Greene County, Missouri - Jackson Township, 1883

Jackson Township

Description -The Pomme de Terre- Early Settlements -Primitive Preachers and Pioneer Schools, Mills, etc. - Baptist Church - Fair Grove - Killing of Ben Ezell - Odd Fellows' Lodge -Stratford -The "Firsts "-The Baptist Church - Masomc Lodge - Brothers of Freedom - Biographies of Old Settlers and Prominent Citizens of Jackson Township.

Jackson township occupies the northeastern part of Greene county, and comprises the portion of congressional township 31, range 20, included in Greene county ; township 30, range 20, and one mile ot the upper tier of sections of township 29, range 20.

A great deal of the land in this township is broken, rough and inferior', but the better portions redeem it and make of it one of the best townships of the county.

The Pomme de Terre creek flows through the township. In July, 1876, this stream was extraordinarily full on account of freshets from heavy rains, and did widespread damage to the farms along its banks, overflowing fields, and sweeping away fences and crops. The height to which it rose was between three and four feet higher than it was ever known to have reached before.

Early Settlement

According to the best information obtainable Jackson township was settled as early as 1829, when Andrew Bass came in sometime in December of that year and located half a mile west of the present site of Straftbrd. In the same vicinity, though a little east, in section 5 - 29 - 20, old Jeremiah Pierson was an early resident and one of the first settlers of the county. He lived at the Danforth farm on the Springfield and Marshfield road, a farm which Josiah F. Danforth purchased of Jeremiah Pierson in 1834, and where he lived for many

In the year 1830, Andrew Bass pnt about nine acres of land under cultivation at the place where he first settled, and at the close of the year moved about six miles north to section 4, township 30, range 20. The remains of the old pioneer and his wife now repose on the itirm where he lived for many years. Alpheus Huff the same year (1830) moved from Franklin county, Missouri, and settled near the line between sections 4 and 5 of the same township. Huff' was a native of the State of New York. He and Bass were the first settlers of Congressional township 30, range 20. Alexander Chad wick was the next arrival. He came from Tennessee, and settled in section 7, of the same township, in 1831. No settlements of any importance were then made for two or three years. The settlement in this quarter was called the Huff''s prairie settlement. In township 31, range 20, among the first settlers were Thomas Potter, William Potter, John Adams, Robert Small, James Donnell, and Capt. John Ramey ; and in township 30, range 20, William Price, George Kepley, Nathan W^ebb, and Bennett Thrower.

The first church organized in Jackson township was the Bethsaida Methodist church, built of logs, which stood on section 7, of township 30, range 20. Within a mile and a half was afterward built the Elm Spring Methodist church, erected after old Bethsaida had ceased to exist. One of the first preachers in the township was the Rev. Mr. Joplin, a traveling Methodist preacher, who preached from house to house throughout that part of the county. The first Methodist society was organized at the widow Price's, in section 4, of township 30, range 20. Rev. Thomas Potter, a Christian elder, preached at Thos. Baylis' house at a very early day. Rev. Potter also taught a pioneer school at Green Warren's, and this was one of the first schools in the township.

Of course, James H. Slavens was the first Methodist preacher in all Southwest Missouri, but it is believed that Rev. H. G. Joplin preached the first Methodist sermon in Jackson township. Rev. Joplin was originally from Tennessee, and was transferred from the Tennessee conference to the Missouri conference, held at McKendrie Chapel, Cape Girardeau county, September 16, 1831.

for their most important markets and trading points. The first mill was old Jerry Pearson's, but many of the settlers considered Marshal's, down on the James, the best. John Roberts' still-house, east of Springfield was the first establishment of that kind in the country. Roberts was killed in Springfield by Judge Yancey and the distillery passed into the hand of Wm. McFarland.

Jackson was one of the seven original townships organized at the first session of the Greene county court, March 11, 1833. Its first boundaries (see Chapter II.) were very ample and including a great deal of the territory new in Webster and Polk counties.

Missionary (^Baptist) Church was organized Sept. 11, 1858. It was situated on section 26, township 30, range 20. The original members were Daniel Wommack, Mary Wommack, N. T. McNabb, R. B. Wommack, Lucinda Wommack, Rev. J. H. Wommack and wife. The church building was erected in September, 1858, at a cost of about $1,800. It was dedicated on its completion, by Rev. George White, of this county. The pastors of this church have been Rev. D. R. Murphy, who served two years; J. Williams, two years; J. Spain, one year ; J. Good, one year ; E. W. White, six years ; J. H. Wommack, twelve years, and Geo. White. Since its organization the church has received by baptism 124 members ; by letter, 97 ; dismissed by letter, 58 ; excluded, 12 ; died 42. The present membership is 108. This church has sent out and maintained a missionary for two years. A first-class Sunday-school library is the property of the church.

