USA > Missouri > Pike County > The history of Pike County, Missouri : an encyclopedia of useful information, and a compendium of actual facts > Part 51
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990
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
CHAPTER XXIV.
PENO TOWNSIUP.
Topography- Stock-raising - Roads and Railroads-Farias and Homes-Schools and Churches-Old Settlers-School Teachers-Very Old People-A Bit of Early History. FRANKFORD-Early Settlers-Business Interests-Cemetery-M. E. Church South- Christian Church-Ciric Societies- Biographical Sketches.
DESCRIPTION.
This township is situated in the northern part of Pike county, and i- bounded on the north by Salt River township and Ralls county; on the east by. Salt River and Buffalo townships; on the south by Cuivre and Spencer townships; and on the west by the last named township and Ralls county. In point of size Peno is the sixth township in the county, while in material wealth it is probably fourth and certainly not lower than fifth in either population or material prosperity.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The surface of the township is for the most part uneven and hilly and it some localities broken and abrupt; especially is this the case in the southern and southwestern portions of the township. In the northern part the land is less uneven, while in the eastern the rugged hills for the most part dis- appear and the surface is gently undulating, with many valleys of remarkably smoothness and beanty. The valleys and table-lands of this portion of Pike county are unusually productive, and yield large crops of corn, wheat, onts. and other cereals, while tobacco, which is now but little cultivated, has also been grown with the best success. But not even the rough portions of the township are unfitted for cultivation. All'the uplands not too precipitous. have been or are being cleared up and made to yield rich returns for the labor of the industrious farmer. The table-lands in the southern portion of the township, together with the valleys. usually narrow, are annually send- ing to market large quantities of the common products of the county, and even the hills are being utilized for pasturage.
The scenery of this township is much diversified. In some localities the unbroken chain of rugged hills appears to hem in the vision and give to the beholder an idea of utter desolation, but beyond and behind these are the. uplands, whose gentle undulations falling away in the distance, reveal their untold wealth, while the quiet beauty of the ontstreched valley compensate for the wild and dreary aspect of the uneven kuobs.
991
PENO TOWNSHIP.
Peno township is abundantly supplied with water and water-courses. All over the township are bubbling springs of the purest water, which during the entire year supply to both man and beast an abundance of nature's cool and healthful beverage. Within the town of Frankford is a magnificent and inexhanstible spring whose waters are more than sufficient for all the demands of the village. On the hills and in the valleys, upon the high- ways and along the by-ways, these unfailing sources of health and happiness greet the citizen and the stranger, and extend to the warm and weary cool and refreshing dranghts of pure and limpid water, without money and with- out price. The principal streams are Peno and Sugar creeks and the far-famed . and historie Salt River. The first of these rises in the northeast portion of Cuivre township, flows in a northeasterly direction through Peno, and falls into Salt River. This is a stream of considerable size, Howing during a greater portion of the year and always supplying more water than is de- manded by the stock of the country through which it Hows. Sugar Creek takes its rise near the headwaters of Peno, flows in a like direction through most of the township, then diverging to the east into Buffalo township. it also finds it confluence with the same river. Haw Creek, a stream of some local importance, is also in this township. It rises near-the center of Peuo. flows eastward through some of the finest land of the township. and empties into Salt River. This river formes the dividing line between Peno and Salt River townships, flowing through the extreme northern and northeastern por- tions of Peno and furnishing to all that portion of the township an ines- haustible supply of water during the entire year. Among the springs of the township, special mention should be made of the mineral spring near Frankford, whose waters are equal to those of the celebrated Elk Liek Springs, near Spencerburg, and which, when improved, will furnish a resort both for invalids and pleasure seekers equal to any other similar place in Pike county.
There is but one character of stone found in Peno township, the lime- stone, which is very porous. and not well adapted to building purposes. while the appearance of the rock would seem to indicate that it could have no industria! value. From the vermiculated character of the stone the agen- eies of nature have eaten into these extensive lime beds until immense caves have been hollowed ont beneath the rock-covered hills, and for a dis- tance of nearly three-fourths of a mile an enormous tunnel has been exea- vated, passing through the base of the hill, and having many apartments as yet unexplored. This cave is but little more than one-fourth of a mil .. northeast of Frankford, and is perhaps the largest in the township, although there are quite a number of others, and some of peculiar form and beauty.
