Jackson Township

Jackson Township

In other portions of this history Jackson township is referred to at considerable length. Until 1839, after many pioneers had located there, the township was known by the name of Indian Creek. The townships of Jackson and Sampsell were, in an early day, closely allied and at the present day are almost as closely related as "twin sisters." Jackson township, on account of an abundance of timber, wild game and bees, together with numerous springs of pure water, first attracted the early pioneers to that part of the county. The township was first settled by Kentuckians, a hospitable, honest class of people and their offspring are in a majority of the residents of the township today. When reference is made to the "forks of the river," it is generally understood that the territory referred to is Jackson township. The first settlers, whose names are given elsewhere in this volume, made settlement in Jackson township in the year 1833. The territory settled up rapidly, but like other sections, the land was not open for entry until some years later. Only a few of the names of early settlers are here given: B. F. Baker, Reuben Mc- Coskrie, David Martin, Jesse Nave, David Girdner, Wm. Curtis, Nova Zembla Johnson, Alex. Dockery, W. C. Davis, E. S. Andrews, R. C. Campbell, Peter Cain, Samuel V. Ramsey, Hugh S. Welch, Moses Masters, Green S. Reeves, John D. Martin, John Kirk, John Hargrave, Wm. Finley, Stephen Shrive, T. A. Harbut, S. W. Anderson, Rice Ware, Geo. Mc- Coy, John B. Hines, Wyatt Ogle, John Doss, James Leeper, Andrew Liggett, Isham Ware, Nathan Cox, Wm. S. Miller, and W. L. Black.

was organized in February, 1868, in the Brassfield schoolhouse. Elder James Turner was chosen moderator and G. M. Brassfield, clerk. The articles of faith were then signed by John F. Gillispie, Robert Foster, Ephraim Foster, John Weaver, Thomas L. Gillispie, Adam Brassfield, Milton Hughes, James B. McClellan, Riley Brassfield, Mary Gillispie, Elizabeth Foster, Delia Weaver, Catherine Gillispie, Mahulda McClellan, Malinda Weatherford, Marv A. Brassfield, Eliazbeth Seidel, Mahala A. Pond, Jane Hughes, Rachael Brassfield and Mary Caddell. Rev. James Turner was elected the first pastor and served three years. Rev. Tur- ner was succeeded by Rev. P. Booth who served during 1872. Rev. Turner was recalled for 1873, 1874 ^^^ ^^7SThe place of worship was then changed to the Potter schoolhouse. In January, 1876 Rev. John Harmon was elected pastor and remained until 1877. He was followed by Rev. Wadley for a period of five months. In 1876 a building committee consisting of J. M. Irwin, J. W. Webster, John H. Matthews and E. R. Dowell, solicited funds and a church edifice was erected one and one-half miles east of Springhill. It is the largest house of worship in the county. The pastors who have served the congregation to date are Revs. N. M. Allen, John Harmon, F. P. Bain and W. W. Gillispie. Both church and Sunday school have large and growing memberships.

Springhill Camp No. 5491, M. W. A., was organized April 18, 1898, with the following charter members: Wm. A. Anderson, John F. Arnel, Chas. Cooper, Wm. Girdner, Oscar Hicks, Roy Lewis, Daniel McCarthy, James Sanson, Wm. Sneeden, J. E. Williams, W. H. Anderson, J. P. Arr, J. W. Davis, S. H. Harvey, H. P. Lewis, Chas. W. Patton, Chas. M. Piper, John Shafifer and J. O. Whitworth. Officers for 1913 are: Andy Prager, V. C, Alva Mast, advisor; Frank Shaffer, banker; A. E. Meserve, clerk; Joe Lamp, escort; James Wilburn, watchman; Wm. F. Volk, sentry; Dr. W. L. White, physician.

This township comprises an area of 24,000 acres and includes that portion of Congressional township 57, range 24, with the west fork of Grand river on the north and Shoal creek on the south and a line of sections in 57-25, south of the west fork of the river. Much of the township is bottom land and bluffs and hills are found adjacent to the river. The prairie or uplands are excellent farm lands, the soil being adapted to the cultivation of diversified crops. No township in the county is better adapted to fruit culture and in average seasons train loads of apples, pears, peaches and other fruits are shipped to the eastern and central markets. Gradually the bottom lands are being brought into cultivation by drainage and other modern means. A very complete description of the geology of the township is given in another part of this work. The names of the early pioneers of this portion of the county are also given in this volume. The town of Utica was laid out in 1837, the land having been entered by Matson and Van Zandt, the year previous. The town flourished when the H. & St. Joe road was built and continued to thrive until the Civil war. When the road was built the company erected a depot one mile west of town. This made the citizents indignant, they soaped the rails and later the depot building was burned. Another building was erected and it too suffered the fate of the first. Although very inconvenient the third structure was permitted to remain. "P. S." - Friday night, April 4, 1913, the third depot building was destroyed by fire of unknown origin, although it is believed by the night operator that the conflagration was started by a spark from a passing engine that lodged near the semaphore.

Forest Home Camp No. 2270, Royal Neighbors of America, of Utica, was organized August 4th, 1900, at which time the following officers were elected: Julia Smith, oracle; Emma Sherman, vice-oracle; Lizzie Myers, chancellor; Myrtle Blue, marshall; Anna Walz, recorder; Mary Wamble, receiver Present officers: Alice Walz, oracle; Anna Walz, vice-oracle; Josephine Smith, past-oracle; Lillie - , chancellor; May Dome, marshall; Lizzie Myers, recorder; Ella Lemons, receiver. The camp meets the first and third Saturday nights in each month.

Benevolence Lodge No. 170, A. F. & A. M., Utica. - This lodge was organized May 30, 1857, ^^^^^ John H. Harper as worshipful master; A. J. Austin, junior warden; and William Hiron, senior warden. The present officers are: C. H. Stone, worshipful master; W. T. Stone, junior warden; George Simves, senior warden; and P. E. Bagley, secretary. The lodge has 36 members and own their own building.

deputy of Maryville, Missouri, assisted by the officers of Charm Council No. 658 of Chillicothe, Missouri. Twenty beneficiary and seven social members were initiated. The first officers were : George Reidel, president; Oral B. Lemon, vice-president; Lizzie Myers, second vice-president; Elizabeth A. Young, prelate; Edith Edna Townsend, Cor. secretary; Dr. J. H. Winter, financial secretary; Frank E. Lemon, treasurer; William White, conductor; and Ray R. McCloughan, sentinel. Trustees: Michael Lemon, Jas. Hall and Albert J. Myers. The present officers are : Lizzie Myers, president; Emily B. Myers, vice-president; Cora B. Falconer, second vice-president; Lucy A. Lemon, financier; Phoebe Cooper, secretary; Dr. H. A. Cox, prelate; Sopha E. Smith, conductor ; Ralph B. Cooper, guard ; and Joe Kerr, sentinel.