First Settlements, Center Township, Greene County, Missouri >From "History of Greene County, Missouri," St. Louis: Western Historical Company, 1883. ********************************************************************** The first settlers in Center Township were members of the Leeper family from Tennessee. The widow Leeper and her sons, John, Frank and Quion, located in 1832, on the head of Leeper prairie, in section 19 or 18-29- 23, on what afterward became the county poor farm. The next settlers were George Young and Joseph Dobbs. In 1837 came Jeptha Mason, Josiah Mason, Isaac Redferan, and Townley Redferan. The latter purchased the farm of David Dobbs. At the head of Leeper prairie, Hugh Leeper was one of the first settlers, and the prairie was so called from that fam- ily. William Tatum came from Logan County, Kentucky, 1837, first sett- led on the Leeper prairie, and in 1839 came to the head of Clear creek in section four of township 29, range 23. He had twelve children, of whom four are now living in Center Township. James Wilson came to the township in 1837, and settled on section 3, township 29, range 23, on the farm afterward occupied by Mrs. Matilda Jones. Isaac N. Jones was one of the oldest residents of the township, and a man well known throughout the county. Henry Paulsell lived in the township for many years. John Yeakley moved from East Tennessee the fall of 1839, then moved to Polk County, and in March, 1840, located in Center Township. His son, Thomas Yeakley, is a well known citizen of the township. In 1847 Nathaniel Batson came to Center Township, and James Hughes came from Ray County, Tennessee, in 1844, and settled in section 19, town- ship 29, range 23. Several other old pioneers and settlers are living in the township. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Joe Miller Penny Harrell ====================================================================