Jefferson Township

Directory

Jefferson Township is bounded on the north by Jackson Township, on the east by Gentry Country, on the south by Washington Township, and on the west by Grant and Polk Townships. It contains forty-seven square miles.

"Ordered that a new municipal township be established out of Washington and Jackson Townships, to be known and designated as Jefferson Township, in said county, said new township to commence on the Nodaway and Gentry County line at the southeast corner of the southwest quarter of section number 34, in township 64, of range 33, thence running west on the township line to the northwest corner of section 5, township 63, of range 34, being the east boundary of Polk Township, thence running south to the southwest corner of section 8, in township No. 63, of range 34, thence running east to the northwest corner of section 16, township 63, range 34, then running south to the northwest corner of the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of section number 33, in township 63, range 34, thence running east on the quarter mile line to the Gentry County line, thence running north on the county line to the place of beginning, and it is further ordered by the court that Conception be designated as the voting precinct of said township.'"

Physical Features

The Platte River enters about the center of the township on the north, and runs diagonally through it a little west of the center in a southwesterly direction. Long Branch passes across the extreme northwestern portion of the township through two sections, and flows in a southerly direction. The Wild Cat finds its headwaters in the eastern and northeastern portions of the township, and runs southeasterly and empties into Grand River. The land along the streams is rather rolling in character, and the township consists principally of upland rolling prairie. The soil is a silicious loam, and is exceedingly fertile, producing large crops of cereals. The land is well adapted in character for the cultivation of fruit, especially of the small fruits, and the farmers are engaged more or less in fruit culture, which is proving profitable. The first bottom along the Platte River is about a mile in width, and the soil is a deep, rich alluvium. The township does not contain a large amount of timber - not more than one-fifteenth of the area of the township being timbered land.

Early Settlements

Among the first settlers, came David Rhoades, in the year 1846, and took a claim and built a cabin, in the northwest corner of section 28, township 63, range 34. He owned several hundred acres of land. He died in the year 1876.

Silas Best, at an early day, emigrated from Washington Township, and with four sons, took a claim on the east side of the Platte River, in the edge of the timber. He built a house on the northeast corner of section 14, township 63, range 34, and increased his possessions until he owned over a thousand acres of land. He died in the year 1875.

Jacob Pugh, at an early day, emigrated from Iowa, and settled on the west side of the Wild Cat, about four miles southeast of the present site of New Conception.

During the year 1858, John S. Aldridge emigrated from Indiana, and took a claim three miles southwest of where Old Conception is now located.

Benjamin Casteel emigrated from the South, and located on the northeast quarter of section 1 1, township 63, range 33. His farm of 160 acres was cut in two by the Platte River. He died about a year ago, in Montana.

Sidney Smith emigrated about the year 1856, from Cooper County, Missouri, and located on the Wild Cat, three miles southeast of the present site of New Conception.

Patrick Growney originally emigrated from Ireland, and made Brooklyn, New York, his home for twelve years. He came in the year 1858 to Jefferson Township, and located in section 9, township 63, range 34. He died June 17, 1879. Patrick Growney had three sons, who all have farms in section 9. The family estate contained 400 acres of land. Phillip Growney and John Growney still live on their farms. Lawrence J. Growney is now Circuit Clerk and ex-officio Recorder of Nodaway County, and lives in Maryville.

The Reading Colony

In the year 1856, in the State of Pennsylvania, three gentlemen of Irish descent, by the names of Felix, McLaughlan and O'Reilly, conceived the plan of forming a colony of their countrymen with the object in view of seeking suitable lands in the distant West upon which to settle said colony. They were induced to this measure by the scarcity of work, hard times and small wages, which prevailed in Pennsylvania at that time. When the colony was formed, Anthony Felix, O. O'Reilly and Rev. James Powers came West for the purpose of entering lands. Arriving at St. Joseph, they fell in with Jeff Thompson, who gave them a plat of the then vacant lands on which the colony is now located, and advised them to go to the land office at Plattsburg, in Clinton County, and make an entry of said lands. When they went there the Commissioner of the office represented to them that the office was closed and as a consequence no entry of lands could be made. Messrs. Felix, O'Reilly and Powers then went to the General Land Office at Washington City, and upon application to Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, who was then the Commissioner of said office, they succeeded in effecting an entry of sard lands, and the necessary documents were sent to the Commissioner at Plattsburg, with the instruction to him that he should make a record of the entry upon his books. While Felix, O'Reilly and Powers were at Washington City, or immediately after the documents were received at Plattsburg, the land office at the latter place, which it seems had never been closed in fact, was opened as was claimed by the Commissioner, and these same lands were entered by other parties. This complicated condition with regard to the entry of said lands caused considerable difficulty and created a vexed question. Each party claimed that they had entered the land. The case was finally taken up before the Committee of Public Lands in the United States Senate, in the year 1858 or 1859, during Buchanan's administration. Said committee decided the case in favor of Felix, O'Reilly and Powers, and against the parties who claimed to have entered the land through the Plattsburg office. The lands that were thus in dispute embraced about 20,000 acres, all of which, with the exception of one and a half sections, which are in Gentry County, lie in Nodaway County, and in Jefferson Township. The decision of the case turned principally upon the fact as to whether the office at Plattsburg had been closed, and partly upon the fact as to whether the documents forwarded from Washington were not received at the office at Plattsburg before the other parties made their pretended entry.