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992
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
STOCK-RAISING.
Considerable attention, has, within the last few years, been given to the breeding and raising of stock. Horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep have been made an object of more interest within the last decade than ever before, and there are at this time several gentlemen in the township whose stock is be- ginning to be known abroad, and for which there is, year by year, an in- creasing demand. Mr. William Pritchett has given much attention to the breeding of Short-Horns, and, next to James H. Kissinger, of Calumet, is the largest and most successful breeder in the county. He has also improved very materially the grade of both the hogs and sheep of the county, and his efforts in this direction have been of incalculable benefit to the township in that it has inspired others to undertake a similar work, and thus advance this particular branch of the material interests of the township.
ROADS AND RAILROADS.
Apart from the Louisiana & Frankford Gravel Road there are no macadam roads in the township. This road is no longer kept up by the county, and as the people along the line of the road are doing little or nothing to repair it, the time is not far distant when it will be little if any- thing better than the ordinary dirt road. and the citizens of the township will lose even the poor road advantages which they at this time enjoy. There is one railroad through the township, the St. Louis, Hannibal & Keo- kuk, usually known as the " Short Line," which, entering the township from Ralls county, passes entirely through it from north to south, and af- fords fair facilities for the shipment of the stock and produce grown in the township.
FARMS AND HOMES.
Many of the farms of Peno are very productive while their locations are unusually sightly. The entire township was woodland, and where the forests have been cleared away and the lands properly cared for. the soil has proven to be exceedingly fertile, and the farmer has employed the surplus derived from his crops to build him a pleasant and beautiful home. The houses, though generally inferior to those of Calumet and Sonthern Buffalo, are nevertheless of a substantial character, and better than are usually found in most counties. even in the wealthiest of the Western States. The out. buildings are also generally of such character as to successfully meet the purposes of their intention, and the improvements about the yards and premises generally of the people of this township will compare favorably with most of the other sections of this old and wealthy county.
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PENO TOWNSHIP.
SCHOOLS AND CHURCHES.
The schools of Peno are similar in every respect to those of the other townships already described. Every district has its public school, and the branches taught are those prescribed by the school law of the state. These schools appear to be meeting the wants of the people of the township. Here the youth of both town and country can receive such instruction in the ordinary branches of a common school education as will fit him for the discharge of most of the duties of life, and if any should be ambitions of a higher culture, the academies and colleges of the country are open to re- ceive them.
HAW-CREEK M. E. CHURCH SOUTH.
This church was organized about the year 1878. The original members were William Tompkins and wife, Peter Tompkins, Daniel Smith and wife, W. R. Keithley and wife, Hiram Hardwick and wife, A. Hardwick and wife. William Donovan, Martha Boyd, John Boyd, and J. W. Hardwick and wife.
The first pastor of this congregation was the Rev. F. Savage. The pres- ent minister in charge is Rev. J. N. B. Hepler. The church-house, a sub- stantial frame, 40x60 feet, was built in the same year in which the church was organized. The membership of this church is still sinall. although they are active in the cause of the Master, and carnest in their Christain work. The Christains also worship here, although the church property belongs exclusively to the Methodists. Mr. Keithley is the present clerk of the church.
SUGAR CREEK CHURCH.
This church is located between Louisiana and Frankford, on the Louisiana and Frankford gravel road. The denomination that worships here is know! as the Missionary Baptist. This society was constituted by Elder J. M. Johnston, in May, 1851. Among those who were enrolled as constituent members were W. W. Waddle and wife, Richard M. Waddle and wife. Eze- kiel Ferrell and wife, James P. Waddle, William Penix, and Martha Cald- well.