Fair Grove

Fair Grove is situated in the northeastern part of Greene county, on section 20, township 31, in a timbered region of country, abounding in good soil, and in which there are many excellent farms. It was never regularly laid out as a town. The first house erected was a log school house, known as Duke's school house, built in the year 1846. Thirty years ago the pioneers of that thriving community were preparing to honor their intelligent love of freedom by dedicating the first building of the future village to the purpose of education. Its architecture was of the rude description common in those days, and it was furnished with hewn slabs for benches, without any desks at all. Many of our leading men have tender memories of the old log school house, where their first lessons in Webster's spelling-book, and in physical pain and anguish, were learned in close conjunction with each other.

The first teacher employed to teach the district school was a man by the name of Chatham Duke, who was a fair sample of that oldfashioned schoolmaster who regarded the rod as a most essential auxiliary in imparting knowledge to the youthful mind. The district at that time covered an area of twenty-four square miles.

In 1853, C. W. Hutf, H. G. Ramey, Payton Keel and Logan Mayfield built a storehouse on the present site, and the store of Huff & Ramey was started in the fall of that year. Mr. Ramey, the surviving partner of the firm, sold the business to R. W. Donnell in 1855. Donnell was followed by Pipkin & Goss, and prior to the war the firm became Nichols & Goss, but on the breaking out of the war here the business was closed out. In February, 1865, business was again resumed by the firm of Snyder & Bass ; Snyder dying not long afterward, his interest was purchased by George Murrell. In 1879 the firm became Murrell & Long.

The following are the names of other business men who have done business in Fair Grove since 1853 : H. J. Ramey, R. L. Ramey & Co., Bissett & Dyer, Dyer & Bro., A. H. Leslie, and Cavin & Son, dealers in general merchandise. Wm. Crawford, Dr. Ellis, Dr. Brooks, and Miller & Kernaghan have been the druggists. The physicians have been Drs. C. D. and R. S. Wallace, who came from Tennessee in 1856. The former is now in Marshfield ; the latter " went South " during the war, and remained there. Dr. Caldwell came in 1860, and Dr. D.

The present school house in Fair Grove, a frame, 30 by 40 in size, was built in 1868, at a cost of $1,000. Pre-eminent among the teachers of this school in the past are mentioned Dr. Ellis and J. A. Long. Last year the number of scholars enrolled was ninety ; average attendance, forty. The present teacher is Prof. M. Highfield.

There are now in Fair Grove two good stores, one drug store, two blacksmith shops, a flourishing Masonic lodge, two churches (Baptist and Cumberland Presbyterian), and a number of neat dwellings.

A Recent Tragedy

April 24, 1881, a tragedy occurred in Fair Grove which is still vividly remembered, and yet the subject of comment. The unfortunate affair resulted in the killing of B. F. Ezell by J. L. Smith. Both were prominent citizens and resident farmers of the vicinity, and, up to immediately previous to the tragedy, had always been friendly. On the morning of that day there was a quarrel between them over a trivial matter. Smith had engaged one Goodwin to work for him, but, later, Goodwin agreed to work for Ezell, and Smith accused Ezell of coaxing away his help. This quarrel was on Ezell's land, but as neither was armed, nothing serious resulted at the time.

In the afternoon Ezell went to Fair Grove, where he was met by Smith, who, in the meantime, had armed himself. The altercation was renewed, and Smith shot Ezell down. The latter died in three days. Smith was not apprehended for a month afterward, and is now out on bail. Ben. Ezell was a son of Wm. Ezell, one of the first settlers of Jackson township.

The village of Strafford is located on the St. Louis & San Francisco railroad, in the northeastern part of the county, and is surrounded by a, good country, although perhaps not quite so fertile as in some other parts. There are a number of good farms, however, in the vicinity, and a very respectable business is done. It is a freight station on the railroad, and is a convenience to quite a large section of country. A considerable amount of wheat and other produce is shipped. The population is small, but it contains some energetic business men, and, along with the country in which it is situated, will grow and prosper.

The town was laid out in the spring of 1871, The A. & P. railroad was built through the previous year, and the town was established and laid out in consideration of the donation of thirty-three acres of land, more or less, for a town site by Mrs. Sarah Lane, now Mrs. John McCabe.

The first store was kept by John Dunn, in 1870, and he was also the first postmaster. In 1873 John McCabe was appointed postmaster, and held the office until he was succeeded by Homer Kelly. The town was named for Strafford, Connecticut. Soon after Dunn's store was established, Jacob Teverbaugh, a colored man, opened a blacksmith shop, the first in the place.

