Salem Township

Posltion And Description

Salem township comprises five-sixths of congressional township sixty-one and six sections off of township sixty-two, in range twenty-eight. It is bounded on the north by Harrison county; on the east by Washington township; on the south by Marion and Grand River; on the West by Benton. The principal streams are Cypress Creek, Hog Creek and Brushy Creek. All of these flow southward and empty into the Grand River. Probably two-thirds of the township's soil consists of high, undulating prairie; but there is an abundance of timber sufficient for the wants of the people. The township contains twenty-three thousand and seven and fittytwo one-hundredths acres.

History

The first settlers in Salem township were Jonathan and Alexander Liggett, who came about the year 1837, and were from Tennessee. Jonathan Liggett staked out his claim on section twenty and Alexander located on section eighteen, township sixty-one, range twenty-eight. Soon after there came to the township Aurelius Richardson, A, G. Dergin, and Matthew Harboard, who settled in the vicinity of where the village of Salem now stands. Old John Severe settled on section twenty in 1841, and built a water-mil] at the Rocky Ford on Cypress Creek. This was the first mill in the township and in this section of country, and was resorted to by the settlers for miles around. The mill stood until 1845 when it was washed away by a flood, and never rebuilt, There are no mills in the township at present, but there are pienty within a reasonable distance.

The first marriage in the township was that of Harvey Ellis and Hannah J. Liggett. The ceremony was performed by Rev. J. Y. Porter, a Methodist niinister.

The rst white male child born in this township was William O, Dergin, who was born in 1839; his father was A. G. Dergin. The first female child was Eunice Jarrett, who was born in 1840; her parents were Andrew and Susan Jarrett.

The first resident physiciau was Dr, Watts, not the entinent divine, but a Maine Yankee, who lived in the vicinity of where the town of Salem is, and whose subsequent history, after leaving the township, is anknown.

The first minister in the township was Rev, Abraliain Millice, a Methodist, who came in 1839 and organized a church at Jonathan Liggett's residence, on section twenty, near where the Bethel Church building now stands. Rev. Mr. Millice was from the Grand Pass country, in Saline county. It is claimed that Rev. George W. Flint was the first minister and organized the first church.

The first school was tanght at the residence of Matthew Harboard, by the Yankee doctor, Watts, mentioned as the first pliysician in the township. 'The first school-house is said to have been the Barr school-house, which was built on section twelve, township sixty-one, range twenty-eight, in 1851.

In about the year 1845, Tolbert Iiggins was engaged in cutting a raecoon out of a hollow tree about twenty feet from the ground, A limb was eut off which fell on Mr. Higgins, catching him between it and the tree and fatally injuring him.

Organization, 8Tatistios, Etc

Salem township was organized in June, 1859. The first election was in August, following. The first justices of the peace were Thomas H. Gaines, A.G. Dergin, and John H. Hardin. Erasmus Sevier was one of the first constables.

The assessed valuation of the township in 1870 was $204,214. In 1877 this valuation had increased to $241,093 in the aggregate, divided as follows: Real estate $157,310; personal property, $83,789.

The population of the township in 1860, when its boundaries were much larger than at present, was 1,130; in 1870 it was 936; in 1880, 1t was 982.

1872 - JIndge Gabriel FPeurt, supervisor: Dr. J. N. Raley, clerk; B. B. Adams, assessor; N. B. Brown, collector; Henry Merrifield, constable; John W. Cotfey and L. C. Dowell, justices of the peace.

Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church

This church was organized in the year 1857. The names of the organizing members cannot now be obtained, but the number was thirteen. The church building, a frame, was built in the year 1868, at a cost of $1,000. It has never been formally dedicated. Some of the pastors have been Revs. J. R. Hardin, J. B. Christie, James C. Poe, J. L. Netherton. The present membership is sixty-nine. The church is located on section nine, township fifty-one, range twenty-cight.