At the organization W. Penix and W. W. Waddle were set apart as dea- cons, Elder Landram, officiating. The present deacons are Jefferson Penix and T. Unsell. Eider J. M. Johnston was the first pastor, and served until the time of his death, which occurred in April of 1566. Elder King was elected as pastor but did not serve. At this time ministers, as well as civil
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094
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
officers, were required to take the oath of loyalty to the government. Thi: Elder MI. Modisett did not refuse to take, and thus became the regular pa- tor. Elder John T. Williams was his successor, followed by Elder George Foster. Then came Dr. J. F. Cook, now president of Lagrange College. who served about two years. The present incumbent in the pastoral office i- Elder Tipton. The church is in a flourishing condition, and numerically strong. At first this society worshiped in an old log school-house. but forthwith proceeded to build themselves a frame church, 30x36, and four- teen feet to the ceiling, at a cost of $1,200, with a seating capacity of about three hundred.
MOUNT PLEASANT BAPTIST CHURCH.
This church, planted here about the year 1828 or 1824, is but a reproduc. tion of the old Peno Church, one of the very first religious organizations ever established within the limits of Pike county. After old Peno Church had fallen into disuse. and when the membership no longer worshiped there. a log-house was built at Mount Pleasant. and the Peno congregation. for the most part. transferred their membership to the last named church The first preacher of this congregation was Rev. Davis Biggs, who had before officiated in the organization of some of the oldest congregations in the county. Just how long Mr. Biggs served this church cannot with certainty be ascertained. Succeeding him were Revs. Vardemanu, Hubbard. Colvin, F. Smith, and J. W. Johnson, the latter having officiated as pastor not le -. than sixteen or seventeen years. About the year 1865 the old log structure was torn away and a substantial briek edifice ereeted in its stead. This house, about 40x60. is still used, and meets very fully the wants of the con- gregation. The church has not increased numerically within the last ten years: indeed, it has rather retrograded than advanced. It is said. how- ever, to be in a healthy spiritual condition, with about thirty-five members, and with bnt little, if any, disagreements, and no serious dissension to threaten harmony or usefulness. Rev. Mr. Givens is the present pastor.
OLD SETTLERS.
As early as 1816 a few pioneers had settled in Peno township. Among these may be mentioned Samuel Realing, who came from Kentucky in the fall of this year, and for want of a house wintered in a cave three miles northeast of Frankford and abont one mile from the month of Peno Crees. In the same year Archibald Clayton came and settled under or near the Uluit's on Salt River. Henry Robinson also located near the Robinson Prat-
995
PENO TOWNSHIP.
rie about the same year. Lawrence and William Killebrew came to the township either in the same year. 1816, or the one succeeding, and settled two or three miles northeast of Frankford. In the fall of 1817 Thomas Spencer came to l'eno and settled about one mile northeast of Frankford, and but a little remove from where the Killebrews had just previously lo- cated. Isaac Hostetter also came at this time and settled on the farm now owned and occupied by his son Gabriel Hostetter, some miles fromn and a little northeast of Frankford. Mr. Hostetter came from St. Charles county, Missouri, having moved to that county some years before. Solomon Fisher also came in 1817, and Enoch Watson in the spring of 181S. The former of these settled on Peno; the latter on Salt River. Below is a list of the names of those who came within the next few years after those named above: Benton Parks, the Schofields, Thomas Forest, George Kin- caid. the Browns, Joseph Keithley. William Brice, Robert Richardson, the Bullens, and Samuel Lewellen. These followed the very earliest settlers of the township, and perhaps to this list might with safety be added John McOnne, William Biggs, William Penix, George Seeley, Ezekiel Ferrell. and others. At this carly day all the settlements were made along the wa- ter-courses, principally upon Peno and Little Peno creeks, and Salt River. The habits of these people differed in no material respect from the customs of other early settlers. They came here seeking homes for themselves and their families. They found a genial elimate and fertile soil, and they began at onee to improve their fortunes by clearing away the heavy forests and preparing the virgin soil for cultivation. Their tasks were herenlean, but their strength and energy were equal to the undertaking, and very soon the clearings of the new settlers responded to their labor and abundant crops blessed their endeavors. There was but little danger of suffering for any of the necessities of life. These could all be produced from the earth, or found in the forests or the streams. Game of every kind was abundant. Bear, panther, deer. and other wild animals roamed the forests, and the pio- neers were neither backward in hunting them nor afraid to attack them when onee discovered. Turkeys, quail, and pheasants were very plentiful. and water-fowl of every name and kind abounded in almost every portion of the township. The physical wants of the settlers were well provided for, nor did they propose to neglect either their mental development or their spiritual welfare. Schools were early started, and if they were wanting in many of the advantages which they at this time enjoy, they had some cor- responding benefits. The pupil was thrown upon his own responsibility and made to feel that he must evolve from his own brain the solution of
996
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
the problems before him. From these carly schools have come up men strong and self-reliant-not educated, perhaps, as we now speak of educa- tion, yet taught to think and reason for themselves.