The first railway agent was Dr. Gibson ; the first operator was T. B. Farris. Esquire Bodenhamer was the first magistrate. The first physician was Dr. McKaskell, of Mississippi. The first preacher was Rev. Solomon Foster, a Baptist. Miss Jennie Dunn taught the first school.

Nora Love was the first female child born, and Charles McCollough the first male. The first death was that of Mrs. McCollough, a native of Virginia, and the mother of George McCollough. The first marriage was that of John McCabe and Mrs. Sarah Lane, by Esq. Winn.

The building known as the Strafford public hall was begun in 1873 and completed the following year, at a cost of about $900. It was built by contributions from various sources, as follows : School district No. 5-29-20, $230.15; Strafford Grange, No. 1717, $30; Baptist church, $21.75 ; Masonic lodge, $47.25 ; other sources, the remainder, about $500. The site was deeded by the railroad company to John McCabe, Geo. A. Dillard, and T. C. Piper, as trustees of the town of Strafford, and their successors in office, for school, religious and Masonic purposes. The building is used as a school house, a church, a Grange hall, a lodge room, and for public meetings.

In 1877, Strafford was visited by a severe fire, which injured the town very materially. The stores of Ramsey & Vinton, Wm. McKerrall, and Wm. O'Donnell were burned. It soon recovered from this disaster, however, and is now doing a good business. Strafford is a considerable shipping point. Geo. McCollough bought and shipped the first grain from here, but other firms are now engaged in the business. Perhaps Leslie & Smith are the principal buyers and shippers of live stock.

The Strafford Baptist Church

This church was organized April 9, 1876, and is located on section 3, township 29, range 20. The original members were Geo. Creson, Rufus Ford, Wm. Lamb, P. D. Stanfield, J. J. McMurtry, W. W. Stanfield, W. H. B. Stanfield, J. West, H. Love, John Lamb, M. J. Lamb, Susie Creson, M. J. McMurtry, Hannah West, E. Love, E. Creson, G. A. Stanfield, A. E. Brown, and J. A. Ford. The present church building is a frame, and is not finished ; it will cost about $600 when completed. Meetings have been held in it for some time, and it will soon be permanently occupied. The ministers have been Eld. Solomon Forester, J. P. Aiken and Eld. D. C. Barb, the latter the present pastor. Present membership, 94.

Masonic Lodge

Strafford Lodge No. 497, A. F. and A. M., was instituted by Dr. Tefft, D. D. G. M. The dispensation was issued January 1, 1877, and the charter one year later. The charter members were James Melton, L. A. Powell, Samuel Dishman, H. A. McGinty, Pleasant Sallee, Samuel Vinton, Wm. McKerall, W. L. Johnson, J. H. Gibson, A. J. Greer, M. D. Potter and C. B. Kitchel. The latter gentleman is probably the oldest Mason in Southwest Missouri. He has been a member since the year 1828. The names of the first officers were J. A. Melton, W. M. ; H. A. McGinty, S. W. ; S. Dishman, J. W. ; B.Potter, treasurer ; Samuel Vinton, secretary ; W. L. Johnson, tyler. The present officers are B. W. Dillard, W. M. ; SamuelDishman, S. W. ; J. L. Dillard, J. W. ; R. Love, treasurer ; H. A. McGinty, secretary ; B. Potter, tyler ; J. M. Gault, S. D. ; R. Thomas, J. D. ; W. T. Hawkins and Homer Kelly, stewards. The hall of this lodge was built in 1876, at a cost of $600 or $700. It is a two-story frame, the lower room being used for school and church purposes. The lodge is in a flourishing condition, and entirely free from debt. Its meetings are held on or after the first full moon in each month. The present membership is 28.

Brothers Of Freedom Lodge

The Straftbrd Lodge No. 81, was instituted by G. W. Plumer, the dispensation being dated May 13, 1882, and the charter bearing a later date. The charter members were John Sallee, J. F. Macloskey, William and D. R. Macloskey, R. M. Winn, Frank Smith, T. V. Massev, C. L. Leslie, Wm. Ray, John McCabe, Harrison Love, J. Dan- forth, and John White. The first officers were C. L. Leslie, president ; R. M. Winn, vice president ; J. F. Macloskey, secretary ; John McCabe, treasurer ; Frank Smith, warden ; J. Danforth, sentinel ; Harrison Love, chaplain. The jn-esent officers are W. H. Stanfield, president; John White, vice president ; J. F. Macloskey, secretary ; R. M. Winn, treasurer ; John Sallee, warden ; Wm. Ray, sentinel ; Harrison Love, chaplain. This lodge has no hall of its own, but meets in the public hall every first and third Saturday night in every month. The present membership is 50.