Bethel Church is one of the pioneer churches of Daviess county. It was organized by Rev. Abram Millice, in the year 1839, with about twenty members whose names cannot now be obtained. The church building was erected in 1869; it is a frame and cost about $1,300; it was dedicated on December 12th of the year it was built by Rev. Jesse Bird. The pastors of 3ethel Church have been Revs. Abram Millice, John Y. Porter, Noah Richardson, Edwin Robinson, Constantine Dryden, Mr. Reece, Josephus Devlin, James B. Callaway, William Saxon, Daniel H. Root, Isaac Nailor, William M. Warren, William M. Sutton, John D. Vincil, Robert Austin, Samuel Littlepage, Williain Ketron, Samuel Catlin, Samuel Huffaker, John Shores, Joseph Y. Blakely, R. H. G. Kierran, R. HW. Jordan, A. A. Kiergan, Jolin Perry, John Huffaker, L. Gribble, A. J. Worley, and 8. W. Atterberry, the present pastor.

The Village Of Salem

The principal and only town in Salem township is the village of that name. Salem was laid out by B. 1. Coffey, in the fall of 1856. The first building erected in the place was a frame store-house, which was built by Brown & Westtield. They put ina stock of general merchandise, such as is usually found in a well reguhted country store. The first dwelling was a frame, and was built by Edwin McIntire. The first: blacksmith shop was built by William Triplett, who worked at his trade therein. William Gillespie built the first cabinet shop, and worked in it himself.

Valuation, Etc

In the spring of 1876 the place was supplied with a daily mail, which passed "up in the morning and down in the afternoon." Professor Walrad was postmaster at the time. A correspondent of one of the Gallatin newspapers said of him: " He keeps everything usually tound in a first-class drug store. You can here get the purest spirits for medicinal purposes and pure juice of the grape for medicine or sacramental purposes."

The following is a list of business firms in the village at present (1881): Smith & Kavanagh and Weldon Bros., dealers in dry goods and groceries; Keown & Co., hardware, farm implements and sewing machines; F. 1. Reed, drug store; E. McIntire, furniture store; 8. A. Bryant, blacksmith shop; J. W. Rupe, harness-maker; IL. W. Githens, wagon-maker; Samnel Griffin, proprietor Griffin House, hotel; M. B. McClung, physician. The population of the place in 1880 was seventy-five.

The school-house tor District No. 8, iain Salem. It was built in 1869. J. W. Laird is the present teacher of the school, and the number of pupils enrolled is eighty-five. The district has nine months' school in the

Christian Ciurch

~ The only chureh in Salem is the Christian Church, which was organized June 17, 1868. The following are said to have been the original members: John J. Ford, Cassander Ford, E. 8. Ellis, Elizabeth Ellis, George Flint (Elder), Perry Butler, Thomas J. H'lint, Samuel Ford, William S. Brown, Philander Brown, Lewis Brown, Ellen Brown, b. T. Brown, Jolin Brown (Elder), Francis Brown, Jvel R. Brown, Naney A. Brown, D. W. Terry, Rachel Terry, G. W. Kerl, Hannah Kerl, Silas Hammons, Lydia Hamwons,

In 1867-68 the frame church building was erected at a cost of $8005; it was dedicated Tune 17, 1868. The pastors of this church have been Revs- George Flint, J. W. Coffey, D. W. Martin, and the present pastor, J. F. Jordan, The present membership is 150.

Masonic Lodge

Earl Lodge No. 285, A. F. & A. M., was granted a dispensation March 9, A. p. 1868, a. 1. 5868, and was organized on Mareh 30th, following. The date of this charter is October 15, a. p. 1868, a. v. 5868. The first officers were J.J. Enyart, W. M.; Nathanial Glaze, 8. W.; George W. Flint, J. W.; Gabriel Feurt, Treas.; N. B. Brown, See'y; William T. Foster, 8. D.; Thomas J. Flint, J. D.; John Armstrong T. The present officers are Jacob Hoover, W. M.; James O. Ellis, 8. W.; F. M. MeCoy, J. W.; G. Feurt, Treas.; B. B. Adams, Sec'y; Thomas A. Glaze, S. D.; William P. White, J. D.; M. M. Coffey, T. A hall was built in 1868, and is the property of the lodge. The present membership of Earl Lodge is 38.

Biographical Sketches N. B. Brown

Was born in Logan county, Virginia, in 1833, and moved with his parents to Daviess county, Missouri, in 1843, settling three and one-half miles west of Pattonsburg. He was educated in the country schools of his native county in Virginia, and of Daviess county.