Their houses of worship were rude structures of logs, frequently unhewn. but their piety and religious zeal were devont and ardent. For a while the religious services were held at some house or houses in the neighborhood. and here the people of all denominations would assemble and together wor- ship a common Father.
The first preacher of this township was Lawrence Killebrew, a Method- ist, who, as early as 1817, held religious services at his own honse. Soon after Mr. Killebrew had commenced to preach in the township Leroy Jack- son, a Baptist minister, settled in the township, and for many years, and at different points, ministered to his people in sacred things.
SCHOOL TEACHERS.
The first school teacher was William Mallory, who taught in the neigh- borhood of Isane Hostetter, who, with his relatives, were the first that ever settled on the Mississippi north of St. Louis. The school of which we speak was situated east of Frankford, and the district included a territory of large dimensions, being in diameter not less than eighteen miles. The house was twenty by twenty feet, built of logs, with one entire end for a fire place. and the smoke escape, or chimney, being constructed by drawing in the log> some four feet above the ground and then continuing on this line to the top of the building. A log was left out of the side of the house to form the window; the roof was boards, kept in place by logs placed on them: the floor was the soil, pounded with mauls, to make it solid; the seats were puncheons, and the writing desk a rude slab.
The first marriage in the township was Tyre A. Haden and Eunice Fisher.
The first birth was Eunice Hostetter, in July, 1818.
The first death was James T. Matson, brother of Enoch and Dick Matson. who died at his brother Enoch's in 1818.
The first blacksmith was George Kincaid.
The first carpenter was James Shohoney.
The first millrights were T. A. Haden and Judge Barnett.
The first justice of the peace was Dabney Jones, who afterwards removed to Ralls county.
There have been two suicides within the limits of the county since it was organized. James Nurm bung himself in 1831, and a man named Mark- well about the year 1ST0.
997
PENNO TOWNSHIP.
The people of the township are orderly and well behaved, and there are but few acts of violence to record. In 1872 or 1873 Berry killed Farrell. These men were both employes of the St. L., HI. & K. Railroad, and the trouble is said to have been the result of excessive indulgence in strong drink.
VERY OLD PEOPLE.
Peno is notorions for the number of very old people resident in the tow ?.. ship. Mrs. Maximilla Mace, noe Fisher, who resides in Frankford, and who came to the township with her father in 1518, is over eighty years of age, and still enjoy's comparatively good health and such vitality as gives prot :- ise of some years of life in the future. Mrs. James Unsell, who resides i :: the southeastern part of the township is more than ninety years of age, and John Jeffries, who died very recently, was known to be almost one hundred years of age. Henry Yeater, of Frankford, is about eighty-five years of age at this time; Elzy Allison, not less than ninety; William Brown, over eighty; Mrs. Ann Lane, seventy-seven; Reason Vermillion, seventy-five: and Enoch Hostetter, seventy-two. The last named gentleman is not only physically well preserved, but his mental faculties appear to be in no man- ner impaired; his recollection is almost perfect, and his knowledge of past events is remarkable, while his interest in the affairs of the present time has in no manner been abated by his advancing age. George R. Keith is another very old citizen of Peno township, and notwithstanding his great age is still an active and comparatively a vigorous man.
A BIT OF EARLY HISTORY.
