Johnson County, Missouri - Chapter 8: - Post Oak Township, 1881

Chapter 8: - Post Oak Township

The prominent position occupied by Post Oak township in Johnson county renders it important that we should give her a conspicuous place in the annals of the county. Its astonishing progress in population, wealth and intilligence, as well as its prospective importance, are such as fully justify recording the events that have become public since the first settle¬ ments were made.

It will be pleasant to those who are the offspring of the old settler to peruse these pages, for we shall endeavor to make the most striking fea- tures of this treatise pertain principally to the pioneers and their settle¬ ments. We shall attempt to give the reader narratives of pioneer life, descriptions of interesting localities, and personal reminiscences. The sta¬ ple products of the locality, the quality of the soil, the course and size of its principal streams, its educational advantages - all these items of inter¬ est, and many others, will be largely dwelt upon. We will give, as full as we have information, sketches of the rise, the progress and the present condition of the various religious denominations of the township. We will give short biographies of the leading men, living and dead, who have been prime factors in building up the township. The name will be briefly noticed as is most relevant. The location and physical features of the township will be given more in a general view, precluding technical points of minute and secluded nooks. The excellent coal beds of the town can¬ not receive more than a passing notice. Roads, fences, and the creeks will have a prominent place in the descriptive geography of the township in connection with the physical features.

The town of Cornelia, with name' and such incidents as will remind the reader of its present and former glory. We shall speak of the postoffices, the churches, schools, cemeteries, agricultural and other interests, as we may have recourse to historical facts. No historian, however well versed in antiquities, can possibly give all the incidents relative to the many changes of a county or township. Public records and documents preserve correctly the dates. The memory of the pioneers has materially aided us in giving events. If all the dates are not correct, it is because the sketcher has failed to procure desired information. However, we trust we may interest the reader in the details of what may follow.

Name. - Names most common are frequently chosen to denominate particular objects. The ancients and many pagans of this age found in the hills, valleys, mountains and forests, ideas for appropriate names. Whatever impressed them most they applied as a distinctive name to the object. From the time that Abram took his rest under the " Oak of Mamre," the quercus family have been regarded of high value. Under the head of Hazel Hill township, will be found a limited description of the shrubs and trees belonging to the quercus family. Since the days of the famous " Charter Oak," the old oak that secreted the charter of Con¬ necticut colony during the troubles between England and America, very many objects have borne the name of " Charter Oak." Of late, Post Oak has achieved considerable notoriety in behalf of public display. And the pride of her chivalrous sons and daughters has been to win the prize at all exhibitions. Miss Mollie Booth, the handsome equestrian, has won the prize for being the most graceful lady on horseback.

This township received the name of Post Oak by an order of the county court, February 14, 1849, about 33 years ago. Since then it has been reduced to its present size by the formation of townships in its immediate neighborhood. The name, Post Oak was applied to this section of the county on account of the creek by that name, and the creek took the name from the abundance of post oak woods bordering on the stream. Post oak timber covers the greater portion of the land in the western and northern parts of the township. In many places this post oak brush grows sufficiently large for fuel and fencing, but generally is just the requisite for rabbit hiding. The old leaves remain on this shrubbery all the year, and only drop off when the new ones begin to grow. In the distance, these bushes appear like a vast field of brown thickets. The leaves of these trees are pinated, and downy on the dorsal side. The growth is slow and the wood brittle and rough.

The geographical position of Post Oak township is in the south central part of the county. Post Oak township is bounded on the north by Warrensburg, and Washington townships, on the east by Jefferson township, on the south by Henry county, and on the west by Chilhowee township, and contains about seventy-two square miles.