The names of the first settlers of the Reading Colony were as follows : John M. Carty, William Brady, Michael Fagan, Jeremiah Sullivan, Thomas Reilley, Edward Reilley and Patrick Growney.

During the time of our civil war, immigration almost ceased, but soon after the war ended, a large number of immigrants came into Jefferson Township.

There are now heavy settlements both east and west of the Platte River. The farms generally throughout the township are in a fine state of cultivation. There is a great deal of hedge fence. Many very elegant dwelling houses have been built during the last few years, and that portion of the county is rapidly becoming one of the most wealthy and best improved parts of the county. Several who are now quite comfortably situated came there a few years ago with but little means. They, however, had brave hearts, clear heads and strong arms, and went resolutely to work, and as a result they have transformed the vast, uncultivated waste of prairie, which could be seen there a few years ago, into a well improved and richly productive country. They have gained in wealth, and have done so by their own hard work and individual and collective industry.

The following are the township officers elected on the 4th of April, 1876: Trustee, William Farnan ; Clerk, James Merrigan ; Assessor, L. J. Growney; Collector, A. J. Enis ; Constable, John Motch ; Justices of the Peace, A. T. Bleyley and Anderson Smith.

Conception

This town is located about eleven miles southeast of Maryville, near the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad. The town was named in honor of the Immaculate Virgin.

Father James Powers came from Reading, Pennsylvania, in the year 1856, and entered the land where the town of Conception is now located, in behalf of a company of which he was a member. The company was composed of Father Powers, Owen Reilly, and Anthony Felix, as above mentioned. They selected 20,000 acres of land in Nodaway and Gentry Counties. Father Powers and William Brady laid out the town of Conception in i860. On June 9, i860, the colony house and chapel were finished and dedicated. There were forty acres laid out and platted as a town site, described as the southwest quarter of section 24, township 63, range 34. The first lot was sold to Mr. Saul for $1.00, who put up a store for general merchandise, the second building in the town. A blacksmith shop was erected by Joseph Heffner, who also built a dwelling. Mr. A. Blyley put up the next house for a dwelling, and moved into it, and he also erected another building for a dwelling. Soon afterward, Frank Enos built a blacksmith shop and a dwelling, and Father Tuerk erected a house for a dwelling. In the year 1870, Ignatius Richlin put up a dwelling and moved into it. In 1871, he put on an addition to Mr. Saul's store building and opened a stock of general merchandise. In 1871, Henry Mclntire erected a dwelling, and Augustus Enos put up a dwelling the same year. A store and a dwelling were soon afterward built by Joseph Wonderly. He moved into the dwelling and commenced keeping store, opening a general stock of merchandise. About this time a dwelling was erected by Gerhard Arens, and another one by John B. Krotch. Dwelling houses were also erected by the Sisters, Mr. Terriso Ikleman, Mrs. Elizabeth Koons, Mrs. Elizabeth Myers, Mrs. Margeret Smith, Mr. Barnard Nathan, and Dr. James Bickett. Joseph Sholze erected a dwelling and drug store combined. Dwellings were also erected by Joseph Wonderly and Anthony Match. Nicholas Burns put up a saloon, and Christian Voelker erected a dwelling and shoe shop.

The first church was built by the Catholics in 1867, and dedicated December 8, 1867. Its dimensions were 25x40 feet, and it was enlarged in 1874 to 34x90 feet.

In the year 1880, a Monastery was erected in Conception, but during the present year it has been elevated to the dignity of an Abbey, and called Benedictine Abbey New Englberg. The portion completed is 33x140 feet with ell 40x60 feet, four stories high with stone basement and attic. There are 46 rooms and 5 halls. On the north end of the present building the new church will be built, and will be 80x208, 66 feet in height. It will run east and west and will be one of the most magnificent structures of the kind in the United States. It will be surmounted by three grand towers reaching some 140 feet in the air from the ground. At the southeast corner of the church another wing similar to the one now completed will be built and extended to the southeast corner of the present building, making the total building in size 208 X208 feet square, covering over one acre of ground. It is to be built of cut stone and pressed brick. The material for the buildings is mostly obtained on their farm. The whole structure will be built in pure Roman style with court in the center, and will cost some $250,000. It will require upwards of 3,000,000 brick to complete the building.

for the Abbey, and one for the people. The library for the Abbey contains about 3,000 volumes, some books being very old and rare. We noticed several books printed in the ancient black letter. One commentary printed in Basil dates back to 1523, and a book on Canon Law was printed as early as 1500.

The congregation connected with the Abbey is increasing, and numbers now 200 families. In the community of the Abbey there are now twenty-five members.

There is a Sisters Convent about one mile and a half northeast of the Abbey. It is a four story building 44x100 feet. The new house for the Sisters Convent will be finished in the spring of 1882.

