Johnson County, Missouri - - Warrensburg Township, 1918

The first township to be created after the four original townships of the county - Washington, Jefiferson, Madison and Jackson, was Warrensburg.

Warrensburg township was organized October 3, 1836, about one year after the organiation of the county. It was named for Martin Warren, one of the early settlers.

Geography. - Area, about sixty-four square miles, or 40,960 acres. Geographically, Warrensburg township is on a sand ridge between Post Oak creek on the west side and Bear creek on the east, with both creeks and the ridge itself all running north to Blackwater.

Soil. - According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Soil Survey of 1914, the upland is chiefly "sandy" soil (Boone silt loamj, between these two creeks, with patches of "black limestone" soil (Summit silt loam) along the east and west sides of the township, and ordinary bottom (Osage silt loam) along the streams.'

Boone silt loam : upland, composes about twenty-seven square miles or 42 per cent, of the township. It is the chief upland soil between the creeks, and also lies immediately next to the bottom soil in a strip about one-fourth mile wide, between it and the patches of Summit silt loam.

Summit silt loam : upland, a])out twelve and three-quarters square miles or 20 per cent. This lies chiefly in ( 1 ) an irregular patch of about one square mile beginning about one-halt mile southeast of Warrensburg; (2) in another patch of about two square miles touching the east side of the township and running west to within about one-half mile of Bear creek; (3) a third larger but very irregular patch extending from tile northeast citv limits of Warrensburg norlheasteriv to

Boone fine sand}' loam: upland, about three and three fourths square miles; similar to the Boone silt loam, but with more sand; about 6 per cent, of the township. This covers chiefly the southwest half of W'arrensburg town and extends to south of Pertle Springs lakes and about three-fourths mile east and west of the lakes. It also forms the blufif along the east side of Post Oak creek from VVarrensburg town clear north to its entrance into Blackwater and the blufif, thence down Blackwater on the south side for about three-fourths mile. The sandstone quarries north of town are in this area.

Crawford silt loam : upland, "red limestone" soil about one and one-fourth square miles or 2 per cent., in' scattering patches over the township,

Osage silt loam; ordinary bottom, about sixteen square miles or 25 per cent, of the township. It lies along the creeks, chiefly Blackwater and Post Oak.

Miscellaneous; about one and one-fourth square miles or 2 per cent., upland soil of Pettis silt loam. First bottom soil of Osage silty clay loam and lower second bottom soil of Robertsville silt loam; all in small patches.

Of the foregoing. Summit silt loam, Crawford silt and Pettis silt loam are ranked as the best three common upland soils in the county and the Osage silt loam the best bottom soil.

Early Settlements. - One of the early settlers of Warrensburg township was Martin Warren, from whom the township takes its name, who came from Kentucky about 1833 and settled on the present site of the city of Warrensburg, He built a log cabin and reared a large family here. He is described as having been a "plain, old fashioned, conser\ati\'e farmer and honest man; corpulent in person; without beard; in politics a Whig, though he never sought office," He lived to an advanced age and died here in 1850, Other early settlers who located in this township prior to 1840 were : Abram Adams, Benjamin Granger, Isaac Granger, Thomas Granger. A, B. Granger, Madison Warren, Calvin Adams, John Adams, James Fletcher, Jacob Perman, Archibald Thistle, (7)

Early Churches. - Among the early church organizations in W'arrensburg township outside of the city of AVarrensburg, the Regular Baptist church was the oldest. It was organized in 1842, four miles south of the city of Warrensburg, and was one of the oldest church organizations of the county. It was built by Adam Fickas and was said to have been largely sustained by him.

The Union Prairie Baptist church was located two miles northeast of Warrensburg in this townsliip. It was organized December 8, 1865, by Elder E. H. Burchfield and the building was erected in 1867. The following ministers served this church during the early days: Elders Jonathan Gott, John Letts, P. J. Collop, J. E. AVelch and F. M. West. The following are the names of the first members of this organization: Jonathan Gott, AA'illiam Adams, Elizabeth F. Adams, Martha Adams, Samson Adams, Eliza J. Knight and Susan Granger. This church was disbanded in May, 1881, and at that time united with the Warrensburg Baptist church.

The German Baptist church of Dunkards was organized August 3, 1880, and was situated two miles south of AA'arrensburg. The original members of this congregation were A. W. Reese, minister ; John Bowman, deacon; Joseph E. Lightner, William Mohler, Thomas Adams, Nancy J. Roop. Alice Hall, M. Gibson. Sarah L. Bade, Minnie C. Christopher, Susie E. Reese, Lizzie D. Mohler, Lucinda Bowman. Anna Bowman, Lizzie Fickas and Anna Lightner.

Early Schools. - The schools of Warrensburg township were chietiy the schools of Warrensburg town and are given in the history of the town. Some of the teachers, after the organization of the district schools, were: J. W. McGiven. D. S. Redford, Miss Rosa Hooker, W. R. Delaney, T. P. Reid, A. F. Dunbar, Ed. H. Gilbert. W. R. Nelson, A. J. Sparks, Gus Coleman, Miss Rebecca Granger, G. M. Shanton, Miss Mary Emerson, Miss Sallie Zoll, Miss Josic Smith, Miss Sallie Smith, Harvey T. Williams, Miss Frankie A. Miller, Miss Nellie De

Pertle Springs. - Pertle Springs, which is located about one-half mile south of the city limits of Warrensburg, is one of the most desirable health and pleasure resorts in this section of the state.