Physical Features. - The surface is gently rolling throughout, consisting of prairie and timber, and is underlaid with an abundance of the best coal. In the northern part the land is quite sandy and suitable for small fruits, sorghum and potatoes, while in the southeastern part the soil is of a deep black limestone loam, well adapted to wheat and corn raising. It is drained on the east by Clear Fork and tributaries, and on the west by the creek from which the township derived its name, Post Oak, the principal water course of the township. The following are the principal creeks and branches of the township: Mineral creek, in the southeast, runs north into Clear Fork; Elk creek rises in the center and runs northeast and empties into Clear Fork. Mark, Long, Penley, Lick, Johnson, Wash, Prai¬ rie and Shanghai, are small creeks. Most of the streams of the township are shallow, and during heavy rains overflow their banks. In a few places there are some rugged hills along these streams, generally covered with good timber. At one time prairies were covered with tall prairie blue stem grass. This prairie grass yielded excellent hay, which was put up by stock feeders. Wherever the prairie grasses have died out, blue grass is taking its place, making equally as good pasturage. White wal¬ nut, or butternut, is found on Clear Fork, all the way along its course till it unites with Blackwater. This is the only creek in the county on which it grows. Black walnut, several varieties of hickory, red and white elm, hackberry, blue ash, several varieties of oak, bass or linn, honey locust, cottonwood, sycamore, box elder, persimmon and wild cherry, grow on the creeks. On the sandy ridges one will find plenty of running post oak.

Several years ago the prairies were annually burnt over, frequently running into the woods, destroying much of the young timber. Since then beautiful young groves have come up, and by proper care, at no very distant day, this will be a timbered township. The population of every place indicates, in part, its prosperity. Men generally flock to healthy, enterprising communities. In places where the land is produc¬ tive, church and school privileges good, there we find prosperous com¬ munities. In Post Oak township, although quite young in point of devel¬ opment, the people are liberal in the support of educational and religious institutions. R. T. Moses was United States census enumerator for the year 1880, and he gave the town of Cornelia thirty-seven citizens, and the township, including the village, 1,858 inhabitants. This township is more densely populated than any other part of the county off the railroad, which is indeed an evident fact that it is ahead of other places in point of natural resources, prosperity and enterprise. A great deal of the southern portion of the township was a wild prairie until after the war (1861). Consider¬ able of this prairie has been settled by immigrants from St. Louis county, Missouri. Since then the prairie has been called " St. Louis Prairie," but latterly 44 Pennsylvania Prairie."

Although settlements were not made here quite as early as in other parts of the county, yet the general enterprise of the pioneers of Post Oak bespeak for them a name worthy to be remembered. About 1830, settle¬ ments began to be formed, and, step by step, the township kept pace with other parts of the county, until the dreadful civil war, of 1861, broke up the peace and prosperity of the community, for an interval of about six years.

From the beginning, this township was noted, as it is now, for the strict morality which characterized the members of society, showing that truly the lives of parents were stamped on their children. In the early days of the settlement " bolts and bars" were not needed, and but few families thought it necessary to lock their doors, even when absent for several weeks.

Primitive Harvesting

from Tennessee. J. M. is now living in the township. Revs. Samuel King and R. D. King came also in 1830, and R. D. King is now in the state of Texas. Rev. Samuel King is dead. Maj. James Warnick came here from Tennessee, in the year 1833, and is still living in the township. Robert Thompson came here in 1832, and is dead. Abner Stewart came here in 1834, and is dead. John Marr came here in 1834, and is dead. Daniel Marr came here in 1834, and is living in the township. Samuel Evans came here from Kentucky, in the year 1837, and is living here.

In the settlement of this section, the greatest hardship which this band of pioneers had to encounter was their great distance from mills. The nearest mill was at Lexington, forty miles away to the north, on the Mis¬ souri river. The general place of trade was Boonville, sixty-five miles away to the northeast, on the Missouri river.

enjoying good health. He is one of the kind-hearted, noble pioneers who always took an interest in building up the county. If a new settler came in, Maj. W arnick was sure to make him welcome. Preaching was held at his house for fifteen years, prior to the building of churches and school houses.

John M. Harris, seventy-four years of age, is living with T. P. Warnick, his son-in-law. He has been a useful man in his day, having assisted in building up several neighborhoods. He can now see that his early labors were not futile.

B. F. Wall, coming from North Carolina, settled here in 1839. He has a beautiful residence, and is one of the enterprising men of the township. His father, B. F. Wall, Sr., was born, November 11, 1803, in North Car¬ olina, of Irish ancestry, his wife, nee Miss Susan Fewell, was born Sep¬ tember 30, 1806, and departed this life February 25, 18*68. They were united in marriage June 19, 1827, he at the age of twenty-four, and she in her twenty-first year. In politics, he was an "old line whig." Religiously, they were Baptists.