The first death in the town of Conception was that of Mr. Hewey Mclntyre, in the year 1874. The first child baptized in the congregation was christened Ellen, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Sullivan. Father Powers, who baptized her, gave her forty acres of land because she was the first child baptized in the parish. The first marriage was that of Elisha Richlin and Miss Julia Protzman, in the year 1870.

Conception is located in one of the best portions of the Platte Valley, and is very desirable as a place of residence. The educational advantages will continue to attract many who desire facilities for the higher education.

Business Directory New Conception

This town is located on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, about two miles northeast of Conception, and eleven miles southeast of Maryville. The post office is called Clyde, which name originated in the following manner ; At a public meeting in July, 1880, composed of some forty citizens, it was thought desirable to give a name to the new post office. Mr. Frank Bellows had recently been in Canada, and had brought back some Clydesdale horses. Some one in the meeting thought of this, and proposed that the new post office should be called Clyde. The proposition was accepted and the name adopted by the meeting, and subsequently by the Post Office Department at Washington.

In 1869, Matthias Jerman bought the land on which New Conception is located. He sold the land in 1873, to Matthias Rogers, and the latter in 1879, sold it to the Western Improvement Company, who during the same year platted and laid out the town. The first lots, numbers 27 and 28, block 1, were sold to E. W. Cone at $100 each. He erected a building and opened a saloon. C. Weaver erected the next building for a dwelling. At this time several buildings were commenced. Gasper Kaiser erected a hardware store and went into business. J. A. Wonderly moved a building from Conception, and opened a stock of general merchandise. In 1880, B. Toller put up a hardware store and entered into trade. E. J. Clark about that time put up a store room and a dwelling. A carpenter shop was erected by Kroetsch Bros. A dwelling was erected by Mrs. Catharine Smith, and one by E. W. Cone. A lumber yard was established by Ambrose, Brown & Co., whose business was transacted by A. C. Robison.

Mr. A. C. Robison, about this time, erected a hotel and opened it. Dwellings were erected soon after by M. G. Chapin, by Simon Webber, and by J. Spates. Patrick Kenney very soon put up a boarding house. Two dwellings were afterward erected by Dr. G. W. Hobbs and J. F. Wonderly. A store building for general merchandise was erected about this time by Ruprechet & Hellman, who commenced business, opening a stock of general merchandise. Soon afterward J. J. McManus erected a hardware and furniture store, and F. A. Bellisle put up a building for shoemaking and a confectionery store. At this time a drug store was built by C. P. Smith, and also a dwelling. E. W. Cone soon put up a building which was occupied by H. H. Ross, who commenced in the drug business. A saloon was now built by Fitzpatrick & McCarty.

Directory Churches-Elmo-Business Directory

Lincoln Township is bounded on the north by Iowa, on the east by Atchison and Nodaway Townships, on the south by Atchison, Nodaway and Green Townships and Atchison County, and on the west by Atchison County, Missouri.

The organization of this township was proposed in 1865, by the division of Atchison Township, as appears from the record of the County Court, made at its November term of that year. The entry of record is in words and figures as follows :

A majority of the legal voters of Atchison Township present a petition to the county court to have Atchison Township divided into two townships, to be known as Atchison and Lincoln Townships, said townships commencing at the Iowa line, and in the center of said Nodaway River, and run with the center of the river to the section line between 8 and 17, in township (65), of range (37), and run with said line to the county line west, thence with the county line to the state line, thence to the place of beginning, and to call the name of said township Lincoln Township, in said county.

On the 14th day of June, 1866, the township was established with its present boundaries, by order of the County Court of that date. The order is as follows :

* * * " Commencing at the state line near the northeast corner of section 31, township 67, range 37 ; thence west on the state line to the northwest corner of the county, near the northwest corner of section 34, township 67, range 38 ; thence south on the county line between sections 33 and 34, township 67, range 38, and 3 and 4, 9 and 10, 15 and 16, 21 and 22, 27 and 28, 33 and 34, township 66, range 38 ; thence east on township line between townships 65 and 66, to the northwest corner of section 5, township 65, range 38 ; thence south on county line between sections 4 and 5, 9 and 10, 15 and 16, to the southwest corner of section 15, township 65, range 38, and sections 18 and 19, 17 and 20, to the

The eastern portion of the township is timbered land, with one or two groves toward the central and western part, the remainder being prairie. Mill Creek crosses the northern border of the township about three miles east of the northwest corner, and runs southeast, joining the Nodaway River near the southeast corner. Several other small streams tributary to Mill Creek run through different portions of the township, furnishing every locality with an abundance of water.

But little waste land can be found in the township. The quality of its soil compares favorably with its sister townships. The land, except in the western portion of the township, is very rolling, and some of it considerably broken. About one-half of the township is timbered. There is an abundance of stone for building purposes, and some indications of coal.

