Jackson Township, Johnson County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Johnson County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Source: "History of Johnson County, Missouri" by Ewing Cockrell, 1918
Transcribed by Karen Hammer -2009

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

In the original organization of Johnson county it consisted of four townships of nearly the same area. Jackson was one and occupied the northwestern corner of the county. It was organized May 4, 1835, at the first county court.

Jackson township was named in honor of President Andrew Jackson. The organization of subsequent townships in the county has taken considerable territory from the original Jackson township, yet it still remains the largest township in Johnson county.

Geography.-Area, 81 square miles, or 51,840 acres. Geographically, the east four-fifths of Jackson township lie between the two upper main forks of Blackwater creek, and the west one-fifth lies on a ridge between the west fork of Blackwater and the headwaters of Big creek. This. ridge constitutes a watershed running north and south between the tributaries of the Missouri river on the east and the Osage river on the west.

Early Settlements.-The first settlement in this township was what was known as "Basin Knob Settlement" and was nearly as early as the old Columbus Settlement. Jonathan Fine came from Tennessee and settled here in 1829. He was the first to be buried in the old cemetery near Blackwater church. Baldwin H. Fine, from Ray county. Tennessee settled here in 1829. He was killed by a maraudering militia band during: the Civil War. who at the same time killed Henry Shaffer and a Mr. Rogers. John Ferguson was also among the first pioneer settlers. Hon. Reuben B. Fulkerson came here from Virginia about 1830. He was a staunch Democrat and was prominent in the affairs of the county at an early day and represented Johnson county in the state Legislature at one time. Macklin White, the first to represent Johnson county in the state Legislature, was also a resident of Jackson township. Joseph Hooper came here in 1831 and settled on the Cockrell farm. A brother of his also settled on Sni creek about the same time. Elias Lundy, a Virginian, also joined the settlement at Basin Knob at a very early day. Tompkins Bradley came here in 1836. His house was burned by Kansas invaders during the Civil War and in 1863, he removed with his family to California.
The following is a list of some of the early settlers many of whose descendants now reside in the county and the names are familiar to the present generation: Jackson Longacre, John Longacre, Jerry James, Joseph Howard, Jowell Ellis, Peter A. Hall, Charles Hood, T. Franklin, W. Franklin, Greenville Crisp, M. Edwards, D. Edwards, Samuel, Elias and Amos Lundy, Amos Roberts. James Givens, G. Colbern, Henry Colbern, Moses Ferguson, Lee Ferguson. Frank Bradley, William Davidson, Squire Campbell, James Craig, Martin and Charles Phillips, John Miller, Joseph Ragsdale, William Ragsdale, Thomas Ragsdale, William Hopper, Calvin Shore, John Y. Martin, Daniel Spainhower, Jesse Howard, William Hays, James Briggs, Samuel Shirley, William Hill, William P. Paul, William P. Tucker, William Doak, David Hogan, John C. Sparks and Judge John Windsor. The latter served as county judge in an early day.

Early Churches.-The early settlers of this section early provided for divine worship. Like most pioneer communities, preaching was held in the private residences during the first few years. In warm weather religious services were held in the groves. The first convert in the township is said to be Mrs. B. F. Fine. Thomas Wallace was the first circuit rider to visit the township. Soon after him came Thomas Ashby, who was assisted by a young man named H. N. Watts, who was preparing for the ministry. Some of the early settlers declared that he was not a very promising youth, although contrary to expectations, he developed into a very prominent minister in later life. Rev. D. A. Leeper came about 1848 and remained about two years. Rev. Samuel S. Colbern ministered to the spiritual wants of the community from 1852 to 1854. He was a strong, capable, conscientious man. Rev. Henry Farmer was prominent among the first preachers of the Baptist denomination.