We give a few additional names of old settlers; who settled here at or before 1840: Thomas Irwin, Thomas J. Young, S. Stone, Samuel Hous¬ ton, Edward Nichols, Philip Stone, John Stone, William Strong, Joseph Stewart, B. F. Thomas, J. L. Glazebrook, John Marr, Alman Marr, Owen Cooper, James Hackler, Thomas limes, James Bone, Col. William Johnson, Addison McSpadden, and Frank Dwer.

Among the prominent citizens and ministers of the county, we mention the name of Rev. William P. C. Caldwell, of this township. He was named in honor of William Philpot Curren. He was born in Logan county, Kentucky, August 12, 1810, of Scotch-Irisn stock. Samuel Cald¬ well, his father, was a native of Virginia, and belonged to the "F. F. V's." He was a lawyer, and of Irish ancestry, and of the " Old Presbyterian faith." He was a brigadier-general, under Andrew Jackson, in the war of 1812, and did good service. His wife was of Scotch extraction, and died at a good age, in Russellville, Kentucky. He had the following chil¬ dren besides the subject of this sketch, who was a minister: Robert, Samuel, A. B., James - one a physician. Samuel was a C. P. minister, who lived in Macon, Missouri, Julia A. married Jonathan Keedy, and Polly Ann, J. C. Morgan.

Elder Wm. P. C. Caldwell, of whom we are writing, was first educated in Russellville academy. He subsequently moved to Caldwell county, where January 12, 1832, he was married to Miss Jane S. Jackson; he at the age of twenty-one, and she about one year his senior. She was born November 29, 1808. Elder James Mansfield was the officiating clergy¬ man. L. C. Littlefield, of Washington township, married Elder James Mansfield's youngest daughter.

by Elder James Mansfield into the fellowship of Harmony Baptist church, and shortly after he entered the ministry. He emigrated to Missouri, and in November, 1845, settled in Johnson county, four miles southeast of Warrensburg, in what then was Jefferson township. The old residence is in northeast quarter of section 12, township forty-four, range 2o. The place had a little cabin made of round poles when he arrived (November 29). At that time the snow was several inches deep, and the members of the family were, obliged to act as masons, and dig up the dirt and make mortar for the purpose of daubing and chinking the cabin. The dirtfloor cabin was without doors or shutters. That winter boards were bor¬ rowed for a floor and a loft. The roof was made of clap-boards four feet long held on by rocks and weight-poles.

Elder Caldwell, just prior to conversion was not noted for sobriety or quiet nature. God often chooses those whom we feast expect; it has always been so in the history of the world.

At that time (1845) the association extended from the Missouri river to Osage, and from eastern Johnson county to the Kansas line. Here he was an active missionary, and rode over the entire section several years as an evangelist. In this way he formed and extended his acquaintance over the territory which the church has divided into five associations. He will long be remembered as an able instrument in God's hands, planting and nourishing congregations among the pioneers. His membership was always kept at High Point Church, where he was the second pastor. In his last days he became a member of the A. F. & A. M., which did not meet the views of all the pioneers. In politics he was Old Line Whig. He was one of the sons of toil, and lived on the farm and kept some stock. He conducted many noted revivals. He is justly entitled to be numbered with the faithful pioneer preachers of Missouri, where he was actively engaged in the ministry of Christ for more than thirty years. In many respects he was a remarkable man. Every trait of his char¬ acter was of a positive nature. He possesed a moral courage which no disaster could appall, and a buoyancy of spirits which no misfortune could depress. Learned in biblical lore, he was a safe expounder of the divine word. While he was a bold defender of the faith, he was a meek and humble Christian. Strong in his convictions, he was an uncompromising Baptist. He took his flight to the spirit land December 19, 1875, and his remains rest in the Greer Cemetery. His wife had gone before. She died November 14, 1874. In his death the cause of Christ lost one of its most faithful advocates, and the church one of her safe and able coun¬ selors. He is gone, but his work is left as a memorial for us. His life is worthy of imitation. As a citizen, husband, father, and a Christian he stood high in the estimation of those who knew him.