First Settlements

Joseph Hutson was not only the first settler in Lincoln Township, but the first settler in Nodaway County west of the Nodaway River. He came from Clay County, Kentucky, and bought a section of land - section 32, township 66, range 37. This land lies nearly two miles west of the present town of Dawson. He erected his cabin in the grove east of Mill Creek about one-fourth of a mile. He arrived October 29, 1840, and that night snow fell to the depth of four inches. The prospect was not very encouraging for the pioneer, but the snow disappeared almost entirely the next day, and there was no more cold weather until Christmas, the grass remaining green until that time, and that proved to be the mildest and finest winter ever experienced in Missouri. During that winter Mr. Hutson lived in his cabin and cleared six acres of land. He had been accustomed to timbered land in Kentucky, and thought at that time that the prairie was not as rich as the timber land. Garden spots could also be made sooner in the groves where there was no prairie sod to rot, which took considerable time. They used plows with wooden moldboards, the moldboards being from five to seven feet long. These Barshear plows were made about five miles north of Savannah, at Bennett's Lane, by Bennett & Son, who sold them at $27.50 apiece. Bennett worked for years at plow-making and realized a fortune. The prairie sod could not be broken by these plows with less than five yoke of oxen, and sometimes seven.

The Hunter'S Paradise

Game of all varieties was very abundant. There were elk, deer, some bears, turkeys, coons, wildcats, catamounts, mountain wolves, a large wolf of two varieties, black and gray, small prairie wolves, of a yellowish brown color, beaver, otters, minks and muskrats, with other small game. The Indians killed three elk within half a mile of his cabin, one within a hundred yards. The horns of this elk were so long that when reversed and set on the ground, an ordinary man could pass under them. He killed an abundance of deer close to his house, and turkeys from his very door. The buffalo at that time were found about ten miles north of him, on the east side of the Missouri River. The buffalo were numerous on the west side of the river, a person often seeing five hundred in a herd. Turkeys were thicker than prairie chickens are now. The first morning after he came, he went out to kill a turkey and shot five, as many as he could carry home. He says he also shot at several others, but the sun shone so brightly on the snow, he could not see the sights well enough to draw a fine bead. That morning he saw at least five hundred turkeys. Thev were on every tree top where trees had fallen down, and the trees were full of them. Every head of a hollow, where the snow first melted, was scratched up for mast. That same evening he shot at a mark, or white spot on a tree, to try his gun. When he went to see where the ball struck, he found it was a bee tree, and cut it down and took out the honey. A man found in the grove ten bee trees one day. Deer were so thick he counted sixty-six in one herd. He says he killed sixty-two one fall, and says he was not much of a hunter at that. One of his sons killed 123 deer the same fall. He knew a man named Henry Owens, who killed 130 deer one fall and winter, and another man named Daniel Sears killed 126. When the lake was frozen over, just enough to bear a man, hunters would chase the muskrats out of their houses and where the water was shallow and the ice very thin, the muskrats would run under the ice, when the hunters would pursue and spear them through the ice. He has known a man to spear 100 muskrats in this manner in a day.

There were many Indians in those days. Eleven hundred camped in the bottoms on the Nodaway and wintered a mile and a half from him. Three hundred camped and spent the winter in the grove within half a mile of him north of his cabin.

Joseph Hutson lives on the same farm where he located, with his children settled around him. Only two of the thirteen neighbors who came together are living now. One lives in Iowa. The writer spent a night under Mr. Hutson's hospitable roof and found him enjoying the fruits of his early privations, and spending the evening of his days in quietude with his children and a host of friends gathered around him.

B. F. Hutson, John Bagley, Silas Davidson and James Sunseford settled east of him within two miles and a half. They opened farms in the timber of the Nodaway River. These all came in the year 1841. Thomas Heddy and Elisha Heddy, his brother, and Wiley Crowder, all located in the year 1841, about one mile and a half east and a little north of him in the Nodaway timber.

Dr. Benjamin Parker located on an adjoining farm and went to farming, there not being enough people there to sustain him in the practice of medicine alone.

John Smith located north of Lamar's claim on the Nodaway Bluffs, a mile from the river, on the west side. Geo. Oster settled one mile and a half west of the present site of Dawson, in the grove. John, his son, married Miss Melvina Potter, in 1843, of Caldwell County, and located near him. Abijah Hampton married Nancy Oster, Geo. Oster's daughter, and took a claim a little north of him.

William Taylor married another daughter, Julia Oster, and settled on an adjoining claim. Wm. Berget located four miles west of Dawson. Edmond Chestnut took a claim near Berget and William Wiet settled in the same neighborhood. James Colvin bought the claim of Wiet, and Ambrose Colvin bought the claim of Abijah Hampton. Mansel Graves settled near where Elmo now stands, about one mile and a half west. Alfred and his brother, Aaron Graves, located on Tarkio Ridge.

The Hutson colony of thirteen went in company to mill. Two men went at a time with two wagons, and took from forty to eighty bushels of grain. Then, before their supply of flour was exhausted, two more would go. When the men returned from mill, all the neighbors would come together, and divide the flour, each one having his own sacks. They generally went with cattle, three or four yoke to a wagon, but sometimes with two-horse wagons. In those pioneer times they went to Hughes' Mill, fifty miles distant. The mill was located five miles east of Savannah. In going to mill, they would be absent five or six days.

When they first went to mill, they laid in all their groceries at White Hall, three miles north of Savannah. After about three years, Savannah was laid out, and they began to trade there with Geo. Smith and Robert Donald.