When he eame to Daviess county there were few settlements in the northern part of the county. The county then, and for several years afterward, embraced what is now Tlarrison county. Mr. Brown eame to Salem township, then known as Benton, in 1857, aud built the first store-house in Salem. When he first came to the county and for several years afterward, all the grinding of grain was done on a hand-mill belonging to " Old Billy " Allen.

In 1861 Mr. Brown joined the Enrolled Militia of Missouri, and was elected captain of Company B. After the reorganization of the militia in 18463, he was appointed captain of Company M, Fourth Regiment, Colonel John B. Hale, commanding. In this organization he served for nine months, when the old organization was resumed. He participated in the engage-

Mr. Brown has a finely improved farm, and keeps from 100 to 200 head of cattle on hand all the time. Te also does a Jarge business in buying and shipping stock; shipping in 1880 four hundred ecar-loads from the counties of Daviess, Harrison, Gentry and Nodaway. This stoek was worth ou an average $800 to the ear-load, making a grand total of $320,000. He has shipped for the last ten years, an average of 200 carloads per year,

Mr. Brown was iarried, in 1859, to Miss Sarah J. Harbord, of this county. They have nine children, all living; namely, Mary ©., George ©., E. Anna, Alice, Luey L., Josie B., John N., Charles E., and an infant unnamed. Mr. Brown has been a member of the Christian Church for fourteen years.

Julge Gabriel Feurt

Gabriel Feurt was born in Scioto county, Ohio, July 38,1827. His father, 'Thomas Feurt, was a native of New Jersey, and his mother, Mary, was born in Pennsylvania, His grandfather, George Bowers, served seven years in the Revolutionary War, and settled in Scioto county, Ohio, when there were 'but three other families in that county. Our subject received his education in the common schools of Ohio, and came to this county io 1845, in company with his mother and others of the family, and settled where he now lives - never having resided in any other than his birthplace, and where he now lives, in his life. Mr. Feurt was elected justice of the peace in 1861, and held that office for ten years. In 1870 he was elected judge of the County Court, and filled that responsible office with greatest credit for eight years, and most of that time was the presiding justice. He has made tarming and stock-raising his business in life, owns 800 acres of rich and fertile land, and is one of the leading farmers of the county.

Mr. Feurt was united in marriage, December 21, 1845, to Miss Sarah Glaze, who was born in Vermillion county, Illinois, January 29, 1833, and is a danghter ot Nathaniel and Catharine Glaze. Mr. Glaze was a native of Kentucky, but moved to Ilinois at an early day, and to this county in 1843, dying here March 30, 1548. He had a family of nine children, fuur of whom are living. Mr. and Mrs. Feurt have had ten children; namely, George F., born September 14, 1849; Mary C., born September 8, 1851; Lanra B., born May 15, 1854; James H., born August 30, 1856 - died ; Alice, born October 9, 1858; Crittenden J., born October 17, 1860; Eldora, born September 14, 1864 - died; Fannie D., born October 4, 1867; and Ollie, born Angust 4, 1870. a

Judge Feurt is one of the most valuable and prominent citizens in Daviess county. The well known qualities of truth, justice and probity which have characterized his course through life has endeared him to the people of the whole county, and placed his name high upon the acroll of those whom they have honored with their suffrage.

Henry W. Githens

Was born in Decatur county, Indiana, in 1823, and is the son of Samuel and Jane Githens. His father was one of the pioneers of Indiana. Mr. Githens received a limited education in the schools of his native county. He moved to Daviess county, Missouri, in 1844, where he resided eight months, when he was attacked with the "Grand River Ague," which so discouraged him that he left Missouri in disgust, returning to Indiana, where he remained five years, when he again moved to Missouri, and has lived here most of the time sinee, and owns a fine farm of 160 acres. i Mr. Githens married, in Indiana, in 1843 to Miss Eveline Higgins, before he had attained the age of twenty years, and with whom he lived twentysix years. They had seven children, four of whom are now living; namely, Samuel, Rebecca J., Mary Ann, and George. Three are dead: Lucinda B., and two infants. Mrs. Githens died in 1868. Mr. Githens was married, in 1869, to Miss Justina Nash, by whom he has the following children: Lucinda E., Clara May, Emma, Anna L., and John W., deceased