God blessed them in health and a long, happy marital life. The fruits of their conjugal union were ten children, two of whom died in infancy. Five sons and three daughters yet survive. The names of the sons are: Thos. J., living in Post Oak townshio; James S., residing in the state of Texas; Joseph W. and John M. reside here; Henry C. is also in Texas. The three daughters are as follows: Louisa A., married Geo. W. John¬ son, now in Tennessee; Adelia J., married Robt. H. Holmes; Julia A., married James Hall, now in Texas. There are now twenty-nine grand¬ children. If all the families of the children were counted together they would number about fifty souls.

The township has no railroad. The wagon roads are the very best in the county, especially along the southern line. The physical condition of the land makes it quite easy to keep good roads. There are but few bridges in the township, and the)- are small wooden structures. The fences of the township generally speaking, are good. Rail and board fencing is not much used. The osage orange hedge plant does well, making a good fence that will turn stock in about three years. Many of the farmers are taking considerable pride keeping the hedge fences nicely trimmed. The beautiful corn farms of Post Oak township are not to be surpassed in any part of the state.

The creeks of the township are quite small and hence the fords are not bad. Generally the fords are quite shallow, and soon after a rain the streams run down.

There are some excellent springs in different parts of the township. A chalybeate spring northeast of Cornelia near Mt. Zion church, which affords plenty of water tinctured with iron. About all the wells have " hard water." There are but few cisterns in the township. Stock water is plentiful during the entire year on most of the little creeks. In some parts of the township, as over a greater part of the county, barbed wire is extensively used for fencing. This township has but one little village. Prior to the war this village had some prosperity, but since that time it has merelv an existence.

The town of Cornelia was named by Dr. Love in honor of his wife, whose name was Cornelia. James K. Farr and James Morrow, built the first houses in 1853. At one time Cornelia appeared to have a bright future before her, but during the war, the notorious Bill Stewart, in open day light, appeared in the streets of the quiet and defenseless village, and within one hour from the time he arrived, the village was in flames. Maj . John Anderson (now dead), could just discern the distant glow of the flames, cast against the western sky, although seven miles away. He well knew that it was Cornelia, and the work of Stewart, he hastened to the scene, but when he arrived the desperadoes had fled. When the war cloud was lifted and the white-winged messenger of peace once more reigned over the land, the wondering refugees and weary soldiers returned to find their homes in ashes. It is said that at one time some of the prom¬ inent men of to-day were citizens of Cornelia.

Although the name Cornelia is the proper name of this village, never¬ theless it is generally known by the fanciful epithet of "Shanghai." At one time Dr. Love engaged largely in raising Shanghai chickens. The business was new and the name artificially elegant to the old settlers who were not long in applying the name through accident to the village. Also a small creek having its source near the antique village, bears the name u Shanghai," and flows northwest into Post Oak Creek. It is said that the stock of poultry has wonderfully changed from the proud, high step¬ ping " Shanghai's " down to the little " Banties." Now the village appears lonely, and if it was not for the fine agricultural interests almost dead silence would reign. Through this old village travelers passed from Warrensburg to Clinton.

Cornelia now has a postoffice with mail twice a week, a grocery store, one blacksmith shop, two churches, and a public school house. It has a population of about eighty-five souls.

Long before the war Cornelia had a postoffice, and for a long time it was headquarters for mail matter. Here, in ante helium times, the mail boy was hailed for the news and sought as a sort of cicerone. In this quaint little village, nestled away among the hills and not visible very far from its limits, patiently waited, on mail days, the stern and noble yeo¬ manry of the rustic country. At present Mr. Noah Tesson is postmaster at Cornelia.

A second postoffice was established in 18T5, and named Burnett Sta¬ tion. J. J. Lee, who keeps a store here is the post-master. Mail is received twice a week. Considerable mail comes here, being located as it is in one of the most intelligent communities of the county, and sur¬ rounded by a farming class of people unsurpassed for good farms and agricultural interests. A third postoffice was established (1855) on the Warrensburg and Clinton mail route, five miles south of Cornelia, with N. M. Irwin, post-master. The office is called Post Oak from the town¬ ship. A fourth postoffice, Aubrey, was established (1875) about five miles northeast of the village of Cornelia. J. M. Herring is post-master. Mail is receive here once a week. The office was discontinued and again opened in the spring of 1881.