Joseph Hutson's first neighbor was near Quitman ; the second was at Graham ; the third at Bennett's Lane, where all their blacksmithing was done for two or three years, until Mr. Hutson built a blacksmith shop in 1842. He made the first set of mill irons for a mill on Hutson's Creek, now called Mill Creek. He would weld three bars, four inches wide and an inch thick, with two strikers for the spindles and gudgeons of the mill corn cracker.

Mrs. Haney Lamar was the first person who died on the west side of the Nodaway River. She died August 23, 1842. The second person who died was Rufus Lamar, her oldest son. They were both buried in ground selected for the purpose on a little ridge near the Nodaway River. As there were no saw mills then in all that section, Mr. Joseph Hutson sawed boards for their coffins out of a black walnut log with a whip-saw. In those pioneer days there was not as much display as in later times, but such sad scenes, in all their simplicity in those early days, did not lose anything, perhaps, in tender affection.

John M. Lamar, Sr., settled in the timber on the Nodaway River, about five miles north of where Dawson is now located. Mr. Lamar was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, on the 6th day of July, 1804, and died August 16, 1877. In 1841, he moved from Hendricks County, Indiana, to Platte County, this State, and in May, 1842, he came to Nodaway County, or to what is now known as Nodaway County, as that was before the county was formed. At that time there were only a few settlers in all the Nodaway River country. Mr. Lamar settled upon a beautiful piece of land.

In those days wild game was abundant and the Indians enjoyed themselves in killing deer, turkeys, etc., on the very spot where are now located some of the most beautiful farms to be seen in the county.

It was several years after he came here before many other immigrants came in. At the time Mr. Lamar came, this portion of the county had not been surveyed, and it was denominated the " lost land," that is, returned to the Government as not being worth surveying. Those surveyors were probably sincere in so returning the land then. We, however, know now that they were greatly mistaken. It is, though, quite suggestive that a scope of country which was returned as not being worth surveying forty years ago is now a beautiful, well cultivated and productive region. Before the surveys were made all the right and title to lands were acquired by discovery, or by settling down upon them. Fortunately, the claims thus taken were so tar apart that after the surveys were made no person's rights were infringed upon, and consequently there were no difficulties attendant upon the surveys. For several years after Mr. Lamar came to this county, Savannah was his post office, to which place it was forty-five miles. We would think it

Mr. Lamar was married twice. He has four children living, namely : Napoleon B. Lamar and Charles J. Lamar. Sarah married Thomas Lamar, and Rutela married John Hudson. Mr. Lamar reared a most exemplary family. He lived a long and useful live. He was a vigorous and interesting conversationalist, had a clear, retentive memory, and illustrated in a free and easy manner the incidents of the early days in this our now great county.

Napoleon B. Lamar was born in Anderson County, Tennessee, March 13, 1829. He came to this county with his father in the spring of 1842. Much that has been said in the sketch of his father will also apply to a sketch of his life. Napoleon relates many amusing incidents of the Indians. He frequently went to their camps in an early day here, and witnessed their fun and frolics. He knew some of the chiefs, among whom were Powsheik, of the Mosquacha tribe, and Black Turkey, of the Pottavvatomies. He says that whenever the Indians were going to take a spree some of them would keep sober. Before beginning the spree all the bows and arrows and tomahawks were hid away. This was done that the Indians might not hurt each other when under the influence of whisky. Mr. Lamar relates an instance of an Indian spree in which one of their number was killed. It appears he was choked to death, as finger prints could be seen about his throat. When they buried him they set him up against a tree, and built a little pen around him, which they daubed over with clay until he was hidden from sight. They buried pipe and tobacco with him, that he might smoke on his way to the happy hunting grounds. A certain Indian, whom they called Malisha, was suspected as being the one who choked the Indian to death. Mr. Lamar says he heard that Malisha was tried for the crime, after the Indians had removed the camp to another place, but he never learned the result of the trial. He was tried in this way : Some herbs were given to him, and if they should have a certain effect he was guilty, and would be put to death, if the herbs did not produce that effect he was innocent, and his life would be spared.

In another case where a squaw died, she was buried with a kettle of soup, and a ladle was placed in it that she might use the soup on her dark journey to the happy hunting grounds. Mr. Lamar says the Indians would not kill a wolf. They seemed to have a tradition that the wolf was the dog of their ancestors, and they protected him as if he was sacred to them.

Charles Lamar is two years younger than Napoleon. He came to this county with his father, and therefore all that has been said relative to early days here in the sketches of his father and brother will also apply to Charles. Charles Lamar married Kisah Hudson. They have