D. W. Handy

Was born in Barren county, Kentueky, in 1826, and is a son of Robert Av and Rosana Handy. Mr. Handy lived in Kentucky until the year of 1865 when he moved to Daviess county, Missouri, settling on a farm three miles south of Salem. He remained on the farm three years, when he sold his farm and went into the mercantile business at Bancroft in this county. Here he remained about a year when he sold out and moved to Salem, buying out the store of his brother, R. W. Handy. He remained in business at Salem until 1879, when he sold out again, and since that time has been engaged in farming and raising and dealing in stock. He recently sold his farm of 500 acres adjoining the town of Salem for $9,000, and now thinks of resnming the mercantile business at the first favorable opportunity. Mr. Handy is now holding the office of trustee and treasurer of Salem township, to which office he was elected in April, 1851. Ile has been a member of the Baptist Church for twenty-two years.

Tn 1848, Mr. Handy was married to Miss Mary J. Cook, of Kentucky. They have seven children living, as follows: Maggie, wife of J. I. Weldon, of Salem; James B., Aaron, William F., Ida B., Olley and Charles M. One child, a boy, named John, died in 1858 at the age of one year.

Henry T. Keown

The subject of this sketch is the son of John A. and Angeline Keown, and was born in Madison county, Tiinois, November 21, 1843. He received a common school education, and lived with his parents until he was eighteen years old, then commenced business for himself. He engaged in dealing in cattle for six years. After his marriage he settled ona farm and stayed there about six years, then purchased a marble shop in New Douglas, Illinois, and was engaged in the marble business by himself until 1878, when he took in a partner (I. A. Olive) and they carried on said business, and also opened a hardware store. In the summer of 1881, Mr. Keown gold his interest in the marble yard and hardware store, and in October moved to Salem, and purchased the store building formerly occupied by E. McIntire, and put in a stock of hardware. The following month he sold a half interest in his business and building, to his cousin, Charles W. Keown. They now earry a large stock of hardware, and also a good assortinent of tarming implements.

On November 21st, 1866, Mr. Keown married Miss Margaret M. Wright. She was born November 17, 1851. They have five children living: William E., Andrew §., Daisy T., Edith C. and Jessie A. Little Effie E. died October 1, 1872, aged one year and twenty-one days.

Charles W. Keown

Among the enterprising young men who have left good homes and friends and came to Missouri, and located in Daviess county, appears the name of Charles W. Keown, of Salem, the subject of this sketch. Te was born in the town of Marine, Madison county, Illinois, September 30, 1861. He is the son of Emsley and Anna M. Keown. Mr. Keown attended the pnblie schools of his native town until he was far enough advanced in his studies to enter college, then entered the Eureka College, at Enreka, Illinois, and remained one term, then went to Blackburn University, at Carlinville, Tlinois, and there completed his education. In the fall of 1881, he came to Daviess county, seeking a business location, and for that purpose visited several towns and finally chose Salem for his future home, and purchased a half interest in a hardware store and building from his cousin, H. T. Keown, The firm of Keown & Co. carry a large stuck of hardware, and also a good assortment of farming implements.

M. B. McClung was born in Greenbrier county, Virginia, in 1839, and is ason of Dixon and Ellen McClung. He received his early education in the common schools of his native county, in Virginia. At the beginning of the war he entered the Confederate army, joining an infantry company known as the " Nicholas Blues," of which he was elected second lieutenant. This company belonged to the brigade of which General John B. Floyd was commander. In the fall of 1861, he resigned his position in the infantry and joined the Fourteenth Virginia Cavalry in which he served until the close of the war, in 1865. In 1868, he moved to Daviess county, having made a previous visit to this State in 1859. Ie received his medical education at.the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Keokuk, lowa, at which institution he graduated in Mareh, 1879.

In 1877, Dr. McClung was married to Miss Sarah A. Handy, daughter of R. W. Tandy, of Salem, this county. They have two children: Theo- Myrtle and Maro Bertrand.

Edward M Intire

Was born in Tippecanoe county, Indiana, in 1832. His parents were William and Naney McIntire. He moved with his father to MeLean county, [llinois, in 1838. Here he remained until 1856, when he moved to Daviess county, Missouri, settling at Salem, where he has since resided, except during an interval of five years, from 1861 to 1865, which time he spent in Iowa and Illinois. He twice offered to enter the army in behalf of the Union, but was rejected on account of his health. Mr. MelIntire started in the far-. niture business in Salem in 1866, and has followed the business almost con-- tinuously sinée that time. He served as constable of Salem township for eight years, from 1871 to 1879; in polities isa Republican, and strong in the faith of his party; and has been a member of the Christian Church fortwelve years.