To this township, like others, came the early "circuit rider" evangel¬ ist, or missionary, as he may be called, visiting the early settlers in their houses, teaching spiritual duties. Then there were no houses of worship. Often the preacher made glad the hearts of the weary toilers of old Post Oak settlement, in the shady grove by expounding the Bible, earnest prayer, and hymns of praise to Him who had preserved them in their new and wild country. In the rigor of winter the plain preacher was often in the family circle, encouraging and exhorting the families to continue faithful in the cause that they had espoused. As the settlements spread and cabins began to dot the forest glades and prairies, then the people felt the necessity of church buildings. In those days the people did not hesitate to attend church ten to fifteen miles away, and that in an ox cart, too. They generally took their provisions for dinner with them, if they did not make arrangement to dine with some neighbor near the place of preaching. In those days when the country was thinly settled, it was not at all uncommon for a minister to travel, sometimes on foot, from fifty to one hundred miles to meet his appointments in the quiet rural homes.

In the fall of 1883, the first camp-meeting was held near the residence of Rev. Samuel King in the grove. Rev. Samuel King and R. D. King, of the Cumberland Presbyterian church, were the movers in the work.

Shiloh, the first church of the township, was organized in the year 1836. The first man to expound the gospel in Cornelia, was the Rev. 'Warren M. Pitts, of the M. E. Church (south.)

The early ministers were very successful, ' because they were devoted and honest. Wherever they went the spirit of Christ had power to save and rescue perishing mortals from endless ruin.

Shiloh Cumberland Presbyterian Church - W as orgrnized by Rev. R. D. King in 1836. The present building was erected by Mr. Lightner, a mechanic, in 1875, and dedicated by Rev. J. H. Houx. It* is a frame building and cost $2,000. The following ministers have served as pas¬ tors: W. Compton, B. F. Thomas, H. R. Smith, J. R. Whitsett, G. V. Ridley, and the present pastor, S. Finis King. James Harris and John Foster were the first elders. Robert Thompson, Abner Stewart, and R. M. King followed. The present membership is 72.

The Sunday school attendance is about fifty. J. H. King is superin¬ tendent, and Miss Jennie Culley is secretary. This was one of the first religious organizations of the county. Rev. Samuel King, who was one of the original three who formed the first Presbytery of that denomination.

settled in the neighborhood about 1834. Possibly, to his imfluence the organization may be ascribed, although it was organized by his son. He died in 1842, and was buried in the cemetery near the church. In 1870, the general assembly placed a beautiful monument at his grave. The church is now served by his grandson, Rev. S. Finis King.

Providence Baptist Church was organized in April, 1846, by Elder Wm. P. C. Caldwell. The present building was erected in l«77,-by Messrs. Moore and Kinsel. The house was dedicated in May, 1877, by Eld. E. Roth. The building is a frame 30x44 - 14 feet studding, and cost $675. The pastors have been Revs. W. P. C. Caldwell, David W. John¬ son, Amos Horn, C. F. Floyd, Wm. Lawder, L. M. Horn, Israel Thomp¬ son, A. M. Cockrell and John S. Denton. The names of the old members are: Samuel and Anna Evans, Benjamin andMalinda Childres, William B. and Sina Compton, Lewis and Sarah McComb, Andrew J. Bell. The present membership is ninety. George D. Coleman is S. S. superintend¬ ent and Thos. D. Morris is secretary. The school numbers thirty.

The first church built was a union house known as Shiloh, three quarters of a mile north west of the present church building, which is eleven miles south of one and a half miles west of Warrensburg. In August, 1877 a successful revival was conducted here by Rev. A. M. Cockrell during which time fifty members were added to the church.

