Brooking Township

Brooking Township

Brooking township is the youngest child in Jackson county's family of townships, it was organized by order of the county court March 13, 1872. The following is the order :

The Court orders that a new Municipal township be formed out of Washington and Blue townships described as follows : Beginning at the mouth of Round Grove Creek, and thence up said creek to where it crosses half section hne, running east and. west through the center of Sec. 29, Tp. 49, R. 32; thence east with said line, to the range line between ranges 31 and 32, thence south to line of Prairie township; thence west to Little Blue Creek; thence up said creek to where the south line of Sec. 22, Tp. 48, R. 32 crosses the same; thence west with said line to the half-section line on south side Sec. 19 of said township; thence on the center of said section ; thence west to Big Blue Creek ; thence with said creek to place of beginning, and that said township be called Brooking township.

" Brooking township. - This is the name of a new township formed out of territory heretofore included in Blue and Washington townships. It is in the center of Jackson county, and embraces a large portion of Jackson county's finest lands. It is a good farming country, having good land, good water and good timber, three qualities not often found near each other.

"There are, perhaps, more good springs of water in this township than any of the same size in the State. Many of our farmers have not had to drive their stock off their farms to get water for them in the last twenty-five years.

"We have two post-offices - Raytown and Little Blue, and an industrious, civil community, erecting school-houses and churches to beautify and adorn the ennobling virtues of civilized society.

" We have given the name 'Brooking' to our township in respect to the memory of the late Hon. Alvin Brooking, who, in his long and faithful public life, was true not only to the finances but to every great interest of Jackson county. And, sir, may our new township prove worthy to perpetuate the name and memory of so true and good a man. J. J. ROBINSON."

Brooking township is too young to have a very long historical sketch. The first church organization of any denomination took place on Round Grove in 1 83 1, near or on the lands now owned by Capt. H. C. Brooking. It was a United Baptist church. Elders Moses Stayton and James Kinsley, preached to them. They partly built a log house, which was used for both church and school purposes. This church was dissolved in 1838 (or 9). The first death and burial was that of Samuel Kimsley. His grave was made July 7, 1832, near this house. James Kimsley, in 1831, built a horse-mill at Round Grove, near Rock Falls. It was washed away in 1833. Water six feet deep, fell from a "water spout,"

After this Wm. Cox built another horse-mill about one mile south of this, on the place which has the honor to be the oldest settlement in the township. Johnson Kimsley states that his father Samuel Kimsley settled the Cox farm in 183 1, and that the first settlement east of Heart Grove was . made by Wm Pierson in 1835. Tp. 48, R. 32, was then known as "the condemned townships." Long after this it was surveyed and brought into market. George W. Rhoades, who as surveyor platted the town of Independence, lived here. For many years he was a prominent citizen of the county, and also County Surveyor - they never had a better surveyor.

About the year 1840, a Mr. Slusher built a water-mill on Little Blue. It was not a success. Then Reuben Harris built another horse-mill. It was a great convenience ; but otherwise of little profit.

George W. Howel also built a horse-mill. It was about one mile west of the Kimsley mill. It was also of greater convenience to the people, than profit to the owner.

For many years education and schools did not receive that attention which their importance demands. The age in which we now live, tells to each reflecting mind, these are a part 0/ the body poliiic. But pioneer life had its charms, in roving among the wilds of nature. Education and schools did not occupy enough of their thoughts. It required an effort to build the first school house. This rude structure was about three hundred yards south of the present residence of Mr. T. W. Green. The people then called it "Science Hill." But one and another taught several good "subscription schools" there - averaging from fifty to sixty scholars. Now, within four miles .of the spot where stood "Science Hill school house," are eight or nine well organized school districts - each having a good school house ; and furnished with the latest and best patented seats, etc. Few if any of them have less than seven or eight months' school in each year. Self interest, if nothing else, will compel them in the near future to build a high school at Raytown, and perhaps also at other places. When this shall be accomplished Brooking township will be one of the most inviting localites for a country residence to be found any where in the great State of Missouri.

Brooking township has two villagee - Raytown and Little Blue. Raytown occupies a central location in what is called the " Blue Prairie" - being on the ridge between Big and Little Blue, eight miles from Independence and ten from Kansas City. It has a Masonic hall, one meeting house, one store and saddler's shop, one blacksmith shop and a doctor's office, also a post-office and school house. Little Blue is on the Mo. P. R. R.; has one store, a school house; is a " station; " has a telegraph office, and several other houses.