Blackwater Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in the eastern part of the township was the first church organized in the county, and is the oldest Methodist church west of Marshall, south of the Arkansas line (according to Rev. Thomas Cobb, of Lexington). Mr. Cobb states that the church was organized in the Christmas holidays in 1829, and a log church built in 1834. The early pastors here were Thomas Wallace, Thomas T. Ashby, G. W. Beuley Daniel A. Lapeer, Jesse Green D. F. Capell, E. E. Degg, Silas Williams, J. A. Chase, T. C. James, W. M. Pitts, James A. dimming, R. A. Foster, H. W. Webster, R. Minshaw, H. N. Watts, M. Duren, W. J. Brown, T. P. Cobb, J. C. Daily, E.W. Woodward, John B. Wood and J. D. H. Wooldridge. Among the early members of this church we find the names of Thomas Winsor and family, James Bradley and family, Richard Bradley and family, John Ferguson, Henry Shaffer, Rev and Mrs. J. Fine, Baldwin H. Fine and wife. Jester Cox and family, William Smith and J. T. and E. E. Davis. Camp meetings were held annually near this church for a period of over thirty years and people came from as far as Lexington and Independence to attend them.

Basin Knob Methodist Episcopal Church, South, was organized in 1858. A. J. Longacre. James Sanders, Moses Mullens and William Hayes, with their families, and G. Christ and Polly A. Fulkerson were the first members. Their first building was burned in 1869 and later they erected another.

Elm Spring Baptist church was organized in 1859 by Rev. George Minton and Rev. J. Gott. However, this congregation erected no building until 1870, the war having interfered with the carrying out of the original plans. In 1870, a neat frame structure was erected at a cost of one thousand dollars, in section 30, township 47, range 48, near Elk Springs on the north branch of the Blackwater. Among the early pastors who served here were the Reverends George Minton, Harry Farmer, I. L. Crow, J. W. Williams, I. X. Newman, J. Gott, F. M. West and J. B. Jackson. Among the early members of this congregation were John Winfrey, Jane Winfrey, W. F. Snow and wife,
Dorcas Hunter. David Hunter, Josephus Martin and wife, N. Williams and Richard T. Martin and wife. The first Sunday school was organized in 1866 and John Winfrey was the first superintendent.

Pleasant Grove Methodist Episcopal church Was organized in 1867. Newton Cobb, J. C. Sparks and William Harper and their families were the first members. Wesley Chapel Methodist Episcopal church was organized in the southern part of the township in 1870. Ten years later they erected a building at a cost of seven hundred dollars.

Enon Baptist church was organized at Pittsville July 25, 1868. by Abraham Weaver and they erected a building in 1869 at a cost of one thousand dollars. The early pastors here were Abram Weaver, G. Smith, I. N. Newman, J. B. Jackson and A. Barton. The first members were Levy Warford, Louis Warford, William A. Warford, Martha J. Warford. Osborn Warford, Margaret Warford, David Warford, Matilda Warford, Michael Warford, Elizabeth Warford, William Warford. Mary Warford, Juda E. Ryan, James M. Noble. James E. McClure, Martin J. McClure, Joseph Crow, C. K. Crow, Louis A. Crow, Osevith Crow, William J. Crow and Martha Crow.

Early Cemeteries.-The early cemeteries of the township were Lundy cemetery in section 31, a well-kept plat containing several graves. Louis Edwards was the first to be interred here in 1855. The oldest cemetery in the township is Blackwater cemetery at Blackwater church, located in section 36. There are many graves here. The cemetery lot is enclosed by a stone wall and kept up and used today. There is also a cemetery in section 4 and one in section 15, and also in section 30, near the old Basin Knob church. Pittsville cemetery was established subsequent to the Civil War and J. A. McClure was the first to be buried here.

Early Schools.-Prior to the establishment of the public school system, the early settlers of Jackson township, like the average pioneers of the various sections of the state, had their subscription schools and the first log school houses were built by the co-operation of the pioneers of each neighborhood. However, the first schools were held in private residences until provisions were made for regular school buildings such as they were at that time. Among the old log school houses the Tucker school house was one of the last.

