Grundy County, Missouri - Hakkison Township, 1881

Hakkison Township

When it tvas Organized - Acres of Land - Boundarieft - Population - Its Schools and Churches - Histor;/ of the Churches - The Old Pioneers - How They Lived, What They Saw and How They Conquered - Early Marriages and Deaths - Its Political Status - Township Officers - Biographies.

Previous to the year 1872, the name Harrison did not appear on the list of townships in the county of Grundy, but the 13,423 acres of territory which it now comprises was the southern portion of Washington. Under the new organization law of the year above named, the County Court

"Ordered that all of township number sixty-one of range number twentyiive, lying east of Grand River, and all of township number sixty-two, of range number twenty-five, lying east of Grand River, be known as Harrison township."

Thus, in honor of "old Tippecanoe," the ninth president of the United States, was the township named. The township is bounded upon the north by Washington township; on the east the Weldon fork of Grand River is the boundary' line between Harrison and Lincoln, on the south the Weldon and Thompson forks of the Gi-and River divides Harrison from the townships of Trenton and Madison, and on the west the Thompson Fork of Grand River is the dividing line between Harrison and Taylor. The town- ship is about two-thirds rich, rolling prairie, especially adapted to the raising of corn, wheat, oats, liay and flax. "With the Weldon River on the east, the Thompson River on the west, and Muddy Creek flowing through the center, the township is blessed with an abundant and never failing water supply. The farms are large and well cultivated, the houses are mostly neat and roomy, and the farmers genial, industrious and well-to-do. Trenton is the trading point for the township. The population of Harrison is five hundred and fifty-seven, as oflicially reported in the last census. The growth of the township has been slow but sure, and as a result the improvements have been on the order of the substantial and useful.

In the township there are four good school-houses, well equipped with the necessar}^ supply of school appurtenances, in which schools are conducted regularly.

Hatton Chapel

There are two churches in the township, both substantial frame buildings. The Hatton Chapel Methodist Episcopal Church was organized in the year 1865, and the following were the names of the original members: Thomas Atterbury and wife, Thomas Whitten and wife, Samuel Hogan and wife, W. B. Tabor and wife, "Wesley P. Marrs and wife, John Buoy and wife, and Demering Cochran and wife. The Rev. "Wesley Hatton was the first pastor and organizer, and from him the church took its name. The membership steadily increased, and in 1868 it was decided to erect a house of worship, but although the good work began, the building lagged and it was not until 1881 that the church was completed at a cost of $700. On Sunday, the 31st of July, 1881, the sacred edifice was dedicated to the service of Almighty God, with appropriate ceremonies, the Rev. John A. Beagle, of Gallatin, conducting the services and delivering an impressive dedication sermon. The present membership numbers sixty-two. The Rev. B. H. Tripp is the pastor in charge, and they have services regularly. The following will be found a list of the successive pastors who have officiated since the church organization: Reverends Wesley Hatton, S. W. Cole, S. S. Hardin, A. M. Curgen, Alexander Falconer, Columbus Cleveland, "William "W. "Wainright, R. F. Beavers, F. H. Sumter, and B. H. Tripp. The church is now in a prosperous condition and bids fair to continue so.

Missionary Baptist Church

The Salem Missionary Baptist Church was organized in the year of our Lord, 1868. The first minister in charge was the Rev. R. Goodell, and the names of the original members were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Renfro, Josephine Sires, Mary Selby, Levi (Collins, Mary Collins, ]^olly Collins, Kate Cluster, Mary J. Sires, Mrs. Julia Yench, Ellen Ward, Jane Renfro and Mary Cochran. The steady progress of the organization and the addition of many new members made it necessary to build a chnrcb, and in the year 1878 the structure was commenced upon land donated for the purpose by Messrs. J. and M. Bushon*^. These gentlemen also subscribed $250 to the cost of erection, and the Rev. I). C. Brown subscribed $75, the three being the largest subscribers. The church cost the sumof $600, the remainder of which was contributed in smaller amounts by the members. The building was made ready for use in 1880, but was not at that time entirely finished, and therefore not dedicated. Rev. D. C. Brown was the ofiiciating minister in 1878, was succeeded by Rev. V. M. Harper, and the latter gentleman by Rev. Oliver Newman, who conducted services until June last, since which time the organization has been without a minister, and so remains at this writing, August 1, 1881. The membership now numbers about sixty-three. With the calling of a new pastor the churchwill enter upon a new era of success.