Phe Christian Church is situated one and one-half miles east of the vil¬ lage of Cornelia, near Dr. Ward's handsome residence. The church was organized in April, 1872, by M. D. Todd, evangelist. A handsome frame building was erected the same year by the members and cost $1,800, of which Dr. Ward contributed nearly half. The house is elegantly fur¬ nished with walnut seats, oil finished. The house is 30x50 feet in size. The following persons have been employed to preach: Eld. Hurley, Geo. W. Longan, Ben. F. Stephens and F. E. Meigs. Names of original members: A. Louney and family, Allen Jones and wife, John Burnett and wife, Dr. J. M. Ward, Woodson Reavis and wife, Wm. Wiley, Wm. Blakey and wife, and John Daugherty and wife. The number of the present membership is one hundred and forty-three. This church has no Sunday school.

Ger?nan Baptist or Dunkard Church of Post Oak, is in section 20, township 44, range 25. It was organized December 25, 1869, by J. Haeshy and S. S. Mohler. The present frame building, 44x54, is well seated and completed in the year 1871. The following pastors have served: J. Haeshy, until 1873, and S. S. Mohler to present date. The following were the original members: J. Haeshy, Catherine Haeshy, S. S. Mohler, Mary A. Mohler, D. M. Mohler, May Mohler, E. Mohler, Anna Mohler, S. Fulker, and May Fulker. The present membership is now one hundred and thirty souls. This church has no Sunday school. The membership of this church has in time past been considerable over the present number, but owing to the fact that two organizations have been formed in the county, from this one, this church has greatly decreased in numbers. It is the practice of this church, as elsewhere, to hold yearly, one or more communion services, which are generally known as " yearly big meetings."

Harmony Baptist Church of Post Oak, is situated in section 34, town¬ ship 45, range 25. It was organized in July, 1881, by Rev. A. M. Cock¬ rell. In the fall of the same year a handsome frame building, 32x44 feet, in size and 16 feet high, was erected at a cost of $1,110. Rev. T. J. Neville is the present pastor. The original members are: T. J. Cald¬ well, Martha A. Caldwell, L. M. Caldwell, Wm. A. Caldwell, Ida B. Caldwell, B. A. Holmes, Mary J. Wall, B. F. Holmes, Nannie R. Homes, B. F. Wall, Eliza Wall, Cora F. Wall, James Greer, Martha Greer, Silas P. Greer, Jas. T. Greer, M. Greer, B. F. Dudley, and wife, L. B. Dudley, Clarinda Dudley, Sam'l Hibbs, Louisa Hibbs, Bettie Hibbs, Hannah Hibbs, J. T. Williams, Lizzie Williams, Ella Williams, Sciotha Wallace, Rob't Holmes, Adelia Holmes, James Herring and wife, and Joseph Fulk and wife. This congregation is an off-spring of the old High Point church of Jefferson township. No doubt, this church, with her efficient membership will grow to be a power for good in the community.

Mt . Zion Cumberland Presbyterian Church is a neat frame building hid away in the woods near the noted Chalybeate spring. This building was erected since the war. Rob't N. Warnick is one of the prominent members, and has served as Sunday school superintendent. Julius Wood¬ ford is also a member of this thriving congregation. Rev. J. H. Houx is the pastor. Robert N. Warnick, David Marr, Dr. Lee D. Ewing, are elders, andjohn P. Warnick, Julius Woodford, are the deacons.

M. E. Church (south) is one of the oldest churches of the township. The building stands in the village of Cornelia. During the war a large number of the members were scattered, but since that unpleasantness, they have rallied their force and have a flourishing membership at present. The frame church building and the handsome improvements about the cemetery indicate a thrifty church membership. Part of the time a union Sunday school is conducted here. R. L. Cathey has served as superinten¬ dent. Through want of efficient co-operation with the members of the last two churches named, we have failed to get a full report of their religious organization. Otherwise, we feel that the several churches take a pride in their standing. It is wrell that they should, for there is no part of the farming section of the state so blessed as Post Oak, with intelligent, church-going people. The Sunday schools, somewhat inconvenient to all, are generally liberally supported.