Brooking township has ever been the home of good, skillful physicians. Dr. Samuel Hobbs, deceased, was one of the most successful practitioners the county ever had. Dr. R. Hewitt, was also a good physician, and resided for many years in Raytown. Dr. M. T. Smith now has an extensive practice, and is a skillful physician.

Raytown is the center of many roads. A good road runs by the house of every family in the school district. And a good ridge road could be located from Raytown to Kansas City.'

West Fork Baptist Church

The following church history was furnished by Rev. J. J. Robinson : West Fork Church, situated one mile east of Raytown, was organized in December, 1842, by Elders Moses Stayton and Henry Farmer, at the house of John Davis.

The following were the constituent names: John Davis, Sarah Davis, Alvin Brooking, Fannie Brooking, Lewis Jones, Sarah Jones, C. S. Stribling, Elisabeth Stribling, Joseph Davis, Annie Davis, James Beckham, Eliza Beckham, James Allen, Edwin Allen, Mahala Slusher and Ellen Mobly.

This was the first permanent church organization of any denomination in the central southwestern portion of Jackson county. It has ever held a prominent position among our churches. Elder^J. Farmer, of Cass county, was the first pastor. He is a man of good mind and of pleasant address, and by his prudence did much to harmonize the Baptists and allay prejudice against "Missionary Societies." During his ministry the church increased in numbers almost continually.

The church, when organized, had no meeting house, but met in private dwellings, or in some grove. At this time Brother A. Brooking became so fully impressed with the idea the Lord's " set time to favor his Zion" here had come, that he not only built a " stand," but also prepared a place before the meeting began to baptize. Twenty-two were received at that meeting - the greater part by experience and baptism.

In 1845 Mr. A. S. Tackard, now of Independence, gave the church two acres of land on which to build a meeting house. A stone house was built. The expense of building this house was borne mainly by Alvin Brooking, J. Mickleborough and Archy Rice. In 1859 a good brick house was erected, costing about $2,300.

In 1852 J. Bowers was ordained to the work of the gospel ministry. He was a man of good ability, and had a very strong voice. He lived only a few years, dying of pneumonia soon after the close of a sucessful meeting, at Pleasant Valley church.

Howard Chism was also a minister of this church. He was a man of good practical sense, and also a good preacher, strongly devoted to the doctrines of the Baptist.

The names of the other ministers who have preached to this church statedly, either as pastor or otherwise, are : H. Farmer, L. Franklin, J. B. Bowers, H. . Chism, W. A. Durfey, J. W. Swift, J. Lee, R. Thomas, E. Wood, A. W. Chambliss, DD., and J. O. Anderson, the present pastor. J. J. Robinson continues to preach on the fourth Sabbath in each month.

This church has been blessed with many precious revivals. In 1880 forty-six were added to the church ; forty-four were baptized in one day. West Fork Church has dismissed many valuable members to aid in the organization of the First Baptist church in Independence, Blue Ridge, Lee's Summit, Besonia, etc. At present the church has 170 members.

Their deacons have been Alvin Brooking, Peter Courtney, J. J. Robinson, W. C. DeBord, Jesse Davis, J. Cummins, S. R. West, L. M. Dehoney, H. C. Brooking, B. Brown, B. Rice and T. W. Green.

It was at this church that the first country Sunday-school was organized in Jackson county. Alvin Brooking, ever ready and willing to lead in every "good work," was the first superintendent. Then J. J. Robinson, J. B. Bowers. T. W. Green and J. B. McKeever.

In the list of members of West Fork Church we find the names of three of Jackson county's court judges, viz: Alvin Brooking, Richard Fristoe and John Davis. Of these Judge Brooking represented Jackson county four years in the State Senate, and Richard Fristoe represented the county two years in the House of Representatives. We also find the name of F. H. Lane, who for many years was the honored President of the Jackson County Agricultural and Mechanical Association.

It will soon be forty years since the organization of West Fork Church. Of the original members only one yet remains on the church book - Fannie Brooking, the honored relict of Judge Brooking. Few churches have a more inviting and useful field to occupy ; and its members feel as if its usefulness was only begun. Long may West Fork continue to be one of the "land marks" of Jackson.