Mr. MelIntire was married, in McLean county, Illinois, in 1850, to Miss. Mary P. Coffey, daughter of the late Judge B. 8. Coffey, of this county.. They have had ten children, seven of whom are living, as tollows: Margaret A., now Mrs. Armstrong, living in Pattonsburg; Mary A., now Mrs. Butler; William B., married and living in Salem; Nancy, now Mrs. Yarbrough,. living in Salem; Martha L., Charles A., and Edwin W. Three have died: George P., infant, died Angust 12, 1873; Clara F., died April 9, 1874, aged eleven years, eleven months, and nine days; Cora A., died August 2,. 1875, aged five months and fourteen days.

Mr. MeIntire built the first dwelling house in the town of Salem and did: the carpenter work of the first school-honse in the district, and has built three-fourths of the houses in the town.

William J. Pugh

Was born in Preble county, Ohio, in 1836, and is a son of Williamson and: Sarah Pugh with whom he moved, at the age of three years, to Rush county, Indiana, where he resided until 1872, when he removed to Harrison eounty,. Missouri, and five years later to his present residence in Salem. Mr. Pugh was educated in the common schools of Rush county, Indiana, and at the Fairview Academy in the same county, which institution he attended ten months. Mr. Pugh commenced teaching at the age of eighteen years, and taught for thirteen winters, working a farm during the summers. He has not taught since 1866. Mr. Pugh was elected justice of the peace in Indiana in three weeks after he had attained his majority. He served! in this capacity for fifteen conseentive years, and resigned the office: when he moved to Missouri in 1872. Before he had resided in Harri-

He was then elected township collector and served one year and refused aretlection to the sume oftice. Tn A pril, 1851, he was elected constable and colleetor of Salem township, Daviess county, which ottice he now holds. Mr. Pugh has been in office ever since le was twentyone years of age, with the exception of intervals umonnting to about tour years, a part of which time he was ineligible for want of legal residence.

Mr. Pugh was married, in Indiana, on November 16th, 1856, to Miss Melinda Ginn, of Franklin county, Indiana. They have three children; namely, W. Thomas, S. Anna and George EH. Mr. Pugh lias been a member of the Christian Church since 1856, his wife has been a member ot the same church since 1853, and he is now an elder in that church.

Was born in Kosciusko county, Indiana, in 1852. At the age of three years he moved with his parents to Iowa City, Lowa, where he resided two years, and then moved with his parents to Bethany, Harrison county, Missouri, where he remained until August, 1877, when he removed to Salem, Daviess county, where he has since resided. Mr, Rupe received his edueation in the schools of Bethany, Missouri. While in Bethany he learned the trade of harness-making, whieh he has since followed. Mr. Rupe has been married twice. Tis first wife was Miss Alice Shockley, of Bethany, by whom he has two children, Della U. and Raymond 8. Mrs. Rupe died in March, 1878. Mr, Rupe was married again, September 9, 1880, to Miss Flora Hendricks, danghter of John R. Mendrieks, of Salem township, Daviess county. Mr. Rupe was appointed postmaster of Coffeysburg in January, 1850, which office he stil] holds.

Was born in Hart county, Kentucky, in 1848. His parents were Jonathan and Sallie Weldon, with whom he moved to Missouri in 1855, where he has lived since that time, in the counties of Harrison and Daviess. He received his education in the schools of these counties in Kentucky and Missouri.

Mr. Weldon has been engaged in farming all of his life, and now owns a nicely improved farm adjoining the town of Salem. He is now turning his attention to sheep-raising, as he regards it more remunerative than other kinds of stock. At the age of twenty years, in 1864, he joined Company E, Forty-third Missouri Volunteers and served until the close of the war,

Mr. Weldon was married, in 1867, to Miss Saral M. Handy, danghiter ot D. W. Handy, of Salem, this county. They have two children living, Dora Alice and Mand, and one dead, a boy named Robert.