Dawson

The village of Dawson is located two and a half miles a little northwest of Burlington Junction, on section 5. township 65, range 37, Lincoln Township. D. N. McCrea and W. M. Walker owned the land originally on which Dawson is situated. It was named in honor of Col. Lafe Dawson, of Maryville. The citizens call the town Dawson, but the railroad company call the railroad station Dawsonville. The post office is called Dawson. The village is located in a beautiful grove on a fine roll of land north of the Wabash Railroad which runs through the edge of the town. It has a population of about 150 inhabitants. The town was surveyed and platted December 20th, 1879, by E. A. Garvey, civil engineer of the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad Company, who laid out the town. The land owners, in consideration of having the town surveyed and platted, gave one-third of the lots to the surveyor and parties connected with the railroad. All the lots sold have been bought at private sale. The first train of cars reached Dawson, September 2d, 1879. Mr. Burnett erected the first building for general merchandise in December, 1879, and January 1st, 1880, sold the first goods in the town. He received his goods before there was any depot, and landed them from the cars on the ground. He had charge of the first post office in Dawson for one year. Isaac Weddel erected the second building which was used as a blacksmith shop. The next building was removed from Lamar Station by Alonzo Reese for a drug store. J. F. Wallace removed the fourth building in the town, and occupied it, opening a stock of general merchandise. The next building was a dwelling which was removed from Lamar Station also, by Alonzo Reese. Soon afterward A. S. Thompson put up a building and opened a boarding house. A general law office was soon built for the justice of the peace, D. V. McCrea, Esq. J. M. Wallace & Son soon completed another building and opened a stock of groceries and hardware. Bilby, Wood & Co., soon afterward erected a store for general merchandise. A considerable number of dwellings have been since erected.

Dawson is a good point for business. It is located a mile west of the Nodaway River, near the junction of the river with Mill Creek, which receives almost the entire rainfall of all Lincoln Township. The Nodaway Valley is made up of the best alluvial lands in Northwest Missouri, and the multiplied productions of this valley must pour out over the railways into the markets of the world. The lands lying round about Dawson especially possess a deep alluvial soil of great fertility, which will produce abundantly all the cereals and grasses of this latitude. West of the Nodaway River, along the river valley, and as we approach the Missouri River, are found the finest groves in the northwestern portion of the State.

Dawson possesses many natural advantages, and must increase in population and importance in a business point of view. In the last two years, 250,000 bushels of grain, mostly corn, have been shipped from Dawson, and in the last eighteen months 200 car loads of cattle and hogs have been shipped.

On the Nodaway River, seven-eighths of a mile east of Dawson, is a fine water-mill with two run of burrs, owned by H. Burnett, which has been of great service to the town and the people of that vicinity. A dam of eight feet utilizes all the power of the river at that point, and there is an abundance of water for milling purposes at all seasons of the

There has been a public school near where Dawson now stands for twenty-five years. When the town was located Miss Anna Hackett was the teacher. The number of pupils in attendance is about 120. The people contemplate erecting a new school house in another year.

The first marriage in Dawson occurred August 10, 1880, when Mr. Mitchell H. Bailey and Miss Louisa A. Massengale were united in the bands of wedlock by 'Squire D. V. McCrea. The second marriage in Dawson occurred September 19, 1880, at which auspicious time Mr. Arthur McDonnull and Miss Hattie J. Bowman were united in the holy bands of matrimony by 'Squire D. V. McCrea.

Dawson Directory First Baptist Church

This church was organized July 23, 1881, by Rev. H. J. Latour. The following are the names of the original members : H. Burnett, Mrs. M. A. Burnett, J. A. Chadwick, Mrs. Melissie Chadwick, Mrs. Elizabeth Massengale, C. E. Short, Mrs. L. A. Short, J. F. Wallace, Joseph Wallace, Charles Wallace, Mrs. Adeline Wallace, Mrs. Nancy Walker, James Randall, L. B. Edwards, J. W. Short, Mrs. R. C. Short, Mrs. Elizabeth Heckerthorn, Mrs. Jane Thacker, Mrs. Francis Fox, Mrs. Bessie Burnett and Mrs. Amanda Wallace. Rev. A. M. Wallace is the present pastor. He has three other appointments, where he labors. Mr. Wallace has done a large amount of missionary labor in the Nodaway Valley in organizing churches and Sabbath Schools. The church at Dawson is the direct result of his labors in this field. The present membership of the church numbers twenty-one. There is a good Sabbath School during the summer season.

Elmo, a village of about two hundred inhabitants, is situated on the Wabash, St. Louis & Pacific Railroad, nineteen and one-fourth miles, byrail, northwest of Maryville. The land on which the town of Elmo is located was originally owned by Isaac Hesser and the State Bank of Missouri. The land was bought by the Wabash Railroad Company, and the Western Improvement Company formed, who laid out the town in December, 1879. The land was surveyed by the railroad company. There was a public sale of lots in October, 1880. The depot was the first building erected on the town site. There were also two grain offices built. Mr. J. Lamme put up a building about this time for a saloon. W. C. Ecker erected the next building for a hotel, and opened and conducted it for about two years. F. J. Scott soon afterward put up a building for a restaurant and store. The next building was erected by J. R. Nelson, who opened a stock of general merchandise, selling the first goods in the new town. C. J. Lamar put up a store building soon afterward, and opened a stock of general merchandise. About this time there was a section house erected. S. Collins then built a residence, the first one in town, and commenced living in it in the spring of 1880. Wm. Moss erected the next building for a restaurant, which he opened, but soon sold out. About this time Lamar & Severs put up a building and opened a stock of general merchandise. Tibbetts & Phillips very -soon erected a drug store, and then each member of the firm built a residence. At this time C. J. Lamar moved a residence from Lamar Station. Then James Brown built a blacksmith shop, and William Bales put up a residence. Several other buildings followed, whose sequence it is difficult to trace. The Masonic lodge building was soon afterward removed from Lamar Station.