Shiloh cemetery is one of the handsomest cities of the dead; although comparatively new there are some nice improvements. The first to sleep here was an infant child of James Stewart, in 1840. Here, also, rest the remains of Rev. Sam'l King, one of the founders of the C. P. church. His b urial place is marked by an attractive monument, placed there by order of the general assembly of that denomination. It shows the appreciation and esteem in which he was held by his adherents. This graveyard is fenced and contains about 500 graves.

Cornelia cemetery is among the old graveyards of the township. There is an old and a new burial ground at the village of Cornelia. Wall cemetery is a family graveyard in section 10, township 44, range 25. A negro woman by the name of Tempa was the first interred here. The graves are fenced. Homes cemetery is a family burial place on the old farm. Joseph Hall was the first to find a resting place here.

The Dunkard cemetery is in section 21, township 44, range 25, near the Dunkard church. The graveyard was started by some movers bury¬ ing a child there in 1869.

Post oak township has always been alive to her interests in the general welfare of the community. It matters not what church or party you may affiliate with, you will find it represented here, and the people working for the advancement and promotion of the township, county and state. Shiloh church, an old log building was put up in 1836, three years prior to the organization of the township. The first burial occured in 183T. In 1849, the first Sunday school was organized with Rev. Samuel King, the pioneer minister of Post Oak as superintendent. Maj. James Warnick assisted in this Sunday school. It was taught in a little log school house near the present site of Shiloh church. In 1835, a man by the name of Baker taught the first school. Alexander Marrs followed him as teacher. Maj. James Warnick, James Hackler, Salathiel Stone, Owen Cooper and Wm. R. Culley have witnessed as citizens many of the changes that we have recounted. They are all good citizens between the age of seventy and ninety years. They will soon cross the dark and rolling river to meet their old pioneer friends, who are watching and waiting on the other shore.

Since the time these pioneers first set their tent stakes, Post Oak has made rapid strides in improvements. The vast prairies have been turned to fields of waving golden grain, and the wild forests are utilized, and no longer abound in vicious, and ferocious animals. At present this town¬ ship has ten public school buildings, with from four to ten months of school in the year. Some of the old teachers are Mr. Baker, Salathiel Stone, Alexander Marrs, Mr. Macklin, Mr. Townsley, J. M. Ward, Ben. Thomas, and Miss Mary Cull.

The teachers of the township have always taken pride in their profess¬ ion. The age has passed when children were required to drink without tasting the sweets of wisdom and well did the poet say:

Washington school is prominent among the district schools of the town¬ ship. This building was erected in the year 1870, and cost about $300. Through the kindness of Miss Lula M. Caldwell, we are permitted to give the following list of teachers : John Farney, Mrs. M. J. Brownlee, Wm. Warnick, Benj. Woodford, Lula Caldwell, B. F. Pettus, J. W. Mc- Given, Miss Parma Wash, Miss Cora Wash, Miss Nannie Holmes, Miss Kate Lawler, Jerome Mohler, and Silas P. Culley. Warnick school is in section 30, township 45, range 25, near the residence of Robert N. War¬ nick, Esq., who has always taken considerable interest in the cause of education. During the winter of 1875, A. J. Sparks taught here, in 1876, Miss Jones, in 1877, Miss Lula M. Caldwell.

Divers school is about two miles east of the Warnick school, sur¬ rounded by picturesque scenery. This is a neat little building erected in 1879. Miss Cora Wall is the present teacher. Cornelia School is a small district school house erected since the war. Bryson school is a neat little building near the Dunkard church, on the line between sections 11 and 20, on what is called Pennsylvania, or Dutch prairie, but formerly known as St. Louis prairie.

Grinstead school is in the eastern part of section 16, township 44, range 25. This is a neat frame building. Thomas school is in the southern part of section 23, township 44, range 24. Miss Lizzie McCluney is the present teacher. Culley school is in section 3, township 44, range 26, west of the residence of W. R. Culley. Marr school is in the northern part of section 26, township 45, range 26. Homes school is in the eastern part of the township. The following we clip from a correspondent of the Holden Enterprise, writing from Post Oak township, under date of Sep¬ tember 22, 1881:

Post Oak township is the banner township in old Johnson; so called because her citizens take a pride in representing her to a good advantage at Fourth of July demonstrations. She is always in the lead to gain honor and fame, and takes delight in it. In uniformity of natural structure she is far behind some of her sister townships, and more particularly the western part, it being very rough and hilly, though the soil is very productive, and in the bottom lands splendid crops of corn were raised this season. The farmers are industrious, and notwith¬ standing the drouth and chinch bugs, the people are cheerful and go about their daily avocations of life just the same as if nothing had happened."

