILE.
It stands upon a beautiful knoll or eminence in the very center of one of the finest -farming countries to be found within the limits of the county, while the adjacent rich and rolling prairie land, with its luxuriant growth of grass and flowers, furnishes in the summer season a picture of rare and ex- ceptional loveliness. Curryville was first laid ont in 1:66, under the sh- pervision of Perry A. Curry, one of the oldest settlers in the county, and for whom the town was Damned, Judge Harmon Caldwell, and Aaron McPike. The village, however, was not incorporated until 1874, when a town board was elected and Dr. H. P. Lewis, who has been a citizen since 1867, was chosen chairman. The growth of the town has not been rapid, numbering at this time bat little more than 400 inhabitants, still it has developed gradually, and the progress it has made has been of the most substantial and satisfactory character. The business interests of the place have grown in a ratio in excess of its increase in population. The first business house was erected by E. T. Edwards in the year 1867, in which he conducted a general merchandise business for about five years, when he sold out to J. W. Cald- well and immediately began the erection of another house of like character. From this date, 1872. the permanent improvement of the town may be reck- oned. From this time forward new business enterprises were undertaken and houses for their accommodation were promptly erected until at the pres- ent dry goods, groceries, drugs, clothing, notions, saddlery, and other lines are very fully represented in the town. Besides these branches of mercan- tile business the laborious blacksmith and the industrious carpenter are to be found here, while two active landlords cater to the inner man of the trav- eling public, and the proverbially fat and good-natured butcher smilingly serves his customers with the tenderest sirloins of grass-fed beef.
PUBLIO SCHOOLS.
While caring for the physical man, the people of Curryville have also been mindful of the intellectual and moral wants of the child and the citi- zen. Hence they have instituted the school for the one and organized the church for the other.
As early as the spring of 1867, and when the village was scarcely a year old, several prominent citizens met at the school.honse on the farm of Judge Harmon Caldwell, to devise ways and means for the crection of a better and more commodious school-building. That these were men of enterprise ap- pears from the fact that the proposition to build a substantial and costly structure was unanimously indorsed, while their promptness is clearly evinced in their immediate formation of a company called the Pike High
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JUSTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
School Association. The sum of thirty-five hundred dollars was at once subscribed, and a splendid two-story brick building was erected, which still stands, a monument to the enterprise and wisdom of its founders. In this house a very successfully conducted school has long been taught. Perry A. Curry was the first teacher, assisted by Miss Nannie Dickerson. H. M. Poyd, the present efficient county commissioner, succeeded Mr. Curry, then came E. P. Pharr, James Offutt, W. B. Melike, Miss Nannie Black. Rooker, and R. R. Rowley. The gentlemen above named as super- intendents of the Curryville school are prominent among the best educators of the county, while the single lady superintendent. Miss Nannie Black, is in no respect inferior to either of them. Indeed, her vigorons common sense and splendid scholastic attaimnents, no less than her perfect self-possession and easy and dignified mode of discipline, entitle her to a high place in the front rank of the strongest teachers in the state.
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