Early History

The early history of Harrison township may be said to have opened withthe arrival of Charles W. Scott, who located in the township in the fall of 1834. In 1837 John McHargue came from Kentucky and was folfollowed the same year by Alvin Johnson, who hailed from North Carolina. New settlers began to come in steadily after this, and in the year 1838 additions were made to the settlement by arrival of William and Levi Collins, Benjamin F., Franklin and Plenry Woods, who located near the central portion of the township. The next year brought the Drinkards, James and George, and from that time on, at intervals of from three to six months, there was a frequent dropping in of new-comers. There were the Warmoths, Henry, Washington and Tandy, John Hays, Lee Spencer, Nathaniel and Gideon Gooch, Cornelius Darnaby, William and Joseph Peery, John Booher, Wesley Reynolds, Moses Payne and Alexander Forkner, J. C. Renfro, Jethro Sires, John Darnaby, R. B. T. Peery, and others, giving Harrison, at that time a part of Washington, quite a fair representation in the early settlement of Grund}' county. Manj' of those old pioneers arenumbered among the most prominent men in the county and still havetheir homes in Harrison, others have been called to that long rest that knows no waking, and not a few have wandered away to richer fields elsewhere, but all are remembered for their early participation in the trials and struggles of pioneer life in Grundy county.

The skin of the deer, coon and wildcat was brought into active use for clothing, and the early loom and spinning-wheel found plenty to do in turning the raw hemp and flax into cloth. Venison, turkey and wild honey were common every da}' articles of food, while flour and sugar were among the luxuries. Bacon was plentiful and the market price was one cent per pound, while corn brought as much as ten cents per bushel. Plowing was done al- together by oxen, horses were ahnost unknown. Tlie old Keery plow, with wooden mould-board, was the leading implement of agriculture. Breaking ground with an ox team and a Keery plow wasn't any fun worth speaking of. It savored a great deal of work.

As early as 1841 preaching was held in the township. Rev. Thomas Thompson officiated in the neighborhood, holding services for the Christian denomination. Rev. William Reid, also of the Christian Church, was among the pioneer preachers. Rev. Washington Warmoth was a Baptist minister and services for that denomination were held at his home, and also at the 'home of James Drinkard. These were the earlier churches - the homes of the settlers in fall and winter, and the shady groves in spring and summer.

In 1843 or thereabouts, the first school-house was erected in the township. It was built of round logs and was fitted up with rude benches. The erection was the work of the neighbors, and was situated on ground belonging to John McHargue. Irving Drinkard was the first teacher to officiate in this primitive structure. Pupils were few and the salary lacked considerable of being large.

There were two early marriages, both occurring in the same year, about 1843 or 1844, maybe earlier, possibly later. The exact date could not be learned. Mr. Lee Spencer led Miss Nancy Woods, a daughter of Henry Woods, a blushing bride to the altar. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father. The couple are still alive, respected citizens of Washington township. Next came the happy union of Mr. Solomon Spear and Miss Elizabeth J. Hobbs. They, also, are said to be living.

Mrs. Darnaby, the aged mother of John and Cornelius Darnaby, occupied the first grave made in the township. Hers was a long life well spent, and freely she laid down her burdens to take up the glory of a better world.

Harrison township has always been fortunate in the selection of its township officers. It was not organized until 1872 and therefore its list is not very long. The township, politically, has generally given a small Republican majority, perhaps its portion of the vote of from five to eight hundred Republican, which is the political complexion of Grundy county. The present township officers for the year 1881, are, C. II. Cullers, trustee; Marcellus Ratlitt", clerk and assessor; George H. Moore, collector; O. G. Witten, constable; A. H. Buchanan and J. C. Sheppard, justices of the peace, and Martin Johnson and Joseph Scott, road overseers.