Early Teachers.-Many of the early-day teachers of this vicinity were capable and possessed of much common sense. Among the pioneer teachers appear the names of Jasper N. Ferguson, B. McCoy, C. Huff, James Briggs, Mr. Tarpley, Mr. Devasier, Mr. Slocum, Mrs. Catherine Craig. Miss Lizzie Emmons, Michael E. Newman, W. W. Sparks, Louis H. Schivington, Miss Nannie P. Pitts, A. Van Ausdol, Newton Cobb and S. P. Sparks. In the early times there were few women teachers.

The first voting precinct was at Mr. Lundy's, at Basin Knob. Basin Knob at that time was strongly Democratic and seemed to control the political destinies of the county.

First Postoffice.-The first postoffice in the township was established at Basin Knob and John Winfrey served as postmaster there for eleven years. Later the postoffice was removed to Pittsville.

Official Records and Statistics, Justices.-The justices of the peace of Jackson township, as far back as the records go, with the dates of their election, are: 1842, Joseph \Y. Henderson, Baldwin H. Fine, William C. Baker: 1844, Tompkins Bradley, Dennis Dunham: 1846. Mumford Smith, William C. Baker; 1850, Peter H. B. Drace, Daniel W. Ragan; 1856, Finley E. Barnett. John B. Chapman: I860, Isham Reece; 1862, Richard B. Bradley, William Tucker; 1870, Joseph Patterson, J. MM. Martin: 1878, J. B. Murray. R. S. Phillips; 1886, Fred A. Myers, Meredith Rice: 1890, Meredith Rice, Sam C. McGlathery: 1894, V. Price, G. H. McGlathery; 1896, John Burns; 1898, T. A. Edwards Pat Lawson; 1902, C. C. Smith, Pat Lawson; 1906, C. C. Smith, R. L. Howard; 1908, T. J. Haile; 1910, T. J. Haile, C. C. Smith; 1912, Robert H. Peery; 1914, R. L. Howard. C. Sam Smith; 1916, William A. Merrill.

County Officers.-The following are the county officers who have been elected from the township since 1882, with the dates of their election:
Jasper Ferguson (Democrat), surveyor.
1886-Hardin Long (Democrat), county judge.
1906-08-William B. Pemberton (Democrat), county judge.
1910-Dr. Alex. C. Crank (Democrat), representative.
1916-R. L. Howard (Democrat), treasurer.

Road Improvements.-County road improvements made by the township, since this system was established in 1911, were up to January 1, 1918, twenty-three in number and aggregated $1,263, furnished by the citizens of the township, and $1,255 furnished by the county. In amount of this work Jackson ranks fifth among the townships of the county.
Organizations.-The following is a complete list of all organizations of every kind in Jackson township. Full details of each organization are in separate chapters on the different organizations.

Churches-Baptist, Pittsville; Baptist, Elm Springs: Methodist, Mt. Zion; Methodist, Woods Chapel: Methodist, South, Baskin Knob; Methodist, South, Blackwater.

Fraternal Organizations-Masons, Blue Lodge, Pittsville; Odd Fellows, Pittsville; Modern Woodmen, Pittsville; Royal Neighbors, Pittsville.

1917 War Organizations-Red Cross, Pittsville Branch.

Total number of organizations in township, exclusive of schools, is eleven.

There are two villages in the township, Pittsville and Elm. Chapel Hill, site of old Chapel Hill College, is just half a mile from the north line in Lafayette county.

See chapters on Organizations and Families for much township history.

PITTSVILLE.

Pittsville was laid out in 1858 and named in honor of Rev. William M. Pitts, a prominent Methodist devine. He was a native of Kentucky of English ancestry and was born January 6, 1810. He came to Jackson township in 1848. Pittsville was quite a flourishing village when the Civil War broke out. During the war a part of the town was burned by guerillas. Now it is the center of a very progressive community. It has stores, blacksmith shop, physician and good church and school house.