As early as 1799 William Spencer, the father of Thomas Spencer, and one of the oldest settlers of Peno township, located at the salt springs now known as Spencer Lick, for the purpose of manufacturing salt. These springs had been made known to Mr. Spencer by an Indian whom he had met in St. Louis, and between whom and himself there had grown quite a friendship. The Indian brought him from St. Louis in a canoe, and pointed out the location of the spring-, whose waters Mr. Spencer at once proceeded to test by boiling a quantity in a small vessel which he had with him. He was satisfied that the business of salt-making could be made profitable, so he returned to St. Louis and purchased kettles suitable for boiling the water, and having procured a boat again set out with all the necessary articles for the springs in question. Here he arrived safely, and at once commenced to manufacture salt, which he soon found on account of the strength of the water could be made quite rapidly. Ile continued the business for quite a
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998
HISTORY OF PIKE COUNTY.
time, occasionally going with a boat load to St. Louis, where it wa- readily sold at from $6 to 88 per barrel. The Indians, however, regarded his pres- ence with suspicion, and felt that he was encroaching upon their rights, and hence determined to dispose of him in the usual manner, and the time had been determined when he should be murdered. His Indian friend, however, who was not ignorant of his impending fate, seeredy approached him and informed him of the determination of his tribe. He told Mr. Spencer that his every movement was constantly observed, and that his only hope of safety would be to throw his spies off their guard, and to attempt his escape under circumstances that would elicit the least suspicion. He advised him to keep his kettles boiling, to busy himself in collecting wood, and finally to leave the camp withont his coat and barehesded and with only a hatchet in his hand, as though seeking for some stick, or pole, in the forest; to cross the open space north of his cabin, and after he passed into the forest to has. ien to Salt River, where he could cross upon a raft, which his hatchet would assist him in preparing. He also advised him to cross the Mississippi in the same manner, and also the Illinois River, and to hasten with all possi- ble speed to the settlement at St. Louis. It is needless to say that the Indi- an's advice was promptly taken, nor can it be doubted but that it led to the safety of Mr. Spencer. After many days of travel and excitement he reached the settlement in safety, and for years afterward would relate how the friendship of the Indian had savel his life. These springs were just in the edge of Ralls county, and adjacent to the northwest portion of Peno, in which township Mr. Spencer subsequently resided. At these springs he laid a Spanish grant, which, from some cause, was never confirmed. Many believed that an appeal to the courts would, long afterwards, have resulted in awarding him his claitu, but as he was religiously opposed to litigation no effort was ever made to establish his right to the land in question.
FRANKFORD.
Frankford, the only town in Peno township, was laid out as early as the year 1812. The owner of the land. or proprietor, was Solomon Fisher, and the surveyor, or engineer, was Stephen Cleaver. Some lots were sold as soon as the town site had been established, but the population increased very slowly until the year 1831, at which time there was a considerable inflax of population, caused by a number of persons removing from the township with their families to the town, and also by others, who were from a dis- tance, seeking homes at this place. In this year (1531) from some cause the town was laid out again. and other lots were sold by the parties then
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FRANKFORD.
owning the land upon which the town was situated. The town was incor- porated by the circuit court in 1857, and by the legislature in 1:59. The growth of Frankford has been by no means marvelous, although the increase in population has been constant and healthy. At this time the village has a population of about 500 souls, and the different branches of business are very generally represented.
EARLY SETTLERS.
Among the early settlers of Frankford are to be found the names of Adam Mace. a captain in the Black Hawk War: Solomon Petty. Reason Vermit- lion, Absalom Petty. John Lally. John Shields. Hannibal Emerson. E. C. Turnbull, Jerry Stark. Solomon Fisher, Dr. Henry Tate. Dr. J. D. Dun- kum, and Dr. John C. Melhorne. Some of these still survive, and with their descendants. and the children of those who have passed away, consti- tute the largest proportion of the place. The men whose names are given above came to Frankford between the years 1819 and 1839. Few, of course, of those who first came are still surviving, though not more than a decade ago many of them were to be found following their respective avocations. The town of Frankford is well located, and in the midst of a fertile country. whose citizens are able to sustain it. It is one of the few towns in the county that has not outgrown the country coutignous to it and upon which it depends for subsistence. It is well built, with substantial brick and frame honses, and with stores ranging in depth from seventy-five to one hundred and twenty feet. The stocks carried by the merchants here are fully adequate to the demands of the trade, and the people of Peno can find little excuse for seeking in Hannibal or Louisiana any article of merchan- dise demanded by the farmer or the housekeeper.
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