On Clear Fork and Post Oak Creeks there is plenty of good timber. On these streams four saw mills do a good business. Several physicians have practiced here in times past. Dr. J. M. Ward, an educated gentle¬ man, has been practicing here for upwards of a quarter of a century. He started in life a poor man and now is worth many thousand dollars. "West Lawn, " his beautiful residence, is the most attractive place in the township. The doctor does not horde his money, but liberally puts it out in improving his fine farm. He has two excellent and commodious barns, besides other buildings. The doctor has for several years carried the weight of the physicians' practice. His partner, Dr. L. D. Ewing, is one of the leading men of the township; a democrat in politics, patriotic and courageous as a man, and as a citizen he is universally esteemed. As an organizer and leader he is bold and chivalrous. This township is also the banner township in raising of corn. It also stands high in fruit culture of all kinds. S. S. Mohler has seven acres in a nursery, which contains all the leading varieties of apple tree scions of the west. This is in section 6, township 44, range 25. He has a beautiful residence of cemented stone, the only building of the kind in the township. He states that the walls cost only seventeen dollars. The building is fully as comfortable as a brick structure, and is used some in the older states with good satisfac¬ tion. It is plastered or concrete cemented, and appears as handsome as a stone building. B. F. Wall has a country residence on the prairies. His land is very productive. The soil is diverisfied in color from mulatto to black limestone. Farmers deem this very valuable soil for the staple products of the country, for the fruit of the latitude and especially for blue grass pastures and meadows of timothy and clover. Although corn and wheat are staple products, yet almost every other cereal does well. Prior to the breaking of the prairie, this land was covered with excellent grasses and the luxurient resin weed. Now in many places along the roads wild sun flowers grow from five to nine feet in height. In fine, this township, although somewhat abrupt in a few places, would make a most desirable country home. Its heavy forests and luxurient prairie grasses, and its chemical properties, clearly indicate its great fertility and the marls upon which it is based fully assure its durability.

Mr. Thomas J. Caldwell, one of the best citizens in the township, is among the honest tillers of the soil. He has a nice residence in the heart of the fine, arable lands of the township. His farm lies in sections 5 and .8, township 44, range 25. The soil is from six to thirty inches in depth and is underlaid with marl of lime and magnesia, which would bear subsoiling. Mr. Caldwell states for 1881, that his wheat averaged from twelve to thirty-five bushels per acre. Corn has averaged as high as sixty bushels per acre. Castor beans pay well. Flax does equally well. Very fine melons are produced here. Apples, peaches and many small fruits grow in abundance and yield fine crops. Plenty of living water is found here, at a depth of eight to forty feet. This township pro¬ duces more corn than any other one township in the county. In 1880 its crop was estimated at 75,000 bushels; in excess, or one-third greater than that of an of its sister townships. Besides corn, wheat and oats, all kinds of grain and vegetables make a sure and large yield. Indeed, this town¬ ship has some of the best fruit farms to be found in the county. Many of the leading citizens are engaged in rearing fine stock. Quite a number feed stock every year for the St. Louis markets. James M. Ward is dealing extensively in blooded stock and mules. W. H. Burford is a large cattle feeder. Mr. Milliner is dealing in thoroughbred stock. Some of the prominent farmers and stockraisers of Post Oak are: F. Tracy, S. Stone, Samuel Wherry, David Cecil, Dr. J. M. Ward, B. F. Wall, J. R. Grinstead, T. J. Caldwell, Samuel Wasson, David Mann, D. Snod¬ grass, F. J. Johnson and Samuel E. Wall. The last named keeps thorough¬ bred cattle. Those who fell on the side of the south we mention: Isaac Runner, Michael Runner, George Herrington, Berry Greer and Gideon Jones; Wm. Wiley and Wm. Buckston fell in behalf of the union.