The first marriage in the town occurred September 17, 1880, when Mr. J. A. Maloney was married to Miss R. A. Manley, by 'Squire H. F. Barker.

business in all the lines of trade, and the business of the place will evidently grow in importance from year to year. One hundred thousand bushels of grain have been shipped from Elmo in the last six months.

Elmo Directory Kennedy Lodge No. 329, A. F. & A. M.

Kennedy Lodge was chartered at Lamar Station, October 13, 1870, but was removed to Elmo, December 1, 1880. The names of the charter members are as follows : E. George, John M. Lamar, I. N. Castillo, S. J. Russell, John Hudson, D. V. McCrea, J. R. Nelson, Sidney Smith, Thomas Fields, Alexander Gray, W. S. Lamme, William Longmyers and C. J. Lamar. The names of the present officers are as follows : C. B. Thummell, W. M.; E. George, S. W.; E. M. Bailey, J. W.; Thomas Fields, Treasurer; L. P. Colvin, Secretary ; H. C. Burnett, S. D.; J. R. Nelson, J. D.; J. M. Wallace, S. S.; Thomas Tudder, J. S. ; John Hudson, Tyler.

Chapter Xviii

Several reasons led to the organization of Monroe Township, chief among which was the inconvenience the farmers suffered in voting at distant precincts. These led the people to petition, in 1881, for the organization of another township to be formed out of territory originally belonging to the townships of Green and Hughes.

Ordered by the court, That a municipal township be established out of parts of Green and Hughes Townships, to be known and designated! as Monroe Township, in said county, to be composed of the following; territory, to wit :

Commencing at the southwest corner of section No. 15, township No. 63, range No. 38, thence east with section line eleven miles to the southeast corner of section 17, in township No. 63, range No. 36, thence north with section line four miles, to the northeast corner of section 32,. township 64, range 36, thence west with section line eleven miles, to the southwest corner of section 34, township 64, range 38, thence south four miles south of line dividing Atchison and Nodaway Counties, to the place of beginning.

Monroe Township lies as a parallelogram, eleven miles from east to> west and four miles from north to south. The general features of the township are similar to those of Green Township, out of which it was formed in part. The eastern portion of the township rises gradually from the river, with a slight inclination toward the north, and the western portion rises gently from the river toward the west. Nodaway

River runs through the township from the north to south, dividing it nearly in the middle. Florida Creek empties into the river from the northeast, and Hickory Creek and Hutchinson's Branch from the west. The township is composed of rich prairie lands, with some timber along the Nodaway River and its affluents. The land is rather rolling in its character, especially as we approach the streams. Monroe Township has one mill privilege, which has been improved, near where Skidmore is now located.

Early Settlers

Among the earliest settlers in the territory now belonging to Monroe Township, was William Bunten, who came in 1840, and opened a farm one and one-fourth miles northeast of the place where Skidmore is now located.

In 1847, Wm. V. Smith purchased the claim of Fulkerson. In 1845, Peter Noffsinger came and settled on a tract of land adjoining the town site on the northeast.

Monroe Cotrel settled on a claim two miles southeast of where Skidmore now stands, but afterward sold to William Broyles, and he sold to Robert Bagley, who lives on the same place now.

Joseph Huntsucker took a claim in 1845 about three miles northeast of Skidmore. He sold out to Thomas Davis, and Mrs. Davis still lives on the same place.

About 1850, Hugh D. McDonald entered forty acres of what was known as part of Burr Oak Grove. He sold out to Thomas Hayes, in 1853, whose two sons, James T. Hayes and John G. Hayes, and his two sons-in-law, John S. Grigsby and Alonzo Coston, settled in and around the grove. Burr Oak Grove is located four miles west of Skidmore and one-half mile north. The grove contains about 320 acres of land, and lies at the head of Burr Oak Branch, which runs into the Nodaway River. Hickory Grove is located one mile south and two miles west of Skidmore, and contains about half a section of land. It lies about midway on Hickory Creek, which flows into the Nodaway River. William Bunten settled in 1840. William Dotson settled in 1840. James Curl, 1842. Richard Miller, 1844.

Burr Oak M. E. Church

This church was organized about the year i860. The present membership is seventy. Rev. William H. Van Gundy is the pastor. The church edifice is worth $1,500. The Sabbath School is in good condition, and the church is prosperous.

The town of Skidmore is situated eleven miles south of Burlington Junction, exactly in the geographical center of Monroe Township, about half a mile east of the Nodaway River. A beautiful little valley or depression runs through the town from north to south, giving it perfect drainage, along which passes the railroad, the town being thus freed, in great measure, from the noise, dust and smoke of passing trains. The land on each side of this little depression rises in fine rolls, on which lies the village of Skidmore, one of the finest towns in the Nodaway Valley. The land on which the town of Skidmore is situated was originally owned by Mr. M. Skidmore, who gave the Nodaway Valley Railroad Company over twenty acres of land for railroad purposes. It was a free gift, Mr. Skidmore not entering into any stipulation that the railroad company should locate a station at that point. The railroad was built in i88or and completed the 15th day of August of that year. There was no town company formed, but Mr. Skidmore laid off the town early in July, 1880, and there was a public sale of lots July 28, 1880. Mr. W. S. Earls, of Savannah, bought the first three lots, Nos. 6, 7 and 8, block 6, at $50 each. We notice that the streets are christened from the names of trees. We observe Oak, Walnut, Chestnut, Maple, Ash, Linden and Elm Streets.