The land originally belonged to Mr. Pertle, from whom the resort takes its name. Before the ad\-ent of the white settlers in Johnson county, Lidians often visited this place and recognized the medicinal properties of the water here.

"One U. S. gallon left on evaporation a residue weighing when ignited 36.8 grains. This residue contained 2.04 grains silica, 0.56 grains alumina, 7.01 carbonate of lime. 0.67 grains oxide of iron. 6.82 grains magnesia, 16.61 sulphuric acid. Total, 33.71 grains. The difference between this weight and the weight of the total residue amounting' to 4.09 grains, consisted of alkalies, carbonic acid, chlorine, ami probably some other constituents in small quantities. The water on standing and on boiling deposits all its iron in the form of ferric oxide, and is true chalybeate water."

The Pertle Springs grounds comprise eighty acres, of which thirtysix are now owned by Messrs. Gray and Baker. There are nine lakes here. One is devoted exclusively to bathing purposes. One covers sixteen acres and furnishes the water supply for the city of Warrensburg. The other smaller lakes are well stocked with fish and afford excellent fishing places. There is a large and commodious hotel. It has a well-earned reputation for the excellency of its service. Garages and other conveniences for guests are supplied. In addition to the hotel, there are a number of cottages and flats on the grounds for the accommodation of those who prefer their more home-like life. The grounds are beautifully shaded, and there are various amusements for children and adults.

Rev. Sam Jones is perhaps responsible for the erection of the large auditorium at Pertle Springs. While conducting a meeting here he realized and foresaw the possibilities of such a building and started the movement which culminated in the buihling of the auditorium or "Tabernacle."

Since then many important conventions and religious and political meetings have been held in this building. The Pertle Springs Silver Con\ention, one of the important political events of the West which began the crystallization of the campaign for free silver in Missouri, was held here in 1893. William J. Bryan and many other notable men have appeared here.

Pertle Springs is connected with the city of Warrensburg by a railroad which runs from the business district of the city, near the Missouri Pacific depot, through the residence district, to the Springs. It is operated during the summer seasons by the management of Pertle Springs. The motor power is both steam and gasoline.

Warrensburg Quarries. - The sandstone quarries of Warrensburg township are far famed. In 1870, Jacob Pickel, associated with his two brothers, Peter and Anton, opened at much expense and hard work the first sandstone quarry in Johnson county about two miles north of Warrensburg. A railroad switch was put in, and a steam channeling machine, the latter alone costing $6,000. The lifting was also done by machinery, run by steam.

The first large contract was for more than $250,000 worth of stone to be used in the Chamber of Commerce building in St. Louis, Missouri, which covers an entire block. All the stone was cut at the quarry and shipped to St. Louis in perfect condition to be placed.

Jacob Pickel furnished the stone for the Kansas City court house, the Southern Hotel, the Barr building, in St. Louis, and many other buildings in these cities, and also the stone used in many of the buildings in Warrensburg. As many as fifteen hundred cars of stone have been shipped annually, or a train load a day. (See further in the family history of Jacob Pickel.)

The next quarry was opened in 1871 by ^^'illiam Bruce and Company. It was owned by General Cockrell, and leased to Mr. Bruce until 1880, and then sold to Jacob Pickel & Brothers.

The third quarry was opened by Bruce & Company in 1881, when they gave up their old quarry and bought a tract near it. This quarry has been run a long time by James B. Millar and his brother, John W. Millar, ex-sherif-f of Johnson county. It is no longer operated.

Justices. - The following are the justices of the peace of the township as far liack as the county court records show, with dates of their election: 1842, Nathaniel B. Iloldcn : 1844, Thomas J. Young, Harvey

County Officers. - The following are tlie county officers who have been elected from tlie township since 1882. witli the dates of their election :

1912-1-1 - W. C. McDonald (Democrat), prosecuting attorney. 191-1 - Theodore Hyatt (Democrat), collector. 1916 - J. R. Rothwell (Democrat), prosecuting attorney. 1916 - E. A. Williams (Democrat), public administrator. 1913 - R. H. Boston (Democrat), school superintendent. Population, - The population of Warrenslnirg township, by United States Census, was:

Personal Property and Products. - Agriculture and personal propertv statistics for Warrensburg township, as given by Missouri State Report or 1877, and Johnson county assessors' lists for 1896 and 1916 are :

County Road Improvements. - County road improvements made by Warrenshurg township since tliis system was established in 1911, were up to January 1. 1918, thirteen in number, and aggregated $753 furnished by the citizens of the township and $746 by the county.

Organizations. - The following is a complete list of all organizations of every kind in \\'arrensburg township. Full details of each organization are in separate chapters on the different organizations:

Fraternal Organizations. - Masons, Blue Lodge; Masons. ]\Iary Commandery; Knights Pythias. Odd Fellows, Modern Woodmen, Elks, Maccabees, Eastern Star, Royal Neighbors, Degree of Plonor, Rebekahs, Yeomen, Knights and L,adies of Security.

Miscellaneous Organizations. - A. B. C. Club. D. A . R.. G. A. R., Confederate A^eterans, Political Equality Club, \\'. R. C, Women's Christian Temperance Knion, United Daughters of Confederacy. City Mission. P. E. O., Commercial Club, Automobile Club.