Mr. Blodgett, of the Nodaway Valley Road, was the surveyor of the town. The first building, a grocery store, was erected by H. H. Joy, who moved a stock of groceries from Union Valley, and commenced 1 usiness about September 1, 1880.

a general store, and Marklin, Earles &-Co. put up two buildings, one for hardware and furniture, and the other for general merchandise. T. S. Marlin erected a building for hardware ; William McGinnis put up a harness shop, and Dr. D. M. Hutt built a drug store. Dr. Charles Impey -erected another drug store. A blacksmith shop was built by J. V. Parrish, and W. Clark also built a blacksmith shop. A carpenter shop was then erected by F. VanAnsdale. About this time quite a number of buildings were in process of construction. 'Squire Finney put up a hotel and livery stable, and Nathan Burkhead built a restaurant. Howell Bros, established a lumber yard.

The Methodist Episcopal Church was the first church edifice built in Skidmore. It was completed in July, 1881. The Methodist Episcopal Church South erected their church edifice, and completed it October 1, 1 88 1 . The people of Skidmore are alive to the interests of education, and have nearly completed a good school house, at a cost of $1,700, which is constructed in accordance with modern principles of school architecture.

The first marriage in the town of Skidmore was celebrated at the residence of the bride's father, Mr. Joseph V. Parrish, on Thursday evening, June 23, 1881, when Mr. Hamilton Deffinbaugh was married to Miss Ary Bell Parrish, by 'Squire Thomas L. Howden.

The directors of the school at Skidmore are Win, Ashler, Chairman ; E. F. Day and John Picket. The school is in good condition. Calvert R. White is the principal.

Skidmore is situated in the fertile valley of the Nodaway River, and is surrounded by one of the finest and most beautiful sections of land in the state. Located in the exact center of Monroe Township, with good railroad facilities, it must necessarily grow in commercial importance and in population. Every line of business is well represented. Large amounts of live stock and grain are being shipped. As an illustration of the business of the new town, Markland, Earls & Co. sold $27,500 worth of goods during the year ending October 15, 1881. Other firms are equally prosperous.

In 1 85 1, Downing & Terhune erected a grist and saw mill on the Nodaway River, near where Skidmore is now located. It was known as the Downing Mill. Mr. M. Skidmore bought the mill in 1864, and sold it to G. M. Nash and Hulett Burnett, who continued to run the mill until 1872, when the Nash Brothers built a better mill. Mr. H. H. Nash runs .it now. It is of much value to the new town.

The population of Skidmore at the present time is about four hundred. It is a most desirable location for immigrants seeking new homes in the west. The health of the new town is excellent, as it has a perfect drainage, and the people are thrifty and industrious. In all respects, perhaps, there is no better point to make new homes and establish business houses than in Skidmore, so beautifully located in the Nodaway Valley, the queen of the valleys of Northwest Missouri.

Methodist Episcopal Church

This church was organized November 10, 1880. The following are the names of the original members : Wesley Clark, Mrs. Lucy Clark, Mrs. Catherine Clark, Joseph Van Ausdall, James Parshall, Thos. Clark, Stratford Saunders and wife, Marshall Lyle, A. B. Hull, James Day, John Pickett, William Barber, W. R. Hays and wife, W. J. Berry and wife, William Kennada, Mrs. Julia Clark, Mrs. Polly Lyle, Mrs. Ruthilla Parshall, Matilda A. Pickett, Mrs. Wm. Barber, Mrs. Martha Kennada and Miss Mary Kennada. Rev. Eri Edmonds is the present pastor. The church is prosperous. The church property is valued at $1,600.

Cumberland Presbyterian Church

In 1880, this church received its organization. The following are the names of the original members : John Mast, Mr. McCowen, Albert Carver and family, Garrett Long and family, Martha Brown, Mrs. Calver, Mrs. B. F. Bagley and James Lassen and wife. Rev. Mr. Hayes is the present pastor. The church membership numbers fourteen. Servicesare held in the M. E. Church South every second Sunday in each, month.

Methodist Episcopal Church South

As early as the year 1847, this church received its organization. Preaching services were held in those early days in school houses in the neighboroood. The church agreed to the plan of separation, with some exceptions, and adhered to the Southern branch of the church in 1846.. In 1849, a local separation took place in this neighbood between the twobranches. The original members of the church were as follows : Peter Noffsinger and wife, Miss Martha Noffsinger, Mrs. Charity Daws, W. V. Smith, Jane L. Smith, Mrs. Lucretia Smith and Rebecca Jane Wyatt. The membership of the church numbers sixty at the present time. The church property is valued at $2,000. Rev. Mr. Falkner supplies the church.